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Biocontrol and Behavioral Approaches to Manage Invasive Insects
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Biocontrol and Behavioral Approaches to Manage Invasive Insects

A topical collection in Insects (ISSN 2075-4450). This collection belongs to the section "Insect Pest and Vector Management".

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Editor

Dr. Lara Maistrello

E-Mail Website
Collection Editor
Department of Life Sciences, Centre BIOGEST-SITEIA, University of Modena and Reggio Emilia, Via G. Amendola 2, 42122 Reggio Emilia, Italy
Interests: invasive species; biological control; integrated pest management; agro-food sustainability; insect-based bioconversion; black soldier fly

Topical Collection Information

Dear Colleagues,

Invasive species are a global issue that increasingly threatens ecosystem services and, thus, human health and the economy. Attempts to manage outbreaks of invasive insects by intensifying insecticide treatments led to the disruption of previous integrated pest management programs, further, resulting in serious negative impacts on the environment. The challenge is to develop sustainable, research-based approaches to manage invasive pests efficiently, providing effective long-term solutions. Knowledge of the native and exotic biocontrol agents, as well as of specific behavioral patterns of the target pest, are key factors to develop successful control strategies.

This Topical Collection focuses on the sustainable management of invasive insects and will present the development and/or application of biological control strategies (i.e., classical, conservative, inoculative, inundative biocontrol) and behavioral manipulation approaches and techniques (i.e., push–pull strategy, attract-and-kill, trap crops), either alone or in combination.

Authors are invited to submit contributions that deal with either agricultural, structural, or medical invasive pest species.

Dr. Lara Maistrello
Collection Editor

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 collection website. Research articles, review articles as well as short communications are invited. For planned papers, a title and short abstract (about 100 words) can be sent to the Editorial Office for announcement on this website.

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

  • Invasive insects
  • biological control strategies
  • behavior-based strategies
  • chemical ecology
  • behavioral manipulation
  • push–pull strategy
  • attract-and-kill
  • trap cropping
  • sustainable pest management
  • integrated approaches

Published Papers (15 papers)

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2025

Jump to: 2024, 2023, 2022, 2021, 2020

16 pages, 3662 KiB  
Article
Programmable LED Array for Evaluating Artificial Light Sources to Improve Insect Trapping
by Mohsen Paryavi, Keith Weiser, Michael Melzer, Damon Crook, Chandrika Ramadugu and Daniel M. Jenkins
Insects 2025, 16(2), 170; https://doi.org/10.3390/insects16020170 - 6 Feb 2025
Cited by 1 | Viewed by 1277
Abstract
We developed a programmable LED array to evaluate different wavelength illumination (UV, blue, green, yellow, amber, and red) and modulation schemes to improve catch rates in insect traps. The device can communicate through Bluetooth® with a simple Android app to update the [...] Read more.
We developed a programmable LED array to evaluate different wavelength illumination (UV, blue, green, yellow, amber, and red) and modulation schemes to improve catch rates in insect traps. The device can communicate through Bluetooth® with a simple Android app to update the operational settings to facilitate field experiments, including which LEDs to operate, when to operate (always, night only, or predefined intervals after sunset and/or before sunrise), and to change the LED intensities/modulation during operation. We used the devices to evaluate different wavelengths to improve catches in traps for coconut rhinoceros beetle (CRB; Oryctes rhinoceros Linnaeus) in the field, as well as to evaluate lighting preferences of Asian citrus psyllid (ACP; Diaphorina citri Kuwayama). In both cases, insects were most strongly attracted to constant UV illumination. However, CRB avoided traps with any “visible” wavelength LEDs placed in panels of traps, while ACP was moderately attracted to blue, yellow, and amber. For CRB, UV illumination of cups at the bottom of panel traps reduced catch rates compared to UV illumination higher in the panels of traps, consistent with observations of dorsal orientation towards light observed by other researchers in nocturnal beetles and moths. Finally, we provide some hardware design recommendations to improve the energy efficiency of similar devices for more widespread deployment in insect traps and for controlling the LEDs to evaluate the effects of intensity and modulation with minimal pulsing, which our observations suggest may result in insects avoiding traps. Full article
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2024

