Biocontrol of oilseed rape pests

Oilseed rape, a major crop in many parts of the world, is attacked by a wide range of insect pests, many of which are of considerable economic importance. With the increasing demand to reduce agrochemical inputs on arable crops, the Commission of the European Communities supported a three-year programme in which scientific participants reviewed the natural enemies of oilseed rape insect pests. The various outputs from this important work form the basis of this comprehensive new book.

Biocontrol of Oilseed Rape Pests commences with a review of the oilseed rape crop, followed by chapters on pests, pest management strategies and parasitoids of specific pests or groups of pests. Detailed information is also included on sampling, trapping and rearing pests, their parasitoids and predators; the identification of hymenopterous parasitoids; pathogens of oilseed rape pests, predators, predator taxonomy and identification, and the impact of on-farm landscape structures and systems on predators.

This book is an essential purchase for all those involved with oilseed rape and for anyone with an interest in agricultural biocontrol strategies. It is also essential reading and an invaluable source of reference for agricultural scientists, entomologists, crop protection specialists, advisers and consultants. All agrochemical companies should have multiple copies of this book on their shelves, as should all libraries in universities and research establishments where biological and agricultural sciences are studied and taught.

Dr David V. Alford, based in Cambridge, UK, has many years of experience working as a government entomologist.