Biological Control最新文献

{"title":"Unveiling the parasitoid Euplectrus carinifer for controlling Chrysodeixis chalcites larvae in greenhouse environments","authors":"Jozef B. Woelke ,&nbsp;Antonino Cusumano ,&nbsp;Umberto Bernardo","doi":"10.1016/j.biocontrol.2025.105857","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.biocontrol.2025.105857","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>The golden twin-spot moth or tomato looper, <em>Chrysodeixis chalcites</em> (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae), is a global pest, causing extensive damage to various crops and ornamental plants, leading to substantial economic losses. In 2018, an unidentified parasitic wasp was found in several greenhouses, where minimal damage from <em>C. chalcites</em> larvae was reported. This prompted an investigation to identify and characterize the species and analyze its life-history parameters.</div><div>Using an integrative morpho-bio-molecular approach, the parasitic wasp was identified as <em>Euplectrus carinifer</em> (Hymenoptera: Eulophidae). The study revealed that <em>E. carinifer</em> is a gregarious ectoparasitoid capable of parasitizing third to fifth (L3-L5) larval instars of <em>C. chalcites</em>, meanwhile no parasitism was observed on the first and second (L1-L2) larval instars. In a no-choice test, parasitism rates of <em>E. carinifer</em> were 45 % for L3, 75 % for L4 and 40 % for L5. Developmental time from egg to adult <em>E. carinifer</em> was 19.1 ± 0.2 days for L3, 20.0 ± 0.1 days for L4, and 21.5 ± 0.2 days for L5, at 22 °C. The average number of wasps emerging as adults was 3.7 ± 0.4 on L3, 7.7 ± 0.9 on L4, and 17.5 ± 1.6 on L5. In a choice test (L1-L5), female wasps showed a preference for L5 larvae (53.3 %), followed by L4 (26.7 %), and L3 (20.0 %).</div><div>Currently, no effective commercially available biological control agents exists in The Netherlands for managing <em>C. chalcites</em>. These findings suggest that <em>E. carinifer</em> holds substantial promise as a biological control agent for <em>C. chalcites</em> larvae in greenhouse environments.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":8880,"journal":{"name":"Biological Control","volume":"208 ","pages":"Article 105857"},"PeriodicalIF":3.7,"publicationDate":"2025-07-21","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144680026","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"农林科学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"A novel Arthrobotrys species: Taxonomic characterization, nematicidal activity, and multi-omics insights into nematode predation","authors":"Mengting Gao ,&nbsp;Zhaoqi Yan ,&nbsp;Zexin Liu ,&nbsp;Yunxia Jiang ,&nbsp;Tengteng Liu ,&nbsp;Xingjun Miao ,&nbsp;Meixue Dai ,&nbsp;Tanay Bose ,&nbsp;Runlei Chang","doi":"10.1016/j.biocontrol.2025.105853","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.biocontrol.2025.105853","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div><em>Bursaphelenchus xylophilus</em>, the pinewood nematode (PWN), is a devastating invasive pest responsible for widespread mortality in global conifer forests. During a survey of bark beetle-associated fungi, a nematode-trapping fungus was isolated from an empty beetle gallery in <em>Pinus thunbergii</em>. ITS sequence analysis suggested it represented a novel species. This study aimed to characterize the fungus taxonomically and evaluate its biocontrol potential against PWN. Multi-locus phylogenetic analyses (ITS, TEF1-α, RPB2) confirmed the isolate as a new species, <em>Arthrobotrys byssisimilis</em> sp. nov. Morphological examination revealed adhesive trapping networks and distinctive ellipsoidal conidia. Enzymatic assays demonstrated chitinase and protease activity, with optimal conditions defined for pH and temperature. Culture filtrates, protein extracts, and secondary metabolites showed rapid, dose-dependent nematicidal effects, achieving 100 % PWN mortality within 10–30 min. The fungus exhibited strong tolerance to pine-derived volatiles (α-pinene, β-pinene, turpentine, and ethanol), indicating high adaptability to the host environment. Whole-genome sequencing revealed a 36.97 Mb genome with 8,354 predicted genes, including 104 proteases, 8 chitinases, and diverse secondary metabolite biosynthesis clusters. Transcriptomic profiling after nematode exposure identified 638 differentially expressed genes, including virulence-related enzymes (proteases, CAZymes), cytochrome P450s, and PHI factors, with evidence of stage-specific regulation. <em>Arthrobotrys byssisimilis</em> is the first <em>Arthrobotrys</em> species reported from a bark beetle gallery, expanding the ecological scope of the genus. The integrated in vitro nematicidal activity, physiological adaptability, and multi-omics data suggest <em>A. byssisimilis</em> warrants further evaluation as a potential biocontrol agent against PWN, while its unique genomic features provide new molecular targets for investigating fungal-nematode interactions.