Biological control projects are usually initiated because it is undesirable or not economically feasible to control a particular weed by any other means (eg. chemically or mechanically). Alternatively, such methods may have been tried and found to be ineffective. Once a project is initiated it must be properly planned. This includes reviewing the literature on the target weed (including its biosystematics, distribution, economic importance and management) and on natural enemies of the plant (their biology, host range and use as biological control agents in other countries). Any activity by other institutions interested in biological control of the weed needs to be determined and participation of local stakeholders needs to be encouraged.

The Need for a Participatory Approach to Biological Control of Weeds

Classical biological control is traditionally seen as not requiring significant participation of landholders either in the development or implementation phases of a project. One of the main advantages of classical biological control is that, once established, populations of most successful biological control agents increase and spread with little intervention. However, biological control practitioners have become increasingly aware of the need to account for, and take appropriate action with respect to, a broad range of issues that can affect initiation and progress in a biological control project.

Clearly, some initial consideration needs to be given to socio-economic, farming and cropping systems if these broader issues are to be addressed. See the pages listed to the left for an outline of this approach.

Larissa Bilston and Geoff Norton