Creating habitats to promote beneficial insects in an orchard and vineyard
1. Presentation
Characterization of the technique
Description of the technique:
Information originally from the Guide for the design of fruit production systems sparing phytosanitary products (2014) / Technical sheet no. 2. For more information: see link
Principle: Agroecological infrastructures (AEI) correspond to semi-natural habitats that receive neither chemical fertilizers nor pesticides and are managed extensively: these include for example hedges, herbaceous or flowering covers… By promoting biodiversity and maintaining trophic chains, these infrastructures favor beneficial organisms (specialists and generalists) from which an increased pest control (natural regulation) is expected. The quality of semi-natural habitats can be characterized by their area and the nature of their resources (linked to their botanical composition and management) and by their connectivity with other habitats at the farm and landscape scale. Connectivity depends on the presence of corridors (connected vegetation zones) which, through their network, promote the dispersion of beneficial organisms near this AEI.
Different modalities or types of agroecological infrastructures can be established in the orchard to promote beneficial organisms:
1) Hedges and woodland edges
Hedges are often planted as windbreaks on the edge of orchards. They also constitute a "reservoir" of plants, a refuge, a habitat, a hibernation site (e.g., evergreen leaves, intertwined stems), resources (pollen, nectar, berries, prey) for beneficial organisms (insects and birds), a filter, a barrier (e.g., against Lepidoptera) and/or a corridor (for certain species of ground beetles, birds, mammals, reptiles…). Multi-layered mixed hedges with wide coverage are the most interesting in terms of abundance and richness of beneficial fauna. The diversity of floral species, their characteristics (types of fruiting, leaves…) and the presence of all vegetation strata (herbaceous, bushy, shrubby and arboreal) multiply food sources, shelters (humidity and temperature gradients), reproduction and movement zones for fauna (insects, small mammals, birds…). Maintaining hollow trees in the hedge is favorable to bats and/or cavity-nesting birds. The complexity and botanical diversity of the hedge (composite hedges) show a positive effect on the establishment of bird populations compared to mono-specific cypress hedges. The choice of species will have the objective of providing habitat and a succession of resources for beneficial organisms: winter shelter, post-winter resources such as pollen from early blooms, prey or alternative hosts to maintain beneficial organisms in the absence of their main host or prey, seasonal resources (nectar, pollen, honeydew, prey…) and late-season resources with late blooms. Hedge pruning is preferable in autumn, after the berries and fruits have been consumed by beneficial organisms. Encourage the development in width of low structures to create an edge effect and avoid having a compact wall-like structure less favorable to biodiversity (plan for 6 m width for hedge establishment).
2) Flowering and grass strips
Flowering and grass strips provide nectar and pollen to beneficial organisms that have a floral stage and/or prey (e.g., aphids on grasses, decomposer organisms such as detritivorous Diptera consumed by some beneficial organisms). They are generally composed of a mixture of annual, biennial and perennial species (up to 30 species), preferably native, and installed for a period of 2 to 6 years. Among plants planted in orchards, buckwheat and phacelia have been tested and shown interesting effects on predators (notably syrphids) and parasitoids (notably of aphids), but these are annual plants that have the disadvantage of not persisting much except by reseeding. Field chamomile, cornflower and corn marigold host many predators of psyllids and aphids (Anthocorids, Miridae, ladybugs and syrphids). Sticky inula, bramble (Rubus ulmifolius) and Euphorbia characias are reservoirs of aphid parasitoids. Calendula officinalis is interesting to attract Miridae and syrphids. Fava bean (or broad bean) hosts early aphids and thus attracts aphidophagous beneficial organisms (which consume aphids). The composition of floral strips evolves more or less rapidly over the years depending on pedoclimatic characteristics, conditions at sowing and maintenance. The floral strip can notably be progressively invaded by grasses which are less interesting for beneficial fauna, which would require reseeding regularly depending on species. Late mowing of flowering strips at the end of flowering in late summer allows opening of the vegetation cover, favorable to minority species, mainly annuals. Limiting mowing to half of the floral strip also provides shelters during winter, the other half being mowed the following year. Mowing or rolling is preferable to rotary mowing, the latter destroying many more insects and animals.
3) Nest boxes, shelters and refuges
Nest boxes, shelters and refuges are habitats intended for beneficial organisms to promote biological pest control. However, installing refuges and nest boxes within and around the orchard does not replace agroecological infrastructures such as hedges and flowering strips nor the reasoning of practices that are best able to maintain biodiversity. Refuges and nest boxes favor certain predators, in a context where the number of natural shelters is limited in an orchard (e.g., cavities for birds). A limited number of species are concerned by this type of arrangement, hence the importance of other measures, previously described, to preserve and promote beneficial organisms.
