Attracting Entomophages

What is it? This strategy encourages natural predators—like ladybugs—to inhabit city green spaces. By installing "insect hotels," we create safe havens for these beneficial allies. Instead of relying on broad chemical sprays, we use nature’s own defenders to hunt down and control harmful pest populations.

Why it matters for Yerevan. Yerevan battles severe oak leaf miner outbreaks, with threats like the emerald ash borer approaching. Chemical spraying is flawed; the effective time window is too narrow to treat the whole city, rendering it largely ineffective. Worse, these poisons indiscriminately kill beneficial insects, collapsing the local ecosystem without solving the pest problem.

The Standard. Green space management must adopt "Integrated Pest Management." Municipal teams should actively install habitat structures and release predator insects. The goal is a balanced ecosystem where natural enemies regulate pest numbers, eliminating the reliance on toxic sprays that do more harm than good.

Current Status. Currently, the city lacks a biological control program. Pests like the oak leaf miner blotch are damaging our trees, with new invasive species expected soon. Kanach Yerevan advocates for the immediate introduction of these predator habitats to save our trees from infestation and removal.