Insectary plants

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Elderberry in Bloom

Hover Fly

Insectary plants is a term used by the organics farming movement to describe plants that attract insects. As such, beneficial insectary plants are intentionally introduced into an ecosystem to increase pollen resources and nectar resources required by the natural enemies of unfriendly, harmful or unwanted insect pests. Beyond an effective natural control of pests, the friendly insects/pests also assist in pollenation. The plants also are beneficial to an organic sustainable garden and organic kitchens.

The "friendly insects/pests" include ladybugs, lizards, spiders, toads, bees, ground beetles, hover flies, humming birds and parasitic wasps. Beneficial insects are as much as ten times more abundant in the insectary plantings area. Mortality of scale insects (caused by natural enemies) can be double with insectary plantings. In addition, a diversity of insectary plants can increase the population of beneficial insects such that these levels can be sustained even when the insectary plants are removed or die off.

For maximum benefit in the garden, insectary plants can be grown alongside desired garden plants that do not have this benefit. The insects attracted to the insectary plants will also help the other nearby garden plants.

Many members of the Apiaceae (formerly known as Umbelliferae) family are excellent insectary plants. Fennel, angelica, coriander (cilantro), dill, and wild carrot all provide in great number the tiny flowers required by parasitic wasps. Various clovers, yarrow, and rue also attract parasitic and predatory insects. Low-growing plants, such as thyme, rosemary, or mint, provide shelter for ground beetles and other beneficial insects. Composite flowers (daisy and chamomile) and mints (spearmint, peppermint, or catnip) will attract predatory wasps, hover flies, and robber flies. The wasps will catch caterpillars and grubs to feed their young, while the predatory and parasitic flies attack many kinds of insects, including leafhoppers and caterpillars.

Other insectary plants include: mustard (Brassica juncea), phacelia (Phacelia tanacetifolia), buckwheat (Fagopyrum esceulentum), marigold (Tagetes patula), elderberry (sambucus mexicana), and Korean licorice mint (Agastache rugosa).

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Biological pest control

Trichogramma wasps are tiny wasps which prey on the eggs of more than 200 worm type pests, including borers, webworms, and many types of moth caterpillars. The wasps lay their eggs directly into the pest's eggs, killing the eggs as they hatch. As soon as the wasps mature, they will fly off in search of new eggs. Different species of Trichogramma wasps are more effective against certain pests, so purchase eggs appropriate for the pests that have invaded your garden. Once you have made the decision to utilize beneficial insects to help you with your pest control in your garden, keep in mind that insecticides are no longer an appropriate option. Pesticides will kill good bugs at the same time they are removing the pests.