biological control
noun
1
: the reduction in numbers or elimination of pest organisms by interference with their ecology (as by the introduction of parasites or diseases)
2
: an agent used in biological control
Examples of biological control in a Sentence
She practices biological control in her gardening.
She uses biological controls in her garden.
Recent Examples on the Web
My main focus has been on the role of ants as biological control agents—as predators in the system.
—
Lesley Evans Ogden, Smithsonian Magazine, 31 Jan. 2024
How ladybugs were lucky Ladybugs, also called lady birds and lady beetles, are biological control agents that eat pests and protect crops, says John Losey, a professor of entomology at Cornell University.
—Kate Morgan, Washington Post, 21 Nov. 2023
The conservation of biological control agents (predators, parasitoids) should be favored over chemical controls.
—oregonlive, 1 May 2022
They’re used as a convenient form of biological control, to cull insect pests without having to resort to chemical agents.
—Ed Yong, Discover Magazine, 17 Dec. 2010
Tiger trout act as a biological control in the reservoir, which was part of the reason for the inception of Idaho’s tiger trout stocking program.
—Katie Hill, Outdoor Life, 31 May 2023
Conserve biological control agents such as predators and the parasitoids that feed on insect pests.
—oregonlive, 1 Aug. 2022
The Department of Environment and Science told CNN on Friday that she has been sent to the Queensland Museum for further analysis. Native to South America and mainland Central America, cane toads were first introduced to Australia in 1935 as a biological control against cane beetles.
—Hafsa Khalil, CNN, 20 Jan. 2023
Wildlife managers are currently planning on introducing a type of biological control.
—Joshua Rapp Learn, Discover Magazine, 21 July 2022
Lesley Evans Ogden, Smithsonian Magazine, 31 Jan. 2024
How ladybugs were lucky Ladybugs, also called lady birds and lady beetles, are biological control agents that eat pests and protect crops, says John Losey, a professor of entomology at Cornell University.
—Kate Morgan, Washington Post, 21 Nov. 2023
The conservation of biological control agents (predators, parasitoids) should be favored over chemical controls.
—oregonlive, 1 May 2022
They’re used as a convenient form of biological control, to cull insect pests without having to resort to chemical agents.
—Ed Yong, Discover Magazine, 17 Dec. 2010
Tiger trout act as a biological control in the reservoir, which was part of the reason for the inception of Idaho’s tiger trout stocking program.
—Katie Hill, Outdoor Life, 31 May 2023
Conserve biological control agents such as predators and the parasitoids that feed on insect pests.
—oregonlive, 1 Aug. 2022
The Department of Environment and Science told CNN on Friday that she has been sent to the Queensland Museum for further analysis. Native to South America and mainland Central America, cane toads were first introduced to Australia in 1935 as a biological control against cane beetles.
—Hafsa Khalil, CNN, 20 Jan. 2023
Wildlife managers are currently planning on introducing a type of biological control.
—Joshua Rapp Learn, Discover Magazine, 21 July 2022
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'biological control.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Word History
First Known Use
1916, in the meaning defined at sense 1
Time Traveler
The first known use of biological control was
in 1916
Dictionary Entries Near biological control
Cite this Entry
“Biological control.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/biological%20control. Accessed 17 Apr. 2024.
Copy Citation
Kids Definition
biological control
noun
: attack upon pests by interference with their ecology (as by introduction of parasites)
Medical Definition
biological control
noun1
: the reduction in numbers or elimination of pest organisms by interference with their ecology (as by the introduction of parasites or diseases)
2
: an agent (such as pyrethrum) used in biological control
More from Merriam-Webster on biological control
Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about biological control
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