The insect role in garden ecology
This book is written from a gardener's perspective. However, it might be valuable reading for the entomologist, the ecologist, the environmentalist and the botanist. Insects are considered the most dominant animal in terms of biomass, outweighing and outnumbering humans by 600% and more than 600%, respectively. Some of the primary functions performed in the garden by insects include pollination (vital to the production of the majority of plants of importance to man, which keep us alive), herbivory (eating plants; and plant and animal decomposition), and balancing garden ecology. In the section on interactions between insects and plants, we learn how roots (and tubers,corms, bulbs and rhizomes), crowns, stems, branches, shoots, trunks, leaves, flowers and buds, and seed, pod and fruits can be attacked by insects. Lastly, the author introduces us to a garden in balance where the beneficial insects (pollinators and predators) keep the herbivores in balance. To create this balance, one needs to create diversity in the garden--diversity of plants and of animals, including insects, keeping in mind that some insects can have both beneficial and detrimental activities in our gardens. And, when the gardener intervenes to prevent insect destruction of a plant or plants, it is essential that the treatment be the least toxic substance that works, that it is applied at the best time in the life cycle of the insect, that it is applied in the best fashion to achieve the greatest success and that it does not harm other insects (especially beneficials) or the environment.
Great Help for Any Gardener
Insects and Gardens by Eric Grissell is a solid primer on how to help your garden grow the natural way. It helps you keep track of which insects assist your plants, and which ones are going to cause trouble.
The book starts with the basics - just what is an insect? What are the different types, and how do you tell them apart? There are gorgeous photos here, which help you really understand what is being explained.
Then we get on into the garden-care section. the book provides great advice. For example buying ladybugs in a box, as fun as it might seem, is apparently not very helpful - they tend to all just try to "fly home" and leave your garden the way it was.
We learn about habitat diversity - by planning out the garden so that we have a natural habitat that encourages "good" bugs, we let the local, natural beneficial bugs take care of any problems they find. By removing stagnant water, we help to minimize the problem of mosquitoes.
There is a lot of practical advice. For example, sure you want to plant flowers that butterflies love to eat. However, if you really want butterflies around, you need to plant flowers that their LARVAE will eat so the butterflies stay and lay their eggs here.
There's even a section about stings and bites, to help you manage any accidental encounters.
Well recommended!
a new appreciation for bugs
The most informative book I've read, without being overbearing on the subject. It is as if the author is having a light but descriptive chat with you. Great humor. I,ve been an organic gardener for many years, but I look for, and at, insects differently now. I recommend this book to established as well as new gardeners.
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