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Organic Insect Control With Beneficials
The plants listed here will provide year round small blossoms containing open or extrafloral nectaries for parasitic wasps, flies and midges. These open nectaries are essential for their small short mouthparts. The other types of beneficial insects do not require much special effort and will show up in almost any garden as long as no pesticides are used and a reasonable amount of habitat is provided. Most parasitics are naturally occuring or were introduced a long time ago and have become widespread, so they do not need to be purchased. Use caution with bug hotels since they can become mite hotels.
Annuals To Plant Inside the Garden Perennials to Plant Outside the Garden Weedy Perennials Blooming Schedule Prevention Repelling Voles and Rabbits Attracting Insect and Pest Predators Controlling Insects Underground Organic Insecticide Other Insect and Pest Control Links Managing the Environment Beneficials Links***************************************************
Annuals / Biennials to Plant Inside the Garden
Annuals are useful to plant inside gardens because effectiveness is related to distance from nectar and pollen.
Sweet Alyssum (Lobularia maritima) -
annual in cold climates,
in warm climates can be
self sowing and weedy
Brassica family (Brassica sp. ) - biennial,
narrow open nectaries
used for overwintering
Buckwheat (Fagopyrum esculentum) - annual
Parsley (Petroselinum crispum) -
wide open nectary
Onion (Allium sp.) - biennial
Anise (Pimpinella anisum) - annual,
wide open nectary
Parsnip (Apiaceae Pastinaca sativa) -
wide open nectary
Chicory (Cichorium intybus) - biennial
Celery (Apium graveolens) - wide open nectary
Common Vetch (vicia sativa) - biennial,
extrafloral nectaries
Cowpea (Vigna unguiculata L. Walp.) -
extrafloral nectary
Fava Bean (Vicia faba L.) - extrafloral nectary
Sunflower (Helianthus annuus) -
provides winter host sites for
Macrocentrus ancylivorus
Below are examples of how interspersing beneficials throughout your crops is so useful.
Dr. Eric Brennan - biological intercropping eOganic: Helen Atthowe - insect travel distance***************************************************
Perennials and Biennials to Plant Beside the Garden
Perennials present the best opportunity to increase parasitics with as little work as possible. Strips inside fields and garden are more effective than just around the field or garden.
Tulip Tree (Liriodendron tulipifera) -
flowing nectaries.
Ideal mixed in tall tree orchards.
Willowwood Viburnum
( Viburnum rhytidophylloides
x V. lantanaphyllum ) -
tall bush
Attracts Bombyliidae, Tachinid,
Syrphid, Trichogramma, etc.
Shrubby Cinquefoil (Potentilla fruticosa) -
shrub, but not tall.
For orchards with animals, cage it.
Spider reservoir.
Bridalwreath Spirea
(Spiraea prunifolia var. simpliciflora) -
shrub, but not tall.
For orchards with animals, cage it.
Spider reservoir.
Sea Holly ( Eryngium tripartitum or maritimum ) -
magnet for parasitic wasps
be sure to get non-invasive variety.
Shasta Daisy ( Leucanthemum superbum ) -
perennial, not invasive,
open nectary, reblooms.
get disease resistant variety.
Goldenrod (Solidago sp.) -
perennial fall blooming
hybrid varieties:
Golden Cloth, Goldenmosa,
Golden Fleece
Chrysanthemum (Dendranthema grandiflorum) -
perennial,
must be single flower daisy type
for open nectary.
Inula (Inula royleana, orientalis, helenium, .....) -
blooms summer and fall
Yarrow (Achillea millefolium and filipendulina) -
perennial.
excellent overwintering site for
parasitic wasps
Alfalfa (Medicago sativa) - 4-6 year perennial.
Russian Comfrey ( Symphytum uplandicum -
perennial, a hybrid between
Symphytum officinale (common comfrey)
and
Symphytum asperum (rough comfrey) ) -
excellent for overwintering
parasitic wasps.
Sterile seeds so must propagate by root.
Wood's Rose (Rosa woodsii) -
perennial bush in arid regions
Peonies (Paeonia suffruticosa) -
perennial, extra floral nectary
Caraway (Carum Carvi) -
biennial, wide open nectary
Coriander/Cilantro (Coriandrum sativum) -
biennial, narrow open nectary
New England Aster
(Symphyotrichum novae-angliae) -
blooms late summer through fall.
dark purple seems the most attractive.
Roman Chamomile ( Chamaemelum nobile ) -
blooms early - mid summer
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Shrubby or Weedy Perennials, Biennials, Annuals
These are best grown far away from the garden, since they can be invasive.
