biological control
Biological Control of Gorse What Is Biological Control? Biological control is a form of pest control that uses one organism to control the numbers of another. ... Most indigenous organisms are kept under control by parasites or predators that have evolved alongside them. From the book Biological control of Pests and Weeds , Biological control by, definition, is: “the introduction and encouragement of natural enemies, while certain farm practices aim at limiting proliferation of the pest”. Many other controls are also ‘biological’, e. ... plant varieties, insect hormones, X-ray sterilization; However, the term ‘biological control’ has a long history of usage and if taken too literally it would lose its meaning. ... This is called ‘Biological control’ because we are using our understanding of their biology to control them the predators and parasites are called ‘biological agents’. ... According to the book Biological Control of Insects Pests & Weeds : “Gorse (Ulex europaeus L. ... ” In New Zealand, Gorse has now become one the most serious weed and one of the most costly to control. ... Control of Gorse using biological agents began in 1989 with six agents having been released so far. One of the most successful and considered to be the first biological agents of controlling Gorse is ‘Gorse spider mites’. How Does Gorse Spider Mite Control Gorse? ... Using gorse spider mite as a biological control will not eradicate gorse but it helps gorse more open to grazing, weather stresses or herbicides and thereby enabling beneficial plant species (parasites) to compete with more readily. How was the Use of Gorse Spider Mite as A Biological Control Agent Research And Developed? ... ” All biological control agents introduced into New Zealand must undergo rigorous tests to make sure that they will not affect desirable or indigenous species.