Three key points: 1) This document discusses attracting beneficial insects like natural enemies of pests and pollinators to farms and gardens through the use of native flowering plants. 2) It provides a table listing 26 native Midwestern plant species that flower at different times throughout the growing season and are highly attractive to beneficial insects like predators, parasitoids and bees. 3) The table can be used to select plants that will provide a continuous source of pollen and nectar for these beneficial insects through planting combinations that have overlapping bloom periods.

1. Extension Bulletin E-2973 • Revised • January 2008
Attracting Beneficial Insects
N A T U R A L E N E M I E S P O L L I N A T O R S
with Native Flowering Plants
ollinating insects play a Colletidae (cellophane bees, not
P
ome insects eat other insects and can provide natural pest control on farms and in gardens. These natural
S
J. Tuell J. Tuell
Anna Fiedler, Julianna Tuell, Rufus Isaacs, and Doug Landis
enemies can be divided into two groups — predators and parasitoids. Many predators and parasitoids are critical role in maintaining shown). Some of the more com-
attracted to flowering plants, where they obtain pollen and nectar that help increase their life span and ability productive natural plant mon species in these groups are
Department of Entomology, Michigan State University
to lay eggs. The table in this bulletin can be used to select plants that provide flowers for these insects through the communities, and they also polli- pictured here.
growing season. nate most crop plants grown for
Most bee species are solitary
their fruits, vegetables, nuts,
(each female produces offspring in
Howard Russell Jim Kalisch & Tom Clark, University of Nebraska-Lincoln seeds, and fiber. Bees are excel-
Predators eat many Parasitoids seek Honey bee Bumble bee her own nest), with only one gen-
lent pollinators because they
prey in a lifetime, feed- other insects as hosts J. Tuell J. Tuell eration of bees per year. However,
spend most of their adult lives col-
ing both as young and as in which to lay their some of the most abundant
lecting pollen to feed to their
adults, and include some eggs. Each egg hatches species, such as honey bees and
developing offspring. The plumed
bugs, beetles, flies, within the host, and bumble bees, are social, working
hairs on their bodies attract pollen
lacewings and spiders. the young feed and together to provision a single nest
grains, and “brushes” on their legs
All shown here eat develop within that in which a queen presides and pro-
Minute pirate bug Braconid wasp enable them to collect pollen and
small, soft-bodied single host, eventually duces multiple generations per
carry it back to the nest. Flowers Carpenter bee Andrenid bee
insects and help control D. Landis Jim Kalisch & Tom Clark, University of Nebraska-Lincoln
killing it. Parasitoids year. Bees with multiple genera-
provide energy in the form of nec- J. Tuell J. Tuell
aphid, whitefly, and are most commonly tions per year need food resources
tar, and many bees have long
mealybug populations. small wasps. Hosts can (pollen and nectar) across most of
tongues that allow them to reach
Spiders will also eat be from almost any the growing season to build their
into deep flowers that other
larger insects. insect group, including colonies. Providing plants with
insects cannot use.
beetle larvae, cater- overlapping bloom periods in a
pillars, flies, and other Five major bee families are found landscape will help these bees
Lady beetle Ichneumonid wasp wasps. in the Midwest: Apidae (honey Sweat bee, brown Sweat bee, green survive and prosper. The table in
A. Fiedler Gerald J. Lenhard
bees, bumble bees, carpenter bees, S. Bambara, N. Carolina State Univ. J. Tuell this bulletin can be used to select
For more information and a diverse group of solitary plants that will provide flowers
on natural enemies, soil-nesting bees), Andrenidae through the growing season.
please see the Other (andrenid bees), Halictidae
Resources section on For more information on
(sweat bees), Megachilidae
page 5. pollinators, please see the
(leafcutter and mason bees), and
Other Resources section below.
Mason bee Leafcutter bee
Syrphid fly Chalcid wasp
David Keith, University of Nebraska-Lincoln
Other Resources
Enhancing Beneficial Insects with Native Plants Web site: Gardiner, M., C. DiFonzo, M. Brewer and T. Noma. 2006.
www.nativeplants.msu.edu Identifying Natural Enemies in Crops and Landscapes. Extension
Flint, M.L., and S.H. Dreistadt. 1998. Natural Enemies bulletin E-2949. East Lansing, Mich.: Michigan State
Handbook: the Illustrated Guide to Biological Pest Control. University.
Publication 3386. Berkely, CA: University of California Press, Shepherd, M., S.L. Buchmann, M. Vaughan and S.H. Black.
Division of Agriculture and Natural Resources. 2003. Pollinator Conservation Handbook. Portland, Ore.: The
Xerces Society.
