Measuring genetic variation in natural enemies used for biological control: why and how?

Abstract

This paper explores why it is usually considered to be of prime importance to quantify the intrapopulation genetic variability in the biological attributes of insect parasitoids, and presents the different experimental and statistical methods that can be used to quantify such a level of genetic variation in quantitative biological traits. An exhaustive analysis of the results available in the literature is presented. Finally, the choice of the biological attributes that need to be studied for better pest control efficacy by parasitoids is considered.