United States Department of Agriculture-Agricultural Research Service research on biological control of arthropods

During 1999-2001, ARS scientists published over 100 papers on more than 30 species of insect pest and 60 species of predator and parasitoid. These papers address issues crucial to the three strategies of biological control: conservation, augmentation and introduction. Conservation biological control includes both conserving extant populations of natural enemies by using relatively non-toxic pesticides and increasing the abundance of natural enemies in crops by providing or improving refuges for population growth and dispersal into crops. ARS scientists have been very active in determining the effects of pesticides on beneficial arthropods and in studying movement of natural enemies from refuges into crops. Augmentation involves repeated releases of natural enemies in the field, which can be inoculative or inundative. Inoculative releases are used to initiate self-propagating populations at times or in places where they would be slow to colonize. ARS scientists have studied augmentative biological control of a variety of pest insects. The targets are mostly pests in annual crops or other ephemeral habitats, where self-reproducing populations of natural enemies are not sufficiently abundant early enough to keep pest populations in check. ARS research in augmentative biological control centers on methods for rearing large numbers of healthy, effective natural enemies and for releasing them where and when they are needed at a cost less than the value of the reduction in damage to the crop. ARS scientists have researched various aspects of introductions of exotic biological control agents against a diversity of pest insects. The major issues in biological control introductions are accurate identification and adequate systematics of both natural enemies and target pests, exploration for natural enemies, predicting the success of candidates for introduction and the likelihood of non-target impacts, quarantine and rearing methods, and post-introduction evaluation of establishment, control and non-target impacts. ARS scientists have published research on several general issues in biological control. Among the most important are the mechanisms affecting mate- and host-finding and host specificity.     

捕食性天敌控害能力评价方法进展

生物防治在害虫治理中的作用日益凸显,捕食性天敌对害虫猎物的捕食作用作为生物防治的主要组成部分,其捕食效果评价不可或缺.定性或定量评价捕食性天敌的控害作用是生物防治研究的一项重要内容.传统的捕食性定量方法研究大都局限于室内开展,与田间昆虫天敌的实际捕食量有所出入.昆虫分子生物学技术的发展为昆虫定量评价提供了支持,本文全面...     

拓宽生物防治 持续治理虫害

本文针对我国生物防治资源极其丰富和农民经济实力薄弱的特点，结合我国生物防治成果，论述了应如何发展和拓宽具有我国特色的害虫生物防治，进一步提高综合防治水平，促进农业可持续发展。     

Methodology for biological control of armored scale insects

Armored scale insects (Homoptera: Diaspididae) are among the most important pests in agriculture. For various reasons, they are considered promising targets for biological control projects. Ectoparasites of the genusAphytis (Hymenoptera: Aphelinidae) are usually their most effective natural enemies. Lack of success in biological control was sometimes associated with overemphasis on predators or endoparasites. The value of biosystematic research cannot be overemphasized. Surveys should be conducted both before and after colonization of natural enemies. Population trends can be followed by successive sampling. Twigs of uniform age and size usually provide adequate sampling units for armored scale insects; predators can be counted by direct observation; parasite abundance is best determined by dissection of host samples. Life tables can be constructed from such data. Importation of exotic natural enemies is preferred to the various methods of manipulation. Basic ecological studies should never delay actual importation. Multiple introductions of natural enemies are strongly recommended. The search for natural enemies should cover the entire range of distribution of the pest. Experimental exclusion methods are recommended for evaluation of the efficacy of natural enemies of armored scale insects. Field plots should be representative of typical bioclimatic areas, and should be entirely free from detrimental effects of abnormal conditions, dust or non-selective pesticides. Methods of augmentation or conservation of natural enemies should be carefully evaluated in field tests before they are adopted as routine practices. The effect of commercial pesticides on natural enemies can be determined in laboratory and field trials. Effective integrated control can be achieved by judicious use of relatively selective pesticides, in the least disruptive modes of application, in combination with a vigorous program of biological control.     

Global developments in biological control and the implications for Europe1

Developed and developing countries, for a range of reasons, have strongly endorsed an IPM approach to sustainable pest management. IPM is founded on the self-renewing contribution of natural enemies to pest suppression, or biological control. However, many pests today escape such natural control because they are exotic introductions, and for these pests the introduction of specific biological control agents is a proven and valuable technique. With growing exotic pest problems in agriculture and forestry, due both to increased trade and to the policy of the WTO, with new concern for exotic invasive species affecting biodiversity, and with a booming biocontrol industry, there is a rapid growth of interest in introduced biological control agents (including biopesticides, which are generally still not acknowledged as introductions). To meet this demand for biological control introductions, it is necessary to address issues of research, safety and the rights of governments and peoples to their genetic resources. By and large, Europe has not done this, and this is proving both an opportunity for environmental accidents and a disincentive for sustainable agriculture and conservation.     

