The rice striped stem borer (SSB), Chilo suppressalis Walker, and the rice yellow stem borer (YSB), Scirpophaga incertulas Walker, are two of the most damaging pests of rice plant, whose relative crop damage has changed in recent years. Here, we carried out experiments and surveys to understand the potential impact of field flooding on populations of these species. YSB had a consistently higher mortality

The spotted wing drosophila, Drosophila suzukii Matsumura (Diptera: Drosophilidae), is an invasive pest native to Asia that has recently invaded Europe and the Americas. This pest can seriously compromise fruit production in infested crops and has a remarkable ability to invade new areas with a diverse range of environments. We report for the first time D. suzukii infestations in African crops. We

The Mediterranean basin thrives in native plant species are able to produce numerous derivatives that can be used for insect pest control. This article provides an up-to-date overview of the most important native plant species commonly found in this region that have a certain insecticidal value in vegetable crops. Regarding the insecticidal activity of extracts from selected native species, results

Associations with arbuscular mycorrhizal (AM) fungi can increase or decrease plant resistance to herbivory in different crop systems, but the effects of AM fungi on plant tolerance to pests remain largely unknown. We investigated whether inoculation of rice (Oryza sativa) with AM fungi stimulates plant growth, yield, and/or tolerance to rice water weevil (Lissorhoptrus oryzophilus) injury. Rice plants

Selecting an appropriate target gene is critical to the success of oral RNA interference-based pest control. The selection of target genes has depended on their ability to induce lethality. However, the induction of lethality by oral RNAi is slow-acting, and crop damage can progress during this time. Here, we show that oral RNAi of the death-associated inhibitor of apoptosis protein 1 (diap1), unlike

Iberian oak savannahs are traditional silvopastoral systems in which acorns constitute a key food source for livestock. Acorn feeding insects provoke significant economic losses; however, the high natural value of Iberian oak savannahs precludes any chemical treatment. This paper shows a novel way of biological pest control based on promoting livestock predation on these insects. Female Curculio elephas

A life-table approach was used to test the effect of adding flowering buckwheat to leek plots on mortality and estimated population growth of the invasive leek moth, Acrolepiopsis assectella. This approach was used to estimate the benefits of nectar provisioning on multiple members of the leek moth’s parasitoid complex, and the impact of parasitism on the pest’s predicted population growth rate. Addition

Vertebrate pests cause significant economic loss in several agricultural crops worldwide; therefore, their populations are often controlled through culling. Correctly identifying the main species responsible for the damage is essential to avoid persecuting the wrong targets, yet it is challenging. During 2016 and 2017, we tested the usefulness of camera-trapping (CT) in Terceira Island, Azores, Portugal

The Japanese giant silkworm Caligula japonica Moore is an emerging defoliator pest of forest and fruit trees, causing severe economic losses in East Asia. To identify biological control agents for this pest, we comparatively evaluated six indigenous eupelmid egg parasitoids (Anastatus fulloi, A. gansuensis, A. japonicus, A. meilingensis, Mesocomys albitarsis and M. trabalae) from China, in terms of

The sterile insect technique (SIT), a benign pest control strategy, is currently undergoing a substantial renewal for controlling the Queensland fruit fly (Q-fly), a major horticultural pest in Australia. Production and delivery of high-quality flies is fundamental to effective SIT. While efforts are commonly made to improve production at a factory level (both quantity and quality), the methods and

Considering the need for reduction in insecticide use, we studied the potential for antibiosis and the potential for antixenosis in seven highly yielding winter Brassica napus L. cultivars against Myzus persicae (Sulz.). We found evidence for antixenosis, i.e., disruption in probing in non-phloem tissues and a failure in reaching sieve elements in cultivar ‘Alister’. We found evidence for antibiosis

Riptortus pedestris (Fab.) is an important pest on soybean plants in East Asia. Females lay eggs scattered not only on host plants, but also on non-host plants, probably for avoiding detection by natural enemies. Newly hatched nymphs can develop to the second instar without the need of food except water. Second instar nymphs, the first-feeding stage with a strong locomotion, need to find suitable feeding

