Insect communities associated with beneficial insect habitat plants in North Carolina

Published source details Forehand L.M., Orr D.B. & Linker H.M. (2006) Insect communities associated with beneficial insect habitat plants in North Carolina. Environmental Entomology, 35, 1541-1549.
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This study is summarised as evidence for the following.

	Action	Category
	Plant nectar flower mixture/wildflower strips Action Link

Plant nectar flower mixture/wildflower strips

A replicated, paired, controlled study in 2003 on an arable farm in North Carolina, USA (Forehand et al. 2006) found that plots sown with one of three commercial seed mixes had a higher abundance of adult moths than the other two mixes or single species plots, and all three mixes had a higher species richness of caterpillars than single species plots. Plots sown with “Border Patrol” seed mix were visited by more adult hawk moths (Sphingidae: 1.8 individuals/minute) and noctuid moths (Noctuidae: 2.1 individuals/minute) than plots sown with “Beneficial Insect Mix” or “Good Bug Blend” (hawk moths: 0.1; noctuid moths: 0.8–1.1 individuals/minute) or single species of cut flowers or herbs (hawk moths: 0.0; noctuid moths: 1.0–1.6 individuals/minute). The species richness of non-pest herbivores (including geometrid moth (Geometridae), brush-footed butterfly (Nymphalidae) and skipper (Hesperiidae) caterpillars), was similar in all three seed mixes (8 species/plot) and higher than in the single species plots (5–6 species/plot). In March 2003, seeds from three commercial mixes were separated and sown in a greenhouse, along with seeds of three cut flowers/herbs (fennel Foeniculum vulgare, common zinnia Zinnia elegans, cockscomb Celosia cristata). In May 2003, plants were transplanted to field plots (6.0 × 1.2–2.1 m), arranged in three blocks, in their original mixes and relative abundance. Dead plants were replaced for two weeks, and hand-weeded. Plots were separated by 1.5-m millet strips. All areas had been pesticide-free for ≥3 years. On eight days in June–August 2003, insects were collected with a D-Vac vacuum sampler, and two aerial nets, for 1 min/plot. On four nights in July–August 2003, moths were observed visiting each plot for one minute, three times/night, in the hour after dusk.

(Summarised by: Andrew Bladon)