Study estimates true value of ladybeetle as biocontrol (SciDev)

The Science Development Network published an article summarizing findings of an IFPRI study on the impact of ladybeetles on agriculture. The study estimated that cotton farmers in China could save more than $300 million by doubling the density of ladybeetles in their fields. Ladybeetles are natural predators of aphids, a primary cotton pest, that greatly reduces crop yields. Senior research fellow Wei Zhang is quoted saying, “by putting a value on this free service we invite people to think more carefully about what we get from nature and how we may be affected if we lose it.”

Photo credit: Charles J. Sharp/Wikimedia Commons