西花蓟马天敌种类及主要种类的控害潜能

西花蓟马[Frankliniella occidentalis(Pergande)]是国际上备受关注的检疫性有害生物,近年来该虫分布范围不断扩大,对农作物、园林园艺植物的危害日趋加重,发挥天敌对该虫的自然控制作用已引起人们广泛重视。本文根据国内外研究报道,总结和记述了西花蓟马的天敌种类及其主要种类对西花蓟马的控制作用。西花蓟马的天敌约有60种,其中天敌昆虫50种,昆虫病原线虫5种,虫生真菌5种。同时,对主要天敌种类小花蝽、昆虫病原线虫和虫生真菌对西花蓟马的捕食寄生及控制潜力进行了阐述。     

昆虫病原真菌在害虫防治中对天敌生物的影响研究进展

昆虫病原真菌是一类重要的微生物杀虫剂,广泛应用于农林害虫的生物防治。由于寄主范围广和主动侵染的特点,昆虫病原真菌在侵染、致死靶标害虫的同时,对包括天敌昆虫在内的非靶标节肢动物等会产生潜在的致病或亚致死风险。本文总结了昆虫病原真菌在害虫防治中的研究进展及对天敌生物的影响,并展望了昆虫病原真菌作为极具潜力的生物农药与天敌生物联合防治害虫的未来发展方向。     

我国农业害虫天敌昆虫利用三十年回顾(下篇)

本文参阅了从1985-2014近30年有关我国农业害虫天敌昆虫利用发表的文献,尤其是发表在中国生物防治学报的文章。对天敌资源的调查与分类、优势天敌的人工繁殖与释放、与繁殖和释放相关的基础研究、成功的天敌昆虫引进、生物防治技术应用策略等方面的研究与应用进展进行了简要回顾。期望此文能使读者了解近30年来我国生防前辈所作出的贡献,和后辈继往开来的创新成就;认识农业害虫天敌昆虫在我国农林业生产曾发挥的作用。由于此文篇幅较长,分上、下两篇发表。天敌资源的调查与分类、优势天敌的人工繁殖与释放归为上篇,与繁殖和释放相关的基础研究、成功的天敌昆虫引进、生物防治技术应用策略研究归为下篇。     

我国植物害虫生物防治的研究现状及发展策略

植物害虫生物防治是指利用生物或生物代谢产物来控制农业害虫的一种害虫防治方法,具有安全、环境友好和可持续等优点。本文基于我国近年在天敌资源挖掘、天敌控害机制、天敌产业化应用和新方法探索等方面研究现状与存在问题的分析,探讨了我国植物害虫生物防治学科的体系建设及促进学科发展的主要策略。     

Research on and use of biological methods of pest control in glasshouse crops in Poland1

In 1966/1967, the predatory mite Phytoseiulus persimilis and the hymenopteran parasite Encarsia formosa were introduced into Poland. This introduction led to extensive research on the principles and practical use of biological and integrated programmes of pest control in glasshouse crops. Additional species were later introduced (Macrolophus costalis, Amblyseius mckenziei, Neoseiulus cucumeris, Cycloneda limbifer, Cryptolaemus montrouzieri), and research was also undertaken on local species such as Aphidoletes aphidimyza and Aphidius matricariae. At present, after 25 years of research, modem and effective mass rearing of natural enemies has been organized, and they are applied over 600 ha of glasshouse crops. For correct development of biological methods in glasshouses, new introductions, research, and mass rearing of new species are necessary.     

微刺盲蝽的生物学特性研究概述(半翅目∶盲蝽科)

微刺盲蝽属 (Campylomma)昆虫既可取食植物如棉花、苹果、梨、芒果和茄子等 ,对农作物造成一定的危害 ,又可捕食多种害虫并成功地应用于生物防治。在害虫与益虫之间难以作一个明确的界定。本文介绍了该属昆虫的主要生物学特性和研究进展 ,旨在为该属昆虫作为害虫和天敌昆虫的进一步研究提供基础。     

广西忻城县山银花病虫害及其天敌昆虫种类调查

为明确广西忻城县山银花病虫害及其天敌昆虫种类,为当地山银花病虫害防治和天敌的保护利用提供参考,2008年-2010年系统调查了广西忻城县山银花病虫及主要病虫天敌发生情况,并进行了种类鉴定.结果表明,广西忻城县山银花害虫有35种,病害11种,天敌昆虫28种,其中主要害虫的捕食性天敌有24种,寄生性天敌2种,取食白粉菌的瓢虫有2种.此外,本文还综述了广西忻城县山银花主要病虫害‘三虫一病’的特征、发生规律及防治方法.     

