Biological Control

Biological control harnesses the power of natural enemies—predators, parasitoids, pathogens and competitors—to reduce pest populations in a sustainable and ecologically sound manner. Classical biological control introduces specialist agents from a pest’s native range to establish long-term regulation, whereas augmentative approaches deploy mass-reared organisms at key crop stages. Conservation biological control strengthens resident antagonists by enhancing habitat structure, floral resources and non-crop refuges. Recent advances in remote sensing, phenological modelling and high-throughput genomics enable precise selection of host-specific agents and prediction of establishment outcomes. By alleviating reliance on synthetic pesticides, biological control safeguards non-target organisms, slows resistance development and supports ecosystem services such as pollination, nutrient cycling and natural pest regulation. Across weed, insect and nematode systems, integrated deployment of biological control underpins climate-resilient agriculture and contributes to global food security.

Research from Nature Portfolio

Investigations into nematode-trapping fungi have revealed sophisticated chemical signalling underpinning their predatory switch. A dual-localised G-protein-coupled receptor in Arthrobotrys flagrans recognises nematode pheromones at both the cell surface and within mitochondria, synchronising trap development with heightened respiration. In parallel, studies of Duddingtonia flagrans identified a polyketide-derived methyl-salicylic acid that serves as both a volatile attractant for Caenorhabditis elegans and a spatial regulator of trap formation. These discoveries illuminate multi-kingdom chemical dialogues and suggest strategies for enhancing the efficacy of fungal biocontrol agents against plant-parasitic nematodes. Meanwhile, field-scale restoration trials in the Indian Himalaya have applied a phenological framework to restore habitats invaded by Lantana camara. Sequential planting of competitive native grasses, shrubs and trees at key growth stages has suppressed the invader, re-established diverse plant communities and reduced reliance on mechanical clearance, demonstrating how ecological insights can optimise classical weed biocontrol.

Research from all publishers

Aerial deployment of Galerucella calmariensis against wetland purple loosestrife has been transformed by drone-based systems integrating multispectral detection and automated release mechanisms. Trials show that elevations up to 15 m above canopy can achieve accurate target identification and maintain beetle viability and feeding efficacy, extending classical control into inaccessible habitats. In horticultural systems, strips of Cnidium monnieri intercropped with cereals have been shown to function as reservoirs of predatory mites, with pollen and nectar resources sustaining predator abundance and diversity over time. Laboratory assays confirm that mites dispersing from these strips suppress pest mite populations on adjacent crops, illustrating how conservation biocontrol can be bolstered by tailored plantings. Complementing these approaches, integrated management of the invasive Mimosa pigra in tropical floodplain habitats has combined targeted herbivore introductions, mechanical removal and restoration with native endophyte-enhanced seedlings. This multi-modal strategy, informed by allelopathic and symbiotic traits of the invader, achieved durable suppression of M. pigra stands and holds promise for large-scale wetland restoration.

Biological Control publication trend

The graph below shows the total number of articles in biological control across all publications each year (not limited to Nature Index journals).

Technical terms

Augmentative release: Supplemental periodic or inundative release of mass-reared natural enemies to enhance suppression of a target pest.

Host specificity: The degree to which a biological control agent restricts its feeding, development or reproduction to one or a few closely related host species, minimising non-target effects.

G-protein-coupled receptor (GPCR): A membrane and mitochondrial receptor that transduces extracellular chemical signals into cellular responses, here triggering fungal trap development.

Phenological framework: The study of timing and sequence of life-cycle events, used to align agent releases or restoration plantings with vulnerable stages of the target species.

Methyl-salicylic acid (MSA): A polyketide-derived volatile produced by predatory fungi, acting as both a morphogen controlling trap formation and a chemoattractant for nematode prey.

References

1. GprC of the nematode-trapping fungus Arthrobotrys flagrans activates mitochondria and reprograms fungal cells for nematode hunting. Nature Microbiology (2024).
2. Fatal attraction of Caenorhabditis elegans to predatory fungi through 6-methyl-salicylic acid. Nature Communications (2021).
3. Investigating the phenology and interactions of competitive plant species co-occurring with invasive Lantana camara in Indian Himalayan Region. Scientific Reports (2024).
4. Aerial Systems for Releasing Natural Enemy Insects of Purple Loosestrife Using Drones. Drones (2024).
5. Intercropped Plants Provide a Reservoir of Predatory Mites in Coffee Crop. Agriculture (2023).
6. Invasive Mechanisms of One of the World’s Worst Alien Plant Species Mimosa pigra and Its Management. Plants (2023).