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Alternatives to the Use of Organochlorine Compounds for Insect Control¹

Entomology Research Division, USDA, Beltsville, Maryland 20705

ABSTRACT

Agricultural crops and livestock must be protected from insects and other pests to continue to provide an adequate supply of high quality food, feed, and fiber. High level national studies made beginning in 1963 into ways to curtail the use of persistent insecticides have included suggestions for using alternative materials and undertaking research into alternative approaches. Several problems have arisen with the gradual changeover from chlorinated hydrocarbon to organophosphorus and carbamate insecticides. However, research has continued on alternative insecticides with emphasis on insecticides that are biodegradable and more selective against destructive insects. Meanwhile, the emphasis in the program of the Entomology Research Division since 1955 has changed. It now stresses research into insect control through development of insect-resistant varieties of crops, biological control (parasites, predators, and insect pathogens), insect sterility, attraetants, and hormones. Some of the integrated insect control programs, including those for the screw-worm, subtropical fruit flies, boll weevil, cabbage looper, green peach aphid, and tobacco insects, have been successful, and the future of areawide programs for control or eradication is very promising. However, much basic research, many field tests, and ultimately large-scale pilot tests in well-isolated areas will be necessary to bridge the gap between field tests and practical use. Such research will be costly, but it is necessary if we are to make maximum use of integrated control systems that are now ready for testing against about two dozen major insect pests. These programs will be a major contribution to the effort to develop safe and economical methods of controlling insects while minimizing or avoiding adverse impacts on the environment.

¹ American Dairy Science Association meeting, Drugs and Chemicals Symposium on Pesticides—Where Are We Today?, University of Florida, Gainesville, July 1, 1970.