In the past year disturbing news has emerged about the decline of insect populations around the world. Many of us are aware of the falling numbers of some larger or more charismatic species, including the monarch butterfly or the rusty-patched bumblebee, a candidate for listing as an Endangered Species. What I hadn’t realized was that this decline […]
Attracting MORE Insects with Native Plants: Part 3 – Bird Food and Biological Control
Syrphid fly (larvae are aphid predators) on marsh marigold (Caltha leptosepala) Native plants are the key to attract native fauna. Many of us want to see more of the larger, more colorful and charismatic representatives of local wildlife, like birds, butterflies and even native bees. The native flora we enjoy are also critical to […]