scholarly journals Quarantine facilities and legal issues of the use of biocontrol agents in Brazil

2016 ◽  
Vol 51 (5) ◽  
pp. 502-509
Author(s):  
Luiz Alexandre Nogueira de Sá ◽  
Maria Conceição Peres Young Pessoa ◽  
Gilberto José de Moraes ◽  
Jeanne Scardini Marinho-Prado ◽  
Simone de Souza Prado ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Biological Control ◽  
Genetic Material ◽  
Classical Biological Control ◽  
Legal Issues ◽  
Biocontrol Agents ◽  
Classical Biocontrol ◽  
Potential Problems ◽  
Import And Export ◽  
Phytosanitary Measures ◽  
Living Organisms

Abstract: The objective of this work was to address the classical biological control of pests in Brazil, regarding procedures to import and export native biological material. A brief introduction will be given on the current legal issues on the use of biocontrol agents, as well as some considerations on the existing quarantine pests and actions already carried out in the country. The safety in the introduction of exotic organisms is important for Brazilian phytosanitary defense and for a higher adoption of classical biocontrol, making it available for integrated pest management (IPM). Legal and normative aspects establish the procedures that must to be adopted, not only to protect bioprospecting and native organisms, but also to minimize risks to the national genetic patrimony associated with the introduction of exotic organisms. Furthermore, the import/export procedures adopted for vegetal and useful organisms for pest biological control and for other genetic material must be subjected to phytosanitary measures performed in government-certified quarantine facilities and diagnostic laboratories. Finally, the quarantine activities listed here are strategic for safeguarding the country from potential problems arising from border transit of living organisms.

Biological control: challenges and opportunities

1988 ◽  
Vol 318 (1189) ◽  
pp. 111-128 ◽  
Keyword(s):  
Biological Control ◽  
Native Species ◽  
Conflicts Of Interest ◽  
Spatial Dynamics ◽  
Classical Biological Control ◽  
Past Century ◽  
New Associations ◽  
Challenges And Opportunities ◽  
Successful Control ◽  
Living Organisms

Biological control, the use of living organisms as pest control agents, has enjoyed varying popularity over the past century, but today is well established as an important component of integrated pest management. We examine some current challenges to the use of biological control and particularly to classical biological control, the introduction of exotic natural enemies. These include conflicts of interest (1) with the conservation of native species and (2) between agricultural lobbies. On a scientific level, we examine two debates over the ecological and genetic basis of successful control. The challenge of Murdoch et al . ( Am. Nat . 125, 344-366 (1985)) to the notion of stability in pest populations under biological control, reveals that the stabilizing mechanisms may differ between pest taxa with different patterns of spatial dynamics. With respect to the hypothesis of Hokkanen & Pimentel ( Can. Ent . 116, 1109 (1984)) on the better chances of ‘new associations’ in biological control, we present an analysis that reaches different conclusions. Finally, we discuss future prospects for the different approaches to biological control, and suggest that longterm control methods, such as introduction and inoculation, will be used increasingly in the future.

Fungi as biocontrol agents of weeds: a tropical perspective

1995 ◽  
Vol 73 (S1) ◽  
pp. 58-64 ◽  
Author(s):  
Harry C. Evans
Keyword(s):  
Fungal Pathogens ◽  
Classical Biological Control ◽  
Biocontrol Agents ◽  
Full Potential ◽  
Weed Species ◽  
Conservation Areas ◽  
Weed Biocontrol ◽  
Classical Biocontrol ◽  
Improved Technology

The two approaches, classical and inundative, which can be used to exploit fungi for weed biocontrol, are described and discussed. It is concluded that classical biological control involving the release of coevolved natural enemies, typically highly specific biotrophs into an exotic ecosystem, is the most environmentally and economically acceptable long-term strategy for controlling alien weeds, particularly in conservation areas. Mycoherbicides, based mainly on endemic nectrotrophs, have still not realized their full potential, mainly owing to problems with formulation, application, and market size, but with improved technology these may play an increasingly significant role in agricultural ecosystems. Virulent pathogens with broad host ranges offer the most commercial potential, if these can be tailored to suit individual crop systems. The initial selection of suitable biocontrol agents, based on field, herbarium, and literature surveys is outlined, whilst the problems involved in making the final selection are analysed in detail, especially those relating to taxonomy, biology, and host specificity. Examples are given of fungal pathogens that are being or could be employed for control of some major tropical weed species. Key words: fungi, classical biocontrol, mycoherbicides, tropics, conservation.

scholarly journals Hybridization and range expansion in tamarisk beetles (Diorhabda spp.) introduced to North America for classical biological control

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Amanda R Stahlke ◽  
Ellyn V. Bitume ◽  
A. Zeynep Ozsoy ◽  
Dan W. Bean ◽  
Anne Veillet ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Genetic Diversity ◽  
Biological Control ◽  
North America ◽  
Range Expansion ◽  
De Novo ◽  
Classical Biological Control ◽  
Genomic Variation ◽  
Biocontrol Agents ◽  
Introduced Range ◽  
Tamarix Spp

