Conservation Biological Control Practices

Abstract

Natural enemies are subjected to continuous deterioration in populations especially in modern agricultural systems characterized by complete removal of plants after harvesting as well as by insecticide applications. This complete removal of plants gives rise to disappearance of natural enemies after each crop season. Conservation biological control is the protection of NEs against adverse efects of pesticides and incompatible cultural practices and improving their eiciency via providing food sources. During non-crop periods, natural enemies may need of beneit from pollen and nectar. Preservation of natural enemies can be achieved by providing habitat and resources for NEs. This chapter aimed at discussing a suggested strategy for more eicient conservation biological control comprising collection, preservation and releasing the preserved natural enemies on target crops. The collection is mainly conducted before crop harvest and during winter from fruit orchards. Preservation greenhouses are dedicated for natural enemies rather than commercial production of crops. Natural enemies taken from preservation greenhouses are released in target crops during growing season. Diferent techniques used in collection, preservation and release of natural enemies are reviewed. Such a conservation biological control strategy might contribute to preserve the natural bio-diversity in the agricultural environment and provide natural alternatives to pesticides.

Impact of volatile cues on foraging response of egg larval parasitoid, Chelonus blackburni Cameron

“…Although response generated on application of larval cues was not significant up to 5% significance level whereas cues from adult P. operculella elicited significant orientation response in parasitoid at 25,000 mg L -1 and 50,000 mg L -1 (0.98±0.05, p-value: 0.0001, t-value: 6.7254) (0.63±0.02, p-value: 0.0120, tvalue: 3.1387) (Table 3). , 1,1'-(1,2-dimethyl-1,2- In agro ecosystem, plant and host insect emitted volatile cues are known to influence foraging success of parasitoids and its intensity depends upon variety, growth phases and amount of volatiles released (Gonzalez et al, 2018, El-Wakeil et al, 2017. Fatouros et al (2008) reported that egg parasitoids rely on variety of chemical cues originating from adult host.…”

Effect of Additive Series Intercropping Kidney Bean (<em>Phaseolus vulgaris </em>L.) with some Aromatic Plants on <em>Tetranychus urticae</em> Koch. (Acari: Tetranychidae) Population

“…It is widely known that diversifying agriculture systems (e.g. through intercropping) prevents pest outbreaks and increases the sustainability of agroecosystems [31] (pp. [39][40][41][42][43][44].…”

A 30‐year systematic review reveals success in tephritid fruit fly biological control research

“…Some studies used a conservation approach to maintain the presence of natural enemies in the field. Conservation biological control can be achieved by reducing pesticides, using selective pesticides, and carefully timing pesticide applications (El-Wakeil et al, 2017). The study performed by McQuate et al (2005) is an example of a successful study using conservation biological control.…”