During the years 1998 through 2004, and 2010 to 2012, when based at the European Biological Control laboratory (EBCL) in France, one USDA-ARS overseas laboratory, Kim Hoelmer has been a very active scientist in conducting classical biological control of insect pests including but not limited to two agricultural US pests, Lygus spp. (Hemiptera: Miridae) on alfafa and Bactrocera oleae (Diptera: Tephritidae) on olives. This presentation highlights how his pioneer efforts at the onset of the olive fruit fly biocontrol program have led to significant achievements. Kim has developed an excellent knowledge of foreign exploration, especially in Africa and Asia, where he still maintains reliable contacts. He was also involved in mass rearing of parasitoids in EBCL quarantine facilities. As a scientist and later as a Director of EBCL, he was instrumental in considering the importance of the genetic variation captured from in wild populations of biocontrol agents on biocontrol efficacy and on its use to improve the efficacy of biocontrol agents’ traits. His work has contributed to the release along coastal areas of California as early as 2005 of the olive larval parasitoid, Psyttalia lounsburyi (Hymenoptera: Braconidae) originated from two regions in Africa and its establishment.
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