The Role of Insects on Fresh Flowers
While we are all familiar with the role of the honeybee, few of us realize the vital role other insects play in our ecosystem. Insects handle a multitude of essential tasks in our environment. From beetles that break down decaying matter to fruit flies that pollinate fruits and vegetables, our surroundings abound with insects that help keep our ecosystem in balance.
Insects as Pollinators
Many fresh flowers rely on bees and insects for pollination. The importance of plants and flowers in our ecosystem is paramount. Flora provides invaluable assistance against global warming by processing carbon dioxide and creating oxygen. Highly efficient, plants convert sunlight into energy via photosynthesis. All the by products of these energy factories benefit humans: fruit, flowers, and fresh air.
Along with several species of bees, drone flies and hoverflies play an important role in agriculture as pollinators of plants. The recent decline of the Native American honeybee saw drastic consequences to American agriculture. As bees are the sole pollinator of almond crops, the massive recent deaths of entire colonies dealt a heavy blow to almond production. Between 2000 – 2006, the value of the almond harvest declined by over $10 billion. While it is difficult to measure the actual impact of the absent bees in the wild, it is easy to imagine what a decline in bees around the globe would mean for the environment.
Insects as Soil Aerators and Fertilizers
Some ants, beetles, and earthworms serve an important function, naturally aerating and enriching soil. Breaking up the dirt through their movement, burrowing insects bring new earth to light and air, and vice versa. Several insects also enrich the soil by eating vegetation and rotting carcasses and transforming the matter into useful waste that can then grow plants.
Several countries now protect these important species, recognizing their essential role in their agricultural and natural world. For example, ants break down plant materials and their colonies aerate the soil. Germany protects its ant colonies, recognizing its important role as a predator of tree-destroying insects in forested areas. As such, killing ants is against the law in Germany.
Insects as Pest Control
Frequently plagued by insects that would gladly devour them, fresh flowers found in nature rely on other insects, arachnids such as spiders and birds, to keep them safe from insects that weaken them. Praying mantises contribute to some organic farms by eating destructive species. However, the rapacious appetite of the mantis does not necessarily limit its diet to harmful species- beneficial insects fall victim to its hunger as well.
Ladybugs and lacewings are two other examples of natural pest controls. Ladybugs, as natural predators of aphids, are frequently used in gardens to control the parasitic insects that would otherwise ravage a rose garden. Around the world, lacewings help impact both aphid and moth populations. Some ants eat unwanted insects as well.
Next time you receive a mixed floral bouquet, consider the important role insects played in creating those flower arrangements. Their assistance was essential to bringing these beautiful blossoms to your door.
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