Article
Entomology
Felicia Duarte, Agustin Caro, Soledad Delgado, Alejandro Asfennato, Laura Lopez, Fabiana Hernandez, Maria Calvo
Summary: The study demonstrated that the combination of Sterile Insect Technique (SIT) and mass trapping can effectively control Mediterranean fruit fly populations, especially in a perimeter design, without the need for a substantial increase in the release of sterile males.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF PEST MANAGEMENT
(2022)
Article
Entomology
Ruben Sancho, Ana Guillem-Amat, Elena Lopez-Errasquin, Lucas Sanchez, Felix Ortego, Pedro Hernandez-Crespo
Summary: This study analyzed Spanish wild medfly populations in areas where SIT is applied, and found genetic markers of Vienna GSS released individuals, suggesting the introgression of Vienna strain genes into natural populations.
JOURNAL OF PEST SCIENCE
(2021)
Article
Entomology
Sushil K. Gaire, Md Jamil Hossain Biswas, Maurizio Benelli, Polychronis Rempoulakis, Phillip W. Taylor, Bishwo P. Mainali
Summary: This study assessed the impact of chilling temperature and exposure period on the quality parameters of sterile Queensland fruit fly. Flies chilled at 4 degrees Celsius took longer to recover compared to those chilled at 6 degrees Celsius, and flight ability, survival under nutritional stress, and longevity decreased with increasing chilling period. There was no significant difference between the two tested temperatures in terms of quality parameters.
JOURNAL OF ECONOMIC ENTOMOLOGY
(2021)
Article
Agronomy
Chao Chen, Robert L. Aldridge, Seth Gibson, Jedidiah Kline, Vindhya Aryaprema, Whitney Qualls, Rui-de Xue, Leigh Boardman, Kenneth J. Linthicum, Daniel A. Hahn
Summary: This study investigated the effects of ionizing radiation on the survival, longevity, mating behavior, and sterility of Ae. aegypti mosquitoes. The results showed that a radiation dose of 50 Gy rendered males 99% sterile while maintaining mating competitiveness against unirradiated males. Females were completely sterilized at 30 Gy.
PEST MANAGEMENT SCIENCE
(2023)
Editorial Material
Entomology
Kostas Bourtzis, Marc J. B. Vreysen
Summary: Insects are the most speciose and abundant group of animals on Earth, with most species being beneficial but a small number acting as plant pests or disease vectors. The sterile insect technique (SIT) has been used as an environmentally friendly and sustainable method of pest control, with successful applications in suppressing, controlling, eradicating, or preventing insect pest populations and disease vectors globally.
Article
Agronomy
Jia Lin, Xuxing Hao, Guoqing Yue, Deqing Yang, Ningfeng Lu, Pumo Cai, Guofu Ao, Qinge Ji
Summary: The study developed a wax-based bait station that showed positive effects in managing Bactrocera dorsalis, with long-lasting efficacy and performance comparable to traditional sprays in field trials.
PEST MANAGEMENT SCIENCE
(2022)
Article
Agronomy
Eleftheria-Maria D. Bali, Cleopatra A. Moraiti, Charalampos S. Ioannou, Vasilis Mavraganis, Nikos T. Papadopoulos
Summary: Mass trapping is an environmentally safe method for managing the Mediterranean fruit fly, but the effectiveness of trap-attractant combinations can vary based on temperature. Tephri traps baited with BioLure or Biodelear were found to be most effective under different temperature conditions, with a higher efficacy for BioLure baited traps at high temperatures. Additionally, more males than females were captured, and the efficacy and female selectivity of trapping devices were influenced by temperature regimes during spring and summer seasons in semi-field conditions.
Article
Entomology
Pablo Montoya, Erick Flores-Sarmiento, Patricia Lopez, Amanda Ayala, Jorge Cancino
Summary: The joint use of augmentative biological control (ABC) and sterile insects (SIT) can have an additive or synergistic effect on the control of fruit fly pests. Field cage evaluations showed that using both techniques together led to greater suppression of Anastrepha ludens population compared to using each technique separately. The joint use of ABC and SIT induced high sterility in the fly population and had a synergistic effect on the reproduction parameters, resulting in a significant decrease in population growth rate. This combined approach can be crucial in the suppression or eradication of fruit fly populations with low ecological impact.
