Ecological Management of Agricultural Pests Through Allelopathy

Background: Baculoviruses are insect pathogens with important biotechnological applications that transcend their use as biological controllers of agricultural pests. One species, Autographa californica multiple nucleopolhyedrovirus (AcMNPV) has been extensively exploited as a molecular platform to produce recombinant proteins and as a delivery vector for genes in mammals, because it can transduce a wide range of mammalian cells and tissues without replicating or producing progeny. Objective/Method: To investigate if the budded virions of Anticarsia gemmatalis multiple nucleopolhyedrovirus (AgMNPV) species has the same ability, the viral genome was modified by homologous recombination into susceptible insect cells to integrate reporter genes and then it was evaluated on mammalian cell lines in comparative form with respect to equivalent viruses derived from AcMNPV. Besides, the replicative capacity of AgMNPV´s virions in mammals was determined. Results: The experiments carried out showed that the recombinant variant of AgMNPV transduces and support the expression of delivered genes but not replicates in mammalian cells. Conclusion: Consequently, this insect pathogen is proposed as an alternative of non-infectious viruses in humans to explore new approaches in gene therapy and other applications based on the use of mammalian cells.

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Artemisia Species as Potential Weapon Against Agents and Agricultural Pests

Current Biotechnology ◽

10.2174/2211550111201030249 ◽

2012 ◽

Vol 1 (3) ◽

pp. 249-257 ◽

Cited By ~ 1

Author(s):

Joana D. Felicio ◽

Leyla B. Soares ◽

Roberto C. Felicio ◽

Edlayne Goncalez

Keyword(s):

Agricultural Pests ◽

Artemisia Species

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Experts’ moral views on gene drive technologies: a qualitative interview study

BMC Medical Ethics ◽

10.1186/s12910-021-00588-5 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 22 (1) ◽

Author(s):

N. de Graeff ◽

Karin R. Jongsma ◽

Annelien L. Bredenoord

Keyword(s):

Invasive Species ◽

Epistemic Uncertainty ◽

Field Trials ◽

Interview Study ◽

Gene Drive ◽

Agricultural Pests ◽

Stepping Stones ◽

Vector Borne Diseases ◽

Qualitative Interview Study ◽

The Status

Abstract Background Gene drive technologies (GDTs) promote the rapid spread of a particular genetic element within a population of non-human organisms. Potential applications of GDTs include the control of insect vectors, invasive species and agricultural pests. Whether, and if so, under what conditions, GDTs should be deployed is hotly debated. Although broad stances in this debate have been described, the convictions that inform the moral views of the experts shaping these technologies and related policies have not been examined in depth in the academic literature. Methods In this qualitative study, we interviewed GDT experts (n = 33) from different disciplines to identify and better understand their moral views regarding these technologies. The pseudonymized transcripts were analyzed thematically. Results The respondents’ moral views were principally influenced by their attitudes towards (1) the uncertainty related to GDTs; (2) the alternatives to which they should be compared; and (3) the role humans should have in nature. Respondents agreed there is epistemic uncertainty related to GDTs, identified similar knowledge gaps, and stressed the importance of realistic expectations in discussions on GDTs. They disagreed about whether uncertainty provides a rationale to refrain from field trials (‘risks of intervention’ stance) or to proceed with phased testing to obtain more knowledge given the harms of the status quo (‘risks of non-intervention’ stance). With regards to alternatives to tackle vector-borne diseases, invasive species and agricultural pests, respondents disagreed about which alternatives should be considered (un)feasible and (in)sufficiently explored: conventional strategies (‘downstream solutions’ stance) or systematic changes to health care, political and agricultural systems (‘upstream solutions’ stance). Finally, respondents held different views on nature and whether the use of GDTs is compatible with humans’ role in nature (‘interference’ stance) or not (‘non-interference stance’). Conclusions This interview study helps to disentangle the debate on GDTs by providing a better understanding of the moral views of GDT experts. The obtained insights provide valuable stepping-stones for a constructive debate about underlying value conflicts and call attention to topics that deserve further (normative) reflection. Further evaluation of these issues can facilitate the debate on and responsible development of GDTs.

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Mitogenomic analysis of diversity of key whitefly pests in Kenya and its implication to their sustainable management

Scientific Reports ◽

10.1038/s41598-021-85902-2 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 11 (1) ◽

Author(s):

Fathiya M. Khamis ◽

Fidelis L. O. Ombura ◽

Inusa J. Ajene ◽

Komivi S. Akutse ◽

Sevgan Subramanian ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Sustainable Management ◽

Management Strategies ◽

Spatial Models ◽

Abundant Species ◽

Plant Viruses ◽

Pest Species ◽

Agricultural Pests ◽

Protein Coding ◽

Aleyrodes Proletella ◽

Aleurodicus Dispersus

AbstractWhiteflies (Hemiptera: Aleyrodidae) are devastating agricultural pests of economic importance vectoring pathogenic plant viruses. Knowledge on their diversity and distribution in Kenya is scanty, limiting development of effective sustainable management strategies. The present study is aimed at identifying whitefly pest species present in Kenya across different agroecological zones and establish predictive models for the most abundant species in Africa. Whiteflies were sampled in Kenya from key crops known to be severely infested and identified using 16S rRNA markers and complete mitochondrial genomes. Four whitefly species were identified: Aleyrodes proletella, Aleurodicus dispersus, Bemisia afer and Trialeurodesvaporariorum, the latter being the most dominant species across all the agroecology. The assembly of complete mitogenomes and comparative analysis of all 13 protein coding genes confirmed the identities of the four species. Furthermore, prediction spatial models indicated high climatic suitability of T. vaporariorum in Africa, Europe, Central America, parts of Southern America, parts of Australia, New Zealand and Asia. Consequently, our findings provide information to guide biosecurity agencies on protocols to be adopted for precise identification of pest whitefly species in Kenya to serve as an early warning tool against T. vaporariorum invasion into unaffected areas and guide appropriate decision-making on their management.

