Yes, buckwheat pest attraction does happen with some insects. But the good bugs far outnumber the bad ones in most gardens. The beneficial insects buckwheat draws in help control pests on your other crops nearby.
I noticed Japanese beetles buckwheat feeding in my patch last summer for the first time. A dozen or so beetles clustered on the white flowers during peak bloom. But I also saw hover flies, parasitic wasps, and native bees all over the same plants. The good bugs won by a wide margin.
Ohio State Extension warns that buckwheat can attract Japanese beetles in areas where these pests are common. The beetles seem to like the flowers and may concentrate on your buckwheat patch. This can look alarming when you see a cluster of shiny beetles munching away.
Michigan State research shows buckwheat ranks among the top plants for attracting good bugs. Parasitic wasps that kill aphids and caterpillars love buckwheat nectar. Hover flies whose larvae eat pest insects also flock to the flowers. These helpful bugs then spread out to your vegetable garden.
Most buckwheat insect problems stay minor compared to the benefits. The beetles nibble some flowers but do not kill the plants or spread to other crops much. Meanwhile the army of good insects you attract provides season-long pest control worth far more than any flower damage.
You can watch your buckwheat patch to assess the tradeoff in your own garden. Count the different types of insects you see during peak bloom. If you spot mostly bees, wasps, and flies then your beneficial bugs dominate. A few pest beetles mixed in are normal and not worth worrying about.
If Japanese beetles get thick on your buckwheat you have a few options. Hand pick the beetles into soapy water during morning hours when they move slow. You can also just let them feed on the buckwheat instead of your roses and vegetables. The buckwheat acts as a trap crop that draws beetles away from plants you care about more.
In my experience the pest tradeoff tips far toward the positive side. I get so many good bugs from my buckwheat that I need fewer sprays on my vegetables. The hover fly larvae alone eat thousands of aphids before they damage my peppers. That benefit outweighs a few beetle-chewed buckwheat flowers any day.
Give buckwheat a try even if you worry about pests. Most gardeners find the beneficial insects far outweigh any pest problems. Your vegetable garden will thank you for the army of helpful bugs that set up camp nearby.
Read the full article: Buckwheat Cover Crop: Complete Growing Guide
