Mums: insect food or insect killer? - Ask Extension
Hello. I see articles that say mums are good for butterflies, and other articles that say mums are good for insect control, as below. How can they be ...
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Mums: insect food or insect killer? #792790
Asked May 26, 2022, 1:17 PM EDT
Hello. I see articles that say mums are good for butterflies, and other articles that say mums are good for insect control, as below. How can they be both? Thank you.
"There’s another reason you should be planting them all over your garden though: pest control! Chrysanthemums naturally produce a chemical called pyrethrin, and thanks to it, organic garden pest control can be as easy as scattering some mum plants.Read more at Gardening Know How: Organic Garden Pest Control: Using Chrysanthemum For Pest Control https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/ornamental/flowers/chrysanthemum/chrysanthemum-pest-control.htm
Anne Arundel County Maryland
Expert Response
Yours is a good question and we understand your confusion.
The article shared is not accurate and is confusing. Flowers in general are good for pollinators and beneficial insects.
But as far as the insecticidal suggestions of mums, there is poor information.
First off, only some chrysanthemums contain pyrethrum. Most of those that we grow in our gardens are cultivated hybrids which do not.
Secondly, planted mums don't protect other plants from insects just by being in the same garden. The pyrethrum (in specific species) is contained within the plant. It the distant past, it was extracted from the plant, and dried for use around other plants. The natural form within the plant is pyrethrum; the insecticides on the market today are synthesized and called pyrethrins. Both are considered 'organic' as plant derived, but they are both deadly to all kinds of insects, including beneficials which we need in our landscapes. The article also leaves out that pyrethrum/pyrethryns
are highly toxic to bees and 'very highly toxic' to fish and other aquatic organisms.
We are glad that you contacted us. There is unfortunately much information on the internet that is incorrect, or not accurate for the area where we live. That's why it's best to get information from a local, reputable, non-biased outlet like Extension.
We are always happy to help.
Christine
The article shared is not accurate and is confusing. Flowers in general are good for pollinators and beneficial insects.
But as far as the insecticidal suggestions of mums, there is poor information.
First off, only some chrysanthemums contain pyrethrum. Most of those that we grow in our gardens are cultivated hybrids which do not.
Secondly, planted mums don't protect other plants from insects just by being in the same garden. The pyrethrum (in specific species) is contained within the plant. It the distant past, it was extracted from the plant, and dried for use around other plants. The natural form within the plant is pyrethrum; the insecticides on the market today are synthesized and called pyrethrins. Both are considered 'organic' as plant derived, but they are both deadly to all kinds of insects, including beneficials which we need in our landscapes. The article also leaves out that pyrethrum/pyrethryns
are highly toxic to bees and 'very highly toxic' to fish and other aquatic organisms.
We are glad that you contacted us. There is unfortunately much information on the internet that is incorrect, or not accurate for the area where we live. That's why it's best to get information from a local, reputable, non-biased outlet like Extension.
We are always happy to help.
Christine
