Can the Combined Use of the Mirid Predator Nesidiocoris tenuis and a Braconid Larval Endoparasitoid Dolichogenidea gelechiidivoris Improve the Biological Control of Tuta absoluta?

The koinobiont solitary larval endoparasitoid Dolichogenidea gelechiidivoris (Marsh) (Syn.: Apanteles gelechiidivoris) (Hymenoptera: Braconidae) and the predatory bug Nesidiocoris tenuis (Reuter) (Hemiptera: Miridae) are important natural enemies of Tuta absoluta (Meyrick) (Lepidoptera: Gelechiidae), a serious pest of tomato. Although N. tenuis preferentially feeds on T.absoluta eggs, it is also recorded as a predator of first and second instar larval stages. Dolichogenidea gelechiidivoris preferentially seeks these early larval stages of T. absoluta for oviposition. The occurrence of intraguild predation between N. tenuis and D. gelechiidivoris and the consequences on the oviposition performance of D. gelechiidivoris were investigated in the laboratory. Regardless of the manner of introduction (i.e., the sequence of combinations with D. gelechiidivoris) or density (i.e., number of N. tenuis combined with D. gelechiidivoris), the presence of N. tenuis did not affect the oviposition performance of D. gelechiidivoris or the parasitoid’s progeny. Combination assays revealed that the efficacy of the combined use of N. tenuis and D. gelechiidivoris in controlling T. absoluta populations was significantly higher than that of either natural enemy alone. Our results highlight the potential of combining mirid predators and koinobiont larval endoparasitoids to control T. absoluta. The findings further contribute to data supporting the release of D. gelechiidivoris in tomato agroecosystems for the control of T. absoluta in Africa, where N. tenuis is widespread and abundant.

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The pest kill rate of thirteen natural enemies as aggregate evaluation criterion of their biological control potential of Tuta absoluta

Scientific Reports ◽

10.1038/s41598-021-90034-8 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 11 (1) ◽

Author(s):

Joop C. van Lenteren ◽

Alberto Lanzoni ◽

Lia Hemerik ◽

Vanda H. P. Bueno ◽

Johanna G. Bajonero Cuervo ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Biological Control ◽

Natural Enemies ◽

Natural Enemy ◽

Tuta Absoluta ◽

Evaluation Criterion ◽

Pest Population ◽

Biological Pest Control ◽

Daunting Task ◽

Kill Rate ◽

Reduction Capacity

AbstractEcologists study how populations are regulated, while scientists studying biological pest control apply population regulation processes to reduce numbers of harmful organisms: an organism (a natural enemy) is used to reduce the population density of another organism (a pest). Finding an effective biological control agent among the tens to hundreds of natural enemies of a pest is a daunting task. Evaluation criteria help in a first selection to remove clearly ineffective or risky species from the list of candidates. Next, we propose to use an aggregate evaluation criterion, the pest kill rate, to compare the pest population reduction capacity of species not eliminated during the first selection. The pest kill rate is the average daily lifetime killing of the pest by the natural enemy under consideration. Pest kill rates of six species of predators and seven species of parasitoids of Tuta absoluta were calculated and compared. Several natural enemies had pest kill rates that were too low to be able to theoretically reduce the pest population below crop damaging densities. Other species showed a high pest reduction capacity and their potential for practical application can now be tested under commercial crop production conditions.

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Distribution, abundance and natural enemies of the invasive tomato leafminer, Tuta absoluta (Meyrick) in Kenya

Bulletin of Entomological Research ◽

10.1017/s0007485321000304 ◽

2021 ◽

pp. 1-16

Author(s):

