BEE-NIFICIALS!!

Bees, Butterflies, Worms, and more!

Overview• Using good bugs to

control bad bugs • Importance of pollinators• Proper use of organic

pest control• How you can help the

good guys

The Bad Guys• Aphids

• Spider mites

• Thrips

The Bad Guys• Leaf

Hopper

• Whitefly

• Japanese Beetle

The Bad Guys• Scale

• Mealybugs

• Squash bugs

Squash Vine Borer

Beneficial Insects• Ladybird beetles –

AKA Ladybugs, Lady Beetles

• Scientific Name: Hippodamia convergens

• Great for controlling piercing-sucking insects: aphids, mites, thrips, scale, whitefly

• Be mindful of where you are purchasing from as some companies harvest beetles without a permit

Beneficial Insects• Praying Mantis• Scientific Name:

Tenodera aridifolia sinensis

• Will feed on ANYTHING they can catch including caterpillars, butterflies, flies, bees, wasps, moths, beetles, etc

• Very territorial; will cannabilize

Beneficial Insects• Green Lacewing• Scientific Name:

Chrysoperla carnea• Great for controlling:

aphids, mealybugs, scale, mites, thrips, whiteflies, small caterpillars, insect eggs, and larvae

• They tend to be less effective on peppers, tomatoes, cucumbers, and leaves that are hairy or sticky.

Beneficial Insects• Trichogramma Wasps – AKA

Parasitic Wasps• Feeds on moth eggs of over 200

species, including: codling moth, cabbage worm, tomato horn worm, corn earworm, corn borer, fruit worm, gypsy moth, peach borer, diamond back moth, tomato pinworm, tent caterpillar, etc.

• Females lay one or more eggs in the egg of a host insect. The larvae pupate inside the host egg, and adult wasps emerge 7-10 days after the egg is laid. Over 50 wasps can emerge from one egg. In warm weather many generations can be produced

Beneficial Insects• Assassin and Ambush

bugs• Scientific Name:

Reduviidae sp.• Feeds by injecting a

lethal saliva that liquefies the insides of the prey, which are then sucked out

• Feeds on anything including: cockroaches, bed bugs, and SQUASH BUGS!!!

• Not commercially available BUT they are plentiful in our area!

• Be careful when handling as they can bite

Other Beneficials• Red Worms – AKA Red Wigglers• Scientific Name: Eisenia fetida• You can either lay the worms on top of soft

soil, or dig a hole approximately 6 inches deep - dump in the worms and cover. If placing the worms in your garden, do several release sites. For compost piles, add the worms to your bins and the worms will seek out the food.

• Red wigglers reproduce faster than earthworms and they live closer to the soil surface which makes them suitable for compost bins. Since earthworms are burrowers, they may kill themselves as they attempt to burrow to the bottoms of bins. This means the gardener would have to continuously turn the compost. For this reason, earthworms are not as suitable for compost bins, but great for aerating soils.

Other Beneficials• Beneficial Nematodes• Microscopic worms that work at seeking

out and destroying over 200 kinds of soil dwelling and wood boring insects including: grubs, flea larvae, cutworms, weevils, fungus gnat larvae, termites, root knot nematodes, and any pest that spends a portion of its life in the soil

• Nematodes work by entering the pest through various body openings or directly through the body wall. Once inside, they release a toxic bacterium which kills the host larva within 24 - 48 hours. The bacteria creates a food source and a hospitable environment for the nematodes to reproduce.

• To apply, mix nematodes with water and pour onto the soil using a watering can or sprayer. Before applying, make sure the soil is moist. Lightly water again after application.

Other Beneficials• Frogs

• Spiders

• Predatory Mites

• Predatory Midge

Pollination is Key!• Bees

Pollination is Key!• Butterflies and

Moths

• Bats

• Hummingbirds

• Beetles

To Spray or Not to Spray?• How– READ THE LABEL!!! – Only target areas that have pests

• When– Very early in the morning or at dusk– DO NOT spray when beneficial bugs are

around... Pesticides (even organic) are NON-selective, meaning it will kill or harm any bug, good or bad

– DO NOT spray when temperatures are high as this can literally burn your plants

• Why– When infestations are too extreme for first

line of defense– When first line of defense fails

How We Can Help• Attracting Pollinators

– Have a variety of nectar sources– Use native plants– NON-GMO!!!– Have a water source– Provide Habitat– Use simple flowers rather than complex

flowers with double blooms. Most double blooms offer less pollen and nectar than simple blooms. Double blooms also make it harder for pollinators, especially bees, to reach the inner flower parts.

– Color matters! Bees prefer blue, purple, and yellow. Butterflies prefer red, yellow, orange, pink, and purple. Both bees and butterflies prefer flat topped, shallow blossoms, like daisies, zinnia, asters, and Queen Anne‘s Lace

Plants Bees Love• Alyssum• Hyssop• Poppies• Bee Balm• Clover• Coneflower• Caryopteris • Asters• Coneflower• Virginia

Sweetspire• Black-Eyed

Susan• Gallardia • Sunflowers• Mint• Borage• Oregano• Lavendar • Rosemary• Fruit Trees

Plants Butterflies Love• Asters• Butterfly

Bush• Caryopteris• Daisys• Bee Balm• Lilac • Clover• New Jersey

Tea• Gallardia• Coneflower• Yarrow• Milkweed• Rabbitbrush• Lemon Balm• Carrot• Fennel• Dill• Parsley

Questions? Comments?Jessica SquiresHorticultural

Specialist jessica@groggsgreen

barn.comPhone: 918-994-4222

Fax: 918-994-4224