Use of Microbes for Control and Eradication of Invasive Arthropods

This book offers a diverse presentation about use of arthropod-specific pathogens for control and eradication of invasive arthropod species. Basic concepts supporting use of pathogens for microbial control are covered as well as societal and environmental concerns. The major functional issues faced when utilizing pathogens for control of invasive arthropods are discussed in the context of case studies. The majority of the book is composed of chapters describing different invasive species that have been targeted with entomopathogens for control, using diverse strategies, in many cases with excellent results. These examples cover urban, agricultural and forestry situations, providing an overview of the issues that use of insect pathogens can present.

Contents

Dedication. Contributors. Preface.
SECTION I INTRODUCTION:1. Invasive arthropods and approaches for their microbial control.
SECTION II ECOLOGICAL CONSIDERATIONS: 2. Naturally-occurring pathogens and invasive arthropods, 3. Population ecology of managing insect invasions.
SECTION III ERADICATION: 4. Use of pathogens for eradication of exotic lepidopteran pests in New Zealand. 5. North American eradications of Asian and European gypsy moth.
SECTION IV CONTROL: 6. Exotic aphid control with pathogens. 7. Steinernema scapterisci as a biological control agent of Scapteriscus mole crickets. 8. The use of Oryctes virus for control of rhinoceros beetle in the Pacific Islands. 9. Use of microbes for control of Monochamus alternatus, vector of the invasive pinewood nematode. 10. Use of entomopathogens against invasive wood boring beetles in North America. 11. Control of gypsy moth, Lymantria dispar, in North America since 1878.12. Controlling the pine-killing woodwasp, Sirex noctilio, with nematodes.13. Fire ant control with entomopathogens in the USA. 14. Biological control of the cassava green mite in Africa with Brazilian isolates of the fungal pathogen Neozygites tanajoae.15. Microbial control for invasive arthropod pests of honey bees.
SECTION V SAFETY AND PUBLIC ISSUES:16. Human health effects resulting from exposure to Bacillus thuringiensis applied during insect control programs. 17. Environmental impacts of microbial control agents used for control of invasive pests.
SECTION VI CONCLUSIONS: 18. Considerations for the practical use of pathogens for control and eradication of arthropod invasive pests.
INDEX.