For the third instalment of our “Heart & Soil Conversations” series, Dr. Carolyn Parsons, an Entomologist with Agriculture & Agri-Food Canada, led a talk all about the good, the bad, and the not-so-ugly insects in our gardens.
Carolyn gave a great presentation on the insects commonly found in the garden, and the important roles they play. She went over beneficial insects, including predators, parasitoids, and pollinators, as well as some common pests. And, she discussed the role of increasing biodiversity in your garden to promote and encourage beneficial insects, and discourage/manage pests.
Key takeaways from Carolyn’s talk included:
- “Pests” are human constructs, and often play important roles in ecosystems — we need to have certain levels of “pests” in our gardens to maintain levels of predators and other ecosystem components.
- Observe the insects in your gardens, and record what you see — proper identification and knowledge of an insect’s biology, preferences, and natural enemies can help with improving garden design and management strategies.
- Diversity is essential — planning your garden to maximize biodiversity helps to provide habitats for insects that play beneficial roles in your backyard ecosystems.
Thank you to Carolyn for taking the time to share his knowledge, experience, and passion with us. And, thank you to all those who attended for learning together with us, and for asking such great questions.
Weren’t able to attend? We’ve got you covered!
Access the Zoom video recording here
Access the audio-only recording here
Additional resources:
Stay tuned for more information on the next Heart & Soil Conversation with the Pye Centre!
Join us for the next Heart & Soil Conversation on Thursday, April 28th at 7:00pm ADT, where we’re going to be discussing how to prepare your garden for the growing season!
Email pyecentre@mun.ca to register.
Pye Centre for Northern Boreal Food Systems 