Abstract Walnut husk fly, Rhagoletis completa (Cresson), is a major pest of English walnut, Juglans regia Linn. This pest is native to Southern and Central United States, and has since spread to many parts of North America. Walnut husk fly is also considered an invasive species and significant pest in many walnut-growing countries in Europe. Walnut husk fly larvae feed directly on the fruit’s husk (mesocarp) tissue, and can cause shell (endocarp) staining, kernel (seed) shriveling and darkening, and increased adherence of hulls which can interfere with nut processing. Growers typically rely on monitoring and well-timed insecticide applications to control husk fly adults, though stricter regulations on insecticides limit their spray options. Since the current options for biological and cultural control are limited, the use of novel lure types and entomopathogens are being explored in recent research. The shifting economic market, stricter regulations, and nontarget pesticide effects highlight a need for a deeper understanding of this pest, robust monitoring tools, and alternative management methods. This study discusses the life history, biology, seasonal ecology of walnut husk fly, and current integrated pest management practices in walnut orchards.

Abstract Taphrorychus bicolor (Coleoptera: Curculionidae, Scolytinae) is emerging as a potential threat to European beech (Fagus sylvatica L.) in Central Europe, particularly under recurrent drought and a warming climate. We review its ecology, damage symptoms, monitoring methods, and management strategies, integrating published research with recent observations from Slovakia. Regarded as a secondary pest of dead or dying wood, T. bicolor has also been observed infesting living beech trees, producing characteristic lesions that degrade timber quality and may accelerate tree decline. These injuries marked by sap exudation, blister-like bark, and black fluid-filled lesions occur more frequently in drought-stressed stands, especially along forest edges and south-facing slopes. Monitoring trials demonstrated that pheromone-baited traps and felled beech trap trees effectively attract large numbers of beetles, although outbreak thresholds for this species are not yet defined. We recommend preventive management through timely removal and treatment of logging residues and weakened trees to reduce breeding sites. Biological control options, including the predator Nemozoma elongatum and entomopathogenic fungi such as Beauveria bassiana, show promise but require further study. A critical knowledge gap remains regarding the role of secondary infections in lesion development following beetle infestation. Whether T. bicolor represents a persistent threat or a transient response to climatic stress remains unclear, but proactive monitoring and management are essential to mitigate its impact on beech forests. This review provides an updated basis for forest managers, researchers, and policymakers confronting the challenges posed by T. bicolor.

Abstract The rice water weevil, Lissorhoptrus oryzophilus (Coleoptera: Curculionidae), has been the primary economic pest of rice, Oryza sativa, in the United States for more than 100 yr. Management of L. oryzophilus with conventional foliar insecticides is challenging owing to the difficulty in effectively timing insecticide applications against adults as well as the subterranean, aquatic feeding of larvae on rice plant roots. Two neonicotinoids (thiamethoxam and clothianidin) and 2 diamide (chlorantraniliprole and cyantraniliprole) seed treatments have replaced foliar applications against L. oryzophilus and other pests in the past 2 decades. The neonicotinoids control L. oryzophilus along with more sporadic pests including chinch bugs (Hemiptera: Blissidae), Colaspis spp. (Coleoptera: Chrysomelidae), and aphids. The diamides have superior activity against L. oryzophilus and provide control of several lepidopteran pests including 3 Crambid stem borers (Eoreuma loftini, Diatraea saccharalis, and Chilo plejadellus) and fall armyworm, Spodoptera frugiperda (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae). The products used individually or in combination have greatly improved control of L. oryzophilus and other insect pests providing immense value to US rice producers. Currently, the products are used on approximately 80% of rice acreage in Arkansas, Louisiana, Mississippi, Missouri, and Texas. Diamides are predominant in Louisiana and Texas, while neonicotinoids are most prevalent in Arkansas, Mississippi, and Missouri. Across the region, the insecticidal seed treatments were used on 775,000 ha at a total cost of 19 million USD. Estimated return on investment from pest losses prevented range from 100 to 500 USD per ha, making the total economic value of insecticidal seed treatments in US rice approximately 77.5 to 387.5 million USD annually. Future rice pest management strategies should aim to diversify tactics to mitigate resistance development and preserve efficacy of these valuable seed treatments.

