The Biological Control program's core mission is to contribute to biological control technology by sponsoring and cooperating in projects to enhance the use of natural enemies (parasites, predators, and pathogens) and by offering leadership, expertise and information about biological control technology and its implementation in integrated pest management programs.
- Biocontrol of arthropds: hemlock woolly adelgid (Adelges tsugae) in the eastern U.S; pine tip moth (Rhyacionia frustrana) in southeastern U.S.; and beech scale (Crytococcus fagisuga) in the eastern U.S.
- Biocontrol of weeds: mile-a-minute weed (Polygonum perfoliatum) in the eastern U.S. and Japanese knotweed (Fallopia japonica), garlic mustard (Alliaria petiolata) and common buckthorn (Rhamnus frangula) in the eastern and western U.S.; and cogongrass (Imperata cylindrica) in the southeastern U.S.
The Biological Control program provides support nationwide to the Forest Service's State and Private Forestry staffs, National Forest staffs, other U.S. Department of Agriculture and the U.S. Department of the Interior staffs, and other federal, state, and local, and international organizations involved in pest management. |