Objectives

Our objectives are to test and apply noninvasive pest control methodologies using

•  Natural
•  Man-induced
•  Biotic
•  Abiotic

mortality factors that currently exist or can be introduced into biological control or pest management systems to control phytophagous insect species. We are particularly interested in working with sustainable biological control systems that are

•  Efficacious
•  Simple
•  Environmentally safe
•  Inexpensive

which can be implemented in both large and small farming systems.

Biological control includes

•  Foreign exploration, augmentation and inundative release of (foreign/domestic) natural enemies
•  Conservation of natural enemies

For biological control to be effective, other noninvasive techniques sometimes must also be used

•  Cultural control (crop rotation, multi-cropping, tillage, sanitation, water management, etc.)
•  Host plant resistance, genetic engineering
•  Use of natural organic chemicals
•  Insect diseases
•  Pheromone disruption

These control methodologies alone or in combination are acknowledged as having solved many agricultural insecticide induced pest problems, and clearly hold promise for solving pest control problems affecting agriculture in the future. Biological control continues to provide productive, efficient and economical pest control solutions.