Phenology and impact of natural enemies associated with the hop looper (Hypena humuli) in Washington State,USA

The hop looper, Hypena humuli Harris (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae), is becoming an increasingly important pest of hops (Humulus lupulus L.) (Rosales: Cannabaceae) in western USA. Currently, control of this pest usually involves broad-spectrum pesticides that kill natural enemies and disrupt biological control of other hop pests. In order to develop better management strategies for H. humuli, field and laboratory studies were conducted over a four-year period to identify the pest's natural enemies and to investigate their phenologies and to assess their impact. Nine parasitoid species and assorted species of invertebrate predator were found to attack different life-stages of H. humuli. Levels of parasitism were consistently low throughout the study period and none of the parasitoids found was a specialist natural enemy of the pests. Exclusion cage studies showed, however, that the complex of natural enemies as a whole can significantly reduce larval densities of the pest, and laboratory studies confirmed successful predation of H. humuli larvae by several generalist predators including the European earwig (Forficula auricularia L.), the damsel bug Nabis alternatus Parshley and two species of the geocorid bug genus Geocoris.     

我国农业害虫天敌昆虫利用三十年回顾(上篇)

本文参阅了从1985-2014近30年有关我国农业害虫天敌昆虫利用发表的文献,尤其是发表在中国生物防治学报的文章。从天敌资源的调查与分类、优势天敌的人工繁殖与释放、与繁殖和释放相关的基础研究、成功的天敌昆虫引进、生物防治技术应用策略等方面的研究与应用进展进行了简要回顾。期望此文能使读者了解近30年来我国生防前辈所作出的贡献,和后辈继往开来的创新成就;认识农业害虫天敌昆虫在我国农林业生产曾发挥的作用。由于此文篇幅较长,分上、下两篇发表。天敌资源的调查与分类、优势天敌的人工繁殖与释放归为上篇,与繁殖和释放相关的基础研究、成功的天敌昆虫引进、生物防治技术应用策略研究归为下篇。     

Procedures and policies in the USA regarding precautions in the introduction of classical biological control agents

Classical biological control, the introduction of exotic natural enemies to control non-indigenous insect pests and weeds, has been practised in the USA for over 100 years. To date, there have been no fully documented, substantial negative results, and many important insect pests and weeds have been successfully controlled. Over the past decade, concern about the safety of biocontrol agents has increased in line with concern for general health of the natural, native biota. This concern has focused primarily on endangered, threatened, and listed species of plants, but is broadening to include most other organisms. Scientists, administrators and others involved in the process have long recognized the need to ensure that natural enemies of weeds do not attack commercially or horticulturally important plants and to ensure that natural enemies of insects do not attack beneficial species. Procedures for testing the host specificity of the natural enemies of weeds in their area of origin, before shipment to the country of release, have been developed to quite high levels of reliability but there is need for further improvements. Further host-specificity testing is often required in quarantine in the USA. The rigour of this system is helped by the fact that all applications for permission to introduce biocontrol agents are examined by an Inter-agency Technical Advisory Committee for Biological Control of Weeds (TAGBCW) before import permits are issued by the relevant authority (USDA APHIS/PPQ). TAGBCW review includes study of research plans and of lists of host plants for testing host specificity; it also analyses and offers advice on potential conflicts of interest. A ‘TAGBCW’ could be recommended for the European Union. With regard to natural enemies of insect pests, there is relatively little need for host-range testing of most parasitoids because these are generally co-evolved and intimately related organisms that are restricted to one or a few host species. Concern about the potential impact of oligophagous predators on non-target organisms has increased recently and is a developing field of research. Some operating procedures that involve safety are discussed. The import permit system in the USA is presented, and two suggestions for changes in European permit procedures are suggested. Past regulatory procedures for classical biological control in the USA are described, and the current situation is presented.     

害虫生物防治综合效益评价方法

害虫生物防治效果的评价方法通常采用化学防治效果的计算方法,一般仅体现短期内对目标害虫的致死作用结果,而忽略了天敌在自然界数量增殖后对害虫种群数量的长期而持续的控制效果,以及在保护生态环境、保护生物多样性等方面的评价.判断害虫生物防治计划是否获得成功,目前缺乏广泛认同的评价方法.本文对害虫生物防治效果的评价方法进行了梳理...     

