Beneficial Insects Research Articles

Insecticide application timing effects on alfalfa insect communities.

Timing of insecticide application can impact efficacy, given variation in both weather and development of the crop and its insect pests. Both target and nontarget insects may vary in life stage and abundance at the time of application. In alfalfa Medicago sativa L. cropping systems, producers have interest in early-season insecticide applications to eliminate last-minute decisions about preharvest applications for alfalfa weevil Hypera postica (Gyllenhal) (Coleoptera: Curculionidae). The standard recommendation is based on scouting larvae close to the first harvest time. We compared early and standard timing of application of a lambda-cyhalothrin pyrethroid on alfalfa pest and beneficial insects. Field trials at a university research farm were conducted in 2020 and 2021. In 2020, early application was as effective as the standard timing against alfalfa weevil, as compared to the untreated control, but less effective than the standard timing in 2021. Effects of timing against Lygus bugs (Hemiptera: Miridae), grasshoppers (Orthoptera: Acrididae), and aphids (Hemiptera: Aphididae) were inconsistent between years. We observed the potential for early application to reduce negative impacts on ladybird beetles (Coleoptera: Coccinellidae) and spiders (Araneae), however, damsel bugs (Hemiptera: Nabidae) were similarly reduced by insecticide application regardless of timing. Overall arthropod community composition differed by both year and treatment. Future research should explore potential trade-offs of spray timing at larger spatial scales.

A Review of Successes and Impeding Challenges of IoT-Based Insect Pest Detection Systems for Estimating Agroecosystem Health and Productivity of Cotton.

Using artificial intelligence (AI) and the IoT (Internet of Things) is a primary focus of applied engineering research to improve agricultural efficiency. This review paper summarizes the engagement of artificial intelligence models and IoT techniques in detecting, classifying, and counting cotton insect pests and corresponding beneficial insects. The effectiveness and limitations of AI and IoT techniques in various cotton agricultural settings were comprehensively reviewed. This review indicates that insects can be detected with an accuracy of between 70 and 98% using camera/microphone sensors and enhanced deep learning algorithms. However, despite the numerous pests and beneficial insects, only a few species were targeted for detection and classification by AI and IoT systems. Not surprisingly, due to the challenges of identifying immature and predatory insects, few studies have designed systems to detect and characterize them. The location of the insects, sufficient data size, concentrated insects on the image, and similarity in species appearance are major obstacles when implementing AI. Similarly, IoT is constrained by a lack of effective field distance between sensors when targeting insects according to their estimated population size. Based on this study, the number of pest species monitored by AI and IoT technologies should be increased while improving the system's detection accuracy.

A conserved hymenopteran-specific family of cytochrome P450s protects bee pollinators from toxic nectar alkaloids

Many plants produce chemical defense compounds as protection against antagonistic herbivores. However, how beneficial insects such as pollinators deal with the presence of these potentially toxic chemicals in nectar and pollen is poorly understood. Here, we characterize a conserved mechanism of plant secondary metabolite detoxification in the Hymenoptera, an order that contains numerous highly beneficial insects. Using phylogenetic and functional approaches, we show that the CYP336 family of cytochrome P450 enzymes detoxifies alkaloids, a group of potent natural insecticides, in honeybees and other hymenopteran species that diverged over 281 million years. We linked this function to an aspartic acid residue within the main access channel of CYP336 enzymes that is highly conserved within this P450 family. Together, these results provide detailed insights into the evolution of P450s as a key component of detoxification systems in hymenopteran species and reveal the molecular basis of adaptations arising from interactions between plants and beneficial insects.

