In recent times, pesticide resistance has been managed reasonably effectively, either proactively or reactively, by monitoring resistance of pest biotypes and the rotation of products with different modes of action (MoAs). However, increased regulation is dramatically limiting the range of MoAs available to farmers, especially in Europe. Innovation and replenishment with new MoAs from industry cannot keep pace with this loss, leaving the need for pragmatic choices in how to manage pests effectively through all methods available. This is crucial for integrated pest management (IPM) adoption to support sustainable crop production. Here we consider the current situation for insecticides, herbicides and fungicides in Europe and suggest that, despite the emerging IPM options, in many cropping systems, the need for a pesticide component remains essential. As part of efficient IPM or resistance management (RM) strategies, the availability of a range of effective pesticide MoAs will be essential. In addition, for more productive and sustainable agricultural systems, all stakeholders, including the agrochemical industry, farmers/growers, advisory services, the research community and policy/decision makers of Europe should try to improve communication. This will be the only way to ensure the future production of sufficient, high-quality crops, at a time when there are many threats to food security in Europe. © 2026 The Author(s). Pest Management Science published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd on behalf of Society of Chemical Industry.

Natural enemies provide essential pest control services, but their decline in agricultural landscapes threatens the sustainability of crop protection. In orchards, integrated pest management (IPM) depends not only on pest surveillance, but also on reliable monitoring of beneficial arthropods. However, practical tools for this purpose remain scarce. We tested artificial cardboard shelters as a low-cost, non-lethal method for year-round monitoring of natural enemies in temperate apple orchards. Two shelter types (roll and tape) were evaluated at different tree positions and compared with beating samples. Roll shelters, especially when placed on trunks, consistently captured more spiders and other beneficial arthropods than tape shelters. Importantly, the presence of shelters did not reduce the abundance or richness of free-living canopy arthropods. Seasonal dynamics were clearly detected in Voják orchard, where earwigs dominated the 'other beneficial arthropods' group: spiders dominated shelters during winter, whereas earwigs were most abundant in summer. Cardboard shelters proved to be effective and practical tools for monitoring key predator groups in orchards. Their integration into IPM programs could provide valuable information for better assessment of natural enemy activity, thereby supporting the optimization of pesticide use, and more sustainable orchard management. © 2025 Society of Chemical Industry.

RNA interference-based pesticides: Mechanism, application, and commercialization in sustainable pest management.

Buffalo fly (Haematobia irritans exigua) is recognised for its impact on cattle health, welfare, and production. It is ranked the number one endemic pest for the Australian beef cattle industry by Meat and Livestock Australia. An accurate estimation of fly numbers is essential to evaluate treatment efficacy, phenotyping of susceptible animals for genetic improvement and determining threshold levels to guide integrated pest management strategies. Traditionally, fly numbers are estimated through visual scoring which is inherently challenging as it involves estimating moving flies on a restless host. This study used digital photography and an open-source, semi-automated software package DotDotGoose to count fly numbers on individual animal images. These were then compared to the visual fly scores on the same animals. A random selection of 98 images was used and fly numbers were counted on these images in duplicate by four assessors, one experienced field researcher and three novice assessors. The fly counts on individual images were analysed for consistency and agreement and a consistency and agreement of 99 % was achieved within the four assessors, classified as excellent. The analysis further showed that visual assessments and manual visual counts by experienced assessors consistently underestimated fly numbers compared to the digital image counts. Our results suggest that a digital counting platform offers a more reliable alternative to visual scoring for buffalo fly counts. It improves accuracy and consistency and enables remote image analysis, lowers time and labour costs, and provides the potential for automated real-time monitoring and reporting of fly numbers.

High tunnels are a unique hybrid system of open field and greenhouse agriculture. As a result, pest dynamics and appropriate control methods differ from non-high tunnel environments. This paper aims to provide a comprehensive review of the current peer-reviewed research regarding arthropod pests and pest management techniques in high tunnels. We examine how pest populations compare between high tunnels and other forms of crop production and discuss how high tunnel conditions, such as seasonality and tunnel material, affect arthropod behavior. We look at the current knowledge of integrated pest management (IPM) practices in high tunnels, including monitoring methods, economic thresholds, cultural control, biological control, and chemical control. Research on monitoring methods and economic thresholds in high tunnels is limited. Current cultural control methods primarily include using banker plants and companion plants to attract natural enemies and insect exclusion netting to prevent the entrance of insect pests. Companion planting of cut flowers and wildflowers encourage natural enemy residence, but the efficacy of banker plants and exclusion netting is mixed. Biological control in high tunnels can be successful in managing common pests, such as Tetranychus urticae, Frankliniella occidentalis, and Bemisia tabaci ; however, extreme temperatures in high tunnels can limit the efficacy of natural enemies. Chemical control research shows that pesticides are often needed in high tunnels due to high pest pressure and have a slower degradation rate in high tunnels than in open field agriculture. Ultimately, considerably more research is needed on potential IPM for arthropod control that would fit growers' needs. • High tunnels alter arthropod behavior and pest management efficacy • There is a gap in knowledge of monitoring and economic thresholds in high tunnels • Cultural control tactics rely on companion planting or exclusion • Biological control implementation is challenging and control success is variable • Chemical residues can be higher in high tunnels presenting safety concerns

