![Coreopsis (left) and mealybugs (right)](https://images.finegardening.com/app/uploads/2022/09/30131043/main-FG208WAIMG_0277-Cornell-JWB-700x394.jpg)
You can use certain plants to lure desirable insects to your garden to help with biocontrol. Many of these workhorse plants are attractive to a wide number of beneficial insects beyond the ones featured below; together the insects they attract help keep pests from munching on your veggies.
Learn more about attracting beneficial insects in Jessica’s article
Companion Planting Is Not a Myth
Attracting plants
![Goldenrod](https://images.finegardening.com/app/uploads/2022/09/30120923/FG208WA-IMG_9381-Solidago-rugosa-Fireworks-JWB-e1664906865454.jpg)
- Chamomile (Matricaria recutita, annual)
- Cosmos (Cosmos bipinnatus, annual)
- Goldenrod (Solidago spp. and cvs., Zones 3–9)
Spotlight beneficial insect: Ladybugs
![close up of ladybug](https://images.finegardening.com/app/uploads/2022/10/04143604/FG208WA-dreamstime_s_6790401_c.jpg)
Pests they control
- aphids (pictured)
- beetle larvae
- mealybugs
- scale
- spider mites
Attracting plants
![Black-eyed Susan](https://images.finegardening.com/app/uploads/2022/09/30122234/FG208WA_Rudbeckia-hirta-Cordoba1_SA-e1664907229188.jpg)
- Black-eyed Susan (Rudbeckia hirta and cvs., Zones 3–8)
- English daisy (Bellis perennis, Zones 4–8)
- Oregano (Origanum vulgare, Zones 4–8)
Spotlight beneficial insect: Syrphid flies
![close up of Syrphid fly](https://images.finegardening.com/app/uploads/2022/10/04143614/FG208WA-dreamstime-116655363_cAndrej-Safaric-Dreamstime.com_.jpg)
Pests they control
- aphids
- cabbageworms
- thrips
- leafhoppers (pictured)
- scales
- mealybugs
- caterpillars
Attracting plants
![close up of Angelica](https://images.finegardening.com/app/uploads/2022/10/04143617/FG208WAAngelica-gigas-2_JWB-.jpg)
- Angelica (Angelica spp. and cvs., Zones 4–11)
- Feverfew (Tanacetum parthenium, Zones 5–8)
- Yarrow (Achillea millefolium, Zones 3–9)
Spotlight beneficial insect: Lacewings
![close up of lacewings](https://images.finegardening.com/app/uploads/2022/10/04143608/FG208WA-dreamstime_s_23278443_Musat-Christian-Dreamstime.com_.jpg)
Pests they control
- aphids
- beetle larvae
- caterpillars (pictured)
- corn earworms
- whiteflies
- spider mites
- various insect eggs
Attracting plants
![Coreopsis](https://images.finegardening.com/app/uploads/2022/10/04143621/FG208WAIMG_0277-Cornell-JWB.jpg)
- Coreopsis (Coreopsis spp. and cvs., Zones 3–9)
- Aster (Symphyotrichum spp. and cvs., Zones 4–8)
- Cilantro (Coriandrum sativum, annual)
Spotlight beneficial insect: Parasitic wasps
![close up of parasitic wasp](https://images.finegardening.com/app/uploads/2022/10/04143611/FG208WA-dreamstime_s_248667570_abdul-latif-Dreamstime.com_.jpg)
Pests they control
- aphids
- beetle larvae
- cabbageworms
- earworms
- cutworms
- caterpillars
- leaf miners
- mealybugs (pictured)
- budworms
- hornworms
- scales
- true bugs
Jessica Walliser is a horticulturist, award-winning author of seven garden books, and a cofounder of SavvyGardening.com. For more information on companion planting, see her book Plant Partners: Science-Based Companion Strategies for the Vegetable Garden.
Illustrations: Allison Mia Starcher
From Fine Gardening #208
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