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The editorial discusses regenerative agriculture, a farming approach that aims to enhance biodiversity, soil health, and ecosystem services while producing nutritious food profitably. It highlights the potential of regenerative agriculture to address social inequity and improve the resilience of rural communities. The research presented in the editorial emphasizes the need for a clearer definition of regenerative agriculture and its societal benefits, as well as the importance of integrating multiple practices to promote biodiversity and sustainability in farming systems. The authors stress the transformative potential of regenerative agriculture in improving the socio-ecological benefits of farming, provided it is not coopted for other agendas. [Extracted from the article]

The article in Entomologia Generalis calls for system-level integrated studies to enhance the adoption of 'green' Integrated Pest Management (IPM) tactics. It highlights the need for a more holistic and modern approach to IPM science, emphasizing the complexity of sustainable crop protection strategies. The authors propose a new theoretical framework, the Multidimensional Management of Multiple Pests (3MP), to improve the integration of various pest control tactics across multiple pests, promoting a holistic approach that considers systems thinking and multi-trophic interactions. The article underscores the importance of conducting interactive studies under real-world conditions to better understand how different IPM strategies can synergistically target multiple pests in agricultural systems. [Extracted from the article]

Plant-herbivore interactions dominate food web links in terrestrial settings, thereby shaping ecosystem structure and functioning. Within a given plant, both primary and secondary metabolites mediate the interplay between above- and below-ground herbivores. Here, we investigate how root feeding by larvae of the turnip moth Agrotis segetum (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae) affects development and feeding behavior of an above-ground sap-feeder i.e., the large cotton aphid Acyrthosiphon gossypii (Hemiptera: Aphididae) on cotton. We further draw upon transcriptomics, metabolomics and in-vitro bioassays to elucidate how plant metabolites mediate these interactions. Root feeding reduces A. gossypii adult survival and fecundity by 35.1%. Aphids on A. segetum-infested cotton spend 7% longer probing cells than on un-infested plants. Root and stem herbivory by A. segetum larvae alters gene transcripts and metabolites in leaves, inducing biosynthesis of three flavonoids i.e., dihydromyricetin, phloridzin and dihydroquercetin. In-vitro bioassays show that the latter two compounds markedly decrease A. gossypii adult survival and fecundity. Below-ground herbivory thus elicits biosynthesis and systemic translocation of phloridzin and dihydroquercetin, with antagonistic effects on above-ground sap-feeders. Our study sheds light on the underlying mechanisms of herbivore-triggered plant defenses in cotton and reveals the interplay between herbivore guilds across ecological realms. We discuss the implications of these findings for pest management. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Beneficial insects provide pollination and biological control in natural and manmade settings. Those ecosystem services (ES) are especially important for highvalue fruits and vegetables, including those grown under greenhouse conditions. The hoverfly Eupeodes corollae (Diptera: Syrphidae) delivers both ES, given that its larvae prey upon aphid pests and its adults pollinate crops. In this study, we investigated this dual role of E. corollae in three insect-pollinated and aphidaffected horticultural crops i.e., tomato, melon and strawberry within greenhouses in Hebei province (China). Augmentative releases of E. corollae increased fruit set and fruit weight of all three crops, and affected population dynamics of the cotton aphid Aphis gossypii (Hemiptera: Aphididae). On melon and strawberry, E. corollae suppressed A. gossypii populations by 54-99% and 50-70% respectively. In tomato, weekly releases of 240 E. corollae individuals/100 m²led to 95% fruit set. Meanwhile, releases of 160 hoverfly individuals per 100 m²led to 100% fruit set in melon. Also, at hoverfly/aphid release rates of 1:500 in spring and 1:150 in autumn, aphid populations were reduced by more than 95% on melon. Lastly, on strawberry, optimum levels of pollination and aphid biological control were attained at E. corollae release rates of 640 individuals/100 m². Overall, our work shows how augmentative releases of laboratory-reared hoverflies E. corollae can enhance yields of multiple horticultural crops while securing effective, non-chemical control of resident aphid pests. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The coconut black-headed caterpillar (BHC), Opisina arenosella Walker (Lepidoptera: Xyloryctidae) is an important herbivore of palm trees that originates in South Asia. Over the past decades, O. arenosella has spread to several countries in Eastern and Southeast Asia. BHC larval feeding can cause severe defoliation and occasional plant death, resulting in direct production losses (e.g., for coconut) while degrading the aesthetic value of urban and rural landscapes. In this review paper, we systematically cover taxonomy, bio-ecology, invasion history and current management of O. arenosella throughout Asia. Given that O. arenosella is routinely controlled with insecticides, we equally explore options for more sustainable management through agroecological and biodiversity-based tactics e.g., cultural control or biological control. Also, recent advances in chemical ecology have unlocked lucrative opportunities for volatilemediated monitoring, mating disruption and mass-trapping. Substantial progress has been made in augmentation biological control, with scheduled releases of laboratory-reared parasitoids lowering BHC infestation pressure up to 95%. Equally, resident ants provide 75-98% mortality of BHC egg masses within the palm canopy. Biological control has been effectively paired with sanitary measures and good agronomy (i.e., proper fertilization, irrigation), and promoted through participatory farmer training programs. Our comprehensive listing of non-chemical preventative and curative tactics offer bright prospects for a more environmentally-sound, biodiversity-driven mitigation of a palm pest of regional allure. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