4) Various habitats
Different habitats also promote biodiversity: ponds or water points to water beneficial organisms, wastelands, fallow lands, ditches, stone walls, terraces, embankments, wood or rubble piles, isolated trees, groves, small built heritage are all resources and habitats for beneficial organisms (beneficial arthropods, birds, bats, hedgehogs, reptiles…).
Example of implementation:
Application examples:
> Hedges and woodland edges The presence of evergreen species (e.g., ivy, laurel tin, bay laurel, alder buckthorn, boxwood) or marcescent species (which keep their dead leaves attached to branches during the dormant season; e.g., hornbeam) provides winter refuges for insects (e.g., some adult lacewings) and birds; deciduous leaves constitute litter sheltering hedgehogs and various small carnivores or hosting soil arthropods (spiders, ground beetles, rove beetles). Planting early-flowering plants (hazel, goat willow, viburnum tinus…), seasonal (mock orange, dogwoods, viburnum lantana, elderberry…) or late-flowering (ivy, strawberry tree) offers nectar and/or pollen to many insects such as syrphids, some predatory bugs, ladybugs, Hymenoptera parasitoids and pollinators… The varied fruiting and seeds, present in spring-summer for some and autumn-winter for others, are an important food source for wildlife (birds, foxes…).
> Flowering and grass strips The presence of field chamomile, cornflower and corn marigold in flower near young pear trees infested by psyllids significantly reduces their population in two weeks. On peach, a mixture of four species (brome cathartic, white clover, mustard and buckwheat) left unmowed for two years allowed a decrease in aphid outbreaks thanks to the action of beneficial organisms (syrphids, predatory bugs, micro-Hymenoptera, spiders). Mustard and buckwheat, with abundant flowering, attracted adult syrphids and increased the abundance of syrphid larvae in peach aphid colonies. In Switzerland, on apple trees, sowing about twenty species of wild annual, biennial and perennial plants in mixture (yarrow, wild carrot, St John's wort, tansy…) increased the number of aphid predators (syrphids, ladybugs, lacewings, various Mirid bugs, Anthocorids…) and had a significant effect on reducing the number of green and grey aphids. The more abundant presence of spiders in autumn near grass strips, a source of prey, could also explain the decrease in aphid outbreaks the following spring. Note that in France these approaches have not succeeded in regulating the grey aphid. In raspberry cultivation (Corrèze), planting plants earlier than the raspberry (e.g., elderberry, nettles…) attracts a suite of aphids and aphid predators (e.g., syrphids…) favoring a transfer of these predators to raspberries as soon as aphids appear. Moreover, planting fescues around tunnels (left open) shelters predatory mites (e.g., Amblyseius andersoni) during winter. These can be present on crops as soon as phytophagous mites appear. However, under tunnels, heat can slow the development of predatory mites but micro-spraying on the top of raspberry foliage at the end of the day can create a more favorable microclimate and thus attract predatory mites to the top of the foliage.
> Nest boxes, shelters and refuges Insect nest boxes and shelters Different supports exist to shelter beneficial insects. They are either natural (wood piles, stone piles, leaf litter mulch favorable to spiders and ground beetles) or artificial and specific (shelters for ladybugs and lacewings and refuges for earwigs). It is possible to build some shelters yourself. For example, clay pots filled with straw can be shelters for earwigs (hanging pots) or shelters for bumblebees (buried pots), wooden boxes with holes can be shelters for lacewings and drilled logs can be shelters for solitary bees. Bird nest boxes and bat refuges Maintaining natural cavities in the orchard environment promotes the presence of birds and bats in orchards. Composite hedges are richer in cavities than mono-specific hedges (e.g., cypress hedges are poor in cavities). Moreover, dead trees present in hedges around orchards are habitats rich in cavities. Nest boxes for passerines (e.g., great tits, blue tits, black redstarts, house sparrows…) can be installed; these birds can consume diapausing larvae of codling moth on apples and pears. These nest boxes can be installed in orchards (avoid placing them in hedges due to risk of colonization by ants and/or micro-rodents). If the orchard is covered by single-row nets, nest boxes can be placed at the edge of the net (orchard border near the hedge) to avoid trapping birds under the nets. Anti-predation devices can also be placed below or on nest boxes (anti-predator cone, sleeve, dish, chain, bramble…). Nest boxes for birds of prey (pre-ha) have very different success depending on regions. Birds of prey (owls, falcons) preferentially settle in old crow nests present in hedges. The most effective way to promote birds of prey is therefore to maintain or establish composite hedges favorable to crow nesting (crows change nests every year leaving their nest free for birds of prey). Finally, bat refuges can also be built (pre meters, in an open area to facilitate bat entries and exits). Artificial refuges should be a temporary solution, replaced by the creation of natural cavities in the orchard environment (e.g., establishment of composite hedges).
