Alternative Prey & Banker Plants
Alternative prey and banker plants can help beneficial insects survive when target pest numbers are low.
They are used to improve biological control continuity and reduce the delay between pest arrival and predator response.
Why Alternative Prey Matters
Many beneficial insects need food before the main pest becomes established.
Alternative prey can help maintain:
- Predator populations
- Parasitoid activity
- Searching behaviour
- System resilience
Banker Plants
Banker plants are deliberately introduced plants that support beneficial insects.
They may provide:
- Alternative prey
- Nectar
- Pollen
- Shelter
- Reproduction sites
Benefits
- Earlier beneficial establishment
- Reduced predator lag
- More stable biological control
- Better background suppression
Risks
Banker plants must be managed carefully.
Potential risks include:
- Pest reservoirs
- Disease reservoirs
- Weed issues
- Labour requirements
- Poor placement
Practical Use
Banker systems work best when they are:
- Planned before pest pressure rises
- Monitored regularly
- Kept separate from crop risk areas where needed
- Integrated with wider IPM