Insect Predators Research Articles

KETERAMPILAN PETANI DALAM PENGENDALIAN HAMA TERPADU DI DESA GUNUNG BATU, KABUPATEN OKU TIMUR

While the importance of biological control for crop production is widely recognized, research on how farmers view predatory insects in eradicating pests on agricultural land is still rare. Although there is much ecological research on predatory beetles as part of biological control, little social research has been conducted on the critical level of understanding of biological control and the organisms involved. This research examines farmers' understanding of using predatory beetles as a biological control concept on agricultural land in Gunung Batu Village, East OKU Regency. Therefore, this research aims to see how farmers' skills are in managing integrated pest control using predatory Coleoptera beetles in managing rice cultivation. The research results show that farmers still use predatory beetles as part of controlling pest populations on agricultural land. Farmers consider predatory beetles to prevent pest outbreaks that can harm quality rice production. So, farmers can build a network of farmers so they can learn from each other and share local knowledge. Apart from that, the results obtained from integrated pest control, farmers can experience positive results and can positively influence farmers' perceptions of natural enemies of agricultural pests. Keywords: Agricultural pests, Coleoptera beetles, biological control, predators

Development and reproduction of four predatory mites (Parasitiformes: Phytoseiidae) feeding on the spider mites Tetranychus evansi and T. urticae (Trombidiformes: Tetranychidae) and the dried fruit mite Carpoglyphus lactis (Sarcoptiformes: Carpoglyphidae)

The tomato red spider mite, Tetranychus evansi, a notorious crop pest, invaded New Zealand in 2020. In an effort to identify potential biological control agents for this species, we investigated the capabilities of four phytoseiid predators found in New Zealand—Amblyseius herbicolus, Amblyseius lentiginosus, Amblydromalus limonicus, and Neoseiulus californicus. For comparison, we also used the two-spotted spider mite, T. urticae, and the dried fruit mite, Carpoglyphus lactis, as prey for these predators. In our first experiment we monitored immature development and oviposition rate (over the first 5 days) of the phytoseiid predators when presented with the three prey species. While all four species of predators could develop and reproduce on the factitious (alternative and easily available) prey species C. lactis, they had limited success when feeding on T. evansi and T. urticae. Amblyseius herbicolus, A. lentiginosus, and Amblyd. limonicus were unable to reach adulthood when feeding on T. evansi and T. urticae in the presence of the protective webbing spun by the mites. While N. californicus matured when exposed to T. evansi reared on black nightshade leaves, it did not lay eggs—indicating potential limitations in prey suitability. In our second experiment, gravid females of all four predators failed to maintain their reproduction when provided with T. evansi in the presence of webbing. Neoseiulus californicus exhibited phenotypic plasticity in its developmental time, body size, and oviposition rate when feeding on the three prey species. This suggests that N. californicus has the flexibility to switch diets to survive during food scarcity, especially when their primary prey, T. urticae, is limited. This study is also the first to offer life history information about A. lentiginosus. Our findings underscore the difficulties of controlling T. evansi using phytoseiid predators and highlight the need for diversified pest management strategies, including the use of alternative insect predators or entomopathogenic fungi.

Mutual interference as a factor for the cooccurrence and population dynamics of insect predator and mosquito prey system: validating through models

Mutual interference as a factor for the cooccurrence and population dynamics of insect predator and mosquito prey system: validating through models

Why do predators attack parasitized prey? Insights from a probabilistic model and a literature survey

