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The Role of Beneficial Insects in Pest Control

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A special issue of Insects (ISSN 2075-4450). This special issue belongs to the section "Insect Pest and Vector Management".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: 31 July 2026 | Viewed by 2738

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Special Issue Editors

Prof. Dr. Pingyang Zhu

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Guest Editor

College of Life Sciences, Zhejiang Normal University, Jinhua 321004, China
Interests: entomology; biological control; habitat management; integrated pest management; sustainable agriculture

Dr. Yanhui Lu

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Guest Editor

Institute of Plant Protection and Microbiology, Zhejiang Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Hangzhou 310021, China
Interests: biological control; enemy–pest interaction; pesticide resistance; pesticide toxicity mechanisms; ecotoxicology; integrated pest management
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Dear Colleagues,

Beneficial insects play a vital role in sustainable agriculture and ecosystem stability by regulating pest populations through separate yet interconnected functions. Understanding predator and parasitoid population dynamics can help reduce reliance on pesticides while enhancing biodiversity. Scientific research exploring their ecological interactions and behavioral mechanisms has applications for successful integrated pest management (IPM), thereby addressing global challenges such as food security, pesticide resistance, and environmental degradation. This Special Issue aims to highlight cutting-edge studies on the ecology, behavior, and utilization of beneficial insects, aligning with the Insects journal’s mission of advancing knowledge in entomology, biological control, and agroecology. We invite original research articles, reviews, and methodological papers covering themes such as predator–prey dynamics, parasitoid–host interactions, conservation biological control, habitat management for enhancing beneficial insect populations, and the integration of biocontrol in IPM strategies. Submissions may also explore molecular and genetic approaches, field-based case studies, and the impact of climate change on beneficial insect efficacy, contributing to the development of sustainable pest management solutions.

Prof. Dr. Pingyang Zhu
Dr. Yanhui Lu
Guest Editors

Manuscript Submission Information

Manuscripts should be submitted online at www.mdpi.com by registering and logging in to this website. Once you are registered, click here to go to the submission form. Manuscripts can be submitted until the deadline. All submissions that pass pre-check are peer-reviewed. Accepted papers will be published continuously in the journal (as soon as accepted) and will be listed together on the special issue website. Research articles, review articles as well as short communications are invited. For planned papers, a title and short abstract (about 250 words) can be sent to the Editorial Office for assessment.

Submitted manuscripts should not have been published previously, nor be under consideration for publication elsewhere (except conference proceedings papers). All manuscripts are thoroughly refereed through a single-blind peer-review process. A guide for authors and other relevant information for submission of manuscripts is available on the Instructions for Authors page. Insects is an international peer-reviewed open access monthly journal published by MDPI.

Please visit the Instructions for Authors page before submitting a manuscript. The Article Processing Charge (APC) for publication in this open access journal is 2600 CHF (Swiss Francs). Submitted papers should be well formatted and use good English. Authors may use MDPI's English editing service prior to publication or during author revisions.

Keywords

biological control
agroecology
predator–prey dynamics
parasitoid–host interactions
habitat management
integrated pest management

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Published Papers (5 papers)

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Research

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18 pages, 1719 KB

Open AccessArticle

Effects of Rearing Temperatures on Key Biological Parameters of the Egg Parasitoids Trichogramma cocoeciae and Trichogramma bourarachae (Hymenoptera: Trichogrammatidae): Implications for Biological Control

by Nihel Ben Saad, Mehdia Fraj, Ramzi Mansour, Anis Zouba, Kaouthar Grissa Lebdi, Sahar Zougari, Ahmed Mahmoud Ismail, Hossam S. El-Beltagi, Saleh Mbark Alturki, Saad N. Al-Kahtani, Mohamed J. Hajjar, Tarek A. Shalaby, Husameldin Mahmoud and Sabrine Attia

Insects 2026, 17(5), 456; https://doi.org/10.3390/insects17050456 (registering DOI) - 27 Apr 2026

