Battle of the Bugs

Would you like to reduce your pesticide use by 100%?

That's right- reduce it to ZERO!

Hensarling Horticulture Solutions LLC can help teach you how to make this a reality.

Employing the use of biological controls like beneficial insects (beneficials) can heavily reduce pesticide use in greenhouse and indoor farming and can even work in lieu of pesticides. Ultimately, prevention and exclusion are two of the best methods to dealing with pests. Beneficial insects, when applied early on in cultivation, can prevent pest populations from reaching economic thresholds and gaining irreversible footholds within your operation. The best part about these beneficials is that many species target multiple pests, giving you a wider spectrum of control.

One great example of this spectral coverage is by Steinernema feltiae (an entomopathogenic nematode), basically a minute warrior worm. Nematodes are applied to the soil and target an assortment of pests such as fungus gnats, shore fly larvae, thrips pupae, leaf miners and even some caterpillars.

Image by BioBee- Steinernema feltiae beneficial nematode- https://www.biobee.com/solutions/biosf/

Newer products on the market allow for nematode application that has effectiveness up to six weeks. With most pesticides calling for additional applications on an average of every ten days, beneficials, such as nematodes contained within newer products, can protect your crop with longevity unmatched by many conventional insecticides. With a six-week application interval you would only need nine applications per year. Comparatively, with an average ten day pesticide interval, you would need over thirty five applications per year to uphold effectiveness. That's a 72% reduction rate in applications allowing for potential time and labor costs savings. Using beneficials as an alternative to conventional pesticides can immensely help your operation, even fitting well in line with lean practices.

While nematodes protect from the soil, other beneficials, like Orius insidiosus (a.k.a. pirate bug), protect from within the plant canopy.

Image by BioBee- Orius insidiosus (pirate bug) controlling aphids- https://www.biobee.com/solutions/bioorius-insidiosus/

These voracious insects attack several foliage feeding pests like aphids, thrips, whiteflies and even some species of mites. According to one study by Funderburk et al. (2000) in Florida, application of Orius insidiosus in field grown peppers helped suppress thrips populations to levels that surpassed the effectiveness of weekly insecticide applications. This was in the open field! Can you imagine their effectiveness with a protected and enclosed environment such as a greenhouse or indoor operation? Protected environments, such as those found in controlled environment agriculture, are perfect for beneficials as they allow for a more targeted and contained implementation.

Essentially the idea with beneficials is to use multiple species to build up a cohesive and protective "immune system"within the ecosystem of your operation. Within our human immune system, lymphocytes (white blood cells) such as T-cells and B-cells attack the "pests" of the body (viruses, bacteria, toxins). These cells work in coordination to attack a common enemy. Beneficials work in a similar manner, with multiple species targeting the same pests. When applied early on in the growth process, this living "immune system" can establish itself allowing for pest removal before seedlings reach mature growth stages. This helps keep pests under control in your operation from start to finish. Below are three different beneficials all controlling aphids:

Images by BioBee- Orius insidiosus/ minute pirate bug (top left), Chrysoperla carnea/ green lace wing (top right), Aphidius colemani/ parasitic wasp (bottom)- https://www.biobee.com/solutions/

Today, many consumers prefer or need a pesticide free product, and as producers, fitting into this category can be a lucrative move. This is especially true for cannabis producers. With tight regulations and a limited arsenal of chemical solutions, biological controls such as beneficial insects can greatly benefit cannabis producers and their consumers. Having clean, pesticide-free product available for consumption is something every operation should be proud of being able to offer. Pesticide residues can greatly affect the quality of cannabis flower as well as potentially fail the product during required testing. For those consumers who are immuno-compromised or sensitive/ allergic to pesticides, the implementation of beneficials in place of pesticides can increase the safety of your products for all customers.

Image by- Coccinella septempunctata (seven spot ladybug)

Beneficial insects can be adapted to conventional and organic operations. Whether you have a large facility or you are small scale, growing in cultivation tents, beneficials can be applied giving you control over pests. Knowing which beneficials to apply and appropriate timing is key to ensuring the efficacy of the implementation. I recommend using beneficials from seeding, to harvest; all season long. If you would like to learn more about how to implement beneficial insects in your operation and the best suppliers that I recommend, contact me today by calling or by email and I will happily assist you.

References

Funderburk JE, Stavisky J, Olson S. 2000. Predation of Frankliniella occidentalis (Thysanoptera: Thripidae) in field peppers by Orius insidiosus (Hemiptera: Anthocoridae). Environmental Entomology 29: 376-382.