Thank You!! Thank You!! Conservation Biological Control Short Course Special thanks to: University of Rhode Island, East Farm Gary Casabona, State Biologist, USDA NRCS Heather Faubert, University of Rhode Island Dr. Steve Alm, University of Rhode Island Jarrod Fowler, Xerces Society Jillian Vento & Sara Morris, Xerces Society Xerces Society Members & Supporters Xerces Society Sponsors & Partners:
Jarrod Fowler, Conservation Biocontrol Specialist, The Xerces Society Kelly Gill, Pollinator Conservation Specialist, The Xerces Society & USDA NRCS Gary Casabona, State Biologist, USDA NRCS Rhode Island
Photo: Debbie Roos Photo: Mace Vaughan (Xerces Society)
What is the Xerces Society? What is the Xerces Society?
Pollinator conservation Endangered species
Since 1971, the Society has worked to protect wildlife through the conservation of invertebrates and their habitat.
Xerces blue butterfly (Glaucopsyche xerces), the first U.S. butterfly to Butterfly conservation Aquatic conservation go extinct due to human activities.
Photos: California NRCS and Ed Ross Photos: Joel Sartore, Matthew Shepherd, Carly Voight, David Funk
What is the Xerces Society? Farm Bill Programs for Pollinators
Pollinator Conservation Program USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service • Habitat restoration & protection • Joint Staff Biologist positions with USDA NRCS >200,000 acres of U.S. farmland • Technical assistance for Farm Bill programs • Applied research • Establish pollinator and/or beneficial insect habitat • Technical guides • Financial support for conservation • Training sessions • Learn more www.nrcs.usda.gov • Documenting at-risk pollinators • Citizen science programs • Conservation policy guidance
© Jen Knutson • Education and outreach • TSP / consulting services • Staff Backgrounds: farming, ecology, entomology, teaching, beekeeping, wildlife conservation, habitat restoration, native seed production, +more
Photos: Brianna Borders, Jolie Goldenetz Dollar, Adam Varenhorst, Jen Knutson, Eric Mader, Kelly Gill Photo: USDA-NRCS, USDA-ARS
1 What is the Xerces Society? What is the Xerces Society?
Xerces Society – Pesticide Risk Reduction and Training • Training for agricultural professionals, farmers, and gardeners • Guidelines on pesticide risk reduction strategies for farmers • Natural pest control systems (using “good bugs” to manage “bad bugs”)
Farming with Native Beneficial Insects Course Outline Why Farm With Beneficial Insects? • Conservation Biological Control • Common Beneficial Insects • Break • Designing & Restoring Beneficial Insect Habitat • Pest Case Studies • Lunch 12:00-12:45 • Habitat Assessment Guide (intro) • Field Tour (1:00) • Farm Practices for Beneficial Insects • USDA Programs and Practices for Beneficial Insect Conservation • Additional Resources and Q&A • COURSE EVALUATIONS • HAND IN YOUR CEU SHEETS Photo: Kelly GiIl Photo: Jennifer Hopwood
Insects Provide Ecosystem Services Why Farm With Beneficial Insects?
“The greatest single factor in preventing insects from overwhelming the rest of the world is the internecine warfare which they carry out among themselves” - Dr. Robert Metcalf
Insect contribute $22 billion to Wild natural enemies protect the recreation industry as food more than $4.5 billion in crop for wildlife (bird watching) production in the U.S.
Native, wild pollinators Clean up grazing lands saving contribute at least $3 billion in ranchers more than $380 crop pollination in the U.S. million, recycle nutrients
Assassin bug eating stink bug on raspberry
Losey & Vaughan. 2006. The Economic Value of Ecological Services Provided by Insects. Bioscience 56 (4). Photos: VADGIF, Piotr Naskrecki, Edward Ross, USDA-NRCS Photo: Nancy Adamson
2 Why Farm With Beneficial Insects? Why Farm With Beneficial Insects?
The estimated value of pest control by wild beneficial insects is The estimated value of pest control by wild beneficial insects is $4.5–12 billion annually for U.S. crops, and $100 billion worldwide. $4.5–12 billion annually for U.S. crops, and $100 billion worldwide.
Parasitoid wasp attacking a mottled tortoise beetle
Losey & Vaughan. 2006. The Economic Value of Ecological Services Provided by Insects. Bioscience 56 Losey & Vaughan. 2006. The Economic Value of Ecological Services Provided by Insects. Bioscience 56 (4). Pimental et al. 1997. Economic and Environmental Benefits of Biodiversity. BioScience:47 (11) Photo © Margy Green, www.margygreen.com (4). Pimental et al. 1997. Economic and Environmental Benefits of Biodiversity. BioScience:47 (11) Photo © Margy Green, www.margygreen.com
Why Farm With Beneficial Insects? Why Farm With Beneficial Insects?
Beneficial Insects and Classical/Introduced Scoliid wasps parasitize Biological Control Japanese beetle grubs • Releasing non-native species Using living organisms to • Expectation of establishment provide pest management • Introductions of species and 3 Types resulting interactions irreversible • Classical/Introduced • Augmentative • Conservation
Lady beetles eat up to 5,000 aphids during their lifetime
Photos: Thelma Heidel-Baker Photo: Nancy Adamson
Why Farm With Beneficial Insects? Why Farm With Beneficial Insects?
Augmentative Conservation Biological Control • Increase numbers of existing • Merger of farming and ecology natural enemies • Increases beneficial insect • Purchase and release mass- numbers and diversity reared beneficial insects • Providing food, shelter, and • Problems with releasing other habitat convergent lady beetles (Hippodamia convergens)
Photo: Adam Varenhorst Photo: Adam Varenhorst
3 Why Farm With Beneficial Insects? Why Farm With Beneficial Insects?
In conservation biological control, Research shows habitat is the key ingredient… • The amount of natural habitat on a farm directly influences beneficial insect abundance • If more than 20% of a farm is diverse habitat, pest control by beneficial insects occurs throughout fields
Great golden digger wasp sipping wingstem nectar
Bianchi, et al. 2011. Proc. R. Soc. B 273: 1715-1727 Carvell, et al. 2007. J of Applied Ecology 44: 29-40. Potts, et al. 2003. Ecology 84:2628-2642. Photo: Nancy Adamson Tscharntke, et al. 1998. J of Applied Ecology 35:708-719. Photo: JenniferPhoto: EricHopwood Mader
Why Farm With Beneficial Insects? Why Farm With Beneficial Insects?
