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Insects
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Biological Control in Temperate Orchards
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Biological Control in Temperate Orchards

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 (1 December 2023) | Viewed by 7253

Special Issue Editor

Dr. Rebecca A. Schmidt-Jeffris

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
Temperate Tree Fruit and Vegetable Crop Research Unit, USDA-ARS, Wapato, WA, USA
Interests: biological control; tree fruit entomology; pesticide non-target effects; augmentation; landscape ecology

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

Some of the most well-studied and impactful arthropod biological control programs have been developed in temperate tree fruit and nut systems worldwide. The aim of this Special Issue is to bring together a series of original research and review articles on recent developments within this field. Research on all types of biological control is of interest, including conservation (e.g., habitat creation, food resource provisioning, and pesticide non-target effects), augmentation (movement of natural enemies into new areas, or releasing commercially reared natural enemies), and classical (release of imported natural enemies). This Issue will focus on temperate tree fruits and nuts, including apples, pears, cherries and other stone fruits (peaches, plums, nectarines, apricots), and tree nuts such as walnuts, almonds, pecans, and hazelnuts. Reviews using meta-analyses are encouraged.

Dr. Rebecca A. Schmidt-Jeffris
Guest Editor

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. Insects 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

  • biological control
  • tree fruit
  • natural enemy
  • orchard
  • predator
  • parasitoid
  • pome fruit
  • stone fruit
  • nuts

Published Papers (5 papers)

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Research

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11 pages, 4514 KiB  
Article
Earwig Releases Provide Accumulative Biological Control of the Woolly Apple Aphid over the Years
by Georgina Alins, Jaume Lordan, Neus Rodríguez-Gasol, Judit Arnó and Ainara Peñalver-Cruz
Insects 2023, 14(11), 890; https://doi.org/10.3390/insects14110890 - 18 Nov 2023
Viewed by 1243
Abstract
Nature-based solutions, such as biological control, can strongly contribute to reducing the use of plant protection products. In our study, we assessed the effect of augmentative releases of the European earwig (Forficula auricularia) to control the woolly apple aphid (Eriosoma [...] Read more.
Nature-based solutions, such as biological control, can strongly contribute to reducing the use of plant protection products. In our study, we assessed the effect of augmentative releases of the European earwig (Forficula auricularia) to control the woolly apple aphid (Eriosoma lanigerum), a worldwide pest that causes serious damage to apple trees. The trials were carried out in two organic apple orchards located in Catalonia (NE Spain) from 2017 to 2020. Two treatments were compared: with vs. without earwig release. For the treatment, 30 earwigs per tree were released by means of a corrugated cardboard shelter. These releases were performed once per season and were repeated every year. We periodically assessed the length of the woolly apple aphid colonies, the number of colonies per tree, the percentage of aphids parasitized by Aphelinus mali, and the number of earwigs per shelter. Our results showed that earwig releases reduced the length of the colonies, but this effect was noticeable only for the second year onwards. Moreover, we found that those releases were compatible with A. mali. Overall, we demonstrated the positive impact of earwig releases on the woolly apple aphid control and the importance of considering time on augmentative biological control strategies. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Biological Control in Temperate Orchards)
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9 pages, 1499 KiB  
Article
Low Incidence of Avian Predation on the Brown Marmorated Stink Bug, Halyomorpha halys (Hemiptera: Pentatomidae), in Southeastern Orchard Systems
by Erin E. Grabarczyk, Ted E. Cottrell, Jason M. Schmidt and P. Glynn Tillman
Insects 2023, 14(7), 595; https://doi.org/10.3390/insects14070595 - 01 Jul 2023
Cited by 1 | Viewed by 966
Abstract
In many agroecosystems, brown marmorated stink bugs (Halyomorpha halys) (Hemiptera: Pentatomidae) are polyphagous pests that cause significant economic losses to numerous crops every year. Insectivorous birds may provide a means of sustainable predation of invasive pests, such as H. halys. [...] Read more.
In many agroecosystems, brown marmorated stink bugs (Halyomorpha halys) (Hemiptera: Pentatomidae) are polyphagous pests that cause significant economic losses to numerous crops every year. Insectivorous birds may provide a means of sustainable predation of invasive pests, such as H. halys. In forest margins surrounding peach, pecan, and interplanted peach–pecan orchards, we monitored H. halys populations with pheromone-baited traps, mist-netted birds, and collected avian fecal samples for molecular gut content analysis. We screened 257 fecal samples from 19 bird species for the presence of H. halys DNA to determine whether birds provide the biological control of this pest. Overall, we found evidence that four birds from three species consumed H. halys, including Northern cardinal (Cardinalis cardinalisis), Tufted titmouse (Baeolophus bicolor), and Carolina wren (Thryothorus ludovicianus). Halyomorpha halys captured in traps increased over time but did not vary by orchard type. Although incidence of predation was low, this may be an underestimate as a result of our current avian fecal sampling methodology. Because birds are members of the broader food web, future studies are needed to understand avian ecosystem services, especially in terms of pest control, including H. halys and other pest species. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Biological Control in Temperate Orchards)
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14 pages, 613 KiB  
Article
Herbicides Harm Key Orchard Predatory Mites
by Paul Bergeron and Rebecca Schmidt-Jeffris
Insects 2023, 14(5), 480; https://doi.org/10.3390/insects14050480 - 19 May 2023
Cited by 2 | Viewed by 1437
Abstract
The phytoseiid mites Galendromus occidentalis and Amblydromella caudiglans are critical for conservation biological control of pest mites in Washington State, U.S.A. apples. While the non-target effects of insecticides on phytoseiids are well described, research on herbicide effects is limited. Using laboratory bioassays, we [...] Read more.
The phytoseiid mites Galendromus occidentalis and Amblydromella caudiglans are critical for conservation biological control of pest mites in Washington State, U.S.A. apples. While the non-target effects of insecticides on phytoseiids are well described, research on herbicide effects is limited. Using laboratory bioassays, we examined lethal (female mortality) and sublethal (fecundity, egg hatch, larval survival) effects of seven herbicides and five adjuvants on A. caudiglans and G. occidentalis. The effects of mixing herbicides with recommended adjuvants were also tested to determine if the addition of an adjuvant increased herbicide toxicity. Glufosinate was the least selective herbicide tested, causing 100% mortality in both species. Paraquat caused 100% mortality in A. caudiglans and 56% mortality in G. occidentalis. Sublethal effects were significant for both species when exposed to oxyfluorfen. Adjuvants did not cause non-target effects in A. caudiglans. The non-ionic surfactant and methylated seed oil increased mortality and decreased reproduction in G. occidentalis. The high toxicity of glufosinate and paraquat for both predators is concerning; these are the primary “burn down” herbicide alternatives to glyphosate, which is decreasing in use due to consumer toxicity concerns. Field studies are needed to determine the extent to which herbicides disrupt orchard biological control, focusing on glufosinate, paraquat, and oxyfluorfen. Consumer preferences will need to be balanced with natural enemy conservation. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Biological Control in Temperate Orchards)
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Graphical abstract

