INSECTS

Insects have a bit of a bad rap around a farm. Paddocks can be decimated by pest insects, munching their way through a precious crop. But I’ve learnt something new which is so awesome. Insects only attack sick plants that are under stress. A plant will send out a pheromone that tells the critters, Im sick, come clean me up! Sick plants are usually a result of unhealthy soil. In mono crops a pathogen or insect will start to spread and as there is only one species of plant it works its way through with nothing to stop it. Cue the use of pesticides and fungicides… 

When you add more species of plants together you build biodiversity into your crops and pasture which promotes healthy soil, which breeds healthy plants that all work in symbiosis together, they also attract beneficial insects. For every pest insect there are  1200-1500 beneficial insects, including pollinators like the bees. When we spray with pesticides we take out all these beneficial’s too. We have seen such an increase in beneficial insect and subsequent bird life since we’ve increased biodiversity and halted any pesticide use on our farm. It’s so so cool… 

Ive been playing with a Canon 100mm Macro lens that Canon NZ have lent me for my project. Thanks again to Canon for their belief and support in my project.