handouts-3 hisotrical development in biological control

Biological Control (Theory) PPT-603

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Biological Control Course Code: PPT-603

Credit Hours: 3(2+1)

Dr. Muhammad Ibrahim Khaskheli

Ph.D, Post Doc., China; Chancellor Gold Medalist Associate Professor Department of Plant Protection

Sindh Agriculture University, Tandojam，Pakistan

Emails: [email protected] ; [email protected]



Lecture-3 Historical Developments in Biological Control

The purposeful control of insect pests and weeds by biotic agents is a comparatively modern development having become effective techniques in pest control only since 1890. However, there are antecedent historical events which trace the evolution of some of the fundamental concepts in the development of Biological control. The overall population of Rachel Carlson’s “Silent Spring” in 1962 had gained increasing acceptance in very recent years through various practices of biological control method. Historically, the growth of discipline was much slow and painful. The historical events could be identified with following developmental periods: A) Early History to 1888 (Ancient period) B) Middle History to 1940 C) Middle History to 1962 D) Recent Advances 1962 Onwards A) Historical Developments in Biological Control - Early history to 1888 (Ancient period) The idea that the insects could be used intentionally to suppress the population of other insect is an ancient one. Charles Darwin recognized appearance of first insect primitive humans probably utilized insects as a part of their own field diet. It assumed that man himself recognized perdition at an early date by man himself. The discovery of agriculture and development during Neolithic time (about 1000 BC) put human kind into very direct competition with insect for food. Just as early as man observed birds eating insects, snake eating rodent, mice and rats eradicated by house cat by Egyptian. “Historia Animalium” described the ravages the wax moth to honey comb. Later on Pliny (23-79 AD), a Roman author recognized several disease conditions in bees. Silkworm also suffers from various diseases and recognized as early as 1000 AD. The true biological suppression of insect pest in modern sense was practiced by Chinese citrus growers by introducing predaceous ants in to orchards to control citrus peat. In the old Chinese book ‘Wonder from Southern China’ (900 AD) refers that large yellow ants with long legs used to protect oranges from worms and ant’s nest was available for sale in village markets ‘Anton’ until 1939. Ulysses Aldrovandis in his book “De Animalibus Insects” (1802) summarized all published literature on insects and included first published literature on insect parasitism. An attack of Gregarian parasitoid, Apanteles glomeratus of the cabbage butterfly was known. Francisco Redi (1860) described phenomenon of parasitism of aphid by an ichneumonids. Vallisnleri (1730) first noted unique association between parasitic wasps, A.glomerctus of cabbage butterfly. Rene Reanmur (1734) advanced the idea of biological insect suppression and suggested introducing the eggs of aphidivorous flies (lace wing) into green houses. A lady bird beetle, green lace using and wasp were also recommended for suppression of aphids.



The first International Movement of predator was accompanied in 1762. The Indian ‘Mynali’ bird was introduced from India to Maurtius with a purpose of red locust control in sugarcane. Mitchill (1823) discussed various parasitic animals including hymenoptera form insects. Herrick (1840) discussed an egg and pupal parasitoid of hesion fly Asalitch (1845) proposed importation of parasitoids from England to America to control wheat midge. Agostina Bassi (1835), a pioneer insect pathologist first demonstrated the fungal nature of mustarding disease of the silk worm. Kirby and Spence (1867) recommended and used lady bird beetle for aphid control. They were also aware of usefulness of mantids, coccinlids, dragonflies, spiders etc. B) Historical Developments in Biological Control - Middle History to 1940 The knowledge about parasitoids, predators and diseases were accumulating and the struggle for existence was taking place an early Ecologist George Russel Wallace and Charles Darwin put forth general idea called ‘Balance of Nature’. John Curtis in his book on ‘Farm Insect’ (1860) includes ecology of various agricultural pests and emphasized functions of parasitoids and predators in crop protection. Riley (1873) arranged first international shipment of natural enemies in the transfer of predatory mite Tyroglyphus phyllaxerae to France from North America for possible control of grapevine phylloxera. Riley (1883) directed import of internal parasite of cabbage butterfly from England to America and A. glomeratus eventually, become successful and well distributed in Eastern and mid western state as larval parasitoid. This successful importation of A. glomeratus by Riley was the first international transfer of parasitoid for biological control. The Italian Microbiologist Agastina Bassi is the first worker to suggest use of microbes for insect pest suppression in 1836. Lewis pasture from France was more confident for his suggestion of use of protozoa causing pebrine disease in bees. Russian Zoologist Metchnikiff recorded large fluctuation in pest population of wheat cock chafer beetle and one of the causes was green muscardine fungus, Meterrhizium anisopliae. The successful introduction of coccinellid beetle Radalia cardinalis from Australia to California in 1888, was the first spectacular success controlling cottony cushion scale (Icerya puchasi) a serious pest of citrus and become a first classical example of biological insect pest suppression and it was later acclaimed as miracle Cryptolaemns montrouzieri. Mulsent, a mealy bug predator approached usefulness as like that of R. cardinalis (Vedalia beetle). However Smith H. S. (1912) put quarantine measures to stop importation of beneficial organisms into California. In 1919, he was first to propose the term ‘Biological Control’ and wrote voluminously in 1935-1939 on theoretical aspects of biological control. In Europe, Metchnikoff tried Beauveria sp against nunmoth caterpillar, Gypsy moth and Melolontha beetles. In mid western U. S. the fungus, B. basiana was used for control Chinch bug, Blesses leucopterus. In 1920, Albert koebele used successful biological programs against leaf hoppers by introduction of egg parasitoids from Australia and a predacious mired bug.



