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16 pages, 1994 KiB  
Article
Fall Webworm Host Plant Preferences Generate a Reduced Predation Enemy-Free Space in Its Interaction with Parasitoids
by Lina Pan, Wenfang Gao, Zhiqin Song, Xiaoyu Li, Yipeng Wei, Guangyan Qin, Yiping Hu, Zeyang Sun, Cuiqing Gao, Penghua Bai, Gengping Zhu, Wenjie Wang and Min Li
Insects 2025, 16(8), 804; https://doi.org/10.3390/insects16080804 (registering DOI) - 4 Aug 2025
Abstract
Plants and insects are developing strategies to avoid each other’s defense systems. Host plants may release volatile compounds to attract the natural enemies of herbivores; insect pests may also select host plants that are deterrent to natural enemies to avoid such predation. Here [...] Read more.
Plants and insects are developing strategies to avoid each other’s defense systems. Host plants may release volatile compounds to attract the natural enemies of herbivores; insect pests may also select host plants that are deterrent to natural enemies to avoid such predation. Here we investigated whether the host plant preference of Hyphantria cunea correlates with the attractiveness of these plants to Chouioia cunea, a parasitoid wasp that serves as the primary natural enemy of H. cunea. We found Morus alba was the preferred host plant for female H. cunea. Although M. alba provided suboptimal nutritional value for H. cunea growth and development compared to other plants, it attracted fewer C. cunea relative to alternative host plants. Gas chromatography–mass spectrometry (GC–MS) coupled with gas chromatography–electroantennographic detection (GC-EAD) analysis identified six distinct compounds among the herbivore-induced plant volatiles (HIPVs) produced following H. cunea feeding. Notably, M. alba was the sole plant species that did not emit tridecane. These results suggest that H. cunea utilizes M. alba as a reduced predation enemy-free space, thereby minimizing parasitization by C. cunea. Our research emphasizes the importance of considering adaptive responses of herbivores within the context of multi-trophic relationships, rather than solely focusing on optimizing herbivore growth on the most nutritionally suitable plant host. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Advances in Chemical Ecology of Plant–Insect Interactions)
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20 pages, 1390 KiB  
Article
Performance of Trichogramma pretiosum Riley (Hymenoptera: Trichogrammatidae) Strains on Eggs from Different Populations of Tuta absoluta (Meyrick) (Lepidoptera: Gelechiidae)
by Alessandro Bandeira Dalbianco, Diego Fernando Daniel, Dirceu Pratissoli, Daniel de Lima Alvarez, Nadja Nara Pereira da Silva, Daniel Mariano Santos, Santino Seabra Júnior and Regiane Cristina de Oliveira
Agronomy 2025, 15(7), 1692; https://doi.org/10.3390/agronomy15071692 - 13 Jul 2025
Viewed by 424
Abstract
Tomato is the most widely cultivated fruit–vegetable worldwide, and the tomato leafminer (Tuta absoluta) is the primary pest of this crop. In this context, biological control using parasitoids belonging to the genus Trichogramma is crucial. This study aimed to evaluate the [...] Read more.
Tomato is the most widely cultivated fruit–vegetable worldwide, and the tomato leafminer (Tuta absoluta) is the primary pest of this crop. In this context, biological control using parasitoids belonging to the genus Trichogramma is crucial. This study aimed to evaluate the biological characteristics of T. pretiosum strains collected from different locations and exposed to eggs from various T. absoluta populations/generations, using parameters such as parasitism capacity, viability (percentage of emergence), sex ratio, and female longevity. The presence of endosymbionts in the T. absoluta populations was also assessed. The experiment followed a randomized design, with treatments consisting of eggs from T. absoluta populations collected in different years (2019, 2020, 2021, 2022, and 2023) and different strains of T. pretiosum. We used 20 replicates, with one female per replicate in each treatment, organized in a 5 × 4 factorial scheme (five populations of T. absoluta × four strains of T. pretiosum). The S2 strain of T. pretiosum was found to be the most efficient in terms of biological characteristics for parasitism of T. absoluta eggs, especially in T. absoluta populations collected in recent years (2022 and 2023). These results suggest that S2 is the preferred strain for future studies aimed at using this parasitoid as a control agent to combat T. absoluta. The endosymbionts Arsenophonus and Serratia were identified in T. absoluta populations collected in 2019–2020 and 2020–2021, respectively. These findings highlight the presence of these microorganisms in pest populations in different years. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Biological Pest Control in Agroecosystems—2nd Edition)
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19 pages, 17815 KiB  
Review
A Review of Aphid Parasitoids, with an Identification Key to the Genera of Economic Importance
by Mar Ferrer-Suay, Marc Barreda, Ehsan Rakhshani, Eugenia Rodrigo, Jesús Selfa and Andrew Polaszek
Insects 2025, 16(7), 648; https://doi.org/10.3390/insects16070648 - 20 Jun 2025
Viewed by 1010
Abstract
Agriculture plays an essential role in meeting global food demand, and so effective pest control is crucial. Aphids (Hemiptera: Aphididae) are a significant problem for many crops worldwide, and cause crop losses. They are considered one of the most important groups of pests [...] Read more.
