Dr. Pio A. Javier

Research Professor, Crop Protection Cluster

College of Agriculture, UPLB, College, Laguna

pajentom@yahoo.com/0927-329-3893

MANAGEMENT OF PESTS IN ORGANIC

AGRRICULTURE WITH EMPHASIS ON

BIOLOGICAL CONTROL AGENTS

AND BIO PESTICIDES

Paper to be presented during the 8th National Organic

Agriculture Conference, Ninoy Aquino Center, Hacienda

Luisita, Tarlac City, November 8-11, 2011.

MANAGEMENT OF PESTS IN ORGANIC AGRICULTURE WITH EMPHASIS

ON BIOLOGICAL CONTROL AGENTS AND BIO PESTICIDES

OUTLINE

I. Introduction 1. Definition of organic agriculture

2. Pest problems in organically-grown crops

3. Management of pests in organically grown crops

II. Biological Control Agents 1. Parasitoids- Trichogramma, Diadegma, Aphytis

2. Predators – earwigs, stink bug, coccinellid predators

3. Microbials - NPV, Beauveria, Bacillus

II. Botanical Pesticides 1. Previous Researches

2. Extraction/Preparations

III. Other Control Methods 1. Cultural Control 3. Other Control Methods

2. Physical Control

IV. Conclusion

LEARNING OBJECTIVES

To recognize the common insect pests

of representative crops and their

characteristic damage,

To list and discuss the different management

strategies against insect pests of organically-

grown crop with emphasis on biological

control agents and botanical insecticides.

1. Three body regions :

a. Head – bears the compound eyes, ocelli, mouthparts & antennae

b. Thorax – bears 3 pairs of legs and 2 pairs of wings

1. Prothorax – bears prolegs

2. Mesothorax – bears midlegs and forewings

3. Metathorax - bears hindlegs and hindwings

c. Abdomen – bears the spiracles and reproductive system

Characteristics of Insects

Lateral view of a

generalized insect

Characteristics of insects …….

4. One pair of antennae

2. Three pairs of legs in

the adult stage

3. One or two pairs of wings

* Forewings (outer wings)

* Hindwings (inner wings)

1. Three body regions

General Types of Insect Development:

Adult Pupa

Egg

1st instar larva

2nd instar

3rd instar

4th instar

a. C o m p l e t e

Metamorphosis

5th instar

b. Incomplete

metamorphosis

General Types of Insect Development …………….

Adult

1st instar

nymph

Egg

2nd instar

nymph

3rd instar

nymph

4th instar

nymph

5th instar

nymph

Classification of Insects I. According to mouthparts

A. Chewing insects – remove pieces of

plant tissue, eat leaves.

B. Sucking insects – pierce plant

tissue and remove plant sap

C. Boring insects – bore into the

fruit or stalk and eat plant tissue

II. According to Taxonomic Order

Example of Insect Classification

Common name - Asian Corn Borer

Order - Lepidoptera

Family - Pyralidae

Scientific name – Ostrinia furnacalis (Guenee)

Genus Species Parenthesis indicates that

O. furnacalis was under

another genus

Taxonomist originally

describing the species

Reasons for Success of Insects:

2. Prolific – produce many offspring * Common cutworm lay more than 1,500 eggs

3. Majority can fly – responsible for long distance travel.

4. Small – about 2.5 to 4.5 mm long; difficult to detect.

6. Wide host range * survive and multiply in several host plants

1. Short developmental period – devt. from egg to adult ~1 mo.

Organic Crop Production

Demand for organically-grown crops is very high.

Organic crop production is quite difficult because pests are

generally the major constrains in successful production of

quality crops.

Chemicals can not be used to control insect pests and

diseases and to improve plant nutrition.

Growers should recognize the major pests attacking crops,

their life cycle , behavior and their vulnerable stage.

Growers are not aware of the control strategies to be

implemented in organic crop production.

Republic Act 10068

Organic Agriculture Act of 2010

IMPLEMENTING RULES AND REGULATIONS

Republic Act 10068

Declaration of Policy

It is hereby declared the policy of the State to promote, propagate, develop further and implement the practice of organic agriculture in the Philippines

A comprehensive program for the promotion of community-based organic agriculture systems shall be undertaken

The State recognizes and supports the central role of the farmers, indigenous people and other stakeholders at the grassroots of the program

“Organic agriculture” includes all agricultural systems that promote

the ecologically sound, socially acceptable, economically viable and

technically feasible production of food and fibers.

OA dramatically reduces external inputs by refraining from the use

of chemical fertilizers, pesticides & pharmaceuticals.

OA also covers areas such as but not limited to, soil fertility

management, varietal breeding * selection under chemical & pesticide-

free conditions, the use of biotechnology & other cultural practices that

are consistent w/ the principles & policies of this Act, & enhance

productivity w/o destroying the soil & harming farmers, consumers & the

environment as defined by the International Federation of Organic

Agriculture Movement (IFOAM): provided, that the biotechnology herein

referred to shall not include genetically modified organisms or GMOs.

WHAT IS ORGANIC AGRICULTURE (OA)?

Pest, Disease and Weed Management

Organic farming systems should be carried out in a way, w/c ensures

that losses from pests, diseases, & weeds are prevented.

