Natural enemies can effectively reduce pest populations when they coincide spatially and temporally with those populations. Therefore, along with temporal synchronization, the spatial association of pests and natural enemies is also necessary to increase the efficiency of biological control. The aims of this review were to assess the current state of knowledge concerning the spatial association of pests and their natural enemies in agro-ecosystems, evaluate its application in precision pest management programs and highlight the relevant gaps in the existing literature. Spatial analysis by distance indices (SADIE) and geostatistics are adequate sets of statistical tools used to study spatial patchiness and association of pests and natural enemies, especially in field crops. Spatial association between pests and natural enemies is dynamic and many biotic and abiotic factors can influence it. According to the literature, there are important gaps in the research about the spatial association of pests and natural enemies in orchards and stored products, as well as about the effects of environmental factors on the spatial association between these organisms. Mapping the spatial distribution and association of pests and natural enemies’ populations has not been used in precision biological control until recently. Precision applications focus on the targeted application of agricultural inputs in management zones rather than whole-field treatments. Information about spatial distribution and association of pests and natural enemies can be used to improve pest management practices through precision or site-specific applications of chemical and biological control measures.

当天敌在空间和时间上与这些种群重合时，它们可以有效地减少害虫种群。因此，除了时间同步外，害虫和天敌的空间关联也是提高生物防治效率的必要条件。本综述的目的是评估农业生态系统中害虫及其天敌空间关联的知识现状，评估其在精准害虫管理计划中的应用，并突出现有文献中的相关空白。距离指数空间分析 (SADIE) 和地统计学是用于研究害虫和天敌的空间斑块性和关联性的适当统计工具集，尤其是在大田作物中。害虫与天敌之间的空间关联是动态的，许多生物和非生物因素都会对其产生影响。根据文献，在果园和贮藏产品中害虫和天敌的空间关联以及环境因素对这些生物之间的空间关联的影响方面的研究存在重要空白。绘制害虫和天敌种群的空间分布和关联直到最近才用于精确的生物控制。精准应用侧重于农业投入品在管理区的针对性应用，而不是全田处理。