Jump to: 2025, 2023, 2022, 2021, 2020

17 pages, 3984 KiB  
Article
Impact of Aggregation Pheromone Traps on Spatial Distribution of Halyomorpha halys Damage in Apple Orchards
by Veronica Carnio, Riccardo Favaro, Michele Preti and Sergio Angeli
Insects 2024, 15(10), 791; https://doi.org/10.3390/insects15100791 - 11 Oct 2024
Cited by 2 | Viewed by 1390
Abstract
Halyomorpha halys (Stål) (Hemiptera: Pentatomidae) is an invasive pest causing significant damage to tree crops. Our study examined the impact of newly designed aggregation pheromone-baited ‘mini–sailboat’ (MSB) traps for controlling H. halys and its effect on the spatial distribution of fruit damage. Four [...] Read more.
Halyomorpha halys (Stål) (Hemiptera: Pentatomidae) is an invasive pest causing significant damage to tree crops. Our study examined the impact of newly designed aggregation pheromone-baited ‘mini–sailboat’ (MSB) traps for controlling H. halys and its effect on the spatial distribution of fruit damage. Four replicates of four traps, with a total of 16 MSB traps, were placed along a 1.3 km border of apple orchards, concentrating the traps on one side of the orchards. A fruit damage assessment for incidence and severity was conducted at increasing distances from the orchard border where the traps were placed, encompassing 107 assessment points. Our study showed that deploying MSB traps along the orchard border significantly increased fruit damage within the first 45 m compared to control plots without traps. However, beyond the first 45 m from the border, there was a significant reduction in damage incidence. In the treated plots, 50% of the damage occurred within 26 m of the traps, while in control plots, within 85 m. Shifting the fruit damage pattern means restricting the pests lingering in a narrow strip near the MSB traps, which paves the way for improved techniques to restructure the crop perimeter. Full article
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2023

Jump to: 2025, 2024, 2022, 2021, 2020

12 pages, 2498 KiB  
Article
Lateralized Movements during the Mating Behavior, Which Are Associated with Sex and Sexual Experience, Increase the Mating Success in Alphitobius diaperinus (Coleoptera: Tenebrionidae)
by Erika Calla-Quispe, Esperanza Irigoin, Madina Mansurova, Carlos Martel and Alfredo J. Ibáñez
Insects 2023, 14(10), 806; https://doi.org/10.3390/insects14100806 - 10 Oct 2023
Cited by 4 | Viewed by 1966
Abstract
In the present study, we explored the effects of displacement directionality in mating behavior (i.e., lateralized and non-lateralized movements) on mating success (i.e., copulation occurs) and efficiency (i.e., time length at which copulation is achieved), and its association with sex and sexual experience [...] Read more.
In the present study, we explored the effects of displacement directionality in mating behavior (i.e., lateralized and non-lateralized movements) on mating success (i.e., copulation occurs) and efficiency (i.e., time length at which copulation is achieved), and its association with sex and sexual experience in A. diaperinus. To do so, we carried out mating experiments and recorded the behavior of the mating pair during the whole mating sequence (i.e., precopulatory and copulatory phases). During the precopulatory phase, independently of sex and sexual experience, all beetles performed non-lateralized (i.e., backside or frontside) approaches; however, only sexually experienced beetles showed lateralized approaches (i.e., right-side and left-side). Notably, experienced males exhibited greater mating success than virgin males. After the approach, both virgin and experienced males displayed lateralized and non-lateralized mounts on the females with distinct mating success. Regardless of their sexual experience, 100% of successful mating attempts were achieved when males mounted from the females’ right side. Furthermore, the development of lateralized approaches and mounts reduces the time of mating sequence span compared with non-lateralized behaviors. We highlight the importance of lateralization in mating behavior and sexual experience to achieve higher mating success, addressing a potential learning ability of beetles based on experience. Full article
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2022

