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Libraries often face biodeterioration caused by various biological agents, particularly fungi and insects, which harm their collections. The beetle Gastrallus pubens Fairmaire 1875 (Coleoptera: Ptinidae), once infrequently documented within European libraries, is recently emerging as a significant menace to the preservation of rare books. In this study, a G. pubens infestation occurring in an historical library hosting a unique collection of rare books dating between the sixteenth and eighteenth century is described. The observations highlighted a serious attack as many of the books showed damages with deep galleries burrowed by larval activity and holes determined by the emergence of adults. In this work we provide illustrations for the identification of adult G. pubens adults’ and further observations on the morphology of this species. High-resolution photographs in this study complement detailed morphological descriptions, aiding in accurate species identification and can serve as a practical tool for researchers, curators, and conservators. Finally, we discuss the implementation of integrated pest management (IPM) procedures, recommended to the library curator, aimed at controlling biotic infestations to mitigate G. pubens damage. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Liriomyza trifolii (Burgess) (Diptera: Agromyzidae) is a polyphagous insect that is widely known for its invasiveness. Understanding the adaptation of L. trifolii to different host plants is critical in formulating effective approaches for integrated pest management (IPM). In this study, the effects of various host plants on L. trifolii were investigated by age‐stage, two‐sex life tables and transcriptome analysis. Our results show that the growth rate of immature L. trifolii on sponge gourd increased significantly relative to bean, but mortality was high. Mature L. trifolii adapted to sponge gourd had significantly increased longevity as compared to flies adapted to bean but exhibited reduced fecundity. The net reproductive rate, the intrinsic rate of increase, and the finite rate of increase of L. trifolii adapted to sponge gourd were significantly lower than those of flies adapted to bean. Transcriptome analysis showed the presence of 150 up‐ and 617 downregulated differentially expressed genes in L. trifolii adapted to sponge gourd as compared to flies adapted to bean. Genes encoding glutathione‐S‐transferase, cytochrome P450, and trypsin were significantly downregulated in L. trifolii adapted to sponge gourd as compared to bean. This study provides valuable insight into host plant effects on L. trifolii and provides a basis for the subsequent development of IPM measures such as push and pull, crop rotation, and biopesticide development. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The diamondback moth (DBM), Plutella xylostella (L.), is responsible for extensive losses in brassicas' production, with its control heavily relying on the use of insecticides. The imbricated brassica's leaves on the stem provide a suitable habitat for the ring‐legged earwig, Euborellia annulipes (Lucas), to attack DBM larvae and pupae. The study focused on the combination of the earwig with indoxacarb and cyantraniliprole against DBM, as these insecticides target chewing and sucking sap pests infesting Brassica crops, respectively. These insecticides were tested against adult earwigs, 5th instar nymphs and predation upon DBM. When exposed to the recommended rates, the survival rates for nymphs were 74%, 100% and 96% in the cyantraniliprole, indoxacarb and control groups, respectively, and over 90% for adults. When 5th instar earwig nymphs were exposed to cyantraniliprole, they took 16.3 days to develop compared to indoxacarb (3.4 days) or the control group (3.2 days). Furthermore, females exposed to cyantraniliprole required more time to initiate oviposition and produced fewer eggs in the first egg batch. Despite that, the egg‐hatching rate was greater than 80% in all treatments. Female earwigs confined to indoxacarb‐ or cyantraniliprole‐treated or untreated leaves and DBM larvae maintained similar survival but lower consumption of DBM larvae when exposed to cyantraniliprole. The findings revealed that cyantraniliprole weakened the potential of the ring‐legged earwig to control DBM. On the other hand, indoxacarb was harmless to the earwig and showed additive mortality for the pest. Therefore, indoxacarb seems compatible with E. annulipes, while cyantraniliprole has a sublethal effect that slows down development and reproduction. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Insects' host preferences are regulated by multiple factors whose interactions are only partly understood. Here we make use of an in-depth, untargeted metabolomic approach combining molecular networking (MN) and supervised Analysis of variance Multiblock Orthogonal Partial Least Squares (AMOPLS) to untangle egg-laying preferences of Drosophila suzukii, an invasive, highly polyphagous and destructive fruit pest originating from Southeast Asia. Based on behavioural experiments in the laboratory as well as field observation, we selected eight genetically related Vitis vinifera cultivars (e.g., Ancellotta, Galotta, Gamaret, Gamay, Gamay précoce, Garanoir, Mara and Reichensteiner) exhibiting significant differences in their susceptibility toward D. suzukii. The two most and the two least attractive red cultivars were chosen for further metabolomic analyses of their grape skins. The combination of MN and statistical AMOPLS findings with semi-quantitative detection information enabled us to identify flavonoids as interesting markers for differences in the attractiveness of the four studied grape cultivars towards D. suzukii. Overall, dihydroflavonols were accumulated in unattractive grape cultivars, while attractive grape cultivars were richer in flavonols. Crucially, both dihydroflavonols and flavonols were abundant metabolites in the semi-quantitative analysis of the extracted molecules from the grape skin. We discuss how these two flavonoid classes might influence the egglaying behaviour of D. suzukii females and how they could serve as potential markers for D. suzukii infestations in grapes that can be potentially extended to other fruits. We believe that our novel, integrated analytical approach could also be applied to the study of other biological relationships characterised by multiple evolving parameters. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Insect's resilience to adverse conditions poses a significant challenge for integrated pest control. This has resulted in huge economic losses to agriculture and forestry production as well as a range of severe ecological issues. As a physiological mechanism of insects, digestive physiology plays an important role in the process of adaptation to stress factors. However, there has been no systematic review of what stresses insects can adapt to through digestive physiology and how digestive physiology is involved in insect adaptation to stresses. In this review, the potential link between digestive physiology and adaptation of insects to biotic and abiotic stresses, including plant defense mechanisms, chemical insecticides, and entomopathogenic microorganisms, is analyzed. We point to that digestive physiology composed of digestive enzymes and gut microbial communities is an important strategy for insects to resist plant physical defense (e.g., hemicellulose, pectin, and microfibers), chemical defense (e.g., azadirachtin, diterpenoid acids, and phenolic glycosides), chemical insecticide stress, and entomopathogenic microorganism infection. In addition, the primary function of the digestive physiology in insects is to ensure energy supply during biotic and abiotic stress, assist in the metabolism of exogenous toxins (e.g., anti-insect proteins, primary metabolites, secondary metabolites, and insecticides), and improve their innate immunity against entomopathogenic microorganisms. This review is helpful to elucidate the mechanism of pest adaptation to adversity, and provide a breakthrough point for analyzing the causes of pest outbreaks. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The main objective of the present laboratory investigation was designed to evaluate the integrated impact of commercial formulation Xentari 54% WP (Bacillus thuringiensis aizawai) and gamma radiation against 4th instar larvae of Agrotis ipsilon. Full grown male pupae were irradiated with the sub-sterilizing dose 100Gy. The resulting 4th instar larvae of first generation (F1) were exposed to four different concentrations (3x104, 6x104, 9x104 and 12x104 D.U./100ml). Also, the mortality percentage was recorded daily in unirradiated fourth instar larvae treated with the same Bt. concentrations. The accumulative daily mortality revealed that when concentrations and time increased, the mortality percentage increased as well. The LC50 and LC90 levels of irradiated and unirradiated A. ipsilun F1 4th larval instars treated after 24 hours of feeding on leaves treated with various concentrations of Bt. (Xentari 54% WP) revealed that irradiated parents of A. ipsilon F1 4th larval instar were more vulnerable to Bt. than unirradiated ones. Also, histological study was carried out to describe the histological changes of the midgut tissues F1 larvae due to influence of gamma radiation either alone or in combination with LC50 of Bt. Results obtained revealed that large number of epithelial cells became vacuolated. The histopathological symptoms were severe which was clearly obvious by cells lysis and unclear of the epithelium nuclei. The combination of Bt. and gamma radiation may offer an acceptable integrated pest management program against A. ipsilon. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Accurate identification of agricultural pests is a major component of integrated pest management. The seedcorn maggot, Delia platura (Meigen) (Diptera: Anthomyiidae), is a cosmopolitan polyphagous pest species that may be found in high numbers in numerous crops. Two morphologically identical genetic lines of D. platura (H and N) with distinct distributions were recently identified. To date, no study has investigated the reproductive compatibility of the two lines and thus the possibility that they may actually be two unique biological entities. A previous study described the reproductive traits of the two lines and suggested that H‐line females are highly selective toward the male with which they mate, pointing to a possible pre‐mating isolation mechanism between the lines. Using laboratory‐reared colonies originating from the Montérégie region in Québec, Canada, this study investigates the reproductive compatibility of the two D. platura lines. We found that only one of 30 H‐line females was inseminated by an N‐line male, further suggesting mate choice as a pre‐mating isolation mechanism between the lines. However, N‐line females were readily inseminated by H‐line males, suggesting a lack of pre‐mating isolation in this type of cross. The eggs laid by N‐line females mated with H‐line males had a lower hatching rate than the ones laid by females of intraline crosses, suggesting either post‐mating pre‐zygotic or post‐zygotic partial isolation. However, the larvae that did hatch had a comparable developmental success to those from intraline crosses in terms of survival and developmental time from larval hatching to adult emergence, pupal mass, and adult sex ratio, suggesting a lack of post‐zygotic isolation for these life stages. Considering the different biological traits of the two lines, we suggest the use of the 'biotype' terminology to designate the two biological entities and discuss their implications for integrated pest management. