Diversity Of Enemies Research Articles

Experimental and survey-based evidences for effective biotic resistance by predators in ports

Of the suite of species interactions involved in biotic resistance to species invasions, predation can have complex outcomes according to the theoretical and empirical framework of community ecology. In this study, we aimed to determine the likelihood of consumptive biotic resistance within fouling communities in four ports of central Chile. Notably, we examined the influence of micro- (> 1–2 mm, 1–2 cm) predators, with a particular focus on their effects on non-indigenous species (NIS). Experimental and observational approaches were combined. An exclusion experiment was carried out over 4 months to examine predator effect on the early establishment of new assemblages on settlement panels. Later successional stages upon panels were examined over a total of 26 months and supported by rapid assessment surveys in the surrounding habitats. Community structure was significantly influenced by the exclusion treatments. Macropredators reduced the fouling biomass and abundance, although conflicting patterns emerged from the exclusion of both categories of predators. Altogether, predators reduced the abundance of most NIS and cryptogenic species, some of them being only observed when the two categories of predators were excluded—a pattern generally sustained over the long-term dynamics in community development. Our results show an effective consumptive biotic resistance, furthermore possibly dependent on predator size. Further work is however needed to determine the influence of the functional diversity of natural enemies on the efficiency of biotic resistance and its interplay with other biotic interactions (competition or mutualism). A comprehensive understanding of these processes should in turn help defining management strategies in a context of habitat modification and species loss.

Flower strip farmscaping to promote natural enemies diversity and eco-friendly pest suppression in okra (Abelmoschus esculentus)

Investigations were conducted on flower strip farmscaping along with intercropping to promote natural enemy diversity and eco-friendly pest suppression in okra during kharif 2016 and 2017. Pooled data of both the years revealed that whitefly was lowest (7.66 /15 leaves) in biopesticides treated okra having baby-corn as an intercrop with flower plants strip. Likewise, a minimum population of leafhoppers (39.89/15 leaves), red spider mites (99.16/cm2/15 leaves) and lowest fruit infestation by fruit borer (9.60%) were observed on treated okra having cowpea as an intercrop with flower strip farmscaping. Maximum population of natural enemies, viz. coccinellids (5.40), spiders (6.38), Geocoris bug (2.47), rove beetles (1.99/5 plants) and carabid beetles (1.32/2 pitfall traps) were recorded on untreated okra with cowpea intercropping having flower strip farmscaping. Shannon-wiener index value was found lower for pests on okra treatments having flower strips, while index value was higher for natural enemies on same treatments.

Insect diversity and population dynamics of natural enemies under sorghum–legume intercrops

The effect of intercropping sorghum with legumes on insect diversity and population dynamics of natural enemies was evaluated in the 2015/2016 cropping season at Botswana University of Agriculture and Natural Resources in Sebele, Gaborone. Sorghum monocrop, Sorghum bicolar (L) Moench, was intercropped with four commonly grown legumes, namely cowpea, Vigna unguiculata (L) Walp.; groundnut, Arachis hypogea L.; Bambara groundnut, Vigna subterranean (L.) Verdc; and chickpea, Cicer arietinum L. The study showed that intercropping significantly increased insect abundance, from 176.50 individuals on the monocrop to 438 individuals when sorghum was intercropped with cowpea being the highest among the intercrops. Similarly, species diversity significantly increased from 0.24 on monocrop to 0.54 when sorghum was intercropped with cowpea. There were more herbivores than predators, and the predominant insect herbivore found infesting sorghum was Melanaphis sacchari (Zehntner) (n = 2495), followed by Chilo partellus (Swinhoe) (n = 650). There was a significant difference in the level of parasitism between monocrop and intercrop systems. There were significantly more stemborer parasitoids found in the intercrops, ranging from 1 to 5%, compared to sorghum monocrop where no parasitism was observed. Predatory coccinellid density was not significantly influenced by intercropping but was by time of sampling. The results add to the body of knowledge indicating that intercropping significantly increases insect diversity and reduces the pressure of herbivores on crops in agroecosystems. Intercropping sorghum with legumes increased the number of biological control agents and reduced herbivore populations, and therefore can be recommended as a component of integrated pest management.

