Which insect is commonly used as a biological control agent?

Ladybugs, also known as ladybird beetles, are frequently employed as biological control agents due to their diet consisting primarily of aphids and other pest insects. They are highly effective in managing aphid populations, which are common pests in various agricultural and garden settings. The use of ladybugs as biological control agents offers a natural solution to pest management, reducing the need for chemical pesticides and promoting an environmentally friendly approach to controlling crop pests.

In contrast, grasshoppers are primarily herbivores and can become pests themselves when present in large numbers, making them unsuitable as biological control agents. Termites are decomposers that feed on wood and other cellulose materials and are not effective in controlling pest populations. Fleas are ectoparasites that feed on the blood of mammals and do not have any role in pest management, nor do they control other pest species.