Biological Control最新文献

{"title":"Augmentative biological control of invertebrate pests in Australasia: experiences from down under","authors":"Mette-Cecilie Nielsen ,&nbsp;Barbara Barratt ,&nbsp;Christopher Thompson ,&nbsp;Asha Chhagan ,&nbsp;Aleise Puketapu ,&nbsp;Paul Horne ,&nbsp;Jessica Vereijssen","doi":"10.1016/j.biocontrol.2025.105895","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.biocontrol.2025.105895","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>We explored the application of augmentative biological control in Aotearoa New Zealand and Australia, focusing on managing invertebrate pests in agriculture and horticulture. Both countries, with unique climates and biodiversity, rely heavily on agriculture as a key economic driver, making the protection of crops from invertebrate pests crucial. Despite stringent biosecurity measures, invasive species continue to pose a significant threat, underscoring the ongoing and future need for effective pest management strategies. The use of synthetic agrichemicals has long been integral to crop protection; however, concerns over their environmental impact, resistance development, and market access restrictions have prompted a desired shift toward more sustainable methods. Augmentative biological control, which involves releasing predators, parasitoids, and pathogens to control invertebrate pest populations, is a favourable alternative. Augmentation has been used globally for over a century, but its application in New Zealand and Australia presents unique challenges due to their distinct environments, regulatory frameworks, and biosecurity concerns. The manuscript highlights the use of augmentative biological control in these regions, examines the difficulties surrounding the importation and regulation of biological control agents, and discusses cultural and ecological factors influencing their adoption. It also provides insights into the future potential of augmentative biological control in the two countries, emphasising its role in integrated pest management strategies to reduce agrichemical reliance and ensure sustainable agricultural practices. The manuscript offers perspectives for future invertebrate pest management efforts in New Zealand and Australia.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":8880,"journal":{"name":"Biological Control","volume":"210 ","pages":"Article 105895"},"PeriodicalIF":3.4,"publicationDate":"2025-11-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145333192","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":"Pathogenicity of the fungus Beauveria pseudobassiana for Popillia japonica depends on the developmental stage of the insect","authors":"Noëmi Küng ,&nbsp;Sara Boschi ,&nbsp;Franco Widmer ,&nbsp;Jürg Enkerli","doi":"10.1016/j.biocontrol.2025.105887","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.biocontrol.2025.105887","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div><em>Popillia japonica</em> is an invasive, polyphagous beetle feeding on more than 400 host plants and responsible for major crop damage in infested regions in North America, northern Italy and southern Switzerland. Currently, control of <em>P. japonica</em> largely relies on synthetic insecticides. Recently, <em>Beauveria pseudobassiana</em> has been described as the dominant pathogen on <em>Melolontha melolontha</em> adults, a native scarabaeoid relative of <em>P. japonica</em>. <em>B. pseudobassiana</em> has been detected on several insect species, in soil but also on plant leaves indicating its adaptation to environmental conditions above ground.</div><div>We evaluated survival of <em>P. japonica</em> adults and larvae exposed to four strains of <em>B. pseudobassiana</em> (ART 2881, ART 2882, ART 2883, ART 2884) and a <em>M. brunneum</em> strain (Ma 43), registered as control agent against several Scarabaeidae species in Europe. All the fungal strains led to a significant three-to-five-fold reduction in the median survival of <em>P. japonica</em> adults, when dipped in conidia suspensions or exposed to fungus inoculated leaves, while ART 2884 was in both tests the most virulent strain. In contrast, none of the fungal isolates reduced larval survival, with mortality rates of 2–8 % after 70 days. From field-collected beetles, we obtained natural <em>Beauveria</em> isolates, some of which were identified as <em>B. pseudobassiana</em>, indicating a possible role of the fungus in natural infection scenarios. The high <em>in vitro</em> virulence of <em>B. pseudobassiana</em> together with its competence for above ground conditions and occurrence on <em>P. japonica</em> in the field indicates potential of this fungus as biological control agent (BCA) against adult <em>P. japonica.