Biological Control

Introduction

• Biological control is a pest management strategy that uses natural enemies of pests to reduce their populations.
• Instead of chemicals, it relies on natural parasites, predators, or pathogens to control pests.

Importance of Timing

• Timing is critical in introducing biological control agents.
• Proper timing helps prevent resistance in pests, avoids persistent chemical use, and prevents the introduction of harmful chemicals into the environment.

Ideal Location: Heated Glasshouse

• A heated glasshouse is an ideal location for biological control because it is enclosed and allows for temperature control to suit the specific control agent.

Examples of Biological Control

• Control of Glasshouse Whitefly: Achieved using the parasite wasp Encarsia.
• Control of Glasshouse Red Spider Mite: Utilizes Phytoseiulus, a predator mite.
• Control of Butterfly Caterpillars: Involves the use of the bacterium Bacillus thuringiensis.

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Biological Control

Risks in Biological Control

• There are potential risks in biological control, including:
  • The control organism becoming an invasive species.
  • It becoming a parasite, predator, or pathogen of another non-target species.

Integrated Pest Management (IPM)

• Successful pest management often involves a combination of cultural, chemical, and biological control.
• This approach, known as Integrated Pest Management (IPM), aims to reduce pest populations while minimising the impact on the environment.

Summary

• Biological control uses natural enemies to manage pests, avoiding the need for chemical pesticides.
• Timing and the choice of control agents are crucial for success.
• Biological control can be part of Integrated Pest Management (IPM), which combines multiple strategies for effective pest management.