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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]

Fruit flies of genus Bactrocera are devastating pests of fruits and vegetables among them Bactrocera zonata and Bactrocera dorsalis (Diptera: Tephritidae) are principal pests of mango and guava growing areas of Sindh. Field studies were conducted in mango and guava experimented orchards of Sindh to determine the effectiveness of Trybliographa daci and Diachasmimorpha longicaudata against Bactrocera flies in combination with mass trapping. Results shown significantly (P<0.05) maximum parasitization of T. daci (342.00±16.26, 320.00±14.85) respectively in EA-2 (guava) treated blocks at Hyderabad and Larkana. Whereas, minimum parasitization of both parasitoids were observed in the untreated blocks of mango at discrete regions. Furthermore, significantly (P<0.05) reduced number of B. dorsalis (510.00±118.57, 558.40±75.86) followed B. zonata (611.80±109.38, 680.00±40.50) respectively were found in EA-1(mango) treated blocks of Larkana and Hyderabad using mass-trapping technique for fruit flies. While higher number of both species of fruit flies were recorded in untreated blocks of guava at both experimental sites. Present Investigations suggested that in spite of expected results of both parasitoids releases and mass trapping other eco-friendly techniques are also necessary to reduce the amount of injuries caused by Bactrocera species in mango and guava orchards of Sindh. [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]

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]

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.

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]

This article describes the identification, biology, and importance of the American sand wasps (Bembix americana Fabricius), which are a subspecies-complex of large, robust wasps in the subfamily Bembicinae. They nest gregariously in bare soil and provision their nests with flies (order Diptera). The females are progressive provisioners, meaning they continue to provide their developing larvae with prey until the larvae pupate. Males participate in a distinctive mating behavior called a “sun dance” in which groups of males fly low over nesting areas waiting for females to emerge so they can be the first to mate with them. Adults feed on flower nectar and can often be found visiting a variety of wildflowers. This species has a broad ecological range and can be found nesting in a variety of soil types and habitats.

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]

Recent advancements in next-generation sequencing (NGS) technology and bioinformatics tools have revealed a vast array of viral diversity in insects, particularly RNA viruses. However, our current understanding of insect RNA viruses has primarily focused on hematophagous insects due to their medical importance, while research on the viromes of agriculturally relevant insects remains limited. This comprehensive review aims to address the gap by providing an overview of the diversity of RNA viruses in agricultural pests and beneficial insects within the agricultural ecosystem. Based on the NCBI Virus Database, over eight hundred RNA viruses belonging to 39 viral families have been reported in more than three hundred agricultural insect species. These viruses are predominantly found in the insect orders of Hymenoptera, Hemiptera, Thysanoptera, Lepidoptera, Diptera, Coleoptera, and Orthoptera. These findings have significantly enriched our understanding of RNA viral diversity in agricultural insects. While further virome investigations are necessary to expand our knowledge to more insect species, it is crucial to explore the biological roles of these identified RNA viruses within insects in future studies. This review also highlights the limitations and challenges for the effective virus discovery through NGS and their potential solutions, which might facilitate for the development of innovative bioinformatic tools in the future.

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]

Purpose: Sticky traps are effective for monitoring and managing insect pests. In addition to pest insects, beneficial insects are also caught in sticky traps. Hence, it is necessary to use traps to catch pest insects selectively. The attraction of different insect groups to coloured sticky traps was studied as an attempt to suppress the insect populations selectively in the field. Research Method: Sticky traps: yellow, blue, luminous green, white, and transparent (control) were set in the field for 24 hours, and the insects caught in traps were collected and identified by their ecological role: pests, beneficial and neutral insects as well as the taxonomic group in relation to the trap colour. Findings: Significant variation was found among the total numbers of insects attracted to different colour traps (χ2 =107 df=4 P<0.05). The highest number of insects was found in the luminous green trap (29.1%) followed by yellow (22.0%), white (18.8%), blue (17.9%), and transparent (12.2%). All colour traps attracted pest, beneficial and neutral insects. Data was inconsistent to specify trap colour to catch more pests and less beneficials. More dipterans (40.7%) were attracted to traps, and many of them were neutral. Blue-traps caught less number of neutral (29.1%) and beneficial insects (29.4%) compared with other coloured traps. Originality/Value: The behavioral response of different insect groups to colour was demonstrated. As sticky traps catch both beneficial and pest insects, sticky traps should be used under careful monitoring. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Field margins have an important ecological role in agroecosystems including hosting beneficial insect such as syrphids. However, little is known of syrphid preferences for different types of field margins. Syrphids were sampled in field margins in an organic agroecosystem to test the hypothesis that syrphid abundance in field margins depends not only on the floral resource abundance but also on field margin component type, field margin complexity, and adjacent land-use type. Floral resource abundance had the greatest influence on the number of syrphids surveyed. Field margin characteristics were deemed to effect syrphid abundance both independently of their effect on floral resources and by altering floral resource abundance. Syrphids were more abundant in field margins adjacent to cropped fields than those adjacent to grazed fields or roads. More syrphids were found in ditch components than in tree or grass strip components. The influence of floral resources on syrphid abundance varied depending on their botanical families, although no significant differences were observed for the effect of botanical family floral resource index on syrphid abundance. These findings demonstrate that field margin characteristics play an important role in facilitating plant–syrphid interactions and offer an insight in agroecosystem management for the promotion of beneficial insects. The influence of field margin characteristics on other beneficial insect groups should also be investigated. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract 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.

