This is a practitioner interview with Dr. Raymond A. Cloyd. Dr. Cloyd is an Associate Professor and Extension Specialist in Ornamental Entomology and Integrated Pest Management for the Department of Entomology at Kansas State University (KSU). A “Bugologist.” We have found that he is both knowledgeable and approachable.
This is a pleasure for us. For a long time we have been reading Dr. Cloyd’s intelligent replies to various biocontrol and IPM questions posed by Association of Education and Research Greenhouse Curators (AERGC) members on the AERGC mailing list so we have been looking forward to this. So, without further ado…
Interview
The headings below are our questions; the blockquotes that follow are Dr. Raymond A. Cloyd’s responses.
How did you get started as a biocontrol practitioner?
I have always been interested (and fascinated) in understanding the relationships between natural enemies (parasitoids and predators) and their prey (host). I initiated my first biological control program when I was an undergraduate student at the California Polytechnic State University — San Luis Obispo. I started the first biological control program in greenhouses against western flower thrips. From then on I have a proponent/practitioner of the use of biological control in certain ornamental cropping systems (depending on the insect or mite pest).
What sort of challenges have you experienced?
The major challenges have been to educate individuals in that the use of natural enemies is not the same as applying pesticides. There is most definitely a mentality associated with pesticides and trying to use natural enemies in such a manner, which is not appropriate. Both systems are quite different in terms of implementation. Furthermore, trying to get greenhouse producers to develop “sound” scouting programs is a challenge, which is a requirement when wanting to initiate a biological control program.
What was the biggest failure?
In terms of developing and implementing a biological control I would have state that there is no such thing as a “failure” but “learning experiences.” I first realized the complexity of using biological control when I started the program against western flower thrips in cut chrysanthemums. Although we achieved adequate “regulation” of thrips the aphid populations were “out-of-control” since we had stopped applying insecticides (back then products such as Vydate and Lannate).
What was the biggest success?
I am sure I have a “greatest success.” In my professional and academic career I have been able to assist many greenhouse producers and curators of research greenhouses (AERGC participants) in developing “sound” and long-term biological control programs that resulted in cost savings and a reduction in pesticide use. Anytime I can accomplish this… I consider this a success.
What advice would you offer others just getting started?
It takes a “strong” commitment to be successful using natural enemies. It is imperative to establish a “sound” scouting program that makes it possible to obtain information on the population dynamics of insect and mite pests (e.g. location and abundance). Also, I recommend attempting biological control on a small-scale (e.g. one greenhouse) against an insect and mite pest in which there are a known number of effective natural enemies.
Dr. Cloyd has previously published two articles on this site, right here in our Bug Blog. First he wrote Can Pests Become Resistant to Natural Enemies? and Pesticide Compatibility: Is It Really Possible? in our Bug Blog. Good stuff. Check it out.
If you’re interested in being interviewed and have something to bring to the table or an interesting story to tell, please contact us. If you’re interested in writing articles of your own for us, here’s more information about authoring. To read other interviews, please check out our Real Growers blog category archives.
Mike Cherim responds:
Posted: May 2nd, 2009 at 8:00 am →
Thank you very much for sharing with us, Raymond.