Boneset (Eupatorium serotinum and perfoliatum) -
perennial
Grass-leaved Goldentop (Euthamia graminifolia) -
rhizomatous perennial
weedy in moist environments
Coreopsis ( Coreopsis lanceolata ) - perennial,
open nectary
deadhead for late fall blooms
Golden Marguerite (Cota tinctoria) - perennial,
open nectary
Sweet Fennel (Foeniculum vulgare) - perennial,
wide open nectary
Tansy (Tanacetum vulgare) - perennial,
summer bloom
Rue ( Ruta graveolens ) - perennial,
open nectaries
Dill (Anethum graveolens) - biennial,
wide open nectary
Queen Ann's Lace (Daucus carota) -
biennial, wide open nectary,
used for overwinter
*******************************************
Blooming Schedule
(make sure there are several plants blooming at all times): SPRING PERENNIAL - Bridalwreath Spirea, Willowwood Viburnum, Peonies SPRING ANNUAL - Vetches, Sweet Alyssum SPRING BIENNIAL - Brassica, Onion SUMMER PERENNIAL - Boneset, Goldentop, Yarrow, Fennel, Cinquefoil, Coreopsis, Shasta Daisy, Rue, Tansy, Golden Marguerite, Inula, Alfalfa, Chamomile, Sea Holly SUMMER ANNUAL/BIENNIAL - Anise, Chicory, Sweet Alyssum, Parsley, Parsnip, Caraway, Coriander, Queen Ann's Lace, Dill, Cowpea, Sunflower FALL PERENNIAL - Coreopsis, Shasta Daisy, Willowwood Viburnum, Chrysanthemum, Goldenrod, Inula, Cinquefoil FALL ANNUAL - Buckwheat, Sweet Alyssum, Fava Bean
***************************************************Preventing Insect and Disease Infestations
1. Grow plants that are well adapted to the soil and climate of the area. For example, grow fava when and where the climate is cool and moist for a long period.
2. Grow crops at the proper time. For example, grow brassica crops in the fall only; except turnip. They are too attractive to insects in the spring and summer. Plant turnip and flax ultra early in the spring even if you have to chip ice off the soil. Plant peas, carrot, and beet also very early. The sooner you plant the easier it is to avoid the insects in late spring / early summer.
3. Grow resistant varieties.
4. Use integrated pest management techniques by getting bacteria, fungus, plants, beneficial insects, and animals to control harmful insects for you. For example, grow plants that attract beneficial insects in and around the garden.
5. Crop rotation. See:
Organic Self Sufficiency Garden Crop Rotation
6. Avoid large monocultures if at all possible.
University of Massachusetts - monocultures
7. Hogs can be used to eat fallen fruit and interrupt insect breeding cycles.
8. Avoid spraying tree bark with dormant oil since it may kill beneficial predatory wasp nest eggs.
9. Avoid having lights anywhere near the garden at night. Light attracts most moths.
10. Use plants as cover crops that suppress soil insects such as marigold, sesame, brassica, etc.
ACES - plants that suppress nematodes USDA - sesame suppresses nematodes North Carolina State - Sesame suppresses nematodes***************************************************
Repelling Voles and Rabbits Rodent Bait Station Plant Daffodils, garlic, tobacco, Malus prunifolia X M. sieboldii (Novole), etc. around fruit trees. Maryland.gov - plants resistant to rodents and deer***************************************************
Attracting Insect and Pest Predators
Very small bird nest boxes or habitat. NRCS - Warbler habitat guide Do not put out bird feeders. It will only train them to eat your crops, instead of the insects you want them to eat. Owl nest boxes - owls for mouse and rabbit control Nest box guide Bat nest sites. Bat nest boxes Bat Conservation International Grass or straw mulched areas - spiders Snakes, lizards, and frogs - water and hiding places. (ie: log pile, rocks) snakes will breed in a wood chip pile. Wasp boxes water in gravel pans for wasps Carabid Beetles: Habitat strips, windbreaks, and hedgerows are adequate to increase populations in most well drained soils. Beetle banks are only necessary for flat land that becomes water logged during heavy rains. Beetles and some parasitoids have narrow and slow dispersion, so habitats must be throughout the crop area.
University of Maine
Penn State
Always keep undisturbed perennial beds nearby. Beneficials will pupate in the soil under them and on the stems. Comfrey, yarrow, and Brassica sp. are especially effective.
***************************************************Controlling Insects Underground
Practice clean culture in the fall. Insure all crop residue is touching the ground.
Keep some small areas on the edge intact with Yarrow, Comfrey, Brassica, Solidago, Euthamia, etc. for overwintering.
Hard wood chips -
grows fungus which kill nematodes
Grasshoppers -
grow plants that repel them:
oats, peas, cilantro, tomato
, inoculate with Nosema locustae
, pupae are killed by parasitic flies
and wasps
Parasitic nematodes -
kills many soil insects,
especially plum curculio
Milky spore -
kills June and Japanese beetle grubs
Japanese Beetle
Ants -
they are carnivorous predators that
are very good for the garden
especially in controlling plum curculio
Nematode supression:
ACES - plants that suppress nematodes
Marigold:
Produces a substance called
alpha-terthienyl,
which can aid in the reduction of
root-knot nematodes and other disease
promoting organisms, such as fungi,
bacteria, insects, and some viruses.
African (Tegetes erecta) and
French marigolds (T. patula)
are the most commonly used.
The most effective variety depends
on your location.
Different Marigold species do not cross
pollinate.
