Biological control beats insect resistance

Wednesday, 10 November 2010, 8:30 am
Article: sticK

Biological control beats insect resistance

(sticK - Nov. 10 2010 )
The use of biological control methods using entomopathogens such as fungi is one way around the increasing pesticide resistance being developed by major crop pest insects according to Stephen Ford.

Greentide Ltd.’s managing director says chemical pesticides will always have 1-2% of insects that are tolerant of the spray. Given the rapid lifecycles of many insects, it often only takes a couple of years before an insect population is resistant to a particular concentration of chemical pesticide, forcing an ever upward ratcheting of spray quantities to achieve pest control.

However, given both legislator and public desire for less chemical pesticides, a biological control through entomopathogens is a perfect solution he says.

Comparatively speaking, an entomopathogen is like being hit by a baseball bat to the head from an insect’s point of view.

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