Event Description

MSU entomologists have been testing Michigan native and other plants for valuable pest control and pollination services to farms and gardens and want to share their results with you at the Supporting Beneficial Insects with Flowering Plants workshop. The workshop will include presentations, hands-on insect and plant identification, and field tours to view over 55 species of insect-supportive (insectary) plants. Speakers will include representatives from MSU Department of Entomology, MSU Department of Plant Biology, USDA-NRCS and Michigan Native Plant Producers Association.

Participants will learn to identify key pollinators (managed and wild bees) and natural enemies (predators and parasitoids) of insect pests, as well as learn about programs that can help them establish beneficial insect habitats on farms and other property. Field tours will demonstrate which plants are best for attracting beneficial insects and include information on establishing and caring for insectary habitats. Participants will receive four MSU Extension publications including two popular, pocket-sized field guides, “Bees of the Great Lakes region and wildflowers to support them” and “Identifying natural enemies in crops and landscapes.”

Registration is open until July 23 with a fee of $20 to cover lunch and materials. Register at the MSU Extension Events Management website. Speakers and schedule are posted there: http://events.anr.msu.edu/event.cfm?eventID=BB00D5BD5B80C65B

WHEN: August 2, 2016; 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.
WHERE: Clarksville Research Center, 9302 Portland Road, Clarksville, MI 48815
CONTACT: Julia Perrone, perrone5@msu.edu