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ARS Home » Plains Area » Fargo, North Dakota » Edward T. Schafer Agricultural Research Center » Sunflower and Plant Biology Research » Research » Publications at this Location » Publication #124506
Title: BIOLOGICAL CONTROL OF AGRICULTURAL PESTS IN NORTH DAKOTA

Author
item Charlet, Laurence
item OLSON, DENISE - NORTH DAKOTA STATE UNIV
item GLOGOZA, PHILLIP - NORTH DAKOTA STATE UNIV

Submitted to: North Dakota State University Cooperative Extension Bulletin
Publication Type: Experiment Station
Publication Acceptance Date: 7/26/2001
Publication Date: N/A
Citation: N/A

Interpretive Summary: The use of biological control is a fundamental tactic for suppression of pests within an effective Integrated Pest Management (IPM) program. It is the use of natural enemies against a pest population to reduce the insect's density and damage to a level lower than would occur in their absence. Biological control has the advantage of being self-perpetuating once established and usually does not harm nontarget organisms found in the environment. It is not polluting or as disruptive to the environment as chemical pesticides, nor does it leave residues on food, a concern to many people today. Biological control also fits well in combination with other IPM strategies. There are many factors that can influence the success of beneficial organisms in reducing pest densities to manageable levels. Thus, in many situations, the biological control method will need to be utilized in concert with other tactics. This is consistent with the IPM approach to pest control to ensure that the least disruptive practices that fit best into sustainable agriculture are used. This paper discusses the different approaches to biological control and the agents of biological control including parasites, predators, and pathogens or diseases. Examples of biological control agents for pests of canola, potatoes, sunflower, sugarbeets, corn, and small grains are presented. The biological control of the weed pests leafy spurge and purple loosestrife also are discussed. Challenges for the future include studies to identify the complex of natural enemies in cultivated crops, understand the biology and population dynamics of natural enemies associated with major pest species, and determine how different IPM practices can best be used to ensure their compatibility with the natural enemies.

Technical Abstract: The use of biological control is a fundamental tactic for suppression of pests within an effective Integrated Pest Management (IPM) program. It is the use of natural enemies against a pest population to reduce the insect's density and damage to a level lower than would occur in their absence. Biological control has the advantage of being self-perpetuating once established and usually does not harm nontarget organisms found in the environment. It is not polluting or as disruptive to the environment as chemical pesticides, nor does it leave residues on food, a concern to many people today. Biological control also fits well in combination with other IPM strategies. There are many factors that can influence the success of beneficial organisms in reducing pest densities to manageable levels. Thus, in many situations, the biological control method will need to be utilized in concert with other tactics. This is consistent with the IPM approach to pest control to ensure that the least disruptive practices that fit best into sustainable agriculture are used. This paper discusses the different approaches to biological control and the agents of biological control including parasites, predators, and pathogens or diseases. Examples of biological control agents for pests of canola, potatoes, sunflower, sugarbeets, corn, and small grains are presented. The biological control of the weed pests leafy spurge and purple loosestrife also are discussed. Challenges for the future include studies to identify the complex of natural enemies in cultivated crops, understand the biology and population dynamics of natural enemies associated with major pest species, and determine how different IPM practices can best be used to ensure their compatibility with the natural enemies.