Biological Control Systems and Climate Change

Biological control (or Biocontrol) is the use of natural enemies (predators, parasitoids or pathogens) for the control of pests in crops. In classical biological control, a natural enemy is introduced as a new predator to a range where it is not native. In augmentative biological control, a large number of natural enemies are introduced, either in an area with no natural enemies like glasshouses, or to augment natural populations, to ensure a rapid pest suppression. In conservation biological control, habitats surrounding and within crops are managed to favour an increase in natural enemy populations while suppressing pest populations. These agroecological systems can be complex, and are affected by climate change, both negatively and positively.The object of this book is to synthesize and summarize current knowledge of the many ways climate change can influence the effectiveness of biological control systems. The book introduces the reader to general concepts and then describes climate change effects on the large diversity of macro- and microorganisms involved in biocontrol, and the possible increase or decrease in pest outbreaks following changes in characteristics (morphology, physiology, behaviour....), distribution or phenology. It then outlines methods for mitigating the effects of climate change through the adaptation of biological control strategies, including integrated pest management case studies from diverse continents and cultural contexts. Finally, it explores the economic and societal impacts of climate change on biological control systems.This is the second book in the CABI Ecostacking Series. Biological control is a major component of the ecostacking approach to cropping systems. It is intended for students, researchers, lecturers, and stakeholders engaged in biological control worldwide. It is also essential reading for research personnel and managers in companies that produce biological control agents for field application.

Joan van Baaren is a full Professor at the University of Rennes where she teaches evolutionary ecology and biological conservation. She has been the head of the Ecobio department since 2018. Her main research interests are the study of the impact of climate change in insect communities, Conservation Biological control, and Behavioural Ecology.

Cecile Le Lann is an Associate Professor at the University of Rennes where she teaches evolutionary ecology, community ecology and biological conservation. Her main research interests are to assess the impact of climate change and landscape in insect communities and associated ecosystem services (pollination and biological control).

Ma Chun-Sen is a distinguished professor at Hebei University and and a research scientist at the Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences. He is a climate change biologist. He studies pest physiology, population dynamics, interspecific interactions and modelling under climate change, adaptations of pests to extreme climates through thermoregulation, phenotypic plasticity and evolution. His focused insects include cereal aphids and drosophila (tiny insects), diamondback moth (non-diapause and long-distance migration) and fruit moths (overwinter in diapause).

Gang Ma is an Associate Professor at the Institute of Plant Protection, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences. He has been a main member of the climate change biology research group in the department of agricultural entomology for more than 10 years. His research interests mainly focus on how climate change will affect insects, species interactions and the consequences of biological control.