Tag: garden

Using Beneficial Insects in Organic Crop Environments

Beneficial insects, also known as biological control agents, play a crucial role in managing pest populations in organic crops, especially organic row crops. These insects help reduce the need for chemical pesticides, promote biodiversity, and support sustainable farming practices. Here’s a guide on how to integrate beneficial insects into your organic farming system, specifically for crops like cotton, peanut, corn, sorghum, rice, and wheat.

Table of Contents (click to find)

  1. Starting with Beneficial Insects
  2. Where to Buy Beneficial Insects
  3. Field Preparations
  4. Beneficial Insect Delivery and Distribution Methods
  5. Keeping Beneficial Insects in the Field
  6. Crop Varieties and Beneficial Insects
  7. Other Resources

Starting with Beneficial Insects

Incorporating beneficial insects into your pest management strategy is a smart, sustainable choice. These natural predators offer a highly effective alternative to organic insecticides, providing ongoing pest control without the need for frequent reapplications. The beneficial insect industry is growing, offering a wider variety of predators and parasitoids than ever before, making it easier to find the right ones for your specific pest issues.

Using beneficial insects helps maintain a balanced ecosystem, as they target pests without harming other beneficial organisms. This promotes biodiversity and long-term soil health, crucial for sustainable farming. Additionally, while the initial investment might be higher, the reduction in pesticide use can lead to significant cost savings over time.

Furthermore, employing beneficial insects supports compliance with organic standards, as it reduces reliance on even approved organic insecticides. This approach aligns with the principles of organic farming, enhancing natural processes and contributing to a healthier environment.

Lastly, it is not unusual to see this type of “pest control” continue to be self-sustaining as the introduced predators continue to live in your established habitat. Living on your farm year-round means that they are ready to go to work when you do! Take a look at this list below and know that these are the insect predators that are commonly available and listed on most websites. But if you find a problem or have a suggestion don’t hesitate to reach out.

Predatory Beetles

Lady Beetle (Joseph Berger, Bugwood.org)

  1. Hippodamia convergens (Convergent Lady Beetle) Targets: Aphids, scale insects, mealybugs, spider mites.
  2. Coccinella septempunctata (Seven-Spotted Lady Beetle) Targets: Aphids, small caterpillars, scale insects, mealybugs.
  3. Harmonia axyridis (Asian Lady Beetle) Targets: Aphids, scale insects, mites, thrips.
  4. Carabidae (Ground Beetles) Targets: Slugs, snails, caterpillars, root maggots, other soil-dwelling pests.
  5. Staphylinidae (Rove Beetles) Targets: Aphids, mites, larvae of many insect pests, soil dwelling pests.
  6. Collops spp. (Collop beetle) Targets: Aphids, whiteflies, caterpillars, mealybugs, spider mites.
  7. Cantharidae (Soldier Beetles) Targets: Aphids, caterpillars, other soft-bodied insects.
  8. Cicindelinae (Tiger Beetles) Targets: Various insects and larvae.
  9. Cryptolaemus montrouzieri (Mealybug Destoyer) Targets: mealybug – the larva of this beetle looks like a mealybug while adult resembles a small beetle.

Lacewings (Chrysopidae)

Lacewing (Clemson University, Bugwood.org)

  1. Chrysoperla carnea (Common Green Lacewing) Targets: Aphids, whiteflies, thrips, small caterpillars, mites.
  2. Chrysoperla rufilabris (Southern Green Lacewing) Targets: Aphids, mites, thrips, whiteflies, small caterpillars.

Parasitic Wasps

Trichogramma Wasp (Victor Fursov, commons.wikimedia.org)

  1. Trichogramma spp. (typically called trichogramma wasp) Targets: Eggs of various moth and butterfly species (e.g., European corn borer, cotton bollworm)
  2. Aphidius colemani (no common name) Targets: Aphids (e.g., green peach aphid, melon aphid).
  3. Encarsia formosa (Whitefly Wasp) Targets: Whiteflies (e.g., greenhouse whitefly, sweet potato whitefly).
  4. Cotesia glomerata (Cabbage White Wasp) Targets: Caterpillars of the cabbage white butterfly.
  5. Gonatocerus triguttatus (known as Fairyflies sometimes) Targets: Glassy-winged Sharpshooter of grapes, spreader of Pierces Disease. May be hard to find!

