TY  - JOUR
T1  - Traits before Taxonomy: Predicting Which Predators, Parasitoids, and Entomopathogens Will Persist and Perform in Biological-Control Programmes
A1  - Thomas Jensen
A1  - Mikkel Hansen
A1  - George Papadopoulos
A1  - Eleni Georgiou
JF  - Entomology and Applied Science Letters
JO  - Entomol Appl Sci Lett
SN  - 2349-2864
Y1  - 2025
VL  - 12
IS  - 3
DO  - 10.51847/zMoDK8ivmH
SP  - 37
EP  - 46
N2  - Biological-control programmes frequently begin with taxonomic identification and evidence that a predator, parasitoid, or entomopathogen can attack a target organism. These criteria are necessary for candidate characterization but are insufficient for predicting whether an agent will locate susceptible targets, reproduce under the intended environmental conditions, persist after release, suppress pest populations, and remain compatible with crops, management practices, non-target organisms, and surrounding landscapes. This theory article addresses the absence of an integrated selection logic linking measurable natural-enemy traits to successive biological-control outcomes. It develops a proposed Trait–Context–Transition theory by synthesizing evidence concerning foraging, dispersal, host-finding, reproductive, thermal, developmental, persistence, interaction, and environmental-compatibility traits across predators, parasitoids, and entomopathogens. The synthesis indicates that functional suitability is relational rather than taxonomically predetermined: trait effects depend on the target population, crop or habitat, spatial configuration, seasonal conditions, management exposure, and the traits of co-occurring organisms. Favourable individual traits may improve particular processes but cannot establish that a candidate possesses a high-performing trait combination. Likewise, controlled performance cannot demonstrate post-release establishment, and establishment cannot demonstrate effective or environmentally compatible suppression. The proposed theory therefore organizes candidate assessment around sequential transitions from encounter and attack to demographic growth, establishment, persistence, suppression, and benefit–risk evaluation. Its principal limitations are the heterogeneity of trait definitions, inconsistent outcome boundaries, scarcity of prospective multi-context comparisons, and frequent substitution of laboratory or short-term endpoints for population-level outcomes. The central implication is that agent selection should combine operational trait measurement, explicit context matching, interaction testing, uncertainty reporting, and transition-specific validation rather than relying on taxonomy, isolated performance measures, or unvalidated composite rankings.
UR  - https://easletters.com/article/traits-before-taxonomy-predicting-which-predators-parasitoids-and-entomopathogens-will-persist-an-vcrhntxlkgqbubr
ER  -