Details on the technique:
> Hedges and woodland edges Plants belonging to native botanical families with wide geographical distribution (Rosaceae, Salicaceae) host richer fauna than exotic plant species introduced or with very restricted distribution. It is therefore advisable to favor local species and of course adapted to pedoclimatic conditions. Plant species of the same family as that planted in the orchard to be managed are discouraged to avoid hosting crop bio-aggressors. There are local or national references to choose species to plant in hedges to promote a suite of beneficial organisms with varied biology and feeding habits.
> Flowering and grass strips There are references to choose species to plant in floral strips according to targeted pests. Care must be taken with the planting of legumes which are very attractive to voles and are not easy species to establish within an orchard. Installing flowering strips in the middle of orchards can complicate orchard protection management, as regulations prohibit the application of phytosanitary products during the presence of bees and pollinators. If treatment is essential, it requires mowing the floral strips before treatment, which eliminates all their benefit. Treating outside the presence of pollinators, for example in the evening or at night, does not seem realistic and does not exclude the presence of pesticides on flowers. The presence of a flowering strip in the middle of the orchard can hinder observations and manual interventions in the orchard (thinning, harvesting…) unless it is installed only on a limited strip in the center of the inter-row that can be straddled by agricultural tools. However, flowering strips can be installed near the orchard in areas preserved from any treatment and sheltered from drift (at the edge of hedges).
> Nest boxes, shelters and refuges
The number of nest boxes to place per hectare depends on the number of bird species present in the region. For example, in southern France, only three passerine species are common, requiring about 3 to 5 nest boxes per hectare (the territory of a pair of passerines being about 1 hectare). Further north, in regions with more species, the number of nest boxes per hectare can be increased.
Among commercially available nest boxes, those with the largest entrance holes are preferred to increase the probability of a pair of passerines settling (all species can settle there).
A single visit to nest boxes in autumn is sufficient to assess their occupancy rate (observe old nests) and clean them (remove old nests to clear space for future bird installations). It is preferable not to open nests from early spring to late summer to avoid disturbing birds.
Implementation period
On established crop
Spatial scale of implementation
Plot
Farm
Territory
Application of the technique to...
All soil types:
Sometimes difficult to generalize
Sometimes difficult to generalize
Buckwheat is poorly adapted to the Mediterranean climate and calcareous soils
All climatic contexts:
Sometimes difficult to generalize
Sometimes difficult to generalize
Buckwheat is poorly adapted to the Mediterranean climate and calcareous soils
Regulation
2. Services provided by the technique
3. Effects on the sustainability of the cropping system
"Environmental" criteria
Effect on air quality:
Increasing
phytosanitary emissions: DECREASE
Effect on water quality:
Increasing
pesticides: DECREASE
Other:
No effect (neutral)
Comments:
Hedges enrich the landscape structure by making it more complex. They also contribute to maintaining heritage biodiversity by sheltering rare species or species that could not persist without their presence and finally help protect water resources.
"Agronomic" criteria
"Economic" criteria
Operational costs:
Variable
Variable
Hedges have a significant economic investment cost (purchase of plants and installation often with mulching) and maintenance (specific pruning equipment, sometimes need for irrigation at planting). However, hedges have a long-term interest in maintaining and promoting functional biodiversity at the plot and landscape scale.
Commercial floral mixtures have a significant cost. The price varies greatly depending on the choice of species in the floral strip. For example, planting floral mixtures is much more expensive than planting buckwheat alone.
"Social" criteria
4. Organisms favored or disadvantaged
Favored pests
Disadvantaged pests
Favored beneficial organisms
Disadvantaged beneficial organisms
Favored climatic and physiological accidents
Adverse climatic and physiological accidents
5. For further information
- Trees and shrubs serving biodiversity – Beneficials and arboriculture – Technical guide.
- -Regional Chamber of Agriculture of Pays de la Loire Technical brochure, 2012 To access the brochure: see link
- Beneficials in orchards and vineyards
- -Baudry O. CTIFL, Book, 2001 2nd edition. Ctifl editions, Paris, 109 p.
- Biodiversity and pest regulation in fruit arboriculture
- -Ricard J.-M., Garcin A., Jay M., Mandrin J.-F. CTIFL, Book, 2012 Ctifl editions, Hortipratic collection, 437, 352-357, 366-369, 372, 380-410.
- Functional biodiversity in apple orchard. Do bats consume pests?
- -Jay M., Boreau de Roincé C., Ricard J.-M., Garcin A., Mandrin J.-F., Lavigne C., Bouvier J.-C., Tupinier Y., Puechmaille S. CTIFL, Technical brochure, 2012
Infos-Ctifl, 286, 28-34. To access the brochure: see link
- Anti-predation devices
- -Lorpin C. Multimedia, 2008 Nichoirs.net see link
- Non-cultivated areas and biodiversity in orchards. Towards better consideration
- -Tronel C., Ricard J.-M. CTIFL, Technical brochure, 2012 Infos-Ctifl, 286, 24-27.