The value of question‐first citizen science in urban ecology and conservation

AbstractCitizen‐science projects focused on ecology and conservation have been growing in popularity in recent years, offering many opportunities for researchers and volunteers alike. Two principal approaches to citizen‐science projects in ecology can be characterized as the data‐first approach and the question‐first approach. Here, we highlight the value of question‐first citizen‐science projects for providing insights into the ecology and management of urban wildlife, using case studies on (1) beneficial insects (pollinators, predators and parasitoids) and (2) possums and gliders in Australian cities and towns. The question‐first approach has many benefits, offering a platform to engage volunteers with the scientific process and the broader context of an ecological or conservation problem, while also connecting them with their local environment. Identifying the questions to be addressed in a citizen‐science project ahead of data collection allows for co‐design and stronger collaboration with volunteers, community groups, local experts, and landscape managers. Question‐first citizen science can also provide valuable ecological data that extend substantially beyond presence‐only records, including presence‐absence data collected via timed surveys and information on animal behavior and interspecific interactions. However, establishing and maintaining question‐first citizen‐science projects can be challenging, requiring the building and maintenance of many relationships and a multidisciplinary approach that goes well beyond the usual activities of an academic researcher. Well‐designed, question‐first citizen science has the capacity to achieve both scientific rigor and meaningful engagement with volunteer participants.

3G Cutting: An Innovative Tool in Cucurbitaceous Crops to Boost the Production and Doubling the Income of Small Farmers in a Per Unit Area

3G cutting is one of the most popular and successful inter-culture operations in cucurbitaceous crops like; bottle gourd, cucumber, pumpkin, sponge gourd, bitter gourd, etc. as well as in plants like tomato, eggplant, chilli, and lady’s finger for a small patch of land. Low fruit set is an emerging constraint in cucurbits, and when it does, extremely small-sized fruits develop and degrade the mother plant. This is the main problem that farmers are currently facing. This problem arises due to a rapid decrease in beneficial insects and other pollinators as a result of the haphazard use of foliar fertilizers and chemical pesticides. 3G cutting is a scientific process to get higher production from plants by increasing the number of female flowers in the plant by adopting practices like trimming and pruning of 1st and 2nd generation branches. Generally, 1G and 2G branches have more no. of male flowers than female (approximately in the ratio of 14:1) whereas this ratio is reduced to 1:2 in 3G branches. We are all known that fruits develop from female flowers, while one male flower can pollinate several female flowers. However, this does not imply that there is no need for male flowers. Male flowers are necessary for pollination. Thus, 3G cutting is the finest scientific practice for farmers to maximize the number of female flowers and fruit yield.

Hoverflies provide pollination and biological pest control in greenhouse-grown horticultural crops.

Beneficial insects provide pollination and biological control in natural and man-made settings. Those ecosystem services (ES) are especially important for high-value fruits and vegetables, including those grown under greenhouse conditions. The hoverfly Eupeodes corollae (Diptera: Syrphidae) delivers both ES, given that its larvae prey upon aphid pests and its adults pollinate crops. In this study, we investigated this dual role of E. corollae in three insect-pollinated and aphid-affected horticultural crops i.e., tomato, melon and strawberry within greenhouses in Hebei province (China). Augmentative releases of E. corollae increased fruit set and fruit weight of all three crops, and affected population dynamics of the cotton aphid Aphis gossypii (Hemiptera: Aphididae). On melon and strawberry, E. corollae suppressed A. gossypii populations by 54-99% and 50-70% respectively. In tomato, weekly releases of 240 E. corollae individuals/100 m2led to 95% fruit set. Meanwhile, releases of 160 hoverfly individuals per 100 m2led to 100% fruit set in melon. Also, at hoverfly/aphid release rates of 1:500 in spring and 1:150 in autumn, aphid populations were reduced by more than 95% on melon. Lastly, on strawberry, optimum levels of pollination and aphid biological control were attained at E. corollae release rates of 640 individuals/100 m2. Overall, our work shows how augmentative releases of laboratory-reared hoverflies E. corollae can enhance yields of multiple horticultural crops while securing effective, non-chemical control of resident aphid pests.

