Increasing restrictions on synthetic pesticides due to environmental and health concerns have driven the search for alternative environmentally friendly pest management strategies. Essential oils (EOs) from plants like garlic (Allium sativum), clove (Syzygium aromaticum), and eucalyptus (Eucalyptus camaldulensis) have shown promise as bioinsecticides. However, their volatility, low water solubility

The metabolic cooperation for the phenylalanine synthesis between the host and its obligate symbiont is widespread in hemipteran insects. However, the mechanisms underlying phenylalanine synthesis and its role in hemipteran insects are largely unknown. Our previous study indicates that the whitefly Bemisia tabaci glutamate–oxaloacetate transaminase gene GOT2 compensates for tyrB missing from Portiera

The invasion of fall armyworm Spodoptera frugiperda poses a significant threat to the maize production of smallholder farmers in Asia and Africa. Bt maize is an effective measure for controlling this pest, but resistance management strategies tailored to the smallholder farming systems in the old world remain poorly understood. Surveys conducted from 2021 to 2022 in key infestation regions of Yunnan

Trehalase (TRE) is an important enzyme that is responsible for trehalose hydrolysis. However, the effect of NLTRE on the reproduction of Nilaparvata lugens has not been clearly reported. To comprehensively evaluate the pest control potential of NLTRE, this study analyzed the effect of NLTRE on female reproduction of N. lugens by inhibiting TRE with dsTREs injection at mRNA level and validamycin injection

Insecticide resistance in pest control poses a threat to agricultural production and human health. Numerous insect species express genes coding for detoxification enzymes that have broad substrate promiscuity thus conferring resistance to various insecticides. However, whether the homologs of these genes play similar roles in resistance phenotypes of closely related species remains largely unclear

Human-induced changes, such as climate variability and escalating anthropogenic pressures, profoundly impact species distribution, dispersal, and competitive interactions worldwide. In the Neotropical region, the expansion of rice cultivation under these conditions has facilitated the spread of species within the rice stink bug complex, notably Oebalus species. Among these species, Oebalus pugnax prevails

The fall armyworm, Spodoptera frugiperda (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae), is a highly polyphagous agricultural pest that seriously threatens food production and agricultural development. Lufenuron is widely used because of its good control effect and safety to nontarget organisms. However, due to the continuous application of lufenuron and the evolution of insect resistance mechanisms, the potential of S

The fall armyworm, Spodoptera frugiperda, a significant pest, has spread to many countries in Africa and Asia in recent years, causing substantial losses in corn production. From 2019 to 2024, we monitored the host strain of S. frugiperda in various regions in Jiangsu Province, China. The result showed that only COIRS-TpiRS and COIRS-TpiCS strains were present in corn during 2019 and 2020. In 2021

Nilaparvata lugens Stål is a significant insect pest of rice throughout Asia, and the use of insect-resistant rice varieties has been proposed as a key strategy to control this pest, and reduce reliance on insecticides. However, little is known about the interplay between these two methods, particularly their combined influence on the behavior, development, and reproduction. In this study, we found

The deposition of atmospheric nitrogen has globally increased and has interfered with plant growth and resistance to herbivores. Previous studies have shown that numerous dioecious plant species exhibit sex-specific responses in growth and tolerance to increased atmospheric nitrogen deposition. However, whether these changes lead to sexual differences in herbivore resistance and subsequent intersexual

Insecticides remain a primary tool in mosquito-borne disease control; however, the resistance in mosquito populations poses a significant challenge to the efficacy. Resistance mechanisms, including target sites mutations and increase in metabolic detoxification, have emerged due to wide spread insecticide use. The growing resistance to pyrethroids used in long-lasting insecticidal nets (LLINs) and

The invasion of the fall armyworm (FAW), Spodoptera frugiperda (J. E. Smith), has posed a serious threat to maize production in Africa and Asia. Chemical insecticides and Bt maize are the main means for FAW control, but the interaction between these two measures is also unclear. In this study, the susceptibility of the field population (Ezhou) fed on Bt maize insecticidal protein and the Vip3Aa-resistant

