March : Classical biological control of insect pests of trees: facts and figures
previous pageClassical biological control of insect pests of trees: facts and figures
Authors
Marc Kenis, Brett P. Hurley, Ann E. Hajek, Matthew J. W. Cock
Abstract
Classical biological control (CBC) is the introduction of a natural
enemy of exotic origin to control a pest, usually also exotic, aiming at
permanent control of the pest. CBC has been carried out widely over a
variety of target organisms, but most commonly against insects, using
parasitoids and predators and, occasionally, pathogens. Until 2010, 6158
introductions of parasitoids and predators were made against 588 insect
pests, leading to the control of 172 pests. About 55% of these
introductions were made against pests of woody plants. Establishment
rates of natural enemies and success rates were higher in CBC projects
targeting pests of woody plants than other pests. This review aims to
answer the questions most commonly asked regarding CBC against insect
pests, with particular emphasis on tree pests. The topics covered
include, among others: variations in rates of successes among different
systems, different target insect groups and different agents; temporal
trends in CBC practices and successes; economic and environmental
benefits; risks and ways to mitigate the risks; CBC against native
pests; accidental successes through the adoption of the invasive pests
by native natural enemies or accidentally introduced agents; and
prospects and constraints for the practice of CBC in the future.
Questions are answered based on the analysis of two databases, the
BIOCAT2010 database of introductions of insect biological control agents
for the CBC of insect pests, and a database of introductions of
entomopathogens against insect pests.
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