Synthetic pesticides are excessively consumed to control crop pests but abundant use of chemicals may implicate the whole ecosystem badly in the end. Despite the growing concern, few natural products are commercialized for pest control whilst onfarm use of existing botanically-based pesticides remains a small, but growing, component of crop protection practice. The experiment was conducted to assess the potential trade-offs of using botanical extracts (Neem leaf extract, NLE, and Moringa leaf extract, MLE) along with synthetic insecticide, Confidor 200 SL, against Aphis gossypii Glover. Meanwhile, impact of these insecticides on natural enemies were also determined in the field experiment. Data were recorded 12h before, as well as 1, 3, and 7 days after the application (DPA) of insecticides. Results revealed that chemical insecticide after 1DPA were showed higher mortality (%) of aphid’s population at leaf (33%) and boll stage (41%), whereas, the botanical treated plots showed lower mortality used alone as well combined application but lower numbers were observed on the negative controls. The same trend of insecticidal activity was observed from all treatments after 3DPA, but interestingly, after 7DPA, the resurgence of beneficial insects were only recorded in botanical extract-treated plots. The Confidor presented an adverse effect on natural enemies whereas no or few natural enemies were observed compared to herbal extracts. Overall, for long-term control, the combined use of botanical insecticides is proved to be more efficient in the management of the aphids than Confidor and caused no or little adverse impact on the beneficial insects.

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]

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.

A greenhouse cannabis cultivation took place in Agriculture university of Athens in order to quantify the efficiency of beneficial insects as a main method of pest management. Cannabis plants grown in two greenhouses and beneficial insects were released only in one greenhouse as a means to investigate the efficacy against pests by the comparison with the control greenhouse. Measurements included the visual estimation of infestation, the recording of pest species and populations, and the comparison of infestations and yields amongst greenhouses. Our results indicate that beneficial insects could control pest populations up to 100%. Even though the environmental conditions were not optimal and consecutive pest infestations were observed throughout the duration of our study, the beneficial insects successfully managed the pest populations. In conclusion, biological control with beneficial insects is a very effective method for pest management in greenhouse cannabis production.

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]

Large scale crops like maize, soybean, wheat and rice have changed the ecosystems worldwide, causing a major impact on global agricultural diversity. Intensive farming includes wide range of synthetic substances which are very often applied irrationally and excessively. Given the prevalence of large-scale farming in world agriculture, it is necessary to begin the transition from conventional crop protection to integrated pest management (IPM) in these agroecosystems. One of the most important components of IPM are biological control measures with augmentative release of commercially available species of the genus Trichogramma Westwood, 1833 (Hymentoptera: Trichogrammatidae) as potentially successful and environmentally friendly methods. Besides Trichogramma, many other beneficial organisms are constantly being tested as potential biocontrol agents such as Chrysopa spp. (Neuroptera: Chrysopidae) and Orius spp. (Hemiptera: Anthocoridae). Minimizing the use of chemicals and replacing them with biological plant protection is fully in line with the agriculture development strategy and confirmed to be achievable in practice. It is especially important to apply such tactical decisions in the production of large-scale crops, which, at the same time, represent the biggest polluters of the environment as well.

Preserving ecosystem services, such as natural enemies that can provide pest control, can positively impact crops without compromising agricultural yield. Even though controlling pests by natural enemies has been suggested to reduce pests in agriculture, growers continue using conventional pesticides that kill beneficial predators. Here we studied whether the predation of avian and insect-beneficial predators varies in an apple orchard with conventional insecticide use compared to a bordering tree stand without insecticides. We studied the predation rates of mealworm pupae as a proxy to coddling moth pupae at 42 stations in both an apple orchard and a Eucalyptus stand at three distances (0 m, 50 m, and 100 m) from the border. Half of the stations were netted to prevent bird predation but were accessible to insects. The other half were non-netted and accessible to birds. We conducted six trials, each lasting two weeks, during which we recorded the predation of 504 stations with 5040 pupae. To validate which species predated the pupae, we added video cameras that took RGB videos during the day and IR videos at night in 45 stations and found that in net-free stations, birds preyed in 94.1% of stations in the orchard and 81.8% in the Eucalyptus stand. However, ants predated 70% of the pupae in stations with nets in the orchards and 100% in stations in the Eucalyptus strands. In addition, we found a significant rise in predation by birds as the distance into the orchard increased. Conversely, insect predation declined within the orchard but escalated in the adjacent unmanaged area. These findings suggest that the orchard’s environment negatively affects beneficial insect activity, specifically predatory ants. This study demonstrates that birds can play an essential role in predating insect pests inside the orchard. In addition, we believe that the decreased predation of ants within the orchard was due to intense insecticide use.

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Honey bees are considered as critical beneficial insects in the term of honey production and pollination of crops. One of the essential honey bee species in Pakistan is Apis florea Fabricius (Hymenoptera: Apidae). These make nests on trees near human dwellings and agriculture crops. During foraging in the field for nectar and pollen collection from agriculture flowering plants, honey bees may be exposed to pesticide sprays which may cause a change in their foraging behavior and the death of their workers. The current study evaluates the toxicity of six insecticides (emamectin benzoate, spinetoram, chlorantraniliprole, fipronil, flonicamid, and imidacloprid) against workers of A. florea. There were six concentrations of each insecticide (causing > 0% to