Beneficial Insects

Pollinators and pest-eaters that help plants thrive. If you spot these in your garden, leave them be.

Common pill bugArmadillidium vulgare
Non-toxic

American giant millipedeNarceus americanus
Irritating secretion

Wheel bugArilus cristatus
Painful bite

Western honey beeApis mellifera
Stinging insect

Common eastern bumble beeBombus impatiens
Can sting

Buff-tailed bumblebeeBombus terrestris
Can sting

Eastern carpenter beeXylocopa virginica
Can sting

European hornetVespa crabro
Painful sting

Bald-faced hornetDolichovespula maculata
Painful sting

European paper waspPolistes dominula
Painful sting

Carolina wolf spiderHogna carolinensis
Painful bite

Yellow garden spiderArgiope aurantia
Mild venom

Noble false widowSteatoda nobilis
Mildly venomous

European garden spiderAraneus diadematus
Mild bite

Monarch butterflyDanaus plexippus
Harmless to touch

Painted ladyVanessa cardui
Non-toxic

Seven-spot ladybirdCoccinella septempunctata
Non-toxic

Convergent lady beetleHippodamia convergens
Non-toxic

European stag beetleLucanus cervus
Non-toxic

European mantisMantis religiosa
Non-toxic

Common green lacewingChrysoperla carnea
Non-toxic

Common green darnerAnax junius
Non-toxic