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As in past editions, this publication lists beneficial organisms sold for use as biological controls of pest organisms. Other commercially available organisms such as bumble bees and earthworms may be mentioned briefly in the comment sections of some suppliers.
Biological controls that are single-celled organisms such as bacteria, fungi, protozoans, and viruses are defined as pesticides by the United States Environmental Protection Agency (U.S. EPA). In the United States of America (U.S.A.), the sale and use of these organisms are governed by U.S. EPA and state laws and regulations applicable to chemical pesticides. These organisms are widely available commercially and are not listed in this publication except in some instances in the comment sections of some suppliers.
This edition lists 142 suppliers and over 130 different species of beneficial organisms. Only commercial suppliers are listed. The suppliers are listed by country. All the information on Mexican suppliers was obtained from Centro Nacional de Referencia de Control Biologico de la Direccion General de Sanidad Vegetal.
In each section, the suppliers are listed alphabetically with each listing preceded by a supplier number. Each supplier number begins with the first letter of the country in which the supplier is located (C = Canada, M = Mexico, U = U.S.A.). Each listing includes the name, address, telephone, facsimile, and E-mail numbers of the supplier along with a retail/wholesale notation. Under the retail/wholesale notation, there may also be a brief comment submitted by the supplier on their specialties and/or the services they can provide. "ANBP member" refers to Association of Natural Bio-control Producers (ANBP). ANBP is an organization of companies and individuals whose goals are to enhance the standardization and the quality control of commercially available beneficial organisms, and the dissemination of accurate information on their handling and use.
Included are two separate indexes to suppliers of beneficial organisms. Both indexes use scientific names because most beneficial organisms do not have common names. The first index lists beneficial organisms under 13 different categories. The first category is predatory mites, followed by parasitic nematodes, etc. Within each category, the organisms are listed alphabetically by their scientific name, followed by a brief notation on the organism or its use and the supplier number for each of the suppliers that have stated that they can supply that specific organism.
The second index is a scientific names index to all the different
species of beneficial organisms listed in this publication. After each
scientific name follows one or more supplier numbers identifying the companies
that sell the organism. To locate the companies, use these numbers and
refer to the appropriate suppliers lists (Canada, Mexico, U.S.A.).
This listing provides only general information on the beneficial organisms and their use against pests. It makes no recommendations and does not imply an endorsement of the suppliers or their products. The beneficial organisms listed may attack other organisms that are not listed. The author has listed each beneficial organism by its currently accepted scientific name and takes full responsibility for any errors in nomenclature or in the information presented. In some rare instances, the names of organisms submitted by companies were not listed because the companies did not provide supporting information on the organisms or their use.
Before using any type of pest control, be sure of the identity of the pest(s). Sometimes, beneficial organisms are confused with pests, especially in their immature stages, and control measures are mistakenly applied.
In addition to offering biological control organisms, some of the companies listed can provide consultation services. These services can be extremely valuable in establishing integrated pest management (IPM) programs of which biological control is a major part. Many of the suppliers also have literature available and some have company Web sites on the Internet with information about beneficial organisms and how to use them.
A short list of selected references on biological control and
IPM is included. A brief listing of university and government Web sites
on biological control and IPM is included.
With the proper permits, most of the organisms listed in this booklet can be shipped interstate and in many cases between countries. The suppliers should be aware of the permits required and may often have the permits on hand to ship to your area. In some cases, suppliers may require assistance in obtaining permits. In some situations, the importation or transport of certain species is prohibited.
The grass carp and the decollate snail listed in this booklet are prohibited species in California.
The importation or transportation of the grass carp or white amur (Ctenopharyngodon idella) is prohibited in California by the California Fish and Game Commission [Title 14, Section 671, California Code of Regulations].
The importation or transportation of the decollate snail (Rumina decollata) is prohibited in California by the California Fish and Game Commission, except in the counties of Imperial, Los Angeles, Orange, Riverside, San Bernardino, San Diego, Santa Barbara, Tulare, and Ventura with the concurrence of the appropriate county agricultural commissioner [Title 14, Section 671, California Code of Regulations]. On August 6, 1993, the California Fish and Game Commision authorized the use of decollate snail in citrus orchards in Kern, Fresno, and Madera counties. Their use requires the approval of the appropriate county agricultural commissioner. Except for the above 12 counties, the use of the decollate snail in California is prohibited.
The importation and transportation of live crustaceans, molluscs, fish, amphibians, reptiles, birds, and mammals may require a permit. For further information contact: California Department of Fish and Game, Inland Fisheries Division, 1416 9th Street, Sacramento, California 95814.
Telephones: (916) 653-8262 (for aquatic animals) - (916) 653-9742 (for other species).
Your federal and/or state/provincial regulations may prohibit the importation or transport of some biological control organisms. Contact your local agricultural officials for further information.
