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Faunistic Studies on Natural Enemies and Pollinators in Agroecosystems

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A special issue of Life (ISSN 2075-1729). This special issue belongs to the section "Animal Science".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: closed (29 September 2023) | Viewed by 3091

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Special Issue Editors

Dr. Francisco Javier Peris-Felipo

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Guest Editor

Syngenta Crop Protection AGdisabled, 67, 4058 Basel, Switzerland
Interests: biodiversity; Hymenoptera; parasitoid wasps; agroecosystems;

Dr. Ehsan Rakhshani

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Guest Editor

Department of Plant Protection, University of Zabol, Zabol 98615, Sistan and Baluchestan, Iran
Interests: biodiversity; parasitoid wasps; natural enemies

Dr. Sergey A. Belokobylskij

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Guest Editor

Zoological Institute of the Russian Academy of Sciences, 199034 Saint Petersburg, Russia
Interests: braconidae; taxonomy; hymenoptera

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

Crop- and grassland account for almost 50 percent of the Earth’s usable land area. This fact emphasizes why we cannot protect biodiversity and effectively feed a growing population without implementing intelligent changes to our agricultural landscapes. Transforming agroecosystems with the help of sustainable agricultural practices can generate an array of positive effects: producing enough healthy food, improving biodiversity and soil health, and contributing to mitigating the effects of climate change.

Numerous studies have been carried out on pollinators and natural enemies such as predators and parasitoids. However, more research is needed to shed light on the diversity and abundance of species that naturally occur in agricultural areas.

The objective of this Special Issue is to collect and present faunistic studies that analyze the biodiversity patterns of pollinators and natural enemies, evaluating the space–time dynamics of their diversity and abundance, as well as the distribution of the different species detected. In addition, we aim to present research that assesses the effects of conservation-related activities on the valuation and protection of arthropod biodiversity at the species and community levels. Both new research and review articles are welcome in this Special Issue.

We look forward to receiving your contributions.

Dr. Francisco Javier Peris-Felipo
Dr. Ehsan Rakhshani
Dr. Sergey A. Belokobylskij
Guest Editors

Manuscript Submission Information

Manuscripts should be submitted online at www.mdpi.com by registering and logging in to this website. Once you are registered, click here to go to the submission form. Manuscripts can be submitted until the deadline. All submissions that pass pre-check are peer-reviewed. Accepted papers will be published continuously in the journal (as soon as accepted) and will be listed together on the special issue website. Research articles, review articles as well as short communications are invited. For planned papers, a title and short abstract (about 100 words) can be sent to the Editorial Office for announcement on this website.

Submitted manuscripts should not have been published previously, nor be under consideration for publication elsewhere (except conference proceedings papers). All manuscripts are thoroughly refereed through a single-blind peer-review process. A guide for authors and other relevant information for submission of manuscripts is available on the Instructions for Authors page. Life is an international peer-reviewed open access monthly journal published by MDPI.

Please visit the Instructions for Authors page before submitting a manuscript. The Article Processing Charge (APC) for publication in this open access journal is 2600 CHF (Swiss Francs). Submitted papers should be well formatted and use good English. Authors may use MDPI's English editing service prior to publication or during author revisions.

Keywords

pollinators
natural enemies
arthropods
biodiversity
conservation
community structure
population dynamics
ecosystem
agriculture
taxonomy

Published Papers (3 papers)

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Research

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23 pages, 4517 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Aroplectrus dimerus (Hymenoptera: Eulophidae), Ectoparasitoid of the Nettle Caterpillar, Oxyplax pallivitta (Lepidoptera: Limacodidae): Evaluation in the Hawaiian Islands

by Juliana A. Yalemar, Walter T. Nagamine, Renato C. Bautista, Dexter Y. Cho, Larry M. Nakahara and Mohsen M. Ramadan

Life 2024, 14(4), 509; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/life14040509 - 15 Apr 2024

