Pest Control Technician Practice Exam 2026 – Complete Prep Guide

Ladybugs, also known as ladybird beetles, are highly effective natural predators of aphid populations. These insects have a voracious appetite for aphids, with a single ladybug capable of consuming dozens to hundreds of them in a day, depending on the life stage and environmental conditions. They are particularly beneficial in garden settings and agricultural fields where aphid infestations can quickly escalate and damage crops. By incorporating ladybugs into pest management strategies, you can enhance biological control efforts against aphids, thereby maintaining a healthier and more balanced ecosystem.

Other choices, such as ants, dragonflies, and grasshoppers, do not have the same level of effectiveness in controlling aphid populations as ladybugs do. Ants tend to protect aphids, as they harvest the honeydew produced by aphids, creating an unfavorable environment for natural aphid predators. Dragonflies primarily prey on flying insects and do not typically target aphids directly. Grasshoppers are herbivorous and would not control aphid populations at all.