First modest biological control laboratory in Canada was established in the University of New Brunswick and by 1960 when importation was stopped. Three important parasitoids had been established as a footing stone for future development. Parker and Thompson set laboratory in France and during 1927-40 imported several parasitoids for biological control of European corn borer, Ostrilia nubilalis. Baird (1923-56) carried out corn borer suppression program in Canada for alfa weevil. Japanese beetle and European Ear wig with the help of USDA, Bureau of Entomology. In 1929, Canadian Entomologist established Dominion parasite Laboratory at Belleville and then new era of biological control was dawned by 1933. In 1940, because of World War II, the Fernharn laboratory (U. S.) was closed and Thompson service later recognized as CIBC i.e. Common wealth Institute of Biological Control. C) Historical Developments in Biological Control - Middle History to 1962 In 1874, a German Chemist Othman Zeidler synthesized DDT and later in 1939 Paul Muller in Swiss discovered its remarkable insecticide properties. Thus during 1940-1960 insect control was totally dependent upon use of chemicals. In 1950 use of BT resume interest in Europe and America and significance of Bt resulted its commercial production in 1960. There, was increasing emphasis on use of microbes and other methods of pest control like chemical, physical, and cultural for greater effectiveness. In 1952, another significant development was the establishment of International Commission of Biological Control (ICBC) under the auspices of International Union of biological Scientists. ICBC was later recognized as IOBC (International Organization for Biological Control) comparing of 22 members from 16 Countries. The group was designed to promote and co-ordinate the national efforts in biological pest suppression by international cooperation within its jurisdiction. This organization began a publication of a Journal “Entomophaga”. In Canada, F. T. Bird carried out studies and accidentally introduced polyhedral viral species and it was the beginning of a period of applied Insect Pathology By 1950, a well equipped insect pathology laboratory was established in Sault SteMarie concerning with disease of forest pest and another group in Dominion Research Laboratory at Belleville was concern with agricultural pest. During 1940-50 work on biological control was mostly restricted in USDA, California and Hawaii. Largest effort was made for biological control of oriental fruit fly, Dacus dorsalisand obtained substantial control. In 1955, Dominion laboratory Belleville had become one of the largest centers for research on application of principles of genetics for mass production of parasitoids in the world with the name Entomological Research Institute of Biological Control. The CIBC has headquartered at Belleville during 1940-46 at Ottawa during 1946-61. From 1961 onwards the headquarter of CIBC was moved to Trinidad, West Indies and is continued until now. In 1959, a growing interest in Insect disease gave impetuous to the publication of Journal of ‘Insect Pathology’ in New York which has been changed to Journal of ‘Invertebrate Pathology’.



D) Historical Developments in Biological Control - Recent Advances 1962 Onwards

Impact of Book Silent Spring (1962) on the practice of pest management resulted in wide discussion concerning about developing problems of synthetic insecticides. This discussion has led to search for alternative methods of pest control. Thus again strengthening of research on parasitoids, predators and pathogens was initiated for ecofriendly approach in pest suppression.

Two multinational co-operative groups i.e. CIBC and IOBC organized to promote cause of biological control become stronger than ever more than half dozen field stations were maintained around the world to provide collection and rearing services of natural enemies. In India, (CIBC) center was located at Bangalore and Information of bioagents was carried through it. The IOBC was expended beyond original 16 countries.

1. There are 5 regional stations: 2. West Peleactic regional action. 3. Western Hemisphere regional section. 4. SPE Asian regional section. 5. Tropical Africa regional sections. 6. Pacific Regional section.

IOBC remained the important channel for the exchange of ideas and information regarding biological control on a worldwide basis. In 1962, the predaceous snail, Euglaelina roses F. was introduced from Bermuda and it was released in Orissa to control a new pest i.e. Giant African snail, Achatina fulica F. So far 120 pests in 65 countries of the world have been controlled by using biological control.

In 1962, prickly pear, Opuntia dillenil was controlled by cochineal insect Doctylopis tomentosus covering area of about one lakh acre. Successful introduction of lepidopterous nymph and adult parasitoid, Epiricania melanoleuca against sugarcane pyrilla, predator C. monstrouceiri against mealy bugs. Zygogramma bicolorata beetles feeding on parthenium weeds, Apentelus sp. Beacon sp. the research was in progress.

Use of insect pathogen like Bt formulated product baculoviruses viz. NPV against H. armigera, S. liura etc Granulosis virus against sugarcane stem borer, fungi, Beauveria bassiana against various insect pests in different parts of the country are under progressive use for last few decades. Thus, historical development of biological control is in great progress and within reach. Most diverse research efforts are expanded than ever before in this field.

handouts-3 hisotrical development in biological control

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