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In order to solve the problem of time-consuming and laborious manual detection of crop pests, a crop pest recognition model based on YOLOv7 was proposed in this paper. Firstly, the feature fusion module of YOLOv7 was improved using the information aggregation-distribution mechanism, which enhanced the feature fusion ability between different levels. Secondly, the loss function was replaced by minimum points distance intersection over union to calculate the boundary box regression loss, which better aligned the predicted box and the real target box, and improved the accuracy of the boundary box regression. Finally, the receptive field enhancement module was added after the SPPCSPC layer to enhance the recognition ability of the model to small-scale pests. Experimental results showed that the average accuracy of the improved YOLOv7 model was 80.4%, the precision rate was 85.3%, and the recall rate was 75.1%, which were 3.4%, 3.2% and 2.6% higher than those before improvement. The model had better recognition effect and robustness for agricultural pests, and provided a more accurate and reliable tool for agricultural pest monitoring and control. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

BACKGROUND: The Eurasian magpie Pica pica is a resident bird species able to colonize farmlands and anthropized environments. This corvid shows a wide trophic spectrum by including fruits, invertebrates, small vertebrates and carcasses in its diet. A camera‐trap experiment was carried out to test the effect of different ozone (O3) concentrations on potted Vitis vinifera plants, which resulted in different grape consumption rates by suburban birds. The test was performed at an Ozone‐Free Air Controlled Exposure (FACE) facility, consisting of nine plots with three ozone (O3) levels: AA (ambient O3 concentration); and two elevated O3 levels, 1.5× AA (ambient air with a 50% increase in O3 concentration) and 2.0× AA (ambient air with a 100% increase in O3 concentration). Camera‐traps were located in front of each treatment area and kept active for 24 h day−1 and for 5 days at a time over a period of 3 months to monitor grape consumption by birds. RESULTS: We collected a total of 38 videos. Eurasian magpies were the only grape consumers, with a total of 6.7 ± 3.3 passages per hour (mean ± SD) and no differences across the different O3 treatments. Grapes in the AA treatment were consumed significantly more quickly than those in the 1.5× AA treatment, which in turn, were consumed faster than those in the 2.0× AA treatment. At 3 days from the start of treatment, 94%, 53% and 22% berries from the AA, 1.5× AA and 2.0× AA treatments had been eaten, respectively. When the O3 was turned off, berries were consumed at the same rate among treatments. CONCLUSION: Increasing O3 concentrations limited grape consumption by magpies probably because O3 acted as a deterrent for magpies, although the lower sugar content recorded in the 2.0× AA berries did not affect the consumption when O3 was turned off. Our results provided valuable insights to mitigate human–wildlife conflicts in suburban environments. © 2023 The Authors. Pest Management Science published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd on behalf of Society of Chemical Industry. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Current pest management relies extensively on pesticide application worldwide, despite the frequent rise of pesticide resistance in crop pests. This is particularly worrisome because resistance is often not costly enough to be lost in populations after pesticide application, resulting in increased dependency on pesticide application. As climate warming increases, effort should be put into understanding how heat tolerance will affect the persistence of pesticide resistance in populations. To address this, we measured heat tolerance in two populations of the spider mite crop pest Tetranychus urticae that differ in the presence or absence of a target‐site mutation conferring resistance to etoxazole pesticide. We found that developmental time and fertility, but not survival, were negatively affected by increasing temperatures in the susceptible population. Furthermore, we found no difference between resistant and susceptible populations in all life‐history traits when both sexes developed at control temperature, nor when females developed at high temperature. Resistant heat‐stressed males, in contrast, showed lower fertility than susceptible ones, indicating a sex‐specific trade‐off between heat tolerance and pesticide resistance. This suggests that global warming could lead to reduced pesticide resistance in natural populations. However, resistant females, being as affected by high temperature as susceptible individuals, may buffer the toll in resistant male fertility, and the shorter developmental time at high temperatures may accelerate adaptation to temperature, the pesticide or the cost thereof. Ultimately, the complex dynamic between these two factors will determine whether resistant populations can persist under climate warming. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Following commercial use of plant essential oils in pest control, their slow-release formulations have been developed in order to increase their effectiveness and solve their instability problem. In the present study, at first, lethal effects of peppermint (Mentha piperita L.) and rosemary (Rosmarinus officinalis L.) essential oils as emulsions and nano-capsules on the tomato leaf-miner was determined by the leaf-dipping method. Mortality of different concentrations (1, 5, 10, 20, and 40 percent) recorded at 24, 48, and 72 h after treatment. Then, negative effects of these essential oils on life table parameters were evaluated at 10% concentration. The results of the toxic effects of these essential oils at the selected concentration showed a significant increase in the larval duration in both treatments compared to that of control. The longest larval duration was observed in nano-capsule formulation of rosemary (9.24 ± 0.15 day) and the lowest larval duration was observed in the control (7.78 ± 0.16 day). However, the nano-capsule formulations of essential oils had no effect on the adult longevity, but peppermint nano-capsule significantly decreased the ovipositional period compared to that of control and rosemary nano-capsule. Fertility and survival rates were also significantly decreased in females treated with rosemary nano-capsule. In general, rosemary essential oil has the ability to use in integrated pest management programs because of a reasonable reduction in the pest developmental parameters, higher inhibition effect on adult female oviposition, and lower damages to plants. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The temporal dynamics of insect populations in agroecosystems are influenced by numerous biotic and abiotic interactions, including trophic interactions in complex food webs. Predicting the regulation of herbivorous insect pests by arthropod predators and parasitoids would allow for rendering crop production less dependent on chemical pesticides.Curtsdotter et al. (2019) developed a food‐web model simulating the influences of naturally occurring arthropod predators on aphid population dynamics in cereal crop fields. The use of an allometric hypothesis based on the relative body masses of the prey and various predator guilds reduced the number of estimated parameters to just five, albeit field‐specific.Here, we extend this model and test its applicability and predictive capacity. We first parameterized the original model with a dataset with the dynamic arthropod community compositions in 54 fields in six regions in France. We then integrated three additional biological functions to the model: parasitism, aphid carrying capacity and suboptimal high temperatures that reduce aphid growth rates. We developed a multi‐field calibration approach to estimate a single set of generic allometric parameters for a given group of fields, which would increase model generality needed for predictions.The original and revised models, when using field‐specific parameterization, achieved quantitatively good fits to observed aphid population dynamics for 59% and 53% of the fields, respectively, with pseudo‐R2 up to 0.99. But the multi‐field calibration showed that increased model generality came at the cost of reduced model reliability (goodness‐of‐fit).Our study highlights the need to further improve our understanding of how body size and other traits affect trophic interactions in food webs. It also points up the need to acquire high‐resolution data to use this type of modelling approach. We propose that a hypothesis‐driven strategy of model improvement based on the integration of additional biological functions and additional functional traits beyond body size (e.g., predator space search or prey defences) into the food‐web matrix can improve model reliability. