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Editorial

Biological Pest Control in Agroecosystems

by
Dirceu Pratissoli
Department of Agronomy, Federal University of Espírito Santo, Alegre 29500000, ES, Brazil
Agronomy 2025, 15(7), 1739; https://doi.org/10.3390/agronomy15071739
Submission received: 27 June 2025 / Accepted: 11 July 2025 / Published: 18 July 2025
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Biological Pest Control in Agroecosystems)

1. Introduction

In recent decades, the intensification of agriculture, driven mainly by the use of agrochemicals, monocultures and intensive mechanization, has led to a substantial increase in global agricultural productivity. However, this model has also caused various environmental and social impacts, such as interference with biodiversity, environmental contamination, pest resistance to insecticides and risks to human health and ecosystem services [1].
To address these issues, there is growing interest in sustainable, resilient and integrated approaches to pest management in agroecosystems. Among these, biological control emerges as one of the most effective and environmentally responsible approaches. This strategy is based on the use of living organisms—predators, parasitoids or entomopathogens—to reduce pest populations to levels that do not cause economic damage [2]. Biological control, in addition to reducing dependence on chemical insecticides, promotes the conservation of biodiversity, a key element in building more balanced and sustainable agricultural systems [3,4].

2. Scientific Challenges and Advances

The use of natural enemies in pest control offers undeniable environmental benefits: it reduces toxicological impacts on soil, minimizes risks to human and animal health, and supports the certification of products with greater sustainable appeal.
Despite these benefits, the adoption of biological control still faces significant challenges, such as the scalability of techniques, efficient integration of these methods into production systems, limited knowledge about the biology of natural enemies, difficulties in their insertion into intensive agricultural systems, and the selective pressure of pesticides on beneficial species [5]. The success of these strategies depends on ecological knowledge of trophic interactions and the ability of control agents to establish themselves and act efficiently in different environments [3]. In addition, the selectivity of phytosanitary products, whether natural or synthetic, must be carefully evaluated to ensure the preservation of beneficial organisms [5].
In recent years, significant advances in technology have improved our understanding of the population dynamics of pests and natural enemies, optimization of release programs, and evaluation of the effects of agricultural practices on beneficial entomofauna [6,7]. Furthermore, initiatives that promote conservative biological control, such as the use of attractive crops, ecological corridors and increased plant diversity, have shown promise in different production systems [8].
Another key point is the compatibility between agroecological practices and biological control. Several studies demonstrate that diversified systems, such as agroecosystems based on polycultures or those with permanent plant cover, support the activity of natural enemies by providing shelter and alternative resources [9,10]. Therefore, the integration of biological control with landscape management and the rational use of agricultural pesticides should be a priority for agricultural sustainability.

3. Contributions to This Special Edition

This Special Issue of Agronomy, titled “Biological Pest Control in Agroecosystems”, brings together scientific contributions that address different dimensions of biological control in both natural environments and intensified agricultural systems. The articles address a broad range of topics, from the biology and behavior of biological control agents to evaluations of field efficacy, selectivity of bioinputs and integration with other integrated pest management (IPM) tactics.
The papers presented in this Special Issue explore a variety of topics. Freire et al. analyze “on-farm” production engineering of efficient microorganisms, and Zhao et al. explore the efficiency of predators in pest management. Pratissoli et al. present the advances in the dispersal of Trichogramma for the control of Lepidoptera Duponchelia fovealis. Moreover, the studies published by Campagnani et al., Xue et al., Alwaneen et al. and Janaki et al. evaluate the efficiency of entomopathogenic agents (bacteria and fungi) in the management of various agricultural pests. Oliveira et al. studied the biological aspects of the natural enemies Telenomus podisi and Trissolcus basalis. A central point addressed in the articles in this Special Issue is the compatibility between agroecological practices and biological control; the studies published by Curk and Trdan specifically highlight this issue. The study conducted by Veronesi et al. also demonstrates that diversified systems, such as agroecosystems based on polycultures or those with permanent vegetation cover, support the activity of natural enemies by providing shelter and alternative resources. These articles highlight three major areas of focus: strengthening local production of biological agents to reduce costs and increase producer autonomy; expanding ecological knowledge of control agents, even in tropical and diversified systems; and developing practical and integrated applications while considering large-scale applications in the context of contemporary agriculture.

4. Final Considerations

The future of agriculture depends on the ability to reconcile productivity with conservation. Biological control, when applied in an agroecological context based on solid technical and scientific knowledge, represents a viable and promising path. I hope that the articles in this Special Issue inspire new research, encourage the formation of collaborative networks and support the broader adoption of biological control in different production realities.
I conclude by highlighting the relevance of the association between science and management, envisioning a future in which biological controls are no longer an alternative but a central and efficient practice in crop management. Collaboration between researchers, extensionists and producers, and the adoption of incentive policies are necessary to ensure the transition to more resilient, productive and healthy agricultural systems.

Data Availability Statement

Data sharing does not apply to this article.