Spatiotemporal dynamics and drivers of Phthorimaea absoluta infestation in tomatoes: Inferences for identifying measures to enhance components of integrated pest management strategies

Pesticide resistance in agricultural pests has become a growing concern, as many species have developed resistance to most commercially available insecticides. Phthorimaea absoluta Meyrick, the tomato leaf miner, is one of the most destructive pests of tomato crops, capable of causing severe damage and even complete yield loss. This species has shown high levels of resistance to various insecticides, complicating effective pest management. Chlorfenapyr is a pro-insecticide that disrupts mitochondrial ATP production, ultimately leading to insect death. This study evaluated the lethal, sublethal, and histopathological effects of a chlorfenapyr-based insecticide on P. absoluta larvae through oral exposure. Lethal concentrations were determined using a concentration-mortality bioassay, and the LC50 value(3.72 ppm) was applied to assess histopathological alterations in the midgut. Chlorfenapyr-based insecticide exhibited high toxicity against P. absoluta. Histopathological and histochemical analyses revealed midgut epithelial damage, morphological alterations associated with cell degeneration, as well as the elimination of mycetocytes, which may play roles in digestion and xenobiotic detoxification. These findings provide one of the first histopathological characterizations of pesticide effects in this species and in microlepidoptera more broadly, reinforcing the potential use of chlorfenapyr within integrated pest management strategies.

Chemical fertilizers and pesticides have greatly enhanced agricultural productivity over the last half-century, but their unselective application has been responsible for environmental pollution, soil degradation, pest resistance, and human health issues. Hence, there has been increasing interest in environment-friendly methods like Integrated Pest Management (IPM), biofertilizers, and organic farming. Biofertilizers—consisting of beneficial microorganisms like bacteria, fungi, and algae—increase nutrient availability due to nitrogen fixation and mineral dissolution, and provide a sustainable source of chemicals. Organic farming and organic amendments enhance soil fertility, microbial diversity, and ecosystem services, and sustain or enhance crop quality. Organic systems, in earlier research, were shown to have yields equal to conventional systems under favorable conditions, but it requires more labor and higher input costs. Recent research has highlighted the application of biofertilizers and microbial inoculants in tree crops, namely citrus, apricot, olive, pomegranate, and apple, and has noted improved growth, yield, fruit quality, nutrient uptake, and disease resistance. A combination of synergistic inputs like amino acids, humic substances, PGPR, mycorrhizal fungi, and organic amendments further increases crop productivity and stress tolerance. Emerging technologies such as nanomaterials, microbial endophytes, and controlled environment agriculture hold further promise for sustainable productivity. Long-term experiments reaffirm that mixed and organic fertilization methods equal or surpass the nutritional and yield capacity of inorganic fertilizers, but these have lower environmental effects. It indicates the potential of organic and biological inputs in sustainable horticultural production, especially for perennial tree crops, and stresses their role in addressing future food demand against altered climatic and demographic scenarios.

ABSTRACT Myzus persicae (Sulzer) (Hemiptera: Aphididae) is an economically important pest of potatoes. Salicylic acid (SA), a key plant hormone, plays an important role in plant growth and stress resistance. However, the role of SA in inducing potato resistance to M. persicae remains poorly understood. This study investigated the effect of foliar application of SA at different concentrations (0.05, 0.5, and 5 mM) on the demographic characteristics of M. persicae using an age‐stage, two‐sex life table approach. The application of 5 mM SA significantly prolonged the pre‐adult developmental duration and total pre‐reproductive period (TPRP). Furthermore, life expectancy (), reproduction days, net maternity function (), and mean fecundity were reduced in 5 mM SA‐treated plants compared to the control. Consequently, this led to a lower net reproductive rate ( = 42.53 offspring/female), intrinsic rate of increase ( = 0.2852 d −1 ), and finite rate of increase ( = 1.3301 d −1 ). Furthermore, the population projection showed an 18.8‐fold reduction in population size in 5 mM SA‐treated potato plants. The findings indicate that 5 mM SA treatment can effectively induce resistance (i.e., antibiosis) to M. persicae in potatoes by reducing its demographic performance. These findings highlight the potential application of SA as a natural resistance inducer in integrated pest management (IPM) strategies targeting potato aphids.

