Insects, birds, fish and all sorts of other critters experience problems when humans swoop in and destroy their natural habitat.
Organic farming not only helps preserve more natural habitat areas but also encourages birds and other natural predators to live happily on farmland, which assists in natural pest control.
Additionally, animals who live on organic farms are exposed to clean, chemical-free grazing that helps keep them naturally healthy and resistant to illness. As a perk for organic farmers, happy and healthy organic animals are productive organic animals.
Ladybirds/Ladybugs, or their scientific name Coccinellidae, are cute as a button and their likeness is used on and in children’s clothes, books, cartoons and movies. It’s probably the most popular of insects. Who doesn’t love them? Well, plant-destroying aphids for one! There are over 6000 species of ladybirds, forming a global battalion against mildew, aphids, and mealy worms. You won’t find a better bug to invite into your allotment or garden.
Bees, or Anthophila, are probably the most commonly known beneficial bugs, given their capacity for pollinating flora and vegetable based plants. Bees are primary pollinators of entomophilous plants – those that are pollinated by insects (versus wind pollination). Approximately 30% of the world’s edible crops depend upon bee pollination. This indicates a direct correlation between their health and our own. When it comes to your child’s gardening project, bees are an essential part of the eco-system.
Butterflies play an important role in pollinating flowers, particularly flowers that have a strong scent, are red or yellow in colour and produce a large amount of nectar. Nectar is an important component of a butterfly’s diet. Although butterflies pollinate flowers less efficiently than bees, their role is still useful. Pollen collects on the butterfly’s body as it is feeding on a flower’s nectar. As the butterfly moves on to a new flower, it carries the pollen with it.
Both adults and larvae are predacious and feed on other insects. The adults eat caterpillars, aphids, and other soft-bodied insects and can be important predators. As they lie in wait for prey on flowers such as goldenrod they may feed on nectar and pollen but they do no damage to the plants.