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Whole ecosystem-based approaches are becoming increasingly common in pest management within agricultural systems. These strategies consider all trophic levels and abiotic processes within an ecosystem, including interactions between different factors. This review outlines a whole ecosystem approach to the integrated pest management of pear psyllid (Cacopsylla pyri Linnaeus) within pear (Pyrus communis L.) orchards, focusing on potential disruptions as a result of climate change. Pear psyllid is estimated to cost the UK pear industry £5 million per annum and has a significant economic impact on pear production globally. Pesticide resistance is well documented in psyllids, leading to many growers to rely on biological control using natural enemies during the summer months. In addition, multiple insecticides commonly used in pear psyllid control have been withdrawn from the UK and Europe, emphasising the need for alternative control methods. There is growing concern that climate change could alter trophic interactions and phenological events within agroecosystems. For example, warmer temperatures could lead to earlier pear flowering and pest emergence, as well as faster insect development rates and altered activity levels. If climate change impacts pear psyllid differently to natural enemies, then trophic mismatches could occur, impacting pest populations. This review aims to evaluate current strategies used in C. pyri management, discuss trophic interactions within this agroecosystem and highlight potential changes in the top-down and bottom-up control of C. pyri as a result of climate change. This review provides a recommended approach to pear psyllid management, identifies evidence gaps and outlines areas of future research. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Molecular studies on odorant receptors (ORs), odorant‐binding proteins (OBPs) and the functioning of the receptor and pheromone signal transduction in fruit fly Bactrocera species have expanded exponentially during the past few decades. OBPs contribute to the sensing of the olfactory system (OS) via the transduction of odorants through the sensillum lymph. However, ORs, a family of G‐protein‐coupled receptors in Bactrocera and various other species, exhibit heightened responsiveness to multiple chemical odours such as hormones, sensory stimuli and neurotransmitters. The apparent mechanism involves a combinatorial code encompassing both peripheral and antennal lobe processing, facilitating the reception of sexual pheromones and environmental cues. The OS is specifically designed to recognize and process information from volatile chemical signals, and these chemical signals play an important function in various flies. Insects rely on these chemicals to navigate and comprehend their surroundings. A mature insect OS is composed of two pairs of sensillae‐covered palps, antennae and two primary pairs of olfactory appendages on the anterior head. It has been shown that chemosensory gene families contribute in odour perception. These include various neuroreceptor families, such as OBPs, chemosensory proteins and sensory neuron membrane proteins. Additionally, there are three divergent chemoreceptors, namely ORs, ionotropic receptors and gustatory receptors. Methods based on systematic biology, molecular biology and bioinformatics tools have rapidly emerged to investigate the insect communication systems and provide new insights for the management of many agricultural pest. Several aromatic compounds, including semiochemicals and pheromones, have been employed to defend crops and animals from destructive fruit flies and other invasive and frugivorous species. To promote the expansion of the cropping system, the utilization of phytochemical lures can be convenient for sustainable agriculture production and enhance food security. Hence, this review examined the state of the art in chemical communication of insects with a focus on fruit fly pest species to identify OS and their semiochemical receptors, protein receptors and chemosensory receptors (CSRs), as well as their practical applications for biological control and integrated pest management are highlighted. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The white mango scale insect (WMS), Aulacaspis tubercularis newstead, is a major constraint to mango production and productivity in Ethiopia. The objective of the study was to determine the best spray sequence of various insecticides as a strategy of resistance management of the pest. Field experiments were conducted during the 2021 and 2022 cropping season at Seka Agro-processing private Ltd company mango orchard, southwestern Ethiopia. Ten insecticides belonging to six chemical classes were systematically arranged into seven treatment regimes and evaluated for their efficacy along with control against WMS. In every spray regime three insecticides were applied at an interval of 14 days. The experiment was laid out as a randomized complete block design and replicated four times. Highly significant differences (P < 0.01) were observed among the regimes for post spray the scale mortality. Sequential and rotational application of the insecticides, namely, imidacloprid (1st spray), spirotetramat (2nd spray) and mineral oil (3rd spray) as well as acephate (1st spray), buprofezin (2nd spray), and acetamiprid (3rd spray) resulted in the best control with both 100% controlling efficacy. Negative efficacy was obtained from the unsprayed treatment.The results imply that rotational use of insecticides with different modes of action is helpful to manage A. tubercularis on mango crops. Those effective insecticides can be used as components for integrated pest management (IPM) schemes for WMS. Effects of the formulations on the natural enemy complex and their toxicity in fruits require meticulous study. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

