The use of beneficials within a structured IPM program can allow growers to reduce the number of chemical spray applications across a season. By using compatible sprays at the correct times, the beneficials will remain in the crop defending it against the pests. Beneficial insects are hunters, moving throughout the plant canopy to find their prey. Releasing beneficials is a process of repopulating the natural enemies to control the pest insects as nature intended.
In the past, beneficials were released by hand which is costly, labour-intensive, time consuming and inaccurate. This is where Parabug and the use of drone technology steps in; it is possible for growers to release beneficial insects in a fraction of the time, at a far less cost than doing it by hand, deploy workers to other tasks and reduce chemical applications.
The Parabug system is calibrated prior to each release to ensure the prescribed volume per hectare of biocontrol is applied. This consistent release will continue across the entire site, something that is unlikely to occur with hand release. The gentle action of the Parabug mechanism allows tiny fragile insects to be released without injury. A study conducted by Cal Tech on release survival rates showed there was no statistical difference between hand and Parabug aerial release.
Parabug is bringing about the greater use of biological control of agricultural pests. Agricultural pests can wreak havoc, destroying a harvest and potentially threatening crops throughout expansive growing areas. Unfortunately, the option to apply beneficial insects or 'good bugs' to combat invasive pests can be costly, labour-intensive, time consuming and inaccurate.
Given that the world population will be increasing exponentially; novel solutions must be made to effectively provide the world with a reliable, safe, affordable, and sustainable food supply. Now with drone technology and Parabug, it is possible to complete the same task in a fraction of the time, and at a far less cost than doing it by hand.
The use of beneficial insects forms part of integrated pest management, combining cultural, biological and chemical means to achieve sustainable pest management. The current industry standard for application of biologicals comes with an intense labour requirement, lack of precision, and lack of timeliness. The application of biologicals by hand is not only labour intensive but poses other problems which result in a higher cost of application. For example, the high cost comes from not only time and related hourly wages but also from general and workers compensation insurance, and the opportunity cost of not using limited labour for other essential activities.