Agriculture plays an essential role in meeting global food demand, and so effective pest control is crucial. Aphids (Hemiptera: Aphididae) are a significant problem for many crops worldwide, and cause crop losses. They are considered one of the most important groups of pests in the world. Aphid parasitoids are very important as biological agents, both for their effectiveness and their host range selectivity. This study provides a review of these groups of parasitoids and their possible role and use in aphid biological control. Two groups of primary parasitoids, Aphelinidae and Braconidae: Aphidiinae, are the main groups that can be used in the biological control of aphids. There is also a diversity of hyperparasitoids whose hosts are these primary parasitoids and therefore are likely to be detrimental to the biological control programs: Megaspilidae in the superfamily Ceraphronoidea, the following Chalcidoidea families: Encyrtidae, Eulophidae, Moranilidae, Pteromalidae, and Signiphoridae, and Cynipoidea: Figitidae: Charipinae. Records of Mymaridae emerging from aphids, while assumed to be obligate egg-parasitoids, are discussed. Dichotomous keys are provided to identify the superfamilies, families and most important genera associated with aphids. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Protecting Field Crops from Economically Damaging Aphid Infestation)
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45 pages, 65058 KiB  
Article
Pattern Dynamics Analysis of Host–Parasite Models with Aggregation Effect Based on Coupled Map Lattices
by Shuo Liang, Wenlong Wang and Chunrui Zhang
Mathematics 2025, 13(1), 125; https://doi.org/10.3390/math13010125 - 31 Dec 2024
Cited by 1 | Viewed by 777
Abstract
Host–parasitoid systems are an essential area of research in ecology and evolutionary biology due to their widespread occurrence in nature and significant impact on species evolution, population dynamics, and ecosystem stability. In such systems, the host is the organism being attacked by the [...] Read more.
Host–parasitoid systems are an essential area of research in ecology and evolutionary biology due to their widespread occurrence in nature and significant impact on species evolution, population dynamics, and ecosystem stability. In such systems, the host is the organism being attacked by the parasitoid, while the parasitoid depends on the host to complete its life cycle. This paper investigates the effect of parasitoid aggregation attacks on a host in a host–parasitoid model with self-diffusion on two-dimensional coupled map lattices. We assume that in the simulation of biological populations on a plane, the interactions between individuals follow periodic boundary conditions. The primary objective is to analyze the complex dynamics of the host–parasitoid interaction model induced by an aggregation effect and diffusion in a discrete setting. Using the aggregation coefficient k as the bifurcating parameter and applying central manifold and normal form analysis, it has been shown that the system is capable of Neimark–Sacker and flip bifurcations even without diffusion. Furthermore, with the influence of diffusion, the system exhibits pure Turing instability, Neimark–Sacker–Turing instability, and Flip–Turing instability. The numerical simulation section explores the path from bifurcation to chaos through calculations of the maximum Lyapunov exponent and the construction of a bifurcation diagram. The interconversion between different Turing instabilities is simulated by adjusting the timestep and self-diffusion coefficient values, which is based on pattern dynamics in ecological modeling. This contributes to a deeper understanding of the dynamic behaviors driven by aggregation effects in the host–parasitoid model. Full article
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24 pages, 6495 KiB  
Article
Seven New Species of Anastatus Motschulsky (Hymenoptera: Chalcidoidea: Eupelmidae) from China Identified Based on Morphological and Molecular Data
by Zongying Wang, Yihang Zhou, Yaxuan Zou, Qifei Liu and Lingfei Peng
Insects 2024, 15(11), 893; https://doi.org/10.3390/insects15110893 - 15 Nov 2024
Cited by 2 | Viewed by 1413
Abstract
Anastatus is the second-largest genus in the family Eupelmidae, with 150 species found worldwide and fourteen known species in China. Most species in this genus are the primary parasitoids of insect eggs, particularly those of Lepidoptera and Hemiptera, and several species have been [...] Read more.
