Biological Pest Control
Title: Biological Pest Control
Background Information
Definition: Biological pest control is the use of natural predators, parasites, or pathogens to
control pest populations.
Used for centuries in agriculture to reduce pest damage without chemical pesticides.
Helps maintain ecological balance and reduces reliance on synthetic pesticides.
Concept of Biological Pest Control
Biological pest control is based on the principle of using natural enemies of pests to regulate
their population and minimize crop damage.
Instead of relying on chemical pesticides, which may have harmful environmental effects, this
method focuses on ecological balance by encouraging beneficial organisms to thrive.
Types of Biological Pest Control:
Classical Control:
Involves introducing natural enemies of a pest from their native habitat to a new environment
where they previously did not exist.
This method is often used when invasive species become a problem and have no natural
predators in their new habitat.
Example: Introduction of weevils to control invasive aquatic weeds such as water hyacinths in
West African water bodies.
Augmentative Control:
Involves artificially increasing the population of existing natural enemies to enhance their
effectiveness.
Can be done through inoculative releases (introducing small numbers periodically) or
inundative releases (introducing large numbers for immediate control).
Example: Mass release of parasitoid wasps to control caterpillar infestations in maize fields.
Conservation Control:
Focuses on modifying the environment to encourage and sustain the presence of natural enemies.
Methods include reducing pesticide use, planting companion crops, and providing alternative
food sources for beneficial insects.
Example: Growing flowering plants near crops to attract pollinators and predators of pests.
Examples
Ladybugs (Coccinellidae) controlling aphid populations: Ladybugs are natural predators of
aphids, which damage vegetable and cereal crops.
Parasitic wasps targeting caterpillars: These wasps lay their eggs inside pest larvae,
eventually killing them and reducing infestation levels.
Use of neem-based bio-pesticides: Neem extracts, derived from the neem tree, act as natural
insect repellents and disrupt the life cycle of pests like locusts and beetles.
Predatory mites for controlling spider mites in cocoa farms: Beneficial mites feed on harmful
spider mites, helping to prevent crop damage in Ghanaian cocoa plantations.
Advantages of Biological Control
Eco-Friendly: Reduces chemical pesticide use, protecting soil and water.
Sustainable: Provides a long-term pest management solution without environmental
degradation.
Target-Specific: Minimal impact on non-target species, ensuring biodiversity conservation.
Prevents Resistance: Pests do not develop resistance as they do with chemicals.
Cost-Effective: Reduces pesticide expenses in the long run, benefiting Ghanaian farmers.
Disadvantages of Biological Control
Takes Time: Results are slower compared to chemical pesticides.
Unpredictable: Success depends on environmental conditions and predator-prey interactions.
Potential for Non-Target Effects: Introduced species may affect native ecosystems.
High Initial Costs: Research and implementation require investment and expertise.
Requires Proper Knowledge: Effective control requires understanding ecological interactions,
which may not always be accessible to local farmers.
Conclusion & Discussion
Summary: Biological pest control is an effective, environmentally friendly alternative to
chemical pesticides.
Discussion: Challenges in implementing biological control in Ghanaian agriculture and possible
solutions.
Thank You!