Predators and parasitoids often encounter parasitized prey or hosts during foraging. While the outcomes of such encounters have been extensively studied for insect parasitoids, the consequences of a predator encountering parasitized prey have received less attention. One extreme example involves the potter wasp Delta dimidiatipenne that frequently provision their nest with parasitized caterpillars, despite the low suitability of this prey for consumption by their offspring. This raises two main questions: (1) why do female potter wasps continue collecting parasitized caterpillars? and (2) is this an exceptional example, or do predatory insects often suffer from fitness costs due to encounters with parasitized prey? We addressed the first question using a probabilistic mathematical model predicting the value of discrimination between parasitized and unparasitized prey for the potter wasp, and the second question by surveying the literature for examples in which the parasitism status of prey affected prey susceptibility, suitability, or prey choice by a predator. The model demonstrates that only under certain conditions is discrimination against parasitized prey beneficial in terms of the potter wasp’s lifetime reproductive success. The literature survey suggests that the occurrence of encounters and consumption of parasitized prey is common, but the overall consequences of such interactions have rarely been quantified. We conclude that the profitability and ability of a predator to discriminate against parasitized prey under natural conditions may be limited and call for additional studies quantifying the outcome of such interactions.

Effect of binocular visual cue availability on fruit and insect grasping performance in two cheirogaleids: Implications for primate origins hypotheses

Forward-facing eyes with parallel optic axes, which provide a wide field of binocular vision and precise depth perception, are among the diagnostic features of crown primates; however, the adaptive significance of this feature remains contentious. Two of the most prominent primate-origins hypotheses propose that either foraging for fruit or nocturnal predation on insects created selective pressures that led to the evolution of diagnostic primate traits, including a wide binocular field. To determine whether either of these hypotheses provides a viable explanation for the evolution of primates' derived eye orientation, the importance of binocular depth cues for the two tasks invoked by these hypotheses was evaluated experimentally in Microcebus murinus and Cheirogaleus medius, cheirogaleids' considered reasonable living analogs of the earliest euprimates. Performance in grasping insects and fruit was evaluated when the animals made use of their full binocular visual field and when their binocular visual field was restricted using a helmet-mounted blinder. Restriction of the binocular field had no effect on fruit grasping performance; however, restriction of the binocular field resulted in a significant deficit in insect predation performance. Differences in behavioral variables also suggest that insect predation is a more visually demanding task than fruit foraging. These results support the role of insect predation, but not fruit foraging, in contributing to the selective pressures that led to the evolution of parallel optic axes and a wide binocular field in crown primates.

A Comprehensive Survey of Population Ecology in Insects

Population ecology focuses on studying populations and their relationship with the environment, including parameters such as birth, death, migration, density, and age distribution. Population ecology involves laboratory work, field observations, and the use of mathematical and statistical models to study groups of organisms. By studying populations, researchers gain insights into population dynamics, growth, distribution, density, and age structure. Insects play a vital role in population ecology by influencing ecosystems and human societies. They contribute to ecological processes such as decomposition, pollination, and nutrient cycling. In addition, some insects produce valuable substances, and predatory insects help control pests. Understanding population dynamics and interactions is crucial for conserving and managing natural resources effectively. Population ecology is a branch of ecology that focuses on studying the lives of organisms within populations and their interactions with the environment and other populations. Different species have developed various strategies to deal with organisms of their species or other species. Some species compete directly with individuals of the same species, while others form social groups and cooperate to secure resources. Population ecologists examine complex interactions between organisms and their environment, which lead to different selective pressures for animals that compete with individuals of the same species. Humans, for example, have been successful in part because of their social nature and ability to cooperate to obtain vital resources. The field of population ecology seeks to answer questions about the carrying capacity of the environment, the optimal population size, the causes and mechanisms of population growth, and population distribution. Insects play a significant role in biodiversity, accounting for 64% of the world's biodiversity. They have diverse functional roles in ecosystems, including herbivores, hunting, parasitism, decomposition, and pollination. Various factors influence the number, population, and survival of insects, including insect diversity, abundance, evolution, and habitats. Population ecology studies these factors to understand the survival and current population dynamics of insects. The distribution of insects is an important indicator of species diversity and is influenced by factors such as time, conditions, and food resources. For example, the leopard beetle Cicindela longilabris is found at higher latitudes and elevations, with populations ranging from northwestern Canada to the coastal states of eastern Canada. Ecologists believe that historical climate changes, such as the last Ice Age, have influenced the current distribution of this species. In studying insect populations, ecologists use sampling techniques to estimate population size and abundance. Statistical methods, such as the rarefaction method, are employed to compare species abundance in different areas and estimate the number of species present in a sample. Understanding changes in insect population density over time is important, and ecologists study population life cycles and population explosions to gain insights into these fluctuations. By comprehending and predicting changes in insect populations, ecologists can mitigate potential damage and obtain valuable information about insect abundance. Certain species of locusts, including the desert locust, migratory locust, tree locust, and Australian locust, experience periodic population eruptions. In South America, various species of desert locusts are also significant pests. Climatic factors play a significant role in the formation and migration of locust swarms. Locust eggs can remain dormant in the soil until rain triggers their hatching. The rainy season is optimal for egg development, and rainfall also promotes the growth of green plants, which serve as food for nymphs and adult grasshoppers. The El Nino phenomenon, characterized by periodic changes in flight patterns, has a significant impact on locust populations, causing substantial damage every few years. Satellite imagery is commonly used to identify locust groups by detecting areas of new plant growth following rain. Once the nymphs have exhausted their food sources, the locust swarm enters the migratory phase, guided by wind direction. These swarms can persist for months or even years under favorable weather conditions, but population declines occur when dry weather or significant temperature drops occur. In conclusion, population explosions in migratory locusts are primarily influenced by density-independent factors like climate change, rather than density-dependent factors.

