For a biocontrol agent to be part of an integrated pest management, it should be:
species-specific and symbiotic
free living and broad spectrum
narrow spectrum and symbiotic
species-specific and inactive on non-target organisms
According to the text, Baculoviruses (genus Nucleopolyhedrovirus) are excellent candidates for biocontrol because they are species-specific and have narrow spectrum insecticidal applications. They have been shown to have no negative impacts on plants, mammals, birds, fish or even on non-target insects. This characteristic makes them desirable for integrated pest management (IPM) programmes where beneficial insects need to be conserved .
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