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Müller-Schärer H, Sun Y, Schaffner U. When a plant invader meets its old enemy abroad: what can be learnt from accidental introductions of biological control agents. PEST MANAGEMENT SCIENCE 2024; 80:19-27. [PMID: 36710367 DOI: 10.1002/ps.7390] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/18/2022] [Revised: 01/16/2023] [Accepted: 01/30/2023] [Indexed: 06/18/2023]
Abstract
Accidental introductions of biological weed control (BWC) agents (i) offer opportunities to assess host use of agents with a potentially broader fundamental host-range than those approved for field release directly in target areas; (ii) urge national authorities to rapidly respond as they may threaten native species or crops, and by this (iii) help advancing post-release studies, a neglected aspect of BWC. Through detailed insights gained from studying the recent accidental introduction of the ragweed leaf beetle Ophraella communa into Europe, we derive suggestions for overcoming barriers to adoption of BWC by re-evaluating the predictive power of pre-release studies and, thus, the presently strict criteria for deciding upon their release that might exclude safe and efficient agents. By using the allergenic weed Ambrosia artemisiifolia and the accidentally introduced BWC agent O. communa as study system, we also hope to raise the awareness of authorities to consider biological control more prominently as a key approach for pest management in the 'One Health' concept, which aims to sustainably balance and optimize the health of people, animals, plants and ecosystems. © 2023 Society of Chemical Industry.
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Affiliation(s)
- Heinz Müller-Schärer
- Department of Biology, University of Fribourg, Fribourg, Switzerland
- College of Resources and Environment, Huazhong Agricultural University, Wuhan, China
| | - Yan Sun
- College of Resources and Environment, Huazhong Agricultural University, Wuhan, China
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Jin J, Zhao M, Zhou Z, Wang R, Guo J, Wan F. Host-Plant Selection Behavior of Ophraella communa, a Biocontrol Agent of the Invasive Common Ragweed Ambrosia artemisiifolia. INSECTS 2023; 14:334. [PMID: 37103149 PMCID: PMC10146365 DOI: 10.3390/insects14040334] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/17/2022] [Revised: 03/27/2023] [Accepted: 03/27/2023] [Indexed: 06/19/2023]
Abstract
Understanding the host-selection behavior of herbivorous insects is important to clarify their efficacy and safety as biocontrol agents. To explore the host-plant selection of the beetle Ophraella communa, a natural enemy of the alien invasive common ragweed (Ambrosia artemisiifolia), we conducted a series of outdoor choice experiments in cages in 2010 and in open fields in 2010 and 2011 to determine the preference of O. communa for A. artemisiifolia and three non-target plant species: sunflower (Helianthus annuus), cocklebur (Xanthium sibiricum), and giant ragweed (Ambrosia trifida). In the outdoor cage experiment, no eggs were found on sunflowers, and O. communa adults rapidly moved from sunflowers to the other three plant species. Instead, adults preferred to lay eggs on A. artemisiifolia, followed by X. sibiricum and A. trifida, although very few eggs were observed on A. trifida. Observing the host-plant selection of O. communa in an open sunflower field, we found that O. communa adults always chose A. artemisiifolia for feeding and egg laying. Although several adults (<0.02 adults/plant) stayed on H. annuus, no feeding or oviposition were observed, and adults quickly transferred to A. artemisiifolia. In 2010 and 2011, 3 egg masses (96 eggs) were observed on sunflowers, but they failed to hatch or develop into adults. In addition, some O. communa adults crossed the barrier formed by H. annuus to feed and oviposit on A. artemisiifolia planted in the periphery, and persisted in patches of different densities. Additionally, only 10% of O. communa adults chose to feed and oviposit on the X. sibiricum barrier. These findings suggest that O. communa poses no threat to the biosafety of H. anunuus and A. trifida and exhibits a robust dispersal capacity to find and feed on A. artemisiifolia. However, X. sibiricum has the potential to be an alternative host plant for O. communa.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jisu Jin
- State Key Laboratory for Biology of Plant Diseases and Insect Pests, Institute of Plant Protection, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Beijing 100193, China; (J.J.)
| | - Meiting Zhao
- State Key Laboratory for Biology of Plant Diseases and Insect Pests, Institute of Plant Protection, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Beijing 100193, China; (J.J.)
