ENSC 1005 Lecture Notes - Biological Agent, Resistance 3, Rodenticide

• School: Nipissing University
• Department: Child and Family Studies
• Course: ENSC 1005
• Professor: Heather Kaye

Document Summary

Pest- any species that is undesirable or a nuisance. In natural ecosystems natural enemies (predators, parasites, and disease organisms) control the population of most of the potential pest species -> nature"s checks and balances. Pesticides- chemicals used to kill or control populations of organisms we consider undesirable. Naturally occurring chemicals in plants are produced to repel or kill herbivores that feed on plants (ex: dieffenbachia, milkweed, poinsettia, cocoa plant) First generation pesticides- natural chemicals usually taken from plants. Benefits: 1) save lives from insect transmitted disease (i. e. malaria, bubonic. Spiders repel cockroaches, spruce budworm, gypsy moths, aphids. Ddt (1939) was the first second generation pesticide. See table 23. 1 p. 553 for others plague, typhus. 2) increase food supplies 55% of world"s potential human food supply is lost to pests using pesticides reduces this loss. 3) increase profits for farmers more crops for sale -> more money. 5) when used properly, health risks low compared with benefits.