Ebook: Farming with native beneficial insects: ecological pest control solutions: the Xerces Society guide

Grow bountiful organic crops while improving the biodiversity of your farm by making your land a welcoming place for native beneficial insects. Mantids, stink bugs, beetles, flies, wasps, and many others prey upon crop pests, reducing or eliminating the need for chemical pesticides. Your first step is learning to identify these important farm heroes: close-up photography and in-depth profiles familiarize you with more than 20 beneficial insects and their kin. After assessing your land, current practices, and goals, you'll find detailed instructions for a host of projects, from beetle banks to organic buffers, to improve habitat for your insect helpers.--COVER.;Pest control with beneficial insects -- Why farm with native beneficial insects? -- Evaluating beneficial insect habitat -- Designing new beneficial insect habitat -- Native plant field borders -- Insectary plantings -- Hedgerows -- Cover crops -- Conservation buffers -- Beetle banks and other shelters -- Reducing pesticide impacts -- Long-term habitat management -- Common beneficial insects and their kin -- Plants for conservation biocontrol.