“C-shaped” white grubs or root grubs are commonly occurring, soil-inhabiting polyphagous insects and they cause economic losses in several crops. The species of white grub those are endemic to Saurashtra region of Gujarat are, Apogonia rauca, Schizonycha ruficollis and Adoretus sp. Since 2010, sporadic outbreaks of white grubs noted in Saurashtra and in severe form in the year 2016. Up to 90% of surveyed groundnut fields in Saurashtra were infested with white grub, complete crop failures were also observed at some endemic locations. Community-level integrated pest management (IPM) approaches were formulated by ICAR-Directorate of Groundnut Research, Junagadh to tackle the white grub menace during 2017 and 2018. Sensitization of farmers in the white grub-prone villages i.e., Samadhiyala and Mithapur of Mendarada (Taluka), Junagadh (District) was initiated before and during the monsoon season. Information on white grub life cycle, weak links in the life cycle, damage symptoms, management strategies and need for community approach were repeatedly emphasized through pamphlets, posters, field visits, interactive meetings, kisan-mela/ goshti and demonstration of white grub management practices. These interventions resulted in successful implementation of community-level IPM approaches for white grub management during 2017 and 2018. Since 2018, farmers witnessed reduction in per cent groundnut damage caused by white grubs post interventions made by ICAR-DGR and thus saved an estimated monetary loss of around Rs. 10,000-15,000 rupees per ha. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Predatory mites biologically control a range of arthropod crop pests and are often central to agricultural IPM strategies globally. Conflict between chemical and biological pest control has prompted increasing interest in selective pesticides with fewer off-target impacts on beneficial invertebrates, including predatory mites. However, the range of predatory mite species included in standardized pesticide toxicity assessments does not match the diversity of naturally occurring species contributing to biocontrol, with most testing carried out on species from the family Phytoseiidae (Mesostigmata). Here, we aim to bridge this knowledge gap by investigating the impacts of 22 agricultural pesticides on the predatory snout mite, Odontoscirus lapidaria (Kramer) (Trombidiformes: Bdellidae). Using internationally standardized testing methodologies, we identified several active ingredients with minimal impact on O. lapidaria mortality, including Bacillus thuringiensis , nuclear polyhedrosis virus, flonicamid, afidopyropen, chlorantraniliprole, and cyantraniliprole, which may therefore be good candidates for IPM strategies utilizing both chemical and biological control. Comparison of our findings with previous studies on Phytoseiid mites reveals important differences in responses to a number of chemicals between predatory mite families, including the miticides diafenthiuron and abamectin, highlighting the risk of making family-level generalizations from acute toxicity assessments. We also tested the impacts of several pesticides on a second Bdellidae species (Trombidiformes: Bdellidae) and found differences in the response to chlorpyrifos compared with O. lapidaria , further highlighting the taxon-specific nature of nontarget toxicity effects. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study aims to determine the feeding performance of grubs and adults of Brumoides suturalis (Fabricius) on the cotton mealybug, Phenacoccus solenopsis Tinsley. The experiments were conducted in the laboratory at 25.0±1.0°C temperature, 65±5% R.H., and a 14L:10D photoperiod with ten replicates under unstarved and starved conditions. When unstarved, the first instar grub, second instar grub, third instar grub, fourth instar grub, adult male, and adult female ingested at an average of 8.5±0.26, 12.6±0.33, 19.1±0.48, 38.2±0.60, 28.0±0.29, and 33.4±0.74 mealybugs/insect/day, respectively. When exposed to starvation for 2 hours prior to the experiment, the mean consumption of the first instar grub, second instar grub, third instar grub, fourth instar grub, adult male, and adult female was recorded to be 9.2±0.09, 13.3±0.31, 20.1±0.42, 40.5±0.34, 30.0±0.50, and 34.3±0.25 mealybugs/insect/day, respectively. The study subsequently revealed that the fourth instar grub of B. suturalis is a voracious feeder of cotton mealybug, exhibiting the highest feeding potential among all the developmental stages. An adult female indicated higher feeding performance over the adult male. The starved grubs and adults consumed a higher number of mealybugs than unstarved or well-fed grubs and adults of B. suturalis .

Accurately estimating the risk of sensitive populations subjected to toxicant disturbances is central to our ability to protect ecosystem services. While the gold standard for assessing risk historically involves static measures such as the LD50 or LC50, more sophisticated approaches have been developed in an attempt to capture more nuanced outcomes. In the 1980s the International Organization for Biological Control (IOBC) developed a tiered approach to determine the compatibility of pesticides and natural enemies in the context of integrated pest management (IPM). We analyzed the IOBC approach using stage-based matrix models to project population outcomes for four parasitoid species, Diaeretiella rapae, McIntosh, Fopius arisanus, (Sonan), Diachasmimorpha longicaudata Ashmead, Psyttalia fletcheri (Silvestri) and the predator, Coccinella septempunctata L. By imposing mortality levels in matrix models equivalent to those outlined in the IOBC Tier 1 Class 1 (29 %) (harmless) and Class 2 (79 %) (slightly harmful) mortality classes, we explored discrepancies between the IOBC approach and population outcomes generated by these models. Our results highlight that the IOBC Class 1 and 2 levels of mortality are too high to protect many natural enemies from pesticides, setting the stage for unrealistically optimistic views of pesticide compatibility in many cases. Furthermore, a one size fits all approach to protect natural enemies from pesticides does not work because of differences in demographic rates among species which will be less negatively affected by Tier 1 levels of mortality and those that do not reproduce quickly and will thus be more vulnerable to pesticides. Therefore, the IOBC method should be used cautiously if at all, and results should be interpreted with the caveats and pitfalls highlighted here. Results of this study indicate that it is time to reevaluate how we estimate pesticide compatibility with natural enemies and adjust the methods and mortality thresholds based on more realistic measures of toxicity.

