Biological control agents are an increasingly popular option for control of greenhouse pests. For all growers, biologicals represent a viable control option, whether as part of a wider Integrated Pest Management plan or as part of an organic operation.
There is increasing market pressure to battle bugs with bugs. And the payoff for doing so can be significant. Organic floriculture operations, indoor and field, combined for a total sales value of $27,330,041 in 2014 versus $15,479,962 in 2008, a significant jump that shows the increasing dollar power of the organic movement.
Raymond A. Cloyd, professor and extension specialist in horticultural entomology/plant protection at Kansas State University frequently says that biological control is a proactive strategy, not reactive. Biologicals need to be in place before a pest problem arises. If an infestation is already ravaging your crops, it may be too late to use biologicals.
To help growers understand the ins and outs of biologicals, Cloyd prepared the following chart of common greenhouse pests and their biological control agent counterparts.
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