Olfactory responses of Nesidiocoris tenuis to uninfested or conspecific-infested banker plants and Thrips palmi-infested eggplants - Kinuyo Yoneya; Satsuki Nishimori; Eizi Yano; Kei Yamaguchi; Matsuri Tsumoto; Rika Ozawa; Junji Takabayashi; Ikuo Kandori (BioControl, 2024)

Laboratory evaluation of a scarabid-specific isolate of Bacillus thuringiensis against white grub Holotrichia serrata - J. Srikanth; B. Singaravelu; N. Crickmore; P. Mahesh; C. Sankaranarayanan; G. S. Suresha; C. Appunu; R. Nirmala; M. Om Prakash; K. M. Athira (BioControl, 2024)

Biological enhancement of the cover crop Phacelia tanacetifolia (Boraginaceae) with the nematophagous fungus Pochonia chlamydosporia to control the root-knot nematode Meloidogyne hapla in a succeeding tomato plant - Jana Uthoff; Desiree Jakobs-Schönwandt; Jan Henrik Schmidt; Johannes Hallmann; Karl-Josef Dietz; Anant Patel (BioControl, 2024)
Root-knot nematodes cause global economic losses in a wide range of crops. We investigated the potential of seed coatings of the cover crop Phacelia tanacetifolia (Boraginaceae) when inoculated with the nematophagous fungus Pochonia chlamydosporia (Hypocreales: Clavicipitaceae) to protect subsequently grown tomato plants from root galling caused by the root-knot nematode Meloidogyne hapla (Tylenchida: Meloidogynidae). Therefore, seeds of P. tanacetifolia were coated with P. chlamydosporia blastospores and planted in M. hapla -infested pots. After 50 days of growth in infested soil, M. hapla eggs were extracted from P. tanacetifolia roots and quantified. Tomato plants grown in the remaining soil served as bioindicator of M. hapla infestation as expressed by the gall index. Results showed that seed coating of P. tanacetifolia with P. chlamydosporia (290 ± 51 CFU per seed) reduced the number of M. hapla eggs up to 95.6% in comparison to untreated controls. Pochonia chlamydosporia as blastospore suspension (5·10 8 blastospores per 600 ml soil) reduced the number of M. hapla eggs by up to 75.5%. Additionally, tomato plants grown for 50 days in substrates previously planted with P. tanacetifolia seeds coated with P. chlamydosporia showed a significantly lower gall index than plants grown in untreated pots. In conclusion, biological enhancement of P. tanacetifolia by seed coating with P. chlamydosporia successfully reduced M. hapla and thus provides an additional tool in the management of this nematode. The method still has potential for further improvement such as increasing blastospore viability within the seed coating by optimized formulation technology.

A biobased superabsorbent formulation for above-ground application of a new entomophthoralean fungus for biological psyllid pest control - Linda C. Muskat; Britta Kais; Jürgen Gross; Jørgen Eilenberg; Anant V. Patel (BioControl, 2023)
Entomophthoralean fungi have long been recognized as promising candidates for biological insect pest control. However, due to technical challenges, no preparation based on these fungi has been established for practical use so far. Low water availability is a key limiting factor of conidial discharge and germination. In the present study, sporulation of psyllid-pathogenic entomophthoralean fungus Pandora cacopsyllae Eilenberg, Keller and Humber (Entomophthorales Entomophthoraceae) was not observable under reduced water activity (a W ≤ 0.97). To support sporulation of encapsulated P. cacopsyllae hyphae from submerged culture under low humidity conditions in above-ground applications in field, we developed a novel paste-type formulation containing biobased superabsorbents, which retained water for a prolonged time period. In co-application with the superabsorbent formulation, the otherwise fast-drying capsules were kept sufficiently moist for sporulation for at least six days in laboratory trials at low humidity below 40%. Using the new formulation, we measured conidial discharge by P. cacopsyllae from the capsules under dry semi-field conditions in summertime by trapping conidia at a vertical distance of up to 40 cm from the sporulation source. By considering the cardinal directions, fewer conidia were discharged on the sun-facing side in the east than on the sun-averted side in the west. The developed formulation improved the sporulation efficacy significantly. Since water availability is a limiting factor for many fungal biocontrol agents, the developed formulation has the potential to also improve their efficacy.

Phylogenetic analyses reveal multiple new stem-boring Tetramesa taxa (Hymenoptera: Eurytomidae): implications for the biological control of invasive African grasses - Clarke J. M. van Steenderen; Guy F. Sutton; Liam D. Yell; Kim Canavan; Andrew J. McConnachie; Michael D. Day; Iain D. Paterson (BioControl, 2023)
Many native South African grass species have become invasive elsewhere in the world. The application of biological control to invasive grasses has been approached with trepidation in the past, primarily due to concerns of a perceived lack of host specific herbivores. This has changed in recent times, and grasses are now considered suitable candidates. The Tetramesa Walker genus (Hymenoptera: Eurytomidae) has been found to contain species that are largely host specific to a particular grass species, or complex of closely related congeners. Very little taxonomic work exists for Tetramesa in the southern hemisphere, and the lack of morphological variability between many Tetramesa species has made identification difficult. This limits the ability to assess the genus for potential biological control agents. Species delimitation analyses indicated 16 putative novel southern African Tetramesa taxa. Ten of these were putative Tetramesa associated with Eragrostis curvula (Schrad.) Nees and Sporobolus pyramidalis Beauv. and S. natalensis Steud., which are alien invasive weeds in Australia. Of these ten Tetramesa taxa, eight were only found on a single host plant, while two taxa were associated with multiple species in a single grass genus. The Tetramesa spp. on S. pyramidalis and S. africanus were deemed suitably host-specific to be used as biological control agents. Field host range data for the Tetramesa species on E. curvula revealed that the wasp may not be suitably host specific for use as a biological control agent. However, further host specificity testing on non-target native Australian species is required.

Pseudomonas fluorescens HC1-07 transformed with phenazine-1-carboxylic acid biosynthesis genes has improved biocontrol activity against Rhizoctonia root rot and Fusarium crown rot of wheat - Quan Zeng; Chao Cui; Kaiyue Wang; Fang Li; Chenyang Li; Shanshan Wen; Mingming Yang (BioControl, 2023)

Antagonism of endophytic fungi depends on pathogen and host plant - Leila Ebrahimi; Fatemeh Tadayon Rad; Mahmoud Lotfi (BioControl, 2023)

Miticidal activity of Photorhabdus luminescens for controlling two spider mites, Tetranychus urticae and Tetranychus kanzawai, in Carica papaya - Tzay-Tien Hsieh; Ju-Chun Chang; Chienyan Hsieh; Jui-Tang Tseng; Show-Jow Lin; Cheng-Ju Yang; Feng-Chia Hsieh; Yu-Shin Nai (BioControl, 2023)

Preventive releases of phytoseiid and anthocorid predators provided with supplemental food successfully control Scirtothrips in strawberry - Angelos Mouratidis; Elías Marrero-Díaz; Begoña Sánchez-Álvarez; Estrella Hernández-Suárez; Gerben J. Messelink (BioControl, 2023)
Thrips of the subtropical genus Scirtothrips are emerging as important pests in several crops. Scirtothrips dorsalis has been increasingly invading new areas outside of its native region of South and East Asia causing economic damage to several crops. Scirtothrips inermis is another polyphagous species with worldwide distribution. Both species are polyphagous, and in recent years have emerged as key pests in strawberry. In this study, we first evaluated the predation and oviposition rate of commercially available phytoseiid predatory mites Amblyseius swirskii, Amblydromalus limonicus, Transeius montdorensis, and Neoseiulus cucumeris on larval stages of both Scirtothrips species, and oviposition rates of predatory mites on the supplementary food source Artemia franciscana cysts were also assessed. Predatory mites equally accepted both thrips species as prey and showed stable oviposition rates on these diets. Amblyseius swirskii and A. limonicus were the most voracious, also exhibiting the highest oviposition rate of the predators tested. We further evaluated the biological control potential of predatory mites and anthocorid predators Orius laevigatus and Orius limbatus in a greenhouse experiment. Predators were released preventively and supported with Artemia cysts before the introduction of S. inermis . Both Orius predators achieved good control of the pest, with O. limbatus developing higher numbers than O. laevigatus . Regarding phytoseiids, A. swirskii and A. limonicus both controlled the pest and built higher populations than T. montdorensis and N. cucumeris . Our results show that a preventive strategy based on phytoseiid or anthocorid predators in strawberry can be effective in suppressing S. inermis .

Influence of temperature on the release of predatory mites from breeding and sheltered sachets - Takeshi Shimoda; Yoshitake Kagawa; Kaori Yara; Ryuji Uesugi (BioControl, 2023)

Will climate affect the establishment and efficacy of Agnippe sp. #1 (Lepidoptera: Gelechiidae), a promising biological control agent of Mesquite in South Africa? - Blair W. Cowie; Fritz Heystek; Iain D. Paterson (BioControl, 2023)
Several spiny leguminous tree species within the genus Neltuma Raf. (formerly Prosopis L.) (Fabaceae) occur as widespread invasive alien plants in South Africa, exerting severe negative socio-economic and ecological impacts. Given these impacts, South Africa recently released the leaf-tying moth Agnippe sp. #1 (syn. Evippe sp. #1) (Lepidoptera: Gelechiidae) as a biological control agent against invasive Neltuma species in 2021. The widespread invasion of Neltuma spp. across a vast and climatically diverse range of South Africa has led to concerns regarding the establishment and impact of the agent. Therefore, this study aimed to assess the constraints posed by climate to the potential establishment and efficacy of Agnippe sp. #1 using both climatic matching (CLIMEX) and thermal-physiology assessments. Climatic analyses revealed relatively high (71%) and moderate (66%) matches of South Africa to the native (Argentina) and introduced (Australia) ranges of Agnippe sp. #1 respectively. Thermal assessments of Agnippe sp. #1, particularly the 4 th instar larvae, determined a CT min = 0.9 ± 0.3 °C and LLT 50 = −11.1 ± 0.4 °C, which suggest the moth is suited mainly to warmer regions of South Africa. Overall, these assessments propose that the establishment and performance of Agnippe sp. #1 is likely to be constrained by climate in parts of South Africa, particularly within the cold semi-arid and temperate provinces of the country. Promisingly, these climatic comparisons suggest that Agnippe sp. #1 may become more widely established in the hottest parts of the Northern Cape province, which remains a major biological control target region for Mesquite in South Africa.