Anastatus is the second-largest genus in the family Eupelmidae, with 150 species found worldwide and fourteen known species in China. Most species in this genus are the primary parasitoids of insect eggs, particularly those of Lepidoptera and Hemiptera, and several species have been used for the biological control of various insect pests. In this paper, seven new species of Anastatus Motschulsky, 1859 (Hymenoptera: Eupelmidae) from China are described, of which A. caeruleus Wang and Peng n. sp. and A. garygibsoni Zhou and Peng n. sp. were reared from the eggs of Tessaratoma papillosa (Hemiptera: Tessaratomidae), while A. daiyunensis Wang and Peng n. sp., A. makrysourus Zhou and Peng n. sp., A. polikiarkoudus Wang and Peng n. sp., A. taibaiensis Wang and Peng n. sp., and A. zdenekbouceki Zhou and Peng n. sp. were collected by malaise traps or sweeping. The new species are all described and illustrated based on female specimens, and the key to all 21 Chinese Anastatus species, based on females, is provided. Partial COI sequences of A. caeruleus n. sp., A. garygibsoni n. sp., and A. taibaiensis n. sp. are provided, and a phylogenetic reconstruction based on maximum likelihood analyses, while showing similar results at high taxonomic levels to our morphological feature classification results, provides additional information on the placement of Anastatus at the species level. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Revival of a Prominent Taxonomy of Insects)
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41 pages, 10663 KiB  
Article
Forty-Five Years of Caterpillar Rearing in Area de Conservación Guanacaste (ACG) Northwestern Costa Rica: DNA Barcodes, BINs, and a First Description of Plant–Caterpillar–Ichneumonoid Interactions Detected
by Donald L. J. Quicke, Daniel H. Janzen, Winnie Hallwachs, Mike J. Sharkey, Paul D. N. Hebert and Buntika A. Butcher
Diversity 2024, 16(11), 683; https://doi.org/10.3390/d16110683 - 7 Nov 2024
Cited by 2 | Viewed by 2856
Abstract
Foliage-feeding wild caterpillars have been collected and reared year-round by 1–30 rural resident parataxonomists in the Area de Conservación Guanacaste (ACG) in northwestern Costa Rica since 1978. The aim of the work was to describe the diversity and interactions of Lepidoptera and their [...] Read more.
