Habitat Planning for Beneficial Insects (A Xerces Society Guidebook)
A Fundamental Primer in Natural Pest Suppression…
Developed through a 9-year nationwide USDA-sponsored conservation innovation research project, Habitat Planning for Beneficial Insects: Guidelines for Conservation Biological Control is an 80+ page guide to the management of agroecological landscapes to enhance the natural suppression of pest insects by increasing their predators.
This groundbreaking guide features information on the ecology and habitat needs of predatory invertebrates, how those predators can practically suppress insect pests, the design of habitat features to support those predators, and a wildly elaborate guide to many groups of predatory invertebrates. Written in an accessible, farmer/gardener-friendly style, the guide is enhanced by hundreds of detailed full color photos and graphs.
Table of Contents:
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An Introduction to Beneficial Invertebrates
- Predators
- Parasitoids
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The Benefits of Conservation Biological Control
- Reduced Pesticide Use
- Reduced Dependence on Non-Native Biocontrol Agents
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Implementation of Conservation Biological Control
- Recognizing Existing Beneficial Insects and Their Habitat
- Conserving Existing Beneficial Insect Habitat
- Providing New Beneficial Insect Habitat
- Managing Habitat and Cropland to Minimize Harm to Beneficial Insects
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Conservation Biological Control Practices
- Native Plant Field Borders
- Temporary Insectary Strips
- Hedgerows and Windbreaks
- Cover Crops
- Herbaceous Buffer Practices
- Tunnel Nests, Beetle Banks, and Brush Piles
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Reducing Harm from Pesticides
- Pesticide Risk Reduction
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Conservation Biological Control Case Studies
- Beneficial Insects Thrive in Hedgerows on California Central Valley Farms
- Growing Blueberries While Making Farms Better for Beneficials
- Habitat for Beneficials on an Oklahoma Farm and Ranch
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Common Beneficial Arthropods
- Beneficial Insect Lifecycles
- Predators – Detailed Group Profiles
- Parasitoids – Detailed Group Profiles
- Non-Insect Predators –Detailed Group Profiles
- Plants for Conservation Biological Control
- Native Wildflowers
- Native Trees & Shrubs
- Native Bunch Grasses
- Cover Crops
- Additional Resources and Literature Cited
This was one of the first guides of its kind, ever produced, and remains one of the best.
Spiral bound, 82-pages.