Beyond biological control: non-pest insects and their pathogens in a changing world

A - Papers appearing in refereed journals

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 (2), pp. 65-72. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1752-4598.2009.00046.x

AuthorsRoy, H. E., Hails, R. S., Hesketh, H., Roy, D. B. and Pell, J. K.
Abstract

Over 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. Entomopathogens 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. We 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. We 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.

KeywordsBiodiversity conservation; Entomology
Year of Publication2009
JournalInsect Conservation and Diversity
Journal citation2 (2), pp. 65-72
Digital Object Identifier (DOI)https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1752-4598.2009.00046.x
Open accessPublished as bronze (free) open access
Funder project or codeSEF
Arable crops ecosystems - habitat diversification, crop management and natural enemies for crop protection and biodiversity
Publisher's version
Output statusPublished
PublisherWiley
ISSN1752-458X

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