Article
Entomology
R. D. Bhoyroo, S. Facknath, P. Sookar
Summary: The study focused on investigating the life cycle parameters of B. zonata to evaluate the feasibility of mass rearing this species. The research identified the optimal timing for egg collection and the lifespan of production cages, providing a basis for cost-effective SIT programs. Overall, mass rearing of B. zonata was found to be economically viable due to a positive reproductive rate and short generation time.
AFRICAN ENTOMOLOGY
(2021)
Article
Agronomy
Vilmara P. Barboza, Beatriz A. J. Paranhos, Juvenal C. Silva Junior
Summary: The aim of this study was to differentiate between wild males and the tsl Vienna 8 strain of the Mediterranean fruit fly using molecular markers, and to determine the dominance of male lines in a remating condition. The results showed compatibility between the tsl Vienna 8 strain and wild females from the Sao Francisco Valley region, and successful sperm transfer from the males to the females. In terms of remating, the sperm from the second male dominated over the first. These findings suggest a potential reduction in the success of the sterile insect technique.
Article
Entomology
Nathan Moses-Gonzales, Hugh Conway, Dustin Krompetz, Roberto Rodriguez, Christopher G. Adams, Ignacio Baez, Michael Milam
Summary: The study found that using swarm technology to release sterile insects can effectively increase release rates and improve capture rates, providing a new method for increasing aerial release capacity and flexibility of sterile insect technique programs.
JOURNAL OF ECONOMIC ENTOMOLOGY
(2021)
Article
Entomology
Luis A. Caravantes-Villatoro, Pablo Liedo, Karina Guillen-Navarro, Julio C. Rojas
Summary: This study found that adding probiotics can improve the sexual performance and competitiveness of fruit fly males lacking protein. However, it has a negative effect on males fed with a standard diet.
JOURNAL OF ECONOMIC ENTOMOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Entomology
Georgios D. Mastronikolos, Apostolos Kapranas, George K. Balatsos, Charalampos Ioannou, Dimitrios P. Papachristos, Panagiotis G. Milonas, Arianna Puggioli, Igor Pajovic, Dusan Petric, Romeo Bellini, Antonios Michaelakis, Nikos T. Papadopoulos
Summary: Genetic based mosquito control methods have the potential to effectively suppress or replace vector populations without causing environmental damage or public health risks. The quality of sterilized male mosquitoes is crucial for the success of the Sterile Insect Technique (SIT) control programs. Transportation, especially for long durations, can negatively impact the performance of sterilized males and needs to be carefully managed.
Article
Agronomy
Bernard C. Dominiak, Phillip W. Taylor, Polychronis Rempoulakis
Summary: The Sterile Insect Technique (SIT) is an effective control method for the Queensland fruit fly, and reliable insect marking techniques are necessary for successful SIT operations. Variation in fluorescent dye performance has been observed in past Qfly SIT release projects. This study reviews past experience and presents potential alternatives to fluorescent dyes.
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Jose Nicacio, Alfredo R. Abot, Mariana P. Oliveira, Jaine L. Silva, Flavio R. M. Garcia
Summary: This study aims to develop a sequential sampling plan for controlling the population of C. capitata in guava orchards. By randomly installing McPhail traps and conducting continuous monitoring, an unprecedented sequential sampling plan has been generated, which can facilitate rapid and safe decision-making for fruit farmers.