Somalia, a developing country, is undergoing rapid urbanization with a significant rise in its urban population. Agricultural production in rural areas has declined due to irregular rainfall, inadequate irrigation systems, and poor farming practices, making it insufficient to meet the demands of the growing urban population. Climate-Smart Agriculture (CSA) has emerged as an important strategy for enhancing productivity, resilience, and sustainable resource use in vulnerable environments. This study assessed the adoption of CSA practices and examined their impact on the livelihoods and resilience of urban farmers in Mogadishu, Somalia. The main objective was to determine how CSA practices influence productivity, income, and adaptive capacity among urban farming households. A descriptive cross-sectional survey design was used. Primary data were collected from 150 respondents selected through stratified random sampling from different districts of Mogadishu, along with key informant interviews involving extension officers, NGO staff, and agricultural experts. Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics in Microsoft Excel. The findings show that 73.33% of the farmers had adopted CSA practices, while 26.67% were non-adopters. Greenhouses and drip irrigation were the most frequently used practices, followed by drought-tolerant seeds, organic composting, and crop diversification. Low-adoption practices included mulching, rainwater harvesting, and integrated pest management. CSA adoption significantly improved crop yields, job opportunities, food availability, and household income. Farmers also reported moderate improvements in resilience indicators such as recovery from crop loss, food and nutrition security, and ability to maintain production during drought. Key factors influencing adoption included access to information, education level, input costs, extension support, group membership, and access to credit. Major challenges limiting sustained adoption were high input costs, limited technical knowledge, inadequate water access, and weak market linkages. The study concludes that CSA practices play a crucial role in enhancing productivity and climate resilience among urban farmers in Mogadishu. Expanding CSA adoption will require increased training, financial support, improved access to technologies, localized climate information, and stronger institutional support from government and NGOs.

Leptinotarsa decemlineata (Say) is among the most destructive insect pests of potato Solanum tuberosum L. worldwide. While conventional chemical tactics have repeatedly failed to control this pest due to the rapid development of resistance, elicitor-based enhancement of plant defenses using jasmonic acid (JA) or salicylic acid (SA) pathways offers a promising complementary approach. Hence, this study evaluated the effects of 3 commercially available plant defense elicitors: Blush 2X (JA type), Actigard 50WG (SA type), and Regalia (JA and SA type), on the growth, development, and performance of L. decemlineata larvae across 2 phenological stages of “Russet Burbank” potatoes, with and without Myzus persicae (Sulzer) co-infestation. Defoliation, larval development, weight, and excretion rates were assessed through a series of greenhouse bioassays. Blush 2X significantly reduced defoliation and delayed larval development, supporting the role of JA signaling in mediating antifeedant defenses. In contrast, high-rate Actigard 50WG increased defoliation and excretion while reducing larval weight, suggesting altered sugar allocation and a potential diuretic effect. Aphid presence induced signal interference, modifying elicitor efficacy in a plant stage-dependent manner. These findings highlight the potential of elicitor treatments to enhance integrated pest management strategies for L. decemlineata, while underscoring the importance of plant phenology, signal cross-talk, and ecological context in optimizing their deployment.

The expanding impact of pentatomoid bugs: drivers, challenges, and innovations in Integrated Pest Management (IPM)

A cohort study of factors associated with the incidence rate of keratoconjunctivitis in dairy heifers farmed under Mediterranean climatic conditions.