Pirate Bugs (Orius spp.)

Pirate bug. (Photo Credit: Ho Jung Yoo)

  1. Orius insidiosus (Minute Pirate Bug) Targets: Thrips: Both adult and larval stages, Aphids, Mites, Whiteflies, Psyllids, Caterpillars
  2. Orius majusculus Targets: Thrips: Both adult and larval stages, Aphids, Mites, Whiteflies, Psyllids, Caterpillars
  3. Orius tristicolor Targets: Thrips: Both adult and larval stages, Aphids, Mites, Whiteflies, Psyllids, Caterpillars

Hoverflies or Syrphid Flies

Hover Fly (Stephen Katovich, Bugwood.org)

  1. Episyrphus balteatus (Marmalade Hoverfly) Targets: Aphids, small caterpillars.
  2. Syrphus ribesii (Common Hoverfly or Ribbed Hoverfly) Targets: Aphids.

Predatory Mites (Phytoseiidae)

Phytoseiulus persimilis mite eating a Two-spotted spider mite!

  1. Phytoseiulus persimilis (no common name) Targets: Two-spotted spider mites, broad mites.
  2. Amblyseius swirskii (no common name) Targets: Thrips, whiteflies, spider mites.
  3. Neoseiulus cucumeris (no common name) Targets: Thrips, spider mites, broad mites.

Great video about mites and control of spider mites with Amblyseius swirskii

Predatory Nematodes

The Steinernema scapterisci insect-parasitic nematode in the juvenile phase can infect and kill insects in the Orthoptera order, such as grasshoppers and crickets. (Photo by David Cappaert, Bugwood.org.)

  1. Steinernema carpocapsae Targets: Cutworms, armyworms, webworms, cranefly larvae.
  2. Heterorhabditis bacteriophora Targets: Root weevils, white grubs, rootworms.
  3. Steinernema feltiae Targets: Fungus gnats, thrips, codling moth larvae, root maggots.
  4. Steinernema scapterisci Targets: Mole crickets, grasshoppers, crickets.
  5. Heterorhabditis bacteriophora Targets: Root weevils, white grubs, rootworms.

Where to Buy Beneficial Insects

Kunafin “The Insectary”

  • https://www.kunafin.com/
  • 13955 N Highway 277, Quemado, TX 78877
  • Office: 830.757.1181 or 800.832.1113
  • Email: office@kunafin.com
  • Blaine Junfin
  • Email: blaine@kunafin.com
  • Cell: 210.262.6245

Koppert 

Beneficial Insectary (Biobest Group) 

Bioline AgroSciences  

  • https://www.biolineagrosciences.com/
  • Office: 805.986.8265
  • Tina Ziaei (North America West)
  • tziaei@biolineagrosciences.com
  • (778) 288-0462
  • Ysidro Muñoz (North America West)
  • ymunoz@biolineagrosciences.com
  • (805) 666-9050
  • Daryl Johnson (North America Midwest)
  • djohnson@biolineagrosciences.com
  • (551) 228-5979
  • Nicolas Bertoni (North America East)
  • nbertoni@biolineagrosciences.com
  • (905) 714-6919
  • Chris Daye (North America East)
  • cdaye@biolineagrosciences.com
  • (365) 323-4997

Applied Bionomics

Arbico Organics

BIOBEE

Tip Top Biocontrol 

Bugs for Growers

Field Preparations

  • Habitat Enhancement: Plant diverse flowering plants around the field to provide nectar and pollen for beneficial insects. Include cover crops and hedgerows to offer shelter and alternate food sources. Have available before purchasing beneficial insects.
  • Minimize Pesticide Use:  Avoid using broad spectrum organic pesticides that can harm beneficial insects. Many organic insect control products are specific to certain insects or insect systems (Pyganic will kill all beneficials although it is organic). Use targeted treatments if necessary and apply them at times when beneficial insects are less active.
  • Create a Favorable Environment: Ensure the field has adequate moisture and avoid practices that disrupt the habitat of beneficial insects.

Beneficial Insect Delivery and Distribution Methods

Insect Delivery

Bulk Containers: Insects are often shipped in bulk containers containing a mixture of insects and a carrier medium (like vermiculite, bran, or buckwheat hulls).

