by Doug Johnson, Extension Entomologist
University of Kentucky College of Agriculture
The author would like to thank Mr. Larry G. Bezark and the California Biological Control Services Program for graciously providing information included in this publication.
Inclusion in this publication does not imply any endorsement nor does exclusion imply any criticism of suppliers or their products. Microbial, or single-celled, organisms (CGP, CPB, BP, GHP, MCP, MB, NPV) are considered pesticides under current government regulations. Before using these biologicals, consult your county Extension agent for information concerning legal use.
Introduction
Current attitudes in the United States concerning food safety and environmental quality have raised the general public's interest in alternative (non-synthetic pesticide) pest controls. Although unknown to most people, research and implementation of biological control projects has a long history in the United States. The year 1998 marks the 109th anniversary of the importation and release of the Vedalia beetle into the citrus groves of California. This "lady beetle" predator single-handedly reduced a major pest (Cottony Cushion Scale ) to sub-economic levels.
Kentucky also has successfully utilized biological control. Importation and release of parasites and management of a fungal disease have greatly reduced the first generation of alfalfa weevil. Currently, research exploring the use of insect viral pathogens to control tobacco budworm is underway.
Although the use of one living organism (beneficial) to control another (pest) works, it can be quite complicated. Simple purchase of a beneficial organism may not be the answer to your pest problem. However, if you are willing to experiment and learn, you may find that use of the various forms of biological control provides good pest control.
Conditions for Success
Biological control (biocontrol) is very different from the use of insecticides for controlling insect pests. While biocontrol does work, is less harsh on the environment and is safer for people to handle, it also is much more complicated to implement. Unlike chemical insecticides, biocontrol organisms, called beneficials, are alive. They have behaviors which must be understood and are subject to the same adverse environmental factors as are the pest insects.
For best success, ensure that there is some prey for your beneficial organisms to feed on. (Pest insects are the food source of beneficials.) If beneficial organisms are released into an area with no prey, they will either leave in search of prey or die of starvation. Second, use as little insecticide as possible. Beneficials will be killed just as easily as pests by these materials. Additionally, because pest insects are prey (food) for beneficials, killing the pests removes the beneficials' food source. Therefore, beneficials are hit twice as hard as pests by any insecticidal application. As you become more adept at using beneficials, you will find that there are some "insecticides" that may be employed with no, or slight, harm to your beneficial insects.
NOTE: Many vendors listed in this publication are also listed in: Johnson, D.W. 1998 Vendors of Microbial and Botanical Insecticides and Insect Monitoring Devices. Entfact - 124.
These two publications in conjunction with the appropriate publications listing synthetic insecticides for your crop will give you the widest possible range of insect control tactics.
| Predatory Mites | Fly Parasites | Parasitic Nematodes |
| PM Predatory Mites -- various species PMC -- Amblyseius californicus PMU -- Amblyseius cucumeris (for thrips) PMI -- Amblyseius iroquois (for thrips) PMO -- Metaseiulus occidentalis PML -- Phytoseiulus longipes PMM -- Amblyseins mckenziei (= barker) PMP -- Phytoseiulus persimilis PMA -- Pyemotes tritici (for ants) |
FP Fly Parasites -- various species FPR -- Carcinops sp. FPM -- Muscidifurax raptor FPL -- Muscidifurax raptorellus FPZ -- Muscidifurax zaraptor FPN -- Nasonia vitripennis FPP -- Pachycrepoideus vindemiae FPC -- Spalangia cameroni FPS -- Spalangia endius FPA -- Spalangia nigroaenea FPG -- Sphegigaster sp. |
PN Parasitic Nematodes -- various species PNB -- Neoaplectana bibionis PNG -- Neoaplectana glaseri PNH -- Heterorhabditis heliothidis PNC -- Steinernema feltiae (= Neoaplectana carpocapsae) |
| Other Organisms | ||
