The Wildlife Garden - How to attract beneficial insects to your garden
Integrative Pest Management (IPM) is the use of multiple pest preventative measures, such as diverse crop planting, crop rotation, green manures and responsible pesticide use. Enlisting the help of beneficial insects is also used to control pest populations and improve crop production.
Insectaries are plants that provide housing, shelter and food for
beneficial insects. They do not only attract insects to the garden, but provide
an area for them to establish themselves and remain in the garden. Insectaries are great for attracting a myriad of wildlife to the garden, such as bees, butterflies, various other pollinators (wasps, flies and beetles) as well as predatory insects such as hover flies, ladybirds, praying mantids and spiders.
I have tried many of the artificial insect home designs, most remain unoccupied, even after being in the garden for two years. The only one
that has been populated is House Wasp, see here for details. I have noticed
that the insects prefer plants to purpose built insect homes and I have decided
to rather make an insectary in my garden.
Several scientific studies have recorded the successes of these
insectaries. Insectaries increase the amount of beneficial insects by 10-fold
as compared to plots without one (AKA the control plot). Mortality of pest insects
due to predation and parasitism was double as compared to the controls. The beneficial insect numbers remain the same, even if no flowers were present, indicating
that they do not leave if no pollen or nectar rewards are present. (Ref 1)
One thing to keep in mind is that the insectary should provide food –
not only pollen and nectar, but prey items too. This means that you must
incorporate plants that attract pests (sink or source plants); also known as
sacrificial or decoys among companion planting. If you do not provide food –
the predators will leave. This also means no chemical pesticides!
Another tip is to leave the insectary undisturbed, with minimal pruning
of the plants. There is a 75-95% reduction of spiders, parasitic wasps, ladybug
adults and larvae in clear-cut plots when compared to strip harvest plots (Ref 2).
A successful insectary has the following characteristics:
ü Plants provide blooms throughout the year
ü Plants of varying size and height provide
shelter for insects in different niches
ü Is a long term and permanent feature of the
garden
ü Densely planted and interconnected by plants
with little disturbance
ü Provides small flowers for parasitoids (insect
parasites), hover flies, wasps and robber flies
ü Provides large and long flowers for butterflies,
bees and flies.
ü Provides sturdy herbaceous shrubs for mantids to
lay their egg casings against
ü Provides perennial and annual plants
ü Diverse types of plants (usually 6-7 types)
 |
| Dill flowers |
 |
| Mullein |
(Niche: Spatial or dietary condition where specific organisms are found, such as tree-dwelling, ground-dwelling, carnivore or herbivore.)
There are specific plants that attract specific pests. The best way to
design your insectary is to known:
1)
Which pests you struggle with
2)
Predators of your problem pests
3)
Plants that attract predators and those can act
as decoys for pests
4)
Cost and maintenance of these plants
On that note; here is a table with pest predators and the plants that
can help:
Pest
|
Predator or Parasitoids
|
Aphids
|
Parasitoid wasp, Parasitoid midge, Damsel bugs (Nabidae), Dicyphus bugs (Miridae), Hoverflies,
Lacewings, Ladybugs (Ladybird or Lady Beetle), Pirate Bugs (Flower bugs,
Anthocoridae), Baby mantids
|
Caterpillars
|
Mantids, Ground beetles, Paper wasps (Vespidae), Mud daubers wasps (Sphecidae), Parasitoid wasp
|
Eggs of pest insects
|
Damsel bugs (Nabidae), Parasitoid wasp, Hover fly larvae
|
Leafhoppers
|
Damsel bugs (Nabidae), Mantids, Spiders, Lacewings, Ladybugs
(Ladybird or Lady Beetle), Mud daubers wasps (Sphecidae)
|
Mealy Bugs
|
Mealy bug ladybird, Parasitoid wasp, Lacewings
|
Pest
|
Predator/Parasitoid
|
Red spider mites
|
Predatory mites, Dicyphus bugs (Miridae), Ladybugs
(Ladybird or Lady Beetle), Pirate Bugs (Flower bugs, Anthocoridae)
|
Scale bugs
|
Lacewings, Ladybugs (Ladybird or Lady Beetle), Parasitoid wasp
|
Snails/Slugs
|
Ground beetles, Predatory snails (Rumina decollate)
|
Whitefly
|
Dicyphus bugs (Miridae), Parasitoid wasp
|
Predator/Parasitoid
|
Plant
|
Damsel bugs (Nabidae)
|
Foeniculum vulgare
(Fennel)
|
Dicyphus bugs (Miridae)
|
Digitalis (Foxglove), Verbascum thapsus (Great or common
mullein).
|
Ground beetles
|
Amaranthus
(Amaranth) or ground covers (creeping thyme, oregano)
|
Hoverflies*
|
Aurinia saxatilis
(Golden Alyssum), Convolvulus minor
(Dwarf morning glory), Cosmos
bipinnatus (Garden Cosmos), Daucus
carota (Queen Anne's lace, wild carrot)+, Iberis
umbellate (Candy Tuft), Limonium
latifolium (Statice), Lupinus spp.