Factors Influencing Copulation Duration in Dastarcus helophoroides (Fairmaire) (Coleoptera: Bothrideridae).

The gregarious ectoparasitic beetle Dastarcus helophoroides (Fairmaire) is considered a primary biocontrol agent for controlling several cerambycid pests in East Asian countries. A thorough study of reproductive behavior is a prerequisite for the mass production of natural insect predators. Nonetheless, little attention has been given to this ectoparasitic beetle. We performed a series of trials to assess whether the adult copulation duration, a key behavioral trait, is differentially influenced by physiological and ecological factors, including body size, mating history, kinship, sex ratio, mating sequence, feeding status, ambient temperature, photoperiod, and time of day. Additionally, the effect of the copulation duration on the reproductive output of this beetle was also investigated. The results indicated that the copulation duration varied considerably, ranging from 1.12 min to 16.40 min and lasting for an average of 9.11 ± 0.12 min. Females with longer copulations laid more eggs and had a greater proportion of eggs hatched. Medium-sized individuals copulated significantly longer than small- and large-sized individuals. The copulation durations were significantly longer when both sexes experienced an asymmetric mating history than when both sexes experienced a symmetric mating history. Inbred couples copulated significantly longer than outbred couples. In terms of the adult sex ratio, increasing the density of females (polygamous group) or males (polyandrous group) led to significantly longer copulation durations than those in the monogamous group. The copulation durations gradually decreased with increasing the mating sequence and temperature. Food-absence couples copulated significantly longer than food-presence couples. The mean copulation duration of the scotophase was significantly longer than that of the photophase. These results demonstrate that all of the analyzed factors emerge as important factors influencing the copulation duration, ultimately affecting the reproductive outputs in this ectoparasitic beetle.

Pengaruh bentuk morfologi bunga tanaman refugia terhadap ketertarikan serangga polinator dan musuh alami Ordo Hymenoptera

