How do we ensure that biological control organisms will not cause problems once released in Florida?
Biological control agents are carefully selected based on their host specificity. The primary objective is to introduce natural enemies that will attack only the target pests. Information on host specificity is obtained from scientific literature, and from studies conducted in the native home of the natural enemy. Additionally, knowledge of the taxonomy of the natural enemies is often informative as some taxonomic groups are known to be more host specific than others. Once putative host specific natural enemies are introduced, they undergo further study in a quarantine facility, such as the one in Fort Pierce. With insect biological control agents, the primary purpose of quarantine is to ensure that the natural enemy is free from its natural enemies (hyperparasitoids, pathogens) which may impede its establishment and lower its impact. For plant biological control agents, extensive non-target studies are conducted on native plants which are related to the target and on plants of agricul
