Theoretical Approaches to Biological Control

Hardback  424pp, 89 figures, 18 tables  ISBN 0521572835      £75.00

Biological control is the suppression of pest populations using predators, parasitoids and pathogens. Historically, biological control has largely been on a trial-and-error basis, and has not always reached expectations. This book suggests that by developing theories based upon fundamental population principles and the biological characteristics of the pest and agent, a much better understanding of when and how to use biological control can be gained. To support this view the book gathers together recent theoretical developments and provides a balanced guide to the important issues that need to be considered in applying ecological theory to biological control. It presents the information under the following headings to provide a productive and stimulating account for all those interested in pest management, theoretical ecology and population biology.

Part I. Biological Control Theory: Past and Present:

• The theoretical foundations of biological control
• Recent developments in theory for biological control of insect pests by parasitoids
• Biological control models: a field guide

• The uniformity and density of pest exploitation as guides to success in biological control
• Biological control of insect pests: a tritrophic perspective
• The case for generalists in biological control
• Why is the parasitoid Encarsia formosa so successful in controlling whiteflies
• Parasitoid adult nutritional ecology: implications for biological control
• Coexistence of multiple attractors and its consequences for a three-species food chain

• Dynamics of spatially structured spider mite populations
• Habitat fragmentation and biological control
• Outbreaks of insects: a dynamic approach

• Population dynamics and the evolutionary stability of biological control
• Genetic conflict in natural enemies: a review, and consequences for the biological control of arthropods
• Overexploitation and mutualism in plant - herbivore - predator interactions: their evolution and impact on population dynamics
• A Darwinian view of host selection and its practical implications

• The dynamics of insect - pathogen interactions
• Host - pathogen - parasitoid systems
• Persistence of natural enemies of weeds and insect pests in heterogeneous environments
• Application of insect - pathogen models to biological control
• Dose - response relationships in biocontrol of plant disease and their use to define pathogen refuge size
• Index.