</em></div></div>","PeriodicalId":8880,"journal":{"name":"Biological Control","volume":"210 ","pages":"Article 105887"},"PeriodicalIF":3.4,"publicationDate":"2025-11-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145155729","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":"Ageratina adenophora essential oil: A promising miticidal agent against Sarcoptes scabiei, and its effects on key enzymatic pathways","authors":"Fei Liao ,&nbsp;Jie He ,&nbsp;Yang Wen ,&nbsp;Ziyao Tang ,&nbsp;Feng Yang ,&nbsp;Rui Zhi ,&nbsp;Yanlong Qiao ,&nbsp;Bin Chen ,&nbsp;Yanchun Hu","doi":"10.1016/j.biocontrol.2025.105898","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.biocontrol.2025.105898","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>The common scabies mite, <em>Sarcoptes scabiei</em> (<em>S. scabiei</em>) is a cosmopolitan parasite of humans and other mammals. This study evaluated the potential of<!--> <em>Ageratina adenophora</em> <!-->(<em>A. adenophora</em>) essential oil (EO) to serve as a synergist for enhancing biological control agents against scabies by investigating its acaricidal activity and underlying mechanism. 52 components (99.6 %) were identified by GC–MS. The major components included bornyl acetate (11.16 %), <em>β</em>-bisabolene (9.34 %), cymene (8.17 %), <em>γ</em>-curcumene (8.10 %), and <em>β</em>-caryophyllene (8.05 %). <em>In vitro</em>, it showed good contact toxicity, fumigation activity, and repellency against <em>S. scabiei</em>. At 40 mg/mL for 2 h, the contact mortality, fumigation mortality and repellent rates were 100 %, 100 %, and 92 %, respectively. Medium lethal concentration (LC₅₀) values for contact toxicity and fumigation activity at 2 h were 27.132 mg/mL and 12.579 mg/mL. <em>In vivo</em>, cure rates at 20, 10, 5 mg/mL were 100 %, 100 %, 83.3 % in rabbits, with no skin irritation at 200 mg/mL. Enzyme tests showed that SOD increased first, then decreased, GST was activated, AchE, Na⁺-K⁺-ATP, and Ca²⁺-Mg²⁺-ATP were inhibited. The significant activity of <em>A. adenophora</em> essential oil both <em>in vitro</em> and <em>in vivo</em>, along with its ability to disrupt key physiological processes in mites, supports its potential as a synergist to enhance the efficacy of biological control agents against scabies mites. Additionally, the observed safety profile at certain doses further encourages its exploration as a component within integrated pest management strategies.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":8880,"journal":{"name":"Biological Control","volume":"210 ","pages":"Article 105898"},"PeriodicalIF":3.4,"publicationDate":"2025-11-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145217422","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":"Biocontrol potential of endophytic Bacillus spp. Against early blight disease in potato (Solanum tuberosum)","authors":"Farag M. Farag ,&nbsp;Ashraf Khalifa","doi":"10.1016/j.biocontrol.2025.105897","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.biocontrol.2025.105897","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Early blight, caused by <em>Alternaria solani</em>, is a major disease of potato crops worldwide, leading to considerable yield losses. Although chemical fungicides are commonly used for disease management, concerns over their environmental impact have driven the search for sustainable alternatives. This study evaluates the potential of endophytic bacteria as biocontrol agents for managing early blight in potatoes.Three endophytic bacterial strains—<em>Bacillus velezensis</em> FM-1, <em>B. velezensis</em> FM-10, and <em>Bacillus subtilis</em> FM-15—were isolated from healthy potato plants in Beni Suef Governorate, Egypt. Field trials were conducted over two consecutive growing seasons (2022–2023) to assess their effectiveness in controlling early blight. Evaluations included disease incidence and severity, plant growth