Biological control of exotic pests in Italy: recent experiences and perspectives1

In Italy, successful application of classical biological control began in the 20th century, when Berlese released the predator Rodolia cardinalis in 1901 and the parasitoid Encarsia berlesei in 1906. Later, the ‘inoculative’ method was applied many times, limiting the misuse of insecticides and therefore achieving very positive effects for both the agricultural economy and environmental protection. When the establishment of new natural enemies failed, some exotic pests continued to damage important crops, sometimes disrupting any possibility of applying Integrated Pest Management (IPM). In other cases, new associations between exotic pests and native natural enemies occurred spontaneously and the importation of new species was not necessary: when no broad-spectrum plant protection products are applied, some palaearctic parasitoids, such as Diglyphus isaea, naturally control the imported American leafminers Liriomyza trifolii and L. huidobrensis and some native predators (mainly Orius spp.) often control the exotic western flower thrips Frankliniella occidentalis. However, the introduction of natural enemies from the area of origin of the exotic pest is often the only alternative to chemical insecticides. Since its introduction in 1979, the American Flatid, Metcalfa pruinosa, has been spreading annually into new areas of the Mediterranean, causing severe damage to many crops because none of the indigenous natural enemies are sufficiently effective. Therefore, only the introduction of exotic natural enemies, such as the parasitoid Neodryinus typhlocybae, may reduce the outbreaks.     

秦椒田天敌的调查及利用

研究表明:秦椒田天敌有70佘种,主要14种。以蜘蛛、瓢虫、寄生性天敌、食虫蝽为天敌优势类群。各类群天敌在椒田的发生季节和数量不同,主要受地区差异、栽培方式、椒田化学农药使用量的影响。秦椒田天敌种群数量与害虫发生密度成正相关(γ=0.43～0.79),对秦椒田害虫有很强的控制作用。采用麦椒间套、挖窝诱蛛、插种玉米、花生以及合理使用化学农药,对保护椒田天敌效果显著。     

Toxicity of insecticides to the sweetpotato whitefly (Hemiptera: Aleyrodidae) and its natural enemies

Efficient chemical control is achieved when insecticides are active against insect pests and safe to natural enemies. In this study, the toxicity of 17 insecticides to the sweetpotato whitefly, Bemisia tabaci (Gennadius), and the selectivity of seven insecticides to natural enemies of this insect pest were evaluated. To determine the insecticide toxicity, B. tabaci adults were exposed to abamectin, acephate, acetamiprid, cartap, imidacloprid, malathion, methamidophos, bifenthrin, cypermethrin, deltamethrin, esfenvalerate, fenitrothion, fenpropathrin, fenthion, phenthoate, permethrin and trichlorphon at 50 and 100% of the field rate (FR), and to water (untreated control). To determine the insecticide selectivity, adults of Encarsia sp., Acanthinus sp., Discodon sp. and Lasiochilus sp. were exposed to abamectin, acephate, acetamiprid, cartap, imidacloprid, malathion and methamidophos at 50 and 100% FR, and to water. Groups of each insect species were exposed to kale leaves preimmersed in each treatment under laboratory conditions. Mortality of exposed individuals was recorded 24 h after treatment. Cartap and imidacloprid at 50 and 100% FR and abamectin and acetamiprid at 100% FR showed insecticidal activity to B. tabaci adults. Abamectin at 50 and 100% FR was the least insecticidal compound to the natural enemies Acanthinus sp., Discodon sp. and Lasiochilus sp. The present results suggest that abamectin at 100% FR may decrease B. tabaci field populations but can still be harmless to predators. Implications of these results within an integrated pest management context are discussed.     

Induced plant defences in biological control of arthropod pests: a double‐edged sword

Biological control is an important ecosystem service delivered by natural enemies. Together with breeding for plant defence, it constitutes one of the most promising alternatives to pesticides for controlling herbivores in sustainable crop production. Especially induced plant defences may be promising targets in plant breeding for resistance against arthropod pests. Because they are activated upon herbivore damage, costs are only incurred when defence is needed. Moreover, they can be more specific than constitutive defences. Nevertheless, inducible defence traits that are harming plant pest organisms may interfere with biological control agents, such as predators and parasitoids. Despite the vast fundamental knowledge on plant defence mechanisms and their effects on natural enemies, our understanding of the feasibility of combining biological control with induced plant defence in practice is relatively poor. In this review, we focus on arthropod pest control and present the most important features of biological control with natural enemies and of induced plant defence. Furthermore, we show potential synergies and conflicts among them and, finally, identify gaps and list opportunities for their combined use in crop protection. We suggest that breeders should focus on inducible resistance traits that are compatible with the natural enemies of arthropod pests, specifically traits that help communities of natural enemies to build up. © 2017 The Authors. Pest Management Science published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd on behalf of Society of Chemical Industry.