Jump to: 2025, 2024, 2023, 2021, 2020

8 pages, 1326 KiB  
Article
Tomato Varieties Influence the Performance of Tamarixia triozae (Hymenoptera: Eulophidae) on Bactericera cockerelli (Hemiptera: Triozidae) Nymphs
by Juan Mayo-Hernández, Jorge Luis Vega-Chávez, Agustín Hernández-Juárez, Yolanda Rodríguez-Pagaza, José Humberto Valenzuela-Soto and Alberto Flores-Olivas
Insects 2022, 13(9), 825; https://doi.org/10.3390/insects13090825 - 11 Sep 2022
Cited by 2 | Viewed by 2007
Abstract
The potato/tomato psyllid Bactericera cockerelli is the Candidatus Liberibacter solanacearum bacterium vector that causes diseases in Solanaceae crops. Pest control is based on synthetic chemical insecticides, plant extracts, and natural enemies such as parasitoids. Tamarixia triozae feeds on nymphs of B. cockerelli, [...] Read more.
The potato/tomato psyllid Bactericera cockerelli is the Candidatus Liberibacter solanacearum bacterium vector that causes diseases in Solanaceae crops. Pest control is based on synthetic chemical insecticides, plant extracts, and natural enemies such as parasitoids. Tamarixia triozae feeds on nymphs of B. cockerelli, reaching up to 95% parasitism. This work aimed to evaluate the parasitic performance of T. triozae on tomato leaves with B. cockerelli N3 nymphs, using two domesticated (Floradade and Micro-Tom) and one Wild tomato variety. Several assays were completed to identify the parasitoid attraction toward un-infested plants (healthy) and infested plants (damaged) of three varieties. Parasitism preference and “Y” tube olfactometer tests were performed, respectively. The parasitism of Tamarixia triozae showed a preference toward plants of the Floradade variety by 44% compared with the other two varieties (p = 0.0003). T. triozae was more attracted to damaged plants of the Wild variety (p = 0.0523). Healthy plants of Floradade and Micro-Tom varieties attracted a higher proportion of parasitoids, except in the Wild variety, where T. triozae was more attracted to damaged plants. Taken together, the results of this study show that the domestication degree in tomato plants positively influenced the interactions between tomato plants and the parasitoid, T. triozae. Full article
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15 pages, 1824 KiB  
Article
Does Bacillus thuringiensis Affect the Stress and Immune Responses of Rhynchophorus ferrugineus Larvae, Females, and Males in the Same Way?
by Monica Celi, Debora Russo, Mirella Vazzana, Vincenzo Arizza and Barbara Manachini
Insects 2022, 13(5), 437; https://doi.org/10.3390/insects13050437 - 6 May 2022
Cited by 3 | Viewed by 2719
Abstract
Bacillus thuringiensis (Bt) is considered a potentially useful entomopathogen against red palm weevil (RPW) Rhynchophorus ferrugineus. We compared the effects of Bt on mature larvae, females, and males. The pathogenicity of Bt was evaluated, estimating: Median Lethal Dose (LD50), Median [...] Read more.
Bacillus thuringiensis (Bt) is considered a potentially useful entomopathogen against red palm weevil (RPW) Rhynchophorus ferrugineus. We compared the effects of Bt on mature larvae, females, and males. The pathogenicity of Bt was evaluated, estimating: Median Lethal Dose (LD50), Median Lethal Time (LT50), Total Hemocyte Count (THC), and Differential Hemocyte Counts (DHC), and the expression of the stress protein Heat Shock Protein 70 (Hsp 70) in hemocytes and the brain. Mortality exhibited a positive trend with the dosage and duration of exposure to Bt. Larvae were more susceptible than adults, and the LD50 of females was almost double the value of that of the larvae. LT50 value was higher for females than for males and