PLANTS Essay, Research Paper

With the ever-increasing problem of pest control, it is clear that some form biological must be implemented in order to help farmers. This biological control must be able to effectively control the pest population, this means not killing them but rather never letting the pest populations get too large. Through computer-simulated programs the Spider Division of Frankenstein, Inc. was able to genetically create a spider that genetically perfect for biological control. This paper will discuss the methods that were taken as well as the results of the Spider Divisions experiment.

Introduction

Biological control is an important factor if we are to protect and increase our crop production. This paper outlines an experiment that was done by the Spider division of Frankenstein, Inc, in their attempt to create a new and improved form of biological control. The experiment purpose is to genetically manufacture the “perfect” spider for biological control, the spider will be known as the Paine Killer Spider, which will be genetically perfect for its environment. The genetic factors of the spiders’ eyesight, how fast it moves, and how fast it reproduces will be crucially important in its development. These three factors will set the parameters for how well the Paine Killer Spider will perform in its ecosystem. Besides the biological factors, how well the spider interact with other predators, as well as its natural enemies must also be taken in account. For this experiment, the Spider division of Frankenstein, Inc. did extensive research through Ecological journals with subjects on all types of biological control. Through the Eco Beaker simulation the team at the Spider Division will show that a genetically created spider can and will be successful for biological control purposes. This Eco Beaker simulation effectively simulates the introduction of an insect into an ecosystem for biological control purposes.

Materials and Methods

In creating the Paine killer Spider, the Eco Beaker simulator proved to be a easy and useful way of a conducting the experiment. By randomly selecting parameters for the spiders? eyesight, speed, and reproduction the Spider Division was we able to come up with numbers that would stabilize the ecosystem and allow for the genetically produced spider and aphids to live together harmoniously. In a matter of hours the Spider Division was able to come up with a set of parameters for the Paine Killer Spider that would allow for perfect biological control. While there could be numerous different combinations that could work for the different parameters, the Spider division found that the Paine Killer Spiders? parameters should be set at; 1 meter for sight; 1.9 meters per day for speed; and a reproduction rate of 1 spider per 2.2 aphids. With these parameters the Paine Killer Spider will have a successful introduction into its ecosystem.

Results

The Eco Beaker system clearly demonstrated that the Spider Division is capable of producing the ?perfect? spider. By mixing in different combinations if genetic parameter, the Eco Beaker system was able to show the negative effects of having to much or little speed, too much or too little eyesight, and too fast or too slow of a reproduction system. By coming up with the combination listed above, the Spider Division clearly demonstrated that the Paine Killer Spider would be able to adapt to its environment and control the aphid population. It will also be able for long periods of time. While this experiment was designed to examine a yearlong period, the Spider Division decided to extend it for three years. The chosen parameters enabled the Paine Killer Spider to control the environment for the whole three years on the Eco Beaker simulator. Through the simulator the spider was very successful in a large crop field, but is very feasible that the spider could be even more successful in a field that is broken up into small sections separated by streams or other barriers.

Discussion

Why don?t farmers just use more pesticides? With aphids continually adapting to pesticides it just not cost effective for the farmers to rely on these pesticides. Framers find themselves losing money and crops in trying to beat the aphids to the punch. Therefore biological control can be a very effective way to control the aphid population. Clearly this experiment shows that genetically manufactured spider can be very successful in controlling its environment and maintaining an acceptable aphid population. This sort of biological control may very well be the wave of the future. It almost allows for nature and not chemicals to control its own environment, even though this nature is genetically manufactured.

In conclusion, this experiment shows that the ?perfect? spider can be produced. By genetically altering it speed, eyesight, and reproduction rate Frankenstein, Inc. can create the ultimate form of biological control. It is clear that the Paine Killer Spider is just the tip of the iceberg for biological control.