PPQ employees and cooperators distribute 
parasites of leafy spurge in Montana rangeland 
where this exotic weed has displaced native 
forage plants. 
outside the country, in Guatemala. 
PPQ also works collaboratively on 
international research projects with 
organizations like the North 
American Plant Pest Organization 
and other cooperators or trading 
partners. New pest advisory 
groups, science panels, and other 
ad hoc advisory and regulatory 
organizations are formed by PPQ 
to respond to new pest finds, 
evaluate current pest programs, 
and deal with other phytosanitary 
issues. 
Monitoring and Managing 
Certain Pests: Keeping the 
Damage Under Control 
PPQ is also responsible for the 
operational aspects of APHIS’ 
biological control programs, which 
mobilize the natural enemies of 
weeds and pests—foes such as 
predatory beetles, parasites, and 
diseases. PPQ biological control 
laboratories are located at Niles, 
Ml, Mission, TX, and Bozeman, 
MT. The National Biological 
Control Institute (NBCI), formed in 
1990 and now a part of PPQ’s 
Center for Plant Health Science 
and Technology, facilitates 
biocontrol efforts throughout the 
country. Its mission is to promote, 
facilitate, and provide leadership 
for biological control. NBCI’s main 
work is to compile and release 
technical information and coordi- 
nate the work needed to find, 
identify, and augment or distribute 
new biological control agents. 
NBCI publicizes significant 
activities, cosponsors and partici- 
pates in meetings and exhibitions, 
encourages documentation and 
evaluation of biological control 
releases, and provides training in 
and educational resources on 
biological control. 
Various agencies have success- 
fully cooperated on biocontrol 
projects. For example, several 
decades ago, scientists from 
USDA's Agricultural Research 
Service (ARS) found in Europe six 
species of stingless wasps that 
keep alfalfa weevils in check. In 
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