What does "host specific" mean in relation to biological control agents?

The term "host specific" refers to an organism that relies on a particular pest as its food source or host for survival and reproduction. When discussing biological control agents, which are typically natural predators, parasites, or pathogens used to manage pest populations, host specificity is a crucial characteristic.

A biological control agent that is host specific tends to target only a single pest species or a narrow range of closely related species. This selectivity is important for effective pest management because it minimizes non-target effects on beneficial organisms and the ecosystem as a whole. By focusing their impact primarily on a specific pest, these agents can effectively reduce pest populations without causing significant harm to other species.

Understanding host specificity allows pest managers to select biological control agents that will effectively manage target pests while preserving beneficial organisms in the environment.