Beneficial Insects (PA Technology)

Last modified by Axel Heinemann on 2014-11-08. This is a wiki so please feel free to update information by clicking on "Edit with form". | Printable version

Name of technology example:		Type
Beneficial Insects		☐ Energy Efficiency ☐ Renewable Energy ☑ Alternative Methodology

Description

Beneficial insects (sometimes called beneficial bugs) are any of a number of species of insects that perform valued services like pollination and pest control. The concept of beneficial is subjective and only arises in light of desired outcomes from a human perspective. In farming and agriculture, where the goal is to raise selected crops, insects that hinder the production process are classified as pests, while insects that assist production are considered beneficial. In horticulture and gardening; pest control, habitat integration, and 'natural vitality' aesthetics are the desired outcome with beneficial insects.

Encouraging beneficial insects, by providing suitable living conditions, is a pest control strategy, often used in organic farming, organic gardening or Integrated Pest Management. Companies specializing in biological pest control sell many types of beneficial insects, particularly for use in enclosed areas, like greenhouses. For compost production, oil production, protein production, or pest management.(Source: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Beneficial_insects)

Technology for the Application of

☐ Solar	☐ Biomass	☐ Biofuel
☐ Biogas	☐ Wind	☐ Geo-Thermal
☐ Hydro	☐ Energy Efficiency
☑ Other: Cost efficiency and organic growing

Primarily Relevant for the following Agricultural Value Chain Steps

☐ Mechanization	☑ Efficiency of Operation	☐ Processing
☐ Transportation	☐ Controlled Atmosphere	☐ Controlled Temperature
☐ Mechanical Sorting	☐ Preservation
☑ Other: Growing

Primarily Relevant for the following Agricultural Value Chain Activities

☐ Grinding	☐ Hauling and conveying	☐ Sorting
☐ Seedbed Preparation	☐ Milling	☐ Tearing
☐ Planting	☐ Washing	☐ Mixing
☐ Pumping	☐ Heating	☐ Drying
☐ Irrigation	☐ Cooling	☐ Animal feeding
☐ Fertilizing	☐ Venting	☐ Animal health and Welfare
☑ Pest Management	☐ Lighting	☐ Packing and branding
☐ Cutting	☐ Sanitation
☐ Other: /

Primarily Implemented in the following Commodity Groups

☑ Cereals	☑ Fruits and vegetables	☐ Nuts and berries
☑ Forage	☐ Dairy products	☐ Meat products
☑ Oil Seeds	☑ Roots and Tubers	☐ Eggs
☑ Pulses	☑ Fiber Crops	☑ Forestry
☐ Sugars	☐ Stimulants	☐ Spices
☐ Other: /

Region & Country of
Development

None

☐ Africa
☐ South Asia
☐ East Asia & The Pacific
☐ Europe & Central Asia
☐ Latin America & The Caribbean
☐ Middle East & North Africa
☐ North America
☐ N/A: /

Region & Country of
Current Deployment

Worldwide

☑ Africa
☑ South Asia
☑ East Asia & The Pacific
☑ Europe & Central Asia
☑ Latin America & The Caribbean
☑ Middle East & North Africa
☑ North America
☐ N/A: /

Region & Country of
Potential Deployment

Worldwide

☑ Africa
☑ South Asia
☑ East Asia & The Pacific
☑ Europe & Central Asia
☑ Latin America & The Caribbean
☑ Middle East & North Africa
☑ North America
☐ N/A: /

Manufacturers

http://www.koppert.com/

http://thebeneficialinsectco.com/index.htm

http://www.nuetzlinge.de

http://www.neudorff.de/pflanzenpflege/nuetzlinge/grundlagen/nuetzliche-insekten.html

http://www.schneckenprofi.de/nuetzlinge.html?id=fNTTh2gG&mv_pc=37

http://www.agralan.co.uk/

http://www.russellipm.com/

Economics

In heated tomato greenhouses in Netherlands for example, the yearly cost of benifical insects is about 70 Euro Cents per m². Depending on the cultivation strategy, the cost can come down to 20 Euro Cents per m².

Technology Development Level

Widespread use;

Required Maintenance Technical Level

Medium: Methodology can be maintained through its life cycle with uncommon tools and requires moderate training for maintenance;

Required Infrastructure for Deployment

Medium: Hatching and production facilities for life insects and supply structures for local availability;

Required Resources during manufacture

Required Resources during operation

Insect feed and substrates, electricity and heat;

Deployment
Level

Worldwide use, but not as a standard;

Deployment Capability and Potential