Surveillance networks for beneficial insects II: quantifying the canola yield effect of wetlands, shelterbelts and other insect reservoir habitats

The Challenge

Producers face operational decisions such as the conversion of wetlands, the expansion of fields, and the establishment or removal of shelterbelts; unsure of which decision will provide the most economical and ecological value.

The Project

Determine how far services extend from beneficial anthropod reservoirs and how much beneficial anthropod reservoirs contribute to canola yield by using precision agriculture.

The Results

Natural enemies of canola, the amount of egg predation, and caterpillar predation were higher nearer to non-crop spaces, and there was no evidence that non-crop spaces were a source of spillover of important canola pest insects. Additionally, found that pollinators living in non-crop spaces drive yield boost observed 25 m from wetlands.

Grower Benefits

This research will aid farmers in decisions on which area should be restore or retained and measure the net benefits to crop yields that these areas may represent.