Biological pest control
**History of Biological Pest Control:**
– Term ‘biological control’ coined by Harry Scott Smith in 1919.
– Paul H. DeBach contributed to popularizing the term.
– Techniques emerged in the 1870s.
– First international shipment of an insect for control in 1873.
– USDA initiated a large-scale biological control program in 1905.
**Types and Strategies of Biological Pest Control:**
– Three strategies: importation, augmentation, conservation.
– Importation involves introducing natural enemies to new locales.
– Agent’s colonizing ability is crucial for effectiveness.
– Successful cases include control of cottony cushion scale and alfalfa weevil.
– Examples of successful cases: Antonina graminis and alligator weed.
**Implementation of Biological Pest Control:**
– Induction involves administering a large population of natural enemies for quick pest control.
– Conservation measures aim to maintain natural enemies through regular reestablishment.
– Augmentation includes the release of control agents like Hippodamia convergens and Encarsia formosa.
– Conservation practices can be cost-effective, such as planting nectar-producing crop plants or modifying cropping systems.
**Challenges and Side Effects of Biological Pest Control:**
– Impact on biodiversity and non-target species.
– Introduction of species without understanding consequences can be harmful.
– Monitoring and research are crucial to minimize negative effects.
– Balancing pest control with conservation efforts is important for ecosystem health.
**Specific Techniques in Biological Pest Control:**
– Classical biological control examples like Levuana iridescens control in Fiji.
– Inundation involves releasing large quantities of control agents for rapid pest reduction.
– Importation of natural enemies from a pest’s native range for effective control.
– Use of drones for inundative releases and microbial insecticides like Bacillus thuringiensis.
– Careful planning and monitoring are essential for successful pest control in biological methods.