Weeds as Reservoirs of Beneficial Insects to Control Pests in Crops

Although aphids are pests and can cause 100% crop loss, they also are food for natural enemies and birds. The objective of this work was to determine predators and parasitoids of aphids and agroecological characteristics of weeds. The study was done in monocultures of intensive agriculture at El Copal Irapuato. Twenty-two plant species were collected, predominantly Asteraceae with eight species; nine species of aphids were collected. Aphis craccivora Koch was on four plant species. Aphidius colemani Viereck parasitized as many as 84% of Uroleucon ambrosiae (Thomas). Allograpta oblicua (Say), Pseudodorus clavatus (F.), and Paragus tibialis (Fallén) hoverflies were found in larvae preying on aphids. The larva of Micromus posticus (Walker) fed on aphids, the first record of immatures of the species of Hemerobiidae in the State of Guanajuato. Other species of predators were reported.

Group h Chitinase: A Molecular Target for the Development of Lepidopteran-Specific Insecticides.

Sustainable agriculture requires insecticides that are selective between insects and mammals and even between harmful and beneficial insects. Lepidoptera includes the largest number of insect pests that threaten crops, and Hymenoptera contains the natural enemies for these pests. Discovery of lepidopteran-specific molecular targets is one route to develop such selective pesticides. Group h chitinase (Chi-h) is an ideal target for lepidopteran-specific insecticides because it is only distributed in Lepidoptera and is critical to their molting processes. This minireview focuses on the latest progress in developing Chi-h as a lepidopteran-specific insecticide target. We describe the biological function, crystal structure, and small-molecule inhibitors of the enzyme. Notably, two unique pockets were discovered in the crystal structure of Chi-h for the binding of the selective inhibitors, phlegmacin B1 and lynamicin B. Moreover, lynamicin B was found to exhibit significant insecticidal activity toward lepidopteran pests but is harmless toward their natural enemies. These findings are advancing the development of selective insecticides to meet the needs of sustainable agriculture.

Effects of three chitin synthesis inhibitors on egg masses, nymphs and adults of Halyomorpha halys (Hemiptera: Pentatomidae).

Halyomorpha halys, (brown marmorated stink bug, BMSB), is a high-concern invasive species causing severe damage to orchards in many countries outside its native Asian range. Management methods other than frequent sprays of broad-spectrum insecticides are needed to restore integrated pest management (IPM) practices in orchards. Chitin synthesis inhibitors are usually regarded as desirable options in IPM programs because of lower toxicity to beneficial insects and non-target organisms compared to neurotoxic insecticides. In this study, the activity of three chitin synthesis inhibitors (namely buprofezin, novaluron and triflumuron) was investigated on BMSB egg masses, 3rd instars and adults by means of laboratory bioassays. Novaluron and to a lesser extent triflumuron were detrimental to BMSB nymphs exposed to residues on potted peach plants. Novaluron caused high mortality among early instars emerged from sprayed egg masses. No significant differences were found between buprofezin and water control on eggs or 3rd instars. When sprayed on BMSB adults, none of the chitin synthesis inhibitors affected survival, fecundity or egg hatching. Given the activity on nymphs, but the lack of effects on adults, novaluron and triflumuron might be considered for field applications only as a tool in a wider management strategy along with other methods aimed at preventing the invasion of crops by BMSB adults. This article is protected by copyright. All rights reserved.

Multifunctional Nanoparticles and Nanopesticides in Agricultural Application

The unscientific application of pesticides can easily cause a series of ecological environmental safety issues, which seriously restrict the sustainable development of modern agriculture. The great progress in nanotechnology has allowed the continuous development of plant protection strategies. The nanonization and delivery of pesticides offer many advantages, including their greater absorption and conduction by plants, improved efficacy, reduced dosage, delayed resistance, reduced residues, and protection from natural enemies and beneficial insects. In this review, we focus on the recent advances in multifunctional nanoparticles and nanopesticides. The definition of nanopesticides, the types of nanoparticles used in agriculture and their specific synergistic mechanisms are introduced, their safety is evaluated, and their future application prospects, about which the public is concerned, are examined.