Acknowledgments

I would like to express my deep gratitude to the authors who shared their results, to the reviewers who contributed to the scientific rigor, and to the editorial team at Agronomy for their continued support in the dissemination of scientific knowledge. I wish readers an enriching and inspiring read—may this edition serve as a basis for new partnerships, innovations, and effective application in the field.

Conflicts of Interest

The author declares no conflicts of interest.

List of Contributions

  • Alwaneen, W.S.; Wakil, W.; Kavallieratos, N.G.; Qayyum, M.A.; Tahir, M.; Rasool, K.G.; Husain, M.; Aldawood, A.S.; Shapiro-Ilan, D. Efficacy and persistence of entomopathogenic fungi against Rhynchophorus ferrugineus on date palm: Host to host transmission. Agronomy 2024, 14, 642. https://doi.org/10.3390/agronomy14040642.
  • Campagnani, M.O.; Auad, A.M.; Maurício, R.M.; Madureira, A.P.; Cangussú, M.A.; Rosa, L.H.; Pereira, M.F.A.; Muniz, M.; Souza, S.R.O.; Silva, N.B.M.; Silva, A.C.R.; Campos, W.G. Endophytic capacity of entomopathogenic fungi in a pasture grass and their potential to control the spittlebug Mahanarva spectabilis (Hemiptera: Cercopidae). Agronomy 2024, 14, 943. https://doi.org/10.3390/agronomy14050943.
  • Curk, M.; Trdan, S. Benefiting from complexity: Exploring enhanced biological control effectiveness via the simultaneous use of various methods for combating pest pressure in agriculture. Agronomy 2024, 14, 199. https://doi.org/10.3390/agronomy14010199.
  • Freire, Í.A.; Nascimento, I.N.d.; Rocha, G.T.; dos Santos, P.d.L.B.; Cunha, B.B.d.R.; Ferreira, A.D.C.d.L.; Moreira, F.M.; de Castro, M.T.; Monnerat, R.G. Production of Bacillus thuringiensis in “On Farm” biofactories is so efficient like a commercial product to control Spodoptera frugiperda (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae). Agronomy 2024, 14, 2776. https://doi.org/10.3390/agronomy14122776.
  • Janaki, M.; Unni, P.K.S.; Stanley-Raja, V.; Senthil-Nathan, S.; Almutairi, B.O.; Abdel-Megeed, A. Biocontrol effect of Bacillus subtilis against Cnaphalocrocis medinalis (Guenée) (Lepidoptera: Pyralidae): A sustainable approach to rice pest management. Agronomy 2024, 14, 310. https://doi.org/10.3390/agronomy14020310.
  • de Oliveira, R.C.; Ikuno, P.H.P.; Pratissoli, D.; de Carvalho, J.R.; Hoback, W.W.; Zachrisson Salamina, B.A. Biological Characteristics and Thermal Requirements of Telenomus podisi and Trissolcus basalis (Hymenoptera: Scelionidae) in Fresh and Cryopreserved Eggs of Euschistus heros and Nezara viridula (Hemiptera: Pentatomidae). Agronomy 2024, 14, 170. https://doi.org/10.3390/agronomy14010170.
  • Pratissoli, D.; Damascena, A.P.; de Oliveira, R.C.; de Carvalho, J.R.; Francisco de Oliveira, A.C.L.; Mamedes Piffer, A.B.; Pirovani, V.D. Dispersal capacity of Trichogramma for the management of Duponchelia fovealis. Agronomy 2024, 14, 1813. https://doi.org/10.3390/agronomy14081813.
  • Veronesi, E.R.; Cairns, S.M.; Alizadeh, H.; Hampton, J.; Maris, R.; Godsoe, W.; Goldson, S.L.; McCormick, A.C. Individual and combined effects of predatory bug Engytatus nicotianae and Trichoderma atroviride in suppressing the tomato potato psyllid Bactericera cockerelli in greenhouse grown tomatoes. Agronomy 2023, 13, 3019. https://doi.org/10.3390/agronomy13123019.
  • Xue, W.; Xu, P.; Wang, X.; Ren, G.; Wang, X. Natural-enemy-based biocontrol of tobacco arthropod pests in China. Agronomy 2023, 13, 1972. https://doi.org/10.3390/agronomy13081972.
  • Zhao, Y.; Lou, T.; Cao, R.; Jiang, L.; Xu, Q.; Zhan, Q. Predation efficiency and biological control potential of Micromus angulatus against Aphis craccivora. Agronomy 2024, 14, 2242. https://doi.org/10.3390/agronomy14102242.

References

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Pratissoli, D. Biological Pest Control in Agroecosystems. Agronomy 2025, 15, 1739. https://doi.org/10.3390/agronomy15071739

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Pratissoli D. Biological Pest Control in Agroecosystems. Agronomy. 2025; 15(7):1739. https://doi.org/10.3390/agronomy15071739

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Pratissoli, Dirceu. 2025. "Biological Pest Control in Agroecosystems" Agronomy 15, no. 7: 1739. https://doi.org/10.3390/agronomy15071739

APA Style

Pratissoli, D. (2025). Biological Pest Control in Agroecosystems. Agronomy, 15(7), 1739. https://doi.org/10.3390/agronomy15071739

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