Biocontrol/IPM Glossary

Abdomen ahB-Doh-men

Insects have three body parts — head, thorax and abdomen. This describes the end furthest from the head. The butt, if you will.

Allelochemic ah-LELL-O-kem-ick

A substance produced by an insect designed to elicit a response from another insect of a different species. The kairomone produced by aphids attracts aphid predators.

Amphimixis am-fih-MIX-iss

The mixing of germ plasma between two organisms during sexual reproduction.

ANBP Ayy eNN Bee Pee

The Association of Natural Biocontrol Producers. Dedicated to economic, effective, standardized, and legally compatible biocontrol practices worldwide.

APHIS ayy-Fiss

Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service. A division of the USDA.

Arthropod arr-THROW-pahd

A group of joint-legged organisms — insects, mites, and similar.

Asexual Aa-Sek-shoo-well

Reproduction without sex. Typically associated with unicellular organisms like bacteria, where reproduction is by division or budding.

Bacterium bAHK-TEer-ee-um

A microbe capable of causing disease.

Binomial bii-NOME-ee-al

Two Latin names combined, in compliance with the system of taxonomy. Genus and species, for example.

Biocontrol bii-oh-KOhN-troll

Using one type of living organism to affect a change in the population density of another. Here: insects, mites, or nematodes controlling common plant pests.

Bioluminescence bii-oh-loom-eN-esS-SENSE

The ability of a living organism to produce light.

Biolysis bii-oLL-IH-Sys

Dissolution of a living organism. Death.

Biorational bii-oh-rASH-enn-al

Pertains to chemical pesticides and their effect on biocontrol agents. A compound that fails to kill a biocontrol agent within 24 hours of direct contact is considered biorational.

Biota bii-Oh-tah

The flora and/or fauna of a particular region.

Botanical boh-TAN-ih-kal

A compound or substance derived from plants — in this case, a -cide.

—cide syDe

Kills. Homicide, suicide, pesticide, fungicide, bactericide… see the pattern here?

Cadaver kah-DAV-'er

A dead body; the remains of a body upon death.

Carnivore karr-neh-Vorr

An organism which consumes meat only.

Chitins Kiy-tinnz

The nearly opaque, protective outer surface of insects (exoskeleton), created by nitrogen-containing polysaccharides.

Chlorosis klorr-OH-sis

A yellowing, whitening, or paling of plant parts normally green. Cause: lack of chlorophyll; root cause can be insect-, disease-, or nutrient-related.

Clime / Climate kliime / klii-mahte

The weather conditions — temperature, humidity, dew point — of a specific region or area.

Control kohn-TRol

To develop active dominance over the pests on one's plants. Not elimination — simply control.

Cotyledons Kaht-ee-lee-dunnz

The seed's embryo developed into light-green "seed leaves." Monocot or dicot.

Crawler kraWL-luhr

A nickname for the immature stages of certain insects like scales and mealybugs — mobile during their immature stages.

Cuticle ku-Teh-kull

The outer skin, epidermis, shell, or exoskeleton of an arthropod.

Desiccant dess-ih-KANT

A substance that can dry something. Diatomaceous earth is one example.

Detritus dee-TRy-tiss

Waste materials, litter, rotting organic matter. Compost is valuable detritus.

Detrivore deh-Trih-Vorr

An organism which consumes rotting material (compost) only.

Diapause dii-ah-PAUZ

A quiescent state similar to hibernation. Insects will not feed or reproduce during diapause. Triggered by temperature and/or photoperiod.

Diatoms dii-ah-TOMZ

Microscopic single-celled marine algae with cell walls of silica, made of two interlocking symmetrical valves.

Diatomaceous earth dii-ah-TOM-ayy-shus errth

An abrasive, powerful desiccant powder made from the shells of diatoms. Used as an insecticide.

Diurnal dii-err-Nal

Hunting, feeding, and general living during the daytime.

Economic ee-koh-NOM-ihk

The point at which a pest infestation can no longer be controlled while retaining profitability.

