Integrated Pest Management Framework Research Articles

The mitochondrial genome and life history of Tomostethus sinofraxini (Hymenoptera: Tenthredinidae), an emerging pest of Fraxinus chinensis.

Tomostethus sinofraxini Wang & Wei (a new name is proposed for Tomostethus fraxini Niu & Wei, 2022: Tomostethus sinofraxini Wang & Wei, nom. nov.), an emerging sawfly pest of the Chinese ash, Fraxinus chinensis, is now endemic to Beijing, Tianjin, Hebei, and Shandong provinces. Given the severity of its infestation and the speed of its range expansion, we studied the phylogenetic relationship of T. sinofraxini with other sawfly species and its life history to be better informed for the management strategies. The nearly complete T. sinofraxini mitogenome is 16,169 bp in length and encodes 2 ribosomal RNAs (rrnL and rrnS), 22 transfer RNAs (tRNAs), and 13 protein-coding genes. The nucleotide composition is biased toward adenine and thymine (A + T = 81.7%). In comparison to the architecture of the ancestral insect mitogenome, 2 transposition events occur on the IQM tRNA cluster, rearranging it from IQM to MQI. Our phylogenetic analysis suggests that T. sinofraxini belongs to a group composed of paraphyletic subfamilies Blennocampinae and Heterarthrinae. In addition, to document its life history, we observed T. sinofraxini development at 2 geographical locations in Beijing, China, with different altitudes. At Jiulong Mountain, with a higher altitude and a lower average temperature, the developmental time of egg, larval, and adult stages was 19%-31% longer than that observed at the Chinese Academy of Forestry. A basic understanding of biological traits and molecular signatures is the critical first step to develop an integrated pest management framework for this emerging pest of the Chinese ash.

Integrated pest and pollinator management in India: A way forward to sustainable agriculture

Pollinators play a vital role in sustaining both cultivated and wild plants, thus ensuring the well-being of humanity. Unfortunately, the indiscriminate methods employed in pest-management have a detrimental impact on beneficial fauna, especially pollinators. Taking into account the harmful effects of pesticides on pollinators and the lack of explicit consideration for their welfare in Integrated Pest Management (IPM) practices, there is an urgent need to integrate pollinator management into the IPM programme. Incorporating pollinator management within the IPM framework is essential for maintaining the health of pollinators, preserving diverse pollinator species and achieving optimal crop yields with reduced pest-related issues- aspects that are often overlooked in conventionalpest management approaches. This transformation from IPM to IPPM (Integrated Pest and Pollinator Management) highlights the importance of selectively and judiciously employing pesticides and other pest control strategies that have minimal impact on the habits, habitats, reproductive capabilities, foraging behaviour, growth, development and survival of pollinators. Although the concept of IPPM was introduced by Biddinger and Rajote (2015), our focus lies in explaining its relevance within the Indian context. Here, IPPM is imperative for reducing pest populations below economically damaging thresholds while simultaneously enhancing and conserving pollinators. By achieving this delicate balance, the ecological equilibrium can be preserved, ensuring the continued existence of various species and sustainability of our ecosystem.

Improving coral cover using an integrated pest management framework.

Integrated pest management (IPM) leverages our understanding of ecological interactions to mitigate the impact of pest species on economically and/or ecologically important assets. It has primarily been applied in terrestrial settings (e.g., agriculture), but has rarely been attempted for marine ecosystems. The crown-of-thorns starfish (CoTS), Acanthaster spp., is a voracious coral predator throughout the Indo-Pacific where it undergoes large population increases (irruptions), termed outbreaks. During outbreaks CoTS act as a pest species and can result in substantial coral loss. Contemporary management of CoTS on the Great Barrier Reef (GBR) adopts facets of the IPM paradigm to manage these outbreaks through strategic use of direct manual control (culling) of individuals in response to ecologically based target thresholds. There has, however, been limited quantitative analysis of how to optimize the implementation of such thresholds. Here we use a multispecies modeling approach to assess the performance of alternative CoTS management scenarios for improving coral cover trajectories. The scenarios examined varied in terms of their ecological threshold target, the sensitivity of the threshold, and the level of management resourcing. Our approach illustrates how to quantify multidimensional trade-offs in resourcing constraints, concurrent CoTS and coral population dynamics, the stringency of target thresholds, and the geographical scale of management outcomes (number of sites). We found strategies with low target density thresholds for CoTS (≤0.03 CoTS min-1 ) could act as "Effort Sinks" and limit the number of sites that could be effectively controlled, particularly under CoTS population outbreaks. This was because a handful of sites took longer to control, which meant other sites were not controlled. Higher density thresholds (e.g., 0.04-0.08 CoTS min-1 ), tuned to levels of coral cover, diluted resources among sites but were more robust to resourcing constraints and pest population dynamics. Our study highlights trade-off decisions when using an IPM framework and informs the implementation of threshold-based strategies on the GBR.