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":8880,"journal":{"name":"Biological Control","volume":"208 ","pages":"Article 105853"},"PeriodicalIF":3.7,"publicationDate":"2025-07-21","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144711087","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"农林科学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Do invasive clonal plants always benefit from clonal integration? Exploring interactions between biocontrol agents and indigenous herbivores","authors":"Yingying Tan ,&nbsp;Wenfeng Guo ,&nbsp;Tao Xiong ,&nbsp;Jun Tang ,&nbsp;Xiaoqiong Li","doi":"10.1016/j.biocontrol.2025.105855","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.biocontrol.2025.105855","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Clonal integration can help plants counter environmental stresses, but its effects on plant responses to herbivory remain unclear. We investigated how clonal integration in the invasive <em>Alternanthera philoxeroides</em> and the native <em>Alternanthera sessilis</em> affects herbivory by the foliar insect <em>Agasicles hygrophila</em> and/or the root-feeding nematode <em>Meloidogyne incognita</em>. Plant fragments were cultivated, assigned to connected or severed treatments, and subjected to herbivory by <em>A. hygrophila</em>, <em>M. incognita</em>, both, or neither. Under clonal integration, <em>A. philoxeroides</em> showed significantly reduced aboveground biomass under <em>A. hygrophila</em> herbivory and fewer taproots and belowground biomass under <em>M. incognita</em> herbivory, while <em>A. sessilis</em> showed significantly fewer taproots and reduced aboveground biomass under <em>M. incognita</em> herbivory compared to no herbivory. However, <em>A. philoxeroides</em> exhibited significantly more ramets and fine roots, along with greater aboveground biomass under <em>M. incognita</em> herbivory, and greater belowground biomass under <em>A. hygrophila</em> herbivory, when clonal integration was maintained. Conversely, these traits in <em>A. sessilis</em> were either significantly lower or remained unchanged with clonal integration. Under combined herbivory by both herbivores, the stolon length, number of taproots, and aboveground and belowground biomass were significantly lower in <em>A. philoxeroides</em>, while these traits in <em>A. sessilis</em> were significantly higher with clonal integration than without. These results suggest that although clonal integration helps <em>A. philoxeroides</em> cope with individual herbivory by either <em>A. hygrophila</em> or <em>M. incognita</em>, it confers no benefit when two herbivores act together. Since <em>M. incognita</em> survives only in terrestrial environments, combining <em>A. hygrophila</em> and <em>M. incognita</em> may improve the management of terrestrial <em>A. philoxeroides</em>.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":8880,"journal":{"name":"Biological Control","volume":"208 ","pages":"Article 105855"},"PeriodicalIF":3.7,"publicationDate":"2025-07-19","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144680027","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"农林科学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"The role of parasitic Hymenoptera in biological control of forest insect pests in South Korea: A review of invasive and native species management","authors":"Jongok Lim","doi":"10.1016/j.biocontrol.2025.105854","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.biocontrol.2025.105854","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Forests are vital ecosystems that provide considerable environmental, social, and economic benefits. However, they are increasingly threatened by both invasive and native insect pests. This review examines the role of parasitic Hymenoptera species in