Biological control is the use of natural enemies to suppress problematic arthropods or plants. When done carefully, it can be a powerful, self-sustaining, effective, and safe method to manage invasive species in agriculture and forests. Often, an organism that becomes invasive is not problematic in its native range because it has a set of natural enemies that keeps it in balance. Classical biological control functions to reunite the organism that becomes invasive with a subset of its natural enemies. For a natural enemy to make a good classical biocontrol agent, it should be host specific, have a substantial effect on populations or vigor of the target pest, and have little interaction with the environment other than through its effects on the target.
Biocontrol Exploration is a company that contracts with organizations to help with the first steps of a classical biological control effort: exploration for natural enemies, preliminary observations of their potential as biocontrol agents, and development of rearing methods to allow studies of host specificity in quarantine. Specifically, we provide:
(1) Exploration for unknown natural enemies of target invasive pests
(2) Development of captive rearing methods in the native or established range of the insect for use in quarantine testing
(3) Descriptions and appropriate naming of undescribed species resulting from exploration
(4) Collection of organisms and transport to quarantine facilities, given appropriate permits
(5) Preliminary observations of host breadth in native or established range
(6) Insect collection for any other research purposes
Please let us know if we can be of help in these or any related efforts.
This organization is formed from just two people, so here is a little about ourselves
Dr. David Honsberger
David loves looking at insects and plants, being in various places in the world, and especially looking at insects and plants in various places in the world. He has worked in biological control and taxonomy of parasitoid Hymenoptera in Hawaiʻi, where he received a PhD under Dr. Mark Wright. In addition to what you see here, he also works in an agroecology effort in Greater Nebbi District, Uganda with Oyera Rural Inclusion and Well-being, and grows fruit trees near Mt. Fuji in Japan. Before working with insects, he worked building compressed earth block houses. Outside of work, he enjoys being with his wife, Maya, and surfing, swimming, freediving, and going new places. Please see David's CV here if you are interested.
Dr. Mason Russo
Mason is the Research and Projects Coordinator for Hawaiʻi Invasive Species Council, where he provides essential support and oversees coordination of the multi-agency Port of Entry Monitoring program at Hawai‘i's airports and seaports, helping to prevent the introduction and spread of high-impact pests. He has spent his time exploring integrated pest management strategies for coconut rhinoceros beetle and hala scale. His research experience includes entomopathogen experimentation, systemic insecticide laboratory and field testing, forest demography, insect surveying, and classical biological control exploration. He has traveled to Singapore, Indonesia, Thailand, and Madagascar to conduct classical biocontrol exploration. He has extensive experience with coordination of agencies, and is enthusiastic about finding biocontrol agents. Outside of work he enjoys spending time with family, friends, and with David surfing, swimming, and freediving. Please see Mason's CV here if you are interested.
- An organization that does biocontrol has a need to find unknown natural enemies, develop rearing methods for known natural enemies, or find and transport natural enemies to a quarantine facility for study.
- The organization can contract with Biocontrol Exploration for help. This can be preliminary exploration where we bring back information on potential biocontrol agents and rearing methods, or given the appropriate permits, can transport organisms to a quarantine facility.
Given that we are a team of just two, this can usually be done relatively cheaply. We can work out plans given the specifics of each project, but there is usually a base fee to cover travel expenses and a small salary, plus a fee depending on whether we are successful in achieving your goals. There is a lot of flexibility. We can look into getting any necessary accreditations to work with organizations in your region.
It can be difficult for quarantine or insectary entomologists, pathologists, or people in other roles to take time away from their other responsibilities. Exploration also comes along with some degree of physical risk. We love doing this type of work, and also assume full responsibility for anything that happens during a trip.
Email: david@biocontrolexploration.com
WhatsApp: +001 8056980121
