THE IMPACT OF BIOLOGICAL CONTROL ON THE DEVELOPMENT OF THE PACIFIC

Abstract The roots of development of any country are complex and many-sided. It is ambitious to attempt to assess the role of our small discipline in the development of the Pacific. Yet, benefits from biological control in this region have been substantial and reflected as economic and cultural improvements for several programs. Impacts are seen most clearly during periods of early development, when agriculture was a major component of a region's economy. Hence, we focus on the very early or broadly significant programs. Early programs are centered in Hawaii, Australia, California, Fiji, Mexico and Peru; other examples involved various Pacific countries or islands. Australia has benefitted most, as a result of the successful control of prickly pear and other weeds, rabbits and other pests in vast agricultural areas. California continued her threatened development, when control of the cottony cushion scale and St. Johnswort was achieved. Similarly Hawaii (sugarcane), Fiji (coconut and pastures), Peru (cotton), Mexico (citrus), and New Zealand (forests) have all seen their economies boosted when biological control of pests of the commodities indicated and others, was successfully achieved.