Modelling the interplay between pest movement and the physical design of trap crop systems

Abstract 1 The interplay between pest movement and trap crop physical design is modelled in a situation where the pest moves by a random walk with spatially variable mobility. Questions addressed are: (i) how does the proportion of trap crop area of the total field area influence the equilibrium distribution of pests among the crop and the trap crop and (ii) how do crop patch size and shape influence the speed of pest redistribution from the crop to the trap crop. 2 When pest mobility in the trap crop is clearly lower than that in the crop, the pest population in the crop decreases very sharply for small trap crop proportions. When mobility in the trap crop is slightly closer to that in the crop, the pest population in the crop decreases much more gradually with increasing trap crop proportion. Thus finding a trap crop that the pest distinctly prefers over the crop appears to be crucial for developing efficient trap crop systems. 3 The rate of decay in the pest population in the crop increases with increasing perimeter to area ratio of the crop patch. Hence, designing field layouts to increase the perimeter to area ratio of crop patches may be beneficial.     

Biological pest control by investing crops in pests

We propose a biological pest control system that invests part of a crop in feeding a pest in a cage. The fed pest maintains a predator that attacks the pest in the target area (i.e., the area for storing or growing crops). The fed pest cannot leave the cage nor the target pest cannot enter the cage. The predator, however, can freely attack both the fed and target pests in the target area. By introducing a refuge in the cage against the predator for the fed pest, the fed pest and predator may be stably sustained. In this study, we analyzed the potential performance of this system by modeling the population dynamics of the target pest, fed pest, and predator as differential equations. First, we show analytically that the target pest can be suppressed at extremely low abundance by adjusting both refuge efficiency and crop investment. Second, we show numerically that crop damage by the pest may be effectively suppressed by investing only small amounts of the crop. Third, we show numerically that the magnitude of required crop investment can be estimated by an index comprising of the predator's searching cost for prey and the relative growth efficiency of the predator with respect to the pest. Even if the system structure is changed or its population dynamics is modeled based on host–parasitoid interactions, crop damage can be suppressed effectively by small amounts of crop investment.     

21世纪害虫管理的一些特征展望

分析了近年来国内外IPM研究的进展 ,认为未来的害虫管理是以作物的控害作用为中心 ,以农田生态系统或区域性生态系统为对象 ,以大量信息管理为基础 ,以发展新技术 (转基因作物和昆虫性信息素 )和农民参与为重点 ,以生态调控为手段 ,以持续发展为方向。从而使害虫管理提高到一个新的境界     

Effects of crop species richness on pest-natural enemy systems based on an experimental model system using a microlandscape

The relationship between crop richness and predator-prey interactions as they relate to pest-natural enemy systems is a very important topic in ecology and greatly affects biological control services. The effects of crop arrangement on predator-prey interactions have received much attention as the basis for pest population management. To explore the internal mechanisms and factors driving the relationship between crop richness and pest population management, we designed an experimental model system of a microlandscape that included 50 plots and five treatments. Each treatment had 10 repetitions in each year from 2007 to 2010. The results showed that the biomass of pests and their natural enemies increased with increasing crop biomass and decreased with decreasing crop biomass; however, the effects of plant biomass on the pest and natural enemy biomass were not significant. The relationship between adjacent trophic levels was significant (such as pests and their natural enemies or crops and pests), whereas non-adjacent trophic levels (crops and natural enemies) did not significantly interact with each other. The ratio of natural enemy/pest biomass was the highest in the areas of four crop species that had the best biological control service. Having either low or high crop species richness did not enhance the pest population management service and lead to loss of biological control. Although the resource concentration hypothesis was not well supported by our results, high crop species richness could suppress the pest population, indicating that crop species richness could enhance biological control services. These results could be applied in habitat management aimed at biological control, provide the theoretical basis for agricultural landscape design, and also suggest new methods for integrated pest management.     

The potential of crop management practices to reduce pollen beetle damage in oilseed rape

A major problem associated with agricultural intensification over recent decades has been the development of insecticide resistance in crop pest populations. This has been a particular issue for control of the pollen beetle (Brassicogethes aeneus syn. Meligethes aeneus), a major pest of oilseed rape throughout Europe. Sustained and often prophylactic use of pyrethroid insecticides has led to the development of insecticide-resistant beetle populations, and alternatively, more environmentally benign integrated pest management strategies are sought for the pest. The population dynamics of pollen beetles and their natural enemies, and the damage caused by the pest, are influenced by processes acting at multiple scales, from the regional or landscape scale down to the local field or within-field scale. In this review, we focus on the within-field scale, and how crop management factors, including tillage, crop plant density, crop nutrition and crop rotations may be optimised and incorporated into integrated pest management strategies for more sustainable and effective control of the pest.     

