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Beyond biological control: non-pest insects and their pathogens in a changing world
Article first published online: 18 FEB 2009
DOI: 10.1111/j.1752-4598.2009.00046.x
© 2009 The Authors. Journal compilation © 2009 The Royal Entomological Society
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How to Cite
ROY, H. E., HAILS, R. S., HESKETH, H., ROY, D. B. and PELL, J. K. (2009), Beyond biological control: non-pest insects and their pathogens in a changing world. Insect Conservation and Diversity, 2: 65–72. doi: 10.1111/j.1752-4598.2009.00046.x
Publication History
- Issue published online: 16 APR 2009
- Article first published online: 18 FEB 2009
- Accepted 23 December 2008First published online 18 February 2009; Editor: Bradford HawkinsAssociate editor: Steven Sait
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Keywords:
- Covert virus;
- entomopathogen;
- environmental change;
- habitat fragmentation;
- non-pest insects;
- population dynamics
Abstract.
- 1Over the last few decades, there have been considerable advances in the fields of insect pathology and insect conservation but the two disciplines rarely meet. The potential of entomopathogens as biological control agents of pest insects is widely recognised but information on the role of pathogens in insect population regulation, more generally, is limited. For example, the role of pathogens as natural enemies of non-pest insects, including those of conservation value, is seldom considered beyond their context as ‘non-targets’ of microbial control agents.
- 2Entomopathogens are prevalent in natural systems and should receive greater attention in life-history studies. There is no doubt that viruses, bacteria and fungi are major mortality agents of insects but their significance tends to be overshadowed by the attention given to predators and parasitoids.
- 3We highlight the critical function that entomopathogens could have in insect population dynamics with particular reference fragmented habitats as illustrated by the theoretical literature. However, we emphasise that there are few empirical studies to test theoretical predictions.
- 4We suggest that since an increase in the incidence of disease is predicted in most environmental change scenarios, it is more important than ever to turn our attention to insect pathology when we consider insect population dynamics.