Abstract The widespread use of insecticides in forest ecosystems has raised significant concerns about their nontarget effects on biological control agents (BCAs), such as predators and parasitoid wasps, which play a pivotal role in natural pest suppression. This review evaluates the lethal and sublethal impacts of various insecticide classes on BCAs. Systemic insecticides, while effective in controlling pests, have been shown to impair the reproduction, foraging behavior, and host-seeking abilities of BCAs, leading to disruptions in pest regulation and biodiversity loss. In Pinus koraiensis (Siebold & Zucc) forests, parasitoid wasps such as Baryscapus dioryctriae (Yang & Song) are critical for managing pests such as Dioryctria pryeri. However, insecticide exposure threatens their efficacy, exacerbating pest outbreaks and ecosystem instability. The deployment of B. dioryctriae as a BCA provides a sustainable alternative to chemical control, with demonstrated success in reducing pest populations and minimizing environmental impacts. Integrated pest management (IPM) frameworks that combine biological control with targeted insecticide use offer promising solutions to mitigate nontarget effects. Future research should focus on optimizing mass-rearing and release strategies for BCAs, exploring semiochemical-based pest disruption and assessing the long-term ecological consequences of low-dose insecticide exposure. By advancing IPM approaches, forest managers can achieve effective pest control while preserving the ecological integrity and biodiversity of forest ecosystems.

Abstract The red sunflower seed weevil, Smicronyx fulvus LeConte (Coleoptera: Curculionidae), is a native pest of cultivated sunflower in North America. Larvae consume a portion of the seed, reducing the amount of extractable oil and the marketability of confection seeds. Aerial application of insecticides during sunflower bloom is the primary method of weevil population management. However, sole reliance on chemical control appears to have led to insecticide resistance and crop failure in some areas. Furthermore, insecticide applications may negatively affect yields in this pollinator-dependent crop. Consequently, a holistic approach to red sunflower seed weevil management is needed. We provide an overview of red sunflower seed weevil biology, ecology, and current management practices, including scouting, economic thresholds, and insecticides. Complementary methods, such as cultural control, biological control, and host plant resistance also are discussed as tools to improve management of this pest.

Abstract Southern corn billbug Sphenophorus callosus Oliver, was a historically widespread and damaging pest throughout the southeastern United States. However, it only persists as a major problem in poorly drained corn production areas in eastern North Carolina. Unfortunately, little replicated research has been conducted on this insect in corn since the 1980s. The purpose of this profile is to provide a current, comprehensive resource on the biology and ecology of this pest relative to corn, as well as to provide a description of sampling and management methods. This is a univoltine insect with a narrow host range. The only known cultivated host it will reproduce on is corn, Zea mays L., and yellow nutsedge, Cyperus esculentus L. Injury and damage to corn can be caused by adult feeding on seedlings, or by larval development in the crown. The most effective management tactics for southern corn billbug are cultural management tactics, including crop rotation, tillage, proper fertility, drainage, and effective weed control. Neonicotinoid seed treatments are the most important management tactic for this pest, but their efficacy is declining. Hence, this pest may become more problematic across the southeastern United States. A significant portion of the biological research on this insect needs to be revisited within the context of modern corn production practices. Furthermore, more work should be done to understand the mechanisms for effective cultural management tactics. Finally, novel methods of management should be explored for this insect to expand the range of available management tactics.