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Alternaria solani is causing early blight and thereby yield reduction in the potato production. The pathogen is today mainly controlled by fungicide applications. The severity of early blight can vary largely among fields. The aim of this study was to gain understanding of what field and management parameters are the most important for early blight severity to create more farm-specific fungicide treatment recommendations. Over three seasons, 2019–2021, 52 field plots were observed at farms in southern Sweden. In each field a 24 m × 24 m plot was left untreated against early blight. However, late blight fungicides were applied. The disease severity was scored twice in the untreated plot and information about various soil/plant parameters and farmer's management was collected from each field. In addition to the observational study, field trials were performed in 2021 and 2022, evaluating the effect of potassium fertiliser levels on severeness of infection. We found that the soil composition was of significant importance for the severity of infection, in particular the sand, clay, and potassium content. The early blight severity was directly positively correlating with a high sand content. Low levels of leaf potassium increased the severity of early blight infection, and this observation was confirmed in field trials where different levels of potassium fertiliser were applied. Further no reduction in disease severity was observed with a four-year crop rotation. With knowledge about field and management factors that influence disease, field-specific recommendations can be developed supporting an integrated pest management strategy for early blight to reduce and optimise the fungicide usage. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Canola (Brassica napus L. and B. rapa L. [Brassicales: Brassicaceae]) is a major oilseed crop grown globally as a source of vegetable oil, animal feed and biofuel feedstock. The global demand for canola oil as a biofuel feedstock has increased due to recent regulations in the European Union, United States, and Canada. In North America, canola production is centered on the northern Great Plains where it is challenged by two highly destructive flea beetle species, the crucifer (Phyllotreta cruciferae Goeze, 1777) and the striped (Phyllotreta striolata Fabricius, 1803) flea beetles. In the spring, adult P. cruciferae and P. striolata begin feeding on canola seedlings, creating a 'shot hole' appearance, which can reduce the plant's photosynthetic capacity leading to uneven plant emergence and growth, reduced plant stand density, and reduced seed yield. Losses resulting from flea beetles are estimated in the tens of millions of dollars annually. At present, the principle means for flea beetle control are insecticides applied as systemic seed treatments and/or subsequent foliar sprays. The continued use of these products is being questioned due to environmental concerns and acquisition of resistance. As such, significant research effort is being directed toward the development of an integrated pest management system for these abundant and hard to manage pests of canola. Here, we review the ecology, pest status, and management of flea beetles in North America and discuss future research needed to promote flea beetle management and sustainable canola production. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In the Americas, the palm weevils Rhynchophorus palmarum and Dynamis borassi are two of the most economically important palm pests, attacking crops including oil palms, coconut palms, Canary Islands date palms and peach palms. Mass trapping with aggregation pheromone‐baited traps has been used for several decades as the main way to monitor and manage palm weevil populations worldwide. Given that several species of palm weevils have the same main aggregation pheromone and that one species can be attracted to the aggregation pheromones of other species, it is important to compare the efficacy of multiple pheromone lures on several species of palm weevils. Here, we tested the commercial pheromone lure Dynalure (ferruginol) independently, and the lures Rhyncolure (rhynchophorol) and Metalure (89% ferruginol and 11% 2‐methyl‐4‐heptanol) jointly, for their efficacy at attracting R. palmarum and D. borassi in a palm growing area of Tumaco, Colombia. We found that Dynalure and Rhyncolure are effective at attracting both species, but traps with Dynalure attract more D. borassi, while traps with Rhyncolure attract more R. palmarum. Metalure had a repellent effect for both species, highlighting the importance of minor components in pheromone lures. For R. palmarum, captures were female‐biased in traps with the lures Rhyncolure and Metalure, while for D. borassi captures were male‐biased with all lures tested. While both species showed similar numbers of captures per trap at the beginning of the experiment, at the end of the 14‐month observation period, R. palmarum was the most abundant species captured in traps. Our results highlight the importance of evaluating the field efficacy of lures with different aggregation pheromones for mass trapping of palm weevils and to consider the effect of minor components in the lures, especially with the potential invasion of the red palm weevil to the Americas, and the urgent need to develop an integrated pest management programme that covers multiple species of sympatric palm weevils. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Thaumatotibia leucotreta (Meyrick) (Lepidoptera: Tortricidae) is a quarantine pest for certain export markets due to its phytosanitary status in affected crops in sub‐Saharan Africa, including citrus. Consequently, there is a zero‐tolerance policy for T. leucotreta in export markets. In South Africa, an integrated pest management strategy, incorporating a systems approach is used to achieve complete control of T. leucotreta. Preharvest management is multi‐faceted, including reliance on sex pheromone tools such as monitoring, attract‐and‐kill, mating disruptions, and sterile insect technique (SIT). Geographically isolated populations of T. leucotreta occur in South Africa, and there is speculation concerning the possible loss of sexual communication between these isolated populations, thereby compromising the efficiency of sex pheromone tools. To investigate this possibility, we collected samples from five geographically isolated populations of T. leucotreta and a population used for SIT in South Africa. These were subjected to sexual attraction trials under choice and no‐choice scenarios in a semi‐natural environment. Results of the choice tests revealed that males of each population preferred their corresponding population females, except irradiated males. However, when we deprived males of their preferred females, these preferences dissipated, and they were equally attracted to females from all populations. These results indicate that local adaptation and other selection forces in contrasting environments are important in sexual communication and selection in T. leucotreta but do not necessarily prevent recognition of sexual signals and attraction between geographically isolated populations. These findings are crucial for area‐wide IPM and precision control of T. leucotreta. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Agricultural improvements that reduce conventional pesticide use and support environmental aims are a priority. Current approaches develop promising alternative products but meet significant challenges in bringing them to market. This article reports findings of an Association of Applied Biologists event at which delegates from relevant industry sectors discussed the establishment of an effective integrated pest management innovation system linking multiple stakeholders. Interrelated recommendations were agreed upon, focused on structured gap analysis, co‐design processes reflecting the complete innovation system, the approval process, application equipment, enhancing grower confidence, integrating knowledge exchange activities, promulgation of public good information and the need for an overarching national action plan and supporting legislation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study aimed to isolate and characterize a native strain of Beauveria bassiana, coded as Bv065, showcasing its potential as a biological control agent targeting the palm weevil Dynamis borassi. Originating from a naturally infected D. borassi specimen collected in southwestern Colombia, the fungus underwent molecular identification and was identified as B. bassiana, exhibiting high sequence similarity with known reference strains. The physiological characterization revealed that Bv065 thrived within a temperature range of 25 to 30 °C and a pH range of 6 to 9. Moreover, the key carbon sources that allow optimal growth of the strain were identified through metabolic profiling, including sucrose, D-mannose, and γ-amino-butyric acid. These findings offer strategic insights for scalability and formulation methodologies. Additionally, enzymatic analyses unveiled robust protease activity within Bv065, crucial for catalysing insect cuticle degradation and facilitating host penetration, thus accentuating its entomopathogenic potential. Subsequent evaluations exposed Bv065's pathogenicity against D. borassi, causing significant mortality within nine days of exposure, albeit exhibiting limited effectiveness against Rhynchophorus palmarum. This study underscores the importance of understanding optimal growth conditions and metabolic preferences of B. bassiana strains for developing effective biopesticides. The findings suggest Bv065 as a promising candidate for integrated pest management strategies in neotropical regions, particularly for controlling palm weevil infestations in coconut and peach palm cultivation. Future research avenues include