Pesticides alternative strategy for Reduction of Insect (Spruce budworm, Gypsy moth, Nun moth, Pine beauty moth, European pine sawfly)
Subject Keywords
Pesticides, Chemicals
Sponsors
Description
Identifiers
Code
Effective date
Review year
Alternative Strategy
Use of pathogenic organisms, such as bacteria, fungi and viruses, both directly within spray programmes and indirectly by manipulating populations of the pathogen, can result in regulation of pest populations with little or no impact on non-target organisms. There are few examples of microbial pesticides currently approved for use in British forestry. However, the bacterial agent Bacillus thuringiensis has been used successfully against many of the most serious lepidopteran defoliators globally. Particular success has been achieved against spruce budworm in North America and against gypsy moth (Lymantria dispar) and nun moth (Lymantria monacha) in western and central Europe. Viral agents offer the highest levels of specificity and are often instrumental in the natural decline of populations of forest insects, many of which are pests. The potential use of baculoviruses against pine beauty moth (Panolis flammea) is described under the specific examples section (page 31). Successful control of European pine sawfly (Neodiprion sertifer) in young pine plantations was achieved with its specific baculovirus, registered as Virox, but this effective and selective control agent is no longer available since the registration has lapsed, due to the demise of the company distributing the virus.
Alternative Type
Specific strategy - Biocontrol
Pest Type
Insect
Alternative Trial
No
Coverage Country
United Kingdom
Method
Reduction