Biological control is an approach to reducing populations of harmful organisms with natural enemies. Organisms introduced from other parts of the world are called exotic or nonindigenous, as opposed to native or indigenous organisms. Pests may be introduced into the United States and become established without natural enemies to keep them in check. Biological control of nonindigenous organisms involves finding a pests native complement of natural enemies, and introducing these natural enemies into the new area where the pest has become established. Attempts to manage nonindigenous pests such as the mole cricket and the aquatic weed hydrilla in Florida are ongoing. All nonindigenous natural enemies must be carefully studied prior to release in order to determine that they will not have an adverse environmental or economic impact.

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