Augmentation

Definition

A biological control strategy in which natural enemies—typically parasitoids, predators, or pathogens—are released to supplement an existing population and increase its immediate or near-term impact on a target pest. Augmentation contrasts with classical biological control (establishment of permanent populations) and may involve either inoculative releases (small numbers intended to reproduce) or inundative releases (mass releases for immediate suppression). In entomological practice, augmentation is widely used in greenhouse systems, orchards, and urban pest management where resident natural enemy populations are insufficient for economic control.

Etymology

From Latin augmentare, to increase or enlarge.

Example

Releasing commercially reared Trichogramma wasps into maize fields during peak egg-laying by Ostrinia nubilalis (European corn borer) to augment parasitism rates above the threshold needed to prevent economic damage.

Synonyms

• Augmentative biological control
• population supplementation

Related Terms

• Classical biological control
• inoculative release
• inundative release
• Conservation biological control
• natural enemy
• biological control agent
• Parasitoid
• augmentative release

Usage Notes

In strict usage, augmentation implies supplementation of an already-present population, though the term is sometimes applied more loosely to any repeated release program. Specialists distinguish inoculative augmentation (releases early in the season to establish generations) from inundative augmentation (mass releases for immediate mortality). The term is not typically used for sterile insect technique or genetic biocontrol methods, which alter rather than augment populations.