The refugia plant is a flowering plant that functions as a shelter and food source for natural enemy insects and pollinator insects. The number of natural enemy insects and pollinators visiting plants is due to differences in morphological characters, flower color, nectar, flowering time and aroma. insects like small flowers, open petals, easy-to-reach pollen locations and also a longer flowering time. Randomized Block Design (RBD) with 4 replications and 8 treatments of flower types, namely Cosmos caudatus, Zinna elegans, Melampodium divaricatum, Tegestes erecta, Cucumis sativus L., Bassica rapa, Solanum melongena L., Lycopersicum esculentum Mill. The results showed that the percentage of Melampodium divaricatum Produced the percentage of parasitoid insects from the Chalcidade family is 17% and Braconidae 16?. Most of the visitors to C. caudatus flowers are parasitoid insects from the Braconidae family, 18%. In Zinnia sp flowers, parasitoid insect visits from the Pompilidae family were 19%. T. erecta flowers that visit pollinator insects from the family Apidae 23%. In the type of horticultural flower, namely C. sativus , the largest in the predatory insect family Ampulicidae is 25%. , whereas in the flowers of the B. rapa family Barconidae 39%, S. melongena L. Ichenumonidae and Braconidae 33% , L. esculentum Mill. Icneumonidae as much as 38% of these insects as parasitoids. Best treatment for M. divaricatum flowers with open flower types, pollen location outside, crown diameter 23.44 mm, base diameter 11.48 mm, flower tube length 5.22 mm, flowering time 24.25 days.

Ecological Implications on Aquatic Food Webs Due to Effects of Pesticides on Invertebrate Predators in a Neotropical Region.

Predation presents specific behavioral characteristics for each species, and the interaction between prey and predator influences the structuring of the food web. Concerning insects, predation can be affected in different ways, such as exposure to chemical stressors, e.g., pesticides. Therefore, analyses were carried out of the effects of exposure to insecticide fipronil and the herbicide 2,4-D on predation, parameters of food selectivity, and the swimming behavior of two neotropical predatory aquatic insects of the families Belostomatidae (giant water bugs) and larvae of Libellulidae (dragonfly). These predatory insects were exposed for 24 h to a commercial formulation of the chlorophenoxy herbicide, 2,4-D at nominal concentrations of 200, 300, 700, and 1400μgL-1, and to a commercial formulation of the phenylpyrazole insecticide, fipronil at nominal concentrations of 10, 70, 140, and 250µgL-1. In a control treatment, the insects were placed in clean, unspiked water. At the end of the exposure, the maximum swimming speed of the predators was evaluated. Afterward, the predators were placed in clean water in a shared environment for 24 h with several prey species, including the cladoceran Ceriodaphnia silvestrii, larvae of the insect Chironomus sancticaroli, the amphipod Hyalella meinerti, the ostracod Strandesia trispinosa, and the oligochaete Allonais inaequalis for 24 h. After this period, the consumed prey was counted. The results reveal that predators from both families changed prey consumption compared with organisms from the control treatment, marked by a decrease after exposure to fipronil and an increase in consumption caused by 2,4-D. In addition, there were changes in the food preferences of both predators, especially when exposed to the insecticide. Exposure to fipronil decreased the swimming speed of Belostomatidae individuals, possibly due to its neurotoxic effect. Exposure to the insecticide and the herbicide altered prey intake by predators, which could negatively influence the complex prey-predator relationship and the functioning of aquatic ecosystems in contaminated areas.

Comparative transcriptomic analysis of salivary glands between the zoophytophagous Cyrtorhinus lividipennis and the phytozoophagous Apolygus lucorum

BackgroundSaliva plays a crucial role in shaping the feeding behavior of insects, involving processes such as food digestion and the regulation of interactions between insects and their hosts. Cyrtorhinus lividipennis serves as a predominant natural enemy of rice pests, while Apolygus lucorum, exhibiting phytozoophagous feeding behavior, is a destructive agricultural pest. In this study, a comparative transcriptome analysis, incorporating the published genomes of C.lividipennis and A.lucorum, was conducted to reveal the role of salivary secretion in host adaptation.ResultsIn contrast to A.lucorum, C.lividipennis is a zoophytophagous insect. A de novo genome analysis of C.lividipennis yielded 19,706 unigenes, including 16,217 annotated ones. On the other hand, A.lucorum had altogether 20,111 annotated genes, as obtained from the published official gene set (20,353 unigenes). Functional analysis of the top 1,000 salivary gland (SG)-abundant genes in both insects revealed that the SG was a dynamically active tissue engaged in protein synthesis and secretion. Predictions of other tissues and signal peptides were compared. As a result, 94 and 157 salivary proteins were identified in C.lividipennis and A.lucorum, respectively, and were categorized into 68 and 81 orthogroups. Among them, 26 orthogroups were shared, potentially playing common roles in digestion and detoxification, including several venom serine proteases. Furthermore, 42 and 55 orthogroups were exclusive in C.lividipennis and A.lucorum, respectively, which were exemplified by a hyaluronidase in C.lividipennis that was associated with predation, while polygalacturonases in A.lucorum were involved in mesophyll-feeding patterns.ConclusionsFindings in this study provide a comprehensive insight into saliva secretions in C.lividipennis and A.lucorum via a transcriptome approach, reflecting the intricate connections between saliva secretions and feeding behaviors. It is found that conserved salivary secretions are involved in shaping the overlapping feeding patterns, while a plethora of unique salivary secretions may drive the evolution of specific feeding behaviors crucial for their survival. These results enhance our understanding of the feeding mechanisms in different insects from the perspective of saliva and contribute to future environmentally friendly pest control by utilizing predatory insects.

