Classical biological control experiences and opportunities from Mexico, a megadiverse country and center of crop domestication

Mexico has a rich history and significant expertise in biological control and is a megadiverse country and center of crop domestication. The latter two features are particularly relevant to classical biological control because megadiverse countries are frequent locations for biological control problems, and crop domestication centers are regular sources of biological control solutions for other regions. Aside from species richness, Mexican megadiversity implies a diversity of environments in which numerous non-native crops, particularly susceptible to invasive pests, are cultivated (e.g., citrus, coffee, sugarcane). Also, many crops originating from Mexico are cultivated worldwide (e.g., maize, chili pepper, avocado) and associated herbivores and pests in Mexico frequently become invasive pests elsewhere. We reviewed six case studies in which Mexico was either a stage for biological control of invasive pests on introduced and native crops, or a source of biological control solutions for invasive pests of Mexican crops elsewhere. First, we reviewed biological control efforts in Mexico targeting coffee berry borer (Hypothenemus hampei), pink hibiscus mealybug (Maconellicoccus hirsutus), and Asian citrus psyllid (Diaphorina citri). Second, we reviewed potential solutions for classical biological control of native Mexican pests in other regions: fall armyworm (Spodoptera frugiperda) in Africa, Asia, and Oceania; false carmine cochineal scale (Dactylopius opuntiae) in the Mediterranean; and pepper weevil (Anthonomus eugenii) in Canada and Europe. We concluded by discussing how Mexico, and megadiverse and center of crop domestication countries, generally, are rich sources of experiences and solutions for managing invasive pests worldwide.