Alternatives to Synthetic Insecticides in the Control of the Colorado Potato Beetle (Leptinotarsa decemlineata Say) and Their Environmental Benefits

Scientific paper - Original scientific paper

• Author: Bastian Göldel
• Author: Darija Lemić
• Author: Renata Bažok
• Author's institution: University of Zagreb; Faculty of Agriculture
• Scientific / art field, discipline and subdiscipline: BIOTECHNICAL SCIENCES; Agronomy

Abstract (english)

In this study, we review the wide range of alternative control methods used to this day to control the Colorado potato beetle (Leptinotarsa decemlineata Say), the biggest potato pest globally. We further categorize and highlight the advantages and disadvantages of each method by comparing them to conventional insecticides. In a second step, we point out the current knowledge about positive and negative impacts of using alternative control methods. By this, we illustrate how alternative control... More methods, farmers’ activities, and environmental factors (e.g., biodiversity and ecosystem health) are heavily linked in a cycle with self-reinforcing effects. In detail, the higher the acceptance of farmers to use alternative control methods, the healthier the ecosystem including the pest’s enemy biodiversity. The following decrease in pest abundance possibly increases the yield, profit, and acceptance of farmers to use less conventional and more alternative methods. Overall, we try to balance the positive and negative sides of alternative control methods and combine them with current knowledge about environmental effects. In our view, this is a fundamental task for the future, especially in times of high species loss and increasing demand for environmentally friendly agriculture and environmentally friendly products. Less

• Keywords (english): biodiversity; biopesticides; conventional insecticides; crop farming; ecosystem health; environmental protection; insect ecology; natural enemies; pest control; sustainable agriculture
• Language: english
• Publication type: Scientific paper - Original scientific paper
• Publication status: Published
• Peer review: Peer review - international
• Publication version: Published version
• Journal title: Agriculture
• Numbering: vol. 10, no. 12, 611
• BPC: 14500,00 HRK
• e-ISSN: 2077-0472
• DOI: https://doi.org/10.3390/agriculture10120611
• URN:NBN: urn:nbn:hr:204:788515
• Publication: 2020-12-08
• Project: Number: IP-2016-06-7458; Title (croatian): Monitoring rezistentnosti štetnika: nove metode detekcije i učinkovite strategije upravljanja rezistentnošću; Acronym: MONPERES; Leader: Renata Bažok; Jurisdiction: Croatia; Funding stream: Research Projects
• Document URL: https://www.mdpi.com/2077-0472/10/12/611
• Type of resource: Text
• Access conditions: Open access
• Created on: 2024-11-29 13:02:53