Surveillance networks for beneficial insects: can natural habitats serve as insect reservoirs, and do they contribute to canola yield?

The Challenge

Canola is a dominant flowering crop on the Alberta landscape, yet relationships between canola productivity, insect biodiversity and landscape features are poorly understood.

The Project

Measure how the proximity to specific natural habitat features is associated with beneficial insect abundance and diversity, and canola yield.

The Results

Areas within Alberta that contain more non-crop areas have higher canola yields, as these non-crop areas serve as reservoirs and destinations for over 418 species of beneficials throughout the growing season. These beneficial insects provide both pest control and pollination, contributing to yield growth.

Grower Benefits

Growers can take advantage of non-crop features within their cropland by retaining many small non-crop areas to promote beneficial insect activity, contributing to overall crop health.