refining mass production methodologies, formulating novel delivery systems, and conducting comprehensive field efficacy trials to unlock the full potential of Bv065 in fostering sustainable pest management practices. Overall, this study contributes to the growing body of knowledge on entomopathogenic fungi and their pivotal role in biological control, offering nuanced perspectives on eco-friendly alternatives to conventional insecticidal interventions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The main objective of the present laboratory investigation was designed to evaluate the integrated impact of commercial formulation Xentari 54% WP (Bacillus thuringiensis aizawai) and gamma radiation against 4th instar larvae of Agrotis ipsilon. Full grown male pupae were irradiated with the sub-sterilizing dose 100Gy. The resulting 4th instar larvae of first generation (F1) were exposed to four different concentrations (3x104, 6x104, 9x104 and 12x104 D.U./100ml). Also, the mortality percentage was recorded daily in unirradiated fourth instar larvae treated with the same Bt. concentrations. The accumulative daily mortality revealed that when concentrations and time increased, the mortality percentage increased as well. The LC50 and LC90 levels of irradiated and unirradiated A. ipsilun F1 4th larval instars treated after 24 hours of feeding on leaves treated with various concentrations of Bt. (Xentari 54% WP) revealed that irradiated parents of A. ipsilon F1 4th larval instar were more vulnerable to Bt. than unirradiated ones. Also, histological study was carried out to describe the histological changes of the midgut tissues F1 larvae due to influence of gamma radiation either alone or in combination with LC50 of Bt. Results obtained revealed that large number of epithelial cells became vacuolated. The histopathological symptoms were severe which was clearly obvious by cells lysis and unclear of the epithelium nuclei. The combination of Bt. and gamma radiation may offer an acceptable integrated pest management program against A. ipsilon. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Chemical pesticides in crop protection pose long‐term threats to living beings due to their harmful side effects. Plant consortium, a mixture of diverse plant extracts and biomedicine, has gained attention for integrated pest management. Developmental formulations increase bioavailability of bioactive constituents, enhancing desired biological activities. The present study is undertaken to evaluate the pesticidal activity of the plant consortium composed of Zingiber officinale, Allium sativum, and Capsicum annuum against Spodoptera litura under laboratory condition. Followed by measuring pesticidal activity, ecotoxicity of prepared formulation was investigated. The plant consortium was prepared from the selected plant extracts through green science principles. The presence of possible bioactive compounds in plant consortium prepared from ethanolic extracts of selected plants was determined using Gas Chromatography Mass Spectrometry (GC‐MS). Pesticidal activity of the prepared consortium was investigated against S. litura by determination of cumulative mortality, lethal concentration. Active principles of pesticidal activity associated with plant consortium was readily extracted in ethanol. Prepared consortium revealed notable pesticidal activity against S. litura larval stages by recording high mortality and least LC50 and LC90. The plant consortium has not shown any ecotoxic effect which was confirmed by no sign of toxic effects on plant growth parameters of seedlings. Ecotoxicity of proposed consortium was also studied by measuring the soil parameters and phytotoxicity assessment. The present study suggests the possible utilization of presently proposed plant consortium as an effective pesticidal agent without affecting ecosystem. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

BACKGROUND: Bordeaux mixture is a copper‐based fungicide commonly used in vineyards to prevent fungal and bacterial infections in grapevines. However, this fungicide may adversely affect the entomological component, including insect pests. Understanding the impacts of Bordeaux mixture on the vineyard pest Lobesia botrana is an increasing concern in the viticultural production. RESULTS: Bordeaux mixture had detrimental effects on the development and reproductive performance of L. botrana. Several physiological traits were adversely affected by copper‐based fungicide exposure, including a decrease in larval survival and a delayed larval development to moth emergence, as well as a reduced reproductive performance through a decrease in female fecundity and fertility and male sperm quality. However, we did not detect any effect of Bordeaux mixture on the measured reproductive behaviors (mating success, pre‐mating latency and mating duration). CONCLUSION: Ingestion by larvae of food contaminated with Bordeaux mixture had a negative effect on the reproductive performance of the pest L. botrana, which could affect its population dynamics in vineyards. Although this study highlighted collateral damage of Bordeaux mixture on L. botrana, the potential impact of copper‐based fungicides on vineyard diversity, including natural predators is discussed and needs to be taken in consideration in integrated pest management. © 2024 The Author(s). Pest Management Science published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd on behalf of Society of Chemical Industry. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

BACKGROUND: Compatibility studies of insecticides and natural enemies usually focus on short‐term lethal effects, without considering the long‐term sublethal effects (including progeny). Even less‐explored are the effects of commercial insecticides formulated with more than one active product. Short‐ and long‐term lethal and sublethal effects were studied for the first time on the progeny of commercial formulations of spirotetramat, imidacloprid and a commercial mixture of these active ingredients on pupae of Diaeretiella rapae (M'ntosh) (Hymenoptera: Braconidae), an endoparasitoid of aphids considered to be a potential biological control agent. Insecticides were exposed topically on aphid mummies in which the parasitoid was in the pupal stage. RESULTS: Imidacloprid reduced adult emergence by more than 30% and prolonged intra‐host development time with respect to control from half the maximum recommended field dose (MFRD). Spirotetramat and commercial mixture only showed significant effects on these endpoints at doses above the MFRD. The tested formulations did not affect adult longevity, sex ratio, and percentage of parasitism in the exposed generation. At low concentrations the active ingredients in the commercial mixture behave synergistically, whereas at medium and high concentrations they behave antagonistically. Considering the 10% lethal dose (LD10), imidacloprid showed the highest hazard coefficient, whereas the commercial mixture was more hazardous when considering the LD50 and LD90. The commercial mixture and imidacloprid induced higher adult emergence and altered the sex ratio in the progeny. CONCLUSIONS: The following order of toxicity on D. rapae can be established: imidacloprid > commercial mixture > spirotetramat. Joint use of this species with imidacloprid and commercial mixture should be avoided in integrated pest management programs. © 2024 Society of Chemical Industry. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

BACKGROUND: Biological control of insect pests is encountering an unprecedented challenge in agricultural systems due to the ongoing rise in carbon dioxide (CO2) level. The use of entomopathogenic fungi (EPF) in these systems is gaining increased attention, and EPF as crop endophytes hold the potential for combining insect pest control and yield enhancement of crops, but the effects of increased CO2 concentration on this interaction are poorly understood. Here, the introduction of endophytic EPF was explored as an alternative sustainable management strategy benefiting crops under elevated CO2, using maize (Zea mays), Asian corn borer (Ostrinia furnacalis), and EPF (Beauveria bassiana) to test changes in damage to maize plants from O. furnacalis, and the nutritional status (content of carbon, nitrogen, phosphorus, potassium), biomass, and yield of maize. RESULTS: The results showed that endophytic B. bassiana could alleviate the damage caused by O. furnacalis larvae for maize plants under ambient CO2 concentration, and this effect was enhanced under higher CO2 concentration. Inoculation with B. bassiana effectively counteracted the adverse impact of elevated CO2 on maize plants by preserving the nitrogen content at its baseline level (comparable with ambient CO2 conditions without B. bassiana). Both simultaneous effects could explain the improvement of biomass and yield of maize under B. bassiana inoculation and elevated CO2. CONCLUSION: This finding provides key information about the multifaceted benefits of B. bassiana as a maize endophyte. Our results highlight the promising potential of incorporating EPF as endophytes into integrated pest management strategies, particularly under elevated CO2 concentrations. © 2024 The Authors. Pest Management Science published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd on behalf of Society of Chemical Industry. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

BACKGROUND: Whiteflies are major pests in agriculture, causing damage to crops and transmitting plant viruses. Using Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs) as semiochemicals offers a sustainable approach for combating whiteflies. One such group of compounds, represented by β‐ionone, has been found to possess repellent/attractant properties. To further explore the behavioral effects of these compounds on whiteflies, we selected five natural ionone compounds and synthesized six novel analogues to examine the impact of structural variations on whitefly behavior. RESULTS: Our results demonstrated that β‐ionone and its analogues have a significant impact on the behavior of whiteflies. Among them, 0.01% pseudo ionone solution exhibited an attractant effect on whiteflies. Notably, the application of 1% β‐ionone and 0.1% β‐ionol solution demonstrated a notable repellent effect and oviposition deterrent effect on whitefly. We also found that the novel ionone analogue (±)1A exhibited a strong repellent effect. Both β‐ionol and compound (±)1A possess high logP values and low saturation vapor pressures, which contribute to enhanced lipophilicity, making them more likely to penetrate insect antennae and prolong their presence in the air. CONCLUSION: The newly discovered ionone analogue (±)1A and β‐ionol exhibit improved repellent effects, while pseudo ionone shows an attractant effect. These three compounds hold promising potential for development as novel biological control agents. Our work highlights the efficacy of VOCs as a protection method against whiteflies. These findings indicate that our new technology for a 'push–pull' control method of B. tabaci can offer a novel tool for integrated pest management (IPM). © 2024 Society of Chemical Industry. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

