Is it berries or insects?

16 years ago

For birds, it's both actually. As a food source, that is.

I just finished reading a very interesting book called "Bringing Nature Home" by Douglas Tallamy who is a Professor of Entomology.

So many people focus on planting berry producing plants "for the birds". Actually, birds eat a lot of INSECTS. And when it comes time to feeding their young, they are feeding them insects (and spiders).

So the premise of this book is to plant a wide variety of native plants to attract a variety of native insects for the birds to feast on. Berries are good too ... it is just that they are not the primary source of food for birds over the course of a year.

He explained that non-native plants are not so attractive to native insects so they will not be drawn to eat them. Many insects are specialists (eat only certain things), although there are generalists (think of Japanese Beetles which eat so many different plants). The specialists are geared to only eat certain plants, so planting crepe myrtle and nandina and other non-natives will not attract them. While you might think that is good (fewer pests), if you are trying to attract birds, you have lessened your chances.

Non-native plants therefore reduce the diversity of the whole food chain by reducing the source of food for the first guy in the chain: the insect herbivores.

He also pointed out that a damaging by-product of importing non-natives is the parade of pests (Japanese beetle, hemlock adelgid) and diseases (the fungus that killed the chestnuts, the Sudden Oak Death pathogen that affects more than just oaks) that have unknowingly come over with the plants.

It's a very good book, has lots of facts, references and tables to back up what he's saying. He and his students are currently performing even more studies on non-native plants and the ability/willingness of native insects to eat them.

By the way, the number one plant family in terms of nourishing a wide variety of insect herbivores in the US? The oaks (Quercus family). They support 517 different insect herbivores. By contrast, the invasive Melaleuca tree (a problem in Florida), supports just 8 insect herbivores in this country. But in it's native habitat, it supports 409. After 150 years in this country, our insects are by and large not interested in it. This plant has taken over thousands of acres from native vegetation and has obviously contributed very little to the biodiversity of the area in return. In fact, I'd say it has lessened the biodiversity.

Here is a link that might be useful: Link to book on amazon

Sort by:Oldest

Comments (6)

ghoghunter
16 years ago
I also just got done reading "Bringing Nature Home". I found it very interesting also. It seems a very good thing to plant more native species to support the insects and birds. I do wonder though about the larger picture. It seems that increasing communication and travel and increased sharing of everything including all kinds of plants is the way things are going. I cannot imagine that the trend will stop or change any time soon if ever. Also how does it all fit with the darwinian "survival of the fittest? theory? I'm just left with a kind of large question mark in my mind about the whole issue. It just doesn't seem realistic to think we won't import all kinds of new plants etc even though it might upset the ecological balance. Every new introduction comes with positives and also negatives and it is just so hard to judge ahead of time what they all will be.
Joann
Iris GW
Original Author
16 years ago
I agree that it is not realistic that things won't still be imported. There are people that live for the challenge of discovering new plants and bringing them back to other parts of the world ... and people that crave having the "newest" thing in their garden. Problems aren't always apparent ... even in the first few years after introduction (except maybe for kudzu - which has an amazing grape soda fragrance, btw). I know that collectors and importers don't knowingly bring in pests and diseases, but the risk is there.

To me, the "survival of the fittest" concept doesn't quite apply because it is not nature that has brought these things together ... it was man. Our actions are causing things to "not survive". We have destroyed habitat - it's hard to compete with large machinery. We have brought in pests that these organisms might never have been exposed to. They don't have time to adapt to them.