The oriental fruit fly Bactrocera dorsalis is a highly destructive and invasive pest that threatens global horticulture, causing economic losses due to fruit damage and quarantine regulations. While attract-and-kill baits are widely used to suppress fly populations, these baits also impact many non-target species. To achieve ecological sustainability, our study aimed to develop a method that selectively

Orius similis and Encarsia formosa are important natural enemies of Bemisia tabaci. However, there is limited understanding regarding the impact of O. similis on the control of B. tabaci by E. formosa when they are used in combination. Temperature changes will affect the food web, and Intraguild predation (IGP) is a fundamental component that constitutes a complex food web. Therefore, studying the

In this study, we hypothesized that Crotalaria juncea (L., Fabaceae), particularly due to its content of the pyrrolizidine alkaloid monocrotaline, would affect the development, fecundity, and longevity of Diabrotica speciosa (Germar) Coleoptera: Chrysomelidae). We initially assessed the effects of C. juncea plants and their various parts (leaves, stems, and roots) on the insect. Newly hatched larvae

Studies using nonhost plant odors to deter insect pests and protect host plants have reported mixed results. Moreover, how adjacent nonhost plants affect the ability of insect herbivores to locate hosts is unclear. We examined the effects of location of two nonhost rosemary plants (Rosmarinus officinalis) relative to a host peanut plant (Arachis hypogaea) under fixed wind direction on the host-finding

The Japanese beetle (Popillia japonica) is an invasive scarab beetle originating from Japan. In the European Union, it is listed as a priority quarantine pest. Currently, it is mainly controlled using synthetic insecticides. Here, we tested an environmentally friendly control alternative. We investigated whether Japanese beetle adults can be used as vectors to autodisseminate lethal doses of the European

The vast majority of historical biological control introductions have not resulted in documented negative effects on non-target species. However, in some cases, an absence of evidence of harm could be due to insufficient evidence of absence: That is, data specifically gathered to show that non-target species are not affected by the released biological control agent. The parasitoid fly Istocheta aldrichi

Plants can acquire an enhanced resistance against pathogen by application of natural or artificial compounds. Application of these compounds results in earlier, faster and/or stronger responses of plant to the subsequent pathogen attacks, a process called chemical priming. Beta-aminobutyric acid (BABA) is recognized for its inducing and priming ability to enhance plant resistance against a broad spectrum

Prey sharing in predatory mammals and birds has been shown to reduce fights for food between predators, increase predation efficacy, and safeguard food availability by reciprocal sharing, providing immediate and delayed benefits for the sharers. However, little is known about the incidence of prey sharing in arthropods and the implications for biological control have been mostly overlooked. In this

Principal active ingredients used in chemical control tactics after harvest are pyrethroids, including for long-lasting insecticide-incorporated netting (LLIN). However, pyrethroid resistance by stored product insects has become widespread. Thus, the aim of our study was to evaluate whether a synergist, piperonyl butoxide (PBO), could rescue efficacy of alpha-cypermethrin LLIN against a field strain

The pepper weevil, Anthonomus eugenii, is a subtropical pest of pepper plants that appears to be expanding its geographic range as evidenced by its increasing occurrence and persistence in field and greenhouse pepper crops in temperate areas. Here, we investigated the cold tolerance of A. eugenii and its potential for winter survival in temperate areas by comparing non-acclimated (24 °C) and cold acclimated

Guava production in India faces significant challenges due to the invasion of the root-knot nematode Meloidogyne enterolobii. Biological control using metabolite-producing Streptomyces spp. offers a better alternative to synthetic nematicides for managing nematode populations in soil and roots. The native Streptomyces rochei isolated from nematode suppressive guava rhizosphere demonstrated complete

