Feeding Friendly Insects

Attract and feed pollinators and natural enemies of pests. In this hands-on presentation, you will observe insects, flower shapes and succession of bloom with annual and perennial flowers that support and attract these friendly insects. When used as part of an IPM approach in a landscape, natural enemies of pests can help keep pest populations low, reducing the need for pesticide applications. We will use these demonstration beds to discuss how to select and establish plants that support these friendly insects, as well as how to recognize these insects. 

This event is part of the Sustainable Landscapes and Integrated Pest Management Conference. 

About the Speakers

Amara Dunn is the Biocontrol Specialist with the New York State Integrated Pest Management Program, a part of Cornell Cooperative Extension. Her goal is to support all New Yorkers in the effective use of biological control, both in agricultural settings and in the places where people live, work, learn, and play. 

Jen Lerner is a Senior Resource Educator with Cornell Cooperative Extension in Putnam County. With a degree in horticulture from Cornell, Jen got her footing in the landscape industry and has been with extension now for 19 years. Her areas of focus include creating pollinator habitat in managed landscapes, log-grow Shiitake culture, and serving commercial horticulture audiences include turf and landscape industries.