parameters, and tuber yield. Antifungal activity was assessed via mycelial growth inhibition assays and analysis of volatile organic compound (VOC) production. All three isolates (FM-1, FM-10, and FM-15) showed strong antagonistic activity against <em>A. solani</em>, with up to 47.44 % inhibition of mycelial growth. VOCs produced by FM-1 completely suppressed fungal growth, while FM-10 produced 26 secondary metabolites contributing to disease inhibition. Field application of the bacterial treatments significantly reduced both disease incidence and severity. <em>B. velezensis</em> FM-1 exhibited the highest efficacy among the bacterial treatments. Although the fungicide Topas 100 EC provided the greatest overall control, the bacterial treatments enhanced plant growth, leading to increased plant height, branching, tuber weight, and total yield compared to untreated controls. Additionally, FM-1 and FM-15 significantly increased total phenolic content (11 and 10 mg/g dry weight, respectively) and proline levels (∼9 mg/g), while reducing malondialdehyde (MDA) accumulation (∼6 mg/g) relative to the control (7 mg/g).</div><div>This study demonstrates the promising biocontrol potential of <em>Bacillus</em> spp., particularly <em>B. velezensis</em> FM-1, in managing early blight in potatoes. Beyond disease suppression, these endophytic strains enhance plant physiological responses and productivity, offering a viable and eco-friendly alternative to synthetic fungicides for sustainable agriculture.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":8880,"journal":{"name":"Biological Control","volume":"210 ","pages":"Article 105897"},"PeriodicalIF":3.4,"publicationDate":"2025-11-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145263122","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":"Bacillus Bsu02 and Bha48 increase wax gourd resistance to Fusarium proliferatum via multiple mechanisms","authors":"Huifang Zhang ,&nbsp;Liyuan Qi ,&nbsp;Sisheng Wang ,&nbsp;Menghan Zhang ,&nbsp;Zhen Liu ,&nbsp;Yibo Zhang ,&nbsp;Qingdi Yan ,&nbsp;Cunjie Li ,&nbsp;Junchang Li ,&nbsp;Fuli Zhang","doi":"10.1016/j.biocontrol.2025.105902","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.biocontrol.2025.105902","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Wax gourd (<em>Benincasa hispida</em>) wilt has caused significant economic losses. In this study, a pathogen causing wax gourd wilt was isolated from diseased wax gourd plant and identified as <em>Fusarium proliferatum</em> based on morphological characteristics and molecular analysis. In order to control the disease, 62 <em>Bacillus</em> strains were isolated from rhizosphere soil of 6 plant species, with inhibition efficiency ranging from 21.81 % to 81.40 % at 6 days in the dual culture test. And the strains Bsu02 and Bha48 were selected for further investigation. The volatile organic compounds (VOCs) of Bsu02 and Bha48 inhibited mycelial growth of <em>F. proliferatum</em> with inhibition efficiency of 55.61 % and 38.05 % at 7 days, respectively. Pretreatment with either individual <em>Bacillus</em> strains (Bsu02 or Bha48) or their combination (Bcom) reduced wilt disease index of wax gourd seedlings, with control efficacy of 47.51 %, 44.57 %, and 37.04 %, respectively. Additionally, pretreatments with Bsu02, Bha48, and Bcom increased the activities of peroxidase (POD), phenylalanine ammonia lyase (PAL), and polyphenol oxidase (PPO) by more than 0.40-fold in wax gourd plant. These <em>Bacillus</em> pretreatments also upregulated the expression of pathogenesis-related (PR) genes (<em>PR5</em>, <em>PR6</em>, and <em>PR12</em>). Furthermore, <em>Bacillus</em> application significantly improved plant growth parameters, including plant height, leaf area, shoot fresh weight, and root dry weight, as well as photosynthetic parameters. Moreover, Bsu02, Bha48, and Bcom changed community compositions of rhizosphere microorganisms and increased alpha diversity of bacterial and fungal communities. In summary, Bsu02, Bha48, and Bcom increased wax gourd seedling resistance to wax gourd wilt caused by <em>F. proliferatum</em> via multiple mechanisms.