Orchardists Install Beneficial Insect and Pollinator Habit

Submitted By  Erin Kaczmarczyk, Soil Conservationist, Ephrata

Photo of a Multifloral rose garden bordering orchard to attract Colpoclypeus florus and increase leafroller.

In recent months, central Washington has seen an increased interest in the creation of habitat associated with beneficial insects and pollinator species in both organic and conventional orchards. NRCS has sought out the expertise of the Agricultural Research Service, a division of USDA, in Wapato, Washington. Researchers at the Wapato station have conducted research as it relates to beneficial insects, plant species used as overwintering habitat, and the attractiveness to such species. Field experts and researchers agree that plant diversity is key to habitat success and what seems to be good for pollinators is good for beneficial insect populations for the most part.

Several orchardists throughout the central area are planting insectaries (as they’ve been called) to not only benefit the general wildlife population but also help facilitate the increase in natural enemies of pest anthropoids as well as many different pollinator species. Another component to these plantings is constructing nesting structures and raptor perch poles to further enhance wildlife populations on the farm and utilize the additional benefits of pest control. Some of the most popular nesting structures include bee, bat, barn owl and kestrel boxes and structures.

Photo of a wild rose used for beneficial insect habitat surrounding orchards.

Conservation cover has also been a key element in practice implementation. With forbs starting to accompany many grass seedings, pollinators will have a wider variety of early season flowers to utilize.

Forbs that have been known to be attractive to beneficials include fennel and related species such as cilantro and dill. Marigold, phacelia, Korean licorice mint, yarrow and especially alyssum have proven to be attractive to aphid predators. Daisies and sunflowers have shown to attract predatory wasps and flies which will attack caterpillars. For example, a parasite of the sunflower moth will also attack the oriental fruit moth (sometimes a pest in peaches).

A short list (not all-inclusive) of native plant species for habitat plantings near orchards include:
Multifloral rose, thin leaf alder, antelope bitterbrush, golden current, wax current, buckwheat (sulfur, snowy and rock), as well as wild strawberry.

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