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Biological control is the suppression of pest populations using predators, parasitoids and pathogens. Historically, biological control has largely been on a trial-and-error basis, and has failed more often than it has succeeded. However by developing theories based upon fundamental population principles and the biological characteristics of the pest and agent, we can gain a much better understanding of when and how to use biological control. This book gathers together recent theoretical developments and provides a balanced guide to the important issues that need to be considered in applying ecological theory to biological control. It will be a source of productive and stimulating thought for all those interested in pest management, theoretical ecology and population biology.

Weeds are a major constraint to agricultural production, particularly in the developing world. Cost-efficient biological control is a self-sustaining way to reduce this problem, and produces fewer non-target effects than chemical methods, which can cause serious damage to the environment. This book covers the origin, distribution, and ecology of twenty model invasive weed species, which occur in habitats from tropical to temperate to aquatic. Sustainable biological control of each weed using one or more arthropods is discussed. The aim is to provide ecological management models for use across the tropical world, and to assist in the assessment of potential risks to native and economic plants. This is a valuable resource for scientists and policy makers concerned with the biological control of invasive tropical plants.

This book provides an invaluable review of the current methodologies used for assessing the environmental impacts of invertebrate biological agents used to control pests in agriculture and forestry. It explores methods to evaluate post-release effects and the environmental impact of dispersal, displacement and establishment of invertebrate biological control agents. It covers methodology on screening for contaminants, the use of molecular methods for species identification and the determination of interbreeding. The book also discusses the use and application of information on zoogeographical zones, statistical methods and risk-benefit analysis. It gives practical advice on how to perform science-based risk assessments and on how to use new technology and information.

Mass Production of Beneficial Organisms: Invertebrates and Entomopathogens is an essential reference and teaching tool for researchers in developed and developing countries working to produce \"natural enemies\" in biological control and integrated pest management programs. As we become aware of the negative impact of pesticides in human health and on the environment, interest is rapidly increasing in developing biological pest control alternatives. Tremendous advances have been made in beneficial organism technology, such as insect predators and parasitoids, mite predators, entomopathogenic nematodes, fungi, bacteria, and viruses. However, developing techniques to mass produce these biological control agents is not enough if the cost of commercialization is prohibitive. Advancing mass production to the level of economic feasibility is critical, so these new technologies can compete in the open market. This book educates academic and industry researchers, and enables further development of mass production so new technologies can compete in the open market. It is also an excellent resource for those researching beneficial arthropod mass production and technologies for other uses, including for study and application in biotechnology and biomedical research. Focuses on techniques for mass production of beneficial organisms and methods of evaluation and quality assessmentOrganizes and presents the most advanced and current knowledge on methods to mass produce beneficial organisms in response to the increased global demand for alternatives to chemical pesticides for biological control producers Includes a team of highly respected editors and authors with broad expertise in these areas

Insects and fungi have a shared history of association in common habitats where together they endure similar environmental conditions, but only recently have mycologists and entomologists recognized and had the techniques to study the intricacies of some of the associations. This new volume covers “seven wonders of the insect-fungus world” for which exciting new results have become available, often due to the use of new methods that include phylogenetic analysis and development of molecular markers. Eleven chapters of the volume are presented in two sections, “Fungi that act against insects” and “Fungi mutualistic with insects” that cover a number of major themes. Examples of necrotrophic parasites of insects are discussed, not only for biological control potential, but also as organisms with population structure and complex multipartite interactions; a beneficial role for symptomless endophytes in broad-leafed plants is proposed; biotrophic fungal parasites with reduced morphologies are placed among relatives using phylogenetic methods; complex methods of fungal spore dispersal include interactions with one or more arthropods; the farming behavior of New World attine ants is compared with that of humans and the Old World fungus-growing termites; certain mycophagous insects use fungi as a sole nutritional resource; and other insects obtain nutritional supplements from yeasts. Insects involved in fungal associations include--but are not limited to--members of the Coleoptera, Diptera, Homoptera, Hymenoptera, and Isoptera. The fungi involved in interactions with insects may be clustered taxonomically, as is the case for Ascomycetes in the Hypocreales (e.g., Beauveria, Metarhizium, Fusarium), ambrosia fungi in the genera ophiostoma and ceratocystis and their asexual relatives, Laboulbeniomycetes, Saccharomycetes, and the more basal Microsporidia. Other groups, however, have only occasional members (e.g., mushrooms cultivated by attine ants and termites) in such associations. The chapters included in this volume constitute a modern crash course in the study of insect-fungus associations.

Chemical insecticides are intensively used in agriculture which cause negative effects on environmental sustainability by increasing pest tolerance and continuous action on local fauna. In contrast to chemical insecticides, biological insecticides target specific pests, minimizing their impact on the surrounding environment. However, most of the natural insecticides available in the market are expensive for farmers in the Central Asian region. This study is the first evidence of the effectiveness of local entomopathogenic nematodes (EPN) from the arid zone of northern Kazakhstan that can be used as an alternative to export EPN products. The laboratory experiment is conducted with two local and two commercial Steinernema feltiae and Steinernema carpocapsae, which are applied to larvae of Tenebrionidae. The experiment design is randomized with four doses of EPN (100, 200, 300, and 400 IJ/cm2) and a control (without EPN). According to the experiment results, one out of two local EPNs (AF29 at dose 100 IJ/cm2) caused a high mortality rate (67%) among larvae. This finding confirms that local EPNs can compete with commercial EPNs and potentially be used as insecticidal agents.

The Concise Illustrated Dictionary of Biocontrol Terms includes basic terminology related to the biological control of pests, together with state-of-the-art scientific and practical terms, for expedient comprehension and analysis of present, forecasted or in situ pest management problems.

\"Spiders eat pests. Bees help plants. Little critters help in big and small ways. But most experts agree. One bug has got to go. It’s the spotted lanternfly. This invasive species is taking over parts of the eastern United States. The bug spread in recent years. Officials say the spotted lanternfly is harmful. The insects suck on the sap of more than 70 different types of plants. That causes damage. The bugs are hurting trees. Those include maple, oak, and willow trees.\" (News-O-Matic) Read how the spotted lanternfly, an invasive pest harming over 70 plant species in the eastern U.S., is being creatively battled.

\"Biological control is the suppression of pest populations by using predators, parasitoids, and pathogens. Historically, biological control has largely been used on a trial-and-error basis, and has failed more often than it has succeeded. However, by developing theories based on fundamental population principles and the biological characteristics of the pest and agent, we can gain a much better understanding of when and how to use biological control. This volume gathers recent theoretical developments and provides a balanced guide to the important issues that need to be considered when applying ecological theory to biological control.\"--Publisher's website.

For many years the use of chemical agents such as pesticides and herbicides has been effective in controlling the many varieties of pests that infest both agricultural crops and backyard gardens. However, these pests are gradually becoming resistant to these agents, because the agents themselves are acting as selective factors making the pests better and better able to resist and persist. As a result, the use of biological controlling agents is increasing. This book is a comprehensive and authoritative handbook of biological control. Key Features* Introduction (preface plus 2 chapters)* Principles and processes (12 chapters)* Agents, biology, and methods (6 chapters)* Applications (10 chapters)* Research (2 chapters)