Effect of exclusion net timing of deployment and color on Halyomorpha halys (Hemiptera: Pentatomidae) infestation in pear and apple orchards

The brown marmorated stink bug, Halyomorpha halys (Stål, 1855) (Hemiptera: Pentatomidae), is an invasive pest species native to East Asia that has become the major pest for many crops, causing serious economic damage. The occurrence of this invasive pest leads to an increase in broad-spectrum insecticides applications, often with limited results in H. halys management. Exclusion netting based on insect-proof nets is considered an environmentally friendly tactic that may potentially reduce H. halys infestation and damage. In a first experiment, during two growing seasons we investigated whether the timing of exclusion netting deployment affected season-long H. halys infestation and impact on apple and pear production. A second experiment considered the effect of netting color. Our results confirm that insect-proof nettings are effective in controlling H. halys infestations in fruit orchards, also observing an effect of timing of netting deployment on H. halys adult infestation, especially in apple orchards. Netting deployment could be delayed until the growing fruit phase on pear orchards, while on apple orchards it should be performed at flower fading phase. Brown marmorated stink bug infestation and damage were also influenced by the netting color, with black nets having higher infestation levels and fruit damage than white ones. Within an integrated pest management framework, early net deployment and the use of clear color nettings should be considered to reduce H. halys infestation and its damage in pome fruit crops.

Are lower pesticide doses better? An evolutionary perspective on integrated pest management

Pest management approaches, based on Integrated Pest Management (IPM), suggest that pesticide use could be reduced if dose recommendations move from a toxicological perspective (how much is needed to kill pests) to an ecological perspective (how much is needed to guarantee crop yield while minimizing environmental damage). However, the success of pesticides in maintaining crop yield security may be compromised by the evolution of resistance, which can be accelerated by reducing pesticide doses. To explore these relationships, we developed a mathematical model to evaluate the potential effect of pesticide dosing and pesticide-induced stress on mutation rates leading to major single gene resistance, or the accumulation of the multiple mutations leading to multi-factorial resistance. One of the main focuses was to determine the relative importance of resistance development generated before (i.e., pre-resistance) and after (i.e., post-resistance) pesticide exposure, tracking the proliferation of resistance under distinct scenarios of pesticide dosing. Our findings suggest that the relative importance of post-resistance increases under low pesticide doses and is particularly significant for the accumulation of resistance factors after pesticides are introduced. On the other hand, our model shows that lowering pesticide doses when used in conjunction with other control measures, can reduce the impact of post-resistance development. High pesticide doses may also hasten resistance if mutation rates increasingly scale with pesticide doses. This is due to the faster accumulation of resistance factors during pesticide administration. Under these circumstances, both ecological (i.e., reducing pesticide doses, minimizing biodiversity damage) and evolutionary (i.e., preventing resistance evolution) perspectives to the IPM framework are reconciled by lowering pesticide doses. Our results demonstrate the importance of taking evolution into account to evaluate management consequences, highlighting the urgent need to integrate the evolutionary perspective into pest management models to promote sustainability.

A Conceptual Framework for a Modern Science of Integrated Pest Management for Pests and Diseases of Coconut

The integrated pest management (IPM) approach was introduced to alleviate the negative effects of synthetic pesticide use in any agroecosystem. Initially, IPM is proposed as a multidisciplinary environmentally-sensitive approach that utilizes biological, cultural, genetics, mechanical, physical, and other artificial techniques to manage the pest population. The IPM concept has evolved with various reported history as well as definitions and has been adopted to solve pest problems in different agroecosystems including coconut. This paper revisits the different approaches of IPM in coconut pests as well as the conceptual framework for IPM introduced by Stenberg (2017) and the new integrated pest management paradigm for modern age conceptualized by Dara (2019) to come up with a holistic IPM framework for the efficient control of pests and diseases of coconut for adoption of coconut-producing countries in the region.

