1. Managing natural enemies
Anna Fiedler and Doug Landis
Michigan State University

2. Ecosystem Services
Pollination
Decomposition
Biological Control

3. Use of natural enemies to keep unwanted pest populations low
Biological Control
Use of natural enemies to keep unwanted pest populations low

4. Three types of Natural Enemies
Predators: eat many prey in a lifetime, feeding both as young and as adults.
Parasitoids: specialized insects that develop as a young in one host, eventually killing it.
Pathogens: nematodes, viruses, bacteria, fungi, protozoans.

5. Types of Biological Control
Classical: introduction of non-native natural enemy to control a pest population.
Augmentative: periodically increase natural enemy population with an artificially reared release.
Conservation: maintain or enhance existing natural enemy populations.

6. What do beneficial insects need?
Alternate host/prey
Shelter
Moderated microclimates
In-season refuges
Overwintering sites
Food
Nectar
Pollen
Sap, honeydew
Pred require prey, ptoids require hosts. When nes are provided with these addt’l resources, ne pops will increase so that nes have potential to better control pest insect populations. Nectar: sugar Pollen: protein
Known as hab mgmt.

7. Historical Landscapes
Prairie
Oak savanna
Diverse habitats provide
- Biodiversity
- Pest suppression
- Pollination
Habitats missing from the current landscape are prairie and oak savanna

8. Native Plant Project Goals
Use native plants to provide beneficial insects with nectar and pollen.
Decrease pesticide use and increase pollination.

9. Exotic Plants Benefits Disadvantages Reliable seed or plant sources
Prolific floral display
Previous success in other locations
Disadvantages
Do not enhance native biodiversity
May be invasive
Exotic plants used both in agriculture and horticulture for several reasons. Three of the most common include (from top to bottom): dill, phacelia, and buckwheat. Dill is has invaded the field pictured here, and buckwheat re-seeds readily so may act weedy in some cases.
phacelia
coriander
alyssum
buckwheat

10. Native Plants Benefits Disadvantages Enhance native biodiversity
Re-creation of imperiled habitats
Less likely to be invasive
Adapted to local climate
Habitat permanency
Disadvantages
Greater initial cost
Longer establishment time
Non-native plants have traditionally been used to provide beneficial insects with nectar, pollen, and habitat. Native plants have their own set of benefits. Describe study (tested 43 native flowering and 5 non-native species over 2 years)

14. Natural Enemies Collected at Flowers
30%
25%
Canth=11%, ARACH=7%
2005 data

15. Incorporating native plants on your farm
Use local native plants.
Choose several colors of flowers.
Plant flowers in clumps.
Select flowers to provide bloom through the season.
More flower area = more beneficial insects!
Include native grasses for structural support

16. Beneficial Insect Friendly Practices
Provide nesting and overwintering resources.
Avoid insecticide use.
Provide flowers through growing season.

17. Native Plants in the Landscape
Photos of roadways, yards, ag fields

18. Establishing native plants
Select a site
Analyze the site
Consider planting options
Size of area
Time to flowering
Cost
Plan and design the planting
Plant
Maintenance
Short term
Long term
<500 ft2, use rooted plant material. >1000ft2 use seed unless irrigated. May combine the two for plants difficult to est from seed. Plants:1-2 years to flower. Seed: 3-4 yrs.

19. Select a Site
Consider the amount of sunlight. Many areas have potential for planting with native plants

20. Analyze the site Consider Soil type Soil moisture Soil pH
Light availability
Soil type
Soil moisture
Soil pH
<500 ft2, use rooted plant material. >1000ft2 use seed unless irrigated. May combine the two for plants difficult to est from seed. Plants:1-2 years to flower. Seed: 3-4 yrs.

21. Select Plant species Suited to conditions Variety of bloom periods
Include wildflowers and grasses
Local seed or plant source
Seed vs. plant material
<500 ft2, use rooted plant material. >1000ft2 use seed unless irrigated. May combine the two for plants difficult to est from seed. Plants:1-2 years to flower. Seed: 3-4 yrs. Pre-reserve seed or plant
Michigan Wildflower Farm

22. Site Preparation Yard Typical ag field Weedy site (old field)
– Treat with roundup fall or mid-spring
– Smother 2-3 months when growing
Typical ag field
1 year fallow
Repeated light tillings
Weedy site (old field)
Burn or plow
24 species

23. Plant or Seed
<500 ft2, use rooted plant material. >1000ft2 use seed unless irrigated. May combine the two for plants difficult to est from seed. Plants:1-2 years to flower. Seed: 3-4 yrs.

24. Plant or Seed
<500 ft2, use rooted plant material. >1000ft2 use seed unless irrigated. May combine the two for plants difficult to est from seed. Plants:1-2 years to flower. Seed: 3-4 yrs.

25. Maintenance Weed your native planting OR 1) Mow a seeding
2-4 times in year one
1-2 times in year two
2) Burn or mow
annually
<500 ft2, use rooted plant material. >1000ft2 use seed unless irrigated. May combine the two for plants difficult to est from seed. Plants:1-2 years to flower. Seed: 3-4 yrs.

26. Learn More Native Plants to Enhance Beneficial Insects website
24 species
E-2973
E-2949

27. Learn More Contact a native plant producer:
Acorus Native Plant Nursery
Native Plant Source –
may not be local seed
24 species

28. Acknowledgements www.nativeplants.msu.edu Research collaborators
Bill Schneider, Wildtype Native Plant Nursery
Esther Durnwald, MI Wildflower Farm
Jerry Stewart, Native Connections
Gene Vogel, Richard Stuckey
Rufus Isaacs, Julianna Tuell
USDA NRCS
Ingham County Soil Conservation District
MSU IPM
Identification support
Gary Parsons
Dr. Debra Trock
Undergraduate research
assistants
Jessica Steffen
Dawn Richards
Emily Knoblock
Funding Support
USDA Sustainable Agriculture Special Grant
Wildtype native plant nursery, Natural Resource Conservation Service, Farmer collaborators, Pollination researchers