Local Habitat Complexity and Its Effects on Herbivores and Predators in Urban Agroecosystems.

In urban community gardens, cultivated vegetation provides variable levels of habitat complexity, which can suppress pests by promoting predator diversity and improving pest control. In this study, we examine three components of the structural complexity of garden vegetation (cover, diversity, and connectivity) to investigate whether higher garden vegetation complexity leads to fewer herbivores, more predators, and higher predation. We worked in eight community gardens where we quantified vegetation complexity, sampled the arthropod community, and measured predation on corn earworm eggs. We found that plots with high vegetation cover supported higher species richness and greater abundance of predatory insects. High vegetation cover also supported a greater abundance and species richness of spiders. In contrast, high vegetation diversity was negatively associated with predator abundance. While high predator abundance was positively associated with egg predation, greater predator species richness had a negative impact on egg predation, suggesting that antagonism between predators may limit biological control. Community gardeners may thus manipulate vegetation cover and diversity to promote higher predator abundance and diversity in their plots. However, the species composition of predators and the prevalence of interspecific antagonism may ultimately determine subsequent impacts on biological pest control.

The fossil insect assemblage associated with the Toarcian (Lower Jurassic) oceanic anoxic event from Alderton Hill, Gloucestershire, UK.

Extreme global warming and environmental changes associated with the Toarcian (Lower Jurassic) Oceanic Anoxic Event (T-OAE, ~183 Mya) profoundly impacted marine organisms and terrestrial plants. Despite the exceptionally elevated abundances of fossil insects from strata of this age, only assemblages from Germany and Luxembourg have been studied in detail. Here, we focus on the insect assemblage found in strata recording the T-OAE at Alderton Hill, Gloucestershire, UK, where <15% of specimens have previously been described. We located all known fossil insects (n = 370) from Alderton Hill, and used these to create the first comprehensive taxonomic and taphonomic analysis of the entire assemblage. We show that a diverse palaeoentomofaunal assemblage is preserved, comprising 12 orders, 21 families, 23 genera and 21 species. Fossil disarticulation is consistent with insect decay studies. The number of orders is comparable with present-day assemblages from similar latitudes (30°-40°N), including the Azores, and suggests that the palaeoentomofauna reflects a life assemblage. At Alderton, Hemiptera, Coleoptera and Orthoptera are the commonest (56.1%) orders. The high abundance of Hemiptera (22.1%) and Orthoptera (13.4%) indicates well-vegetated islands, while floral changes related to the T-OAE may be responsible for hemipteran diversification. Predatory insects are relatively abundant (~10% of the total assemblage) and we hypothesise that the co-occurrence of fish and insects within the T-OAE represents a jubilee-like event. The marginally higher proportion of sclerotised taxa compared to present-day insect assemblages possibly indicates adaptation to environmental conditions or taphonomic bias. The coeval palaeoentomofauna from Strawberry Bank, Somerset is less diverse (9 orders, 12 families, 6 genera, 3 species) and is taphonomically biased. The Alderton Hill palaeoentomofauna is interpreted to be the best-preserved and most representative insect assemblage from Toarcian strata in the UK. This study provides an essential first step towards understanding the likely influence of the T-OAE on insects.