Floral resources such as nectar are essential for increasing survival and population growth of synovigenic parasitic wasps in agroecosystems. Although the bottom-up effect of cadmium (Cd) has been identified as a major ecological force influencing multitrophic interactions of synovigenic parasitoids, information on the direct effects of Cd-contaminated floral resources on the fitness of natural enemies

The pivotal role of gut microbiota in maintaining the insect host’s well-being has been extensive researched. Here, our research objective was to determine the microbes in the gut of larvae of the potato tuberworm (Phthorimaea operculella) and to investigate the role they play in the host development, metabolism, gut structure integrity and immune deficiency (Imd). Shotgun metagenomics sequencing from

The Melaleuca genus has insecticidal activity against agricultural pests. In particular, Melaleuca rhaphiophylla essential oil (MREO) showed high toxicity against some stored product weevils in a short period. Therefore, the present study aimed to evaluate the sublethal dose and the effect on biochemical markers of MREO and its emulsion (MREM) against Sitophilus zeamais and Sitophilus oryzae. The emulsion

Promoting pest control provided by soil arthropod communities can enhance sustainable agricultural production. Despite years of research aimed at predicting the pest control potential of these communities, few studies have described natural enemy communities composed of multiple taxonomic orders through a functional lens and identified traits involved in predator–prey interactions. Arthropod predator

The increasing spread and destructiveness of the honeydew moth, Cryptoblabes gnidiella (Lepidoptera: Pyralidae: Phycitinae), requires an effective pest management approach, in which the application of insecticides is based on the presence and abundance of the insect in the vineyard. Pest monitoring, however, is challenging because of the difficulties in identifying eggs and larvae. Forecasting models

Plants employ different defensive strategies to limit or avoid nematode attacks, including the recruitment of beneficial microorganisms that can support plants by enhancing their defence mechanisms. We investigated the effect of the two nematode egg parasitising fungi, Niesslia gamsii and Polydomus karssenii, on nematode suppression on tomato using greenhouse experiments. Their potential against Meloidogyne

Parasitoids are important biological control agents, which play an active role in controlling agricultural and forestry pests. The diapause of parasitoids is crucial for controlling pest populations and preserving the ecological equilibrium in natural environments. Diapause has been studied for over 80 years. To date, diapause has been studied in approximately 178 species of parasitoids, including

Genetic resistance, particularly through transgenic Bt maize, has demonstrated high efficacy in pest control under field conditions. However, in storage conditions, maize is susceptible to different pest species, which compromises its quality. It is unknown how effectively the Bt maize functions in storage environments or if resistance is being inherited in later generations. This study investigates

Artificial selection for stress resistance in natural enemies is a promising approach to enhance their effectiveness in biological control. However, documented cases regarding artificial selection for starvation resistance in natural enemy insects are lacking. This study addresses this gap by selecting starvation-resistant lines of the parasitoid wasp Pachycrepoideus vindemmiae, including food deprivation

Botanical larvicides, such as essential oils (EO) from the Piper species, offer eco-friendly mosquito control by targeting Culicidae larvae while exhibiting low toxicity to non-target aquatic animals. This study investigated the larvicidal activity and mechanism of action of the essential oil (EO) from Piper brachypetiolatum and its main compound, (E)-nerolidol, against Aedes aegypti, as well as the

Exogenous methyl jasmonate is widely acknowledged for its role in triggering plants’ defense systems against pest invasions. Nonetheless, there has been a dearth of research exploring the elicitation of defense mechanisms by jasmonic acid in alfalfa. In order to investigate the effect of methyl jasmonate on thrips resistance in alfalfa, Medicago sativa L.cv. Caoyuan No. 4 was exogenously sprayed with

Essential oils are considered low environmental impact alternatives for the control of insects harmful to crops and human health. While there is extensive literature on the bioactivities of essential oils on insects, no quantitative syntheses have been conducted to provide a comprehensive overview of their effects. This study aimed to identify general patterns in the effects of essential oils on insect