G. Kinyanjui ◽

F. M. Khamis ◽

F. L. O. Ombura ◽

E. U. Kenya ◽

S. Ekesi ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Natural Enemies ◽

Sustainable Management ◽

Management Strategies ◽

Tuta Absoluta ◽

Macrolophus Pygmaeus ◽

Larval Parasitoids ◽

Parasitism Rates ◽

Nesidiocoris Tenuis ◽

Sentinel Plants ◽

Open Fields

Abstract Tuta absoluta (Meyrick) has become a serious menace to sustainable production of tomato in Kenya. A survey was conducted between April 2015 and June 2016 to determine its distribution, abundance, infestation, and damage levels on tomato, and associated natural enemies. Trap counts of T. absoluta moths were recorded in all surveyed 29 counties, which indicated its nationwide distribution irrespective of altitude. Tuta absoluta was present in both open fields and greenhouses. The highest moth/trap/day was 115.38 ± 15.90. Highest leaf infestation was 92.22% and the highest number of mines and larvae per leaf were 3.71 ± 0.28 and 2.16 ± 0.45, respectively. Trap captures in terms of moth/trap/day were linearly and positively related to leaf infestations in open fields (R2 = 0.81) and greenhouses (R2 = 0.61). Highest fruits’ infestation and damage were 60.00 and 59.61%, respectively, while the highest number of mines per fruit was 7.50 ± 0.50. Nesidiocoris tenuis (Reuter) and Macrolophus pygmaeus (Rambur) were identified as predators of T. absoluta larvae. Nine species of larval parasitoids were recovered from infested foliage, with a combined parasitism of 7.26 ± 0.65%. Hockeria species was the most dominant (31.25%) and accounted for 12.88 ± 1.47% parasitism. Two species of larval parasitoids, Hockeria and Necremnus were obtained from sentinel plants with an average parasitism of 1.13 ± 0.25. The overall abundance and parasitism rates of recovered natural enemies were low to effectively control the field populations of T. absoluta. These findings form the basis of researching and developing effective and sustainable management strategies for the pest.

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Methyl Salicylate Fails to Enhance Arthropod Predator Abundance or Predator to Pest Ratios in Cotton

Environmental Entomology ◽

10.1093/ee/nvaa175 ◽

2021 ◽

Author(s):

Steven E Naranjo ◽

James R Hagler ◽

John A Byers

Keyword(s):

Biological Control ◽

Natural Enemies ◽

Natural Enemy ◽

Methyl Salicylate ◽

Production Systems ◽

Control Function ◽

Conservation Biological Control ◽

Cotton Production ◽

Control Activity ◽

Synthetic Chemicals

Abstract Conservation biological control is a fundamental tactic in integrated pest management (IPM). Greater biological control services can be achieved by enhancing agroecosystems to be more favorable to the presence, survival, and growth of natural enemy populations. One approach that has been tested in numerous agricultural systems is the deployment of synthetic chemicals that mimic those produced by the plant when under attack by pests. These signals may attract arthropod natural enemies to crop habitats and thus potentially improve biological control activity locally. A 2-yr field study was conducted in the cotton agroecosystem to evaluate the potential of synthetic methyl salicylate (MeSA) to attract native arthropod natural enemies and to enhance biological control services on two key pests. Slow-release packets of MeSA were deployed in replicated cotton plots season long. The abundance of multiple taxa of natural enemies and two major pests were monitored weekly by several sampling methods. The deployment of MeSA failed to increase natural enemy abundance and pest densities did not decline. Predator to prey ratios, used as a proxy to estimate biological control function, also largely failed to increase with MeSA deployment. One exception was a season-long increase in the ratio of Orius tristicolor (White) (Hemiptera: Anthocoridae) to Bemisia argentifolii Bellows and Perring (= Bemisia tabaci MEAM1) (Hemiptera: Aleyrodidae) adults within the context of biological control informed action thresholds. Overall results suggest that MeSA would not likely enhance conservation biological control by the natural enemy community typical of U.S. western cotton production systems.

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The combined use of Bacillus thuringiensis and Nesidiocoris tenuis against the tomato borer Tuta absoluta

BioControl ◽

10.1007/s10526-011-9353-y ◽

2011 ◽

Vol 56 (6) ◽

pp. 883-891 ◽

Cited By ~ 77

Author(s):

Oscar Mollá ◽

Joel González-Cabrera ◽

Alberto Urbaneja

Keyword(s):

Bacillus Thuringiensis ◽

Tuta Absoluta ◽

Combined Use ◽

Nesidiocoris Tenuis ◽

Tomato Borer

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An Investigation of the Possibilities of Biological Control ofMelittomma insulareFairm. (Coleoptera, Lymexylonidae), a serious Pest of Coconut in the Seychelles

Bulletin of Entomological Research ◽

10.1017/s0007485300046939 ◽

1956 ◽

Vol 47 (4) ◽

pp. 685-702 ◽

Cited By ~ 1

Author(s):

F. J. Simmonds

Keyword(s):

