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Simple Summary: Intensive farming has caused a sharp decline in beneficial insects like pollinators (such as bees and butterflies) and natural predators of crop pests. One way to address this is by sowing flower margins on farmland, which can boost biodiversity and the numbers of beneficial insects for pollination and pest control. However, after installation, the success of these margins can vary based on how they are managed. In this study, we compared two mowing management methods: the new "three-strip management" method with variable, curved mowing lines and a traditional, regular phased mowing method using straight mowing lines. During the third year of application, we measured how each method affected insect diversity, floral diversity, and plant–pollinator interactions. Our results showed that three-strip management significantly increased the abundance and diversity of pollinators, especially bees and butterflies, and the abundance of natural enemies. Additionally, we found more plant species blooming at different periods of the year and a positive impact on multiple network properties of plant–pollinator visitations in the three-strip-managed margins. This study shows that new, nature-based management methods can enhance insect diversity, improve their beneficial function in the ecosystem, and contribute to overall farmland biodiversity. Agricultural intensification has led to significant declines in beneficial insect populations, such as pollinators and natural enemies, along with their ecosystem services. The installation of perennial flower margins in farmland is a popular agri-environmental scheme to mitigate these losses, promoting biodiversity, pollination, and pest control. However, outcomes can vary widely, and recent insights into flower margins in an agricultural context suggest that management could be an important contributor to this variation. This study evaluated two mowing management regimes: the new "three-strip management" method with uneven, curved mowing lines and regular phased mowing as a control method. During the third year of application, we evaluated the effects on the alpha diversity indices of pollinators and natural enemies, as well as plant–pollinator visitation networks. Curved three-strip management significantly increased the abundance of all pollinator groups (+44%) and natural enemies (+50%), and the taxonomic richness and diversity of pollinators, especially for rarer solitary bees. Floral diversity was also higher, with more unique plants blooming in early spring and late summer, generating more unique plant–pollinator interactions (+54%) and a positive impact on multiple network-level properties. Our findings provide new evidence that nature-based management methods can be a win–win solution, creating high-quality habitats that enhance the insect diversity of various groups, support associated ecosystem services, and help restore overall farmland biodiversity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The pine sawyer beetle (Monochamus galloprovincialis) is a European vector of the invasive pinewood nematode (Bursaphelenchus xylophilus), one of the most dangerous threats to pine forests worldwide. One recommended method for detecting the nematode is catching and inspecting the M. galloprovincialis beetles. Effective commercial lures are available for that insect but attract non‐target species, particularly beneficial Thanasimus species. Our study aimed to develop an equally effective M. galloprovincialis lure less attractive to beneficial predatory insects.We used electroantennography to test several compounds occurring in the pheromones, hindgut extracts or headspace emissions of non‐Ips bark beetles. The compounds that caused the strongest antennal responses were used along with α‐pinene (host‐tree volatile) and monochamol (2‐undecyloxy‐1‐ethanol, a male‐produced aggregation pheromone of M. galloprovincialis) to prepare the lures for olfactometric and field testing.In the field experiments, the lure containing (+)‐α‐pinene, monochamol, (1R)‐(−)‐myrtenal and (S)‐(−)‐trans‐verbenol was equally effective as the commercial lure Galloprotect Pack. It attracted significantly less Thanasimus formicarius and T. femoralis beetles.Thus, the new lure can serve as a basis for developing an operational lure for monitoring M. galloprovincialis with reduced bycatch of predatory beetles. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Advancing biomonitoring of insects is vital if we are to safeguard insect biodiversity whilst optimizing the ecosystem service provision necessary for production systems such as agriculture and forestry.Over recent years, many key technological, methodological and conceptual advances have been made in and adjacent to biomonitoring. These advances are set to form the biomonitoring toolbox of the 21st century.The Agricultural and Forest Entomology special issue "Advances in insect biomonitoring for agriculture and forestry" exemplifies several of these advances across ten articles. From artificial intelligence‐based image analysis and identification, through molecular methods for highly resolved monitoring, to innovative use of existing methods, the articles highlight the diverse future of biomonitoring and the multi‐modal nature of its data.Through the advances represented in this special issue, progress towards highly resolved and scalable biomonitoring is certain, with fully automated biomonitoring seeming increasingly possible. These examples do, however, largely still depend on traditional monitoring and identification of insects for validation or reference data collection.To advance biomonitoring effectively, traditional approaches therefore must remain a key component of monitoring schemes and should be integrated with emerging technologies for robust and accurate biomonitoring. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Tithonia diversifolia has the potential for use as a reservoir for entomophages in pest control, as it attracts and preserves natural enemies before migrating to the target crop, where a high incidence of pests occurs. For example, in tomato crop production one of the limiting factors, under field condition, is the incidence of phytophagous insects. We determined the effects of Tithonia diversifolia on species assemblage structure of natural enemies and pest insects (abundance and diversity), plant growth (leaf area, stem length and diameter, number of leaves, flowers and fruits, and fruits weight/per plant), plant defense (leaf thickness and hardness) and fruit colouration on tomato plants in open conditions. Through direct and indirect samplings, a total of 456 insects were collected, comprising 76 natural enemies, 269 pests and 111 belonging other guilds. Length, stem diameter, number of flowers, leaf thickness, and hardness increased, while the number of leaves decreased. T. diversifolia plants increased natural enemies but not pest abundance in tomato plants, demonstrating that this plant can alter the structure of the insect community associated with tomato. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The present study aimed to compare some commercial traps baited with ammonium carbonate for their efficacy in monitoring Bactrocera oleae (Rossi) and their selectivity toward beneficial insects, under the conditions of olive groves located in five Mediterranean countries (Greece, Italy, Lebanon, Spain, Tunisia). The selectivity of the devices was evaluated toward several groups of non-target insects, namely lacewings (Chrysopidae), hoverflies (Syrphidae), ladybirds (Coccinellidae), bees (Apoidea) and hymenopteran parasitoids. The following devices were compared: yellow sticky panel, green sticky panel, Jackson trap with different combinations of yellow and white colours of the device and/or the panel, and McPhail trap. In most cases, the McPhail trap and the yellow panel showed the highest efficacy in monitoring male and female B. oleae flies; however, the yellow panel was most attractive for some groups of non-target insects, particularly the hymenopteran parasitoids, whereas the comparative non-target effects were sitespecific for the other arthropod groups. In the case of Chrysopidae, McPhail caught more individuals than the other traps in Italy and Spain, whereas in Lebanon and Greece, the highest number of individuals was captured in the two sticky panels. Coccinellidae were found in very low numbers only in Lebanon on yellow panels. Syrphidae were captured mainly on sticky panels in Greece and Tunisia. Apoidea were found only on yellow panels in Lebanon. The choice between the McPhail trap and the yellow panel should be made on the basis of various evaluations carried out at the site, including operational ones. