Cost of Biological Control of Weeds by Insects in Canada

Abstract

The purpose of the paper is to permit the calculation of prospective costs before starting the biological control of a weed. The cost of the Canadian program from its start in 1950 to the end of 1976 was tabulated in scientist-years by target weed, agent, and the type of study done. This information and international data on the number of agents required to control a weed were used to calculate expected costs. A complete biological control program is likely to cost 18.8–23.7 scientist-years or currently $1.2 to 1.5 million and thus is only economic for use against major weeds. However, it is often possible to capitalize on studies done elsewhere, and under these circumstances biological control may be economic for solving more minor weed problems.