Foliage-feeding wild caterpillars have been collected and reared year-round by 1–30 rural resident parataxonomists in the Area de Conservación Guanacaste (ACG) in northwestern Costa Rica since 1978. The aim of the work was to describe the diversity and interactions of Lepidoptera and their associations with larval food plants and parasitoids in a diverse tropical community. A total of 457,816 caterpillars developed into a moth or butterfly, and these were identified to the family and species/morphospecies, with 151,316 having been successfully barcoded and assigned a Barcode Index Number (BIN) and/or “scientific name”. The host food plant was usually identified to the species or morphospecies. In addition to adult moths and butterflies, rearings also yielded many hundreds of species of parasitic wasps and tachinid flies, many of which were also DNA-barcoded and assigned a name and/or BIN. Increasingly over recent years, these have been identified or described by expert taxonomists. Here, we provide a summary of the number of species of ichneumonoid (Ichneumonidae and Braconidae) parasitoids of the caterpillars, their hosts, the host food plants involved, the bi- and tritrophic interactions, and their relationships to the caterpillar sampling effort. The dataset includes 16,133 and 9453 independent rearings of Braconidae and Ichneumonidae, respectively, collectively representing 31 subfamilies, all with parasitoid barcodes and host and host food plant species-level identifications. Host caterpillars collectively represented 2456 species, which, in turn, were collectively eating 1352 species of food plants. Species accumulation curves over time for parasitoids, hosts, and plants show various asymptotic trends. However, no asymptotic trends were detected for numbers of unique parasitoid–host and host–plant bitrophic interactions, nor for tritrophic interactions, after 1983, because climate change then began to conspicuously reduce caterpillar densities. Parasitoid host ranges, the proportions of specialists at the host species and host genus levels, host family utilisation, and host guild sizes show some differences among taxa and are discussed in turn. Ichneumonidae are shown to preferentially parasitise caterpillars of larger-bodied hosts compared to Braconidae. Several of the host plant species from which caterpillars were collected have been introduced from outside of the Americas and their utilisation by endemic parasitoids is described. The obligately hyperparasitoid ichneumonid subfamily Mesochorinae is dealt with separately and its strong association with microgastrine braconid primary parasitoids is illustrated. We discuss the implications for studies of tropical insect community food web ecology and make suggestions for future work. The aim was to make available the data from this remarkable study and to provide an overview of what we think are some of the more interesting relationships that emerge—other scientists/readers are expected to have different questions that they will go on to explore the data to answer. Full article
(This article belongs to the Section Animal Diversity)
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11 pages, 8571 KiB  
Article
Unveiling the Microbiome Diversity in Telenomus (Hymenoptera: Scelionidae) Parasitoid Wasps
by Mayra A. Gómez-Govea, Kenzy I. Peña-Carillo, Gabriel Ruiz-Ayma, Antonio Guzmán-Velasco, Adriana E. Flores, María de Lourdes Ramírez-Ahuja and Iram Pablo Rodríguez-Sánchez
Insects 2024, 15(7), 468; https://doi.org/10.3390/insects15070468 - 23 Jun 2024
Viewed by 2054
Abstract
Bacterial symbionts in insects constitute a key factor for the survival of the host due to the benefits they provide. Parasitoid wasps are closely associated with viruses, bacteria, and fungi. However, the primary symbionts and their functions are not yet known. This study [...] Read more.
Bacterial symbionts in insects constitute a key factor for the survival of the host due to the benefits they provide. Parasitoid wasps are closely associated with viruses, bacteria, and fungi. However, the primary symbionts and their functions are not yet known. This study was undertaken to determine the gut microbiota of six species of the Telenomus genus: T. alecto (Crawford), T. sulculus Johnson, T. fariai Costa Lima, T. remus Nixon, T. podisi Ashmead, and T. lobatus Johnson & Bin. Wasp parasitoids were collected from their hosts in different locations in Mexico. DNA was extracted from gut collection, and sequencing of bacterial 16S rRNA was carried out in Illumina® MiSeq™. Among the six species of wasps, results showed that the most abundant phylum were Proteobacteria (82.3%), Actinobacteria (8.1%), and Firmicutes (7.8%). The most important genera were Delftia and Enterobacter. Seventeen bacteria species were found to be shared among the six species of wasps. The associate microbiota will help to understand the physiology of Telenomus to promote the use of these wasp parasitoids in the management of insect pests and as potential biomarkers to target new strategies to control pests. Full article
(This article belongs to the Section Insect Behavior and Pathology)
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12 pages, 1970 KiB  
Article
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)
by Regiane Cristina de Oliveira, Pedro Hiroshi Passos Ikuno, Dirceu Pratissoli, José Romário de Carvalho, William Wyatt Hoback and Bruno Alexis Zachrisson Salamina
Agronomy 2024, 14(1), 170; https://doi.org/10.3390/agronomy14010170 - 12 Jan 2024
Cited by 2 | Viewed by 1696
Abstract
Brazil is one of the largest producers of pulses globally, and soybean ranks highly in terms of production. However, pests increase crop production costs and affect oilseed production and quality. Pests are primarily controlled by chemicals, leading to changes in insect pest populations. [...] Read more.
