Commercial Biological ControlCommercial Biological ControlNorm LepplaNorm LepplaUF, IFAS, UF, IFAS, IPM FloridaIPM Florida

Milestones in Commercialization of Milestones in Commercialization of Biological ControlBiological Control

1895- Farming 1895- Farming TrichogrammaTrichogramma proposed proposed

1926- Fillmore, mass prod. NE citrus pests1926- Fillmore, mass prod. NE citrus pests

1929- 1929- TrichogrammaTrichogramma on factitious host on factitious host

1949- 1949- ChrysoperlaChrysoperla colonization colonization

1956- Predaceous mites, mites on strawberry1956- Predaceous mites, mites on strawberry

1968- Koppert established1968- Koppert established

1975- 1975- Trichogramma, Trichogramma, European corn borerEuropean corn borer

1981- IOBC WGQC (AMRQC)1981- IOBC WGQC (AMRQC)

1988- Whitefly parasites, Europe glasshouses1988- Whitefly parasites, Europe glasshouses

1990- ANBP established in California1990- ANBP established in California

1995- Commercial artificial diet for predators1995- Commercial artificial diet for predators

1995- IBMA established in France1995- IBMA established in France

Biological Control Organizations with Biological Control Organizations with Commercial AffiliationsCommercial Affiliations

IOBC

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.orgwww.anbp.org

Guidelines for Purchasing and Using Guidelines for Purchasing and Using Commercial Natural Enemies and Commercial Natural Enemies and Biopesticides in Florida and Other States Biopesticides in Florida and Other States

(EDIS IPM-146 IN849) (EDIS IPM-146 IN849)

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)

Global SalesGlobal Sales

2%2%

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

Tables 2-7. Number of natural Tables 2-7. Number of natural enemy products and sourcesenemy 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 MitesNematodes 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 InsectsPredatory 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

Neuroptera Chrysopidae- Chrysoperla

Thysanoptera Thripidae- Scolothrips

Parasitic WaspsParasitic 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 Major Commercial Natural EnemiesEnemies

Major Commercial Natural Major Commercial Natural EnemiesEnemies

Predators!Predators!

Aspect Chemical Control Biological Control

Number of ‘‘ingredients’’ tested >3.5 million 3,500

Success ratio 1:140,000 1:10

Developmental costs $256 million $2 million

Developmental time 10 years 10 years

Benefit/cost ratio 2:1 2.5–20:1

Risks of resistance Large Nil/small

Specificity Small Large

Harmful side-effects Many Nil/small

Comparison of Chemical and Biological Control

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

Resistant Crop

Competitors

Natural enemies

Resistant varieties Vulnerable Crop

Invasive Pest

Integrated pest management program

• Cultural practices• Scouting, ID of pests & NEs• Conservation of NEs• Augmentation of NEs• Reduced-risk insecticides• Resistance management

Pesticide program

• New insecticides• New formulations• New application methods• Resistance management

IPM TransitionIPM Transition

Natural EnemyNatural Enemy Sales IncreasesSales Increases

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

0

5

10

15

20

25

30

35

Year

Cu

mu

lati

ve

Nu

mb

er o

f S

pec

ies

New Product DevelopmentNew Product Development

Amblyseius swirskii

Western Flower Thrips Control Western Flower Thrips Control in Cucumbersin Cucumbers

0

300

600

900

1200

1500

T. p

yri

A. c

ucum

eris

DP

V

E. f

inla

ndic

us

A. b

arke

ri

A. c

ucum

eris

A. d

egen

eran

s

E. s

cuta

lis

A. o

valis

T. s

wirs

kii

A. l

imon

icus

Treatment

Per

den

tag

e co

mp

ared

to

A. c

ucu

mer

is

Predatory mites

F. occidentalis larvae

Mite Species

Bemisia tabaciBemisia tabaci Control Control on Hibiscuson Hibiscus

0

5

10

15

20

25

30

35

40

13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22

week

me

an

nu

mb

er

of

aliv

e p

up

ae

of

Be

mis

ia

tab

ac

i/pla

nt

0

5

10

15

me

an

nu

mb

er

of

A. s

wir

sk

ii/p

lan

t

Mean number of A. swirskii/plant A. swirskiiControl without A. swirskii

1 2 3

A. swirskii per plantB. tabaci with A. swirskiiB. tabaci without A. swirskii

Release dates

Amblyseius swirskii Amblyseius swirskii EffectivenessEffectiveness

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 EffectsPesticide Side Effects

Global QC ProgramsGlobal QC Programs

• Individual CompaniesCustomers

• International StandardsISO 9000 IOBC Guidelines (European Community)

• The Marketplace Quality Products

Customer ServiceCustomer 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 CommercialInformation on Commercial

Biological Control Biological Control

http://ipm.ifas.ufl.eduhttp://ipm.ifas.ufl.edu