Lesson 4 – Augmentative Biocontrol: Modes of Release and Types of Supportive Habitat
Presentation Recording
Presenters
Kim Horton is the Agronomy Manager at Taylor Farms. Kim began farming insects in 1998 as a part-time job in college. It was an immediate perfect fit and blossomed into her choice of pursuing a B.S. degree in Entomology and Nematology at the University of Florida, Gainesville. She continued rearing insects and mites for the biological control industry for the next 15 years. In 2015, Kim decided to change gears and began working on a large organic vegetable farm in the San Joaquin Valley in California. Currently, Kim is the Agronomy Manager at Taylor Farming on the Central Coast and in the SW Desert where she continues to be fascinated by the above ground and below ground associations between plants, insects, diseases, and soil.
Hanna Kahl is the Ecological Pest Management Specialist at Community Alliance with Family Farmers (CAFF). With CAFF, Hanna works on creating applied resources, organizing events, addressing pest management questions, and conducting agricultural research in collaboration with local farmers and PCAs. She is passionate about hosting events where farmers can share their knowledge and experience. She has received a masters in Entomology from University of Maryland and a Ph.D. in Entomology from UC Davis.
Learning Objectives
Upon successfully completing this lesson, learners will be able to:
- Explain the importance of setting up the farm for a successful augmentative release of beneficial insects with annual and perennial habitat that provides nectar, pollen and alternative prey.
- Develop quality control measures, including timely ordering of the right beneficial for the pest involved, keeping the product alive and using it asap at the right time of the day in the right areas.
- Describe resources that evaluate effects of previously used- or planned- pesticides on beneficial insects that are selected for release.
- Identify appropriate ways to release beneficial insects as part of an IPM plan for different farm types, including by hand, truck/ATV or drone.
Articles & Resources
- UC IPM website
- Koppert side effect database
- Biobest Side Effects App
- Schmidt-Jeffris, et al. (2021) Meta-analysis and review of pesticide non-target effects on phytoseiids, key biological control agents. Pest Management Science. 77(1): 4848-4862
- CAFF database on miticide effects on phytoseiids in walnuts
- Buitenhuis, R. (2017) Grower Guide: Quality Assurance of Biocontrol Products. Vineland Research and Innovation Centre
- UC’s Natural Enemies Handbook An Illustrated Guide to Biological Control