The Role of Vertebrate Predators in the Biological Control of Forest Insects

Abstract

The use of vertebrates in the biological control of forest insects is as yet in the early stages of development. As the opportunities arise to make further use of this type of biological control, detailed studies should be instigated in order to make early appraisals of the effectiveness of the treatment. Particular attentions should be paid to the reactions of the predator; its physiological, psychological and population responses in relation to the measures employed. With the advent of recent advances in the use of electronic computers, we are now in a position to evaluate very complicated biological phenomena. In order to take advantage of these advanced methods of analysis, particular attention must be paid to sound and accurate biometrics. Associated judicious experimental approaches together with analyses of complicated natural systems are likely to set the trend for the study of vertebrate predators of forest insects and the more generalized studies of predator-prey systems.