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Modelling network effects of biological control: the case of the Philippine coconut scale insect outbreak

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Abstract

Biological control provides a sustainable alternative to chemical pesticides for controlling pests in agriculture. Chemical pesticides may lack the specificity to limit their adverse effects just on target species. However, the use of a biological control agent may cause ripple effects on ecological communities that exist within a farm or plantation. Ecological network analysis models can be used to anticipate such indirect impacts. In this work, we develop a graph theoretic model to gauge the effects of using a biological control agent to suppress the infestation of coconut plantations by scale insects. The model is based on the process graph technique described in our previous work. We retrospectively analyze the case of massive scale insect infestation of coconut plantations that occurred in the Philippines in the previous decade. Simulations with the model indicate the efficacy of biological control to suppress the infestation, particularly for serious outbreaks. On the other hand, use of a neonicotinoid poses undue collateral risks to the system because of its lethal effect on pollinators and on the biological control agents. Both of these results are corroborated by the actual field experience.

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Acknowledgements

The authors hereby acknowledge the Department of Science and Technology—Philippine Council for Agricultural, Aquatic, and Natural Resources Research and Development (DOST-PCAARRD) and the Office of the Vice President for Research and Innovation (OVPRI) of De La Salle University for supporting the field and laboratory studies whose data were used in this modelling study.

Funding

Some of the data used for this modelling study were obtained from a previous study by two of the authors, B. J. M. Almarinez and D. M. Almarinez, that was funded by the Government of the Philippines, through the Department of Science and Technology–Philippine Council for Agricultural, Aquatic, and Natural Resources Research and Development (DOST-PCAARRD). The authors certify that no further funding was received for the current study.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Biology, De La Salle University, Manila, Philippines

    Billy Joel M. Almarinez & Divina M. Amalin

  2. Department of Chemical Engineering, De La Salle University, Manila, Philippines

    Kathleen B. Aviso & Raymond R. Tan

  3. University of Miskolc, Miskolc, Hungary

    Heriberto Cabezas

  4. Department of Mathematics and Statistics, De La Salle University, Manila, Philippines

    Angelyn R. Lao

Authors
  1. Billy Joel M. Almarinez
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  2. Divina M. Amalin
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  3. Kathleen B. Aviso
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  4. Heriberto Cabezas
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  5. Angelyn R. Lao
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  6. Raymond R. Tan
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Contributions

All authors contributed to the conceptualization and the design of the current study, as well as in the writing, editing, and of the manuscript. All authors read and approved the final version of the manuscript prior to submission.

Corresponding author

Correspondence to Billy Joel M. Almarinez.

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Research involving human and animal rights

Certify that neither human respondents nor vertebrate animal models were required in the conduct of the study.

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Handling Editor: Stefano Colazza

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Almarinez, B.J.M., Amalin, D.M., Aviso, K.B. et al. Modelling network effects of biological control: the case of the Philippine coconut scale insect outbreak. BioControl 68, 117–130 (2023). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10526-023-10188-4

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10526-023-10188-4

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