Habitat is the KEY Ingredient Natural habitat provides Bianchi et al 2011: Landscape complexity enhances natural beneficial insect Food sources: pollen, nectar, alternate prey populations in 74% of cases Shelter: overwintering and egg-laying sites, Pests thrive in monocultures… But beneficial insects need more refuge from disturbance
Bianchi, F. J. J. A., C. J. H. Booij, and T. Tscharntke. 2011. Sustainable pest regulation in agricultural landscapes: a review on landscape composition, biodiversity and natural pest control. Proc. R. Soc. B 273: 1715-1727. Photos: Matthew Roth and Lynn Betts Photo: Kelly Gill
Why Farm With Beneficial Insects? Why Farm With Beneficial Insects?
Habitat: Alternate Food Habitat: Alternate Food • Many predatory insects eat pollen • Wildflowers help sustain beneficial or nectar when prey are not insects when crops are not in bloom available • Greater abundance of beneficial • Some switch diets depending on insects closely associated with native their life stage palnts vs non-native plants
Photos: Mace Vaughan, Alex Wild, Ed Ross Photos: Thelma Heidel-Baker
4 Why Farm With Beneficial Insects? Why Farm With Beneficial Insects?
Habitat: Alternate Food Habitat: Shelter Habitat can harbor alternate • Sites for over-wintering, egg-laying, prey or hosts when crop pests refuge from disturbance are absent or in low numbers • Bunch grasses, brush piles, rock piles, stumps/logs, untilled areas
Lacewing eggs
Lady beetle larva on milkweed eating oleander Nesting Isodontia wasp aphids (not a crop pest) (grasshopper hunter)
Photos: Alex Wild Photos: insecte.org; Alex Wild
Why Farm With Beneficial Insects? Why Farm With Beneficial Insects?
Benefits of Conservation Benefits to other beneficial insects Biological Control • Native, wild bees • Ecological pest control • Managed bees • Alternative to insecticides • Natural resources conservation • Increases farm diversity • Reduces environmental risk • Fulfill biodiversity requirements for organic certification (NOP) Lacewing larva feeding on soybean aphids
bumble bee
on wild bergamot Photo: Nancy Adamson
Photos: Thelma Heidel-Baker
Why Farm With Beneficial Insects?
Benefits to other beneficial insects Threats to Beneficial Insects • Monarch adults and caterpillars • Many other butterfly species
monarch butterfly on swamp milkweed Photos: Adam Varenhorst Photo: Mace Vaughan (Xerces Society)
5 Tough Times for Insects Tough Times for Insects
Unprecedented scale of habitat loss Unprecedented scale of habitat loss • 9+ million acres of grassland/prairie • Simple landscapes favor pest outbreaks converted to cropland since 2008 and support fewer beneficial insects • Largest conversion of habitat to • Lawns have little habitat value cropland since before the Dust Bowl • Exotic ornamental plants do not support as many beneficial insects as native plants
Photo: Griggs Dakota
Tough Times for Insects Tough Times for Insects
Simplified landscapes An unprecedented rise in insecticide use • Lack habitat to support natural enemies and biological control • Pest densities reach economic thresholds more frequently • Common response is insecticide treatments that decimate beneficial insect populations
Photos: Howard F. Schwartz, Colorado State University, Bugwood.org; Brianna Borders Photo: USGS
Tough Times for Insects Tough Times for Insects
An unprecedented rise in insecticide use An unprecedented rise in insecticide use
Photo: USGS Photo: USGS
6 Tough Times for Insects Tough Times for Insects
An unprecedented rise in insecticide use An unprecedented rise in insecticide use
Photo: USGS Photo: USGS
Cannot Rely On A Single Method Why Farm With Beneficial Insects?
Integrated Pest Management (IPM) Conditions that favor pests • Multiple techniques to minimize economic and environmental risks • Introduction outside native range • Reduce pesticide use while still • Becomes disease vector protecting the crop • Host shift in native insect – e.g., 1. Prevent conditions that favor CPB, apple maggot insect pests and plant disease • Simplified landscapes – e.g., Photo: Adam Varenhorst 2. Establish pest thresholds monocultures, loss of biodiversity 3. Monitor pest and beneficial • Agricultural practices – e.g., insect populations continuous cropping, pesticides 4. Control pests that exceed • Lack of IPM – e.g., insects rapidly economic thresholds adapt to environment, pesticide resistance Biological control is a critical component of any IPM strategy
Photo: Thelma Heidel-Baker Photo: Whitney Cranshaw, Colorado State University, Bugwood.org
Questions? • Up next: common beneficial insect • Get to know your insect allies!
