Commercial Biological Control

Norm Leppla UF, IFAS, IPM Florida

Milestones in Commercialization of Biological Control

1895- Farming Trichogramma proposed 1926- Fillmore, mass prod. NE citrus pests 1929- Trichogramma on factitious host 1949- Chrysoperla colonization 1956- Predaceous mites, mites on strawberry 1968- Koppert established 1975- Trichogramma, European corn borer 1981- IOBC WGQC (AMRQC) 1988- Whitefly parasites, Europe glasshouses 1990- ANBP established in California 1995- Commercial artificial diet for predators 1995- IBMA established in France

Biological Control Organizations with Commercial Affiliations

IOBC

Guidelines for Purchasing and Using Commercial Natural Enemies and Biopesticides in Florida and Other States (EDIS IPM-146 IN849)

The Association of Natural Biocontrol Producers (ANBP) is a professional, non-profit association representing the biological pest management industry. Members of ANBP are expected to adhere to a code of ethics which encourages the highest standards in the production and marketing of natural enemies.

www.anbp.org

• • • • •

Commercial Natural Enemies and Biopesticides in Florida

56 commercial invetrebrate biological control products available in Florida (230 species invertebrates globally) 21 biopesticides available in Florida 51 suppliers for Florida (~250 globally) ~20 producers in North America, 0 in Florida (5/20 produce >3 species, 10 employees average) Revenue = $20-25 million for invertebrate products produced in North America , 3 companies > $1.5 million (~$200 million globally)

2%

Global Sales

Table 1. Habitats, pests, natural enemies and reference number

Tables 2-7. Number of natural enemy products and sources

Table 2- Nematodes (8, 30) Table 3- Predatory mites (10, 26) Table 4- Predatory insects (15, 31) Table 5- Parasitic wasps (23, 31) Table 6- Biopesticides (21, 29) Table 7- Companies and websites (51)

Nematodes and Mites NEMATODES

Heterorhabditidae- Heterorhabditis (2 spp) Steinernematidae- Steinernema (3 spp)

ARACHNIDS

Laelapidae- Hypoaspis (1 spp) Phytoseiidae- Amblyseius, Galendromus, Mesoseiulus, Neoseiulus, Phytoseiulus (9 spp)

Predatory Insects Coleoptera

Coccinellidae- Cryptolaemus, Delphastus,

Hippodamia, Rhyzobius, Stethorus Cybocephalidae- Cybocephalus

Histeridae- Carcinops Staphylinidae- Dalotia (also called Atheta)

Diptera

Cecidomyiidae- Aphidoletes, Feltiella

Hemiptera

Anthocoridae- Orius Pentatomidae- Podisus

Thysanoptera

Thripidae- Scolothrips

Neuroptera

Chrysopidae- Chrysoperla

Parasitic Wasps Hymenoptera

Aphelinidae- Aphelinus, Aphytis, Encarsia, Eretmocerus (5 spp) Braconidae- Aphidius, Cotesia, Dacnusa (5 spp) Encyrtidae- Leptomastix, Metaphycus (2 spp) Eulophidae- Diglyphus, Pediobius (2 spp) Pteromalidae- Muscidifurax, Nasonia, Spalangia (6 spp) Trichogrammatidae- Trichogramma (3 spp)

Major Commercial Natural Enemies

Major Commercial Natural Enemies

Predators!

Comparison of Chemical and Biological Control

Aspect Chemical Control Biological Control Number of ‘‘ingredients’’ tested >3.5 million Success ratio Developmental costs Developmental time Benefit/cost ratio Risks of resistance Specificity Harmful side-effects 1:140,000 $256 million 10 years 2:1 Large Small Many 3,500 1:10 $2 million 10 years 2.5–20:1 Nil/small Large Nil/small Van Lenteren, J. C. 2011. The state of commercial augmentative biological control: plenty of natural enemies, but a frustrating lack of uptake. Biocontrol.

Incentives to Use of Biological Control

• • • • • • • • Effective against pest Safe for environment High benefit/cost Reduced long-term cost Reduced risk to growers Reduced compliance Attitude of consumers Residue demands by food retailers and supermarket chains

Limitations to Use of Biological Control

• • • • • Attitude of the pesticide industry Attitude of farmers Attitude of governmental institutions Influence of guidelines and regulations Attitude of biological control community

Requirements for Commercialization

• • • • • • Incorporation into IPM system Distirbution system and marketing Expertise (training) New markets and products Research support (team versus solo) Improved rearing and release methods Field tests to determine effectiveness Compatibility with pesticides Taxonomic expertise Quality control Supportive regulatory structure

IPM Transition

Invasive Pest Vulnerable Crop Resistant Crop Competitors Natural enemies Resistant varieties Pesticide program • • • • New insecticides New formulations New application methods Resistance management Integrated pest management program • • • • • • Cultural practices Scouting, ID of pests & NEs Conservation of NEs Augmentation of NEs Reduced-risk insecticides Resistance management

Natural Enemy Sales Increases

• • • • • • • Pesticide resistance Transgenic crops Loss of pesticides (regulatory) New more selective pesticides Cost of pesticides (registration) Alien invasive species Cropping systems (pollinators, organic)

New Product Development

35 30 25 20 15 10 5 0 1967 1970 1973 1976 1979 1982 1985 1988 1991 1994 1997 2000 2003

Year

Amblyseius swirskii

Western Flower Thrips Control in Cucumbers

1500 1200 900 600 300 0 Predatory mites F. occidentalis larvae

Bemisia tabaci Control on Hibiscus Evolution of the population of whiteflies Bemisia tabaci

Release dates

3

25 20 15 10 5 40 35 30 0

1 2

15 10 5 0 13 14 15 16 17 18

week

19 20 21 22

A. swirskii per

plant

B. tabaci

with A. swirskii

B. tabaci

without A. swirskii

Amblyseius swirskii

Effectiveness

       Very high numerical response to availability of food Highly efficacious against western flower thrips, greenhouse whiteflies and tobacco whiteflies In combination with: • Orius spp. against western flower thrips • Whitefly parasites against whiteflies • P. persimilis or A. californicus against two-spotted spider mites Good establishment on pollen Whiteflies can substitute for pollen in peppers Good results in North and South Europe May replace A. cucumeris, depending on release permits

Pesticide Side Effects

Global QC Programs

• • • Individual Companies Customers International Standards ISO 9000 IOBC Guidelines (European Community) The Marketplace Quality Products

Customer Service

• • • Many companies provide detailed information on how to use their products.

The best companies deliver excellent customer service for site-specific biocontrol.

The marketplace ultimately determines the usefulness of commercial natural enemies.

Information on Commercial Biological Control

http://ipm.ifas.ufl.edu