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Resource Number: 14629
Title: Addressing the Needs of Classical Biological Control Programs
Description: Not all classical biological control programs are successful. Many imported natural enemies fail to establish and those that do establish may not provide suppression of the target invasive species. Mills (2014) reports an establishment rate of 35% for imported predators and parasitoids of invasive insect species, but an overall success rate of only 14.5%. The establishment rate and success rate was much higher for entomopathogens. Van Driesche et al. (2010) reported only 27% of the invasive plant programs were considered successful. While classical biological control may pose potential risks to non-target organisms and critical ecosystem processes (Carruthers and D’Antonio 2005, Hoddle 2004, Lockwood et al. 2001), in practice there have been very few examples where biological control programs have resulted in serious unintended environmental consequences (van Lenteren 2001, Suckling and Sforza 2014). Nevertheless, a better understanding of the potential ecological impacts of biological control efforts may be used to maximize implementation while minimizing potential risks to the environment (Carruthers 2004).
Last Updated: June 21, 2019
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