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Zilnik G, Bergeron PE, Chuang A, Diepenbrock L, Hanel A, Middleton E, Moretti E, Schmidt-Jeffris R. Meta-Analysis of Herbicide Non-Target Effects on Pest Natural Enemies. Insects 2023; 14:787. [PMID: 37887799 PMCID: PMC10607068 DOI: 10.3390/insects14100787] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/13/2023] [Revised: 09/08/2023] [Accepted: 09/18/2023] [Indexed: 10/28/2023]
Abstract
A critical component of integrated pest management is minimizing disruption of biological control by reducing the use of pesticides with significant non-target effects on natural enemies. Insecticide non-target effects testing for natural enemies has become increasingly common, but research examining the non-target effects of herbicides on natural enemies is scarce, and recommendations regarding herbicide selectivity are non-existent. We used meta-analysis to summarize laboratory bioassays testing non-target effects of herbicides on arthropod natural enemies and identify patterns in taxon susceptibility and active ingredient toxicity. Data were extracted from 78 papers representing 801 total observations. Herbicides increased natural enemy mortality and decreased longevity, reproduction, and predation. Mesostigmatan mites and hemipterans were the most sensitive to herbicides, and spiders, neuropterans, and hymenopterans were the least sensitive. Mortality was higher in juvenile predators versus parasitoids but did not differ between adults; parasitoid juveniles are likely better protected within the host. In terms of acute mortality, metribuzin, glufosinate, and oxyfluorfen were the most harmful herbicides. Only nicosulfuron, rimsulfuron, pendimethalin, phenmedipham, atrazine, and urea did not increase natural enemy mortality. The large effect size of glufosinate is particularly concerning, as it is the most likely replacement herbicide for glyphosate in many crops. Many active ingredients remain under-studied. Our analysis indicates that herbicides have a strong potential to disrupt biological control in cropping systems.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gabriel Zilnik
- Temperate Tree Fruit and Vegetable Crop Research Unit, United States Department of Agriculture-Agricultural Research Service, 5230 Konnowac Pass Road, Wapato, WA 98951, USA; (E.M.); (R.S.-J.)
| | - Paul E. Bergeron
- Department of Entomology, Washington State University, 166 FSHN 100 Dairy Road, Pullman, WA 99164, USA; (P.E.B.); (A.H.)
| | - Angela Chuang
- Entomology and Nematology Department, Citrus Research and Education Center, University of Florida, 700 Experiment Station Rd., Lake Alfred, FL 33850, USA; (A.C.); (L.D.)
| | - Lauren Diepenbrock
- Entomology and Nematology Department, Citrus Research and Education Center, University of Florida, 700 Experiment Station Rd., Lake Alfred, FL 33850, USA; (A.C.); (L.D.)
| | - Aldo Hanel
- Department of Entomology, Washington State University, 166 FSHN 100 Dairy Road, Pullman, WA 99164, USA; (P.E.B.); (A.H.)
| | - Eric Middleton
- Division of Agriculture and Natural Resources, University of California Agriculture and Natural Resources, 9335 Hazard Way Suite 201, San Diego, CA 92123, USA;
| | - Erica Moretti
- Temperate Tree Fruit and Vegetable Crop Research Unit, United States Department of Agriculture-Agricultural Research Service, 5230 Konnowac Pass Road, Wapato, WA 98951, USA; (E.M.); (R.S.-J.)
| | - Rebecca Schmidt-Jeffris
- Temperate Tree Fruit and Vegetable Crop Research Unit, United States Department of Agriculture-Agricultural Research Service, 5230 Konnowac Pass Road, Wapato, WA 98951, USA; (E.M.); (R.S.-J.)
