Beneficial insects are associated with botanically rich margins with trees on small farms

21Citations
Citations of this article
100Readers
Mendeley users who have this article in their library.

Abstract

Beneficial insect communities on farms are influenced by site- and landscape-level factors, with pollinator and natural enemy populations often associated with semi-natural habitat remnants. They provide ecosystem services essential for all agroecosystems. For smallholders, natural pest regulation may be the only affordable and available option to manage pests. We evaluated the beneficial insect community on smallholder bean farms (Phaseolus vulgaris L.) and its relationship with the plant communities in field margins, including margin trees that are not associated with forest fragments. Using traps, botanical surveys and transect walks, we analysed the relationship between the floral diversity/composition of naturally regenerating field margins, and the beneficial insect abundance/diversity on smallholder farms, and the relationship with crop yield. More flower visits by potential pollinators and increased natural enemy abundance measures in fields with higher plant, and particularly tree, species richness, and these fields also saw improved crop yields. Many of the flower visitors to beans and potential natural enemy guilds also made use of non-crop plants, including pesticidal and medicinal plant species. Selective encouragement of plants delivering multiple benefits to farms can contribute to an ecological intensification approach. However, caution must be employed, as many plants in these systems are introduced species.

References Powered by Scopus

A Mathematical Theory of Communication

21166Citations
N/AReaders
Get full text

Fast stable restricted maximum likelihood and marginal likelihood estimation of semiparametric generalized linear models

5119Citations
N/AReaders
Get full text

Entropy and diversity

3704Citations
N/AReaders
Get full text

Cited by Powered by Scopus

Dominance of honey bees is negatively associated with wild bee diversity in commercial apple orchards regardless of management practices

32Citations
N/AReaders
Get full text

Elements of agroecological pest and disease management

14Citations
N/AReaders
Get full text

Field margins and botanical insecticides enhance Lablab purpureus yield by reducing aphid pests and supporting natural enemies

11Citations
N/AReaders
Get full text

Register to see more suggestions

Mendeley helps you to discover research relevant for your work.

Already have an account?

Cite

CITATION STYLE

APA

Arnold, S. E. J., Elisante, F., Mkenda, P. A., Tembo, Y. L. B., Ndakidemi, P. A., Gurr, G. M., … Stevenson, P. C. (2021). Beneficial insects are associated with botanically rich margins with trees on small farms. Scientific Reports, 11(1). https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-021-94536-3

Readers' Seniority

Tooltip

PhD / Post grad / Masters / Doc 26

59%

Researcher 12

27%

Professor / Associate Prof. 3

7%

Lecturer / Post doc 3

7%

Readers' Discipline

Tooltip

Agricultural and Biological Sciences 27

68%

Environmental Science 8

20%

Social Sciences 3

8%

Psychology 2

5%

Article Metrics

Tooltip
Mentions
News Mentions: 1

Save time finding and organizing research with Mendeley

Sign up for free