What are examples of biological control agents?
Beneficials and Biocontrol agents – an overview:
- Aphidius – parasitoid of aphids.
- Cucumeris – predatory mite of thrips.
- Encarsia – parasitoid of whitefly.
- Entomopathogenis nematodes – insecticidal nematodes which attack a range of insect pests.
- Hypoapsis – predatory mite of fungus gnats.
What is a biocontrol agent?
Biological control agent refers to the use of natural or modified organisms, gene products, to reduce the effects of undesirable organisms and to favor desirable organisms such as crops, beneficial insects, and microorganisms.
How is biological control used?
Biological control is an alternative to using pesticides and involves using one species or biological agent to control the population size of another species. The organism used is called a biological control agent. By releasing a natural predator into the crop growing area, the number of pests can be reduced.
When should biological control be used?
The goal of using biological controls therefore is to suppress pest populations below damaging or intolerable levels. There are three ways people use these organisms in their gardens, greenhouses or farms to help suppress pests; they import, augment or conserve and/or encourage them.
Which insect is used for biological control?
Aphid mummies and a parasitic wasp (Lysiphlebus testaceipes). Biological control is the beneficial action of parasites, pathogens, and predators in managing pests and their damage….Predators.
| PESTS | mealybugs |
|---|---|
| Lacewings | X |
| Lady beetles | X |
| Parasitic wasps | X |
| Other Groups and Examples | mealybug destroyer lady beetle |
What are the four Group of biocontrol agents?
Bacillus thuringiensis, Tobacco mosaic virus, Aphids, Trichoderma and Baculovirus are the correct group of biocontrol agents.
What is the downside of releasing a biological control agent?
Disadvantages of biological control Biological control agents are expensive to find. The greatest expense is during the field survey and early testing stage which must be conducted overseas. Suitable agents may not even exist. Potential agents are also expensive to test for specificity.