Courses : Forest Ecology Lecturer :Frischa Adellia Semester : 4thSemester, 2022/2023 Session Biological Pest Control Biological pest control refers to the use of living organisms that naturally play a role in controlling pest populations that harm crops, livestock, or the ecosystem as a whole. This method is a more environmentally friendly alternative to the use of chemical pesticides because it relies on interactions between organisms that exist in nature. Organisms used in biological pest control can be natural predators, parasitoids, or pathogens that selectively attack and control pest populations without causing significant negative impacts on the environment or human health. Examples of biological pest controls include: 1. Natural Predators: Predatory organisms such as predatory beetles, spiders, and birds of prey that eat pests directly. 2. Parasitoid: Organisms such as parasitic wasps and parasitic flies that use pests as hosts to reproduce. They inject eggs or larvae into the pest's body, which then serve as a building site for the offspring. 3. Pathogens: Viruses, bacteria and fungi which are disease agents that can selectively infect and kill plant pests, such as viruses that attack insects or fungi that cause disease in pests. Biological pest control aims to reduce pest populations without damaging the existing ecosystem. This approach fits the principles of sustainable agriculture and helps maintain the natural balance in the ecosystem. The aim of biological pest control is to control or reduce pest populations that harm crops, livestock or ecosystems effectively and sustainably, by utilizing living organisms which are the natural enemies of these pests. Some specific goals of biological pest control include: 1. Reduction of agricultural losses: One of the main goals is to protect agricultural products from damage caused by pest attacks. By controlling pest populations using biological controllers, losses caused by pest attacks can be reduced, thereby increasing crop yields and farmer income. 2. Reduction in the use of chemical pesticides: The use of biological pest controllers helps reduce dependence on chemical pesticides which can have a negative impact on the environment and human health. This is in accordance with the principles of sustainable agriculture which emphasizes the use of more environmentally friendly pest control methods. 3. Maintaining ecosystem balance: By using biological pest controls that are specific to certain pests, natural ecosystems can remain in balance. This helps prevent ecosystem disruption that can occur due to the use of non-specific and damaging chemical pesticides. 4. Improved plant and livestock health: By controlling pest populations using biological controls, plant and livestock health can be maintained. Plants will be stronger and more productive because they are not disturbed by excessive pest attacks. 5. Promotion of sustainable agriculture: The use of biological pest controls supports sustainable agriculture by strengthening environmental sustainability, farmer welfare, and overall community health. Thus, biological pest control aims to achieve a balance between plant protection, environmental health and human welfare in the long term. Biological pest control has several important benefits, both for agriculture and for the balance of the ecosystem as a whole. Some of the main benefits of using biological pest controls include: 1. Environmentally friendly: One of the main benefits is the reduction in the use of chemical pesticides that are harmful to the environment and human health. Biological pest control uses natural living organisms and does not pollute the environment with chemical residues. 2. Sustainable agriculture : The use of biological pest controls supports sustainable agricultural practices by maintaining ecosystem balance, reducing environmental damage, and minimizing negative impacts on biodiversity. 3. Effective control: Biological pest control organisms often have high specificity towards certain pests, so they can provide effective control without harming non-target organisms or disrupting the balance of the ecosystem. 4. Maintenance of plant health: Biological pest controls help maintain plant health by controlling populations of harmful pests. This can increase plant productivity and the quality of agricultural products. 5. Cost savings : Although the initial cost of implementing biological pest controls may be higher than using chemical pesticides, in the long run, they can save costs as they reduce dependence on expensive chemical pesticides. 6. Lower resistance: The use of biological pest controllers can help reduce the risk of pests developing resistance to chemical pesticides, as biological controllers usually interact with pests differently and have varying control mechanisms. Given these benefits, biological pest control is an attractive option for effectively managing plant pest populations while minimizing negative impacts on the environment and human health.