Which type of pest control uses predators, pathogens, or genetic engineering to control arthropods?

• A. Cultural
• B. Chemical
• C. Biological
• D. Sanitation and physical

Answer: (C)

Biological control uses living organisms or their products to suppress pest populations. When targeting arthropods, it relies on natural enemies such as predators (for example, lacewings or lady beetles that eat pest insects), pathogens that infect pests (like entomopathogenic fungi such as Beauveria bassiana or Bt toxins that kill certain larvae), or genetic approaches that reduce pest reproduction or survival (such as releasing sterile males to prevent successful mating). This matches the idea of using biological agents to manage pests rather than applying chemicals or altering the environment. Cultural controls adjust practices to make conditions less favorable for pests, chemical controls use pesticides, and sanitation and physical controls remove pests or their habitats without involving living biological agents.