managing key forest pests in South Korea, including invasive species such as <em>Metcalfa pruinosa</em> (Say) (Hemiptera: Flatidae), <em>Lycorma delicatula</em> (White) (Hemiptera: Fulgoridae), <em>Hyphantria cunea</em> (Drury) (Lepidoptera: Erebidae), and <em>Thecodiplosis japonensis</em> Uchida and Inouye (Diptera, Cecidomyiidae), as well as native pests like <em>Monochamus alternatus</em> Hope, <em>M. saltuarius</em> (Gebler) (Coleoptera: Cerambycidae), and <em>Lymantria dispar asiatica</em> (Butler) (Lepidoptera: Erebidae). Biological control strategies, particularly those utilizing natural enemies such as parasitoid species, have become increasingly prominent and environmentally sustainable alternatives to chemical methods. This review highlights recent advances in the mass rearing of parasitoids such as <em>Sclerodermus harmandi</em> Buysson (Hymenoptera: Bethylidae) and <em>Neodryinus typhlocybae</em> (Ashmead) (Hymenoptera: Dryinidae) and their effectiveness in reducing pest populations. Furthermore, this study provides a comprehensive review of the ecological and biological characteristics of these biological control agents, including their parasitism rates and roles in integrated pest management, to assess and introduce the current state of research on the natural enemies of key forest insect pests in South Korea. By synthesizing recent research, this paper underscores the importance of Hymenoptera-based biological control as a sustainable approach for promoting forest health and biodiversity conservation in South Korea.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":8880,"journal":{"name":"Biological Control","volume":"208 ","pages":"Article 105854"},"PeriodicalIF":3.7,"publicationDate":"2025-07-19","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144665971","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"农林科学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Diaporthe atlantica improves tomato resistance against the vascular pathogen Fusarium oxysporum f. sp. lycopersici","authors":"Eric C. Pereira ,&nbsp;Beatriz R. Vázquez de Aldana ,&nbsp;Juan B. Arellano ,&nbsp;Ivan Fernandez ,&nbsp;Iñigo Zabalgogeazcoa","doi":"10.1016/j.biocontrol.2025.105852","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.biocontrol.2025.105852","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Fungal pathogen attacks are a major threat to crop growth and productivity, with <em>Fusarium oxysporum</em> f. sp. <em>lycopersici</em> being particularly menacing to tomato plants by causing vascular wilt disease. <em>Diaporthe atlantica</em> is a main component of the root microbiome of <em>Festuca rubra</em> subsp. <em>pruinosa</em>, a grass which inhabits sea cliffs. This fungus can confer drought and salinity tolerance to some agricultural plant species. This study evaluated the efficacy of <em>Diaporthe atlantica</em> in conferring resistance against <em>Fusarium</em> in tomato plants in a greenhouse experiment. A significant reduction of Fusarium wilt symptoms was observed in plants inoculated with <em>Diaporthe</em>. Furthermore, <em>Diaporthe</em> suppressed <em>Fusarium</em> colonisation, mitigating vascular browning and improving plant growth, chlorophyll content and nutrient acquisition. In addition, the effect of <em>Diaporthe atlantica</em> on plant defence against <em>Fusarium</em> does not directly involve classical induced systemic resistance (ISR) or systemic acquired resistance (SAR) mechanisms. These findings underscore the potential of <em>Diaporthe</em> as a biocontrol agent against Fusarium wilt.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":8880,"journal":{"name":"Biological Control","volume":"208 ","pages":"Article 105852"},"PeriodicalIF":3.7,"publicationDate":"2025-07-17","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144663501","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"农林科学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Flowering buckwheat supports Trissolcus japonicus and Trissolcus mitsukurii egg parasitism on Halyomorpha halys","authors":"Alberto Mele,&nbsp;Jessica Canella,&nbsp;Enrico Mirandola,&nbsp;Enrico Ceccato,&nbsp;Paola Tirello,&nbsp;Davide Scaccini,&nbsp;Alberto Pozzebon","doi":"10.1016/j.biocontrol.2025.105851","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.biocontrol.2025.105851","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Habitat management using