Which biocontrol approach focuses on conserving or augmenting native herbivores to suppress pests?

• A. Conservation or augmentation of native herbivores
• B. Classical importation of host-specific organisms
• C. Inundate with pathogens or insects from outside
• D. General feeders or non host-specific species

Answer: (A)

The main idea here is using what’s already in the environment to keep pests in check by maintaining or increasing the populations of native natural enemies. When you conserve or augment native predators or parasitoids, you’re boosting the organisms that naturally attack the pests, so pest numbers drop without introducing new species. Since these agents are adapted to the local climate and the local pest, they’re more likely to provide long-term, self-sustaining suppression and often cause fewer unintended effects on non-target species. Practical ways to do this include reducing or avoiding broad-spectrum pesticides that kill beneficials, and providing resources for adult natural enemies—like flowering plants for nectar and shelter for overwintering—or releasing additional individuals to boost numbers when necessary. This contrasts with bringing in foreign enemies, flooding the area with exotic pathogens or insects, or using generalist predators that may threaten non-target species; those approaches rely on non-native agents or less selective impacts, whereas conserving native natural enemies centers on the locally existing biological control community.