Ecological view of carcinogenesis: Niche‐altering (NC3) mechanisms

Ecological view of carcinogenesis: Niche‐altering (NC³) mechanisms

Modelling germination and mycelium growth rates of Monostichella coryli under constant temperature conditions

Monostichella coryli is the causal agent of the hazelnut anthracnose. The increase in the incidence in hazelnut orchards observed during recent years in Central Italy is increasing the need for information and studies on its biology and ecology, and how environmental factors (e.g., temperature) influence its development. For this purpose, seven isolates from different provenances of M. coryli were studied under controlled laboratory conditions with the goal of laying the foundations of a mathematical model describing key aspects of the pathogen's life cycle. The mycelium growth rate was measured at 6 different constant temperatures (5, 10, 15, 20, 25, 30 °C) and fixed relative humidity (100% RH), while the germination rate of the conidia was evaluated at 8 different constant temperatures (5, 10, 15, 20, 23, 25, 27, 30 °C). The dataset was subsequently analyzed estimating the parameters of non-linearfunctions which consider the relationship between the mycelium growth rate and the germination of the spores with environmental temperature. The set of parameters provided as the result of this study constitutes a key step forward in the biological knowledge of the species and the basis for future formulations of mathematical models to be used as decision support systems in an integrated pest management framework. • Seven isolates of Monostichella coryli studied under controlled temperature. • Modelling approach to describe mycelium growth and germination over temperature. • Parameters estimation of non-linearfunctions for each isolate.

CYP6DW3 Metabolizes Imidacloprid to Imidacloprid-urea in Whitefly (Bemisia tabaci).

Bemisia tabaci has developed high resistance to many insecticides and causes substantial agricultural and economic losses annually. The insecticide resistance of whitefly has been widely reported in previous studies; however, the underlying mechanism remains little known. In this study, we cloned two P450 genes: CYP6DW3 and CYP6DW5v1; these genes were markedly overexpressed in imidacloprid-resistant whitefly populations compared with susceptible populations, and knockdown of these genes decreased the imidacloprid resistance of whitefly. Moreover, heterologous expression of whitefly P450 genes in SF9 cells and metabolic studies showed that the CYP6DW3 protein could metabolize 14.11% imidacloprid and produced imidacloprid-urea in vitro. Collectively, the expression levels of CYP6DW3 and CYP6DW5v1 are positively correlated with imidacloprid resistance in B. tabaci. Our study further reveals that cytochrome P450 enzymes affect the physiological activities related to resistance in insects, which helps scholars more deeply understand the resistance mechanism, and contributes to the development of integrated pest management framework.

Phytochemicals as Biopesticides against the Pinewood Nematode Bursaphelenchus xylophilus: A Review on Essential Oils and Their Volatiles.

The impacts of a rapidly changing environment together with the growth in global trade activities has promoted new plant pest pandemic events in forest ecosystems. The pinewood nematode (PWN), Bursaphelenchus xylophilus, causes strong worldwide economic and ecological impacts. Direct control is performed through trunk injection of powerful nematicides, however many of these (hemi)synthetic compounds have raised ecological and human health concerns for affecting non-target species and accumulating in food products. As sustainable alternatives, essential oils (EOs) have shown very promising results. In this work, available literature on the direct activity of EOs against PWN is reviewed, as a contribution to advance the search for safer and greener biopesticides to be used in sustainable PWD pest management strategies. For the first time, important parameters concerning the bioassays performed, the PWNs bioassayed, and the EOs used are summarized and comparatively analyzed. Ultimately, an overview of the chemical composition of the most active EOs allowed to uncover preliminary guidelines for anti-PWN EO efficiency. The analysis of important information on the volatile phytochemicals composing nematicidal EOs provides a solid basis to engineer sustainable biopesticides capable of controlling the PWN under an integrated pest management framework and contributes to improved forest health.