Brazil is one of the largest producers of pulses globally, and soybean ranks highly in terms of production. However, pests increase crop production costs and affect oilseed production and quality. Pests are primarily controlled by chemicals, leading to changes in insect pest populations. For example, secondary pests can become primary pests because of the selection of resistant insects and the elimination of natural enemies. Farmers have widely accepted biological control because of its high control efficacy and low environmental contamination risk. Two successful biological control programs in soybean used Telenomus podisi Ashmead (Hymenoptera: Platygastridae) to manage the Neotropical brown stink bug, Euschistus heros (Fabricius) (Hemiptera: Pentatomidae), and Trissolcus basalis (Wollaston, 1858) (Hymenoptera: Scelionidae) to manage the southern green stink bug, Nezara viridula (Linnaeus) (Hemiptera: Pentatomidae), when these pests were the most abundant in soybean-producing regions. To release parasitoids, rearing protocols must be developed in order to optimize production. This study evaluated the effect of temperature on the biological characteristics of T. podisi and T. basalis when fresh or frozen E. heros eggs were provided. Fifty fresh or previously frozen eggs were placed with parasitoids for 24 h in a climate chamber (25 ± 1 °C, 70 ± 10% RH, and 14-h photophase). At the end of this period, the eggs were transferred to other chambers and maintained at different temperatures (19, 22, 25, 28, 31, and 34 ± 1 °C, 70 ± 10% RH, with a 14-h photoperiod). The number of emerging adults from eggs parasitized by T. basalis was lower than that from eggs parasitized by T. podisi. Differences in T. basalis and T. podisi parasitism were observed depending on whether the E. heros eggs were frozen or fresh, but neither development nor emergence were affected. The duration of egg–adult development and the longevity of the two parasitoids were inversely proportional to the temperature increase. The sex ratio of T. basalis and T. podisi progeny was not affected by different temperatures or by the use of frozen or fresh eggs. The estimated number of both parasitoids’ generations corresponded with temperature, reaching 14–15 generations/cycle of soybean for Rio Verde, GO, and 12–14 generations/cycle for Barreiras, BA. Given these characteristics, we conclude that a biological control program using T. podisi can benefit large areas of soybean production by controlling the eggs of phytophagous bugs in soybean crops. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Biological Pest Control in Agroecosystems)
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20 pages, 3403 KiB  
Article
Altered Gene Expression of the Parasitoid Pteromalus puparum after Entomopathogenic Fungus Beauveria bassiana Infection
by Lei Yang, Jinting Li, Lei Yang, Xiaofu Wang, Shan Xiao, Shijiao Xiong, Xiaoli Xu, Junfeng Xu and Gongyin Ye
Int. J. Mol. Sci. 2023, 24(23), 17030; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijms242317030 - 1 Dec 2023
Cited by 3 | Viewed by 1722
Abstract
Both parasitoids and entomopathogenic fungi are becoming increasingly crucial for managing pest populations. Therefore, it is essential to carefully consider the potential impact of entomopathogenic fungi on parasitoids due to their widespread pathogenicity and the possible overlap between these biological control tools during [...] Read more.