Manure trial evaluation of Bacillus velezensis PHP1601 as a viable biocontrol candidate against nuisance fly species at an operational piggery - Danvir Rajesh Ramesar; Charles Haig Hunter (BioControl, 2023)
Fly infestations threaten farming and livestock operations, contributing to animal irritation and the spread of serious diseases. In this study, the application of Bacillus velezensis PHP1601 (Bacillales: Bacillaceae) treatments (10 5 and 10 10 endospore g −1 ) to pig manure slurries was evaluated as a means of controlling fly reproductive cycles. Two cycles of fly emergence were evaluated over a 33 days period for each replicated trial. For both treatments, the first emergence event resulted in a significant reduction in the percentage of flies emerging compared to an un-treated control. Extended monitoring of the biocontrol containers revealed that fly emergence was completely eliminated by the time that a second round of fly emergence was observed for the control. A B. velezensis -specific real-time PCR method was developed and used to assess the population dynamics of the applied biocontrol agent over the course of the experiment. Strain PHP1601 remained viable in the manure and cell numbers increased by several orders of magnitude. REP-PCR fingerprinting was used to confirm the clonality of endospores recovered from the manure. Fly species recovered from the trials were identified by cytochrome oxidase gene barcode sequencing. Several species of veterinary and medically significant flies were identified. They were all deemed to be susceptible to treatments with PHP1601 and constituted part of the strain's host range. The study demonstrated the effectiveness of B. velezensis PHP1601 as a promising biocontrol agent for controlling fly infestations under conditions similar to its intended use.

Combining root inoculation with Akanthomyces muscarius (Hypocreales: Cordycipitaceae) and the parasitoid Aphidius ervi (Haliday) (Hymenoptera: Braconidae) to control aphids on sweet pepper - Liesbet Wilberts; Sara Van Hee; Isabelle Stockmans; Caroline Meesters; Francine van Neerbos; Gabriele Gloder; Margot W. J. Geerinck; Felix Wäckers; Hans Jacquemyn; Bart Lievens (BioControl, 2023)

Direct toxicity and emigration: evaluation of herbicide interactions with a biological control agent for Brazilian peppertree (Schinus terebinthifolia) - Kelly Carruthers; James Cuda; Stephen Enloe; Emily Le Falchier; Carey Minteer (BioControl, 2023)

Consistent benefits of fungicide reduction on arthropod predators and predation rates in viticulture: a five-year experiment - Jo Marie Reiff; Theresa Pennington; Sebastian Kolb; Konrad Theiss; Ekaterina Alakina; Marvin Ehringer; Paul Mason; Rosalie Shrestha; Martin H. Entling; Christoph Hoffmann (BioControl, 2023)
For reliable pest suppression, benefits of habitat management for natural enemies of agricultural pests need to be consistent over time. Unfortunately, most research projects allow only for one or two years of data collection. Here, we present a five-year study on effects of fungicide reduction and altered plant architecture on arthropod abundances and natural pest control in an experimental vineyard. The vineyard rows were divided into eight groups, half of which were trained in vertical shoot position (“trellis system”) and the other half as semi-minimal pruned hedge (“minimal pruning”). Every row was divided in three sections receiving three different plant protection intensities, respectively, with fungicides certified for organic viticulture. In each year we sampled arthropods from the grapevine canopy by standardized leaf collection and beat-sheet sampling, and exposed baits of a major grapevine pest ( Lobesia botrana ) to assess natural pest control. Arthropods, in particular predators, benefited from reduced fungicide sprayings and in turn promoted natural pest control. In contrast, effects of minimal pruning were less strong, and restricted to the leaf mesofauna, earwigs and leafhoppers. Across the five study years with their variable weather conditions, we conclude that the advantages of reduced fungicide sprayings in fungus-resistant varieties are consistent over time.

Control of post-harvest gray mold (Botrytis cinerea) on grape (Vitis vinifera) and tomato (Solanum lycopersicum) using volatile organic compounds produced by Xenorhabdus nematophila and Photorhabdus laumondii subsp. laumondii - Ignacio Vicente-Díez; Xoaquín Moreira; Victoria Pastor; Mar Vilanova; Alicia Pou; Raquel Campos-Herrera (BioControl, 2023)
Post-harvest fruit and vegetable rot produced by Botrytis cinerea (Helotiales: Sclerotiniaceae) causes significant reductions in food availability and drastically increases economic losses. The use of microbial-based tools for pathogen management holds promise. In particular, volatile organic compounds (VOCs) emitted by microbes (e.g., bacterial compounds) are becoming increasingly more frequent as an alternative to chemical and physical treatments. In this study, we performed three laboratory experiments to investigate the effects of VOCs emitted by two gram-negative entomopathogenic bacteria, Xenorhabdus nematophila , and Photorhabdus laumondii subsp. laumondii , on the infection and growth of the pathogenic mold B. cinerea on post-harvest red grapes and tomatoes. In addition, we evaluated the preventive effects of these bacterial VOCs against pathogens in post-harvest wounded and intact grapes. Overall, VOCs emitted by X. nematophila and P. laumondii limited the lesion area of B. cinerea to 0.5% and 2.2%, respectively, on the grapes. Similarly, VOCs emitted by X. nematophila and P. laumondii limited the lesion area of B. cinerea to 0.5% and 0.02%, respectively, in tomatoes. In addition, the emission of VOCs by both bacteria showed strong preventive fungal effects. In particular, VOCs emitted by P. laumondii reduced to 13% B. cinerea incidence in damaged grapes exposed to VOCs. Moreover, intact grapes exposed to VOCs emitted by X. nematophila and P. laumondii decreased B. cinerea incidence by 33%. This study provides insightful information about a potential novel bacteria-based tool that can be used as an alternative in the integrated control of post-harvest diseases.

Which molecular marker is better? Comparative analyses of COI and ITS2 in molecular identification of Trichogramma (Hymenoptera: Trichogrammatidae) - Ao-Kai Wang; Fang-Yi Li; De-Sen Wang; Yu-Rong He; Yuan-Xi Li; Zhi-Chao Yan (BioControl, 2023)

The characterization of chitinolytic soil bacterial isolates for their antagonistic activity against root knot nematode Meloidogyne incognita: an effort towards developing ‘green’ nematicidal agents - Prasad Pawar; Jayraj Doshi; S. G. Patil; Prajakta Dandekar; K. Poornima (BioControl, 2023)

Assessing the effect of commercial arbuscular mycorrhizal fungal inoculum on potato plant disease incidence, yield and the indigenous root fungal community composition - Kaire Loit; Liina Soonvald; Kalev Adamson; Eve Runno-Paurson; Leho Tedersoo; Alar Astover (BioControl, 2023)

Induction of multiple defense responses in wheat plants against stripe rust using mycorrhizal fungi and Streptomyces viridosporus HH1 - Hany H. A. El-Sharkawy; Younes M. Rashad; Nahla T. Elazab (BioControl, 2023)
Stripe rust, caused by Puccinia striiformis f. sp. tritici , is one of the most devastating diseases of wheat worldwide. This study dealt with investigating the biocontrol activity of mycorrhizal colonization and/or application of Streptomyces viridosporus HH1 against stripe rust of wheat. In vitro, data showed that S. viridosporus HH1 had a strong anti-spore germination effect on uredospores of P. striiformis (90% reduction) . A 84.2% reduction in the disease severity was achieved in the infected wheat plants, which were colonized with mycorrhizal fungi and were sprayed with S. viridosporus HH1. Molecular investigation revealed that mycorrhizal colonization and application of S. viridosporus HH1 upregulated the defensive genes ethylene response factor protein 3 ( JERF3 ) by 20.7-fold, chitinase II (13.6-fold), and β -1,3-glucanase (9.8-fold). Furthermore, mycorrhizal colonization and application of S. viridosporus HH1 led to a significant increase in the activity of the antioxidant enzymes peroxidase (52.3%), polyphenol oxidase (106.9%), and catalase (87.9%). The phenolic content also increased due to mycorrhizal colonization and application of S. viridosporus HH1, while the lipid peroxidation decreased in the infected wheat leaves. A mitigation in the adverse effects of infection on the photosynthetic pigments in wheat leaves was noticed. Observations from transmission electron microscopy showed that different hypersensitivity reactions were induced on the ultrastructural level in the infected wheat cells due to this treatment. In addition, a significant growth-promoting effect was also reported. It can be concluded that mycorrhizal colonization and spraying with S. viridosporus HH1 have a promising biocontrol activity against stripe rust in wheat. Field evaluation is necessary in the future studies before the use recommendation.

Use of alternative host and production costs of the sugarcane borer parasitoid Tetrastichus howardi - Anderson Vinnicius Arruda Machado; Natalia Carolina Bermúdez; Alessandra Marieli Vacari; Christian Sherley Araújo da Silva-Torres; Fabricio Fagundes Pereira; Jorge Braz Torres (BioControl, 2023)

The impact of field margins on biological pest control: a meta-analysis - Lucy I. Crowther; Kenneth Wilson; Andrew Wilby (BioControl, 2023)
Floral field margins are known to benefit invertebrate species diversity and abundance within agricultural landscapes, but variation in success limits widespread uptake. Understanding how variation within floral field margins can affect certain entomological groupings is lacking but would allow for a more individualised design of margins to enhance biological control. This meta-analysis aims to answer the question; do floral field margins benefit biological pest control over grassy field margins? We found that floral margins significantly benefit the natural enemy community and biological control services, relative to non-floral grass margins. We confirm that field margin type is linked to higher abundance and diversity of natural enemies, lower numbers of herbivorous invertebrate pests, and reduced crop damage. We consider whether specific characterisations of natural enemies and pest communities vary between these margin types, finding key differences in the abundances of aerial and epigeal enemies, the diversity of parasitoid and predatory enemies and pest abundances found in naturally regenerating and sown floral field margins. The finding here cements the implementation of floral field margins as a legitimate control method for crop pests in the face of losses due to pesticides and highlights design and management considerations for the success of floral margins.