crab spider eating a fly Photo: Adam Varenhorst
7 Common Beneficial Insect Groups Common Beneficial Insect Groups
Common Beneficial Insect Groups Beneficial Insects • AKA • “Natural Enemies” • “Biocontrol Agents” • Majority of insect species • Perform ecosystem services • Supporting • Provisioning • Regulating • Regulate insect pests • Predators • Parasitoids
Photo: Thelma Heidel-Baker Photo: Susan Ellis, bugwood.org
Common Beneficial Insect Groups Common Beneficial Insect Groups
Predators and Parasitoids Predators and Parasitoids Insects Non-Insects • Beetles (Coleoptera) • Centipedes • Bugs (Hemiptera) • Harvestmen • Flies (Diptera) • Mites • Lacewings (Neuroptera) • Pseudoscorpions • Mantids (Mantodea) • Spiders • Wasps (Hymenoptera) • Entomopathogens • Fungi • Nematodes
Lacewing larva eating aphids
Photo: Alex Wild Photo: Sam Droege, USGS
Common Beneficial Insect Groups Common Beneficial Insect Groups
Predators Parasitoids Hunt, kill, and consume pests Hunt, consume, and kill pests • Commonly generalists • Commonly specialists • ~ 1/25 – 4 inches • Often < 1/25 inch • Ravenous feeders • Inconspicuous • Shared regulation of pests • Susceptible to pesticides
thstar Photo: Chaswick Chap Photo:8
1 Common Beneficial Insect Groups Common Beneficial Insect Groups
“Generalists” Spined soldier bug “Specialists” Wasps emerging attacking caterpillar from stink bug eggs • Feed on a variety of prey • Feed on limited range of eggs, larvae, pupae, or related insect eggs, adults larvae, pupae, or adults
• Persist in environments • Persist in environments when pests are not only with low-levels of present prey
• Reduce pest • Reduce pest populations, but not populations, but not always below thresholds always below thresholds
Photo: MJ Hatfield Photo: Bugwood, David Cappaert
Common Beneficial Insect Groups Common Beneficial Insect Groups
Monitoring Farming with Native Beneficial Insects, Pages 183 – 207 • Observing • Netting • Trapping
Photo: Mnolf
Common Beneficial Insect Groups Common Beneficial Insect Groups
Predators: True Bugs Predators: True Bugs • Assassin Bugs Assassin Bugs • Thread-legged Bugs • Narrow-neck with curved and 3-segmented beak • Ambush Bugs • 0.2 – 1.5 inches • Big-Eyed Bugs • Generalist predators of caterpillars, beetles, leafhoppers, and more • Damsel Bugs • Minute Pirate Pugs Assassin bug • Predatory Stink Bugs
Assassin bug nymph eating its prey Ambush bug Minute pirate bug
Photos: Alex Wild, David James, Thelma Heidel-Baker Photo: Tom Potterfield
2 Common Beneficial Insect Groups Common Beneficial Insect Groups
Predators: True Bugs Predators: True Bugs Ambush Bugs Damsel Bugs • Raptorial legs • Slender with 4 segmented beak and raptorial legs • Masters of camouflage • Some species have reduced wings • Capture prey 10 X their size • 0.1 – 0.5 inches • 0.2 – 0.5 inches • Prey on small soft-bodied arthropods • May drink nectar when prey are scare
Photo:Photo:Debbie Leslie RoosAbram Photos: Thelma Heidel-Baker
Common Beneficial Insect Groups Common Beneficial Insect Groups
Predators: True Bugs Predators: True Bugs Minute Pirate Bugs Predatory Stink Bugs • Teardrop to flattened oval- • Shield-shaped with enlarged beak shaped bodies with triangular • 0.2 – 0.5 inches wing patterns • Consume soft-bodied prey • Commonly < 0.25 inch • May consume nectar and pollen • Prey upon small soft bodies arthropods Orius insidiosus nymph and adult • Consume pollen, nectar, and eating soybean aphid sap
Photos: Thelma Heidel-Baker, HJ Yoo, Photo: Tomasz Gorny (Nemo5576)
Common Beneficial Insect Groups Common Beneficial Insect Groups
Predators: Mantids Predators: Net-Winged Insects • Triangular heads with Lacewings chewing mouthparts • Eggs are stalked • Raptorial legs • Larvae: Alligator-like with large jaws • 0.4 - >6.5 inches • Adults: Nocturnal with copper-colored eyes Eggs • Extreme generalists • Adults feed on prey, nectar, honeydew, or pollen Larva
Photo: Mace Vaughan Photos: Sarah Foltz Jordan, Sylvia Delfino, Thelma Heidel-Baker
3 Common Beneficial Insect Groups Common Beneficial Insect Groups
Predators: Beetles Predators: Beetles • Checkered Beetles Firefly Beetles • Firefly Beetles • Soft-bodies beetles with • Ground Beetles concealed heads • Tiger Beetles • 0.2 – 0.3 inches • Lady Beetles • Larvae eat slugs, snails, and soft-bodied arthropods • Soft-Winged Flower Beetles • Adults feed on nectar and • Soldier Beetles pollen (native Asteraceae) • Rove Beetles
Photo: Adam Varenhorst Photos: Sarah Foltz Jordan
Common Beneficial Insect Groups Common Beneficial Insect Groups
Predators: Beetles Predators: Beetles Ground Beetles Tiger Beetles • Hard-bodied and agile beetles • Straight-sided elytra and slender legs • 0.3 – 2.6 inches • Sickle-shaped mandibles • Ravenous nocturnal predators • 0.3 – 2.8 inches • Some eat pollen, berries, seeds • Generalist predators of open habitats
Photos: Tom Murray; MJ Hatfield Photo: Katja Schultz from Washington, D.C., USA
Common Beneficial Insect Groups Common Beneficial Insect Groups
Predators: Beetles Predators: Beetles Lady Beetles Soldier Beetles • Round, oval, or oblong • Soft-bodied with leathery elytra • With or without markings • Brightly colored • 0.04 – 0.39 inches • 0.1 – 0.6 inches • Crawling larvae feed on prey • Adults and larvae consume soft- • Adults feed on prey, pollen, bodied prey and nectar • Adults feed on nectar and pollen
Photo: Thelma Heidel-Baker; Alex Wild Photo: Debbie Roos
4 Common Beneficial Insect Groups Common Beneficial Insect Groups
Predators: Flies Predators: Flies • Hover Flies Flower or Hover Flies • Dance Flies • Mimic bees or wasps • Long-legged Flies • Lapping mouthparts • Robber Flies • 0.04 – 1.38 inches • Snipe Flies • Larvae feed on soft-bodied arthropods • Adults feed on nectar and pollen
Photo: Susan Ellis, bugwood.org Photos: Mario Ambrosino, Sarah Foltz Jordan
Common Beneficial Insect Groups Common Beneficial Insect Groups
Predators: Flies Predators: Flies Dance Flies Long-Legged Flies • Elongate with distinct neck • Slender flies with long legs • Long and pointed mouthparts • Blue, copper, or green bodies • Slender, often raptorial legs • Piercing mouthparts • 0.04 – 0.55 inches • 0.04 – 0.35 inches • Larvae detritivores or predators • Larvae and adults eat small • Adults feed on prey and nectar invertebrates
Photo: Andre Karwath Photo: Matt Reinbold
Common Beneficial Insect Groups Common Beneficial Insect Groups
Predators: Flies Predators: Wasps Robber Flies • Crabronidae • Elongated, tapered abdomen • Pompilidae • “Bearded” face and piercing • Sphecidae mouthparts • Vespidae • Bee or wasp mimics • 0.2 – 1.2 inches • Generalist predators
Photo: James Cane Photo: Kelly Gill
5 Common Beneficial Insect Groups Common Beneficial Insect Groups