BACKGROUND: The active participation of farmers in adopting eco‐friendly practices is vital to mitigate the environmental and health risks linked to pesticide usage. Farmers' awareness of these risks significantly influences their adoption of integrated pest management (IPM) methods over traditional pesticide applications. This study sought to explore the range of understanding on pesticide effects, categorize IPM strategies employed in pest management, and examine the correlation between knowledge levels and IPM strategy choices. Data was gathered through structured questionnaires from 391 rice farmers in Sari County, Mazandaran province, Northern Iran. RESULTS: Exploratory factor analysis revealed three distinct dimensions of pesticide risk knowledge: personal risk of pesticide, environmental risk of pesticide, and community risk of pesticide. Furthermore, the study identified three primary categories of IPM strategies: high familiarity, intermediate familiarity, and low familiarity. The results of the regression analysis indicated that the personal risk of pesticides (β = 0.556; P < 0.01) and the environmental risk of pesticides (β = 0.262; P < 0.01) are significantly correlated with the adoption of high familiarity IPM strategies. Furthermore, the study revealed that there was no significant statistical evidence to support the notion that different types of pesticide risk knowledge had any influence on the adoption of intermediate and low familiarity strategies. CONCLUSION: The findings of this study imply the critical importance for agricultural extension programs to focus on enhancing farmers' knowledge of pesticide risks and various IPM strategies. © 2024 Society of Chemical Industry. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

BACKGROUND: In agricultural pest management, especially in combatting the invasive red imported fire ant (RIFA, Solenopsis invicta), significant challenges emerge as a consequence of the constraints of solely depending on chemical insecticides or entomopathogenic nematodes (EPNs). The utilization of chemical insecticides carries environmental and ecological hazards, whereas EPNs, when applied independently, might not offer the immediate effectiveness necessary for adequate RIFA suppression. Acknowledging these hurdles, our study investigates a synergistic method that integrates EPNs with chemical insecticides, aiming to fulfill the urgent demand for more efficient and environmentally friendly pest control solutions. RESULTS: Our evaluation focused on the interaction between the highly pathogenic Steinernema riobrave 7–12 EPN strain and prevalent insecticides, specifically beta‐cypermethrin and a mixture of bifenthrin and clothianidin, applied at highly diluted recommended concentrations. The findings revealed a notable increase in RIFA mortality rates when EPNs and these insecticides were used together, outperforming the results achieved with each method individually. Remarkably, this enhanced efficacy was especially evident at lower concentrations of the bifenthrin–clothianidin mixture, indicating a valuable approach to minimizing reliance on chemical insecticides in agriculture. Furthermore, the high survival rates of EPNs alongside the tested insecticides indicate their compatibility and potential for sustained use in integrated pest management programs. CONCLUSION: Our research underscores the effectiveness of merging EPNs with chemical insecticides as a powerful and sustainable strategy for RIFA management. This combined approach not only meets the immediate challenges of pest control in agricultural settings, but also supports wider environmental objectives by reducing the dependency on chemical insecticides. © 2024 Society of Chemical Industry. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

BACKGROUND: Insects use odor detection to sense their surroundings. Use of volatile compounds, such as essential oils (EOs) of plants, to repel pests and disrupt their olfaction‐driven behaviors has great practical potential for use in integrated pest management. Despite the available information on the repellent effects of EOs on herbivorous insects, the olfaction‐based mechanisms remain unknown. RESULTS: Y‐tube olfactometer tests showed that the EOs of three Lamiaceae plants – Mentha arvensis L., Mentha piperita L. and Lavandula angustifolia Mill. – were significantly repellent to winged cotton aphid, Aphis gossypii Glover. Electrical penetration graph (EPG) tests indicated the EOs reduced phloem feeding and increased the level of non‐productive probing by the aphids. The EOs also reduced the fecundity of winged Aphis gossypii. Electrophysiological bioassays and gas chromatography–mass spectrometry (GC–MS) identified five physiologically active volatiles, that is menthone, isomenthone, neomenthol and menthol from Mentha piperita; menthone and menthol from Mentha arvensis; and linalool from L. angustifolia. Behavioral tests confirmed that all five compounds repelled winged Aphis gossypii. Under field conditions, the growth rate of aphid populations after 7 days was significantly lower in fields treated with these compounds than in the control fields. CONCLUSION: Our findings demonstrated that three EOs not only repelled winged Aphis gossypii but also interfered with the aphid's feeding behavior and reduced its fecundity. These EOs and their active constituents have great potential as eco‐friendly control products for use against Aphis gossypii. The effects of these EOs also exceed other repellents that only keep pests away from host plants. © 2024 Society of Chemical Industry. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Diapause is a vital survival strategy for insects, enabling them to conserve energy and endure adverse conditions. Understanding how diapause affects insect phenology and population dynamics is crucial for the effective management of insect pests. Predictive pest phenological models can be invaluable tools for providing essential information to support management strategies. This study presents a modelling framework to incorporate diapause into phenological models when biological information on variables regulating and functions describing diapause induction and termination are lacking or limited. In our framework, insect phenology is divided into a set of phases characterized by specific events (diapause induction and termination) and processes (development of diapausing and post‐diapausing biological stages). The phenology is simulated by a stage‐structured model based on the Kolmogorov equation, and the temperature‐dependent development rate functions are described by the Brière functional form. Our modelling framework was tested on a case study involving the prediction of the phenology of the codling moth, (Cydia pomonella L. 1758). Model calibration and validation were performed using four time‐series adult trap catch data collected in the Emilia Romagna Region from 2021 to 2023. The calibration procedure allowed obtaining realistic parameters related to the temperature threshold triggering diapause termination and the development rate function of post‐diapausing larvae and pupae. Model validation proved successful in simulating both the initial emergence and the overall phenological patterns of adults across the three observed generations. The methodological framework proposed here aims to facilitate the introduction of diapause in phenological models improving also their predictive abilities. The model may serve as an accurate and knowledge‐based tool for planning and implementing pest monitoring and control actions based on the realistic predictions provided by the model on the phenological status of the pest. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The cultivation of sugarcane (Saccharum officinarum L.) in the face of climate change requires robust strategies for managing pests, diseases, and weeds. This systematic review exposes critical deficiencies in current practices and underscores the need for climate-adaptive strategies. Climate change differentially influences pest behaviour, disease progression, and weed growth across various regions, yet the lack of region-specific responses impairs effective management. The review emphasizes the necessity for localized approaches that consider specific climatic conditions and the development of predictive models to anticipate pest and disease outbreaks. These models include Decision Support Systems (DSS), Support Vector Machines (SVM), Susceptible-Exposed-Infectious-Recovered (SEIR) models, Geographic Information Systems (GIS), Species Distribution Models (SDMs), Agricultural Production Systems sIMulator (APSIM), and Integrated Pest Management (IPM). Crucial strategies encompass integrated pest and disease management, adaptive breeding, precision agriculture, and ongoing innovation. Precision agriculture technologies, such as remote sensing and drones, enable early detection and prompt interventions. By adopting these adaptive measures and addressing existing research gaps, the sugarcane industry can bolster its resilience and maintain productivity amidst evolving climatic conditions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Bioherbicides are expected to be a supplement to integrated pest management, assisting in the control of problematic weed species. For instance, bioherbicides (Phoma and BioPhoma) were recently registered in Canada and the USA for the control of some perennial dicotyledonous weeds in lawns. These products are based on strains of the fungus Didymella macrostoma (syn. Phoma macrostoma) that causes white tip disease (WTD) in Canada thistle (Cirsium arvense). In this study, WTD was reported for the first time in the Russian Federation. Analysis of the internal transcribed spacer (ITS) region of nuc rDNA and secondary metabolite profiling confirmed the identity of Russian WTD isolates to Canadian biocontrol strains identified as D. macrostoma. Multilocus phylogenetic analysis based on sequencing of the ITS region, partial large subunit nuc rDNA region (28S), RNA polymerase II second largest subunit gene (rpb2), and partial β-tubulin gene (tub2) has differentiated the WTD isolates from C. arvense and D. macrostoma isolates from other plant hosts. Based on phylogenetic, morphological, and chemotaxonomic features, these WTD isolates were described as a new species named Didymella baileyae, sp. nov. This study also demonstrated the low pathogenicity of the ex-type D. baileyae isolate VIZR 1.53 to C. arvense seedlings and its asymptomatic development in the leaves of aboveground shoots. The organic extracts from mycelium and culture filtrate of D. baileyae, as well as macrocidin A and macrocidin Z, displayed phytotoxicity both to C. arvense leaves and seedlings. Macrocidin A was only detected in the naturally infected leaf tissues of C. arvense showing WTD symptoms. Macrocidins A and Z demonstrated low antimicrobial and cytotoxic activities, exhibiting no entomotoxic properties. The data obtained within this study on the pathogenicity and metabolites of D. baileyae may be important for the rational evaluation of its prospects as a biocontrol agent. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Drosophila suzukii is a notorious pest which causes devastating damage to thin‐skinned fruits, and the larvae feed on the fruit, causing extensive agricultural economic loss. The current application of insecticides to manage this pest results in serious resistance and environmental hazards, so an alternative strategy for D. suzukii biocontrol is urgently needed. Here, we reported that entomopathogenic Bacillus cereus has the potential to biocontrol D. suzukii. We isolated and identified the bacterial strain, B. cereus H1, that was detrimental to the fitness of both D. suzukii progenies and parents. D. suzukii was robustly repelled to depositing eggs on the halves with metabolites of B. cereus H1. Both males and females of D. suzukii were susceptible to B. cereus H1. B. cereus H1 significantly arrested larval development with at least 40% lethal larvae. The median lethal time (LT50) of males and females of D. suzukii challenged with B. cereus H1 was 3 and 2 d, respectively. Moreover, B. cereus H1 disrupted the intestinal integrity and pH value of D. suzukii and resulted in an increase in bacterial load of guts and hemolymph. Mechanistically, infection of B. cereus H1 led to the activation of the dual oxidase (DUOX)‐ROS‐Jun N‐terminal kinase (JNK) pathway. The findings showed that the entomopathogen B. cereus H1 could potentially act as a biological control agent against D. suzukii, advancing fundamental concepts of integrated pest management programs against D. suzukii. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: The shoot and fruit borer, Conogethes punctiferalis (Guenée) (Crambidae: Lepidoptera), is a significant pest causing substantial economic losses across various crops. The need for alternative control methods has prompted the exploration of biological control using entomopathogenic fungi and bacteria. In this study, the pathogenicity of Beauveria bassiana, Metarhizium (Nomuraea) rileyi and Bacillus thuringiensis (Bt) against C. punctiferalis larvae and pupae was assessed through laboratory bioassays. Results: Various concentrations of B. bassiana and M. rileyi spores, i.e. 1 × 102, 1 × 104, 1 × 106, 1 × 107 and 1 × 108 spores/ml, were tested alongside controls. Additionally, five strains of Bt (IIOR Bt-145, Bt-154, Bt-171, Bt-172 and Bt-127) were evaluated at concentrations of 0.5, 1.0, 1.5, 2.0 and 2.5 mg/ml. The LC50 values for B. bassiana and M. rileyi were 7.9 × 105 spores/ml and 8.7 × 104 spores/ml, respectively, after 4 and 6 days of post-treatment using the spray method. In the larval dip method, the LC50 values were 4.8 × 103 spores/ml for B. bassiana and 2.0 × 104 spores/ml for M. rileyi after 5 and 6 days of treatment, respectively. For pupae, the LC50 values were 1.2 × 106 spores/ml for B. bassiana and 4.3 × 104 spores/ml for M. rileyi after 4 and 7 days of treatment, respectively. Similarly, the five strains of Bt were effective against C. punctiferalis. However, Bt-154 demonstrated the highest efficacy, with LC50 values of 0.66 mg/ml in the spray method and 0.79 mg/ml in the larval dip method after 5 days of post-treatment. Conclusion: The potential of entomopathogenic isolates as biocontrol agents against C. punctiferalis provided a promising alternative to synthetic insecticides in pest management. The efficacy of B. bassiana, M. rileyi and Bt strains suggests their suitability for integrated pest management strategies, potentially reducing reliance on chemical pesticides and minimizing the environmental impacts. Further field studies are warranted to validate the efficacy and practicality of these biocontrol agents in real-world agricultural settings. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

1. The invasive hemlock woolly adelgid (HWA), Adelges tsugae (Annand) (Hemiptera: Adelgidae), has spread throughout most of the range of eastern hemlock, Tsuga canandensis (L.), and the entire range of Carolina hemlock, Tsuga caroliniana (Engelman), in the United States.2. Integrated pest management (IPM) of HWA combines chemical applications with the release of biological control agents on untreated trees within the same stand. Laricobius spp., Rosenhauer (Coleoptera: Derodontidae), have been used as biological control agents of HWA since 2003 and have subterranean and arboreal life phases that are synchronous with HWA's lifecycle. When utilizing IPM tactics, there is potential for Laricobius spp. to settle below an insecticide‐treated tree for its subterranean phase.3. Field investigations assessed the impact of historical (five years post treatment in 2017) and recent imidacloprid soil treatments (via soil injection, soil drench, and tablet in November 2020) on the subterranean survivorship of Laricobius spp. by quantifying concentrations of imidacloprid and its metabolites to determine its potential impact on percent adult emergence from the soil.4. We observed a significant treatment effect on mean soil concentration among application methods at the recent treatment site, but not the historical treatment site. Additionally, at the more recently treated site, significantly lower mean percent emergence was observed from soil drench and tablet imidacloprid applications after one year (2021), but by the following year (2022), that effect was no longer present.5. This study supports recent recommendations to delay releases of Laricobius spp. for one‐year post‐treatment with imidacloprid. Furthermore, these data suggest when applying imidacloprid to a stand established with Laricobius spp., soil injection techniques pose the least risk to their subterranean survivorship. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Bean flower thrips (Megalurothrips usitatus) is a major French bean (Phaseolus vulgaris L.) pest. Small‐scale farmers manage the pest using mixed plant extracts although their efficacy has not been scientifically validated. We evaluated the efficacy of mixed plant extracts comprising; Capsicum frutescens, Allium sativum, Lantana camara, Tagetes minuta and Azadirachta indica, against M. usitatus under laboratory and screenhouse. We identified and quantified the secondary metabolites associated with insecticidal activity using spectrophotometry and liquid chromatography–mass spectrometry (LC–MS). The plant combinations included PE1 (C. frutescens + A. sativum + L. camara + T. minuta extracts infused for 14 days), PE2 (same as PE1 but infused for 24 h) and PE + N (the five plant extracts infused for 24 h) in distilled water. We used an organic commercial botanical (Pyneem) as a positive control and distilled water as a negative control. Pyneem and PE + N induced the highest mortality at 88% and 77%, respectively, in the laboratory, and 68% and 71%, respectively, in the screenhouse. Phenolics, terpenoids and organosulfur compounds were identified in PE + N and individual plant extracts in varied quantities. These compounds were significantly higher (p < 0.001) in PE + N compared to individual plant extracts. The study showed that PE + N efficiently manages bean flower thrips, and mixing different plant extracts amplifies the secondary metabolites' abundance. The use of mixed plant extracts could be incorporated into integrated pest management strategies for thrips management in legumes. The specific compounds identified in PE + N should be investigated further to understand their modes of action against the pest. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Flower strips are a prominent agri‐environmental scheme with the central objective to promote biodiversity and maintain associated ecosystem services. The promotion of natural enemies by increasing resource availability through flower strips is a promising approach for integrated pest management. In a 3‐year field study, two annual and two perennial flower strip mixtures, as well as a grass mixture, were tested regarding their attractiveness for natural enemies at three different study sites in Germany. Natural enemies were sampled annually in nine sampling rounds at a 10‐day rhythm using sweep netting and pitfall traps. To assess available floral resources, we estimated the species‐specific flower cover and classified species into flower types. Flower strip mixtures differed in their attractiveness to natural enemies. Treatment effects on arthropod activity density were most pronounced in the second and third year. Overall, perennial were more attractive than annual flower strip mixtures for most natural enemies, however, the response to flower strip mixtures varied significantly among taxa. For example, perennial flower strips showed a two‐ to fourfold increase of plant‐dwelling spider and parasitoid wasp activity density as well as higher numbers of juvenile stages of predatory bugs and rove beetles compared to annual flower strips. In contrast, annual flower strip mixtures showed the highest attractiveness for ground beetles. Moreover, different natural enemy taxa were associated with varying flower strip characteristics such as flower type proportion, herbivore availability and plant species richness. Synthesis and applications. We found taxon‐specific responses of natural enemies to different flower strips, which provide guidance for the floral composition of flower strips in order to maximize their effectiveness for natural pest control. We suggest the use of perennial mixtures with high proportion of flower heads (Asteraceae) and disk flowers (esp. Apiaceae, Rubiaceae, Brassicaceae) in particular, but also flag blossoms (Fabaceae) as these flower types were positively associated with several natural enemy groups. However, since we found mixed responses to flower types, specific flower strip composition will ultimately depends on its objective. