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Lami F, Burgio G, Magagnoli S, Depalo L, Lanzoni A, Frassineti E, Marotti I, Alpi M, Mercatante D, Rodriguez-Estrada MT, Dinelli G, Masetti A. The Effects of Natural Insecticides on the Green Peach Aphid Myzus persicae (Sulzer) and Its Natural Enemies Propylea quatuordecimpunctata (L.) and Aphidius colemani Viereck. INSECTS 2024; 15:556. [PMID: 39057288 PMCID: PMC11277335 DOI: 10.3390/insects15070556] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/25/2024] [Revised: 07/12/2024] [Accepted: 07/17/2024] [Indexed: 07/28/2024]
Abstract
Botanical insecticides and soaps are frequently proposed as environmentally safer alternatives to synthetic insecticides. However, the efficacy and selectivity of these products are often only partially supported by empirical evidence. Here, we tested the effectiveness of five botanical insecticides, belonging to different categories, on the green peach aphid Myzus persicae (Sulzer) and their selectivity towards two natural enemies, the ladybird beetle Propylea quatuordecimpunctata (L.) and the parasitoid Aphidius colemani (Dalman). White thyme essential oil (EO), sweet orange EO, crude garlic extract and Marseille soap were tested and compared with a pyrethrin-based commercial product. Both direct spray assays and residual contact assays on treated cabbage leaf disks were carried out. The tested products had low efficacy against aphids when compared to pyrethrins but were in general less detrimental to ladybird beetle larvae, meaning that if applied against other pests, they have a lower chance of harming this agent of aphid biocontrol. Some of the products (soap, orange EO) did, however, show direct exposure toxicity toward ladybird larvae, and thyme EO had extensive phytotoxic effects on cabbage leaves, possibly indirectly leading to higher mortality in ladybird adults. These results underline the necessity for case-by-case evaluations of botanical insecticides.
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Affiliation(s)
- Francesco Lami
- DISTAL-Department of Agricultural and Food Sciences, University of Bologna, 40127 Bologna, Italy; (G.B.); (S.M.); (L.D.); (A.L.); (E.F.); (I.M.); (M.A.); (D.M.); (M.T.R.-E.); (G.D.); (A.M.)
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Fu X, Cao Y, Dong X, Chang J, Huo Z, Meng R. Functional responses of two species of predatory mites (Acari: Phytoseiidae) to eggs and first-instar nymphs of Bactericera Gobica Logniova (Homoptera: Psyllidae). EXPERIMENTAL & APPLIED ACAROLOGY 2024; 93:197-210. [PMID: 38869725 DOI: 10.1007/s10493-024-00920-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/25/2024] [Accepted: 04/29/2024] [Indexed: 06/14/2024]
Abstract
The goji berry psyllid, Bactericera gobica Logniova (Homoptera: Psyllidae), is one of the most important pests on goji berry plants (Lycium barbarum L.), whose fruits are widely used in traditional Chinese medicine and food. However, chemical control is still the predominant control strategy of this pest. Recently, two species of predatory mites, Neoseiulus setarius Ma, Meng & Fan and Neoseiulus barkeri Hughes were found to be associated with B. gobica in China. To assess their predation potential against B. gobica, the functional responses of these two phytoseiid species feeding on different densities (2, 4, 8, 12, 16, 24 and 32 individuals) of B. gobica eggs and 1st instar nymphs were compared at a temperature of 25ºC ± 1º C. Logistic regression analysis revealed that both predatory mite species exhibited type Holling-II functional responses on eggs and 1st instar nymphs of B. gobica, with the predation number increased for both predators as the density of prey increased. Overall, N. setarius consumed more prey compared to N. barkeri across all levels of prey densities. Meanwhile, the highest attack rate (α = 0.0283), the lowest handling time (Th = 1.1324 h prey- 1), and the highest estimated maximum predation rate (T/Th = 21.19 prey day- 1) were all observed for N. setarius fed with 1st instar nymphs of B. gobica. These findings suggest that it is worthy considering utilizing N. setarius and N. barkeri as candidate biocontrol agents of B. gobica, with N. setarius appearing to be a more effective predator than N. barkeri.
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Affiliation(s)
- XiaoTong Fu
- College of Horticulture and Plant Protection, Inner Mongolia Agricultural University, Hohhot, Inner Mongolia, China
| | - YuanZhi Cao
- College of Horticulture and Plant Protection, Inner Mongolia Agricultural University, Hohhot, Inner Mongolia, China
| | - XinTong Dong
- College of Horticulture and Plant Protection, Inner Mongolia Agricultural University, Hohhot, Inner Mongolia, China
| | - Jing Chang
- College of Horticulture and Plant Protection, Inner Mongolia Agricultural University, Hohhot, Inner Mongolia, China
| | - ZhiJia Huo
- College of Horticulture and Plant Protection, Inner Mongolia Agricultural University, Hohhot, Inner Mongolia, China
| | - RuiXia Meng
- College of Horticulture and Plant Protection, Inner Mongolia Agricultural University, Hohhot, Inner Mongolia, China.
