It includes useful reference lists for each topic. It begins by considering how to define and measure success and failure in biological control of weeds. A history of the biological control of weeds is given, followed by introductions to weed science and population ecology in the context of the biological control of weeds. The importance of taxonomy in biological control studies is also dealt with. The stages of a project, procedures, methods and techniques, are covered in detail, from the beginning of a project to evaluating its impact.
Some sections describe methodology and others case studies.
There are sections dealing with plant pathogens as classical biological control agents, bioherbicides, and the mass production of fungi for biopesticides. A set of 38 slides providing a precis of weed biological control, reproduced in the book as colour prints, are also available. The aim of the book is to facilitate, for the countries of the region, the selection of promising priority insect pest targets, and to provide donor agencies with a readily accessible overview of the region's major exotic pest problems and an evaluation, where possible, of prospects for their amelioration using biological control. It is suggested that there is little prospect for the classical biological control of Dysdercus cingulatus , while too little is known about Deanolis sublimbalis . Propects for control of Cosmopolites sordidus are described as unclear, but its lack of pest status in Myanmar is noted.