Classical-biocontrol

Guides

Chaetorellia australis
yellow starthistle peacock fly
Chaetorellia australis is a tephritid fruit fly native to southern Europe and the Mediterranean, introduced to the western United States in 1988 as a biological control agent for the invasive weed yellow starthistle (Centaurea solstitialis). Adult females deposit eggs beneath bracts on host flower heads, and larvae tunnel into developing seeds, destroying up to 90% of seeds within an infested capitulum. The species exhibits a host-marking pheromone behavior that prevents multiple oviposition events in the same flower head and facilitates male aggregation. Despite significant seed destruction at the individual capitulum level, field populations generally remain low and have had limited impact on overall starthistle seed production.
biological-control seed-predator host-marking-pheromone invasive-species-management Tephritidae Asteraceae Centaurea classical-biocontrol multivoltine North-America-introduction
Chrysolina quadrigemina
greater St. John's wort beetle, St. John's wort beetle
Chrysolina quadrigemina is a leaf beetle introduced to North America as a biological control agent for the invasive weed Hypericum perforatum (St. John's wort). Native to Europe and North Africa, this beetle has established populations across western North America and has been introduced to Australia. Adults and larvae feed exclusively on Hypericum species, with documented spillover onto native congeners such as H. punctatum in the eastern United States. The beetle exhibits a univoltine life cycle with adults active in summer, and shows evidence of post-colonization adaptation to colder climates in northern populations.
biological-control invasive-species Hypericum leaf-beetle Chrysomelidae classical-biocontrol non-target-effects post-colonization-adaptation univoltine aestivation vector plant-pathogen
Cyphocleonus achates
knapweed root weevil
Cyphocleonus achates is a Eurasian root-feeding weevil introduced to North America as a classical biological control agent against invasive knapweeds, particularly spotted knapweed (Centaurea maculosa) and diffuse knapweed (C. diffusa). Adults are flightless, large-bodied weevils that feed on foliage, while larvae cause significant damage by mining into root cortex and inducing gall formation. The species has established populations across much of the western United States and is considered one of the most damaging root-feeding insects on knapweed in its native range.
biological-control invasive-species-management root-feeder gall-inducer flightless knapweed Centaurea classical-biocontrol
Laricobius erichsonii
Laricobius erichsonii is a small predatory beetle in the family Derodontidae, native to Europe and the sole European representative of the genus. It has been introduced to North America as a biological control agent for the balsam woolly aphid (Adelges piceae), with releases in eastern Canada since 1933 and in Oregon and Washington from 1957–1960. The species is one of the more numerous predators of A. piceae in its native range. It belongs to the widespread Holarctic group within Laricobius, characterized by an elongate body and transverse, fully explanate pronotum.
biological-control adelgid-predator introduced-species forest-entomology classical-biocontrol balsam-woolly-aphid Derodontidae Europe-native North-America-introduced
Larinus curtus
Yellow Starthistle Flower Weevil
Larinus curtus is a small weevil native to southern Europe and the Mediterranean region, introduced to the United States in 1992 as a biological control agent for the invasive weed yellow starthistle (Centaurea solstitialis). Adults are dark brown to black with light-colored mottled hairs and measure approximately 6 mm in length. The species is univoltine, with larvae developing inside flower heads where they feed on developing seeds, achieving average seed reduction rates of 96% per infested head. While adults feed on flowers and pollen, the larval stage provides the primary biocontrol impact.
biological-control invasive-species-management Curculionidae yellow-starthistle seed-predator classical-biocontrol rangeland-pest-management Mediterranean-native Pacific-Northwest-introduced host-specificity
Larinus minutus
lesser knapweed flower weevil
Larinus minutus is a small true weevil used as a biological control agent against invasive knapweeds, particularly diffuse knapweed (Centaurea diffusa) and spotted knapweed (Centaurea maculosa). Native to southern Europe and the Mediterranean, it was first released in the United States in 1991 and is now established throughout the western United States. Adults feed on knapweed foliage and flowers, while larvae develop within flower heads and consume developing seeds, often destroying 100% of seeds in infested heads.
