Thirty Years of Research and Professional Work in the Field of Biological Control (Predators, Parasitoids, Entomopathogenic and Parasitic Nematodes) in Slovenia: A Review

Abstract

This paper provides the first detailed presentation of research and professional activities in the field of biological control in Slovenia during the period of 1990–2020. It presents information on the important pioneering role of Prof. Dr. Lea Milevoj in biological control research in Slovenia, especially in regard to the inventorying and laboratory rearing of indigenous beneficial organisms, evaluation of the influence of food type on the feeding behaviour of beneficial organisms, participation in the first introduction of a natural enemy within the context of classical biological control in Slovenia, preparation of rules on the biological control of plant pests and publication of the first Slovenian monograph on biological control. The paper also describes the activities of Slovenian researchers in regard to entomopathogenic nematodes, especially related to the assessment of their presence and efficiency in suppressing harmful insects and the identification of indigenous parasitic nematodes associated with economically harmful slugs. The paper also notes some applicative and basic research projects pertaining to parasitoids, especially in terms of their function as natural enemies of aphids, and in regard to predators of harmful insects and mites, especially predatory mites. The main goal of these activities is to implement the use of as many natural enemies as possible in food and ornamental plant production systems to replace the use of plant protection products.