| CGP -- Agrobacterium radiobacter -- Crown Gall Preventive AE -- Anagrus epos -- Leafhopper Parasite AC -- Anisopteromalus calandrae -- Stored Product Weevil Parasite APA -- Aphidoletes aphidimyza -- Aphid Predator RSM -- Aphytis melinus -- Red Scale Parasite BP -- Bacillus popilliae -- Milky Spore MB -- Bacillus thuringiensis israeliensis -- Mosquito Bacterium* CPB -- Bacillus thuringiensis var. San Diego -- Colorado Potato Beetle* BH -- Bracon hebetor -- Stored Product Moth Larva Parasite CN -- Chilocorus nigritus -- Scale Predator GL -- Chrysoperia carnea or C. rufilabrus -- Green Lacewings RSB -- Comperiella bifasciata -- Red Scale Parasite GMC -- Cotesia melanoscela -- Gypsy Moth Parasite MD -- Cryptolaemus montrouzieri -- Mealybug Destroyer DB -- Dacnusa sibirica -- Leafminer Parasite DP -- Delphastus sp. -- Whitefly Egg Predator DI -- Diglyphus isaea -- Leafminer Parasite CPP -- Edovum puttleri -- Colorado Potato Beetle Parasite GWP- Encarsia formosa -- Greenhouse Whitefly Parasite MF -- Gambusia affinis -- Mosquito Fish AM -- Aphidus matricariae -- Aphid parasite MBP -- Orius tristicolor -- Thrips predator GMI -- Glyptapanteles indiensis -- Gypsy moth parasite GMG -- Glyptapanteles flavicoxis -- Gypsy Moth Parasite NOW -- Goniozus legneri -- Navel Orangeworm Parasite CL -- Hippodamia convergens -- Convergent Ladybird Beetle CMD -- Leptomastix dactylopii -- Citrus Mealybug Parasite LT -- Lysiphlebus testaceipes -- Greenbug Parasite BSP -- Metaphycus helvolus -- Black Scale Parasite GMM -- Meteorus pulchricornis -- Gypsy Moth Parasite PBP -- Microchelonus blackburni -- Pink Bollworm Parasite PM -- Podisus maculiventris -- Mexican Bean Beetle Predator MCP -- Mormon Cricket Pathogen GHP -- Nosema locustae -- Grasshopper Pathogen NPV- Nuclear Polyhedrosis Virus BBP -- Pediobius foveolatus -- Bean Beetle Parasite NOP -- Pentalitomastix sp. -- Navel Orangeworm Parasite DS -- Rumina decollata -- Decollate Snail PMT -- Tenodera aridifolia sinensis -- Praying Mantid EW -- Trichogramma sp. (minutum, p latneri, pretiosum) -- Egg Wasps XF -- Xylocoris flavipes -- Stored Product General Predator |
||
| *The larval bacterium Bacillus thuringiensis is available through many retail and wholesale concerns under various brand names. | ||
Retail and Wholesale Suppliers
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Ag Bio Chem Inc., 3 Fleetwood Court, Orinda, CA 94563, (415)254-0789
- Other Organisms: CGP
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Applied Bionomics, 11074 W. Saanich Rd., Sidney, B.C., Canada, V8L 3X9, (604) 656-2132
- Predatory Mites: PMM, PMO, PMP,PMU
- Fly Parasites: FP
- Other Organisms: APA, BSP, CMD, GWP, MD, RSM, MMU, DP, CL
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Associates Insectary, P.O. Box 969, Santa Paula, CA 93060, (805) 933-1301
- Other Organisms: DS, MD, RSM
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Beneficial Insectary, 245 Oak Run Road, Oak Run, CA 96069, (916) 472-3715
- Predatory Mites: PMC, PML, PMO, PMP
- Fly Parasites: FP, FPM, FPN, FPS, FPZ
- Other Organisms: EW, GHP, GL
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Beneficial Insects Ltd., P.O. Box 154, Banta, CA 95304, (209)835-6158
- Fly Parasites: FP
- Other Organisms: EW, GL
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Better Yield Insects, P.O. Box 3451, Tecumseh Station, Windsor, Ontario, Canada, N8N 3C4, (519)735-0002
- Predatory Mites: PMM, PMP
- Other Organisms: APA, GWP
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Bio Ag Services, 4218 W. Muscat, Fresno, CA 93706, (209)268-2835
- Predatory Mites: PMC, PMP
- Fly Parasites: FPG, FPG, FPS, FPZ
- Other Organisms: AE
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Bio-Con Systems, P.O. Box 30186, San Bernardino, CA 92413, (619) 242-3800
- Other Organisms: DS
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Biofac, P.O. Box 87, Mathis, TX 78368, (512)547-3259
- Predatory Mites: PMA
- Fly Parasites: FPM, FPS
- Other Organisms: AC, BH, EW, GL, XF
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Bio Insect Control, 710 S. Columbia, Plainview, TX 79072, (806)293-5861
- Other Organisms: EW, CL
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BioLogic, P.O. Box 177, 18056 Springtown Rd., Willow Hill, PA 17271-0177, (717)349-2789
- Parasitic Nematodes: PN, PNC
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Biosys, 1057 E. Meadow Circle, Palo Alto, CA 94303, (415) 856-9500
- Parasitic Nematodes: PNC