Diversity and abundance of natural enemies of Drosophila suzukii in Wisconsin, USA fruit farms

The invasive vinegar fly, Drosophila suzukii (Matsumura) (Diptera: Drosophilidae), is a major economic pest of soft-skinned fruit in the USA. In order to identify suitable biological control agents in Wisconsin, we assessed the presence and impact of potential natural enemies of D. suzukii in tart cherry and raspberry farms with documented D. suzukii populations. Yellow sticky cards and sentinel traps baited with D. suzukii or D. melanogaster larvae and pupae were deployed in these agricultural areas in the foliage and near the soil surface. Four families of parasitoids with known species that successfully parasitize D. suzukii (Pteromalidae, Braconidae, Figitidae, and Diapriidae) were found on sticky traps at all sampling sites. However, no parasitoids emerged from D. suzukii or D. melanogaster sentinel larvae or pupae throughout the duration of the field assessment. Predation was documented on sentinel D. suzukii pupae (1–4%) and sentinel D. melanogaster pupae (5–8%). The majority of sentinel pupae never emerged upon their return from the field and showed no evidence of field predation. Between 70 and 92% of recovered D. suzukii pupae were dead, and 46–72% of D. melanogaster pupae were dead. The absence of parasitoids found emerging from the sentinel drosophilid larvae and pupae and overall low levels of predation suggests that native biological control may provide limited potential as a management option against D. suzukii in Wisconsin at this time.

Intraguild predation is independent of landscape context and does not affect the temporal dynamics of aphids in cereal fields

Abundance and diversity of natural enemies increases with higher landscape complexity. However, more species can also increase negative interactions such as intraguild predation (IGP), which could be detrimental to pest control. Direct observations of these trophic interactions are still lacking. In the present study, we employed DNA-based gut content analyses of coccinellid beetles to assess IGP (direct and coincidental) and aphid consumption. Species-specific and group-specific primer pairs were used to unveil the interactions of the most abundant coccinellid species, three cereal aphids and their associated parasitoids. In order to determine whether the landscape complexity promotes these interactions, we used replicated wheat fields in two contrasting landscape contexts over the season in central Chile. With higher abundance of coccinellids, we observed greater aphid consumption in complex contexts. The consumption of parasitized aphids was mostly detected early in complex contexts, suggesting a detrimental effect on the parasitoid population. Following molecular analysis, we can state that the aphids are important feeding resources for the coccinellid assemblage and are actively foraging on this important pest. Finally, this study demonstrates that direct IGP is a common interaction in this system, independently of the landscape context during the complete season. Nevertheless, the native Eriopis chilensis was found to be the most frequently consumed intraguild prey. In contrast with expected predictions, we found little evidence that the landscape context increased negative interactions, such as IGP and IGP-C and in turn that these decrease the control of Sitobion avenae.

The effect of multiple natural enemies on a shared herbivore prey.

Natural enemy diversity is thought to be important for effective suppression of herbivores in production systems. Studies investigating the importance of the diversity and composition of the natural enemy complex often use within‐year empirical studies or experimental exclusion setups.However, within‐year population suppression might not translate in long‐term population regulation. Therefore, I used a combination of long‐term data collection and an exclusion experiment to investigate mechanisms behind year‐to‐year population changes and potential effects of disturbance of the natural enemy complex.Using the holly leaf miner study system in Wytham Woods, I find that the dominant predator in the system does not necessarily contribute the most to the reduction in year‐to‐year changes in mine density or within‐patch fluctuations. Using the exclusion experiment, it becomes clear that parasitism later in the prey life cycle can to a certain level compensate for disruption of mortality in the earlier life stage of the prey.Thus, for host suppression in perennial systems the mortality pressure over the whole life cycle is important and disturbance during one part of the life cycle might not necessarily be buffered by mortality in other parts of the life cycle, especially if the natural enemy complex consists of multiple predator guilds.

Regulating effect of agricultural landscape pattern on ecological pest control by natural enemies.

It's well known that regional agricultural landscape pattern can significantly regulate the relationship between plants, herbivorous insects and natural enemies. The improvement of the ecosystem services of regional agricultural landscape pattern has profound impacts on pest control, which has received much interests in current landscape ecology and pest control studies. This review systematically summarized the impacts of agricultural landscape pattern, as well as its succession on the diversity and ecological pests control of important natural enemies. From the perspective of different natural enemies, the impacts of agricultural landscape pattern on natural predators, parasi-toids, beneficial microorganisms and its ecological pests control functions were all recapped. We outlined crop spatial distribution and vegetation habitat management strategies. This review could provide useful insights in improving the ecosystem services of natural enemies in agricultural landscape based on the vegetation habitat management, and offer theoretical support for regional ecological agriculture in response to the strategy of 'chemical pesticide reduction application'.