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Integrated pest management (IPM) is a comprehensive approach to managing diseases, focusing on combining various strategies to reduce pathogen populations effectively and in an environmentally conscious way. We investigated the effects of IPM on beneficial microbial populations and its relationship with pathogen populations in both direct-seeded rice (DSR) and transplanted rice (TR) systems. This study demonstrates that IPM practices have significantly higher populations of beneficial microbes, such as Trichoderma harzianum and Pseudomonas fluorescens, and lower level of the pathogen Fusarium verticillioides compared to non-IPM (farmer practices). The average mean population of T. harzianum was 6.38 x 10³ CFU/g in IPM compared to 3.22 x 10³ CFU/g in non-IPM during 2019 in TR at Bambawad. P. fluorescens mean population in 2019 was significantly higher in IPM (4.67 x 10³ CFU/g) than in non-IPM (3.82 x 10³ CFU/g) at the Karnal location in DSR. The F. verticillioides populations were significantly lower in IPM fields (9.46 x 10³ CFU/g) compared to non-IPM fields (11.48 x 10³ CFU/g) during 2017 at Haridwar in TR. Over three years, a significant increase in the populations of beneficial microbes in IPM plots was observed in all three locations of both TR and DSR, highlighting the sustainable impact of IPM practices. Disease dynamics analysis revealed that IPM effectively managed key diseases in both DSR and TR systems, with significant correlations between microbial density and disease severity. A significant positive correlation was recorded between F. verticillioides population and bakanae incidence at all three locations. Sheath blight incidence was negatively correlated with P. fluorescens population in both TR and DSR. In DSR, bacterial blight and brown spot diseases are reduced with the increased population of T. harzianum. Bioagents T. harzianum and P. fluorescens reduced disease incidence, underscoring the role of beneficial microbes in disease suppression and their importance for sustainable production using IPM practices. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Biological control is one of the primary tactics used in integrated pest management (IPM) for peach fruit fly, Bactrocera zonata. The pupal parasitoid Dirhinus giffardii Silvestri (Hymenoptera: Chalcidae) is a potential alternative for controlling this insect pest. This study aimed to investigate the effects of different low temperatures on D. giffardii parasitoid emergence in association with B. zonata fruit fly during various storage durations. Additionally, the study assessed the efficacy of food attractants in preserving the natural enemy in a mango (Mangifera indica L.) orchard. The results of the study showed that cold storage at 17.5 °C could significantly improve the rearing efficiency of the parasitoid. The short-term storage of D. giffardii within its B. zonata host for 1–2 weeks is effective in sustaining the parasitoid during mass rearing and releasing in a fruit fly control program. The study also tested the attractancy of D. giffardii to various food attractants, including honey, protein hydrolyzate, and Nu-lure separately, and honey plus sugar, protein hydrolyzate plus sugar, and Nu-lure plus sugar as bait combinations in a mango orchard. The results indicated that the spray of honey and sugar mixture could significantly contribute to the formation and conservation of the parasitoid. In conclusion, the study demonstrated that D. giffardii parasitoid can be successfully stored at 17.5 °C for 7 or 15 days, which can increase the rearing efficiency without affecting adult survival or progeny parameters. Food attractants can be potential sources of nutrition for adult parasitoids, aiding in the control plan of tephritid insect pests. This information is valuable in facilitating the mass-rearing of D. giffardii and using food attractants to improve the efficiency of the biological control program against B. zonata. [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]

Pectinophora gossypiella one of the most destructive pests of Bt cotton. P. gossypiella gradually became a serious threat after gaining resistance to Bt toxin after 2 decade owing to which resulted in huge economic losses to the cotton growers. Present investigation was carried in order to study the most favourable temperature of P. gossypiella for its growth and development under various altering temperature regimes (20:30°C, 24:30°C,28:30°C, 20:35°C, 24:35°C, 28:35°C, 20:40°C, 24:40°C and 28:40°C) of Integrated Pest Management Laboratory, Department of Entomology, PAU, Ludhiana during cotton crop season 2022-23. Three models (linear and nonlinear) were used to estimate the relation between temperature and development rate of different instars and stages of P. gossypiella. The results revealed that duration of all larval instars and total larval duration were significantly short at an alternating temperature of 28:40°C. The pupal duration, adult longevity and total developmental period of male and female were recorded significantly low at the alternate temperature of 28:40°C. The fecundity and survivability (egg, larval and pupal)was significantly highest at 28:30°C, whereas the larval and pupal weights were significantly highest at an alternate temperature of 28:35°C. The correlation between developmental parameters and fecundity showed significant negative correlation. The survival of egg, larva and pupa showed non-significant negative correlation, whereas the larval and pupal weights show non-significant positive correlation with alternate temperatures. Stinner nonlinear and Inverse second order polynomial model provided more suitable temperature conditions for the development of P. gossypiella. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Vegetables are treated as high-value crops due to their sizeable area and production throughout the world but are plagued by a variety of insect pests throughout the growing season. Among vegetables, tomato is most common and extensively grown throughout India and faces the challenge of insect pests. During winter 2021–2022 and 2022-23, tomato crop in Haryana state faced the problem of three important insect pests viz., serpentine leaf miner (Liriomyza trifolii), whiteflies (Bemisia tabaci) and aphids (Aphis gossypii). To monitor and manage these insect pest menace, yellow sticky traps were used under field conditions. The yellow sticky traps were found to be effective in monitoring the target pests for taking up further management interventions wherein the mean number of adult leaf miners, adult whiteflies and alate aphids trapped /square inch of yellow sticky trap ranged from 46.26 ± 1.96 to 61.03 ± 2.59, 5.42 ± 0.12 to 9.68 ± 0.13, and 9.83 ± 0.70 to 15.76 ± 0.34, respectively. Further, it was found that installation of 10–12 yellow sticky traps/0.40 ha proved effective in mass trapping of leaf miners, whiteflies and aphids in tomato by reducing the pest population per plant under field conditions. Integrated approach (Mass trapping using yellow sticky traps + label claim insecticidal spray) recorded less population of serpentine leaf miners (1.70 ± 0.03 live mines/03 leaves), whiteflies (3.91 ± 0.02 adults/03 leaves) and aphids (5.01 ± 0.07/03 young leaves) as compared to conventional approach (Farmer practice). The integrated approach evaluated was found economical resulting in 38.14% less expenditure cost due to 45.45% reduction in insecticidal spray, evincing the economic benefits of integrated approach of pest management over conventional approach in tomato. Therefore, installation of yellow sticky traps at suggested rate are recommended for management of serpentine leaf miners, whiteflies and aphids through mass trapping in tomato crop grown under field condition as an effective component of integrated pest management programme. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The present study investigated the relative abundance of mosquitoes larvae in three different breeding habitats in seven districts of Beni-Suef Governorate, Egypt during two years (2019–2020). The results showed that the species composition of mosquitoes was represented by four genera and eight species; four of Culex (Cx. pipiens Linnaeus,1758, Cx. theileri Theobald,1903, Cx. perexiguus Theobald, 1903 and Cx. antennatus (Becker,1903)), two of Anopheles (An. coustani Laveran, 1900 and An. multicolor Cambouliu, 1902) and one each of Aedes and Culiseta (Ae. caspius (Pallas, 1771) and Cs. longiareolata (Macquart, 1838)). The results were demonstrated also, that Cx. pipiens (4934 larvae) was the most common species, followed by Cx. perexiguus (2991 larvae) in all breeding habitats. Particularly, this species distributed in drains more than irrigation tanks and agriculture canals, the other species of Anopheles and Aedes were very little or absence in all test breeding habitats. The densities of almost mosquitoes species with higher collections were found in Saft, Elfant and El-Maimun villages and rate of collection decreased in Tizmant and Bedahl. These information on the species composition and their abundance of mosquitoes in Beni-Suef may help better planning for the integrated pest management for these vectors and transmitted diseases. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The study investigated the impact of elevated temperature and carbon dioxide (CO2) levels on the food consumption and nutritional indices of Plutella xylostella Linnaeus (Lepidoptera: Plutellidae) on cauliflower. Insect populations from Ludhiana and Malerkotla were subjected to six different combinations of temperature and CO2 levels (25:11ºC and 28:14ºC at 350, 400, 450 ppm CO2 concentrations). Food consumption, consumption index, relative growth rate, approximate digestibility and efficiency of conversion of ingested food of third instar larvae of Ludhiana population increased significantly from 5.36, 0.92, 0.47, 50.96, 45.83 to 5.59, 1.20, 0.53, 55.29, 50.71, respectively with an increase in CO2 levels from 350 ppm to 450 ppm and from 5.27, 0.84, 0.46, 49.10, 43.01 to 5.66, 1.27, 0.54, 56.56, 53.66 respectively with an increase in temperature from 25:11ºC and 28:14ºC. Food consumption, CI, RGR, AD and ECI also increased significantly in Malerkotla population, with an increase in temperature and CO2 levels. Similarly, in fourth instar larvae of both populations, food consumption, CI, RGR, AD and ECI increased significantly with the increase in temperature and CO2 levels. Thus, elevated temperature and CO2 and their interaction influence the food consumption and nutritional indices of P. xylostella which could ultimately result in increased crop damage and reduced yields. Therefore, further research on the impact of climate change on insect pests and their interactions with crops is crucial for developing adaptive and integrated pest management strategies to ensure agricultural resilience and food security in the face of changing environmental conditions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Understanding of risk factors for parasite introduction and amplification within fish farms is crucial to design effective biosecurity and control management strategies but currently, quantitative data on the relevance of such risk factors is largely absent. We