Biological Control , Beneficial , Natural Enemies

1. Natural Enemies Management

2. Biological Control
The use predators, parasites, pathogens,
and competitors to control pests

3. Types of Biological
Control

4. Classical Biological Control:
 Introduction of a biological control
organism. Examples of this include
introducing a predator of an insect
pest or planting a cover crop or living
mulch to compete with weeds

5. Conservation of a naturally
occurring enemies of pests
 Not performing practices, such as use
of a broad spectrum insecticide, which
could damage the naturally occurring
biological control organism. Also,
providing a favorable site for the
development of a biological control
organism.

6. Augmentation
 Applying the natural enemies of a pest
as a biological pesticide.

7.  Just like the crop and pest insects are
managed, natural enemies also must be
managed.
 There are management practices that kill
pests but also kill natural enemies.
 It is obvious that management practices
for natural enemies should be focused on
preserving them and as much as possible
increasing their populations.

8. Techniques for conservation and
augmentation of natural enemies
 Allow some insect pests in the field: These
will serve as food or as a host for natural
enemies. Crop plants can compensate for
quite some injury and not all insect feeding
results in yield loss. Monitor the field
regularly!
 Be extremely careful with using pesticides:
most pesticides (even several fungicides!)
are toxic to natural enemies. Even pesticides
that claim to be very selective and harmless
to natural enemies may still cause problems.

9. Techniques for conservation and
augmentation of natural enemies
 Do not use insecticides before there is a
serious infestation of a pest insect. Don't
apply .just in case. or .because my neighbor
is also spraying.. This is not only a waste of
money but may actually result in MORE
problems with pest insects because they can
increase their population quickly when there
are no natural enemies around.
 If an insecticide is needed, try to use a
selective material in a selective manner or
very localized, on infested plants only (spot
application).

10. Techniques for conservation and
augmentation of natural enemies
 When the borders of the field are covered with
weeds, especially when they are flowering
weeds, these borders can provide a shelter for
natural enemies. Mixed plantings can have a
similar effect. Adult natural enemies (e.g.
hoverflies) may also be attracted to flowers for
feeding on the nectar inside the flowers. Many
adult parasitoids live longer, and are therefore
more effective, when there are sufficient
flowers to feed on.

12. Banker Plant

14. Biological Control
Advantages
 Low cost
 Has the potential to
be permanent
 Not harmful to non-
target organisms
 No toxicity or residue
problems
Disadvantages
 Not always applicable
 Level of control may not
be sufficient
 Research costs are high
and may not produce
results