Selective flowers to enhance biological control of cabbage pests by parasitoids

Habitat management is an important element in sustainable agriculture and can be used to maximize a range of ecosystem services that support crop production. An important example of such ecosystem services is biological control of pests which can be enhanced by providing arthropod natural enemies with suitable floral resources. The potential risk of this approach, however, is that flowering plants may enhance the fitness of the targeted pests as well. We conducted experiments to identify selective plant species that would improve the longevity and parasitization rate of the parasitoid wasp Microplitis mediator without benefiting its host pest, the cabbage moth Mamestra brassicae. Effects on longevity were also assessed for Diadegma fenestrale, a generalist parasitoid wasp attacking lepidopteran pests. Additionally, we compared the effects of floral and extrafloral nectar, the latter being formed in some plant species and can significantly prolong the duration of nectar availability for natural enemies. Longevity of M. mediator and D. fenestrale as well as parasitization rates of M. mediator were significantly increased by the presence of Fagopyrum esculentum (floral nectar), Centaurea cyanus (floral and extrafloral nectar) and non-flowering Vicia sativa (extrafloral nectar). M. mediator parasitized 202.3 ± 29.7 M. brassicae larvae during its lifetime when presented F. esculentum, compared to 14.4 ± 3.4 larvae in the absence of floral resources. Extrafloral nectar of C. cyanus and V. sativa was as suitable for M. mediator as floral nectar and significantly increased longevity and parasitization rates. Longevity and fecundity of M. brassicae were not supported by the plant species tested. These results stress the importance of plant screening to achieve plant selectivity and to maximize biological control. F. esculentum, C. cyanus and V. sativa are recommended as selective plant species to enhance parasitoids of M. brassicae.     

Some aspects of biological and integrated control of pests

Zusammenfassung Der biologische und der chemische Aspekt der nützlingsschonenden Sch?dlingsbek?mpfung werden besprochen. Bezüglich des biologischen Aspektes wird Unterschied gemacht zwischen den Beziehungen zwischen importierten Sch?dlingen und ihre importierten natürliche Feinden einerseits und den Beziehungen zwischen autochtonen Sch?dlingen und ihren Raubfeinden, Parasiten und Hyperparasiten anderseits. Im letzten Falle sind die Hyperparasiten oft so zahlreich dass sie die Prim?r-parasiten fast eliminieren, jedenfalls ihre Wirkung stark vermindern. Wichtig ist weiter die kritische Populationsgrenze für die wichtigsten Sch?dlingsarten fest zu stellen damit wir wissen ob die Nützlinge im Stande sind sich zu behaupten als biologischer Bek?mpfungsfaktor. Der chemische Aspekt umfasst die Applikationen von selektiven Pflanzenschutzmitteln oder — Methoden zum Behalten der Nützlinge. Die integrierte Sch?dlingsbek?mpfung stimuliert und aktiviert die Entwicklung neuer Bek?mpfungsmethoden. Sie erfordert eine andere Einstellung des Forschers als die chemische Bek?mpfung. Zwei Arbeitsgruppen namentlich die Holl?ndische “Arbeitsgruppe für Harmonische Sch?dlingsbek?mpfung? und die ?Internationale Arbeitsgruppe für Integrierte Sch?dlingsbek?mpfung? der C.I.L.B. untersuchen in Holland, resp. in West-Europa und das Mittelmeergebiet die M?glichkeiten für eine integrierte Sch?dlingsbek?mpfung im Obstbau.      

载体植物在温室作物害虫生物防治中的应用

增补式生物防治是利用天敌昆虫或捕食螨防治害虫最常用的方法,释放的天敌昆虫或捕食螨能否成功建立稳定种群,是决定其持久高效控害的首要关键因素。然而在生产应用中,经常因释放的天敌昆虫或捕食螨不能成功定殖而无法达到理想的防治效果。载体植物系统是天敌饲养和释放的新方法,结合了增补式和保护式生物防治的优点,既能实现天敌昆虫或捕食螨的大量饲养,又能为释放的天敌昆虫或捕食螨提供替代食物和栖息场所,促进其建立稳定的种群,对实现天敌昆虫或捕食螨高效持久控害具有重要的意义。本文系统介绍了载体植物系统的构建、国内外研究现状,指出了现存的问题,并给出相应的建议。     