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":8880,"journal":{"name":"Biological Control","volume":"210 ","pages":"Article 105902"},"PeriodicalIF":3.4,"publicationDate":"2025-11-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145333193","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":"Field evaluation of augmentative biological control as a management tool against an invading scale insect, Acanthococcus lagerstroemiae (Kuwana) (Hemiptera: Eriococcidae)","authors":"Amber R. Stiller ,&nbsp;Kevin D. Chase ,&nbsp;Jeremy D. Slone ,&nbsp;Caitlin A. Littlejohn ,&nbsp;Isabel M. Márez ,&nbsp;Samuel F. Ward","doi":"10.1016/j.biocontrol.2025.105889","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.biocontrol.2025.105889","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Urban plantings are often faced with herbivorous pest outbreaks and thus require extensive management regimes to protect plant health. Scale insects are common landscape pests that are frequently controlled with various insecticides. However, off-target effects and subsequent restrictions of certain pesticides have created uncertainty in management options for some scale insects. <em>Acanthococcus lagerstroemiae</em> (Kuwana) (Hemiptera: Eriococcidae) is a non-native scale that is most easily controlled with neonicotinoids, in part because cultural methods and resident natural enemies have provided insufficient control in many contexts. Therefore, the use of augmentative biological control (ABC) may be a potential management option against <em>A. lagerstroemiae</em> in the urban landscape. Here, we investigated the use of <em>Rhyzobius lophanthae</em> (Blaisdell) (Coleoptera: Coccinellidae) and <em>Chrysoperla rufilabris</em> Burmeister (Neuroptera: Chrysopidae) individually and in combination for use against <em>A. lagerstroemiae</em> in a two-year field study. We determined that <em>R. lophanthae</em> can reduce <em>A. lagerstroemiae</em> population growth when released as a single species and when netting is used to confine beetles to the plant. <em>Chrysoperla rufilabris</em> did not impact <em>A. lagerstroemiae</em> population growth regardless of density released<em>.</em> However, we identified several landscape factors that significantly increased <em>A. lagerstroemiae</em> population growth (e.g., ant attendance). Results presented here guide ABC application procedures relating to the timing, methodology, density, and frequency of releases that may be needed to successfully control <em>A. lagerstroemiae.</em> Further work investigating how <em>R. lophanthae</em> can be incorporated into an IPM program is needed to optimize <em>A. lagerstroemiae</em> management plans.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":8880,"journal":{"name":"Biological Control","volume":"210 ","pages":"Article 105889"},"PeriodicalIF":3.4,"publicationDate":"2025-11-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145046562","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":"Rhizosphere microorganisms enhance the antiviral activity of the resistance inducer fTDP against tobacco mosaic virus","authors":"Yueqi Peng ,&nbsp;Wenyu Zhang ,&nbsp;Wei Zhao ,&nbsp;Huanran Zhang,&nbsp;Jianfeng Wang,&nbsp;Xu Wen,&nbsp;Yuting Qi,&nbsp;Banwu Tu,&nbsp;Liping Wu","doi":"10.1016/j.biocontrol.2025.105909","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.biocontrol.2025.105909","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Rhizosphere microorganisms can act synergistically with biocontrol agents to inhibit soil-borne plant diseases, however, their role in controlling leaf diseases remains unclear. They may, nonetheless, be key factors affecting the stability of biocontrol efficacy against leaf diseases. The resistance inducer fusion TEER-decreasing protein (fTDP) can activate salicylic acid-mediated systemic acquired resistance (SAR) to induce tobacco resistance to infection by the leaf pathogen tobacco mosaic virus (TMV). Here, using amplicon sequencing and quantitative reverse transcription PCR, we analyzed the effects of the rhizosphere microorganism on the antiviral function of fTDP. Simultaneously, a complex microbial consortium resistant to TMV was isolated and screened from the fTDP-treated group. The results showed that fTDP treatment alters soil physicochemical properties, restores the TMV-disrupted rhizosphere microbial community, and enriches beneficial bacterial genera. Furthermore, rhizosphere microorganisms enhanced the antiviral effect of fTDP. Eight bacterial strains isolated from soils after exogenous fTDP application induced plant resistant on TMV by improving the activity of tobacco defense enzymes and promoting plant growth. Six of these strains were successfully combined to construct a complex consortium, which together with fTDP amplified antiviral performance. In summary, fTDP induces changes in the structure of the rhizosphere microbial community, and these microorganisms participate in its antiviral activity. This study offers new insights into the mechanism by which biopesticides suppress foliar pathogens and also contributes to biosafety assessments.