Short Communication) Biological control of pests

Abstract

Biological pest control utilizes the balance in the predator and prey relationship that has been set by nature among almost all the organisms. Biological control may be defined as the use of natural enemies to suppress the pest species. The term natural enemy refers principally to the parasites and predators (mostly other insects) but may also include disease causing organisms. The pests of different crops also affect the total crop production in the country. Hence to minimize the losses caused by these pests and diseases, and integrated pest management programme is adopted. Biological control constitutes an important part of it. There are three different type of agents used for suppression of pests in a crop. These are insect predators, parasites and diseases of insects induced by microorganisms.