California Garden Allies

Document FLOWER-VISITING insects and other arthropods on California native plants, including pollinators and natural enemies (e.g. lady beetles, lacewings, and hover flies, etc.) of herbivorous insects (e.g. aphids).

Together, we can learn which flowering garden-worthy California native plants are best at attracting and supporting garden allies - pollinators, natural enemies of pests, and even decomposers. And, by using iNaturalist as a research tool, we can learn more about where in California they perform best.

Why is this citizen science project called "Garden Allies" instead of "Insects on California native plants"? The plants we are most interested in must be garden-worthy and produce flowers that noticeably attract insects (a bit vague, we admit, and we leave it up to you to decide).

This Santa Barbara Botanic Garden project is especially focused on natural enemies, those garden allies that can help manage herbivorous insect populations. In gardens, natural enemies can do the job of pest management for us, and make it possible to eliminate, or at least greatly reduce, pesticide use. That helps the pollinators, and contributes to cleaner air, water, and food.

We have a corollary project for all those beneficial insects visiting other parts of a native plant. Please post photos that don't include flowers to another project: Insect Communities on California Native Plants http://www.inaturalist.org/projects/insect-communities-on-california-native-plants. less ↑