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Gong Y, Li T, Hussain A, Xia X, Shang Q, Ali A. Editorial: The side effects of insecticides on insects and the adaptation mechanisms of insects to insecticides. Front Physiol 2023; 14:1287219. [PMID: 37811494 PMCID: PMC10557070 DOI: 10.3389/fphys.2023.1287219] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/01/2023] [Accepted: 09/18/2023] [Indexed: 10/10/2023] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Youhui Gong
- State Key Laboratory for Biology of Plant Diseases and Insect Pests, Institute of Plant Protection, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Ting Li
- Department of Biological Sciences, Alabama State University, Montgomery, AL, United States
| | - Adil Hussain
- Department of Entomology, Abdul Wali Khan University Mardan, Mardan, Pakistan
| | - Xiaoming Xia
- The College of Plant Protection, Shangdong Agricultural University, Taian, China
| | - Qiangli Shang
- College of Plant Science, Jilin University, Changchun, China
| | - Asad Ali
- Department of Entomology, Abdul Wali Khan University Mardan, Mardan, Pakistan
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Nagari M, Charter M. Comparing Insect Predation by Birds and Insects in an Apple Orchard and Neighboring Unmanaged Habitat: Implications for Ecosystem Services. Animals (Basel) 2023; 13:1785. [PMID: 37889713 PMCID: PMC10252115 DOI: 10.3390/ani13111785] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/31/2023] [Revised: 05/16/2023] [Accepted: 05/25/2023] [Indexed: 10/29/2023] Open
Abstract
Preserving ecosystem services, such as natural enemies that can provide pest control, can positively impact crops without compromising agricultural yield. Even though controlling pests by natural enemies has been suggested to reduce pests in agriculture, growers continue using conventional pesticides that kill beneficial predators. Here we studied whether the predation of avian and insect-beneficial predators varies in an apple orchard with conventional insecticide use compared to a bordering tree stand without insecticides. We studied the predation rates of mealworm pupae as a proxy to coddling moth pupae at 42 stations in both an apple orchard and a Eucalyptus stand at three distances (0 m, 50 m, and 100 m) from the border. Half of the stations were netted to prevent bird predation but were accessible to insects. The other half were non-netted and accessible to birds. We conducted six trials, each lasting two weeks, during which we recorded the predation of 504 stations with 5040 pupae. To validate which species predated the pupae, we added video cameras that took RGB videos during the day and IR videos at night in 45 stations and found that in net-free stations, birds preyed in 94.1% of stations in the orchard and 81.8% in the Eucalyptus stand. However, ants predated 70% of the pupae in stations with nets in the orchards and 100% in stations in the Eucalyptus strands. In addition, we found a significant rise in predation by birds as the distance into the orchard increased. Conversely, insect predation declined within the orchard but escalated in the adjacent unmanaged area. These findings suggest that the orchard's environment negatively affects beneficial insect activity, specifically predatory ants. This study demonstrates that birds can play an essential role in predating insect pests inside the orchard. In addition, we believe that the decreased predation of ants within the orchard was due to intense insecticide use.
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Affiliation(s)
- Moshe Nagari
- Shamir Research Institute, University of Haifa, Katzrin 1290000, Israel
| | - Motti Charter
- Shamir Research Institute, University of Haifa, Katzrin 1290000, Israel
- Department of Geography and Environmental Sciences, University of Haifa, Mount Carmel, Haifa 3498838, Israel
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Harris-Shultz KR, Armstrong JS, Caballero M, Hoback WW, Knoll JE. Insect Feeding on Sorghum bicolor Pollen and Hymenoptera Attraction to Aphid-Produced Honeydew. Insects 2022; 13:1152. [PMID: 36555062 PMCID: PMC9780982 DOI: 10.3390/insects13121152] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/21/2022] [Revised: 12/02/2022] [Accepted: 12/06/2022] [Indexed: 06/17/2023]
Abstract
Pollinators are declining globally, potentially reducing both human food supply and plant diversity. To support pollinator populations, planting of nectar-rich plants with different flowering seasons is encouraged while promoting wind-pollinated plants, including grasses, is rarely recommended. However, many bees and other pollinators collect pollen from grasses which is used as a protein source. In addition to pollen, Hymenoptera may also collect honeydew from plants infested with aphids. In this study, insects consuming or collecting pollen from sweet sorghum, Sorghum bicolor, were recorded while pan traps and yellow sticky card surveys were placed in grain sorghum fields and in areas with Johnsongrass, Sorghum halepense to assess the Hymenoptera response to honeydew excreted by the sorghum aphid (SA), Melanaphis sorghi. Five genera of insects, including bees, hoverflies, and earwigs, were observed feeding on pollen in sweet sorghum, with differences observed by date, but not plant height or panicle length. Nearly 2000 Hymenoptera belonging to 29 families were collected from grain sorghum with 84% associated with aphid infestations. About 4 times as many Hymenoptera were collected in SA infested sorghum with significantly more ants, halictid bees, scelionid, sphecid, encyrtid, mymarid, diapriid and braconid wasps were found in infested sorghum plots. In Johnsongrass plots, 20 times more Hymenoptera were collected from infested plots. Together, the data suggest that sorghum is serving as a pollen food source for hoverflies, earwigs, and bees and sorghum susceptible to SA could provide energy from honeydew. Future research should examine whether planting strips of susceptible sorghum at crop field edges would benefit Hymenoptera and pollinators.