Abstract Remote sensing and spatial analyses are increasingly used to understand the role of seminatural habitats in biocontrol, but knowing how to best leverage these tools is a persistent challenge. In arid agroecosystems, irrigation often exaggerates the differences between crop fields and their interspaces. Weeds adjacent to irrigated fields are thus often some of the only persistent vegetation. Remote sensing may be essential to capture the effect of this fine‐scale variation on pest biocontrol. We examined the role of land‐cover in determining the degree of aphid pest pressure and biocontrol in irrigated alfalfa fields in the Great Basin Desert (Nevada, USA). We experimentally manipulated predator densities to determine true agents of aphid biocontrol in this system. We then assessed land‐cover and spatial scale using alternative methods to determine the approaches that best defined the combined direct and indirect effects of seminatural habitat on aphid pest suppression. A remote‐sensing approach revealed the importance of land‐cover to aphid biocontrol more clearly than conventional vegetation surveys. In particular, remote sensing revealed that weedy patches within alfalfa fields reduced aphid densities, whereas flood irrigation increased aphid densities. Our experiments confirmed that coccinellid beetles are important aphid biocontrol agents. Coccinellids were positively associated with weedy land‐cover that was spatially close to alfalfa fields, particularly in the spring. Other predator taxa were also associated with distinct landscape features, though these associations varied between spring and fall. Solution: Weedy seminatural habitat near alfalfa fields, occurring along field margins and the banks of irrigation ditches, was positively associated with the density of coccinellid beetles and associated aphid pest suppression. Remote sensing excelled at identifying these areas and their effects, highlighting its utility as a management tool. Preserving these weedy areas can enhance aphid biocontrol, but farmers must consider potential trade‐offs between the control of insect‐pests and weeds.

Salah satu provinsi dengan Indeks Pembangunan Manusia yang cukup tinggi ialah Provinsi Jawa Timur, hal ini tidak terlepas oleh kondisi perekonomian daerah tersebut. Penelitian ini bertujuan untuk melihat determinan Indeks Pembangunan Manusia Provinsi Jawa Timur dengan Inflasi sebagai Variabel. Penelitian ini menggunakan data sekunder berupa data dari Badan Pusat Statistik (BPS) selama periode 2020-2023. Sampel penelitian ini mencakup 38 kota dan kabupaten selama kurun waktu 3 tahun, sedangkan populasi penelitian mencangkup provinsi Jawa Timur. Penelitian ini menggunakan metode kuantitatif dengan alat uji software JASP 2023 dan menggunakan analisis regresi berganda data panel. Hasil penelitian ini menunjukan bahwa TPT mempunyai pengaruh positif dan signifikann terhadap IPM. Sedangkan PE mempunyai pengaruh negatif dan signifikan terhadap IPM. Temuan lainnya menunjukan bahwa Inflasi tidak mampu memoderasi hubungan antara TPT terhadap IPM, sedangkan hasil lainya menunjukan bahwa inflasi mampu memoderasi hubungan antara PE terhadap IPM. Implikasi penelitian ini menggambarkan kondisi perekonomian daerah dalam pembangunan sumber daya manusia provinsi Jawa Timur.

Abstract Throughout the Arctic, ice‐affiliated marine mammals constitute local subsistence resources but detrimental effects of declines in their sea ice habitats create a need for harvest sustainability assessments in light of climate change. At the same time, empirical data required for thorough population analysis of these species are often sparse at best, as illustrated by the focal species in this study, ringed seals in Svalbard: the last population survey took place two decades ago (2002–2003), demographic data are limited to age, sex, and reproductive status of a small subset of shot individuals, and harvest reporting is patchy and incomplete. Data sparsity is one of the main reasons why potential biological removal (PBR) became a commonly used tool for assessing sustainability of marine mammal harvests. Herein, we calculated PBR for Svalbard ringed seals using both recommended default parameters and population‐specific parameters obtained from an integrated population model (IPM). PBR estimates were highly uncertain, suggesting the number of sustainably harvestable individuals could lie anywhere between 0 and 91, with a substantial chance of any harvest being unsustainable under current environmental conditions and trends. Subsequent population viability analyses (PVAs) further confirmed that the current harvest was likely unsustainable, even in a scenario in which sea ice conditions would not deteriorate (and therefore lower pup survival) further. However, uncertainty in population projections was high, and forecasts thus not ideal for formulating management advice. Better forecasts will require more frequent population surveys and obtaining more knowledge regarding the links between vital rates and environmental conditions, both of which may be facilitated by the adoption of novel technology (e.g., drone monitoring, genetic studies). The modeling framework created in this study can be readily updated with new data as they become available, and can serve as a tool for adaptive management of this and other marine mammal populations.

Abstract The fall armyworm (FAW), Spodoptera frugiperda (J.E. Smith) (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae), an invasive and polyphagous pest affecting various vital crops globally, was studied to assess how different maize hybrids impact its biological parameters under controlled laboratory conditions. Maize, a crucial crop for food security in Egypt, requires effective Integrated Pest Management (IPM) strategies to manage pests like S. frugiperda. This article explores how S. frugiperda performs on five maize hybrids—Hi-Tech 2031, Wataniya 6, Giza 10, Giza 128, and Giza 168. Significant differences were observed in larval duration across the hybrids, with the shortest duration (14.08 days) on Hi-Tech 2031. Giza 128 resulted in the longest pupal period (9.39 days), and adult lifespans varied between 8.91 and 9.61 days. Reproductive parameters also diverse, with pre-oviposition periods ranging from 4.64 to 4.90 days and oviposition periods from 3 to 4.14 days. The highest average egg count (1352.19 eggs) was recorded with Giza 10. Hybrids Hi-Tech 2031 and Giza 128 had a lower male proportion (44.81% and 43.45%, respectively). Giza 10 also yielded the highest pupation rate (93.33%), while Hi-Tech 2031 showed the highest emergence rate (96.33%).

