Integrated Pest Management

What is Integrated Pest Management? Define biological control. List 3 insects that have been controlled without man-made chemicals. List 1 plant disease controlled by biological means. Define integrated pest management.

What is biological control? Control of insects by the use of the natural enemies of certain insects rather than chemical substances. All creatures have natural enemies. If not, the world would be taken over by insects! 1 aphid can produce 318 million aphids in 1 month!

NATURAL PREDATORS

Examples that Work!!!! 1940s-1950s Japanese beetle was a serious pest in eastern US. Much $ (millions) spent on chemicals that had to be applied year after year. Two natural enemies brought in to reduce infestations.

Examples that Work!!!! Spring Tiphia wasp controls the Japanese Beetle.

Examples that Work!!!! Mexican Bean Beetle is a common pest. A wasp can lay eggs inside the larva stage of the beetle, which will kill the beetle.

Digger Wasp Controls the population of Japanese beetle and Mexican bean beetle

Braconid Wasp larvae on Tobacco Hornworm The eggs will hatch and the tiny larvae will enter the tobacco hornworm and kill it.

Green Lacewing effectively controls aphids and many other soft-bodied insects

Aphids Common pest

Lady Bug Larvae Eats aphids

Seven-spotted Ladybug Eats aphids

Disease and Insect-Resistant Plants

Some plants kill off insects or scare them away with different tastes or scents.

Gingko Tree Insects never bother this tree

Neem Tree a natural pesticide can be found in the tree. Acts as an insect repellant and interrupts the growth cycles of insects. Does not kill adult insects, but prevents them from eating. It does kill the larva stage. It is SYSTEMIC Absorbed by plant. Once insect eats plant, insect goes away or dies.

Others…. Basil Effective repellant for mites, aphids, and mosquitoes. Big Sagebrush Prevents the Colorado potato beetle from feeding.

What is integrated pest management (IPM)? Combining the use of few pesticides and many natural biological predators to control unwanted insects.

SO, why use Biological Control? 1.In many cases, it is much cheaper in the long run. 2.These controls do not poison the environment. 3.Insects are becoming resistant to many pesticides. 4.Many man-made chemicals are proven to cause cancer and other diseases. 5.Some chemicals are getting into our drinking water. 6.The EPA is restricting the use of some pesticides, so fewer are available.