Perspectives of non-phytoseiid predators for the biological control of plant pests

Non-phytoseiid mites of potential importance in the biocontrol of plant pests include a dozen families. The host plant constitutes the universe in which pests and predators interact; thus plant growth pattern, leaf structure and various available nutrients may affect the control potential of the mites. The role of infochemicals in prey finding by non-phytoseiids probably differs among the various families. Prey size may be important in control success when predaceous mites feed on insect pests. Interactions between phytoseiids and members of other families may hinder or complement pest control. Little is known of the effects of plant-protection chemicals on non-phytoseiid predators, but they appear to be quite variable. Current research onHemisarcoptes, a parasite of armored scale insects, is reviewed, including a successful introduction into New Zealand. Active mite slicing into host shields and deutonymph interactions with its vector-beetle are important aspects of the predator's effectiveness. Further research should include: collecting (with emphasis on the tropics and subtropics), describing and testing additional mite species against more pests; assaying pesticide effects; studying interactions between predators of different families, especially on uncultivated plants; and trying more predaceous mites against nematodes, plant diseases and weeds.     

Endosymbiotic Wolbachia bacteria as biological control tools of disease vectors and pests

Wolbachia bacteria are common cytoplasmic symbionts of insects, mites and filarial nematodes. They can alter the reproduction of their hosts. The symbiont could be eliminated, transferred or used through genetic alteration to take advantage or remove their possible influences on pests and/or natural enemies. Their extensive effects on reproduction and host fitness have made Wolbachia the subject of growing attention as a potential biocontrol agent. Here, we summarize the relations of Wolbachia in the control of disease vectors and pests. Furthermore, the drawbacks of these bacteria are also discussed.     

Modern approaches for the biological control of vertebrate pests: An Australian perspective

Vertebrate pests cost Australia at least $1 billion annually in lost agricultural production and environmental damage. The spectacular success of myxomatosis in the 1950s and more recently, rabbit hemorrhagic disease, in the biological control of European rabbits has led to ongoing research into similar solutions for other vertebrate pests. There are significant barriers to the successful employment of biological control options including the obvious technological ones, such as host-specificity, as well as the investment required, public concerns and regulatory requirements. The role of biological control in vertebrate pest management and the attempts to develop such strategies in Australia is reviewed with emphasis on species specific case studies for rabbits, cane toads and carp, and the generic approaches of immunocontraception and daughterless genes.     

Analysis of importations for biological control of insect pests and weeds in New Zealand

Importations of biological control agents for insect pests and weeds in New Zealand are summarized and factors contributing to the relative success of the programmes are examined. The establishment rate of 30.9% is similar to that achieved worldwide, but is significantly lower than the rate achieved in the island habitat of Hawaii. The pioneering role of New Zealand in biological control is shown by the high proportion of programmes first attempted in this country. Although this novelty has not reduced the establishment rate, introductions against endemic species have not succeeded. Size of release was not a dominant feature in the establishment of agents. Complete or substantial success is recorded for 17 of the 70 target pests, with a relatively high success rate in forestry programmes. Examples of the influence of climate matching and competitive exclusion are also discussed. Changing practices and attitudes to the introduction of biological control agents are documented to show the increasing emphasis on specialists. No adverse effects of introductions are reported. The challenge to practitioners and regulators is to develop systems to evaluate conflicts of interest and develop workable mechanisms to determine which biological control agents are suitable for release.     

BANKER PLANT携带天敌防治害虫的理论基础与应用

滥用农药导致粮食、蔬菜和水果内有毒农药高残留,严重威胁着人民的生命安全;利用生物防治害虫将提供更安全的食品和洁净的环境。Banker植物系统是利用非作物植物饲养及携带天敌的寄主或猎物,再利用天敌的寄主或猎物饲养和释放天敌。这些Banker植物就像是一个‘银行家(Banker)’,连续不断地供应‘货币’(天敌),使天敌从‘银行家’植物上扩散到有害虫的作物上防治害虫,是生物防治发展的一个重要方向。本文系统介绍了利用Banker植物为替代寄主饲养释放天敌防治害虫的最新进展,旨在推动我国更好地开展Banker植物系统及其相关理论与应用的研究。     