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Affiliation(s)
- Karen R. Harris-Shultz
- USDA-ARS, Crop Genetics and Breeding Research Unit, 115 Coastal Way, Tifton, GA 31793, USA
| | - John Scott Armstrong
- USDA-ARS, Wheat, Peanut and Other Field Crops Research Unit, 1301 N. Western Rd, Stillwater, OK 74075, USA
| | - Michael Caballero
- Department of Entomology and Plant Pathology, Oklahoma State University, 127 NRC, Stillwater, OK 74078, USA
| | - William Wyatt Hoback
- Department of Entomology and Plant Pathology, Oklahoma State University, 127 NRC, Stillwater, OK 74078, USA
| | - Joseph E. Knoll
- USDA-ARS, Crop Genetics and Breeding Research Unit, 115 Coastal Way, Tifton, GA 31793, USA
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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: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [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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Abstract
With approximately 160,000 identified species of butterflies and moths, Lepidoptera are among the most species-rich and diverse insect orders. Lepidopteran insects have fundamental ecosystem functions as pollinators and valuable food sources for countless animals. Furthermore, Lepidoptera have a significant impact on the economy and global food security because many species in their larval stage are harmful pests of staple food crops. Moreover, domesticated species such as the silkworm Bombyx mori produce silk and silk byproducts that are utilized by the luxury textile, biomedical, and cosmetics sectors. Several Lepidoptera have been fundamental as model organisms for basic biological research, from formal genetics to evolutionary studies. Regarding chronobiology, in the 1970s, Truman's seminal transplantation experiments on different lepidopteran species were the first to show that the circadian clock resides in the brain. With the implementation of molecular genetics, subsequent studies identified key differences in core components of the molecular circadian clock of Lepidoptera compared to the dipteran Drosophila melanogaster, the dominant insect species in chronobiological research. More recently, studies on the butterfly Danaus plexippus have been fundamental in characterizing the interplay between the circadian clock and navigation during the seasonal migration of this species. Moreover, the advent of Next Generation Omic technologies has resulted in the production of many publicly available datasets regarding circadian clocks in pest and beneficial Lepidoptera. This review presents an updated overview of the molecular and anatomical organization of the circadian clock in Lepidoptera. We report different behavioral circadian rhythms currently identified, focusing on the importance of the circadian clock in controlling developmental, mating and migration phenotypes. We then describe the ecological importance of circadian clocks detailing the complex interplay between the feeding behavior of these organisms and plants. Finally, we discuss how the characterization of these features could be useful in both pest control, and in optimizing rearing of beneficial Lepidoptera.
