Benefits and risks associated with exotic biological control agents

Keywords	Exotic natural enemies, invasive alien species
Convenors	Roy H.
Liaison-Officer	–
Structure	This group was very recently founded at a meeting in Brussels in 2007 attended by some 35 researchers from 9 European countries and Russia. Thus activities are just starting and numbers of active members is likely to increase soon.
General aim	The goal of the group is to offer a forum for exchange of information and to stimulate contacts and cooperation between scientists working in the field of benefits and risks of exotic biological control agents.

Specific aims	To assess the characteristics of exotic natural enemies which are considered to be successful biological control agents To assess the characteristics of exotic natural enemies introduced into a country as biological control agents which subsequently become invasive alien species To highlight research areas requiring attention and develop strategies for supporting priority research Ongoing development of guidelines on assessing environmental benefits and risks of releasing exotic biological control agents to increase cogency of decision making on classical biological control initiatives

Activities	It is planned to use Harmonia axyridis as a model system but include other exotic arthropods and microbials in the future. A meeting of 35 scientists from 9 European countries and Russia took place in Brussels on 13 March 2007. Strategies regarding the harlequin ladybird, including identification of gaps and overlaps in current research, were discussed. advertising the COST action submission advertising Aphidophaga PDFs of presentations

Achievements	–

Contact	Roy H.