The conclusion of this book is that people should not stop trying to help restore things, even if it is just on a small plot. Plant native plants when and where you can, if enough of us do it, it makes a difference. Don't think you can't make a difference.
Related Discussions
Chicken Tractor
Q
Comments (8)
cora: I don't know how much land you have--but it certainly makes a difference, in the scheme of things. From my point of view, chicken (or hen) pasturing makes more sense on a large farm, where there are diverse fields and pastures. I can also envision, on a small farm of 10 acres, or less, there would be much less desirability for chicken pasturing, as a flock of poultry would pretty much cover that much area on a daily basis, while housed in a permanently located poultry house (and allowed to free-range, daily). On our family farm, there was a poultry house enclosed in a fenced poultry yard, of about 1/4 acre. The fence was 6' chicken wire; and, although I've seen a hen or two fly the fence, it was rare. We had heavy-bodied hens such as Rhode Island Reds, Barred Rocks, and White Rocks, which are not such notorious flyers as smaller types, such as Leghorns. These heavy bodied varieties were dual egg/meat producers--eggs were gathered daily, and when hens didn't lay, or only laid sporadically (generally, as they got older), they were eaten. On a family farm, a flock of 100 laying hens was commonplace; and eggs were collected, kept in a cool basement location, and taken each Saturday to town where they were sold. (At the time, there was a buyer in town who graded and bought eggs from local producers--which included nearly everyone who had a family farm). At night, when the hens went to roost (on roost poles in the henhouse), the hen house door was shut and latched, and, of course the henyard gate was shut and latched, also. In the early morning, the henhouse door was opened (by my father, on his way to milking the cow(s), but the henyard gate kept closed). After lunch ("dinner", in the country), my mother would give the hens water and feed (from grain produced on the farm), filling two buckets from a large box inside the "gear house"--also strategically located, opposite the hen yard. The hens would all come running as she approached the gate to the henyard--then she broadcast the feed on the ground, and while the hens ate, she filled the waterers and collected the eggs from the nests in the henhouse. On her way out, she propped the gate open. When the hens finished the grain, they rushed out the open gate, and spent the rest of the day OUTSIDE, eating berries, seeds, insects, larvae, etc. I would say they easily covered 10 acres in their daily roamings. They seemed to have the good sense to stay away from the woods--where hidden danger could easily lurk; but they foraged in the orchard, the hayfields, around the yard and woodshed (and woodlot), and all about a very large area (surrounding the henyard). Toward dusk, they meandered their way back to the henyard, into the henhouse, and up on the roost. Then, right before dark, the henhouse door was again closed and latched; likewise, the henyard gate. These were truly "free-range" hens--and the taste of their eggs and their meat duly reflected it--the best eggs and chicken I've ever eaten in my life. The presence of people and a free-roaming dog about the farm was enough deterrent to keep predators away. I don't ever recall a problem of hens being caught by ground-dwelling or airborne predators, in the daytime; and believe me, these predators abounded, as it was a very rural area. Hawks were commonplace, but I doubt there are very many hawks that cosider an 8-10 pound hen, likely prey. It would almost take an Eagle to deal with a bird that large (and we had no Eagles). I think the activity of people and animals about the farm was deterrent enough, against daytime predators. I think it should be in your case, also, for grown hens. If you were to raise hens from baby chicks, they, of course, would have to be kept under watchful eye (and in the confines of the henyard) until grown, when they could fend for themselves. Of course, all of the ground-dwelling predators I mentioned are nocturnal--so a secure henyard and henhouse is important to keep such predators at bay while you (and the dogs) sleep.
...See More
Is this really ServiceBerry? (pics)
Q
Comments (11)
Yep, looks like my sevice berry tree. Just had one plated a month ago - 12 ft tall for new house. I forgot to spray seven dust on it though, and the Japanese Beetles started about 2 weeks ago here (Raleigh NC). They've eaten about half the leaves on it.. do you think the tree will survive and make it until next year? Its a big tree.. i assumed all would go into shock this year anyway from being transplanted.. so im hoping losing half the leaves now won't be too bad since they should come back next year? Im hoping at least.. What do you all think?
...See More
What fruits do you like to grow?
Q
Comments (17)
Blueberries, strawberries, pears, peaches, apples, blackberries and grapes, pie cherries, red plums, wild Sand Plums, and gobs of tomatoes of various varieties. Tomatoes grow well by the grapes and are mutually beneficial; Strawberries grow great in front of Asparagus and are mutually beneficial; Irises do well around most fruit trees, but garden phlox, tulips, catnip, bee balm, garlic, and Lemon balm love it there too; Blueberries do well for me here in Okie with some afternoon shade from the weeping willow and the peach tree on the west side of the rose garden; I have one circular strawberry bed around a large Salvia greggii (Autumn Sage). The Salvia attracts hummingbirds and pollinators and wards off insects that like to gnaw on the berries. The insects don't like the smell of the sage. It looks great together too. It is situated between two pine trees. I use the pine straw (fallen pine needles) for mulch. Blackberries grow on the fence at the back of my rose garden, and up in the vegetable garden plot along the fence row. Two years in a row, my Lemon Cucumbers grew up onto the fence at the back of the rose garden and then continued to grow well up into the Red Plum tree at the back of the garden (north end). They loved the support and the little bit of shade in the tree. I got so many cukes you wouldn't have believed it! ~Annie
...See More
Goldfinches, Cardinals, and Oriels
Q
Comments (5)
Don't Cardinals like Holly?? I put out black oil sunflower seeds to feed the birds. The feeders attract a lot of goldfinches, purple finches, bluebirds and sometimes Cardinals (rare). For a VERY SHORT period in spring I see Orioles on the feeders. But I am in Northern Alabama so the Orioles do not stay here long.You can attract Orioles to your yard in the southeast north of Florida by putting nesting materials in your yard..Orioles use hair, fishing line, string, and yarn in addition to some natural materials to build their nests. Also adding halved oranges to your feeder areas will attract Orioles. They will come to a hummingbird feeder or you can get a special Oriole nectar feeder. (not sure where Oriole nectar feeders are sold) Adding cracked corn to your feeders will attract cardinals if you have dense shrubery or bushes in your yard. Cardinals like bushes..Adding some holly bushes to your yard will attract Cardinals for you.
...See More
ghoghunter
16 years ago
Dear Esh,
I agree with you except for one point. We humans are certainly part of nature so darwinian theory does apply here. We are just another species of animal really, although we sure do a lot of harm but then we also do good!
vonyon
16 years ago
Esh, Amen. Sounds like a great book. I wish more people understood this concept.
terrene
16 years ago
This book sounds fantastic. As I have become more involved with restoring native plants, creating a wildlife habitat, and learning about birds in particular, I realized that the primary food source for most birds in Spring-Summer-Fall is insects. Beneficial insects serve important purposes in the garden too.