larvae. Treatment with sub-lethal doses of Bt induced a decrease in THC in larvae, females, and males. In treated larvae, plasmatocytes decreased, while oenocytes and spherulocytes increased. In treated females, all types of hemocytes decreased, while in males the number of plasmatocytes decreased and granulocytes increased. We also registered the stress response directly on hemocytes showing that, already at 3 h after eating Bt, the expression of the stress protein Hsp 70 was modulated. This effect was also observed in brain tissue at 6 h after treatment. The results confirm that Bt treatment induces a pathogenic state in larvae and adults of both sexes, with effects after only a few hours from ingestion; however, the effects are different in magnitude and in type of target. Full article
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13 pages, 3353 KiB  
Article
Persistency of Indigenous and Exotic Entomopathogenic Fungi Isolates under Ultraviolet B (UV-B) Irradiation to Enhance Field Application Efficacy and Obtain Sustainable Control of the Red Palm Weevil
by Koko Dwi Sutanto, Mureed Husain, Khawaja Ghulam Rasool, Akhmad Faisal Malik, Wahidah Hazza Al-Qahtani and Abdulrahman Saad Aldawood
Insects 2022, 13(1), 103; https://doi.org/10.3390/insects13010103 - 17 Jan 2022
Cited by 12 | Viewed by 4452
Abstract
The red palm weevil Rhynchophorus ferrugineus Olivier (Coleoptera: Dryophthoridae) has become a key invasive pest and major threat to the palm tree worldwide. Several entomopathogenic fungi are used in insect biological control programs. In the present study, persistency of different local and exotic [...] Read more.
The red palm weevil Rhynchophorus ferrugineus Olivier (Coleoptera: Dryophthoridae) has become a key invasive pest and major threat to the palm tree worldwide. Several entomopathogenic fungi are used in insect biological control programs. In the present study, persistency of different local and exotic fungal isolates of Beauveria bassiana and Metarhizium anisopliae was evaluated under UV-B irradiation with different exposure intervals. Several factors, including ultraviolet (UV) light, significantly decrease germination rate of fungi, as UV penetrates and damages their DNA. Several studies have investigated that UV-resistant conidia germinate better under harsh environmental conditions. Seven local and exotic fungi isolates (“BbSA-1”, “BbSA-2”, “BbSA-3”, “MaSA-1”, “BbIDN-1”, “MaIDN-1”, and “MaIDN-2”) were tested in the current study under UV-B irradiation having different UV exposure times (i.e., 15, 30, 60, 120, 180, 240, and 300 min). The colony-forming unit (CFU) in each isolate was used to calculate the survival rate. Results indicated that survival rate of all the isolates decreased under UV-B irradiation for all exposure times compared to no exposure to UV-B irradiation. The CFU number decreased as the exposure time increased. Fungi isolates “MaSA-1”, “BbSA-1”, “BbSA-2”, “MaIDN-1”, and “MaIDN-2” could persist after 300 min exposure to UV-B, while the remaining isolates, such as “BbIDN-1”, and “BbSA-3”, could not persist after 300 min exposure to UV-B. The ultimate objective of the present research was to explore an ultraviolet-tolerant fungal isolate that might be useful in the field application for the sustainable management of the red palm weevil, which has become a key invasive pest in many regions rather than its native range. Most of the fungus isolates studied in the present work were collected from Saudi Arabia’s Al-Qatif region, where the red palm weevil has infested more than ten thousand trees, worth millions of riyals. Full article
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2021