Predators: Wasps Predators: Wasps Sphecidae – Thread-waisted Wasps Vespidae – Hornets, • Thread-waisted abdomen Mason Wasps, Paper Wasps, Potter Wasps, • 0.4 – 1.2 inches Yellow Jackets • Larvae feed on paralyzed caterpillars, • Constricted eyes grasshoppers, or spiders • Horse-shoe shaped • Adults feed on nectar • Larvae feed on caterpillars • Adults feed on nectar, pollen
Polistes paper wasp
Photo: Hectonichus Photo: Sarah Foltz Jordan
Common Beneficial Insect Groups Common Beneficial Insect Groups
Parasitoids Parasitoid wasp laying Parasitoids: Wasps Wasps and Flies eggs in an aphid Parasitica • Eggs laid in or on specific hosts • Diverse forms and life histories • Larvae consume and eventually • 0.01 - 1.00 inches kill hosts (e.g. Alien) • Specialists or Generalists • Small insects, but highly • PolyDNA Virus effective natural enemies
Process of parasitizing a hornworm caterpillar
Photo: Adam Varenhorst
Photo: Alex Wild Photos: Thelma Heidel-Baker, Matthew Roth and Alex Wild
Common Beneficial Insect Groups Common Beneficial Insect Groups
Parasitoids: Wasps Parasitoid Flies: Scoliidae, Tiphiidae – Scarab Tachinids Hunters, Flower Wasps • Appear similar to house or • Full-bodied, hairy wasps flesh flies • 0.2 – 2.0 inches • Stiff bristled abdomens • Endoparasitoids of grubs • Some mimic bees or wasps • Adults consume nectar and pollen • 0.1 – 0.6 inches • Generalist or specialist larvae • Adults eat nectar and pollen
Photo: Connie Schmotzer Photos: Bill Bouton, Katja Schultz from Washington, D.C., USA
6 Common Beneficial Insect Groups Common Beneficial Insect Groups
Predators and Parasitoids Predators and Parasitoids: Non-Insects Nematodes • Centipedes • “Roundworms” • Harvestmen • Juveniles ambush or cruise for hosts • Mites • Explosive populations • Pseudoscorpions • Prey upon many soil-dwelling pests • Spiders • Entomopathogens • Fungi • Nematodes
Photo: Chen-Pan Liao Photo: SEA
Common Beneficial Insect Groups Common Beneficial Insect Groups Parasitoids: Fungi Conservation Strategies? • Often Ascomycota, Sac Fungi • Infect during asexual or sexual phases • Disable and kill insects • Generalists or Specialists
Aphid with Pandora neoaphidis Fly with Entomophthora muscae
Photos: Surendra Dara, Karrie BuckmanPhoto: ,Stein Sarah FloristFoltz Jordan Photo: Thelma Heidel-Baker
7 Creating Habitat for Beneficial Insects
Xerces-NRCS Habitat Installation Guides Designing and Restoring Habitat and Biology Tech Notes • Step-by-step recipes for creating pollinator and/or beneficial insect habitat • Available for several regions of the U.S
Wildflower Strips Mixed Vegetable Farm, NJ Photo: Kelly Gill
Creating Habitat for Beneficial Insects Perennial Habitat for Beneficial Insects
Planning considerations Plant selection • What is already there? • Perennial plants • Focus on native plants • Protect existing natural areas! • Abundant pollen and nectar • Habitat deficiencies • Bloom throughout the year • Plant selection • Focus on availability and cost • Crops and common pests • Seed mixes with PLS • Location and configuration • Accessibility • Perennial vs. annual • Protection from pesticides • Multiple benefits
Pollinator Garden Lehigh Gap Nature Center, PA Photo: Kelly Gill
Perennial Habitat for Beneficial Insects Perennial Habitat for Beneficial Insects Native Milkweeds (Asclepias spp.) maple false indigo goldenrod (Acer) (Baptisia) (Solidago) • High quality nectar source for bees • Obligate host plants for monarch caterpillars • Top species for attracting beneficial insects (lady beetles, parasitic wasps, pirate bugs, syrphid flies) in western US vineyards A diversity of pollen and nectar plants and continuous bloom
willow mountain mint blazing star aster (Salix) (Pycnanthemum) (Liatris) (various genera)
James, D.G. 2010. Attraction of beneficial insects to flowering endemic perennial plants in the Yakima Valley. Irrigated Agriculture Research and Photos: Elaine Haug NRCS, Matthew Shepherd; Mace Vaughan, Eric Mader, Jeff McMillan NRCS, Berry Botanic Garden, Nancy Adamson Extension Center, Washington State University. Unpublished raw data. Photos: Rod Gilbert, Eric Eldredge, Adam Varenhorst
1 Perennial Habitat for Beneficial Insects Perennial Habitat for Beneficial Insects Native trees / shrubs • Red maple (Acer ruburm) • Black willow (Salix nigra) • Serviceberry (Amelanchier canadensis) • Black chokeberry (Aronia melanocarpa) • New Jersey tea (Ceanothus americanus) • Pasture rose (Rosa carolina) • Southern arrowwood (Viburnum dentatum) • Staghorn sumac (Rhus typhina) • Elderberry (Sambucus canadensis)
Photo: Nancy Adamson Photo: Don Keirstead
Habitat Installation: Key Characteristics The Habitat Restoration Process Perennial Plantings Evaluate site conditions • Soil condition / type • Accessibility • Ability to irrigate • Protection from pesticides
Photo: Eric Mader Photos: Jessa Guisse, Xerces Photo: USDA-ARS
Habitat Installation: Key Characteristics Habitat Installation: Site Preparation
Evaluate site conditions MOST IMPORTANT PART OF THE • Site history RETORATION PROCESS!! • Weed pressure • Good site preparation is critical • Pest problems • Removal of weeds • May require more than one season • Focus on invasive, persistent perennial weeds
Photos: Jessa Guisse, Xerces Photo: Matthew Shepherd
2 Habitat Installation: Site Preparation Habitat Installation: Site Preparation
Repeated shallow cultivation Herbicide treatment: • Early spring – deep cultivation (1x) • Non-selective and non-persistent • Then - shallow cultivation (2 in.) • Conventional or organic herbicide • Repeat - 4 to 6 week intervals Disk and/or Tine Harrow • Timing: 6 to 12 months • Irrigation may be needed • Early spring – fall, weeds 4-6 inches • ONLY use implements that can be set • Avoid tillage to shallow depth (scratching surface)
Sweep Cultivator
Photo: Jessa Guisse (Xerces) Photos: Eric Mader, Alex Stone (OSU),
Habitat Installation: Site Preparation Habitat Installation: Site Preparation
Cultivation + Smother Crop Soil Solarization • Buckwheat Example • Timing: 6+ months • Spring: Till, before winter/spring • Mow, prepare bed, irrigate annuals flower • Use UV stabilized, clear plastic • 6 ml high tunnel plastic • Two weeks later: Shallow cultivation (sweep / harrow) • NO airflow, repair rips
• Two weeks later: Repeat shallow cultivation - IMMEDIATELY seed crop
• Six weeks later: Mow, remove debris, and rebroadcast (70 lb/ac) OR drill seed (50 lb/acre)
• Six weeks later: Mow or crimp and leave debris on surface
Photos: Jessa Guisse (Xerces) Photo: Mace Vaughan Photos: (Xerces CommonsSociety)
Habitat Installation: Site Preparation Habitat Installation: Preparing to Plant
Seed bed preparation Not ready for planting! • Burn or rake off debris • Light harrowing is ok – deep tillage is not! • Do not to bring more dormant weed seeds to the surface Spring Summer • Lightly pack if needed
Ready for planting!
