Larvae hatch from the eggs, then eat and kill the host pest. The most commonly recognized predator beneficial insect is the lady beetle. The beetles themselves are insignificant in their pest control. The larvae, however, are voracious feeders on aphids, other soft-bodied insects, and pest insect eggs. They should be released after sundown at the base of the infected plants.
Green lacewings are also a common sight in many beneficial programs.
Lacewings devour aphids, mites and other soft-bodied insects. When ordered, lacewings are normally shipped as eggs, which will hatch near the time you receive them, so they will need to be applied as soon as they are received. Apply lacewings by sprinkling the eggs around your plants at the first sign of pests. Predatory mites are another form of beneficial insects. They are adult mites that attack and devour pest mites such as spider mites.