Ectoparasite ehK-TOH-pahreh-eh-syTe

A parasite that works from the outside in — living outside its host. A leech is an example.

Efficacy eFF-iH-Kah-see

A non-quantitative measure of effectiveness. Example: spraying pesticides diminishes the biocontrol agent's efficacy.

Elemental ell-eh-MEN-tahl

A substance in its most basic, raw, pure form.

Embryo eMM-bree-oh

A very early, pre-recognizable development stage of the unborn insect inside the egg.

Endoparasite ehN-DOH-pahreh-eh-syTe

A parasite which works from the inside out, dwelling within its host. A nematode is an example.

Entomogenous enT-TOH-moh-jen-uss

A parasitic organism which lives in or on arthropods.

Entomology enT-TOH-moll-oh-jee

The scientific study of insects.

Entomopathogenic enT-TOH-pah-tho-jenn-ihk

An organism which can kill arthropods by poisoning.

Entomophagous enT-TOH-mah-fAH-Gus

An organism which uses arthropods for sustenance.

EPA Eee Pee Aay

Environmental Protection Agency. A U.S. governmental department.

Exclusion eX-kluz-shun

Use of screens, traps, barriers, etc., to isolate plants from pests — or vice versa.

Excrement eX-kree-ment

Feces, droppings, bodily wastes. Often a good sign of insect activity.

Exoskeleton eK-Soh-skell-eh-ton

An exterior skeleton. Many insects carry their structure externally.

Fauna fAHw-Nah

The animals and arthropods in a given area.

Feces fee-Seez

Excrement, droppings, bodily wastes.

Fecundity feh-kunn-DIT-tee

The ability to reproduce, usually in great numbers.

Flora floOR-ah

The plant life — including fungi, plants, molds — in a given area.

Germinate juhr-min-NAte

To begin growth or to sprout. Germination.

Good Bug guhd buhg

A biological pest control agent, biocontrol agent, or beneficial insect.

Herbivore herr-bah-Vorr

An organism which consumes plants only.

Hemocyte hee-moh-Cite

A cell that plays a role in the immune system of invertebrates.

Hermaphrodite herr-MAH-Fro-Dyte

One having the reproductive organs of both sexes.

Homeostasis hoo-me-OH-Stay-siss

A level of stability in an ecosystem.

Hormoligosis horr-MOH-lee-goh-sis

A process by which a pesticide-treated plant releases an abundance of free amino acids into its sap, making the plant more nutritious to pests and triggering a population explosion.

Honeydew hohn-nee-doo

The clear, sticky waste of certain soft-bodied insects. Attractive to ants and others.

Host hohst

The organism supporting an ecto- or endoparasite.

Hydroponic hii-droh-PAWN-ick

A growing technique using water to nourish plants. No soil, though often an inert medium like perlite or rockwool.

Hyperparasite hii-PERr-pahr-eh-syTe

A parasite of another parasite.

IGR eye Gee arr

Insect Growth Regulator. A substance which can stop or hamper the development of an immature arthropod.

Indigenous inn-did-jen-uss

From the area naturally. A native species, not artificially introduced.

Insect inn-sekT

An arthropod with 3 body parts (head, thorax, abdomen) and six legs. Most are winged as adults.

Insectivore inn-sekT-ah-Vorr

An organism which consumes insects only.

Insectary inn-sekT-ah-ree

An operation or system mass-producing insects, mites or nematodes for biocontrol.

Instar inN-STARr

A development stage of an insect. They often molt between numbered instars as they grow.

Interveinal inN-turr-vay-nal

The portion of a leaf between the leaf veins.

In-vitro inN-VEE-troh

To be reared on an artificial or non-living host or diet.

In-vivo inN-VEE-voh

To be reared on a living host.

IPM eye Pee emm

Integrated Pest Management. Multifaceted pest management using two or more control techniques — biocontrol agents, traps, physical means, and even chemicals.

Juvenile joo-Ven-Nile

Immature stage, young.