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3
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Boetzl FA, Sponsler D, Albrecht M, Batáry P, Birkhofer K, Knapp M, Krauss J, Maas B, Martin EA, Sirami C, Sutter L, Bertrand C, Baillod AB, Bota G, Bretagnolle V, Brotons L, Frank T, Fusser M, Giralt D, González E, Hof AR, Luka H, Marrec R, Nash MA, Ng K, Plantegenest M, Poulin B, Siriwardena GM, Tscharntke T, Tschumi M, Vialatte A, Van Vooren L, Zubair-Anjum M, Entling MH, Steffan-Dewenter I, Schirmel J. Distance functions of carabids in crop fields depend on functional traits, crop type and adjacent habitat: a synthesis. Proc Biol Sci 2024; 291:20232383. [PMID: 38196355 PMCID: PMC10777163 DOI: 10.1098/rspb.2023.2383] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/20/2023] [Accepted: 12/01/2023] [Indexed: 01/11/2024] Open
Abstract
Natural pest and weed regulation are essential for agricultural production, but the spatial distribution of natural enemies within crop fields and its drivers are mostly unknown. Using 28 datasets comprising 1204 study sites across eight Western and Central European countries, we performed a quantitative synthesis of carabid richness, activity densities and functional traits in relation to field edges (i.e. distance functions). We show that distance functions of carabids strongly depend on carabid functional traits, crop type and, to a lesser extent, adjacent non-crop habitats. Richness of both carnivores and granivores, and activity densities of small and granivorous species decreased towards field interiors, whereas the densities of large species increased. We found strong distance decays in maize and vegetables whereas richness and densities remained more stable in cereals, oilseed crops and legumes. We conclude that carabid assemblages in agricultural landscapes are driven by the complex interplay of crop types, adjacent non-crop habitats and further landscape parameters with great potential for targeted agroecological management. In particular, our synthesis indicates that a higher edge-interior ratio can counter the distance decay of carabid richness per field and thus likely benefits natural pest and weed regulation, hence contributing to agricultural sustainability.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fabian A. Boetzl
- Department of Ecology, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences, Uppsala SE-750 07, Sweden
- Department of Animal Ecology and Tropical Biology, Biocenter, University of Würzburg, Am Hubland, Würzburg 97074 Germany
| | - Douglas Sponsler
- Department of Animal Ecology and Tropical Biology, Biocenter, University of Würzburg, Am Hubland, Würzburg 97074 Germany
| | - Matthias Albrecht
- Agroecology and Environment, Agroscope, Reckenholzstrasse 191, Zurich 8046, Switzerland
| | - Péter Batáry
- ‘Lendület’ Landscape and Conservation Ecology, Institute of Ecology and Botany, HUN-REN Centre for Ecological Research, 2163 Vácrátót, Alkotmány út 2-4, Hungary
| | - Klaus Birkhofer
- Department of Ecology, Brandenburg University of Technology Cottbus-Senftenberg, Cottbus 03046, Germany
| | - Michal Knapp
- Faculty of Environmental Sciences, Czech University of Life Sciences Prague, Kamýcká 129, Praha-Suchdol 165 00, Czech Republic
| | - Jochen Krauss
- Department of Animal Ecology and Tropical Biology, Biocenter, University of Würzburg, Am Hubland, Würzburg 97074 Germany
| | - Bea Maas
- Department of Botany and Biodiversity Research, Division of Biodiversity Dynamics and Conservation, University of Vienna, Rennweg 14, 1030 Vienna, Austria
| | - Emily A. Martin
- Department of Animal Ecology, Justus Liebig University Giessen, Heinrich-Buff-Ring 26-32, 35392 Giessen, Germany
| | - Clélia Sirami
- UMR Dynafor, INRAE, Toulouse University, 31326 Castanet Tolosan, France
- LTSER Zone Atelier « PYRÉNÉES GARONNE », 31320 Auzeville-Tolosane, France
| | - Louis Sutter
- Plant-Production Systems, Agroscope, Route des Eterpys 18, 1964 Conthey, Switzerland
| | - Colette Bertrand
- Université Paris-Saclay, INRAE, AgroParisTech, UMR EcoSys, 91120 Palaiseau, France
- INRAE, Institut Agro, ESA, UMR BAGAP, 35042 Rennes, France
| | - Aliette Bosem Baillod
- Research Institute of Organic Agriculture (FiBL), Ackerstrasse 113, Postfach, Frick 5070, Switzerland
| | - Gerard Bota
- Landscape Dynamics and Biodiversity Program, Forest Science and Technology Centre of Catalonia (CTFC), Crtra. Sant Llorenç de Morunys, km 2, 25280 Solsona, Spain
| | - Vincent Bretagnolle
- CEBC, UMR 7372, CNRS & La Rochelle Université, 79360 Villiers-en-Bois, France
- LTSER ‘Zone Atelier Plaine & Val de Sèvre’, CNRS, 79360 Villiers-en-Bois, France
| | - Lluís Brotons
- Landscape Dynamics and Biodiversity Program, Forest Science and Technology Centre of Catalonia (CTFC), Crtra. Sant Llorenç de Morunys, km 2, 25280 Solsona, Spain
- CREAF, Cerdanyola del Vallès 08193, Spain
- CSIC, Cerdanyola del Vallès 08193, Spain
| | - Thomas Frank
- Institute of Zoology, University of Natural Resources and Life Sciences, Vienna 1180, Austria
| | - Moritz Fusser
- iES Landau, Institute for Environmental Sciences, Ecosystem Analysis, University of Kaiserslautern-Landau, Fortstrasse 7, Landau 76829, Germany
| | - David Giralt
- Landscape Dynamics and Biodiversity Program, Forest Science and Technology Centre of Catalonia (CTFC), Crtra. Sant Llorenç de Morunys, km 2, 25280 Solsona, Spain
| | - Ezequiel González
- Faculty of Environmental Sciences, Czech University of Life Sciences Prague, Kamýcká 129, Praha-Suchdol 165 00, Czech Republic
- Instituto Multidisciplinario de Biología Vegetal (CONICET-Universidad Nacional de Córdoba), Av. Velez Sarsfield 1611, 5000 Córdoba, Argentina
| | - Anouschka R. Hof
- Wildlife Ecology and Conservation Group, Wageningen University, Droevendaalsesteeg 3, 6708 PB, Wageningen, the Netherlands
| | - Henryk Luka
- Research Institute of Organic Agriculture (FiBL), Ackerstrasse 113, Postfach, Frick 5070, Switzerland
| | - Ronan Marrec
- Ecologie et Dynamique des Systèmes Anthropisés (EDYSAN, UMR CNRS 7058), Université de Picardie Jules Verne, Amiens, France
| | - Michael A. Nash
- Department of Ecology, Environment & Evolution, School of Life Science, La Trobe University, Bundoora, Victoria 3086, Australia
| | - Katherina Ng
- Fenner School of Environment and Society, The Australian National University, Canberra, Australia
| | | | - Brigitte Poulin
- Tour du Valat Research Institute for the conservation of Mediterranean wetlands, Le Sambuc, 13200 Arles, France
| | | | - Teja Tscharntke
- Agroecology, Department of Crop Science, University of Göttingen, Göttingen, Germany
| | - Matthias Tschumi
- Agroecology and Environment, Agroscope, Reckenholzstrasse 191, Zurich 8046, Switzerland
- Swiss Ornithological Institute, Seerose 1, CH-6204 Sempach, Switzerland
| | - Aude Vialatte
- UMR Dynafor, INRAE, Toulouse University, 31326 Castanet Tolosan, France
- LTSER Zone Atelier « PYRÉNÉES GARONNE », 31320 Auzeville-Tolosane, France
| | - Laura Van Vooren
- Faculty of Bioscience Engineering, Department of Forest and Water Management, Forest & Nature Lab, Ghent University, Geraardsbergsesteenweg 267, 9090 Gontrode, Belgium
| | - Muhammad Zubair-Anjum
- Department of Zoology & Biology, Faculty of Sciences, Pir Mehr Ali Shah Arid Agriculture University Rawalpindi, Rawalpindi, Pakistan
| | - Martin H. Entling
- iES Landau, Institute for Environmental Sciences, Ecosystem Analysis, University of Kaiserslautern-Landau, Fortstrasse 7, Landau 76829, Germany
| | - Ingolf Steffan-Dewenter
- Department of Animal Ecology and Tropical Biology, Biocenter, University of Würzburg, Am Hubland, Würzburg 97074 Germany
| | - Jens Schirmel
- iES Landau, Institute for Environmental Sciences, Ecosystem Analysis, University of Kaiserslautern-Landau, Fortstrasse 7, Landau 76829, Germany