have designed the questionnaires for stakeholders to characterize the risk factors and estimate their relevance for infections causing major economic burden on gilthead seabream (Sparus aurata) and European seabass (Dicentrarchus labrax) production: the myxozoan Enteromyxum leei, the monogenean Sparicotyle chrysophrii, the crustacean Ceratothoa oestroides and the dinoflagellate Amyloodinium ocellatum. Twenty-two experts (Belgium, Croatia, Greece, Italy, Norway, and Spain) were invited to participate in an online questionnaire, followed by a physical meeting to discuss the most probable values for parameter estimates. Quantitative estimates were obtained for the relevance of risk routes of parasite spread (e.g., the likelihood of parasite transmission from an infected to an uninfected net cage 5 m away was estimated to be 90% for E. leei), and the relevance of management procedures and environmental factors that may have an impact on the probability of infection to lead to disease (e.g., where mortalities are removed at > 5-day intervals, the likelihood that infection will lead to disease was 30% for S. chrysophrii). These quantitative estimates were appraised, including the delay in reaching harvest size, or cumulative mortality during phases of production, being essential for calculation of the burden of these diseases in aquaculture. The data presented are highly valuable to the development of economically viable biosecurity and specific integrated pest management strategies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Interspecific competition is an important factor in the population dynamics and geographical distribution of insect populations. Fall armyworm (FAW), Spodoptera frugiperda, an invasive species, and the Asian corn borer (ACB), Ostrinia furnacalis, a native pest species are major pests on maize in China, posing a threat to maize yield and grain quality. A series of laboratory, greenhouse, and field experiments were conducted to elucidate the competitive interactions between FAW and ACB. In the laboratory experiments, FAW exhibited aggressive behaviors more frequently when compared with ACB, while the latter species exhibited defense behaviors more frequently. Higher intraspecific competition was recorded in the FAW conspecific rather than in ACB, particularly in the 6th larval stage. FAW had a higher interspecific competitive advantage through intraguild predation over ACB, resulting in partial or complete displacement ACB when initially the ratio of the 2 species was 1 : 1. The interspecific competition also had significantly influenced on the population parameters, defensive enzymes, and nutrient of these 2 species. Competitive interaction proved that the response of superoxide, catalase, and soluble protein in FAW were significantly increased, whereas the total sugar content in both species was substantially decreased. Survival rate, and the plant damage that co‐infested by both species varied significantly among the sequential combinations under greenhouse and field conditions. FAW consistently exhibited stronger intraspecific aggression than ACB under laboratory and field conditions when co‐existing on the same feeding guild. These findings contribute to efforts toward the improvement of integrated pest management programs for FAW, in decision making for invasive and native pests' management strategies to reduce the high risks of FAW and ACB outbreaks. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In recent years, sugarcane production areas in Brazil have experienced a slower evolution in productivity, and one of the reasons for this is related to the increase in phytosanitary problems, such as the presence of pests. Nevertheless, limited attention has been paid to the development of tools for simulating the spatial dynamics of pests, including their impact on production. This study aims to simulate the potential population growth and dispersal of Diatraea saccharalis (sugarcane borer) in sugarcane crop fields and its estimated impacts on this crop production and to simulate biological control strategies. We developed an agent-based model to simulate the pest population and its dispersal in a one-hectare sugarcane crop field in Pederneiras, São Paulo, Brazil, delimited with the aid of satellite imagery, considering two scenarios: the first without biological control and the second with biological control using the parasites Trichogramma galloi and Cotesia flavipes. The model was developed using the NetLogo 6.3.0 software. The results indicate that the model accurately reproduced the infestation rates reported in the literature. Additionally, it provided insights into expected pest dispersal, potential production losses, and how the use of T. galloi in association with C. flavipes could mitigate production losses. We believe that the model can be used to simulate different biological control strategies and the implementation of integrated pest management (IPM) to achieve adequate control levels and greater productivity in sugarcane production. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The Mediterranean Corn Borer (MCB), Sesamia nonagrioides, poses a significant threat to maize crops, necessitating effective pest management strategies. This study investigates the compatibility of two entomopathogenic nematode (EPN) isolates, Steinernema feltiae KV6 and Heterorhabditis bacteriophora EO7, with four registered insecticides for MCB control: deltamethrin, flubendiamide, spinetoram, and betacyfluthrin. The impact of these insecticides on EPN mortality, infectivity, and reproduction was assessed. Results indicate that deltamethrin exhibits the lowest toxicity to EPNs, with mortality rates of 1.3% for S. feltiae and 0.63% for H. bacteriophora at field dose (FD) after 24 h and 4.63% and 1.96%, respectively, after 48 h. In contrast, betacyfluthrin showed higher toxicity, with mortality rates of 38.04% and 14.17% for S. feltiae at 2FD and FD after 48 h. The infectivity assays demonstrated that deltamethrin-treated EPNs caused up to 100% mortality in MCB larvae, while the reproduction capacity varied significantly between the EPN species and insecticides. H. bacteriophora exhibited higher progeny production, especially in the presence of deltamethrin (87,900 IJs/larva). The findings suggest that integrating EPNs with selective insecticides like deltamethrin can enhance pest control efficacy and support sustainable agricultural practices. This study provides valuable insights for developing integrated pest management (IPM) strategies aimed at mitigating MCB infestations in maize while minimizing environmental impacts. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Biotalys' first protein-based biofungicide, EVOCA™, is developed to help fruit and vegetable growers who are looking to protect their produce from fungal diseases such as Botrytis and powdery mildew. Developed with the AGROBODY Foundry™ platform, and thanks to a new and unique mode of action (new FRAC code: Group 51 under F10), this innovative product provides a new rotation partner in integrated pest management programs that both protect against resistance and reduce dependency on chemical pesticides and environmental impact. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Food and feed production worldwide heavily relies on wheat (Triticum aestivum). However, current agricultural practices face numerous challenges including a shortage of land for cultivation, a desire to reduce the use of chemical pesticides and fertilizers, and the development of resistance towards employed pesticides and virulence towards host resistance in the most widely grown varieties. In this paper, we demonstrate based on the literature that cultivating wheat variety mixtures generally leads to increased yield and yield stability across years and environments, reduced severity of multiple diseases, and a decreased risk of lodging before harvest compared to the cultivation of pure stands. Moreover, mixtures may delay fungicide resistance development and increase genetic diversity, ultimately prolonging the durability of resistance genes. Furthermore, growing mixtures may lower the risk of crop failure due to more extreme weather events and lead to better utilization of water and nutrients. We discuss a Danish case study advocating the cropping of wheat varieties in mixtures as an example of how variety mixtures can be utilized in integrated pest management strategies. The study shows that if all involved stakeholder groups promote the adoption of variety mixtures, a major uptake by farmers can be reached, potentially reducing the dependency on pesticides in current cropping schemes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Simple Summary: This study addresses global food security by highlighting the challenge of protecting food losses from insect damage. To find effective low-risk ways to manage these pests, we assessed the avoidance of the red flour beetle, a common pest in stored grains, to essential oils. Through various experiments in the laboratory, we investigated the beetles' behavioral response to different scented oils. While no definitive repellent was identified, this study sheds light on factors influencing insect behavior and the need for further research in behaviorally based management tactics such as avoidance. Ultimately, this work aims to develop strategies to protect stored grains, contributing to global food security efforts. Background: Food security is an increasingly pressing global issue, and by 2050, food production will not be sufficient to feed the growing population. Part of global food insecurity can be attributed to post-harvest losses, including quantity and quality losses caused by stored-product pests like insects. It is thus timely to find management strategies to mitigate these losses and counteract food insecurity. The red flour beetle, Tribolium castaneum (Herbst) (Coleoptera: Tenebrionidae), a global stored-product pest with a wide range of food sources, was used in this study to assess repellency to a selection of essential oils. Methods: Multiple behaviorally relevant methods were used to determine the efficacy of the essential oils in assays to pinpoint the most promising repellents. Experiments were used to assess individual and group behaviors with or without airflow and examined the behavioral variation in distance moved and the time spent away from the oil. Results: It was found that exposure to essential oils and conditions of experimentation considerably influenced T. castaneum's behavioral response, but a clear candidate for repellency could not be chosen based on the collected data. Conclusions: Follow-up research is needed to pinpoint repellents for integrated pest management practices to protect grains from stored-product pests and to justify their use in and around commodities. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Simple Summary: Zelus renardii Kolenati (Hemiptera, Reduviidae, Harpactorinae), the Leafhopper Assassin Bug (LAB), first appeared in Europe in 2011 and is now well-acclimatized. The LAB is a promising mass-rearing candidate for the inundative biocontrol strategy of Xylella fastidiosa pauca ST53 vectors. We reared LABs for two subsequent years, using live adult Drosophila melanogaster Meigen (Diptera, Drosophilidae) (Dm) as living prey versus several artificial diet formulations (D0, D1, D2, D3, and D4), to identify the best formulation. An artificial medium can minimize rearing costs and make the process sustainable and safer. The rearing of LAB is feasible with live prey, oligidic, meridic, and holidic artificial formulations. All diets, except for D2, showed a favorable trend according to the species' reproductive potential. Scoring accumulated degree days in LAB's rearing made it possible to predict the time required to complete post-embryonic development as a function of temperature. Mass production is a prerequisite for using natural enemies in integrated pest management and organic farming. Natural enemies in agroecosystems include predators that prey on insects, which they can subdue while maintaining adequate pest population densities. The Leafhopper Assassin Bug (LAB), Zelus renardii, can be a natural enemy in agroecosystems, selecting its prey for size and mobility. Some of LAB's prey include Philaenus spumarius (L.), Bactrocera oleae (Rossi), Drosophila suzukii (Matsumura), and Macrohomotoma gladiata Kuwayama, suggesting this reduviid for biocontrol agent in various contexts. We reared LABs for two subsequent broods offering living prey and artificial diets. Our data show that the rearing of Z. renardii is feasible with oligidic, meridic, and holidic artificial formulations. Four artificial diets allowed the complete post-embryonic development of LABs in captivity for two successive generations. The accumulated degree-days (ADDs) accurately predict the growth of LABs based on heat accumulation, estimating that up to three generations could grow per year in captivity at the experimented T°C. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Simple Summary: Hybrid rice is grown by millions of Asian farmers and has normally higher yields compared to inbred varieties. However, hybrid rice has been associated with high damage from herbivores. This susceptibility could be due to the physiology of the hybrid plant type or due to a limited availability of male sterile parents that are necessary for hybrid seed production. We examined how plant type and breeding affect the relative susceptibilities of hybrid and inbred rice by exposing 32 rice genotypes to the brown planthopper, whitebacked planthopper, and yellow stemborer in controlled environments and field plots. We compared insect fitness on the plants and related this to the type and genetic similarity of genotypes. Despite their diverse origins (China, Colombia, India, and the Philippines), the hybrids and inbreds formed two distinct genetic groups, thereby confounding plant type and phylogeny. Hybrids were generally more susceptible to stemborers but not to planthoppers. Relative herbivore fitness was strongly influenced by plant origin (i.e., breeding program) with one group of related genotypes being relatively susceptible to all three herbivores. Our results indicate that hybrids are not inherently more susceptible than inbreds to insect herbivores and that careful screening with the elimination of the most susceptible genotypes is necessary to reduce herbivore damage to hybrid and inbred rice in Asia. Several studies have reported higher damage from insect herbivores to hybrid compared to inbred (pure line) rice. We used a collection of 20 hybrid and 12 inbred genotypes from diverse origins to test the hypotheses that hybrid rice susceptibility is due to (a) the hybrid plant type and/or (b) rice phylogeny. We challenged the genotypes with Nilaparvata lugans (BPH), Sogatella furcifera (WBPH) and Scirpophaga incertulas (YSB) in greenhouse and screenhouse bioassays and monitored herbivores in field plots. We used single nucleotide polymorphic (SNP) markers to assess genetic similarities between the genotypes and found that the hybrids and inbreds formed two distinct clusters regardless of origin. In the screenhouse, hybrids were more susceptible than inbreds to YSB; however, resistant hybrids and susceptible inbreds were also apparent from both the screenhouse and field plots. Plant biomass was the best predictor of susceptibility to YSB. Plant origin had a greater effect than plant type on susceptibility to BPH and WBPH. WBPH was the most abundant planthopper in the field plots where numbers were highly correlated with planthopper fitness in the greenhouse bioassays. Our results provide evidence that high-yielding hybrids that are relatively resistant to herbivores can be achieved through careful breeding. The avoidance of susceptible genotypes during breeding should remain a key element of integrated rice pest management. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Simple Summary: Laboratory and field observations were used to evaluate the compatibility of yellow sticky cards with augmentative releases of T. dendrolimi for control of orchard pests, particularly C. sasakii and G. molesta. Female T. dendrolimi showed stronger attraction to yellow and white than to red, green or blue. Yellow sticky cards trapped significant numbers of T. dendrolimi in the field, reducing biological control of C. sasakii as well as the number of lacewings naturally recruited to the orchard. Judicious use of yellow sticky cards in orchards is therefore recommended to avoid disruption of biological control, specifically removing them in May before peak flights of moth pests require releases of egg parasitoids. Integrated pest management relies upon mutual compatibility among pest control tactics. The fruit-boring moths Carposina sasakii and Grapholita molesta can be devastating pests of pome and stone fruit production. Trichogramma dendrolimi parasitizes the eggs of these pests, preventing their eclosion, but its efficacy can be reduced by other pest control tactics. We tested T. dendrolimi attraction to five colors, and moth attraction to six colors, in laboratory choice tests, and thereafter deployed yellow sticky cards in tandem with releases of T. dendrolimi in field trials in a pear orchard. Yellow sticky cards deployed at high density trapped T. dendrolimi and reduced their numbers post-release. They also trapped adult G. molesta, which appeared to compensate for reduced egg parasitism on this species, but not on C. sasakii, which had higher abundance in plots with yellow sticky cards. The cards also captured adult lacewings, likely reducing their numbers in the field, but did not capture large numbers of lady beetles. The results suggest that yellow sticky cards can be used at high density to control aphids, psyllids and leafhoppers in early spring (March and April) when natural enemies are in low numbers, then removed in May so as not to interfere with augmentative releases of T. dendrolimi that must be timed to coincide with peak flights of fruit-boring moths. This strategy should enhance the compatibility of yellow sticky cards with egg parasitoid releases. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Simple Summary: We exposed brown planthoppers (BPHs) Nilaparvata lugens to the entomopathogenic fungus Cordyceps javanica PSUC002 and observed morpho-histological changes from 0 to 120 h post-inoculation (pi). At 12 h pi, we observed the first filamentous fungi on the external integument and the first fungal conidia penetrated host planthopper cells at 24 h pi. In contrast, we observed the initial degeneration of BPHs at 6 h pi, especially in the integument and adipose tissue. We also found the degeneration of integument and adipose tissue at 12 h pi, and their completed necrosis became clear at 96 h pi. This study illustrated the process of C. javanica infection in BPHs and demonstrated that fungal agents can be used to control the BPHs in an integrated pest management (IPM) program. The brown planthopper (BPH), Nilaparvata lugens (Stål, 1854), is a pest of rice plants worldwide. Cordyceps javanica is a destructive entomopathogenic fungus known to attack leafhoppers or BPHs specifically. Live adult BPH samples were inoculated with isolated C. javanica PSUC002, and their interaction was morpho-histologically examined from 0 to 120 h post-inoculation (pi). We observed that the mortality of BPH continuously increased until 120 h pi (Day 5). Tissue alterations in the host were examined after infection using morphological and histological methods, including the Grocott Methenamine Silver stain test (GMS). Filamentous fungi were first found on the external integument at 12 h pi, and fungal conidia attached to the integument at 24 h pi. However, the initial degeneration of BPHs was identified by histology at 6 h pi especially in the integument and adipose tissue. We identified the degeneration and loss of integument and adipose tissue of infected BPHs at 12 h pi, and their necrosis was completed at 96 h pi. The enzymatic index of the sampled fungi (chitinase and protease) peaked at 7 days of incubation. This study demonstrated that C. javanica PSUC002 is useful to control the BPHs as an eco-friendly practice and will possibly be applied in agriculture. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper introduces a new method for identifying museum pests through the analysis of DNA present in settled dust. Traditionally, the identification of pests in cultural institutions such as museums and depositories has relied on insect trapping (monitoring). They give good results but need time (minimum spring until summer of one year for a complete survey) and face challenges related to the identification of small, rare, or damaged species. Our study presents a non-invasive approach that utilizes metabarcoding analysis of dust samples to identify pests and other arthropods at the species level. We collected dust samples with a handheld vacuum cleaner in summer 2023 from the six different floors of the Natural History Museum in Vienna and compared the results with the insect monitoring. We found over 359 different species of arthropods in the museum and could show how the diversity increases with the elevation of the building floor. This method could be used for rapid and cost-effective screening of pests before monitoring. But the interpretation of results is sometimes difficult (for Lepismatidae, for example), and it cannot replace a continuous monitoring of pests with traps. This investigation might present the highest indoor animal biodiversity ever found in a single building. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]