Cotton extrafloral nectaries as indirect defence against insect pests

Knowledge about indirect defences that mediate the ecological interactions between plants and their beneficial and harmful insects are needed to better incorporate pest resistance traits in breeding programs. “Top-down” pest control by natural enemies has not been considered in most plant breeding strategies and, in many cases, beneficial interactions of crops with the third trophic level have been reduced through breeding processes. Extrafloral nectaries (EFNs) are plant structures that provide indirect defences to plants through nectar rewards attracting arthropods that may act as predators of pests. Recent studies have demonstrated that EFNs may play an important role in herbivore suppression in agricultural systems. The main objectives of this study were to quantify the leaf extrafloral nectar production of cotton plants, to identify natural enemies of crop pests visiting these EFNs, and to assess the biological control and occurrence of various cotton pests. To address these objectives, we performed both greenhouse and field experiments in which we compared three wild varieties of cotton plants with EFNs, two cultivated varieties with EFNs and two nectariless varieties. Results showed that wild cotton varieties produced greater quantity of nectar per leaf than cultivated varieties. In addition, wild varieties bearing EFNs enhanced the diversity of natural enemies (especially ants) which could, in turn, increase biological control under certain conditions. However, the association between the community of insects visiting EFNs and pest suppression was not clear and depended on the pest species. Indirect defences associated to EFN need to be better explored to enhance selection of pest-resistant cotton cultivars.

The role of Perilla frutescens flowers on fitness traits of the ladybird beetle Harmonia axyridis

Predaceous ladybird beetles are known to consume alternative foods from flowers, especially when prey is scarce. Flower-rich semi-natural habitats in agroecosystems generally host a diversity of natural enemies, including predaceous ladybird beetles, suggesting that the availability of flowers may have a positive role in their fitness traits. In this study, we test whether feeding on flowers of Perilla frutescens (Lamiaceae) increases longevity and fecundity in Harmonia axyridis Pallas (Coleoptera: Coccinellidae). The longevity of H. axyridis females and males fed with five flowers was significantly greater than those fed with one flower and in the control group (no food), although the provision of flowers had no positive effect on the increase of body weight in males and females. The number of eggs and oviposition frequency in H. axyridis fed with flowers plus prey, as well as with prey only, were significantly larger than those fed with only flowers, whereas no significant difference was observed between individuals fed with the mixed diet and those with only prey. However, on the first day of the diet assignment, the number of eggs from individuals with the mixed diet was significantly higher than of those with only prey and those with only flowers. The results show that flowers of P. frutescens, mixed with prey, have a positive effect on H. axyridis survival and early reproduction, suggesting that flowers may play an important role in increasing fitness in H. axyridis. The possibility of P. frutescens sown in fields to support populations of the predator toward conservation biological control is discussed.

The chemical defences of the invasive alga Sargassum muticum (Yendo) Fensholt correlate to mesoherbivore diversity, but not to time-since-invasion

Populations of the invasive alga Sargassum muticum were sampled along a time-since-invasion (TSI) gradient to test the hypothesis that chemical defences would increase with TSI, and diversity of native mesoherbivores. Algal chemical defences, phlorotannins, were quantified as a proxy for top-down-pressure, and these were compared with both native enemy diversity and time-since-invasion at each of seven sites along the west coast of the UK. The defences in the annual fronds showed a strong positive correlation with the biodiversity of native mesoherbivores. The defences in the perennial holdfasts, whilst generally higher than those in the fronds, showed no relationship. In contrast, defences in neither the fronds nor the holdfasts showed any relationship with TSI. The majority of mesoherbivores found in this survey were small and probably juvenile. Many of these individuals are known to occupy the fronds of S. muticum for shelter or to feed on its epiphytes, and are probably less likely to feed directly on its tissues than adults. The low probability that any one species of grazer was feeding on S. muticum tissues may explain why the alga contained a greater level of phlorotannin when the diversity of potential enemies was high. This study highlights the importance of enemy diversity in invasion ecology.

