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ARS Home » Midwest Area » Columbia, Missouri » Biological Control of Insects Research » Research » Publications at this Location » Publication #145885
Title: IMPROVED PRODUCTION AND EFFICACY OF BIOLOGICAL CONTROL AGENTS

Author
item Wagner, Renee
item McIntosh, Arthur
item Coudron, Thomas
item Shelby, Kent
item Popham, Holly
item Grasela, James
item Goodman, Cynthia
item Brandt, Sandra
item Wright Osment, Maureen

Submitted to: University of Missouri Life Sciences Week
Publication Type: Abstract Only
Publication Acceptance Date: 2/18/2003
Publication Date: 3/3/2003
Citation: WAGNER, R.M., MCINTOSH, A.H., COUDRON, T.A., SHELBY, K., POPHAM, H.J., GRASELA, J.J., GOODMAN, C.L., BRANDT, S.L., WRIGHT OSMENT, M.M. Improved Production and Efficacy of Biological Control Agents. UNIVERSITY OF MISSOURI LIFE SCIENCES WEEK. 2003. Available from: http://lsrdb.missouri.edu/cgi-bin/searchsortlsrdb.cgi.

Interpretive Summary:

Technical Abstract: In order to optimize the use of biological control agents in augmentative or inundative releases, it is necessary to have adequate numbers of high quality organisms that are well suited for the environment into which they will be released. For predators and parasites, this requires development of cost-effective rearing methods, knowledge about the induction and termination of diapause, and identification of resistance and/or susceptibility of these organisms to chemical insecticides that may be present in the agricultural system. For pathogens such as baculoviruses, this requires knowledge of the host range, development of cost-effective propagation systems, protection from UV light, improvement in the rate of kill of pest insects, and knowledge about the potential for development of resistance to these pathogens. Research at the USDA, Agricultural Research Service, Biological Control of Insects Research Laboratory (BCIRL) in Columbia, Missouri addresses these issues.