Biological control consists of the
introduction of benefi cial predatory or parasitic
species into cultivation systems where they were
previously absent or present only at low population
levels. This technique is designed to negatively
affect specifi c target species that could otherwise
become pests or infectious agents (GLIESSMAN,
2001). Susceptibility to pests is a general refl ection
of plant health, which can be negatively infl uenced
by poor soil fertility management (NICHOLLS &
ALTIERI, 2007). One of the objectives of biological
control is to assure that the benefi cial organism to
be introduced can complete its lifecycle at the site,
and then reproduce with suffi cient effi ciency to
become a permanent resident of the agrosystem.
Frequently, however, the niche conditions available
to the benefi cial introduced organism do not
fully satisfy its long-term needs, requiring its
reintroduction (GLIESSMAN, 2001). Changes in
production practices and the use of agricultural
additives are often necessary for biological control
to be successful. Integrated Pest Management (IPM)
is an alternative to unilateral intervention strategies
using agrochemicals, with a wider focus on the
ecology of the insect pests as well as the crop plants,
based on the use of complementary tactics and the
adoption of cultivation techniques that favor plant
diversity. Pest control in this type of approach is
initially based on natural agents such as pathogens,