The majority of people do not particularly appreciate insects. Even in the garden, they are feared since many come to nibble on the leaves and precious roots of plants, ruining their appearance and spoiling the harvest. This is the case with slugs, Japanese beetles, and aphids, to name just a few. However, some insects are beneficial, even necessary, and should become the gardener's allies. Here are some helpers you should do everything to attract to your home if you want a natural and productive garden.
Bees
All bees, including domestic bees, mason bees, and bumblebees, are essential for the pollination of plants. Without them tirelessly gathering pollen from flowers and transporting it from one plant to another, many fruits and vegetables would never see the light of day. Invite bees to your garden by planting colorful nectar-rich flowers like bee balm, agastache, and echinacea. The global bee population has been declining in recent years, and this could have a devastating effect on many crops. Be a friend to pollinators by providing them with a healthy and safe place in your garden.
Spiders
There are no dangerous spiders in Quebec; all species found in the wild are beneficial. Even if their appearance and presence bother you, spiders are precious: they feed on a large number of insects or trap them in their webs, which are, let's admit, wonders of nature. We are not asking you to tolerate them in your house or even to like them, but let them settle in the garden; they will be of great help to you.
Lacewings
Often called the green-eyed lady due to the very characteristic color of its body, it is mainly the lacewing larva that is interesting in the garden. Indeed, this voracious creature feeds on aphids and destructive red mites like no other. If you see lacewings fluttering above or near your plants, let them quietly lay their eggs so they can clean your garden of predators afterward.
Ladybugs
In addition to being very pretty and bringing good luck – at least that's what they say, ladybugs, both adult and larval, are great consumers of aphids. Indeed, depending on their size and growth stage, they can eat hundreds per day to the great delight of your plants. They do not limit themselves to aphids and can also help rid your plants of other harmful insects.
Hoverflies
With its black body striped with yellow, it is easy to confuse the hoverfly with the bee, but it actually belongs to the fly family. It is the only insect that can hover in place, making it easy to identify. Adults are seasoned pollinators that feed on pollen. The larvae, on the other hand, feed on numerous predatory insects in the garden, including aphids among others.
Beneficial insects have a very important role to play in pollination but also in controlling other more harmful or invasive species on ornamental and edible plants. Learn to recognize beneficial insects and welcome them to your home for a prosperous and beautiful garden, naturally.
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