Lecture 17: BIOLOGICAL CONTROL - DEFINITION - HISTORY AND
DEVELOPMENT - CLASSICAL EXAMPLES - FACTORS GOVERNING
BIOLOGICAL CONTROL
Biological control
Definition
The study and utilization of parasitoids, predators and pathogens for the
regulation of pest population densities.
Biological control can also be defined as the utilization of natural enemies to
reduce the damage caused by noxious organisms to tolerable levels.
Biological control is often shortened to biocontrol.
History and development of biological control and classical examples of biological
control
Antient times - In China Pharoah’s ant Monomorium pharaonis was used to control
stored grain pest. Red ant Oecophylla spp. used to control foliage
feeding caterpillar.
Year 1762 - ‘Mynah’ bird imported from India to Mauritius to control locust.
1770 - Bamboo runways between citrus trees for ants to control
caterpillars.
1888 - First well planned and successful biological control attempt
made
- During 1888 citrus industry in California (USA) seriously threatened by cottony
cushion scale, Icerya purdian
- Chemical treatments not known at that time
- Mr. C.V. Riley, a prominent entomologist suggested that the scale inset originated
from Australia and natural enemy for the scale from Australia should be
introduced into USA
- Mr. Albert Koebele was sent to Australia
- He found a beetle called Vedalia (Rodolia cardinalis) attacking and feeding on
seeds
- Vedalia beetle (Rodolia cardinalis) was imported in November 1888 into USA
and allowed on scale infested trees
- Within a year spectacular control of scale insect achieved
- Even till date this beetle controls the scale insect
- After this successful attempt of biological control many such introduction of
natural enemies were tried.
, 1898 - First introduction of natural enemy into India
1898 - A coccinellid beetle, Cryptolaemus montrouzieri was imported into India
from Australia and released against coffee green scale, Cocus viridis.
Even today it is effective against mealybugs in South India.
1920 - A parasitoid Aphelinus mali introduced from England into India to control
Woolly aphid on Apple, Eriosoma lanigerum.
1929-31 - Fodolia cardinalis imported into India (from USA) to control cottony
cushion scale Icerya purchasi on Wattle trees.
1958-60 - Parasitoid Prospatella perniciosus imported from China
1960 - Parasitoid Aphytis diaspidis imported from USA
Both parasitoids used to control Apple Sanjose scale Quadraspidiotus
perniciosus
1964 - Egg parasitoid Telenomus sp. imported from New Guinea to control Castor
semilooper Achaea janata
1965 - Predator Platymeris laevicollis introduced from Zanzibar to control coconut
Rhinoceros beetle, Oryctes rhinoceros
History, development, classical examples of biocontrol
Till 1988
At global level 384 importations made against 416 species of insect pests. Out of
them
164 species (39.4%) - Completely controlled
75 species - Substantially controlled
15 species - Partially controlled
- Regional Station of Commonwealth Institute of Biological Control (CIBC)
established at Bangalore in 1957
- Presently Project Directorate of Biological Control (PDBC) Bangalore looks after
Biocontrol in India.
Factors affecting biological control
1. Tolerance limit of crop to insect injury - Successful in crops with high tolerance
limit
2. Crop value - Successful in crops with high economic value
3. Crop duration - Long duration crops highly suitable
4. Indigenous or Exotic pest - Imported NE more effective against introduced pest
5. If alternate host available for NE, control of target pest is less
6. If unfavourable season occurs, reintroduction of NE required
7. Presence of hyperparasites reduces effectiveness of biocontrol
DEVELOPMENT - CLASSICAL EXAMPLES - FACTORS GOVERNING
BIOLOGICAL CONTROL
Biological control
Definition
The study and utilization of parasitoids, predators and pathogens for the
regulation of pest population densities.
Biological control can also be defined as the utilization of natural enemies to
reduce the damage caused by noxious organisms to tolerable levels.
Biological control is often shortened to biocontrol.
History and development of biological control and classical examples of biological
control
Antient times - In China Pharoah’s ant Monomorium pharaonis was used to control
stored grain pest. Red ant Oecophylla spp. used to control foliage
feeding caterpillar.
Year 1762 - ‘Mynah’ bird imported from India to Mauritius to control locust.
1770 - Bamboo runways between citrus trees for ants to control
caterpillars.
1888 - First well planned and successful biological control attempt
made
- During 1888 citrus industry in California (USA) seriously threatened by cottony
cushion scale, Icerya purdian
- Chemical treatments not known at that time
- Mr. C.V. Riley, a prominent entomologist suggested that the scale inset originated
from Australia and natural enemy for the scale from Australia should be
introduced into USA
- Mr. Albert Koebele was sent to Australia
- He found a beetle called Vedalia (Rodolia cardinalis) attacking and feeding on
seeds
- Vedalia beetle (Rodolia cardinalis) was imported in November 1888 into USA
and allowed on scale infested trees
- Within a year spectacular control of scale insect achieved
- Even till date this beetle controls the scale insect
- After this successful attempt of biological control many such introduction of
natural enemies were tried.
, 1898 - First introduction of natural enemy into India
1898 - A coccinellid beetle, Cryptolaemus montrouzieri was imported into India
from Australia and released against coffee green scale, Cocus viridis.
Even today it is effective against mealybugs in South India.
1920 - A parasitoid Aphelinus mali introduced from England into India to control
Woolly aphid on Apple, Eriosoma lanigerum.
1929-31 - Fodolia cardinalis imported into India (from USA) to control cottony
cushion scale Icerya purchasi on Wattle trees.
1958-60 - Parasitoid Prospatella perniciosus imported from China
1960 - Parasitoid Aphytis diaspidis imported from USA
Both parasitoids used to control Apple Sanjose scale Quadraspidiotus
perniciosus
1964 - Egg parasitoid Telenomus sp. imported from New Guinea to control Castor
semilooper Achaea janata
1965 - Predator Platymeris laevicollis introduced from Zanzibar to control coconut
Rhinoceros beetle, Oryctes rhinoceros
History, development, classical examples of biocontrol
Till 1988
At global level 384 importations made against 416 species of insect pests. Out of
them
164 species (39.4%) - Completely controlled
75 species - Substantially controlled
15 species - Partially controlled
- Regional Station of Commonwealth Institute of Biological Control (CIBC)
established at Bangalore in 1957
- Presently Project Directorate of Biological Control (PDBC) Bangalore looks after
Biocontrol in India.
Factors affecting biological control
1. Tolerance limit of crop to insect injury - Successful in crops with high tolerance
limit
2. Crop value - Successful in crops with high economic value
3. Crop duration - Long duration crops highly suitable
4. Indigenous or Exotic pest - Imported NE more effective against introduced pest
5. If alternate host available for NE, control of target pest is less
6. If unfavourable season occurs, reintroduction of NE required
7. Presence of hyperparasites reduces effectiveness of biocontrol
