Author
 |
Lacey, Lawrence |
|
Submitted to: Encyclopedia of Entomology
Publication Type: Other Publication Acceptance Date: 3/31/2003 Publication Date: 5/15/2004 Citation: Lacey, L.A. 2004. Microbial control of insects. J. Capinera, ed. Kluwer Academic Publishers. Dordrecht, The Netherlands. In Encyclopedia of Entomology. p. 1401-1407. Interpretive Summary: Microbial control of insect pests offers an alternative to conventional insecticides that is environmental friendly and will help ensure a safe food supply. A variety of insect pathogens including bacteria, viruses, nematodes and fungi are currently available for use against a broad spectrum of insect pests. The comparison of microbial control agents with chemical pesticides is usually made from the perspective of only their efficacy and cost. In addition to efficacy, the advantages of using microbial control agents are numerous including safety for humans and other nontarget organisms, reduction of pesticide residues in food, preservation of other natural enemies and increased biodiversity in managed ecosystems. The selectivity and safety of microbial control agents should facilitate their incorporation into IPM programs where their effects on other natural enemies will be minimal as compared to most presently used chemical pesticides. However, if future development of insect pathogens as microbial control agents is only market driven, there will be considerable delays in the implementation of several microbial control agents that have excellent potential for use in IPM programs. Technical Abstract: Naturally-occurring pathogens of insects are important regulatory factors in insect populations. Many species are employed as biological control agents of insect pests in crops, ornamentals, range, turf and lawn, stored products, and forestry and for abatement of pest and vector insects of veterinary and medical importance. The advantages of using microbial control agents include safety for humans and other nontarget organisms, reduction of pesticide residues in food, preservation of other natural enemies and increased biodiversity in managed ecosystems. There are three basic approaches for using entomopathogens as microbial control agents (classical biological control, augmentation, and conservation). Most examples of microbial control involve inundative application of entomopathogens for augmentative biological control. The most widely used microbial control agent is the bacterium, Bacillus thuringiensis. The discovery of new varieties with activity against Lepidoptera, Coleoptera, and Diptera and their genetic improvement has enhanced the utility of this species. Examples of the use, benefits and limitations of entomopathogenic viruses, bacteria, fungi, nematodes and protozoa as inundatively applied microbial control agents are presented. Microbial control may provide adequate suppression of insect pests used as a stand alone measure in certain situations or may be integrated into a more complex strategy that includes other biological control agents, environmental modification or manipulation, use of other alternative interventions (such as mating disruption) or the judicious use of conventional pesticides. |
