BIOLOGICAL CONTROL AGENTS FOR INTEGRATED PEST MANAGEMENT: EXPLORING THE POTENTIAL OF NATURAL PREDATORS AND PATHOGENS

Abstract

This study investigates the effectiveness of biological control agents (BCAs), specifically natural predators and pathogens, in managing pest populations within agricultural systems. Field trials were conducted to assess the impact of BCAs on pest density, crop health, and yield. Natural predators such as lady beetles and lacewings, as well as pathogens including Bacillus thuringiensis and Metarhizium anisopliae, were evaluated for their ability to suppress common pests like aphids, whiteflies, tobacco hornworms, and cotton bollworms. The results demonstrated significant reductions in pest populations, with some agents achieving mortality rates of up to 90%. Environmental factors, including temperature, humidity, and soil type, were found to influence the efficacy of these BCAs, with optimal conditions enhancing pest control. Studies showed that plants treated with BCAs achieved better yields while demonstrating improved health rates over control areas because of the two-fold advantages that BCAs deliver between pest control and crop enhancement. The research demonstrates how BCAs represent an ecologically friendly pest control solution which stresses the need for environmental awareness when implementing biologically-based insecticides into pest management plans. The discovered evidence supports creating specific pest management approaches which combine sustainability with decreased chemical intervention requirements.