Most people are enchanted with birds and butterflies, but do they realize the chemicals they are dumping on their lawn or gardens are killing important food sources for birds and well as killing the birds and pollinators themselves??

Using native plants, gardening organically, and also creating natural or wild areas are critical. I let leaf litter, sticks and branches, and dead trees alone. I am planning to increase wild areas of native grasses and forbs. I have brush piles, and plan to grow many native vines. The thickets of vines, dead branches, and dense shrubbery in my yard are some of the most attractive areas for the birds. Not in the front yard, that is more cultivated(still full of native plants as well as non-natives, and leaves, compost, and pine straw for mulch). Most of this is in the large back yard.

Some people think an overgrown area is messy-looking. To me, it is beautiful. It is the monocultures of chemical lawns, the overly manicured green meatball shrubs, and obsessively tidy gardens of non-native plants that look - well, not so beautiful.
Iris GW
Original Author
16 years ago
To follow a bit on the last of what terrene said: Down here in the South, chinese privet is the #1 invader of roadsides. Sure kudzu is more obvious ... but privet covers the most acres. Unfortunately it is so ubiquitous ("Being or seeming to be everywhere"), that many folk have come to think of it as "native".

It makes a mess of the roadside, often becoming an impromptu trellis for vines until the whole area looks messy and overgrown. And THIS is the look that some people (perhaps even many people) associate with "native plantings". Ugh.

It's no wonder that people shy away from using natives based on this perception. But hopefully learning more about the whole process (from plant to insect to bird ...) will help people realize it is something worthwhile doing and give them a sense of purpose in their garden.

Is it berries or insects?

Comments (6)

ghoghunter

Iris GW
Original Author

Related Discussions

ghoghunter

vonyon

terrene

Iris GW
Original Author

COMPANY

BUSINESS SERVICES

GET HELP

CONNECT WITH US

Is it berries or insects?

Comments (6)

ghoghunter

Iris GWOriginal Author

Related Discussions

ghoghunter

vonyon

terrene

Iris GWOriginal Author

COMPANY

BUSINESS SERVICES

GET HELP

CONNECT WITH US

Iris GW
Original Author

Iris GW
Original Author