Pathogenicity characteristics of the entomopathogenic fungus Cordyceps javanica IJ-tg19 to Acyrthosiphon pisum - Di Wang; Pei-Xiang Xing; Hong-Liang Diao; Wen-Wen Zhou; Xian-Wei Li; Li-Jun Zhang; Rui-Yan Ma (BioControl, 2023)

More than aphids in the guts of coccinellids revealed by molecular and visual analyses - Violeta Romero; Tania Zaviezo; Roland Sánchez; Audrey A. Grez (BioControl, 2023)

Efficacy of biocontrol of the yellow tea thrips and the Kanzawa spider mite with the generalist phytoseiid mite Euseius sojaensis differs between grape cultivars with different leaf morphological traits - Yuta Tsuchida; Shinichi Masui (BioControl, 2023)

The efficacy of Steinernema feltiae in the control of Cydia pomonella in organic apple and pear orchards of Patagonia Argentina and its impact on local populations of entomopathogenic nematodes - Daiana Eliceche; Matías Rusconi; Matías Rosales; Javier Rossi; Augusto Salas; Candela Macagno; Federico D’Hervé; Carlos Silvestre; Fernanda Achinelly (BioControl, 2023)

Biocontrol of weedy Sporobolus grasses in Australia using fungal pathogens - T. V. Steinrucken; J. S. Vitelli (BioControl, 2023)
In Australia there are five weedy Sporobolus grass (WSG) species that heavily impact agricultural industries and native biodiversity. WSG have been the subject of several efforts to find host-specific pathogens with potential for classical and inundative biocontrol. Most of these studies are only discussed in unpublished reports or theses, so in this paper we synthesise the available peer-reviewed and ‘grey’ literature that discuss classical, augmentative and inundative biocontrol of WSG in Australia using fungal pathogens. We consider the hundreds of fungal pathogens previously isolated from Sporobolus hosts on an international and national scale. Of the pathogens investigated for WSG biocontrol previously, the only promising classical biocontrol agent was a smut fungus ( Ustilago sporoboli-indici ) from South Africa that is now present in Queensland and New South Wales, Australia. Its method of introduction to Australia is unknown. We hence discuss the history and potential for augmentative biocontrol of WSG using U. sporoboli-indici. Next, we summarise inundative biocontrol efforts. Several ascomycetes isolated from Australian WSG populations have been tested in this regard, including species of Nigrospora , Fusarium , Curvularia , Microdochium , Pestalotiopsis , and Neopestalotiopsis . However, a lack of host-specificity or efficacy subsequently precluded their further development, and potential improvements on those inundative biocontrol studies are discussed. Finally, we discuss a collection of endemic fungal taxa isolated from diseased Sporobolus in Australia, which are currently undergoing virulence, pathogenicity, and host-specificity screening as potential inundative biocontrol agents for WSG. Our intention is that the lessons learned from previous studies and summarised herein, will support ongoing development of WSG biocontrol agents in Australia, and more broadly, weed biocontrol using plant pathogens anywhere in the world.

Urban tree pests can support biological control services in landscape shrubs - Caleb J. Wilson; Steven D. Frank (BioControl, 2023)

The establishment and spread of Tamarixia triozae, a parasitoid of the potato psyllid, in New Zealand - Melanie Davidson; Thalia Sachtleben; Frances MacDonald; Lisa Watkins; Anna-Marie Barnes; Gabby Drayton; Melanie Walker (BioControl, 2023)
The release of Tamarixia triozae (Burks) (Hymenoptera: Eulophidae), a parasitoid of the potato psyllid, Bactericera cockerelli (Šulc) (Hemiptera: Triozidae) , resulted in the successful establishment of the parasitoid in New Zealand. The parasitoid was released at more than 30 sites by the final year of the three-year study throughout New Zealand. Its continued presence over the three-year study was confirmed in two regions (Hawke’s Bay and Canterbury). At one site in Canterbury, the parasitoid was released only in the first summer of this study (Nov. 2017–Feb. 2018). It was recovered from potato psyllid infested African boxthorn ( Lycium ferocissimum Miers) foliage in the second and third summers at this site, demonstrating the parasitoid’s ability to survive over successive winters. We found T. triozae parasitized nymphs at 24 sites of the 86 potato psyllid host plant sites surveyed within a 25 km radius of known release sites in Hawke’s Bay. The parasitoid was found up to 24 km from the nearest known release site in Hawke’s Bay. In Canterbury, the parasitoid was found up to 0.6 km from a known release site. Parasitism rates of 13.7–15.6% were estimated based on two post-release survey methods employed in this study. The parasitoid also feeds on psyllid nymphs so its establishment may lead to helping to reduce or delay potato psyllid populations from reaching damaging levels. Long-term monitoring is needed to determine the consequences of importing T. triozae on populations of potato psyllid.

Do silvopastoral management practices affect biological pest control in oil palm plantations? - Frisco Nobilly; Sharifah Nur Atikah; Muhammad Syafiq Yahya; Shokri Jusoh; Thomas M. R. Maxwell; Ahmad Razi Norhisham; Kamil Azmi Tohiran; Raja Zulkifli; Badrul Azhar (BioControl, 2023)

Performance of the lady beetle Eriopis connexa to sequential exposure to selective insecticides prevailed over its pyrethroid resistance - Rogério Lira; Ellen Ketlen Silva Ferreira; Paulo Roberto Ramos Barbosa; Alvin M. Simmons; Jorge Braz Torres (BioControl, 2023)

Foreword to the Special Issue on Access and Benefit Sharing and Biological Control Genetic Resources - H. David Cooper (BioControl, 2023)

Accessing biological control genetic resources and sharing benefits resulting from their utilization - Dan Leskien (BioControl, 2023)

Building trust for sustainable access and benefit-sharing of biological control genetic resources: a CABI case study - Philip S. R. Weyl; Hariet L. Hinz; Ivan Rwomushana; Joseph Mulema; Hilda Diaz-Soltero; David Smith (BioControl, 2023)
CABI is a not-for-profit international organization with the mission of improving people’s lives worldwide by solving problems in agriculture and the environment, while engendering trust and facilitating science. As an organisation CABI is both a provider and a user of biological control agents and regularly acting as an intermediary between provider and user countries. As a way of building trust between both sides, access and benefit sharing (ABS) policy and ABS best practices developed around the principles of the Nagoya protocol should be publicly accessible. CABI aims to facilitate compliance with national legislation on ABS through its best practices for the countries in which we work and those that we provide genetic resources. CABI adopted the position to share benefits whether the provider country is party to the Nagoya Protocol or not. We use a case study on the biological control of the coffee berry borer ( Hypothenemus hampei (Ferrari)) to illustrate the implementation of ABS best practices for the overlap between biological control and ABS. In respect to Digital Sequence Information (DSI) associated with genetic resources CABI contributes to the ongoing global debate and evaluates how this may impact biocontrol research and delivery. The current view is that publishing sequence data is sharing descriptive information and thus delivers benefit-sharing from its generation. However, if DSI is used in a product placed on the market, there is justification for benefit sharing.

Exchange of biological control genetic resources in India: prospects and constraints for access and benefit sharing - Kavita Gupta; K. V. Sankaran; P. Sreerama Kumar (BioControl, 2023)

Best practices in the use and exchange of microorganism biological control genetic resources - Peter G. Mason; Martin Hill; David Smith; Luciana C. Silvestri; Philip Weyl; Jacques Brodeur; Marcello Diniz Vitorino (BioControl, 2023)
The Nagoya Protocol actions the third objective of the Convention on Biological Diversity and provides a framework to effectively implement the fair and equitable sharing of benefits arising out of the use of genetic resources. This includes microorganisms used as biological control agents. Thus biological control practitioners must comply with access and benefit-sharing regulations that are implemented by countries providing microbial biological control agents. A review of best practices and guidance for the use and exchange of microorganisms used for biological control has been prepared by the IOBC Global Commission on Biological Control and Access and Benefit-Sharing to demonstrate commitment to comply with access and benefit-sharing requirements, and to reassure the international community that biological control is a very successful and environmentally safe pest management strategy that uses biological resources responsibly and sustainably. We propose that best practices include the following elements: collaboration to facilitate information exchange about the availability of microbial biological control agents and where they may be sourced; freely sharing available knowledge in databases about successes and failures; collaborative research with provider countries to develop capacity; and production technology transfer to provide economic opportunities. We recommend the use of model concept agreements for accessing microorganisms for scientific research and non-commercial release into nature where access and benefit-sharing regulations exist and where regulations are not restrictive or do not exist. We also recommend a model agreement for deposition of microbial biological control agents into culture collections.

Nagoya Protocol and Africa’s willingness to share biological control agents, are we deterred by barriers instead of using opportunities to work together? - P. J. Ivey; M. P. Hill; S. N. Kenfack Voukeng; K. N. Weaver (BioControl, 2023)
Amongst members of the biological control community there is a range of perceptions regarding the Nagoya Protocol, at best it will hinder access to natural enemies of pests and invasive plants and at worst implementation of the Protocol will prevent access to these resources. In this preliminary study of Africa’s preparedness to implement the Nagoya Protocol and control access to potential biological control agents, we found that several countries have not yet established procedures and policies in this regard. Several factors including lack of awareness, insufficient relevant information and lack of capacity may cause delay in countries implementing access and benefit sharing legislation and processes. The lack of preparedness provides an opportunity for the research community to work with government officials to facilitate future access to natural enemies to act as biological control agents on invasive plants and agricultural pests. Collaboration between researchers, managers and bureaucrats in support of African countries could lead to collective action that develops policies and implements processes to foster exploration of African biodiversity. This collaboration could also foster the sharing of biological control agents that will benefit Africa through integrated pest management in agriculture, protection of human lives and livelihoods, and reduction of the impact of invasive alien species on biodiversity and environmental infrastructure.