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Wyckhuys KAG, Leatemia JA, Fanani MZ, Furlong MJ, Gu B, Hadi BAR, Hasinu JV, Melo MC, Noya SH, Rauf A, Taribuka J, Gc YD. Generalist Predators Shape Biotic Resistance along a Tropical Island Chain. PLANTS (BASEL, SWITZERLAND) 2023; 12:3304. [PMID: 37765468 PMCID: PMC10536499 DOI: 10.3390/plants12183304] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/24/2023] [Revised: 09/12/2023] [Accepted: 09/12/2023] [Indexed: 09/29/2023]
Abstract
Islands offer exclusive prisms for an experimental investigation of biodiversity x ecosystem function interplay. Given that species in upper trophic layers, e.g., arthropod predators, experience a comparative disadvantage on small, isolated islands, such settings can help to clarify how predation features within biotic resistance equations. Here, we use observational and manipulative studies on a chain of nine Indonesian islands to quantify predator-mediated biotic resistance against the cassava mealybug Phenacoccus manihoti (Homoptera: Pseudococcidae) and the fall armyworm Spodoptera frugiperda (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae). Across island settings, a diverse set of generalist lacewing, spider and ladybeetle predators aggregates on P. manihoti infested plants, attaining max. (field-level) abundance levels of 1.0, 8.0 and 3.2 individuals per plant, respectively. Though biotic resistance-as imperfectly defined by a predator/prey ratio index-exhibits no inter-island differences, P. manihoti population regulation is primarily provided through an introduced monophagous parasitoid. Meanwhile, resident predators, such as soil-dwelling ants, inflict apparent mortality rates up to 100% for various S. frugiperda life stages, which translates into a 13- to 800-fold lower S. frugiperda survivorship on small versus large islands. While biotic resistance against S. frugiperda is ubiquitous along the island chain, its magnitude differs between island contexts, seasons and ecological realms, i.e., plant canopy vs. soil surface. Hence, under our experimental context, generalist predators determine biotic resistance and exert important levels of mortality even in biodiversity-poor settings. Given the rapid pace of biodiversity loss and alien species accumulation globally, their active conservation in farmland settings (e.g., through pesticide phasedown) is pivotal to ensuring the overall resilience of production ecosystems.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kris A G Wyckhuys
- Chrysalis Consulting, Danang 50000, Vietnam
- Institute for Plant Protection, China Academy of Agricultural Sciences (CAAS), Beijing 100193, China
- School of the Environment, University of Queensland, Saint Lucia, QLD 4067, Australia
| | - Johanna Audrey Leatemia
- Department of Agrotechnology, Faculty of Agriculture, Universitas Pattimura, Ambon 97233, Indonesia
| | - Muhammad Zainal Fanani
- Department of Agrotechnology, Faculty of Agriculture, Universitas Djuanda, Jl. Tol Jagorawi No 1, Ciawi, Bogor 16720, West Java, Indonesia
- Department of Plant Protection, Faculty of Agriculture, Institut Pertanian Bogor, Jl. Kamper Kampus IPB Dramaga, Bogor 16680, West Java, Indonesia
| | - Michael J Furlong
- School of the Environment, University of Queensland, Saint Lucia, QLD 4067, Australia
| | - Baogen Gu
- Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO), 00153 Rome, Italy
| | | | - Jeffij Virgowat Hasinu
- Department of Agrotechnology, Faculty of Agriculture, Universitas Pattimura, Ambon 97233, Indonesia
| | - Maria C Melo
- School of the Environment, University of Queensland, Saint Lucia, QLD 4067, Australia
| | - Saartje Helena Noya
- Department of Agrotechnology, Faculty of Agriculture, Universitas Pattimura, Ambon 97233, Indonesia
| | - Aunu Rauf
- Department of Plant Protection, Faculty of Agriculture, Institut Pertanian Bogor, Jl. Kamper Kampus IPB Dramaga, Bogor 16680, West Java, Indonesia
| | - Johanna Taribuka
- Department of Agrotechnology, Faculty of Agriculture, Universitas Pattimura, Ambon 97233, Indonesia
| | - Yubak Dhoj Gc
- Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO), Bangkok 10200, Thailand
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5
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Keasar T, Wajnberg E, Heimpel G, Hardy ICW, Harpaz LS, Gottlieb D, van Nouhuys S. Dynamic Economic Thresholds for Insecticide Applications Against Agricultural Pests: Importance of Pest and Natural Enemy Migration. JOURNAL OF ECONOMIC ENTOMOLOGY 2023; 116:321-330. [PMID: 36791247 DOI: 10.1093/jee/toad019] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/15/2022] [Indexed: 05/30/2023]
Abstract
In Integrated Pest Management programs, insecticides are applied to agricultural crops when pest densities exceed a predetermined economic threshold. Under conditions of high natural enemy density, however, the economic threshold can be increased, allowing for fewer insecticide applications. These adjustments, called 'dynamic thresholds', allow farmers to exploit existing biological control interactions without economic loss. Further, the ability of natural enemies to disperse from, and subsequently immigrate into, insecticide-sprayed areas can affect their biological control potential. We develop a theoretical approach to incorporate both pest and natural enemy movement across field borders into dynamic thresholds and explore how these affect insecticide applications and farmer incomes. Our model follows a pest and its specialist natural enemy over one growing season. An insecticide that targets the pest also induces mortality of the natural enemy, both via direct toxicity and reduced resource pest densities. Pest and natural enemy populations recover after spraying through within-field reproduction and by immigration from neighboring unsprayed areas. The number of insecticide applications and per-season farmer revenues are calculated for economic thresholds that are either fixed (ignoring natural enemy densities) or dynamic (incorporating them). The model predicts that using dynamic thresholds always leads to reduced insecticide application. The benefit of dynamic thresholds in reducing insecticide use is highest when natural enemies rapidly recolonize sprayed areas, and when insecticide efficacy is low. We discuss real-life situations in which monitoring of natural enemies would substantially reduce insecticide use and other scenarios where the presence of beneficial organisms may lead to threshold modifications.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tamar Keasar
- Department of Biology and the Environment, University of Haifa - Oranim, Tivon 36006, Israel
| | - Eric Wajnberg
- INRAE, 400 Route des Chappes, BP 167, Sophia Antipolis Cedex 06903, France
- INRIA Sophia Antipolis, Project Hephaistos, 2004 Route des Lucioles, BP 93, Sophia Antipolis Cedex 06902, France
| | - George Heimpel
- Department of Entomology, University of Minnesota, 1980 Folwell Avenue, St. Paul, MN, 55117, USA
| | - Ian C W Hardy
- Department of Agricultural Sciences, P.O. Box 27, FI-00014, University of Helsinki, Finland
| | - Liora Shaltiel Harpaz
- Environmental Sciences Departments, Faculty of Sciences and Technology, Tel Hai College, and Northern R@D, 12210, MIGAL, Israel
| | - Daphna Gottlieb
- Department of Food Science, Institute of Post-Harvest and Food Science, The Volcani Center, ARO, Rishon LeZion, 7528809, Israel
| | - Saskya van Nouhuys
- Centre for Ecological Sciences, Indian Institute of Science, Bangalore, 560012, India
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6
