Integrated pest management (IPM) focuses on attracting beneficial insects to control pests on farms. Instead of relying on chemical pesticides, which may provide short-term results, IPM encourages the use of cultural, mechanical, and biological control methods. Key to success is planting native species that support predatory insects, which not only feast on harmful pests but also require host plants to thrive. The article emphasizes the importance of fostering native plants and introducing predatory species, like hoverflies, to create a balanced ecosystem that minimizes pesticide reliance and promotes a healthier agricultural environment.
Hoverflies, representing the family Syrphidae, are crucial to pest control on farms, feeding on a variety of harmful pests while also relying on nectar from flowering plants.
Native plant species, which can often grow naturally around farm borders, are key to creating a sustainable habitat for beneficial insect predators, enhancing pest management efforts.
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