Fall Wildflowers!
Photos: Eric Mader Photos: Mace Vaughan Photos: Don Keirstead
3 Habitat Installation: Seeding Methods Habitat Installation: Broadcast Seeding
Preparing to Seed: • Plant in the dormant season • Bulk up the seed mix with an inert carrier (e.g. sand) – for broadcasting
Photos: Jessa Guisse, Don Keirstead, Kelly Gill Photos: Brianna Borders
Habitat Installation: Broadcast Seeding Habitat Installation: Drills and Drop Seeders
Immediately after broadcast seeding Native Seed Drills: • Roll seed to ensure seed-soil contact • Multiple seed sizes • Cultipacker • Plant directly in stubble (no till) • Lawn roller • Tye, Truax, Great Plains • Chain harrow (common manufacturers) • Lawn rake Brillion Drop Seeders: • Made for sowing turf and pasture grasses, also alfalfa and clover • Works with native seed (change seed box agitators) • Requires smooth, cultivated seed bed (not like this photo!)
CALIBRATE AND MONITOR
Photos: Mace Vaughan, Jessa Guisse Photos: Jessa Guisse
Management During Establishment Long-Term Management The Year After Seeding Mowing, grazing, burning are best at • Weed treatments as needed Mow the wild radish to find… infrequent intervals • Disturbance to no more than 1/3 of habitat Targeted herbicide application area each year • Grass-selective herbicides • Allow for long recovery times after • Spot spraying or wicking management (e.g. after grazing) • Time management for when most effective Mowing against target, or during dormant season • Use only with perennial mixes • High mow ( > 8 in.) to prevent wildflower seedlings underneath! annual weeds from re-seeding
Other options • Weed wacker, flame weeder target annual weeds • Hand weeding!
Photos: Eric Mader Photos: USDA-ARS, Audubon California
4 Habitat Installation: Transplanting Habitat Restoration Opportunities Transplants Opportunities to expand or • Supplemental irrigation enhance perennial habitat • Mulch • Field borders • Animal guards • Buffers, filter strips • Mechanical transplanters • Retired cropland, preserves, open space • Hedgerows • Windbreaks • Ground covers • Edges / transitional zones *Pesticide-free areas
Mixed Vegetable CSA Photos: Mace Vaughan Biodynamic Farm, NY Photo: Kelly Gill
Field Borders Field Borders
Every Farm Has Field Borders! Example: Blueberry farm, New Hampshire
Pre-Planting: 2009 Post-Planting: 2011 There are idle spots on every farm, and every highway is bordered by an idle strip as long as it is; keep cow, plow, and mower out of these idle spots, and the full native flora…could be part of the normal environment of every citizen. -Aldo Leopold Photos: New Hampshire NRCS Photos: Don Keirstead
Flowering Hedgerows Wildflower Meadows
Native shrubs and trees Example: Godena Farm, Rhode Island • Multiple bloom periods • Important source of nectar and pollen in early spring • Nesting and shelter • Screen wind and dust • Seed/berries for birds • Harvestable product
Photo: Katharina Ullmann, Nancy Adamson, Gordon E Robertson Wikimedia Commons, Scott Seigfreid Photo: Gary Casabona,
5 Windbreaks and Shelterbelts Permanent Ground Covers
Windbreaks Example: Apple Orchard, New Hampshire • Flowering trees/shrubs, erect forbs and grasses
• 40-60% density for wind Red maple (Acer ruburm) protection; >60% for wind + snow protection • Protects crops, creates boundaries • Corridors for wildlife Hawthorn (Crataegus spp.)