Monitoring of insect pests using GIS applied to the Oryza sativa L. crop in Naranjal, Ecuador

In Ecuador, the cultivation of rice (Oryza sativa L) is affected by various insect pests that cause the deterioration of the vegetation. Therefore, this problem was investigated in the Canton Naranjal in four rice farms covering a total area of 213.8 ha, carrying out "X" sampling with 20 double passes with the entomological net. Geographic Information Systems (GIS) tools were used to geo-reference the insects that prevail in the crop and at the same time observe the locations and know in which phenological stage they are present with the assistance of the BBCH Codification. Thematic maps of pest and beneficial insects were made with Density Kernel allowing the population of insects per m² found in the three samplings to be estimated. The percentages vary by phenological stage, but five pest insects predominate: Hydrellia sp, Tagosodes oryzicolus Müir, Rupella albinella, Oebalus ornatus (Adult), Tibraca limbativentris (Adult - Nymph), the GIS allow a spatial distribution of the pest insects.

Turunçgil bahçesinde farklı renk tuzaklarındaki yaprakbiti aktivitesi

Aphids feed on plant sap from the phloem and xylem and cause the formation of honeydew. This damage is mostly done by wingless aphids, but winged aphids pose more economically important problems such as virus transmission. Cultural, biological, biotechnical and chemical control methods are used in the control of winged and wingless aphids. The flight activity of aphids is difficult to control because a minute or half an hour of feeding is sufficient for a single individual to transmit the disease. In order to benefit from or use integrated pest management strategies (IPM), monitoring the aphid population is the first and most critical step in deciding on the necessary control method. This study was carried out at Çukurova University Plant Protection Experiment Station between October 2009 and October 2011 in order to understand the propagation time of aphids and the targeted sampling method from poultry individuals. A total of 400 trees were planted in the orchard in September 2002 at 5 x 3 m intervals. Different color painted (white, red, blue, yellow and green) water traps (18 x 32 cm) filled with tap water and a small amount of liquid soap were placed between the rows, and each trap was placed on a platform, 120 cm above the ground. Different color painted water traps were used to determine and compare the capture of winged aphids. All captured individuals were diagnosed under the microscope after the preparation was made. After diagnosis, cluster analyzes were evaluated according to color selection and similarity index. In this study, the effect of different colored attractive traps on aphids was investigated. Yellow colored trap showed the strongest attraction for aphids and also for many other pests and beneficial insects groups. Other colored (green, white, red and blue color) traps used in the trial can be recommended in terms of attractiveness and environmentally friendly control for the biotechnical control of aphids.

Identification and characterization of gut-associated lactic acid bacteria isolated from the bean bug, Riptortus pedestris (Hemiptera: Alydidae).

Lactic acid bacteria (LAB) are beneficial bacteria for humans and animals. However, the characteristics and functions of LAB in insects remain unclear. Here, we isolated LAB from the gut of Riptortus pedestris, a pest that is a significant problem in soybean cultivation in Korea, and identified two Lactococcus lactis and one Enterococcus faecalis using matrix-associated laser desorption/ionization-time of flight and 16S rRNA analyses. All three LAB strains survived at pH 8, and L. lactis B103 and E. faecalis B105 survived at pH 9 for 24 h. In addition, these strains survived well in simulated gastric juice of humans containing pepsin and exhibited high resistance to bile salts. Two strains of L. lactis and one of E. faecalis maintained constant density (> 104 colony-forming units [CFU]/mL) at pH 2.5, but viability at pH 2.2 was strain-dependent. The three LAB were reinoculated into second-instar nymphs of R. pedestris and colonized well, reaching a constant density (> 105 CFU/gut) in the adult insect gut. Interestingly, feeding of these LAB increased the survival rate of insects compared to the negative control, with the largest increase seen for L. lactis B103. However, the LAB did not increase the weight or length of adult insects. These results indicate that insect-derived LAB possess the traits required for survival under gastrointestinal conditions and have beneficial effects on insect hosts. The LAB infection frequency of the wild bean bug populations was 89% (n = 18) in Gyeongsangnam-do, South Korea. These LAB can be utilized as a novel probiotic in the cultivation of beneficial insects. This study provides fundamental information about the symbiosis between insects and LAB, and a novel concept for pest control.

