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Biologische Schädlingsbekämpfung by J. M. Franz and A. Krieg. 1972.
Paul Parey Verlag, Berlin, 208 p. 16 fig. This
book will prove informative to all persons interested in the control of pest
organisms, particularly pest arthropods.
It illustrates principles and givs timely examples. This pocket-sized popularly priced book
discusses in simple terms the potentials and limitations of biological pest
control. it
is refreshing to read a synthesis of contemporary thoughts on the subject of
biological control written by leading experts and condensed into a book of
this size. A forceful step away from
redundancy and sensationalism of the subject has been taken, which reflects
an authentic comprehension of biological control and emphasizes truly significant
contributions. In this sense, it is
interesting to note that the cited literature is greatly reduced over that
contained in certain contemporary works on the subject, which appear to serve
more as advertising media in disguise for a selected group of investigators
as originators of long-established concepts. Regional
emphasis is placed on the use of biological control in Europe, Germany
especially. A similar treatment for
other regions of the world would undoubtedly further the adoption of more
sound ecological approaches to pest control in those areas. The
authors propose several positive steps for advancement of biological control,
including the use of natural enemies resistant to pesticides, spatial
concentration of natural enemies through cultural and physiochemical means,
mass releases of entomophagous arthropods, discovery and importation of new
species of natural enemies to combat both native and imported pests,
technological developments to produce more potent virus preparations for use
against certain difficult species, further research into the use of natural
enemies in greenhouses, especially where resistance and toxic residue
problems exist, and trials with repellants and attractants to concentrate
pest species around pesticide-treated areas while repelling beneficial
species. Chapter headlines are
natural balance or pest control; physical, chemical and cultural control;
specific qualities of biological methods, characteristics of beneficial organisms
and how they are applied, the use of vertebrates (fish, amphibians, birds,
mammals), the use of arthropods, nematodes and snails, the use of pathogens
(microbial pest control, microbial control of vertebrates, insects and
microbes). Biological weed
control: native and imported weeds, and
specifically European problems. Also
the use of autocidal control. Regarding
Introductions: the principal natural
incompatibility such as sterilization by radiation, chemosterilization,
translocation and other genetic mechanisms, practical steps such as
biotechnical methods, physical stimuli such as those with chemicals, and
integrated control. Past and future
trends are considered. The
authors point out that many more biological solutions to pest problems exist
than are currently being employed, and they go on the describe the
possibilities in considerable detail.
They express optimism toward solving many pressing prolems by
integration of biological and other control methods in a total effort. The success of newly developed techniques
such as inundation with pathogens, entomophagous arthropods, and sterils
mails refutes the notion that beneficial organisms cannot cope with
contemporary pest problems.
Biotechnology is defined, and such examples as the use of light,
phagostimulants and deterrents, pheromones and hormones are discussed. Present concepts of an economic injury
level are questioned and the application of biological control in home
gardens is clarified. E.
F. LEGNER Division
of Biological Control Department
of Entomology University
of California Riverside, CA 92502 |