Purpose and Scope of this Guide

The goal of this effort is to extend the delivery of biological control information to the widest possible audience of researchers, extension personnel, educators, land managers, growers, and the general public. In this guide, up-to-date text and pictures of natural enemies can be accessed world-wide. Such ready access will help in the development and delivery of educational material and will assist in the development, collation and integration of databases of value to biological control.

This guide is meant to be dynamic, with input from viewers (through the questionnaire or E-mail at the bottom of each page) helping to shape it and keep information current. We hope to see the guide expand to include biological control work being done by researchers across North America.

Insect and mite natural enemies are emphasized, but pathogens of insects, antagonists to plant disease and food spoilage, and other natural enemies are (or will be) included. Systems covered (or to be added) include agriculture, urban, forestry, natural habitats, veterinary and medical, and food storage systems. Input from researchers working in these areas is encouraged.

Although basic life cycle information about natural enemies is given, specific directions on using natural enemies are not in the scope of this guide. For those organisms in production/culture, commercial suppliers will be able to supply this information.

A cross section of natural enemies has been chosen that represents the more commonly known and used natural enemies, introduced natural enemies, and areas of new research about natural enemies. Given the information in this guide, we hope viewers will be able to more fully appreciate the diversity and importance of natural enemies and use them in integrated pest management systems.