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The vegetable extract of Calotropis procera has been used as an alternative control of insect pests. Thus, it is necessary to understand the action of this extract on predatory insects, due to the scarcity of data on its implications for beneficial organisms, such as the earwig Euborellia annulipes, predator of important insect pests. Thus, the aim of this study was to evaluate the effects of C. procera extract on the reproductive parameters of E. annulipes. The research was carried out at the Invertebrates Laboratory of the Biosciences Department of the Agricultural Sciences Center of the Federal University of Paraíba, Campus II, Areia (PB), under controlled conditions. Concentrations of 0, 5, 10, 15 and 20% of the aqueous and alcoholic extract of C. procera leaves were tested, with topical application on couples of E. annulipes adults. The number of eggs and nymphs were evaluated. The mentioned concentrations were also applied on the eggs of the predatory insect to verify the ovicidal effect. The experimental design used in each bioassay was completely randomized, data submitted to analysis of variance and means compared by Tukey's test (p ≤ 0.05). The reduction in the number of eggs and nymphs of E. annulipes occurs when they are submitted to the application of alcoholic extract of C. procera. In the ovicidal test, the increase in the extract concentration leads to a reduction in the viability of E. annulipes eggs, with this reduction being greater when using the alcoholic extract. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Solanum lasiocarpum (Solanaceae), commonly known as Terung Asam, is an indigenous crop in Sarawak, Borneo. The S. lasiocarpum is a renowned crop and is significant to the local and smallholder farmers for their household income. Study of insects associated with this crop is currently limited and lacking, despite their importance for Sarawak's agronomy. Hence, this study aimed to determine the associated insect species with S. lasiocarpum throughout the plant growth, namely, vegetative, flowering, and fruiting phases. Henosepilachna kaszabi (Coccinellidae) and mealybug Pseudococcidae were recorded as primary pests, while Anoplolepis gracilipes (Formicidae) and Polyrhachis sp. (Formicidae) as indirect pests for flowering and fruiting phases. Larvae and adults of H. kaszabi were sighted infesting leaves, stems, and roots, while Pseudococcidae congregated and infested the stems of S. lasiocarpum. Other visiting insects for S. lasiocarpum were also listed in this study. This study provides preliminary information regarding the insect pests of S. lasiocarpum for future effective pest management on this crop. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Simple Summary: Reducing the use of pesticides that harm natural enemies of crop pests is important to pest management. Currently, there is limited information on how herbicides might affect natural enemies. We carried out an analysis of existing data to determine how herbicides affect natural enemies and which herbicides are the most harmful. Herbicides increased natural enemy mortality and reduced their longevity and efficacy as predators. Predatory mites and predatory true bugs were more susceptible to herbicides than other groups of natural enemies. Spiders and parasitoid wasps were the least susceptible. However, parasitoid wasps are often tested in their "protected" juvenile stages within their hosts, and the data may under-represent the sensitivity of adults. Some potential glyphosate replacement herbicides were more harmful than glyphosate. There was little or no data available for many herbicides and beneficial insects, indicating that much more research is needed on this topic. 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. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Brinjal (Solanum melongena L.) is one of the commonly consumed vegetable in many countries including Pakistan. And attack by sucking and chewing insect pests likewise, Jassid, aphid, whitefly, shoot and fruit borers, cause significant losses in yield production. Therefore a research trail was conducted to evaluate effect of plant extracts against sucking and chewing insect pests and their associated natural enemies in brinjal crop under field conditions. For this four different plant extracts (Neem seed, Garlic, Eucalyptus and Tobacco) were used to evaluate their efficacy. Two sprays were applied at fifteen intervals and data was recorded before and after 24 hours and 72 hours after spray. In present results, we observed that all plant extracts significantly reduced insect pest population as compared with control groups, while among plant extracts the neem seed and garlic extract were observed more lethal to jassids, aphids and on white flies respectively, as compared to eucalyptus and tobacco extract. Similarly, a minimum damage % of fruit borer was also observed in neem seed and garlic extract as compared to tobacco and eucalyptus. However, no adverse effects were observed on natural enemies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Simple Summary: The study aimed to understand the differences in predation of insect pests between managed apple orchards and surrounding habitats. The researchers used mealworm (Tenebrio molitor) pupae as a proxy for coddling moth (Cydia pomonella) pupae and placed them in 42 stations within the orchard and 42 stations in a Eucalyptus stand. Half of the stations were covered with nets to prevent bird predation, while the other half were accessible to birds and insects. The researchers recorded the predation of the pupae and analyzed the videos to determine which species were responsible for the predation. They found that in net-free stations, the predation rate inside the orchard was higher than in the Eucalyptus stand, and the video analysis confirmed that birds were responsible for most of the predation. In netted stations, the predation rate was higher in the Eucalyptus trees, and most of these predations were carried out by ants. The results suggest that the orchard environment negatively affects insect activity as the distance into the orchard increases, specifically predatory ants and that bird predation of insect pests inside the orchard may be more intense than in the surrounding unmanaged habitat. This study highlights the importance of considering the impact of insecticides on the activity of beneficial insect predators in agriculture and suggests that birds may play an important role in controlling insect populations in the orchard. 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. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Citizen‐science projects focused on ecology and conservation have been growing in popularity in recent years, offering many opportunities for researchers and volunteers alike. Two principal approaches to citizen‐science projects in ecology can be characterized as the data‐first approach and the question‐first approach. Here, we highlight the value of question‐first citizen‐science projects for providing insights into the ecology and management of urban wildlife, using case studies on (1) beneficial insects (pollinators, predators and parasitoids) and (2) possums and gliders in Australian cities and towns. The question‐first approach has many benefits, offering a platform to engage volunteers with the scientific process and the broader context of an ecological or conservation problem, while also connecting them with their local environment. Identifying the questions to be addressed in a citizen‐science project ahead of data collection allows for co‐design and stronger collaboration with volunteers, community groups, local experts, and landscape managers. Question‐first citizen science can also provide valuable ecological data that extend substantially beyond presence‐only records, including presence‐absence data collected via timed surveys and information on animal behavior and interspecific interactions. However, establishing and maintaining question‐first citizen‐science projects can be challenging, requiring the building and maintenance of many relationships and a multidisciplinary approach that goes well beyond the usual activities of an academic researcher. Well‐designed, question‐first citizen science has the capacity to achieve both scientific rigor and meaningful engagement with volunteer participants. