beneficials
plural noun
ben·e·fi·cials ˌbe-nə-ˈfi-shəlz 
: organisms (such as ladybugs, lacewings, and bacteria) that feed on or parasitize pests of crops, gardens, and turf
Example Sentences
Recent Examples on the Web Second, include flowering plants in your gardens that draw a diverse array of insects, because many predatory beneficials visit flowers to fuel their prey search. 
Miri Talabac, Baltimore Sun, 6 Apr. 2022 The lady beetles and all the other hungry beneficials WILL come to help you. Rita Perwich, San Diego Union-Tribune, 2 Oct. 2021 Comments and questions are welcome throughout the program, and handouts with information about attracting beneficials are offered to participants. courant.com, 16 Sep. 2021 Spraying anything that would kill them would affect only a few and mostly hurt other beneficials. Howard Garrett, Dallas News, 12 July 2021 The Basic Organic Program, along with the release of beneficials such as trichogramma wasps and beneficial nematodes, will control most insect pests, save water, save money and increase the enjoyment of your gardening and landscaping. Howard Garrett, Dallas News, 12 Apr. 2021 Good gardeners grow a diverse palette of plants to minimize disease and encourage beneficials. Rita Perwich, San Diego Union-Tribune, 7 Nov. 2020 Be aware that even organic insecticides often kill bees, butterflies and other beneficials. Linda Jones, San Diego Union-Tribune, 12 Sep. 2020 Learn more about the pest insects and these helpful beneficials in the Texas Bug Book by Howard Garrett and C. Malcolm Beck. Howard Garrett, Dallas News, 3 Aug. 2020 See More
Miri Talabac, Baltimore Sun, 6 Apr. 2022 The lady beetles and all the other hungry beneficials WILL come to help you. Rita Perwich, San Diego Union-Tribune, 2 Oct. 2021 Comments and questions are welcome throughout the program, and handouts with information about attracting beneficials are offered to participants. courant.com, 16 Sep. 2021 Spraying anything that would kill them would affect only a few and mostly hurt other beneficials. Howard Garrett, Dallas News, 12 July 2021 The Basic Organic Program, along with the release of beneficials such as trichogramma wasps and beneficial nematodes, will control most insect pests, save water, save money and increase the enjoyment of your gardening and landscaping. Howard Garrett, Dallas News, 12 Apr. 2021 Good gardeners grow a diverse palette of plants to minimize disease and encourage beneficials. Rita Perwich, San Diego Union-Tribune, 7 Nov. 2020 Be aware that even organic insecticides often kill bees, butterflies and other beneficials. Linda Jones, San Diego Union-Tribune, 12 Sep. 2020 Learn more about the pest insects and these helpful beneficials in the Texas Bug Book by Howard Garrett and C. Malcolm Beck. Howard Garrett, Dallas News, 3 Aug. 2020 See More Word History
First Known Use
1989, in the meaning defined above