What type of insects are often utilized in agricultural pest management?

Beneficial insects play a vital role in agricultural pest management due to their ability to naturally control populations of harmful pests. These insects include predatory species that feed on crop-damaging pests, such as ladybugs and lacewings, as well as parasitoids that lay their eggs inside or on the bodies of pest insects, effectively reducing their numbers. They contribute to ecosystems by pollinating plants, improving soil health, and supporting biodiversity, which ultimately leads to healthier crop production.

In contrast, the other categories of insects listed tend to either pose a risk to crops or focus on environments that do not directly relate to agricultural pest control. Destructive insects are known for inflicting damage on crops, urban insects primarily inhabit human-dominated environments, and scavenger insects typically play a role in waste decomposition rather than pest management. Understanding the role of beneficial insects is crucial for implementing integrated pest management strategies that emphasize ecological balance and reduce reliance on chemical pesticides.