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Simple Summary: Insect pollinators and beneficial insects are in decline worldwide as agricultural practices shift to monocultures of the same crop grown over large areas. In response to the decline, the growth of nectar-rich plants is promoted, while the potential of grasses to provide resources for pollinators is rarely investigated. Sorghum, a widely grown crop produces abundant pollen. Additionally, infestations by the sorghum aphid, Melanaphis sorghi, produce large amounts of honeydew, a sugary substance that could provide an alternative to nectar. This field study characterized the use of sorghum pollen and sorghum aphid honeydew by Hymenoptera (bees, parasitoids, wasps) and other insects. Our studies show that susceptible sorghum could provide a food source to at least 29 families of Hymenoptera and other beneficial insects and could be promoted as a valuable landscape planting for preserving these insects. 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. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Insects can be exposed to ultraviolet (UV) radiation throughout their lifecycle when they rest, forage, and mate. The negative effects that such highly energetic photons can have on insect fitness are not well‐known, especially for natural exposure during the adult stage. Adult insects are considered to be more resistant to UV radiation than their immature stages, but this assumption is supported by only a few studies on a restricted set of pest species. We conducted the first investigation of the vulnerability of parasitoid adults to UV exposure, by assessing the longevity and potential fecundity of female Telenomus podisi Ashmead and Trissolcus utahensis Ashmead (Hymenoptera: Scelionidae) receiving low doses of UV‐A and visible radiation daily in the laboratory. Parasitoids died up to 2× faster with increasing levels of UV radiation, and, to a lesser extent, of visible radiation. There was no effect of UV radiation on maximum egg load resulting from oogenesis in early adulthood. This study on beneficial insects indicates that the physiological consequences of cumulative exposure to even mild doses of more energetic optical radiation, particularly in the UV range, should not be underestimated in natural and managed ecosystems. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

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. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Biological pest control is known to depend on landscape heterogeneity. However, such relationship shows irregular pattern and seems influenced by local farming practices and natural enemies that overwinter within crop fields. The objective of this study was to assess the contribution of emerging natural enemies in spring to biological control, and their response to the interaction between landscape heterogeneity and farming intensity.We monitored the overwintering insect community using emergence traps and measured the local potential pest predation using prey cards in 30 cereal fields, in spring in France. Study fields were selected along a landscape heterogeneity gradient and farming practices were recorded.None of the 10 emerging taxa influenced predation of lepidopteran eggs or weed seeds. On the ground, aphid predation was positively correlated with emerging carabid beetles. On foliage, aphid predation was negatively correlated with emerging parasitoids. Overall, the community of natural enemies that overwinters within crop fields seemed to benefit from landscape‐scale lower crop diversity and higher edge density in combination with higher local‐scale farming intensities. This suggests that they represent a subset of species adapted to intensified farming systems. This study highlights a broad taxonomic range of emerging natural enemies and their potential contribution to local pest predation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Dropleg-technique is a spaying equipment that allows sub-canopy treatments of plant protection products in row crops in horticulture and field crops as oilseed rape, maize or potatoes. Besides fungicides, insecticides and herbicides droplegs can be used for the application of liquid fertilizer. Using dropleg-technique benefits the accumulation of active substances on plant parts that are difficult to achieve, resulting in an effective control. Additionally the risk for spray drift due to wind can be reduced. By using dropleg-technique in flowering oilseed rape, pollinators and beneficial insects can be protected and residues of plant protection products in nectar and pollen can be reduced. However, there are also disadvantages combined with dropleg-technique. Folding some field crop sprayers with droplegs can be difficult. Furthermore, in some trials application of plant protection products with droplegs resulted in a lower efficacy in controlling some insect pests compared to conventional application technique, for example cabbage seed weevil and brassica pod midge in oilseed rape. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Agroecosystems produce profound alterations on the structure and functioning of the original environment, mainly due to the reduction of biodiversity. Flower flies (Diptera: Syrphidae) are potentially useful organisms for the diverse ecosystem services they provide. We studied syrphids collected in a Pampean agroecosystem to assess richness, abundance, host plants, and the ecosystem services they could offer. Flower flies were represented by three subfamilies, eight tribes, 17 genera, and 26 species/morphospecies. Adults of these flies visited flowers of 44 species of wild and/or cultivated plants and exhibited a generalist interaction pattern. Larvae of the most abundant species were predators (mainly soft-bodied Hemiptera) and/or decomposers/aquatic filters. Only one species was pollinivorous. Our results, together with the scarce published bibliography, suggest that the syrphid communities of the highly modified Pampean region are composed of a few very abundant species and many rare or low representative species. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The knowledge of the entomological fauna in productive systems is important for the agroecological management since beneficial insects are a key resource for pest management in horticultural systems. Scientific information on the biodiversity present in a given area is essential as well as the ecological function and/or feeding habits of the insects. In Alto Valle de Río Negro and Neuquén, horticultural production systems can be described as highly dependent on chemical inputs for pest management and fertilization. The aim of this study is to carry out an inventory of the biodiversity of some families of Hemiptera, Coleoptera (Curculionidae) and Hymenoptera present in peri-urban and rural farms located in Neuquén and Río Negro, respectively. Insects were collected through pitfall and sweeping net on tomato and pepper crops and the surrounding non-cultivated areas. Idiosystatus Berg (Auchenorrhyncha) was cited for the first time from Argentina. Species cited for the first time from Neuquén: Hemiptera: Auchenorrhyncha: Acanalonia chloris (Berg), Syncharina punctatissima (Signoret), Amplicephalus dubius Linnavuori, Exitianus obscurinervis (Stål), Agalliana ensigera Oman and Bergallia signata (Stål); Hemiptera: Heteroptera: Harmostes (Harmostes) prolixus Stål and Atrachelus (Atrachelus) cinereus (Fabricius); Coleoptera: Curculionidae: Hypurus bertrandi (Perris), Naupactus leucoloma Boheman, Otiorhynchus rugosostriatus (Goeze) and Sitona discoideus Gyllenhal and Hymenoptera: Xylocopa (Neoxylocopa) augusti Lepeletier and Pseudagapostemon (Neagapostemon) singularis Jörgensen. Species cited for the first time from Río Negro: Hemiptera: Auchenorrhyncha: Amplicephalus dubius Linnavuori, Amplicephalus marginellanus Linnavuori, Circulifer tenellus (Baker) and Xerophloea viridis (Fabricius); Hemiptera: Heteroptera: Tupiocoris cucurbitaceus (Spinola), Atrachelus (Atrachelus) cinereus (Fabricius), Dichelops furcatus (Fabricius) and Harmostes (Harmostes) prolixus Stål; Coleptera: Curculionidae: Naupactus xanthographus (Germar) and Hymenoptera: Diadasia pereyrae (Holmberg) and Dialictus autranellus (Vachal). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We review the status of insect pests and beneficials in northern NSW, the role of Integrated Pest Management, the potential impacts of climate change on these interactions, and the ability of farmers to adapt and prepare to manage insect pests and beneficials in grain crops and adjacent areas. This outreach and extension project was undertaken between 2009 and 2012. The primary considerations that need to be made about pest insects and reducing reliance on prophylactic chemical sprays are in understanding the role that adjacent remnant vegetation plays in harbouring beneficial insects and having an understanding of both pest and beneficial insect biology. Here, we also assess the current support for Integrated Pest Management (IPM) in northern NSW and identify the barriers farmers face in implementing and using IPM. We then evaluate methods used to integrate an Information-Based Service to growers and agronomists using extension activities, workshops, website, blog and insect identification service. Finally, we identify capacity to facilitate practice change in pest management using the IPM workshops, extension activities and integrating research into this knowledge transfer. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

An analysis of two leading journals for economic entomologists employing beneficial arthropods against agricultural insect pests --- the Journal of Economic Entomology, and Biological Control--- uncovered a highly concordant distribution of species used and species attacked. Parasitizing wasps were by far the most common beneficials. These were followed in frequency by predatory versions of the following: true bugs, mites, lady beetles, and lacewings. Assemblages of larger ground beetles and spiders provided good crop protection in fewer but still consequential dilemmas. Familiarity with prominent species will help science librarians who are not entomologists by training, but who may serve students and faculty in agriculture, ecology, or environmental studies, by raising their own awareness of this important means of pest control with less reliance on potentially toxic insecticides. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract Controlling weeds is critical for improving the yield and quality of crops. Herbicides are the most commonly applied pesticides in agro-ecosystems. Herbicides affect insects directly as contact damage and indirectly by influencing food supplies. The innate susceptibility, life stages, and mode of feeding of insects can affect the herbicide–insect interaction. Interaction of herbicides with insect pest and beneficial insects is mainly indirect and absence of weeds either can reduce the insect population or causes switching of host plant and hence can also increase the population. The direct effect of herbicides depends on carrier or surfactant used. Presence of herbicides also provides surfactant to insecticides and increases impact of insecticides. At present, most reports on impact of herbicides indicate alterations in insect survival or egg production due to increase or decrease in host plant population as an indirect affect, only a handful studies reported a direct topical effect of these herbicides on egg, larvae/nymphs and adults of various insects. Further exploration of this interaction seems intriguing. Use of bio-herbicides, cultural control methods, and judicious use of herbicides could offer ecologically sustainable approaches to reduce impact of herbicides on insects. Graphical abstract Multidimensional effect of herbicides on weeds, crops and insects. Arrows in red color shows negative impact on associate. (Positive and negative impact were analyzed on the basis of higher number of studies in this manuscript). Unlabelled Image Highlights • Herbicides as the most commonly applied pesticides in agro-ecosystems impact insects. • Herbicides can directly influence the life cycle of insect pests and beneficial insects. • Herbicides can indirectly impact pollinators by amending their food source. • Use of bioherbicides and prudent use of conventional herbicides should be practiced. • Studies on intriguing aspects of insect-herbicide interactions and biodiversity are needed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Sweet corn requires many insecticide applications to control its main pest: the European corn borer (Ostrinia nubilalis) (Lepidoptera: Crambidae). The use of Trichogramma is an effective biological alternative to control the European corn borer in sweet corn. However, manual introduction at large scale of Trichogramma using Trichocards is time-consuming. Mechanized introduction of Trichogramma using a boom sprayer is an innovative and advantageous solution. The objective of this study was to design and test a boom sprayer to spray Trichogramma ostriniae (Hymenoptera: Trichogrammatidae) in sweet corn canopy under real field conditions. Trichogramma ostriniae parasitized eggs were sprayed at a rate of 800,000 individuals h-1 using a boom sprayer designed at the Department of Soils and Agri-Food Engineering of Université Laval, Québec, Canada. Trichogramma parasitized eggs were also introduced at a rate of 500,000 individuals h-1 using Trichocards. Overall, eight releases were made during the 2016 season. Field trial results showed a 17.22% emergence rate reduction of Trichogramma in the sprayed plots compared to Trichocards. Total fecundity and longevity of sprayed T. ostriniae females were not negatively affected by spraying; indicating that spraying did not have any negative impact on their quality. The parasitism rates observed on natural egg masses of O. nubilalis and on sentinel egg masses of Ephestia kuehniella were comparable for both methods. At harvest, sprayed and Trichocards treatments resulted in adequate control of the European corn borer. Obtained results also showed that spraying was 1.7 times faster than the manual introduction of Trichocards. Overall, the results indicate that spraying is a promising technique for an efficient and viable introduction of Trichogramma parasitized eggs. However, more research is recommended to further optimize the spraying parameters. The spraying system successfully used in sweet corn could also be used in corn production and adapted to other crops such as pepper, beans, and potatoes to control the European corn borer. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Glass-forming ability (GFA) is one of critical scientific problems for the field of bulk metallic glass (BMGs), and how to facilitate glass formation is always a central yet important research theme for this field. Compared with conventional BMGs in the same alloy system, newly developed high-entropy BMGs (HE-BMG) usually show much enhanced thermal stability, but appreciably reduced GFA. In contrast to the conventional wisdom, we found that GFA of the Zr 20 Cu 20 Hf 20 Ti 20 Ni 20 HE-BMG could be enhanced by oxygen microalloying. The underlying mechanism was explored from both thermodynamic and kinetic point of view, and our analysis indicates that the high packing density resulted from addition of small oxygen atoms is responsible for the beneficial effect of oxygen. The current findings not only shed new insights into understanding of glass formation, but also broaden the view for exploring new kinds of HE-BMGs with enhanced properties and low manufacturing costs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Historic and current land-use changes have altered the landscape for grassland biota, with over 90% of grasslands and savannas converted to agriculture or some other use in north temperate regions. Reintegrating grasslands into agricultural landscapes can increase biodiversity while also providing valuable ecosystem services. In contrast to their well-known importance in tropical and subtropical ecosystems, the role of ants in temperate grasslands is often underappreciated. As consumers and ecosystem engineers, ants in temperate grasslands influence invertebrate, plant, and soil microbial diversity and potentially alter grassland productivity. As common and numerically dominant invertebrates in grasslands, ants can also serve as important indicator species to monitor conservation and management practices. Drawing on examples largely from mesic, north temperate studies, and from other temperate regions where necessary, we review the roles of ants as consumers and ecosystem engineers in grasslands. We also identify five avenues for future research to improve our understanding of the roles of ants in grasslands. This includes identifying how grassland fragmentation may influence ant community assembly, quantifying how ant communities impact ecosystem functions and soil processes, and understanding how ant communities and their associated interactions are impacted by climate change. In synthesizing the role of ants in temperate grasslands and identifying knowledge gaps, we hope this and future work will help inform how land managers maximize grassland conservation value while increasing multiple ecosystem services and minimizing disservices. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: The continuing pollinator crisis is due, in part, to the lack of year‐round floral resources. In intensive farming regions, such as the Upper Midwest (UMW) of the USA, natural and pastoral vegetation largely has been replaced by annual crops such as maize (Zea mays L.), soyabean (Glycine max L.) and wheat (Triticum spp.). Neither the energy (nectar) nor protein (pollen) needs of pollinating and other beneficial insects are being met sufficiently by the new, high‐intensity, agricultural landscape. Several potentially useful oilseed crops can be grown in the UMW, and many of these oilseeds are highly attractive to beneficial insects. Prior research showed that some of these oilseeds produced abundant nectar, but their corresponding values for pollen production are unknown. Accordingly, the aim of our research was to document pollen (and protein) production per unit area of twelve oilseed crops grown in Minnesota and associate these values with levels of beneficial insect visitation during anthesis. Our results show that oilseed crops such as camelina (Camelina sativa L.), flax (Linum usitatissimum L.) and pennycress (Thlaspi arvense L.) produce relatively little pollen (≤40 kg/ha); borage (Borago officinalis L.), calendula (Calendula officinalis L.), canola (Brassica napus L.), crambe (Crambe abyssianica Hochst) and cuphea (Cuphea viscosissima Jacq. × Cuphea lanceolata W. T. Aiton) produce bountiful pollen resources (50–150 kg/ha); and oilseed echium (Echium plantagineum L.) generates massive amounts of pollen (>400 kg/ha), about 50% of which is protein. Our study is unique in presenting a season‐long perspective of pollen production in alternative oilseed crops, a resource valuable to pollen‐feeding insects such as managed and wild bees. Diversification of UMW landscapes that includes alternative oilseed crops such as oilseed echium and cuphea can potentially provide a ready source of pollen and protein to help combat pollinator decline. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In Part II of our study of papers published in theJournal of Economic Entomology, 2000–2015, we focus on the three most intensely studied orders: Lepidoptera, Coleoptera, and Hemiptera. Species within these orders account for 71 percent of the grand total of the studies of commodities attacked or venues infested. These species also account for 75 percent of the membership of the top one hundred species, and 69 percent of the top hundred’s papers. Species within these orders include the world’s most significant pests of apples, cabbages, cherries, corn, cotton, grapes, oranges, peaches, plums, potatoes, rice, soybeans, tomatoes, tree nuts, most warehoused dry commodities, wheat, and the most economically important hardwoods and conifers. Tables provided in this paper determine the relative rankings of species within these three orders among the top hundred. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In Part III of our study of papers published in theJournal of Economic Entomology, 2000–2015, we focused on six orders of arthropods: Diptera, Blattodea, Acari, Hymenoptera, Thysanoptera, and Psocoptera. Species within these orders account for almost 30% of the grand total of the studies of commodities attacked or venues infested. These species also account for 26% of the membership of the top 100 species, and 29% of the top 100’s papers. Species within these orders include the world’s most significant pests of backyards, blueberries, cattle, cranberries, the cut flower and potted plant industries, honeybee pollination services, household hygiene, mint, onions, oranges, oregano, sage, thyme, and wooden structures. The shaded lines in the tables in this paper show the relative rankings of species within these six orders among the top 100. Part III closes with a summation of the key findings concerning predictability in the study of adverse arthropods. It emphasizes the relative stability in the assortment of topics and subspecialties most commonly encountered in twenty-first century entomology. There is also a year-to-year recurring pattern of papers involving the commodities most damaged or venues most infested and the major orders and their member species that target them, with the arrival of newly invasive species one of the few ways these equilibria are ever upset. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In their world leading publication, theJournal of Economic Entomology, economic entomologists typically found papers published between 2000-2015 roughly subdivided by type of crop attacked, venue of infestation, classic methodologies and more modern subspecialties, and recurring issues. The commodities most intensively studied include alfalfa, corn, cotton, garden vegetables, rice, soybeans, temperate climate tree fruits, tropical fruits, turfgrass, and wheat. Infested venues and procedures for their pest prevention, control or eradication were frequently explored and include both those used for the quarantining and treatment of newly imported commodities, as well as for the longer term post-harvest dry storage typical for cereal grains in warehouses. Household pests and structurally damaging termites remained topics of ongoing high interest. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

Carebara oertzeni Forel is recorded from the European part of Turkey for the first time based on queens, a male and workers. The hitherto unknown worker caste of C. oertzeni is recorded and described for the first time. Our queen and male specimens have some differences from the typical C. oertzeni specimens. The differences are the sculpture on the anterior half of head, on the pronotum, and the area between the metanotal teeth, larger head measurements and some body ratios in queen; head measurements, 4-toothed mandibles, scape measurements, ratio of scape and 2nd funicular segment and hair density on head dorsum in male. Moreover, some biological notes for the species are given. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Agroecological research has improved our understanding of the drivers and benefits of biodiversity, thus providing the scientific basis needed to achieve agricultural multifunctionality. We review how agroecology has contributed to our understanding of the effects of local and landscape level drivers on beneficial insects, as well as on the ecosystem services they provide. Several syntheses from agroecosystem research indicate that both populations and biodiversity of pollinator and natural enemies decline with increases in local agricultural intensification and that landscape composition and configuration may mediate these local scale effects. Changes in agricultural management may affect predation and pollination services by altering the resource base for natural enemies and pollinators, by altering their species pool, and by modifying their interactions. The effects of these drivers depend on taxonomical or functional groups and landscape context. Studies that directly measure the cascading effects of landscape drivers on pest control and pollination services and plant level benefits are sparse. We propose five research themes to improve our understanding of the interface of agroecology, conservation, and ecosystem service research. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Cotton crop Ethiopia is a high-value crop and the strategy for pest control is insecticide-dependent with no consideration of beneficial insects. We carried out a study in 2013 and 2014 to determine the effectiveness of a food spray product developed with local ingredients from Benin (BFP), a food spray product developed from Ethiopian ingredients (EFP), and mixtures of the individual food spray products with and without neem extracts. Applications of BFP and of EFP alone attracted and retained beneficial insects and significantly reduced the number of pests, and increased cotton yields and profitability. The net margins of 18,418 and 18,642 Ethiopian birr (ETB)/ha were achieved from the plots treated with BFP and EFP, respectively, and 13,000 ETB (US$1 = 19 ETB) was achieved from the unsprayed plots. Addition of neem extract to the food spray products decreased the number of beneficial insects attracted to the food spray plots. In conclusion, food sprays can be used as part of integrated pest management (IPM) for managing cotton pests and can result in significant increases in crop yields and profitability. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

RNA interference ( RNAi) involves a natural mechanism of gene regulation and an antiviral defense system in eukaryotic cells, resulting in sequence-specific degradation of RNAs. Recent studies demonstrated the feasibility of using RNAi-based strategies to reduce insect pests or increase the health of beneficial insects. This technology permits the development of strategies to control a single insect species, with possibly no negative effects on non-target species, like honey bees or parasitoids. Focus on the development of topically applied RNAi-based approaches to manage insect pests and pathogens may provide environmentally sound products for use across all agriculture production systems. Herein presented are methods to develop RNAi-based control to the Asian citrus psyllid ( ACP), Diaphorina citri Kuwayama ( Hemiptera: Psyllidae), vector of citrus Huanglongbing ( HLB). Described is an RNAi feeding bioassay, called in plant system ( iPS), which uses vegetative new-growth citrus flush to deliver double-strand RNA (ds RNA) to ACP during natural feeding. The iPS demonstrated delivery of non-specific ds RNA in ACP 72 h post feeding. Feeding on flushes treated with ds RNA targeting ACP Arginine Kinase (ds AK), caused relative transcript knockdown and psyllid mortality. Increasing the dose of ds AK or use of ds RNA triggers made to different regions of the AK mRNA did not increase psyllid mortality. The iPS bioassay provides an easy system for use across many plants to successfully deliver ds RNA to ACP and other hemipteran insects for research or RNAi development. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Gullies with the semi-natural habitat (SNH) are widely distributed in the arable land of the watershed. However, the ecological functions of these gullies, especially for the dynamics and distribution of beneficial insects (BI) are still not clear. In this study, the spatiotemporal dynamic of BI influenced by herbicides application, plant diversity, soil moisture (SM) and climatic factors was investigated in thirteen gullies and adjacent farmlands from a watershed during the crop growth stages. The main results showed that both the abundance and richness of BI were highest in the gullies and adjacent areas compared with the forest belt, grassland and farmland in the watershed. The gathering phenomenon was strengthened after herbicide application and crop harvest. The abundance and richness of BI were relatively higher in farmland during stages of no herbicide application and no crop harvest compared to after herbicide application and harvest. The abundance and richness of BI were typically highest in the gully middle than the head and tail of both stable and developing gullies in most seasons. However, after herbicide application, the abundance and richness of BI were highest in the gully head in stable gullies and the mean values were 3.1 and 3.6 times that of farmland, while in developing gullies were still highest in the gully middle and the mean values were 2.8 and 3.5 times that of farmland. BI dynamics were mainly determined by the abundance and richness of plants in gullies, while SM less influenced the BI. Interspecific associations of BI were significantly positive in the watershed but were not significantly positive in the single gullies. Generally, gullies are the most important source and sink of BI compared with the forest belt and grassland, which can significantly mediate the spatiotemporal pattern of BI in the agricultural watershed. [Display omitted] • Gullies were key source-sink of beneficial insects (BI) in agricultural watershed. • Ecological functions of gullies were greater than in forest belt and grassland. • Abundance and richness of BI were highest in the middle of the gullies. • BI dynamics was mainly determined by the plant abundance and richness in gullies. • Interspecific associations of BI were significantly positive in the watershed scale. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The effect of post-cleaning Silver fir logging residues treatment method on the occurrence of early arriving xylobiont insects was studied in 2013 in two stands of fresh upland broadleaved forest and fresh mountain broadleaved forest habitats. At each study site, branches and tree tops were arranged in four piles and scattered disorderly in two plots. It was demonstrated that fine woody debris of fir, regardless of the disposal variant and habitat conditions prevailing at the place of leaving the material, were the breeding and the feeding base for Pityophthorus pityographus (Ratzeburg, 1837), Pityokteines vorontzowi (Jakobson 1895), P. curvidens (Germar, 1824) and Cryphalus piceae (Ratzeburg, 1837) (Coleoptera: Scolytinae). It was noted that the attractiveness of fir branches and tree tops for phytophagous insects increased proportionally to the stage of decomposition of logging residues. The influence of forest habitat and the method of fir slash utilisation, as well as microenvironmental conditions, prevailing in the material surroundings, on the severity of branch and tree top infestation by insects was not confirmed. It was, however, proved that fine woody debris of fir was the place of the occurrence of saprophages and natural enemies of bark beetles, i.e. predators, parasites and parasitoids. The most abundant entomophagous insect species was Phloeopora corticalis (Gravenhorst, 1802) (Coleoptera: Staphylinidae), whereas saproxylobiont entomofauna was represented mostly by insects from the order Diptera and family Mycetophilidae. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Coccophagus funiculatus Myartseva sp. nov. (Hymenoptera: Aphelinidae), reared from the soft scale genus Toumeyella (Hemiptera: Coccidae), is described, and the aphelinid species associated with Toumeyella species in the New World are discussed and compared. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