Use of synthetic pesticides (herbicides, fungicides, insecticides,

molluscicides, nematicides etc.) are prohibited.

The natural enemies of pests & diseases should be protected through

proper habitat mgt. while encouraging hedges, nesting sites, etc.

Weeds are controlled by a number of preventive cultural techniques

limiting their development, e.g. suitable rotations, green manure, a

balanced fertilization program, early seedbed preparations & pre-

drilling, mulching, & by mechanical control.

Efforts should be made to select varieties well adapted to the

environment, to achieve a balanced fertilization program, fertile soils of

high biological activity, diverse rotations, companion planting, green

manure, etc.

Products used for pest, disease & weed mgt. prepared at the

farm from local plants, animals & microorganisms are

allowed.

OCCP have listing of products that may be used for the

control of pests and diseases , & list of recommended plants

vs. some pests/diseases .

Thermic weed control & physical methods for pest, disease &

weed mgt are permitted. Thermic sterilization of soils to

combat pests & diseases can be allowed by the certification

body in circumstances where a proper rotation or renewal of

soil cannot take place.

All equipment used for the apl’n of pesticides & fertilizers on

unconverted areas of the farm shall be properly cleaned &

free from residues when used for applying permitted

substances on organically managed areas. Spraying

equipment in particular should be exclusively used in organic

farms.

The use of genetically engineered organisms or products

thereof is not permitted.

All synthetic products like growth regulators & dyes (e.g. for

cosmetic alterations of organic products) are prohibited. Off-

farm products that may be used for growth regulation are

seaweed.

Products used for regulating growth & devt . of plants

prepared on the farm itself from local plants, animals &

microorganisms are allowed.

A. Insect Pests of Tomato Common Name Scientific Name

1. Tomato fruitworm Helicovepa armigera

2. Whitefly Bemesia tabaci

3. Corn semi-looper Chrysodeixis eriosoma

4. Common cutworm Spodoptera litura

5. Leafhopper Amrasca biguttula

6. Lady beetle Epilachna vigintioctopunctata

7. Leafminer Liromyza spp.

1. Tomato fruitworm, Helicoverpa armigera

Larvae

Damage:

Pupa Adult

Bore into petioles, flowers and flower buds or fruits which

eventually fall-off

2. Whitefly, Bemesia tabaci

Colony Adult Nymphs & eggs

• Both nymphs and adults suck plant sap

• Transmit leaf curl virus

Damage:

B. Insect Pests of Eggplant

Common Name Scientific Name

1. Eggplant borer Leucinodes orbonalis

2. Common cutworm Spodoptera litura

3. Corn semi-looper Chrysodeixis eriosoma

4. Whitefly Bemesia tabaci

5. Leafhopper Amrasca biguttula

6. Lady beetle Epilachna vigintioctopunctata

1. Eggplant Borer,

Leucinodes orbonalis

Larva bores & feeds on

flowers, shoots & fruits

Total larval period = 15 days with 6 instars

Mature larva leaves the host & spin a

leathery cocoon in the plant

pupation takes 9.44 to 11.5 d

Adult longevity: 4 days (male) & 7.5 days

(female)

Lays eggs singly at night;

up to 121 eggs

Egg hatches in 4-6 days

wilting of infested shoots

falling of flowers; surviving flowers result

in small and irregularly shaped fruits

feeding on fruits; presence of exit holes

caused 20-80% yield reduction

1. Eggplant Borer

…….continued

Damage:

2. Common cutworm, Spodopotera litura

Egg mass Larva Pupae Adults

D a m a g e

• Larva feeds (holes)

on the leaf.

• Larva bores on the

outer portion of

fruit.

C. Insect Pests of Crucifers

(cabbage, pechay, mustard, radish, cauliflower

Common Name Scientific Name

1. Diamondback moth Plutella xylostella

2. Cabbage moth Crocidolomia pavonana

3. Common cutworm Sopodoptera litura

4. Cabbage webworm Hellula undalis

5. Flea beetle Phylotreta striolata

6. Aphids Aphis gossypii

1. Diamondback moth, Plutella xylostella

Larvae and Damage Adult

Damage:

* Appears as irregularly chewed patches in the leaves but the

veins & upper epidermis are left, producing a characteristic

window effect.

2. Cabbage worm, Crocidolomia pavonana

Damage:

Larva feeds on the leaves,

w/c often results in non-

formation of heads &

perforation of the leaves

on non-forming crucifers.

D. Insect Pests of Cucurbits

Common Name Scientific Name

1. Melon worm Diaphania indica

2. Fruitfly Bactrocera cucurbitae

3. Aphids Aphis gossypii

4. Squash beetle Aulacophora indica

1. Melon worm, Diaphania indica

Damage:

Caterpillar feeds on the underside of the leaves and may

even consume the entire leaf.

Also feed on fruit skin when leaves are already mature.

2. Melon fly,

Bactrocera

cucurbitae

Damage:

* Maggots feed on

the stems & fruits

causing stem &

fruit rot.

* Severe infestation

results in so

many fruit drops

or decay of

immature fruits.

Eggs Maggots Pupae

Adult Adult laying on fruit

Life Cycle of

Melon Fruitfly

Part II