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Liu J, Liu Y, Liu B, Dai C, Wang P, Lu Y. Life-table parameters, functional response, flight ability, and cross-generational effects of matrine demonstrate its safety to Hippodamia variegata (Coleoptera: Coccinellidae). JOURNAL OF ECONOMIC ENTOMOLOGY 2023:7131391. [PMID: 37075482 DOI: 10.1093/jee/toad068] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/05/2022] [Revised: 02/25/2023] [Accepted: 04/12/2023] [Indexed: 05/03/2023]
Abstract
In Xinjiang's cotton growing area of China, previous studies have shown that matrine is a selective botanical insecticide, with high toxicity to Aphis gossypii Glover (Hemiptera: Aphididae) and low toxicity to its dominant natural enemy, Hippodamia variegata Goeze (Coleoptera: Coccinellidae). However, lethal effects alone are not sufficient evidence to justify introducing matrine into local IPM strategies. In this context, we systematically evaluated the safety of matrine to H. variegata by investigating the effects of contact and stomach toxicity of matrine on the lady beetle's life-table parameters, predatory ability, flight ability of parental adults, and cross-generational effects on life-table parameters of the predator's offspring. We found that matrine at 2,000 mg/l did not have any significant negative effects to adult fecundity, longevity, or the predatory capacity of parental adults of H. variegata. Moreover, it is the same for cross-generational effects of matrine on H. variegate. The contact toxicity of matrine significantly reduced the flight time of H. variegata males, but did not significantly affect flight time and average velocity. Our results support the view that matrine is safe to H. variegata and can be recommended for use in the local IPM strategy for control of A. gossipii.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jiamei Liu
- College of Agriculture/Key Laboratory of Oasis Agricultural Pest Management and Plant Protection Resources Utilization, Xinjiang, Shihezi University, Shihezi, Xinjiang 832003, China
| | - Yangtian Liu
- State Key Laboratory for Biology of Plant Diseases and Insect Pests, Institute of Plant Protection, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Beijing 100193, China
| | - Bing Liu
- State Key Laboratory for Biology of Plant Diseases and Insect Pests, Institute of Plant Protection, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Beijing 100193, China
| | - Changchun Dai
- State Key Laboratory for Biology of Plant Diseases and Insect Pests, Institute of Plant Protection, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Beijing 100193, China
| | - Peiling Wang
- College of Agriculture/Key Laboratory of Oasis Agricultural Pest Management and Plant Protection Resources Utilization, Xinjiang, Shihezi University, Shihezi, Xinjiang 832003, China
| | - Yanhui Lu
- State Key Laboratory for Biology of Plant Diseases and Insect Pests, Institute of Plant Protection, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Beijing 100193, China
- Western Agricultural Research Center, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Changji 831100, China
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7
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Vargas G, Rivera-Pedroza LF, García LF, Jahnke SM. Conservation Biological Control as an Important Tool in the Neotropical Region. NEOTROPICAL ENTOMOLOGY 2023; 52:134-151. [PMID: 36449176 PMCID: PMC9709742 DOI: 10.1007/s13744-022-01005-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/01/2022] [Accepted: 11/08/2022] [Indexed: 06/17/2023]
Abstract
The history and recent developments of conservation biological control (CBC) in the context of industrialized and small-scale agriculture are discussed from theoretical framework available in the Neotropical region. A historical perspective is presented in terms of the transition of the way pests have been controlled since ancestral times, while some of these techniques persist in some areas cultivated on a small-scale agriculture. The context of industrialized agriculture sets the stage for the transition from chemical pesticides promoted in the green revolution to the more modern concept of IPM and finds in conservation biological an important strategy in relation to more sustainable pest management options meeting new consumer demands for cleaner products and services. However, it also noted that conservation, considered within a more integrative approach, establishes its foundations on an overall increase in floral biodiversity, that is, transversal to both small-scale and industrialized areas. In the latter case, we present examples where industrialized agriculture is implementing valuable efforts in the direction of conservation and new technologies are envisioned within more sustainable plant production systems and organizational commitment having that conservation biological control has become instrumental to environmental management plans. In addition, a metanalysis on the principal organisms associated with conservation efforts is presented. Here, we found that hymenopteran parasitoids resulted in the most studied group, followed by predators, where arachnids constitute a well-represented group, while predatory vertebrates are neglected in terms of reports on CBC. Our final remarks describe new avenues of research needed and highlight the need of cooperation networks to propose research, public outreach, and adoption as strategic to educate costumers and participants on the importance of conservation as main tool in sustainable pest management.
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Affiliation(s)
- German Vargas
- Colombian Sugarcane Research Center (Cenicaña), San Antonio de los Caballeros, Vía Cali-Florida Km 26, Valle del Cauca, Colombia
| | - Leonardo F. Rivera-Pedroza
- Colombian Sugarcane Research Center (Cenicaña), San Antonio de los Caballeros, Vía Cali-Florida Km 26, Valle del Cauca, Colombia
| | - Luis F. García
- Northeastern Regional University Center, University of the Republic, Rivera, Uruguay
| | - Simone Mundstock Jahnke
- Postgraduate Program in Plant Science, Faculty of Agronomy, Federal University of Rio Grande Do Sul (UFRGS), Phytosanitary Dept, Porto Alegre, Rio Grande Do Sul Brazil
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8
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Ratto F, Bruce T, Chipabika G, Mwamakamba S, Mkandawire R, Khan Z, Mkindi A, Pittchar J, Sallu SM, Whitfield S, Wilson K, Sait SM. Biological control interventions reduce pest abundance and crop damage while maintaining natural enemies in sub-Saharan Africa: a meta-analysis. Proc Biol Sci 2022; 289:20221695. [PMID: 36475436 PMCID: PMC9727667 DOI: 10.1098/rspb.2022.1695] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Insect pests are a major challenge to smallholder crop production in sub-Saharan Africa (SSA), where access to synthetic pesticides, which are linked to environmental and health risks, is often limited. Biological control interventions could offer a sustainable solution, yet an understanding of their effectiveness is lacking. We used a meta-analysis approach to investigate the effectiveness of commonly used biocontrol interventions and botanical pesticides on pest abundance (PA), crop damage (CD), crop yield (Y) and natural enemy abundance (NEA) when compared with controls with no biocontrol and with synthetic pesticides. We also evaluated whether the magnitude of biocontrol effectiveness was affected by type of biocontrol intervention, crop type, pest taxon, farm type and landscape configuration. Overall, from 99 studies on 31 crops, we found that compared to no biocontrol, biocontrol interventions reduced PA by 63%, CD by over 50% and increased Y by over 60%. Compared to synthetic pesticides, biocontrol resulted in comparable PA and Y, while NEA was 43% greater. Our results also highlighted that the potential for biocontrol to be modulated by landscape configuration is a critical knowledge gap in SSA. We show that biocontrol represents an effective tool for smallholder farmers, which can maintain yields without associated negative pesticide effects. Furthermore, the evidence presented here advocates strongly for including biocontrol practices in national and regional agricultural policies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fabrizia Ratto
