Genetics in the Colonization of Natural Enemies for Biological Control

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Abstract
The colonization of natural enemies for biological control purposes has met with limited success in the past. The reasons for the disappointingly low ratio of number of species established to the number attempted are as yet obscure. Certain genetic factors may be important. The attributes thought to characterize the most successful natural enemies are compared with those characterizing successful colonizers. The 2 groups appear to be surprisingly alike in habits and traits. Several arguments are set forth to refute the idea commonly held that parasitoids are not potentially good colonizers. Studies concerning the relative “fitness” of interpopulation crosses within single species of insects are reviewed; the findings indicate that in many cases overall fitness is reduced below that of the original stock following the F1 generation. Possible reasons for this effect include the mixing of incompatible, coadapted genetic mechanisms. Several possibilities for future investigation are suggested that would increase our understanding of the importance of genetic factors in colonizing natural enemies, and perhaps lead to better colonizing procedures.