ANAIS DA ACADEMIA BRASILEIRA DE CIENCIAS
(2022)
Review
Entomology
Nicolas Desneux, Peng Han, Ramzi Mansour, Judit Arno, Thierry Brevault, Mateus R. Campos, Anais Chailleux, Raul N. C. Guedes, Javad Karimi, Kouassi Arthur J. Konan, Anne-violette Lavoir, Maria G. Luna, Meritxell Perez-Hedo, Alberto Urbaneja, Francois J. Verheggen, Lucia Zappala, Khaled Abbes, Abid Ali, Yunus Bayram, Fernando Cantor, Andrew G. S. Cuthbertson, Raf De Vis, Fedai Erler, Dnyaneshwar M. Firake, Khalid Haddi, M. Jamal Hajjar, Khasan Ismoilov, Coline C. Jaworski, Marc Kenis, Hao-tian Liu, Hossein Madadi, Thibaud Martin, Ahmed Mazih, Gerben J. Messelink, Samira A. Mohamed, Robert S. Nofemela, Abiola Oke, Cesar Ramos, Michele Ricupero, Emmanouil Roditakis, Pathour R. Shashank, Fang-Hao Wan, Ming-hui Wang, Su Wang, Yi-Bo Zhang, Antonio Biondi
Summary: The South American tomato pinworm, Tuta absoluta, poses a threat to worldwide tomato production. Integrated pest management programs have been effective in controlling this pest, with the most successful practices being biological control and biotechnical control. Research on agronomic control is ongoing to enhance IPM effectiveness.
JOURNAL OF PEST SCIENCE
(2022)
Article
Ecology
Chaymaa Riahi, Jhonn Gonzalez-Rodriguez, Miquel Alonso-Valiente, Alberto Urbaneja, Meritxell Perez-Hedo
Summary: Insect herbivory activates plant defense mechanisms and releases herbivore-induced plant volatiles (HIPVs). This study found that HIPVs can induce defense responses in sweet pepper plants by upregulating jasmonic acid and salicylic acid signaling pathways. Furthermore, the HIPV-exposed plants repelled a sweet pepper pest and attracted its main natural enemy.
FRONTIERS IN ECOLOGY AND EVOLUTION
(2022)
Article
Entomology
Angeliki Paspati, Alberto Urbaneja, Joel Gonzalez-Cabrera
Summary: The response of Amblyseius swirskii to tomato trichome exudates was characterized and three major detoxification gene sets were identified in this species. The results showed that these detoxification genes are abundant in A. swirskii, but do not play a significant role when in contact with tomato exudates.
EXPERIMENTAL AND APPLIED ACAROLOGY
(2022)
Review
Entomology
Meritxell Perez-Hedo, Sarra Bouagga, Nina Xiaoning Zhang, Rob Moerkens, Gerben Messelink, Josep A. Jaques, Victor Flors, George Broufas, Alberto Urbaneja, Maria L. Pappas
Summary: This review presents the physiological basis of defense mechanisms activated by zoophytophagous predators in plants and their effects on pests and natural enemies. Our understanding of defense induction by these predators and its applied implications is relatively poor, but three approaches to exploit these defenses in crop protection are proposed.
JOURNAL OF PEST SCIENCE
(2022)
Article
Agriculture, Multidisciplinary
Alice Mockford, Duncan B. Westbury, Kate Ashbrook, Alberto Urbaneja, Alejandro Tena
Summary: The management of wildflower strips has a significant impact on the resource availability and utilization by parasitoids. Standard management prevents the seasonal decline of nectar and supports fructose feeding in parasitoids. It also increases the abundance of floral and hemipteran honeydew carbohydrate resources in the orchard alleyways, which is associated with an increased number of primary parasitoids. Additionally, greater carbohydrate feeding in parasitoids is associated with increased structural heterogeneity of vegetation within the orchard alleyways.
AGRICULTURE ECOSYSTEMS & ENVIRONMENT
(2022)
Editorial Material
Entomology
Alberto Urbaneja, Moshe Coll, Josep A. Jaques, Jose Eduardo Serrao, Dionysios Perdikis, Amy L. Roda
JOURNAL OF PEST SCIENCE
(2022)
Article
Entomology
Meriem Dahmane, Alberto Urbaneja, Omar Ruiz-Rivero, Miquel Alonso-Valiente, Meritxell Perez-Hedo
Summary: This study demonstrates that the herbivory of Pilophorus clavatus induces the accumulation of stress-related hormones in citrus plants, enhancing their defense mechanisms. The induced defenses also affect the host selection of predatory mites but not Tetranychus urticae. Furthermore, the infestation of T. urticae is significantly reduced on plants previously activated by P. clavatus.