Jump to: 2025, 2024, 2023, 2022, 2020

8 pages, 1998 KiB  
Communication
Occurrence of the South American Tomato Leaf Miner, Tuta absoluta (Meyrick) in Southern Shan, Myanmar
by Sopana Yule, Ni Ni Htain, Aung Kyaw Oo, Paola Sotelo-Cardona and Ramasamy Srinivasan
Insects 2021, 12(11), 962; https://doi.org/10.3390/insects12110962 - 22 Oct 2021
Cited by 7 | Viewed by 4435
Abstract
The South American tomato leaf miner, Tuta absoluta (Meyrick) (Lepidoptera: Gelechiidae), one of the most important invasive insect pests affecting tomato production worldwide, was for the first time detected in Myanmar. Preliminary surveys on pest occurrence on tomato crops in Myanmar suggested the [...] Read more.
The South American tomato leaf miner, Tuta absoluta (Meyrick) (Lepidoptera: Gelechiidae), one of the most important invasive insect pests affecting tomato production worldwide, was for the first time detected in Myanmar. Preliminary surveys on pest occurrence on tomato crops in Myanmar suggested the presence of T. absoluta in Southern Shan State, but there was no official survey conducted until the end of 2019. Therefore, this study aimed to confirm the presence of T. absoluta in Myanmar. The presence of T. absoluta was specifically observed in the Southern Shan State, which is the largest tomato production area in Myanmar, where tomato is grown under two cultivation methods, floating and land cultivation. The highest T. absoluta infestation was recordedat Kalaw with (82%), followed by Inle Lake (i.e., floating cultivation) (20%) and Pin Ta Ya (10%). The amount of T. absoluta larvae was significantly higher in the lower third of the plants, followed by the middle section and upper section, respectively, in three fields surveyed. Potential and severe economic damage may be expected if management practices are not in place to reduce the presence of this invasive pest. It is of immediate importance that plant protection and quarantine offices of ASEAN member states coordinate their response to T. absoluta and build their capacity to monitor the pest and develop a strategy for when it arrives. In addition, a suitable management strategy is needed to reduce the occurrence of this invasive pest. Full article
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16 pages, 1248 KiB  
Review
Perspectives for Synergic Blends of Attractive Sources in South American Palm Weevil Mass Trapping: Waiting for the Red Palm Weevil Brazil Invasion
by Viviane Araujo Dalbon, Juan Pablo Molina Acevedo, Karlos Antônio Lisboa Ribeiro Junior, Thyago Fernando Lisboa Ribeiro, Joao Manoel da Silva, Henrique Goulart Fonseca, Antônio Euzébio Goulart Santana and Francesco Porcelli
Insects 2021, 12(9), 828; https://doi.org/10.3390/insects12090828 - 14 Sep 2021
Cited by 24 | Viewed by 5108
Abstract
Coupling several natural and synthetic lures with aggregation pheromones from the palm weevils Rhynchophorus palmarum and R. ferrugineus reveals a synergy that results in an increase in pest captures. The combined attraction of pure pheromones, ethyl acetate, and decaying sweet and starchy plant [...] Read more.
Coupling several natural and synthetic lures with aggregation pheromones from the palm weevils Rhynchophorus palmarum and R. ferrugineus reveals a synergy that results in an increase in pest captures. The combined attraction of pure pheromones, ethyl acetate, and decaying sweet and starchy plant tissue increases the net total of mass-trapped weevils. The 2018 entrance of the red palm weevil (RPW) into South America has threatened palm-product income in Brazil and other neighboring countries. The presence of the new A1 quarantine pest necessitates the review of all available options for a sustainable mass-trapping, monitoring, and control strategy to ultimately target both weevils with the same device. The effective lure-blend set for the mass-trapping system will attract weevils in baiting and contaminating stations for entomopathogenic fungi that the same weevils will spread. Full article
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18 pages, 2229 KiB  
Article
Tracing the Origin of Korean Invasive Populations of the Spotted Lanternfly, Lycorma delicatula (Hemiptera: Fulgoridae)
by Hyojoong Kim, Sohee Kim, Yerim Lee, Heung-Sik Lee, Seong-Jin Lee and Jong-Ho Lee
Insects 2021, 12(6), 539; https://doi.org/10.3390/insects12060539 - 10 Jun 2021
Cited by 11 | Viewed by 10570
Abstract
