Risks of invertebrate biological control agents - Harmonia axyridis as a case study

Abstract

Despite the well documented economic and ecological benefits of biological control as a pest management strategy, there are increasing concerns about the risks associated with the use of non-native natural enemies. These concerns have prompted several countries in Europe and elsewhere to set up a regulatory system for non-native invertebrate biological control agents (IBCAs). To date, however, there is no coordinated system of regulation for IBCAs in Europe. Potential risks can be considered in three categories: risks to human and animal health, plant health, and most importantly, the environment. In this chapter we use the invasive harlequin ladybird Harmonia axyridis as a model to illustrate the potential negative impacts of non-native IBCAs. Its history of use in biological control is reviewed and the potential and realized adverse impacts in its adventive range are assessed. The case of the harlequin ladybird shows that there is an urgent need for a harmonized regulation of IBCAs in Europe, which should be based on appropriate risk analysis procedures. The development of such procedures should be a joint effort of biocontrol practitioners, scientists from different backgrounds and regulators alike. © 2011 Springer Science+Business Media B.V.