Biological pest control

Biological control is a bioeffector-method of controlling pests (including insects, mites, weeds and plant diseases) using other living organisms. It relies on predation, parasitism, herbivory, or other natural mechanisms, but typically also involves an active human management role. It can be an important component of integrated pest management (IPM) programs. There are three basic types of biological pest control strategies: importation (sometimes called classical biological control), augmentation and conservation.

Natural enemies of insect pests, also known as biological control agents, include predators, parasitoids, and pathogens. Biological control agents of plant diseases are most often referred to as antagonists. Biological control agents of weeds include seed predators, herbivores and plant pathogens.

Types of biological pest control

There are three basic types of biological pest control strategies: importation (sometimes called classical biological control), augmentation and conservation.

BioControl

BioControl is a peer-reviewed scientific journal published by Springer Science+Business Media covering all aspects of basic and applied research in biological control of invertebrate, vertebrate, and weed pests, and plant diseases. The journal was established in 1956 as Entomophaga and published by Lavoisier, before moving to Springer and obtaining its current name in 1998. BioControl is published bimonthly. From 1998 to 2006, Heikki Hokkannen was the editor-in-chief. The current editor-in-chief is Eric Wajnberg (INRA, France).

Abstracting and indexing

BioControl is currently abstracted and indexed in Academic OneFile, AGRICOLA, Biological Abstracts, BIOSIS Previews, CAB International, Chemical Abstracts Service, Current Contents/Agriculture, Biology & Environmental Sciences, Elsevier BIOBASE - Current Awareness in Biological Sciences, EMBiology Global Health, Science Citation Index, Scopus, Summon by Serial Solutions, and The Zoological Record. According to the Journal Citation Reports, the journal has a 2009 impact factor of 1.406.