Biological control uses natural enemies to combat pest species. Generally these pest species are exotic organisms that have been introduced to North America, leaving their natural enemies behind in their original range. Biological control involves scouting for natural enemies that can be introduced in the new range to control the pest. It is generally considered to be a more environmentally friendly way to control pests and can reduce the need for pesticide applications that can be harmful to humans and other organisms. However, many people are justifiably wary of introducing one exotic species to control another, given a few high-profile biological control disasters\u2014think cane toads in Australia\u2014dating from an earlier time when biological control was virtually unregulated. Since the 1900\u2019s, however, biological control introductions in Canada are strictly regulated and potential agents are now carefully scrutinized.<\/p>\n
Work in my lab, in collaboration with colleagues at Agriculture and Agri-food Canada\u2019s Central Experimental Farm, involves the biological control of insect pests of agricultural crops and garden plants using introduced parasitic insects, and the control of invasive weeds using plant-feeding insects.<\/p>\n
Over the next few field seasons, we will be focusing in particular on the biological control of the lily leaf beetle. Introduced from Europe, this bright red beetle was once considered mainly as a pest of cultivated lilies. However, now that it has been reported feeding on populations of native lilies, some of which are classified as species-at-risk, controlling the beetle has become a priority. We have introduced a parasitic wasp to control the lily leaf beetle, and have petitioned for permission to release a second species. These highly specialized wasps do not sting and will attack only the lily leaf beetle.<\/p>\n
Murdoch, V.J., Cappuccino, N.<\/strong> and Mason, P.G. 2013. The effects of periodic warming on the survival and fecundity of\u00a0Diadromus<\/em>\u00a0pulchellus<\/em>\u00a0during long-term storage. Biocontrol Science and Technology 23:211-219.<\/p>\n Jenner, W.H., Kuhlmann, U. , Cappuccino, N.<\/strong> and Mason, P.G. 2012. Manipulation of parasitoid state influences host exploitation by\u00a0Diadromus<\/em>\u00a0pulchellus<\/em>\u00a0Wesmael (Hymenoptera: Ichneumonidae). Biological Control 63: 264-269.<\/p>\n Abram, P.K., Haye, T., Mason, P.G., Cappuccino, N.<\/strong>, Boivin, G. and Kuhlmann, U. 2012. Identity, distribution, and seasonal phenology of parasitoids of the swede midge,\u00a0Contarinia nasturtii<\/em>\u00a0(Kieffer) (Diptera: Cecidomyiidae) in Europe. Biological Control 62:197-205.<\/p>\n Abram, P.K., Haye, T., Mason, P.G., Cappuccino, N<\/strong>., Boivin, G. and Kuhlmann, U. 2012.\u00a0Biology of\u00a0Synopeas myles<\/em>, a parasitoid of the swede midge,\u00a0Contarinia nasturtii<\/em>, in Europe. BioControl\u00a0 57:789-800.<\/p>\n Doubleday, L.A.D. and Cappuccino, N<\/strong>. 2011. Simulated herbivory reduces seed production in\u00a0Vincetoxicum rossicum<\/em>.\u00a0Botany<\/em>\u00a089:235-242.<\/p>\n Jenner, W.H., Kuhlmann, U., Cappuccino, N.<\/strong> and Mason, P.G. 2010. \u00a0Pre-release analysis of the overwintering capacity of a classical biological control agent supporting prediction of establishment.\u00a0\u00a0BioControl<\/em>\u00a055:351-362.<\/p>\n Jenner, W.H., Mason, P.G., Cappuccino, N.<\/strong> and Kuhlmann U. 2010. Native range assessment of classical biological control agents: impact of inundative releases as pre-introduction evaluation.\u00a0Bulletin of Entomological Research<\/em>\u00a0100:387-394.<\/p>\n Jenner, W.H., Kuhlmann, U., Mason, P.G and Cappuccino, N.\u00a0 2010.\u00a0 Comparative life tables of leek moth,\u00a0Acrolepiopsis<\/em>\u00a0assectella<\/em>\u00a0(Zeller) (Lepidoptera: Acrolepiidae), in its native range.\u00a0Bulletin of Entomological Research<\/em>\u00a0100:87-97.<\/p>\n Norman, K. Cappuccino, N.<\/strong> and Forbes, M. R. 2009.\u00a0\u00a0<\/strong>Effect of host and site characteristics on parasitism of a successful weed biological control agent,\u00a0Neogalerucella calmariensis<\/em>.\u00a0Canadian Entomologist<\/em>\u00a0141:609-613.<\/p>\n Jogesh, T., Carpenter, D., and Cappuccino, N.<\/strong> 2008.\u00a0 Herbivory on invasive exotic plants and their non-invasive relatives.\u00a0\u00a0Biological Invasions<\/em>\u00a010:797-804.<\/p>\n Mogg, C., Petit, P., Cappuccino, N.<\/strong>, Durst, T., McKague, C., Foster, M., Yack, J. E., Arnason, J. T. and Smith, M. L.\u00a0 2008.\u00a0 Tests of the antibiotic properties of the invasive vine\u00a0Vincetoxicum<\/em>\u00a0rossicum<\/em>\u00a0against bacteria, fungi and insects.\u00a0\u00a0Biochemical Systematics and Ecology<\/em>\u00a036:383-391.<\/p>\n Allison J, Jenner W, Cappuccino N<\/strong> and Mason, P. G. 2007.\u00a0 Oviposition and feeding preference of\u00a0Acrolepiopsis assectella<\/em>\u00a0Zell. (Lep., Acrolepiidae).\u00a0\u00a0Journal of Applied Entomology<\/em>\u00a0131:690-697.<\/p>\n