What is the role of a biological control agent in turf pest management, and give an example?

• A. Biological agents suppress pests using natural enemies; example: Beauveria bassiana fungus infecting certain insect pests.
• B. Biological agents boost pest populations to improve control.
• C. Biological agents replace chemical controls entirely.
• D. Biological agents are harmful to turf and should be avoided.

Answer: (A)

Biological control agents in turf pest management are living organisms that reduce pest populations by acting as natural enemies. In practice this means using things like fungi, bacteria, nematodes, or beneficial insects to attack and suppress pests rather than relying solely on synthetic chemicals. An example is Beauveria bassiana, an entomopathogenic fungus that infects and kills certain insect pests. The way it works is spores land on the insect’s cuticle, germinate, penetrate, and multiply inside, eventually causing death. This approach can provide effective, environmentally friendly suppression and is often used as part of an integrated pest management plan, helping to lower chemical inputs and preserve beneficial organisms. Its success depends on factors like humidity, temperature, and proper application, and it may be slower and more variable than chemical controls, so monitoring and multiple applications are sometimes needed.