Little bluestem (Schizachyrium scoparium)
Photo: John Anderson, Elaine Haug NRCS, Nancy Adamson, Sally and Andy Wasowski Photos: Eric Mader and Robin Dobson
Riparian and Wetland Restoration Native Plant Field Borders
Riparian buffers Example: Natural Enemies of BMSB • Native wetland plants • Untilled areas • Emerging Research: Sand wasp predation of brown marmorated stinkbugs • Stumps and snags • Mountain mint (Pycnanthemum spp.) and spotted beebalm (Monarda • Riparian corridors for wildlife punctata) as nectar plants for wasps • Buffers and enhances
stream/wetland health pussy willow (Salix discolor)
Skipper on buttonbush (Cephalanthus occidentalis)
blue lobelia (Lobelia siphilitica)
Williams, N. 2011 Restoration Ecology 19:4, pg. 450–459. Photo: Jennifer Hopwood, Nancy Adamson, Mary Ellen (Mel) Harte, Bugwood.org Research by Dave Biddinger, Penn State University; Photos: Alex Suricia, Jennifer Hopwood, Scott Seigfried
Perennial Insectary Strips The Habitat Restoration Process Example: Apple Orchard, Pennsylvania Annual Plantings
PSU Plant Trials • Bicyrtes quadrifasciatus • Trichopoda pennipes • Astata unicolor
Photos: Connie Schmotzer Photo Kelly Gil Photo: Kelly Gill
6 Annual Plantings for Beneficial Insects Annual Plantings for Beneficial Insects
Plant selection • Annual plants Annual plant selection Blanket flower Cilantro (Coriandrum sativum) • Non-invasive / naturalized (Gaillardia) • Partridge pea • Abundant pollen and nectar • Compliments crop • Plains coreopsis • Focus on availability and cost • Annual blanket flower • Annual insectary strips • Buckwheat • Cover crops Photo: Sarah Foltz Jordan Photo: Steve Masley • Dill Buckwheat Crimson clover • Cilantro (Fagopyrum esculentum) (Trifolium incarnatum) • Sunflower • Alyssum • Phacelia • Cosmos Photo: Kelly Gill Photo: Kelly Gill Low Cost Mix of Annuals and Perennials Bee Forage Planting, PA Photo: Jim Gillis
Annual Plantings for Beneficial Insects Annual Plantings for Beneficial Insects
Bachelor button Dill Annual Insectary Strips • Promote movement of beneficial insects into cropped areas • Low-cost, rapid blooming species • Usually established at time of primary crop planting • Does not offer shelter for Low cost ornamentals, herbs, and medicinals overwintering
Coreopsis Lavender • Must keep pesticide-free
Photos: Richard Old, Tessa Grasswitz Photo: Rincon-Vitova
Annual Plantings for Beneficial Insects Annual Plantings for Beneficial Insects
Planting insectary strips Annual insectary strips • Plant annual strips in spring after frost • NM study, pumpkins with insectary (perennial in fall) strips had more natural enemies • Prepare ground as you would for any • Fewer spotted cucumber beetles other crop • Insectary plants can be • Plant by hand or vegetable seed drill incorporated in cut flower plots • Just barely cover with soil (perennials • Can be added in and around high sown on surface) tunnels Photo: Sarah Foltz Jordan
Photo: Jessa Guisse Photo: Matthew Shepherd Photo: Matthew Shepherd
7 Annual Plantings for Beneficial Insects Annual Plantings for Beneficial Insects
Cover crop selection Example: Intercropping with vegetables Example: Hawthorne Valley Farm, New York • Legumes, brassicas, grasses • Lacy phacelia, buckwheat, partridge pea • Planting date for your hardiness zone • Winter cover crops vs. summer cover crop (see FNBI page 126-127 ) • Termination date and method (tilling, mowing, herbicide, roller-crimper) • Residue management
Photo: Debbie Roos Photo: Kelly Gill
Annual Plantings for Beneficial Insects Annual Plantings for Beneficial Insects
Example: Flowering Cover Crops Enhance Pest Control Example: Cover Crop Trials, North Dakota Mississippi: flowering cover crops near soybeans (buckwheat for nectar) increased wasp parasitism of stink bug eggs by 2 ½ times.
Telenomus wasp Cover crop mix inter-seeded with sunflower parasitizing stink bug eggs • Sunflower managed without fertilizer, irrigation, or insecticides (including seed trt) • Yields compare to neighboring conventionally managed sunflowers
Jay Fuhrer District Conservationist
Glynn Tillman, USDA ARS. 2013. Crop Protection & Management Research Lab, Tifton, GA, Manuscript in progress. Photos: Russ Ottens; Jennifer Hopwood Photos: Eric Mader and Robin Dobson
Annual Plantings for Beneficial Insects Creating Shelter for Beneficial Insects
Selected Cover Crops Habitat: Shelter Use in rotation with cash crops Over-wintering and egg-laying
Lacewing eggs
Nesting Isodontia wasp
Lacy Phacelia Partridge Pea (Phacelia tanacetifolia) (Chamaecrista fasciculata)
Photos: insecte.org; Alex Wild
8 Beetle Banks Creating Shelter for Beneficial Insects
Beetle Banks Example: Grinnell Heritage Farm Beetle Bank, Iowa • Raised bed of perennial bunch grasses • Cover for predatory ground beetles • Central location, extending length of field
Beetle bank field trials, Oregon Native grass strips intercropped with vegetables
Firefly beetle
Pasimachus ground beetle Photo: Gwendolyn Ellen, OSU Photo: Grinnell Heritage Farm; Bugwood
Creating Shelter for Beneficial Insects Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center
Study shows refuge habitat increases ground beetle numbers and enhances biocontrol • Ground beetles are common predators of insects and weed seeds • Ground beetles in numbers commonly found in midwestern crop fields can remove: Special Collections: http://www.wildflower.org/collections/ • Up to 4000 cutworms/acre/day • Up to 40 weed seeds per square foot/day Value to Beneficial Insects •Special Value to Native Bees •Special Value to Bumble Bees •Special Value to Honey Bees Firefly beetle •Provides Nesting Materials/Structure for Native Bees •Supports Conservation Biological Control
This information was provided by the Pollinator Program at The Xerces Society for Invertebrate Conservation http://www.xerces.org/pollinator-conservation/
Pasimachus ground beetle (Menalled and Landis 1997) Photo: Grinnell Heritage Farm; Bugwood
Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center TAKE HOME MESSAGE Beneficial Insects Need Diverse Habitat
Pollen & Nectar Alternate Prey Shelter and Refuge
Photo: Thelma Heidel-Baker Photo: Alex Wild Photo: Kelly Gill
AND Protection From Pesticides (coming up in Part 5: Farm Practices for Beneficial Insects)
Photos: Paula Kleintjes-Neff
9 Questions? • Up next: Evaluating Farm Habitat for Beneficial Insects • Start planning your beneficial insect habitat!!
Final Thoughts: As the single largest land use on Earth, farming is critical to the future of biodiversity.