- School of Marxism, Ludong University, Yantai 264025, China
| | - Zhongshi Zhou
- State Key Laboratory for Biology of Plant Diseases and Insect Pests, Institute of Plant Protection, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Beijing 100193, China; (J.J.)
| | - Ren Wang
- State Key Laboratory for Biology of Plant Diseases and Insect Pests, Institute of Plant Protection, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Beijing 100193, China; (J.J.)
| | - Jianying Guo
- State Key Laboratory for Biology of Plant Diseases and Insect Pests, Institute of Plant Protection, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Beijing 100193, China; (J.J.)
| | - Fanghao Wan
- State Key Laboratory for Biology of Plant Diseases and Insect Pests, Institute of Plant Protection, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Beijing 100193, China; (J.J.)
- Agricultural Genomics Institute at Shenzhen, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Shenzhen 518120, China
- College of Plant Health and Medicine, Qingdao Agricultural University, Qingdao 266109, China
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Aguirre-Rojas LM, Scully ED, Trick HN, Zhu KY, Smith CM. Comparative analyses of transcriptional responses of Dectes texanus LeConte (Coleoptera: Cerambycidae) larvae fed on three different host plants and artificial diet. Sci Rep 2021; 11:11448. [PMID: 34075134 PMCID: PMC8169664 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-021-90932-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/09/2021] [Accepted: 05/17/2021] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Dectes texanus is an important coleopteran pest of soybeans and cultivated sunflowers in the Midwestern United States that causes yield losses by girdling stems of their host plants. Although sunflower and giant ragweed are primary hosts of D. texanus, they began colonizing soybeans approximately 50 years ago and no reliable management method has been established to prevent or reduce losses by this pest. To identify genes putatively involved when feeding soybean, we compared gene expression of D. texanus third-instar larvae fed soybean to those fed sunflower, giant ragweed, or artificial diet. Dectes texanus larvae differentially expressed 514 unigenes when fed on soybean compared to those fed the other diet treatments. Enrichment analyses of gene ontology terms from up-regulated unigenes in soybean-fed larvae compared to those fed both primary hosts highlighted unigenes involved in oxidoreductase and polygalacturonase activities. Cytochrome P450s, carboxylesterases, major facilitator superfamily transporters, lipocalins, apolipoproteins, glycoside hydrolases 1 and 28, and lytic monooxygenases were among the most commonly up-regulated unigenes in soybean-fed larvae compared to those fed their primary hosts. These results suggest that D. texanus larvae differentially expressed unigenes involved in biotransformation of allelochemicals, digestion of plant cell walls and transport of small solutes and lipids when feeding in soybean.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lina M Aguirre-Rojas
- Deparment of Botany and Plant Sciences, University of California Riverside, Riverside, CA, 92506, USA
| | - Erin D Scully
- Stored Product Insect and Engineering Research Unit, USDA-ARS-CGAHR, Manhattan, KS, 66502, USA
| | - Harold N Trick
- Department of Plant Pathology, Kansas State University, Manhattan, KS, 66506, USA
| | - Kun Yan Zhu
- Department of Entomology, Kansas State University, Manhattan, KS, 66506, USA
| | - C Michael Smith
- Department of Entomology, Kansas State University, Manhattan, KS, 66506, USA.
