October 2023 - 22

GREAT LAKES EXPO
BIOLOGICAL
CONTROL
Against unwanted pests
Great Lakes EXPO to offer insight on sustainable pest management programs
BY MADI SCHAFER
P
romoting sustainable, biological-based pest
management alternatives, biological control and
Integrated Pest Management (IPM) programs
are proven to maintain overall quality control, increase
yield and create a healthy environment. Biological control
while using beneficial insects takes corrective measures
to deter unwanted pests from causing significant damage
while ensuring minimal risk to the environment.
During the 2023 Great Lakes Fruit, Vegetable
and Farm Market EXPO, attendees will gain more
insight on biological control and biological-based
pest management.
Suzanne Wainwright-Evans, a horticulture
entomologist specializing in biological control
and bio-pesticides, professionally teaches
workshops, sessions and lectures to the
agriculture industry - bringing her scientific
expertise and practical approach to growers.
During the Great Lakes EXPO, Wainwright-Evans will
inform growers of the importance of a bio-controlled
program through her session, " A Deeper Discussion
on Beneficials. "
" With this session, I'm hoping I can give growers
information about the beneficials they're using, "
Wainwright-Evans said. " My experience in working with
the beneficials and researchers can give growers more
actionable information they can utilize in their pest
management programs. "
According to Wainwright-Evans, there has been a recent
increase in the use of micro and macro beneficials. By
incorporating beneficials and microbials into a grower's
program, pesticides do not have to be applied as often,
ultimately reducing the risk of developing resistance.
" The major reason why people contact me to
incorporate beneficials is that they are struggling to
manage pests with conventional chemistry because of
resistance (to pesticides), " Wainwright-Evans said.
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OCTOBER 2023 GPNMAG.COM
Sarah Jandricic (above) and Suzanne
Wainwright-Evans (left).
Wainwright-Evans also mentions
that growers using beneficials won't
have to shut down their greenhouse
when implementing them into their
program - another bonus to using beneficial insects.
When using beneficials, it's important to know what
unwanted pests growers are dealing with. Growers should
utilize a systems approach when using beneficials to best
understand how they can be impacted.
" It's important to identify what your problem is. You've
got to know what your pest is so you can best select
your pest management program, " Wainwright-Evans said.
" You have to watch what spray products are used in
your program while using beneficials because even
things like fungicides and plant growth regulators can
impact beneficials. "
Sarah Jandricic, Greenhouse Floriculture IPM specialist
for the Ontario Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural
Affairs (OMAFRA) in Ontario, Canada, brings new IPM
products and procedures from researchers to Ontario
growers and helps them implement them practically.
Jandricic also helps guide researchers on what they need
to work on based on the specific needs of growers.
http://www.GPNMAG.COM
October 2023

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of October 2023