浅析我国农作物病虫草鼠害成灾特点与减灾对策

农作物病虫草鼠害是我国农业生产的重要生物灾害,是制约高产、优质、高效益农业持续发展的主导因素之一。本文回顾了农业生物灾害综合防治技术在已往农业生产中的减灾作用。针对农作物病虫草鼠发生危害此起彼伏,关键防治技术落后,预警能力差,应用基础研究薄弱等现状,分析了我国生物灾害减灾研究面临的新挑战。从加强投资力度,开展重大病虫害灾变规律、中长期预测预报及综合防治关键技术研究,重视高新技术应用研究等角度指出了持续控制生物灾害的对策与途径。     

“农作物害虫数据库”的开发研究

开发研究了把数字技术应用到农业生产以及农业教育中,并结合农业生产实际,建立了“农作物害虫数据库”。该数据库包括鳞翅目、鞘翅目、半翅目、同翅目、双翅目、膜翅目、直翅目、蜱螨目和缨翅目等149种新疆主要农作物害虫,812幅原色图和害虫防治技术信息,用户可通过8种检索途径,采用9种检索方法方便地查询相关信息。     

Non-crop habitats concurrently drive crop colonization by the millet head miner and regulation by natural enemies

Non-crop habitats, depending on their composition, can enhance the abundance and diversity of natural enemies of crop pests, but also at the same time provide resources to pests, thereby reducing the effect on pest incidence and resulting yield losses. The objective of the present study was to test (1) the effect of semi-natural habitats in the landscape on crop colonization by pests and natural regulation, and (2) the relationship between natural regulation and pest incidence. The pearl millet head miner (MHM) was selected as a case study because it is a key pest of millet cultivated in traditional pesticide-free tree-crop agroforestry systems in which its control mostly relies on the action of natural enemies.A set of 24 millet fields were selected in a 20×20 km area in Senegal, from the analysis of high-resolution satellite images (Pléiades), and hypotheses on the relative abundance of semi-natural habitats (here trees and rangelands) in the agricultural landscape. Millet fields were monitored for pest infestation of panicles and pest natural regulation. We used partial least squares structural equation modelling (PLS-PM) to evaluate the relationships between the abundance and diversity of semi-natural habitats at the landscape scale, crop colonization, natural pest regulation, and pest incidence.Panicle colonization by the MHM was generally high (14–92%) and increased with the abundance of trees and to a lesser extent with the rangeland area at a 1000 m-radius around millet fields. However, regulation provided by natural enemies was amplified by the abundance of trees at a local scale (250 m-radius around millet fields). This was particularly true at early crop colonization of the MHM with parasitism and direct predation on eggs and young larvae. This multi-scale effect of semi-natural habitats on crop colonization and natural regulation could explain why no clear relationship between crop colonization and pest incidence, nor natural regulation and pest incidence, was observed. Future studies on the identification of complex species-specific interactions between trees and natural enemies should provide a better understanding of the ecological processes underlying the performance of natural regulation of MHM populations.     

Biological control of Myzus persicae (Hemiptera: Aphididae) through banker plant system in protected crops

Banker plants with Aphidius colemani were tested in greenhouse for control of Myzus persicae on arugula and sweet pepper crops and compared to inoculative releases of parasitoids. Banker plants system consisted of pots of oat (non-crop plant) infested with Rhopalosiphum padi (non-pest herbivore). The non-pest herbivore serves as an alternative host for A. colemani (parasitoid of the target crop pest). In the arugula crop significant differences in the pest population between the two strategies of biological control showed the lowest densities of the pest when introducing the banker plant system. In the sweet pepper crop, there was no difference in the pest population between the two strategies of biological control.     

害虫密度与作物产量损失预测的一种新方法

本文首次引入幂指模型（y=yLMexp(-bd^α）来模拟害虫密度与作物产量间的关系。通过对15组不同来源的害虫与作物竞争资料的模拟,证明幂指模型具有实际性的生物学意义,能准确地描述多种害虫和多种作物间的危害关系,预测害虫危害作物可能造成的产量损失,为害虫的经济防治提供了一种新的研究方法。     

Cascade effects of crop species richness on the diversity of pest insects and their natural enemies

Understanding how plant species richness influences the diversity of herbivorous and predatory/parasitic arthropods is central to community ecology.We explore the effects of crop species richness on the diversity of pest insects and their natural enemies.Using data from a four-year experiment with five levels of crop species richness,we found that crop species richness significantly affected the pest species richness,but there were no significant effects on richness of the pests’natural enemies.In contrast,the species richness of pest insects significantly affected their natural enemies.These findings suggest a cascade effect where trophic interactions are strong between adjacent trophic levels,while the interactions between connected but nonadjacent trophic levels are weakened by the intermediate trophic level.High crop species richness resulted in a more stable arthropod community compared with communities in monoculture crops.Our results highlight the complicated cross-trophic interactions and the crucial role of crop diversity in the food webs of agro-ecosystems.     

