Evaluation of Control Capabilities of Natural Enemies

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Abstract
Although several researchers in the field of biological control and especially theo- retical ecologists frequently recommend extensive basic research prior to intro- duction of new natural enemies for pest control, no sound ecological method seems to exist that provides reliable predictions regarding the success of such natural enemies. A review is given of the available evaluation techniques together with indications of their usefulness. At this moment long-term basic research is not a good strategy for developing new biological control methods. The opinion of a number of students in this field that the trial-and-error method is expensive and has a low success ratio is misleading: comparison with other control methods (also with conventional chemical control methods) shows the opposite.

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