Problem
Underutilization of biocontrol
Other Names:
Lack of biological control of pests Nature:
Biological control of pests is the method of controlling pests, whether of plants, animals or man, by exposing them to their natural enemies or unfavourable conditions. It includes such techniques as the introduction of exotic predators or diseases of the pest organism, manipulation of the pest's environment, the breeding of crop plants resistant to disease, releasing sterile males of a pest to interfere with reproduction, using sex attractants to trap and kill males before mating can ensue, and manipulating genes in order to render males sterile. However, it is underutilized in many of the developing countries which could best benefit from it. Incidence:
In central and south China, the snail hosts of schistosomiasis were effectively controlled by cutting away the sloping sides of ponds and canals to create vertical walls which were a less hospitable environment than a gentle slope at the junction of land and water which the snails prefer for mating. This method of vector control was possible and successful because of the labour-intensive Chinese rural economy, and thorough understanding of the habits of the local snails; such a combination does not often occur. Broader Problems:
Underutilization of resourcesInadequate disease vector controlUnethical practice of the life sciencesLack of integrated management of biodiversity Related Problems:
Loss of micro-organic proteinsThreatened species of Chalcidoidea Aggravates:
PestsSchistosomiasisCrop vulnerabilityPest resistance to pesticidesMosquitoes as vectors of diseaseLoss of beneficial plants and animals Strategies:
Using biological pest controlProviding training on integrated pest management techniquesDeveloping pesticide and herbicide tolerant cropsStudying biological control of pestsAbstaining from biological control of pests Subject(s):
Biosciences → BiologyBiosciences → Biophysics
Societal Problems → Pests
Societal Problems → Scarcity
Cybernetics → Control
Economics → Resource utilization
Related UN Sustainable Development Goals:
Problem Type:
F: Fuzzy exceptional problems Date of last update
04.10.2020 – 22:48 CEST