Impact of Access and Benefit Sharing implementation on biological control genetic resources - Peter G. Mason; Barbara I. P. Barratt; Fernando Mc Kay; Johannette N. Klapwijk; Luciana C. Silvestri; Martin Hill; Hariet L. Hinz; Andy Sheppard; Jacques Brodeur; Marcello Diniz Vitorino; Philip Weyl; Kim A. Hoelmer (BioControl, 2023)
The third objective of the Convention on Biological Diversity, the fair and equitable sharing of benefits arising out of the use of genetic resources was further developed when the Nagoya Protocol on Access and Benefit Sharing came into effect in 2014. Interpretation of how this agreement is being implemented is wide-ranging and there are implications for biological control. A survey of biological control workers indicated that while some countries have facilitated access to biological control genetic resources, requirements in other countries have impeded biological control implementation. There was consensus that benefits to provider countries should be in the form of supporting local research communities. There was also agreement that the free use and exchange of biological control genetic resources has provided benefits to the global community, including to both providers and recipients of the agents. It is recommended that consideration of the free use and exchange principal should be a key element of Access and Benefit Sharing measures for the future.

International agreement for the use and exchange of classical biological control genetic resources: a practical proposal - Peter G. Mason; Fernando Mc Kay; Luciana C. Silvestri; Martin Hill; Philip Weyl; Hariet L. Hinz; Jacques Brodeur; Marcelo Diniz Vitorino; Barbara I. P. Barratt (BioControl, 2023)
The Nagoya Protocol on Access and Benefit Sharing (ABS) was implemented to further develop the third objective of the Convention on Biological Diversity, the fair and equitable sharing of benefits arising out of the utilization of genetic resources. Interpretation of this agreement is wide-ranging and there is concern that if ABS measures are poorly implemented biological control and the resultant public good will be greatly impeded. The ethos of multilateral use and exchange of genetic resources used in classical biological control will be particularly affected. In the spirit of the fair and equitable sharing of benefits arising out of the utilization of genetic resources, we propose a simple practical solution in the form of an international agreement on the use and exchange of classical biological control genetic resources.

Improved access to biological control genetic resources: navigating through the Convention on Biological Diversity and the Nagoya Protocol - Luciana C. Silvestri; Peter G. Mason (BioControl, 2023)

Accessing biological control genetic resources: the United States perspective - Kim A. Hoelmer; René F. H. Sforza; Massimo Cristofaro (BioControl, 2023)

Accessing biological control genetic resources: the South American experience - Fernando Mc Kay; Alejandro Sosa; Guillermo Cabrera Walsh (BioControl, 2023)

Host specificity and performance on different hopper species of the egg parasitoid Anagrus virlai - Jorge G. Hill; Eduardo G. Virla; Carolina Manzano; Susana L. Paradell; Erica Luft Albarracin (BioControl, 2023)

Susceptibility of white grubs from forestry and sugarcane plantations in South Africa to entomopathogenic nematodes - Agil Katumanyane; Bernard Slippers; Mesfin Wondafrash; Antoinette P. Malan; Brett P. Hurley (BioControl, 2023)
The control of white grub (Coleoptera: Scarabaeidae) pests of sugarcane and forest plantations is difficult due to their cryptic nature and resistance to chemicals. This study evaluated the potential use of entomopathogenic nematodes (EPNs) as an alternative control method. Laboratory bioassays were performed with 12 locally isolated EPN species to determine the susceptibility of third instar larvae of the white grubs Schizonycha affinis Boheman, Pegylis sommeri Burmeister, Monochelus sp. and Maladera sp. 4. Concentration trials to determine lethal dosages for three of the white grub species were performed using Heterorhabditis zealandica Poinar MJ2C. Bioassays were performed to determine whether nematodes could develop inside the cadavers of S. affinis and P. sommeri as these had shown the lowest susceptibility to EPNs. The mortality percentage of the white grubs, although varying significantly, was found to be low for most of the EPN species, except H. zealandica . The highest percentage mortality of white grubs was observed at four weeks post inoculation with the rate of mortality being highest in the first week. Schizonycha affinis had the lowest LD 50 of 38 Infective juveniles (IJs) per larva after 28 days, compared to Maladera sp. 4, with 284 IJs per larva, and P. sommeri , with 1035 IJs per larva. The dissection of insect cadavers revealed possible limiting factors for low susceptibility, due to the nematodes and their associated symbiotic bacteria’s inability to infect the insect haemocoel, with no EPNs being found inside some of the cadavers.

Apivectoring of entomopathogen, Beauveria bassiana strain GHA for suppression of thrips on commercial greenhouse strawberries: a real life study - Charlotte E. R. Coates; Roselyne Labbé; Dana Gagnier; Andrew Laflair; Peter G. Kevan (BioControl, 2023)

Optimization of Bacillus amyloliquefaciens Lx-11 suspoemulsion by response surface methodology to control rice bacterial blight - Hao Zhang; Rongsheng Zhang; Junqing Qiao; Junjie Yu; Zhongqiang Qi; Yan Du; Mina Yu; Huijuan Cao; Tianqiao Song; Xiayan Pan; Dong Liang; YouZhou Liu; et al. (BioControl, 2023)

Evaluation of Trichoderma harzianum to control downy mildew disease in sunflower under field conditions based on changes in the metabolite profiles of roots - Nuray Özer; Temine Şabudak; Tuğba Hilal Kılıç; Göksel Evci; Mehmet İbrahim Yılmaz (BioControl, 2023)

Modelling network effects of biological control: the case of the Philippine coconut scale insect outbreak - Billy Joel M. Almarinez; Divina M. Amalin; Kathleen B. Aviso; Heriberto Cabezas; Angelyn R. Lao; Raymond R. Tan (BioControl, 2023)

Inhibitory effect of volatile organic compounds from Bacillus flexus TR-1 against Aspergillus flavus and aflatoxins in grains during storage - An-Dong Gong; Meng-Ge Song; Hua-Ling Wang; Gao-Zhan Wang; Jian-Hua Wang; Jing-Bo Zhang (BioControl, 2023)

Characterising uncertainty in risk assessments for biological control: using case studies from New Zealand to inform future research - B. I. P. Barratt; E. D. Meenken; T. M. Withers (BioControl, 2023)
Areas of uncertainty in the assessment of risks and benefits in applications for new biological control agents submitted to the regulator for proposed introduction into New Zealand were identified. This was done with the aim of informing future research priorities which might be able to address and reduce these areas of uncertainty to assist decision-making in the future. A sample of 20 applications received by the Environmental Protection Authority (EPA) between 2009 and 2019 were selected, with examples from weed and insect targets. Expressions of uncertainty were identified by applicants as well as the EPA staff assessment report of the application, and the final decision document prepared by the Authority’s committee. The most common risk uncertainties expressed were potential direct non-target effects (85%), cultural risks (75%), and whether there were existing (and possibly effective) natural enemies of the target already present in the new range (70%). Food web indirect effects and adequacy of host range testing were also mentioned in more than half of the case study applications and associated documents. For uncertainty relating to benefits, 75% of case studies mentioned uncertainty about the efficacy of the proposed biological control agent, or if the agent would be successful by establishing and spreading (60%). For several of the case studies questions were raised about the method of cost: benefit analyses that had been presented in the application. Recommendations for future research are presented.

Protection of North American ash against emerald ash borer with biological control: ecological premises and progress toward success - Jian J. Duan; Juli R. Gould; Nicole F. Quinn; Toby R. Petrice; Benjamin H. Slager; Therese M. Poland; Leah S. Bauer; Claire E. Rutledge; Joseph S. Elkinton; Roy G. Van Driesche (BioControl, 2023)

Competitive interactions affect larval survival of two root-boring weed biological control candidates of Rumex spp - Julie Klötzli; Matthias Suter; Andreas Lüscher; Heinz Müller-Schärer; Urs Schaffner (BioControl, 2023)
In weed biocontrol, the release of multiple candidates has been proposed as a way to increase herbivore load and thus impact on the target weed. However, the use of multiple herbivorous species may reduce overall herbivore load due to interspecific interactions. We assessed whether a combined application of two Pyropteron spp. (Lepidoptera: Sesiidae) with root-boring larvae can increase larval infestation rate and impact on two Rumex weeds (Caryophyllales: Polygonaceae). In a laboratory assay (‘behavioural experiment’), interference competition was assessed by comparing the survival of a single larva (no competition), of four conspecific larvae (intraspecific competition) and of two larvae of each species (interspecific competition). In a common garden study (‘infestation and impact experiment’), the outcomes of competitive interactions were assessed on potted plants with single and mixed species applications of the two Pyropteron species using a replacement design. In the behavioural experiment, larval survival was similarly reduced under intra- and interspecific competition compared to no competition, suggesting strong interference competition among larvae independent of the Pyropteron species. In the infestation and impact experiment, mixed application did only scarcely increase herbivore load. Increased herbivore load was found to increase root decay when applied in an inundative approach by placing eggs directly on Rumex plants. However, a joint application of two Pyropteron species did not increase the impact. We propose that detailed behavioural and impact studies be conducted to assess the likely outcome of using multiple candidates in biocontrol programs to minimize associated risks with multiple species introductions.

Insecticidal activity of Bacillus thuringiensis strains isolated from tropical greenhouses towards Cydia pomonella and Spodoptera exigua larvae - Jakub Baranek; Mateusz Pluskota; Monika Rusin; Edyta Konecka; Adam Kaznowski; Justyna Wiland-Szymańska (BioControl, 2023)
Three Bacillus thuringiensis strains were isolated from a specific habitat of tropical greenhouses located in the Botanical Garden of Adam Mickiewicz University in Poznań, Poland. The BG11, BG12 and BG15 strains harbour genes encoding a specific set of insecticidal proteins ( cry1Ba , cry1Ia , cry2Ab , vip3Aa )—entirely different from those found in commercial isolates, currently used as bioinsecticides. Despite high genetic similarity of the new strains, each of them produces unique Cry1Ba toxin as a main component of the parasporal crystals. Moreover, the tested entomopathogens contain genetic determinants encoding two types of chitinolytic enzymes ChiA and ChiB. The tested strains display insecticidal activity against two distinct, economically important pest insects, Cydia pomonella L. (Lepidoptera: Tortricidae) and Spodoptera exigua Hübner (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae). However, BG12 and BG15 strains are significantly more active than BG11 towards both pests. The BG12 and BG15 strains can be considered as candidates for the production of new lepidopteran-active bioinsecticides with high potential to augment the existing biocontrol strategies.