With the global rise of human-mediated translocations and invasions, it is critical to understand the genomic consequences of hybridization and mechanisms of range expansion. Conventional wisdom is that high genetic drift and loss of genetic diversity due to repeated founder effects will constrain introduced species. However, reduced genetic variation can be countered by behavioral aspects and admixture with other distinct populations. As planned invasions, classical biological control (biocontrol) agents present important opportunities to understand the mechanisms of establishment and spread in a novel environment. The ability of biocontrol agents to spread and adapt, and their effects on local ecosystems, depends on genomic variation and the consequences of admixture in novel environments. Here we use a biocontrol system to examine the genome-wide outcomes of introduction, spread, and hybridization in four cryptic species of a biocontrol agent, the tamarisk beetle (Diorhabda carinata, D. carinulata, D. elongata, and D. sublineata), introduced from six localities across Eurasia to control the invasive shrub tamarisk (Tamarix spp.) in western North America. We assembled a de novo draft reference genome and applied RADseq to over 500 individuals from laboratory cultures, the native ranges, and across the introduced range. Despite evidence of a substantial genetic bottleneck among D. carinulata in N. America, populations continue to establish and spread, possibly due to aggregation behavior. We found that D. carinata, D. elongata, and D. sublineata hybridize in the field to varying extents, with D. carinata x D. sublineata hybrids being the most abundant. Genetic diversity was greater at sites with hybrids, highlighting potential for increased ability to adapt and expand. Our results demonstrate the complex patterns of genomic variation that can result from introduction of multiple ecotypes or species for biocontrol, and the importance of understanding them to predict and manage the effects of biocontrol agents in novel ecosystems.

Yellow Brazilian Pepper-tree Leaf Galler (suggested common name) Calophya latiforceps Burckhardt (Insecta: Hemiptera: Calophyidae: Calophyinae)

EDIS ◽  
2017 ◽  
Vol 2017 (6) ◽  
Author(s):  
James P. Cuda ◽  
Patricia Prade ◽  
Carey R. Minteer-Killian
Keyword(s):  
Biological Control ◽  
North America ◽  
Natural Enemies ◽  
Host Plants ◽  
Classical Biological Control ◽  
Biological Control Agents ◽  
Pepper Tree ◽  
Brazilian Pepper ◽  
Close Relatives ◽  
Tree Leaf

In the late 1970s, Brazilian peppertree, Schinus terebinthifolia Raddi (Sapindales: Anacardiaceae), was targeted for classical biological control in Florida because its invasive properties (see Host Plants) are consistent with escape from natural enemies (Williams 1954), and there are no native Schinus spp. in North America. The lack of native close relatives should minimize the risk of damage to non-target plants from introduced biological control agents (Pemberton 2000). [...]

scholarly journals Limited host range in the idiobiont parasitoid Phymasticus coffea, a prospective biological control agent of the coffee pest Hypothenemus hampei in Hawaii

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Fazila Yousuf ◽  
Peter A. Follett ◽  
Conrad P. D. T. Gillett ◽  
David Honsberger ◽  
Lourdes Chamorro ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Biological Control ◽  
Native Species ◽  
Biological Control Agent ◽  
Classical Biological Control ◽  
Environmental Safety ◽  
Control Agent ◽  
Hypothenemus Hampei ◽  
Parasitism Rate ◽  
Limited Host Range ◽  
Parasitoid Development

AbstractPhymastichus coffea LaSalle (Hymenoptera:Eulophidae) is an adult endoparasitoid of the coffee berry borer, Hypothenemus hampei (Ferrari) (Coleoptera:Curculionidae:Scolytinae), which has been introduced in many coffee producing countries as a biological control agent. To determine the effectiveness of P. coffea against H. hampei and environmental safety for release in Hawaii, we investigated the host selection and parasitism response of adult females to 43 different species of Coleoptera, including 23 Scolytinae (six Hypothenemus species and 17 others), and four additional Curculionidae. Non-target testing included Hawaiian endemic, exotic and beneficial coleopteran species. Using a no-choice laboratory bioassay, we demonstrated that P. coffea was only able to parasitize the target host H. hampei and four other adventive species of Hypothenemus: H. obscurus, H. seriatus, H. birmanus and H. crudiae. Hypothenemus hampei had the highest parasitism rate and shortest parasitoid development time of the five parasitized Hypothenemus spp. Parasitism and parasitoid emergence decreased with decreasing phylogenetic relatedness of the Hypothenemus spp. to H. hampei, and the most distantly related species, H. eruditus, was not parasitized. These results suggest that the risk of harmful non-target impacts is low because there are no native species of Hypothenemus in Hawaii, and P. coffea could be safely introduced for classical biological control of H. hampei in Hawaii.

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

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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