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

The Asian lady beetle is native to eastern Asia but was introduced to the United States and other parts of the world in the early 20th century as a biological control agent for aphids and other pests. —Marie Woodward, Hartford Courant, 9 Nov. 2024

Nematodes are microscopic worms and great examples of biological control agents. —Katie Liu, Discover Magazine, 11 Nov. 2024

Desperate for an answer, scientists looked across the Pacific to Hawaii, where cane toads (Rhinella marina) were being hailed as biological control agents. —Scott Travers, Forbes, 30 Oct. 2024

What makes lady beetles effective natural enemies in preventative biological control? —Katie Liu, Discover Magazine, 7 Oct. 2024

Word History

First Known Use

1916, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Kids Definition

biological control

noun

: attack upon pests by interference with their ecology (as by introduction of parasites)

Medical Definition

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 (such as pyrethrum) used in biological control