(2nd Place) Increasing biodiversity in agroecosystems to optimize beneficial insect ecosystem services

Biodiversity can enhance the health and abundance of beneficial insects in an agroecosystem and can promote important ecosystem services like pollination and biological control. Companion plants increase biodiversity and act as pollen and nectar sources for beneficial insects. When grown in combination with target crops, companion plants can attract beneficial insects and enhance pollination and biological control ecosystem services. The aim of this study was to determine the identity and diversity of companion plants that best amplifies pollination and biological control ecosystem services on target crops through the attraction of beneficial insects. Assorted configurations of two companion plant species including buckwheat (Fagopyrum esculentum) and sweet alyssum (Lobularia maritima) were clustered around target bell pepper plants (Capsicum annum). Companion plants and bell peppers were monitored for the presence of syrphid fly adults, syrphid fly larvae, other pollinators, and aphids. Successful pollination was quantified as the number of fruits formed on the pepper plants. Results from this study indicate that the presence of flowering companion plants near bell pepper plants increases the abundance of beneficial insects, thus allowing for more efficient pollination and biological control on the crop. These results suggest that increasing floral resources can amplify the ecosystem services beneficial insects provide to target crops in an agroecosystem.