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Title: THE RELEVANCE OF SYSTEMATICS TO BIOLOGICAL CONTROL: PROTECTING THE INVESTMENT IN RESEARCH

Author
item Schauff, Michael
item LASALLE, JOHN - DEPT.ENT. NHM, LONDON

Submitted to: Proceedings of Australian Applied Entomology Conference
Publication Type: Peer Reviewed Journal
Publication Acceptance Date: 8/21/1998
Publication Date: N/A
Citation: N/A

Interpretive Summary: Reduced useage of pesticides on crops can result in substantial savings for farmers and contribute greatly to increased food safety. One of the principal means of reducing pesticides is through the use of biologically based control of insect pests. Taxonomy is central to successful biological control through the provision of names and other data. In this paper, we explore the interface between systematists and biological control programs and suggest ways to improve communication and cooperation to increase the success of these efforts. We also summarize some of the new technologies being used to enhance systematic efforts. This information will be useful to scientists working in both systematics and biological control programs.

Technical Abstract: Systematic input is of vital importance to biological control and impacts everything from determining the home range of the pest to the ability to acquire permits for release of beneficials. Lack of taxonomic information has historically been one of the biggest stumbling blocks in biocontrol implementation resulting in delays, diminished success, wasted resources and outright failure of programs. Systematics can directly address two kinds of errors commonly encountered: 1) failure by not being able to do what you want to do and 2) wasting resources by doing what you don't want to be doing. To protect research investment and maximize the dollar return of money spent on biological control, it is essential that systematics be included early in project planning and that cooperation and communication between systematists and field workers be ongoing through all phases of the program. Previous failures for proper integration of systematics and biological control are due to shortcomings, miscommunication and misperceptions of both systematists and practioners in several ways. To correct this problem, we explore the root causes and suggest practical solutions. New technological advances in electronic publishing and information dissemination, expert systems and interactive keys, and molecular techniques are enabling systematists to respond better and more rapidly to the needs of biocontrol workers.