Are biological control agents (insects) safe? Will they eat anything else besides the weed?
Many biological control agents are ecological specialists. That means that they eat only one type of plant (the weed!) and often even feed on only one part of one type of plant. These agents have been rigorously scientifically tested to be sure that they are species specific feeders (i.e. are safe) before import and release. What is the difference between a pesticide and a herbicide? Pesticide is mixture of chemicals used for preventing, controlling, or lessening the damage caused by a pest (usually an animal). Most pesticides are poisonous to humans. An herbicide is used to kill specific types of plants. Biocide is a word that covers all types of life killing chemicals [fungicide kills fungus, etc.]. What is biological control? “Biological control is the deliberate introduction or manipulation of a weed’s natural enemies with the goal of suppressing a weed’s populations. A biological control agent can be a insect, a fungus, a nematode, or any other organism that retards the weed’s gro
