Production and Application of Insect Pathogens in Biological Pest Control

A special issue of Insects (ISSN 2075-4450). This special issue belongs to the section "Insect Pest and Vector Management".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: closed (31 January 2024) | Viewed by 4112

Special Issue Editors


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Guest Editor
Institute of Systematics and Ecology of Animals SB RAS, Frunze str. 11, 630091 Novosibirsk, Russia
Interests: insect pathogenic microorganisms; insect immunity; parasite-host relationship; entomopathogenic fungi; my-copesticides

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Guest Editor
All-Russian Institute of Plant Protection, Podbelskogo 3, 196608 St. Petersburg, Russia
Interests: microsporidia; host range; virulence; molecular diagnostics; microbial pest control; mixed infections; integrated pest management; mass production
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Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

Insects are the dominant group of animals causing substantial harm to agriculture, forestry, animal husbandry and human health. Modern pest suppression strategies, among others, exploit microbiological agents of a diverse range, including viruses, bacteria, fungi, protists and nematodes, as well as their metabolites. The number of microbial control solutions continues to grow substantially. The biocontrol industry demonstrates a constant demand for large-scale propagation technologies aimed at increasing the bioproducts’ yield without the loss of efficiency and shelf life. As complex biological systems, microorganisms require specific conditions to implement their full range of biological activities, and the most virulent species and strains of insect pathogens may not prove effective in field, as influenced by numerous abiotic and biotic factors. On the other hand, an in-depth understanding of the interactions between microorganisms, their hosts, and the environment provides insights into the improvement of microbial formulations and the extension of their application capabilities. This Special Issue focuses on the scientific problems and novel approaches for the mass production and field application of entomopathogenic microorganisms against harmful arthropods (agricultural and forest pests), as well as vectors of dangerous diseases of domestic animals and humans. Reviews, research articles, and short communications are invited from experts and scholars in the field.

Dr. Olga N. Yaroslavtseva
Dr. Yuri S. Tokarev
Guest Editors

Manuscript Submission Information

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Keywords

  • microbial control
  • pest management
  • parasite-host interactions
  • large-scale propagation
  • biological efficacy
  • viruses
  • bacteria
  • fungi
  • microsporidia
  • nematodes

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Published Papers (2 papers)

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Research

12 pages, 390 KiB  
Article
Entomopathogenic Nematodes for Field Control of Onion Maggot (Delia antiqua) and Compatibility with Seed Treatments
by Camila C. Filgueiras, Elson J. Shields, Brian A. Nault and Denis S. Willett
Insects 2023, 14(7), 623; https://doi.org/10.3390/insects14070623 - 11 Jul 2023
Cited by 6 | Viewed by 1816
Abstract
Onion maggot (Delia antiqua) is a prominent pest of allium crops in temperate zones worldwide. Management of this pest relies on prophylactic insecticide applications at planting that target the first generation. Because effective options are limited, growers are interested in novel [...] Read more.
Onion maggot (Delia antiqua) is a prominent pest of allium crops in temperate zones worldwide. Management of this pest relies on prophylactic insecticide applications at planting that target the first generation. Because effective options are limited, growers are interested in novel tactics such as deployment of entomopathogenic nematodes. We surveyed muck soils where onions are typically grown to determine if entomopathogenic nematode species were present, and then evaluated the compatibility of entomopathogenic nematode species with the insecticides commonly used to manage D. antiqua. We also evaluated the efficacy of these entomopathogenic nematodes for reducing D. antiqua infestations in the field. No endemic entomopathogenic nematodes were detected in surveys of muck fields in New York. Compatibility assays indicated that, although insecticides such as spinosad and, to some extent, cyromazine did cause mortality of entomopathogenic nematodes, these insecticides did not affect infectivity of the entomopathogenic nematodes. Field trials indicated that applications of entomopathogenic nematodes can reduce the percentage of onion plants killed by D. antiqua from 6% to 30%. Entomopathogenic nematodes reduced D. antiqua damage and increased end of season yield over two field seasons. Applications of entomopathogenic nematodes may be a viable option for reducing D. antiqua populations in conventional and organic systems. Together with other management tactics, like insecticide seed treatments, applications of entomopathogenic nematodes can provide a yield boost and a commercially acceptable level of D. antiqua control. Full article
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12 pages, 1980 KiB  
Article
Biocontrol of Xyleborus affinis (Curculionidae: Scolitinae) Females and Progeny by Beauveria bassiana (Hypocreales: Cordycipitaceae) in a Sawdust Artificial Diet Model
by Jesús E. Castrejón-Antonio, Patricia Tamez-Guerra, Nohemi García-Ortiz, Facundo Muñiz-Paredes, Juan Carlos Sánchez-Rangel and Roberto Montesinos-Matías
Insects 2023, 14(5), 477; https://doi.org/10.3390/insects14050477 - 19 May 2023
Cited by 1 | Viewed by 1723
Abstract
The ambrosia beetle Xyleborus affinis, recently reported affecting avocado trees in Mexico, represents one of the most widespread insects worldwide. Previous reports have shown that Xyleborus genera members are susceptible to Beauveria bassiana and other entomopathogenic fungus strains. However, their effect on [...] Read more.
The ambrosia beetle Xyleborus affinis, recently reported affecting avocado trees in Mexico, represents one of the most widespread insects worldwide. Previous reports have shown that Xyleborus genera members are susceptible to Beauveria bassiana and other entomopathogenic fungus strains. However, their effect on borer beetles’ progeny has not been fully investigated. The aim of the present study was to determine the insecticidal activity of B. bassiana on X. affinis adult females and their progeny in an artificial sawdust diet bioassay model. The B. bassiana strains CHE-CNRCB 44, 171, 431, and 485 were individually tested on females at concentrations ranging from 2 × 106 to 1 × 109 conidia mL−1. After 10 d of incubation, diet was evaluated to count laid eggs, larvae, and adults. Insect conidia loss after exposure was determined by attached conidia to each insect after 12 h of exposure. The results showed that females’ mortality ranged between 3.4% and 50.3% in a concentration–response manner. Furthermore, we did not observe statistical differences among strains at the highest concentration. CHE-CNRCB 44 showed the highest mortality at the lowest concentration and reduced larvae and laid eggs at the highest concentration (p < 0.01). Strains CHE-CNRCB 44, 431, and 485 significantly decreased larvae, as compared with the untreated control. After 12 h, up to 70% of conidia was removed by the effect of the artificial diet. In conclusion, B. bassiana has the potential to control X. affinis adult females and progeny. Full article
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