Scale insects are common tree pests in urban ecosystems. Although severe scale infestations can worsen tree condition, trees can tolerate moderate scale densities. Scale insects are prey for many arthropod natural enemies that also feed on plant …

The release of Tamarixia triozae (Burks) (Hymenoptera: Eulophidae), a parasitoid of the potato psyllid, Bactericera cockerelli (Šulc) (Hemiptera: Triozidae), resulted in the successful establishment of the parasitoid in New Zealand. The parasitoid …

The performance of A. virlai on six Cicadellidae and three Delphacidae (Hemiptera) species was assessed under laboratory conditions to clarify its host specificity. In addition, the influence of host egg size on the body size and egg load of the …

The control of white grub (Coleoptera: Scarabaeidae) pests of sugarcane and forest plantations is difficult due to their cryptic nature and resistance to chemicals. This study evaluated the potential use of entomopathogenic nematodes (EPNs) as an …

Bacillus amyloliquefaciens Lx-11 can effectively control rice bacterial blight. This study developed a new formulation of B. amyloliquefaciens to further improve its field utilization. This formulation was derived from a raw fermentation broth of …

The cultivation of strawberries within greenhouse environments is an increasingly common area of agricultural productivity, affording consistent fruit production of an otherwise highly seasonal crop. However, due to its relative novelty, few …

Two years of field testing were conducted in naturally Plasmopara halstedii-infested soils to assess the effectiveness of Trichoderma harzianum isolate (TRIC8) against downy mildew (P. halstedii) on sunflower (Helianthus annuus). Seed treatment …

Biological control provides a sustainable alternative to chemical pesticides for controlling pests in agriculture. Chemical pesticides may lack the specificity to limit their adverse effects just on target species. However, the use of a biological …

Amongst members of the biological control community there is a range of perceptions regarding the Nagoya Protocol, at best it will hinder access to natural enemies of pests and invasive plants and at worst implementation of the Protocol will …

Aspergillus flavus infects stored grains and produces aflatoxins with highly toxic and carcinogenic properties, which are a threat to food safety and human health. Microbes and their bio-active compounds are considered effective agents to control …

The third objective of the Convention on Biological Diversity, the fair and equitable sharing of benefits arising out of the use of genetic resources was further developed when the Nagoya Protocol on Access and Benefit Sharing came into effect in …

The Nagoya Protocol on Access and Benefit Sharing (ABS) was implemented to further develop the third objective of the Convention on Biological Diversity, the fair and equitable sharing of benefits arising out of the utilization of genetic …

Areas of uncertainty in the assessment of risks and benefits in applications for new biological control agents submitted to the regulator for proposed introduction into New Zealand were identified. This was done with the aim of informing future …

The use of living organisms or natural substances to counteract the damage caused by harmful organisms to economically and/or ecologically important species has provided significant benefits to the global community. The Convention on Biological …

The emerald ash borer (EAB), Agrilus planipennis (Coleoptera: Buprestidae), a phloem-boring beetle native to Asia, was first discovered in 2002 in the USA and Canada, causing widespread mortality of ash trees (Fraxinus spp.). A classical …

The USA has been actively involved in classical biological control projects against invasive insect pests and weeds since 1888. Classical (importation) biological control relies upon natural enemies associated through coevolution with their target …

Conservation biological control techniques support integrated pest management (IPM) and insecticide resistance management (IRM) by restraining pest resurgence and outbreaks of secondary pests. The lady beetle Eriopis connexa (Germar) (Coleoptera: …

National idiosyncrasies in the adoption of the Nagoya Protocol (NP) and implementation of access and benefit sharing (ABS) have created obstacles for many research-based activities that require access to genetic resources. This is particularly …

In weed biocontrol, the release of multiple candidates has been proposed as a way to increase herbivore load and thus impact on the target weed. However, the use of multiple herbivorous species may reduce overall herbivore load due to …