The effect of Crotalaria juncea plant in coffee ecosystem to the diversity and abundance of predators and parasitoids insects

Agro-ecosystem of coffee adopts monoculture system that are less favorable to the development of natural enemies. However, only few studies examined the role of natural enemies in the ecosystem. This study examined the effect of flowering plant, Crotalaria juncea in coffee ecosystem to enhance the diversity and abundance of natural enemies; especially insect predators and parasitoids. The diversity and abundance of insect predators and parasitoids, both in coffee ecosystem with C. juncea and without C. juncea as a control plot were recorded. The result showed that the population abundance of insect predators and parasitoid on plot with C. juncea was 2.20 individuals, higher than on control plot (1.50 individuals/per branch/2 minutes). The Predatory insects found, both in coffee flowers and Crotalaria flowers were Coccinellidae (Coleoptera), Vespidae (Hymenoptera), Mantidae (Orthoptera), Libellulidae (Odonata), Chrysopidae (Neuroptera) and Asilidae and Syrphidae (Diptera), while the parasitic insects were Ichneumonidae, Braconidae and Aphelinidae (Hymeniptera). The abundance of insect predators and parasitoids on the coffee flower may decrease (r = -0,366) by increasing the distance to C. juncea.

Biodiversity analysis of natural arthropods enemies in vineyard agroecosystems in La Rioja, Spain

Major knowledge gaps exist regarding effects of landscape-level agroecosystem composition on the presence of natural enemies of agricultural pests. The objective of this study was to evaluate the influence of landscape mosaic characteristics on the diversity of predators and parasitoids of a viticultural landscape in La Rioja, Spain. Five habitats were evaluated: Mediterranean forest, Mediterranean scrub, olive groves, natural grassland, and vineyards. In all, we collected 28,640 arthropods, representing 10 orders: Araneae, Coleoptera, Dermaptera, Diptera, Hemiptera, Hymenoptera, Mantodea, Neuroptera, Solifugae, and Thysanoptera. The grassland habitat presented the highest arthropod abundances. Carabid beetles showed preferences for Mediterranean forest and scrub, whereas reduviid bugs showed preferences for natural grassland. Landscape heterogeneity and connectivity with natural elements in the study area turn out to be effective in conservation of diversity of natural enemies of viticulture.

Effects of biodiversity in agricultural landscapes on the protective microbiome of insects – a review

AbstractSymbiotic bacteria in herbivorous insects can have strong beneficial impacts on their host's survival, including conferring resistance to natural enemies such as parasitoid wasps or pathogens, while also imposing energetic costs on the host, resulting in cost‐benefit trade‐offs. Whether these trade‐offs favour the hosting of symbionts depends on the growth environment of the herbivore. Long‐term experimental grassland studies have shown that increasing plant species richness leads to an increased diversity of associated herbivores and their natural enemies. Such a change in natural enemy diversity, related to changes in plant diversity, could also drive changes in the community of symbionts hosted by the herbivorous insects. Aphids are one model system for studying symbionts in insects, and effects of host‐plant species and diversity on aphid‐symbiont interactions have been documented. Yet, we still understand little of the mechanisms underlying such effects. We review the current state of knowledge of how biodiversity can impact aphid‐symbiont communities and the underlying drivers. Then, we discuss this in the framework of sustainable agriculture, where increased plant biodiversity, in the form of wildflower strips, is used to recruit natural enemies to crop fields for their pest control services. Although aphid symbionts have the potential to reduce biological control effectiveness through conferring protection for the host insect, we discuss how increasing plant and natural enemy biodiversity can mitigate these effects and identify future research opportunities. Understanding how to promote beneficial interactions in ecological systems can help in the development of more sustainable agricultural management strategies.

Cropping management on potato field, a strategy to suppress pest by increasing insect diversity and natural enemies

Stability of ecosystem and ecological resilience indicate by the spesies composition of arthropods on agro-ecosystem. Intensive agricultural action will cause agroecosystem damage by decrease of biodiversity and disruption of landscaping agricultural. This study aimed to determine the ability of cropping management increasing the diversity of insects and natural enemies of pest on potato field, this method can application as a component on integrated pest management strategy to suppress pest on potato field. Crop management is doing by intercropping, organic farming systems and setting the growing season of potato. The result showed that insect diversity index and natural enemies population on intercropping system is higher than monoculture system, while the pest populations is lower. Insect diversity index and natural enemies population in organic systems on farm is higher than conventional farming systems, in general the pest population was lower in conventional farming systems, but not significant with organic farming system. The intercropping potatoes + cabbage + mustard + celery, potatoes + cabbage, potato + mustard respectively which grown by organic farming systems provide the highest insect diversity on farm. Natural enemies population increase in order to increasing insect diversity and supress population of pest. Management on growing season showed that population of Coccinellidae at May-August more higher than September-Desember. On the other hand, population of Braconid wasp at May-August more lower than September-Desember.