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Affiliation(s)
- Daniel Brady
- Department of Biology, Università di Padova, Padova, Italy
| | - Alessio Saviane
- Council for Agricultural Research and Economics, Research Centre for Agriculture and Environment (CREA-AA), Padova, Italy
| | - Silvia Cappellozza
- Council for Agricultural Research and Economics, Research Centre for Agriculture and Environment (CREA-AA), Padova, Italy
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Otim MH, Adumo Aropet S, Opio M, Kanyesigye D, Nakelet Opolot H, Tek Tay W. Parasitoid Distribution and Parasitism of the Fall Armyworm Spodoptera frugiperda (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae) in Different Maize Producing Regions of Uganda. Insects 2021; 12:insects12020121. [PMID: 33573080 PMCID: PMC7912086 DOI: 10.3390/insects12020121] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/23/2020] [Revised: 01/18/2021] [Accepted: 01/23/2021] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
The fall armyworm (FAW) Spodoptera frugiperda (J.E. Smith) (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae) has successfully invaded Africa, where it has significantly impacted maize and sorghum production. Management of FAW in Africa predominantly relies on synthetic insecticides, which are expensive, and negatively impact the environment and beneficial insects. We, therefore, conducted field surveys in Uganda in 2017 and 2019 to identify egg and larval parasitoids of FAW for possible use in integrated pest management (IPM) programs. Parasitoids were identified by their mitochondrial DNA cytochrome c oxidase subunit 1 (mtCOI) gene sequences. We identified 13 parasitoid species belonging to three families of Hymenoptera: Platygastridae, Braconidae and Ichneumonidae, as well as one Dipteran family (Tachinidae). Coccygidium spp. and Chelonus bifoveolatus were the most abundant and widely distributed parasitoids. Overall, parasitism averaged 9.2% and ranged from 3.1% to 50% in 2017, and 0.8% to 33% in 2019. Parasitism by Sturmiopsis parasitica, Diolcogaster sp., and Cotesia flavipes on FAW in maize crops are reported for the first time. Our results suggest high biological diversity of FAW parasitoids, which should be exploited in the IPM of the FAW in Uganda.
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Affiliation(s)
- Michael Hilary Otim
- National Crops Resources Research Institute (NaCRRI), Kampala P.O. Box 7084, Uganda; (S.A.A.); (M.O.); (D.K.)
- Correspondence: or
| | - Stella Adumo Aropet
- National Crops Resources Research Institute (NaCRRI), Kampala P.O. Box 7084, Uganda; (S.A.A.); (M.O.); (D.K.)
| | - Moses Opio
- National Crops Resources Research Institute (NaCRRI), Kampala P.O. Box 7084, Uganda; (S.A.A.); (M.O.); (D.K.)
| | - Dalton Kanyesigye
- National Crops Resources Research Institute (NaCRRI), Kampala P.O. Box 7084, Uganda; (S.A.A.); (M.O.); (D.K.)
| | - Henry Nakelet Opolot
- Ministry of Agriculture, Animal Industry and Fisheries, Entebbe P.O. Box 102, Uganda;
| | - Wee Tek Tay
- Black Mountain Laboratories, Clunies Ross Street, Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation, Canberra 2601, Australia;
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Corrêa AS, Cordeiro EM, Omoto C. Agricultural insect hybridization and implications for pest management. Pest Manag Sci 2019; 75:2857-2864. [PMID: 31124266 DOI: 10.1002/ps.5495] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/01/2019] [Revised: 05/17/2019] [Accepted: 05/21/2019] [Indexed: 06/09/2023]
Abstract
Biological invasions, the expansion of agricultural frontiers, and climate change favor encounters of divergent lineages of animals and plants, increasing the likelihood of hybridization. However, hybridization of insect species and its consequences for agroecosystems have not received sufficient attention. Gene exchange between distinct and distant genetic pools can improve the survival and reproduction of insect pests, and threaten beneficial insects in disturbed agricultural environments. Hybridization may be the underlying explanation for the recurrent pest outbreaks and control failures in putative hybrid zones, as suspected for bollworm, corn borer, whiteflies, and stink bugs. Reliable predictions of the types of changes that can be expected in pest insect genomes and fitness, and of their impacts on the fate of species and populations remain elusive. Typical steps in pest management, such as insect identification, pest monitoring, and control are likely affected by gene flow and adaptive introgression mediated by hybridization, and we do not have ways to respond to or mitigate the problem. To address the adverse effects of farming intensification and global trade, we must ensure that current integrated pest management programs incorporate up-to-date monitoring and diagnostic tools. The rapid identification of hybrids, quantification of levels of introgression, and in-depth knowledge of what genes have been transferred may help to explain and predict insect population outbreaks and control failures in the future. © 2019 Society of Chemical Industry.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alberto S Corrêa