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Abstract

The stinging nettle caterpillar, Oxyplax (syn. Darna) pallivitta (Lepidoptera: Limacodidae), is a serious invasive pest of agricultural products and a health hazard on the Hawaiian Islands first discovered in 2001. Nursery workers and homeowners have been stung by the caterpillars while handling their plants, especially rhapis palms (Rhapis sp.). Throughout its invaded range, it causes widespread damage, including the many cultivated and native palm species that have grown in Hawaii. Larvae contain urticating hairs that secrete a toxin, causing painful skin swelling and irritation on contact. Horticulture and nursery products impacted by the limacodid pest are estimated at $84.3 million (2018 value). Suppression efforts with pesticides and lure traps were ineffective, and the moth population continued to spread to major Hawaiian Islands (Hawaii, Kauai, Maui, Oahu). The introduction of specific biological control agents from the native region was thought to be the long-term solution for this invasive pest. Initial exploration in Indonesia and Thailand resulted in the introduction of a pupal ectoparasitoid, Nesolynx sp. (Hymenoptera: Eulophidae: Tetrastichinae), that was not specific. The oriental wasp, Aroplectrus dimerus Lin (Hymenoptera: Eulophidae: Eulophinae), idiobiont gregarious ectoparasitoid of the stinging nettle caterpillar, was introduced from Taiwan in 2004 for host specificity studies and biocontrol in Hawaii. Host range testing showed the parasitoid attacked only limacodid species, and it was approved for field release in 2010. The parasitoid identity, host specificity under containment facility conditions, reproductive performance, and colonization on the major infested sites were assessed. A total of 13,379 parasitoids were colonized on 162 release sites on four Hawaiian Islands. Evaluations were conducted using field surveys of larvae, pupal counts, and male lure traps. Field parasitism was thoroughly investigated on Oahu Island, averaging 18.9 ± 5.6% of 3923 collected larvae during 2010–2023. The numbers of male moths caught/trap/month were significantly reduced on Oahu Island (p < 0.05). Recently, the hyperparasitoid, Pediobius imbreus Walker (Hymenoptera: Eulophidae: Entedoninae), was detected, reducing the efficiency of A. dimerus in the field. The mean hyperparasitism of A. dimerus pupae was 27.3 ± 7.6% on Oahu Island. There was no detailed biological assessment for A. dimerus or its field evaluation available in scientific literature. Results were discussed regarding the potential use of A. dimerus in biocontrol elsewhere if the stinging nettle caterpillar was invaded in the future. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Faunistic Studies on Natural Enemies and Pollinators in Agroecosystems)

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14 pages, 3050 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Construction of a Banker Plant System via the Host Switch Trait of a Natural Enemy Aenasius bambawalei

by Juan Zhang, Jun Huang, Yayuan Tang, Yaobin Lu and Zhongshi Zhou

Life 2023, 13(11), 2115; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/life13112115 - 25 Oct 2023

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Abstract

Understanding the most effective host switch patterns in parasitic wasps, specifically Aenasius bambawalei (AB), is crucial for effectively controlling pests like Penacoccus solenopsis (PSS). This study aims to elucidate AB’s ideal host switch pattern and assess its utility in maintaining synchronization between AB and PSS, thereby aiding in PSS control. We examined various host switch patterns and cycles to evaluate their impact on AB’s offspring’s parasitism rates and fitness in laboratory conditions. Concurrently, we assessed the fitness of both PSS and AB on tomato plants using different banker plant systems to maintain field synchronization. Results indicate that the three-repeat T1 host switch pattern of PSS-Penacoccus solani (PSI)-PSS was the most effective. Additionally, a specific banker plant system, “System B”, which provided succulent plants hosting PSI, was optimal for synchronizing AB and PSS in a summer greenhouse setting. Our findings underscore the importance of employing specific host switch patterns and banker plant systems to effectively control PSS in the field. This research offers foundational data for incorporating a banker plant system into integrated pest management strategies for enhanced PSS control. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Faunistic Studies on Natural Enemies and Pollinators in Agroecosystems)

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Review

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19 pages, 3035 KiB

Open AccessReview

Host–Parasitoid Phenology, Distribution, and Biological Control under Climate Change

by Luis Carlos Ramos Aguila, Xu Li, Komivi Senyo Akutse, Bamisope Steve Bamisile, Jessica Paola Sánchez Moreano, Zhiyang Lie and Juxiu Liu

Life 2023, 13(12), 2290; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/life13122290 - 30 Nov 2023

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Abstract

Climate change raises a serious threat to global entomofauna—the foundation of many ecosystems—by threatening species preservation and the ecosystem services they provide. Already, changes in climate—warming—are causing (i) sharp phenological mismatches among host–parasitoid systems by reducing the window of host susceptibility, leading to early emergence of either the host or its associated parasitoid and affecting mismatched species’ fitness and abundance; (ii) shifting arthropods’ expansion range towards higher altitudes, and therefore migratory pest infestations are more likely; and (iii) reducing biological control effectiveness by natural enemies, leading to potential pest outbreaks. Here, we provided an overview of the warming consequences on biodiversity and functionality of agroecosystems, highlighting the vital role that phenology plays in ecology. Also, we discussed how phenological mismatches would affect biological control efficacy, since an accurate description of stage differentiation (metamorphosis) of a pest and its associated natural enemy is crucial in order to know the exact time of the host susceptibility/suitability or stage when the parasitoids are able to optimize their parasitization or performance. Campaigns regarding landscape structure/heterogeneity, reduction of pesticides, and modelling approaches are urgently needed in order to safeguard populations of natural enemies in a future warmer world. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Faunistic Studies on Natural Enemies and Pollinators in Agroecosystems)

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