Article
Biodiversity Conservation
Saskya Van Nouhuys, David C. Harris, Ann E. Hajek
Summary: Parasitic nematodes and hymenopteran parasitoids are introduced and used to control invasive Eurasian Sirex noctilio woodwasps. In North America, the native parasitoids have expanded their host ranges to attack this invader. The distribution and interactions between S. noctilio, natural enemies, and native parasitoids were investigated. S. noctilio were strongly aggregated, with high parasitism by the invasive nematode and the most abundant native parasitoid. There is little evidence for direct competition between nematodes and parasitoids but negative association between native parasitoids suggests competition with the most abundant native parasitoid.
Review
Forestry
Tiziana Panzavolta, Matteo Bracalini, Alessandra Benigno, Salvatore Moricca
Summary: Forest health is greatly impacted by invasive alien pathogens and pests, driven primarily by human activities like global trade. Early detection, prevention, and control measures are critical in combating the spread of these invasions, with the government playing a key role in endorsing necessary actions.
Editorial Material
Forestry
Salvatore Moricca, Tiziana Panzavolta
Summary: Tree pathogens and pests play vital roles in forest ecosystems by regulating nutrient and energy flow and shaping forest stand structure and composition. Understanding the causes of outbreaks and dynamics of these parasites is crucial for effective control measures.
Article
Forestry
Dmitry L. Musolin, Andrey V. Selikhovkin, Elena Y. Peregudova, Boris G. Popovichev, Michail Y. Mandelshtam, Yuri N. Baranchikov, Rimvys Vasaitis
Summary: Agrilus planipennis is a devastating invasive pest of ash trees in European Russia, Ukraine, and North America. The study revealed that the current continuous north-western limit of A. planipennis range in European Russia coincides with the north-western border of Tver' City and has not distinctly shifted north-westward during 2015-2019. Despite abundant food supply in Tver' City, the population density of A. planipennis in the area is currently low. The sudden detection of a spatially isolated A. planipennis outbreak near Saint Petersburg suggests accidental introduction of the pest, rather than gradual expansion of its invasive range.
Article
Entomology
Javier Quinto, Maria Eva Wong, Juan Ramon Boyero, Jose Miguel Vela, Martin Aguirrebengoa
Summary: The invasive chestnut gall wasp, Dryocosmus kuriphilus, has caused serious damage to the chestnut industry in Europe. Little is known about its status in the southernmost distribution in continental Europe. Research has shown significant variation in its population dynamics and flight phenology among different locations and over time, which are influenced by thermal trends.
Article
Ecology
Kanakachari Mogilicherla, Amit Roy
Summary: The increasing global population requires better forest protection to meet the feasible environmental needs. Traditional pesticide use has negative impacts on soil microbial diversity, pollinator populations, and non-target organisms. RNAi-nanotechnology shows promise as an alternative for pest management, but more research is needed for its application in forest ecosystems.
FRONTIERS IN FORESTS AND GLOBAL CHANGE
(2023)
Review
Ecology
Felix Bastit, Marielle Brunette, Claire Montagne-Huck
Summary: Natural disturbances are essential for ecosystem development but can threaten forest ecosystem services. Climate change exacerbates these threats and promotes interactions between disturbances. This study aims to explore multiple disturbances in forest economics through a literature review. A database of 101 English peer-reviewed articles published between 1916 and 2020 was analyzed to examine the relationships between six main natural hazards: fire, windstorm, drought, ice/snow, insects, and pathogens/disease. The findings reveal common associations such as Wind-Insects in Europe and Fire-Insects in North America. Economic studies often assume independence among hazards, potentially overlooking the effects of changing hazard regimes. The integration of ecology and economics is recommended for enhancing current models in the context of climate change.
ECOLOGICAL ECONOMICS
(2023)
Article
Agronomy
D. Adeline Yeh, Bingyan Dai, Miguel I. Gomez, Vaughn M. Walton
Summary: This study utilizes a novel bioeconomic simulation framework to demonstrate the potential of incorporating fruit sampling in control strategies to reduce reliance on pesticides and control D. suzukii infestation. These findings provide valuable insights into the economic feasibility of using monitoring-based pest control strategies in organic berry production, with the assessment framework shedding light on the economics of pest management.
PEST MANAGEMENT SCIENCE
(2023)
Article
Entomology
Morgan N. Thompson, Raul F. Medina, Anjel M. Helms, Julio S. Bernal
Summary: This article discusses the impact of host-associated differentiation (HAD) on insect herbivores and their associated natural enemies, as well as the role of chemical ecology in this relationship. It is found that chemical cues emitted by plants and insect herbivores can influence the foraging behavior of associated natural enemies, leading to natural enemy HAD. Understanding the effects of HAD on biological control is of great significance for selecting effective biological control methods.
