agricultural entomology. what is agriculture? the cultivation of plants/animals for human use...
TRANSCRIPT
Agricultural Entomology
What is Agriculture? The cultivation of plants/animals for Human
Use Includes plants used for :
Food (Fruits, vegetables, grains and oil seeds) Animal Feed Fiber products (like wood or cotton)
Tarrant Co. Agriculture Factoids In 1997, There were 1048 farms covering 184,081
acres of land. These farms produce over $40 Million worth of ag.
Products each year. Major Tarrant Co. Crops include:
Seed Corn Sorghum Wheat Grass and alfalfa hay
What Role Do Insects Play in Agriculture?
Harmful insects: Eat parts of plant, causing weakened growth and
production Eat parts of plant that we eat, spoiling crop Spread diseases that weaken or kill the plant
Beneficial Insects: Eat or parasitize harmful insects, keeping
their populations in check. Pollinate Produce Marketable Products (honey, wax,
silk)
One Plant, Many Pests Apple Trees:
Plum Curculio – Fruit Damage
Apple Pests Codling Moth-fruit damage
Apple Pests Apple Maggot Fly – Fruit Damage
Apple Pests Rosy apple aphid – Foliage and Fruit
Damage
Apple Pests Flat-Head Apple Tree Borer – Wood
Damage
Cotton Pests Cotton Aphid
Cotton Pests Cotton Bollworm
Cotton Pests Cotton Leaf Perforator
How Do Farmers Deal With Pest Insects?
Chemical Control
Biological Control
Integrated Pest Management (IPM)
Chemical ControlPesticides: Synthetic or Natural Chemicals used to interrupt the
normal physiological processes of insects.Timing is important!
Some applications may make the problemworse in the long run.
Some pesticides can harm people, too!
BioControl Natural Enemies: Insects that prey upon or
parasitize pest insects, keeping their populations at a minimal level
Pheromone Trapping: using chemical signals to trap adults before they can lay eggs
Bt transgenic plants – are toxic to Lepidopteran pests.
Natural Enemies Come in 2 categories:
Generalists – eat a variety of pest and beneficial species.
Specialists – Have specific prey or hosts.
Frequently Released GeneralistsGreen Lacewings
Frequently Released Generalists Ladybird Beetles
Frequently Released Generalists Mantids
Specialists Mealybug Destroyer
Predatory Thrips
Specialists Parasitoids
Pheromone Trapping
Transgenic Crops Bacillus thuringiensis genes inserted into
genome of many different crops. B. thuringiensis is a naturally occuring bacteria
that produces a protein that is lethal to Lepidoptera.
Bt Plants produce their own pesticide, and aren’t harmful to people.
Selection for plants that don’t produce the protein in their pollen reduces the risk to non-target species.
How Bt Crops Work
Pollinators In order to produce fruit, vegetables, or
seed, many plants need insect pollinators.
Insect Products Apis millifera, The Honey Bee
Silkworms
Silkworm Production
Scale Insect Products Shellac Cochineal dyes
The End