Crab spider
4 5

2. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13
Introduction Establishing native plants Natural
Common name Scientific name enemies Bees MAY JUNE JULY AUGUST SEPTEMBER OCTOBER
Conservation of natural enemies of insects (predators and Local sources of native seed and potted plant material
parasitoids) and pollinators (bees) around the farm or are available for Michigan and many other areas. Where 1. wild strawberry Fragaria virginiana
garden can help suppress pests and increase crop yields. possible, use local genotypes — i.e., plant material origi- 2. golden Alexanders Zizia aurea
Many beneficial insects rely on plants for nectar and nally collected in your area and best adapted for your
pollen or shelter. Plants commonly recommended to conditions. 3. Canada anemone Anemone canadensis Native Flowering Plants that Attract
provide these resources are non-native annuals such as 4. penstemon/hairy beardtongue Penstemon hirsutus
buckwheat, sweet alyssum, faba bean, dill, and coriander.
Determine where you would like to establish native
plants. If it is a large area (greater than 500 square feet), 5. angelica Angelica atropurpurea
Beneficial Insects
In a recent Michigan State University study, we found
consider using seed to establish plants, which will flower
that native Midwestern perennial plants could provide 6. cow parsnip Heracleum maximum
in 3 to 5 years. If a smaller area, rooted seedlings sold in
similar, and in some cases, more attractive resources. 7. sand coreopsis/lanceleaf tickseed Coreopsis lanceolata The bloom periods shown
plugs or pots will flower in 1 to 2 years and will allow for the native perennials
We selected 46 native Michigan plants on the basis of you to choose the position of each plant. 8. shrubby cinquefoil Potentilla fruticosa are for 2-year-old plants
their bloom periods and ability to survive in agricultural growing in full sun in 2005
Consult a local native plant producer for seed mixes or 9. Indian hemp Apocynum cannabinum in Ingham County,
habitats. All of the species selected historically grew in
plants most appropriate for your light, soil type, and Michigan. Bloom times will
prairie or oak savanna habitats. Once common in 10. late figwort Scrophularia marilandica vary between years and
moisture conditions, as well as for proper plant spacing.
Michigan, prairies and oak savannas are now rare, as are locations. All plants are
11. swamp milkweed Asclepias incarnata
many of the plants and animals that formerly utilized Site preparation to minimize weeds is crucial to project native to the north central
these habitats. By returning these plants to Michigan success. Depending on the history of your site, plan on 12. Culver’s root Veronicastrum virginicum United States; many are
native to the eastern United
landscapes, we may be able to increase both pollination 3 months to 2 years for proper preparation. Professional 13. yellow coneflower Ratibida pinnata States. Check with local
and pest control while enhancing native biodiversity. plant and seeding installation services are available. If resources to determine if
you are seeding an area yourself, you can hand broadcast 14. nodding wild onion Allium cernuum they are native to your area.
Plant testing seed with good results. Seed drills require a good deal of 15. meadowsweet Spiraea alba
Native species were established as rooted plug or 1-quart time and seed to calibrate correctly, so they are most
16. yellow giant hyssop Agastache nepetoides
potted plants in the fall of 2003 and compared to the effectively used on areas larger than an acre.
17. horsemint/spotted beebalm Monarda punctata
non-native annuals, which were planted as seed the fol-
Please note: The information presented in this bulletin
lowing spring. During the 2004 and 2005 growing sea- 18. Missouri ironweed Vernonia missurica
should be considered a guideline to be adapted for your
sons, we determined dates of peak bloom for each 19. cup plant Silphium perfoliatum
local conditions. MSU makes no warranty about the use
species and collected insects at flowers during peak
of the information presented here. 20. pale Indian plantain Cacalia atriplicifolia
bloom. We then identified predator, parasitoid and polli-
nator insects collected at each plant species. For more information on our research into native plants, 21. boneset Eupatorium perfoliatum
The table in this bulletin shows 26 native plants that can beneficial insects and pollinators, see 22. blue lobelia Lobelia siphilitica
provide flowers throughout the growing season and are www.nativeplants.msu.edu
23. pale-leaved sunflower Helianthus strumosus
highly attractive to beneficial insects.
24. Riddell’s goldenrod Solidago riddellii
Acknowledgements Entire bloom period. www.nativeplants.
25. New England aster Aster novae-angliae Yellow area shows peak bloom. msu.edu
Cover photos: clockwise, top left: A. Fiedler; W. Cranshaw, Colorado State University; Project GREEEN
J. Tuell; A. Fiedler.
Chart photos: flower images 1 through 26: A. Fiedler.
MSU Extension and Michigan Agricultural Experiment Station 26. smooth aster Aster laevis
USDA NC-SARE
MSU is an affirmative-action, equal-opportunity employer. Michigan State University Extension programs and materials are C.S. Mott Predoctoral Fellowship in Sustainable Agriculture 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26
open to all without regard to race, color, national origin, gender, gender identity, religion, age, height, weight, disability, politi-
cal beliefs, sexual orientation, marital status, family status or veteran status. Issued in furtherance of MSU Extension work, MSU Sustainable Agriculture: Production and Food Ecology
acts of May 8 and June 30, 1914, in cooperation with the U.S. Department of Agriculture. Thomas G. Coon, Director, MSU
Extension, East Lansing, MI 48824. This information is for educational purposes only. Reference to commercial products or Systems Grant
trade names does not imply endorsement by MSU Extension or bias against those not mentioned.
Bill Schneider and Wildtype Design, Native Plants & Seed
1