2. Biological Control 101 J. P. CUDA ENTOMOLOGY & NEMATOLOGY DEPARTMENT GAINESVILLE, FL 32611-0620

3. Instructor: Dr. Jim Cuda phone (392-1901 ext 126) email (jcuda@gnv
Instructor: Dr. Jim Cuda phone ( ext 126)
Research Area: Biological Control of Invasive Weeds & Insect Pests

4. TOPICS Natural vs biological control
Conceptual basis for biological control
Biological control definition
Types of natural enemies
Practice of biological control
                
                

5. What is Natural Control ?
Action of biotic factors in regulating pest populations
Biotic- natural enemies; density dependent
Abiotic- environmental; density independent
No human involvement
Operates unnoticed until lost
Naturally Occurring Biological Control or Natural Regulation
                
                

6. What is Biological Control?
Using living natural enemies to control pests
Involves manipulation of natural enemies by people
Recognized as foundation of IPM
                
                

7. Take Home Message Natural control & biological control are different
Natural control - no human involvement
Biological control - an action taken by people
                
                

8. Biological Control is NOT :
Natural control or regulation
Passive process
Reduction in pesticide use
Enhances natural control
Using Bt or similar products
Non-living; not self-sustaining
Biorational control
                
                

9. TOPICS Natural vs biological control
Conceptual basis for biological control
Biological control definition
Types of natural enemies
Practice of biological control
                
                

10. Conceptual / Ecological Basis for Biological Control
Pests establish equilibrium density (ED)
Biological control lowers ED & maintains it below economic injury level (EIL)
Natural Enemy ED
EIL
NUMBER ED
TIME

11. Annual Changes in Insect Populations
Natural
                
                
Chemical
Biological
Data from J. H. Frank

12. TOPICS Natural vs biological control
Conceptual basis for biological control
Biological control definition
Types of natural enemies
Practice of biological control
                
                

13. Practical Definition of
Biological Control
What- Prevention or reduction of pest populations
By Whom – Live natural enemies
How – Classical & Non-classical approaches
                
                

14. The “ What ” of Biological Control
Prevention – cause early pest mortality
Reduction – lower pest density to pre-economic levels
                
                

15. Objectives of Biological Control
PREVENTION
Requires early monitoring
Useful against predictable pests
Information intensive
Pest
EIL
Natural Enemy
NUMBER
TIME

16. Objectives of Biological Control
REDUCTION
Natural enemies added after pest exceeds EIL
Reduce pest to pre-economic level ( and maintain it)
Usually last resort
Pest
Natural Enemy
EIL
NUMBER
TIME

17. Practical Definition of
Biological Control
What- Prevention or reduction of pest populations
By Whom – Live natural enemies
How – Classical & Non-classical approaches
                
                

18. Natural Enemies-the “ Whom ”
Predator- consumes more than one prey item during its development
Lady beetle
Parasitoid- lives in / on body of one host eventually killing it
Parasitic fly or wasp
Entomopathogen- disease causing organism
Nematode, bacterium, fungus, protozoan, virus)
                
                

19. Kinds of Natural Enemies
                
                
DPI
DPI

20. Practical Definition of
Biological Control
What- Prevention or reduction of pest populations
By Whom – Live natural enemies
How – Classical & Non-classical approaches
                
                

21. Biological Control Tactics –
the “ How ”
Classical Approach
Importation
Non-classical Approaches
Conservation
Augmentation
Inundative
Inoculative
                
                

22. Biological Control Tactics –
the “ How ”
Importation (Classical)
Introduction of specialist natural enemies from homeland of non-native pests
Reunites natural enemies with host
Requires risk assessment
Performed by trained scientists
                
                

23. Biological Control Tactics–
the “ How ”
Conservation ( Non-classical )
Maintain & enhance natural enemies
Alter management practices
Strip-cropping, preserving non-crop habitats
Supplemental food for natural enemies
Nectar sources, additional hosts
Alter use & timing of pesticides
                
                

24. Biological Control Tactics–
the “ How ”
Augmentation ( Non-classical )
Adding to the numbers & kinds of natural enemies to increase pest mortality
Two types:
Inundative- Mass rear & release natural enemy to overwhelm pest
Inoculative- Release small numbers early in pest cycle
                
                

25. TOPICS Natural vs biological control
Conceptual basis for biological control
Biological control definitions
Types of natural enemies
Practice of biological control
                
                

26. Biological Control COMPLETE- No other control methods needed
Defining Success in
Biological Control
COMPLETE- No other control methods needed
SUBSTANTIAL- Other methods needed at reduced levels
NEGLIGIBLE- Other methods necessary to control pests
                
                

27. Biological Control Advantages of Minimal side effects on non-targets
Safe for people to handle & use
Costs- inexpensive ( Classical )
Pests unlikely to develop resistance to natural enemies
                
                

28. Biological Control Disadvantages of Not an off-the-shelf technology
Results are not immediate
Costs- can be very expensive ( Augmentation )
Unpredictable- natural enemies may not establish or are not effective
                
                

29. Biological Control ? Why Consider Foundation of IPM
Role in sustainable agriculture
Environmentally sound
Economically feasible
Proven but not fully exploited
Federal and state mandates
                
                

30. Message
IFAS is putting FLORIDA FIRST in biological control of insect pests and weeds
http: // floridafirst.ufl.edu