More than 5000 introductions of about 2000 species of exotic arthropod agents for control of arthropod pests in 196 countries or islands during the past 120 years rarely have resulted in negative environmental effects. Yet, risks of environmental effects caused by releases of exotics are of growing concern. Twenty countries have implemented regulations for release of biological control agents. Soon, the International Standard for Phytosanitary Measures (ISPM3) will become the standard for all biological control introductions worldwide, but this standard does not provide methods by which to assess environmental risks. This review summarizes documented nontarget effects and discusses the development and application of comprehensive and quick-scan environmental risk assessment methods.

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Can. Ent. 116: 1097-1 107 (1984) Superparasitism and multiple parasitism of the pea aphid, Acyrthosiphonpisum (Harris), by the solitary hymenopterous parasites Aphidius smithi Sharma & Subba Rao and Prnon pequodorum Viereck were studied in the laboratory. In intraspecific competition, an older larva usually eliminated a younger one; exceptions to this rule depended on the relative age difference and developmental stage of the competitors. In interspecific competition, P. pequodorum was intrinsically superior to A. smithi. regardless of the latter's age. The stage of host parasitized and the number of competing larvae had no significant effect on the outcome of the contest. A. smithi females discriminated against aphids previously parasitized by a conspecific female or by P . pequodorum, the degree of oviposition restraint increasing with the time between ovipositions. P. pequodorum females attacked aphids already parasitized by A. smithi, regardless of the age of the Aphidius larva, but avoided oviposition when the aphid contained a Praon larva or embryo. The rate of embryonic development is shown as a major factor in contest-type competition between first-stage larvae. dkveloppement des comp6titeurs. Dans les cas de compktition interspkcifique, P. pequodorum s'est rtvklk intrinskquement supkrieur a A. smithi, peu importe I'dge de ce dernier. Le stade de l'h6te parasitk et le nombre de larves concurrentes n'ont pas eu d'effet significatif sur le rksultat de la comp6tition. Les femelles d'A. smithi ont discrimink les hbtes dCjB parasitks par une femelle conspkcifique ou parP. pequodorum, le degr6 restriction de l'oviposition augmentant avec le temps ecoulk entre les ovipositions. Les femelles de P. pequodorum ont attaquC les pucerons dCjB parasitks par A. smithi peu importe I'dge de la larve d'Aphidius, mais ont 6vitC la ponte dans un puceron contenant une larve ou un embryon de Praon. La vitesse de dCveloppement embryonnaire apparait comme facteur d'importance majeure dans la comp6tition de type concurrence entre larves de premier stade.

Can. Enr. 121: 829L840 (1989) The new association approach for selecting biological control agents has been reanalyzed in the light of recent data. The results support the conclusion that the new association approach is ecologically and statistically sound. One of the major advantages of this approach is its capacity to control native pests, which make up 60430% of all pests. The specificity of biocontrol agents newly associated with the target hosts is similar to other biocontrol agents. In addition, the new association approach is as safe as the old association approach in terms of environmental risks. Recent trials in the use of new associations have been most encouraging, and suggest that this approach should contribute to the future success of biological pest control worldwide.La mCthode qui consiste i rechercher une association nouvelle pour la sClection d'agents de lutte biologique a 6th r6analysCe i la lumibre de donnhs rkentes. Les rksultats appuyent la conclusion que la methode de l'association nouvelle est Ccologiquement et statistiquement fondee. L'un des principaux avantages de cette mCthode est la possibilitk de rkprimer des ravageurs indigknes, lesquels constituent de 60-80% de tous les ravageurs. La spkcificit6 des agents nouvellement associks avec des h6tes ciblCs est semblable aux autres agents. De plus, la mCthode de I'assocation nouvelle est aussi sCcuritaire que celle de l'association prCalable en termes de risques environnementaux. Des essais rCcents d'utilisation d'associations nouvelles se sont avCrCs tr&s encourageants et indiquent que cette mCthode devrait contribuer significativement au succbs futur de la lutte biologique dans le monde.