Rich and abundant predator complexes are frequently associated with aphids in perennial agroecosystems. The ability of these predators to successfully suppress aphid populations is nevertheless highly variable. The development of operative conservation biological control strategies is mostly hindered by the lack of knowledge of the specific roles of the aphidophagous assemblage components, their intra-guild

Sitophilus zeamais attacks stored corn kernels and is traditionally controlled using synthetic pesticides. However, the frequent use of these toxic compounds leads to environmental and health damage and to the development of resistant insect populations. Essential oils (EOs) represent an alternative to conventional pesticides for pest control. The objective of the present study was to evaluate the

Yeasts play an important role in the life cycle and biology of the insect pest Drosophila suzukii (Matsumura), commonly known as the spotted wing drosophila (SWD). Adult and larvae of this species are known to feed and benefit from yeast in their diet. In addition, yeasts were found to be attractive to SWD and were repeatedly found to be associated with SWD. Among those, Hanseniaspora uvarum is the

The adverse effects of invasive pests on ecosystems have gradually intensified, and the prevention of invasive pests is a long-standing research focus. Genetic control strategies are effective, sustainable and environmentally friendly methods for controlling pests and have received substantial attention worldwide. However, there is a lack of researches on the genetic control of Bactrocera dorsalis

Pierce-sucking insects, such as plant bugs or stink bugs, cause damage in cotton fields worldwide. A novel genetically engineered (GE) cotton (Gossypium hirsutum) is protected against hemipteran pests and thrips by producing the modified Bacillus thuringiensis (Bt) mCry51Aa2 protein. Herbivores that consume insect-protected GE crops, and their natural enemies, can be exposed to plant-produced insecticidal

Plant-parasitic nematodes are significant pests for many crops with considerable economic impact worldwide. Alternatives to highly toxic soil fumigants and nematicides are urgently sought after. Fluazaindolizine is a fluorinated nematicide with a novel, unknown mode-of-action and very low mammalian toxicity. The current research investigated the early responses of several plant-parasitic nematode species

Abstract Plants establish multitrophic interactions above- and belowground with arthropods and microorganisms. Trichoderma spp. are common soil fungi that colonize roots and promote plant growth and health. Under controlled conditions, Trichoderma spp. have been shown to induce plant resistance against the attack of foliar herbivore insects. Here, we investigated the effect of field inoculation with

Expanding general surveillance can improve invasive species detection to support eradication. Traditionally, citizens report observations to government agencies and mobile-phone-based tools provide incremental submission and processing efficiencies. However, citizen-reported data have high false positive rates and diagnostics laboratories are not resourced to process large observation volumes. We demonstrate

AbstractSoil abiotic stresses can trigger bottom-up effects on insect pests. However, it remains unknown whether the bottom-up effects differentially affect leaf chewers and sap-feeders, and whether abiotic stresses alter the extent of indirect interactions between insect herbivores sharing a host plant. We carried out a set of manipulative experiments to investigate how abiotic and biotic stresses

Biological pest control in greenhouses generally depends on the release of natural enemies. Macrolophus pygmaeus (Hemiptera: Miridae) is one of the most used predators in European vegetable crops. However, its long establishment time is considered as one of the main drawbacks in regard to pest control. Pre-plant release in nurseries and the use of banker plants are strategies frequently used to enhance

The age of Trichogramma parasitoids could influence biological traits which are of great importance for effectiveness of mass rearing systems. Recent studies demonstrated that Trichogramma ostriniae (TO) could parasitize Antheraea pernyi eggs through multiparasitism along with other Trichogramma species, although few adults could emerge successfully. It is important to characterize the factors modulating the

In the original publication of this article, the complete author affiliations were incorrect. The correct affiliations are provided in this correction.