- School of Biology, Faculty of Biological Sciences, University of Leeds, Miall Building, Leeds LS2 9JT, UK,Sustainability Research Institute, School of Earth and Environment, University of Leeds, Miall Building, Leeds LS2 9JT, UK,Department of Health Studies and Centre for Ecology, Evolution and Behaviour, School of Life Sciences and the Environment, Royal Holloway, University of London, Egham, Surrey TW20 0EX, UK
| | - Toby Bruce
- School of Life Sciences, Keele University, Keele ST5 5BG, UK
| | - Gilson Chipabika
- Zambia Agriculture Research Institute, Mulungushi House, Independence Avenue, Lusaka 10101, Zambia
| | - Sithembile Mwamakamba
- Food, Agriculture and Natural Resources Policy Analysis Network (FANRPAN), 141 Cresswell St Weaving Park, Pretoria, South Africa
| | - Rachel Mkandawire
- Food, Agriculture and Natural Resources Policy Analysis Network (FANRPAN), 141 Cresswell St Weaving Park, Pretoria, South Africa
| | - Zeyaur Khan
- International Centre of Insect Physiology and Ecology, PO Box 30772-00100, Nairobi, Kenya
| | - Angela Mkindi
- School of Life Sciences and Bio-engineering, Department of Sustainable Agriculture, Biodiversity and Ecosystem Management, The Nelson Mandela African Institution of Science and Technology, PO Box 447- Arusha, Tanzania
| | - Jimmy Pittchar
- International Centre of Insect Physiology and Ecology, PO Box 30772-00100, Nairobi, Kenya
| | - Susannah M. Sallu
- Sustainability Research Institute, School of Earth and Environment, University of Leeds, Miall Building, Leeds LS2 9JT, UK
| | - Stephen Whitfield
- Sustainability Research Institute, School of Earth and Environment, University of Leeds, Miall Building, Leeds LS2 9JT, UK
| | - Kenneth Wilson
- Lancaster Environment Centre, Lancaster University, Lancaster LA1 4YQ, UK
| | - Steven M. Sait
- School of Biology, Faculty of Biological Sciences, University of Leeds, Miall Building, Leeds LS2 9JT, UK
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9
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Tomanović Ž, Kavallieratos NG, Ye Z, Nika EP, Petrović A, Vollhardt IMG, Vorburger C. Cereal Aphid Parasitoids in Europe (Hymenoptera: Braconidae: Aphidiinae): Taxonomy, Biodiversity, and Ecology. INSECTS 2022; 13:1142. [PMID: 36555052 PMCID: PMC9785021 DOI: 10.3390/insects13121142] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/22/2022] [Revised: 12/02/2022] [Accepted: 12/07/2022] [Indexed: 06/17/2023]
Abstract
Cereals are very common and widespread crops in Europe. Aphids are a diverse group of herbivorous pests on cereals and one of the most important limiting factors of cereal production. Here, we present an overview of knowledge about the taxonomy, biodiversity, and ecology of cereal aphid parasitoids in Europe, an important group of natural enemies contributing to cereal aphid control. We review the knowledge obtained from the integrative taxonomy of 26 cereal aphid primary parasitoid species, including two allochthonous species (Lysiphlebus testaceipes and Trioxys sunnysidensis) and two recently described species (Lipolexis labialis and Paralipsis brachycaudi). We further review 28 hyperparasitoid species belonging to three hymenopteran superfamilies and four families (Ceraphronoidea: Megaspillidae; Chalcidoidea: Pteromalidae, Encyrtidae; Cynipoidea: Figitidae). We also compile knowledge on the presence of secondary endosymbionts in cereal aphids, as these are expected to influence the community composition and biocontrol efficiency of cereal aphid parasitoids. To study aphid-parasitoid-hyperparasitoid food webs more effectively, we present two kinds of DNA-based approach: (i) diagnostic PCR (mainly multiplex PCR), and (ii) DNA sequence-based methods. Finally, we also review the effects of landscape complexity on the different trophic levels in the food webs of cereal aphids and their associated parasitoids, as well as the impacts of agricultural practices and environmental variation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Željko Tomanović
- Faculty of Biology, Institute of Zoology, University of Belgrade, 16 Studentski trg, 11000 Belgrade, Serbia
- Serbian Academy of Sciences and Arts, Knez Mihailova 35, 11000 Belgrade, Serbia
| | - Nickolas G. Kavallieratos
- Laboratory of Agricultural Zoology and Entomology, Department of Crop Science, Agricultural University of Athens, 75 Iera Odos Str., 11855 Athens, Greece
| | - Zhengpei Ye
- Environment and Plant Protection Institute, Chinese Academy of Tropical Agricultural Sciences, Xueyuan Road 4, Haikou 571101, China
| | - Erifili P. Nika
- Laboratory of Agricultural Zoology and Entomology, Department of Crop Science, Agricultural University of Athens, 75 Iera Odos Str., 11855 Athens, Greece
| | - Andjeljko Petrović
- Faculty of Biology, Institute of Zoology, University of Belgrade, 16 Studentski trg, 11000 Belgrade, Serbia
| | - Ines M. G. Vollhardt
- Agroecology, Department of Crop Science, Georg-August University Göttingen, Grisebachstrasse 6, 37077 Göttingen, Germany
| | - Christoph Vorburger
- Eawag, Swiss Federal Institute of Aquatic Science and Technology, Überlandstrasse 133, 8600 Dübendorf, Switzerland
- Institute of Integrative Biology, Department of Environmental Systems Science, ETH Zürich, 8092 Zürich, Switzerland
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10
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Bianchi FJ. From pattern to process: Towards mechanistic design principles for pest suppressive landscapes. Basic Appl Ecol 2022. [DOI: 10.1016/j.baae.2022.09.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
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11
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Legarrea S, Janssen A, Dong L, Glas JJ, van Houten YM, Scala A, Kant MR. Enhanced top-down control of herbivore population growth on plants with impaired defences. Funct Ecol 2022; 36:2859-2872. [PMID: 36632134 PMCID: PMC9826462 DOI: 10.1111/1365-2435.14175] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/13/2022] [Accepted: 08/26/2022] [Indexed: 01/14/2023]
Abstract
Herbivore densities can be regulated by bottom-up and top-down forces such as plant defences and natural enemies, respectively. These forces can interact with each other to increase plant protection against herbivores; however, how much complementarity exists between bottom-up and top-down forces still remains to be fully elucidated. Particularly, because plant defences can hinder natural enemies, how these interactions affect herbivore performance and dynamics remains elusive.To address this topic, we performed laboratory and greenhouse bioassays with herbivorous mite pests and predatory mites on mutant tomato plants that lack defensive hairs on stems and leaves. Particularly, we investigated the behaviour and population dynamics of different phytophagous mite species in the absence and presence of predatory mites.We show that predatory mites do not only perform better on tomatoes lacking defensive hairs but also that they can suppress herbivore densities better and faster on these hairless plants. Hence, top-down control of herbivores by natural enemies more than compensated the reduced bottom-up herbivore control by plant defences.Our results lead to the counter-intuitive insight that removing, instead of introducing, plant defence traits can result in superior protection against important pests through biological control. Read the free Plain Language Summary for this article on the Journal blog.
