Biological pest control conservation

We need to research how to use effectively our existing pesticides, how to conserve them, and how to fit them into new strategies for pest control. In the past it was difficult to consider the use of pheromones, other alternative controls, or biological controls of pests because there was no funding incentive for development. 

Greater effort is needed to build management systems that help limit development of resistance to new pesticides as well as to conserve other valuable tactics of pest control, such as pest resistant host plants and even some biological control agents (Croft et al. 1988). Such effort will be required for genetically improved forms of these pest control agents, as well. Effective management systems should be put in place before these new tactics of pest control are deployed rather than after problems of pest adaptation to them are detected in the field. 

Biological control typically employs three tactics 1) classical Importation and establishment of exotic natural enemies to control exotic pests, 2) conservation of natural enemies, and 3) augmentation through mass rearing and releases ( ). Genetic Improvement of biological control agents can be employed In tactics 1 and 3... 

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