Knockdown of UGT352A5 decreases the thiamethoxam resistance in Bemisia tabaci (Hemiptera: Gennadius)

Uridine diphosphate (UDP)-glycosyltransferases (UGTs), which are major phase II detoxification enzymes, have been implicated in the glycosylation of lipophilic endobiotics and xenobiotics and thus potentially lead to the evolution of insecticide resistance. In this study, we identified and cloned two putative UGT genes from transcriptome data which are named UGT352A4 and UGT352A5. As demonstrated by qRT-PCR, two UGT genes were over-expressed in the thiamethoxam-resistant (THQR) strain relative to the susceptible (THQS) strain. Moreover, the induction experiment revealed that the expression of the UGT352A5 gene was significantly increased following exposure to thiamethoxam in the THQR strain. Furthermore, the expression of both UGT352A4 and UGT352A5 was downregulated after RNA interference, whereas only the silencing of UGT352A5 resulted in a noticeable increase in the mortality of THQR adults. Our results represent the first line of evidence showing that UGT352A5 might be responsible for conferring thiamethoxam resistance in B. tabaci. The results will be shed new insights for obtaining a better understanding of the role of UGTs in the evolution of insecticide resistance and developing new insect resistance management tactics within the sustainable integrated pest management framework.

Life tables and a physiologically based model application to Corcyra cephalonica (Stainton) populations

The rice moth Corcyra cephalonica is a harmful insect pest for grains stocked in storage systems. Its infestations represent a serious concern among producers, because of the non-marketability of the products affected by it and subsequent economic losses.New technologies are improving the supply chain of the stored grains, in line with the integrated pest management framework. However, a prompt control action also requires an in-depth knowledge of insect pests’ biology and their response to environmental parameters. If this information is available, it can also be translated into mathematical language. The modelling of insect pest populations is increasing in utility, particularly if the models are included in decision support systems.The aim of this work concerns two aspects of a model application and validation. Since physiologically based models require information about interactions between species and environment, C. cephalonica individuals were reared at different constant temperatures: 18, 21, 24,26, 28, 30,34 and 36 °C. This first part provided the life tables, whose data were used to estimate the parameters of the Logan, Briére, and Sharpe and De Michele development rate functions.The second part of the work concerns the application of a physiologically based model described by a first order partial differential equation. The validation of the simulations was conducted with a semi-field experimentation with three repetitions.Results showed that the life tables are well represented by the Sharpe and De Michele development rate function, and that the physiologically based model proposed is reliable in representing field populations.