Xylella fastidiosa, a notorious bacterial plant pathogen with a broad host range, has recently emerged as a significant threat to olive trees worldwide, causing the Olive Quick Decline Syndrome (OQDS). This disease severely affects olive production and leads to the death of the plants, causing significant economic losses and dramatic changes in the landscape. To date, no determined control strategies

Pest control has faced several challenges during the last decades, increasing research about innovative ecofriendly bioinsecticides to replace and integrate the conventional strategies. In this scenario, botanical extracts are promising substances for pest management. In this study, we developed a novel small-scale sprayer for precision application of botanical insecticides on plant material; the insecticidal

Potato crops are kept virus-free by controlling aphid vectors through control schemes that require multiple treatments with insecticides. The aphid Myzus persicae has developed different mechanisms of resistance to insecticides, and there is a growing need of sources for new, more efficient insecticides. Synandrospadix vermitoxicus (Griseb.) Engl.—an Araceae family native to the northwestern region

Termites, particularly those of the genus Heterotermes, are significant pests impacting urban and agricultural environments worldwide. Despite their impact, the distribution of Heterotermes has been largely overlooked. Our study aims to predict the potential distribution of 15 Heterotermes species by integrating bioclimatic, land-use, connectivity, soil and elevation variables into species distribution

The potential arrival of Halyomorpha halys in New Zealand jeopardizes a vast range of crops. Therefore, different preparedness strategies are being assessed before its arrival. A symbiont-targeted control strategy might be used along with other control tactics such as biological control. Prior its implementation, it is necessary to assess its potential impact on non-target stink bug species and their

The delimitation of outbreaks is an essential step in the containment and eradication of non-native plant pests. Outbreaks are habitually delimited by sampling around the initial finding, moving away from this locus in several directions as long as infestations are found (outward strategy). An alternative, inward, strategy would entail starting delimitation with an initial estimate of the location

Aedes albopictus transmits the virus through repeated blood feeding behavior and can also vertically transmit the virus to its offspring. In this study, we analyzed the expression of the TOR gene in Ae. albopictus and found that it was highest in female mosquitoes 24 h after feeding, particularly in the head and thorax. Then, we used to feed method to silence the TOR gene of female mosquitoes and make

Excessive chemical pesticide use has had harmful implications for the environment, animals and humans. Insect resistance has substantially resulted in reduced pesticide efficiency. Global experts are striving to diminish the use of harmful pesticides for pest and pathogen control by adopting eco-friendly methods. Nanotechnology, a recent breakthrough, holds significant promise in addressing these challenges

The pollen beetle Brassicogethes viridescens has become an invasive pest to rapeseed crops in North America, especially Canada, the world’s most prolific grower of rapeseed. The use of conventional insecticides to control Brassicogethes spp. can lead to substantial insecticide resistance development in target pest populations and detrimental effects on non-target organisms in and around rapeseed crops

Pear psyllid (Cacopsylla pyri) is the dominant pest of UK pear orchards, with an estimated cost of £5 million per annum. Insecticide withdrawal and increased pesticide resistance of C. pyri have led many growers to depend more on natural enemies for pest management, including earwigs. However, there is concern how phenological events may shift with future climate change, which may result in phenological

Invasive ant species like Linepithema humile cause significant ecological and economic harm, making effective control strategies essential. Insecticide baits are currently the most effective approach for controlling ants. Therefore, quantifying how palatable or unpalatable baits, bait additives, or toxicants are, is critical for developing effective control methods. Recent research shows that when

Carpophilus truncatus (Murray), a nitidulid beetle, has become a major threat to almond industries globally. While there are existing mass trapping strategies for other Carpophilus species, an effective lure for this nut-attacking pest is urgently required. This study leverages our knowledge of the chemical ecology of Carpophilus, particularly its relationship with gut-associated yeasts, to develop