Avrupa Yaban Arısı Vespula vulgaris Linnaeus, 1758 (Hymenoptera: Vespidae)'in Türkiye'de Microsporidian Patojeni Kaydı

Microsporidia are common enigmatic pathogens of hymenopterans. Although these species are more concerned with Apidae (especially honeybees), they are also known to infect members of Vespidae. Apart from these species, many defined and undefined microsporidia infections were detected infecting Vespidae individuals in the literature. Especially Vespula vulgaris Linnaeus, 1758 (Hymenoptera: Vespidae) infected different microsporidian species like a Nosema bombi, Vavraia culicis, Nosema vespula, etc. Molecular identification-based microsporidian records in predator species such as V. vulgaris are highly suspicious. In such predator insects, microsporidian infections should be supported by characteristic visuals of the pathogen’s life cycle. With this perspective this study is the first and only study that presents the life-cycle stages and spore morphometrics data of a microsporidium isolated from V. vulgaris. V. vulgaris samples were collected from July to September 2021 in Trabzon, Turkey. During the observations, 415 samples were examined, and five of them were infection positive (microsporidiosis prevalence 1.20%). Infection was found mostly in the midgut of the host, and infection was mostly chronic. Fresh mature spores were oval in shape and measured 4.57±0.54 (3.26–5.95; n=200) µm in length and 2.43±0.33 (1.43–3.35; n=200) µm in width. The current microsporidium has a Nosema-like disporoblastic merogony and sporogony.

THE DIVERSITY OF USEFUL ARTHROPODS IN TWO WHEAT AGROECOSYSTEMS FROM TRANSYLVANIAN PLAIN

The increase in agricultural production is conditioned by several factors, among which plant protection against pests plays a very important role. Alongside chemical methods, biological control methods against harmful organisms in crops have recently become widespread, and one of these methods is the use of useful insects (predators and parasites). Therefore, during 2016-2018, a study was conducted on monitoring the useful entomofauna in the culture of autumn wheat, in two types of agroecosystems, at Turda and Bolduț, within the Turda Research and Development Station for Agriculture. The two locations are quite close in terms of distance, but very different in terms of territorial organization, with the Bolduț farm being surrounded by a network of agroforestry shelterbelts. In Turda, the plots are located in open field conditions and are protected by rare spontaneous marginal strips. The research aimed to evaluate the diversity of useful arthropod fauna in the two agrobiocenoses, as well as the influence of the agroecosystem on these insects. Following the observations, it can be stated that the entomophagous arthropods identified in the two agroecosystems differ only in terms of ecological indicators, belonging to the same groups of entomophages, their diversity being closely related to climatic conditions, applied technology, but also to the type of agroecosystem.

Combined effects of climate warming and pharmaceuticals on a tri-trophic freshwater food web

Multiple anthropogenic stressors influence the functioning of lakes and ponds, but their combined effects are often little understood. We conducted two mesocosm experiments to evaluate the effects of warming (+4 °C above ambient temperature) and environmentally relevant concentrations of a mixture of commonly used pharmaceuticals (cardiovascular, psychoactive, antihistamines, antibiotics) on tri-trophic food webs representative of communities in ponds and other small standing waters. Communities were constituted of phyto- and zooplankton and macroinvertebrates (molluscs and insects) including benthic detritivores, grazers, omnivorous scrapers, omnivorous piercers, water column predators, benthic predators, and phytophilous predators. We quantified the main and interactive effects of warming and pharmaceuticals on each trophic level in the pelagic community and attributed them to the direct effects of both stressors and the indirect effects arising through biotic interactions. Warming and pharmaceuticals had stronger effects in the summer experiment, altering zooplankton community composition and causing delayed or accelerated emergence of top insect predators (odonates). In the summer experiment, both stressors and top predators reduced the biomass of filter-feeding zooplankton (cladocerans), while warming and pharmaceuticals had opposite effects on phytoplankton. In the winter experiment, the effects were much weaker and were limited to a positive effect of warming on phytoplankton biomass. Overall, we show that pharmaceuticals can exacerbate the effects of climate warming in freshwater ecosystems, especially during the warm season. Our results demonstrate the utility of community-level studies across seasons for risk assessment of multiple emerging stressors in freshwater ecosystems.