Lycorma delicatula (White) suddenly arrived in Korea where it rapidly spread out in the central region of Korea and caused serious damage to grape vineyards. To trace the source region of its invasiveness, population genetic structures were compared between the native region, China, [...] Read more.
Lycorma delicatula (White) suddenly arrived in Korea where it rapidly spread out in the central region of Korea and caused serious damage to grape vineyards. To trace the source region of its invasiveness, population genetic structures were compared between the native region, China, and the introduced regions, Korea and Japan. We examined 762 individuals from 38 different population collections using 15 microsatellite loci. Both principal coordinate and structure analyses displayed that the Chinese populations were separated into three subgroups which were located significantly far apart from each other. Among them, the Shanghai population was located closest to most Korean populations. Based on the genetic relationships and structures, it was revealed that the multiple introductions into Korea occurred at least three times. In addition, the Shanghai population was strongly estimated to be a source of initial invasive populations of Korea. In addition, analysis of the approximate Bayesian computation suggested simultaneous spread from two distant locations early in the invasion by artificial transportation of the host plants bearing egg masses. Our population genetics study can provide a precedent case with regards to identifying spreads by anthropogenic outcomes in other invasive regions. Full article
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15 pages, 2032 KiB  
Article
Optimal Conditions for Diapause Survival of Aprostocetus fukutai, an Egg Parasitoid for Biological Control of Anoplophora chinensis
by Xingeng Wang, Nathalie Ramualde, Ellen M. Aparicio, Matteo Maspero, Jian J. Duan and Lincoln Smith
Insects 2021, 12(6), 535; https://doi.org/10.3390/insects12060535 - 9 Jun 2021
Cited by 12 | Viewed by 4130
Abstract
Aprostocetus fukutai is a specialist egg parasitoid of the citrus longhorned beetle Anoplophora chinensis, a high-risk invasive pest of hardwood trees. The parasitoid overwinters as diapausing mature larvae within the host egg and emerges in early summer in synchrony with the egg-laying [...] Read more.
Aprostocetus fukutai is a specialist egg parasitoid of the citrus longhorned beetle Anoplophora chinensis, a high-risk invasive pest of hardwood trees. The parasitoid overwinters as diapausing mature larvae within the host egg and emerges in early summer in synchrony with the egg-laying peak of A. chinensis. This study investigated the parasitoid’s diapause survival in parasitized host eggs that either remained in potted trees under semi-natural conditions in southern France or were removed from the wood and held at four different humidities (44, 75, 85–93 and 100% RH) at 11 °C or four different temperature regimes (2, 5, 10 and 12.5 °C) at 100% RH in the laboratory. The temperature regimes reflect overwintering temperatures across the parasitoid’s geographical distribution in its native range. Results show that the parasitoid resumed its development to the adult stage at normal rearing conditions (22 °C, 100% RH, 14L:10D) after 6- or 7-months cold chilling at both the semi-natural and laboratory conditions. It had a low survival rate (36.7%) on potted plants due to desiccation or tree wound defense response. No parasitoids survived at 44% RH, but survival rate increased with humidity, reaching the highest (93.7%) at 100% RH. Survival rate also increased from 21.0% at 2 °C to 82.8% at 12.5 °C. Post-diapause developmental time decreased with increased humidity or temperature. There was no difference in the lifetime fecundity of emerged females from 2 and 12.5 °C. These results suggest that 100% RH and 12.5 °C are the most suitable diapause conditions for laboratory rearing of this parasitoid. Full article
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13 pages, 1644 KiB  
Article
Assessing the Distribution of Exotic Egg Parasitoids of Halyomorpha halys in Europe with a Large-Scale Monitoring Program
