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Simple Summary: Management strategies targeting invasive pests of agricultural crops have relied heavily on the application of synthetic insecticides. However, sustainable pest management approaches and tools are being effectively implemented. The use of microbials, botanicals, and other natural-based substances alone or in combination with natural enemies is a promising approach. In this context, in the laboratory, we studied the potential synergistic or antagonistic effects in pest control of various biopesticides with Ganaspis kimorum and Necremnus tutae, two major parasitoids of the spotted wing Drosophila and the South American tomato pinworm, respectively. Drosophila suzukii and Tuta absoluta are successful biological invaders of agroecosystems. Their integrated pest management (IPM) programs involve the release and/or conservation of natural enemies. Among these, Ganaspis kimorum is a major Asian parasitoid of D. suzukii and has been introduced as a classical biological control agent of this pest in Europe and North America, while Necremnus tutae is a key fortuitous parasitoid of T. absoluta in the Mediterranean region. Bioinsecticides represent key alternatives to chemicals for controlling both pests. This study investigated the potential compatibility of both parasitoids with Beauveria bassiana, Bacillus thuringiensis, garlic essential oil (EO), and spinosad, in comparison to two synthetic insecticides, cyantraniliprole and chlorantraniliprole. The results showed that combining each of the tested insecticides with G. kimorum slightly increased pest mortality compared to the insecticide alone. Necremnus tutae had a significant additive effect on host mortality when combined with insecticides. Beauveria bassiana and B. thuringiensis were most compatible with both parasitoid species. Both garlic EO and chlorantraniliprole impaired the survival of immature N. tutae and showed sublethal toxicity on the reproductive and non-reproductive behaviors of N. tutae. Spinosad exhibited high acute toxicity on both juvenile and adult parasitoids of both species. Overall, these findings provide useful insights into insecticide selectivity toward two key parasitoids and offer new knowledge on the potential of combining natural enemies and bioinsecticides for optimized IPM. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Simple Summary: Synthetic pesticides are among the main threatening factors for wild and managed bees. In recent decades, botanical biopesticides have been gained increasing interest and use in agriculture due to their high selectivity and short persistence in the environment. To date, however, little has been discovered or researched about the adverse effects of these substances on bees. This paper reviews studies in the literature reporting the lethal and sublethal effects of botanical biopesticides on social and solitary bees. Although botanical products are considered safer than chemical pesticides, some of them can cause lethal and several sublethal effects on bees. We suggest that more research is needed on this topic, especially increasing knowledge about certain groups of bees such as solitary bees. The recent global decline in insect populations is of particular concern for pollinators. Wild and managed bees (Hymenoptera, Apoidea) are of primary environmental and economic importance because of their role in pollinating cultivated and wild plants, and synthetic pesticides are among the major factors contributing to their decline. Botanical biopesticides may be a viable alternative to synthetic pesticides in plant defence due to their high selectivity and short environmental persistence. In recent years, scientific progress has been made to improve the development and effectiveness of these products. However, knowledge regarding their adverse effects on the environment and non-target species is still scarce, especially when compared to that of synthetic products. Here, we summarize the studies concerning the toxicity of botanical biopesticides on the different groups of social and solitary bees. We highlight the lethal and sublethal effects of these products on bees, the lack of a uniform protocol to assess the risks of biopesticides on pollinators, and the scarcity of studies on specific groups of bees, such as the large and diverse group of solitary bees. Results show that botanical biopesticides cause lethal effects and a large number of sublethal effects on bees. However, the toxicity is limited when comparing the effects of these compounds with those of synthetic compounds. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Tomato Samplings and Measurements The tomato samplings and measurements were carried out at 8 days from the treatments (50 DAG) in the leaves located at three different positions along the shoot axes: basal (B), intermediate (I) and apical leaf (A) belonging to the first, second and third node, respectively. Since 2006, the tomato production of the Mediterranean region has been under attack by a newly introduced insect, I Tuta absoluta i , whose larvae feed on leaves, stems and fruits causing severe damage to the tomato with decreases in production both in the field and greenhouse [[25]]. Previous studies revealed that the low nitrogen levels and drought stress inputs to tomato negatively affected the biological traits of I T. absoluta i [[26]] but also demonstrated that the N deficiency and drought could be unfavorable to the tomato plants, suggesting that the trade-off between negative impact on I Tuta i pest and plant growth should be evaluated. For example, insect herbivory antagonized the heat responses in tomato [[9]], whereas, in this same plant species, drought stress synergized the emission of specific VOCs in combination with aphid herbivory [[10]] as well with the larvae of green alder sawfly ( I Monsoma pulveratum i ) in I Alnus glutinosa i [[11]]. Keywords: within-plant phenotypic plasticity; combined stresses; additive; antagonistic and synergic effects; VOCs EN within-plant phenotypic plasticity combined stresses additive antagonistic and synergic effects VOCs 1804 25 11/17/22 20221101 NES 221101 1. [Extracted from the article]

