Predators, parasites, and pathogens (disease producing organisms) are the primary groups used in the biological control of insects and mites along with many species of amphibians, birds, mammals, and reptiles. Insects that are natural enemies of pests are also referred to as beneficial insects or beneficials. The most common type of natural enemy is the predator that attacks, kills, and feeds on its prey. There are insect parasites – the larval stages of this group feed on or inside other insects killing their hosts. Pathogens are microbes that can infect and kill the host. Pests and Their Common Natural Enemies identifies common garden pests and their natural enemies.
The table below includes common rose pests and the least environmentally harmful ways of managing them, beginning with natural enemies and including other biological controls and low toxicity pesticides. Click on the pest name in the top row or the natural enemy name in the left-hand column to learn more about them.
| Aphids | Caterpillars | Japanese beetles | Rose slugs | Spider mites | Thrips | Whiteflies | |
| Bigeyed bug | X | X | X | ||||
| Green lacewing | X | X | X | X | X | ||
| Ladybug | X | X | |||||
| Minute pirate bug | X | X | X | X | |||
| Parasitic wasps | X | X | X | ||||
| Soldier beetle | X | X | |||||
| Spider | X | ||||||
| Syrphid fly | X | ||||||
| Bt (Bacillus thuringiensis) | X | ||||||
| Insect parasitic nematodes | X | ||||||
| Milky spore (Paenibacillus popilliae) | X | ||||||
| Narrow range oil | X | X | |||||
| Insecticidal soap | X | X | X | ||||
| Neem oil | X | X | X | ||||
| Spinosad | X | X | X |
By Nanette Londeree, Master Rosarian