Brazil has opportunity for biological control of corn earworm
Date:12-16-2014
The arrival of the corn earworm (Helicoverpa armigera) in Brazil has created an impasse and an opportunity at the same time. The widespread and indiscriminate use of insecticides led the development of resistant insects to these chemicals. Another consequence is undesirable environmental contamination, which may lead to problems such as the death of bees.
"As it is a very tough to control insect and indiscriminate use of agrochemicals in Brazil generated imbalances, biological control has became indispensable to control this pest," said agronomist José Roberto Postali Parra. Biological control is a viable solution, but that will require a lot of national research, since importing ready-made solutions from other countries is not possible. According to Parra, "The moment of biological control in Brazil has arrived. Our circumstances are unique and biological control should be developed for our own reality.”
Parra defended the combat of corn earworm through natural enemies such as insects, fungus, bacterias, viruses, and nematodes. As a differential, Parra points out that the huge Brazilian biodiversity, the natural wealth is underutilized in the country. "Biodiversity in Brazil is immense, but very little is known, very little is explored". He also pointed that Brazil has ten "natural enemies" available for the use in the field, while in the entire world there are nearly 250 products registered".
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