Provincial HDI data in 2022 shows striking disparities between regions. This figure shows the uneven economic development in Indonesia. An analysis of factors that can influence HDI is needed. This research aims to analyze the influence of regional finan-cial performance and capital expenditure on HDI with economic growth as an inter-vening variable. The sample used in this research was 34 provinces that met the research criteria. The variables used in this research are regional financial performance, capital expenditure, economic growth, and HDI. Financial performance and capital expenditure are exogenous variables, economic growth is an intervening variable, and HDI is an endogenous variable. The method used to analyze the relationship between variables is SEM PLS. The test results show that financial performance, capital expenditure and economic growth directly have a positive significant effect on HDI. The results of this test have the implication that to improve the quality of life of the population, attention is needed to improve financial performance, capital expenditure and economic growth in each region. The other test results showed that economic growth was able to mediate the effect of capital expenditure on HDI but was not able to mediate the effect of financial performance on HDI.

Abstract Invasive alien species (IAS) pose a severe threat to global agriculture, with their impact projected to escalate due to climate change and expanding international trade. The fall armyworm (FAW), Spodoptera frugiperda (J. E. Smith), a native of the Americas, has rapidly spread across various continents, causing significant damage to several food crops, especially maize. Integrated pest management (IPM) programs are vital for sustainable FAW control, combining multiple strategies for sustainable results. Over three consecutive years, 2019–20, 2020–21 and 2021–22, the field demonstrations were conducted in semiarid regions of India, testing a four-component IPM approach viz., pheromone traps, microbial, botanicals and ETL based applications of insecticides against farmers' practices (sole insecticide application). IPM implementation led to substantial reductions in FAW infestation. Furthermore, egg mass and larvae infestations were significantly lower in IPM-adopted villages compared to conventional practices. Pheromone-based monitoring demonstrated a consistent reduction in adult moth populations. The lowest technology gap (10.42), extension gap (8.33) and technology index (12.25) was recorded during 2020–21. The adoption of IPM led to increased maize yields (17.49, 12.62 and 24.87% over control), higher net returns (919, 906.20 and 992.93 USD), and favourable benefit–cost ratios (2.74, 2.39 and 2.33) compared to conventional practices respectively during 2019–20, 2020–21 and 2021–22. The economic viability of IPM strategies was evident across three consecutive years, confirming their potential for sustainable FAW management in the semiarid region of India. These strategies hold promise for adoption in other parts of the world sharing similar climatic conditions.

Simple Summary: As whiteflies, Bemisia tabaci (Genn.), are continually developing resistance to conventional insecticides, it is crucial and pressing to seek new approaches to management. In this study, the synergistic effect of lemongrass essential oil and flometoquin, flonicamid, and sulfoxaflor on B. tabaci was studied. Based on the found LC values, the decreasing order of toxicity to B. tabaci was as follows: sulfoxaflor > flonicamid > flometoquin > lemongrass EO. Sulfoxaflor and flonicamid exhibited significant inhibition of AchE activity, while only flonicamid demonstrated a significant impact on α-esterase. However, none of the tested compounds affected cytochrome P450 or GST. Additionally, lemongrass EO and the tested insecticides exhibited significant binding affinity to AchE. The whitefly, Bemisia tabaci (Genn.), is one of the most dangerous polyphagous pests in the world. Eco-friendly compounds and new chemical insecticides have gained recognition for whitefly control. In this study, the toxicity and biochemical impact of flometoquin, flonicamid, and sulfoxaflor, alone or combined with lemongrass essential oil (EO), against B. tabaci was studied. In addition, a molecular docking study was conducted to assess the binding affinity of the tested compounds to AchE. Based on the LC values, the descending order of the toxicity of the tested compounds to B. tabaci adults was as follows: sulfoxaflor > flonicamid > flometoquin > lemongrass EO. The binary mixtures of each of the tested compounds with lemongrass EO exhibited synergism in all combinations, with observed mortalities ranging from 15.09 to 22.94% higher than expected for an additive effect. Sulfoxaflor and flonicamid, alone or in combination with lemongrass EO, significantly inhibited AchE activity while only flonicamid demonstrated a significant impact on α-esterase, and none of the tested compounds affected cytochrome P450 or GST. However, the specific activity of P450 was significantly inhibited by the lemongrass/sulfoxaflor mixture while α-esterase activity was significantly inhibited by the lemongrass/flometoquin mixture. Moreover, the lemongrass EO and all the tested insecticides exhibited significant binding affinity to AchE with energy scores ranging from −4.69 to −7.06 kcal/mol. The current findings provide a foundation for utilizing combinations of essential oils and insecticides in the integrated pest management (IPM) of B. tabaci. