Last week we took the opportunity to reintroduce ourselves, for the benefit of first time readers.  As promised in that blog, today we are posting a brief overview of the five most popular beneficial insects for your garden. The text was actually published last July on our blog site and we are reproducing parts of it here today:

“Introducing beneficial insects to the garden to keep insect pests in check is the best way to becoming more environmentally friendly.  Biofloris is committed to providing the highest quality beneficials for the garden as well as educational support for release and establishment in your garden.

Quick reminder:

• A predator in this context is an insect that catches and consumes other insects (prey). Please click here for more information on pest insects.
• A parasitizer in this context is an insect that inserts it’s own eggs into the larva or egg of another host and consumes the host internally

Convergent Lady Beetles, Lady Birds, Lady Bugs (Hippodamia convergens)

Convergent Lady Beetles, Lady Birds, Lady Bugs

Of all the beneficial insects around, the convergent Lady Bug is probably the most familiar to homeowners and children alike as a friend to your garden.  Both the larva and adult have a voracious appetite for many different species of aphids; so encouraging these pretty little beetles in the garden makes good sense. The only drawback is that it is often difficult to find them in local stores or garden centers…

Beneficial Nematodes (Steinernema carpocapsae & Heterohabditis bacteriophora)

Beneficial nematodes

…to control various lawn grubs such as Japanese Beetle, June Beetle and European Chafer.  These microscopic worms are a powerful tool to grub control if released under the right conditions. …

Brown Lacewings (Hemerobius spp.)

Brown Lacewings

Unlike the more familiar green lacewings, brown lacewings are active at night.  They control numerous garden pests such as mites, leafhoppers, mealybugs, thrips and whitefly.

Parasitic Wasps (Trichogramma spp.)

Parasitic Wasps

This is one of the smallest parasitic wasps around, and the best thing about this wasp is that it parasitizes over 200 different spp. of moth and butterfly eggs before the larva emerge and damage plant foliage.

Praying Mantis (Mantis spp.)

Praying Mantis

A fascinating appearance and front legs that strike with lightening speed, these highly predacious insects feed on flies, moths, crickets and grasshoppers, to name just a few.  They generally are more easily established in gardens using organic practices…”

http://www.biofloris.com/blog_en/2010/07/beneficial-insects-for-the-garden/

Next week, we’ll provide a brief reminder as to how to ensure proper application of beneficial insects in your garden.

Terrie Greco, B.A.; HLT Dip.

What are Trichogramma wasps and how do they act as a natural pesticide in non-agricultural gardens?

This is my fourth blog in a series on beneficial insects after I presented an overview earlier last month.  I still want to remind you, yet again, of the value of beneficial nematodes, but that will be in about four weeks since then will be an appropriate moment to apply or reapply them, as the case may be. 

Today I am going to write about “trichogramma”, a very scientific sounding beneficial but one which can prove very useful in fighting pest insects, namely codling moths, fruitworms, borers, budworms, loopers, leafrollers and leaf tiers. Trichogramma are sold in cards that are very easy to place at strategic locations in the garden. 

Trichogramma is a tiny wasp that controls countless Moth and Butterfly pests; we still consider these beneficials the ‘new kid on the block’ in our own gardens, even though they have been used around the world for years in agricultural applications.

The species recommended for properties with fruit trees – commonly infested with a number of different caterpillar pests – is Trichogramma minutum.  This species is suitable for plants in which the lower branches are five feet or more above the ground.

Trichogramma wasps perform their duties in a most fascinating way.  The adult wasp detects egg masses of moths and butterflies on plants through chemical and visual cues.  Once a suitable ‘host’ is located, the female ‘drills a hole’ and inserts her own eggs into the pest eggs.  At the same time, venom is injected into the pest egg which breaks down the yolk and embryo into a liquid form.  Voilà – homemade soup all ready for the wasp larva to feed on when they hatch.  Mothers really do think of everything, don’t they?

The Trichogramma larva develops very quickly into adults from the comfort of their host egg.  Once they emerge as adults – they find a mate and carry on the family tradition.

As effective as they are – their short life span dictates that two or to three releases must occur over a period of time for good control. Most importantly – you need to identify the pests you want to control correctly before using any beneficial– after all – you want to use the most effective treatment to control your pests! 

And don’t worry about getting stung – they won’t bother you – in fact – you won’t even know they’re around.

Biofloris now sells these natural pesticides.  Just click here for more info or to order them.

Oh, and here’s a picture of what they look like: 

Trichogramma spp. – Trichogramma Adult Wasp

To re-read my post which presented a general overview of beneficial insects, click here.