Biodiversity Pro/Con Response
Feb 11th, 2011 by kcoghill
Is Biodiversity Overprotected?
1) Describe and explain which point of view you agree with. You need to state, and elaborate upon, at least two reasons why you support the position you choose. Make sure you also reference specific evidence from the article in your response.
2)List one question you have regarding the information/views that were raised in the article. Describe what led you to your question.
Originally found in New York State the H. axyridis, which is an invasive lady bug, has erupted in population in recent years. These bugs which mostly prey on injurious soft-bodied insects such as aphids, scales, and psyllids are considered beneficial to farmers. Due to their benefit in helping get rid of pests on trees (the multicolored Asian lady beetle as it is sometimes called, can eat over one hundred aphids a day) they have been utilized by farmer to directly clear up pest by consumption. The explosion of these creatures in recent years has been directly connected to their introduction as a pest control agent. This bug, however, poses little overall harm to the environments they live in. If they were people, the only law they would be breaking would be loitering. The pests often invade homes and building but they do not eat clothes or fabrics. The only reason the bugs are attracted to the buildings is that white buildings remind them of the habitat they one inhabited in Japan. It is not recommended that anyone try and use insecticides to control this bug, as the beetle when disturbed releases a yellow liquid that will stain fabrics. The best way is to gently let them outside, or better yet not allow them entry into your home at all. Locally, the bugs have been released in Connecticut for control of red pine scale. The environmental effects of disposing of the bugs with IPM does not out way the benefits.
http://www.ipm.msu.edu/beetlefaq.htm
From what I have read about these critters, I would venture in saying that they do not cause any problems other than being a visual nuisance. These bugs certainly do exist in large quantities and unless in extreme situations I would say that the use of insecticides would do more bad then good. These MSU scientists feel the same way. They also feel that the bugs help control pests so they help the environment quite a bit.