Eggplant Integrated Pest Management AN ECOLOGICAL GUIDE

_____________________________________________________________________Ecology of insect pests and natural enemiesInsect Zoo: check functions of insectsTo set up an insect zoo, take a few glass/plastic jars, or plastic bags, put in some fresh leaves from anunsprayed field together with the insect. Close the jar with fine netting that permits air circulation andkeep it in the shade. Monitor if the insect starts feeding on the leaves in the next hours, up to 2 days. Ifthat insect did not eat the leaves, it may not be a pest insect. (do not keep the insect inside for more than3 days when it does not eat: remember that when a person is locked in a room with nothing but a book,he may get so hungry after a few days that he will start chewing the book....: that does not prove thathumans eat books....!).Similarly, to find out if the insect is a predator, put it in a jar and give it some prey (e.g. small caterpillarlarvae) with some leaves. Observe if it feeds on the prey in the next hours up to about 2 days. Similarlyyou can test if predators eat neutrals.4.7 The Friends of the FarmerNatural enemies are the friends of the farmer because theyhelp the farmer to control insect pests (herbivores) oneggplants. Natural enemies are also called beneficials, orbiocontrol agents, and in case of fungi and bacteria,antagonists. In countries like Bangladesh, natural enemies arecalled crop defenders.Most natural enemies are specific to a pest insect. Some insectpests are more effectively controlled by some natural enemiesthan by others.Natural enemies of insect pests can be divided into a few largergroups: predators, parasitoids, pathogens, and nematodes.Nematodes are often lumped together with pathogens. Someof the main characteristics of natural enemies of insect pestsare listed in the table below. The major natural enemies ofeggplant insect pests are described in more details in chapter6. Antagonists, natural enemies of plant diseases, aredescribed in section 7.10.54Eggplant Ecological Guide