inter-row flowering plants can be a strategy for the promotion of biological control of fruit crops pests. In the present study, we investigated the effect of inter-row ground cover management in supporting <em>Trissolcus japonicus</em> and <em>Trissolcus mitsukurii</em> (Ashmead) (Hymenoptera: Scelionidae), egg parasitoids of the invasive <em>Halyomorpha halys</em> Stål (Hemiptera: Pentatomidae), a major pest in fruit crops worldwide. In a two-year field study, we evaluated <em>H. halys</em> abundance and parasitism by <em>T. japonicus</em> and <em>T. mitsukurii</em> in a kiwifruit orchard in three different inter-row ground cover managements characterized by the use of different flowering plants: buckwheat, a nectar-providing plant known for its beneficial effect on <em>Trissolcus</em> wasps; a commercial green manure mixture of ten plant species, four of them known to provide nectar for parasitoids and a control with mowed spontaneous vegetation. The results showed that buckwheat improves the parasitism of adventives <em>Trissolcus</em> on <em>H. halys</em> eggs (on both natural and sentinel eggs). An improved parasitism on sentinel egg masses was also observed in green manure during the first year of the study, but the greater diversity of plant species in green manure plots caused an increase of egg masses laid on kiwifruit by other stink bugs species. Although the finite rate of increase of <em>H. halys</em> population decreased with higher levels of <em>Trissolcus</em> parasitism, the overall pest population on kiwifruit remained consistent across different ground cover managements. The results obtained here highlighted that adding flowering plants, in particular buckwheat, can promote egg parasitism on <em>H. halys</em> and represent a potential tactic to be included in integrated management strategies of this pest in fruit orchards.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":8880,"journal":{"name":"Biological Control","volume":"208 ","pages":"Article 105851"},"PeriodicalIF":3.7,"publicationDate":"2025-07-14","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144653850","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"农林科学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Comparison of hydrogels to enhance the environmental tolerance of the entomopathogenic nematode, Steinernema carpocapsae to target aboveground insect pests such as the lesser peachtree borer (Synanthedon pictipes, (Lepidoptera: Sesiidae))","authors":"Sabrina A. Elgar ,&nbsp;David I. Shapiro-Ilan ,&nbsp;David Mota-Sanchez ,&nbsp;John Wise ,&nbsp;Brett R. Blaauw","doi":"10.1016/j.biocontrol.2025.105850","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.biocontrol.2025.105850","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>The lesser peachtree borer (LPTB; <em>Synanthedon pictipes;</em> [Grote &amp; Robinson]; (Lepidoptera: Sesiidae) is a key pest of peaches in the southeastern U.S., that develops beneath the bark and is difficult to manage with chemical insecticides. Entomopathogenic nematodes (EPNs) such as <em>Steinernema carpocapsae</em>, offer a potential aboveground biological control option, but their effectiveness is limited by UV exposure and desiccation. In this study, we evaluated the survival (viability) and infectivity (virulence) of <em>S. carpocapsae</em> suspended in five gel treatments, Barricade®, sodium alginate, carboxymethyl cellulose (CMC), xanthan gum, and locust bean gum, as well as water. EPNs were exposed to UV radiation for 0, 3, 6, or 8 h in the laboratory or sprayed onto peach bark and exposed to outdoor conditions for up to three hours. EPN mortality and virulence against <em>Galleria mellonella</em> larvae were assessed post-exposure. Laboratory assays showed that sodium alginate and locust bean gum provided the greatest protection to EPN viability and supported high larval mortality after 6to8 h of UV exposure, comparable to the synthetic gel Barricade®. Outdoor assays revealed that EPNs in these three gels retained higher virulence than those in water, CMC, or xanthan gum after exposure on bark surfaces. Results support the use of natural hydrogels to improve EPN resilience in aboveground environments, promoting their use in sustainable pest management for peach pests. Future research should investigate field applications, including optimal treatment timing and gel degradation dynamics, to optimize natural gels for protecting EPNs in aboveground treatments targeting LPTB larvae and other wood-boring insects.