First report on classical biological control releases of the larval parasitoid Ganaspis brasiliensis against Drosophila suzukii in northern Italy - Lorenzo Fellin; Alberto Grassi; Simone Puppato; Alberto Saddi; Gianfranco Anfora; Claudio Ioriatti; Marco Valerio Rossi-Stacconi (BioControl, 2023)
Current management strategy of the invasive fruit fly Drosophila suzukii (Matsumura) (Diptera: Drosophilidae) exploits different tools but relies mainly on chemical control. In the invaded areas, the local natural enemy community mostly consists of generalist pupal parasitoids unable to control the pest efficiently. Conversely, in the pest native area, there are more specialized sympatric larval parasitoids attacking D. suzukii . Following foreign explorations and quarantine risk assessments, the larval endoparasitoid Ganaspis brasiliensis (Ihering) (Hymenoptera: Figitidae) was selected as the best candidate for classical biological control programs. In 2021, the first ever propagative biocontrol program using a Japanese G1 lineage of G. brasiliensis started in Italy. Here we report the results of the first year of releases in the province of Trento (Northeast Italy), wherein G. brasiliensis was released in 12 locations. Pre- and post-release samplings on fresh and fallen fruits were performed around the release points to assess the recapture rate, the impact of the exotic parasitoid on D. suzukii and its potential interactions with local non-target species. After releases, G. brasiliensis was recovered at 50% of the locations. The exotic parasitoid only emerged from D. suzukii , mostly from fresh fruit still on the plant. Post-overwintering monitoring revealed the presence of a four G. brasiliensis individuals at two release locations.

Assessment of Beauveria bassiana for the biological control of corn borer, Ostrinia furnacalis, in sweet maize by irrigation application - Mengxia Feng; Yunyue Zhang; Brad Steven Coates; Qian Du; Yuebo Gao; Lili Li; Haibin Yuan; Wei Sun; Xue Chang; Shuxiang Zhou; Yangzhou Wang (BioControl, 2023)
Kernels of sweet maize are directly consumed by humans. This high value crop is grown in arid and semi-arid regions of western Jilin Province, China where trickle irrigation is widely used and larvae of the corn borer, Ostrinia furnacalis Guenée (Lepidoptera: Crambidae), can cause significant kernel damage. Low humidity in arid regions is less conducive to the efficacy of the biological control agent, Beauveria bassiana (Balsamo) Vuillemin (Hypocreales: Cordycipitaceae). Simulated semi-arid conditions in greenhouse experiments were conducted comparing B. bassiana application on a granule carrier or in aqueous suspension to sweet maize. Applications of B. bassiana adhered to granules and in suspension reduced O. furnacalis leaf feeding damage, number of boreholes and tunneling length. Treatments with a granular carrier showed the most significant reductions in maize damage when applied once at whorl stage and in combination with a second application at the ear. The greatest reductions in boring and tunneling attributed to these treatments occurred at internodes around the ear. Although reduced damage was greatest following granular compared to aqueous applications, the latter also provided significant reductions in feeding damage compared to controls. This study demonstrates the utility of B. bassiana as a biological control agent for the reduction in damage caused by second-generation corn borer to sweet maize and existing irrigation equipment could be adapted for efficacious aqueous treatments by growers.

Impact of novaluron and chlorantraniliprole on the aphidophagous guild of the green apple aphid in an apple orchard - Alice De Donder; Daniel Cormier; Marcela Andrea Rodríguez García; Éric Lucas (BioControl, 2023)

First reported incidence of Bacillus velezensis exhibiting effective antagonism against a blowfly species, Lucilia cuprina - Danvir Rajesh Ramesar; Charles Haig Hunter (BioControl, 2023)

Biological control of pre- and post-harvest microbial diseases in Citrus by using beneficial microorganisms - Marcio Alves de Sousa; Camille Eichelberger Granada (BioControl, 2023)

Potential and fungicidal compatibility of antagonist endophytic Trichoderma spp. from rice leaves in controlling dirty panicle disease in intensive rice farming - Atpakorn Vijitrpanth; Arom Jantasorn; Tida Dethoup (BioControl, 2023)

Aphids and associated parasitoids exhibit vertical canopy distribution differences in pecans - Eddie K. Slusher; Angelita L. Acebes-Doria; Ted Cottrell; Jason M. Schmidt (BioControl, 2022)

Impact of covert infections with an RNA virus on the susceptibility of Spodoptera exigua to natural enemies - Adrià Mengual-Martí; María Martínez-Solís; Meelad Yousef-Yousef; Inmaculada Garrido-Jurado; Pedro Delgado-Sanfiel; Enrique Quesada-Moraga; Salvador Herrero (BioControl, 2022)
Integrated Pest Management (IPM) programs are alternatives to classical pest control through the application of chemical insecticides. IPM goal is to maintain pest populations below economically injurious levels minimizing the use of chemical insecticides. In recent years, research on insect viromes has led to the discovery of many novel viral pathogens in insect pests, some of them producing covert infections that do not cause evident symptoms. However, the impact that these viruses have on the action of natural enemies employed in IPM programs is still unknown. Spodoptera exigua iflavirus 1 (SeIV1) is an RNA virus commonly found in field populations of Spodoptera exigua . In this work, we have analysed the possible impact of those viral infections on the activity of different natural enemies used for the control of this pest. Specifically, we have studied the effects of SeIV1 on susceptibility to entomopathogenic nematodes, fungi, bacteria, and parasitoids. Infections with SeIV1 showed to be compatible with the nematode Steinernema carpocapsae as the infection did not affect the susceptibility or production of new juveniles. Moreover, they are also compatible with the fungus Metarhizium brunneum as the mortality of S. exigua larvae was not affected by the viral infection. Interestingly, infections with SeIV1 increase the susceptibility to Bacillus thuringiensis formulation and increase the mortality caused by the parasitism of Hyposoter didymator . In summary, our results show that the four natural enemies tested are not negatively affected by SeIV1 and their action remains similar or enhanced by the covert infections with this iflavirus.

Ground-covers affect the activity density of ground-dwelling predators and their impact on the Mediterranean fruit fly, Ceratitis capitata - J. Cruz-Miralles; M. Guzzo; M. V. Ibáñez-Gual; Ó. Dembilio; J. A. Jaques (BioControl, 2022)
Three developmental stages of the Mediterranean fruit fly, Ceratitis capitata (Wiedemann) (Diptera: Tephritidae), can be found in the soil (late third instar larvae, pupae, and teneral adults). These stages are susceptible to predation by generalist ground-dwelling predators. Our objectives have been to investigate the association between ground cover management (bare soil, a seeded cover of Festuca arundinacea and a mulch of straw), the emergence success of C. capitata , and the activity density of the most important groups of ground-dwelling predators (spiders, beetles, ants and earwigs). As expected, C. capitata emergence was lower in a seeded cover of Festuca arundinacea (FA) and a mulch of straw (M) (10.2%) relative to bare soil (BS) (13.2%). This was related to higher diversity and activity density of ground-dwelling predators in FA and M compared to BS. The contribution of the ground-dwelling predators considered in this study to this reduction highlights the key role of beetles, earwigs and, to a lesser extent, ants, while the contribution of the most abundant group of ground-dwelling predators, spiders, remains unclear. Ground covers appear as a strong and sustainable conservation biological control method that should be taken into consideration for the management of C. capitata populations.

Effect of temperature on survival of Australian entomopathogenic nematodes and their virulence against the Queensland fruit fly, Bactrocera tryoni - Sitaram Aryal; Uffe N. Nielsen; Nanette H. Sumaya; Craig Wilson; Markus Riegler (BioControl, 2022)
Entomopathogenic nematodes (EPNs) are commonly used biocontrol agents of insect pests, with a wide range of commercially available isolates targeting specific pests. New isolates are, however, required to improve pest control across a wider range of environmental conditions for target pests, including emerging threats. We assessed the effect of temperature on survival and virulence of 17 Australian isolates of five EPN species ( Heterorhabditis bacteriophora , Heterorhabditis indica , Heterorhabditis marelatus , Heterorhabditis zealandica and Steinernema feltiae ) against larvae and pupae of the Queensland fruit fly, Bactrocera tryoni . All isolates still infected and killed larvae after infective juveniles (IJ) had been kept without insect hosts at 15 °C, 25 °C or 30 °C for two weeks, indicating their potential to remain viable under field conditions. However, the mean LD 50 value ranged from 35 to 150 and was generally lower at 15 °C than at 25 °C and 30 °C. Similarly, after IJs had been kept at 25 °C for 1–3 weeks without insect hosts, all isolates infected B. tryoni larvae, with mean LD 50 values ranging from 25 to 144. Interestingly, 15 isolates infected and killed B. tryoni pupae after one week, with a mean LD 50 value between 130 and 209, but only two isolates after two weeks, with a mean LD 50 value between 229 to 209. No pupal mortality was seen after three weeks. In absence of hosts, EPNs survived longer at 15 °C and 25 °C than at 30 °C. Complete EPN mortality occurred after nine weeks at 30 °C, and after 18 weeks at 15 °C and 25 °C, except for some survival in one S. feltiae isolate (Sf.ECCS). Overall, six isolates of H. indica (Hi.HRN2, Hi.LMI2, Hi.QF6), H. bacteriophora (Hb.HIE), H. zealandica (Hz.NAR1) and S. feltiae (Sf.ECCS) performed best and need further testing as potential biocontrol agents against B. tryoni under semi-field and field conditions.

