Spiders for Biological Control With the ever-increasing problem of pest control, it is clear that some form biological must be implemented in order to help farmers. This biological control must be able to effectively control the pest population, this means not killing them but rather never letting the pest populations get too large. Through computer-simulated programs the Spider Division of Frankenstein, Inc. was able to genetically create a spider that genetically perfect for biological control. This paper will discuss the methods that were taken as well as the results of the Spider Divisions experiment. Introduction Biological control is an important factor if we are to protect and increase our crop production. This paper outlines an experiment that was done by the Spider division of Frankenstein, Inc, in their attempt to create a new and improved form of biological control. The experiment purpose is to genetically manufacture the "perfect" spider for biological control, the spider will be known as the Paine Killer Spider, which will be genetically perfect for its environment. The genetic factors of the spiders' eyesight, how fast it moves, and how fast it reproduces will be crucially important in its development. These three factors will set the parameters for how well the Paine Killer Spider will perform in its ecosystem. Besides the biological factors, how well the spider interact with other predators, as well as its natural enemies must also be taken in account. For this experiment, the Spider division of Frankenstein, Inc. did extensive research through Ecological journals with subjects on all types of biological control. Through the Eco Beaker simulation the team at the Spider Division will show that a genetically created spider can and will be successful for biological control purposes. This Eco Beaker simulation effectively simulates the introduction of an insect into an ecosystem for biological control purposes. Materials and Methods In creating the Paine killer Spider, the Eco Beaker simulator proved to be a easy and useful way of a conducting the experiment. By randomly selecting parameters for the spiders' eyesight, speed, and reproduction the Spider Division was we able to come up with numbers that would stabilize the ecosystem and allow for the genetically produced spider and aphids to live together harmoniously. In a matter of hours the Spider Division was able to come up with a set of parameters for the Paine Killer Spider that would allow for perfect biological control. While there could be numerous different combinations that could work for the different parameters, the Spider division found that the Paine Killer Spiders' parameters should be set at; 1 meter for sight; 1.
The gall is made of plant tissue but aspects of genetically coded stimulus from the insect makes the gall from the normal plant tissue (Abrahamson, 1989). The gall can be many different sizes in diameter. Survival depends on the gall size, the smaller the galls means that the larvae is vulnerable to parasitoid oviposition, but when the galls are larger they are more likely to be attacked by avian predators (Abrahamson, 1989). Gallmaker enemies can influence the survival of individual gallmakers. The natural enemies of the gallmakers can have a potential effect and alter gallmaker traits for other generations if survivorship varies (Abrahamson, 1989). This study wanted to know three things, how many gallmakers there are as well as how many natural enemies there are, and to what extent of the goldenrod fly mortality was due to insect and bird enemies listed above. They also wanted to know what gall size did these natural enemies prefer and what kind of
To conduct the experiment, the beetles were massed, then attached to a petri dish with a 30 centimeter piece of dental floss. The beetle’s mass was the independent variable. Afterwards, the floss was tied to the beetle’s midsection with a slip knot. Then, the beetle was placed on a piece of fabric with the petri dish attached to it. As soon as the beetle was able to move with one paperclip inside the petri dish, more were added, one by one, until it could not move any further. After the beetle could not pull any more, the paperclips were massed and the results were recorded. The dependent variable was the mass that the beetles could pull. No control group was included in this experiment.
5. You will be using this tutorial to help you find references for the experiment and laboratory report you will be working on during lab on pill/sow bugs (see Lab 2 Activity Two in the lab manual). List 4 specific keywords you will use when searching for literature relevant to your pill bug experiment. You should not list “Boolean” operators as keywords. Note that you often will find relevant and very useful literature with related species (not just pill/sow bugs!) (2
However, evidence such as fossils is more than enough to lend support and disprove any other theory to the development of species. Examples used by Root-Bernstein and McEachron also provide strong support to evolution. The authors detail how natural selection works in both insects and germs to create organisms better adapted to methods of control. Disease used to run rampant, until the creation of vaccines which led to many diseases becoming extinct. Root-Bernstein and McEachron note that the diseases that have survived to this day have been constantly mutating and evolving to become more resistant to any attempts at suppression. The same can be said for insects that have been consistently exposed to pesticides. The ones that survived the pesticides were able to reproduce and pass along a resistance to their offspring which in turn makes the species more resilient and better suited to their
Barbara Kingsolver discusses genetic manipulation through generations of different species in her essay A Fist in the Eye of God. These genetic manipulations occur due to the species acclimating to their environment. Diversity in genes is nature’s survival of the fittest. Only the strongest survive and they pass on their strong traits. With today’s technology, we have the capability of altering genes within a species DNA. This paper examines the detrimental repercussions that GMO 's cause to the environment and insects necessary for the progression of crops.
