Biological Control by Augmentation of Natural Enemies

The protection of agricultural crops, forest, and man and his domestic animals from annoyance and damage by various kinds of pests remains a chronic problem. As we endeavor to improve pro­ duction processes and to develop more effective and acceptable tactics for achieving this protection, we must give high priority to all potentially useful techniques for the control and management of insects. Pest control is recognized as an acceptable and necessary part of modern agriculture. Methods employed vary greatly and tend to reflect compromises involving 3 determining factors: technological capability, economic feasibility, and social acceptability. How­ ever, these factors are also subject to change with time since each involves value judgments that are based on available information, cost, benefit considerations, the seriousness of the pest problem, and the political climate. Whatever method is chosen, energy resources continue to dwindle under the impact of increasing popu­ lation, and it is inevitable that greater reliance must be placed upon renewable resources in pest management. One alternative is the use of a pest management method that uses the energy of the pest's own biomass to fuel a self-perpetuating control system. The use of biological control agents for the control of pests has long been an integral part of the pest management strategy in crop production and forestry and in the protection of man and animals. The importance and unique advantages of the method are well recognized; numerous treatises deal with accomplishments and methodologies.

Contenu

I. Biological Bases for Augmentation.- 1. Some Aspects of Population Dynamics Relative to Augmentation of Natural Enemy Action.- 2. Ecological Principles Associated with Augmentation of Natural Enemies.- 3. The Theoretical Basis for Augmentation of Natural Enemies.- 4. Biosystematics of Natural Enemies.- II. Scientific Thrusts Supporting Augmentation.- 5. Nutrition of Natural Enemies.- 6. Mass Production of Natural Enemies.- 7. Quality Aspects of Mass-Reared Insects.- 8. Behavioral Chemicals in the Augmentation of Natural Enemies.- III. Experimental and Practical Applications of Augmentation.- 9. Seasonal Colonization of Entomophages in the U.S.S.R.- 10. Augmentation of Natural Enemies in the People's Republic of China.- 11. Augmentation of Natural Enemies in Western Europe.- 12. The Introduction of Natural Enemies for Pest Control in Glasshouses: Ecological Consideration.- 13. Augmentation of Natural Enemies for Control of Plant Pests in the Western Hemisphere.- 14. Augmentation of Natural Enemies for Control of Insect Pests of Man and Animals in the United States.- IV. Analysis of Current Uses and Prospects for Expansion.- 15. Economic and Social Considerations for the Utilization of Augmentation of Natural Enemies.- Appendix Commercial Sources of Natural Enemies in the United States and Canada.- Author Index.- Genus and Species Index.