Using good bugs for Christmas Poinsettias

Poinsettia is a very popular Christmas plant originating from Mexico and because of this it must be grown under protected glasshouse conditions in Northern Ireland.

As with any glasshouse production using plant material imported from other countries it can bring with it a number of unwanted pests such as Tobacco Whitefly and Western Flower Thrip. These pests can be harmful to existing and other crops as they can thrive under the cosy conditions of a heated glasshouse.

Over the years pesticides have been the method of control of these pests. New regulations are emerging from EU limiting the number of pesticides permitted and growers have to resort to alternative methods for their control.

Teresa Maguire, Horticulture Technologist at CAFRE, Greenmount Campus said,

“We have been evaluating the use of biological control for our poinsettia crop grown for student education at the Campus with good success. Using good bugs (predators) to kill bad bugs (pests) is termed biological control.”

“We have been using different predators to control Whitefly and Thrips and our crop did not require any pesticide spray at all this year”.

Using biological control needs careful planning and introduction for effective control. Climate conditions of temperature, humidity and light are all important for the survival of the predator. Biological control provides a more sustainable method of pest control leading to a reduction and, in some cases, eradicating the use of potentially harmful pesticides.

For further information contact Teresa Maguire at CAFRE, Greenmount Campus 028 9442 6694.

Teresa Maguire with a crop of poinsettias ready for the Christmas market