Blister Packs: Small plastic blister packs containing a specific number of beneficial insects are used for easy handling and release.

Paper or Mesh Bags: Insects are placed in breathable bags that allow for easy distribution in the field.

Distribution Methods

Hand Release: Beneficial insects are manually sprinkled or shaken out onto the crops. Simple tools like a “saltshaker” or small containers can be used for more precise application. Used on smaller areas or targeted release points.

Mechanical Dispersal: Using blowers or air-assisted equipment to disperse insects over a larger area. Usually this means a specialized blowers designed for insect release, similar to leaf blowers but calibrated for the insects’ safety. Typically used on large-scale row crops where uniform distribution is necessary.

Aerial Release: Drones or small aircraft can be used to release insects over extensive fields. Drones equipped with special release mechanisms for even distribution and this method works great with very large fields or difficult-to-access areas.

Release Stations: Strategic placement of small containers or stations throughout the field that allow insects to disperse naturally. These are typically small cardboard or plastic tubes, blister packs placed on stakes or plants. These allow for continuous release over time and for mobile insects like predatory beetles or parasitic wasps.

Instructions for Applying Beneficial Insects in Fields

  • Timing: Release beneficial insects early in the season before pest populations reach damaging levels.
  • Quantity: Determine the appropriate release rate based on the specific crop and pest pressure. This information is often provided by suppliers of beneficial insects.
  • Distribution: Distribute insects evenly across the field. Use dispersal devices like handheld blowers or distribute by hand in small release points throughout the crop area. Apply during cool, calm periods of the day, such as early morning or late afternoon, to minimize stress on the insects.

Specific Instructions for Different Beneficial Insects

  1. Lady Beetles
    • Application: Release near aphid-infested plants. Ensure there is enough food and habitat for them to stay.
      • Environment: Lady beetles prefer environments with flowering plants which provide nectar.
  2. Lacewings
    • Application: Release lacewing eggs or larvae directly onto plants. Eggs can be scattered or placed on leaves.
    • Environment: Favorable habitats include areas with nectar-producing plants to support adult lacewings.
  3. Parasitic Wasps (e.g., Trichogramma spp.)
    • Application: Release near the time of pest egg laying. Attach release cards with parasitized eggs to plants or scatter loose eggs.
    • Environment: Provide a mix of flowering plants to support adult wasps with nectar sources.
  4. Predatory Mites (e.g., Phytoseiulus persimilis)
    • Application: Distribute mites onto plants where pest mites are present. Sachets or loose mites can be used.
    • Environment: Ensure a humid environment, as mites require high humidity for survival.
  5. Predatory Nematodes (e.g., Steinernema spp.)
    • Application: Mix nematodes with water and apply using irrigation systems, backpack sprayers, or watering cans.
    • Environment: Keep soil moist for several days after application to ensure nematodes can move and infect pests.

Keeping Beneficial Insects in the Field

  • Learn about your predator and be able to identify life stages. A Lacewing adult looks a lot different than the dragon-like nymph. The same is true for the Lady Beetle that has a ferocious looking larva!
  • Avoid and pesticide applications after applying predators. Especially avoid using broad-spectrum pesticides that can harm beneficial insects. Even avoid irrigation applications, if possible, till predators can begin feeding.
  • Regularly check pest and beneficial insect populations to assess the effectiveness of the release. Use sticky traps, visual inspections, and sweep nets for monitoring. Learn how effective your predators are and what the drop in pest insects looks like once predators are released.
  • Maintain and promote a diverse habitat with cover crops and flowering plants to support beneficial insect populations. If is amazing how many pest insects stop in your predator habitat first and get eaten up!
  • Minimize tillage to preserve the habitat of ground dwelling beneficial insects.
  • Use trap crops to attract pests away from the main crop, allowing beneficial insects to control them more effectively.

Crop Varieties and Beneficial Insects

Selecting Varieties: Choose crop varieties that are known to attract and support beneficial insects. Some plant varieties may produce more nectar and pollen, which are crucial for the survival of beneficial insects.

Integrated Planting: Integrate flowering plants and companion plants that attract beneficial insects within the crop rows. This can be a way to better utilize waterways or sections of a pivot.

