Commercial Biological ControlCommercial Biological ControlNorm LepplaUF, IFAS, IPM Florida

Milestones in Commercialization of Milestones in Commercialization of Biological ControlBiological Control

1895- Farming 1895- Farming TrichogrammaTrichogramma proposed proposed1926- Fillmore, mass prod. NE citrus pests1926- Fillmore, mass prod. NE citrus pests1929- 1929- TrichogrammaTrichogramma on factitious host on factitious host1949- 1949- ChrysoperlaChrysoperla colonization colonization1956- Predaceous mites, mites on strawberry1956- Predaceous mites, mites on strawberry1968- Koppert established1968- Koppert established1975- 1975- Trichogramma, Trichogramma, European corn borerEuropean corn borer1981- IOBC WGQC (AMRQC)1981- IOBC WGQC (AMRQC)1988- Whitefly parasites, Europe glasshouses1988- Whitefly parasites, Europe glasshouses1990- ANBP established in California1990- ANBP established in California1995- Commercial artificial diet for predators1995- Commercial artificial diet for predators1995- IBMA established in France1995- IBMA established in France

Biological Control Organizations Biological Control Organizations with Commercial Affiliationswith Commercial Affiliations

IOBC

ANBP's ObjectivesANBP's Objectives

• Strengthen the commercial natural enemy industry.

• Promote research and education on the use of natural enemies.

• Develop quality certification programs for natural enemies.

Members of ANBP are expected Members of ANBP are expected to adhere to a code of ethics to adhere to a code of ethics which encourages the highest which encourages the highest standards in the production and standards in the production and marketing of natural enemies.marketing of natural enemies.

More than 49 biological control companies provide nematodes, mites, insects, and bioinsecticides for pest management in Florida and the Southeast.

Nematodes are sold by 28 companies (5 species). Predators are sold by 31 companies, 26 supply mites

(10 species) and 31 supply insects (15 species) Parasitic wasps are sold by 31 companies (23 spp.).

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

N. C. Leppla and K. L. Johnson

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

Tables 2-7. Number of natural enemy products and sources

Table 2- Nematodes (8) Table 3- Predatory mites (10) Table 4- Predatory insects (15) Table 5- Parasitic wasps (23) Table 6- Biopesticides (21) Table 7- Companies and websites (49)

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, Hippodmia, 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) Encyritidae- Leptomastix, Metaphycus (2 spp)

Eulophidae- Diglyphus, Pediobius (2 spp) Pteromalidae- Muscidifurax, Nasonia, Splangia (6 spp) Trichogrammatidae- Trichogramma (3 spp)

Major Commercial Natural Major Commercial Natural EnemiesEnemies

Major Commercial Natural Major Commercial Natural EnemiesEnemies

Markets for Natural Enemies Markets for Natural Enemies

Entomopathogenic nematodes- Heterorhabditis, Steinernema

Predatory mites- Amblyseius, Galendromus, Neoseiulus, Phytoseiulus, Hypoaspis

Predatory insects- Chrysoperla, Cryptolaemus, Hippodamia, Orius, Dalotia, Coccinella, Delphastus, Feltiella, Podisus, Rhyzobius,Stethorus

Parasitoids- Aphelinus, Aphytis, Encarsia, Eretmocerus, Aphidius, Pediobius, Trichogramma

Fly parasites- Muscidifurax, Splangia, Nasonia Biopesticides- Bacillus, Beauveria, Trichoderma

Predators!Predators!

Description of U.S Companies Description of U.S Companies Serving the SoutheastServing the Southeast

Number = 49 producers and suppliers Size = 10 employees average Revenue = $20-25 million, 3 > $1.5 million Species = 56 (+ 21 microbials), 5/20

producers >3 species, ca 50% produce one, few new species.

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)

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 IPM TransitionTransition

Requirements for Requirements for CommercializationCommercialization

1. 1. Research teams vs. solo2. Financial support for R&D3. Practical technology4. Effective against pest5. High benefit/cost6. Safe for the environment

Chemical Pesticides Versus Chemical Pesticides Versus Biological Control:Biological Control:

Investment and ReturnInvestment and Return

Sales

Investment

Chemical PesticidesBiological Control

30 Billion

3

600 Million100 Million

3 Billion

0

5

10

15

20

25

30

35

Year

Cum

ulat

ive

Num

ber

of S

peci

esNew 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

DPV

E. fi

nlan

dicu

s

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. lim

onic

us

Treatment

Perd

enta

ge c

ompa

red

to A

. cuc

umer

is Predatory mites

F. occidentalis larvae

Mite Species

Bemesia tabaciBemesia tabaci Control on HibiscusControl on Hibiscus

0

5

10

15

20

25

30

35

40

13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22week

mea

n nu

mbe

r of a

live

pupa

e of

Bem

isia

ta

baci

/pla

nt

0

5

10

15

mea

n nu

mbe

r of A

. sw

irski

i/p

lant

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

Commercial Biological Commercial Biological Control NeedsControl Needs

Expertise New Markets & Products Science and Technology

• Improved rearing and release methods• Field tests to determine efficacy• Compatibility with pesticides• Taxonomic support• Quality control

Regulations

Pesticide Side EffectsPesticide Side Effects

Global QC ProgramsGlobal QC Programs

Individual CompaniesCustomers

International StandardsISO 9000 ASTM (Amer. Soc. for Testing & Materials)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