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ARS Home » Southeast Area » Gainesville, Florida » Center for Medical, Agricultural and Veterinary Entomology » Insect Behavior and Biocontrol Research » Research » Publications at this Location » Publication #401383
Research Project: Managing Invasive Weeds and Insect Pests Using Biologically-Based Methods

Location: Insect Behavior and Biocontrol Research

Title: Estimating the cost of production of two pentatomids and one braconid for the biocontrol of Spodoptera frugiperda (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae) in maize fields in Florida

Author
item PERIER, JERMAINE - Florida A & M University
item HASEEB, M - Florida A & M University
item SOLIS, D - Florida A & M University
item KANGA, L - Florida A & M University
item Legaspi, Jesusa

Submitted to: Insects
Publication Type: Peer Reviewed Journal
Publication Acceptance Date: 2/7/2023
Publication Date: 2/9/2023
Citation: Perier, J.D., Haseeb, M., Solis, D., Kanga, L.H., Legaspi, J.C. 2023. Estimating the cost of production of two pentatomids and one braconid for the biocontrol of Spodoptera frugiperda (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae) in maize fields in Florida. Insects. 14(2):169. https://doi.org/10.3390/insects14020169.
DOI: https://doi.org/10.3390/insects14020169

Interpretive Summary: Natural enemies have long been recognized as significant components for pest regulation in agricultural systems and other pest-impacted ecosystems. Despite considerable evaluation of efficacy of natural enemies for integrated pest management programs, the economics of production of such agents have not been addressed. Small-scale growers and farmers benefit the most from effective integrated pest management programs, especially with the increasing control failures from cheaper insecticide options. Researchers from Florida A&M University and USDA-ARS-CMAVE in Tallahassee, FL provided a cost analysis for a small-scale farm level the production of several effective biocontrol agents. This evaluation is an important component in the promotion and implementation of the use of natural enemies for regional integrated pest management by small-scale growers.

Technical Abstract: The fall armyworm is a polyphagous lepidopteran pest that primarily feeds on valuable global crops like maize. Insecticides and transgenic crops have long been a primary option for fall armyworm control despite growing concerns about transgenic crop resistance inheritance and the rate of insecticide resistance development. Global dissemination of the pest species has highlighted the need for more sustainable approaches to managing overwhelming populations both in their native range and newly introduced regions. As such, integrated pest management programs require more information on natural enemies of the species to make informed planning choices. In this study, we present a cost analysis of the production of three biocontrol agents of the fall armyworm over a year. This model is malleable and aimed towards small-scale growers who might benefit more from an augmentative release of natural enemies than a repetitive use of insecticides. Especially since the benefits of using either is similar, but the biological control option has a lower development cost and is more environmentally sustainable.