Conservation Biological Control: from Theory to Practice

The literature of the last 50 years abounds with research papers and reviews of how floral biodiversity might affect the numbers and impact of indigenous natural enemies. However, it is only relatively recently that practical advice is available to any farmer who might wish to exploit such biodiversity in an economically viable fashion. “Practice” in the title of this paper is therefore used in the sense of actions that are practical and economical for a farmer to take; it does not necessarily mean that many farmers are taking such actions. Also the mosaic nature of agriculture in areas of less cultivated land, characteristic of much of northern Europe, provides more opportunities than would seem relevant to more diversity-impoverished environments such as the main agricultural belts of the United States. Hence this review has a strong European slant, although it is applicable to some areas in the United States, particularly the northeastern and northwestern parts of the country.