Arthropod Pest Management
Part 1 – 356 | Unit 1.8
iii. Augmentative BC: includes inoculative BC, in which natural enemies are released
when pest populations are low, giving the natural enemies enough time to develop
with the pest population. Inoculative BC relies on subsequent generations to manage
the target pest. As the released natural enemies are not necessarily adapted to
the release environment populations, releases (inoculations) are made at the start
of each growing season. Inundative BC is also used and relies on mass releases
of natural enemies to control a large population of target pests that are causing
damage close to the economic threshold. Relies on sheer numbers and periodic and
seasonal releases to suppress a given pest population.
d) Mechanical control
i. Examples include row covers, solarization, vacuums, traps, flooding, and tillage
e) Insecticides
i. Botanicals: Plant derivatives; e.g. pyrethrum (from Chrysanthemum) or Azadirachtins
(from the neem tree)
ii. Soaps and oils: K fatty acids used for soft-bodied insects (e.g. M-pede®)
iii. Microbials: Mass-produced entomopathic micro-organisms (often bacteria); e.g. Bt or
Entrust® (from Saccharopolyspora spinosa)
- Note: To meet organic certification requirements, materials must be in compliance
with National Organic Program (NOP) standards. A complete list of brand names and
generic materials allowed under certification is available from the Organic Materials
Review Institute (OMRI) at http://www.omri.org.
Lecture 2: Pest Management in Organic Cropping Systems