Name a common beneficial insect that preys on aphids.

• A. Praying mantis
• B. Mosquito
• C. Lady beetle
• D. Aphid wasp

Answer: (C)

Beneficial insects that prey on pests such as aphids provide natural pest control. Lady beetles are a classic example: both adults and larvae eagerly feed on aphids, often devouring many in a day. This rapid consumption helps suppress aphid outbreaks and supports plant health without chemical pesticides. Praying mantises are generalist predators and may eat various insects, not specialized for aphids, so they aren’t as reliable for targeted aphid control. Mosquitoes are pests, not beneficial insects in this context. Aphid wasps are parasitoids that kill aphids by laying eggs in them; they function differently from predators and aren’t as immediately associated with aphid predation as lady beetles. For a common, direct predator of aphids, the lady beetle is the best choice.