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Biotactics Inc., 22412 Pico Street, Grand Terrace, CA 92324, (714)783-2148
- Predatory Mites: PMC, PML, PMO, PMP
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Bo-Biotrol, Inc., 54 S. Bear Creek Drive, Merced, CA 95340, (209)722-4985
- Fly Parasites: FP
- Other Organisms: EW, GL, NOW, NOP
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B.R. Supply Company, P.O. Box 845, Exeter, CA 93221
- Parasitic Nematodes: PN, PNB, PNC, PNG
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Burgess Seed & Plant Co., Department 91, 905 Four Seasons Road, Bloomington, IL 61701, (309)663-9551
- Other Organisms: BP
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Burpee Seed Company, 300 Park Avenue, Warminster, PA 18974, (215) 674-4900
- Parasitic Nematodes: PN
- Other Organisms: CL, EW, GL, PMT
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Fairfax Biological, Laboratories, Inc., Clinton Corners, NY 12514, (914) 266-3705
- Other Organisms: BP
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Farmers Seed & Nursery, Department 71, 1706 Morrissey Drive, Bloomington, IL 61704, (309)663-9551
- Other Organisms: BP, GHP, MB
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Henry Field Seed & Nursery Co., 415 N. Burnett St., Shenandoah, IA 51602, (605)665-4491
- Fly Parasites: FP
- Other Organisms: CL, EW, GHP, GL, PMT
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Foothill Ag Research, Inc., 510 W. Chase Drive, Corona, CA 91720, (714)371-0120 Predatory Mites: PM Fly Parasites: FP Other Organisms: BSP, CL, DS, EW, GL, GWP, MD, PMT, RSM
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Fountain's Sierra Bug Co., P.O. Box 114, Rough & Ready, CA 95975, (916)273-0513
- Other Organisms: CL
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Gardens Alive!, Hwy 48, P.O. Box 149, (812) 623-3800
- Predatory Mites: PMC, PML, PMP
- Fly Parasites: PN
- Parasitic Nematodes: PNH, PNC
- Other Organisms: BP, CL, CPB, EW, GHP, GL, GWP, MB, PM, PMT
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Gerhart, Inc., 6346 Avon Belden Road, North Ridgeville, OH 44039, (216)327-8056
- Predatory Mites: PMM, PMP, PMU
- Other Organisms: APA, DB, DI, GWP
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Gurney Seed & Nursery Corp., 2nd and Capitol, Yankton, SD 57078, (605)665-4451
- Fly Parasites: FP
- Other Organisms: CL, EW, GHP, GL, PMT
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Harmony Farm Supply, P.O. Box 460, Graton, CA 95444, (707)823-9125
- Predatory Mites: PMC, PML, PMM, PMO, PMP, PMU
- Fly Parasites: FPM, FPP, EPR, FPS
- Parasitic Nematodes: PN, PNH, PNC
- Other Organisms: ABA, BSP, CL, CGP, DS, EW, GHP, GL, GWP, MB, MD, PMT, RSB, RSM, CPB, DB
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Hydro-Gardens, Inc., P.O. Box 9707, Colorado Springs, CO 80932 (303)893-3618
- Predatory Mites: PMM, PMP, PMC, PMU, PML
- Parasitic Nematodes: PNH, PNC
- Other Organisms: APA, CL, GL, GWP, MD, DP, GHP, EW
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IPM Laboratories, Inc., Main Street, Locke, NY 13092-0099, (315)497-3129
- Predatory Mites: PMP, PMU, PMC, PMO, PML, PMM
- Fly Parasites: FPC, FPM, FPN
- Parasitic Nematodes: PNC
- Other Organisms: CGP, GWP, APA, MB, GL, MD, DP, DI, EW
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Kunafin Trichogramma Insectaries, Route 1, P.O. Box 39, Quemado, TX 78877, (512) 773-0149
- Predatory Mites: PMA
- Fly Parasites: EPA, FPC, FPG, FPL, FPM, FPS, FPZ
- Other Organisms: CL, EW, GL
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Lakeland Nurseries Sales Inc., 340 Poplar Street, Hanover, PA 17331, (717)637-5555
- Other Organisms: CL, PMT
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Mead's Resistant Predatory Mites, 9093 Troxel Road, Chico, CA 95928, (916)895-8125
- Predatory Mites: PMO
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Mellinger's Nursery, 2310 W. South Range Road, North Lima, OH 44452, (216)549-9861, (800)321-7444 (orders/catalog)
- Fly Parasites: FPS, FPZ
- Other Organisms: BP, CL, EW, GHP, GL, GWP, MCP, MD, PMT
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Miller Nurseries, 5060 West Lake Road, Canandaigua, NY 14424, (716) 396-2647
- Other Organisms: BP
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Chuck Musgrove, 2707 Monroe St., Riverside CA 92504, (714)785-1680
- Other Organisms: DS