Real Life Example: In cotton fields, farmers can plant strips of alfalfa or clover, which attract lady beetles and lacewings. These beneficial insects will help control aphid populations, reducing the need for chemical interventions. Additionally, by maintaining a diverse plant environment, beneficial insects are more likely to stay and thrive in the field.

  • Cotton Major Pest: Bollworm (Helicoverpa zea) Predator: Trichogramma spp. (parasitic wasp)
  • Peanut Major Pest: Lesser Cornstalk Borer (Elasmopalpus lignosellus) Predator: Spined Soldier Bug (Podisus maculiventris)
  • Corn Major Pest: European Corn Borer (Ostrinia nubilalis) Predator: Lacewing larvae (Chrysoperla spp.)
  • Sorghum Major Pest: Sorghum Midge (Stenodiplosis sorghicola) Predator: Minute Pirate Bug (Orius insidiosus)
  • Rice Major Pest: Rice Water Weevil (Lissorhoptrus oryzophilus) Predator: Ground Beetles (Carabidae family)

Great video on all kinds of beneficial insects!

Other Resources

Purple Tomatoes – They are not all the same!

This is a picture of the “Purple Tomato” developed and sold by Norfolk Healthy Produce. According to the press release from the John Innes Centre it is a high-anthocyanin purple tomato developed nearly 2 decades ago. Here are a couple of paragraphs from the article below.

Nathan Pumplin, CEO of Norfolk Healthy Produce, said: “We are thrilled to offer these first-of-a-kind seeds to home gardeners. Our tomato is just a tomato – you can grow it in your garden next to your Sun Golds and Purple Cherokees, and other favorite varieties. We share our gratitude to the thousands of fans who have expressed their interest and encouragement through our website.” 

The company says that surveys with American consumers showed that 80% are interested to eat, purchase and grow the purple tomato, knowing that it is bioengineered (as a genetically modified organism, or GMO). Only 5% of consumers were not interested. I seriously doubt this last sentence and wonder how accurately they surveyed customers!

These pictures are of the YOOM tomato. This purple tomato was introduced last year and as you can see also has the purple color and because of that color it has high anthocyanins like other purple vegetables and fruit.

The Yoom tomato is not developed using GMO technology like the “Purple Tomato.” Instead, Yoom tomatoes are the result of conventional breeding techniques. These techniques involve selecting parent plants with desirable traits and crossbreeding them over multiple generations to produce offspring that express those traits. The Yoom tomato, known for its distinctive purple color and high levels of antioxidants, particularly anthocyanins, was developed through this traditional method of plant breeding. (Article in Vegetable Grower News)

The purple color is a natural trait that some tomato varieties exhibit, enhanced through the selection process to appeal to consumers looking for novel and potentially healthier options in their diets. The development of such varieties focuses on enhancing flavor, nutritional content, and visual appeal without the need for genetic modification techniques like CRISPR-Cas9 or GMO.

Conventional breeding remains a powerful tool in developing new plant varieties, allowing for the gradual improvement of crops with respect to taste, yield, disease resistance, and nutritional content. While CRISPR technology offers precise gene editing capabilities, it’s important to distinguish between crops developed through genetic modification and those, like the Yoom tomato, that are the result of selective breeding practices.

Organic growers need to be aware of this powerful difference and don’t be fooled by others who want you to grow the Purple Tomato without realizing the difference. Recently I was asked about organic farmers growing the Purple Tomato. I was caught completely unaware because I knew about YOOM and so thought this was the tomato they were referring to. It was not the YOOM, and you need to know it is not legal or ethical for you to grow the “Purple Tomato” unless you grow the YOOM Purple Tomato.

Lastly, YOOM is not a certified organic seed variety (YET), at least that I can find. There may be some organic seed offered soon but you will need to talk to your certifier about using conventional YOOM seed based on the fact that it is from conventional breeding and is the only tomato variety with these traits.

News Updates below: Click links for a new twist to this story!

Rotten tomato: Biotech company makes false claim about its GMO purple tomato

GM purple tomato company targets non-GMO seed company over alleged patent infringement.

Plant breeders and seed retailers are increasingly living in fear of legal threats from GMO developer companies. Report: Claire Robinson

The company that is commercializing the GM purple so-called “anti-cancer” tomato has targeted a non-GMO heirloom seed company over alleged patent infringement.