Predator Insect Families Associated With Melon Crop in a Semiarid Region in Brazil

Knowledge of diversity of natural enemies in agroecosystems is vital for the integrated pest management. However, surveys of beneficial insects (predators and parasitoids) in the melon crop (Cucumis melo L.) in the semiarid region in Brazil are scarce. Thus, the objective of this study was to know the families of predator insects associated with melon crop in a semiarid region in the state of Rio Grande do Norte (RN), one of the main melon producers in Brazil. The survey study was carried out in a commercial melon area, in the municipality of Baraúna (RN). The samples were collected weekly during the cycle of melon, using passive (Pitfall and Moericke traps) and active (sweep net) collection methods. A total of 13 families of predator insects were collected. The families with the highest relative abundances in the passive collection method were Labiduridae (89.53%) and Formicidae (6.91%), while in the active collection method were Chrysopidae (59.81%) and Staphylinidae (20.56%). These families contain important species of predator which can promote crop pest suppression in melon agricultural systems.

Habitat use by crop pests and natural enemies in a Mediterranean vineyard agroecosystem

Conservation of natural habitats within agroecosystems often enhances the abundance and species diversity of arthropod natural enemies, but does not necessarily improve the biological control of crop pests. Differences in habitat use between some natural enemies (favoring natural areas) and pests (aggregating on the crop plants), were proposed to underlie low pest control in spite of high abundance of beneficials. To test this hypothesis, we characterized the habitat use of important vineyard pests (European grapevine moths and vine mealybugs) and of natural enemies (parasitoid wasps and spiders), and compared natural enemy communities across habitats. Arthropods were sampled in five vineyards (from vines and from herbaceous vegetation), and from adjacent natural habitats, using pheromone traps, visual searches and vacuuming. European grapevine moth and mealybug populations were highest inside the vineyards, furthest away from natural habitats. The proportion of natural enemies out of all arthropods was highest in the natural habitats. Parasitoid diversity was highest in natural habitats, intermediate on herbaceous vegetation within vineyards, and lowest on vines, and their abundance was higher on herbaceous vegetation than on vines. The parasitoids' distribution between natural and agricultural habitats varied among morpho-species, and their community composition differed among habitats and sampling dates. Spiders were less common than parasitoids (2.9% vs. 14.4% out of all suction-sampled arthropods, respectively), yet similarly distributed. As hypothesized, natural enemies associated with herbaceous vegetation more strongly than did grape pests, and their community composition differed between natural habitats and vineyards. To support the full diversity of beneficial arthropods, non-crop herbaceous vegetation both around and within vineyards should be conserved.

Biodiversity provides whitefly biological control based on farm management

Management of the whitefly Bemisia tabaci biotype B (Hemiptera: Aleyrodidae) has challenged scientists and famers worldwide because this insect is highly polyphagous and resistant to traditional control methods. Innovative management tools, such as the use of the ecosystem service of biological control, are necessary, especially in a century in which sustainable crop systems are emerging. We investigated how management practices and farm diversity within the property limits affect the relationship between biodiversity conservation and the biological control of B. tabaci. We determined the mortality factors of whitefly nymph cohorts on 33 small farms growing tomatoes. The sampled farms formed a gradient of increasing farm diversity and decreasing management intensity. The diversity of natural enemies increased from conventional to agroecological farms, and predation was identified as the key mortality factor of B. tabaci nymphs on all farm types except the conventional farms. Biological control provided by biodiversity components (predators, parasitoids and pathogens) was enhanced on more diverse and less intensively managed farms. Higher predator richness and abundance resulted in more effective biological control and made it less variable among farms. Different components of natural enemy biodiversity were conserved and acted in a complementary way on agroecological farms, and the enhanced ecosystem services reduced the need for insecticides.