10 pages, 948 KiB  
Article
Efficacy of Kairomone Lures to Attract Parasitoids of Halyomorpha halys
by Kate V. Richardson, Diane G. Alston and Lori R. Spears
Insects 2023, 14(2), 125; https://doi.org/10.3390/insects14020125 - 25 Jan 2023
Viewed by 1635
Abstract
In its native range, Halyomorpha halys (Stål) is suppressed by parasitoids in the genus Trissolcus (Hymenoptera: Scelionidae). Trissolcus native to Utah have demonstrated low parasitism of H. halys, while adventive Trissolcus japonicus (Ashmead) have shown parasitism of up to 20%. Custom rubber [...] Read more.
In its native range, Halyomorpha halys (Stål) is suppressed by parasitoids in the genus Trissolcus (Hymenoptera: Scelionidae). Trissolcus native to Utah have demonstrated low parasitism of H. halys, while adventive Trissolcus japonicus (Ashmead) have shown parasitism of up to 20%. Custom rubber septa lures containing stink bug kairomones, n-tridecane (attractant), and (E)-2-decenal (repellent), at 100%, 90%, and 80% levels of attractant (10 mg load rate), were placed adjacent to sentinel H. halys egg masses in northern Utah field trials. Egg masses were evaluated for the presence and intensity (proportion of parasitized eggs) of parasitism. Parasitism by T. japonicus and T. euschisti (Ashmead) was low; however, the 100% lure showed double the parasitism of the control and more than three times that of the 90% and 80%. Two-way choice mesocosm trials in the laboratory evaluated previous lures and a lower load rate of 5 mg—100% attractant treatment. Lures of 10 mg at 100% and 80% were more attractive to T. japonicus than the control, while 5 mg at 100% and 10 mg at 90% showed no significant attraction. Our results support a proof-of-concept of rubber septa as release devices for kairomones to attract T. japonicus and provide a baseline for future field-based studies. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Biological Control in Temperate Orchards)
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Review

Jump to: Research

30 pages, 9215 KiB  
Review
Psyllids in Natural Habitats as Alternative Resources for Key Natural Enemies of the Pear Psyllids (Hemiptera: Psylloidea)
by David R. Horton
Insects 2024, 15(1), 37; https://doi.org/10.3390/insects15010037 - 06 Jan 2024
Cited by 1 | Viewed by 1325
Abstract
The pear psyllids (Cacopsylla spp.; Psylloidea) comprise ~24 species of sap-feeding insects distributed in Europe, temperate Asia, and (as introductions) in the Americas. These pear-specialized insects are among the most damaging and difficult to control pests in orchards. Biological control increasingly is [...] Read more.
The pear psyllids (Cacopsylla spp.; Psylloidea) comprise ~24 species of sap-feeding insects distributed in Europe, temperate Asia, and (as introductions) in the Americas. These pear-specialized insects are among the most damaging and difficult to control pests in orchards. Biological control increasingly is being used to replace or partially replace insecticidal management of pear psyllids. Many key natural enemies of pear psyllids regularly occur in non-orchard habitats on native plants. The presence of beneficial species both in orchard and non-orchard habitats (here referred to as “spillover”) has prompted suggestions that native plants and their associated psyllids should be conserved as alternative resources for natural enemies of pear psyllids. The expectation is that the natural enemies will move from those habitats into psyllid-infested orchards. This review shows that psyllids in native habitats are important resources for several key predators and parasitoids of pear psyllids. These resources are critical enough that some beneficials exhibit an almost nomadic existence as they move between plant species, tracking the seasonal appearance and disappearance of psyllid species. In contrast, other natural enemies show minimal or no spillover between orchard and non-orchard habitats, which likely is evidence that they exhibit limited movement at best between orchard and non-orchard habitats. To show conclusively that spillover also indicates that a beneficial species disperses between native habitats and orchards requires difficult research on insect movement. This review concludes with a brief discussion of these difficulties and possible solutions. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Biological Control in Temperate Orchards)
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