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southern MN | Unfortunately that is the problem with many ‘natural’ controls on pests.
It takes time for natural controls to build up high enough to make a dent in the problem insect.
One can’t really stockpile a predator insect - they need something to live on, so they won’t be there ahead of time. They only show up and expand after there is much damage done.
The Asian beetles that were brought in to control the soybean aphids are an example.i certainly enjoy seeing them out there on the soybean plants. But an aphid population can explode in a week, while the Asian beetles slowly build population over a month.
What good is that…
Now, in a hot humid fall day, the Asian beetles are swarming the buildings on the yard, and I have welts from the dozens that have sampled me to see if I’m good tasting. My hands stink from brushing them away. The house and buildings will smell from the thousands of beetles piled up in the cracks. Beetles will fly around the house every small warm trend all winter, landing on food and drink.
The cure wasn’t much of a cure, and is almost as big a problem as the aphids are.
Paul | |
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bio-control of pest insects in alfalfa