biocontrol

plural biocontrols

1. countableuncountablebiologyThe biological control of pests by the use of organisms that are natural predators, parasites, or pathogens.

   Timing is important, because EAS [European apple sawfly] larvae are much more susceptible than pupae.⁴ This biocontrol opportunity to reduce resident populations orchardwide every few years may serve well in isolated ecosystems.

   2005, Michael Phillips, The Apple Grower: Guide for the Organic Orchardist, 2nd edition, Chelsea Green Publishing, →ISBN, page 345

   1 more example

   This included work on 3 species of Psyttalia and on Tetrastichus giffardii by S. Mohamed. Identifications were provided for biocontrol programs on olive fly, and we made several attempts to collect more olive fly parasitoids in Kenya.

   2022 September 6 (last accessed), United States Department of Agriculture, “Archived copy”, in AFRICAN TEPHRITIDAE: INVASIVE SPECIES THREATENING U.S. FRUIT & VEGETABLE PRODUCTS, archived from the original on 01 Jan 2023

present singular third person biocontrols · participle present biocontrolling · participle past biocontrolled · past biocontrolled

1. To exercise such control.