Both parasitoids and entomopathogenic fungi are becoming increasingly crucial for managing pest populations. Therefore, it is essential to carefully consider the potential impact of entomopathogenic fungi on parasitoids due to their widespread pathogenicity and the possible overlap between these biological control tools during field applications. However, despite their importance, little research has been conducted on the pathogenicity of entomopathogenic fungi on parasitoids. In our study, we aimed to address this knowledge gap by investigating the interaction between the well-known entomopathogenic fungus Beauveria bassiana, and the pupal endoparasitoid Pteromalus puparum. Our results demonstrated that the presence of B. bassiana significantly affected the survival rates of P. puparum under laboratory conditions. The pathogenicity of B. bassiana on P. puparum was dose- and time-dependent, as determined via through surface spraying or oral ingestion. RNA-Seq analysis revealed that the immune system plays a primary and crucial role in defending against B. bassiana. Notably, several upregulated differentially expressed genes (DEGs) involved in the Toll and IMD pathways, which are key components of the insect immune system, and antimicrobial peptides were rapidly induced during both the early and late stages of infection. In contrast, a majority of genes involved in the activation of prophenoloxidase and antioxidant mechanisms were downregulated. Additionally, we identified downregulated DEGs related to cuticle formation, olfactory mechanisms, and detoxification processes. In summary, our study provides valuable insights into the interactions between P. puparum and B. bassiana, shedding light on the changes in gene expression during fungal infection. These findings have significant implications for the development of more effective and sustainable strategies for pest management in agriculture. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Molecular Biology of Host and Pathogen Interactions)
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12 pages, 1541 KiB  
Article
Intraguild Predation of Hippodamia variegata on Aphid Mummies in Cotton Field
by Shuying Dou, Bing Liu, Yangtian Liu, Jianping Zhang and Yanhui Lu
Insects 2023, 14(1), 81; https://doi.org/10.3390/insects14010081 - 13 Jan 2023
Cited by 9 | Viewed by 2489
Abstract
Intraguild predation among arthropod predators in agricultural ecosystems may have a negative impact on biological control. At present, there are few direct reports on trophic relationships among participants of predation in field groups. In this study, we measured the feeding choices of Hippodamia [...] Read more.
Intraguild predation among arthropod predators in agricultural ecosystems may have a negative impact on biological control. At present, there are few direct reports on trophic relationships among participants of predation in field groups. In this study, we measured the feeding choices of Hippodamia variegata (Goeze) towards mummies with different densities of Aphis gossypii Glover. The dynamics of the occurrence of mummies in the cotton field were investigated over 2017–2019. Singleplex PCR and multiplex PCR were used to detect the predation of 2090 H. variegata individuals on aphids and mummies in Xinjiang cotton field, which revealed the intraguild predation frequency between H. variegata and various parasitoids. There was no obvious feeding preference of H. variegata towards live aphids or mummies, which mainly depended on the relative density of prey. Among the four species of aphids detected in H. variegata, A. gossypii had a high detection rate and was the main prey source of the ladybeetle in the cotton filed. Mostly, ladybeetles consumed parasitoids through mummies, with 6.39% directly feeding on adult parasitoids. H. variegata had strong trophic links to both parasitoids and aphids. We established a food web of aphids–primary parasitoids–hyperparasitoids–H. variegata, which can be used to evaluate the pest control ability of H. variegata from a new perspective. Full article
(This article belongs to the Section Insect Pest and Vector Management)
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25 pages, 467 KiB  
Review
Cereal Aphid Parasitoids in Europe (Hymenoptera: Braconidae: Aphidiinae): Taxonomy, Biodiversity, and Ecology
by Željko Tomanović, Nickolas G. Kavallieratos, Zhengpei Ye, Erifili P. Nika, Andjeljko Petrović, Ines M. G. Vollhardt and Christoph Vorburger
Insects 2022, 13(12), 1142; https://doi.org/10.3390/insects13121142 - 12 Dec 2022
Cited by 9 | Viewed by 4114
Abstract
Cereals are very common and widespread crops in Europe. Aphids are a diverse group of herbivorous pests on cereals and one of the most important limiting factors of cereal production. Here, we present an overview of knowledge about the taxonomy, biodiversity, and ecology [...] Read more.
