Integrated Pest Management(IPM)

What is a pest organism?Depends on who is defining it!

What is a pest?Unwanted or undesirable organism Reduces value of human resources

(food, feed, water, or space)Injures humans, animals, crops,

structures, and possessionsSpreads or causes diseaseCauses annoyance, discomfort,

inconvenience, interference

What is Integrated Pest Management?A planned method to manage

pestsControl, not eradication is the

goalExamines ecosystem impactsExamines human health impactsEvaluates effectiveness

constantlyDoes not rely solely on chemical

pesticides (but includes them when appropriate)

Biological Control(one method used in IPC)The planned introduction of living

organisms to control the population of pest organisms

Relies on predation, parasitism or herbivores

Usually done by government authorities (e.g. Ontario Ministry of Natural Resources)

Extensive research before it is done – examining ecosystem effects- such as potential for organism to become an invasive species

Biological Control – 3 methodsConservation of natural enemies

(e.g. providing habitat / food source for predator/parasite species)

Classical – introduce a foreign species to prey on / parasitize another

Augmentation – supplemental release of natural enemies to increase their population

ExamplesAsian ladybeetles released in

North America (1980s) to control aphidsVERY SUCCESSFUL!

Maybe too successful!Outcompeted native ladybeetles

for food (aphids) and the native species population has decreased

Now considered a nuisance themselves by many as they tend to overwinter indoors and can stain things when squashed

Parasitic Wasps or FliesWasps or flies lay their eggs on

or in another insect. Developing larvae use the host insect as food.

Herbivores to control weedsExample: introduction of moth

species to control Leafy Spurge (British Columbia)

Before After

Biological Control – 2 examples

Parasitic Wasps

Video linkshttp://www.youtube.com/watch?v

=Hj3DwimxvvY

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rLtUk-W5Gpk