JOURNAL OF PEST SCIENCE
(2022)
Editorial Material
Biotechnology & Applied Microbiology
Alberto Urbaneja, Aurelio Ciancio, Samir Droby, Mark Hoddle, Jia Liu, Alejandro Tena
Summary: Citrus cultivation has a high species richness and a large number of pests and natural enemies. Classical biological control programs have been successful in controlling citrus pests, but the spread of huanglongbing disease and invasive pest species pose challenges. Increased insecticide use disrupts biological control and destabilizes integrated pest management programs. The special issue covers different aspects of classical biological control programs against pests and diseases in citrus-growing regions.
BIOLOGICAL CONTROL
(2023)
Article
Entomology
Luis Hernandez-Pelegrin, Ricardo Garcia-Martinez, Elena Llacer, Lorena Nieves, Angel Llopis-Gimenez, Marta Catala-Oltra, Oscar Dembilio, Meritxell Perez-Hedo, Alberto Urbaneja, Vera I. D. Ros, Francisco Beitia, Salvador Herrero
Summary: With the development of high-throughput sequencing, numerous asymptomatic insect-infecting RNA viruses have been found. This study focused on the interaction between Ceratitis capitata nora virus (CcaNV) and its medfly host, as well as the influence of CcaNV on multitrophic interactions. It was found that CcaNV infection in medflies resulted in reduced pupal weight and decreased adult longevity, while enhancing the parasitism performance of the endoparasitoid Aganaspis daci. These findings demonstrate the impact of covert RNA viruses on insect biology and ecological interactions.
JOURNAL OF PEST SCIENCE
(2023)
Article
Plant Sciences
Chaymaa Riahi, Alberto Urbaneja, Rafael Fernandez-Munoz, Isabel M. Fortes, Enrique Moriones, Meritxell Perez-Hedo
Summary: This study demonstrates the potential of using zoophytophagous predators to enhance the constitutive resistance of tomato plants against whiteflies and whitefly-transmitted viruses. Feeding-punctured by the predator N. tenuis significantly increases the density of type IV trichomes and acylsugar production. This induces the expression of defensive genes and provides early protection. Preplant release of N. tenuis in tomato nurseries could be an effective strategy for controlling these pests and transmitted viruses.
Article
Plant Sciences
Saoussen Ben Abdallah, Chaymaa Riahi, Sandra Vacas, Vicente Navarro-Llopis, Alberto Urbaneja, Meritxell Perez-Hedo
Summary: This study examined the effectiveness of five plant essential oils (PEOs) in controlling Tuta absoluta and their impact on the predator Nesidiocoris tenuis. The PEOs from Achillea millefolium and Allium sativum significantly reduced the infestation by T. absoluta and did not affect the reproduction of N. tenuis. In addition, the spraying of A. millefolium and A. sativum triggered the release of herbivory-induced plant volatiles, which can act as messengers in tritrophic interactions.
Article
Horticulture
Meritxell Perez-Hedo, Virginia Pedroche, Alberto Urbaneja
Summary: Recent studies suggest that predatory mirid bugs can be an effective alternative for controlling aphids in sweet pepper greenhouses. This study analyzed the impact of different constant temperatures on the life history traits of three mirid species preying on aphids in sweet pepper plants. The results show that the survival rate and intrinsic rate of increase varied with temperature, indicating different adaptations of the mirid species to temperature regimes.
Article
Agronomy
Beltran Ortola, Alberto Urbaneja, Marcelo Eiras, Meritxell Perez-Hedo, Jose-Antonio Daros
Summary: The study demonstrates the potential of dsRNA molecules as oral insecticides in medfly.
PEST MANAGEMENT SCIENCE
(2023)
Article
Ecology
Alice Mockford, Alberto Urbaneja, Kate Ashbrook, Duncan B. Westbury
Summary: In order to support sustainable food production and ecosystem services, wildflower strips have become popular. However, they remain understudied in Mediterranean ecosystems, hindering their adoption. This study assessed the suitability of native perennial forbs and grass species for wildflower strips in commercial orchards and developed a seed mix for pest regulation services. The wildflower strips successfully increased plant species richness and resources for natural enemies.
ECOLOGY AND EVOLUTION
(2023)
Correction
Agronomy
Sarra Bouagga, Alberto Urbaneja, Jose L. Rambla, Victor Flors, Antonio Granell, Josep A. Jaques, Meritxell Perez-Hedo
PEST MANAGEMENT SCIENCE
(2022)