2000 Annual Report for FS00-110
Impact of Louisiana Native Coastal Prairie Habitat on Beneficial Insect Populations
Summary
Insect pressures are one of the most difficult problems facing farmers, especially those trying to farm sustainably or farm organically. Tremendous inputs of insecticides are the standard therapy and even this approach leaves much to be desired in the outcome. Enhancement of beneficial insect populations by providing insect habitat is an environmentally friendly activity. This farmer, who is committed to using organic methods, is always seeking better ways to control insect pests without chemical applications. Beneficial insects provide an excellent means of reducing damage without costly and potentially dangerous application of insecticides.
The goal of this project is to develop techniques to install riparian strips of native coastal prairie vegetation as an attraction for beneficial insects. The producer hopes to demonstrate a measurable and economically viable role for native vegetation as habitat for diverse populations of beneficial insects.
This producer will try to determine if native vegetation will provide habitat for a more diverse population of helpful insects than a monoculture cover crop. If true, he will have better control of insect pests as well as enhancing pollination and soil conservation. He plans to provide 10-foot wide strips of native vegetation supplemented with seed gathered from other sites. These strips will be on the long sides of two 50 by 500 foot plots. Control plots without native plant borders will be planted 500 to 1000 feet from the test plots.
Insects will be identified and counted with the help of cooperator Dr. Robert Bugg. Data will be recorded along with the location of the insect traps. A close-up picture of each trap will be taken to record the results. This procedure will be followed for each year of the project.