JUAN A. MORALES-RAMOS / M. GUADALUPE ROJAS / DAVID I. SHAPIRO-ILAN
Fully revised and updated, Mass Production of Beneficial Organisms explores the latest advancements and technologies for large-scale rearing and manipulation of natural enemies while presenting ways of improving success rate, predictability of biological control procedures, and demonstrating their safe and effective use. Organized into three sections, Parasitoids and Predators; Pathogens; and Invertebrates for Other Applications, this second edition contains important new information on production technology of predatory mites and hymenopteran parasitoids for biological control; application of insects in the food industry and production methods of insects for feed and food; and production of bumble bees for pollination.
Beneficial organisms include not only insect predators and parasitoids, but also mite predators, nematodes, fungi, bacteria and viruses. In the past two decades, tremendous advances have been achieved in developing technology for producing these organisms. Despite that and the globally growing research and interest in biological control and biotechnology applications, commercialization of these technologies is still in progress. As scientists and the public become aware of the negative impact of pesticides in human health and on the environment, interest is rapidly increasing on developing biological alternatives to pest control. This book fills the imperative need to educate academic and industry researchers and enable further development of mass production so new technologies can compete in the open market. It is an essential reference and teaching tool for researchers in developed and developing countries working to produce "natural enemies in biological control and integrated pest management programs. It also serves as an excellent resource for those researching beneficial arthropod mass production and technologies for many other uses, including those rearing organisms for study and application in biotechnology and biomedical research.