Kairomone kyy-roh-MONe

An allelochemic substance produced by a pest which elicits a response in predators and parasitoids. Body odor kills.

Larvae (s. larva) lahR-Vayy

Second-stage form of an immature insect undergoing complete metamorphosis. A caterpillar is a larva. So is a grub.

Lipids liP-Pidz

Fatty cells. Insects live off lipids between meals; their bodies consume them during fasting.

Macro macK-Kroh

Being large. Insects are macroscopic compared to bacteria.

Mesophyll mezzo-Fill

Leaf tissue capable of photosynthesis between the upper and lower leaf skin surfaces.

Metamorphosis met-tah-MORe-FOh-siss

Complete: egg, larval instars, pupa, adult. Incomplete: egg, nymphal stages, adult.

Micro myKe-Kroh

Being small. Microscopic = invisible to the unaided eye.

Microclimate myKe-Kroh-klii-mahte

The climatic conditions specific to a tiny given area, e.g. within the foliage of a plant.

Microorganism myKe-Kroh-ORR-GaN-izm

A microscopic plant or animal.

Mini-wasps minn-ee wass'p's

Stingless parasitoids of the order Hymenoptera used to attack specific pest insects.

Molt mollT

An insect sheds its cuticle as it outgrows it.

Monitoring mohn-it-Torr-ing

Using traps and devices to track pest levels and fluctuations.

Monoculture mohN-oh-Kul-tuur

A crop of a single plant type or variety.

Multicellular mull-Tee-SELL-uu-larr

Organisms of more than one cell.

Mummies muMM-eez

Pupal casings created by the host insect's exoskeleton — result of Aphidius parasitism, for example.

Nitrogen nii-TROH-jen

Element essential to plant growth. The first digit on a fertilizer label (5-4-3 = 5% nitrogen). High nitrogen can lead to aphid infestation.

Nocturnal mohK-terr-Nal

Hunting, feeding, and living at night.

Nomadic noh-MAD-dikk

To travel from place to place in response to cues, e.g. food availability.

Nymph nimmff

An intermediate development stage of an insect undergoing incomplete metamorphosis.

Organic orr-Gann-ihK

Of, relating to, or derived from living organisms. (a) Fertilizers/pesticides of animal or vegetable origin. (b) Raised without drugs, hormones, or synthetic chemicals.

Organism orr-Gann-Nism

A living being — plant or animal with interactive, interdependent parts performing vital functions.

Ostioles ahst-ee-Oolz

A pore or small opening in the skin or outer surface of an arthropod.

Ovipositor ahh-vee-POZ-it-torr

An egg-laying apparatus on female insects. Some social wasps have a modified ovipositor that delivers toxins — we call it a stinger.

Paedogenesis pay-doh-jen-ee-siss

When an underdeveloped insect reproduces prior to reaching maturity.

Parasite pahr-eh-syTe

An organism which lives in or on another, in an ongoing micro-macro relationship. The host usually persists.

Parasitoid pahr-eh-syT-toyd

A temporary parasitic relationship. The host typically dies serving the parasitoid.

Parthenogenetic parr-thenn-Noh-JEN-Net-ihk

An organism able to reproduce without fertilization.

Pathogen pahth-Oh-jenn

A disease-causing organism.

Perennial pur-REN-nee-al

A plant that regrows from the ground up every year after winter die-back. Perfect for outdoor trap crops.

Phloem Flo-em

Food-transporting vascular plant tissues. Also called "Bast."

Pheromone Ferr-Ro-Mohne

A substance produced by an organism which elicits a response from another of the same species.

Photosynthesis Foh-toh-SiN-thee-siss

Process by which a plant converts carbon dioxide and water into carbohydrates using the sun's energy.

Photoperiod Foh-toh-PEER-ee-odd

The hours of daylight or night in a day. Bears on the lives of insects, plants, animals and people.

Phytophagous fii-TOFF-ayy-Gus

A herbivore subsisting on plant tissue and/or fluids.