BACKGROUND: Habitat management such as field- or farm-level diversification can conserve arthropod natural enemies, enhance biological pest control and lower (or suspend) insecticide use in agricultural crops. These approaches however have been underexploited to manage the aphid Aphis gossypii in cotton cropping systems of Xinjiang, China. In this study, we investigated whether the presence of licorice (Glycyrrhiza uralensis) at the field edge benefits generalist predator abundance and aphid biological control in local cotton crops. RESULTS: Field trials during 2020 and 2021 showed that licorice strips enhanced the in-field abundance of generalist predators (primarily ladybeetles) 2.2–4.3 fold during early season, i.e. initial growth before A. gossypii peak infestation pressure. During peak outbreak conditions in July, treatment fields with licorice strips experienced a respective 17.5–61.2% lowered aphid density and 12.3–14.6-fold higher predator-to-aphid abundance ratio (PAR) than control fields. In late season (aphid decline phase) of either year, cotton fields with licorice strips also attained a respective 4.7–9.9 fold higher PAR. Exclusion cage assays quantitatively assessed predator-mediated A. gossypii biological control and the relative contribution of licorice strips. The biocontrol services index (BSI) was 2.8 times (2020) and 1.4 times (2021) higher at 5 m distances from the licorice strip as compared to control fields. CONCLUSION: Licorice strips in the immediate vicinity of cotton fields benefit generalist arthropod predators and improve aphid biological control throughout the cotton cropping season. These findings help to integrate habitat management within integrated pest management (IPM) frameworks in the biggest cotton production region of China. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Summary: China is the world's second‐largest maize producer and consumer. In recent years, the invasive fall armyworm Spodoptera frugiperda (J.E. Smith) has adversely affected maize productivity and compromised food security. To mitigate pest‐inflicted food shortages, China's Government issued biosafety certificates for two genetically modified (GM) Bt maize hybrids, Bt‐Cry1Ab DBN9936 and Bt‐Cry1Ab/Cry2Aj Ruifeng 125, in 2019. Here, we quantitatively assess the impact of both Bt maize hybrids on pest feeding damage, crop yield and food safety throughout China's maize belt. Without a need to resort to synthetic insecticides, Bt maize could mitigate lepidopteran pest pressure by 61.9–97.3%, avoid yield loss by 16.4–21.3% (range −11.9–99.2%) and lower mycotoxin contamination by 85.5–95.5% as compared to the prevailing non‐Bt hybrids. Yield loss avoidance varied considerably between experimental sites and years, as mediated by on‐site infestation pressure and pest identity. For either seed mixtures or block refuge arrangements, pest pressure was kept below established thresholds at 90% Bt maize coverage in Yunnan (where S. frugiperda was the dominant species) and 70% Bt maize coverage in other sites dominated by Helicoverpa armigera (Hübner) and Ostrinia furnacalis (Guenée). Drawing on experiences from other crop/pest systems, Bt maize in se can provide area‐wide pest management and thus, contribute to a progressive phase‐down of chemical pesticide use. Hence, when consciously paired with agroecological and biodiversity‐based measures, GM insecticidal crops can ensure food and nutrition security, contribute to the sustainable intensification of China's agriculture and reduce food systems' environmental footprint. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]