What is biocontrol?
Biocontrol is the use of natural enemies to control the growth or spread of a pest species. Natural enemies (e.g., insects or pathogens) which naturally occur in the native range of alien pest species are carefully selected to be used to reduce or slow the spread of populations of pest species. In industry parlance, these natural enemies are known as biocontrol agents. Each biocontrol agent is typically used to target one particular target species (biocontrol target). In recent years, biocontrol agents are carefully researched before introduction to ensure that they will not inadvertently affect non-target species.
