Beneficial Insects and BioControl Presentation

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A recent presentation given for the Master Volunteers Entomology Specialty Training in College Station on September 12, 2018. Topics covered include basic introduction to integrated pest management, concepts in biological control, and several commercially available and naturally occurring biological control agents for managing common garden pests.

Download the PDF: Biological Control_MG_2018_handout

‘Natural’ Pesticides – Softer on good insects?

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There is an increasing trend towards organic and natural products – from food, cosmetics, and even down to the choice in pesticides. It’s not uncommon for people to lean towards or prefer a pesticide that is ‘natural’. After all, an unnatural pesticide will be more harmful, right? However, there’s a discrepancy between perceived safety of ‘natural’ and the reality. For starters, there seems to be no regulation on the word “natural”. As the FDA puts it,

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