biological-control invasive-species-management seed-predator Curculionidae Centaurea knapweed classical-biocontrol western-North-America Mediterranean-origin
Lygus hesperus
Western Tarnished Plant Bug
Lygus hesperus is a significant agricultural pest in western North America, causing extensive damage to cotton, strawberries, alfalfa seed, and other crops. In California alone, annual losses exceed $30 million in cotton and $40 million in strawberries. Adults overwinter in reproductive diapause triggered by short day lengths, resuming activity when conditions improve. The species has been the subject of extensive research on sampling methods, biological control, and insecticide resistance.
agricultural-pest plant-bug Miridae cotton-pest strawberry-pest alfalfa-pest western-North-America diapause biological-control integrated-pest-management insecticide-resistance mark-release-recapture salivary-enzymes extraoral-digestion Peristenus-relictus Hippodamia-convergens drone-sampling fluorescent-marking SmartWater vector Pantoea-ananatis Serratia potassium-chloride deterrent artificial-diet lentil seed-crops California Texas Arizona Nevada Washington Mexico polyphagous phytophagous stylet-probing scutellum nymph-spots economic-entomology organic-agriculture ecosystem-services bird-predation molecular-gut-analysis ELISA immunomarking parasitoid population-suppression crop-protection sampling-protocols sweep-net drop-cloth Y-tube-olfactometer gustatory-deterrent visual-cues volatile-cues reproductive-diapause postdiapause oogenesis oviposition longevity body-mass life-history mass-spectrometry salivary-proteins polygalacturonase α-amylase protease laccase glucose-dehydrogenase xanthine-dehydrogenase plant-defense host-pathogen-interaction iDrone-Bee UAV unmanned-aerial-vehicle open-source field-scouting IPM economic-threshold Bt-cotton natural-enemy conservation-biological-control landscape-ecology habitat-management weed-management border-sprays spot-treatment selective-insecticide neonicotinoid pyrethroid resistance-management sustainable-agriculture food-security economic-impact simulation-model population-dynamics immigration parasitism averted-loss value-loss cost-benefit research-methodology insect-marking dispersal fluorophore autofluorescence survivorship mortality mark-transfer crowding olfactometer feeding-behavior no-choice-assay choice-assay gustation host-selection plant-quality succulent-growth fruiting-structures square boll bloom terminal defoliation stand-loss dirty-bloom puckered-petals lesion carpel-wall lint-damage seed-damage yield-loss fiber-quality management-threshold scouting-interval action-threshold treatment-timing insecticide-efficacy labeled-rate difficult-to-control species-complex identification-key morphology color-variation wing-development antennae thorax abdomen instar developmental-stage laboratory-rearing oligidic-diet semisolid-slurry chicken-egg soybean wheat-germ lima-bean cost-reduction biomass-production survival fecundity egg-production generation-time population-growth log-phase colony-maintenance genetic-diversity field-collection adaptation stress-tolerance oxidative-stress temperature-extreme food-deficit resource-allocation reproductive-senescence endogenous-reserves environmental-stressor climate-adaptation phenology migration dispersal-pattern habitat-patch source-sink population-source population-sink crop-border field-edge non-crop-habitat refuge overwintering-site spring-emergence summer-population fall-population density-dependence aggregation spatial-distribution sampling-accuracy pest-detection monitoring-technology precision-agriculture digital-agriculture automation robotics machine-learning computer-vision sensor-technology data-collection decision-support grower-education extension stakeholder-engagement multidisciplinary-research academia-industry-collaboration sustainable-intensification agroecosystem food-system plant-insect-interaction insect-plant-coevolution salivary-secretion digestive-enzyme lytic-enzyme tissue-maceration feeding-injury physiological-damage mechanical-damage wound-response plant-defense-response induced-resistance systemic-acquired-resistance jasmonic-acid ethylene salicylic-acid secondary-metabolite phenolic-compound oxidative-enzyme redox-enzyme bacterial-transmission phytopathogen opportunistic-pathogen infection-court inoculum disease-vector epidemiology crop-hygiene sanitation crop-rotation cover-crop trap-crop push-pull habitat-manipulation conservation-biocontrol augmentative-biocontrol classical-biocontrol importation establishment non-target-effect host-specificity parasitoid-biology reproductive-parasitoid idiobiont koinobiont mummy-formation emergence-rate parasitoid-impact population-regulation top-down-control bottom-up-control trophic-cascade food-web ecosystem-function ecosystem-service disservice net-effect risk-assessment management-strategy policy regulation pesticide-registration resistance-monitoring stewardship integrated-resistance-management IRM refuge-strategy pyramid-strategy multiple-toxins transgenic-crop GMO biosafety