Ecological pest management for emerging pest problems

摘要

Since the beginning of agriculture, around 12 000 years ago, humans have been struggling to reduce the adverse effects of pests on crop production and storage. The development of synthetic pesticides revolutionised pest management in agriculture. However, ecological and human health risks, together with the economic costs of heavy reliance on chemical pesticides have become more apparent. In this context, it is relevant to recall Julian Huxley's lines in his preface to Rachel Carson's revolutionary book, "Silent Spring": "Pest control is of course necessary and desirable, but it is an ecological matter, and cannot be handed over entirely to the chemists".