Finding beneficial fungi antagonistic toward nematodes is important for developing more sustainable agricultural practices. We isolated abundant fungi from cysts of the beet cyst nematode Heterodera schachtii and tested their interaction with nematodes and sugar beet. By molecular screening of fungal communities colonizing five field populations of H. schachtii using DGGE and Sanger sequencing, three

Drought represents one of the most severe constraints to agricultural production; therefore, resistance to drought has the highest priority in the development of new cultivars. How insect pests respond to drought-resistant cultivars is poorly understood. In this study, by using the rose-grain aphid, Metopolophium dirhodum (Walker), in controlled laboratory conditions, we investigated the level of antibiosis

Generalist and specialist predators are successfully used in biocontrol programs in greenhouse vegetable crops, like tomato. A greenhouse ecosystem is rather simple and provides an excellent opportunity for developing predator–prey decision models. Three systems were selected: (1) the generalist predatory bug Macrolophus pygmaeus and the greenhouse whitefly Trialeurodes vaporariorum, (2) the generalist

Many invertebrates develop into different color morphs in response to changes in environmental conditions. Color morphs can differ in their biology and stress tolerance including pesticide resistance, but underlying mechanisms are unclear. In this study, we found that yellow morphs (predominant in hot summer conditions) of an agricultural pest, the melon aphid Aphis gossypii, have higher levels of

Plant colouration is known to be used by some nocturnal flower-visiting insects to foraging among colourful flowers in dim light. However, it remains unknown whether crepuscular species possibly reliably discriminate plant colouration (i.e. colour and/or brightness) for oviposition even driven by challenges of variably light conditions and similar leaf colouration. Here, we explored this question in

Pheromones are environmentally friendly alternatives to traditional pesticides for pest control. They are widely applied for insect monitoring, mating disruption and mass trapping. Nicotiana benthamiana and N. tabacum are potential green biomass production platforms of moth sex pheromones. Using these two Nicotiana species as plant factories, we expressed biosynthetic genes of plant and insect origin

Native to China and the Korean Peninsula, the Asian longhorned beetle (ALB), Anoplophora glabripennis, has been introduced to North America and Europe. In both its native range and the territory it has invaded, ALB is responsible for the death or removal of millions of urban, roadside, and forest trees. Here, we present the population genetic structure of ALB in South Korea, using 801 bp of mitochondrial

The whiteflies belonging to the species group Bemisia tabaci transmit viruses that are the greatest constraint to the production of cassava, Africa’s most important food security crop. We studied the life history of an endemic African population of B. tabaci SSA-ESA at six constant temperatures (16, 20, 24, 28, 32, 36 °C) in controlled environment chambers, and for 10 generations in the field. Oviposition

The European grapevine moth, Lobesia botrana (Lepidoptera: Tortricidae), is a pest that has great potential to cause damage to vineyards. Considering that L. botrana is one of the major grapevine pests globally, it is essential to analyze the risk of its introduction and determine places with higher potential for the establishment of this pest. In this study, we highlighted the most prone regions in

Essential oils are being increasingly utilised as a biorational element in integrated pest management regimes. Whereas there has been much research on the effects of these oils on mortality and behaviour of pestiferous molluscs, insects and nematodes, there has (to the present authors’ knowledge) been no research into their effects on the mortality and behaviour of beneficial nematodes. We address

AbstractThe soil nematode Nacobbus aberrans (Thorne & Allen) is one of the recurrent biotic adversities in crops growing under cover, and its presence in the horticultural area of Río Cuarto, Argentina, is reported from the 1980s to the present day. The use of botanical extracts in combination with biological control agents could be a promising method for the control of this nematode. Nematicidal effects

The southern root-knot nematode (Meloidogyne incognita) is one of the most devastating threats to cucumber production in China. The ban of methyl bromide and restricted use of other fumigants and high-toxicity of non-fumigant nematicides increases the need for more selective non-fumigant nematicides that pose fewer risks to the environment to manage M. incognita. Fluopimomide is a new fungicide with

