{"id":6649,"date":"2022-08-18T19:31:23","date_gmt":"2022-08-18T19:31:23","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.bartlett.com\/blog\/?p=6649"},"modified":"2025-10-27T20:49:53","modified_gmt":"2025-10-27T20:49:53","slug":"biocontrol-leveraging-natures-best-defenses","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.bartlett.com\/blog\/biocontrol-leveraging-natures-best-defenses\/","title":{"rendered":"Biocontrol: Leveraging nature\u2019s best defenses"},"content":{"rendered":"

Biocontrol, or biological control, might sounds like scary science fiction, but quite the opposite is true. It\u2019s not science fiction, it\u2019s just good science! Biocontrol relies on the use of living organisms to help manage damaging pest populations. In effect, it uses nature\u2019s best defenses to protect against insect invaders that harm trees and shrubs.<\/p>\n

Biocontrol uses natural enemies as a form of treatment. Natural enemies are organisms that kill, decrease the reproductive potential of, or otherwise reduce the numbers of another organism. Predators, parasitoids, and pathogens are all natural enemy groups that could be included in landscape biocontrol efforts as part of a comprehensive plant health care program.<\/p>\n

Introducing New Species to Manage Exotic Pests<\/h2>\n

Classical biological control focuses on the management of exotic pests. When pests are introduced to a new geography, they often leave behind naturally occurring enemies. These enemies would have otherwise kept the pest in check in their native range, but are no longer present. Researchers sometimes identify the natural enemies from the pest\u2019s home range and introduce them into the new area to assist with control. Some intentional introductions have been successful while others have resulted in further negative environmental side effects.<\/p>\n

Increasing Populations of Existing Beneficial Organisms<\/h2>\n

When natural enemies of a certain pest are already present in an area, releasing additional \u2018enemies\u2019 can be highly effective in pest management. This is called augmentation biological control. Some common examples include the release of lacewing larvae, lady beetles and predatory mites, which are known to provide pest suppression.<\/p>\n