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Biological Pest Control

	This lacewing larva (Chrysoperla sp.) is a voracious predator. Commonly called ‘Aphid Lion’, they can consume up to 100 aphids. They are nocturnal, feeding only at night.
	Ladybugs are another predator on aphids in the greenhouse. They generally do not reproduce in the greenhouse environment, so we were happy to find this offspring lurking about the foliage.
	This is the adult form of Hippodamia convergens, the common ladybug or lady beetle.
	Delphastus is a tiny beetle, which feeds on Whitefly.

The Murdough greenhouses have been under an IPM (Integrated Pest Management) program for more than 15 years. In the last five years, we have shifted from IPM into strictly biological pest control. We use no chemical pesticides, but rely on naturally occurring predators and parasites to control the plant pests that are inevitable in a greenhouse environment. We monitor the population trends of both the pests and the beneficial insects, and make releases of the ‘good bugs’ as needed. Additionally we monitor individual plants, and physically remove pests by washing leaves, and pruning. We maintain a pesticide-free environment for the not only health and safety of our visitors and staff, but also for health of the many beneficial insects we release. Among other beneficials, we use Encarsia formosa and Delphastus to combat whitefly, Chrysoperla, Ladybugs, and Aphidius for aphids, Cryptolaemus for mealybug, and Neoseiulus, Hypoaspis and Orius for thrips.

For more information about Biological Pest Control:

Biological control virtual info center:
http://ipmwww.ncsu.edu/biocontrol/biocontrol.html
National IPM Network:
http://www.reeusda.gov/agsys/nipmn/index.htm
Bio Control home page at Cornell University:
http://www.nysaes.cornell.edu/ent/biocontrol/index.html

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