CropLife International shares FAO's vision

In their Letter “Stay true to integrated pest management” (8 January 2021, p. [133][1] ), K. Wyckhuys et al. point to the essential role of checks and balances in the context of CropLife International's recently agreed partnership with the UN's Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO). However, we disagree with their assertion that the FAO and CropLife International have contrasting visions of integrated pest management (IPM). CropLife International fully supports the FAO definition of IPM, which is a fundamental element of the International Code of Conduct on Pesticide Management ([ 1 ][2]). The IPM objective is “careful consideration of all available pest control techniques and subsequent integration of appropriate measures that discourage the development of pest populations and keep pesticides and other interventions to levels that are economically justified and reduce or minimize risks to human and animal health and/or the environment.” [([ 1 ][2]), p. 4] Supporting FAO's Code of Conduct on Pesticide Management is a condition of membership for CropLife International, and IPM is a core stewardship activity promoted by CropLife International to farmers globally. FAO has had great success in reducing pesticide use in Bangladesh, India, and Vietnam, as cited by Wyckhuys et al. ([ 2 ][3]), but these are not the only countries where improvements have been made. A recent study conducted by Phillips McDougal shows that the average application rates per hectare of modern pesticides are down by 95% since 1960, and there has been a substantial reduction in their acute toxicity ([ 3 ][4]). This is in large part due to the industry's development of more effective crop protection products and technologies ([ 4 ][5]) in combination with farmers' efforts to support optimized pesticide use in the framework of IPM. CropLife International also forms long-term partnerships with organizations such as GIZ ([ 5 ][6]), who value our expertise in training farmers on IPM and the responsible use of pesticides. We recognize the challenges that humankind faces in making agriculture more sustainable without compromising yields. Digital and precision farming are already contributing to further optimization, and their deployment will need to be accelerated to achieve the sustainable intensification that we need to avoid further agricultural encroachment of habitats and biodiversity loss ([ 6 ][7]). Innovation, shared knowledge, and partnership will all be invaluable to improving the sustainability of the agri-food system. This is the rationale for our collaboration with FAO and indeed all of our partnerships and alliances. 1. [↵][8]FAO, World Health Organization, The International Code of Conduct on Pesticide Management (2014); [www.fao.org/3/I3604E/i3604e.pdf][9]. 2. [↵][10]1. H. van den Berg, 2. J. Jiggins , World Dev. 35, 4 (2007). [OpenUrl][11] 3. [↵][12]1. Phillips McDougall , “Evolution of the crop protection industry since 1960” (2019). 4. [↵][13]1. E. Radcliffe, 2. W. Hutchinson, 3. R. Cancelado , Integrated Pest Management: Concepts, Tactics, Strategies and Case Studies (Cambridge University Press, 2009). 5. [↵][14]“Better Rice Initiative Asia—Promotion of Integrated Pest Management in Thailand” (GIZ, 2018). 6. [↵][15]1. M. Bacco, 2. P. Barsocchi, 3. E. Ferro, 4. A. Gotta, 5. R. Massimiliano , Array 3–4, 100009 (2019). [OpenUrl][16] [1]: http://www.sciencemag.org/content/371/6525/133.1 [2]: #ref-1 [3]: #ref-2 [4]: #ref-3 [5]: #ref-4 [6]: #ref-5 [7]: #ref-6 [8]: #xref-ref-1-1 View reference 1 in text [9]: http://www.fao.org/3/I3604E/i3604e.pdf [10]: #xref-ref-2-1 View reference 2 in text [11]: {openurl}?query=rft.jtitle%253DWorld%2BDev.%26rft.volume%253D35%26rft.spage%253D4%26rft.genre%253Darticle%26rft_val_fmt%253Dinfo%253Aofi%252Ffmt%253Akev%253Amtx%253Ajournal%26ctx_ver%253DZ39.88-2004%26url_ver%253DZ39.88-2004%26url_ctx_fmt%253Dinfo%253Aofi%252Ffmt%253Akev%253Amtx%253Actx [12]: #xref-ref-3-1 View reference 3 in text [13]: #xref-ref-4-1 View reference 4 in text [14]: #xref-ref-5-1 View reference 5 in text [15]: #xref-ref-6-1 View reference 6 in text [16]: {openurl}?query=rft.jtitle%253DArray%26rft.volume%253D34%26rft.spage%253D100009%26rft.genre%253Darticle%26rft_val_fmt%253Dinfo%253Aofi%252Ffmt%253Akev%253Amtx%253Ajournal%26ctx_ver%253DZ39.88-2004%26url_ver%253DZ39.88-2004%26url_ctx_fmt%253Dinfo%253Aofi%252Ffmt%253Akev%253Amtx%253Actx

Controlling the Spatial Spread of a Xylella Epidemic

In a recent paper by one of the authors and collaborators, motivated by the Olive Quick Decline Syndrome (OQDS) outbreak, which has been ongoing in Southern Italy since 2013, a simple epidemiological model describing this epidemic was presented. Beside the bacterium Xylella fastidiosa, the main players considered in the model are its insect vectors, Philaenus spumarius, and the host plants (olive trees and weeds) of the insects and of the bacterium. The model was based on a system of ordinary differential equations, the analysis of which provided interesting results about possible equilibria of the epidemic system and guidelines for its numerical simulations. Although the model presented there was mathematically rather simplified, its analysis has highlighted threshold parameters that could be the target of control strategies within an integrated pest management framework, not requiring the removal of the productive resource represented by the olive trees. Indeed, numerical simulations support the outcomes of the mathematical analysis, according to which the removal of a suitable amount of weed biomass (reservoir of Xylella fastidiosa) from olive orchards and surrounding areas resulted in the most efficient strategy to control the spread of the OQDS. In addition, as expected, the adoption of more resistant olive tree cultivars has been shown to be a good strategy, though less cost-effective, in controlling the pathogen. In this paper for a more realistic description and a clearer interpretation of the proposed control measures, a spatial structure of the epidemic system has been included, but, in order to keep mathematical technicalities to a minimum, only two players have been described in a dynamical way, trees and insects, while the weed biomass is taken to be a given quantity. The control measures have been introduced only on a subregion of the whole habitat, in order to contain costs of intervention. We show that such a practice can lead to the eradication of an epidemic outbreak. Numerical simulations confirm both the results of the previous paper and the theoretical results of the model with a spatial structure, though subject to regional control only.