by Livia Zapponi, Francesco Tortorici, Gianfranco Anfora, Simone Bardella, Massimo Bariselli, Luca Benvenuto, Iris Bernardinelli, Alda Butturini, Stefano Caruso, Ruggero Colla, Elena Costi, Paolo Culatti, Emanuele Di Bella, Martina Falagiarda, Lucrezia Giovannini, Tim Haye, Lara Maistrello, Giorgio Malossini, Cristina Marazzi, Leonardo Marianelli, Alberto Mele, Lorenza Michelon, Silvia Teresa Moraglio, Alberto Pozzebon, Michele Preti, Martino Salvetti, Davide Scaccini, Silvia Schmidt, David Szalatnay, Pio Federico Roversi, Luciana Tavella, Maria Grazia Tommasini, Giacomo Vaccari, Pietro Zandigiacomo and Giuseppino Sabbatini-Peverieriadd Show full author list remove Hide full author list
Insects 2021, 12(4), 316; https://doi.org/10.3390/insects12040316 - 1 Apr 2021
Cited by 51 | Viewed by 6792
Abstract
The brown marmorated stink bug Halyomorpha halys is an invasive agricultural pest with a worldwide distribution. Classical biological control has been identified as the most promising method to reduce the populations of H. halys. Adventive populations of two candidates for releases, Trissolcus [...] Read more.
The brown marmorated stink bug Halyomorpha halys is an invasive agricultural pest with a worldwide distribution. Classical biological control has been identified as the most promising method to reduce the populations of H. halys. Adventive populations of two candidates for releases, Trissolcus japonicus and Trissolcus mitsukurii, have recently been detected in Europe. To assess their distribution and abundance, a large-scale survey was performed. From May to September 2019, a wide area covering northern Italy and parts of Switzerland was surveyed, highlighting the expanding distribution of both Tr. japonicus and Tr. mitsukurii. Within four years after their first detection in Europe, both species have rapidly spread into all types of habitats where H. halys is present, showing a wide distribution and continuous expansion. Both exotic Trissolcus showed high levels of parasitism rate towards H. halys, while parasitization of non-target species was a rare event. The generalist Anastatus bifasciatus was the predominant native parasitoid of H. halys, while the emergence of native scelionids from H. halys eggs was rarely observed. The presence of the hyperparasitoid Acroclisoides sinicus was also recorded. This study provided fundamental data that supported the development of the first inoculative release program of Tr. japonicus in Europe. Full article
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12 pages, 850 KiB  
Article
Predation on Drosophila suzukii within Hedges in the Agricultural Landscape
by Alexandra Siffert, Fabian Cahenzli, Patrik Kehrli, Claudia Daniel, Virginie Dekumbis, Barbara Egger, Jana Furtwengler, Camille Minguely, Nicola Stäheli, Franco Widmer, Dominique Mazzi and Jana Collatz
Insects 2021, 12(4), 305; https://doi.org/10.3390/insects12040305 - 30 Mar 2021
Cited by 5 | Viewed by 2864
Abstract
The invasive Drosophila suzukii feeds and reproduces on various cultivated and wild fruits and moves between agricultural and semi-natural habitats. Hedges in agricultural landscapes play a vital role in the population development of D. suzukii, but also harbor a diverse community of [...] Read more.
The invasive Drosophila suzukii feeds and reproduces on various cultivated and wild fruits and moves between agricultural and semi-natural habitats. Hedges in agricultural landscapes play a vital role in the population development of D. suzukii, but also harbor a diverse community of natural enemies. We investigated predation by repeatedly exposing cohorts of D. suzukii pupae between June and October in dry and humid hedges at five different locations in Switzerland. We sampled predator communities and analyzed their gut content for the presence of D. suzukii DNA based on the COI marker. On average, 44% of the exposed pupae were predated. Predation was higher in dry than humid hedges, but did not differ significantly between pupae exposed on the ground or on branches and among sampling periods. Earwigs, spiders, and ants were the dominant predators. Predator communities did not vary significantly between hedge types or sampling periods. DNA of D. suzukii was detected in 3.4% of the earwigs, 1.8% of the spiders, and in one predatory bug (1.6%). While the molecular gut content analysis detected only a small proportion of predators that had fed on D. suzukii, overall predation seemed sufficient to reduce D. suzukii populations, in particular in hedges that provide few host fruit resources. Full article
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2020

