The length of the life cycle varies greatly with many species of insects. Some develop from egg to adult in a few days or weeks, many require a year, and a few take two or more years to reach maturity. Identification Proper identification is very important. When the insect is correctly identified, information regarding its life cycle, food preference, habits and whether it is beneficial or harmful can be looked up in various leaflets or books available at the county Cooperative Extension Service office or local library. Beneficials Less than one-half of one percent of all insects are pests on plants.
Many beneficial insects feed upon harmful ones.
Common examples of predators are lady beetles, praying mantids, assassin bugs, ambush bugs, and aphid lions. Spiders also prey on numerous insect pests. Several species of mites do not damage plants but instead feed upon other plant-feeding mites. Also, many harmful insects are destroyed by tiny wasp-like parasites. It is important to learn to identify these beneficials and to recognize when they are holding pests in check.