Releases of biological control agents of insect pests on Easter Island (Pacific Ocean)

For half a century, agriculture on Easter Island has been affected by an increasing number of accidentally introduced insect pests. Due to the absence of natural enemies and other factors, these have reached high density levels which claimed for intensive use of pesticides. A project supported by the National Funds for Regional Development (FNDR) was established in 1984 to develop a biological control program against these pest species. Presently, 60 beneficial species have been introduced to control agricultural pests and flies that affect cattle and humans. Some of the natural enemies have established and are reducing pest populations thereby decreasing the requirement for insecticidal treatments. Fly density has also decreased noticeably. This can be attributed to the activity of natural enemies and dung beetles which compete with larval fly for food.     

Arthropod prey of shelterbelt-associated birds: linking faecal samples with biological control of agricultural pests

Abstract  The value of insectivorous birds as agents for biological control of arthropod pests has been little studied, especially in Australia. This paper reports on the extent to which arthropods from various pest and non-pest taxa feature in the diets of birds captured in farm shelterbelts in central western New South Wales. The parameters examined were the types of arthropod fragments in bird faeces and percentage volume and frequency of occurrence of each component. The faecal data were compared with samples of the arthropod fauna trapped in shelterbelts during the period the birds were captured. In 26 of 29 faecal samples, arthropod fragments were the predominant components, the most common being from Coleoptera, Hymenoptera (especially Formicidae), Orthoptera and Araneae. The recognisable pest taxa in faecal samples were Scarabaeidae and wingless grasshopper Phaulacridium vittatum (Sjöstedt) (Orthoptera: Acrididae). The results indicate that the native bird species common in farm shelterbelts preyed on a range of arthropod taxa including several that are pests of crops and pastures. Accordingly, conservation of birds in farmlands could contribute to suppression of arthropod pests.     

Investigation of native isolates of entomopathogenic fungi for the biological control of three citrus pests

The pathogenicity of 15 isolates of Beauveria bassiana (Balsamo) Vuillemin, five isolates of Metarhizium anisopliae (Metschnikoff) Sorokin and one isolate of M. flavoviride (Gams and Rozsypal) were tested under laboratory conditions against the subterranean life stages of the citrus pests, Ceratitis rosa Karsch, C. capitata Wiedemann (Diptera: Tephritidae) and Thaumatotibia leucotreta Meyrick. (Lepidoptera: Tortricidae). When these citrus pests were treated with a concentration of 1×10⁷ conidia mL^?1, fungal isolates had a significantly greater effect on the adults of C. rosa and C. capitata than they did on the puparia of these two fruit fly species. Further, C. rosa and C. capitata did not differ significantly in their response to entomopathogenic fungi when adult and pupal mycosis were considered. Depending on fungal isolate, the percentage of T. leucotreta adults which emerged from fungal treated sand ranged from 5 to 60% and the percentage of pupae with visible signs of mycosis ranged from 21 to 93%. The relative virulence of the four most promising fungal isolates, as well as the commercially available B. bassiana product, BroadBand® (Biological Control Products, South Africa), were compared against one another as log-probit regressions of mortality against T. leucotreta which exhibited a dose-dependent response. The estimated LC₅₀ values of the three most virulent B. bassiana isolates ranged from 6.8×10⁵ to 2.1×10⁶ conidia mL^?1, while those of the least pathogenic ranged from 1.6×10⁷ to 3.7×10⁷ conidia mL^?1.     

Using lower trophic level factors to predict outcomes in classical biological control of insect pests

Importation of exotic natural enemies for biological control of insect pests entails risks to the environment. Pre-release estimates of the likelihood of achieving successful control would be helpful in avoiding ineffective importations. Based on strong evidence of multi-trophic level interactions in terrestrial ecosystems, we tested whether variation in ecological and biological factors found at the plant and herbivore trophic levels (levels one and two) could be used to create a simple, empirically based formula, capable of estimating the probability of successful biological control against holometabolous insect pests. We constructed a database consisting of 828 records of biological control attempts against 91 pest insect species and used stepwise logistic regression to test whether five basic features of the ecosystem, crop, and pest (habitat type, crop use, pest order, pest feeding niche, and damage severity) were correlated with rates of successful control. Natural enemy characteristics were not included in the model. The final model included 10 significant independent variables, nine of which were two-way interactions; all five basic ecosystem features appeared in significant interactions. The model provided good estimates of historical success rates against pest species in the data set. In a further test, the model was able to correctly rank amenability to biological control for 10 pest species not included in the original data set. These results provide evidence that lower trophic level factors can be useful in the search for a predictive formula for biological control.     

