Gardener’s Corner

Most gardeners know that not every insect is a bad insect. There are an estimated 900,000 species of insects in the world according to the Smithsonian, making up eighty percent of all living beings. The United States alone has almost 100,000 species of insects. Only a few of those insects are harmful to us and our gardens. In fact, most of the insects we encounter are harmless or are beneficial. The beneficial insects pollinate flowers, eat bad insects, and bring beauty to the world.Beneficial insects can be divided into roughly four categories: Predators such as lady beetles; Parasitoids and parasites (Wasps that lay eggs on caterpillars and feed on their bodies); Decomposers such as dung beetles and other insects found around the compost pile; Pollinators such as bees, wasps, flies, and butterflies.

 

In addition to their contributions to our garden, insects often provide a protein rich meal for birds and other creatures. This attracts interesting birds and animals to your garden.

 

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