There may be more incentive to create wine and it turns out that wine grape vineyards are the cause of an increase in the population of butterflies in Washington.

Butterfly populations have declined across the entirety of the United States, and Washington state is no different. Over the last several decades, habitat loss has resulted in the decline of some 50 butterfly species in eastern Washington.

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For helping in controlling pests sans the use of many pesticides, gardeners actually plant native sage-steppe shrubbery in and around their vineyards. Native plants like desert buckwheat shrubs attract good insects such as parasitic warps. These insects prey on mealybugs and other pests which would be harmful to the vineyards.

In a recent study, biologists at Washington State University found that there were quadruple the number of butterflies and triple the number butterfly species at so-called habitat-enhanced vineyards, as compared to conventional grape-growing operations.

While only an average of five species were found on traditional vineyards, habitat-enhanced vineyards boasted 20 different butterfly species.

Since butterflies do not eat pests or have any direct economic benefit, the increase in butterflies is not necessarily beneficial to the vineyards but, the butterflies naturally live on the native plants and can also act as aesthetic appeal for tourists.

“To have butterflies flying around could be part of a tourism drive and an attraction for visitors. In these days of organic production and not wanting pesticides on food, butterflies can be a symbol of that. To show butterflies flying around vineyards has great aesthetic and commercial appeal.” David James, one of the authors of the new study.

New study appeared in the Journal of Insect Conservation.

TagsVineyards Help Increasing the Butterfly Population New Study Reports, butterfly, butterfly population, vineyard, pesticides, butterflies