Nachhaltigkeit

Use of beneficial organisms instead of chemical control in the Faculty of Biology's greenhouses

Until now, Bielefeld University has used chemical pesticides to control pests on plants. However, as these cause various problems, the university has now switched to biological pest control in all areas.

Chemical agents often lead to the development of resistance in pests, their authorisations are increasingly restricted and the requirements for their use are becoming ever stricter. In addition, they often have negative effects on non-target organisms and pose a potential health risk to users.

An environmentally friendly alternative is biological control with the help of beneficial organisms, which are natural predators of the pests to be controlled. This method offers numerous advantages. It prevents the development of resistance and is sustainable and safe for the health of the researchers. This makes it easier to handle the plants and ensures a smoother workflow. In addition, the metabolism of the plants is not altered, which preserves the quality of the plants. Another advantage is that beneficial organisms can colonise and multiply in the greenhouse and thus ensure long-term and, above all, cost-effective pest control

The photos show the use of various beneficial insects. The beneficial insects frequently used include parasitic wasps (see photo 1), lacewings and ladybirds against aphids, predatory bugs against thrips (see photos 2 and 3) and fungus gnat larvae as well as parasitic wasps and the small ladybird against whiteflies.