- Department of Entomology and Acarology, University of São Paulo, Luiz de Queiroz College of Agriculture (USP/ESALQ), Piracicaba, Brazil
| | - Erick Mg Cordeiro
- Department of Entomology and Acarology, University of São Paulo, Luiz de Queiroz College of Agriculture (USP/ESALQ), Piracicaba, Brazil
| | - Celso Omoto
- Department of Entomology and Acarology, University of São Paulo, Luiz de Queiroz College of Agriculture (USP/ESALQ), Piracicaba, Brazil
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Main AR, Webb EB, Goyne KW, Mengel D. Neonicotinoid insecticides negatively affect performance measures of non-target terrestrial arthropods: a meta-analysis. Ecol Appl 2018; 28:1232-1244. [PMID: 29603486 DOI: 10.1002/eap.1723] [Citation(s) in RCA: 35] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/07/2017] [Revised: 02/20/2018] [Accepted: 03/16/2018] [Indexed: 06/08/2023]
Abstract
Neonicotinoid insecticides are currently the fastest-growing and most widely used insecticide class worldwide. Valued for their versatility in application, these insecticides may cause deleterious effects in a range of non-target (beneficial) arthropods. However, it remains unclear whether strong patterns exist in terms of their major effects, if broad measures of arthropod performance are negatively affected, or whether different functional groups are equally vulnerable. Here, we present a meta-analysis of 372 observations from 44 field and laboratory studies that describe neonicotinoid effects on 14 arthropod orders across five broad performance measures: abundance, behavior, condition, reproductive success, and survival. Across studies, neonicotinoids negatively affected all performance metrics evaluated; however, magnitude of the effects varied. Arthropod behavior and survival were the most negatively affected and abundance was the least negatively affected. Effects on arthropod functional groups were inconsistent. Pollinator condition, reproductive success, and survival were significantly lower in neonicotinoid treatments compared to untreated controls; whereas, neonicotinoid effects on detritivores were not significant. Although magnitude of arthropod response to neonicotinoids varied among performance measures and functional groups, we documented a consistent negative relationship between exposure to neonicotinoid insecticides in published studies and beneficial arthropod performance.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anson R Main
- School of Natural Resources, University of Missouri, Columbia, Missouri, 65211, USA
| | - Elisabeth B Webb
- School of Natural Resources, University of Missouri, Columbia, Missouri, 65211, USA
- U.S. Geological Survey, Missouri Cooperative Fish and Wildlife Research Unit, Columbia, Missouri, 65211, USA
| | - Keith W Goyne
- School of Natural Resources, University of Missouri, Columbia, Missouri, 65211, USA
| | - Doreen Mengel
- Resource Science Division, Missouri Department of Conservation, Columbia, Missouri, 65201, USA
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James DG, Seymour L, Lauby G, Buckley K. Beneficial Insect Attraction to Milkweeds (Asclepias speciosa, Asclepias fascicularis) in Washington State, USA. Insects 2016; 7:insects7030030. [PMID: 27367733 PMCID: PMC5039543 DOI: 10.3390/insects7030030] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/14/2016] [Revised: 06/08/2016] [Accepted: 06/17/2016] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
Native plant and beneficial insect associations are relatively unstudied yet are important in native habitat restoration programs for improving and sustaining conservation biological control of arthropod pests in agricultural crops. Milkweeds (Asclepias spp.) are currently the focus of restoration programs in the USA aimed at reversing a decline in populations of the milkweed-dependent monarch butterfly (Danaus plexippus); however, little is known of the benefits of these plants to other beneficial insects. Beneficial insects (predators, parasitoids, pollinators) attracted to two milkweed species (Asclepias speciosa, Asclepias fascicularis) in central Washington State, WA, USA were identified and counted on transparent sticky traps attached to blooms over five seasons. Combining all categories of beneficial insects, means of 128 and 126 insects per trap were recorded for A. speciosa and A. fascicularis, respectively. Predatory and parasitic flies dominated trap catches for A. speciosa while parasitic wasps were the most commonly trapped beneficial insects on A. fascicularis. Bees were trapped commonly on both species, especially A. speciosa with native bees trapped in significantly greater numbers than honey bees. Beneficial insect attraction to A. speciosa and A. fascicularis was substantial. Therefore, these plants are ideal candidates for habitat restoration, intended to enhance conservation biological control, and for pollinator conservation. In central Washington, milkweed restoration programs for enhancement of D. plexippus populations should also provide benefits for pest suppression and pollinator conservation.