The beneficial effects of direct predation by zoophytophagous biological control agents (BCAs), such as the mirid bug Nesidiocoris tenuis, are well-known. However, the benefits of zoophytophagous BCAs' relation with host plants, via induction of plant defensive responses, have not been investigated until recently. To date, only the females of certain zoophytophagous BCAs have been demonstrated to induce defensive plant responses in tomato plants. The aim of this work was to determine whether nymphs, adult females, and adult males of N. tenuis are able to induce defense responses in tomato plants. Compared to undamaged tomato plants (i.e., not exposed to the mirid), plants on which young or mature nymphs, or adult males or females of N. tenuis fed and developed were less attractive to the whitefly Bemisia tabaci, but were more attractive to the parasitoid Encarsia formosa. Female-exposed plants were more repellent to B. tabaci and more attractive to E. formosa than were male-exposed plants. When comparing young- and mature-nymph-exposed plants, the same level of repellence was obtained for B. tabaci, but mature-nymph-exposed plants were more attractive to E. formosa. The repellent effect is attributed to the signaling pathway of abscisic acid, which is upregulated in N. tenuis-exposed plants, whereas the parasitoid attraction was attributed to the activation of the jasmonic acid signaling pathway. Our results demonstrate that all motile stages of N. tenuis can trigger defensive responses in tomato plants, although these responses may be slightly different depending on the stage considered. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Simple Summary: Nowadays, globalization causes a series of negative consequence for the sustainability of agricultural systems, such as solanaceous cultivations. Here, we report for the first time the presence of an invasive polyphagous mealybug, Phenacoccus solenopsis Tinsley (Hemiptera: Pseudococcidae), in Italian solanaceous crops, i.e., tomato and bell pepper. For this, we analyzed at the morphological and molecular level various specimens collected in Sicily during fall 2020. A phylogenetic analysis conducted comparing an ≈800 bp portion of the mitochondrial genome of several worldwide populations, suggests that the introduced population might originate from Asia. This study represents the first step toward establishing a P. solenopsis monitoring and sustainable control program in Europe. The cotton mealybug Phenacoccus solenopsis Tinsley (Hemiptera: Pseudococcidae) is an extremely polyphagous invasive pest that can cause serious damages to cultivated plants. The pest is native to America but invaded Asian and Mediterranean countries during the last decades. Tomato (Lycopersicon esculentum Mill., Solanaceae) is an economic relevant crop worldwide and its production can be threatened by numerous insect pests including P. solenopsis. We recorded for the first time P. solenopsis in association with tomato in greenhouse crops and urban landscapes in Sicily (Italy) during the fall season in 2020. The species was identified as P. solenopsis based on the morphological characters and DNA amplification of an ≈800 bp portion of mitochondrial cytochrome oxidase subunit I (mtCOI) gene. The phylogenetic analysis among the obtained P. solenopsis mtCOI sequences with those already available in GenBank suggests Asian countries as a potential source of new introduction. This is the first record of P. solenopsis attacking tomato plants in Italy and may represent a potential threat for tomato production in Europe and nearby countries. For this reason, actions should be taken to avoid the uncontrolled spread of this alien species. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Simple Summary: Calliphora vomitoria L. is a very common synanthropic blowfly. Since it is attracted by human food, it plays a main role in the transmission of foodborne diseases. Among aromatic plant essential oils (EOs), those of spices are the most suitable to protect food from insect pests. In the present work, we determined the bioactivity of three oregano EOs against C. vomitoria. The chemical analyses showed that the EOs belonged to three chemotypes, one with a prevalence of carvacrol and two with a prevalence of thymol. The bioassays showed that the bioactivity of the EOs significantly varies among chemotypes, with the thymol chemotype showing an overall higher efficacy compared to the carvacrol one. Blowflies play a substantial role as vectors of microorganisms, including human pathogens. The control of these insect pests is an important aspect of the prevention of foodborne diseases, which represent a significant public health threat worldwide. Among aromatic plants, spices essential oils (EOs) are the most suitable to protect food from insect pests. In this study, we determined the chemical composition of three oregano EOs and assessed their toxicity and deterrence to oviposition against the blowfly Calliphora vomitoria L. The chemical analyses showed that the EOs belonged to three chemotypes: one with a prevalence of carvacrol, the carvacrol chemotype (CC; carvacrol, 81.5%), and two with a prevalence of thymol, the thymol/p-cymene and thymol/γ-terpinene chemotypes (TCC and TTC; thymol, 43.8, and 36.7%, respectively). The bioassays showed that although all the three EOs chemotypes are able to exert a toxic activity against C. vomitoria adults (LD50 from 0.14 to 0.31 μL insect−1) and eggs (LC50 from 0.008 to 0.038 μL cm−2) as well as deter the oviposition (Oviposition Activity Index, OAI, from 0.40 ± 0.04 to 0.87 ± 0.02), the bioactivity of oregano EOs significantly varies among the chemotypes, with the thymol-rich EOs (TCC and TTC) overall demonstrating more effectiveness than the carvacrol-rich (CC) EO. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]