Parsimonious Use of Pesticide-Treated Seeds: An Integrated Pest Management Framework.

Pesticide-treated seeds are usually supplied in 'default' packages that leave farmers little choice for tailor-made management of soil-borne pests and pathogens. This has led to a socioeconomic impasse thereby questioning the sustainability of planting pesticide-treated seeds. Here the author proposes an integrated pest management framework to overcome the current impasse.

A mathematical model for Xylella fastidiosa epidemics in the Mediterranean regions. Promoting good agronomic practices for their effective control.

Mathematical models represent essential tools allowing a quantitative analysis of an epidemic system with the consequent identification of possible strategies to control a disease outbreak or even to prevent it. However, to be used in decision-making, they must be carefully parametrized and validated with epidemiological data as well as biological information on the relevant players. Here, benefitting of the Olive Quick Decline Syndrome (OQDS) outbreak, which has occurred in Southern Italy since 2013, an epidemiological model describing this epidemic is presented. Beside the bacterium Xylella fastidiosa, the OQDS main players considered in the model are its insect vectors, Philaenus spumarius, and the host plants (olive trees and weeds) of the insects and of the bacterium. The model is based on a system of ordinary differential equations, the analysis of which have provided interesting results about possible equilibria of the epidemic system and guidelines for its numerical simulations. These, under a variety of parameter scenarios, have led to the model sensitivity analysis, hence to understanding the parameters relative importance in the transmission of the disease. Although the model presented here is mathematically rather simplified, its analysis has highlighted threshold parameters that could be the target of control strategies within the integrated pest management framework, not requiring the removal of the productive resource represented by the olive trees. Indeed numerical simulations support the outcomes of the mathematical analysis according to which a removal of a suitable amount of weeds biomass (reservoir of Xylella fastidiosa) from olive orchards and surrounding areas resulted the most efficient strategy to control the spread of the OQDS. In addition, as expected, the adoption of more resistant olive tree cultivars has been shown to be a good strategy, though less cost-effective, in controlling the pathogen.

Slug Monitoring and Impacts on the Ground Beetle Community in the Frame of Sustainable Pest Control in Conventional and Conservation Agroecosystems.

In conservation agriculture, slugs are considered significant pests and their monitoring is a key option in the integrated pest management framework. Together with molluscicide applications, predators such as ground beetles can offer a tool for slug control in the field. Through the evaluation of slug and ground beetle monitoring strategies, this work compared their presence in conventional and conservation agricultural plots. The invasive Deroceras invadens was the dominant slug species to occur in all sampling periods. Among Carabidae, Poecilus cupreus and Pterostichus melas were the most abundant species, and Bembidion spp., Brachinus spp., and Harpalus spp. were also common. Beer-baited pitfall traps, whatever their alcoholic content, caught more slugs and ground beetles than wooden boards used as shelters. Slugs were more abundant in conventional plots than in conservation plots, possibly due to the lower presence of natural enemies such as ground beetles. Despite possible impacts on Carabidae, beer-baited pitfall traps should be considered a useful tool for slug monitoring and for the planning of molluscicide applications. Soil management such as minimum- or no-tillage and the presence of cover crops are important elements influencing both slug and ground beetle presence, possibly playing a key role in the maintenance of natural enemy populations.

The Potential for Decision Support Tools to Improve the Management of Root-Feeding Fly Pests of Vegetables in Western Europe.

