Robert van den Bosch (31 March 1922 – 19 November 1978) was an American entomologist and proponent for the management of insect pests without the use of insecticides and especially through biological control.
[1][2] The Pesticide Conspiracy was first published in 1978 and reviewers noted that van den Bosch was angry at the pest control industry which he accused of being dishonest, irresponsible and dangerous.
He examined how the industry and its financial clout had managed to control the university scientists and maintain their grip on farmers and their practices.
[3] Paul R. Ehrlich, a friend of Robert noted in preface to the posthumous 1989 edition that many of the farm leaders who had tried to oppose the grip of industry on agriculture including Cesar Chaves and Dolores Huerta had been physically attacked.
[4] Van den Bosch's main research focus was in biological control and integrated pest management.