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Long- distance migrations of insects contribute to ecosystem functioning but also have important economic impacts when the migrants are pests or provide ecosystem services. We combined radar monitoring, aerial sampling, and searchlight trapping, to quantify the annual pattern of nocturnal insect migration above the densely populated agricultural lands of East China. A total of -9.3 trillion nocturnal insect migrants (15,000 t of biomass), predominantly Lepidoptera, Hemiptera, and Diptera, including many crop pests and disease vectors, fly at heights up to 1 km above this 600 km- wide region every year. Larger migrants (>10 mg) exhibited seasonal reversal of movement directions, comprising northward expansion during spring and summer, followed by southward movements during fall. This north-south transfer was not balanced, however, with southward movement in fall 0.66- that of northward movement in spring and summer. Spring and summer migrations were strongest when the wind had a northward component, while in fall, stronger movements occurred on winds that allowed movement with a southward component; heading directions of larger insects were generally close to the track direction. These findings indicate adaptations leading to movement in seasonally favorable directions. We compare our results from China with similar studies in Europe and North America and conclude that ecological patterns and behavioral adaptations are similar across the Northern Hemisphere. The predominance of pests among these nocturnal migrants has severe implications for food security and grower prosperity throughout this heavily populated region, and knowledge of their migrations is potentially valuable for forecasting pest impacts and planning timely management actions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The Elateridae, or click beetles are abundant and diverse in most terrestrial ecosystems in North America, acting as plant pests and filling many other ecological roles. The 112 genera of Elateridae Leach, 1815, or click beetles, known from Canada and USA are included in a first comprehensive digital interactive key to adults. A link to an online peer-reviewed LUCID key to elaterid genera and downloadable LUCID files are provided. Diagnostic morphological summaries using information from the 61 characters and 158 character states of the matrix key are presented for all genera. A table summarizes current understanding of habitat use by all elaterid genera in Canada and USA from literature, collections, citizen science, and our own observations. Diversity of elaterid genera was high throughout warm and cool temperate regions, especially in mountainous areas and mesic woodlands. Larvae of most genera were associated with soil, litter and decaying wood. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Simple Summary: Pests are largely responsible for the loss of agricultural crops, so the search for new pesticides for their control is indispensable. The irrational use of synthetic products has affected human health and the environment, and has generated resistance, which is why the use of natural products could be a safer alternative. In this study, the formulation of a nanoemulsion was carried out to provide greater stability to the botanical compound 1,8-cineole, whose pesticidal effect is documented; however, it is not used due to its high volatility. The pesticidal effect of this nanoemulsion was also evaluated against the pests known as two-spotted spider mite, corn aphid and silverleaf whitefly. Nanotransport systems such as nanoemulsions allows for the field application of molecules that are chemically unstable on their own, such as monoterpenoids. With this study it was possible to determine that these nanoemulsion systems favor the release of the active compound in laboratory tests, increasing the mortality rate of the three pests. This allows for proposing this nanoemulsion as a potential botanical pesticide product against agricultural arthropod pests. Pest control is a main concern in agriculture. Indiscriminate application of synthetic pesticides has caused negative impacts leading to the rapid development of resistance in arthropod pests. Plant secondary metabolites have been proposed as a safer alternative to conventional pesticides. Monoterpenoids have reported bioactivities against important pests; however, due to their high volatility, low water solubility and chemical instability, the application of these compounds has been limited. Nanosystems represent a potential vehicle for the broad application of monoterpenoids. In this study, an 1,8-cineole nanoemulsion was prepared by the low energy method of phase inversion, characterization of droplet size distribution and polydispersity index (PDI) was carried out by dynamic light scattering and stability was evaluated by centrifugation and Turbiscan analysis. Fumigant bioactivity was evaluated against Tetranychus urticae, Rhopalosiphum maidis and Bemisia tabaci. A nanoemulsion with oil:surfactant:water ratio of 0.5:1:8.5 had a droplet size of 14.7 nm and PDI of 0.178. Formulation was stable after centrifugation and the Turbiscan analysis showed no particle migration and a delta backscattering of ±1%. Nanoemulsion exhibited around 50% more bioactivity as a fumigant on arthropods when compared to free monoterpenoid. These results suggest that nanoformulations can provide volatile compounds of protection against volatilization, improving their bioactivity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Insecticide resistance is a key barrier to long-term malaria control, and it may be exacerbated by poor agricultural pesticide use. Current practices, however, do not link public health and agricultural pesticide use. This study investigated the perspectives of farmers and other stakeholders regarding the integration of agricultural and public health measures to address resistance. Additionally, the feasibility of participatory workshops to increase the farmers' understanding and participation in pesticide stewardship was assessed. Methods: Four themes were investigated: pesticide awareness, practices, and opinions of; insecticide resistance in malaria vectors; the effectiveness of current malaria prevention tools; and the links between agricultural and public health pesticide usage. Participatory workshops and field training were held with entomologists, farmers, and agricultural specialists, focusing on agro-ecosystem practices related to pest control; and local farmers were involved in live-testing for insecticides resistance of local Anopheles mosquitoes. Results: Most farmers (94%) considered pesticides effective, and nearly half of them (n = 198, 46.4%) could identify and name crop pests and diseases, mostly using local names. Three quarters were unaware of mosquito larvae in their fields, and only 7% considered their fields as potential sources of mosquitoes. Two thirds were uninformed of any effects that agricultural pesticides may have on mosquitoes, and three quarters had never heard of resistance in malaria mosquitoes. Experts from various sectors acknowledged that agricultural pesticides might impact malaria control through increasing resistance. They did, however, emphasize the importance of crop protection and advocated for the use of pesticides sparingly and non-chemical approaches. Farmers learnt how to discriminate between malaria vectors and non-vectors, identify agricultural pests and diseases, choose and use pesticides effectively, and conduct resistance tests during the participatory workshops. Conclusion: This study emphasizes the significance of enhancing subsistence farmers' awareness of mosquito ecology as well as merging public health and agricultural pest management measures. Participatory techniques have the potential to raise stakeholder awareness and engagement, resulting in more effective resistance management. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Simple Summary: Tuta absoluta is an invasive pest threatening the productivity of the tomato crop. Dolichogenidea gelechiidivoris was imported and released as a natural enemy of Tuta absoluta. Mapping the efficacy of Dolichogenidea gelechiidivoris can improve its use as a control agent against Tuta absoluta. The Dolichogenidea gelechiidivoris efficacy map provides a tool for its targeted deployment as a Tuta absoluta natural enemy. The South American tomato pinworm, Tuta absoluta, causes up to 100% tomato crop losses. As Tuta absoluta is non-native to African agroecologies and lacks efficient resident natural enemies, the microgastrine koinobiont solitary oligophagous larval endoparasitoid, Dolichogenidea gelechiidivoris (Marsh) (Syn.: Apanteles gelechiidivoris Marsh) (Hymenoptera: Braconidae) was released for classical biological control. This study elucidates the current and future spatio-temporal performance of D. gelechiidivoris against T. absoluta in tomato cropping systems using a fuzzy logic modelling approach. Specifically, the study considers the presence of the host and the host crop, as well as the parasitoid reproductive capacity, as key variables. Results show that the fuzzy algorithm predicted the performance of the parasitoid (in terms of net reproductive rate (R0)), with a low root mean square error (RMSE) value (<0.90) and a considerably high R2 coefficient (=0.98), accurately predicting the parasitoid performance over time and space. Under the current climatic scenario, the parasitoid is predicted to perform well in all regions throughout the year, except for the coastal region. Under the future climatic scenario, the performance of the parasitoid is projected to improve in all regions throughout the year. Overall, the model sheds light on the varying performance of the parasitoid across different regions of Kenya, and in different seasons, under both current and future climatic scenarios. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Sphaerophoria rueppellii, a European species of hoverfly, is a highly effective beneficial predator of hemipteran crop pests including aphids, thrips and coleopteran/lepidopteran larvae in integrated pest management (IPM) programmes. It is also a key pollinator of a wide variety of important agricultural crops. No genomic information is currently available for S. rueppellii. Without genomic information for such beneficial predator species, we are unable to perform comparative analyses of insecticide target-sites and genes encoding metabolic enzymes potentially responsible for insecticide resistance, between crop pests and their predators. These metabolic mechanisms include several gene families - cytochrome P450 monooxygenases (P450s), ATP binding cassette transporters (ABCs), glutathione-S-transferases (GSTs), UDP-glycosyltransferases (UGTs) and carboxyl/choline esterases (CCEs). Methods and findings: In this study, a high-quality near-chromosome level de novo genome assembly (as well as a mitochondrial genome assembly) for S. rueppellii has been generated using a hybrid approach with PacBio long-read and Illumina short-read data, followed by super scaffolding using Hi-C data. The final assembly achieved a scaffold N50 of 87Mb, a total genome size of 537.6Mb and a level of completeness of 96% using a set of 1,658 core insect genes present as full-length genes. The assembly was annotated with 14,249 protein-coding genes. Comparative analysis revealed gene expansions of CYP6Zx P450s, epsilon-class GSTs, dietary CCEs and multiple UGT families (UGT37/302/308/430/431). Conversely, ABCs, delta-class GSTs and non-CYP6Zx P450s showed limited expansion. Differences were seen in the distributions of resistance-associated gene families across subfamilies between S. rueppellii and some hemipteran crop pests. Additionally, S. rueppellii had larger numbers of detoxification genes than other pollinator species. Conclusion and significance: This assembly is the first published genome for a predatory member of the Syrphidae family and will serve as a useful resource for further research into selectivity and potential tolerance of insecticides by beneficial predators. Furthermore, the expansion of some gene families often linked to insecticide resistance and selectivity may be an indicator of the capacity of this predator to detoxify IPM selective insecticides. These findings could be exploited by targeted insecticide screens and functional studies to increase effectiveness of IPM strategies, which aim to increase crop yields by sustainably and effectively controlling pests without impacting beneficial predator populations. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Conservation biological control (CBC) has been an active research topic for the last two decades and is now one of the key ways being explored to develop agroecological production systems. Using broad concepts and indicators, recent reviews and meta‐analyses have highlighted major inconsistencies in the responses of CBC to landscape structure, revealing their context‐dependent nature. To decipher these relations, we reviewed the scientific literature (50 articles) using (1) an original ontology allowing us to navigate across the different terms and concepts used in this literature and (2) a network‐based methodology to describe the scattering, completeness, and generalizability of scientific knowledge on CBC. An interactive version of this network is available online. Our results highlight the strong information scattering caused by the variety of indicators used to describe both landscape structure and CBC. We observe trade‐offs between the use of coarse concepts classically used in meta‐analysis (e.g., landscape complexity) and the non‐convergence of results (ambiguity). The network analysis points out consistently less information ambiguity when considering sub‐networks focused on trophic chains than in the full information network, without losing connectance. We suggest that effects of landscape structure may be different between trophic chains because of specific selection pressures associated with cropping systems. Our novel review procedure offers a relatively simple but powerful complementary approach to classical meta‐analysis to explore ecological patterns. It highlights that crop trophic chain probably represents the adequate ecological unit to investigate the landscape–CBC relationship. Designing pest suppressive landscapes while favoring farmland biodiversity will imply considering multiple crop trophic chains responding differently to landscape structure. Therefore, we recommend assessing the level of CBC at both crop field and landscape scales to inform decisions on the best individual or collective strategy to adopt. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Orius laevigatus, a minute pirate bug, is a highly effective beneficial predator of crop pests including aphids, spider mites and thrips in integrated pest management (IPM) programmes. No genomic information is currently available for O. laevigatus, as is the case for the majority of beneficial predators which feed on crop pests. In contrast, genomic information for crop pests is far more readily available. The lack of publicly available genomes for beneficial predators to date has limited our ability to perform comparative analyses of genes encoding potential insecticide resistance mechanisms between crop pests and their predators. These mechanisms include several gene/protein families including cytochrome P450s (P450s), ATP binding cassette transporters (ABCs), glutathione S-transferases (GSTs), UDP-glucosyltransferases (UGTs) and carboxyl/cholinesterases (CCEs). Methods and findings: In this study, a high-quality scaffold level de novo genome assembly for O. laevigatus has been generated using a hybrid approach with PacBio long-read and Illumina short-read data. The final assembly achieved a scaffold N50 of 125,649 bp and a total genome size of 150.98 Mb. The genome assembly achieved a level of completeness of 93.6% using a set of 1658 core insect genes present as full-length genes. Genome annotation identified 15,102 protein-coding genes - 87% of which were assigned a putative function. Comparative analyses revealed gene expansions of sigma class GSTs and CYP3 P450s. Conversely the UGT gene family showed limited expansion. Differences were seen in the distributions of resistance-associated gene families at the subfamily level between O. laevigatus and some of its targeted crop pests. A target site mutation in ryanodine receptors (I4790M, PxRyR) which has strong links to diamide resistance in crop pests and had previously only been identified in lepidopteran species was found to also be present in hemipteran species, including O. laevigatus. Conclusion and significance: This assembly is the first published genome for the Anthocoridae family and will serve as a useful resource for further research into target-site selectivity issues and potential resistance mechanisms in beneficial predators. Furthermore, the expansion of gene families often linked to insecticide resistance may be an indicator of the capacity of this predator to detoxify selective insecticides. These findings could be exploited by targeted pesticide screens and functional studies to increase effectiveness of IPM strategies, which aim to increase crop yields by sustainably, environmentally-friendly and effectively control pests without impacting beneficial predator populations. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Farmers' use of fungicides and insecticides constitutes a major threat to biodiversity that is also endangering agriculture itself. Landscapes could be designed to take advantage of the dependencies of pests, pathogens and their natural enemies on elements of the landscape. Yet the complexity of the interactions makes it difficult to establish general rules. In our study, we sought to characterize the impact of the landscape on pest and pathogen prevalence, taking into account both crop and semi‐natural areas. We drew on a nine‐year national survey of 30 major pests and pathogens of arable crops, distributed throughout the latitudes of metropolitan France. We performed binomial LASSO generalized linear regressions on the pest and pathogen prevalence as a function of the landscape composition in a total of 39 880 field × year × pest observation series. We observed a strong disequilibrium between the number of pests or pathogens favored (15) and disadvantaged (2) by the area of their host crop in the landscape during the previous growing season. The impact of the host crop area during the ongoing growing season was different on pests than on pathogens: the density of most pathogens increased (11 of 17, and no decreases) while the density of a small majority of pests decreased (7 of 13, and four increases). We also found that woodlands, scrublands, hedgerows and grasslands did not have a consistent effect on the studied spectrum of pests and pathogens. Although overall the estimated effect of the landscape is small compared to the effect of the climate, a territorial coordination that generally favors crop diversity but excludes a crop at risk in a given year might prove useful in reducing pesticide use. Short abstract We sought to identify general rules characterizing the impact of the landscape on the prevalence of pests and pathogens of arable crops. We showed that the host crop area is consistently correlated with increased pressure of the pests and pathogens the following growing season. Correlations of pests and pathogens with host crop areas in the same year or with semi‐natural components of the landscape (grasslands, hedgerows and forests) are less consistent and depend on the functional traits of the organisms involved. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A species of fruit flies in the genus Euleia, family Tephritidae was found in lovage culture at the Vegetable Research and Development Station Bacau (VRDS Bacau). The species of fly was Euleia heraclei (Linnaeus, 1758). Called celery fly, this insect is considered harmful because the larvae are mining inside and destroying the leaves of celery, lovage, carrot, parsnip, etc. The attacks, usually, start in May, this is the first generation, but scientific studies report that the secondgeneration of larvae is more destructive. At VRDS Bacău, this insect was identified on the lovage leaves in the spring of 2021, the frequency (F%) was 96% and the degree of attack (GA%) was 3.92%. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Summary: The entomopathogenic nematode Steinernema siamkayai has been a subject of several detailed studies but its morphological, molecular and ecological characterisation is still incomplete. In the present study we studied morphology of several strains of S. siamkayai using morphometrics and light and scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and we aimed to complete its molecular characterisation by obtaining the sequence of the D2-D3 region of the 28S rDNA in addition to ITS rDNA and mitochondrial (12S and COI) DNA studies. Furthermore, we studied the species life cycle and we attempted to assess its distribution using a meta-analysis of the GenBank records. Finally, insecticidal properties were evaluated against Helicoverpa armigera and Spodoptera litura. The SEM study revealed the presence of the adcloacal pair of genital papillae in males. Duration of the life cycle of the Indian strains did not differ from the previous records; however, we have observed production of the infective juveniles by the first-generation adults. For the first time in entomopathogenic nematodes, we have recorded intra-individual variability in the D2-D3 region of the 28S rDNA and we discuss potential implications of this phenomenon for the use of this marker in EPN systematics. Our analysis of distribution has shown that S. siamkayai is ubiquitous throughout the Indian subcontinent but is rarely found in South East Asia. The pathogenicity results showed that the present species effectively killed the tested pests under laboratory conditions, demonstrating its potential as a biocontrol agent. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: Entomopathogenic nematodes (EPNs) are important biocontrol agents of insect pests. To increase the availability of locally adapted entomopathogenic nematode isolates for biocontrol programs, a survey of several agricultural soils in Western Uttar Pradesh, India was conducted. Materials and methods: Eight hundred and sixty soil samples from the districts Meerut, Bulandshahr, Baghpat, and Bijnor were collected and examined for the presence of entomopathogenic nematodos using the "Galleria baiting method". Steinernema and Heterorhabditis nematodes were recovered. The isolated Heterorhabditis nematodes were molecularly, and morphologically characterized, and their biocontrol potential was evaluated against Spodoptera litura. Finally, the geographical distribution of entomopathogenic nematodes was studied based on the analysis of ITS GenBank records. Results: A small proportion of the collected soil samples were positive for Heterorhabditis and Steinernema nematodes. Twelve soil samples were positive for the presence of Heterorhabditis nematodes, and 29 samples were positive for Steinernema. The Heterorhabditis nematodes were identified as Heterorhabditis indica based on morphological, morphometrical and molecular analyses. No other species of Heterorhabditis were isolated from the soil samples analyzed, suggesting that this species is dominant in the western part of Uttar Pradesh, India. The morphology of the nematode isolates was somewhat similar to the morphology of the H. indica isolate used for the original description of this species, with a notable exception mucrons were present in the hermaphrodite and female specimens we collected, but this structure was not observed in the specimens used for the original description of the species. Principal component analyses (PCA) show small inter- and intraspecific morphological variability between the nematodes species of the "Indica" clade. The insecticide properties of one isolate, CH7, were evaluated against Spodoptera litura, and the results show that this isolate effectively killed this pest under laboratory conditions, demonstrating its potential as a biocontrol agent. Conclusion: This study sets the basis for establishing new biocontrol agents to be used in future pest management programs in India. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

White‐tailed deer (Odocoileus virginianus Zimmermann) and insect pests negatively affect soybean production; however, little is known about how these herbivores potentially interact to affect soybean yield. Previous studies have shown deer browse on non‐crop plants affects insect density and insect‐mediated leaf damage, which together reduce plant reproductive output. In soybeans, reproductive output is influenced by direct and indirect interactions of different herbivores.Here, we quantified indirect interactions between two groups of herbivores (mammals and insects) and their effects on soybean growth and yield. We examined responses of insect pest communities along a gradient of deer herbivory (29% to 49% browsed stems) in soybean monocultures.Structural equation models showed that deer browse had direct negative effects on soybean plant height and yield. Deer browse indirectly decreased insect‐mediated leaf damage by reducing plant height. Deer browse also indirectly increased pest insect abundance through reductions in plant height. Similarly, deer herbivory had an indirect positive effect on leaf carbon: nitrogen ratios through changes in plant height, thereby decreasing leaf nutrition.These results suggest that pest insect abundance may be greater on soybean plants in areas of higher deer browse, but deer browse may reduce insect herbivory through reduced leaf nutrition. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The stem borer Chilo partellus (Swinhoe) is the most devastating pest that causes huge losses to agricultural productivity. Being a herbivorous insect, the starch degrading enzyme, salivary amylase, plays a crucial role in its digestive system. The characterization of salivary amylase and targeting it with potent inhibitors could help in managing the pest by hindering its normal digestive process. Therefore, we have made an attempt to characterize the enzyme and analyze its nature of interaction with organic acids and inorganic salts. The salivary amylase was purified by G-100 column chromatography to 16.02 folds and biochemically characterized. The purified fraction consisted of a-amylase activity with a single isoform of 59.26 kDa. It showed an optimum pH between 6.0 and 7.0. Its optimum temperature was 40 °C and was thermally stable up to 70 °C. Starch was the preferred substrate of salivary amylase. By critical analysis of Lineweaver-Burk, Eadie-Hofstee and Hanes plots, the Km and Vmax values of salivary amylase for starch were confirmed to be 0.49 mg/mL and 1.67 nmoles of reducing sugars formed/min/mL, respectively. Zinc chloride, calcium nitrate, salicylic acid, citric acid and oxalic acid were found to be potent inhibitors of salivary a-amylase activity. From Lineweaver-Burk, fractional velocity and combination plots, it was inferred that citric acid was a pure non-competitive inhibitor of salivary a-amylase while salicylic acid, oxalic acid and zinc chloride caused complete mixed non-competitive-competitive inhibitions. The inhibition of salivary a-amylase with calcium nitrate was of complete mixed non-competitive-uncompetitive type. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Crop pests and diseases are key factors that damage crop production and threaten food security. Remote sensing techniques may provide an objective and effective alternative for automatic detection of crop pests and diseases. However, ground-based spectroscopic or imaging sensors may be limited in practically guiding the precision application and reduction of pesticide. Therefore, this study developed an unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV)-based remote sensing system to detect leaf folder (Cnaphalocrocis medinalis). Rice canopy reflectance spectra were obtained in the booting growth stage by using the UAV-based hyperspectral remote sensor. Newly developed and published multivariate spectral indices were initially calculated to estimate leaf-roll rates. The newly developed two-band spectral index (R490−R470), three-band spectral index (R400−R470)/(R400−R490), and published spectral index photochemical reflectance index (R550−R531)/(R550+R531) showed good applicability for estimating leaf-roll rates. The newly developed UAV-based micro hyperspectral system had potential in detecting rice stress induced by leaf folder. The newly developed spectral index (R490−R470) and (R400−R470)/(R400−R490) might be recommended as an indicator for estimating leaf-roll rates in the study area, and (R550−R531)/(R550+R531) might serve as a universal spectral index for monitoring leaf folder. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Almost sixty years after the first published plea for more systematic research on thrips in Slovakia, the checklist undisputedly requires an appropriate revision with a special emphasis on the economic consequences of climate change and biological commodity trade globalisation synergic effects, followed by the dynamic and significant changes in the native biodiversity due to alien species introduction. The updated checklist contains 189 species recorded from the area of Slovakia, from three families: Aeolothripidae Uzel, 1895 (15 species), Thripidae Stephens, 1829 (113 species) and Phlaeothripidae Uzel, 1895 (61 species), including 7 beneficiary and 35 economic pest elements, such as one A2 EPPO quarantine pest (Frankliniella occidentalis) and five potential transmitters of tospoviruses (F. occidentalis, F. intonsa, F. fusca, Thrips tabaci, Dictyothrips betae). Several species (e.g., Hercinothrips femoralis, Microcephalothrips abdominalis, F. occidentalis, T. flavus, T. tabaci, Limothrips cerealium, L. denticornis, etc.) may possess a heavy introduction and invasion potential with well-developed mechanisms for successful dispersion. