>There are many examples of successful classical biological control programs. One of the earliest successes was with the cottony cushion scale, a pest that was devastating the California citrus industry in the late 1800s. A predatory insect, the vedalia beetle, and a parasitoid fly were introduced from Australia. Within a few years the cottony cushion scale was completely controlled by these introduced natural enemies. Damage from the alfalfa weevil, a serious introduced pest of forage, was substantially reduced by the introduction of several natural enemies. About 20 years after their introduction, the alfalfa acreage treated for alfalfa weevil in the northeastern United States was reduced by 75 percent. A small wasp, Trichogramma ostriniae, introduced from China to help control the European corn borer, is a recent example of a long history of classical biological control efforts for this major pest. Many classical biological control programs for insect pests and weeds are under way across the United States and Canada.

SEE:
http://www.nysaes.cornell.edu/ent/biocontrol/

> Defra-funded research by Warwick HRI and Rothamsted Research has shown that entomopathogenic fungi have the potential to control varroa.  In an initial feasibility study we reviewed the scientific literature on the natural enemies of mites and ticks, including predators, parasitoids and entomopathogens, and ranked them as potential biological control agents of varroa.  Entomopathogenic fungi were identified as the best candidates for testing against varroa.

> Forty isolates of fungi from six genera (Beauveria, Hirsutella, Paecilomyces, Metarhizium, Tolypocladium, Lecanicillium) were assessed against varroa mites in this bioassay, at 25OC and high humidity (> 95% RH).  All the isolates killed the mites and most killed them in less than 100h.  Selected isolates also caused high mortality at 30OC and 40% RH, in lab bioassays designed to reflect the physical conditions of a honey bee colony.

> A fungal biological control agent of varroa would be particularly valuable given the onset of pesticide resistance.  Application techniques that allow the mites to be treated quickly and effectively should be possible with entomopathogenic fungi, in which case biological control would be an option for commercial and enthusiast beekeepers alike. In addition, because the physical conditions inside honey bee colonies are similar everywhere, it is very likely that an efficient biocontrol agent of varroa could be used successfully throughout the world.

SEE:
http://www2.warwick.ac.uk/fac/sci/whri/

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