The essential oils (EOs) are volatile plant extracts that are commonly considered as potential biopesticides. They present promising properties as relatively safe and potent insecticides, primarily delivered via fumigation. Such specificity of the EOs has led to the growing interest of researchers and, subsequently, to an increasing body of publications. The studies focusing on assessing the insecticidal

The Western flower thrips (WFT), Frankliniella occidentalis, is a major threat to a wide range of agricultural crops and rapidly spreads throughout the world. Its international importance as a pest has led to tremendous growth in our knowledge of its biology, ecology, and novel approaches for its management. Unfortunately, the literature on WFT is widely dispersed and many researchers, extension specialists

RNA interference (RNAi) is being developed and exploited to improve plants by modifying endogenous gene expression as well as to target pest and pathogen genes both within plants (i.e. host-induced gene silencing) and/or as topical applications (e.g. spray-induced gene silencing). RNAi is a natural mechanism which can be exploited to make a major contribution towards integrated pest management and

Male-produced pheromone components have been reported in the Asian longhorn beetle, Anoplophora glabripennis (Motschulsky) (Coleoptera: Cerambycidae), but field attraction to these components has been less than overwhelming. Female ALBs were observed rhythmically extending the genitalia in a manner reminiscent of female calling behaviors in other cerambycid species. We thus hypothesized that female

Here, we provide the first insights into the transmission dynamics of the bacterium Xylella fastidiosa by the meadow spittlebug Philaenus spumarius, gathered through DC EPG (electrical penetration graph)-assisted transmission tests and comparative observations of the probing and feeding behavior of infective versus non-infective vectors on healthy olive plants. Bacterial cells binding to P. spumarius’

Rice farmers in Southeast Asia are hesitant to adopt the water-saving technology, alternate wetting and drying (AWD), for fear the practice will lead to increased rodent pest activity, consequently exacerbating yield loss. We examined the effects of AWD on the population dynamics, habitat use and damage levels inflicted on rice crops by the most important rodent pest of rice in Indonesia and the Philippines

Spotted lanternfly (SLF) is an invasive insect pest in the northeastern USA, and current projections suggest global spread of this insect. SLF is particularly damaging in grape; however, little is known about SLF activity and phenology in vineyards. In 2018–2019, adult SLF populations were monitored in 7–9 Pennsylvania vineyards using weekly visual assessments of vines. Additional studies were carried

Double-stranded RNA (dsRNA)-mediated gene silencing, or RNA interference (RNAi), is an emerging biotechnology that has been a breakthrough tool for crop protection. Exogenous dsRNA triggers the RNAi pathway, silences genes, disrupts protein function, and can cause insect mortality. However, effective delivery of the dsRNA is problematic, particularly in systems with long-lived, endophagous insects

Ionizing radiation including electron beam (eBeam) technology has been used as a quarantine measure around the world for transboundary shipment of agricultural products. Since the treatment goal of this technology is not to instantly kill insects but to cause them to be sterile, an apparent challenge is how to ensure that the agricultural commodities have been exposed to ionizing radiation if live

A considerable body of evidence has demonstrated the positive impact of the diversity of plant species on biological control of pests at the field scale. However, very few studies have assessed the effect of crop diversity on natural enemy performance and pest control. In order to test our hypothesis that crop diversity could increase natural enemy development and performance, we examined the mechanisms

Plants have evolved induced defense mechanisms against insect herbivore attacks. The application of plant elicitors can enhance the biological control of crop pests by inducing plant defense responses, and (Z)-3-hexenol (z3HOL) is recognized as a herbivore-induced plant volatile that plays an important role in the chemical communication between plants and pests. We investigated whether z3HOL can activate

Echinacea species are reported for a large content of bioactive compounds, but their effects on phytoparasitic nematodes are still unknown. This study comparatively investigated the in vitro activity of chemically characterized extracts from E. angustifolia, E. pallida and E. purpurea on juveniles and eggs of the root-knot nematode Meloidogyne incognita. Suppressiveness of soil amendments with Echinacea

