Adding Species to Flower Strips Increases Beneficial Insect Populations

A meta-analysis from the University of Copenhagen in Denmark showed that the more species are added to flower strips planted for pest control in crops, the better they attract natural enemies of crop pests. “The more species in the flower strip, the more natural enemies in the field,” says senior author of the study, Associate Professor Lene Sigsgaard. Planting a flower strip with two species increased the number of natural enemies by an average of 70% over having no flowers, and each additional species in flower strips further increased natural enemies by 4.1%. Researchers say it’s important to choose the right species, though. Open flowers with easy access to pollen and nectar offer an advantage for predatory insects, and perennial, native species help lower the cost of flower strips for farmers.