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Affiliation(s)
- Saioa Legarrea
- Evolutionary and Population BiologyInstitute for Biodiversity and Ecosystem Dynamics (IBED)University of AmsterdamAmsterdamThe Netherlands,Departamento de Agricultura y AlimentaciónUniversidad de la RiojaLogroñoSpain
| | - Arne Janssen
- Evolutionary and Population BiologyInstitute for Biodiversity and Ecosystem Dynamics (IBED)University of AmsterdamAmsterdamThe Netherlands,Department of EntomologyFederal University of ViçosaViçosaBrazil
| | - Lin Dong
- Evolutionary and Population BiologyInstitute for Biodiversity and Ecosystem Dynamics (IBED)University of AmsterdamAmsterdamThe Netherlands
| | | | | | - Alessandra Scala
- Evolutionary and Population BiologyInstitute for Biodiversity and Ecosystem Dynamics (IBED)University of AmsterdamAmsterdamThe Netherlands
| | - Merijn R. Kant
- Evolutionary and Population BiologyInstitute for Biodiversity and Ecosystem Dynamics (IBED)University of AmsterdamAmsterdamThe Netherlands
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12
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Rodrigues LR, Montserrat M, Magalhães S. Evolution in agricultural systems: Moving toward the understanding of complexity. Evol Appl 2022; 15:1483-1489. [DOI: 10.1111/eva.13490] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/04/2022] [Accepted: 10/06/2022] [Indexed: 12/01/2022] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Leonor R. Rodrigues
- cE3c: Centre for Ecology, Evolution and Environmental Changes, Faculdade de Ciências Universidade de Lisboa Lisbon Portugal
| | - Marta Montserrat
- IHSM La Mayora‐UMA‐CSIC: Instituto de Hortofruticultura Subtropical y Mediterránea “La Mayora” Málaga Spain
| | - Sara Magalhães
- cE3c: Centre for Ecology, Evolution and Environmental Changes, Faculdade de Ciências Universidade de Lisboa Lisbon Portugal
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13
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Wyckhuys KA, Zhang W, Colmenarez YC, Simelton E, Sander BO, Lu Y. Tritrophic defenses as a central pivot of low-emission, pest-suppressive farming systems. CURRENT OPINION IN ENVIRONMENTAL SUSTAINABILITY 2022; 58:101208. [PMID: 36320406 PMCID: PMC9611972 DOI: 10.1016/j.cosust.2022.101208] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/04/2023]
Abstract
The ongoing COVID-19 pandemic has spotlighted the intricate connections between human and planetary health. Given that pesticide-centered crop protection degrades ecological resilience and (in-)directly harms human health, the adoption of ecologically sound, biodiversity-driven alternatives is imperative. In this Synthesis paper, we illuminate how ecological forces can be manipulated to bolster 'tritrophic defenses' against crop pests, pathogens, and weeds. Three distinct, yet mutually compatible approaches (habitat-mediated, breeding-dependent, and epigenetic tactics) can be deployed at different organizational levels, that is, from an individual seed to entire farming landscapes. Biodiversity can be harnessed for crop protection through ecological infrastructures, diversification tactics, and reconstituted soil health. Crop diversification is ideally guided by interorganismal interplay and plant-soil feedbacks, entailing resistant cultivars, rotation schemes, or multicrop arrangements. Rewarding opportunities also exist to prime plants for enhanced immunity or indirect defenses. As tritrophic defenses spawn multiple societal cobenefits, they could become core features of healthy, climate-resilient, and low-carbon food systems.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kris Ag Wyckhuys
- State Key Laboratory for Biology of Plant Diseases and Insect Pests, Institute of Plant Protection, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Beijing, China
- University of Queensland, Brisbane, Australia
- Fujian Agriculture and Forestry University, Fuzhou, China
- Chrysalis Consulting, Hanoi, Viet Nam
| | - Wei Zhang
- International Food Policy Research Institute (IFPRI-CGIAR), Washington DC, USA
| | | | | | - Bjorn O Sander
- International Rice Research Institute (IRRI-CGIAR), Hanoi, Viet Nam
| | - Yanhui Lu
- State Key Laboratory for Biology of Plant Diseases and Insect Pests, Institute of Plant Protection, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Beijing, China
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14
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Ghasemzadeh S, Messelink GJ, Avila GA, Zhang Y. Sublethal impacts of essential plant oils on biochemical and ecological parameters of the predatory mite Amblyseius swirskii. FRONTIERS IN PLANT SCIENCE 2022; 13:923802. [PMID: 36186047 PMCID: PMC9523787 DOI: 10.3389/fpls.2022.923802] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/19/2022] [Accepted: 08/12/2022] [Indexed: 06/16/2023]
Abstract
The generalist predatory mite Amblyseius swirskii is a widely used natural enemy of phytophagous pests. Due to the negative effects of conventional pesticides on non-target organisms, the development of selective natural and eco-friendly pesticides, such as essential plant oils, are useful pest control tools to use in synergy with biological control agents. Essential oils of Nepeta crispa, Satureja hortensis, and Anethum graveolens showed promising results to control Tetranychus urticae. Hence an experiment was carried out to evaluate the effects of these essential oils on the biochemical and demographic parameters of A. swirskii. A significant reduction of carbohydrate, lipid, and protein contents of oil-treated predatory mites was observed. However, essential oils of S. hortensis and A. graveolens had no effect on lipid reserves. The glutathione S-transferase activity of A. swirskii was influenced by A. graveolens oil treatment. In addition, the enzyme activity of the α-esterases was elevated by all treatments. The essential oils showed no effect on β-esterases activity compared to the control treatment. None of the concentrations of the different tested oils affected the population growth parameters of A. swirskii. However, a significant reduction was observed in oviposition time and total fecundity of predatory mites. A population projection predicted the efficacy of predatory mites will likely be decreased when expose to the essential oils; however, population growth in the S. hortensis treatment was faster than in the other two treatments not including the control. The results presented in this study may have critical implications for integrated pest management (IPM) programs. However, our observations show that using the tested essential plant oils requires some caution when considered as alternatives to synthetic pesticides, and in combination with A. swirskii. Semi-field and field studies are still required to evaluate the effects on T. urticae and A. swirskii of the essential oils tested in this study, before incorporating them into IPM strategies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Somayyeh Ghasemzadeh
- State Key Laboratory for Biology of Plant Diseases and Insect Pests, Institute of Plant Protection, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Gerben J. Messelink
- Business Unit Greenhouse Horticulture, Wageningen University & Research, Bleiswijk, Netherlands
| | - Gonzalo A. Avila
- The New Zealand Institute for Plant and Food Research Limited, Auckland Mail Centre, Auckland, New Zealand
| | - Yongjun Zhang
- State Key Laboratory for Biology of Plant Diseases and Insect Pests, Institute of Plant Protection, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Beijing, China
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15
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Anjos DV, Tena A, Viana-Junior AB, Carvalho RL, Torezan-Silingardi H, Del-Claro K, Perfecto I. The effects of ants on pest control: a meta-analysis. Proc Biol Sci 2022; 289:20221316. [PMID: 35975443 PMCID: PMC9382213 DOI: 10.1098/rspb.2022.1316] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Environmental impacts of conventional agriculture have generated interest in sustainable agriculture. Biological pest control is a fundamental tool, and ants are key players providing ecological services, as well as some disservices. We have used a meta-analytical approach to investigate the contribution of ants to biological control, considering their effects on pest and natural enemy abundance, plant damage and crop yield. We also evaluated whether the effects of ants are modulated by traits of ants, pests and other natural enemies, as well as by field size, crop system and experiment duration. Overall (considering all meta-analyses), from 52 studies on 17 different crops, we found that ants decrease the abundance of non-honeydew-producing pests, decrease plant damage and increase crop yield (services). In addition, ants decrease the abundance of natural enemies, mainly the generalist ones, and increase honeydew-producing pest abundance (disservices). We show that the pest control and plant protection provided by ants are boosted in shaded crops compared to monocultures. Furthermore, ants increase crop yield in shaded crops, and this effect increases with time. Finally, we bring new insights such as the importance of shaded crops to ant services, providing a good tool for farmers and stakeholders considering sustainable farming practices.
