The course "Biological Control", a specific area of Biology, was planned to students of the 2nd cycle of the Master Biodiversity and Biotechnology. The course content is of multidisciplinary nature, complementary to other specific areas of Biology, namely: Applied Ecology, Entomology, Microbiology and Protection of Agricultural Production, being the learning objectives of the study and practice of Biological Control. It is a standing concept, 1890, that refers to all modifications of the environment, in accordance with the rules of ecological stability and balance, and even admits keeping pests below the economic level of attack.
Given the current worldwide trend in direction to a sustainable agriculture, scientific innovation on Integrated Pest Management (IPM) became once again a priority, through the improvement of technical activities whose primary purpose is to preserve the balance and the natural environment.
Biological Control International interest
Problems at the levels: technical, economic and environmental.
Control and balance of nature.
The agriculture and control of diseases, invasive plants and agricultural pests.
Their natural enemies: entomophagous; predators; Pathogens.
Natural host or replacement. The artificial culture media.
Methodology of Biological Control.
Biological Control of pests of agricultural interest, medical and veterinary.
The Vertebrates and Biological Control.
Special biological control methods.
Cultural practices: direct and indirect.
Genetic methods: pest resistant plants.
Physiological Control: Hormones; Anti-Hormones; Anti-chitin; Pheromones; Sterility substances; Feeding inhibitors; GMOs.
The course program will use the Information and Communication Technologies (ICT using tools such as a computer connected to the internet and a video projector. We intend to use the solutions developed in the areas of Education Sciences and Vocational Training enhanced with multimedia resources, to strengthen motivation and place them alongside the concepts and theoretical and practical knowledge.
Classes and the course “dossier” are available in a course area created in the computer program, being always available to the students via the internet; this platform also allows the contact, at any time, between the students and the teacher. At the end of the period the lectures will be provided for individual study.
Amaro, P. & M. Baggiolini (1982). Introdução à Protecção Integrada. FAO.
Altieri, M.A. (2004). Biodiversity and Pest Management in Agroecosystems. Food Products Press.
Bosch (van den) R., Messenger, P. & Gutierrez, A. (1982). An Introduction to Biological Control. Plenun Press.
Flint, M.L. & Dreistadt, S.H. (1998). Natural Enemies Handbook: The Illustrated Guide to Biological Pest Control. Univ. Calif. Div. Agric. Nat. Res. Publ. 3386. Oakland.
Huffaker, C. (1971). Biological Control. Plenum/Roseta.
Heyler, N., Cattlin, N. & Brown, K. (2014). Biological Control in Plant Protection. CRC Press.
Hoffmann, M.P. & Frodsham, A.C. (1993) Natural Enemies of Vegetable Insect Pests. Cooperative Extension, Cornell University, Ithaca, NY. 63 pp.
Pimentel, D. & Peshin, R. (2012). Integrated Pest Management – Pesticide Problems. Springer
Vincent C. & Coderre, D. (1992). La lutte biologique. Gaetan Morin Ed.
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