-In the US 13% OF ALL CROPS DAMAGED BY INSECTS World Wide 33% CHAPTER 15 PEST CONTROL -In the US 13% OF ALL CROPS DAMAGED BY INSECTS World Wide 33%

PEST CONTROL A pest –organism that occurs where unwanted or in amounts large enough to harm ecosystem. Wild plants naturally have greater protection from pests than non-genetically altered planted crops. Why? 1. Because wild plants are spread out across landscape so pests have a harder time finding them. Plus, wild plant pests have predators that live on or near wild plants.

PESTICIDES Pesticides (chemicals) Used to kill pests. Last 50 years many new pesticides, increased crop yields. What is the downside of pesticide use? What does pesticide resistant mean? - More than 500 pests have developed resistances to pesticides. ECOFACT: Farmers rotate crops to get high yields and less pest damage because most pests only eat certain plants so if you stop planting what they eat, they will starve. Pesticides are harmful to humans Eventually overuse of a pesticide helps the pests to develop resistance to it, (natural selection).

Pesticides Human Health Concerns In areas where crops are sprayed w/pesticides, children have higher rates of cancers. Workers develop nervous system disorders (farm and producers of pest.) 98% of sprayed pesticides reach unintended areas.

Pesticide Use Top seven fruits/vegetables that are sprayed and may affect you: Strawberries, blueberries, peppers, tomatoes, grapes, cherries, cucumber

Biological Pest Control Pathogens Used to control pests. Most commonly used Bt. Kills caterpillars of moths and butterflies. Bt is Bacillus thuringiensis.

Biological Pest Control Disrupting Insect Breeding Growth Regulators - Crops are bred with a gene that when expressed in a plant and consumed will disrupt the consumers breeding abilities. Pheromones – Chemicals produced by an organism to affect another. Farmers treat crops w/pheromones to confuse moths and prevent mating. Perfume contains chemically created pheromones.

Biological Pesticide Control Plant Defenses Genetically altered plants are resistant to fungi, worms and viruses. Other defenses: tough skin and chemical compounds that pests do not like.

Biological Pest Control Chemicals from plants: Chemicals contained in chrysanthemums sold as pesticides. These chemicals are biodegradeable. What is biodegradable: may be broken down by bacteria by bacteria and other decomposers. Do you wash you fresh vegetables and Produce.