Biological Pest Controls

Plant: Periwinkle

Term: Biological Controls

PeriwinkleVinca minor

• Perennial, evergreen, groundcover• USDA Hardiness Zones: 4a to 9a • Height: 6" to 12" , spread 12-14”• Exposure: shade to full sun • Bloom Color: Blue, Lavender, Purple, White • Leaf Color: Green • Growth Rate: fast • Can become invasive• Landscape Uses: Erosion control, Ground cover

Biological Control

• A method of controlling pests that relies on living organisms

• Can be a– Predator– Competitor– Parasite– Pathogen – causes disease

• The arthropod predators of insects and mites include beetles, lacewings, midges, spiders, wasps, and predatory mites.

• Insect predators can be found throughout plants, including the parts below ground, as well as in nearby shrubs and trees.

• Some predators are specialized others are generalists. • Some are extremely useful natural enemies of insect pests.

Unfortunately, some prey on other beneficial insects as well as pests.

• Major characteristics of arthropod predators:– adults and immatures are often generalists rather than specialists – they generally are larger than their prey – they kill or consume many prey – males, females, immatures, and adults may be predatory – they attack immature and adult prey

Predators

Bt, or Bacillus thuringiensis

• A biological control - pathogen• Bt is a natural bacteria found at low levels

in soils. • Effective organic pesticide• It works by secreting one or more toxins

after being ingested by an insect. • Only works if it is eaten – not on contact• Beginning to have problems due to

overuse

Parasitoid

• Insect parasitoids have an immature life stage that develops on or within a single insect host, ultimately killing the host.

• Major characteristics of insect parasitoids:– they are specialized in their choice of host – they are smaller than host – only the female searches for host – different parasitoid species can attack different life stages of host – eggs or larvae are usually laid in, on, or near host – immatures remain on or in host; adults are free-living, mobile,

and may be predaceous – Immatures almost always kill host

Growing Environment

• Use companion planting to repel insects

• Provide habitat for predators

• Use polyculture over monoculture

• Optimal soil health

• Optimal humidity levels

• Healthy plants more resistant

Biorational Pesticides

• Pest control materials that are relatively non-toxic to people with few environmental side-effects – All pesticides have some toxicity

• Insecticidal soap• Botanicals are plant-derived materials

– pyrethrin, – Azadiractin– neem oil– garlic – capsaicin– vegetable oil

• Botanicals are generally short-lived in the environment, as they are broken down rapidly in the presence of light and air.

} plant extracts