biocontrole

Biocontrole, or biological control, is the deliberate use of living organisms to suppress pest populations and thereby protect crops, stored products, or public health. It is a component of integrated pest management that seeks to reduce reliance on chemical pesticides and to minimize environmental impacts.

Biocontrole can be categorized into classical biocontrol, augmentative biocontrol and conservation biocontrol. Classical biocontrol involves importing natural enemies from a pest's native range to establish a self-perpetuating control. Augmentative biocontrol releases large numbers of beneficial organisms, either as inundative releases for immediate pest suppression or inoculative releases to establish longer-term effects. Conservation biocontrol focuses on habitat or agricultural practices that preserve and enhance native natural enemies already present in the ecosystem.

Common biocontrol agents include predators such as lady beetles and lacewings, parasitoids like Trichogramma and Encarsia, and microbial pathogens such as Bacillus thuringiensis and Beauveria bassiana. These agents can target specific pests with relatively low risk to humans and non-target organisms when properly implemented.

Applications span agriculture, horticulture, forestry and stored-product protection. Benefits include reduced pesticide use, lower residue risks, and promotion of sustainable crop protection. However, effectiveness can vary due to climate, crop systems and pest–natural enemy interactions. Risks include potential non-target effects, ecological disruption, and regulatory and cost considerations. Successful biocontrol typically requires careful pest monitoring, risk assessment, and integration with other IPM tactics.