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 centralWashington 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. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Lethal and sublethal effects of insecticides on target and non-target arthropods are a concern of pest management programs. Cycloneda sanguinea , Orius insidiosus and Chauliognathus flavipes are important biological control agents for aphids, whitefly, lepidopterus eggs, thrips and mites. All three test species were subjected to a toxicity study using the insecticides acephate, bifenthrin, chlorantraniliprole, chlorpyrifos, deltamethrin, imidacloprid, and thiamethoxam. Experiments were done in the lab and field. In the laboratory we evaluated the mortality and sublethal effects of the concentration that killed 20% of the population (LC 20 ) on feeding, repellence and reproduction of the species tested. The lethal effects of these insecticides at the recommended doses was evaluated in the field. Concentration-response bioassays indicated chlorantraniliprole had the lowest toxicity, while chlorpyrifos and acephate were the most toxic. Test species exposed to filter paper surfaces treated with pyrethroids, neonicotinoids and organophosphates were repelled. On the other hand, test species were not repelled from surfaces treated with chlorantraniliprole. Chlorantraniliprole therefore seemed to be the least dangerous insecticide for these three beneficial arthropod test species. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Organic broccoli growers in California typically control aphids by intercropping broccoli with strips of alyssum ( Lobularia maritima (L.) Desv.) which attracts hoverflies (Diptera: Syrphidae) that are important predators of aphids. A three year study with transplanted organic broccoli in Salinas, California evaluated agronomic aspects of broccoli monoculture (B100) and broccoli-alyssum strip intercropping on beds in replacement intercropping treatments where alyssum transplants replaced 4 or 8% of the broccoli transplants, and an additive intercropping treatment (B100 + A100) where alyssum transplants were interspersed between broccoli without displacing it. The replacement patterns included alyssum planted on both lines of a bed (A100), beds with 50% broccoli and 50% alyssum transplants in different lines (B50A50D), and beds with 50% broccoli and 50% alyssum alternating in the same lines (B50A50S). To evaluate competition, shoot dry matter (DM) of alyssum and broccoli was measured at 36–43 days (harvest 1) and 59–66 days (harvest 2) after transplanting, and alyssum flowering was assessed at both harvests. The treatments performed consistently across years. The number of flowering alyssum shoots was highly correlated with alyssum DM. Per alyssum transplant, alyssum DM was highest in A100 and B50A50D at harvest 1, and by harvest 2 (3–7 days before broccoli maturity) was in order of A100 > B50A50D > B50A50S = B100 + A100. Broccoli was much more competitive than alyssum and by harvest 2 produced larger broccoli shoots per transplant in B50A50S (122 g) and B50S50D (96 g) than the more ideally sized shoots (73 g) in B100 and B100 + A100. The A100 pattern may be the most efficient replacement intercropping strategy to provide hoverflies and parasitoids with floral resources through the whole season, however, additive intercropping may also be useful to augment floral resources early in the season without displacing broccoli. These results can help growers reduce the cost of alyssum intercropping in high-density broccoli systems (>100,000 transplants per ha). The practical management implications and future research needs to further improve the efficiency of these systems are discussed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Human health problems due to long life are becoming major issues in society, and in particular greater interest collected on women's health after menopause. Many substances can be introduced to women's health, however, materials from the substances have not shown all of the safety and efficacy properties that are not easily found. Currently, it is known about the effects of the disease on the female insect-derived material that is capable of overcoming this problem significantly. When using the insect-derived material through the results of several studies suggest that it is possible to solve a hormonal imbalance and nutritional imbalance in the elderly. Here, we'd like to try to dissertate about the new trends for women's health improvement using novel materials-derived from insects. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Entomopathogenic fungi, when used as a microbial control agent against cotton pests, such as Helicoverpa spp., may have the potential to establish and spread in the environment and to have an impact on both pests and beneficial insects. Information on the effect of entomopathogenic fungi on pests and beneficial insects is crucial for a product to be registered as a biopesticide. The effect of the entomopathogenic fungus BC 639 (Aspergillus sp.) against Helicoverpa spp. and beneficial insects (mostly predatory insects) was studied in the laboratory and in cotton field trials. The results show that when Helicoverpa spp. second instar larvae were exposed to increasing concentrations (from 10² to 109) of the entomopathogenic fungus BC 639, the optimum dose required to kill over 50% of the insects was 1.0 × 107 spores/mL. In the field trials, the number of Helicoverpa spp. per metre on plots treated with 1.0 or 0.50 L/ha of BC 639 was the same as on plots treated with the recommended rate of the commercial insecticide, Indoxacarb. However, when plots were treated with 0.25 L/ha of BC 639, this was not as effective at controlling Helicoverpa spp. as 1.0 or 0.5 L/ha BC 639 or Indoxacarb. BC 639 had less effect on predatory insects when applied at lower rates (0.50 and 0.25 L/ha) than at higher rates (1.0 L/ha). Thus, BC 639 was more selective against predators when applied at lower rates than at the higher rate, but was also more selective than Indoxacarb. Thus, the ability of BC 639 to control Helicoverpa spp. effectively with a minimal effect on predatory insects indicates its potential for enhancing integrated pest management programs and to sustain cotton production. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Neonicotinoids have recently been implicated by the media as a contributing factor to the decline of honey and bumblebees. We sought to better understand consumer perceptions and willingness to pay for traditional, neonicotinoid-free, bee-friendlv, or biological control pest management practices as growers may seek alternative management practices to systemetic insecticides. We conducted a nationwide Internet survey (n = 3082), where consumers answered attitudinal, comprehension, likelihood-to-buy, and demographical questions about indoor (marketed in 10-cm pots) and outdoor (marketed in 30-em hanging baskets or 10-cm pots) floriculture products. The likelihood-to-buy questions were analyzed using conjoint analysis to determine which attributes had the greatest part-worth scores or which ones were viewed most positively by survey respondents. Of the total participants, 65.1% (n = 2002) of the subjects had purchased an annual flowering plant in the 12 months before the survey. Respondents reported that the most important plant health and appearance factors that affect their purchasing decisions were that the flowering plants have no plant damage, while the second most important factor was that plants have no insects on them. The least important factor in the ranking of stated importance was that no neonicotinoid insecticides were used during the production of the plant. This finding may have resulted from 56.6% of all participants who reported that they did not understand the term. For those who viewed the indoor 10-cm flowering plants (n = 1052), the plant species accounted for 41.2% of the decision to purchase the plant, followed by production type (32.8%) and price (26.0%). All three product attributes were of equal importance to the subjects who viewed the outdoor 10-cm flowering plants (n = 1024), whereas only price had a lower relative importance when compared with production type and species for those who viewed the 30-cm hanging baskets (n = 1006). Across all three studies, use of the term "bee-friendly" had the greatest economic value because it had the highest part-worth utility score, or the greatest willingness-to-buy. For the subjects who viewed the outdoor plants, "bee-friendly" and "use of beneficial insects" had greater economic value (with positive part-worth utility scores), but "neonicotinoid-free" and "traditional insect control" both had negative partworth utility scores, indicating they were valued less and detracted from the dollar value of