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Affiliation(s)
- Diego V. Anjos
- Instituto de Biologia, Universidade Federal de Uberlândia, Uberlândia, Minas Gerais 38405-302, Brazil
| | - Alejandro Tena
- Centro de Protección Vegetal y Biotecnología, Instituto Valenciano de Investigaciones Agrarias (IVIA), Moncada, Spain
| | - Arleu Barbosa Viana-Junior
- Programa de Pós-Graduação em Biodiversidade e Evolução, Coordenação de Zoologia, Museu Paraense Emílio Goeldi, Belém, Para 66077-830, Brazil
| | - Raquel L. Carvalho
- Instituto de Estudos Avançados, Universidade de São Paulo, São Paulo, 05508-020, Brazil
| | - Helena Torezan-Silingardi
- Instituto de Biologia, Universidade Federal de Uberlândia, Uberlândia, Minas Gerais 38405-302, Brazil
| | - Kleber Del-Claro
- Instituto de Biologia, Universidade Federal de Uberlândia, Uberlândia, Minas Gerais 38405-302, Brazil
| | - Ivette Perfecto
- School for Environment and Sustainability, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI 48109, USA
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16
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Qin H, Hong W, Qi Z, Hu Y, Shi R, Wang S, Wang Y, Zhou J, Mu D, Fu J, Sun T. A Temperature-Dependent Model for Tritrophic Interactions Involving Tea Plants, Tea Green Leafhoppers and Natural Enemies. INSECTS 2022; 13:insects13080686. [PMID: 36005311 PMCID: PMC9409375 DOI: 10.3390/insects13080686] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/27/2022] [Revised: 07/26/2022] [Accepted: 07/26/2022] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
The tea green leaf hopper, Empoasca onukii Matsuda, is a severe pest of tea plants. Volatile emissions from tea shoots infested by the tea green leafhopper may directly repel insect feeding or attract natural enemies. Many studies have been conducted on various aspects of the tritrophic relationship involving tea plants, tea green leafhoppers and natural enemies. However, mathematic models which could explain the dynamic mechanisms of this tritrophic interaction are still lacking. In the current work, we constructed a realistic and stochastic model with temperature-dependent features to characterize the tritrophic interactions in the tea agroecosystem. Model outputs showed that two leafhopper outbreaks occur in a year, with their features being consistent with field observations. Simulations showed that daily average effective accumulated temperature (EAT) might be an important metric for outbreak prediction. We also showed that application of slow-releasing semiochemicals, as either repellents or attractants, may be highly efficacious for pest biocontrol and can significantly increase tea yields. Furthermore, the start date of applying semiochemicals can be optimized to effectively increase tea yields. The current model qualitatively characterizes key features of the tritrophic interactions and provides critical insight into pest control in tea ecosystems.
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Affiliation(s)
- Huaguang Qin
- The Province Key Laboratory of the Biodiversity Study and Ecology Conservation in Southwest Anhui, School of Life Sciences, Anqing Normal University, Anqing 246133, China; (H.Q.); (W.H.); (Z.Q.); (Y.H.); (R.S.); (S.W.); (Y.W.); (D.M.)
| | - Wuxuan Hong
- The Province Key Laboratory of the Biodiversity Study and Ecology Conservation in Southwest Anhui, School of Life Sciences, Anqing Normal University, Anqing 246133, China; (H.Q.); (W.H.); (Z.Q.); (Y.H.); (R.S.); (S.W.); (Y.W.); (D.M.)
| | - Zehua Qi
- The Province Key Laboratory of the Biodiversity Study and Ecology Conservation in Southwest Anhui, School of Life Sciences, Anqing Normal University, Anqing 246133, China; (H.Q.); (W.H.); (Z.Q.); (Y.H.); (R.S.); (S.W.); (Y.W.); (D.M.)
| | - Yinghong Hu
- The Province Key Laboratory of the Biodiversity Study and Ecology Conservation in Southwest Anhui, School of Life Sciences, Anqing Normal University, Anqing 246133, China; (H.Q.); (W.H.); (Z.Q.); (Y.H.); (R.S.); (S.W.); (Y.W.); (D.M.)
| | - Rui Shi
- The Province Key Laboratory of the Biodiversity Study and Ecology Conservation in Southwest Anhui, School of Life Sciences, Anqing Normal University, Anqing 246133, China; (H.Q.); (W.H.); (Z.Q.); (Y.H.); (R.S.); (S.W.); (Y.W.); (D.M.)
| | - Shuyuan Wang
- The Province Key Laboratory of the Biodiversity Study and Ecology Conservation in Southwest Anhui, School of Life Sciences, Anqing Normal University, Anqing 246133, China; (H.Q.); (W.H.); (Z.Q.); (Y.H.); (R.S.); (S.W.); (Y.W.); (D.M.)
| | - Yuxi Wang
- The Province Key Laboratory of the Biodiversity Study and Ecology Conservation in Southwest Anhui, School of Life Sciences, Anqing Normal University, Anqing 246133, China; (H.Q.); (W.H.); (Z.Q.); (Y.H.); (R.S.); (S.W.); (Y.W.); (D.M.)
| | - Jianping Zhou
- Wanxinan Products Quality Supervision and Testing Center, Anqing 246052, China;
| | - Dan Mu
- The Province Key Laboratory of the Biodiversity Study and Ecology Conservation in Southwest Anhui, School of Life Sciences, Anqing Normal University, Anqing 246133, China; (H.Q.); (W.H.); (Z.Q.); (Y.H.); (R.S.); (S.W.); (Y.W.); (D.M.)
| | - Jianyu Fu
- Tea Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Hangzhou 310008, China
- Correspondence: (J.F.); (T.S.)
| | - Tingzhe Sun
- The Province Key Laboratory of the Biodiversity Study and Ecology Conservation in Southwest Anhui, School of Life Sciences, Anqing Normal University, Anqing 246133, China; (H.Q.); (W.H.); (Z.Q.); (Y.H.); (R.S.); (S.W.); (Y.W.); (D.M.)
