Ecosystems III: ecological balance UNIT 8 Ecosystems III: ecological balance BIOLOGICAL WEAPONS Biology and Geology. Secondary Education

Biological weapons WHAT IS BIOLOGICAL CONTROL? UNIT 8 Biological weapons WHAT IS BIOLOGICAL CONTROL? Biological control or biological pest control involves using living organisms that are natural enemies (predators, parasites and/or diseases) of species that are harmful to an ecosystem, in order to eliminate them. In this way, biological control is a natural method of pest control that is based on relationships and functions of living things within ecosystems. Biology and Geology. Secondary Education

Biological weapons WHAT IS BIOLOGICAL CONTROL FOR? UNIT 8 Biological weapons WHAT IS BIOLOGICAL CONTROL FOR? It is used mostly to control plagues of insects. These plagues can have several effects: They cause damage to crops and forests. They can cause disease in animals and humans (for example, the mosquito that causes malaria). Biology and Geology. Secondary Education

Biological weapons ADVANTAGES OF BIOLOGICAL CONTROL UNIT 8 Biological weapons ADVANTAGES OF BIOLOGICAL CONTROL The main advantage of biological control is that it is a natural remedy against plagues and plant diseases, and is an alternative to using insecticides or pesticides. Insecticides and pesticides are highly pollutant chemicals that can affect the environment, contaminating soil, air and water, and also human health. Some of these chemicals, like DDT, were banned once the negative environmental and health effects became known. Biology and Geology. Secondary Education

Biological weapons LADYBIRDS FOR CONTROLLING APHIDS UNIT 8 Biological weapons LADYBIRDS FOR CONTROLLING APHIDS Aphids are a well-known group of insect pests, which are easy to see on garden plants. Ladybirds, whose larvae and adults feed on aphids, can be used to reduce aphids. Bacteria that infect aphids can also be used. Biology and Geology. Secondary Education

Biological weapons BIRDS AND THE PINE PROCESSIONARY UNIT 8 Biological weapons BIRDS AND THE PINE PROCESSIONARY The pine processionary is a caterpillar that seriously affects the pine forests in Spain. Insectivorous birds which inhabit the forests, like titmice, chickadees and nuthatches, are a good way of controlling this plague and controlling the natural balance of the ecosystem: A pair of these birds can consume up to 5 kg of plague-causing insects or invertebrates a year, like the pine caterpillars (pine processionary). If we help breed these birds by placing nesting boxes at sites affected by plagues, these plagues can be controlled and the populations of insectivorous birds will also be conserved. Biology and Geology. Secondary Education