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Allen PE, Cui Q, Miller CW. Evidence of a rapid and adaptive response of hemipteran mouthparts to a physical barrier. J Evol Biol 2021; 34:653-660. [PMID: 33484612 DOI: 10.1111/jeb.13766] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/07/2020] [Revised: 01/14/2021] [Accepted: 01/18/2021] [Indexed: 11/27/2022]
Abstract
Animals have encountered novel foods at points throughout history, due to factors such as range expansions and niche shifts driven by competition. One of the first challenges presented by novel foods is how to eat them. Mouthpart morphology is thus critical during the process of host shifts. Developmental plasticity in mouthparts is one potential mechanism that may allow animals to tolerate new foods and eventually to thrive upon them. Here, we investigated the extent to which insect mouthparts from two geographically distant populations can converge in morphology when feeding on common resources. We conducted a common garden/reciprocal transplant experiment using two populations of the cactus bug, Narnia femorata, that differ in mouthpart length. This insect uses straw-like mouthparts (hereafter 'beak') to get through the cactus fruit wall to reach the pulp inside. Our experimental results revealed clear developmental plasticity in beak length. Insects from both populations grew longer beaks when they fed on the cactus fruit with the thicker walls, and they grew shorter beaks when they fed on the cactus fruit with the thinner walls. Thus, insects from distant populations exhibited immediate developmental responses to a new food, and in the predicted directions. These results suggest that some fauna may be able to respond more rapidly than predicted when they encounter novel plants.
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Affiliation(s)
- Pablo E Allen
- Entomology and Nematology Department, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL, USA
| | - Quentin Cui
- Entomology and Nematology Department, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL, USA.,Southern California Edison, Los Angeles, CA, USA
| | - Christine W Miller
- Entomology and Nematology Department, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL, USA
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Sun Y, Beuchat C, Müller-Schärer H. Is biocontrol efficacy rather driven by the plant or the antagonist genotypes? A conceptual bioassay approach. NEOBIOTA 2020. [DOI: 10.3897/neobiota.63.54962] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/16/2022]
Abstract
In the new range, invasive species lack their specialist co-evolved natural enemies, which then might be used as biocontrol agents. Populations of both a plant invader in the introduced range and its potential biocontrol agents in the native range may be genetically differentiated among geographically distinct regions. This, in turn, is expected to affect the outcome of their interaction when brought together, and by this the efficacy of the control. It further raises the question, is the outcome of such interactions mainly driven by the genotype of the plant invader (some plant genotypes being more resistant/tolerant to most of the antagonist genotypes), or by the antagonist genotype (some antagonist genotypes being more effective against most of the plant genotypes)? This is important for biocontrol management, as only the latter is expected to result in more effective control, when introducing the right biocontrol agent genotypes. In a third scenario, where the outcome of the interaction is driven by a specific plant by antagonist genotype interactions, an effective control will need the introduction of carefully selected multiple antagonist genotypes. Here, we challenged in a complete factorial design 11 plant genotypes (mainly half-siblings) of the invasive Ambrosia artemisiifolia with larvae of eight genotypes (full-siblings) of the leaf beetle Ophraella communa, a potential biocontrol insect, and assessed larval and adult performance and leaf consumption as proxies of their expected impact on the efficacy of biological control. Both species were collected from several locations from their native (USA) and introduced ranges (Europe and China). In summary, we found O. communa genotype to be the main driver of this interaction, indicating the potential for at least short-term control efficacy when introducing the best beetle genotypes. Besides the importance of investigating the genetic structure both among and within populations of the plant invader and the biocontrol agent during the pre-release phase of a biocontrol program, we advocate integrating such bioassays, as this will give a first indication of the probability for an – at least – short- to mid-term efficacy when introducing a potential biocontrol agent, and on where to find the most efficient agent genotypes.