(Lupin), Petroselinum crispum (Parsley).
|
Ladybugs (Ladybird or Lady
Beetle)
Mealy bug ladybird*
|
Achillea filipendulina (Yarrow), Anethum graveolens (Dill), Convolvulus
minor (Dwarf morning glory), Daucus
carota (Queen Anne's lace, wild carrot)+, Foeniculum
vulgare (Fennel), Tanacetum vulgare
(Tansy)
|
Lacewings*
|
Achillea filipendulina
(Yarrow), Angelica gigas
(Angelica), Anethum graveolens (Dill),
Cosmos bipinnatus (Garden Cosmos), Daucus carota (Queen Anne's lace, wild
carrot)+,
Foeniculum vulgare (Fennel), Tanacetum vulgare (Tansy)
|
Mantids
|
Sturdy herbaceous herbs (Rosemary, Basil, Lavender)
|
Paper wasps
|
Aggregate fruit flowers (Raspberry, Strawberry, Dewberry and Blackberry)
|
Parasitoid midge
|
Anethum graveolens
(Dill), Lupinus spp. (Lupin)
|
Parasitoid wasp
|
Achillea filipendulina (Yarrow), Anethum graveolens (Dill), Cosmos
bipinnatus (Garden Cosmos), Lupinus
spp. (Lupin), Helianthus annuus
(Sunflower), Limonium latifolium
(Statice), Melissa officinalis (Lemon
balm), Petroselinum crispum (Parsley)
|
Pirate Bugs (Flower bugs,
Anthocoridae)
|
Helianthus annuus
(Sunflower), Leucanthemum X superbum (Shasta
daisy)
|
Predatory mites*
|
Helianthus annuus
(Sunflower), Leucanthemum X superbum (Shasta
daisy)
|
Predatory snails (Rumina
decollate)*
|
Burrows in the soil.
|
Spiders
|
Structural plants – Our Sterlitzea
and herbs (basil and rosemary) provide shelter and web support.
|
*Can be purchased
+ Flowers with similar structure: Ammi majus (Bishop flower), Anthriscus
sylvestris (Cow parsley)
The table is a generalised list of plants to attract insects. It is the
flower shape and structure and the specific species that attracts beneficial insects. Many small flowers in Umbels (umbrella shaped) attract predatory insects, such as lady bugs, hoverflies, parasitoids. Most of the plants used to attract insects
belong to the Parsley family (Apiaceae), for pollen and nectar, or the Aromatic herb
family (Lamiaceae), for shelter and housing. Sacrificial plants include rue, nasturtiums,
milkweed, marigold and the mustard family. Alliums (Onions, garlic, chives)
also produce lovely umbel flowers.
.JPG) |
| Carrot flowers Daucus carota |
 |
| Umbel flowers & Candy Tuft |
Note on parasitoids: Parasitic wasps and midges are good biological
control agents that can be easily purchased for garden release. The problems
with them are that they need specific temperatures and humidities. The wind
will blow them away and they will fly away without attacking pests when
released into the garden, which make them more suited to indoor greenhouse use
than for the conventional vegetable garden.
Several plant species are better suited than others to attract pollinators,
such as bees and butterflies. Yarrow, Angelica, Butterfly bush (Buddleja davidii), Sunflowers, Lavender
(Lavendula angustifolia), Rosemary (Rosmatinus officinalis), Basil (Ocimum basilicum), Alfalfa (Medicago sativa) and Tall Verbena (Verbena bonariensis) are the most
effective at attracting butterflies, bees, bumble bees, hoverflies and moths. I
am not going to plant butterfly-specific plants as our area has a general
deficit in these. Basil and Lavender produce flowers throughout the year,
whereas Dill and Fennel can be planted in autumn and winter, and the Sterlitzea and Aloes are late flowering (winter).
 |
| Sterlitzea visited by Honey Bee (Apis mellifera) |
So in my garden I have issues with aphids, whitefly, leafhoppers, scale
bugs and caterpillars. This means I am going to try a combination of: Lavender,
Dill, Buddleja, Mints, Creeping thyme, Mint-Basil,
Alfalfa, Parsley and Fennel. I also planted a sea lavender, iceplants (AKA plakkie: Aptenia hybrid 'Red apple') and rose mosses (Portulaca grandiflora). I have raspberries in the garden
already. I have a range
of other ornamentals and herbs in the garden that I do allow to flower for a
short time, which should also double as ‘mini and temporary’ insectaries.