- Correspondence: (J.F.); (T.S.)
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17
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Beretta GM, Deere JA, Messelink GJ, Muñoz-Cárdenas K, Janssen A. Review: predatory soil mites as biocontrol agents of above- and below-ground plant pests. EXPERIMENTAL & APPLIED ACAROLOGY 2022; 87:143-162. [PMID: 35939243 PMCID: PMC9424159 DOI: 10.1007/s10493-022-00723-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/25/2022] [Accepted: 06/14/2022] [Indexed: 06/15/2023]
Abstract
Biological pest control is becoming increasingly important for sustainable agriculture. Although many species of natural enemies are already being used commercially, efficient biological control of various pests is still lacking, and there is a need for more biocontrol agents. In this review, we focus on predatory soil mites, their role as natural enemies, and their biocontrol potential, mainly in vegetable and ornamental crops, with an emphasis on greenhouse systems. These predators are still underrepresented in biological control, but have several advantages compared to predators living on above-ground plant parts. For example, predatory soil mites are often easy and affordable to mass rear, as most of them are generalist predators, which also means that they may be used against various pests and can survive periods of pest scarcity by feeding on alternative prey or food. Many of them can also endure unfavourable conditions, making it easier for them to establish in various crops. Based on the current literature, we show that they have potential to control a variety of pests, both in greenhouses and in the field. However, more research is needed to fully understand and appreciate their potential as biocontrol agents. We review and discuss several methods to increase their efficiency, such as supplying them with alternative food and changing soil/litter structure to enable persistence of their populations. We conclude that predatory soil mites deserve more attention in future studies to increase their application in agricultural crops.
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Affiliation(s)
- Giuditta M Beretta
- Department of Evolutionary and Population Biology, Institute for Biodiversity and Ecosystem Dynamics, University of Amsterdam, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Jacques A Deere
- Department of Evolutionary and Population Biology, Institute for Biodiversity and Ecosystem Dynamics, University of Amsterdam, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Gerben J Messelink
- Business Unit Greenhouse Horticulture, Wageningen University and Research, Bleiswijk, The Netherlands
| | - Karen Muñoz-Cárdenas
- Department of Evolutionary and Population Biology, Institute for Biodiversity and Ecosystem Dynamics, University of Amsterdam, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Arne Janssen
- Department of Evolutionary and Population Biology, Institute for Biodiversity and Ecosystem Dynamics, University of Amsterdam, Amsterdam, The Netherlands.
- Department of Entomology, Federal University of Viçosa, Viçosa, Brazil.
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18
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Beekman MM, Donner SH, Litjens JJH, Dicke M, Zwaan BJ, Verhulst EC, Pannebakker BA. Do aphids in Dutch sweet pepper greenhouses carry heritable elements that protect them against biocontrol parasitoids? Evol Appl 2022; 15:1580-1593. [DOI: 10.1111/eva.13347] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/21/2021] [Revised: 01/12/2022] [Accepted: 01/18/2022] [Indexed: 11/28/2022] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Mariska M. Beekman
- Wageningen University & Research Laboratory of Genetics PO Box 16 6700 AA Wageningen The Netherlands
- Wageningen University & Research Laboratory of Entomology PO Box 16 6700 AA Wageningen The Netherlands
| | - S. Helena Donner
- Wageningen University & Research Laboratory of Genetics PO Box 16 6700 AA Wageningen The Netherlands
- Wageningen University & Research Laboratory of Entomology PO Box 16 6700 AA Wageningen The Netherlands
| | - Jordy J. H. Litjens
- Wageningen University & Research Laboratory of Genetics PO Box 16 6700 AA Wageningen The Netherlands
| | - Marcel Dicke
- Wageningen University & Research Laboratory of Entomology PO Box 16 6700 AA Wageningen The Netherlands
| | - Bas J. Zwaan
- Wageningen University & Research Laboratory of Genetics PO Box 16 6700 AA Wageningen The Netherlands
| | - Eveline C. Verhulst
- Wageningen University & Research Laboratory of Entomology PO Box 16 6700 AA Wageningen The Netherlands
| | - Bart A. Pannebakker
- Wageningen University & Research Laboratory of Genetics PO Box 16 6700 AA Wageningen The Netherlands
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19
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Janssen A, van Rijn PCJ. Pesticides do not significantly reduce arthropod pest densities in the presence of natural enemies. Ecol Lett 2021; 24:2010-2024. [PMID: 34160871 PMCID: PMC8453990 DOI: 10.1111/ele.13819] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/04/2021] [Revised: 02/12/2021] [Accepted: 04/30/2021] [Indexed: 01/07/2023]
Abstract
Chemical pesticides remain the main agents for control of arthropod crop pests despite increased concern for their side effects. Although chemical pesticide applications generally result in short-term decreases of pest densities, densities can subsequently resurge to higher levels than before. Thus, pesticide effects on pest densities beyond a single pest generation may vary, but they have not been reviewed in a systematic manner. Using mathematical predator-prey models, we show that pest resurgence is expected when effective natural enemies are present, even when they are less sensitive to pesticides than the pest. Model simulations over multiple pest generations predict that pest resurgence due to pesticide applications will increase average pest densities throughout a growing season when effective natural enemies are present. We tested this prediction with a meta-analysis of published data of field experiments that compared effects of chemical control of arthropod plant pests in the presence and absence of natural enemies. This largely confirmed our prediction: overall, pesticide applications did not reduce pest densities significantly when natural enemies were present, which concerned the vast majority of cases. We also show that long-term pesticide effectiveness is underreported and suggest that pest control by natural enemies deserves more attention.
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Affiliation(s)
- Arne Janssen
- Department of Evolutionary and Population Biology, Institute for Biodiversity and Ecosystem Dynamics, University of Amsterdam, Amsterdam, The Netherlands.,Department of Entomology, Federal University of Viçosa, Minas Gerais, Brazil
| | - Paul C J van Rijn
- Department of Evolutionary and Population Biology, Institute for Biodiversity and Ecosystem Dynamics, University of Amsterdam, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
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