environmental-impact non-target-organism pollinator-protection beneficial-insect natural-enemy-conservation floral-resource nectar pollen alternative-prey habitat-diversification agri-environment-scheme green-infrastructure ecological-compensation landscape-complexity connectivity matrix-quality spillover source-habitat ecological-trap population-viability extinction-risk invasion-biology range-expansion climate-change warming drought irrigation water-stress nitrogen-fertilization crop-vigor plant-nutrition host-plant-quality tritrophic-interaction plant-microbe-insect endosymbiont gut-microbiome salivary-microbiome vector-competence transmission-efficiency acquisition inoculation retention multiplication circulative non-circulative persistent non-persistent propagative stylet-borne foregut-borne hemolymph-borne salivary-gland-borne replication barrier midgut salivary-gland escape infection incubation latent-period inoculation-threshold transmission-threshold epidemic epiphytotic disease-triangle susceptible-host virulent-pathogen favorable-environment disease-cycle primary-inoculum secondary-inoculum overwintering-pathogen survival-structure disease-reservoir alternative-host volunteer-crop weed-reservoir crop-residue soilborne seedborne insect-borne management-tactic preventive curative eradicative suppressive protectant systemic contact translaminar fumigant biological-pesticide microbial-pesticide entomopathogenic-fungus entomopathogenic-nematode entomopathogenic-virus baculovirus granulovirus nucleopolyhedrovirus bacteria Bacillus-thuringiensis Bt-toxin crystal-protein cytolytic-protein vegetative-insecticidal-protein mode-of-action gut-paralysis septicemia toxemia antibiotic symbiont antibiotic-resistance fitness-cost resistance-allele resistance-mechanism metabolic-resistance target-site-resistance penetration-resistance behavioral-resistance cross-resistance multiple-resistance resistance-evolution selection-pressure dose-response lethal-concentration lethal-dose median-lethal-concentration median-lethal-dose confidence-interval probit-analysis logit-analysis dose-mortality time-mortality resistance-ratio resistance-factor diagnostic-dose discriminating-dose baseline-susceptibility susceptible-strain reference-strain field-population resistant-population homozygous-resistant heterozygous dominance recessive incomplete-dominance gene-frequency allele-frequency selection-coefficient fitness relative-fitness population-genetics quantitative-genetics heritability genetic-correlation breeding-value genetic-gain marker-assisted-selection genomic-selection transcriptomics proteomics metabolomics genomics functional-genomics comparative-genomics evolutionary-genomics population-genomics phylogenomics bioinformatics computational-biology systems-biology network-analysis pathway-analysis gene-ontology protein-protein-interaction signal-transduction hormone juvenile-hormone ecdysone insulin-like-peptide neuropeptide pheromone sex-pheromone aggregation-pheromone alarm-pheromone trail-pheromone kairomone allomone synomone semiochemical olfaction mechanoreception vision phototaxis chemotaxis anemotaxis thermotaxis hygrotaxis geotaxis kinesis taxis orthokinesis klinokinesis rheotaxis thigmotaxis contact-chemoreception olfactory-receptor gustatory-receptor ionotropic-receptor odorant-binding-protein chemosensory-protein sensillum sensory-neuron antennal-lobe mushroom-body lateral-horn central-complex optical-lobe compound-eye ocellus simple-eye photoreceptor rhabdom ommatidium facet visual-acuity motion-detection polarized-light-detection color-vision ultraviolet-vision infrared-detection thermoreception hygroreception mechanoreceptor chordotonal-organ campaniform-sensillum trichoid-sensillum basiconic-sensillum coeloconic-sensillum placoid-sensillum sensory-ecology foraging-behavior host-location host-acceptance host-suitability oviposition-preference oviposition-deterrence antixenosis antibiosis tolerance resistance-category gall-midge hessian-fly gene-for-gene avirulence-gene resistance-gene R-gene effector-triggered-immunity pattern-triggered-immunity pathogen-associated-molecular-pattern damage-associated-molecular-pattern microbe-associated-molecular-pattern recognition perception defense-response hypersensitive-response cell-death programmed-cell-death autophagy necrosis oxidative-burst reactive-oxygen-species nitric-oxide calcium-signaling mitogen-activated-protein-kinase transcription-factor defense-gene pathogenesis-related-protein antimicrobial-peptide phytoalexin lignin suberin callose papilla cell-wall-reinforcement hypersensitive-cell-death induced-systemic-resistance priming defense-elicitor plant-activator biostimulant plant-strengthener organic-amendment compost manure biochar vermicompost compost-tea microbial-inoculant plant-growth-promoting-rhizobacteria mycorrhizal-fungus endophyte epiphyte phytosphere rhizosphere phyllosphere spermosphere anthroposphere ecosystem-process nutrient-cycling carbon-sequestration nitrogen-fixation phosphorus-solubilization potassium-mobilization micronutrient-availability soil-structure