Jump to: 2025, 2024, 2023, 2022, 2021

12 pages, 1247 KiB  
Article
The Ant Who Cried Wolf? Short-Term Repeated Exposure to Alarm Pheromone Reduces Behavioral Response in Argentine Ants
by Jessica J. Maccaro, Brian A. Whyte and Neil D. Tsutsui
Insects 2020, 11(12), 871; https://doi.org/10.3390/insects11120871 - 8 Dec 2020
Cited by 3 | Viewed by 3293
Abstract
In this study we test whether Argentine ants (Linepithema humile) progressively reduce their response to a salient stimulus (alarm pheromone) with increased exposure over time. First, we used a two-chamber olfactometer to demonstrate three focal behaviors of Argentine ants that indicate [...] Read more.
In this study we test whether Argentine ants (Linepithema humile) progressively reduce their response to a salient stimulus (alarm pheromone) with increased exposure over time. First, we used a two-chamber olfactometer to demonstrate three focal behaviors of Argentine ants that indicate an alarmed state in response to conspecific alarm pheromone and pure synthetic iridomyrmecin (a dominant component of L. humile alarm pheromone). We then measured how these behaviors changed after repeated exposure to conspecific alarm pheromone from live ants. In addition, we investigate whether there is a difference in the ants’ behavioral response after “short” (3 min) versus “long” (6 min) intervals between treatments. Our results show that Argentine ants do exhibit reduced responses to their own alarm pheromone, temporarily ceasing their response to it after four or five exposures, and this pattern holds whether exposure is repeated after “short” or “long” intervals. We suggest alarm pheromones may be perceived as false alarms unless threatening stimuli warrant a continued state of alarm. These results should be kept in mind while developing pheromone-based integrated pest management strategies. Full article
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15 pages, 1001 KiB  
Article
Modelling Drosophila suzukii Adult Male Populations: A Physiologically Based Approach with Validation
by Luca Rossini, Mario Contarini, Federica Giarruzzo, Matteo Assennato and Stefano Speranza
Insects 2020, 11(11), 751; https://doi.org/10.3390/insects11110751 - 31 Oct 2020
Cited by 23 | Viewed by 2819
Abstract
The Spotted Wing Drosophila (SWD), Drosophila suzukii (Matsumura), is a harmful insect pest for soft fruit cultivations. Even though its main hosts belong to the genera Prunus and Rubus, its high polyphagy and adaptability to new environments makes it a serious problem [...] Read more.
The Spotted Wing Drosophila (SWD), Drosophila suzukii (Matsumura), is a harmful insect pest for soft fruit cultivations. Even though its main hosts belong to the genera Prunus and Rubus, its high polyphagy and adaptability to new environments makes it a serious problem for farmers worldwide, who have reported several economic losses because of this pest. A wide series of proposals to control SWD are available and operate in line with the mechanisms of integrated pest management, demonstrating their high efficiency when applied at the opportune moment. This work aims to apply and validate a physiologically based model which summarises all the available information about D. suzukii biology, such as the relationship between environmental temperature and its development, fertility and mortality rates. The model provided, as a result, a description of a population of SWD females taking into consideration the multiple generations that occurred during the year. Simulations were then compared with field data collected in a three-year survey in two experimental fields located in the Sabina Romana area (Lazio, Italy). More specifically, D. suzukii males were monitored with traps in fields cultivated with mixed varieties of cherries and they were selected because of their clearer identification in comparison to females. Results showed a high level of reliability of simulations in representing the field data, highlighting at the same time that there is no discrepancy in simulating D. suzukii females in order to represent male populations. Full article
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12 pages, 2984 KiB  
Article
Identification of Entomopathogenic Fungi as Naturally Occurring Enemies of the Invasive Oak Lace Bug, Corythucha arcuata (Say) (Hemiptera: Tingidae)
by Marta Kovač, Michał Gorczak, Marta Wrzosek, Cezary Tkaczuk and Milan Pernek
Insects 2020, 11(10), 679; https://doi.org/10.3390/insects11100679 - 7 Oct 2020
Cited by 29 | Viewed by 5901
Abstract
The oak lace bug (OLB), Corythucha arcuata (Hemiptera: Tingidae), was first identified as an invasive pest in Europe in northern Italy in 2000 and since then it has spread rapidly, attacking large forested areas in European countries. The OLB is a cell sap-sucking [...] Read more.
The oak lace bug (OLB), Corythucha arcuata (Hemiptera: Tingidae), was first identified as an invasive pest in Europe in northern Italy in 2000 and since then it has spread rapidly, attacking large forested areas in European countries. The OLB is a cell sap-sucking insect that is native to North America, with Quercus spp. as its main host. Its rapid expansion, successful establishment in invaded countries, and observations of more damage to hosts compared to native areas are most likely due to a lack of natural enemies, pathogens and competitors. In its native area, various natural enemies of OLBs have been identified; however, little is known about the occurrence and impact of OLB pathogens. None of the pathogenic fungi found on OLBs in natural conditions have been identified until now. In this study, we provide evidence of four entomopathogenic fungi that are naturally occurring on invasive OLBs found in infested pedunculate oak forests in eastern Croatia. On the basis of their morphology and multilocus molecular phylogeny, the fungi were identified as Beauveria pseudobassiana, Lecanicillium pissodis, Akanthomyces attenuatus and Samsoniella alboaurantium. The sequences generated for this study are available from GenBank under the accession numbers MT004817-MT004820, MT004833-MT004835, MT027501-MT27510, and MT001936-MT0011943. These pathogenic species could facilitate biological control strategies against OLBs. Full article
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