Indonesia and the Philippines presented detailed instructions on how to produce and apply parasitoids for use against DBM based on governmental production facilities’ experiences. However, no details on the cost of such programs were provided. Malaysia highlighted the use of monitoring (specific threshold levels for DBM) as a decision support tool for determining whether Bt or synthetic pesticides would be used against DBM. Singapore detailed on the application of nets to keep out DBM, highlighted crop rotation with non-cruciferous crops, applied sex pheromone traps at recommended densities, and cited the use of abamectin and Bt as biocontrol strategies at higher DBM levels. Early scientific studies (1980s and 1990s) established the use of parasitoids as an effective means against DBM in Southeast Asia (mainly in Indonesia and Malaysia). Already during that time, it was recommended to combine Bt and parasitoids, and this was further consolidated in a review from 1993 (60), which identified DBM as a “difficult to control pest worldwide” due to recurring synthetic pesticide resistance. However, development of resistance has also occurred with Bt, therefore requiring an integrated resistance management (IRM) strategy that includes Bt. Other tools recommended by science include a close-season for brassicas, plant resistance, cultural controls, pheromones, and other microbials (e.g. Beauveria spp.) and botanicals (e.g. neem). In a recent review, (61) it was concluded that DBM still remained the main pest of brassicas worldwide and that the potential of using parasitoids could become realised only if use of broad-spectrum synthetic insecticides was abandoned. The ABC database shows an availability of a total of 141 registered biocontrol products against DBM (October 2013; excluding avermectins). This is currently the largest product range against an insect pest in the database, which is certainly due to the importance of DBM. This includes: 34 69 Bt-based products 27 Azadirachtin-based products 12 Ginseng products 8 Rotenone-based products 4 Pyrethrins 7 Spinosad products and others For the control of DBM, experts of the AMS mainly recommended the use of parasitoids, Bt, and pheromones as major BCA. This is not fully in line; however, with what is available on the market (Bt and neem products). A problematic point is the use of beneficials like Diadegma semiclausum, which have been proven to be highly effective (and cost-efficient) for area‐wide DBM management in the past, but do not play a significant role anymore, because widespread pesticide applications have greatly reduced their existence. These BCA could only gain importance again, if conventional pesticide use is reduced or completely avoided (see our conclusions below). There exist no well‐established, scientifically-derived approaches to control flea beetles yet, which led the experts to the conclusion that more research and product testing is needed. In consequence, trials to test different management approaches for flea beetle were planned in Brunei
Implementing Biological Control Agents in the ASEAN Region
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