Fewer pests and more ecosystem service‐providing arthropods in shady African cocoa farms: Insights from a data integration study

Abstract Agricultural intensification is leading to conversion of cocoa agroforestry towards monocultures across the tropics. In the context of cocoa agriculture, arthropods provide a range of ecosystem services and dis‐services. Arthropod pests (e.g., mirids and mealybugs) can cause major damage to crops, whilst pollinators and natural enemies (e.g., predatory insects and parasitoids) have the potential to enhance agricultural yields. Understanding how intensification of cocoa farming affects different arthropod groups is therefore important in maximising the abundance of beneficial arthropod taxa and reducing pest burdens. However, little is known about the influences of agricultural intensification on tropical arthropod communities, especially in Africa, where ~70% of the world's cocoa is produced. Most research on arthropod communities considers data from different sampling methods separately, as proxies of abundance; whilst these proxies can be informative, estimating true abundance enables direct comparison between arthropod taxa, and therefore the study of community dynamics. Here, we develop a Bayesian hierarchical model that integrates data from three common arthropod survey techniques to estimate population size of arthropod orders and to investigate how arthropod community composition responds to farm shade cover (an indicator of management intensity). Our results show that eight of 11 arthropod taxa responded to farm shade cover; importantly, brown capsids (the primary pest of cocoa in Africa), Coleoptera pests and Hemiptera pests decreased with increasing farm shade cover, whilst Araneae (natural enemies) and Diptera (potential pollinators) were more abundant in shady farms. Synthesis and applications. To achieve lower pest burdens and higher abundances of potential pollinators and natural enemies, African cocoa farms should maintain a dense canopy of shade trees. The current shift towards high‐intensity cocoa farming in Africa could result in long‐term losses due to pest infestations and loss of arthropod‐mediated ecosystem services.

The Molecular Resistance Mechanisms of European Earwigs from Apple Orchards Subjected to Different Management Strategies.

To date, apple orchards are among the most treated crops in Europe with up to 35 chemical treatments per year. Combining control methods that reduce the number of pesticide treatments is essential for agriculture and more respectful of the environment, and the use of predatory insects such as earwigs may be valuable to achieve this goal. European earwigs, Forficula auricularia (Dermaptera: Forficulidae) are considered beneficial insects in apple orchards where they can feed on many pests like aphids. The aim of this study was to investigate the potential impact of orchards' insecticide treatments on resistance-associated molecular processes in natural populations of earwigs. Because very few molecular data are presently available on earwigs, our first goal was to identify earwig resistance-associated genes and potential mutations. Using earwigs from organic, integrated pest management or conventional orchards, we identified mutations in acetylcholinesterase 2, α1 and β2 nicotinic acetylcholine receptors. In addition, the expression level of these targets and of some essential detoxification genes were monitored using RT-qPCR. Unexpectedly, earwigs collected in organic orchards showed the highest expression for acetylcholinesterase 2. Four cytochromes P450, one esterase and one glutathione S-transferases were over-expressed in earwigs exposed to various management strategies in orchards. This first study on resistance-associated genes in Forficula auricularia paves the way for future experimental studies aimed at better understanding the potential competition between natural enemies in apple orchards in order to optimize the efficiency of biocontrol.

