Augmentative biological control
- Pronunciation
- /awg-MEN-tuh-tiv by-oh-LOJ-ih-kul kuhn-TROHL/
- Category
- Ecology
- Singular
- augmentative biological control
Definition
A strategy in biological pest control in which natural enemies—, , or —are periodically released into the environment to supplement existing and increase their immediate impact on pest . Unlike , where small numbers are introduced to establish self-sustaining populations, augmentative releases aim for immediate suppression and typically require repeated applications throughout the growing season. The approach is widely used in greenhouse and field crops where native or previously established natural enemy populations are insufficient to keep pests below .
Etymology
From Latin augmentare (to increase, enlarge) +
Example
Releasing commercially reared Trichogramma weekly into tomato greenhouses to suppress lepidopteran pests; the wasps do not persist between releases, so inoculations must continue as long as vulnerable stages are present.
Synonyms
- augmentative biocontrol
- periodic release
- seasonal inoculative release (loosely)
Related Terms
- Inoculative biological control
- Classical biological control
- Conservation biological control
- biological control agent
- Parasitoid
- predator augmentation
- Integrated Pest Management
- Economic injury level
Usage Notes
Contrast with inoculative (inundative) and : augmentative control does not aim for long-term establishment of the agent, but rather for immediate, recurring pest suppression. The distinction between "augmentative" and "inundative" is sometimes blurred in practice; some reserve "inundative" for extremely high- releases that function like , while others treat the terms as synonymous. Mass-reared agents must be quality-assured to avoid releasing inferior or contaminants. The approach is particularly suited to protected agriculture and high-value crops where repeated intervention costs are economically viable.