Beneficial Insects
Project description, objectives, and activities:
Beneficial insect display was added to the existing butterfly garden. The display is open to all garden visitors and is utilized in the presentation on insects for 3rd grade students from area elementary schools. The garden is enclosed, so visitors and program participants can see live specimens. The display provides information and identification of not only adults but larvae stages as well. The scouting of beneficial insects is covered along with concerns of routine applications of pesticides and the effects on beneficial insects. One activity includes finding a insect and have children name a beneficial that would help to control it.
Project accomplishments:
The goal of this project is to inform participants of the role/importance of beneficial insects and identification. Over 1,000 school children participated in programs and approximately 10,000 area residents and visitors have viewed the display.
Project leader:
- Charles Fedunak, UF Environmental Horticultural Agt III, Lake Co.