Abstract

The field effectiveness of Trichogramma parasitoids (Hymenoptera: Trichogrammatidae) against lepidopteran pests is strongly influenced by temperature, which affects their development, survival, parasitism and reproductive performance. Understanding thermal requirements is therefore essential for optimizing mass rearing and release strategies. The present study evaluated the effects of five constant temperatures (25, 30, 33, 35, and 40 °C) on biological parameters of Trichogramma bourarachae Pintureau & Babault and two strains (S1 and S2) of T. cacoeciae Marchal reared on Ephestia kuehniella Zeller eggs. Emergence rates were higher between 25 °C and 33 °C for all tested parasitoids, decreased markedly at 35 °C for T. cacoeciae, whereas T. bourarachae emergence showed higher tolerance at 35 °C, and no emergence was recorded for all parasitoids at 40 °C. Parasitism capacity was strongly influenced by both temperature and parental thermal history. Trichogramma bourarachae exhibited its highest parasitism rate at 25 °C; however, females originating from the parental generation that developed at 30 °C maintained relatively high parasitism rates at elevated temperatures (30 to 35 °C). For T. cacoeciae S1, parental development at 30 °C enhanced offspring parasitism over a broader temperature range. Conversely, T. cacoeciae S2 achieved maximum parasitism when the parental generation developed at 25 °C, with high parasitism maintained at 25 °C, 30 °C, and 33 °C. At the species level, parasitism was highest between 25 °C and 33 °C, declined at 35 °C, and no parasitism was recorded at 40 °C due to the absence of survival. Within each species, however, strain-specific differences were observed, particularly at 35 °C, indicating variability in thermal tolerance and reproductive performance. Female longevity decreased with increasing temperature in all species and strains. However, individuals originating from parental generation that developed at 30 °C exhibited improved survival when exposed to elevated oviposition temperatures, indicating thermal acclimation. Increasing temperature induced a male-biased sex ratio in T. bourarachae, whereas T. cacoeciae maintained stable thelytokous reproduction across all treatments. These results emphasize the importance of thermal tolerance and parental thermal history for selecting suitable Trichogramma species and strains for mass rearing and field application for biological control under warming climatic conditions. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue The Role of Beneficial Insects in Pest Control)

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17 pages, 2168 KB

Open AccessArticle

The Potential of Landscape Plants Photinia × fraseri and Pittosporum tobira as Refuge for Natural Enemies of Pest Insects in Rice–Wheat Rotation Systems

by Qianwen Yang, Qiang Li, Xiaowei Liu, Yajun Yang, Yongming Ruan, Pingyang Zhu, Zhongxian Lu, Chuanwang Cao and Yanhui Lu

Insects 2026, 17(4), 428; https://doi.org/10.3390/insects17040428 - 16 Apr 2026

Viewed by 292

Abstract

The rice–wheat rotation is a predominant cropping pattern in China, frequently challenged by pests such as aphids in wheat, and Chilo suppressalis and Cnaphalocrocis medinalis in rice. This study investigates the potential of two common landscape plants, Photinia × fraseri and Pittosporum tobira, as functional plants for conserving natural enemies across crop cycles. Arthropod communities were systematically monitored using Malaise traps during the wheat, wheat–rice transition, and rice seasons from 2023 to 2024. Results revealed that both species successfully conserved a diverse natural enemy community, though their structural differentiation was strongly driven by seasonal variation, as confirmed by Heatmap and principal component analysis (PCA) (P. × fraseri: PC1 = 46.3%, PC2 = 23%; P. tobira: PC1 = 40.2%, PC2 = 25%). During the wheat season, both plants synergistically supported rich functional guilds, including predatory guilds (e.g., Episyrphus balteatus, Gnathonarium dentatum, and Harmonia axyridis) and parasitic guilds (e.g., Microplitis tuberculifer and Cotesia spp.). Notably, during the critical wheat-to-rice transition, these shrubs functioned as “habitat anchors,” where P. × fraseri demonstrated superior retention capacity for functional groups like Aphidius gifuensis, mitigating post-harvest habitat fragmentation. During the rice season, distinct functional complementarity emerged: P. × fraseri appeared to function as a habitat-type plant, potentially providing stable shelter for predatory groups (e.g., spiders and lady beetles), while P. tobira appeared to act as a resource-type plant, potentially attracting a significant rebound of parasitoids (e.g., Xanthopimpla flavolineata) in August. This mid-summer rebound on P. tobira was primarily attributed to its dense evergreen foliage providing a microclimatic refuge, rather than an active flowering resource. Analysis of shared dominant taxa (H. axyridis, Cotesia spp., and E. balteatus) showed highly significant seasonal fluctuations, with peak conservation during the wheat season. This study confirms that P. × fraseri and P. tobira have cross-cycle potential as a “natural enemy bank” in rice–wheat rotation agricultural systems. Their synergistic effects—integrating stable structural shelter with seasonal nutritional subsidies—support the conservation of diverse natural enemy communities throughout the annual crop cycle and significantly enhance the sustained pest control capacity of farmland ecosystems, identifying them as exemplary functional plants for ecological engineering in rice–wheat landscapes and providing a foundation for future studies on biological control efficacy. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue The Role of Beneficial Insects in Pest Control)

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12 pages, 736 KB

Open AccessArticle

Evaluating the Direct and Indirect Toxicity of Nine Insecticides on an Important Predatory Natural Enemy in Rice Fields