Biological Control ◽

Natural Enemies ◽

Natural Enemy

The biology and general ecology ofMelittomma insulareFairm. in the Seychelles is briefly described and the difficulties in the biological control of this pest are stressed.As much information as possible was obtained concerning the species of the little-known family Lymexylonidae, particularly with regard to their biology, which in most cases has not been investigated. Several species might warrant further investigation with a view to providing natural enemies for use againstM. insulare, but in general what is known of their biology does not afford much hope that an effective parasite or predator will be found.The biology ofAtractocerus brasiliensisLep. & Serv. was investigated in detail in Trinidad but no natural enemy was found.The only possibility is thatRhizophagus dispar(Payk.), recorded as attackingHylecoetus dermestoides(L.) in England, might also attack the eggs ofM. insulare.

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Population dynamics of rice leaffolders (Lepidoptera: Pyralidae) and their natural enemies in irrigated rice in the Philippines

Bulletin of Entomological Research ◽

10.1017/s0007485399000541 ◽

1999 ◽

Vol 89 (5) ◽

pp. 411-421 ◽

Cited By ~ 11

Author(s):

J. de Kraker ◽

A. van Huis ◽

K.L. Heong ◽

J.C. van Lenteren ◽

R. Rabbinge

Keyword(s):

Population Dynamics ◽

Natural Enemies ◽

Natural Enemy ◽

Survival Rates ◽

The Philippines ◽

Cnaphalocrocis Medinalis ◽

Irrigated Rice ◽

Larval Stages ◽

Ovipositional Preference ◽

Rice Leaffolders

AbstractPopulations of rice leaffolders and their natural enemies were studied in eight crops of irrigated rice in Laguna Province, the Philippines. The rice leaffolder complex consisted of three species: Cnaphalocrocis medinalis (Guenée), Marasmia patnalis Bradley and M. exigua Butler. Leaffolder population dynamics were characterized by an egg peak at maximum tillering and a broad larval peak around booting stage. Peak densities ranged from 0.2 to 2.0 larvae per hill. Most larvae originated from immigrant moths and there was no substantial second generation. The seasonal percentage egg parasitism by Trichogramma sp. ranged from 0 to 27%, and percentage larval parasitism from 14 to 56%. The braconid Macrocentrus philippinensis Ashmead was the most commonly reared larval parasitoid. Forty natural enemy taxa that may attack rice leaffolders were identified from suction and sweepnet samples: 24 predator taxa and 16 parasitoid taxa. The estimated survival rates from leaffolder egg to larval stages and between larval stages showed large variation between rice crops, but were not clearly correlated with observed levels of parasitism, natural enemy abundance, or natural enemy to leaffolder ratios. It is suggested that the generally low densities of rice leaffolders in Philippine transplanted rice are caused by their ovipositional preference for crops at the maximum tillering stage, allowing for only one generation, and by high immature mortality caused by the abundant and diverse complex of natural enemies.

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Silicon enhances natural enemy attraction and biological control through induced plant defences

Bulletin of Entomological Research ◽

10.1017/s0007485309990265 ◽

2009 ◽

Vol 100 (3) ◽

pp. 367-371 ◽

Cited By ~ 58

Author(s):

O.L. Kvedaras ◽

M. An ◽

Y.S. Choi ◽

G.M. Gurr

Keyword(s):

Biological Control ◽

Field Experiment ◽

Recent Work ◽

Natural Enemies ◽

Natural Enemy ◽

Untreated Control ◽

Plant Defence ◽

Plant Defences ◽

Pest Infestation ◽

Arthropod Pests

AbstractSilicon (Si) is known to have a role in constitutive plant defence against arthropod pests, and recent work has illustrated involvement in induced plant defences. The present tri-trophic study tested the hypothesis that Si increases natural enemy attraction to pest-infested plants and improves biological control. Cucumber plants treated with potassium silicate (Si+) and untreated control plants (Si−) were maintained in separately vented glasshouse compartments. Y-tube olfactometer studies showed that adult Dicranolaius bellulus were significantly more attracted to Si+ plants upon which Helicoverpa armigera larvae had fed compared with Si−, pest-infested plants. Predators were not significantly more attracted to Si+ plants when comparing uninfested cucumbers. In a field experiment, we placed H. armigera-infested and uninfested Si+ and Si− cucumber plants in a lucerne stand. Removal rates of H. armigera egg baits showed predation was greater for Si+ infested plants than for other treatments. Results suggest that Si applied to plants with a subsequent pest infestation increases the plants' attractiveness to natural enemies; an effect that was reflected in elevated biological control in the field.