(Click the heading above for a link to this article)

Where Do Seedless Watermelons Come From?

One of my first Seedless Watermelon Trials, Comanche County Texas

I have been asked on numerous occasions “Where Do Seedless Watermelons Come From?” or “How do you get seed from a seedless watermelon?” Well, the process is simple but lengthy, taking two generations but the end result is fantastic.

First, you need to understand a little about chromosomes, the threadlike bodies that contain genes for development. A regular watermelon has two sets of chromosomes and is called a diploid (di for two). A plant breeder will take a diploid watermelon seed and treat it with a chemical called colchicine. Colchicine will cause the seed to develop a melon with four sets of chromosomes called a tetraploid (tetra for four). This melon is grown out and the seed harvested for the next growing season. This tetraploid seed is planted and begins to grow but the plant is covered with a spun row cover to prevent any pollination so that the plant breeder can pollinate at the right time with a diploid melon variety. These melons will grow and the seed from them will be harvested. The cross of tetraploid plant with a diploid plant result in triploid seed. This plant has three sets of chromosomes and is the “mule” of the watermelon family. This seed when planted will produce a seedless melon meaning it is sterile. You may see some sort of seed like “carcass” but that is soft and not developed shown in the picture below. They don’t affect the taste or the quality.

Seedless melons are really a favorite of the urban clientele. They don’t buy grapes with seeds, and they don’t like melons with seeds (what do you do with the seeds in a nice restaurant). They are excellent for salad bars and are sold in grocery stores sliced and ready to eat. Seedless watermelons are typically smaller and so fit easily in the refrigerator, another plus for the urban American. One of the first and most popular seedless varieties was Tri-X 313. I was told that the Tri-X meant triploid, the first 3 was 3 months maturity and the 13 was the typical weight of 13 pounds per melon. Sounds good anyway!

Organic Seedless Melons – Florida Fields to Forks

Growing seedless melons are a little different than the typical watermelon. First this seed is very fragile and must be germinated under higher-than-normal germination temperatures. We will germinate seeds in chambers with 90+ degree temperatures. This forces the seed to quickly germinate and begin to grow versus a cold soil in the field which will slow seed germination enough that most seedless plants won’t make it. Because of its temperamental nature a seedless watermelon is grown as a transplant first and then moved into the field later after getting a good root system established. These seeds cost from 17¢ to 50¢ a piece and growing the actual plant in a pot to be transplanted costs another 15¢ for a total of approximately 50¢ per plant. The germination percentage is low for seedless, around 80%, so that cost can go up even more. It takes about 1500 to 1700 plants per acre or about $600.00 per acre of planted seedless melons, a lot of money and still 80 days till harvest.

Seedless has other good traits besides being seedless. They are very productive, generally producing more melons than any other hybrid if grown properly. They are also disease tolerant plants resisting many of the diseases that other melons quickly die from and seedless are good shippers, holding flavor for a long time.

I mentioned that the seedless is the “mule” of melons, well a watermelon produces both male and female flowers so that we can plant one variety in a field and bees can pollinate with no trouble. A seedless melon produces a male flower that cannot pollinate another melon so to get by this we have to plant seeded variety melons in rows next to the seedless rows to insure good pollination. I have seen mix-ups in the field where seedless plants covered 10 solid rows so that the outside two rows were the only ones with melons. Having a pollinator row for seedless is mandatory if you want seedless melons, a fact you should know if you want to try growing seedless melons.

Is a seedless melon organic?  Absolutely. Colchicine is a naturally occurring alkaloid compound found in certain plant species, primarily the Colchicum autumnale plant, also known as autumn crocus or meadow saffron. Colchicum autumnale is native to Europe and Asia. The alkaloid colchicine is extracted from the seeds, corms (underground storage organs), and other parts of this plant. It can be applied to the seeds or plants, and this causes the doubling of the chromosomes. This process seems unnatural but in nature it is not that rare to find naturally occurring tetraploid melons!

Colchicine has been used for centuries in traditional medicine, particularly in the treatment of gout and certain inflammatory conditions. However, it is important to note that colchicine can be toxic in high doses, so it should only be used under medical supervision. In organic production the melons should be treated with the naturally derived colchicine not the synthetic. As always, check with your CERTIFIER first!