A GMO is a plant or animal that has been genetically engineered with DNA from bacteria, viruses, or other plants and animals. Most of the combinations which are used could not possibly occur in nature on its own. The intention of the process is to create a new beneficial trait such as creating its own pesticide or make it immune to herbicides. This would allow the crop such as Bt co...
If I were Gary Anderson, I would not accept to take up the position of a project manager after the director stated that this project would be his baby all the way (Dawn, 2010). This statement shows that the director will overshadow the project and potentially become a hindrance to ultimate outcome of the project. There is a possibility of conflict of interest developing.
“A segment is a set of buyers who share common needs or characteristics”(Marketing by Tony Gray (2000))
The term ‘genetic engineering’ covers several methods of manipulating genetic material, otherwise known as genetic manipulation; recombinant DNA technology and gene therapy in humans (Atkinson, 1998). This technique is not only used for genetic transfer between plants but, genes from non-plant organisms can be used as well. A known example of this is the transfer of the B.t gene found in corn and other crops. The B.t gene, or otherwise known as ‘Bacillus thurngiensis (Bt)’; is a naturally occurring bacterium that creates proteins with crystals that are fatal to insect larvae (Whitman, 2000). These B.t genes have been transferred into the corn, allowing the corn to effectively produce its own pesticides against insects.
The Venus Fly Trap, Dionaea muscipula, is a carnivorous plant native to the bogs and swamplands of North and South Carolina. It is an interesting plant and this research paper will be covering the adaptive significance in the insectivtory of the Venus Flytrap and how this evolved into an adaptation for obtaining nutrients in their nutrient poor habitat. How their prey is captured, digestion, lifespan, and vulnerabilities will also be discussed. Including what happens if something other than a bug used for nutrients triggers their traps, and what the actions that take place are when this happens. There is also a reason to believe that this species is at risk for extinction due to fire suppression and poaching.
Terminator Technology is a reality that threatens the very existence of traditional agriculture. Where in previous times farmers depended on saving seeds from year to year in order to subsist, we are ebbing upon a time where genetically modified organisms, or GMO's as they are commonly referred to, have become a commercial reality and venture in agriculture. This commercial venture was surely the focus of a seed company Delta and Pine Land Company. In March of 1998, the DPL (Delta PineLand) company along with the cooperation of the United States Department of Agriculture acquired a patent for the control of plant gene expression. One such application of this patent is the plan to engineer crops to kill their own seeds in the second generation of its life. After the second generation, it would be impossible for farmers to save and replant their seeds for the next crop. Hence, the adoption of the name "Terminator Technology." Such technology has not only economic and environmental implications, but secular ones as well.
The main goal of vector control is to eliminate all of the population. But it is not easy as we say to accomplish this goal. However, if the selection pressure that is put on a population is greater, the susceptibility may be lost also will faster. If the individuals possessing susceptible genes emigrate from untreated areas, they will dilute and compete with the resistance genes in the overall population. We need detect the resistance at an early stage and also must do an early step in a vector control programme so that timely management can be implemented and the significance of immigration of untreated insects can be estimate. We also must consider the risk of insecticide resistance during planning a resistance management programme.
Biological pest control is the suppression of pest damage through the action of one or more natural enemies and usually involves an active human role.
grass, leaf, or black plastic mulch. Weeds also may be pulled or hoed from the
Biotechnology helps in protecting the environment,It provides crops with protection from viruses and insects by reducing the number of pesticid...