Natural Enemy Monitoring and Evaluation

Abstract

Evaluation is a basic part of all biological control work. Evaluation serves two broad purposes. First, it is the tool through which scientists obtain the biological information needed to separate effective biological control agents or methods from ineffective ones, so that further efforts can be focused on the most effective options. Evaluation methodology is especially critical when biological control is only partially effective, or when the biological effects of several partially effective methods or agents need to be compared. In such cases, the effect of the natural enemy may not be as dramatic as agents (or practices) that provide complete control of the pest. Second, economic evaluations of biological control projects are needed to provide economic planners with data on value returned for funds invested so that further investments can be made in activities with greatest likelihood of productive results.