农田非作物生境调控与害虫综合治理

就害虫综合治理的研究而言,农田生态系统可以区分出作物生境和邻近作物的非作物生境。昆虫从作物生境迁移到非作物生境,与作物生境缺乏食物或受人类栽培活动干扰而引起的自然迁移、转换寄主和寻求庇护场所有关。许多研究表明,与特定作物田块相联系的植被类型和结构可影响害虫及其天敌迁居的种类、数量和时间。因此,我们可以通过改变大田周围非作物生境的植被组成及特征来调控农业生态系统中害虫与天敌的相互关系,提高天敌对害虫的控制效能。由于景观的空间格局对节肢动物的生物学特性有直接或间接的影响,所以,以景观为单元要比以同类作物的田块为单元更加适于害虫综合治理的研究和实施。在现代农业景观区域内重新引入和相嵌一些非栽培植物或廊道,可为众多有益节肢动物的繁殖、取食和避害提供多种类型的非作物栖境。     

幂指模型在害虫密度与作物产量损失研究中的应用

本文首次引入幂指模型 ( y=y L Mexp( - bda) )来模拟害虫密度与作物产量间的关系 ,通过对 15组不同来源的害虫与作物竞争资料的模拟 ,证明幂指模型具有实际的生物学意义 ,能准确地描述多种害虫和多种作物间的危害关系 ,预测害虫危害作物可能造成的产量损失。为害虫的经济防治提供了一种新的研究方法     

Evaluation of pest control efficiencies for different banker plant systems with a simple predator–prey model

The banker plant system has been introduced for the biological control of various pest species in Japanese greenhouses. With the banker plant system, non-crop plants infested with a host insect (a non-commercial crop pest) are placed in the greenhouse to provide alternative resources for the parasitoids or predators. We want to evaluate the effectiveness for controlling pests on the crop in a quantitative way by immigrating predators from the banker plant. Therefore, we developed a simple model for the interaction of the pest and predator in the crop and included the banker plant only as a source for predators. For three different pest-predator systems we parameterised the model and used these models to predict under what conditions biological control in a banker plant system is successful. We defined successful as keeping the pest below the economic injury level of the crop estimated from damage analysis. Because the crop is mostly grown during a period that lasts less than a year our analysis should not only focus on the equilibrium dynamics. In contrast, it should also focus on the transient dynamics. Our main analytical result, from the equilibrium analysis, is that for successful control the maximum lifetime consumption of immigrating predators should exceed the daily prey growth at half the value of the maximum consumption rate. For practical purpose this translates into the fact that the immigration of predators at a low initial pest density is crucial for successful control.     

诱集植物在害虫治理中的最新研究进展

诱集植物作为一种传统的害虫治理工具,在农业生产中的应用越来越广泛,其重要性也随着时间推移日益凸显。本文结合国内外研究现状,从特点、应用、优势和发展前景等方面综述了诱集植物在害虫生态控制中的重要作用。同时以香根草为例具体说明了诱集植物的应用方法,为诱集植物的利用与开发提供参考。     

害虫区域性生态调控的理论、方法及实践

本文在分析害虫生态调控的生态学基础上 ,论述了害虫区域性生态调控的原理与方法 ,并以华北棉田害虫管理实践为例 ,介绍了害虫区域性生态调控的实施过程     

我国农业害虫综合防治研究现状与展望

害虫综合防治作为农业生产的一项重要策略,在农业可持续发展中具有举足轻重的作用。近年来,针对我国害虫防治所存在的技术需求,科技部等部门先后通过973计划、863计划、科技支撑计划和农业行业专项等对重要害虫防治研究立项支持。通过这些项目的实施,我国建成了一支由国家和省级科研单位和大学组成的专业科研队伍和研究平台,对害虫监测预警技术、基于生物多样性保护利用的生态调控技术、害虫生物防治技术、化学防治技术、抗虫转基因作物利用技术等方面的研究取得了一系列的重要进展,研究建立了棉花、水稻、玉米、小麦和蔬菜等作物重要害虫的综合防治技术体系,并在农业生产中发挥了重要作用。以基因工程和信息技术为代表的第二次农业技术革命的到来,推动了害虫综合防治的理论发展,为害虫综合防治技术的广泛应用提供了新的机遇。地理信息系统、全球定位系统等信息技术和计算机网络技术的应用,提高了对害虫种群监测和预警的能力和水平,转基因抗虫作物的商业化种植等技术的应用显著增强了对害虫种群的区域性调控效率。针对产业结构调整和全球气候变化所带来的害虫新问题,进一步发展IPM新理论与新技术将成为我国农业昆虫学研究的重要方向之一。     

