Insect predators and parasitoids feed on flower nectar and pollen to meet or complement their nutritional requirements. Studies have shown that these floral resources aid in enhancing the survival and fecundity of these natural enemies. Thus, it is useful for growers and gardeners to consider how to enhance the habitat for our insect allies through the addition of insectary plants – those documented to provide floral resources to beneficial insects. Pollinator insects can also benefit from habitat diversification efforts that include these plants. Some plant families, like the carrot and aster families, are outstanding sources of insectary plants primarily due to their flower shape. Insect natural enemies like parasitoid wasps have tiny mouthparts and they find floral resources in these families to be very accessible. In addition to floral resources, plants can also provide refuge or overwintering habitat for beneficial arthropods. This list summarizes results from studies that have documented floral visits or use of a plant resource by beneficial arthropods that include insect predators, parasitoids and spiders.

Plant Family	Plant Common Name	Scientific Name	Resource for Beneficials	Beneficials Attracted	Plant Image
Asteraceae	Common yarrow	Achillea millefolium	nectar, overwintering site	Hover flies, parasitoids Overwintering habitat for spiders.
Asteraceae	Cornflower or Bachelor’s buttons	Centaurea cyanus	nectar, pollen, extrafloral nectar	Hover flies, hymenopteran parasitoids, lacewings, predaceous wasps
Asteraceae	Chicory	Cichorium intybus	nectar, overwintering site	Hover flies, Overwintering habitat for spiders.
Asteraceae	Common Sunflower	Helianthus annuus	nectar, pollen	Predators and parasitoids
Asteraceae	Camphorweed	Heterotheca subaxillaris	nectar	Tachinid and hover flies, lacewings, ladybird beetles, hymenopteran parasitoids
Asteraceae	Ornamental goldenrold	Solidago cutleri	nectar, pollen	Hover flies, parasitoid.
Asteraceae	Goldenrod	Solidago spp.	nectar, pollen	Robber flies, assassin bugs, spiders, big-eyed bugs, ladybird beetles and other predatory beetles.
Apiaceae	Sweet fennel	Foeniculum vulgare	nectar	Hover flies, many species of parasitoids including Edovum puttleri and Pediobius foveolatus.
Apiaceae	Dill	Anethum graveolens	nectar	Hover flies, lacewings, pink spotted ladybird beetle, Edovum puttleri and Pediobius foveolatus.
Apiaceae	Wild carrot or Queen Anne’s lace	Daucus carota	nectar, overwintering site	Hover flies, Tiphia parasitoid wasps, ladybirds beetles including the seven-spotted ladybird beetle, several parasitoid and predatory wasps, lacewings and minute pirate bugs. Overwintering habitat for spiders.
Apiaceae	False Queen Anne’s lace, large bullwort	Ammi majus	nectar	Summer Tiphia parasitoids, ladybirds beetles, minute pirate bugs and parasitoids in the following families: braconidae, ichneumonidae, figitidae, tachinidae
Apiaceae	Coriander (cilantro)	Coriandrum sativum	nectar	Hover flies, parasitoid tachinid flies, lacewings, pink spotted ladybird beetle, Pediobius foveolatus parasitoids.
Apiaceae	Garden Angelica	Angelica archangelica	nectar	Ladybird beetles, lacewings, hover flies
Asteraceae	Purple-stemmed Angelica	Angelica atropurpurea	nectar	Several species of parasitoids, ladybird beetles. Plant is suggested for use in rain gardens.
Boraginaceae	Borage	Borago officinalis	nectar, pollen, egg-laying site for lacewings	Ground beetles, predatory nabid bugs, hover flies, lacewings, spiders
Boraginaceae	Phacelia	Phacelia tanacetifolia	nectar, pollen, egg-laying site for lacewings	Lacewings, spiders, hoverflies
Paeoniaceae	Peony	Paeonia lactiflora	extrafloral nectar in early spring before flower buds open	Spring Tiphia and other hymenopteran parasitoids, seven-spotted ladybird beetles
Brassicaceae	Alyssum or carpet flower	Lobularia maritima	nectar	Hover flies, parasitoids
Fabaceae	Lupinus polyphyllus	Achillea millefolium	egg-laying site for lacewings	Lacewings

 

References

 

Bugg, R., R. Colfer, W. Chaney, H. Smith and J. Cannon. 2008. Flower flies (Syrphidae) and other biological control agents for aphids in vegetable crops. University of California, Publication 8285.

Landis, D.A., S.D. Wratten, and G. M. Gurr. 2000. Habitat management to conserve natural enemies of arthropod pests in agriculture. Annu. Rev. Entomol. 45:175-201.

Legrand, A. 2009a. Evaluation of ornamental plants as nectar sources for summer Tiphia. p. 77-79. In K. Guillard (ed), 2009 Annual Turfgrass Research Report, College of Agriculture and Natural Resources, University of Connecticut.

Legrand, A. 2009b. Evaluation of landscape ornamental plants as nectar plants for Tiphia vernalis and as host plants for pest scarab beetles. p. 73-76. In K. Guillard (ed), 2009 Annual Turfgrass Research Report, College of Agriculture and Natural Resources, University of Connecticut.

Legrand, A. 2010. Evaluation of landscape ornamental and herb plants as nectar sources for Tiphia parasitoid wasps. In K. Guillard (ed), 2010 Annual Turfgrass Research Report, College of Agriculture and Natural Resources, University of Connecticut.

Patt, J. M., G.C. Hamilton and J.H. Lashomb. 1997. Foraging success of parasitoid wasps on flowers: interplay of insect morphology, floral architecture and searching behavior. Ent. Exp. Appl. 83: 21-30.
Picket, C. and R. Bugg, eds. 1998. Enhancing biological control: habitat management to promote natural enemies of agricultural pests. University of California Press.

Prepared by Ana Legrand, Assistant Extension Professor, updated July 2020.

The information in this document is for educational purposes only. The recommendations contained are based on the best available knowledge at the time of publication. Any reference to commercial products, trade or brand names is for information only, and no endorsement or approval is intended. UConn Extension does not guarantee or warrant the standard of any product referenced or imply approval of the product to the exclusion of others which also may be available. UConn Extension/College of Agriculture, Health and Natural Resources is an equal opportunity program provider and employer.