Article
Entomology
Wendy A. Ruscoe, Peter R. Brown, Steve Henry, Nikki van de Weyer, Freya Robinson, Lyn A. Hinds, Grant R. Singleton
Summary: The adoption of 'conservation agriculture' farming practices over the past 10-15 years may have led to reduced disturbance of mouse burrows, increased cover, and food supply. Comparison of 20-year and 8-year mouse population data sets suggests that mice now reside year-round within crops and stubble, possibly impacting previous recommendations for mouse management in margin habitats.
JOURNAL OF PEST SCIENCE
(2022)
Review
Ecology
Michiel D. de Groot, Danny Haelewaters
Summary: The dramatic spread of invasive alien species is considered a major threat to ecosystems worldwide. The harlequin ladybird is one of the most invasive species, which was originally introduced as a biological control agent. However, little research has been done on the effects of multiple natural enemies on this species.
FRONTIERS IN ECOLOGY AND EVOLUTION
(2022)
Review
Agronomy
Sanchita Singh, Somnath Rahangdale, Shivali Pandita, Gauri Saxena, Santosh Kumar Upadhyay, Geetanjali Mishra, Praveen C. Verma
Summary: CRISPR/Cas9 technology has shown great potential in controlling insect pests by editing their genomes, leading to more effective pest management strategies. Researchers have highlighted the efficiency and future possibilities of using CRISPR/Cas9 in pest control.
Article
Agriculture, Multidisciplinary
Jie Zhang, Shijun You, Dongsheng Niu, Karla Giovana Gavilanez Guaman, Ao Wang, Hafz Sohaib Ahmed Saqib, Weiyi He, Yuan Yu, Guang Yang, Gabor Pozsgai, Minsheng You
Summary: This study expresses gratitude to farmers for allowing sampling and to Tao Li, Lingfei Peng, and Jun Li for their assistance in identifying samples. The research was supported by the National Key Research and Development Program of China and the State Key Laboratory of Ecological Pest Control for Fujian and Taiwan Crops.
AGRICULTURE ECOSYSTEMS & ENVIRONMENT
(2021)
Article
Forestry
Leonardo Ancillotto, Rosario Rummo, Giulia Agostinetto, Nicola Tommasi, Antonio P. Garonna, Flavia de Benedetta, Umberto Bernardo, Andrea Galimberti, Danilo Russo
Summary: Forest ecosystems play a crucial role in conserving global biodiversity and human wellbeing. However, the increasing impact of environmental changes such as climate change, biological invasions, and forest pests poses a significant threat to forests. This study found that forest bats, specifically Barbastella barbastellus and Plecotus auritus, can act as important suppressors of agroforestry pest insects. Preserving animal diversity in forests is essential not only for the health of these ecosystems but also for the surrounding habitats, including farmland.
FOREST ECOLOGY AND MANAGEMENT
(2022)
Review
Agronomy
William R. Morrison, Erin D. Scully, James F. Campbell
Summary: This study explores behaviorally-based management strategies for postharvest pests and identifies challenges such as competition with food cues and diverse insect assemblages in food facilities. To accelerate the development of behaviorally-based tactics, further research on scientific data and methods is needed to support stakeholder acceptance of semiochemicals in food facilities.
PEST MANAGEMENT SCIENCE
(2021)
Article
Entomology
Andres S. Martinez, Natalia Rousselot, Juan C. Corley, Maite Masciocchi
Summary: The study found that asynchronous nest departure behavior of sibling reproductives in social wasps can reduce inbred matings. In some colonies, drones or gynes delay their departure based on the opposite sex, while at a higher temporal resolution, drones consistently leave nests 1 hour before gynes. These departure patterns could complement other mechanisms in reducing negative effects of inbreeding in the invasive species.
BULLETIN OF ENTOMOLOGICAL RESEARCH
(2021)
Article
Entomology
Analia Mattiacci, Maite Masciocchi, Juan C. Corley
Summary: Foraging decisions of animals are based on a complex process integrating information from external stimuli and internal signals, modulated by individual experience and detection threshold. In social insects, foraging decisions may be influenced by ontogenetic shifts and colony requirements. Short-term changes in foraging preferences depend on the type of resource foraged and social interactions, rather than ontogenetic shifts.
Article
Entomology
Ana Laura Pietrantuono, Mario J. Pastorino, Valeria Fernandez-Arhex, Juan Carlos Corley, Paula Marchelli
Summary: Genetic variation in Nothofagus alpina trees influences the host selection behavior of the native caterpillar Perzelia arda, which can choose specific provenances, open pollinated families, and genotypes of N. alpina as food sources. These findings highlight the importance of evaluating discrimination between intra-specific hosts in insect-plant interaction studies, and further research is needed to fully understand the use of resources by this native insect and its ecological consequences.
AGRICULTURAL AND FOREST ENTOMOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Entomology
Maite Masciocchi, Jose M. Villacide, Micaela Buteler, Andres S. Martinez
Summary: In recent years, yellowjacket wasps, along with invasive willow and giant willow aphid, have established themselves in Patagonia. The study found that habitats near stream margins, where the invasive complex occurs, have a higher abundance of yellowjacket workers and nest density. This suggests that foraging and nesting near the invasive complex promote larger and healthier wasps, which may drive population growth and spread in Patagonia.
