BCA (Biological control or Biocontrol)

Biological control or Biocontrol

What is BCA?

Biological control or biocontrol is a method of controlling pests such as insects, mites, weeds and plant diseases using other organisms. It relies on predation, parasitism, herbivory, or other natural mechanisms.

Conservation of existing natural enemies gives the best result of the BCA implementation, compared to importation and augmentation methods. As, natural enemies are already adapted to the habitat and to the target pest, plus their conservation can be simple and cost-effective

     Steps:

  1. Collection of natural enemies before the end of crop season.
  2. Preservation of collected natural enemies in special greenhouses during non-crop periods
  3. Releasing the preserved natural enemies on target crops in the next growing season.

Potential BCA:

1. Mantis
They are not specific to one type of prey insect and therefore will not provide complete control of a given pest. But help in suppressing insect density. A cannibalistic species where smaller species live 4–8 weeks, while larger species may live 4–6 months.
2. Lady bug
Ladybugs are capable of consuming up to 50 to 60 aphids per day but will also eat a variety of other insects and larvae.The tiny eggs are yellow & oval shaped and are usually found in clusters of 10-50, near aphid colonies.
3. Frog
Commonly used in paddy fields as they preferred wet areas. Specific species, Rana rugulosa - Tiger frog is known to have strong adaptability, and large capacity of insect-catching.