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Affiliation(s)
- David G James
- Department of Entomology, Washington State University, Prosser, WA 99350, USA.
| | - Lorraine Seymour
- Department of Entomology, Washington State University, Prosser, WA 99350, USA.
| | - Gerry Lauby
- Department of Entomology, Washington State University, Prosser, WA 99350, USA.
| | - Katie Buckley
- Department of Entomology, Washington State University, Prosser, WA 99350, USA.
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11
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Whitehorn PR, Cook N, Blackburn CV, Gill SM, Green J, Shuker DM. Sex allocation theory reveals a hidden cost of neonicotinoid exposure in a parasitoid wasp. Proc Biol Sci 2016; 282:20150389. [PMID: 25925105 DOI: 10.1098/rspb.2015.0389] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Sex allocation theory has proved to be one the most successful theories in evolutionary ecology. However, its role in more applied aspects of ecology has been limited. Here we show how sex allocation theory helps uncover an otherwise hidden cost of neonicotinoid exposure in the parasitoid wasp Nasonia vitripennis. Female N. vitripennis allocate the sex of their offspring in line with Local Mate Competition (LMC) theory. Neonicotinoids are an economically important class of insecticides, but their deployment remains controversial, with evidence linking them to the decline of beneficial species. We demonstrate for the first time to our knowledge, that neonicotinoids disrupt the crucial reproductive behaviour of facultative sex allocation at sub-lethal, field-relevant doses in N. vitripennis. The quantitative predictions we can make from LMC theory show that females exposed to neonicotinoids are less able to allocate sex optimally and that this failure imposes a significant fitness cost. Our work highlights that understanding the ecological consequences of neonicotinoid deployment requires not just measures of mortality or even fecundity reduction among non-target species, but also measures that capture broader fitness costs, in this case offspring sex allocation. Our work also highlights new avenues for exploring how females obtain information when allocating sex under LMC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Penelope R Whitehorn
- Biological and Environmental Sciences, University of Stirling, Stirling FK9 4LA, UK
| | - Nicola Cook
- School of Biology, University of St Andrews, St Andrews KY16 9TH, UK
| | | | - Sophie M Gill
- School of Biology, University of St Andrews, St Andrews KY16 9TH, UK
| | - Jade Green
- School of Biology, University of St Andrews, St Andrews KY16 9TH, UK
| | - David M Shuker
- School of Biology, University of St Andrews, St Andrews KY16 9TH, UK
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12
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Crampton LA, Loeb GM, Hoelmer KA, Hoffmann MP. Effect of insecticide regimens on biological control of the tarnished plant bug, Lygus lineolaris, by Peristenus spp. in New York State apple orchards. J Insect Sci 2010; 10:36. [PMID: 20578957 PMCID: PMC3398439 DOI: 10.1673/031.010.3601] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/17/2008] [Accepted: 04/17/2008] [Indexed: 05/29/2023]
Abstract
To improve biological control of Lygus lineolaris (Palisot de Beauvois) (Hemiptera: Miridae), the European parasitoid Peristenus digoneutis Loan (Hymenoptera: Braconidae) was introduced into the US in the 1980's and has become established in forage alfalfa, strawberries and apples. The objective of this study was to determine how four different insecticide management regimes affected parasitism of L. lineolaris by Peristenus spp. During the summers of 2005 and 2006, L. lineolaris nymphs were collected from New York State apple orchards using industry standard, reduced risk, and organically approved insecticides only. A 'no insecticide' (abandoned orchard) treatment was also included in 2006. Rates of parasitism of L. lineolaris nymphs were determined using a DNA-based laboratory technique. Results indicated that insecticide treatment had a significant effect on rates of parasitism of L. lineolaris by Peristenus spp. Compared to the industry standard treatment, rates of parasitism were higher in reduced risk orchards and lower in organic orchards. These results suggest that it is difficult to predict a priori the consequences of insecticide programs and point to the need to take into consideration the specific pests and beneficial organisms involved as well as the crop and the specific insecticides being applied.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lora A. Crampton
- Department of Entomology, Cornell University, Ithaca, New York. 14853
| | - Greg M. Loeb
- Department of Entomology, Cornell University, New York State Agricultural Experiment Station, Geneva, NY 14456
| | - Kim A. Hoelmer
- USDA ARS, Beneficial Insects Introduction Research Unit, Newark, DE 19713
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