The importance of insect pollination for agricultural crops cannot be overstated. This ominous and eye-opening quote attributed to Albert Einstein sums up the need for pollinators: “If the bee disappears from the surface of the globe, man would have no more than four years of life left.” Without the assistance of various insects, approximately one-third of all flowering crops globally would fail to reach edible maturity. The human dependence on a diversity of insects is a crucial integrant that should neither be overlooked nor underestimated. And it’s not just the pollinators that drive necessary agricultural processes that lead to edible products on the market shelves.
Entomologists John Losey and Mace Vaughan’s research estimates the value of pollination services provided by wild bees to be an impressive $18 billion in the United States alone. Additionally, native predator and parasitoid insects in the U.S. contribute to ecological pest control services with an estimated annual value of at least $4.5 billion. Losey and Vaughan’s research additionally indicates that the annual ecological services offered by all insects in the U.S. are valued at nearly $57 billion. This figure not only warrants awareness but also justifies increased investment in research and the implementation of native habitats on agricultural lands.
Despite the pivotal role these insects play in orchard systems, the focus is often on addressing pest species. However, a majority of insects visiting orchard systems are beneficial. Insects in a farming system contribute to nutrient cycling, decomposition of plant material, pollination of crops, pest control and serve as food sources for songbirds and other wildlife. Natural predatory insects can act as “biological control agents” to manage pest outbreaks and reduce the need for insecticides and their associated costs. These vital insects require habitat, sufficient food, access to quality water, safe nesting sites and, perhaps most importantly, protection from pesticides. These attributes need to be prioritized and managed by farmers to harness their services.
Establishing native grasses and wildflowers designed for biological control supports predators, parasitoids and crop pollinators. Planting native habitats on property borders, margins, or on unproductive land can significantly impact the ecology and overall productivity of a farm system. A successful approach would be to consider your farm as a natural ecosystem that can optimize every resource that comes with the added biodiversity.
While managed honeybee populations are crucial for agriculture, there is a need to reconsider our focus on this controlled strategy. Managed honeybees receive protection, food and pampered care from beekeepers due to their economic importance. Concerns have arisen regarding the potential negative impacts of managed honeybees on wild bee populations. Numerous studies conclude that managed bees may negatively affect wild bees through resource competition, changes in plant communities or the transmission of pathogens.
Besides honeybees, approximately 450 species of native bees call the eastern U.S. their home, and more than 100 of these species visit orchards each season, according to the Xerces Society. Honey bees get most of the buzz and play an important role for some crops, but certain native bees are simply superior at spreading pollen. Native bee species may hold the solution to the world’s pollination issues affecting some of our most important crops. I, too, prefer a dollop of honey in my tea, but maybe our attention should shift to the many other more productive wild species.
Pollinator numbers are declining worldwide, and producers need to be aware of how to enhance their populations and reap the benefits of their aid. Orchard systems, in particular, have a unique opportunity to simultaneously conserve their populations and improve pest control and pollination of their fruiting crops. By encouraging biodiversity of insect populations on fallow or unsuitable crop land, agricultural producers can enhance their systems’ productivity while also supporting struggling groups of native insects.
A paradigm shift in today’s pest management control techniques needs to be considered to not harm numerous beneficial insect populations. Pesticide contamination is widespread. A study conducted in 2010 by Mullin et al. showed that more than 90% of pollen analyzed from beehives in agricultural landscapes are contaminated with more than one pesticide. This appears to be a classic illustration of the colloquial idiom “shooting oneself in the foot.” It is critical that we work simultaneously to reduce the use of pesticides to minimize the risk of pesticides to pollinators.
Even in our manufactured farming landscapes, we can benefit from aligning with natural ecosystems. The closer producers manage their land to best imitate natural systems, the more they can leverage these essential ecological services. Adopting a system that mimics manufacturing overlooks the intricate ecological interactions crucial for optimized crop management. It’s time to take advantage of the ecosystem services that the many tiny and sometimes cryptic beneficial insects can provide for your cropping system. It’s necessary to protect what you may not see! Building and recruiting biodiversity (including microbes, birds, bats and insects!) on your land within and beyond your cropping system will bestow a stable, healthier and resilient farm ecosystem.