Problem Statement: The “assassin bugs” and the “ambush bugs” are members of the Reduviidae, a large family of predatory insects. While some species in the family act as biological control agents by feeding on pest insects and thus are regarded as beneficial, other members of this group are disease vectors and occasionally bite humans. The species Triatoma infestans, for example, transmits Chagas’ disease. It occurs in low numbers in Argentina but whenever members of the Argentinian public encounter an insect resembling the Reduviidae they are alarmed, often unnecessarily so. Misidentifications frequently lead to a hysterical response in the media, resulting in a generalized fear of all insects, including those that are beneficial for agriculture, the environment and humans.

Methods: A reference collection of arthropods was established in 1997 at the Rafaela Experimental Station of the National Institute of Agricultural Technology (INTA) in Argentina, as a basis for research on the insects of Argentina. INTA collaborated with the ProHuerta (Pro-Garden) programme to set up a website providing information on organic gardening. The site includes a guide to garden insects helping gardeners to differentiate pests from beneficial insects (predators, parasitoids, pollinators and decomposers), and suggesting ways to promote populations of beneficial insects.

Outcomes and Impacts: Local people now have a better understanding of the biology of garden insects, including the Reduviidae, and have begun to appreciate insect diversity. Using the Rafaela insect collection, taxonomists today carry out hundreds of diagnoses each year, identifying species mistaken for pests or causes of parasitosis. Local organic gardeners are now making greater use of natural pest control methods, instead of chemicals, and insect biodiversity is flourishing.

Lessons:
Reference collections are an essential resource for knowing and understanding the diversity of beneficial and detrimental garden insects. They also allow taxonomists to produce accessible and simple identification keys and educational materials to support, for example, gardeners, organic agriculture, and the conservation of insect biodiversity.

References:
1. INTA ProHuerta website: http://www.imperiorural.com.ar/imperio/INTA/pro_huerta/prohuerta_index.htm. 2. INTA guide on beneficial and pest garden insects: http://www.inta.gov.ar/extension/prohuerta/info/carpetas/plagasenfermedades/control%20ecologico%20de%20plagas%20en%20la%20huerta-Cordoba.ppt.