. What is biological control? Describe it in relation to natural predation and parasitism.

Biological control, also known as biocontrol, is a method of controlling pests, including insects, mites, weeds and plant diseases, using other living organisms. It relies on predation, parasitism, herbivory, or other natural mechanisms.

In relation to natural predation, biological control involves the introduction of natural enemies or predators of the pest species in an area to reduce their population. For example, ladybugs are often used as biological control agents against aphids in gardens and farms because they naturally prey on aphids.

Parasitism is another important aspect of biological control. Parasites are organisms that live on or in a host organism and cause harm to it. In the context of biological control, parasites are used to control pest populations. For example, certain types of wasps lay their eggs inside specific pests. When the eggs hatch, the larvae feed on the host pest, eventually killing it.

In both cases, the goal of biological control is to suppress pest populations to levels that are not economically damaging, rather than completely eradicating the pest. This is because a certain level of pests can actually stimulate more effective predation or parasitism.