Biological control needs evolutionary perspectives of ecological interactions.

ABSTRACT: While ecological interactions have been identified as determinant for biological control efficiency, the role of evolution remains largely underestimated in biological control programs. With the restrictions on the use of both pesticides and exotic biological control agents (BCAs), the evolutionary optimization of local BCAs becomes central for improving the efficiency and the resilience of biological control. In particular, we need to better account for the natural processes of evolution to fully understand the interactions of pests and BCAs, including in biocontrol strategies integrating human manipulations of evolution (i.e., artificial selection and genetic engineering). In agroecosystems, the evolution of BCAs traits and performance depends on heritable phenotypic variation, trait gen

SUBMITTER: Sentis A 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC9624075 | biostudies-literature | 2022 Oct

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature