Providing for Beneficial Insects

Helping beneficial insects thrive is the topic of the upcoming virtual meeting of the Master Gardener Association of Northwest Michigan.   Dr. Duke Elsner will present an inspiring presentation about providing a sound backyard environment to promote beneficial insects.

Beneficial insects have all of the needs of other animals-sources of food, sites for shelter, and a stable environment free of toxins and hazards. You will hear how thoughtful selection of plants is a part of the picture. Equally important, providing a physical habitat that allows insects to find or construct nesting sites that won’t be disturbed. Keeping landscapes and gardens free of pesticides also contributes to strong populations of beneficial insects.

The virtual meeting is open to the public. The event is free to MGANM members and a $5 donation is suggested for non-members. To register, go to MGANM.org. by May 30. All those who register will receive a link to the meeting via email.

About the Presenter: Dr. Elsner, also known as the ‘bug doctor’, grew up in southwest Michigan, where he started his fascination with insects as a young child. He holds a B.S. and M.S. in Entomology from Michigan State University, and a PhD. in Entomology from Pennsylvania State University. From 1990-2019, Dr. Elsner was on staff at the Leelanau MSU Extension.