Cereals are very common and widespread crops in Europe. Aphids are a diverse group of herbivorous pests on cereals and one of the most important limiting factors of cereal production. Here, we present an overview of knowledge about the taxonomy, biodiversity, and ecology of cereal aphid parasitoids in Europe, an important group of natural enemies contributing to cereal aphid control. We review the knowledge obtained from the integrative taxonomy of 26 cereal aphid primary parasitoid species, including two allochthonous species (Lysiphlebus testaceipes and Trioxys sunnysidensis) and two recently described species (Lipolexis labialis and Paralipsis brachycaudi). We further review 28 hyperparasitoid species belonging to three hymenopteran superfamilies and four families (Ceraphronoidea: Megaspillidae; Chalcidoidea: Pteromalidae, Encyrtidae; Cynipoidea: Figitidae). We also compile knowledge on the presence of secondary endosymbionts in cereal aphids, as these are expected to influence the community composition and biocontrol efficiency of cereal aphid parasitoids. To study aphid–parasitoid–hyperparasitoid food webs more effectively, we present two kinds of DNA-based approach: (i) diagnostic PCR (mainly multiplex PCR), and (ii) DNA sequence-based methods. Finally, we also review the effects of landscape complexity on the different trophic levels in the food webs of cereal aphids and their associated parasitoids, as well as the impacts of agricultural practices and environmental variation. Full article
(This article belongs to the Collection Biology and Management of Sap-Sucking Pests)
11 pages, 512 KiB  
Article
Intraguild Interactions of Three Biological Control Agents of the Fall Armyworm Spodoptera frugiperda (JE Smith) in Florida
by Jermaine D. Perier, Muhammad Haseeb, Lambert H. B. Kanga, Robert L. Meagher and Jesusa C. Legaspi
Insects 2022, 13(9), 815; https://doi.org/10.3390/insects13090815 - 7 Sep 2022
Cited by 8 | Viewed by 2729
Abstract
The fall armyworm, Spodoptera frugiperda (J.E. Smith) (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae), is a maize pest worldwide. Its host range comprises more than 350 reported plant species, and it is the primary insect pest attacking maize in Florida. Global trade has not only assisted but accelerated [...] Read more.
The fall armyworm, Spodoptera frugiperda (J.E. Smith) (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae), is a maize pest worldwide. Its host range comprises more than 350 reported plant species, and it is the primary insect pest attacking maize in Florida. Global trade has not only assisted but accelerated its invasion into the Eastern Hemisphere. Regular pesticide use promotes resistance in the species; therefore, there is an urgent need for alternative pest management strategies. This study evaluated the interactions of biological control agents within a similar guild. Some of the reported interactions could potentially lead to the integration of these agents within the same niche to increase biological control efficiency against the fall armyworm. We evaluated three biocontrol agents that are natural enemies of Lepidopteran pests, the true bugs Podisus maculiventris and Euthyrhynchus floridanus (Hemiptera: Pentatomidae) and a parasitoid, Cotesia marginiventris (Hymenoptera: Braconidae). Depending on their intraguild interactions, these agents could potentially be useful for biological control of the fall armyworm. The study investigated these three biocontrol agents and concluded that integrating these agents to control the fall armyworm is a possibility; however, only under certain conditions. Investigations were focused on evaluating the predator–parasitoid and devised pairing interactions. Predator response to prey in a choice or no-choice scenario and choices based on olfaction or other bodily cues were studied under experimental laboratory conditions. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Recent Advances in Fall Armyworm Research)
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12 pages, 687 KiB  
Article
Parasitoids and Predators of the Invasive Aphid Melanaphis sorghi Found in Sorghum and Non-Crop Vegetation of the Sorghum Agroecosystem
by Ashleigh M. Faris, Michael J. Brewer and Norman C. Elliott
Insects 2022, 13(7), 606; https://doi.org/10.3390/insects13070606 - 6 Jul 2022
Cited by 11 | Viewed by 2351
Abstract
Melanaphis sorghi (Theobald) (sorghum aphid), (=Melanaphis sacchari Zehntner) (Hemiptera: Aphididae), is an invasive pest of Sorghum bicolor (L.) in North America. Over 19 species of predators and parasitoids have been found to prey on M. sorghi. Natural enemies may reside in [...] Read more.