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Root knot nematodes are obligate phytoparasites that invade the roots of important crop plants causing severe economic losses. Arbuscular Mycorrhizal Fungi (AMF) are soil borne microorganisms that establish mutualistic associations with the roots of most plants. AMF have been frequently indicated to help their host to attenuate the damage caused by pathogens and predators. In this study, the effects of a commercial inoculum of AMF against Meloidogyne incognita on tomato and pepper were evaluated under controlled conditions. Mycorrhizal association decreased M. incognita development in pepper, and improved tolerance to nematode infection in tomato plants. Rapid plant mycorrhization is critical for delivering protective effects against biotic stress. A novel mycorrhization technique using AMF from the highly mycotrophic plant sorghum was applied to tomato. More rapid mycorrhization was achieved in tomato plants grown in soil containing mycorrhized roots of sorghum than in plants directly inoculated with the commercial AMF. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Almost sixty years after the first published plea for more systematic research on thrips in Slovakia, the checklist undisputedly requires an appropriate revision with a special emphasis on the economic consequences of climate change and biological commodity trade globalisation synergic effects, followed by the dynamic and significant changes in the native biodiversity due to alien species introduction. The updated checklist contains 189 species recorded from the area of Slovakia, from three families: Aeolothripidae Uzel, 1895 (15 species), Thripidae Stephens, 1829 (113 species) and Phlaeothripidae Uzel, 1895 (61 species), including 7 beneficiary and 35 economic pest elements, such as one A2 EPPO quarantine pest (Frankliniella occidentalis) and five potential transmitters of tospoviruses (F. occidentalis, F. intonsa, F. fusca, Thrips tabaci, Dictyothrips betae). Several species (e.g., Hercinothrips femoralis, Microcephalothrips abdominalis, F. occidentalis, T. flavus, T. tabaci, Limothrips cerealium, L. denticornis, etc.) may possess a heavy introduction and invasion potential with well-developed mechanisms for successful dispersion. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

BACKGROUND: Genetically engineered (GE) crops that express insecticidal traits have improved the sustainability of insect pest management worldwide, but many important pest orders are not controlled by commercially available toxins. Development of the first transgenic thysanopteran‐ and hemipteran‐active Bacillus thuringiensis (Bt) Cry51Aa2.834_16 toxin expressed in MON 88702 cotton will significantly expand the diversity of pests controlled in the crop. Here, we examined MON 88702 cotton activity against two thrips species within the same genera, Frankliniella fusca and Frankliniella occidentalis. We used a multi‐component cotton tissue assay approach to understand effects on adult longevity, fecundity, and larval development. RESULTS: We found that in no‐choice assays, cotton plants expressing MON 88702 suppress oviposition, when compared to a non‐Bt cotton. MON 88702 did not kill a large proportion of F. fusca larvae or adults but killed most F. occidentalis larvae. Time series experiments with F. occidentalis larvae documented significant developmental lags for MON 88702 exposed individuals. We also found that female thrips preferred to oviposit on non‐Bt cotton when provided a choice. CONCLUSION: Together these results describe the activity of MON 88702 against thrips. They document clear differences in toxin performance between different thrips species and throughout the insects' life cycle. Most importantly, we show that MON 88702 was associated with reduced oviposition via behavioral avoidance to the toxin. This is a novel mechanism of action for pest control for a Bt crop plant. Together, these results provide a basis to describe the mechanism of population control for MON 88702 cotton. © 2019 Society of Chemical Industry [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Because aphids represent major crop pests worldwide and are intensively studied for their agricultural impacts and unusual biological features, there is a constant need to disseminate the knowledge accumulating on these insects to a large audience. Encyclop'Aphid, an online encyclopedia, in both English and French, devoted to aphids and their natural enemies, is intended to meet this need. The website includes five main sections describing 1) aphid traits (taxonomy, morphology, biology), 2) their interactions with other organisms (antagonists, mutualists), 3) their economical impact, 4) some current research themes and 5) a species-by-species presentation of common aphid species and their natural enemies, i.e., pathogenic fungi, insect predators, parasitoids and hyperparasitoids. Encyclop'Aphid also contains several taxonomic identification keys for aphids that attack cultivated plants. It offers freely accessible iconographies and a video library. The website is intended to evolve and to be constantly enriched by new contributions from different international specialists. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Diversity of Chalcidoids from forest and the agricultural ecosystems of south eastern districts of Bihar were investigated during 2013-2015. An attempt was made to survey the possible hymenopteran parasitic fauna of south eastern districts of Bihar with more emphasis on Chalcidoidea superfamily from the forest and the agroecosystems. The survey yields around the total of 5371 parasitic Hymenoptera, out of which 1390 belonged to the superfamily Chalcidoidea, 909 to Ichneumonoidea, 39 to Evanioidea, 299 to Diaprioidea, 1332 to Platygastroidea, 327 to Ceraphronoidea, 68 to Cynipoidea and 98 to Chrysidoidea superfamilies. Out of 1390 parasitoids noted from super family Chalcidoidea, 462 from Mymaridae, 277 from Aphelinidae, 203 from Encyrtidae, 177 from Eulophidae, 113 from Trichogrammatidae, 97 from Chalcididae, 41 from Eurytomidae, 17 from Eupelmidae, nine from Torymidae, four from Pteromalidae and only one from Perilampidae were recorded. Further based upon taxonomic segregation, they were pooled in different genera. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Flea beetles (Chrysomelidae: Galerucinae: Alticini), with ~8,000 species worldwide, include pest species causing substantial economic damage to crops. The genera Phyllotreta and Chaetocnema include both pest and non‐pest species. An accurate and fast taxonomic identification approach is required for discriminating among taxa for non‐expert taxonomists; moreover, the utility of this approach spans from biodiversity conservation to the monitoring of pest species. DNA barcoding represents a reliable and easy identification tool based on the use of short DNA sequences. In this study, 45 new COI sequences of 13 Phyllotreta and five Chaetocnema species, representing ~30% and ~20% of the Turkish species belonging to these genera, were provided. These sequences increased by ~18% and ~25% the number of species of these genera whose sequences are available in BOLD. In order to test DNA barcoding efficiency in Phyllotreta and Chaetocnema species identification, we created a data set consisting of sequences belonging to species present in the Middle East and available in BOLD plus the sequences developed in this study (36 species). The efficiency of species identification, estimated using best close match analysis (with the ad hoc calculated optimal distance threshold of 1.5%), was 99%. The overall intraspecific and interspecific mean nucleotide divergences were 1.4% and 20%, respectively. Interestingly, COI sequences of Phyllotreta nigripes clustered into two well‐separated groups with a high value of the between‐group nucleotide distance (11.4%), which suggests the presence of cryptic species. In addition, information was provided on the crops exploited by the collected organisms and the observed damage. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

BACKGROUND: Surveillance strategies are often standardized and completed on grid patterns to detect pest incursions quickly; however, it may be possible to improve surveillance through more targeted observation that accounts for landscape heterogeneity, dispersal and the habitat requirements of the invading organism. We simulated pest spread at a local scale, using grape phylloxera (Daktulosphaira vitifoliae (Fitch)) as a case study, and assessed the influence of incorporating spatial heterogeneity into surveillance compared with current, standard surveillance strategies. RESULTS: Time to detection and spread within and beyond the vineyard were reduced by conducting surveys that target sampling effort in soil that is highly suitable for the invading pest in comparison with standard surveillance strategies. However, these outcomes were dependent on the virulence level of phylloxera because phylloxera is a complex pest with multiple genotypes that influence spread and detectability. CONCLUSION: Targeting surveillance strategies based on local‐scale spatial heterogeneity can decrease the time to detection without increasing the survey cost, and surveillance that targets highly suitable soil is the most efficient strategy for detecting new incursions. In addition, combining targeted surveillance strategies with buffer zones and hygiene procedures, and updating surveillance strategies as additional species information becomes available, will further decrease the risk of pest spread. © 2018 Society of Chemical Industry We designed a spread model to assess standard and targeted surveillance strategies. Overall, targeted strategies that incorporate local‐scale spatial heterogeneity may decrease the time to detection without increasing surveillance cost. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Four new species of the genus Delia Robineau-Desvoidy, 1830 are described: D. paradisi Xue, sp. nov., D. subconversata Xue & Du, sp. nov., D. subdolichosternita Xue & Du, sp. nov., and D. wangi Xue, sp. nov. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In recent years, next generation sequencing (NGS) technologies have helped to improve our understanding of the bacterial communities associated with insects, shedding light on their wide taxonomic and functional diversity. To date, little is known about the microbiota of lepidopterans, which includes some of the most damaging agricultural and forest pests worldwide. Studying their microbiota could help us better understand their ecology and offer insights into developing new pest control strategies. In this paper, we review the literature pertaining to the microbiota of lepidopterans with a focus on pests, and highlight potential recurrent patterns regarding microbiota structure and composition. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The use of Diadegma mollipla (Holmgren) as a biocontrol agent for diamondback moth (DBM)-a notorious pest of crucifers-can potentially be improved with increased scientific knowledge of the D. mollipla's life history. This study investigated the influence of temperature on the life history traits of D. mollipla parasitizing DBM under laboratory conditions with 20 female D. mollipla for each of five constant temperatures i.e., 15, 20, 25, 30 and 35 °C. Data analysis using curvilinear regression models showed that D. mollipla's highest intrinsic and finite rates of population increase, net reproductive rate, survival of immatures, daily fertility, shortest immature development and doubling times were achieved between 26 and 30 °C. Thus the results of this study provide evidence to that D. mollipla does not thrive well outside the 26-30 °C temperature range. These results provide baseline information for guiding the use of D. mollipla in the biological control of the destructive DBM pest. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aim Although global trade is implicated in biological invasions, the assumption that trade networks explain the large-scale distributions of non-native species remains largely untested. We addressed this by analysing relationships between global trade networks and plant pest invasion. Location Forty-eight countries in Europe and the Mediterranean. Time period Current. Major taxa studied Four hundred and twenty-two non-native plant pests (173 invertebrates, 166 pathogens, 83 plants). Methods Ten types of connectivity index were developed, representing potential roles of trade networks, air transport links, geographical proximity, climatic similarity and source country wealth in facilitating invasion. Generalized linear mixed models (GLMMs) identified the connectivity index that best explained both historical and recent invasion. Then, more complex GLMMs were developed including connectivity through trade networks for multiple commodities relevant for pests (live plants, forest products, fruit and vegetables and seeds) and species' transport associations with those commodities. Results Total import volumes, species' global prevalence and connectivity measures based on air transport, geographical distance or climate did not explain invasion as well as connectivity through global trade networks. Invasion was strongly promoted by agricultural imports from countries in which the focal species was present and that were climatically similar to the importing country. However, live plant imports from nearby countries provided a better explanation of the most recent invasions. Connectivity through multiple trade networks predicted invasion better than total agricultural trade, and there was support for our hypothesis that species known to be transported with a particular network had greater sensitivity to its connectivity. Main conclusions Our findings show that patterns of invasion are governed to a large extent by global trade networks connecting source areas for non-native species and the dispersal of those species through multiple trade networks. This enhances potential for developing a predictive framework to improve risk assessment, biosecurity and surveillance for invasions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The current research hypothesized that three new commercial Nigerian-based organic fertilizers have the propensity to reduce phytonematodes in soyabean fields in Nigeria. Neem, Sunshine and Gateway are organic fertilizers that were applied at the rate of 5 t ha-1 14 days pre-plant against phytonematodes in Abeokuta and Ayetoro fields grown to TGx 1019-2EN soyabean variety known for its susceptibility to Meloidogyne incognita. Application of N15P15K15 at 120 kg ha-1 14 days' post planting and the untreated plots served as check and control, respectively. The experimental plots were assayed prior to planting and found to be naturally infested with Meloidogyne spp., Pratylenchus spp., Scutellonema spp., Helicotylenchus spp. and Longidorus spp. Results showed that organic fertilizer amendments resulted in 9.2–78.2% suppressions in the population densities of all the five genera of the plant-parasitic nematodes found. In contrast, there were unprecedented increases of these nematodes from 3.6% to 498% in NPK-fertilized and control plots. Grain yield was significantly (P<0.05) higher by 26–149% in organic fertilized plots compared to a mere 14.4–18.1% increase in the NPK-treated plots. All the five genera of nematodes recovered correlated negatively (r = -0.49 to r = -0.85) and significantly (P<0.05) with soyabean grain yield. In conclusion, all three novel organic fertilizers were more efficacious in reducing phytonematodes compared with NPK and the control. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Thrips are major crop pests and virus vectors in many parts of the world. Despite their economic importance, thrips diversity in Pakistan is not well documented. Surveys were carried out from year 2009 to 2012 to decipher thrips fauna in Pakistan. A total of 158 sites in three climatic regions were surveyed, and specimens were collected from a wide range of flora. Following taxonomic keys, we identified 12 species from 3 genera of the suborder Tubulifera and 30 species from 17 genera of the suborder Terebrantia. Of these one species (Apterygothrips pellucidus Ananthakrishnan) from Tubulifera and 7 species (Chirothrips meridionalis Bagnall, Chaetanaphothrips orchidii Moulton, Megalurothrips usitatus Bagnall, Megalurothrips distalis Karny, Neohydatothrips samayunkur Kudo, Taeniothrips major Bagnall, Thrips trehernei Priesner) from Terebrantia and four genera (Apterygothrips, Chaetanaphothrips, Neohydatothrips, Taeniothrips) were first reports from Pakistan. A checklist of species reported in Pakistan since 1947 including those from the current survey was compiled. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Root exudates can play an important role in plant-nematode interactions. Recent studies have shown that the root cap exudates obtained from several plant species trigger a state of dormancy or quiescence in various genera of nematodes. This phenomenon is not only of fundamental ecological interest, but also has application potential if the plant-produced compound(s) could be used to control harmful nematodes or help to prolong the shelf-life of beneficial entomopathogenic nematodes (EPNs). The identification of the compound(s) involved in quiescence induction has proven to be a major challenge and requires large amounts of active material. Here, we present a high-throughput method to obtain bioactive root extracts from flash-frozen root caps of green pea and maize. The root cap extract obtained via this method was considerably more potent in inducing quiescence than exudate obtained by a previously used method, and consistently induced quiescence in the EPN Heterorhabditis megidis, even after a 30-fold dilution. Extracts obtained from the rest of the root were equally effective in inducing quiescence. Infective juveniles (IJs) of H. megidis exposed to these extracts readily recovered from their quiescent state as soon as they were placed in moist soil, and they were at least as infectious as the IJs that had been stored in water. Excessive exposure of IJs to air interfered with the triggering of quiescence. The implications of these results and the next steps towards identification of the quiescence-inducing compound(s) are discussed from the perspective of applying EPN against soil-dwelling insect pests. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

It is generally accepted that climate change is likely to disrupt host-parasite relationships, but little consideration has been given to how this may affect agricultural pests. Here, we study the potential influence of climate change on the pest slug Deroceras reticulatum and its nematode parasite Phasmarhabditis hermaphrodita. The European slug D. reticulatum is a major pest of agriculture and has become invasive in many countries throughout the world, including the Americas, Asia and Australasia. P. hermaphrodita strongly inhibits feeding and causes mortality in host slugs. The parasite is widely distributed in the slugs' native range but is very rare in some countries where the slug is invasive, for example the USA. The influence of temperature on D. reticulatum has been studied previously but the temperature response of P. hermaphrodita is unknown. The current study showed that while host and parasite have similar optimum growth temperatures, the parasite is much less tolerant of temperatures above optimum than the host. As a result, when parasites were present, slug feeding increased significantly above the slug's optimum of 14 up to 24 °C as the inhibitory effect of the parasites lessened. Conversely, in the absence of parasites, slug feeding significantly decreased over the same temperature range. This finding suggests that given adequate moisture, rising temperatures may increase slug problems in D. reticulatum's European home range, but possibly reduce problems in invasive territories such as the USA. The relationship between high temperatures and poor parasite performance is supported by studying prevalence of Phasmarhabditis spp. in the UK where a significant negative relationship exists between the mean summer high temperature and parasite prevalence. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