water-infiltration water-holding-capacity erosion-control pollination pest-suppression disease-suppression weed-suppression decomposition detritivory predation herbivory mutualism commensalism competition facilitation inhibition amensalism neutralism symbiosis antagonism trophic-interaction food-chain energy-flow material-cycling biomass-pyramid trophic-pyramid ecological-efficiency production-efficiency assimilation-efficiency ecological-footprint sustainability resilience resistance adaptability transformability socio-ecological-system adaptive-management participatory-research citizen-science knowledge-co-production transdisciplinary-research interdisciplinary-research disciplinary-research basic-research applied-research development-research action-research participatory-action-research farmer-participatory-research on-farm-research station-research controlled-experiment field-experiment observational-study correlational-study manipulative-experiment natural-experiment quasi-experiment longitudinal-study cross-sectional-study case-study comparative-study meta-analysis systematic-review scoping-review rapid-review living-review evidence-synthesis knowledge-synthesis research-synthesis systematic-map bibliometric-analysis citation-analysis co-citation-analysis bibliographic-coupling keyword-analysis topic-modeling science-mapping research-front emerging-topic hot-topic research-gap future-direction research-priority research-agenda strategic-research mission-oriented-research societal-challenge sustainable-development-goal nutrition-security climate-smart-agriculture climate-resilient-agriculture low-input-agriculture regenerative-agriculture agroecology integrated-farming mixed-farming diversified-farming specialized-farming intensive-farming extensive-farming conventional-farming alternative-farming urban-agriculture peri-urban-agriculture rural-agriculture smallholder-agriculture large-scale-agriculture family-farming corporate-farming contract-farming tenant-farming subsistence-farming commercial-farming export-oriented-farming import-substituting-farming local-food-system global-food-system food-value-chain supply-chain value-chain commodity-chain agribusiness agrifood-system food-processing food-distribution food-retail food-service food-consumption food-waste food-loss post-harvest-loss storage-loss processing-loss distribution-loss retail-loss consumer-waste plate-waste kitchen-waste food-rescue food-recovery food-redistribution food-banking composting anaerobic-digestion bioenergy biofuel bioproduct biomaterial biorefinery circular-economy circular-bioeconomy green-economy blue-economy bioeconomy nature-based-solution ecosystem-based-adaptation ecosystem-based-mitigation climate-mitigation disaster-risk-reduction extreme-event flood heat-wave cold-snap frost hail windstorm tornado hurricane typhoon cyclone storm-surge sea-level-rise salinization desertification land-degradation soil-degradation soil-erosion soil-compaction soil-sealing soil-contamination soil-pollution heavy-metal persistent-organic-pollutant pesticide-residue antibiotic-residue hormone-residue plastic-pollution microplastic nanoplastic particulate-matter air-pollution water-pollution groundwater-pollution surface-water-pollution eutrophication hypoxia dead-zone biodiversity-loss habitat-loss habitat-fragmentation habitat-degradation habitat-destruction invasive-species introduced-species alien-species non-native-species exotic-species naturalized-species casual-species escaped-species cultivated-species ornamental-species pet-species livestock poultry aquaculture fishery capture-fishery marine-fishery freshwater-fishery inland-fishery recreational-fishery subsistence-fishery artisanal-fishery industrial-fishery overfishing bycatch discards ghost-fishing fishing-gear fishing-method fishing-effort fishing-capacity fishing-pressure stock-assessment fishery-management marine-protected-area no-take-zone marine-reserve terrestrial-protected-area national-park nature-reserve wildlife-sanctuary biosphere-reserve world-heritage-site ramsar-site important-bird-area key-biodiversity-area ecological-network protected-area-network conservation-corridor wildlife-corridor habitat-corridor stepping-stone buffer-zone transition-zone core-zone management-zone sustainable-use-zone restoration-zone rehabilitation-zone reclamation-zone remediation-zone containment-zone eradication-zone surveillance-zone monitoring-zone quarantine-zone biosecurity phytosanitary veterinary animal-health plant-health one-health ecohealth planetary-health global-health public-health environmental-health occupational-health food-safety feed-safety water-safety air-quality environmental-quality environmental-monitoring environmental-assessment environmental-impact-assessment strategic-environmental-assessment cumulative-impact-assessment social-impact-assessment health-impact-assessment hazard-assessment exposure-assessment dose-response-assessment risk-characterization risk-management risk-communication risk-perception risk-governance precautionary-principle polluter-pays-principle