In the rhizosphere ecosystem, the tomato develops associated with a diversity of microorganisms and/or organisms, many of which can be beneficial or pathogenic for this plant. Plant-parasitic nematodes (PPN) produce significant economic losses in tomato crops. Nacobbus sp. is one of the most frequent and abundant PPN in Argentina. Management of this nematode through biological strategies constitutes

Insects and plants established long-lasting associations with microbes, whose role on insect–plant associations remains largely unknown. We hypothesized that both plant endophytes and insect symbionts benefit their hosts during insect–plant interactions. In the present study, we used the maize-Spodoptera frugiperda (JE Smith, 1797) (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae) system and five bacterial symbionts: a maize

Numerous phytosanitary threats challenge global agriculture, ecosystems, and food security. These threats are exacerbated by non-native species and diseases that are projected to intensify in the future due to global warming and anthropogenic habitat alterations. Assessments of the ecological impacts of overlooked phytosanitary threats are urgently needed under shifting environments. In this study

Semiochemical-baited traps are a key component of post-border surveillance for detection of non-native and potentially invasive bark and wood-boring beetles (Buprestidae, Cerambycidae, Curculionidae: Scolytinae) at risk of introduction in untreated woody materials used in global trade. Because the particular species that may arrive with imported goods is unknown, plant protection agencies need trapping

Aedes aegypti, known for transmitting viruses such as dengue, Zika and yellow fever, poses a significant public health threat. Conventional insecticides give rise to a range of issues, including ecological contamination and insect resistance. Hence, there is a pressing demand for environmentally-friendly, safer and more efficacious strategies for mosquito control. With the rapid advancement of the

The rosy apple aphid is a major pest of apple orchards, it is also potentially ant tended. Attract&Reward strategy is a promising pest management method, combining semiochemicals as attractant and companion plants as food sources for natural enemies. However, this method is difficult to implement owing to complex multi-tropic interactions (including mutualist interactions) at play in agroecosystems

The insect species Tenebrio molitor L. (Coleoptera: Tenebrionidae) is a stored-product pest which tend to infest a variety of durable agricultural commodities, mostly oriented toward cereals and related amylaceous substrates of low humidity. Thus, the past few years, research on T. molitor has been focused on its biology, ecology, and control methods due to its pest status. However, recently, the same

Numerous arthropod pest species can cause significant losses in the quantity and quality of stored products. Currently, the most common pest control strategy is the use of a limited number of authorized synthetic insecticides. However, the overuse of these insecticides has led to an increase in pesticide resistance, reducing their effectiveness. Biological control using natural enemies offers an effective

Species of generalist phytoseiid mites in the genus Euseius are effective natural enemies of multiple arthropod pests in various types of orchards worldwide. Cover crops increase the densities of these predators and can help reduce pest densities, but their practical roles and effects in enhancing biological control have not yet been completely unveiled yet. Here, we examined the efficacy of biocontrol

Bactrocera dorsalis Hendel is one of the most serious pests in dragon fruit, requiring heat treatment before international trade. Here, a novel strategy of combining phosphine fumigation followed by forced hot-air treatment was developed and its effects on B. dorsalis mortality and postharvest quality of dragon fruit were evaluated. B. dorsalis 18-h-old eggs and third instar larvae were the most tolerant

Several beneficial microbes have been shown to activate defensive mechanisms in plants, enhancing their resistance against herbivores. However, it remains unclear whether different beneficial microbes can synergize to improve defenses in wild plants, similar to their effects in cultivated plants against insect pests. Here, we investigated the effect of the endophytic entomopathogenic fungus Metarhizium

In the ongoing pursuit of sustainable farming techniques, the constant fight against aphids remains an essential frontier. Aphids are well-known agricultural pests and they continue to jeopardize global crop production, necessitating an immediate demand for sustainable pest control methods. Conventional chemical insecticides not only harm the quality of crops but also cause environmental damage. This