- Promoting beneficials in cider orchards
- -Regional Chamber of Agriculture of Normandy /IFPC /EPLEFPA of Alençon-Sées
- Chiroptera Group: League for the Protection of Birds, Rhône-Alpes coordination
- -LPO, Website To access the website: see link
- Integrated fruit production guide 2014
- -Station la Pugère – CRA PACA. Book, 2014 Objectifs Info Arbo, 5-7.
- Habitat management to conserve natural enemies of arthropod pests in agriculture
- -Landis D.A., Wratten S.D., Gurr G.M. Peer-reviewed article, 2000 Annu. Rev. Entomol. 45, 175-201.
- Overview: Agro-ecological infrastructures: status in French municipalities
- -Dubois G. Ministry of Ecology, Sustainable Development and Energy, Technical brochure, 2012
Ministry of Ecology, Sustainable Development and Energy, General Commission for Sustainable Development and Service for Economy, Evaluation and Integration of Sustainable Development. La Défense, 4 p. Overview 145.
- Overview: Spiders in orchards
- -Ricard J.-M., Mandrin J.-F. CTIFL, Technical brochure, 2013 To access the brochure: see link
- Overview: Ground beetles in fruit and vegetable crops
- -Garcin A., Picault S., Ricard J.-M. CTIFL, Technical brochure, 2011
Overview, no. 31. Ctifl, Paris, 8 p. To access the brochure: see link
- Mixed hedgerows: reservoirs of beneficials
- -Baudry O., Bourgery C., Guyot G., Rieux R. CTIFL, Book, 2000 Ctifl, Paris, 124 p.
- Entomophagous and entomopathogenic beneficial organisms in vineyards
- -ACTA, Book, 1999 ACTA editions, Paris, ACTA Point collection, 7, 32 p.
- Biological control by biodiversity conservation – Functionality of soil arthropods in apple pest control (part 2)
- -Ricard J.-M., Boreau de Roincé C., Garcin A., Jay M., Mandrin J.-F., Lavigne C., Bouvier J.-C. Mille M. CTIFL, Peer-reviewed article, 2010 Infos-Ctifl, 273, 24-29.
- Biological control by biodiversity conservation – Functionality of vertebrate and invertebrate beneficials in apple pest control (part 1)
- -Boreau de Roincé C., Ricard J.-M., Garcin A., Jay M., Mandrin J.-F., Lavigne C., Bouvier J.-C. CTIFL, Peer-reviewed article, 2010 Infos-Ctifl, 263, 10-15.
- Fruit arboriculture, bird sheets
- -Jay M. Technical brochure, 2005 Bird sheets: no. 410 Tits, no. 411 Installing nest boxes for tits, no. 412 Raptors, no. 413 Nest boxes and raptor management. Fruit arboriculture, no. 594.
- Manipulating habitats of organic orchards and their environment for pest control. Elements for modulating tree-pest-beneficial relationships
- -Simon S., Sauphanor B., Defrance H., Lauri P.E. Innovations Agronomiques, Peer-reviewed article, 2009
Innovations Agronomiques 4, 125-134. To access the article: see link
- Nest boxes and insect shelters, how effective?
- -Albouy V. Technical brochure, 2008
Insectes 150, 25-28. To access the brochure: see link
- Birds and mammals: crop beneficials
- -Jay M. CTIFL, Book, 2000 Ctifl, 203 p.
- Peach in organic farming. Interest of flower strips to promote aphid predators
- -Garcin A., Vandrot H. CTIFL, Technical brochure, 2003 Infos-Ctifl, 188, 26-30.
- Suggestions for unifying the terminology in biological control
- -Eilenberg J., Hajek A., Lomer C. Peer-reviewed article, 2001 BioControl 46, 387-400.
- On the control of apple aphids: the role of canopy spiders.
- -Ricard J.-M., Boreau de Roincé C., Mandrin J.-F., Garcin A., Jay M., Lavigne C., Bouvier J.-C. CTIFL, Peer-reviewed article, 2012 Infos-Ctifl, 285, 30-36.
- The effects of weed strips on aphids and aphidophagous predators in an apple orchard.
- -Wyss E. Peer-reviewed article, 1995 Entomologia Experimentalis et Applicata 75, 43-49.
- The impact of spiders on aphid populations in a strip-managed apple orchard
- -Wyss E., Niggli U., Nentwig W. Peer-reviewed article, 1995 J. Appl. Ent. 119(7), 473-478.
6. Keywords
Pest control method:
Biological control
Mode of action:
Type of strategy regarding pesticide use:
Redesign
Annexes
S'applique aux cultures suivantes
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