the plant. The term "bee-friendly" was worth up to five times more to those respondents that had bought a plant in the last 12 months compared with those who had not. Therefore, if ornamental plants are labeled with pest management practices, most consumers value the term "bee-friendly" more and will likely discount products labeled "neonicotinoid-free." [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Field experiments to evaluate four different colored sticky cards for trapping non-target insects were conducted in an organic maize field in the Heinigou region of China. Yellow, blue, green, and red sticky cards were used to trap insects in the field. The total number of insects species caught was 54, with 3,862 individuals recorded. Over half of the specimens caught were non-target insects, including phytophagous insects, particularly dipteran species (including many mosquitoes) (50.3%), followed by target pests (37.0%), and beneficial insects (12.7%). Statistical analysis revealed a significant difference in attraction to target pests, non-target pests, and beneficial insects among treatment groups. The results showed that higher numbers of target pests (Myzus persicae Sulzer, Empoasca flavescens Fabricius, Nysius ericaecshinly Schilling) were caught on yellow sticky card traps compared with blue, green, or red sticky card traps, indicating that yellow was the best trap color for target pests, with green and blue being progressively less attractive. For non-target insects, including phytophagous insects, flies, and mosquitoes, higher numbers of were caught on blue sticky card traps compared with yellow, green, or red sticky card traps. Our study indicated that blue was the most attractive color for flies, especially for the housefly, Musca domestica Linnaeus. Our study also showed that most beneficial insects exhibited preferences to particular trap color characteristics: yellow was the most attractive color for parasitic wasps and lady beetles; blue was the most attractive color for hoverflies and honeybees. In contrast, green and red had no significant attraction to beneficial insects. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Beneficial insects (predators, parasitoids, pollinators) associated with stinging nettles, Urtica dioica Linnaeus (Urticaceae), were sampled at three sites in central Washington during spring-summer 2011-2013 using transparent sticky traps attached to upper portions of plants. Large numbers (200-400/trap) of beneficial insects were trapped particularly in June and early July, gradually decreasing thereafter. Phytophagous insects (aphids and leafhoppers) were trapped in much lower numbers (< 20/trap). Predatory bugs, carnivorous flies, parasitic wasps (Pteromalidae, Eulophidae, Trichogrammatidae, Scelionidae) and native bees dominated the trap catches. Predatory bugs were the most abundant beneficial insects trapped in 2 years (2011, 2013) with parasitic wasps dominant in 2012. Minute pirate bugs, Orius spp. (Anthocoridae) were dominant, accounting for > 95% of predatory bugs, peaking in abundance in June or July. Predacious flies were dominated by species of Empididae and Dolichopodidae. Native bees were commonly trapped, especially in 2011 and 2012. The data presented here indicate that stinging nettles in the Yakima Valley of eastern Washington may provide an important habitat for beneficial insects and may have a role to play in enhancing conservation biological control in agricultural crops. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The effect of access to buckwheat flowers (Fagopyrum esculentum Moench; Polygonales: Polygonaceae) or vetch extrafloral nectaries (Vicia sativa L. cv. 'cahaba white'; Fabales: Fabaceae) on the fitness of Anagyrus pseudococci (Girault) (Hymenotpera: Encyrtidae) (a parasitoid of the vine mealybug, Planococcus ficus [Signoret]) (Hemiptera: Pseudococcidae) was determined in the laboratory. Female A. pseudococci provided with vetch survived 4 days longer compared with water only. Buckwheat had no effect on the average longevity of A. pseudococci. Anagyrus pseudococci offspring production increased by 132% and 152% when females were provided either vetch or buckwheat, respectively, when compared with water. There was no significant difference in parasitoid longevity or fecundity between plant species. Buckwheat increased the percentage of female A. pseudococci offspring by 15% and 19% when compared with water and vetch, respectively. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Carmine cochineal, Dactylopius coccus Costa, was introduced to northern Ethiopia to add considerable value to existing cactus pear vegetation that in places like the southern Tigray was becoming an invasive plant. It became an investment opportunity where Foodsafe, a Chilean company was involved. Company was granted 300 ha at the cactus pear infested plains of southern Tigray. Foodsafe was also expect ed to expand cochineal production through an outgrower scheme. It created employment opportunity for the locals and started exporting dried cochineal to Mexico and Germany bringing in foreign currency. As cactus pear grows in communal lands, conflict of interest arose and it polarised the community. The company was forcibly closed and it was a tragedy that a one time commercial insect became a full-fledged invasive insect pest. Attempts to contain the insect with mechanical and chemical control were not successful. So far more than 16,000 ha of cactus pear land was infested with carmine cochineal. 13,000 ton of dried cochineal could have been harvested in a single year, generated USD $52 million, and part of that money could have been used for its management. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Beneficial insects (predators, parasitoids, pollinators) associated with stinging nettles, Urtica dioica Linnaeus (Urticaceae), were sampled at three sites in central Washington during spring-summer 2011-2013 using transparent sticky traps attached to upper portions of plants. Large numbers (200-400/trap) of beneficial insects were trapped particularly in June and early July, gradually decreasing thereafter. Phytophagous insects (aphids and leafhoppers) were trapped in much lower numbers (< 20/trap). Predatory bugs, carnivorous flies, parasitic wasps (Pteromalidae, Eulophidae, Trichogrammatidae, Scelionidae) and native bees dominated the trap catches. Predatory bugs were the most abundant beneficial insects trapped in 2 years (2011, 2013) with parasitic wasps dominant in 2012. Minute pirate bugs, Orius spp. (Anthocoridae) were dominant, accounting for > 95% of predatory bugs, peaking in abundance in June or July. Predacious flies were dominated by species of Empididae and Dolichopodidae. Native bees were commonly trapped, especially in 2011 and 2012. The data presented here indicate that stinging nettles in the Yakima Valley of eastern Washington may provide an important habitat for beneficial insects and may have a role to play in enhancing conservation biological control in agricultural crops. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Recent survey data revealed that many California citrus growers did not know whether or not important beneficial insects were found on their fields while other growers were relying heavily or even entirely on these insects for pest control. Some pesticides are toxic both to the targeted pest and the predaceous or parasitic insect that could provide pest control. Alternative pesticides with fewer or no negative effects on the beneficial insect often exist but can be more expensive. Additionally, some beneficial insects are commercially available and can be purchased and released in the field. This paper models the pest control decisions of a grower who utilizes a pesticide and a predaceous insect to control the crop pest and compares these decisions to that of a grower who does not know that the predaceous insect exists. The results show that the latter grower will drive the predator population to zero and will overutilize chemical control. When the predator is known and utilized, the optimal decisions involve entirely mitigating the negative effects of the pesticide as well as releasing additional predators. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]