Biological control is the use of natural enemies such as predators, parasites, and pathogenic micro-organisms or antagonists to control pests or diseases. This can be achieved either through conservation and stimulation of indigenous natural enemies or by the importation and mass introduction of exotic natural enemies. Introducing foreign natural enemies (classical biological control) is a … Read more
Certain insects can be controlled by using baits. Baits often consists of a substance to attract the insects mixed with an insecticide to kill them. Often used attractants are based on bran and sugar. For example: Mix 100 gram bran, 10 gram sugar and 200 ml water thoroughly with an insecticide. The resulting bait should … Read more
A simple way to prevent insects from attacking fruits is to cover the fruits or fruit clusters with bags or wrap them with pieces of paper. This “bagging” method is often used to protect fruits from attacks by fruit flies or to make sure that moths cannot lay their eggs on the fruits. Cloth bags, … Read more
An insecticide exists, which is based on the spores and toxins produced by a bacterium: Bacillus thuringiensis (Bt). It is a very specific product, which can be used to control caterpillars (larvae of moths and butterflies). Bt is not a contact poison, but acts like a stomach poison. It must be eaten by the insects … Read more
Pest resurgence is the rapid reappearance of a pest population in injurious numbers, usually brought about after the application of a broad-spectrum pesticide has killed the natural enemies which normally keep a pest in check. A well-known example in rice cultivation is the resurgence of brown plant hopper (BPH). If no pesticides are used, BPH … Read more
The health of a plant is determined by its environment. This environment includes abiotic factors (i.e. sun, rain, wind and soil nutrients) and biotic factors (i.e. pests, diseases and weeds). All these factors can play a role in the balance, which exists between herbivore insects and their natural enemies. If we understand the whole system … Read more
A farmer’s field is a complex environment. Many factors play a role in what is happening in the field. Often it is not possible to give general recommendations because a lot of management practices may have both a positive and a negative side. For example: Mulch of rice straw is used to grow eggplants on … Read more
