Paul DeBach advocated that the first and most important step in exotic pest control should be the discovery, importation and colonization of natural enemies from abroad. The great majority of successful cases in biological control have resulted from this classical biological control approach. Of course, conservation, preservation and augmentation of natural enemies are also indispensable to achieving success, but first there must be effective natural enemies to conserve and enhance. Natural enemies are the resource base for biological control.

The importation of natural enemies is accomplished through the quarantine laboratory. Quarantine is thus the link that allows for reuniting or uniting natural enemies with pest species. The containment aspects of the quarantine laboratory also provide safeguards against the introduction of undesirable organisms such as plant pests. All in all, progress in biological control by natural enemies is largely dependent on the safe and timely operation of the quarantine laboratory.

The following booklet describes the procedures for operation of the Biological Control Quarantine Laboratory at Texas A&M University. It is hoped that this booklet will benefit others involved in the importation of natural enemies for utilization in biological control.

Mike Rose
Biological Control Laboratory
Texas A&M University

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Last modified: April 16, 1996 by J. A. Jackman