Photo: Matthew Shepherd
10 Farm Practices for Beneficial Insects
Farm Practices for Beneficial Insects Natural enemy abundance and diversity can be limited by agricultural practices • Reduce favorable conditions for insect pests and plant diseases • Increase habitat and pesticide protection for beneficial insects
Photo: Matthew Shepherd Photo: Claudio Gratton (UW-Madison)
Farm Practices for Beneficial Insects Farm Practices for Beneficial Insects
Insecticides can cause significant harm to beneficial insects UC DAVIS IPM http://www.ipm.ucdavis.edu/PMG/crops-agriculture.html Select Crop > Under General Information Select: Relative Toxicities of Standard advice: Pesticides Used in [chosen crop] to Natural Enemies and Honey Bees • Avoid use, select alternative • Follow labels carefully • Use least toxic options • Minimize and target applications But…Label guidelines only apply to honey bees Even when bee caution labels are followed, there is limited protection for many native bees and other beneficial insects
http://extension.oregonstate.edu/catalog/ab stract.php?seriesno=PNW+591
Farm Practices for Beneficial Insects Farm Practices for Beneficial Insects
Neonicotinoid Insecticides Neonicotinoid Toxicity To Bees • Increasingly used on crops • Large doses are toxic to bees
• Foliar sprays, soil treatments, • Small doses impact foraging and trunk injections, seed coatings flight in honey bees • Translocated systemically • Bumble bee colonies exposed to within plant tissue very low doses produce fewer • Present in floral rewards queens, which may impact populations • Persist in plants and soils • Imidacloprid, Thiamethoxam, • Neonics are also detrimental to Clothianidin, Dinotefuran, many other beneficial insects Thiacloprid, and Acetamiprid
Photo: Regina Hirsch Photo: Nancy Adamson
1 Farm Practices for Beneficial Insects Farm Practices for Beneficial Insects
Neonicotinoid Insecticides: Neonicotinoid Insecticides: Annual Plants Perennial Crops • Detrimental to beneficial • Detrimental to beneficial insects insects • Repeated use on perennial, crops • Exposed and harmed when may increase concentration to feeding on nectar, pollen very high levels • Treatment of non-blooming can • Trunk injections, may result in expose beneficial insects that residues more concentrated and are hunting for prey / hosts persistent • Harmed when ingest pests that • Treatment of non-blooming can were exposed, but not killed expose beneficial insects hunting for prey / hosts • Harmed when ingest pests that were exposed, but not killed
Photo: Kelly Gill Photo: Jennifer Hopwood
Farm Practices for Beneficial Insects Farm Practices for Beneficial Insects
Mass bee kills in June 2013: • Bumble bees in Oregon • Honey bees in Canada Graph: vanEngelsdorp et al 2013. http://beeinformed.org/ • Others reported subsequently
Photo: Dan Gunderson, MN Public Radio Photos: Rich Hatfield (Xerces Society); The Oregonian John Tooker, Penn State University
Photo: The Oregonian
Farm Practices for Beneficial Insects Protection from Pesticides
Neonicotinoids on ornamental plants • Level of application is much greater than on crops 12x to 60x which increases the risk to pollinators Results • Avoid use on flowering plants (e.g. maple trees, linden trees, roses, 3. In the laboratory, the pest slug Deroceras reticulatum was unaffected by sedum, etc.) thiamethoxam, but transmitted the toxin to predaceous beetles (Chlaenius tricolor), impairing or killing >60%. • Make sure plants you purchase have not been treated with 4. In the field, thiamethoxam-based seed treatments depressed activity– neonicotinoids density of arthropod predators, thereby relaxing predation of slugs and reducing soya bean densities by 19% and yield by 5%. doi/10.1111/1365-2664.12372 This plant is protected from problematic aphids, white flies, beetles, mealy bugs, and other unwanted pests by
Neonicotinoids… Photo: Matthew Shepherd John Tooker, Penn State University
2 Farm Practices for Beneficial Insects Farm Practices for Beneficial Insects
Organic-Approved Insecticides HIGHLY TOXIC to beneficial insects • Pyrethrins: plant-derived, broad Adopt and Practice IPM spectrum poison, long residual • Incorporate multiple management strategies • Spinosad: bacterium-derived, broad • Preventative pest management spectrum nerve and stomach poison • Avoid prophylactic treatment (seed, plants) HARMFUL ON CONTACT • Scout for both pests and beneficial insects • Insecticidal soaps, horticultural oils • Use established economic thresholds to eliminate unnecessary pesticide use • Cautiously select pesticides
Photo: NRCS/Toby Alexander Photo: Jason Miller, NRCS
Farm Practices for Beneficial Insects Farm Practices for Beneficial Insects
Preventative Pest Management “Safer” Pesticide Options • Floating row covers • Bt sprays • Fruit bagging • Insect repellents (e.g. garlic or • Crop rotation and diversity citrus oils) • Resistant varieties • Kaolin clay barriers (Surround) • Sanitation • Pheromone traps • Mating disruptors
Photo: Kaitlyn Rich Photo: David Biddinger (Penn State University )
Farm Practices for Beneficial Insects Farm Practices for Beneficial Insects
Targeted Pest Control Reducing Pesticide Impacts • Scout crops before spraying • Use IPM strategies • Use established economic • Avoid broad spectrum, thresholds, not “calendar spray” highly-toxic pesticides • Use the most targeted, least • Pesticides are a last resort, toxic control option at economic threshold • NRCS 595: Pest Management • Use least toxic a.i. • Shorter residual toxicity reduces risk to beneficial • Manage drift • Consider methods, timing
Photo: Matthew Shepherd Photo Thelma Heidel Baker
3 Farm Practices for Beneficial Insects Farm Practices for Beneficial Insects
Reducing Pesticide Impacts: Control Reducing Pesticide Impacts: Screen Drift and Over Application Drift From Neighboring Fields • Avoid temperature inversions and • Non-flowering windbreaks and buffers, windy conditions NOT attractive to beneficial insects • Ideal conditions • Small-needle evergreen (arborvitae, • Calibrate equipment annually cypress, juniper, spruce, etc.) • Select proper nozzle type (15-30 psi) • Porosity is critical: 40% open • Drift-reducing applicators (ex. electrostatic and tower sprayers rather than strong air blast • Overly dense >60% leads to wall effects sprayers) (“downwash”) • Establish buffer strips
Adamson N, Ward T, and Vaughan M. 2012. Designed with pollinators in mind. Inside Agroforestry. Volume 20, Issue 1. pp: 8-10. Photos: USDA-ARS Photos: USDA-NRCS, USDA-ARS http://nac.unl.edu/documents/insideagroforestry/vol20issue1.pdf
Farm Practices for Beneficial Insects Farm Practices for Beneficial Insects
Reducing Pesticide Impacts: Pesticide Setbacks Reducing Pesticide Impacts: Application Timing • Maintain buffer of at least 30 feet between any insecticide application and habitat areas • Spray when beneficial insects are less active • No spray zone on crop edge • Nighttime spraying with a.i. • Protect habitat from insecticide or herbicide drift that has short residual • Spray when dry • Longer residual in cool temps, dewy nights
Photo: Kelly Gill Photo: Photo: Claudio Gratton (UW-Madison)
Farm Practices for Beneficial Insects Farm Practices for Beneficial Insects
Protect Ground-Dwelling Protect Ground-Nesting Bees Beneficials Nearly 70% of native bees are • Minimize tillage solitary ground-nesters • Plant cover crops, living mulch • Reduce plastic mulch
Photos: Jennifer Hopwood, Eric Mader Photo: USDA-ARS
4 Farm Practices for Beneficial Insects Farm Practices for Beneficial Insects
No-Till Squash Bees Protect Tunnel-Nesting Bees No-till farms in Virginia hosted • About 30% of native bees are solitary three times more native bees tunnel-nesters than did conventional farms. • Protect snags wherever possible • Leave/plant shrubs or plants with pithy stems (e.g. boxelder, elderberry, cane berries, sumac, etc.)
