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Incorporating ecological realism into biological control risk assessment.
George E Heimpel1, Mark G Wright2
1Department of Entomology, University of Minnesota, 1980 Folwell Ave., St. Paul, MN, USA.
Current Opinion in Insect Science
|April 3, 2026
Summary
Biological control has evolved with improved risk assessment, integrating ecological realism to better predict non-target effects. Benefit-risk analyses now quantify conservation gains against potential harms, guiding evidence-based introductions.
Area of Science:
- Ecology
- Conservation Biology
- Entomology
Background:
- Classical biological control faced criticism for non-target effects, leading to a shift towards risk assessment in the 1990s.
- Laboratory-determined host ranges often overestimate real-world risks, necessitating more ecologically realistic assessment methods.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review advancements in biological control risk assessment and benefit-risk analysis.
- To highlight the integration of ecological realism and novel frameworks for improved decision-making in biological control introductions.
Main Methods:
- Incorporation of dispersal data, encounter probabilities, and ecological refuges into risk predictions.
- Development of benefit-risk analysis frameworks using common metrics like effects on native biodiversity.
Main Results:
- Ecologically realistic risk assessments refine predictions of non-target impacts.
- Benefit-risk analyses provide a quantitative basis for evaluating conservation benefits versus potential harms.
Conclusions:
- Modern biological control decision-making is enhanced by integrating ecological realism and comprehensive benefit-risk frameworks.
- Future directions include integrating phylogenetic tools, expanding benefit-risk analyses to economic and health dimensions, and applying principles to new pest management technologies.
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