This book contains 45 chapters divided into four sections, i.e. classical biocontrol programmes, inundative (or augmentative) biocontrol programmes (using nematodes, bacteria, fungi and viruses), conservation biocontrol programmes and networking in biocontrol. It describes the personal experiences...

Pine caterpillars are common forest pests in China, causing severe defoliation and economic loss. This story describes the 36-year history of a successful biological control programme using Beauveria bassiana for pine caterpillar management in China and the gradual development of an unusual but...

Soon after its accidental introduction into North America, the gypsy moth started its spread as an alien invasive species, causing severe defoliation of deciduous forests and shade trees. This is the story of the miraculous appearance of an entomopathogenic fungus, which, soon after its appearance, ...

This chapter describes the development and commercialization of entomopathogenic nematodes (EPN) as biological control agents. The research and development was always accompanied by alliances with companies active in plant protection and thus the strategies of the different commercial enterprises...

The native New Zealand grass grub Costelytra zealandica is one of a few endemic species that have successfully made the switch from a native grassland habitat to the introduced grass and clover pastures. This chapter covers the discovery and commercialization of a microbial biopesticide for this...

Bacillus thuringiensis is the most successful and widely used microbial biological insecticide to date. Research has focused on the insecticidal properties of this bacterial group. As a result, its other potential roles may have been overlooked. This chapter examines what other ecological roles or...

Continued use of the microbial insecticide, Bacillus thuringiensis kurstaki (Bt), ultimately depends on our ability to prevent resistance from developing in pest populations. Reports of Bt resistance in field pest populations have been infrequent and largely restricted to Plutella xylostella. In...

Locusts and grasshoppers are some of the most devastating insect pests known to mankind. This is the story of the formation of LUBILOSA, a consortium of agencies funded by numerous countries, whose mission was to develop a microbial control agent to fight these notorious pests. After 12 years and...

Pollinating and flower-visiting insects can carry some plant diseases and can themselves be infected while foraging at flowers. This is the story of the development of the concept that pollinators could be used as carriers and disseminators of microbial biocontrol agents.

Biocontrol experiments with fungi have often produced inconsistent results and this has deterred commercial development. However, many fungi are amenable to genetic modification for purposes of enhancing utility for disease control, insect and plant pest management or bioremediation. In such cases, ...