AUTHOR=Pijnakker Juliette , Vangansbeke Dominiek , Duarte Marcus , Moerkens Rob , Wäckers Felix L. 

TITLE=Predators and Parasitoids-in-First: From Inundative Releases to Preventative Biological Control in Greenhouse Crops

JOURNAL=Frontiers in Sustainable Food Systems

VOLUME=4

YEAR=2020

URL=https://www.frontiersin.org/journals/sustainable-food-systems/articles/10.3389/fsufs.2020.595630

DOI=10.3389/fsufs.2020.595630

ISSN=2571-581X

ABSTRACT=<p>Repeated mass introductions of natural enemies have been widely used as a biological control strategy in greenhouse systems when the resident population of natural enemies is insufficient to suppress the pests. As an alternative strategy, supporting the establishment and population development of beneficials can be more effective and economical. The preventative establishment of predators and parasitoids, before the arrival of pests, has become a key element to the success of biological control programs. This “Predators and parasitoids-in-first” strategy is used both in Inoculative Biological Control (IBC), and in Conservation Biological Control (CBC). Here, we provide an overview of tools used to boost resident populations of biocontrol agents.</p>