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":8880,"journal":{"name":"Biological Control","volume":"210 ","pages":"Article 105909"},"PeriodicalIF":3.4,"publicationDate":"2025-11-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145473512","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":"Suppression of Fusarium wilt in banana and growth promotion by the beneficial fungus Trichoderma asperellum TRC900 is cultivar-dependent","authors":"Maitreyee Sarma ,&nbsp;Yasmín Zorrilla-Fontanesi ,&nbsp;Subbaraya Uma ,&nbsp;Herve Vanderschuren ,&nbsp;Rony Swennen ,&nbsp;Barbara De Coninck","doi":"10.1016/j.biocontrol.2025.105878","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.biocontrol.2025.105878","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>The hemibiotrophic, soil-borne fungal pathogen <em>Fusarium oxysporum</em> f.sp. <em>cubense</em> TR4 (<em>Foc</em> TR4) poses a major threat to global banana production, with no effective management method currently available. Therefore, the identification of eco-friendly strategies to mitigate Fusarium wilt of banana (FWB) is crucial. Biological control organisms (BCOs), like <em>Trichoderma</em> spp., can directly suppress pathogen growth and enhance plant defense responses, thereby improving crop yields. Two commercial <em>Trichoderma asperellum</em> strains, TRC900 and T34, were tested for their efficacy in reducing FWB symptoms in two Cavendish banana cultivars (cvs.), ‘Valery’ and ‘Grand Naine’. <em>In vitro</em> bioassays showed both strains inhibited <em>Foc</em> TR4 mycelial growth by 40%. Inoculation of ‘Valery’ with TRC900 significantly reduced FWB symptoms when applied in the same pot as <em>Foc</em> TR4, while T34 did not. In ‘Valery’, TRC900 also reduced symptoms in a split-root setup, suggesting that TRC900 triggers induced resistance (IR). In ‘Grand Naine’, neither strain reduced disease symptoms. Both strains were also assessed for their ability to promote banana plant growth in absence of <em>Foc</em> TR4. In ‘Valery’, both strains significantly increased plant growth, while in ‘Grand Naine’, TRC900 reduced growth and T34 had minimal effect. Plant defense responses and growth promotion by <em>T. asperellum</em> were influenced by both the banana cultivar and the <em>Trichoderma</em> strain. Root colonization bioassays indicated TRC900 was more efficient in colonizing ‘Valery’ roots, suggesting that biocontrol effect could be attributed to enhanced colonization. These findings highlight how a single BCO can elicit different responses in closely-related cvs., influencing the outcome of plant-BCO-pathogen interactions.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":8880,"journal":{"name":"Biological Control","volume":"210 ","pages":"Article 105878"},"PeriodicalIF":3.4,"publicationDate":"2025-11-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145106195","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":"Aphid control using natural enemies: Lessons for fine-tuning banana-aphid management","authors":"Christian Adjalla ,&nbsp;Bonaventure A. Omondi ,&nbsp;Geofrey Ogwal ,&nbsp;Walter Ocimati ,&nbsp;Peter Wasswa ,&nbsp;Guy Blomme","doi":"10.1016/j.biocontrol.2025.105905","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.biocontrol.2025.105905","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Aphids are serious crop pests and vectors of plant-pathogenic viruses. Natural enemies (parasitoids, pathogens, and predators) can be effective aphid control agents. Vector control can achieve the sustainable management of vector-borne diseases. However, this strategy is under-explored for Banana Bunchy Top Disease (BBTD). This study conducted a systematic review of available