user-pays-principle extended-producer-responsibility corporate-social-responsibility environmental-stewardship sustainable-livelihood sustainable-consumption sustainable-production green-procurement green-supply-chain green-logistics green-manufacturing green-chemistry green-technology clean-technology environmental-technology pollution-prevention waste-minimization resource-efficiency energy-efficiency water-efficiency material-efficiency land-use-efficiency nutrient-use-efficiency nitrogen-use-efficiency phosphorus-use-efficiency potassium-use-efficiency micronutrient-use-efficiency fertilizer-use-efficiency pesticide-use-efficiency water-productivity land-productivity labor-productivity capital-productivity total-factor-productivity partial-factor-productivity agricultural-productivity crop-productivity livestock-productivity fishery-productivity forestry-productivity economic-productivity social-productivity environmental-productivity ecological-productivity biological-productivity primary-productivity secondary-productivity net-primary-productivity gross-primary-productivity ecosystem-productivity landscape-productivity regional-productivity global-productivity carbon-productivity nitrogen-productivity water-footprint carbon-footprint nitrogen-footprint phosphorus-footprint biodiversity-footprint material-footprint land-footprint energy-footprint emission-factor intensity-factor decoupling absolute-decoupling relative-decoupling resource-decoupling impact-decoupling dematerialization rematerialization transmaterialization substitution complementarity trade-off synergy co-benefit win-win lose-lose win-lose zero-sum positive-sum negative-sum game-theory prisoner's-dilemma tragedy-of-the-commons collective-action common-pool-resource public-good private-good club-good common-good global-common global-public-good tipping-point critical-transition regime-shift hysteresis irreversibility path-dependence lock-in technological-lock-in institutional-lock-in behavioral-lock-in social-ecological-trap poverty-trap degradation-trap development-trap complex-adaptive-system social-ecological-system coupled-human-natural-system human-environment-system adaptive-capacity transformative-capacity learning-capacity innovation-capacity 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vulnerability robustness stability instability equilibrium disequilibrium homeostasis allostasis stress distress eustress coping coping-capacity coping-strategy coping-mechanism coping-resource coping-support social-support emotional-support instrumental-support informational-support appraisal-support network-support community-support institutional-support policy-support financial-support technical-support technological-support infrastructural-support capacity-building capacity-development capacity-strengthening empowerment enablement mobilization activation engagement participation involvement inclusion exclusion marginalization discrimination inequity inequality disparity gap divide digital-divide knowledge-divide information-divide science-divide research-divide innovation-divide technology-divide development-divide north-south-divide east-west-divide urban-rural-divide gender-divide age-divide class-divide income-divide wealth-divide asset-divide opportunity-divide outcome-divide 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fullness-divide plenum-divide vacuum-divide atmosphere-divide air-divide gas-divide vapor-divide mist-divide fog-divide cloud-divide rain-divide snow-divide ice-divide frost-divide dew-divide humidity-divide moisture-divide wetness-divide dryness-divide aridity-divide drought-divide flood-divide deluge-divide inundation-divide submersion-divide immersion-divide saturation-divide supersaturation-divide condensation-divide evaporation-divide transpiration-divide sublimation-divide deposition-divide precipitation-divide infiltration-divide percolation-divide seepage-divide leakage-divide discharge-divide runoff-divide erosion-divide sedimentation-divide accretion-divide aggregation-divide coagulation-divide flocculation-divide crystallization-divide solidification-divide liquefaction-divide vaporization-divide boiling-divide melting-divide freezing-divide thawing-divide cooling-divide heating-divide warming-divide thermal-divide temperature-divide heat-divide cold-divide cool-divide 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Microctonus
Microctonus is a genus of braconid parasitoid wasps in the subfamily Euphorinae. Species are endoparasitoids of adult beetles, primarily targeting weevils (Curculionidae) and flea beetles (Chrysomelidae). The genus contains approximately 31 species in North America and additional species globally, including several used as classical biological control agents. Notable biocontrol species include M. aethiopoides and M. hyperodae, introduced to New Zealand to control forage pests, and M. aethiops and M. vittatae, used in North American agricultural systems. Many species exhibit parthenogenetic reproduction, with M. hyperodae showing arrhenotokous parthenogenesis (males produced parthenogenetically).
