Insects and Society

Visit the Midwest Institute of Biological Control's Biological Control Introduction website.

Read the introductory sections on predators and parasitic insects.

Not all natural enemies feed on other insect pests; some are considered beneficial species because they feed on weeds. An example of biological control of weeds involves the control of purple loosestrife in North America.

Read about biological control of purple loosestrife.

1. How did this plant become a weed? What factors enhanced its spread in North America?
2. How are insects used to control this weed? Where are the insects from?
3. Describe the Illinois biological control project directed against purple loosestrife.
4. How successful has the Illinois project been?

Visit the Cornell University Biological Control website.

Click on the three types of insect natural enemies (parasitoids, predators, weed feeders) and read the general information about each type of natural enemy. In the list of predatory species, read about Rodolia cardinalis. In the list of parasitoids, read about Trichogramma ostriniae.

If you're interested in soybean aphids, you may want to read this article about biological control of the soybean aphid.