In this chapter, post-release evaluation of non-target impacts of introduced biological control agents is discussed, with emphasis on parasitoids used for biological control, but examples are also given for insect pathogens and herbivores for weed biological control where they provide illustrative...

This chapter describes an areawide pest management effort for the cotton boll weevil (Anthonomus grandis; the most costly insect pest in the history of American agriculture) eradication in the USA (including North Carolina and South Carolina, California, Arizona and north-western Mexico, Alabama,...

This paper reviews the influence of three types of parasites, i.e. inherited microorganisms such as bacteria, viruses and protists, sexually-transmitted parasites, and parasites that reduce host fecundity, on the insect reproductive biology (i.e. fecundity, oogenesis and spermatogenesis). The range ...

This book documents and illustrates the major developments in the use of nematodes for biological control of insects and slugs. It has seven parts covering the morphology and taxonomy of all nematode groups used as biological control agents; entomopathogenic nematodes; entomophilic nematodes;...

This paper presents the safety and potential effects of entomopathogenic nematodes (EPNs) on nontarget organisms; the necessity of and requirements for registration of EPNs in different countries; and risk assessment and regulation of EPNs.

This paper focuses on the application and efficacy of nematodes (e.g. Steinernema and Heterorhabditis spp.) against target pests (including white grubs, mole crickets, weevils, cutworms, webworms, armyworms, crane flies) in lawn, turfgrass and pastures. The factors affecting nematode efficacy and...

This paper focuses on the application of entomopathogenic nematodes (EPNs) in the greenhouses for the management of root and foliage-feeding insect pests. Appropriate conditions for soil application (i.e. application rate and method, potting media, target pest life stage, host plant, moisture and...

This paper assesses the current status of the biological control of pest problems in the nursery industry (including ornamental trees, shrubs and perennials) with entomopathogenic nematodes (EPNs) by (1) reviewing the results of pot and field tests and the key factors of success and failure of EPNs ...

This paper discusses the mushroom cultivation processes, invertebrate pests of mushrooms, shortcomings of established insect control measures and focuses on the potential of entomopathogenic nematodes (EPNs) in the biological control of mushroom pests. Factors affecting the efficacy of EPNs...

This paper provides an overview of the biology and control methods (including alternative control methods) of large pine weevil (Hylobius abietis) and focuses on the use of entomopathogenic nematodes (EPNs) as its biological control agent. The susceptibility of large pine weevil at different life...