Safe Biological ControlSafe Biological Control

Outcompete

Attacks native arthropods

Kills pest predators

Introductions of Fish to Control Mosquitoes

Non-target effectsNon-target effects

Generalist agents could represent a problem

Compsilura concinnata

Gypsy moth

Wild moths

Related species at target area could be a problem

Invasive thistle

Native thistleFlower head beetle

Not having enough information…Big Problem

giant African snail

Tahiti

predatory land snail

Natural Enemies Can Disperse

Cactoblastis cactorum

Opuntia

Direct and Indirect non-target effects

Introduced

Native

Predicting non-target effectsPredicting non-target effects

How can we test for non-target effects?How can we test for non-target effects?

Measuring host-range

Measuring host-range

Measuring host-range

Brassicaceae

Rosedaceae

Measuring host-range

Physiological vs Ecological Host RangePhysiological vs Ecological Host Range

Lab: Fungus attacks 28 out of 78Lab: Fungus attacks 28 out of 78 species of caterpillarsspecies of caterpillars Field: Fungus attacks 3 species of Field: Fungus attacks 3 species of

caterpillarscaterpillars

gypsy moth gypsy moth fungi

Other problems

• Competition

• Intraguild predation

• Hybridization

Post-release evaluations are needed

Can host-specificity change?Can host-specificity change?

Release of natural enemies is not only a national issue

• National entities

• Importers

• Exporters

What are our alternatives?

• Chemical control

• Not doing anything