The brown marmorated stink bug, Halyomorpha halys (Stål), is an invasive pest that increasingly threatens apple production in Europe by causing fruit damage, yield losses, and quality deterioration under commercial orchard conditions. This study investigated seasonal population dynamics, spatial patterns of fruit damage, yield effects, and post-harvest fruit responses of two apple cultivars (‘Cripps Pink’ and ‘Fuji’) in a commercial orchard over two consecutive seasons (2024–2025). Adult and nymphal activity was monitored using pheromone traps, while fruit damage was assessed at harvest across orchard positions and canopy layers. Potential yield losses were estimated based on damage incidence, and selected physicochemical properties of healthy and affected fruits were analysed. Clear cultivar-dependent differences were observed. ‘Fuji’ exhibited typical external feeding damage, with low but consistent damage levels and limited yield losses in both seasons. In contrast, ‘Cripps Pink’ showed substantially higher damage rates and potential yield losses, particularly in 2025; however, classical external feeding damage was not observed. Instead, fruits exposed to H. halys pressure expressed atypical responses, primarily as increased individual fruit mass and size, and atypical skin color patterns, including pronounced striping and uneven pigmentation. Damage in ‘Cripps Pink’ was strongly structured within the orchard, with higher incidence in the upper and middle canopy layers and in areas adjacent to the forest edge, whereas damage in ‘Fuji’ remained low and spatially uniform. Overall, the results demonstrate that the impact of H. halys depends not only on pest pressure but also on cultivar traits and within-orchard spatial heterogeneity. These findings support the development of cultivar-specific and spatially targeted integrated pest management (IPM) strategies that better reflect the uneven distribution and expression of stink bug injury in commercial apple orchards.

This study evaluated entomopathogenic nematodes (EPNs) isolated from a cacao agroforestry system in the Peruvian Amazon, focusing on their molecular characterization and efficacy against Spodoptera frugiperda (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae) larvae. Thirteen EPN isolates were obtained from 50 soil samples using the Galleria mellonella baiting technique. Mortality assays revealed significant differences among isolates at 24, 48, and 72 h, with isolates 11N-A4 and 8N-B1 being the most virulent, achieving maximum mortalities of 100% and 96.3% at 72 h, respectively. Median lethal time (LT50) values indicated rapid action of these isolates on G. mellonella larvae, with 33.3 h for 11N-A4 and 32.4 h for 8N-B1. Molecular identification using ITS, D2-D3 (LSU), and COI markers confirmed the isolates as Heterorhabditis sp. (11N-A4) and Heterorhabditis amazonensis (8N-B1). In bioassays with S. frugiperda larvae, both EPNs exhibited dose- and time-dependent mortality. H. amazonensis showed rapid action, reaching 100% mortality at the highest dose (60 IJs/larvae) within 48 h, whereas Heterorhabditis sp. displayed a gradual, sustained increase, attaining 91% mortality at 72 h. Median lethal dose (LD50) and LT50 values reflected the efficiency of both isolates, with Heterorhabditis sp. achieving lower LD50 at later stages and shorter LT50 at low-to-intermediate doses. These findings highlight the potential of Heterorhabditis sp. and H. amazonensis as effective biocontrol agents adapted to local conditions and represent the first report of H. amazonensis in Peru. Further studies under field conditions are required to confirm their suitability for incorporation into integrated pest management strategies in the Peruvian Amazon.

Botanical insecticides represent environmentally acceptable alternatives to synthetic products, and botanical insecticides represent environmentally acceptable alternatives to synthetic insecticides, which are regulated in the European Union. Owing to their rapid biodegradation into non-toxic compounds and selectivity toward beneficial organisms, botanical pesticides are well suited for implementation into integrated pest management (IPM) programs. However, the plant protection market includes both effective and ineffective botanical insecticides. In this study, we evaluated the efficacy of nine botanical insecticides sold in the European Union against the aphid Metopolophium dirhodum. The products IPW®, Limocide J®, NATUREN Careo®, Oroganic®, Polysect GYO®, Pyregard®, and Rock Effect New® demonstrated a mortality rate of between 85.33% and 100%. We simultaneously assessed their safety for non-target organisms, specifically, the key aphid predators Aphidoletes aphidimyza and Chrysoperla carnea. All effective products were classified as harmless to A. aphidimyza. NATUREN Careo®, Pyregard®, and Rock Effect New® were also harmless to C. carnea, whereas IPW®, Limocide J®, and Polysect GYO® were slightly harmful, and Oroganic® moderately harmful. These results will contribute to the rational selection of botanical insecticides suitable for use in integrated and ecological plant protection systems. All experiments were conducted under laboratory conditions.

ABSTRACT Helicoverpa armigera (Hübner) is a major lepidopteran pest of chickpea, with its development and reproduction strongly influenced by temperature. This study examined the development, survival and reproduction of H. armigera reared on chickpea under constant temperatures ranging from 14°C to 36°C. Life table parameters were estimated along with linear and six non-linear thermal models to identify critical thresholds and heat requirements. Results showed that fecundity peaked at 27°C (532 eggs/female) and declined at higher temperatures, while the intrinsic rate of increase (r m ) was highest at 30°C. Linear regression analysis estimated the lower temperature threshold (T min ) for egg development at 7.71°C, while T min for larval instars ranged from 4.19°C to 10.52°C. Embryonic development required 74.07 degree-days. Among the six non-linear temperature development models tested, the Lactin-2 model yielded the most biologically realistic estimates of T min , optimal temperature (T opt ), and upper threshold (T max ), and showed the best goodness-of-fit based on AIC and related statistics. These results provide reliable temperature-based developmental and phenological models for H. armigera on chickpea, supporting better prediction of pest population dynamics and more precise timing of integrated pest management under variable climatic conditions.