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Interactions between the land snails Theba pisana and Cernuella virgata in the laboratory

Journal of Molluscan Studies ◽

10.1093/mollus/eyaa038 ◽

2020 ◽

Author(s):

Geoff H Baker

Keyword(s):

Laboratory Experiments ◽

Distribution Patterns ◽

Land Snails ◽

Snail Species ◽

Agricultural Pests ◽

Large Numbers ◽

Small Scales ◽

Novel Method ◽

Theba Pisana ◽

Inhibitory Components

ABSTRACT Two Mediterranean snails, Theba pisana and Cernuella virgata, are agricultural pests in southern Australia. The two species are rarely found together in large numbers in the field, at small scales (<1 m2). In laboratory experiments, the presence of T. pisana reduced the survival of C. virgata, but only when food (carrot + lettuce) was provided. When C. virgata was exposed to only the mucus trails and faeces of T. pisana, produced while feeding on lettuce, both the survival and activity of C. virgata were reduced. When carrot was substituted for lettuce, there was less effect. In addition, when C. virgata was exposed to T. pisana’s faeces only, derived from access to a mix of lettuce and carrot, there was no effect on C. virgata’s survival. The observed reductions in the survival of C. virgata were stronger in autumn (the breeding season for both snail species) compared with spring. Inhibitory components within the mucus trails of T. pisana may (1) help explain the observed distribution patterns of the two species at small scales in the field and (2) provide a novel method for control of pest populations of C. virgata, in some situations.

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Integrative taxonomy and phylogeography of Telenomus remus (Scelionidae), with the first record of natural parasitism of Spodoptera spp. in Brazil

Scientific Reports ◽

10.1038/s41598-021-93510-3 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 11 (1) ◽

Author(s):

Ana P. G. S. Wengrat ◽

Aloisio Coelho Junior ◽

Jose R. P. Parra ◽

Tamara A. Takahashi ◽

Luis A. Foerster ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Biological Control ◽

Mitochondrial Gene ◽

First Record ◽

Mass Rearing ◽

Classical Biological Control ◽

Egg Parasitoid ◽

Integrative Approach ◽

Agricultural Pests ◽

Telenomus Remus ◽

Natural Parasitism

AbstractThe egg parasitoid Telenomus remus (Hymenoptera: Scelionidae) has been investigated for classical and applied biological control of noctuid pests, especially Spodoptera (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae) species. Although T. remus was introduced into Brazil over three decades ago for classical biological control of S. frugiperda, this wasp has not been recorded as established in corn or soybean crops. We used an integrative approach to identify T. remus, combining a taxonomic key based on the male genitalia with DNA barcoding, using a cytochrome c oxidase subunit I mitochondrial gene fragment. This is the first report of natural parasitism of T. remus on S. frugiperda and S. cosmioides eggs at two locations in Brazil. We also confirmed that the T. remus lineage in Brazil derives from a strain in Venezuela (originally from Papua New Guinea and introduced into the Americas, Africa, and Asia). The occurrence of T. remus parasitizing S. frugiperda and S. cosmioides eggs in field conditions, not associated with inundative releases, suggests that the species has managed to establish itself in the field in Brazil. This opens possibilities for future biological control programs, since T. remus shows good potential for mass rearing and egg parasitism of important agricultural pests such as Spodoptera species.

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The draft genome sequence of the grove snail Cepaea nemoralis

G3 Genes|Genome|Genetics ◽

10.1093/g3journal/jkaa071 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 11 (2) ◽

Author(s):

Suzanne V Saenko ◽

Dick S J Groenenberg ◽

Angus Davison ◽

Menno Schilthuizen

Keyword(s):

Genome Sequence ◽

Draft Genome ◽

Agricultural Pests ◽

Shell Color ◽

Protein Coding ◽

Cepaea Nemoralis ◽

Edible Species ◽

Wide Range ◽

In Captivity ◽

Long Read

Abstract Studies on the shell color and banding polymorphism of the grove snail Cepaea nemoralis and the sister taxon Cepaea hortensis have provided compelling evidence for the fundamental role of natural selection in promoting and maintaining intraspecific variation. More recently, Cepaea has been the focus of citizen science projects on shell color evolution in relation to climate change and urbanization. C. nemoralis is particularly useful for studies on the genetics of shell polymorphism and the evolution of “supergenes,” as well as evo-devo studies of shell biomineralization, because it is relatively easily maintained in captivity. However, an absence of genomic resources for C. nemoralis has generally hindered detailed genetic and molecular investigations. We therefore generated ∼23× coverage long-read data for the ∼3.5 Gb genome, and produced a draft assembly composed of 28,537 contigs with the N50 length of 333 kb. Genome completeness, estimated by BUSCO using the metazoa dataset, was 91%. Repetitive regions cover over 77% of the genome. A total of 43,519 protein-coding genes were predicted in the assembled genome, and 97.3% of these were functionally annotated from either sequence homology or protein signature searches. This first assembled and annotated genome sequence for a helicoid snail, a large group that includes edible species, agricultural pests, and parasite hosts, will be a core resource for identifying the loci that determine the shell polymorphism, as well as in a wide range of analyses in evolutionary and developmental biology, and snail biology in general.

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