biological control: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
C1Technical/Academic
Quick answer
What does “biological control” mean?
The method of controlling pests using their natural enemies rather than chemical pesticides.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
The method of controlling pests using their natural enemies rather than chemical pesticides.
The practice of managing pest populations through the introduction, conservation, or augmentation of living organisms (predators, parasites, pathogens) that naturally limit those pests.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No significant lexical differences; spelling remains consistent. Both varieties use the term identically in technical writing.
Connotations
Neutral technical term in both varieties, associated with sustainable agriculture and integrated pest management.
Frequency
Equally common in academic and agricultural discourse in both UK and US English.
Grammar
How to Use “biological control” in a Sentence
biological control of [pest]biological control using [agent]biological control for [crop]Vocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “biological control” in a Sentence
verb
British English
- The farm aims to biologically control aphid infestations.
- We are biologically controlling the weeds with beetles.
American English
- The growers biologically controlled the mites with predatory insects.
- They plan to biologically control the invasive species.
adverb
British English
- The pests were managed biologically, through control agents.
- They farm more biologically by using control methods.
American English
- They decided to manage the issue biologically, via control.
- The crop is protected biologically using control.
adjective
British English
- The biological-control approach is gaining favour.
- They reviewed the biological-control literature.
American English
- The biological-control strategy proved cost-effective.
- She is a biological-control specialist.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Discussed in agribusiness for sustainable crop protection and reducing chemical costs.
Academic
Common in ecology, agriculture, and environmental science journals and textbooks.
Everyday
Rare in casual conversation; might appear in gardening magazines or documentaries.
Technical
Standard term in integrated pest management (IPM) protocols, entomology, and horticulture.
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “biological control”
Vocabulary
Antonyms of “biological control”
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “biological control”
- Using 'biological control' to mean quality control in biology labs.
- Confusing it with 'biological containment'.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
While generally safer than broad-spectrum pesticides, it requires careful study, as introduced control agents can sometimes become invasive or affect non-target species.
Yes, methods like introducing ladybirds for aphids or nematodes for soil pests are common and effective in small-scale gardening.
Classical control involves permanently establishing a natural enemy, often from the pest's native region. Augmentative control involves periodically releasing mass-reared natural enemies to provide immediate, seasonal control.
Not always. Classical biological control can take years to establish and show effects, while augmentative releases can provide quicker, but temporary, suppression.
The method of controlling pests using their natural enemies rather than chemical pesticides.
Biological control is usually technical/academic in register.
Biological control: in British English it is pronounced /ˌbaɪ.əˌlɒdʒ.ɪ.kəl kənˈtrəʊl/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˌbaɪ.əˌlɑː.dʒɪ.kəl kənˈtroʊl/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “Nature's hitman (informal for a biocontrol agent)”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think: BIO (life) + LOGICAL (makes sense) CONTROL → controlling pests with living things makes logical sense.
Conceptual Metaphor
PEST MANAGEMENT IS WARFARE (with 'biological control' representing the use of 'allied troops' or 'special forces' from nature).
Practice
Quiz
What is the primary goal of biological control?