Semiochemicals for the detection of biocontrol agents of invasive insect and plant species

The implementations of new biological control programs using insects to control the spread of invasive plant- and insect pests are often hampered early on in the process by not being able to detect the released biocontrol agents in the field. Most of these early releases of the biocontrol agents involve relatively low numbers of insect that can quickly diluted in the environment and successful population establishment is therefore difficult to access. Semiochemicals can be used as practical detection tools in those instances with no visual proof of the target insects. In cases of successful population establishment, semiochemicals-based monitoring tools can be used to tract dispersal, population densities, and other population parameters. Three examples of semiochemicals for the detection of biocontrol agents of invasive insect and plant species will be highlighted with; 1) Galerucella calmariensis and G. pusilla (Coleoptera: Chrysomelidae) with Purple Loosestrife (Lythrum salicaria) plants; 2) Diorhabda spp. (Coleoptera: Chrysomelidae) with Saltcedar (Tamarix spp.) plants and; 3) Spathius agrili (Hymenoptera: Braconidae) a potential biocontrol agent of the invasive Emerald Ash Borer Agrilus planipennisi (Coleoptera: Buprestidae).