Commercial Biological Control Norm Leppla UF, IFAS, IPM Florida

Milestones in Commercialization of Biological Control Farming Trichogramma proposed Fillmore, mass prod. NE citrus pests Trichogramma on factitious host Chrysoperla colonization Predaceous mites, mites on strawberry Koppert established Trichogramma, European corn borer IOBC WGQC (AMRQC) Whitefly parasites, Europe glasshouses ANBP established in California Commercial artificial diet for predators IBMA established in France

Biological Control Organizations with Commercial Affiliations IOBC

ANBP's Objectives Strengthen the commercial natural enemy industry. Promote research and education on the use of natural enemies. Develop quality certification programs for natural enemies. Members of ANBP are expected to adhere to a code of ethics which encourages the highest standards in the production and marketing of natural enemies.

 More than 49 biological control companies provide nematodes, mites, insects, and bioinsecticides for pest management in Florida and the Southeast.  Nematodes are sold by 28 companies (5 species).  Predators are sold by 31 companies, 26 supply mites (10 species) and 31 supply insects (15 species)  Parasitic wasps are sold by 31 companies (23 spp.). Guidelines for Purchasing and Using Commercial Natural Enemies and Biopesticides in Florida and Other States N. C. Leppla and K. L. Johnson

Table 1. Habitats, pests, natural enemies and reference number

Tables 2-7. Number of natural enemy products and sources Table 2- Nematodes (8) Table 3- Predatory mites (10) Table 4- Predatory insects (15) Table 5- Parasitic wasps (23) Table 6- Biopesticides (21) Table 7- Companies and websites (49)

Nematodes and Mites NEMATODES Heterorhabditidae- Heterorhabditis (2 spp) Steinernematidae- Steinernema (3 spp) ARACHNIDS Laelapidae- Hypoaspis (1 spp) Phytoseiidae- Amblyseius, Galendromus, Mesoseiulus, Neoseiulus, Phytoseiulus (9 spp)

Predatory Insects Coleoptera Coccinellidae- Cryptolaemus, Delphastus, Hippodmia, Rhyzobius, Stethorus Cybocephalidae- Cybocephalus Histeridae- Carcinops Staphylinidae- Dalotia (also called Atheta) Diptera Cecidomyiidae- Aphidoletes, Feltiella Hemiptera Anthocoridae- Orius Pentatomidae- Podisus Neuroptera Chrysopidae- Chrysoperla Thysanoptera Thripidae- Scolothrips

Parasitic Wasps Hymenoptera Aphelinidae- Aphelinus, Aphytis, Encarsia, Eretmocerus (5 spp) Braconidae- Aphidius, Cotesia, Dacnusa (5 spp) Encyritidae- Leptomastix, Metaphycus (2 spp) Eulophidae- Diglyphus, Pediobius (2 spp) Pteromalidae- Muscidifurax, Nasonia, Splangia (6 spp) Trichogrammatidae- Trichogramma (3 spp)

Major Commercial Natural Enemies

Markets for Natural Enemies  Entomopathogenic nematodes- Heterorhabditis, Steinernema  Predatory mites- Amblyseius, Galendromus, Neoseiulus, Phytoseiulus, Hypoaspis  Predatory insects- Chrysoperla, Cryptolaemus, Hippodamia, Orius, Dalotia, Coccinella, Delphastus, Feltiella, Podisus, Rhyzobius,Stethorus  Parasitoids- Aphelinus, Aphytis, Encarsia, Eretmocerus, Aphidius, Pediobius, Trichogramma  Fly parasites- Muscidifurax, Splangia, Nasonia  Biopesticides- Bacillus, Beauveria, Trichoderma

Predators!

Description of U.S Companies Serving the Southeast  Number = 49 producers and suppliers  Size = 10 employees average  Revenue = $20-25 million, 3 > $1.5 million  Species = 56 (+ 21 microbials), 5/20 producers >3 species, ca 50% produce one, few new species.

Natural EnemySales Increases Natural Enemy Sales Increases  Pesticide resistance  Transgenic crops  Loss of pesticides (regulatory)  New more selective pesticides  Cost of pesticides (registration)  Alien invasive species  Cropping systems (pollinators, organic)

Resistant Crop Competitors Natural enemies Resistant varieties Vulnerable Crop Invasive Pest Integrated pest management program: Cultural practices Scouting, ID of pests & NEs Conservation of NEs Augmentation of NEs Reduced-risk insecticides Resistance management Pesticide program: New insecticides New formulations New Application methods Resistance management IPM Transition

Requirements for Commercialization Research teams vs. solo 2. Financial support for R&D 3. Practical technology 4. Effective against pest 5. High benefit/cost 6. Safe for the environment

Chemical Pesticides Versus Biological Control: Investment and Return Investment and Return Sales Investment Chemical Pesticides Biological Control 30 Billion Million 100 Million 3 Billion

New Product Development

Amblyseius swirskii

Western Flower Thrips Control in Cucumbers Mite Species

Bemesia tabaci Control on Hibiscus A. swirskii per plant B. tabaci with A. swirskii B. tabaci without A. swirskii Release dates

Amblyseius swirskii Effectiveness   Very high numerical response to availability of food   Highly efficacious against western flower thrips, greenhouse whiteflies and tobacco whiteflies   In combination with: Orius spp. against western flower thrips Whitefly parasites against whiteflies P. persimilis or A. californicus against two-spotted spider mites   Good establishment on pollen   Whiteflies can substitute for pollen in peppers   Good results in North and South Europe   May replace A. cucumeris, depending on release permits

Commercial Biological Control Needs  Expertise  New Markets & Products  Science and Technology Improved rearing and release methods Field tests to determine efficacy Compatibility with pesticides Taxonomic support Quality control  Regulations

Pesticide Side Effects

Global QC Programs  Individual Companies Customers  International Standards ISO 9000 ASTM (Amer. Soc. for Testing & Materials) IOBC Guidelines (European Community)  The Marketplace Quality Products

Customer Service  Many companies provide detailed information on how to use their products.  The best companies deliver excellent customer service for site-specific biocontrol.  The marketplace ultimately determines the usefulness of commercial natural enemies.

Information on Commercial Biological Control Information on Commercial Biological Control