literature on aphid control using natural enemies. It has highlighted key opportunities for exploiting and fine-tuning banana-aphid and BBTD control using natural enemies. Relevant literature was identified using PRISMA (Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analysis) guidelines. The search used Scopus and Web of Science databases, employing specific search terms related to aphids and their natural enemies. Data was extracted from 276 publications. A keyword network analysis highlights aphid-parasitoid interactions, aphid-predator interactions, and agroecological aspects of aphid management using natural enemies as key research themes. The analysis also shows natural enemies to have been successfully deployed using classical, augmentative, and conservation strategies. The paper describes their effects on aphids, and the influence of management practices, plant traits, and plant diversity. It also presents examples of agroecological manipulations, within and around fields, and within the broader landscape affecting natural enemies., The mediating effects of crops and agroecological conditions could be explored for controlling banana aphids.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":8880,"journal":{"name":"Biological Control","volume":"210 ","pages":"Article 105905"},"PeriodicalIF":3.4,"publicationDate":"2025-11-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145358136","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":"Several flowering plant species enhance parasitoid performance without benefiting host pests: Implications for conservation biological control in maize agroecosystems","authors":"Yuanyuan Miao ,&nbsp;Xinyi Zhai ,&nbsp;Huihui Chen ,&nbsp;Jiayin Xie ,&nbsp;Min Jin ,&nbsp;Yanhui Lu ,&nbsp;Zhongxian Lu ,&nbsp;Pingyang Zhu","doi":"10.1016/j.biocontrol.2025.105907","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.biocontrol.2025.105907","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Suitable nectary plants could supply natural enemies for essential nutrients that improve survival, reproduction, and pest-control efficiency. This study evaluated six candidate nectary plants (<em>Brassica napus</em>, <em>Cosmos sulphureus</em>, <em>Cnidium monnieri</em>, <em>Gypsophila paniculata</em>, <em>Kalanchoe blossfeldiana</em>, and <em>Ocimum basilicum</em>) for their potential biological control of six key parasitic natural enemies (<em>Trichogramma chilonis</em>, <em>Trichogramma dendrolimi</em>, <em>Trichogramma japonicum</em>, <em>Trichogramma ostriniae</em>, <em>Microplitis mediator</em>, and <em>Macrocentrus cingulum</em>) and their impacts on four lepidopteran pest species (<em>Ostrinia furnacalis</em>, <em>Spodoptera exigua</em>, <em>Spodoptera frugiperda</em>, and <em>Helicoverpa armigera</em>) in maize. Results showed that <em>B. napus</em> flowers significantly extended the longevity of <em>T. chilonis</em>, <em>M. cingulum</em> females, and both male and female of <em>T. japonicum</em>, while also enhancing the fecundity of <em>T. dendrolimi</em> and <em>T. japonicum</em>. <em>Cosmos sulphureus</em> prolonged the longevity of <em>T. ostriniae</em> males and both sexes of <em>T. japonicum</em>. <em>Cnidium monnieri</em> significantly increased the longevity of all tested parasitoids, including female <em>T. ostriniae</em>, and boosted the fecundity of <em>T. chilonis</em>, <em>T. dendrolimi,</em> and <em>T. japonicum</em>. <em>Ocimum basilicum</em> enhanced the longevity of all tested parasitoids, regardless of sex, and promoted fecundity in <em>T. chilonis</em>, <em>T. dendrolimi,</em> and <em>T. japonicum</em>. Importantly, <em>C. monnieri</em> had no impact on pest longevity. <em>Ocimum basilicum</em> only increased longevity in male <em>S. exigua</em>, with no other significant effects on pest reproduction or survival. These findings indicate that <em>C. monnieri</em> and <em>O. basilicum</em> are promising nectary plants for integration into maize cropping systems to enhance biological control of insect pest.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":8880,"journal":{"name":"Biological Control","volume":"210 ","pages":"Article 105907"},"PeriodicalIF":3.4,"publicationDate":"2025-11-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145412584","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}