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In its native range, Trissolcus japonicus (Ashmead) (Hymenoptera: Scelionidae) is a main egg parasitoid of Halyomorpha halys (Stål) (Hemiptera; Pentatomidae). Adventive populations of this parasitoid have been spreading in Europe and North America, allowing active distribution efforts in these areas to utilize it against H. halys in agriculture. We tested exposure of adults and parasitized egg masses to residues of a range of insecticides an adjuvant that the wasp could encounter in perennial horticultural crops, and how exposure might affect key behaviors. The insecticides included Burkholderia rinojensis, Methoxyfenozide, Sulfoxaflor, and Spinosad, and the adjuvant NuFilm®P. The lethal effects were investigated after exposure for 1, 6, and 24 hours to residues applied to Munger cells using a Potter spray tower to determine mortality levels. Sulfoxaflor and Spinosad resulted in 73% and 100% mortality after 24 hours at field rates, while Methoxyfenozide caused 19% mortality at the same rate. Little mortality occurred with Burkholderia rinojensis and NuFilm®P at recommended rates after 24 hours. Regarding sublethal effects, Spinosad, Sulfoxaflor, and Burkholderia rinojensis negatively impacted reproduction. Sulfoxaflor caused a lower angular velocity in parasitoids exposed to H. halys traces. Spinosad, Methoxyfenozide, and NuFilm®P induced a significantly lower overall circadian activity. Our results showed that precision timing of insecticide sprays to pests is necessary, especially for biocontrol programs that involve the release of parasitoids such as T. japonicus. Our results also illustrate how sensor data acquisition and behavioral analysis software can be utilized to detect important sublethal effects such as circadian disruption in minute parasitoids. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Entomopathogenic nematodes (EPNs) are well-known biocontrol agents to control both above- and below-ground insect pests. EPNs can also control plant parasitic nematodes by releasing allelochemicals through symbiotic bacteria present in their guts. This study aimed to evaluate the bio-efficacy of a novel powder formulation comprising of infective juveniles (IJs) of a heat-tolerant indigenous EPN species of India, Steinernema abbasi, against subterranean termites (Odontotermes obesus) in wheat and chickpea fields. The bioefficacy of test formulation in field study for three rabi seasons (2020-2023) in wheat and chickpea grown in field heavily infested with subterranean termites decreased the plant damage from termite attack, monitored as relative number of infested tillers in wheat and infested plants in chickpea fields. The reduced damage in test crops caused by termites increased growth, yield attributes and yield of test crops. This present research validated the prepared formulation's potential as a biopesticide ideal for organic farming and integrated pest management practices. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Research Highlight: Christian, M., Oosthuizen, W. C., Bester, M. N., & de Bruyn, P. N. (2024). Robustly estimating the demographic contribution of immigration: Simulation, sensitivity analysis and seals. Journal of Animal Ecology. https://doi.org/10.1111/1365‐2656.14053. Immigration can have profound consequences for local population dynamics and demography, but collecting data to accurately quantifying it is challenging. The recent rise of integrated population models (IPMs) offers an alternative by making it possible to estimate immigration without the need for explicit data, and to quantify its contribution to population dynamics through transient Life Table Response Experiments (tLTREs). Simulation studies have, however, highlighted that this approach can be prone to bias and overestimation. In their new study, Christian et al. address one of the root causes of this issue by improving the estimation of time variation in vital rates and immigration using Gaussian processes in lieu of traditionally used temporal random effects. They demonstrate that IPM‐tLTRE frameworks with Gaussian processes produce more accurate and less biased estimates of immigration and its contribution to population dynamics and illustrate the applicability of this approach using a long‐term data set on elephant seals (Mirounga leonida). Results are validated with a simulation study and suggest that immigration of breeding females has been central for population recovery of elephant seals despite the species' high female site fidelity. Christian et al. thus present new insights into population regulation of long‐lived marine mammals and highlight the potential for using Gaussian process priors in IPMs. They also illustrate a suite of 'best practices' for state‐of‐the‐art IPM‐tLTRE analyses and provide an inspirational example for the kind of ecological modelling workflow that can be invaluable not just as a starting point for fellow ecologists picking up or improving their own IPM‐tLTRE analyses, but also for teaching and in contexts where model estimates are used for informing management and conservation decision‐making. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Identifying important demographic drivers of population dynamics is fundamental for understanding life‐history evolution and implementing effective conservation measures. Integrated population models (IPMs) coupled with transient life table response experiments (tLTREs) allow ecologists to quantify the contributions of demographic parameters to observed population change. While IPMs can estimate parameters that are not estimable using any data source alone, for example, immigration, the estimated contribution of such parameters to population change is prone to bias. Currently, it is unclear when robust conclusions can be drawn from them.We sought to understand the drivers of a rebounding southern elephant seal population on Marion Island using the IPM–tLTRE framework, applied to count and mark–recapture data on 9500 female seals over nearly 40 years. Given the uncertainty around IPM–tLTRE estimates of immigration, we also aimed to investigate the utility of simulation and sensitivity analyses as general tools for evaluating the robustness of conclusions obtained in this framework.Using a Bayesian IPM and tLTRE analysis, we quantified the contributions of survival, immigration and population structure to population growth. We assessed the sensitivity of our estimates to choice of multivariate priors on immigration and other vital rates. To do so we make a novel application of Gaussian process priors, in comparison with commonly used shrinkage priors. Using simulation, we assessed our model's ability to estimate the demographic contribution of immigration under different levels of temporal variance in immigration.The tLTRE analysis suggested that adult survival and immigration were the most important drivers of recent population growth. While the contribution of immigration was sensitive to prior choices, the estimate was consistently large. Furthermore, our simulation study validated the importance of immigration by showing that our estimate of its demographic contribution is unlikely to result as a biased overestimate.Our results highlight the