Getting Started with Beneficial Getting Started with Beneficial InsectsInsects

Presented in Oregon January 2010

Starting with BiocontrolsStarting with Biocontrolsoror

Stopping with Chemicals?Stopping with Chemicals?

What we are really talking about is stopping, or reducing the use of chemical pesticides.

Bio-controls are the natural and “normal” method of controlling pests.

Chemical pesticides are basically a 20th Century, temporary solution

Why Reduce using Chemical Why Reduce using Chemical Pesticides?Pesticides?

The Government is removing some for public safety reasons.

The Chemical industry is reducing the number of chemicals available due to registration costs.

Inappropriate use is leading to resistance The active ingredient, or the solvents used can

cause physical damage to the plants. To apply chemicals legally, re-entry times may

disrupt your operation. For your employees, and your own health.

Pros and Cons of Beneficial Pros and Cons of Beneficial InsectsInsects

Pros: Natural and benign No re-entry delays or

special equipment Cost effective if used

appropriately Won’t damage plants No resistance risk Provides a “cooling off”

period for Chemicals

Cons: Limited species

commercially available Some control is achieved

with pest persistent Requires thorough

scouting and identification Can be expensive if not

used appropriately

Starting Point orStarting Point orHow do I Kick the Chemical How do I Kick the Chemical

Habit?Habit? Stop all “routine” spray

programs Clean out your

Chemical arsenal by switching to IPM products

Completely rethink your position on “bugs”

Begin extensive monitoring

Keep a log of when and where pests occur

Identify sensitive plants or plants that act like magnets

Only Spot spray

The Awful TruthThe Awful Truth

What you are trying to do is natural, but you are working with unnatural conditions in an unnatural time frame

You cannot afford to let nature “take its course” You are working with some of the harshest

environments on earth Your budget is being reduced, as we speak You can’t keep doing what you are doing Your customers are not sympathetic and expect healthy,

insect free plants

The New RealityThe New Reality

IPM is a proven systemMany Gardens, such as Kew in England

and Butchart in Canada, are featuring Beneficial Insects as part of the show

Children are learning about Beneficial Insects in school, they will be expecting you to be using them when they become your customers

Small BeginningsSmall Beginnings

Start with a specific problem

Involve all of your staff Get outside help, make

your supplier “buy into” the project

Pick something that Chemicals can’t do well

Building on SuccessBuilding on Success

Once you have achieved a small success, involve your Directors and your customers. Let it become their idea.

Make it part of the “act”, put signs out

Make it a media event

The Realistic GoalsThe Realistic Goals Your nursery becomes known as one that incorporates

“correct” methods Your pest control budget stays the same, or is reduced Your plants are healthier and bigger (by about 15%)

especially in propagation You and your employees are healthier and happier The Beneficials become part of the show You may be able to sell Beneficials to your customers,

increasing your sales potential

Introducing some of the TeamIntroducing some of the Team

The following Beneficial Insects are proven performers for both outdoor and indoor

I will use specific examples of their applications for illustration

In most cases, they are available from numerous producers and suppliers

Spider Mite PredatorSpider Mite PredatorStethorus punctillumStethorus punctillum

Rookie of the year candidate

Consumes all Spider Mites it has faced

Flies, finds mites by smell Is not intimidated by high

temps and low humidity Excellent results in

Raspberries in Oregon, hops in Washington, indoor palms in Las Vegas

Spider Mite PredatorSpider Mite PredatorAmblyseius fallacisAmblyseius fallacis

Predatory mite that controls every pest mite

Persists outdoors Alternate food is pollen Best control for Bamboo

mite, European Red mite Excellent results in Mint in

Montana, Bamboo in Oregon, Spruce in Washington, Cedar in B.C., Greenhouse Tomatoes in New England

Aphid PredatorAphid PredatorAphidoletes aphidimyzaAphidoletes aphidimyza

Goes after all aphids and close relatives except “Wooly” aphid

Over winters as far north as Sweden

Completely cleans infested plants

Flying adults find prey by smell

Cycles indoor and outdoor

Whitefly PredatorWhitefly PredatorDelphastus catalinaeDelphastus catalinae

Predator for all species of Whitefly

Excellent flyer, finds prey by smell

Prefers eggs, therefore eliminates “hot-spots” before they occur and works well with Encarsia formosa

Is not intimidated by high Whitefly densities

Sample StrategiesSample Strategies

Basic Rules;

Don’t Panic Identify correctly Consider physical

situation Don’t ignore history Keep an annual diary

Turning a “Problem” into an Turning a “Problem” into an “Opportunity”“Opportunity”

Chronically infested plants can become “indicator” plants for easier scouting, or, “Banker” plants for control strategies.

Example: Whitefly; use these plants to determine when Whitefly begins, then focus your Encarsia and Delphastus on them. You will begin to generate large numbers of Beneficials that will disperse.

Example: Spider Mite; use these plants to determine when Spider Mites are breaking dormancy. Treat them with Phytoseiulus persimilis or S. punctillum. If using P. p., begin dispersing leaves when control is evident.

Bamboo Mite InfestationBamboo Mite Infestation

Apply Amblyseius fallacis on infected plants: 500 per plant

Apply any time of year

Control will occur in the following year; most of the predation is on the ground, over winter

Spider mites on TreesSpider mites on Trees

Apply A. fallacis to affected areas: Rate 2000 per tree

Apply Hypoaspis miles around tree base: Rate 1000 / sq meter

Control occurs in following year

Black-vine Root WeevilBlack-vine Root Weevil

Apply H. miles around base of plant: Rate 2500 per sq meter

Apply any time of year

Control occurs in following year