Insecticides used to control fruit fly pests have been implicated in negative effects on natural enemies, human health and the environment. As potential ‘softer’ insecticides, natural compounds such as essential oils and their constituents have received increased attention as insecticide candidates. Queensland fruit fly (Q-fly), Bactrocera tryoni (Froggatt), is the most economically damaging fruit

Annual economic losses of eggplant due to western flower thrips (Frankliniella occidentalis) infestations are considerable. F. occidentalis is difficult to control due to rapid proliferation rates and resistance to chemical insecticides. A more effective biological control strategy is urgently required. To assess the potential efficacy of M. anisopliae CQMa421 in the biological control of F. occidentalis

Insect meal is a new agricultural commodity that will be produced in huge quantities in the near future and will be treated as all traditional agricultural commodities, i.e., insects will be harvested, processed, transported and stored. As most agricultural commodities, insect meals may be prone to insect infestations during their “post-harvest stages.” However, no information is available at the moment

Increasing atmospheric CO2 concentrations affect the performances of herbivores. Most previous studies have focused on the effects of abrupt increases in CO2 concentration on herbivore performance, but knowledge about the response of herbivores to gradual increases in CO2 is lacking. We tested the hypothesis that herbivores will show different responses to abrupt and gradual CO2 increases. We measured

Area wide management (AWM) is a coordinated strategy designed to achieve effective and longer-lasting suppression of mobile insect pests, involving groups of commercial growers working together and/or with local communities to achieve control across multiple host areas. In this study, we hypothesised that intentions to carry out AWM for the control of fruit fly would be predicted by subjective knowledge

Increased atmospheric CO2 concentrations may directly affect insect behavior and physiology. Native and invasive insects may have different levels of adaptability to elevated CO2. The invasive species Frankliniella occidentalis and the native species Thrips hawaiiensis are economically important pests. We determined the effects of elevated CO2 on these pests by monitoring their development, survival

Western flower thrips, F. occidentalis (Pergande) (Thysanoptera: Thripidae), is one of the most important pests of agricultural and horticultural crops worldwide. Adults and larvae injure plants through their feeding and virus transmission. However, suppression of the soil-dwelling pupal stages offers opportunities to minimize damage from the plant-feeding stages. Effects of a granular formulation

Plant viruses can modify the performance and behavior of insect vectors to maximize their transmission rates. Whether viruses can evolve to mediate their insect vectors’ interspecific competition is poorly understood. Here, we used two vectors of tomato zonate spot virus (TZSV), one native species (Thrips palmi) and one exotic species (Frankliniella occidentalis), to investigate this in laboratory

The most severe outcome of the widespread interspecific competition that occurs between invasive organisms and their local congeners is species displacement. The western flower thrips, Frankliniella occidentalis (Pergande), which originated from western North America, has invaded much of the agricultural world since the 1970s, and in so doing, has become a dominant thrips species in many of the areas

The Angoumois grain moth, Sitotroga cerealella Olivier (Lepidoptera: Gelechiidae), is the most serious and destructive pest of stored commodities around the globe, particularly on wheat, rice and maize. Previously, we confirmed that diallyl trisulfide (DAT), an active substance from garlic essential oil, reduced oviposition of females after a fumigation at the sublethal concentration (LC20 = 0.015 µL/L);

The brown marmorated stink bug (BMSB), Halyomorpha halys (Stål) (Hemiptera: Pentatomidae), is a polyphagous pest of fruit and vegetable crops. Kiwifruit is an economically important fruit, and occasional outbreaks of BMSB have been reported in kiwifruit orchards in China, Italy, and Greece. However, information on the types of damage and damage levels on fruit that BMSB can cause during the growing

Diamide insecticides selectively acting on insect ryanodine receptors (RyR) were launched to the market more than 10 years ago, particularly targeted for the control of lepidopteran pest species in diverse agronomic and horticultural cropping systems. They are now globally registered in many countries and provide reliable control levels in most settings. However, their frequent application, due to