New project:New project:

farmscapingfarmscaping for for

beneficial insectsbeneficial insects-- 2009 Update - 2009 Update -

Brett Brett BlaauwBlaauw and Rufus Isaacs and Rufus Isaacs

Project GoalsDetermine whether perennial flowering conservation strips

increase beneficial insects

Determine whether conservation strips increase pollination and

biological control in the crop (apple, cherry, and blueberry)

Provide educational programs to increase grower knowledge of

strategies for conserving beneficial insects

Seeds from Michigan Wildflower FarmPerennials Grasses

Native seed mix

Site preparation5 Blueberry farms

Sites were prepared last

fall – herbicide applied,

and mown

Seeds were sown in May

Sites mown every few

weeks to combat weeds

Observations of insects on bushes

Organic farm Conventional farm

Beneficial Insect Diversity

Pest Diversity

Total Lady Beetles Per Farm

Organic Conventional 1 Conventional 2 Conventionl 3 Conventional 4

Lady Beetle Diversity

2010 PlansMonitor establishment of flower plantings

Measure natural enemy and wild bee abundance in

flower plots and non-flower plots

Organize workshops during the summer