Transfer of Biocontrol Technology in Taiwan

Abstract

Applied biological control (biocontrol) involves the use and management of natural enemies of plant pests by humans. Its advantages over other types of controls includes its relative safety, permanence, and economy. One minor disadvantage is that a biocontrol program may take a long time to implement, because of the research and other efforts involved in setting it up. The best natural enemy is one that is an exceptional searcher and has high fecundity, and thus it is able to find the host or prey at very low densities and thus help maintain those low levels. The lacewing is a broadly used natural enemy. It preys on aphids, psyllids, mealybugs, whiteflies, spider mites, and the crawlers of scales. The lacewing Mallada basalis (Walker) is an indigenous species which is a natural enemy of spider mites, mulberry psyllids, and peach aphids in Taiwan. It has been successfully reared in great numbers using the eggs of the rice moth, Corcyra cephalonica (Stainton), as food and has been applied to biocontrol of spider mites on papaya and strawberry. The main extension method begins with a demonstration conference, and then individual discussion meetings are held with interested production and marketing groups to transfer the rearing techniques. Extension agents make continual follow-up visits to help group members solve technical problems during the period of technology transfer.