The effects of spinosad to beneficial and non-target arthropods has been extensively researched. Data have been generated under laboratory, semi-field and field conditions on a wide range of predatory and parasitic taxa in a variety of geographical regions and crop types. Such a large body of data cannot be summarized in detail in a single publication; however, general patterns of effects exist in the data. The aim of this paper is to demonstrate the range of effects of spinosad to beneficial predatory and parasitic arthropods. This is done by presenting in detail selected laboratory, semi-field and field test with beneficial arthropods. Following that an analysis of a database of effects is conducted using records taken from Dow AgroSciences and independent reports. Using these illustrations the profile of effects on a range of predatory and parasitic arthropods are clearly defined. Research has demonstrated that when used according to good agricultural or horticultural practice spinosad is of low risk to predatory mites and beneficial insect populations. Toxicity has been reported to certain parasitic hymenoptera but due to the very short persistence of the product any effects are short lived and followed by rapid recovery. This makes the product an ideal tool in vegetable, pome and pear crops where it can be used to control, thrips caterpillar pests and Psylla. Overall, spinosad preserves natural populations of predatory mites and beneficial insects which make it an ideal choice in IPM programmes.