OBSERVATIONS ON 2 COMMERCIAL FLOWER MIXTURES AS FOOD SOURCES FOR BENEFICIAL INSECTS IN THE UK

Observations were made in 1994 and 1995 in Hertfordshire of the flower ing phenology and attractiveness to beneficial insects of two commerci al mixtures of flowering plants intended for setaside land. These were the Tubingen Mixture from Germany and Ascot Linde SN from the Netherl ands. The mixtures were visited by 14 species of Hymenoptera, 14 speci es of syrphid Diptera and six species of Lepidoptera. Although the mix tures contained 12 and five plant species respectively, Phacelia tanac etifolia was the dominant species to establish, flower and attract ins ects in both mixtures. The other plants contributed little to flower d ensity or insect diversity. These mixtures are therefore not suitable for UK needs using the present proportions of plant species.