Handbook of Biological Control

For many years the use of chemical agents such as pesticides and herbicides has been effective in controlling the many varieties of pests that infest both agricultural crops and backyard gardens. However, these pests are gradually becoming resistant to these agents, because the agents themselves are acting as selective factors making the pests better and better able to resist and persist. As a result, the use of biological controlling agents is increasing. This book is a comprehensive and authoritative handbook of biological control.

Introduction.Preface and Acknowledgments.cope and Significance of Biological Control.Theories and Mechanisms of Natural Population Regulation.Principles and Processes:Systemics, Taxonomy and Biological Control.Molecular Methods in Classical Biological Control.Exploration for Natural Enemies.Quarantine: Concepts, Facilities and Procedures.Culture and Colonization.Life-Table Construction and Analysis for Evaluating Biological Control Agents.Evaluation of Biological Control with Experimental Methods.Evaluation of Results: Economics of Biological Control.Evaluation of Results: Economics of Biological Control.Periodic Release and Manipulation of Natural Enemies.Genetic Improvement and Other Genetic Considerations For Improving the Efficacy and Success Rate of Biological Control.Enhanced Biological Control Through Pesticide Safety.Environmental Management to Enhane Biological Control in Agroecosystems.Agents, Biology, and Methods:Biology of Parasitic Hymenoptera.Terrestrial Arthropod Predatiors of Insect and Mite Pests.Phytophagous Insects Used in Control of Weeds.Pathogens as Biological Control Agents for Insects.Cross Protection and Systemic Acquired Resistance for Control of Plant Diseases.Genetic Mechanisms for Engineering Host Resistance to Plant Viruses.Bacillus Thuringiensis in Biological Control.Nutrition of Entomophagous Insects and Other Arthropods.Factors Affecting Sex Ratio and Quality in the Culturing of Parasitic Hymenoptera: A Genetic and Evolutionary Perspective.Evolution of Pesticide Resistance in Natural Enemies.Hypovirulence to Control Fungal Pathogenesis. Applications.Controlling Soil Borne Pathogens.Biological Control in Subtropical and Tropical Crops.Biological Control in Deciduous Fruit Crops.Biological Control of Forest Insects.Enhancement of Biological Control in Annual Agricultural Environments.Glasshouse Environments.Controlling Foliar Pathogens.Biological Control of Insects and Mites on Grapes.Biological Control of Weeds in Terrestrial and Aquatic Environments.Use of Pathogens in Weed Control.Biological Control of Insects in Urban Environments.Biological Control of Medical and Veterinary Pests.Control of Vertebrates.Classical Biological Control in Latin America: Past, Present and Future. Research and the Future.Social and Economic Factors Affecting Research and Implementation of Biological Control.Looking Forward: Biological Control Prospects.