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Supplemental food affects thrips predation and movement of Orius laevigatus (Hemiptera: Anthocoridae) and Neoseiulus cucumeris (Acari: Phytoseiidae)

Bulletin of Entomological Research ◽

10.1017/s0007485307005007 ◽

2007 ◽

Vol 97 (3) ◽

pp. 309-315 ◽

Cited By ~ 26

Author(s):

D.J. Skirvin ◽

L. Kravar-Garde ◽

K. Reynolds ◽

J. Jones ◽

A. Mead ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Biological Control ◽

Natural Enemies ◽

Natural Enemy ◽

Trichoderma Viride ◽

Food Sources ◽

Neoseiulus Cucumeris ◽

Orius Laevigatus ◽

Supplemental Food ◽

Species Movement ◽

Predation Rates

AbstractTwo experiments were done to examine the predation of thrips, and the movement of Orius laevigatus Fieber and Neoseiulus cucumeris (Oudemans) in the presence and absence of two supplemental food sources, pollen and the fungus Trichoderma viride. The presence of pollen led to a 55% reduction in predation of the thrips by N. cucumeris and a 40% reduction in thrips predation by O. laevigatus, in experiments using single predators. The presence of fungus had no significant effect on thrips predation by either of the natural enemy species. Movement of the natural enemies was examined in a multiple predator experiment, and this showed that O. laevigatus was more likely to remain on the plant in the presence of thrips and when supplemental food, either pollen or fungus, was present. For N. cucumeris, there was no association between the presence of thrips and the mite, with the majority of the mites being found on the leaves where pollen was present. Although the single and multiple predator experiments were done at different times, the indications are that the predation rates of the N. cucumeris do not differ greatly between the two experiments, suggesting that there may be a potential interference effect between the mites, which is not present for O. laevigatus. The significance of these results for the use of supplemental food sources in biological control is discussed.

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Landscape composition mediates suppression of major pests by natural enemies in conventional cruciferous vegetables

10.1101/2021.02.04.429816 ◽

2021 ◽

Author(s):

Jie Zhang ◽

Shijun You ◽

Dongsheng Niu ◽

Karla Giovana Gavilanez Guaman ◽

Ao Wang ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Biological Control ◽

Natural Enemies ◽

Natural Enemy ◽

Positive Impact ◽

Spatial Scales ◽

Habitat Diversity ◽

Landscape Composition ◽

Dispersal Ability ◽

Cruciferous Vegetables ◽

Natural Habitats

ABSTRACTBackgroundConservation biological control provides an environment-friendly approach to improve the efficacy of natural enemies. Although numerous studies have demonstrated the potential of semi-natural habitats in promoting biological control in organic or unsprayed agroecosystems, few studies were conducted in conventional agricultural fields. In this study, we investigated the effects of landscape composition on the major pests of cruciferous vegetables and on the assemblages of their natural enemies in southeastern China.ResultsHabitat diversity, particularly increasing grassland proportion in the landscape, had a positive impact in controlling both small-sized pests (aphids, leaf miners, thrips and flea beetles) and Plutella xylostella. This increasing proportion also promoted greater abundance and diversity of canopy-dwelling predators, more forests supported a higher diversity of airborne enemies (parasitoids and canopy-dwelling predators) as well as a higher abundance of ground-dwelling predators. A general increase in habitat diversity was beneficial to parasitoids and ground-dwelling predators. Additionally, the proportion of forest, grassland, and non-cruciferous vegetable area, as well as habitat diversity, affected the compositions of natural enemy communities. Moreover, inconsistent effects of non-cruciferous and grassland habitats were found between sampling regions for small-sized pests and canopy-dwelling predators. Moreover, the scale at which pests and natural enemies’ abundance and richness responded most to landscape composition varied with their feeding range and dispersal ability.ConclusionOur study provides evidence that increasing the amount of semi-natural habitats and habitat diversity can result in lower pest and higher natural enemy abundance in conventional cruciferous agroecosystems. Regional conditions and spatial scales also should be considered in designing the agricultural landscape mosaic.

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