Managing the pepper maggot (Diptera: Tephritidae) using perimeter trap cropping

A perimeter trap crop barrier of hot cherry peppers, border-row insecticide applications, and a combination of the two management strategies were evaluated to see if they could protect a centrally located main crop of bell peppers from oviposition and infestation by the pepper maggot, Zonosemata electa (Say). In large plots, the main cash crop of bell peppers was protected from the majority of the oviposition and infestation by all three barriers. The combination sprayed/trap crop barrier provided the best protection against both oviposition and infestation and resulted in over 98% pest-free fruit at harvest. Maggots infested only 1.7% of the main crop fruit when protected by a sprayed or unsprayed trap crop barrier, compared with 15.4% in control plots. The perimeter sprayed/trap crop strategy was employed in three commercial fields in 2000 and 2001. The combination barrier resulted in superior insect control and reduced insecticide use at all commercial locations, compared with the same farms' past history or to farms using conventional and integrated pest management (IPM) methods. Economic analysis showed that the technique is more cost effective and profitable than relying on whole-field insecticide applications to control the pepper maggot. Farmer users were surveyed and found the perimeter trap crop technique simple to use, with many hard-to-measure benefits associated with worker protection issues, marketing, personnel/management relations, pest control and the environment. Use of the perimeter trap crop technique as part of an IPM or organic program can help improve crop quality and overall farm profitability, while reducing pesticide use and the possibility of secondary pest outbreaks.     

农田生物多样性与害虫综合治理

在现代农田生态系统中 ,人类为了满足自身的需要 ,通常把自然界的植物群落改造成大面积种植单种特定的作物 ,人为地排除其他植物种类的竞争以提高作物的产量。由于单一化的作物不断取代自然植被 ,降低了农田的物种和生境多样性 ,结果导致农田生态系统的不稳定和害虫问题的更加恶化。影响农田生物多样性的因素很多 ,如地理位置、气候类型、环境条件、作物品种、种间关系、人类的栽培活动等。根据现有的生态学原理和研究成果 ,人类可以通过采用适当的措施来恢复和强化农田生物多样性 ,提高天敌的控制潜能 ,减少害虫发生的可能性 ;这些措施包括合理安排混作的时空格局 ,通过轮作进行间断性耕种 ,对多年生作物采用地面覆盖植被 ,利用不同品种以提高作物的遗传多样性 ,等等。在设计农田生物多样性的管理策略时 ,必须同时考虑当地气候、地理 ,植被 ,作物 ,土壤等因素的变化 ,因为在特定的生境条件下 ,这些因素可能增加或减少害虫发生的机会     

Exploiting volatile organic compounds in crop protection: A systematic review of 1-octen-3-ol and 3-octanone

The 21st century has brought new challenges to the agri-food industry due to population growth, global warming, and greater public awareness of environmental issues. Ensuring global food security for future generations is crucial. However, pests, weeds, and diseases still significantly contribute to crop losses, and the availability of effective conventional synthetic pesticides is decreasing. To address this, new and diverse pest management tools are needed. One pest management tool showing potential for invertebrate pest management is the exploitation of volatile organic compounds (VOCs)—in particular, the compounds 1-octen-3-ol and 3-octanone. This review aims to explore the extent to which 1-octen-3-ol and 3-octanone show potential in the future management of invertebrate crop and animal pests. A significant increase in the rate of publication of literature on the use of 1-octen-3-ol and 3-octanone in crop protection since 2018 is identified by this review, therefore, showing the potential importance of these compounds for use in future pest management. This review also identifies key interactions between naturally occurring biosynthesised 1-octen-3-ol and 3-octanone, and a range of invertebrate targets. Many of these interactions with key crop pests are sourced from the taxonomic families Lamiaceae, Fabaceae, and Trichomaceae. However, analysis of the practical application of these sources in an integrated pest management programme identifies clear limitations with the use of naturally occurring biosynthesised 1-octen-3-ol and 3-octanone. Rather, future focus should be placed on the development and exploitation of synthesised nature identical 1-octen-3-ol and 3-octanone for use as a biopesticide product. Overall, 1-octen-3-ol and 3-octanone show potential for exploitation in future crop protection, being abundant in source and diversity of invertebrate interactions. However, their use as a naturally occurring biosynthesised chemical is likely not practical for direct implementation in crop protection. Rather, focus should be placed on the development and exploitation of synthesised nature identical variants of these compounds for use as a biopesticide.