Pollinators and natural enemy insects play a vital role in our ecosystem. Pollinators, like honey bees and native bees, contribute an estimated $20 billion to agricultural production in the US annually. Natural enemy insects, such as lady beetles and parasitic wasps, feed on or parasitize pest insects and can reduce the need for insecticides. Learn more about these beneficial insects and native plants adapted for Iowa that you can to plant to attract them in the ISU Extension and Outreach publication titled “Conserving Beneficial Insects with Native Plants,” available to download from the Department of 
Entomology Pollinator Working Group.
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