Pollinators and Beneficial Insects

Pests are often the first thing that comes to gardeners minds when talking about insects. However, not all insects are bad. In fact, many insects serve important roles in gardens such as ensuring the pollination of plants and regulating pest populations.

Pollinators

The most common pollinators in gardens and landscapes are the European honey bee, Apis mellifera
and several species of the bumble bee, Bombus spp. Native plants rely on pollinators like bees to reproduce. They are also beneficial for fruit and vegetable plants.

Beneficial Insects

Beneficial insects can be categorized as parasitoids and predators. Parasitoids attack insect pests such as caterpillars and aphids. Common parasitoids include tachinid flies and many kinds of wasps. Predators feed on small soft bodied insects. Predators of landscapes and gardens include ladybird
beetles, green lacewings, insidious flower bugs, and hover flies

Check out this link to Missouri Botanical Gardens photo page to get to know many beneficial insects you might encounter in your garden: Photos of Beneficial Insects

How to increase pollinators and beneficial insects

Bees are suffering from habitat loss which is causing a decline in bee population. Planting flowering native plants will provide a food source to bees and other beneficial insects. Use plants with varying bloom times to provide a food source all season long. Many insects need shelter to survive during the winter. Leaving plant debris in your garden until the spring will provide a nesting site for many beneficial insects.

Here is a list of flowering plants that are beneficial to pollinators:

Effect of Pesticides on Pollinators and Beneficial Insects

Most insecticides can harm pollinators and beneficial insects. Limit pesticide applications, but when required, avoid using pesticides while the plants are flowering to limit exposure to pollinators.

For more information on pollinators and beneficial insects, read this publication from K-State Research and Extension here.