Abstract
Native plant and beneficial insect associations are relatively unstudied yet are important in native habitat restoration programs for improving and sustaining conservation biological control of arthropod pests in agricultural crops. Milkweeds (Asclepias spp.) are currently the focus of restoration programs in the USA aimed at reversing a decline in populations of the milkweed-dependent monarch butterfly (Danaus plexippus); however, little is known of the benefits of these plants to other beneficial insects. Beneficial insects (predators, parasitoids, pollinators) attracted to two milkweed species (Asclepias speciosa, Asclepias fascicularis) in central Washington State, WA, USA were identified and counted on transparent sticky traps attached to blooms over five seasons. Combining all categories of beneficial insects, means of 128 and 126 insects per trap were recorded for A. speciosa and A. fascicularis, respectively. Predatory and parasitic flies dominated trap catches for A. speciosa while parasitic wasps were the most commonly trapped beneficial insects on A. fascicularis. Bees were trapped commonly on both species, especially A. speciosa with native bees trapped in significantly greater numbers than honey bees. Beneficial insect attraction to A. speciosa and A. fascicularis was substantial. Therefore, these plants are ideal candidates for habitat restoration, intended to enhance conservation biological control, and for pollinator conservation. In central Washington, milkweed restoration programs for enhancement of D. plexippus populations should also provide benefits for pest suppression and pollinator conservation.
Highlights
Restoring native plants and habitats is increasingly seen as a critical part of enhancing and sustaining conservation biological control of insects and mites in agricultural crop pest management [1,2,3]
This study was conducted over four seasons (2010–2014) in central Washington by counting and identifying beneficial insects attracted to blooming showy milkweed (Asclepias speciosa Torr.) and narrow-leaved milkweed (Asclepias fascicularis Decne) using transparent sticky traps
Restoration of milkweeds throughout the United States is an ongoing an ongoing component of programs being implemented by federal and state agencies to reverse the component of programs being implemented by federal and state agencies to reverse the decline decline in monarch butterfly populations, as part of an initiative announced by the federal in monarch butterfly populations, as part of an initiative announced by the federal government in government in May 2015 to promote the health of pollinators [18]
Summary
Restoring native plants and habitats is increasingly seen as a critical part of enhancing and sustaining conservation biological control of insects and mites in agricultural crop pest management [1,2,3]. Greater access to native plant resources should have a positive impact on the persistence and function of native beneficial insects like predators, parasitoids and pollinators in crop ecosystems. Beneficial insect and native plant associations are poorly studied in many regions; the identity of the most valuable native plants in terms of the beneficial insects they harbor and sustain is frequently unknown. This situation is improving with a number of recent studies showing the benefit of local native plants in enhancing attraction and sustenance of beneficial insects [4,5,6,7,8,9,10]. In Washington State, James et al [11,12] reported substantial attraction of beneficial insects to flowering native buckwheats (Eriogonum spp.) and stinging nettles (Urtica dioica L.)
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callDisclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