The European green crab (Carcinus maenas) is an intertidal crustacean that has extended its invasive range globally and is regarded as a major pest species for bivalves, impacting coastal food chains and aquacultures. Crabs primarily use chemosensory cues to sense their environment for feeding to avoid predation and to locate mates and induce mating. Consequently, known attractants including food baits are frequently employed in trapping and control efforts. Here, we investigate the effects of introducing a predatory fish odour to the environment and show that it elicits anti-predator behaviour in C. maenas. A 45% reduction in crab foraging and feeding behaviour was observed when predator odour was introduced compared with food control experiments. A further 23% reduction (68% reduction overall) in feeding behaviour was observed after crabs were exposed to (though housed separately from) the same seawater as the live predator for several days. This highlights the increased awareness or continuous stress of these habituated crabs towards predator odour. This study also presents potential for application as a deterrent in integrated pest management strategies for this global invader.

Swede midge, Contarinia nasturtii Kieffer (Diptera: Cecidomyiidae), is an invasive pest of canola (Brassica napus Linnaeus, Brassica juncea Linnaeus, Brassica rapa Linnaeus) and other Brassicaceae crops that causes significant damage in eastern North America. Contarinia nasturtii has the potential to invade the Canadian Prairies, which represents North America’s largest canola growing region. This study examined host plant range, female oviposition preference, and larval development of C. nasturtii on selected weed, cultivated, and model Brassicaceae species. We also examined potential host plant resistance using a diverse panel of B. napus lines and developed a novel measure of larval performance using the proportion of third instar larvae as a proxy for larval development. All tested weed species, except Descurainia sophia Linnaeus, supported C. nasturtii development and 5 new host plants (Lepidium densiflorum Schrad., Neslia paniculata (Linnaeus) Desv., Diplotaxis muralis (Linnaeus) DC., Camelina sativa (Linnaeus) Crantz, and Erysimum cheiranthoides Linnaeus) were identified. Notably, we provide the first evidence that Arabidopsis thaliana Linnaeus can be a host for C. nasturtii, establishing a novel model system for gall midge–plant interaction studies. Evaluation of B. napus lines found slight variation in oviposition but no strong resistance, suggesting the need to investigate resistance sources outside of B. napus. These findings expand our knowledge on the host range of C. nasturtii, introduce A. thaliana as a tractable experimental model system, and underscore the need for investigation of host plant resistance and the development of integrated pest management strategies for C. nasturtii to mitigate threats to North American canola production.

The escalating challenge of herbicide-resistant weeds, exemplified by Euphorbia heterophylla L. (wild poinsettia), threatens agricultural sustainability in Brazil. Overreliance on synthetic herbicides has led to environmental degradation and increased production costs, necessitating eco-friendly alternatives. This study explores the phytotoxic potential of aqueous extracts (decoction and infusion) from Ilex paraguariensis A.St.-Hil. (yerba mate) as a bioherbicide against E. heterophylla. High-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) identified nine major compounds in aqueous extracts (decoction and infusion), with caffeine and neochlorogenic acid being the most abundant. In vitro assays demonstrated that both decoction and infusion extracts at concentrations 4% and 6% completely inhibited seed germination and seedling formation of E. heterophylla, with lower concentrations (2%) significantly reducing germination speed and increasing mean germination time. Glasshouse experiments revealed mild to moderate leaf damage (scales 2-3) from 4% extracts, without affecting height or true leaf emergence. Field trials indicated temporal stability in development, with extracts promoting slight biomass increases (root/shoot ratio) and modulating antioxidants and pigments (chlorophyll A, cholorphyll B, carotenoids), showing positive correlations with growth traits and less severity than glyphosate. Aqueous extracts of I. paraguariensis exhibit strong allelopathic potential against E. heterophylla, particularly during germination, offering a biodegradable bioherbicide option for integrated pest management. While less toxic to mature plants, their selectivity and scalability warrant further field optimization to enhance sustainable agriculture, reducing environmental impacts and herbicide resistance. © 2026 The Author(s). Pest Management Science published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd on behalf of Society of Chemical Industry.