Pests Beneficial Organisms Insect-Transmitted Diseases Management Options Other Resources Contact a Specialist Other Beneficial Insects Spiders and predatory damsel and big-eyed bugs are known to be abundant and important predators, but there are many other insects that may prey on potato pests from time to time. Below are a few examples. Flower fly larvae — Syrphidae Flower flies are also known as hover flies; the adults often mimic bees and feed on nectar, while the larvae are mostly predators of aphids and similar insects. Lady Beetles — Coccinelidae The beetles many people know as "ladybugs" are also common in potato fields. Although they are most well-known as aphid predators, they are in fact generalist predators, interested in eating most insects that they can overcome. Aphidoletes midges — Cecidomyiidae Not as common as lady beetles and flower flies, predatory gall midges are undeniably cool - capable of overpowering and eating aphids much larger than themselves. Gall midge larvae are characteristically the reddish color seen in the photo below. Other, fungus-feeding, species of Cecidomyiidae are also sometimes seen in potato fields. Gall midge larvae consuming aphid.   Larva of a flower fly eating an aphid. Adult of a different flower fly species.