Ecological Economics of Biodiversity Use for Pest Management

Gillespie, Mark A.; Wratten, Stephen D.

doi:10.1002/9781118231838.ch4

Cited by 1 publication

(1 citation statement)

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“…In the fullest sense of the concept, BC in Cuba has a lengthy and rich history that has involved learning about natural biological control (NBC) and applying three BC strategies: classical biological control (CBC), augmentative biological control (ABC) (inundative and inoculative), and conservation biological control (CBC). Studies on NBC allow us to identify, partially, the diversity of endemic and native species of natural enemies and understand the principles and relationships that sustain the ecosystem services of natural pest control (van Lenteren, 2006;Gillespie and Wratten, 2012). BC is one of the key components of the systemic approach that characterizes both the comprehensive and ecological management of pests.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

The role of biological control in the sustainability of the Cuban agri-food system

Pérez-Consuegra

Mirabal

Jiménez

2018

Elementa: Science of the Anthropocene

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We analyze the role biological control plays in the Cuban agri-food system and discuss an experience at the country level that demonstrates that the pest problem can be handled through an ecological and sustainable approach. Biological control is one of the key components of a systemic approach that characterizes pest management. Its implementation has led to the removal of a group of highly dangerous pesticides from the Official List of Authorized Pesticides and reduced use of others. Greater emphasis has been placed on augmentative biological control, which is a tendency repeated throughout the world. In Cuba, rudimentary production occurs in 176 Centers for the Reproduction of Entomophages and Entomopathogens (CREE) located throughout the country; four industrial production plants are in operation, as are pilot plants and facilities in research centers. The biological control agents that are most reproduced are the parasitoids Lixophaga diatraeae (Townsend) (Diptera: Tachinidae) and Trichogramma Westwood ( Hymenoptera: Trichogrammatidae), the entomopathogens Bacillus thuringiensis Berliner ( Bacillales: Bacillaceae), and Beauveria bassiana sensu lato (Bals.-Criv.) Vuill. (Hypocreales: Cordycipitaceae); the antagonist Trichoderna Persoon (Ascomycota: Hypocreales: Hypocreaceae); and the nematodes of the Heterorhabditis Poinar (Nematoda: Rhabditida: Heterorhabditidae) genus. The use of predatory mites in inoculative strategies is limited due to their restricted availability, in spite of the fact that different alternatives have been evaluated for their massive reproduction with encouraging results. The achievements and progress obtained in classical and augmentative biological control and the changes in the understanding and thinking in Cuban agricultural have laid strong foundations for biological control through conservation of natural enemies. This latter strategy is greatly valued in sustainable agriculture. Please refer to Supplementary Materials, DOI: https://doi.org/10.1525/elementa.326.s1, for a full text Spanish version of this article.

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Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%