21世纪我国害虫生物防治研究的进展、问题与展望

害虫生物防治是昆虫学的重要分支学科,进入21世纪以来,随着生命科学和生物技术的发展以及新原理、新方法的不断渗透、交叉与融合,使该分支学科在我国得到了快速发展。本文就近年来我国在天敌昆虫及其利用、昆虫病原微生物及其利用、昆虫信息素及其应用、生物农药及其推广应用、新兴生物技术在害虫生物防治中的应用等方面所取得的主要进展作了简要的回顾与总结;并在分析我国本领域学科发展水平与国际差距的基础上,指出了我国生物防治领域存在的主要问题及几个亟待加强的优先发展领域。     

Efficiency of different egg parasitoids and increased floral diversity for the biological control of noctuid pests

Augmentative biological control of insects is a tool of Integrated Pest Management programs. In many agroecosystems, biological control is exercised largely by parasitoids, and it is found that the presence of food resources, as provided by flowering plants, can have a positive effect on survival, search ability and parasitism rate of parasitoid species. In Colombia, a recently established export crop, the cape gooseberry, is under continuous attack by a Lepidopteran species complex in the family Noctuidae. Our first objective was to test the longevity and parasitism rates of three species of egg parasitoids in the genus Trichogramma (Trichogramma atopovirilia Oatman & Platner, Trichogramma exiguum Pinto & Platner, and Trichogramma pretiosum Riley) for Spodoptera frugiperda Smith and Copitarsia decolora Gueené. Our results suggest that T. atopovirilia and T. pretiosum could be promising parasitoids for the control of S. frugiperda and C. decolora, with a percentage parasitism of between 30% and 60%, respectively. For our second objective, we selected T. atopovirilia as a model species to evaluate the effect of the presence of flowering plants on the longevity and parasitism rate in both, no choice and multiple choice experiments, under laboratory and field conditions. Our results consistently showed that the presence of red clover (Trifolium pratense L.) can increase the longevity and parasitism rate of T. atopovirilia, suggesting that providing food resources to parasitoids in cape gooseberry fields should be part of a habitat diversification strategy to control noctuid pests.     

Evaluating the efficacy of entomopathogenic nematodes for the biological control of crop pests: a nonequilibrium approach

The efficacy of entomopathogenic nematodes for biological control is assessed using deterministic models. Typically, the examination of such models involves stability analyses to determine the long-term persistence of control. However, in agricultural systems, control is often needed within a single season. Hence, the transient dynamics of the systems were assessed under specific, short-term control scenarios using stage-structured models. Analyses suggest that preemptive application may be the optimum strategy if nematode mortality rates are low; applying before pest invasion can result in greater control than applying afterward. In addition, repeated applications will suppress a pest, providing the application rate exceeds a threshold. However, the period between applications affects control success, so the economic injury level of the crop and the life history of the pest should be evaluated before deciding the strategy. In all scenarios, the most important parameter influencing control is the transmission rate. These findings are applicable to more traditional biological control agents (e.g., microparasites and parasitoids), and we recommend the approach adopted here when considering their practical use. It is concluded that it is essential to consider the specific crop and pest characteristics and the definition of control success before selecting the appropriate control strategy.     

稻鸭共作技术的生物防治效应

稻鸭共作是一项种养复合的、环境友好型的农业综合生产技术,起源于我国传统的稻田养鸭。鸭子与水稻共育于稻田中,二者存在共生互利关系,鸭子对稻田有害生物具有一定控制作用。文章综述了国内近年来利用稻鸭共作技术防治稻田病虫草害以及对稻田天敌的影响研究进展。从已有的研究中可以看出,稻鸭共作对草害和主要虫害有较好的控制效果,可在全生育期取代相应化学药剂的使用,对某些水稻病害具有一定的防治效果,对天敌种群也会产生一定的影响。但在鸭子对病虫草害防治的确切效应及其内在过程与机理方面,尚有待开展深入探究。