This book enhances our understanding of biological control, integrating historical analysis, theoretical models and case studies in an ecological framework.

The Hymenoptera is one of the largest orders of terrestrial anthropods and compromises the sawflies, wasps, ants, bees and parasitic wasps. This book examines the current state of all major areas of research for this important group of insects, including systematics, biological control, behaviour and use in education.

This text provides a broad overview of the use and potential of egg parasitoids in biological control. Its 12 chapters cover both theoretical and practical aspects and have been developed by members of the working group "Trichogramma and Other Egg Parasitoids."

This book, intended for the scientific community involved in biological control and integrated pest management, commercial companies producing biological control agents, risk assessors and regulatory authorities, compiles the current methodologies used for assessing the environmental impacts of invertebrate biological control agents and guidelines in performing science-based risk assessments required for the future regulation of such organisms.

Publisher Description

As well as examining successful biological control programmes this book analyses why the majority of attempts fail. Off-target and other negative effects of biological control are also dealt with. Chapters contributed by leading international researchers and practitioners in all areas of biological control afford the book a breadth of coverage and depth of analysis not possible with a single author volume. Combined with the use of other experts to review chapters and editorial oversight to ensure thematic integrity of the volume, this book provides the most authoritative analysis of biological control published. Key aspects addressed include how success may be measured, how successful biological control has been to date and how may it be made more successful in the future. With extensive use of contemporary examples, photographs, figures and tables this book will be invaluable to advanced undergraduate and postgraduate students as well as being a `must' for all involved in making biological control successful.