by Mubashar Hussain, Jiachun He, Qi Wei, Fengxiang Lai, Pinjun Wan and Qiang Fu

Insects 2026, 17(2), 187; https://doi.org/10.3390/insects17020187 - 10 Feb 2026

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Abstract

Natural enemies play an important role in the integrated pest management (IPM) of rice crops. Chemical control is commonly used for pest management in rice; however, the compatibility between biological and chemical control within this system has not been thoroughly investigated. This study aimed to evaluate both the direct and indirect toxicity of nine insecticides—tetraniliprole, triflumezopyrim, chlorantraniliprole, pymetrozine, spinetoram, nitenpyram, imidacloprid, emamectin benzoate, and avermectin—against six important predators of rice pests: Cyrtorhinus lividipennis, Paederus fuscipes, Ummeliata insecticeps, Tetragnatha maxillosa, Mendoza cancestrinnii, and Pardosa pseudoannulata under laboratory conditions. The results indicated that tetraniliprole, triflumezopyrim, and chlorantraniliprole exhibited negligible direct toxicity (mortality < 30%) to all six predators and did not significantly affect their predatory activity. In contrast, spinetoram, avermectin, emamectin benzoate, nitenpyram, and imidacloprid showed high direct toxicity (mortality > 99%), significantly reduced predatory activity, and were classified as high to extremely high risk for C. lividipennis. Nitenpyram showed strong direct toxicity (mortality > 99%) to P. fuscipes and was categorized as high risk. Avermectin and emamectin benzoate exhibited high direct and indirect toxicity to all four spider species, significantly reducing predatory activity, and were graded from medium to extremely high risk. Spinetoram reduced predatory activity across all four spider species and exhibited direct toxic effects, posing a high risk to U. insecticeps. In conclusion, pymetrozine, spinetoram, nitenpyram, imidacloprid, emamectin benzoate, and avermectin exerted lethal or sublethal effects on all six predators. Conversely, tetraniliprole, triflumezopyrim, and chlorantraniliprole were regarded as safer insecticides for all six predators. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue The Role of Beneficial Insects in Pest Control)

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12 pages, 1621 KB

Open AccessArticle

Fitness Trade-Offs and Potential Metabolic Resistance Mechanisms in Geographically Distinct Strains of Trichogramma dendrolimi: Implications for Imidacloprid Resistance Management

by Yu-Tong Li, Xiang-Xin Kong, Wu-Nan Che, Jin-Cheng Zhou, Shu-Qi Wang and Hui Dong

Insects 2025, 16(10), 1038; https://doi.org/10.3390/insects16101038 - 9 Oct 2025

Viewed by 898

Abstract

The widespread use of neonicotinoid insecticides has led to increasing resistance in non-target organisms, including the egg parasitoid Trichogramma dendrolimi, a crucial biological control agent. Film-residue bioassays on 17 geographic strains revealed striking inter-strain variability in susceptibility to imidacloprid, with mortality at a discriminating dose of 0.1 mg/L ranging from 25.7% to 87%. The most tolerant (FS) and least tolerant (HA) strains were subsequently selected for evaluation of biological parameters and comparative transcriptomics. Tolerant strains (FS) showed adaptive trade-offs: extended longevity (5.47 ± 0.57 d) and emergence (93.6 ± 1.9%), but reduced fecundity (54.6 ± 4.9 eggs) compared to HA. Transcriptome analysis revealed 2115 differentially expressed genes, with GO enrichment highlighting metabolic and detoxification pathways. KEGG analysis the most enriched pathways were “Protein digestion and absorption” and “Neuroactive ligand-receptor interaction”. RT-qPCR confirmed overexpression of CYP4C1, CYP6K1, and GstS1 in FS, indicating their potential roles in metabolic resistance if present. This study presents preliminary evidence of potential fitness trade-offs and molecular mechanisms that could underly imidacloprid resistance in T. dendrolimi, which may lead to important insights for resistance monitoring and more sustainable integrated pest management strategies. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue The Role of Beneficial Insects in Pest Control)

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Review

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20 pages, 4262 KB

Open AccessReview

Mapping Conservation Biological Control and IPM Research (2000–2025): A Bibliometric Analysis of Natural Enemies and Habitat Management

by Moazam Hyder, Farman Ullah, Abdul Basit, Inzamam Ul Haq, Tijjani Mustapha, Zaib Un Nisa, Xiangyun Cai, Huiping Liu and Youming Hou

Insects 2026, 17(5), 447; https://doi.org/10.3390/insects17050447 - 23 Apr 2026

Viewed by 224

Abstract

Concerns regarding the safety, environmental impacts, and long-term sustainability of pesticide-dependent crop protection have intensified interest in biological control, which suppresses pest populations using natural enemies (predators, parasitoids, and pathogens) within integrated pest management (IPM) programs. This bibliometric study maps the development of biological control research from 2000 to 2025 using records retrieved from the Web of Science Core Collection. The publication trends, collaboration structures, leading countries and institutions, core journals, keyword co-occurrence and clustering, citation bursts, and influential cited references were examined using CiteSpace and VOSviewer. The results show a pronounced increase in publication output after 2011, indicating rapid expansion and consolidation of the field in the last decade. Keyword analyses reveal a thematic shift toward ecosystem-based framing, reflected by the growing prominence of terms such as ecosystem services, habitat management, and ecological intensification, which emphasize landscape- and management-oriented approaches to enhancing pest suppression. Cited-reference patterns highlight the persistent influence of the foundational literature on habitat manipulation, landscape complexity, and conservation biological control. Despite the field’s growth, research gaps remain in integrating biological control with emerging bioengineering tools and explicitly accounting for climate-driven variability across regions and production systems. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue The Role of Beneficial Insects in Pest Control)

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