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Müller-Schärer H, Bouchemousse S, Litto M, McEvoy PB, Roderick GK, Sun Y. How to better predict long-term benefits and risks in weed biocontrol: an evolutionary perspective. CURRENT OPINION IN INSECT SCIENCE 2020; 38:84-91. [PMID: 32240967 DOI: 10.1016/j.cois.2020.02.006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/28/2019] [Revised: 02/17/2020] [Accepted: 02/17/2020] [Indexed: 06/11/2023]
Abstract
Classical biological control (also called importation biological control) of weeds has a remarkable track record for efficiency and safety, but further improvement is still needed, particularly to account for potential evolutionary changes after release. Here, we discuss the increasing yet limited evidence of post-introduction evolution and describe approaches to predict evolutionary change. Recent advances include using experimental evolution studies over several generations that combine -omics tools with behavioral bioassays. This novel approach in weed biocontrol is well suited to explore the potential for rapid evolutionary change in real-time and thus can be used to estimate more accurately potential benefits and risks of agents before their importation. We outline this approach with a chrysomelid beetle used to control invasive common ragweed.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Maria Litto
- Dep. Biology, University of Fribourg, Fribourg, Switzerland
| | - Peter B McEvoy
- Oregon State University, Corvallis, Oregon, United States
| | | | - Yan Sun
- Dep. Biology, University of Fribourg, Fribourg, Switzerland
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Augustinus B, Sun Y, Beuchat C, Schaffner U, Müller-Schärer H. Predicting impact of a biocontrol agent: integrating distribution modeling with climate-dependent vital rates. ECOLOGICAL APPLICATIONS : A PUBLICATION OF THE ECOLOGICAL SOCIETY OF AMERICA 2020; 30:e02003. [PMID: 31519029 DOI: 10.1002/eap.2003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/21/2019] [Revised: 06/28/2019] [Accepted: 07/30/2019] [Indexed: 06/10/2023]
Abstract
Species distribution models can predict the suitable climatic range of a potential biological control agent (BCA), but they provide little information on the BCA's potential impact. To predict high population buildup, a prerequisite of biocontrol impact, studies are needed that assess the effect of environmental factors on vital rates of a BCA across the environmental gradient of the BCA's suitable habitats, especially for the region where the BCA is considered for field release. We extended a published species distribution model with climate-dependent vital rates of Ophraella communa, a recently and accidentally introduced potential BCA of common ragweed, Ambrosia artemisiifolia in Europe. In field and laboratory experiments, we collected data on climate-dependent parameters assumed to be the most relevant for the population buildup of O. communa, i.e., temperature driving the number of generations per year and relative humidity (RH) determining egg hatching success. We found that O. communa concluded one generation in 334 cumulative degree days, and that egg hatching success strongly decreased from > 80% to < 20% when RH drops from 55% to 45% during the day. We used these values to spatially explicitly project population densities across the European range suitable for both A. artemisiifolia and the beetle and found that the present distribution of the beetle in Europe is within the range with the highest projected population growth. The highest population density of O. communa was predicted for northern Italy and parts of western Russia and western Georgia. Field observations of high impact on A. artemisiifolia with records of 80% aerial pollen reduction in the Milano area since the establishment of O. communa are in line with these predictions. The relative importance of temperature and RH on the population density of O. communa varies considerably across its suitable range in Europe. We propose that the combined statistical and mechanistic approach outlined in this paper helps to more accurately predict the potential impact of a weed BCA than a species distribution model alone. Identifying the factors limiting the population buildup of a BCA across the suitable range allows implementation of more targeted release and management strategies to optimize biocontrol efficacy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Benno Augustinus
- CABI, Delémont, 2800, Switzerland
- Department of Biology, University of Fribourg, Fribourg, 1700, Switzerland
| | - Yan Sun
- Department of Biology, University of Fribourg, Fribourg, 1700, Switzerland
| | - Carine Beuchat
- Department of Biology, University of Fribourg, Fribourg, 1700, Switzerland
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Messina FJ, Lish AM, Gompert Z. Variable Responses to Novel Hosts by Populations of the Seed Beetle Callosobruchus maculatus (Coleoptera: Chrysomelidae: Bruchinae). ENVIRONMENTAL ENTOMOLOGY 2018; 47:1194-1202. [PMID: 30052864 DOI: 10.1093/ee/nvy108] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/26/2018] [Indexed: 06/08/2023]
Abstract
Cosmopolitan pests can consist of geographic populations that differ in their current host ranges or in their ability to colonize a novel host. We compared the responses of cowpea-adapted, seed-beetle populations (Callosobruchus maculatus [F.] (Coleoptera: Chrysomelidae: Bruchinae)) from Africa, North America, and South America to four novel legumes: chickpea, lentil, mung bean, and pea. We also qualitatively compared these results to those obtained earlier for an Asian population. For each host, we measured larval survival to adult emergence and used both no-choice and choice tests to estimate host acceptance. The pattern of larval survival was similar among populations: high or moderately high survival on cowpea, mung bean, and chickpea, intermediate survival on pea, and very low survival on lentil. One exception was unusually high survival of African larvae on pea, and there was modest variation among populations for survival on lentil. The African population was also an outlier with respect to host acceptance; under no-choice conditions, African females showed a much greater propensity to accept the two least preferred hosts, chickpea and lentil. However, greater acceptance of these hosts by African females was not evident in choice tests. Inferences about population differences in host acceptance can thus strongly depend on experimental protocol. Future selection experiments can be used to determine whether the observed population differences in initial performance will affect the probability of producing self-sustaining populations on a marginal crop host.