Remember that your insectary will also appreciate some pruning (3Ds) (during winter) and fertilisation (I think once a month should suffice).
The insects discussed here have already or will feature in Pest of the Month or Garden Critter of the Month articles; such as Mantids, Wasps, Leafhoppers and Flies have already been covered. Otherwise you can check out my Pest Control page for some organic pest control recipes to complement your insectary and IPM.
.JPG) |
| Onion Flower Allium cepa |
- Note -
Before I purchased the Butterfly bush, statice (sea lavender) and rose mosses there were nasturtiums and indigenous edible flowers (Daisies and Marigolds) in there places. I plucked these out because they either didn't flower properly or I had to deadhead them every day and they used way to much water in my opinion. Hence why I opted for more water friendly, long flowering and low-maintenance plants.
 |
| My Insectary as of Yesterday (6 Dec). It has been growing since August. |
 |
| Latest Insectary Resident |
Which pests plague your garden? Would you make space for an insectary in your garden?
- Update 05 January 2014 -
If you struggle with getting any of these specific plant cultivars, I have found that the best way to get other alternatives is to check were masses of bees are in the nurseries or garden centres. A few winners are:
A: False Heather, Cuphea mexicana. These are small-medium bushed that can be easily shaped with white, pink and purple flowers.
B: Garden Heliotrope, Heliotropium species (likely arborescens). These are beautiful dark green plants with large leaves and big clusters of small purple flowers.
C & D: Butterfly Bush, Buddleja davidii. Wonderful plants with silver foliage and usually lilac flowers. New varieties are always available in nurseries, including a lovely white and striking magenta. They love the sun and are super water-friendly as well, suitable for xeriscaping.
My magenta butterfly bush's flowers are open yet, will post once they do. Also, the butterfly bushes have lovely perfumed flowers.
Another firm favourite is the Mealy Sage or Mealycup Sage, Salvia farinacea. It comes in a lilac and deep purples (or true blue) and they have a delicate aroma as well.
Some plants aren't readily available as seedlings, but their are some seeds available; such as
Verbena species (hybrida likely): Comes in all kinds of colours and are very striking in the garden.
Statice sinuata (Sea Lavender): Annual variety with long papery flower spikes that last forever as cut flowers (dry in vase without loosing colour). Also they come in a huge variety of colours. Another sun loving plant that is super water efficient. You might also notice them growing wild in the bushveld!
Or, you can just pick up a bumper pack of bird, bee or butterfly flower garden mixes.
P.S - Do note that if you want reputable vegetable seeds, then Stark Ayres seeds are the superior option, as for flowers, grab what you can get your paws on! J
______________________________________________________________________________
If you struggle with getting any of these specific plant cultivars, I have found that the best way to get other alternatives is to check were masses of bees are in the nurseries or garden centres. A few winners are:
A: False Heather, Cuphea mexicana. These are small-medium bushed that can be easily shaped with white, pink and purple flowers.
B: Garden Heliotrope, Heliotropium species (likely arborescens). These are beautiful dark green plants with large leaves and big clusters of small purple flowers.
C & D: Butterfly Bush, Buddleja davidii. Wonderful plants with silver foliage and usually lilac flowers. New varieties are always available in nurseries, including a lovely white and striking magenta. They love the sun and are super water-friendly as well, suitable for xeriscaping.
 |
| Butterfly and Bee Friendly plants Very similar inflorescence (arrangement of flowers) Tiny flowers with lots of nectar = insect buffet |
My magenta butterfly bush's flowers are open yet, will post once they do. Also, the butterfly bushes have lovely perfumed flowers.
Another firm favourite is the Mealy Sage or Mealycup Sage, Salvia farinacea. It comes in a lilac and deep purples (or true blue) and they have a delicate aroma as well.
 |
| Mealy or MealyCup Sage Salvia farninacea |
Some plants aren't readily available as seedlings, but their are some seeds available; such as
Verbena species (hybrida likely): Comes in all kinds of colours and are very striking in the garden.
Statice sinuata (Sea Lavender): Annual variety with long papery flower spikes that last forever as cut flowers (dry in vase without loosing colour). Also they come in a huge variety of colours. Another sun loving plant that is super water efficient. You might also notice them growing wild in the bushveld!
Or, you can just pick up a bumper pack of bird, bee or butterfly flower garden mixes.
 |
| Variety of seeds available for you wildlife garden Statice, Verbena & mixes |
P.S - Do note that if you want reputable vegetable seeds, then Stark Ayres seeds are the superior option, as for flowers, grab what you can get your paws on! J
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