Here, if we are using bacteria or fungi, they are grown in special containers with enough nutrients that allow them to rapidly grow in numbers. Next, research is done to make large quantities of the "good" natural enemy. This is a very important step because we don't want this new organism to create new problems. Once in the laboratory, a lot of research is done to see whether it could harm non-target organisms, like bees for example, once it is released into the new location. Usually this is done in the pest's native habitat. First, we try to discover a "good" natural enemy, which could be a fungi, bacteria, or insect that can kill the target pest. JR – It depends on the biocontrol organism to be used. Several scientists at ARS are currently working and evaluating a range of these biological parasites, from nematodes to bacteria, fungi, viruses and tiny parasitic wasps to control a variety of destructive pests. In addition, they can be very specific where they target just a specific pest, thus being economical in the long term, and in some cases can be a self-sustaining system. Some of the advantages of microbial control include reducing chemical pesticide use, improving crop quality, and reducing environmental contamination. This process is called biological control, and consists of using the pests' natural enemies, which can be other insects, bacteria, virus, nematodes, or fungi, to control the pest population. JR – Microbial pesticides and parasitic insects offer an environmentally-friendly alternative with the potential to alleviate huge economic losses to U.S. UM – What are the advantages of using microbial pesticides, such as bacterial, fungal, and viral insect pathogens, nematodes, and parasitoids? However, the persistence of chemical-pesticide toxicity in the environment, their effects on non-target organisms, including humans, and the increase in insecticide resistance demands the need for alternative methods of control that are pest specific, non-harmful to humans, and do not develop resistance.ĪRS research technician Molly Schumacher and Summer Student Volunteer Yashoda Narayanan collect mosquito larvae from abandoned tires at a State Park. They have been essential for the expansion and growth of agriculture and for the control of mosquito-borne diseases affecting public health. JR – Chemical pesticides can quickly control an insect pest population, especially covering large areas. Why is there a need for an alternative method? UM – Chemical pesticides are commonly used in agriculture to control pests that can harm crops. Growing concerns include insecticide resistance, introduction of new invasive species, and the geographical expansion of already established insect pests. For example, mosquitoes and ticks can transmit diseases to humans and livestock. In addition, arthropod pests also have an impact on human/animal health. The impact of insect pests to crops runs in the billions of dollars, affecting major industries such as citrus, grapes, avocados, corn, etc. These potential new pests, in addition to the ones already established, pose a threat to agriculture and public health. JR – There is an ever growing invasion of new invasive pests into the United States. How much do insects impact our crops, fields, and yields, and what are the growing concerns with these disruptive insects? UM – Pest management has always been a priority for farmers. He recently presented on the mechanisms of mosquito recognition of entomopathogenic fungal infection at the Entomological Society of America Annual Meeting in St. He is currently working on developing microbial pesticides for the effective control of mosquitoes and the pathogens they transmit. Jose Ramirez is a research entomologist at ARS's Crop Bioprotection Research facility in Peoria, IL. Biological "Green" Alternatives to Chemical Pesticidesĭr.
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