NCSU
University of Florida
North Carolina Dept. of Agriculture
U.C. Davis
Lentils resist nematodes
Marigold supresses nematodes
PubMed
Lima beans
cowpea, lima
Buckwheat
Research Gate
Univ Florida
Cowpea (Mississippi Silver, Iron Clay), sunn hemp, sorghum-sudangrass,
marigold, jointvetch, velvetbean, horsebean, sesame, hairy indigo,
partridge pea, showy crotalaria, wheat, lupine, oat,
white vetch (Cahaba), red clover(Cherokee)
rye, brassica, crimson clover
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Organic Insecticide
Bacillus thuringiensis - bacteria which disrupts the disgestive system of leaf eating worms. Not necessary for cole crops if they are planted in the fall. Tobacco (Nicotiana rustica) - nicotine insecticide in roots during growth and in leaf at maturity. Blossoms used by bees for self medication. Tobacco Ringspot Virus Seedman Non-Hybrid Seeds Wormwood - insecticide Wild plants with insecticidal properties listed in Peterson's Medicinal Plants Field Guide Beauveria bassiana and Beauveria brongniartii - fungus which attack insects
*************************************************** Managing the Environment Univ of Illinois - full IPM discussion. Public Resource - history of biological control NCAT - insect control through ecosystem management UC Davis - IPM Washington State - beneficial insects ATTRA - Farmscaping SARE - Managing Insects NCSU - Attracting parasitics University of Florida - habitat for beneficials Beneficial Stink Bug - Proboscis images University of Virginia - Stink Bug IdentificationOpen Nectaries:
McBug - small mouthparts, overwintering Attracting Beneficial Bugs to Your Garden By Jessica Walliser
*************************************************** Beneficials Links
NRCS USDA - general list with good list of parasitic attractors University of Vermont - bio-controls by specific pest Farmer Fred - general list with good list of parasitic attractors University of California - general list with good list of parasitic attractors Colorado State - general list with good list of parasitic attractors Swedish study comparing attractiveness Fern Creek - general list University of Kentucky - Scolia dubia, parasitizes green June beetle grubs Master Gardeners of Mercer County - general list USDA - New Mexico wild species ATTRA - beneficial insect publications
************************************* Specific studies for parasitics: Parasitoids: Behavioral and Evolutionary Ecology Apiaceae Family By Boris Lariushin Great Garden Companions By Sally Jean Cunningham Pacific Horticulture - Braconid Wasp McBug - parasitic insects, overwintering Univ Cal - Successional sunflowers for Oriental Fruit Moth IFAB - wild flower strips Plants that attract Diadegma semiclausum FCLA - Alyssum NCBI - Attracting parasitics Suppressing the host immune system with a virus Balkan Ecology Project SARE - beneficial insect study Ichneumon Wasps Dr Mcbug - Tiphia Wasp
********************************************* Plum Curculio:
Once fruit starts to drop, the larvae require several days before they are mature enough to burrow into the soil. The most sustainable methods of control seem to be using animals to eat the fruit as soon as it drops and the use of polyculture.
Univ of Cal - ATTRA Apple Organic Guide Plum cuculio - nematode controls eOrganic - fungus, bacteria, and nematode bio-controls
******************************** Predator Midge:
Feltiella acarisuga is a predator midge used against Spider Mites. It can be used in low humidity environments. The aphid midge, Aphidoletes aphidimyza, is a cecidomyiid fly whose larvae are effective predators of aphids. These are naturally occuring predators and do not usually need to be purchased.
ATTRA - general list with parasitic and midge attractors Virginia Tech - midge Euthamia and Solidago galls - midges Beneficial midges - Aphidoletes aphidomyza, Dasineura rubiformis
***************************** Predatory Mites (Phytoseiids and Stigmaeid):
Avoid dusty conditions, pesticide sprays, and dormant oils which disrupt these naturally occuring predators. Purchasing these predators is not usually necessary.
Cornell - predatory mites eOrganic - biological pest control in tree crops
********************************************* Codling Moth:
Codling Moth control requires many generalist predators and parasitoids. But, removing fruit drop immediately is the most effective control method.
Oregon State - Codling moth Colorado State - Codling Moth Grow Organic Apples - codling moth
*************************************************** Spotted Wing Drosophila
Biological control eOrganic - organic approved insecticide and bait eOrganic - early bio-controls
*************************************************** Dung Beetle:Often needs to be purchased.
Dung Beetle identification***************************************************
Fly Control
The cheapest and most effective methods of fly control are animals / insects that break up the manure. Fast animal movement is the other key. Parasites and predators are a secondary line of defense. For most of the wasps that parasitize flys, pollen and nectar are non-host food sources that enhance reproduction. Traps are not worth the effort and expense.
Auburn - pollen and nectar University of Arkansas - control of flies in poultry facilities IPM for Parasites U.C. Davis - fly parasites Insect Images University of California - mites Scielo - mite dispersal
*************************************************** Monitoring pests:
eOrganic - scouting for pests
*************************************************** Insectaries:
Rincon-Vitova Insectaries Bug Lady Consulting BioControl Network
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