Several important vegetable crops grown outdoors in temperate climates in Europe can be damaged by the root-feeding larvae of Diptera (Delia radicum, Delia floralis, Chamaepsila rosae, Delia platura, Delia florilega, Delia antiqua). Knowledge of pest insect phenology is a key component of any Integrated Pest Management (IPM) strategy, and this review considers the methods used to monitor and forecast the occurrence of root-feeding flies as a basis for decision-making by growers and the ways that such information can be applied. It has highlighted some current management approaches where such information is very useful for decision support, for example, the management of C. rosae with insecticidal sprays and the management of all of these pests using crop covers. There are other approaches, particularly those that need to be applied at sowing or transplanting, where knowledge of pest phenology and abundance is less necessary. Going forward, it is likely that the number of insecticidal control options available to European vegetable growers will diminish and they will need to move from a strategy which often involves using a single ‘silver bullet’ to a combination of approaches/tools with partial effects (applied within an IPM framework). For the less-effective, combined methods, accurate information about pest phenology and abundance and reliable decision support are likely to be extremely important.

Sublethal effects of anthranilic diamide insecticides on the demographic fitness and consumption rates of the Coccinella septempunctata (Coleoptera: Coccinellidae) fed on Aphis craccivora.

As for developing effective integrated pest management (IPM), it is necessary to understand the sublethal effects of common insecticides on the non-target beneficial arthropods. In this lab-scale study, the sublethal effects of two anthranilic diamide insecticides chlorantraniliprole and cyantraniliprole on the populations of 7-spot ladybird Coccinella septempunctata (Coleoptera: Coccinellidae) were determined and compared using an age-stage, TWO-SEX life table and CONSUME-MSChart computer program. Cyantraniliprole at low-lethal concentrations of 1 and 10mgL-1 significantly prolonged the larval stages and reduced the total adult longevity, compared with the control. Additionally, the net reproductive rate (R0), intrinsic rate of increase (r), finite rate of increase (λ), and mean generation time (T) were significantly reduced in the group treated with 10mgL-1 of cyantraniliprole. Similarly, the net predation (C0), the finite predation rate (ω), and stable predation rate (ψ) were significantly reduced by cyantraniliprole at 1 and 10mgL-1. In contrast, no significant difference in the demographic parameters above was determined for chlorantraniliprole at 1mgL-1. Therefore, C. septempunctata population may develop faster and possess greater predation potential against aphids under the exposure of chlorantraniliprole, compared to cyantraniliprole. Chlorantraniliprole may be a preference to cyantraniliprole as a combined alternative with ladybeetle predators in IPM framework.

Integrated Pest Management for Fouling Organisms on Boat Hulls

AbstractBoating is a major vector for aquatic invasive species that cause significant economic and ecological impacts, necessitating biofouling control that goes beyond simply maintaining boat operations. However, new regulations restricting the use of antifouling paints—a common control tactic along with hull cleaning—have not considered the consequences to invasive species management. As a result, there is a critical need for a biofouling control strategy that both protects water quality and minimizes invasive species transport. We compared recruitment of fouling organisms to experimental plates (1) treated with hull coatings after 1 month and, for copper‐based paint, after 1‐, 3‐, 6‐, and 12‐month submersion times; (2) after application of California's in‐water hull cleaning practices; and (3) among locations within and between geographically separated harbors. Copper‐based paint was initially effective at reducing fouling but lost effectiveness over time and was fouled heavily within 12 months. On plates with copper‐based paint, nonnative species typically recruited first and facilitated the recruitment of other species. Nontoxic coatings were readily fouled, and invasive species (Watersipora subatra and Hydroides spp.) settled more often on ceramic epoxy and/or siliconized epoxy (“slick”) coatings. Recruitment was higher in the harbor in the warmer water region. Depending on the harbor, W. subatra, Ciona spp., and Filograna implexa recruitment was correlated with water flow, the presence of conspecifics on the docks, or both factors. Strong seasonal recruitment was evident for Ciona spp., F. implexa, and Bugula neritina. Algae dominated the light‐exposed surfaces of plates, and invertebrates dominated the shaded surfaces. California's hull cleaning practices did not stimulate fouling, which contradicted previous findings. Our findings informed the development of an integrated pest management framework for biofouling control on boat hulls that is adaptable to different regions and boater needs. This novel approach balances effective boat operations and protection of ecosystem health while simultaneously addressing water quality and invasive species transport.