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Sakata Y, Craig TP, Itami JK, Yamasaki M, Ohgushi T. Parallel environmental factors drive variation in insect density and plant resistance in the native and invaded ranges. Ecology 2017; 98:2873-2884. [DOI: 10.1002/ecy.1978] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/09/2017] [Revised: 07/05/2017] [Accepted: 07/24/2017] [Indexed: 11/08/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Yuzu Sakata
- Center for Ecological Research; Kyoto University; Otsu 520-2113 Japan
| | - Timothy P. Craig
- Department of Biology; University of Minnesota Duluth; Duluth Minnesota 55812 USA
| | - Joanne K. Itami
- Department of Biology; University of Minnesota Duluth; Duluth Minnesota 55812 USA
| | - Michimasa Yamasaki
- Laboratory of Forest Biology; Division of Forest and Biomaterials Science; Graduate School of Agriculture; Kyoto University; Kyoto 606-8502 Japan
| | - Takayuki Ohgushi
- Center for Ecological Research; Kyoto University; Otsu 520-2113 Japan
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Colautti RI, Alexander JM, Dlugosch KM, Keller SR, Sultan SE. Invasions and extinctions through the looking glass of evolutionary ecology. Philos Trans R Soc Lond B Biol Sci 2017; 372:20160031. [PMID: 27920376 PMCID: PMC5182427 DOI: 10.1098/rstb.2016.0031] [Citation(s) in RCA: 58] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 08/30/2016] [Indexed: 11/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Invasive and endangered species reflect opposite ends of a spectrum of ecological success, yet they experience many similar eco-evolutionary challenges including demographic bottlenecks, hybridization and novel environments. Despite these similarities, important differences exist. Demographic bottlenecks are more transient in invasive species, which (i) maintains ecologically relevant genetic variation, (ii) reduces mutation load, and (iii) increases the efficiency of natural selection relative to genetic drift. Endangered species are less likely to benefit from admixture, which offsets mutation load but also reduces fitness when populations are locally adapted. Invading species generally experience more benign environments with fewer natural enemies, which increases fitness directly and also indirectly by masking inbreeding depression. Adaptive phenotypic plasticity can maintain fitness in novel environments but is more likely to evolve in invasive species encountering variable habitats and to be compromised by demographic factors in endangered species. Placed in an eco-evolutionary context, these differences affect the breadth of the ecological niche, which arises as an emergent property of antagonistic selection and genetic constraints. Comparative studies of invasions and extinctions that apply an eco-evolutionary perspective could provide new insights into the environmental and genetic basis of ecological success in novel environments and improve efforts to preserve global biodiversity.This article is part of the themed issue 'Human influences on evolution, and the ecological and societal consequences'.
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Affiliation(s)
- Robert I Colautti
- Department of Biology, Queen's University, 116 Barrie Street, Kingston, Ontario, Canada K7L 3N6
| | - Jake M Alexander
- Institute of Integrative Biology, Department of Environmental Systems Science, ETH Zurich, Universitätsstrasse 16, 8092 Zürich, Switzerland
| | - Katrina M Dlugosch
- Department of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology, University of Arizona, PO Box 210088, Tucson, AZ 85721, USA
| | - Stephen R Keller
- Department of Plant Biology, University of Vermont, 111 Jeffords Hall, Burlington, VT 05405, USA
| | - Sonia E Sultan
- Department of Biology, Wesleyan University, 237 Church Street, Middletown, CT 06459, USA
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