Introduction Biocontrol Insects For Greenhouses

Biological Insect Pest Control for Greenhouses

Brooke Edmunds, PhDCSU Extension-Adams County

Regional Specialist, Commercial Greenhouses & Nurseries

What is Biological Control?

The rearing and release of living organisms that seek out and destroy organisms considered to be pests

First known use: 324 BC Chinese growers strategically placed ant colonies

to control foliar insects in citrus trees

Commercial biocontrol started in late 1960’s ~30 species of insects available today

Why consider Biocontrol?

Pesticide options are limited Herbs & vegetables Insecticide resistance

Reduce risk of worker exposure Reduced re-entry times-better scheduling

Outline

General biocontrol agents Common biocontrol insects used in

greenhouses Steps to getting started

Lysiphlebus testaceipes

Parasitoids

Predators

Beauveria bassiana

Pathogens

Heterorhabditis bacteriophora

Entomopathogenic Nematodes

Parasitoids

Predators

Today’s Focus:

Predators & Parasitoids What’s the difference?

Predator: Insect that utilizes other insects as a food source

Parasite: Insect that requires another insect to complete it’s life cycle (eggs laid in other insect)

Specificity of biocontrols

Most biocontrol insects are specific to a pest

Whitefly

Silverleaf whitefly Predator – none commercially available Parasite

Eretmocerus eremicus (wasp)

Greenhouse whitefly Predator – none commercially available Parasite

Encarsia formosa (wasp)

Spider mites-know pest species

Predators Neoseiulus californicus (mite) Mesoseiulus longipes (mite) Galendromus occidentalis (mite) Phytoseiulus persimilis (mite)

Parasite None commercially available

Aphids-Know pest species

Predator Aphidoletes aphidimiza (midge)

Parasite Aphidius colemani (wasp) Aphidius ervi (wasp)

Thrips

Predator Amblyseius cucumeris (mite)

Parasite None commercially available

Generalists

Orius insidiosus (minute pirate bug) Amblyseius swirskiis (predatory mite) Chrysopa carnea (lacewings) Hippodamia convergens (lady beetle)

Getting started:

Accurate Pest ID Most biocontrols are host-specific! For help with identification:

CSU Extension Faculty Adams Co. Greenhouse Plant Diagnostic Lab Internet sources

Scouting Scout pest populations before starting:

What are your pests? Where are your problems? Hot spots? When do they occur?

Getting started:

Scouting After biocontrol release: Are the biocontrol

insects working? Depending on the species released:

Use trap/indicator plants over sticky traps Look for aphid mummies Look for shriveled spider mites Look for blacken pupa

Getting started:

Eggplant in Gerbera crop

Photo: Cornell Univ.

Scouting After biocontrol release: Are the biocontrol

insects working? Depending on the species released:

Use trap/indicator plants over sticky traps Look for aphid mummies Look for shriveled spider mites Look for blacken pupa

Getting started:

Scouting After biocontrol release: Are the biocontrol

insects working? Depending on the species released:

Use trap/indicator plants over sticky traps Look for aphid mummies Look for shriveled spider mites Look for blacken pupa

Getting started:

Photos: UC Davis

Getting started:

Educate yourself Know biology/life cycles of pests & biocontrol

What is optimum environment for biocontrol? Humidity? Temps?

Create resource list & contacts Suppliers, other growers, Extension agent

Encarsia formosa

Getting started:

Start Small Learn the ropes in a single house or with a

single crop Long-term crops (i.e. Poinsettia) work better

than short-term crops (bedding plants)

Getting started:

Give biocontrols best chance for success

•Screen vents to restrict pest entry

•Inspect new plants/quarantine

Screen vents to restrict new pest entry

Getting started:

Plan Ahead-Compatible Pesticides

Compatible pesticides available to treat hot spots?

www.koppert.com or www.biobest.de (click on ‘side effects’) have great databases showing the effect of insecticides on biological control performance

Results are compiled from research studies so small-scale tests should be done

Encarsia formosa (parasitic wasp)

Abamectin (Avid insecticide)

http://www.biobest.be/ click ‘side effects’ on top menu

Getting started:

Select a Supplier Is the supplier a member of the Association of Natural Biocontrol

Producers? Have other growers you know dealt with the supplier before and

been pleased with the service? Does the producer provide information about its products? Do packages arrive quickly (1-3 days), on time and in good

condition? Is the supplier a primary producer of the biocontrol insect, or a

distributor? Is the producer a firm that has been around for some years, or a

small start up company?

Local Sources

No endorsements implied-FYI only!

Hydro Gardens www.hydro-gardens.com (Colorado Springs)

M & R Durango www.goodbug.com (Bayfield)

Web search will turn up other sources

Getting started:

Insure quality during & after shipping

Shipping & holding temp are important!

Shaker bottle of predatory mites mixed with vermiculite

Getting started

Insure quality during & after shipping:

Do counts if possible immediate on arrival If you receive a shipment of biological control agents and

they are all dead: Call the supplier immediately to file a claim.

If the counts are low, let the supplier know before you discard the samples. A rep may want to examine the containers to find out what went wrong and how to remedy the problem. Complain about consistently low counts.

If there is a serious problem or you are having difficulty doing the counts, try to find an extension agent or pest manager to help you.

Getting started:

Know Release Rates & Timing

Getting started:

Success = Patience & Commitment Biocontrol doesn’t produce instant results Requires intensive management Takes more time Balance between allowing biocontrol time to

work and managing an insect outbreak another way

Resources

Univ. of Wisconsin ‘Biological Control of Insects and Other Pests of Greenhouse Crops’ 108 pp (http://learningstore.uwex.edu/pdf/NCR581.pdf )

The Association of Natural Biocontrol Producers http://www.anbp.org/beneficialinsectprofiles.htm

Compatible pesticides with biocontrols www.koppert.com or www.biobest.de (click on ‘side effects’)

Resources-Suppliers

Hydro Gardens www.hydro-gardens.com (Colorado Springs)

M & R Durango www.goodbug.com (Bayfield) Koppert www.kopperts.com Syngenta Bio-line

Brooke Edmunds, PhDCSU Extension-Adams County

Regional Specialist, Commercial Greenhouses & Nurseries

303/637-8016 office

bedmunds@co.adams.co.us

www.adamscountyextension.orgClick on Greenhouse & Nursery then Presentations