Flower strips can augment natural enemies and reduce pests in berries

Abstract: The effect of perennial flower strips on aphids and natural enemies was assessed in
intercropped gooseberries and elderberries and monoculture of raspberries. Across the three
crops, flower strips had a positive effect on predator densities and led to reduced densities of
aphids in gooseberries and raspberries, but not in elderberries. In addition, sawfly infestation
was reduced by flower strip treatment in gooseberries. A more pronounced response to the
perennial flower strips can be expected with time as local beneficial populations build up.