The Influence of Mixed Green Covers, a New Trend in Organic Olive Growing, on the Efficiency of Predatory Insects

Intensive soil tillage and the resulting erosion constitutes one of the main problems in olive growing. Palliative practices such as implementing vegetable covers are encouraged. Recently, the method of adding inert green roofs to the soil, either alone or in combination with adventitious vegetation, has stood out. Assessing this agronomic measure is our main objective. This research was conducted in 2022 in the Jaén province (southern Spain), wherein olive groves with different managements were selected: (i) conventional, free from vegetation, (ii) ecologically managed olive grove containing a cover of adventitious vegetation (VC), and (iii) ecologically managed olive grove in which the remains of pruning are added to the adventitious cover (VC-MIX). Vegetation inventories and beneficial insect monitoring were performed using a combined device with chromatic and olfactory trapping. The olive moth (Prays oleae) and lacewing predators were selected as the indicator species. Both the beneficial insect diversity and relative plant abundance were higher in the VC-MIX, where the highest rates of predation by lacewings were found (88%). In turn, these parameters in the VC olive surpassed those of the conventional olive grove. The factors involved in the notable differences between the three management types are discussed.

The influence of weed infestation and pea (Pisum sativum (Linn.)) cropping system on the beneficial and harmful entomofauna

The experiment was carried out in the conventional and organic experimental fields of the Institute of Agriculture - Karnobat, in the period 2019 - 2022. The aim of the experiment was to study the influence of weed infestation and cropping system of pea (Pisum sativum (Linn.)) on the beneficial and harmful entomofauna. Six and seven species of insects from seven families and three orders were found to damage pea in organic and conventional farming, respectively. Their density was higher in conventional farming. The most economically important and the most widespread pest in both types of cropping was the aphid Acyrthosiphon pisum (Harris, 1776). Of the beneficial insects, thirteen species were found in pea in organic and eleven in conventional farming, from eight families and five orders. Greater species diversity and higher numbers were observed in organically grown pea during all four years of the study. The absence of herbicide treatment in organic farming and the presence of more blooming vegetation stimulate the multiplication of beneficial entomofauna, regulating the population density of the aphids in pea. The correlations between the blooming vegetation and the beneficial entomofauna and between the beneficial and harmful entomofauna have been demonstrated.

Low-dose chemical stimulation and pest resistance threaten global crop production

Pesticide resistance increases and threatens crop production sustainability. Chemical contamination contributes to the development of pest resistance to pesticides, in part by causing stimulatory effects on pests at low sub-toxic doses and facilitating the spread of resistance genes. This article discusses hormesis and low-dose biological stimulation and their relevance to crop pest resistance. It highlights that a holistic approach is needed to tackle pest resistance to pesticides and reduce imbalance in accessing food and improving food security in accordance with the UN's Sustainable Development Goals. Among others, the effects of sub-toxic doses of pesticides should be considered when assessing the impact of synthetic and natural pesticides, while the promotion of alternative agronomical practices is needed to decrease the use of agrochemicals. Potential alternative solutions include camo-cropping, exogenous application of phytochemicals that are pest-suppressing or -repelling and/or attractive to carnivorous arthropods and other pest natural enemies, and nano-technological innovations. Moreover, to facilitate tackling of pesticide resistance in poorer countries, less technology-demanding and low-cost practices are needed. These include mixed cropping systems, diversification of cultures, use of ‘push-pull cropping’, incorporation of flower strips into cultivations, modification of microenvironment, and application of beneficial microorganisms and insects. However, there are still numerous open questions, and more research is needed to address the ecological and environmental effects of many of these potential solutions, with special reference to trophic webs.

