It is estimated that around 117 different species help pollinate British apples over the entire season. This includes 46 species of Bee. inc. Bumblebees, honey bees, mining bees and leaf cutter bees. It stands to reason they are often also helpful in other ways too. I used to spray the old orchard I managed. Since becoming an organic orchardist, I am learning to work with nature.
Here are a few little friends that can help in our fight against pests in the orchard. This is not an elaborate post on each beneficial. It is just a snippet. I do hope to create some factsheets about each beneficial, pest and disease in due course.
Earwigs
Earwigs are often thought of as a pest and it’s true, they can be. Still, in the apple and pear orchard they are a voracious predator of aphids and caterpillars. Now, what’s really good is that they are nocturnal. So whilst the other predators are sleeping, these are carrying on their good work.
Ladybirds
It’s no secret about ladybirds being very good predators in the orchard, they are just good in every aspect.
To the left is there most voracious form. They will find aphids and eat a great many of them.
Bees
I don’t just mean honey bees. I have found that wild bees are actually much , much more helpful in the orchard. Wild bees are generally more robust and bumblebees come out of hibernation a lot earlier.
Now they may not offer pest control. Yet, our solitary bees are incredibly useful for pollination. The organic orchard habitat is a perfect place for our wild bees to thrive.
A definite win-win!
Hoverflies
Wow, hoverfly larvae are very voracious predators. You can just about see the larvae in the picture bathing in his lunch! They lay their eggs exactly where the prey is and that larvae will eat practically all that is there.
Birds
Yup, birds, although a pest in the orchard at times they are very useful all year round. Collecting caterpillars and aphids, moths.
Parasitic wasps
Wow, there are many types of parasitic wasp. They lay eggs or parasitise their prey and it just so happens to include caterpillars and aphids.
Wasps
I know, the picture shows them being a pest. However, they are very useful in the orchard. They feed their young caterpillars etc. They do love the early apples such as Discovery. Although annoying, they are great for the rest of the year.
Lacewings
Lacewings are another fantastic and overlooked useful predator in the orchard. They love aphids, scale insects, caterpillars, larvae and thrips. All the things after your fruit!
Hornets
Now I sadly do not have a picture of a hornet. I must be brave and try and change that. They are voracious predators and they are beautiful too. You will often see them inside an apple. That is just because they are entering where wasps and birds have been before. The Asian hornet though really is a pest, especially if you have bee hives and must be reported if seen.
Spiders
Spiders eat most things. They’re not fussy. They are very important. If you have structures like we do, their webs will be ready to catch any prey that accidentally falls in.
This will include pear leaf blister mite in flight
Hedgehogs
Hedgehogs eat a variety of insects, Caterpillars, larvae, worms, slugs etc. They also eat carrion too if it’s available. They may not be up in the trees. Nevertheless, they do a good job of catching larvae in the ground.
Frogs and toads
Now, frogs and toads will eat practically anything that is in front of them…as long as they can manage it!
Hopefully they are nabbing pests that are hatching from the ground before they go into the tree.
Bats and owls
Bats and Owls help us at night. Moths are one of the biggest pests in an orchard and they love them. I do what I can during the day. While I’m sleeping, these nocturnal creatures will be feasting. What’s better than wildlife helping you all day long? when it also helps you at night. just like the earwig.
The Grounded Orchardist 
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