Detailed look at paralysis of hosts by the ectoparasitoid Habrobracon hebetor (Hymenoptera: Braconidae): does more efficient paralysis mean more effective parasitism? - Lucas Vinicius Cantori; Adriano Gomes Garcia; Alexandre de Sene Pinto; Wesley Augusto Conde Godoy; José Roberto Postali Parra (BioControl, 2022)

Birds as potential suppressing agents of eucalypt plantations’ insect pests - Luis P. da Silva; Daniela Oliveira; Sónia Ferreira; Catarina I. Gonçalves; Carlos Valente; Vanessa A. Mata (BioControl, 2022)

Soil isolation, identification, and virulence testing of Turkish entomopathogenic fungal strains: a potential native isolate of Beauveria bassiana for the control of Leptinotarsa decemlineata - Serkan Keçili; Ali Bakır; Alperen Kutalmış; Tayyib Çelik; Ali Sevim (BioControl, 2022)

Can the ladybird predator Scymnus nubilus contribute to control of the aphid Aphis frangulae, a pest threatening the Macaronesia endemic Frangula azorica? - Isabel Borges; Patrícia Arruda; Roberto Meseguer; Virgilio Vieira; Gemma Pons-Solé; António Onofre Soares (BioControl, 2022)

Multitrophic interactions of entomopathogenic fungi in BioControl - Enrique Quesada-Moraga; Inmaculada Garrido-Jurado; Meelad Yousef-Yousef; Natalia González-Mas (BioControl, 2022)
Biocontrol with hypocrealean entomopathogenic fungi (EF) is a key tool to develop Integrated Pest Management (IPM) programs for the progressive replacement of synthetic chemical insecticides with more environmentally friendly pest control measures. These fungi stand out among entomopathogens not only for their contact mechanism of infection through the arthropod integument, but also for developing close associations with plants including the endophytic lifestyle and rhizosphere competence that can enable them to make broader contributions to IPM and crop production. Anyhow, the interaction of EF with the plants incorporates multitrophic complexity at different levels including insect pests, plants, and their natural enemies. The aim of the present review was to gather and summarize all available data on multitrophic interactions of EF. These fungi can influence both the chemical ecology of host-plant selection by insect pests and the host or prey selection by parasitoid or predators, respectively. Moreover, EF treatments are compatible with natural enemies in terms of safety and effectiveness, which could allow biocontrol strategies for their synergistic application in IPM programs. A comprehensive understanding of the impact of these multitrophic interactions in longer term, farm-level real-life biocontrol implementation studies will provide new opportunities in plant protection and production.

New players in the field: Ecology and biocontrol potential of three species of mollusc-parasitic nematodes of the genus Phasmarhabditis - Jiří Nermuť; Miroslav Holley; Lukas Florian Ortmayer; Vladimír Půža (BioControl, 2022)

Walking activity of a predatory ladybird, Cheilomenes propinqua: impacts of photoperiod, temperature, and starvation - Andrey Ovchinnikov; Sergey Reznik; Olga Bezman-Moseyko; Natalia Belyakova (BioControl, 2022)

Biological control of the Eucalyptus bronze bug Thaumastocoris peregrinus (Hemiptera: Thaumastocoridae) in Argentina: release and recovery of the introduced egg parasitoid Cleruchoides noackae (Hymenoptera: Mymaridae) - Andrea Verónica Andorno; Carmen M. Hernández; Eliana M. Cuello; Cynthia L. Cagnotti; Eduardo N. Botto; Silvia N. López (BioControl, 2022)

Ranking common predators of Bemisia tabaci in Georgia (USA) agricultural landscapes with diagnostic PCR: implications of primer specific post-feeding detection time - Arash Kheirodin; Alvin M. Simmons; Jason M. Schmidt (BioControl, 2022)

Growth and reproduction of monoxenic and polyxenic cultures of the slug-parasitic nematodes Phasmarhabditis spp. in naturally occurring organic substrates - Jiří Nermuť; Miroslav Holley; Vladimír Půža (BioControl, 2022)

Control of Echinothrips americanus on lima bean by Franklinothrips vespiformis crawford using supplemental food - Erich N. Schoeller; Cindy L. McKenzie; Lance S. Osborne (BioControl, 2022)

Correction to: Screening commercial entomopathogenic fungi for the management of Diaphorina citri populations in the Lower Rio Grande Valley, Texas, USA - Justin Wendel; Jonathan Cisneros; Stefan Jaronski; Christopher Vitek; Matthew Ciomperlik; Daniel Flores (BioControl, 2022)

Monitoring the impact of introduced emerald ash borer parasitoids: factors affecting Oobius agrili dispersal and parasitization of sentinel host eggs - Nicole F. Quinn; Jian J. Duan; Joseph Elkinton (BioControl, 2022)

Biocontrol of fire blight via microcapsule-mediated delivery of the bacterial antagonist Pantoea agglomerans E325 to apple blossoms - In-Yong Kim; Benjamin Lew; Youfu Zhao; Schuyler S. Korban; Hyungsoo Choi; Kyekyoon Kim (BioControl, 2022)

Cross-protection of oilseed rape against Verticillium longisporum by the non-aggressive lineage A1/D2 - Marta Vega-Marin; Andreas von Tiedemann (BioControl, 2022)
Verticillium longisporum is a soil-borne vascular pathogen of oilseed rape and other Brassica crops. The limited availability of chemical control measures against vascular pathogens calls for the exploration of control alternatives. Cross-protection may be conveyed by the use of non-pathogenic or non-aggressive isolates of potential pathogens as biocontrol agents. V. longisporum consists of three lineages that originated from three independent hybridization events of four haploid Verticillium parents. Previous pathogenicity tests in the greenhouse have shown that lineage A1/D2 is non-pathogenic or non-aggressive on different Brassica and non- Brassica hosts. Thus, the cross-protection potential of the A1/D2 lineage against an aggressive V. longisporum isolate in oilseed rape was tested. With root-dip inoculation, A1/D2 reduced disease symptoms when applied before or at the same time as the aggressive isolate. The induction of salicylic acid, a signal known to play a role in basal and cultivar-related resistance, was not involved in the biocontrol mechanism. The most practical and best feasible method of application as a seed coat failed to confirm the biocontrol effect of A1/D2 observed with root-dip inoculation. Confocal microscopy analysis revealed that seed coating led to insufficient A1/D2 hyphal establishment on the roots compared to root-dip inoculation, which may explain the lack of a biocontrol effect after seed coating and illustrates the importance of the application method for efficacy of a cross-protective biocontrol agent.

Optimization of mass rearing of Aphidius matricariae on tritrophic plant-aphid-parasitoid systems - Mehran Rezaei; Ali Asghar Talebi; Yaghoub Fathipour; Javad Karimzadeh; Mohammad Mehrabadi; Gadi V. P. Reddy (BioControl, 2022)

Ant-psyllid mutualism affects predation of Diaphorina citri by lady beetle larvae and abundance of psyllid natural enemies - Binita Shrestha; Angelique Hoyte; Lukasz L. Stelinski (BioControl, 2022)

Improving biological control of the invasive aquatic weed, Alternanthera philoxeroides: cold tolerance of Amynothrips andersoni (Thysanoptera: Phlaeothripidae) and the short-term feeding impact on different host haplotypes - Ian A. Knight; Nathan E. Harms (BioControl, 2022)

Effects of long-term cold storage on maternal and progeny fitness of laboratory-reared Harmonia axyridis adults - Yuan-Xing Sun; Ya-Nan Hao; Jing-Jiang Zhou; Chang-Zhong Liu; Sen-Shan Wang (BioControl, 2022)

Biological control of a fungus Ustilaginoidea virens causing false smut of rice - Mathew S. Baite; S. R. Prabhukarthikeyan; S. Raghu (BioControl, 2022)

Best of both worlds: The thermal physiology of Hydrellia egeriae, a biological control agent for the submerged aquatic weed, Egeria densa in South Africa - Rosali Smith; Julie Angela Coetzee; Martin Patrick Hill (BioControl, 2022)

Molecular and morphological identification of the alfalfa weevil larval parasitoids Bathyplectes anura and Bathyplectes curculionis to estimate the rate of parasitism - Alexandre Levi-Mourao; Pilar Muñoz; Pedro Cerda-Bennasser; Roberto Meseguer; Xavier Pons (BioControl, 2022)
The alfalfa weevil ( Hypera postica Gyllenhal, Coleoptera: Curculionidae) is a major pest of alfalfa crops. Chemical control measures are inefficient, but the larvae are often infested by parasitoid wasps of the genus Bathyplectes Förster (Hymenoptera: Ichneumonidae), which offer a potential biological control strategy. The development of effective biological control requires the identification of parasitoid species, but conventional methods involve the rearing of parasitoids to the puparium stage for morphological confirmation. Here we designed a PCR method in which two pairs of primers are used to detect and identify Bathyplectes curculionis Thomson and Bathyplectes anura Thomson larvae in a faster way. We compared conventional rearing to the new method as a means to determine the parasitism rates caused by each species in Spain during the 2019 and 2020 seasons. In 2019, the PCR method detected five times as many B. curculionis events and twice as many B. anura events. Similarly, in 2020, the PCR method detected seven times as many B. curculionis events and twice as many B. anura events. High mortality of H. postica larvae was recorded in 2020 due to an epizootic attack by the fungus Zoophthora phytonomi Arthur (Zygomycetes: Entomophthorales), explaining the lower overall rate of parasitism and the widespread death of the larvae. Statistical analysis confirmed that the PCR method is more sensitive than conventional rearing for the detection of target parasitoids. However, only rearing can confirm the effective parasitism or the presence of unexpected species. We therefore recommend the use of both methods in parallel when evaluating host–parasitoid systems.

The role of intercrops of eggplant and cowpea on the control of Leucinodes orbonalis guenee (Lepidoptera: Crambidae) - Seyed Ali Asghar Fathi (BioControl, 2022)

Effects of intraguild predation and cannibalism in two generalist phytoseiid species on prey density of the pink citrus rust mite in the presence of high-quality food - Yuta Tsuchida; Shinichi Masui; Atsushi Kasai (BioControl, 2022)

Intraguild predation does not necessarily have negative effects on pest biological control: insights from a multiple consumer-multiple resource food web population model - Michel Iskin da S. Costa; Lucas dos Anjos (BioControl, 2022)

The effect of mixtures of Bacillus thuringiensis-based insecticide and multiple nucleopolyhedrovirus of Lymantria dispar L. in combination with an optical brightener on L. dispar larvae - Yuriy Akhanaev; Sergey Pavlushin; Olga Polenogova; Tatyana Klementeva; Darya Lebedeva; Olesya Okhlopkova; Alexey Kolosov; Vyacheslav Martemyanov (BioControl, 2022)

Diets for Tamarixia triozae adults before releasing in augmentative biological control - Chen Chen; Xiong Z. He; Peng Zhou; Qiao Wang (BioControl, 2022)
The effectiveness of augmentative biological control using parasitoids often depends on their physiological state and the pest population density at the time of release. Tamarixia triozae (Burks) (Hymenoptera: Eulophidae) is a primary host-feeding parasitoid of a serious invasive pest Bactericera cockerelli (Šulc) (Hemiptera: Triozidae). Here we investigated the effects of adult diets (honey, water, yeast, and hosts) and timing of their provision on T. triozae fitness and oviposition patterns, providing knowledge for enhancement of its biological control potential. Adults fed with honey for four days with no access to hosts or with water or yeast for one day followed by host feeding for three days had similar longevity and lifetime pest killing ability. Adults fed with only water for one day before release had significantly greater intrinsic rate of increase, shorter doubling time, and higher daily fecundity peak. Adults fed with honey or yeast for one day followed by host feeding for three days significantly flattened their daily oviposition curves. These findings have several implications for augmentative biological control using T. triozae . First, honey diet may allow at least four days for successful shipment of host-deprived adults without compromising biological control effectiveness. Second, the release of host-deprived adults with one-day water feeding may achieve rapid pest suppression when the pest population density is high. Finally, releasing host-deprived adults with one-day honey or yeast feeding followed by three-day host feeding can increase their establishment success and reduce the risk of massive removal of hosts when the pest population density is low.

