1984/08/01 by Heikki Hokkanen, David Pimentel · 1 citation
Environmental Science · Biochemistry, Genetics and Molecular Biology · Agricultural and Biological Sciences · #Animal Ecology and Behavior Studies #Evolution and Genetic Dynamics #Insect-Plant Interactions and Control
paper · doi:10.4039/ent1161109-8
Abstract The success of introducing natural enemies for biological control was found to be about 75% higher employing new parasite–host (predator–prey) associations than those based on long-evolved associations between parasites and hosts. The lack of evolved interspecific balance in new species associations appears to explain the higher success rate. New exploiter–victim associations expand opportunities for the biological control of both introduced and native pests and should be used as the preferred method in selecting biological control agents.