Foreword
Surely long before the rise of human being and oscillating steps in the development
of agriculture, insects were subject to interaction with other organisms in the
environment. Some of these interactions were in favor of insects (supplying nutriments, protection, or other advantageous symbiotic relationships) and some were
detrimental such as competition, disease and predation. Insects as relatively vulnerable animals fell prey to all manner of predators, parasitoids, and diseases. Therefore, studies on ecology of natural populations inspired scientist to apply natural
enemies to control or suppress different pest populations which is known as biological pest control.
Regarding to the history of biological control in Iran, availability of huge
information on different kinds of natural enemies, and presence of a large number
of young scientists, it is necessary to have special attention and support paid by
relevant authorities. So that, to be capable of increasing to produce safe or organic
agricultural products it is important to review and gather all information related to
biocontrol to facilitate the non-chemical tactics in pest management programs.
Many thanks go to all Iranian scientists who have contributed to this valuable
book. The breadth and depth of their contributions collected here in one place should
go a long way to providing those scientists just starting out in working biological
control disciplines and those who want to understand basic and applied biological
control aspects of agricultural pests as basic information. I want to express my thanks
also to Javad Karimi, the initial editor of the book, and Hossein Madadi, for inviting
researchers who want to improve IPM programs based on biological control in Iran.
Professor of Entomology,
Guilan University,
Rasht, Iran
March 13, 2020
Ahad Sahragard
v
Surely long before the rise of human being and oscillating steps in the development
of agriculture, insects were subject to interaction with other organisms in the
environment. Some of these interactions were in favor of insects (supplying nutriments, protection, or other advantageous symbiotic relationships) and some were
detrimental such as competition, disease and predation. Insects as relatively vulnerable animals fell prey to all manner of predators, parasitoids, and diseases. Therefore, studies on ecology of natural populations inspired scientist to apply natural
enemies to control or suppress different pest populations which is known as biological pest control.
Regarding to the history of biological control in Iran, availability of huge
information on different kinds of natural enemies, and presence of a large number
of young scientists, it is necessary to have special attention and support paid by
relevant authorities. So that, to be capable of increasing to produce safe or organic
agricultural products it is important to review and gather all information related to
biocontrol to facilitate the non-chemical tactics in pest management programs.
Many thanks go to all Iranian scientists who have contributed to this valuable
book. The breadth and depth of their contributions collected here in one place should
go a long way to providing those scientists just starting out in working biological
control disciplines and those who want to understand basic and applied biological
control aspects of agricultural pests as basic information. I want to express my thanks
also to Javad Karimi, the initial editor of the book, and Hossein Madadi, for inviting
researchers who want to improve IPM programs based on biological control in Iran.
Professor of Entomology,
Guilan University,
Rasht, Iran
March 13, 2020
Ahad Sahragard
v