Chemotactic response and motility of the mollusc parasitic nematode Phasmarhabditis papillosa towards mucus from different mollusc species - Žiga Laznik; Kristijan Franin; Stanislav Trdan; Matej Vidrih; Ivana Majić (BioControl, 2022)

Ground beetle assemblages and distribution of functional traits in olive orchards and vineyards depend on the agricultural management practice - Lucija Šerić Jelaska; Lara Ivanković Tatalović; Fran Kostanjšek; Tomislav Kos (BioControl, 2022)

Exploitation of herbivore-induced cotton volatiles by the parasitic wasp Bracon vulgaris reveals a dominant chemotactic effect of terpenoids - Izabela Thaís Fidelis Alves Da Silva; Diego Martins Magalhães; Miguel Borges; Raúl Alberto Laumann; Carlos Henrique De Brito; José Ednilson Miranda; Maria Carolina Blassioli-Moraes (BioControl, 2022)

The combination of Neosartorya (Aspergillus) fischeri antifungal proteins with rationally designed γ-core peptide derivatives is effective for plant and crop protection - Liliána Tóth; Péter Poór; Attila Ördög; Györgyi Váradi; Attila Farkas; Csaba Papp; Gábor Bende; Gábor K. Tóth; Gábor Rákhely; Florentine Marx; László Galgóczy (BioControl, 2022)
Plant pathogenic fungi are responsible for enormous crop losses worldwide. Overcoming this problem is challenging as these fungi can be highly resistant to approved chemical fungicides. There is thus a need to develop and introduce fundamentally new plant and crop protection strategies for sustainable agricultural production. Highly stable extracellular antifungal proteins (AFPs) and their rationally designed peptide derivatives (PDs) constitute feasible options to meet this challenge. In the present study, their potential for topical application to protect plants and crops as combinatorial biofungicides is supported by the investigation of two Neosartorya ( Aspergillus ) fischeri AFPs (NFAP and NFAP2) and their γ-core PDs. Previously, the biofungicidal potential of NFAP, its rationally designed γ-core PD (γ NFAP -opt), and NFAP2 was reported. Susceptibility tests in the present study extended the in vitro antifungal spectrum of NFAP2 and its γ-core PD (γ NFAP2 -opt) to Botrytis , Cladosporium , and Fusarium spp. Besides, in vitro additive or indifferent interactions, and synergism were observed when NFAP or NFAP2 was applied in combination with γ NFAP -opt. Except for γ NFAP2 -opt, the investigated proteins and peptides did not show any toxicity to tomato plant leaves. The application of NFAP in combination with γ NFAP -opt effectively inhibited conidial germination, biofilm formation, and hyphal extension of the necrotrophic mold Botrytis cinerea on tomato plant leaves. However, the same combination only partially impeded the B. cinerea -mediated decay of tomato fruits, but mitigated the symptoms. Our results highlight the feasibility of using the combination of AFP and PD as biofungicide for the fungal infection control in plants and crops.

What would be representative temperatures for shelf-life studies with biopesticides in tropical countries? Estimates through long-term storage of biocontrol fungi and calculation of mean kinetic temperatures - Marcos Faria; Luís Alberto Martins Palhares; Daniela Aguiar Souza; Rogerio Biaggioni Lopes (BioControl, 2022)

How pollen grains of 23 plant species affect performance of the predatory mite Neoseiulus californicus - Narges Eini; Shahriar Jafari; Yaghoub Fathipour; Myron P. Zalucki (BioControl, 2022)

Molecular characterization of two MAPK genes and their thermotolerant functions in a high temperature acclimated strain of Neoseiulus barkeri - Ya-Ying Li; Chuan-Bei Tian; Yi-Xia Wu; Tian-Di Niu; Wen-Qiang Chu; Huai Liu (BioControl, 2022)

Evaluation of egg parasitoid Hadronotus pennsylvanicus as a prospective biocontrol agent of the leaffooted bug Leptoglossus zonatus - Robert K. Straser; Kent M. Daane; Elijah Talamas; Houston Wilson (BioControl, 2022)
The western leaffooted bug, Leptoglossus zonatus (Dallas) (Heteroptera: Coreidae), is a key pest of almonds and pistachios in the USA. With limited monitoring strategies and no economic threshold developed, the use of broad-spectrum insecticides remains the primary control tactic for L. zonatus . In pursuit of more sustainable management options, experiments were carried out to assess the biocontrol potential of the egg parasitoid Hadronotus pennsylvanicus (Ashmead) (Hymenoptera: Scelionidae) against L. zonatus . Biological and demographical attributes of H. pennsylvanicus were evaluated under controlled laboratory conditions. Mated females lived on average 116 days. However, female longevity declined by 74% when provided with host eggs, and by 97% when deprived of a suitable diet. Females produced an average 39.70 offspring, with peak fecundity observed within the first week of their lifespan. The total progeny was on average 92.75% female. Non-reproductive host mortality accounted for > 52% of the total egg mortality observed within the first two weeks, and represented the majority of total host egg mortality thereafter. Age of host eggs did not influence parasitism rates. Under laboratory conditions, H. pennsylvanicus exhibits suitable demographic and reproductive traits as a candidate biocontrol agent of L. zonatus . Further research is needed to determine how to best manipulate and enhance H. pennsylvanicus populations to promote biocontrol of L. zonatus under field conditions.

Screening commercial entomopathogenic fungi for the management of Diaphorina citri populations in the Lower Rio Grande Valley, Texas, USA - Justin Wendel; Jonathan Cisneros; Stefan Jaronski; Christopher Vitek; Matthew Ciomperlik; Daniel Flores (BioControl, 2022)
Ten strains of entomopathogenic ascomycete fungi, sourced from commercial formulations of blastopore or conidiospore formulations, were tested in 14 different formulations in a primary acquisition/direct spray bioassay against adult Asian citrus psyllid ( Diaphorina citr i Kuwayama (Hemiptera: Liviidae)). The Cordyceps ( Isaria ) javanica Apopka 97-C (conidia) strain was used as the standard. A statistical ranking system was established in which top performing pathogenic strains were selected for further screening and eventual field trials. Modified Potter-type spray towers were utilized to deliver a range of doses of viable spores to adult D. citri in an aqueous spray consistent with the rate of spores per hectare often used in real-world spray applications. Mortality was assessed after a seven-day incubation period under controlled climate conditions reflecting those in the Lower Rio Grande Valley (LRGV) of Texas, USA. Of the 14 preparations, the strains Metarhizium anisopliae E9, C. fumosorosea Ifr9901, Beauveria bassiana ATCC 74040 and ANT-03, M. anisopliae ESALQ1037, and M. robertsii DWR2009, showed greater levels of mortality than the standard, Apopka 97-C, in the laboratory setting. Of those six, two (Ifr9901 and ANT-03) were selected for further evaluation based on efficacy, commercial availability, geographical registration, and market outlook on production.

Predator functional responses and the biocontrol of aphids and mites - John P. DeLong; Stella F. Uiterwaal (BioControl, 2022)

Choice behavior of the generalist pentatomid predator Podisus maculiventris when offered lepidopteran larvae infected with an entomopathogenic fungus - Pasco B. Avery; Justin George; Larry Markle; Xavier Martini; Amy L. Rowley; Robert L. Meagher; Rachel E. Barger; Emily B. Duren; Janet S. Dawson; Ronald D. Cave (BioControl, 2022)

Ribosomal ITS sequence-directed selection for endophytic Myrothecium strains antagonistic to Ralstonia solanacearum to control patchouli bacterial wilt - Wenguang Shi; Jiaqi Li; Huaxiong Yao; Jianbin Li; Meiqi Chen; Danting Chen; Yinghao Fu; Huarong Xie; Zujun Deng (BioControl, 2022)

Long-term effects of cattail Typha latifolia pollen on development, reproduction, and predation capacity of Neoseiulus cucumeris, a predator of Tetranychus urticae - Mohammad Gravandian; Yaghoub Fathipour; Hamidreza Hajiqanbar; Elham Riahi; Eric W. Riddick (BioControl, 2022)

Bacteria in the genus Streptomyces are effective biological control agents for management of fungal plant pathogens: a meta-analysis - Nicholas LeBlanc (BioControl, 2022)

Rice-associated antagonistic bacteria suppress the Fusarium fujikoroi causing rice bakanae disease - Mah-E-Neema Nawaz; Kamran Malik; Muhammad Nadeem Hassan (BioControl, 2022)

Performance and host finding behavior in relation to host age of Cosmocomoidea annulicornis, egg parasitoid of a sharpshooter vector of the citrus variegated chlorosis - Carolina Manzano; Nicolás A. Melchert; Maria V. Coll Araoz; Eduardo G. Virla; Erica Luft Albarracin (BioControl, 2022)

Potential of wax degrading bacteria for management of the citrus mealybug, Planococcus citri - R. K. Gupta; Ramandeep Kour; Mudasir Gani; M. A. Guroo; Kamlesh Bali (BioControl, 2022)

Compatibility of a biopesticide based on the yeast Rhodotorula mucilaginosa (Lv316) with chemical fungicides used in blackberry crops - L. Uribe-Gutiérrez; C. A. Moreno-Velandia; L. F. Villamizar (BioControl, 2022)

