Healthy orchard ecosystems rely on a balance of species, including the beneficial insects that help manage pests and support biodiversity. Building grower knowledge about these insects and their habitat needs can open up practical opportunities to work with nature within productive apple systems, supporting more resilient orchards while strengthening the connection between science, industry and on farm action.

We’re bringing apple growers together with scientists to:

• Build knowledge of beneficial insect identification, ecology and their role in pest management.
• Understand the habitat and resources beneficial insects need.
• Demonstrate practical ways growers can support beneficial insects around orchards.
• Turn scientific knowledge into practical actions that can be applied within productive orchard systems.
• Build connections across the apple industry around nature positive production.

We’re partnering with the Bioeconomy Science Institute to bring research and practical orchard knowledge together in an interactive demonstration project. Growers will learn how to identify beneficial insects, understand their role in orchard ecosystems and explore practical habitat opportunities, before putting that knowledge into action by designing and building bug hotels as a team. The hands on activity creates a tangible demonstration that growers can take back to their own orchards, while creating space for industry connection and sharing ideas.

Success looks like growers leaving with a better understanding of the small creatures working within their orchards and greater confidence in how they can support them. It looks like science being translated into practical changes on the ground, with bug hotels and other habitat opportunities providing starting points for conversations and action. Most importantly, the project builds relationships between growers, researchers and industry, creating a foundation for more nature positive approaches to apple production across Hawke’s Bay.

This project is delivered in partnership with Bioeconomy Science Institute (BSI), bringing entomology and research expertise to the project. Freshco is supporting the demonstration within the apple industry, with funding support from MPI.