The Present Status of Biological Control

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Abstract
In a recent paper Taylor (1955) has discussed the status of biological control with particular reference to its present and future value as a method of control of insect pests. A number of his remarks are questionable, and his conclusions that present methods of biological control are of little value are not valid. His broad thesis is that insect pests with which the biological control method is effective have already been satisfactorily dealt with and that there no longer remain problems where spectacular results may be expected: moreover, that with the modern insecticides available, biological control has in many cases been rendered useless. It would be as well therefore to examine carefully his main contentions, and it should be pointed out at the outset that Taylor's criticisms of the methods of biological control, and of the claims made by entomologists working in this field, are vague, and although he does not actually say so he insinuates that biological control workers make or have made unjustified claims as to the success of a number of projects undertaken.

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