Phytotoxic fii-TOH-toX-ihk

A substance toxic to plants. Some pesticides are phytotoxic.

Phytotoxins fii-TOH-toX-sinnz

Plant poisons.

Polyphagic pAWL-lee-fahl-GIK

Capable of eating a wide variety of food types.

PPE Pee Pee Eee

Personal Protective Equipment. Required when applying pesticides.

PPQ Pee Pee Queue

Plant Protection and Quarantine. A division of the USDA's APHIS.

Predator preh-dah-Torr

Any living thing which hunts down and eats its prey.

Prey prayy

Any living thing hunted and eaten by a predator.

Proboscis pro-bosS-Kiss

Think Slurpee straw. True bugs and mosquitoes come equipped with these feeding utensils.

Pupae (s. pupa) peww-payy

Third-stage form of an immature insect — the stage after the final larval instar, before adulthood. A cocoon is a pupa.

Quarantine kwaR-enn-teen

To isolate — allowing pests and diseases to manifest before releasing the subject.

Quiescence kwee-eSS-Sense

To be at rest. A period of deep inactivity, similar to hibernation.

REI arR Ee eye

Re-Entry Interval. After spraying EPA-registered pesticides, a period must pass before employees may return without proper PPE.

Residual ree-szid-uu-al

Effect and duration. The residual effect of a chemical may be moderately toxic, while its residual period may run many weeks.

Scavenger skav-VEN-jerr

Eats whatever is available, as long as it's dead. Hypoaspis miles can be considered a scavenger.

Septicemia sepp-TiH-see-mee-yuh

Blood poisoning. Spreads bacteria throughout the body. Often fatal.

Scouting skoww-ting

Dedicated, systematic plant inspection — testing specimens for pests, mites or diseases.

Solarize soll-are-RIze

Expose to the sun, prolonged, to kill pests and soil diseases. Usually a heavy plastic film traps the heat.

Spiracles spEER-ihk-kulls

Breathing holes. Found in rows along the sides of insects' bodies.

Sterilize STERr-ilL-iize

Clean or remove all bacterial and viral presence from an object or surface.

Symbiotic Sim-bEE-OT-ihk

A relationship between two dissimilar but interdependent organisms — must be mutually beneficial.

Systemic Siss-TEM-ihk

A systemic chemical pesticide translocates through the plant's vascular system.

Thorax thorR-axx

The middle part of an insect, between head and abdomen. The legs attach here.

Toxic TOXx-ick

Poisonous. Here, a pesticide toxic to biocontrol agents. If toxic to plants it's phytotoxic.

Translocate tranz-LOH-kate

To move or reposition something — movement of liquids is most relevant here.

Trap trahpp

The act (v.) or device (n.) which traps. A trap-crop system can contain biocontrol activity near a cash crop.

Unicellular yeww-nee-SELL-uu-larr

Organisms of a single cell. True of bacteria.

USDA uU eSS Dee Aay

United States Department of Agriculture. Handles biocontrol and IPM, including importation authorization.

Vascular vahs-KUL-larr

The means by which an organism translocates life-giving fluids through its body.

Vector vekk-Torr

An organism which produces or transmits a pathogenic fungus during feeding.

Vermiculite verr-MICK-kul-lite

Sterile heat-expanded mica. Soft, lightweight, neutral material.

Vermiculture verr-mee-kul-tuur

Rearing worms for fishing or composting.

Virus vii-Rruss

Same as in your dictionary. Viral strains here target certain plants.

Viviparously viv-vAH-payer-us-lee

Live birth. Developing inside the mother rather than inside an egg. Humans are viviparous.

WPS dubbauu pee ess

Worker Protection Standard. Created by the EPA. Spawned REI and PPE.

Xeriscape zerr-eeh-skaap

A desert-dry garden, regulated hot/dry greenhouse, or water-conservative landscape planting.

Yield yeel'd

A quantified output, whether crop- or bug-associated.

No glossary entries beginning with Z.