Which type of control is Bti used for in pest management?

Which type of control is Bti used for in pest management?

• A. Biological bacterial control
• B. Chemical control
• C. Cultural control
• D. Mechanical control

Answer: (A)

Bti is a biological bacterial control agent used to reduce pest larvae in aquatic habitats. It comes from Bacillus thuringiensis israelensis, which produces toxins that are ingested by mosquito and black fly larvae in water. These toxins disrupt the larval gut and cause death, making it a microbial larvicide. Because it uses a living organism to target specific pests, it fits into biological control. It’s not a chemical insecticide, so it isn’t chemical control; it isn’t about altering habitat or farming conditions, so it isn’t cultural control; and it isn’t a physical removal or barrier, so it isn’t mechanical control.

Bti is a biological bacterial control agent used to reduce pest larvae in aquatic habitats. It comes from Bacillus thuringiensis israelensis, which produces toxins that are ingested by mosquito and black fly larvae in water. These toxins disrupt the larval gut and cause death, making it a microbial larvicide. Because it uses a living organism to target specific pests, it fits into biological control. It’s not a chemical insecticide, so it isn’t chemical control; it isn’t about altering habitat or farming conditions, so it isn’t cultural control; and it isn’t a physical removal or barrier, so it isn’t mechanical control.