Improving Pest Management with Farmscaping (original) (raw)

2013

Abstract

ABSTRACT Farmscaping is a holistic ecologically-based approach to pest management that emphasizes the arrangement or configuration of plants that promote biological pest management by attracting and sustaining beneficial organisms. Ideal farmscape plantings provide habitat for beneficial insects, suppress weeds, and grow in close proximity to the cash crop without competing for light, water and nutrients. Research has shown that maintaining high levels of species diversity is a key characteristic of a proper functioning agroecosystem. Unfortunately, intensive farming operations including growing large monocultures, regular cultivation, and excessive use of insecticides often leads to a dramatic reduction in arthropod diversity, especially natural enemies that often keep many pest insects below damaging levels. Farmscaping is a technique designed to add diversity back to the system and minimize disturbance leading to increases in natural enemy populations by providing insectary plants as food and shelter resources. Successful conservation of natural enemies involves manipulation of the environment to favor natural enemies, either by eliminating adverse factors or by providing improved conditions for colonization and survival. In addition to acting as a reservoir for natural enemies, the use of farmscaping may increase alternative prey or insect hosts when other food resources are scarce. Farmscape plantings can also serve as an overwintering habitat for natural enemies to ensure carryover of beneficial insects from year to year.

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