Biological control agents: the natural enemies of pests

The use of poisons is as old as Humanity. Some discoveries have already shown that our most distant ancestors devised a way to incorporate some substance into their tools and weapons that would make hunting (or surely confrontation with an enemy) more effective. This was determined by the appearance of grooves or small holes in the aforementioned utensils.

And since the human species is an example of constant evolution, the uses of poisons also evolved with it, whether to be applied as part of a death sentence, or as a highly discreet mechanism to eliminate the closest enemies. If we talk about biological control, we could cite very old records in Asia where it is evident that 1700 years ago Chinese citrus growers,

They placed nests of a species of predatory ant (Oecophylla smaragdina) in the trees in order to reduce the presence of leaf-eating insects. This highlights the fact that this type of control dates back a long time. Biological Control consists of the use of living organisms to control certain pests or, rather, to reduce pests.

levels such that they do not cause economic damage or generate inconvenience, thus achieving a balance between prey and predator. This type of pest control is fundamentally characterized by having a certain degree of specificity, not causing environmental contamination and being an excellent tool within the framework of Integrity Management.

Predatory Arthropods or External Hyperparasites of Pests that complement other control actions. These practices are widely spread in agricultural-livestock production, being compatible with organic production and in confined areas (protected crops, intensive livestock activities, warehouses, sheds, etc.). We can classify the organisms used in biological control according to the way they control pests into three groups: Predatory Arthropods are those individuals (insects/arachnids) whose female lays her eggs.

outside the prey, they feed on many prey (exercise commensalism). This means that the same individual in any of its active stages of development reduces the population of pest species significantly. Many Coleoptera, Diptera, Mites and Hymenoptera are found in this group. As for the Parasitoids, the females with the end of their pointed abdomen (ovipositor) insert an egg (or several) into the prey inside, giving rise to the birth of a larva that will feed on the

Comperia merceti parasitizing cockroach ootheca

Parasitoid Arthropods, Internal Hyperparasites or Endohyperparasites internal content of the parasitized prey in order to gradually kill it in order to achieve its growth and development. Each parasitoid adult escapes to the outside through an opening they make before pupating in the exoskeleton of the prey. Finally, the Entomopathogens, group the microorganisms (viruses, bacteria and main pathogenic fungi).

pally) that cause lethal symptoms in pest insects. Biological Control, although it is not a widespread practice, has advantages that can be very beneficial, especially in confined environments and in particular situations for pest control, mainly in livestock and agricultural activities.

Cockroach infected by a fungus (Metarhizium anisopliae) that acts as an insecticide.