The preference of insect predators on several types of flowering plants as insectary plant in cayenne pepper fields

Abstract. Fadhilah K, Rahardjo BT, Hadi MS. 2023. The preference of insect predators on several types of flowering plants as insectary plant in cayenne pepper fields. Biodiversitas 24: 6177-6183. Cayenne pepper (Capsicum frutescens L.) is a popular commodity yet often suffers from reduced yields due to pest attacks. Therefore, growing this plant requires environmentally friendly management. One of the measures is using the baby blue eyes (Nemophila menziesii) plant. Baby blue eyes are promising insectary plants since they attract predatory insects. This study, which was conducted in Kasin Village, Karangploso, Malang, from March to June 2023, aimed to explore the predatory insects' diversities and preferences in cayenne pepper fields by comparing baby blue eyes as insectary plants with common zinnias and marigolds. The research comprised four treatments: P1. Control; P2. Cayenne peppers + baby blue eyes; P3. Cayenne peppers + common zinnias (Zinnia elegans); and P4. Cayenne peppers + marigolds (Tagetes erecta). The study revealed lady beetle Coccinella transversalis, Menochilus sexmaculatus, and big-eyed bug Geocoris sp. as the most abundant predatory insects with increasing populations across the treatments. The highest predator insect diversity was found in the Cayenne pepper + baby blue eyes (P2) treatment. In conclusion, baby blue eyes attract more predatory insects in cayenne pepper fields than other insectary plants, making them valuable alternatives besides common zinnias and marigolds. These findings provide a reference for future studies to promote baby blue eyes as insectary plants for farmers.

A predator–prey population dynamics simulation for biological control of Frankliniella occidentalis (Western Flower Thrips) by Orius laevigatus in strawberry plants

The use of predatory insect species to control agricultural pests is a key aspect of Integrated Pest Management (IPM) that can help to reduce the use of chemical pesticides. A simulation model that captures the population dynamics and interactions of this predator–prey system can serve as a valuable IPM decision-support tool. However, such a simulation is challenging to construct due to the interactions between life stages of insect predators, prey and the crop plants. Frankliniella occidentalis (Western Flower Thrips, WFT) is an economically devastating global pest that damages diverse crops. Orius laevigatus is an effective and commercially available predator that controls WFT. We, therefore, developed a population dynamics simulation that models their interactions to better understand these insects’ predator–prey dynamics in a strawberry crop. The model considers critical multi-stage predator–prey interaction, prey consumption reduction due to intraspecific competition, and the relationship between predation and oviposition rates of Orius. The simulation was structured using the boxcar train method, a stage-structured approach allowing insect populations to flow from one stage to the next over time. It was parameterised using data from existing literature. The results indicate the potential of the model to forecast the predator and prey species’ population dynamics for different initial populations. A global sensitivity analysis identified that the daily oviposition rate of WFT and egg survival rate of Orius were the most significant parameters. The prey handling time of Orius on WFT did not significantly impact population variation. This model provides a useful tool for scenario exploration and assessment of the effects of Orius on WFT that can aid decision-making in IPM prior to implementation.

Protection against insect predation during fruit development: the role of fleshy fruit wings of three species of Zygophyllum in the cold desert of Central Asia.

Fruit wings serve various ecological functions, including facilitating wind dispersal, providing physical protection to seeds, and regulating seed germination. While many studies have reported the role of fruit wings in plants, little is known about their protective function during fruit development. In this study, winged fruits damaged by insects in natural populations of three Zygophyllum species (Z. potaninii, Z. lehmannianum and Z. macropterum) were investigated. We measured and compared the percentage of damaged winged fruits, seed set, seed mass, seed germination, and seedling growth of different insect herbivory categories. The results revealed that the percentage of winged fruits with damaged wings only (low predation) was significantly higher than that of with damaged both fruit wings and fruit bodies (high predation). Furthermore, winged fruits with low predation had significant higher seed set, seed mass, seed germination, and dry mass and relative growth rate (RGR) in the seedlings which grown from the seeds, than that from winged fruits with high predation. These results demonstrate that the presence of the fruit wings may provide protection for the seeds to alleviate harm from insect predation before dispersal. These findings provide new insights into the function of fruit wings and the reproductive strategies of desert plants.