connectivity between distant populations of southern elephant seals, illustrating that female dispersal can be important in regulating the abundance of local populations even when natal site fidelity is high. More generally, we demonstrate how robust ecological conclusions may be obtained about immigration from the IPM–tLTRE framework, by combining sensitivity analysis and simulation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Despite the use of various integrated pest management strategies to control the honey bee mite, Varroa destructor , varroosis remains the most important threat to honey bee colony health in many countries. In Canada, ineffective varroa control is linked to high winter colony losses and new treatment options, such as a summer treatment, are greatly needed. In this study, a total of 135 colonies located in 6 apiaries were submitted to one of these 3 varroa treatment strategies: (i) an Apivar® fall treatment followed by an oxalic acid (OA) treatment by dripping method; (ii) same as in (i) with a summer treatment consisting of formic acid (Formic Pro™); and (iii) same as in (i) with a summer treatment consisting of slow-release OA/glycerin pads (total of 27 g of OA/colony). Treatment efficacy and their effects on colony performance, mortality, varroa population, and the abundance of 6 viruses (acute bee paralysis virus [ABPV], black queen cell virus [BQCV], deformed wing virus variant A [DWV-A], deformed wing virus variant B [DWV-B], Israeli acute paralysis virus [IAPV], and Kashmir bee virus [KBV]) were assessed. We show that a strategy with a Formic Pro summer treatment tended to reduce the varroa infestation rate to below the economic fall threshold of 15 daily varroa drop, which reduced colony mortality significantly but did not reduce the prevalence or viral load of the 6 tested viruses at the colony level. A strategy with glycerin/OA pads reduced hive weight gain and the varroa infestation rate, but not below the fall threshold. A high prevalence of DWV-B was measured in all groups, which could be related to colony mortality. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Canola/oilseed rape (Brassica napus L.) production in Canada has increased to become a foundational crop in the Canadian Prairies and an important economic driver of this region. The increase in seeded area, and by association its reduction in‐crop rotation frequency, has made it easier for pests to overcome current recommended agronomic management practices. The Canola Council of Canada has been successful in involving the entire commodity value chain in promoting and strengthening the Canadian canola industry; however, because of this production increase it is critically important to understand, evaluate and mitigate the potential risks of canola yield losses to current and potential pests. This Perspective provides an overview of what are currently the most damaging insects, pathogens and weeds to canola in the Canadian Prairies, potential future threats and opportunities farmers, agronomists and researchers can take to minimize these risks. © 2023 Society of Chemical Industry. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

BACKGROUND: Insect pest resistance to insecticides and societal pressure to reduce pesticide load has increased oilseed rape (OSR) farmers' motivation to protect and exploit parasitoids for pest control. However, parasitoid presence and parasitism must be made visible to influence farmers' spraying decisions. Parasitism of cabbage seed weevil (CSW) (Ceutorhynchus obstrictus (Marsham)) reduces damage to OSR immediately, making them a good case for demonstrating conservation biocontrol to farmers. We assessed the occurrence and activity of CSW parasitoids in 84 OSR fields over 2 years and identified the impact of associated local landscape factors. RESULTS: Mean cabbage seed weevil infestation rates were 11% and 10% in 2020 and 2021, and parasitism rates were high in both years (75% and 74%, respectively). Temporal and spatial dynamics of OSR in the landscape surrounding the focal fields were important for both CSW and parasitoid numbers, suggesting a dilution effect for increasing OSR area since the previous year. A multimodel inference analysis showed that OSR‐related factors were important predictors for both the infestation rate of CSW and the number of parasitoids. For parasitoids, protected nature areas and hedgerows were important. Parasitism rates were high and largely unaffected by landscape factors. CONCLUSION: CSW and its parasitoids respond similarly to interannual changes in the OSR resource; in addition, parasitoids benefit from uncropped areas in the surrounding landscape. The complexity of the pest and parasitoid response to landscape factors limits the prospect of designing landscapes for improved pest control by the parasitoids. Parasitoids of CSW may be present as local populations in agricultural landscapes with the potential for consistent and substantial parasitism. © 2023 The Authors. Pest Management Science published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd on behalf of Society of Chemical Industry. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

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The European red mite Panonychus ulmi (Koch) is widely distributed and it can severely affect pome fruit crops, particularly apple. Pest outbreaks are related to an overuse of non-selective pesticide treatments that lead to the development of resistance and the absence of natural enemies in the orchard. A key aspect to optimize the use of pesticide treatments in the context of IPM is to increase the knowledge on the biology and ecology of the pest to better predict population dynamics and outbreaks. For the European red mite, knowledge on the conditions that lead to diapause breaking by winter eggs is essential to model population dynamics. To increase this knowledge, winter eggs were collected during field surveys in northen Spain during three years and egg hatching was monitored under controlled temperature and photoperiod conditions in the laboratory. The "number of days exposed to cold temperatures" was the most significant factor that positively affected hatching of overwintering eggs. The time required for 50% of the egg population to hatch (T50%) was also negatively modulated by the duration of exposure to cold temperature. The temperature threshold for postdiapause eggs development collected from the field was estimated between 5 and 6 ºC in 2005 and 2007, respectively. Moreover, the degree-days required for post diapause development were estimated between 263.2 and 270.3, depending on the year of collection. Collectively, we provide additional information on the diapause termination and postdiapause development of the European red mite that may effectively contribute to optimize pest population models. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this study, greenhouse tests were conducted on 240 Fraxinus excelsior seedlings to investigate the simultaneous damage caused by thea pathogenic fungus and oomycetes. The experiment was performed under controlled conditions in the greenhouse of the Institute of Forest Research in Sękocin Stary (Poland). Three species of oomycetes were used for the experiment: Phytophthora plurivora, Phytophthora taxon hungarica, Phytophthora megasperma, and the fungus Hymenoscyphus fraxineus. Inoculations using the fungus were carried out on shoots and in plant pots in which the soil was mixed with the three Phytophthora species mentioned above, both simultaneously and separately, which made it possible to recognize the cumulative effect of the related plant infection. The aim of the study was to investigate the effect of phosphite-containing preparations on the health of common ash under conditions of threat to the roots by Phytophthora spp. and damage to the aerial parts of the plant by the fungus, as well as the possible occurrence of synergistic effects. Two types of protective preparations (Actifos and Phos60 of the nitrogen and potassium forms, respectively) were used. It was found that the inoculation of ash seedlings with the fungus H. fraxineus resulted in plant mortality, while the mixture of Phytophthora did not cause significant damage. It was confirmed that when pathogens coexist, a phenomenon occurs that leads to an acceleration in the development of disease symptoms and, thus, to plant mortality. In vitro tests confirmed the usefulness of phosphite preparations for the protection of ash seedlings. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In Egypt, serious piercing-sucking pests such as the western flower thrips, Frankliniella occidentalis, white fly, Bemisia tabaci, the broad mite, Polyphagotarsonemus latus, and the two-spotted spider mite, Tetranychus urticae cause significant yield losses in sweet pepper crop grown in greenhouses. The purpose of this research is to assess the effectiveness of two phytoseiid mites, Amblyseius swirskii and Neoseiulus californicus, as biological control agents for piercing-sucking pests on sweet pepper in greenhouses, compared with chemical acaricides. Three release rates were assessed: 10 adults of A. swirskii/plant, 10 adults of N. californicus/plant, and 7 adults of A. swirskii + 7 adults of N. californicus combined. The highest population density of B. tabaci and F. occidentalis was on yellow 'Qiuda' followed by significant damage with T. urticae. Red 'Grand bell', on the contrary, was consistently more susceptible to T. urticae and moderately prone to whitefly infestation. Both biological and chemical pest control were efficient in reducing pest populations on sweet pepper in greenhouses. The results indicated that A. swirskii, alone or in combination with N. californicus, was more effective against F. occidentalis, B. tabaci, and P. latus on both pepper cultivars than acaricides sprayed under the same conditions. Moreover, the predatory mite, N. californicus, outperformed A. swirskii and acaricides against T. urticae. Together, the predatory mites, A. swirskii and N. californicus can improve biological control of piercing-sucking pests. The yield increased by 37.4 to 40.0% over the control treatment using the biological control candidates. Furthermore, biological control program resulted in the highest cost reductions for sweet pepper production (35.7-40.7 and 16.2-27.2%) compared to the control and acaricides treatments, as well as a safe yield free of chemical residues. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Combining biological and chemical control is essential for implementing Integrated Pest Management programs. In soybean crop, one way to integrate these control tactics for managing Lepidoptera pests, such as Helicoverpa armigera Hübner (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae) is by releasing parasitoids to control moth's eggs, and spray chemical pesticides to control caterpillars. However, it is necessary to know if these tactics can be combined, with no harm to their individual performances. Therefore, this study evaluated lethal and sublethal effects on Trichogramma pretiosum Riley (Hymenoptera: Trichogrammatidae) following exposure to nine insecticides commonly used in soybean. First, adults were exposed to insecticide residues on leaf disks immediately after spraying and acute toxicity was assayed 24 h after exposure. Surviving insects, as well as their progeny, were evaluated for sublethal effects, such as reduction in parasitism, longevity and flight capacity. In a second bioassay, leaf disks were cut from greenhouse-grown plants 3, 7, 10, 17, 24 and 31 days after insecticide application. Adults were again exposed to leaf disks for 24 h, and then allowed to parasitize host eggs for 24 h, and progeny survival to emergence was recorded. Chlorantraniliprole and indoxacarb were the safest pesticides, with low acute toxicity and no sublethal effects, and therefore can be considered compatible with releases of T. pretiosum. Methoxyfenozide, teflubenzuron and flubendiamide also lacked any acute toxicity, but reduced either female longevity, or the longevity of their offspring. Acephate and chlorpyriphos both caused >85% wasp mortality, whereas lambda-cyhalothrin + thiamethoxam and chlorfenapyr had the greatest residual activity, causing high mortality and many sublethal effects. Therefore, these products cannot be used associated with releases of the parasitoid in IPM programs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Since 2018, disease of sweet potato foot rot (diaporthe destruens) has been rampant in southern Kyushu, causing serious problems due to the decrease in yield caused by the withering of sweet potato plants and the rotting of tubers. As its appearance in Japan is recent, preventive countermeasures used