Shuler, et al. 2005. Farming Practices Influence Wild Pollinator Populations on Photos: Jim Cane, Nancy Adamson Squash and Pumpkin. Journal of Economic Entomology. 98(3):790-795 Photos: Matthew Shepherd, Nancy Adamson
Farm Practices for Beneficial Insects Big Picture Benefits
Protect Bumble Bee Nests Insects Drive The System • Cavities such as old rodent holes • Pollinator produced fruits and seeds comprise 25% of • Overgrown field borders bird and mammal diets • Bunch grasses, brush piles, or • Insects are food for wildlife piled field stones (e.g. 89% of birds feed on USDA-NRCS • Reduce mowing insects) • All of the above are also nest • Beneficial insect habitat sites / refuge for natural enemies compatible with needs of other wildlife (songbirds, ground-nesting birds, New © Sierra Vision Stock England cottontail, etc.)
© NRCS Jeff Vanuga
Photos: Mace Vaughan, Matthew Shepherd, Bonnie Carruthers Photo: Kelly GiIl
Additional Resources Additional Resources
Pollinator Conservation Resource Center Region-specific Information from Xerces, Cooperative Extension, USDA-NRCS, NGO, and other sources, including:
• Regional plant lists • National plant lists • Conservation guides • Bee nest construction guides • Pollinator identification guides • Pesticide reduction guidelines • Native plant nursery directory
www.xerces.org/pollinator- resource-center
5 Additional Resources What’s Old is What’s New?
Pesticide Protection and Mitigation In 1938, Dr. Patch predicted • Training for agricultural professionals, farmers, and gardeners that by the year 2000 • Guidelines on pesticide risk reduction strategies for farmers …the President of the United States • Natural pest control systems (using “good bugs” to manage “bad bugs”) would issue a proclamation claiming that land areas at regular intervals throughout the U.S. would be maintained as “Insect Gardens,” under the direction of government entomologists. These would be planted with milkweed, hawthorn, and other plants that could sustain populations of butterflies and bees. She predicted that some time in the future, “Entomologists will be as much or more concerned with the conservation and preservation of Dr. Edith Patch (1916) beneficial insect life as they are now President, Entomological with the destruction of injurious Society of America insects.”
Photo:The Friends of Edith Patch (www.edithpatch.org)
Thank You!! Thank You!! Thank You!!
Questions?
Contact Information:
Gary Casabona: [email protected]
Jarrod Fowler: [email protected]
Kelly Gill: [email protected] [email protected]
Photo: Adam Varenhorst
6
NRCS Where did we come from?
Background of 2008 Farm Bill
• December 2006: National Academy of Sciences Report • December 2006: First cases of CCD discovered • Spring 2007: Initial pollinator conservation legislation introduced
Photo: Edward S. Ross 2008 Farm Bill: Pollinator Habitat Provisions
• Makes pollinators a priority for every USDA land manager and conservationist • Identifies pollinator habitat as a priority for EQIP • Requires that pollinators are considered in the review of Practice Standards • Encourages the inclusion of pollinators in all USDA conservation programs
Photo: Mace Vaughan (Xerces Society) Farm Bill Implementation: Practices for Pollinators
Core Programs EQIP, WHIP, CSP
Tech Note 78 Using Farm Bill Programs for Pollinator Conservation Practices for Pollinators • Tree/Shrub Establishment • Conservation Cover • Hedgerow Planting • Field Border • Restoration and Management of Rare or Declining Habitats • Range Planting • Upland Wildlife Habitat Management • Pest Management • Early Successional Habitat Development/ Management
Photo: NRCS Farm Bill Implementation
Example of Last Year’s Environmental Quality Incentives Program: • Incentive payment for installed conservation practices: • Conservation Cover (Pollinator Seed Mix: $1000/acre) • Tree/Shrub Establishment (Pollinator Shrubs: $480/acre)
Photos: Hannah Gaines and Eric Mader Farm Bill Implementation: 386
Field Border Practice Standard (386): Can include a diverse mix of native and low cost non-native plants
Photo: Eric Mader Farm Bill Implementation: New 595
Pest Management Practice Standard (595): • Protecting pollinators from pesticides • Establishing habitat for other beneficial insects
Photos: David Biddinger (Penn State University), Mace Vaughan (Xerces Society), and Elise Fog Farm Bill Implementation: 422
Hedgerows Practice Standard (422): • Plant a succession of flowering shrubs • Design for multiple benefits
Photo: Katharina Ullmann (Xerces Society) Farm Bill Implementation: 393
Filter Strip Practice Standard (393): Use pollinator plants to control run-off, over septic drain fields, in ditches
Photo: Mace Vaughan, Xerces Society Farm Bill Implementation: 340
Cover Crop Practice Standard (340): Can include diverse flowering forbs such as clover, mustard, buckwheat, phacelia, oilseed radish, alfalfa.
Photo: NRCS/Toby Alexander Farm Bill Implementation: 327
Conservation Cover Practice Standard (327): • Permanent vegetation cover • Improve soil quality • Enhance wildlife and pollinator habitat
Photo: Eric Mader (Xerces Society) NRCS Farm Planning Example 1.
Diversified Organic Farm • 24 Acres • Fruits and vegetables • Conventional farm neighbors • Potential resources concerns • Pollinators • Pest management • Protection from neighbor’s pesticides • Weed control in fallow ground NRCS Farm Planning Example 1. Proposed Practices Field Border (386) Pasture and Pollinator Hedgerow • Diverse native forb plantings Hayland
Hedgerow (422) • Diverse flowering native shrubs
Cover Crop (340) • Phacelia tanacetifolia, Cover Crop crimson clover, buckwheat
Pasture and Hayland (512) Conservation • Grazing plan to encourage Cover forb diversity and abundance
Conservation Cover (327) Field Border • Mixture of low cost native and non-native forbs