Augmentation and conservation of natural enemies.

Abstract

Abstract This chapter presents an overview of augmentation and conservation biological control efforts conducted with predators and parasitoids targeted towards insect pests. It will try to highlight actual implementation of biological control by growers in pest management programmes, and some of the barriers that prevent wider adoption. Various crop production practices affecting natural enemies and their function are mentioned, i.e. pesticide use, plant breeding, tillage, cover cropping, trap cropping, traps and barriers, fertilizer application, crop rotation and intercropping. Work that has been done to examine modifying these practices for enhancement of enemies and biological control is shown. The effect of habitat manipulation on natural enemies, particularly parasitoids, is briefly discussed. There is no doubt that integrated pest management will play a key role in providing the tools society will need to adapt our current agricultural practices to fluctuating market demands and shifting environmental conditions; biological control is likely to play a significant part in this effort.