ENTOMO-AGRICULTURE · CHOCAMÁN, VERACRUZ
Because an insect becoming a pest is rarely the insect’s fault — it is almost always the result of human activities without knowledge of the consequences.
THE PROBLEM IN CHOCAMAN
In Chocamán and the high mountain region of Veracruz, the chayote (Sechium edule) is one of the most important crops — and one of the most chemically dependent. Local producers apply pesticides frequently and in high volumes to control pest insects, without monitoring which species are actually present, at what population levels, or whether intervention is even necessary.
The result: excessive water use, chemical runoff, and the indiscriminate elimination of beneficial insects that the same crops depend on. Pollinators, natural predators, and decomposers disappear — and the cycle of chemical dependency deepens.
Where we are today
— We have mapped the crops present in Chocamán and the surrounding high mountain area. Our volunteer is currently developing informational fact sheets on the three main pests affecting chayote — the first step toward a monitoring protocol that gives producers real data before they reach for a pesticide.
OUR APPROACH
Crop rotation & habitat management Crop rotation, intercropping, polycultures, companion planting, soil health management, and habitat manipulation to reduce pest pressures naturally.
Physical barriers & traps Traps, barriers, mulches, netting, and pheromone disruptors — non-chemical methods to prevent pest establishment without harming beneficial insects.
Natural predators & parasitoids Use of natural predators, parasitoids, and pathogens to keep pest populations in check — conservation biological control and augmentation strategies.
Last resort only Targeted use of biopesticides and selective synthetic pesticides — only when monitoring confirms it is necessary.
Always the last option, never the first.
SCIENCE BEHIND OUR WORK
Neonicotinoid-treated seeds make entire plants toxic to insects, affecting pollinators and other beneficial species through the food chain.
A 27-year study found 22% more species and 36% higher insect abundance in organic fields compared to conventional farming.
33-35% of agricultural land benefits from animal pollination, supporting 87.5% of wild flowering plants worldwide.
57% of 1,024 tested chemicals significantly altered insect larval behavior at sublethal concentrations — including herbicides and fungicides.
Your donation funds Micratena's pest management research in Chocamán, Veracruz — helping farmers make smarter decisions without harming the insects we all depend on.
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