Melanaphis sorghi (Theobald) (sorghum aphid), (=Melanaphis sacchari Zehntner) (Hemiptera: Aphididae), is an invasive pest of Sorghum bicolor (L.) in North America. Over 19 species of predators and parasitoids have been found to prey on M. sorghi. Natural enemies may reside in vegetation such as sorghum in cultivation (in-season) and persist after harvest (off-season), in Johnson grass (Sorghum halepense) (L.) and riparian areas consisting of shrubs and grasses, including Johnson grass. The objective was to assess the ability of these vegetation types to harbor M. sorghi natural enemies during and between annual grain sorghum production. Predator diversity was greatest in riparian vegetation in-season, with twelve species detected across seven families, and four orders of insects. Six lady beetle (Coleoptera: Coccinellidae) species were abundant in-season, and Cycloneda sanguinea (L.) persisted at relatively high abundance off-season. Parasitoid diversity was more limited (two primary parasitoids and one hyperparasitoid detected) with the primary parasitoids commonly detected. Aphelinus nigritus (Howard) (Hymenoptera: Aphelinidae), accounted for 85% and 57% of parasitoids in- and off-season, respectively. Aphelinus nigritus abundance was steady across the annual sorghum season in all vegetation types. Results from this study will inform land-management strategies on how diverse vegetations can play a role in the biological control of M. sorghi. Full article
(This article belongs to the Section Insect Pest and Vector Management)
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11 pages, 884 KiB  
Article
The Host-Plant Origin Affects the Morphological Traits and the Reproductive Behavior of the Aphid Parasitoid Aphelinus mali
by Ainara Peñalver-Cruz, Bruno Jaloux and Blas Lavandero
Agronomy 2022, 12(1), 101; https://doi.org/10.3390/agronomy12010101 - 31 Dec 2021
Cited by 5 | Viewed by 2454
Abstract
Diversifying agroecosystems through habitat management inside or outside production fields can provide alternative hosts and/or prey for natural enemies. In semi-natural habitats, parasitoids may find alternative host-plant complexes (HPC) that could allow their development when pest hosts are scarce in the field. However, [...] Read more.
Diversifying agroecosystems through habitat management inside or outside production fields can provide alternative hosts and/or prey for natural enemies. In semi-natural habitats, parasitoids may find alternative host-plant complexes (HPC) that could allow their development when pest hosts are scarce in the field. However, morphological and physiological differences between alternative and targeted HPCs could affect the preference and fitness of the parasitoids, possibly altering their efficacy in regulating pests. In the present study, we examined two Aphelinus mali parasitoid populations developing on Eriosoma lanigerum from two host plants (Malus domestica-apple trees and Pyracantha coccinea). We hypothesized that A. mali from both HPCs will show different life history traits and behaviors because primary and alternative host-plants are known to induce variations in parasitoid biological performance. Our findings indicate that A. mali originating from E. lanigerum on P. coccinea parasitized more aphids and are smaller than those originating from E. lanigerum on apple. Furthermore, these parasitoids did not significantly vary their ability to attack and oviposit apple E. lanigerum, suggesting that P. coccinea could function as a suitable banker plant for A. mali. We discuss the potential use of P. coccinea in conservation biological control of E. lanigerum in apple orchards. Full article
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13 pages, 3019 KiB  
Article
The Cellular Innate Immune Response of the Invasive Pest Insect Drosophila suzukii against Pseudomonas entomophila Involves the Release of Extracellular Traps
by Tessa Carrau, Susanne Thümecke, Liliana M. R. Silva, David Perez-Bravo, Ulrich Gärtner, Anja Taubert, Carlos Hermosilla, Andreas Vilcinskas and Kwang-Zin Lee
Cells 2021, 10(12), 3320; https://doi.org/10.3390/cells10123320 - 26 Nov 2021
Cited by 9 | Viewed by 4107
Abstract
Drosophila suzukii is a neobiotic invasive pest that causes extensive damage to fruit crops worldwide. The biological control of this species has been unsuccessful thus far, in part because of its robust cellular innate immune system, including the activity of professional phagocytes known [...] Read more.
Drosophila suzukii is a neobiotic invasive pest that causes extensive damage to fruit crops worldwide. The biological control of this species has been unsuccessful thus far, in part because of its robust cellular innate immune system, including the activity of professional phagocytes known as hemocytes and plasmatocytes. The in vitro cultivation of primary hemocytes isolated from D. suzukii third-instar larvae is a valuable tool for the investigation of hemocyte-derived effector mechanisms against pathogens such as wasp parasitoid larvae, bacteria, fungi and viruses. Here, we describe the morphological characteristics of D. suzukii hemocytes and evaluate early innate immune responses, including extracellular traps released against the entomopathogen Pseudomonas entomophila and lipopolysaccharides. We show for the first time that D. suzukii plasmatocytes cast extracellular traps to combat P. entomophila, along with other cell-mediated reactions, such as phagocytosis and the formation of filopodia. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue State-of-Art in Innate Immunity)
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