The beneficial insects in protected agriculture
The control of pests and diseases in crops is an objective pursued by all producers. Given this need, there are a number of insects that are welcome, the beneficial insects, which are a solution (through a natural balance) to the invaders of our garden.
In general, there are two main types: those that control pests and those that improve the garden. Those that control pests are made up of predators and parasitoids, both of which make use of pest insects. The latter are insects that help improve the garden, either as pollinators or providing nutrients. What is recommended is its correct identification for coexistence and operation with the garden.
Berta Díaz-Merry, director of operations and advisor at CEICKOR University, comments that beneficial insects in protected agriculture are beginning to gain relevance thanks to the trend towards sustainable production and the increase in organic production; therefore these become a good tool.
"A special reason for the increase in this technique is that it is much more environmentally friendly, decreases applications, stresses less to the plant, is an easy resource to use and is presented as an economic option," says the director.
Among the advantages that the beneficial insects present are the following:
- Effectiveness in the control of pests thanks to their size and vital need.
- They do not harm crops, since they do not feed on them; in addition, its small size avoids spoiling them.
- They do not require a high maintenance cost.
- Avoid the use of chemical products such as insecticides or pesticides, resulting in lower investment costs and environmental care.
- They collaborate with pollination.
- Environmental responsibility.
In the subject of the less positive aspects, the Technical Agricultural Engineer by the Polytechnic University of Madrid mentions that we have as elements the cost and the response time, which is slower compared to another type of application against pests and diseases. Díaz-Merry says that with respect to these points "the benefit is of a rather preventive nature, where the producer must change the perspective of handling before the chemical applications: have more patience, be more preventive, and anticipate before the response time" .
Cost-benefit is an important issue where a differentiation must be made between organic and conventional protected agriculture. Berta comments: "in conventional protected agriculture, the value of benefits is a variable case where in some cases it can be profitable, but in others not (depending on the pests and viruses that these pests introduce with respect to region, climate, among others ), before which, one option is a combination of comprehensive management. For its part, in organic agriculture the cost benefit is much higher ”.
Some allies
Catarinas (Coccinellidae). Also ladybugs or vaquitas, based on the region. It is known as voracious predator of aphids (aphids) and are a symbol of health in your crop.
They are predators of larvae, aphids, cochineals, mites, lice, moths, red spider, whitefly, among others. It is possible to find them in plants that have yellow flowers such as coriander, fennel, dill, sunflower, chrysanthemum, etc.
Beetle (Carabidae). Predator of aphids, mites, larvae, whitefly, among others. There is also the four-spotted beetle (collops quadrimaculatus), with orange color and metallic blue spots that feeds on aphids, whitefly, mite and butterfly. They are found in maize plantations or in pastures.
Chrysops (Chrysopidae). It is known as the number one destroyer of the whitefly by depositing its eggs in the larvae of the same, so that as soon as they are born they begin to devour them. The larvae have whiteflies, aphids, mealybugs, mites and small worms in their diet. Adults feed on nectar and pollen. They are found in yellow plants like fennel, sunflower, and dill, as well as corn grasslands, among others. Flowers are an important element to attract them.
Bedbugs (Hemiptera). There are predators like the shield bug (podius sp.) Or the pirate bug (orius sp.). They feed on larvae and eggs of different species; as well as mites, aphids, whitefly, among other small insects. Some varieties of the family are considered pests. They are found mainly in corn plants and pastures.
Centipede (Quilópodos). Insects that inhabit space with stones and move to the plant to feed. They feed on larvae of various pests. They are found in moist soils where there are stones that function as a hiding place.
Mantis religiosa (family Mantidae). Among its main prey are grasshoppers, crickets, grasshoppers, butterflies, moths, flies, beetles, caterpillars, cicadas and larvae of different types. It can also devour beneficial insects. They are found in mounds of stones with warm temperatures.
Wasps (Vespidae). Among the best known and most used species for pest control are: encarsia to control the whitefly, aphelinus that controls aphids, and the trichonogram wasp spp. as predators of butterfly eggs, beetles, whiteflies and bed bugs (among others). A main activity is that it acts as a parasitic of all types of aphids where its young feed on its host, as adults some feed on nectar and pollen, and others as predators.
Bee (Antófilos). Its importance lies in the formation of flowers that result in the fruits of our crops. They feed on nectar, and in turn pollinate the plants they find on their way to transport the pollen attached to their body from one plant to another.
Mexico and its beneficial insects
In Mexico, the beneficial insect culture, compared to other countries, is in early development, where the results depend a lot on the crop and the region. "An increase has been seen with the increase in organic production," says Díaz-Merry.
The CEICKOR adviser expresses that one of the challenges in the country is the legislature and its regulation, and on the other hand it is the culture of use by the producer. Berta Díaz explains that in its legal aspect it is more difficult to obtain government permits to develop or bring benefits than to register a chemical, this because of dealing with a living being that could become a plague. On the part of the producer, the issue has to do with the cost-benefit with respect to time and its application.
The natural biodiversity of our cultivation is a tool that can be used in favor, so it is important to correct the aspects that limit it to enhance its strength. This requires not only physical elements, but also observation and patience, to observe the movements of the insects and support them in their needs. Hence the importance of knowledge on the subject. This natural presence will generate a chain reaction through which it brings systems towards equilibrium.
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