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National Gypsy Moth Management Group, RD 1, Box 715, Landisburg, PA 17040, (717)789-3434
- Other Organisms: GMC, GMG, GMM, GMI
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Nationwide Seed & Supply, 4801 Fengenbush Lane, Louisville, KY 40228, (502) 499-0115
- Other Organisms: PMT
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Natural Pest Controls, 8864 Little Creek Drive, Orangevale, CA 95662, (916) 726-0855
- Predatory Mites: PMC, PMO, PMP, PMU
- Fly Parasites: FPN, FPS, FPZ
- Other Organisms: BSP, CL, DB, DI, EW, GL, MB, MF, PBP, PMT
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Nature's Control, P.O. Box 35, Medford, OR 97501, (503) 899-8318
- Predatory Mites: PMC, PML, PMP
- Fly Parasites: FP
- Parasitic Nematodes: PN
- Other Organisms: APA, CL, EW, GL, MD, PMT
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Necessary Trading Co., P.O. Box 603, New Castle, VA 24127, (703) 864-5103
- Predatory Mites: PMC, PMO, PMP
- Fly Parasites: FP
- Parasitic Nematodes: PNC
- Other Organisms: BBP, BP, CL, CPP, EW, GHP, GL, GWP, MB, MD, NPV
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Organic Control, Inc., 5132 Venice Blvd., Los Angeles, CA 90019, (213) 937-7444
- Predatory Mites: PMP
- Fly Parasites: FP
- Parasitic Nematodes: PNC
- Other Organisms: CL, PMT, GL, EW, DS, GWP
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Organic Pest Mgmt., Consultant, P.O. Box 55267, Seattle, WA 98155, (206)367-0707
- Predatory Mites: PM, PMI, PMU
- Fly Parasites: FP
- Parasitic Nematodes: PNC
- Other Organisms: APA, BSP, CL, CMD, EW, GL, GWP, MB, MD, PMT, RSM
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Richard Owen Nursery, Department 36, 2300 East Lincoln St., Bloomington, IL 61701, (309)663-9551
- Other Organisms: BP
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Pacific Tree Farms, 4301 Lynwood Drive, Chula Vista, CA 92010, (619) 422-2400
- Predatory Mites: PMC, PML, PMO, PMP
- Other Organisms: DS
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Plant Sciences, Inc., 514 Calabasas Road, Watsonville, CA 95076, (408)728-7771
- Predatory Mites: PMP, PMU
- Other Organisms: DB, DI, GWP
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Praxis, 2723 116th Avenue, Allegan, MI 49010-9095 USA, (616)673-2793
- Predatory Mites: PM
- Fly Parasites: FP
- Parasitic Nematodes: PN
- Other Organisms: CMD, DP, GWP, MG, RSM
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Richters, P.O. Box 26 Goodwood, Ontario, Canada, LOC LAO, (416) 640-6677
- Predatory Mites: PMP Canada only
- Fly Parasites: FP
- Parasitic Nematodes: PN Canada only
- Other Organisms: CL, EW, GL, PMT, APA, GWP Canada only
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Rincon-Vitova Insectaries, Inc., P.O. Box 95, Oak View, CA 93022, (805)643-5407
- Predatory Mites: PMC, PMO, PMP
- Fly Parasites: FP
- Other Organisms: BSP, CL, CMD, DS, EW, GWP, MD
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Sespe Creek Insectary, 1400 Grand Avenue, Fillmore, CA 93015, (805)524-3565
- Predatory Mites: PM
- Fly Parasites: FP
- Other Organisms: BSP, CL, DS, EW, GL, GWP, RSM
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Spalding Laboratories, 760 Printz Road, Arroyo Grande, CA 93420, (805)489-5946
- Fly Parasites: FPG, FPM, FPS
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Troy Hygro Systems, 4096 CTH ES, East Troy, WI 53120, (414)642-5928
- Predatory Mites: PM
- Other Organisms: APA, GWP, MD
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Unique Insect Control, 5504 Sperry Drive, Citrus Heights, CA 95621, (916)961-7945
- Predatory Mites: PMC, PMO, PMP
- Fly Parasites: FPM, FPS
- Other Organisms: CL, EW, GL, GWP, PMT
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West Coast Ladybug Sales, P.O. Box 903, Gridley, CA 95948, (916)534-0840
- Other Organisms: CL, PMT
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Whittier Enterprises, P.O. Box 3958, Chico, CA 95927, (916) 895-8170
- Predatory Mites: PMO
Issued: 4/98
Revised: 4/98
CAUTION! Pesticide recommendations in this publication are registered for use in Kentucky, USA ONLY! The use of some products may not be legal in your state or country. Please check with your local county agent or regulatory official before using any pesticide mentioned in this publication.
Of course, ALWAYS READ AND FOLLOW LABEL DIRECTIONS FOR SAFE USE OF ANY PESTICIDE!