overseas such as the selection of resistant cultivars and pesticide spraying have been used and have shown some effectiveness. However, in areas where the damage is severe, it has proved difficult to suppress with these countermeasure alone. We conducted a field survey in areas of southern Kyushu where the disease has caused severe damage to investigate its incidence in 36 fields and the use of countermeasures by farmers, and used the collected data and network analysis to examine the effectiveness of combinations of countermeasures. We found that damage was suppressed in fields where all three countermeasures were implemented. Firstly, resistant varieties were introduced, secondary residual treatment of decayed potatoes after harvest and crop rotation were implemented to reduce soil residual risk, and thirdly drainage measures were implemented to reduce flooding due to rainfall. In regions where sweet potato foot rot disease is severe, measures combining these countermeasures should be prioritized. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Recent studies have opened the way for using elicitor‐induced resistance in plants as a method to control arthropod pests. In this study, 1,3‐β‐glucan laminarin, an elicitor of disease resistance in plants, was tested on the green peach aphid, Myzus persicae (Sulzer) (Hemiptera: Aphididae), on peach [Prunus persica (L.) Batsch, Rosaceae] plantlets and evaluated its effects on short‐term mortality and population growth. Laminarin exposure did not affect aphid survival in the short term; however, laminarin‐treated peach plants sustained fewer nymphs and adults in comparison with the control. Aphid populations on plants treated with laminarin declined significantly over the sampling period compared to the control. Moreover, the demographic parameters net reproductive rate (R0), finite rate of increase (λ), and intrinsic rate of increase (rm), all showed decreasing trends in aphid populations reared on laminarin‐treated plants. The decline in aphid populations exposed to laminarin seemed to mainly be linked to reduced adult survival, slower nymph development, and lower nymph survival and only marginally to changes in reproduction outcome. Changes in gene expression causing the final production of defence chemicals by peach plants may contribute to explaining the results. However, potential direct effects of laminarin on M. persicae feeding activity and probing behaviour cannot be ruled out. This study provides evidence that, although laminarin did not display insecticidal activity in the short term, this elicitor caused sublethal effects, significantly reducing aphid populations. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Ceratitis capitata (Wiedemann, 1824) (Diptera: Tephritidae) is a polyphagous, holometabolous and multivoltine insect that has spread from its supposed origin in sub-Saharan Africa to regions between 45° north and 45° south geographic latitude. It is considered an important economic pest worldwide, due to the direct damage caused to fruit, the high cost of its management and the restriction of the export of fruit from infested countries to markets in countries exempt from infestation. If no control measures are applied against this pest, C. capitata can destroy 50% of total production or 100% in "preferred" hosts. Currently, chemical insecticides are commonly applied to control medflies due to their rapid and satisfactory action; however, this method has many problems, including the destruction of non-target organisms, residues on agricultural products, environmental pollution and the development of insect resistance to insecticides. These negative effects have led scientists to search for more sustainable and ecological new control methods. Recently, great attention has been given to biological control, which has become a practical option for the ecological control of pests. Among biological control, entomopathogenic nematodes (EPNs) have great potential as control agents for soil-borne pests, like C. capitata. Main body: This review focuses particularly on the control of C. capitata, specifically emphasizing the use of EPNs as biological control agents and their integration into integrated pest management. It is apparent from this study that species of Steinernema sp. and Heterorhabditis sp. are highly virulent against the late instars larvae and adults of C. capitata under controlled laboratory conditions, as well as these EPNs significantly reduce the population of this pest in semi-field and field trials. The pathogenicity of entomopathogenic nematodes against C. capitata was influenced by natural physicochemical and anthropogenic factors. The most effective EPNs were found to be compatible with certain mineral, chemical and biological products with insecticidal activity, indicating that these products can be combined with EPNs in the context of integrated control. Conclusion: Based on this, EPNs have a promising future as an alternative to conventional chemicals against Mediterranean fruit fly. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Anticarsia gemmatalis (Lepidoptera: Erebidae) is distributed in tropical and subtropical regions of America, and is an important pest of Fabaceae, such as: soybean, peanut, common bean, cowpea, pea, chickpea and kudzu. In soybean, the velvet bean caterpillar is important due to the plant defoliation in their larval stage. This study evaluated soybean cultivars as source of resistance to A. gemmatalis by antixenosis (attractiveness and non-preference for feeding) and antibiosis (biological parameters of the insect). The parameters evaluated were: antixenosis: attractiveness and non-preference, dry mass consumed and attractiveness index and antibiosis: duration of larval and pupal stages, adult longevity, total cycle, larval and pupal weights and larval, pupal and total viability. Considering antixenosis and antibiosis the least suitable cultivars for A. gemmatalis were found to be BRS 8383 IPRO, BRS 1074 IPRO, BRS 1061 IPRO, BRS 7180 IPRO, BRS 9383 IPRO, BRS 8980 IPRO and BRS 1003 IPRO due to high mortality in the larval phase. The cultivars BRS 523 and BRS 543 RR “block technology” suggest displays antixenosis and or antibiosis to A. gemmatalis. These cultivars can be used by soybean producers in combination with other control tactics in soybean IPM. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]