Control Of Pests And Weeds By Natural Enemies

Biological control – utilizing a population of natural enemies to seasonally or permanently suppress pests – is not a new concept. The cottony cushion scale, which nearly destroyed the citrus industry of California, was controlled by an introduced predatory insect in the 1880s. Accelerated invasions by insects and spread of weedy non-native plants in the last century have increased the need for the use of biological control. Use of carefully chosen natural enemies has become a major tool for the protection of natural ecosystems, biodiversity and agricultural and urban environments. This book offers a multifaceted yet integrated discussion on two major applications of biological control: permanent control of invasive insects and plants at the landscape level and temporary suppression of both native and exotic pests in farms, tree plantations, and greenhouses. Written by leading international experts in the field, the text discusses control of invasive species and the role of natural enemies in pest management. This book is essential reading for courses on Invasive Species, Pest Management, and Crop Protection. It is an invaluable reference book for biocontrol professionals, restorationists, agriculturalists, and wildlife biologists. Further information and resources can be found on the Editor’s own website at: www.invasiveforestinsectandweedbiocontrol.info/index.htm

A concise account examining the historical background of biological control.

The Best-Ever Practical Guide to Biological Control. This book will help you find, identify, and use natural enemies to control pests in almost any agricultural crop, garden, or landscape. First use the handy Quick Guide feature to locate natural enemies. Then go to the main text for clear, detailed information. 180 high-quality color photographs and 140 expertly rendered drawings show hundreds of predators, parasites, and pathogens that attack pest insects, mites, nematodes, plant pathogens, and weeds. References, suppliers, and a comprehensive index make this an indispensable sourcebook for growers, pest control advisers, landscape professionals, home gardeners, and pest management teachers and students.

Publisher Description

This volume is a revision of Biological Control by R. van den Bosch and P. S. Messenger, originally published by Intext Publishers. In the revision, I have attempted to keep the original theme, and to update it with current research findings and new chapters or sections on insect pathology, microbial control of weeds and plant pathogens, population dynamics, integrated pest management, and economics. The book was written as an undergraduate text, and not as a complete review of the subject area. Various more comprehen sive volumes have been written to serve as handbooks for the experts. This book is designed to provide a concise overview of the complex and valuable field of biological control and to show the relationships to the developing concepts of integrated pest management. Population regulation of pests by natural enemies is the major theme of the book, but other biological methods of pest control are also discussed. The chapter on population dynamics assumes a precalculus-level knowledge of mathematics. Author names of species are listed only once in the text, but all are listed in the Appendix. Any errors or omissions in this volume are my sole responsibility. A. P. Gutierrez Professor of Entomology Division of Biological Control University of California, Berkeley vii Acknowledgments Very special thanks must be given to my colleagues, Professors C. B. Huffaker and L. E. Caltagirone, for the very thorough review they provided and for the many positive suggestions they gave. Dr.

Biological control?the use of beneficial organisms to control pests?represents a safe, effective, and economical alternative to the use of pesticides.Successful biological control relies on knowledge of pests and their natural enemies. This handsome publication covers basic biological information, supplies examples from common groups of insect predators, parasitic insects, nematodes, and insect pathogens.Learn how to enhance the effectiveness of natural enemies, what to know when ordering natural enemies, how to handle shipments, and how to assess the costs and feasibility of using natural enemies.Includes an extensive list of natural enemies organized by crop, a handy identification key of common natural enemies, and a list of resources for additional information.

The scope of biological control; The historical development of biological control; The ecological basis of biological control; Biology and systematics; The introduction, culture, and establishment programme; The conservation and augmentation of natural enemies; Insect pathology; Biological control of weeds.