Natural Enemies of the Sugar Beet Army Worm, Spodoptera exigua (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae) in Northeast Iran

During 2014-2015, a survey was carried out to determine the natural enemies of the sugar beet armyworm, Spodoptera exigua (Hübner) in the Mashhad region of northeastern Iran. Through extensive sampling, different larval stages of S. exigua with possible signs or symptoms of infection were collected from beet fields, kept in laboratory conditions, fed with fresh beet leaves, and checked daily until the emergence of parasitoids. Herein, 12 species of parasitoids, a virus: Spodoptera exigua multiple nucleopolyhedrovirus (SeMNPV), an entomopathogenic fungus: Beauveria varroae, and an entomophilic nematode, Pristionchus pacificus are reported. The parasitoids were Meteorus rubens, Microplitis rufiventris, Cotesia sp., Chelonus (Chelonus) annulipes (Braconidae), Euplectrus sp. (Eulophidae), Sinophorus nr. xanthostomus, Anomalon sp., Diadegma pulchripes, Temelucha sp. (Ichenumonidae), two species of Drino genus and Exorista sp. (Tachinidae). The body tissues of the virus-infected larvae were liquefied, swollen, and glossy with a very thin cuticle. SEM photographs of viral occlusion bodies (OBs) showed polyhedral and irregular shapes. A cross-section of an OB indicated that each virion contained multiple nucleocapsids arranged randomly within the occlusion matrix. Genetic analysis based on lef-8 and Polyhedrin gene sequences confirmed the identity of the Iranian strain as SeMNPV. The virus was transmitted vertically and horizontally. Another pathogen was Beauveria varroae, isolated from a lepidopteran insect for the first time; S. exigua was indicated as a new host for this fungus. Both pathogens are herein introduced as new records for Iran microflora. The results of the current work highlight the diversity of natural enemies on the sugar beet armyworm in Iran.

The Impact of the Carrot Rust Fly and Carrot Weevil Integrated Pest Management Program on the Ground-Dwelling Beetle Complex in Commercial Carrot Fields at the Holland Marsh, Ontario, Canada.

Carrot rust fly (CRF), Psila rosae (Fabricius, 1794) (Psilidae: Diptera) and carrot weevil (CW), Listronotus oregonensis (Le Conte, 1857) (Curculionidae: Coleoptera) are economic pests of carrot; larval tunneling on roots results in direct damage rendering the carrot unmarketable. The Holland Marsh in Ontario, Canada, is a major carrot production area. The ground-dwelling beetle (Coleoptera) fauna in commercial carrot fields in this region has not been described. In 2015 and 2016, eight commercial carrot fields were surveyed using pitfall traps to determine abundance and diversity of the ground-dwelling beetle complex. Research sites, which were used to evaluate the effectiveness of an existing integrated pest management (IPM) program, were also surveyed to determine the impacts of the IPM program on the natural enemy diversity, compared to insecticide-free sites. In total, 50 taxa and 4,127 individual ground-dwelling beetles were identified over the course of the 2 y. Known natural enemies of CRF and CW were identified and recovered in abundance. The abundance and diversity of ground-dwelling beetles among the commercial carrot fields varied greatly in 2015 and 2016 but was similar on research sites sprayed according to the IPM program compared to insecticide-free sites in both years. The importance of this research to promote conservation biological control through the naturalization of nonagricultural areas is discussed.

Potencial de Aclepias curassavica L. (Apocynaceae) en el control biológico de plagas


 
 
 Para conocer el potencial de Asclepias curassavica L. en el manejo de plagas, del 01 de enero al 28 de diciembre de 2012, se estableció un estudio en una plantación de limón “persa” Citrus latifolia en Emiliano Zapata, Villamar, Michoacán, México. Una sección (tratamiento) incluyó la planta A. curassavica y la otra se mantuvo sin esa especie (testigo). Muestreos semanales documentaron especies y número de depredadores, fitófagos, parasitoides, y niveles de parasitismo en áfidos. Toxoptera aurantii, Aphis spiraecola, Diaphorina citri y Phyllocnistis citrella, fueron las principales plagas. Sus mayores poblaciones ocurrieron en el segundo semestre del año y coincidieron con los principales periodos de brotación del cultivo. Los principales enemigos naturales observados en A. curassavica fueron las familias Coccinellidae, Syrphidae, Chamaemyiidae, Chrysopidae y el parasitoide Lysiphlebus testaceipes. Los Coccinellidos predominaron durante el primer semestre del año, mientras que los otros grupos fueron frecuentes durante todo el año. Los resultados muestran una reducción de 46.3% en las poblaciones de áfidos de los cítricos donde se establecieron Asclepias; sin embargo, las poblaciones de D. citri se incrementaron 77%. Probablemente el mayor biocontrol de áfidos favoreció la disponibilidad de nichos vacíos (brotes vegetativos) y consecuentemente las poblaciones del psílido. La amplia diversidad de enemigos naturales registrados en A. curassavica sugiere un alto potencial de la planta para utilizarse en la regulación y estabilidad de la entomofauna de los agroecosistemas, más que en el control de plagas específicas.