As intensive farmlands cover increasing areas of the world, associated biotic richness is crucial for the biodiversity of entire regions. Using data on non-target Macrolepidopteran moths captured by a crop pest monitoring system, we compared local (100 m perimeter)- and landscape-scale (1000 m perimeter) predictors of the numbers of moth individuals and moth species richness. During a single year (2009), eighteen light traps captured 91 726 individuals of 564 moths species. Typically for biotically impoverished habitats, the catches were dominated by a few superabundant species. Even in these impoverished assemblages, numbers of species increased with increasing herb and woody plants diversity (100 m around the traps), crop diversity (1000 m perimeter), landscape composition (1000 m) and configuration (100 and 1000 m). Abundance of the catches increased only with woody plants diversity in 100 m perimeters. In separate analyses of two species-rich families, the presumably less mobile Geometridae increased with landscape configuration (i.e. density of edges) within 100 m perimeters around the traps, whereas the species richness of more mobile Noctuidae also reflected the landscape composition (i.e. proportional representation of land covers) at 100 m perimeters. Proportional representation of pest species decreased with increasing richness of herb and woody plants. Taken together, farmland heterogeneity increases moth species richness, whereas abundance of the catches mainly depends on local factors in the vicinity of light traps, and the local factors are more important for presumably less mobile Geometridae than for more mobile Noctuidae. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Row spacing in agricultural systems can influence crop yield as well as pest and predator abundances. Soybean (Glycine max L. Merrill) growers in Maryland typically plant in narrow (~19 cm), medium (~38 cm), or wide (~76 cm)-spaced rows, and there is a general lack of information on how these row-spacing schemes influence arthropod abundance and soybean yields. A study was conducted during two growing seasons to determine the effect of soybean row spacing and planting date (early and late) on soybean arthropods and yield. Despite a great deal of variation in arthropod responses to row spacing, and interactions between row spacing and study year, leaf-feeding herbivores were generally more abundant in narrow-spaced soybeans. All arthropod functional groups were more abundant, and yield was greater in early-planted soybeans relative to late-planted soybeans. Potential causes and implications of these finding are discussed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Many Orthopteran species are considered pests because they have the ability to cause considerable crop damage. A basic survey of the order Orthoptera in this area is beneficial to the agricultural industry because of the threat they pose to crops. Orthopterans for this survey were collected at Lick Creek Park in College Station, Texas, an area adjacent to grassy farmland. The collected specimens were separated and categorized by suborders, families, and subfamilies using a dichotomous Orthopteran key as a reference. A majority of the specimens collected belong to the subfamily Melanoplinae. Surveillance of the Orthopteran population during the harvest season in College station, an agriculturally active area, is crucial because Melanoplinae are one of the largest subfamilies under the Order Orthoptera and contain some of the worst Orthopteroid crop and grassland pests. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The multicolored Asian ladybeetle, Harmonia axyridis Pallas (Coleoptera: Coccinellidae), was introduced into Western Europe in the late 1990s. Since the late 2000s, this species has been commonly considered one of the most abundant aphid predators in most Western European countries. In spite of the large amount of research on H. axyridis, information concerning its relative abundance in agroecosystems is lacking. This study aims to evaluate the abundance of H. axyridis within the aphidophage community in four crops situated in southern Belgium: wheat, Triticum aestivum L. (Poales: Poaceae), corn, Zea mays, potato, Solanum tuberosum (Solanales: Solanaceae), and broad bean Vicia faba (Fabales: Fabaceae). In order to assess the species diversity, the collected data were analyzed by considering (1) the species richness and (2) the evenness according to the Shannon diversity index. Eleven aphidophages were observed in every inventoried agroecosystem, including five abundant species: three coccinellids, the seven-spotted ladybug, Coccinella septempunctata L. (Coleoptera: Coccinellidae), the 14-spotted Ladybird, Propylea quatuordecimpunctata, and H. axyridis; one hoverfly, the marmalade hoverfly, Episyrphus balteatus De Geer (Diptera: Syrphidae); and one lacewing, the common green lacewing, Chrysoperla carnea Stephens sensu lato (= s.l.) (Neuroptera: Chrysopidae). Harmonia axyridis has been observed to thrive, breed, and reproduce on the four studied crops. Harmonia axyridis is the most abundant predator of aphids in corn followed by C. septempunctata, which is the main aphid predator observed in the three other inventoried crops. In wheat and potato fields, H. axyridis occurs in low numbers compared to other aphidophage. These observations suggest that H. axyridis could be considered an invasive species of agrosystems, and that potato and wheat may intermittently act as refuges for other aphidophages vulnerable to intraguild predation by this invader. Harmonia axyridis is not the most abundant aphid predator in the main Belgian crops. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Plants and herbivores have co-evolved in their natural habitats for about 350 million years, but since the domestication of crops, plant resistance against insects has taken a different turn. With the onset of monoculture-driven modern agriculture, selective pressure on insects to overcome resistances has dramatically increased. Therefore plant breeders have resorted to high-tech tools to continuously create new insect-resistant crops. Efforts in the past 30 years have resulted in elucidation of mechanisms of many effective plant defenses against insect herbivores. Here, we critically appraise these efforts and – with a focus on sap-sucking insects – discuss how these findings have contributed to herbivore-resistant crops. Moreover, in this review we try to assess where future challenges and opportunities lay ahead. Of particular importance will be a mandatory reduction in systemic pesticide usage and thus a greater reliance on alternative methods, such as improved plant genetics for plant resistance to insect herbivores. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We investigated, over the course of two years, the association between the abundance of aphids and their natural carabid enemies and landscape, which may help in the development of effective strategies for reducing the incidence of aphid outbreaks in agricultural crops. This was undertaken in 12 wheat and 12 maize fields each year in an agricultural landscape in western France. Our study area was characterized by hedgerows surrounding arable fields and permanent grassland. Some areas have not changed much for several decades, while field enlargement and removal of hedges occurred in some areas following agricultural intensification. This paper aims to determine if the abundance of aphids in crops (either directly, or indirectly via their natural enemies) is associated with the landscape around fields and if so, is it dependent on the landscape scale considered. We observed that the abundance of aphids in fields was associated with landscape composition at a large scale (500 m and 800 m).There was a positive correlation between the abundance of aphids and the proportion of the area under woodland and grassland at these scales. There was a negative correlation between the abundance of carabids and the proportion of grassland and hedgerow around crop fields. The species richness of carabids was positively correlated with the proportion of hedgerows. We found that the abundance of aphids in wheat fields was negatively and in maize fields positively associated with the proportion under grass strips. At a large scale carabid abundance in both types of culture was positively correlated with the proportion under grass strips. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The physic nut shrub, Jatropha curcas (Euphorbiaceae), has been considered as a "miracle tree", particularly as a source of alternate fuel. Various extracts of the plant have been reported to have insecticidal/acaricidal or molluscicidal/anthelminthic activities on vectors of medical or veterinary interest or on agricultural or non-agricultural pests. Among those extracts, the phorbol ester fraction from seed oil has been reported as a promising candidate for use as a plant-derived protectant of a variety of crops, from a range of pre-harvest and post-harvest insect pests. However, such extracts have not been widely used, despite the "boom" in the development of the crop in the tropics during recent years, and societal concerns about overuse of systemic chemical pesticides. There are many potential explanations to such a lack of use of Jatropha insecticidal extracts. On the one hand, the application of extracts potentially harmful to human health on stored food grain, might not be relevant. The problem of decomposition of phorbol esters and other compounds toxic to crop pests in the field needing further evaluation before such extracts can be widely used, may also be a partial explanation. High variability of phorbol ester content and hence of insecticidal activity among physic nut cultivars/ecotypes may be another. Phytotoxicity to crops may be further limitation. Apparent obstacles to a wider application of such extracts are the costs and problems involved with registration and legal approval. On the other hand, more studies should be conducted on molluscicidal activity on slugs and land snails which are major pests of crops, particularly in conservation agriculture systems. Further evaluation of toxicity to natural enemies of insect pests and studies on other beneficial insects such as pollinators are also needed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

