Biological Control in the Western United States
Editorial Reviews
Book Description
This comprehensive volume reviews biological control theory, economic and environmental impacts, and the role of biological control in Integrated Pest Management programs. Seventy-nine case histories illustrate biological control projects for 62 arthropod and 22 weed pests. An excellent reference guide or textbook.
From the Author
In 1992 Western Regional Research Project W-84, "Biological Control in Pest Management Systems of Plants," was reorganized as Project W-185, officially ending the oldest regional research committee on biological control in the United States. This book summarizes and highlights the accomplishments and progress made by W-84 researchers, emphasizing the first 25 years of the project's 29 year history.
The research conducted under the W-84 project has benefited from the broad interests and expertise of its cooperating scientists. This diversity is reflected in the large number of crop systems, pests, natural enemies, and research approaches reported in this volume. Natural enemies under investigation have included predators, parasitoids, herbivores, and, to a lesser extent, pathogens of over 90 anthropod and weed pests. Research in the field and laboratory has focused on all levels of organization - from agroecosystems to populations and from whole organisms to their cellular and molecular constituents.
Members past and present have gained national and international recognition for their contributions to biological control and integrated pest management as well as for advances made in all fields of biological science. Members' studies of pest and natural enemy nutrition, ecology, behavior, physiology, genetics, systematics, and evolution have provided a sound biological foundation on which to evaluate and implement biological control and pest management programs. Moreover, many of these efforts have improved our fundamental knowledge of living systems. Clearly, the interaction between basic and applied research has had a catalytic effect on many of the successful biological control programs developed in the Western region.
The W-84 project has been unique among regional projects on biological control in many respects. For example, it is extremely well represented, both scientifically and programmatically, in the biological control of anthropod and week pests. In addition, because if its geographic location and history, a significant part of all research conducted under W-84 has been devoted to the management of introduced pets (that is, to "classical," or importation, biological control). These activities have been supported by the well-equipped quarantine and importation facilities that exist in many participating sites, particularly California and Montana. W-84 research in classical biological control has extended from the tropics and subtropics to the north temperate zone. It has involved foreign cooperators in countries ranging from Canada to Australia and from the Philippines to Turkey. Cooperators at USDA-ARS laboratories overseas have provided frequent and invaluable assistance in the collection, screening, and shipment of natural enemies to the United States.
Well-acclaimed and highly successful research has also been conducted in the areas of natural enemy augmentation and conservation, for both indigenous and introduced pests. Finally, many investigations have focused on the evaluation and impact of biological control, as well as on its integration into more broadly based pest management programs.
Arguably, W-84 has made more contributions to the theory, practice, and success of biological control than has any other regional research project to date. It is our hope that this book will serve as a valuable long-term resource for all researchers and educators who are interested in biological control and in integrated pest management.
Biological Control in the Western United States
Biological Control in the Western United States,James Nechols,ANR Publications,187990621X,Agriculture - Agronomy,Technology & Industrial Arts
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