Theoretical Approaches to Biological Control
Biological control is the suppression of pest populations by using predators, parasitoids, and pathogens. Historically, biological control has largely been used on a trial-and-error basis, and has failed more often than it has succeeded. However, by developing theories based on fundamental population principles and the biological characteristics of the pest and agent, we can gain a much better understanding of when and how to use biological control. This volume gathers recent theoretical developments and provides a balanced guide to the important issues that need to be considered when applying ecological theory to biological control.
- Specially designed for readers who are not theoreticians, but who wish to use theoretical principles in their decision-making
- Gathers together recent theoretical developments in a number of fields in one handy volume
- Includes evolutionary as well as ecological considerations for successful biological control
Reviews & endorsements
"...the editors somehow managed to squeeze out the best of each contributor. Each and every chapter is well written, well referenced and timely." Ecology
"The editors and authors should be commended for this book. If readers are looking for an exhaustive source reviewing all aspects of biological control presenting a state of the science, I would recommend the [Handbook of Biological Control] edited by Bellows and van Driesche, also published in 1999. If however, readers are looking for arguments as to where biological control should be going, I think this book will be an excellent starting point for the discussion. If you are rich buy both. But if you have to choose, buy this one." Bulletin of the Entomological Society of Canada
Product details
October 2008Paperback
9780521082877
432 pages
252 × 194 × 30 mm
0.3kg
89 b/w illus. 18 tables
Available
Table of Contents
- Preface
- Part I. Biological Control Theory: Past and Present:
- 1. The theoretical foundations of biological control Alan A. Berryman
- 2. Recent developments in theory for biological control of insect pests by parasitoids Cheryl J. Briggs, William W. Murdoch and Roger M. Nisbet
- 3. Biological control models: a field guide Nigel D. Barlow
- Part II. Ecological Considerations:
- 4. The uniformity and density of pest exploitation as guides to success in biological control Michael E. Hochberg, and Robert D. Holt
- 5. Biological control of insect pests: a tritrophic perspective Nick J. Mills and Andrew P. Gutierrez
- 6. The case for generalists in biological control Gary C. Chang and Peter Kareiva
- 7. Why is the parasitoid Encarsia formosa so successful in controlling whiteflies Joop C. van Lenteren and Herman W. J. van Roermund
- 8. Parasitoid adult nutritional ecology: implications for biological control Mark A. Jervis and Neil A. C. Kidd
- 9. Coexistence of multiple attractors and its consequences for a three-species food chain Liebe F. Cavalieri and Huseyin Koçak
- Part III. Spatial Considerations:
- 10. Dynamics of spatially structured spider mite populations Sandra J. Walde and Gösta Nachman
- 11. Habitat fragmentation and biological control Teja Tscharntke and Andreas Kruess
- 12. Outbreaks of insects: a dynamic approach Alan Hastings
- Part IV. Genetic/Evolutionary Considerations:
- 13. Population dynamics and the evolutionary stability of biological control Robert D. Holt, Michael E. Hochberg and Michael Barfield
- 14. Genetic conflict in natural enemies: a review, and consequences for the biological control of arthropods Martha S. Hunter
- 15. Overexploitation and mutualism in plant - herbivore - predator interactions: their evolution and impact on population dynamics Maurice W. Sabelis, Minus van Baalen, Jan Bruin, Martijn Egas, Vincent A. A. Jansen, Arne Janssen and Bas Pels
- 16. A Darwinian view of host selection and its practical implications Robert F. Luck, and Leonard Nunney
- Part V. Microbes and Pathogens:
- 17. The dynamics of insect - pathogen interactions H. C. J. Godfray and Cheryl Briggs
- 18. Host - pathogen - parasitoid systems Michael Begon, Steven M. Sait and David J. Thompson
- 19. Persistence of natural enemies of weeds and insect pests in heterogeneous environments David W. Onstad and Edward A. Kornkven
- 20. Application of insect - pathogen models to biological control Matthew B. Thomas, Simon N. Wood and Veronica Soloranzo
- 21. Dose - response relationships in biocontrol of plant disease and their use to define pathogen refuge size Kenneth B. Johnson
- Index.