What are native vegetation insectaries (NVIs)? Native vegetation insectaries are areas of flowering plants on a farm. They attract and maintain beneficial insect populations by providing shelter from highly disturbed crop areas as well as alternative food sources, namely pollen and nectar.

The goal of on-farm insectaries is to enhance diversity and abundance of beneficial insects on your farm to build resilience, particularly against seasonal variations and pest incursions.

Acting as a ‘fixed home address’ for beneficial insects to interact with your crop, they complement cultural and biological control methods of your IPM program.

Native vegetation insectaries planted next to a vegetable farm in Werribee South in April 2021.

This week, AUSVEG teamed up with E.E. Muir & Sons Pty Ltd and Melbourne Water to host an NVI “open house” at a vegetable farm in Werribee South, Victoria.

Attendees inspected the native vegetation insectaries planted in April 2021 and learnt about selecting plant species and what is involved with site preparation and maintenance.

Several growers expressed their interest to trial planting NVIs on their farm.

Agriculture Victoria and AUSVEG staff were also on hand to offer free pest and disease diagnostics.

If you would like to learn more about planting NVIs on your farm, email VegNET – Victoria (North, West and South-East regions) Regional Development Officer Danielle Park at danielle.park@ausveg.com.au.

Cliff Kinoti (Research Scientist – Agriculture Victoria), Quang Dinh (Plant Pathologist – Agriculture Victoria), Stephen Moore (Agronomist – E. E. Muir & Sons), Danielle Park (Regional Development Officer – AUSVEG), Maddy Quirk (Project Officer – AUSVEG), and John Fletcher (Consultant).

AUSVEG, E.E. Muir & Sons Pty Ltd & Agriculture Victoria staff at the native vegetation insectary at Wednesday’s open house in Werribee.

Thanks to all who attended to inspect the native vegetation insectaries planted next to a fennel crop in April 2021.

Growers and industry representatives inspecting the NVIs planted next to a fennel crop at Werribee South.

 

If you would like to learn more about planting NVIs on your farm, email VegNET – Victoria (North, West and South-East regions) Regional Development Officer Danielle Park danielle.park@ausveg.com.au.

Click to view a fact sheet about how beneficial bugs have been boosted through native vegetation insectaries trials in Werribee

Click to view a fact sheet about NVIs