Role of Biological Control in Management of Invasive Exotic Arthropod Pests and Weeds in India

Abstract

Classical biological control of exotic invasive weeds first took place in India in 1795. Thus far, a total of 174 natural enemies have been imported into India, and out of these, 77 have established themselves in the field. Twelve exotic insect pests and four weeds were successfully controlled with a combination of classical, augmentative, and conservation biological control. Additionally, eight insect pests and one weed were substantially controlled. Augmentative biological control has been adopted as per the needs and availability of resources. Conservation biological control is ubiquitous and has been facilitated by the adoption of integrated pest management. In the past, biological control activities were sporadic; however, since 1977, the Indian Council of Agricultural Research—National Bureau for Agricultural Insect Resources has been regularly implementing classical biological control of invasive agricultural insect pests of economic importance. Unfortunately, the importance given to invasive weeds and insect pests of natural resources has fallen behind in recent years.