Biological control of weeds in Australia: The last 120 years

The development of the field biological control weeds in Australia is described, from first attempts 1903 to present day. interest sparked by obvious success prickly pear program, apparent 1930 1935, resulted several programs during next 20 years, followed a decline activity until 1970s when increased enormously following skeleton weed program and effective use plant pathogen for time. This momentum was maintained beginning century with successes marked important advances genetic profiling, host-specificity testing, economic evaluation, conflict resolution ecology insect/plant interactions, including evaluation effectiveness individual introductions. Biological has proved be valuable approach management 39% all considered produce complete or near-complete control, 30.5% partial an average benefit–cost ratio 23:1. Funding research been variable late 1990s but significant increase again since 2020.