Biological Control. Biological Control. Biological Control. Biological Control

Transcription

1 Presentation Overview How To Use Biological Controls Effectively Raymond Cloyd Agents Basics of How To Successfully Use Summary Will Agents Eat Each Other? Yes!! Program For Western Flower Thrips Intra-Guild Predation Use of biological control agents (=natural enemies) such as parasitoids and predators to manage or regulate an insect or mite pest population. Natural enemies will not eradicate an insect or mite pest population. The success of natural enemies is based on maintaining or regulating insect and mite pest numbers at levels low enough to minimize plant damage. Know availability of biological control agents. Understand insect and mite pests and cropping system (plant material). Commitment to success: make sure you scout and order biological control agents as needed (logistics). Follow-up: to assess success and failure.

2 Organisms Types of Agents (=Natural Enemies) Parasitoids Predators Entomopathogenic (Beneficial) Nematodes Insect-Killing Pathogens (Fungi) Parasitoid Beneficial Nematodes Predator Beneficial Fungus Factors To Consider When Selecting A Supplier Consistent availability of biological control organisms. Customer service: responsive to concerns and inquires. Accessibility: availability of personnel. Quality control procedures. Diversity of biological control organisms available. Provide information associated with the biological control organism and target insect and mite pest. How To Succeed Using Correct insect and mite pest identification. Identify available natural enemies for specific insect and mite pests. Establish relationship with reliable supplier of biological control agents. Minimize pesticide residues. Implement sound sanitation procedures.

3 Order biological control agents or natural enemies early. Assess quality of natural enemies. Apply natural enemies immediately upon arrival in the morning or early evening. Introduce natural enemies before insect and/or mite pest populations are high or reach outbreak proportions. It is important to understand which life stages of each insect and mite pest is susceptible to specific natural enemies (e.g., parasitoids and predators). Scouting Scouting: Record-Keeping Yellow Sticky Card Visual Inspection Quality Control: 17,000 Predatory Mites Container of the predatory mite, Phytoseiulus persimilis.

4 Container of Rove Beetles Release or Apply Natural Enemies Preventatively. Be sure to remove (take down) yellow sticky cards before releasing parasitoids in the greenhouse. Helpful Resources Biological control of insects and other pests of greenhouse crops (2001). Knowing and recognizing: The biology of glasshouse pests and their natural enemies (2003). Ball identification guide to greenhouse pests and beneficials (1998). A color handbook of biological control in plant protection (2003). Biocontrol in protected culture (2004). Summary Before implementing any type of biological control program be sure to establish a diligent scouting program. Order biological control agents or natural enemies early and release immediately upon arrival. Assess quality of natural enemies prior to release. Evaluate performance of natural enemies after each cropping cycle and make necessary adjustments to biological control program. Partnering Universities

5 Thank You For Your Attention!