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":8880,"journal":{"name":"Biological Control","volume":"208 ","pages":"Article 105850"},"PeriodicalIF":3.7,"publicationDate":"2025-07-14","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144633909","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"农林科学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Dynamic metabolomic changes in Pochonia chlamydosporia’s parasitism of Parascaris equorum eggs","authors":"Luyao Hao ,&nbsp;Fengmiao Zhao ,&nbsp;Hongyou Liu ,&nbsp;Chengyu Ma ,&nbsp;Yuan Ma ,&nbsp;Zhengyi Li ,&nbsp;Wei Wei ,&nbsp;Rui Wang","doi":"10.1016/j.biocontrol.2025.105849","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.biocontrol.2025.105849","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div><em>Pochonia chlamydosporia</em>, a nematophagous fungus, holds great promise as a biological control agent against animal − parasitic nematodes. However, the molecular and cellular mechanisms of its infection process remain largely unclear. In this study, metabolomics was utilized to investigate the dynamic changes in the exometabolome during the infection of <em>P. chlamydosporia</em> on <em>Parascaris equorum</em> eggs. Three crucial infection stages were selected: early (A1), middle (B1), and late (C1), with control groups of <em>P. chlamydosporia</em> hyphae cultured without eggs (A, B, C)<em>.</em> Metabolite extraction was carried out, followed by Liquid Chromatography-Tandem Mass Spectrometry (LC − MS/MS) analysis to identify differentially accumulated metabolites. LC-MS/MS analysis identified 1,185 fungal-derived metabolites, with key players including Ascochalasin (membrane disruptor), Piperine (signal transducer), and 6-methoxygossypol (egg development inhibitor). These metabolites orchestrated dynamic processes: organic acids fueled TCA cycle energy supply during mid-stage infection, sphingolipids mediated membrane fusion in late stages, and alkaloids disrupted host membrane permeability. Pathway analysis revealed stage-specific hubs: alanine-aspartate metabolism dominated early infection for nitrogen acquisition, cAMP signaling peaked in mid-stage to hijack host pathways, and secondary bile acid biosynthesis surged late-stage to degrade eggshells. These findings clarify that <em>P. chlamydosporia</em> coordinates a metabolic cascade—from energy reprogramming to host defense evasion—to complete parasitism, providing novel targets for biocontrol agent development.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":8880,"journal":{"name":"Biological Control","volume":"208 ","pages":"Article 105849"},"PeriodicalIF":3.7,"publicationDate":"2025-07-13","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144614744","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"农林科学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Potential biocontrol services by seven aphid predators for the control of Aphis nerii infesting Mandevilla","authors":"Tiziano Valentini,&nbsp;Joaquin Castanier,&nbsp;Giacomo Santoiemma,&nbsp;Paola Tirello,&nbsp;Alberto Pozzebon","doi":"10.1016/j.biocontrol.2025.105847","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.biocontrol.2025.105847","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Aphids are an important economic pest in protected crops and, among them, <em>Aphis nerii</em> Boyer de Fonscolombe is considered a key pest of the ornamental <em>Mandevilla</em> plant. This aphid can produce damage that can severely reduce the aesthetic and commercial value of ornamental plants. For the development of successful biological control strategies, information on prey suitability and predator’s functional response is essential. In this study, we first evaluate the suitability of <em>A. nerii</em> as a food source for seven commercial generalist predators, as well as their ability to suppress aphid population. The tested predator species were: <em>Chrysoperla carnea</em> Stephens (Neuroptera: Chrysopidae), <em>Sphaerophoria rueppellii</em> Wiedmann (Diptera: Syrphidae), <em>Episyrphus balteatus</em> DeGeer (Diptera: Syrphidae), <em>Micromus angulatus</em> Stephens (Neuroptera: Hemerobiidae), <em>Propylea quatuordecimpunctata</em> L. (Coleoptera: Coccinellidae), <em>Adalia bipunctata</em> L. (Coleoptera: Coccinellidae), and <em>Sympherobius fallax</em> Navas (Neuroptera: Hemerobiidae). Then, we assessed the predation rates and the functional response of <em>C. carnea, M. angulatus,</em> and <em>P. quatuordecimpunctata</em> preying on <em>A. nerii</em>. The first two experiments demonstrated that <em>M. angulatus</em>, <em>P. quatuordecimpunctata</em>, and <em>S. rueppellii</em> can survive, develop, and reproduce on <em>A. nerii</em>. <em>Aphis nerii</em> resulted in unsuitable prey for the remaining predators, as they displayed low foraging efficiency, survival and negligible impact on aphid population density. From the functional response study, it was observed that <em>C. carnea</em> did not show a significant response to varying densities of <em>A. nerii</em>. In contrast, both <em>M. angulatus</em> and <em>P. quatuordecimpunctata</em> exhibited a Type II functional response. Among these, the brown lacewing (<em>M. angulatus</em>) demonstrated superior predatory efficiency, with a higher attack rate and a shorter handling time compared to the lady beetle (<em>P. quatuordecimpunctata</em>). Although further studies are needed to understand the complex predator–prey dynamics, this study identifies promising candidates as biological control agents of <em>A. nerii</em>.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":8880,"journal":{"name":"Biological Control","volume":"208 ","pages":"Article 105847"},"PeriodicalIF":3.7,"publicationDate":"2025-07-12","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144653849","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"农林科学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Life history attributes of Anastatus japonicus (Hymenoptera: Eupelmidae) are regulated by nutrition and temperature","authors":"Muhammad Yasir Ali ,&nbsp;Zi-Jian Song ,&nbsp;Abdul Aziz Bukero ,&nbsp;Dilawar Abbas ,&nbsp;Khalid Ali Khan ,&nbsp;Jin-Ping Zhang ,&nbsp;Feng Zhang","doi":"10.1016/j.biocontrol.2025.105848","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.biocontrol.2025.105848","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div><em>Anastatus japonicus</em> Ashmead (Hymenoptera: Eupelmidae) is an effective egg parasitoid of <em>Halyomorpha halys</em> Stål (Hemiptera: Pentatomidae). In nature, parasitoids often depend on biotic and abiotic factors such as supplementary nutritional sources (e.g. sugars) and optimum temperature to maximize their life-expectancy and reproductive potential. Our field release trials of <em>A. japonicus</em> against <em>H. halys</em> showed limited efficacy, potentially due to suboptimal nutritional resources and inappropriate ambient thermal conditions during the release period. Thus, the present study aims to understand the impact of 14 distinct naturally occurring sugars and different temperature treatments with respect to their effects on <em>A. japonicus</em> life attributes. Longevity of <em>A. japonicus</em> males and females fed with 1 M stachyose sugar solution was comparatively longer while numbers of total progeny and females’ proportion were relatively highest with provision of maltose, glucose or fructose, respectively. <em>Anastatus japonicus</em> male and female progeny had significantly lengthier and shorter longevity and development time at low (15 °C) and high temperatures (35 °C), respectively. Female development time were found to be longer when fed maltose and water, while shorter with melibiose. <em>Anastatus japonicus</em> performs better on mono- and di- saccharide sugars compared to tri- and tetra- saccharides. In addition, 20–25 °C is the most suitable temperature range to optimize mass rearing. We are assuming that field release efficacy could be improved by planting buckwheat strips providing adequate amounts of maltose, glucose and fructose alongside shelter for <em>A. japonicus</em> in unfavorable harsh environmental conditions. This study opens up opportunities to select food supplements and optimum rearing temperature for inundative biocontrol by using <em>A. japonicus</em> against <em>H. halys</em>.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":8880,"journal":{"name":"Biological Control","volume":"208 ","pages":"Article 105848"},"PeriodicalIF":3.7,"publicationDate":"2025-07-12","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144703909","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"农林科学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}