This week SUSTAG has been chock-full of companion based activities. We kicked it off by getting assigned the companion report. We also did a reading log on them which allowed our knowledge of these plant and animal relationships to expand. Insects on the farm are especially fascinating companions. There are so many it is hard to identify them all. Also we have a variety of them that look alike. For example, a common mistake people make is confusing the honey bees with other insects such as wasps, bumble bees, or drone flies. However, a few physical changes lie on the amount of observable hair present, and the length/shape of their bodies. Another pair of insects that are mixed up is the lady bug and cucumber beetle. The main difference between these is whether or not they are pests or beneficial to the farm. Honey bees and ladybugs are classified as beneficial. Honey bees help by pollinating and ladybugs prey on the aphids that threaten a plants well-being. Pests such as the wasp and cucumber beetle cause harm to the farm. Wasps are carnivores that consume insects and in many cases they eat good bugs that assist the farm. Cucumber beetles feed on leaves and flowering plants which can stunt the growth of them. By better educating the class on companions and how to identify them could bring awareness to support the success of the farm. —Q. Yu
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