It is particularly important for the development of agriculture to strengthen the agricultural pests monitoring, prevention and cure. The traditional methods of remote sensing (RS) for agricultural pests monitoring cannot meet the needs of agricultural development, because of their long time-consuming, high cost, and low accuracy. However, Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (UAV) remote sensing, as a new means of remote sensing, is introduced in this paper for agricultural monitoring. UAV has advantages of strong real-time, quickness, convenience, low cost, high accuracy and abundant data. With the great flexibility of UAV remote sensing, it is not only easy to focus on regional and long-term agricultural pests monitoring, but also feasible to provide scientific basis for crop pests control. Thus, it is better to meet the time needs of pests' control. In the article, Baiyangdian agricultural area is chosen as the study area. It is discussed how to process UAV images rapidly and extract disease crop information, especially which improved scale invariant feature transform (SIFT) algorithm and object-oriented information extraction are used for image-processing. Fortunately, it has been received good results for the local crop pest control in terms of fact of treatment. With the advantages of UAV remote sensing, there is a broad application prospect in precision agriculture. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Humans, animals and plants suffer from similar types of diseases (e.g., fungal, viral etc.). These can 'emerge' as new diseases by expanding their geographical range or by jumping species (from plants to plants, or from animals to humans). Emerging diseases place an additional burden on developing countries which are often struggling to manage the diseases they already have. New diseases spread through weather, insects or other vectors, or by the movement of people, animals or goods. This study examines the role of cross-border travel in the spread of diseases. A survey of travelers and of residents along the Malawi-Mozambique border found that most cross it frequently and that they rarely travel empty-handed, often taking plants and animals with them. People also cross borders seeking medical attention. Attempting to limit travel would hamper an already struggling economy, where many people make a living by producing, processing or transporting plants and animals for food. Cross border travel per se may pose slight danger for the spread of diseases, if governments can collaborate on sharing information about the status of diseases within their border. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

If the importance of wildlife in agricultural pest control through predation can be conveyed, it can play an important role in the conservation of wildlife. However, such a strategy needs to be backed with convincing data. We studied the habitat preference, diet and reproductive behavior of the Indian Eagle Owl (IEO) Bubo bengalensis in order to understand its role in agricultural pest control. The Owls preferred landscapes with a higher percentage of agriculture and fed on rodents, birds, reptiles, arachnids, insects and other prey species. Despite being a generalist feeder, its diet was dominated by agricultural pests, which contributed 88% of the total prey biomass. Out of the13 rodent prey species, which comprised a major part of the diet, seven were identified as major agricultural pests and were 98% of the total rodent biomass in the diet of the IEO. The dependence of the IEO on rodent pests was further reflected by positive correlation between rodent biomass consumed and the breeding success of the owl. The IEO, therefore, plays a positive role in the biological control of crop pests. However, owls spent a longer duration of time in agricultural habitats, where they also had higher productivity. Thus IEO may be subjected to anthropogenic activities, human contact and interference. Since this owl is still hunted due to superstitious beliefs, scientific evidence elucidating the importance of the IEO in agricultural pest control can be used for its conservation by educating the farming community. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Agronomic intensification has transformed many agricultural landscapes into expansive monocultures with little natural habitat. A pervasive concern is that such landscape simplification results in an increase in insect pest pressure, and thus an increased need for insecticides. We tested this hypothesis across a range of cropping systems in the Midwestern United States, using remotely sensed land cover data, data from a national census of farm management practices, and data from a regional crop pest monitoring network. We found that, independent of several other factors, the proportion of harvested cropland treated with insecticides increased with the proportion and patch size of cropland and decreased with the proportion of seminatural habitat in a county. We also found a positive relationship between the proportion of harvested cropland treated with insecticides and crop pest abundance, and a positive relationship between crop pest abundance and the proportion cropland in a county. These results provide broad correlative support for the hypothesized link between landscape simplification, pest pressure, and insecticide use. Using regression coefficients from our analysis, we estimate that, across the seven-state region in 2007, landscape simplification was associated with insecticide application to 1.4 million hectares and an increase in direct costs totaling between $34 and $103 million. Both the direct and indirect environmental costs of landscape simplification should be considered in design of land use policy that balances multiple ecosystem goods and services. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Keywords: insect physiology; control of arthropod populations; crop pests; insect vectors; environmentally friendly strategies EN insect physiology control of arthropod populations crop pests insect vectors environmentally friendly strategies 1 1 1 05/16/22 20220511 NES 220511 Enhancing our knowledge concerning the control of invertebrate populations, mainly of agricultural pests and disease vectors, is nowadays one of the World's greatest scientific challenges. In the context of environmentally friendly interventions to control crop pests and insect vectors, this Research Topic focuses particularly relevant scientific articles on aspects of arthropod physiology. [Extracted from the article]

In Iran, 4 genera and 27 species are recorded of the Thysanoptera tribe Haplothripini (Phlaeothripidae, Phlaeothripinae): Dolicholepta Priesner with 1 species, Haplothrips Amyot and Serville with 23 species, Neoheegeria Schmutz with 2 species, and Plicothrips Bhatti with 1 species. Identification keys are provided to these taxa. Three new synonyms are established: H. inoptatus Priesner is a junior synonym of H. globiceps Bagnall, H. iraniensis Priesner is a junior synonym of H. maroccanus Priesner, and H. scythicus Knechtel is a junior synonym of H. leucanthemi (Schrank). Reports of H. cerealis Priesner from Iran are considered to be misidentifications of H. tritici Kurdjumov, and comments are made on the identity of several predatory species related to H. subtilissimus (Haliday) and H. globiceps Bagnall. Several character states used for recognizing taxa in Haplothrips are discussed, and available biological data for each species are presented. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We examined food habits of Brazilian free-tailed bats (Tadarida brasiliensis) at 3 colonies in central Texas over 3 summers. Fecal samples collected from 1,550 bats contained remains of 12 orders and 35 families of insects. documenting the most diverse diet ever reported in insect-eating bats. Daily and seasonal patterns of insect consumption were similar at the 3 sites and closely correlated to patterns of emergence, migration, and availability of adult populations of corn earworms Helicoverpa zea and fail armyworms Spodoptera frugiperda, both species of noctuid moths and major crop pests. The percentage of feces volume comprised by moth remains increased from 14.8% ± 2.1 SE (range: 6.3-3,7%) to 43.0% ± 7,1 (range: 1.7-73.5%) in samples collected at midnight versus dawn on days when large influxes of migratory moths arrived in Texas in early morning, following their massive emergence from northern Mexico. Daily patterns diminished later in the season, after moth populations became established in local crops and were available in large numbers throughout night. Moth consumption decreased in both evening and dawn feeding periods when crops senesced and moth populations declined. These and other data suggest that crop pests comprise a substantial portion of the bats' diet and that bats provide valuable natural pest control services. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]