CULTIVATING SUSTAINABLE SOLUTIONS: INTEGRATED PEST MANAGEMENT (IPM) FOR SAFER AND GREENER AGRONOMY

Integrated Pest Management (IPM) provides a sustainable and ecologically sound approach to address the continuous threat posed by pests in agriculture. This comprehensive review explores the implementation of IPM within agronomic systems, covering a range of strategies such as cultural practices, biological control, host plant resistance, and physical/mechanical control. Cultural practices involve modifying agricultural operations to create an unfavorable environment for insect multiplication and prevent pest population buildup, while biological control utilizes beneficial insects to combat pests. Host plant resistance entails developing crop varieties with inherent resistance to pests, reducing the need for chemical interventions. Physical and mechanical control methods offer eco-friendly alternatives, involving physical barriers and trapping techniques to manage localized pest outbreaks. Decision-making in IPM involves evaluating pest populations, economic thresholds, and phenological forecasts to determine appropriate control measures. Success stories demonstrate the real-world application and potential benefits of IPM in diverse agricultural settings. However, challenges such as limited farmer knowledge and access to resources, as well as resistance management, hinder widespread adoption. Exciting opportunities lie in digital technologies, precision agriculture, biotechnological innovations, and climate-resilient strategies. Strengthened farmer training, public-private collaborations, and informed decision-making are crucial for the successful future of IPM, ensuring sustainable food production and global food security.

Attenuation of ultraviolet (UV) radiation does not impede host location in egg parasitoids with positive UV phototaxis

Abstract In insects and other terrestrial arthropods, foraging is guided in part by visual cues making use of optical radiation, which includes ultraviolet (UV) radiation. Manipulating UV exposure with lamps and photo‐selective materials can help protect crops by disrupting related wavelength‐dependent behaviours in various pests, but little is known on how this could also affect the behaviour of their natural enemies. To investigate the effects of UV‐A radiation on parasitoid wasp foraging behaviours, we conducted laboratory and semi‐field experiments on female Telenomus podisi and Trissolcus utahensis (Hymenoptera: Scelionidae) that parasitize stink bug egg masses. In small laboratory arenas, both species of egg parasitoid displayed a positive UV phototaxis, but UV exposure also reduced their daily spontaneous locomotor activity regardless of the time of day. In large field cages, parasitism (i.e., host discovery and exploitation) rates were mostly unaffected by UV‐attenuated conditions created by UV‐absorbing filters (macrohabitat level) and/or by the plant canopy (microhabitat level). This study indicates that UV radiation can be involved in egg parasitoid foraging behaviours without UV attenuation negatively affecting parasitism, reflecting the heterogeneity and potentially hazardous nature of this abiotic factor. We highlight the importance of examining the role of UV radiation as an environmental cue in beneficial insects, especially with the prospect of combining physical and biological pest management strategies.

Defense Behavior of Honeybee Apis mellifera L. Hives: A Review

Al-Etby, M.A.A.W. 2023. Defense Behavior of Honeybee Apis mellifera L. Hives: A Review. Arab Journal of Plant Protection, 41(1): 85-92. https://doi.org/10.22268/AJPP-41.1.085092 Beekeeping is an important agricultural activity that contributes to increasing agricultural production. Therefore, it has received a lot of attention through the ages. Despite this importance, it is still facing many problems in all countries especially in Iraq. One of the obstacles of honeybee industry development is the aggressive behavior of this beneficial insect. This review examined the complex integration of external stimuli, reactions, and response to olfactory, visual, and mechanical signals. It was concluded that the strength of the colony, its queen health, her production of eggs, and the abundance of food sources, all have a role in determining the aggressiveness of bees. The physiological explanation of this behavior is the secretion of alarming pheromone, isopentyl acetate, which leads to an increase in the level of serotonin and dopamine in the brains of bee workers. Moreover, the location of the olfactory and visual receptors, and the number of sensory cells in the antennae, which varies according to honeybee races, resulted in a complex response of defensive reactions that include guarding, recruiting, alerting, attracting, culminating, biting, stinging, and pursuing. Keywords: Defense behavior, aggressiveness, venom gland, alarm pheromones, honeybees.

Effects of Combination of Plant Extracts for the Control of Black Bean Aphids and other Beneficial Insects on Common Beans

Effects of Combination of Plant Extracts for the Control of Black Bean Aphids and other Beneficial Insects on Common Beans