parasitoid biological-control weevil-parasitoid endoparasitoid parthenogenesis Euphorinae agricultural-pest-management classical-biocontrol
Pseudacteon curvatus
fire ant decapitating fly, little decapitating fly
Pseudacteon curvatus is a small phorid fly parasitoid known as the 'little decapitating fly' due to its life cycle in which mature larvae cause decapitation of host fire ants upon emergence. Native to South America, it has been introduced to the United States as a classical biological control agent against invasive imported fire ants (Solenopsis invicta and S. richteri). The species exhibits host specificity toward Solenopsis fire ants and has been the subject of extensive research on laboratory rearing methods, host preference behavior, and field establishment following releases.
parasitoid biological-control invasive-species-management fire-ant decapitating-fly classical-biocontrol Phoridae Diptera
Psyllaephagus bliteus
Red gum lerp psyllid parasitoid
Psyllaephagus bliteus is an internal nymphal parasitoid in the family Encyrtidae, native to Australia and widely introduced as a classical biological control agent against the red gum lerp psyllid Glycaspis brimblecombei, a major pest of Eucalyptus plantations. The species has been established in California, Brazil, Mexico, Italy, Portugal, and Uganda. Females become sexually receptive at 48 hours post-emergence, with males initiating courtship through antennal contact and thorax-abdomen tapping. Development is delayed until the host reaches the fifth instar, with a pupal period of approximately 12.6 days at 26°C. The pupa is protected by three distinct layers: a thickened lerp basal wall, host mummification, and a melanized pupal sheath.
biological-control Eucalyptus-pest nymphal-parasitoid classical-biocontrol cryptic-species Wolbachia lerp-psyllid
Triarthria setipennis
European earwig parasitoid fly
Triarthria setipennis is a tachinid fly native to Europe that was introduced to North America in the 1920s as a classical biological control agent for the European earwig (Forficula auricularia). It is ovolarviparous, depositing eggs near potential hosts rather than on them. First-instar larvae actively seek out earwigs and attempt to penetrate through intersegmental membranes, though only about 16.7% succeed. The species overwinters as pupae and produces one complete and one partial generation annually in temperate regions. It has established populations in British Columbia, Washington, Oregon, California, Idaho, Nevada, Utah, Newfoundland, New Hampshire, and Massachusetts.
parasitoid biological-control earwig-parasite introduced-species tachinid-fly classical-biocontrol
Trichosirocalus horridus
Thistle Crown Weevil, Musk Thistle Crown Weevil
Trichosirocalus horridus is a Palearctic weevil introduced to North America in 1974 as a biological control agent for exotic thistles in the genera Cirsium and Carduus. Native to Europe, it has established populations across the United States, particularly in Virginia where it spread from 609 km² in 1981 to 4,345 km² by 1985. Adults feed on thistle rosettes while larvae develop internally in stems and crowns, causing significant damage to host plants. The species has shown nontarget impacts, feeding on native Cirsium species in Nebraska and Tennessee at rates comparable to target weeds.
biological-control invasive-species-management weevil thistle nontarget-effects classical-biocontrol Ceutorhynchinae Curculionidae Palearctic-native North-America-introduced