Abstract Deer farming is a robust industry in the United States, with farmed and wild cervids vulnerable to vector-borne diseases such as hemorrhagic disease, caused by bluetongue virus and epizootic hemorrhagic disease virus. These viruses are transmitted by biting midges (Diptera: Ceratopogonidae: Culicoides), highlighting the importance of vector control in safeguarding deer health on deer farms. Despite the role of biting midges as pathogen vectors, effective control programs for managing biting midges remain underdeveloped. To address this gap, a comprehensive evaluation of current pest and vector management practices on deer farms is essential for designing successful control strategies against hemorrhagic disease vectors. We conducted a Knowledge, Attitudes, and Practices (KAP) survey among Florida trophy-deer farmers using an online questionnaire to gather data related to pest and vector control. Thirty-three survey responses were collected out of a pool of 60 farmers. Sixty-six percent of the respondents used insecticides to control pests and vectors, including biting midges, with nearly 70% of these applications using permethrin-based products, with applications taking place as often as daily. Over 82% of the respondents believe that insecticides are the most effective way to control pests, yet most (66%) do not rotate insecticides, raising concerns about the development of insecticide resistance. Our findings underscore the need for educational programs to enhance deer farmers’ understanding of safe and sustainable pest and vector management practices. These efforts could improve pest and vector control efficacy while mitigating the risk of insecticide resistance, ultimately promoting long-term health and productivity in trophy-deer farming.

Abstract Pear psylla, Cacopsylla pyricola (Foërster), is the most economically harmful arthropod pest of pears in the Pacific Northwest (PNW). The phloem-feeding nymphs produce a sticky, sugar-based excrement called honeydew, which causes cosmetic fruit injury, tree stress, and inconvenience to orchard workers. Management of pear psylla has historically prioritized season-long spraying with insecticides that have substantial nontarget effects on natural enemies. However, control has been an ongoing challenge in many growing regions due to pear psylla’s resistance to insecticides, and natural enemies are virtually absent in orchards with aggressive pesticide programs near harvest, leading to rapid increases in pear psylla. Subsequently, excessive numbers of overwintering pear psylla create a regional overabundance of the pest the following spring. Integrated pest management (IPM) programs for pear psylla prevent this cycle with effective cultural tactics and insecticides that are minimally disruptive to natural enemies. Still, IPM adoption seems to be regionally variable. The major growing region of the Wenatchee Valley in Washington State has been reluctant to adopt IPM and, consequently, continues to struggle with pear psylla management. Other areas, such as Hood River, Oregon, and Okanogan, British Columbia, have made significant improvements in pear psylla management through the adoption of area-wide IPM. This review will provide an overview of pear psylla biology, pest status in the PNW, primary IPM tactics, and various elements that have either challenged or advanced the pear industry’s adoption of IPM.

Abstract Sweetpotatoes, the seventh most important food crop globally, play a crucial role in agriculture due to their starchy, nutrient-rich roots. Their versatility extends beyond human consumption to include animal feed and various industrial applications such as ethanol and biofuel production. In the United States, the Southeast dominates sweetpotato production, with states like Alabama, Louisiana, Mississippi, and North Carolina leading the way. One of the remarkable features of sweet potatoes is their adaptability to tropical and subtropical regions, their resilience to drought, and their ability to thrive in low-fertility soils. These qualities make sweetpotatoes well-suited for organic farming. The increasing popularity of organic agriculture aligns with rising consumer demand for organic products, with vegetables like sweetpotatoes cultivated on a significant portion of American organic farms. However, sweetpotato crops face threats from plant-parasitic nematodes and insect pests, particularly in the Southeast, where the southern root-knot nematode is a major concern. Conventional farming relies on chemical nematicides and insecticides for pest management; however, these are not suitable for organic production. Organic growers utilize biopesticides and cultural practices to manage nematode infestations and insect pest populations. These practices include the use of entomopathogenic fungi and nematodes, as well as cover cropping to improve soil health and control pests. Overall, sustainable sweetpotato cultivation involves a combination of biological control methods and cultural practices to mitigate the impact of pests and maintain soil health, thereby ensuring the viability of sweetpotato production for future generations.