JOURNAL OF APPLIED ENTOMOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Entomology
Abel Nicolas Scherf, Juan Carlos Corley, Carlos David Gioia, Edgar Rafael Eskiviski, Cristhian Carazzo, Hernan Raul Patzer, Romina Daniela Dimarco
Summary: Leaf-cutting ants are economically important pests in plantation forests, causing significant reductions in tree growth and even mortality. Controlling these ants using insecticides is a common practice, but sustainable certification systems call for integrated pest management programs that reduce insecticide use. This study provides the first long-term evidence of the impact of Atta sexdens on Pinus taeda plantations in Argentina, highlighting the importance of understanding ant ecology for effective management.
JOURNAL OF APPLIED ENTOMOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Ecology
Ana Julia Pereira, Maite Masciocchi, Juan C. Corley
Summary: In Patagonia, Argentina, the invasion of two non-native vespid wasps, V. germanica and V. vulgaris, has had a negative impact on various aspects of the region. The study shows that V. vulgaris consistently reaches higher densities than V. germanica in invaded regions, regardless of arrival order. These findings contribute to our understanding of the worldwide invasion process of these two eusocial insects.
Article
Agronomy
Santiago Masague, Patricia C. Fernandez, Francisco Devescovi, Diego F. Segura, Gerardo J. De La Vega, Juan C. Corley, Jose M. Villacide, Andres S. Martinez
Summary: This study aims to understand the effects of fungal volatiles grown on artificial media and wood from two different host trees on the behavior and electroantennographic responses of female wasps. The results indicate that the combination of host tree species and fungus attracts the wasps and suggests a crucial role of the fungus in modulating wasp behavior.
PEST MANAGEMENT SCIENCE
(2023)
Article
Agronomy
Andres S. Martinez, Jose M. Villacide, Micaela Buteler, Maria Noel Serra, Maite Masciocchi
Summary: This study aimed to investigate the infestation pattern of GWA in north-western Patagonia, its effect on exudate availability, and its relationship with yellowjacket foraging patterns. The study found that aphid honeydew is produced in relatively high amounts in the region and yellowjackets forage on honeydew significantly more than in nearby areas.
PEST MANAGEMENT SCIENCE
(2023)
Review
Forestry
Jose M. Villacide, Demian F. Gomez, Carlos A. Perez, Juan C. Corley, Rodrigo Ahumada, Leonardo Rodrigues Barbosa, Edson Luiz Furtado, Andres Gonzalez, Nazaret Ramirez, Gustavo Balmelli, Caroline Dias de Souza, Gonzalo Martinez
Summary: The plantations and natural forests of South America have been significantly impacted by both native and exotic pests in recent years. The Southern Cone Forest Health Group (SCFHG), comprised of forest health professionals from Argentina, Brazil, Chile, and Uruguay, aims to strengthen cooperation and communication between various stakeholders in the region to effectively address forest health issues. The implementation of practices that prioritize the resilience of forest ecosystems and sustainable management, along with joint actions and agreements supported by governments and organizations, are crucial in combating invasive species and climate change.
Article
Entomology
Agustina P. Porrino, Andres S. Martinez, Jose M. Villacide, Maite Masciocchi
Summary: Dispersal is a multifactorial process, and for flight-dispersing species, life-history traits may affect flight capabilities and dispersal behavior. The flight capabilities of V. germanica drones are influenced by nutrition, with individuals of higher nutritional index flying farther distances. Diets with different carbohydrate concentration during early adulthood do not affect flight capabilities, indicating the importance of larval nutrition for flight.
ENTOMOLOGIA EXPERIMENTALIS ET APPLICATA
(2023)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Pablo Cavigliasso, Ezequiel Gonzalez, Abel Scherf, Jose Villacide
Summary: This study assessed the impact of different spatial contexts on the presence of leaf-cutting ant nests in South American plantations and found that the presence of ant nests is related to landscape configuration.
SCIENTIFIC REPORTS
(2023)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Romina Melo, Maite Masciocchi, Juan C. Corley
Summary: Allee effects rely on mutually beneficial intraspecific interactions that enhance individual fitness and growth rate with increasing population size. In the case of social wasp V. germanica colonies, the removal of workers resulted in a decrease in the production of gynes, highlighting the important role of the worker caste in the success of eusocial species. However, the quality of produced gynes and the quantity of protein-food collected by the colonies were not affected.
SCIENTIFIC REPORTS
(2023)
Article
Entomology
Esteban Ceriani-Nakamurakare, Carolina Robles, Paola Gonzalez-Audino, Andres Dolinko, Patricia Mc Cargo, Juan Corley, Jeremy Allison, Cecilia Carmaran
Summary: Megaplatypus mutatus is a forest insect native to South America that has invaded other regions, posing a threat to commercial forestry. Early detection, containment, and management programs are important to mitigate the impact of this insect, especially on exotic tree species like Eucalyptus and Populus spp.
JOURNAL OF INTEGRATED PEST MANAGEMENT
(2022)