Filtering by tag: biological control ✕

Fig.1. Adult Western Flower Thrips (WFT, Frankliniella occidentalis)

Management of Western Flower Thrips in Fruiting Vegetables

DistributionThe WFT is native to southwestern North America but has spread throughout the United States and the world, becoming a major global pest in many cropping systems. EFT is native to eastern…

Fig. 1. Phytoseiulus persimilis adult beside eggs of the twospotted spider mite (Photo: Biobest Sustainable Crop Management)

Biological Control of Spider Mites in Tomatoes

Classification: Acarina: Phytoseiidae, Phytoseiulus persimilis (Athias-Henriot) BackgroundPhytoseiulus persimilis is a specialist predator of spider mites, such as the twospotted spider mite (TSSM,…

Lady beetles and aphids on tomato plants

Biological Control With Predators and Parasitoids

What is Biological Control?Biological control (or “biocontrol”) is a pest management strategy that can benefit both conventional and organic agriculture. By enhancing the role of natural enemies, the…

Florida predatory stink bug attacking brown marmorated stink bug

Biological Control of Brown Marmorated Stink Bug

Background Biological control through natural enemies has the potential to suppress brown marmorated stink bug (Halyomorpha halys, BMSB) populations over a large landscape scale. Natural enemies…

Large green leaf with prominent central vein and small feeding holes

Beneficial Insects in Tobacco

Last week while scouting my plots at Kinston and Rocky Mount, I spotted two predatory insects: big-eyed bugs and spined stilt bugs. Big-eyed bugs (Geocoris puntipes) are common predators found in…

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Using Predatory Mites in Strawberries

Twospotted spider mites are the most common and significant pest of strawberries grown in North Carolina. Mite management strategies include conventional miticides, organic miticides, and biological…