Reproductive traits of the egg parasitoid Aprostocetus fukutai, a promising biological control agent for invasive citrus longhorned beetle Anoplophora chinensis - Xingeng Wang; Nathalie Ramualde; Gaylord A. Desurmont; Lincoln Smith; Dawn E. Gundersen-Rindal; Michael J. Grodowitz (BioControl, 2022)

Beta-ionone is a functional plant volatile that attracts the parasitic wasp, Microplitis pallidipes - Hao Zhang; Jin-Yan Wang; Yi-Juan Chen; Evan Siemann; Xiang-Yun Ji; Jie-Xian Jiang; Nian-Feng Wan (BioControl, 2022)

A fungal glycoprotein mitigates passion fruit woodiness disease caused by Cowpea aphid-borne mosaic virus (CABMV) in Passiflora edulis - José Leonardo Santos-Jiménez; Caroline de Barros Montebianco; Andreza Henrique Vidal; Simone G. Ribeiro; Eliana Barreto-Bergter; Maite Freitas Silva Vaslin (BioControl, 2022)

Strategic positioning of Beauveria bassiana sensu lato JEF-410 in management of poultry red mite, Dermanyssus gallinae (Mesostigmata: Dermanyssidae) - So Eun Park; Mi Rong Lee; Se Jin Lee; Jong Cheol Kim; Bruce L. Parker; Kyeong Seon Ryu; Chun Ik Lim; Jae Su Kim (BioControl, 2022)

Isolation and molecular characterization of five entomopathogenic nematode species and their bacterial symbionts from eastern Australia - Sitaram Aryal; Uffe N. Nielsen; Nanette H. Sumaya; Stefano De Faveri; Craig Wilson; Markus Riegler (BioControl, 2022)

Using molecular gut content analysis to identify key predators in a classical weed biological control system: a study with Neomusotima conspurcatalis (Lepidoptera: Crambidae) - Ian M. Jones; Paul T. Madeira; J. Zizah Blair; Ellen C. Lake (BioControl, 2021)

Application of predator-associated cues to control small brown planthoppers: non-consumptive effects of predators suppress the pest population - Jian Wen; Takatoshi Ueno (BioControl, 2021)

Bacterial communities in predatory mites are associated with species and diet types - Jingyi Yan; Bo Zhang; Guiting Li; Xuenong Xu (BioControl, 2021)

Density-dependent interactions between the nematode Meloidogyne incognita and the biological control agent Agasicles hygrophila on invasive Alternanthera philoxeroides and its native congener Alternantera sessilis - Hairong Qin; Wenfeng Guo; Xiaoqiong Li (BioControl, 2021)

The effect of insecticide application by dropleg sprayers on pollen beetle parasitism in oilseed rape - Johannes Hausmann; Udo Heimbach; Michael Rostás; Meike Brandes (BioControl, 2021)
Dropleg sprayers apply pesticides below the flower horizon of oilseed rape plants and thus reduce unwanted side effects on pollinating insects. Whether this technique benefits parasitoids of seed and pollen feeding insect pests has not been studied earlier. To answer this question, we first assessed the vertical distribution of pests and parasitoids using a portable aspirator. In addition, parasitism rates of pollen beetle, Brassicogethes aeneus Fabricius (Coleoptera: Nitidulidae) , by the larval parasitoid Tersilochus heterocerus Thomson (Hymenoptera: Ichneumonidae) were compared in conventional and dropleg sprayed fields over four years (2016–2019), using the neonicotinoids thiacloprid and acetamiprid. Our results show that seed and pollen feeders were mainly found in the flowering canopy, while the predominant location of parasitoids was species-specific. Among pollen beetle parasitoids, Phradis interstitialis Thomson (Hymenoptera: Ichneumonidae) was more abundant below flowering canopy (63% of total catch), whereas T. heterocerus was mainly caught in the flowering canopy (84% of total catch). In the spraying experiments, average parasitism rates of pollen beetles by T. heterocerus ranged between 55 and 82% in the untreated controls. In the dropleg spray treatments, parasitism rates did not differ significantly from control levels, with the exception of thiacloprid application in 2019. In contrast, conventional spray applications resulted in a reduction of parasitism rates by up to 37% compared to the control for at least one of the insecticides in three out of four years. The impact of conventional application differed between years, which may be explained by the temporal coincidence between spray application and the immigration of parasitoids into the crop. We conclude that dropleg spraying exerts lower non-target effects on the main biological control agent of pollen beetle.

The prospects for cryopreservation of noctuid eggs in the mass production of Trichogramma spp. - Magda F. Paixão; Tamara A. Takahashi; Guilherme L. Sassaki; Luís A. Foerster (BioControl, 2021)

Evaluation of four artificial diets on demography parameters of Neoseiulus barkeri - Ya-Ying Li; Jin-Ge Yuan; Ming-Xiu Liu; Zi-Hui Zhang; Hai-Wei Zhou; Huai Liu (BioControl, 2021)

Contrasting host: parasitoid synchrony drives differing levels of biocontrol by two introduced Microctonus spp. in northern New Zealand pastures - Philippa Gerard; Derrick Wilson; Martin Upsdell (BioControl, 2021)

Host specificity testing of Pauesia nigrovaria (Hymenoptera: Braconidae: Aphidiinae) for classical biological control of Tuberolachnus salignus (Hemiptera: Aphididae: Lachninae) in New Zealand - Stephanie Sopow; Carl Wardhaugh; Rebecca Turner; Belinda Gresham; Roanne Sutherland; Georgia Woodall; Toni Withers (BioControl, 2021)

Enhanced expression of DNA methyltransferase 1-associated protein1 gene thermotolerance in a high-temperature acclimated predatory mite Neoseiulus barkeri - Ya-Ying Li; Chuan-Bei Tian; Yi-Xia Wu; Tian-Di Niu; Hao Wang; Wen-Hui Fan; Huai Liu (BioControl, 2021)

Loop-mediated isothermal amplification based identification of entomopathogenic nematodes Heterorhabditis spp. and Steinernema spp. from soil DNA - Gagandeep Singh; Amit Ahuja; Uma Rao; Vishal Singh Somvanshi (BioControl, 2021)

Mutual interference in the mass-reared fruit fly parasitoid, Diachasmimorpha longicaudata (Hymenoptera: Braconidae) - Patricia López; Daniel Rosales; Salvador Flores; Pablo Montoya (BioControl, 2021)

Specialized soil types affect host acceptability and performance of weed biocontrol candidates: implications for host specificity assessments - Sujan Panta; Philip Weyl; Sanford D. Eigenbrode; Bradley L. Harmon; Mark Schwarzländer (BioControl, 2021)

Suitability for classical biological control of Hedychium coronarium in Argentina - Fernando Mc Kay; Djamila Djeddour; Alejandro Sosa; Guillermo Cabrera Walsh; Freda E. Anderson; Andrés Sánchez-Restrepo (BioControl, 2021)

Natural enemies associated with Tuta absoluta and functional biodiversity in vegetable crops - Judit Arnó; Paula Molina; Yahana Aparicio; Carmen Denis; Rosa Gabarra; Jordi Riudavets (BioControl, 2021)

Tachinids associated with lepidopteran pests in agricultural crops in south-central region of Goiás, Brazil - Igor Daniel Weber; Welinton Ribamar Lopes; Letícia Chiara Baldassio de Paula; Karina Cordeiro Albernaz-Godinho; Cecilia Czepak (BioControl, 2021)

Non-consumptive effects of Encarsia formosa on the reproduction and metabolism of the whitefly Bemisia tabaci - Ze-Yun Fan; Zhan-Peng Zhu; Jing Peng; Xin-Yi Chen; Zi-Tong Lu; Hui-Peng Pan; Bao-Li Qiu (BioControl, 2021)

Genetic improvement of spinosad resistance in the biocontrol agent Orius laevigatus - Virginia Balanza; José Enrique Mendoza; Dina Cifuentes; Pablo Bielza (BioControl, 2021)

Effect of tomato genotypes with varying levels of susceptibility to Tetranychus evansi on performance and predation capacity of Phytoseiulus longipes - Patrice Jacob Savi; Gilberto José de Moraes; Daniel Júnior de Andrade (BioControl, 2021)

Screening for effective microbial consortia against Fusarium wilt of cape gooseberry (Physalis peruviana) - L. F. Izquierdo-García; A. M. Cotes; C. A. Moreno-Velandia (BioControl, 2021)

Tracking the movement of Nesidiocoris tenuis among banker plants and crops in a tomato greenhouse by DNA markers of host plants - Ryohei Nakano; Norihide Hinomoto (BioControl, 2021)

Intraspecific variation in biocontrol traits in Mastrus ridens (Hymenoptera: Ichneumonidae) laboratory populations - Tania Zaviezo; Alda Romero; Felipe Calleja; Cristóbal Calvo; Roberto Osorio; Fernando Casanoves; Paula Irles (BioControl, 2021)

Provision of astigmatid mites as supplementary food increases the density of the predatory mite Amblyseius swirskii in greenhouse crops, but does not support the omnivorous pest, western flower thrips - Fatemeh Pirayeshfar; Seyed Ali Safavi; Hamid Reza Sarraf Moayeri; Gerben J. Messelink (BioControl, 2021)
Astigmatid mites can be used as prey for mass rearing of phytoseiid predators, but also as a supplemental food source to support predator populations in crops. Here we evaluated the potential of six species of astigmatid mites (living or frozen) as alternative food for the predatory mite Amblyseius swirskii Athias-Henriot in greenhouse crops. All prey mites tested were suitable for predator oviposition. In general, oviposition was greater when prey mites were reared on dog food with yeast than when they were reared on wheat bran with yeast. Amongst prey items provided as frozen diet, larvae of Thyreophagus entomophagus (Laboulbene), Acarus siro L. and Lepidoglyphus destructor (Schrank) that had been reared on dog food with yeast, resulted in the highest oviposition rates of A. swirskii . T. entomophagus larvae as frozen diet resulted in the shortest preimaginal developmental time of A. swirskii . On chrysanthemum plants, we found that the greatest increase in predator density occurred when living mites of T. entomophagous were used as a food source. This increase was greater than when predators were fed cattail pollen, a commonly used supplemental food. Effects on predators of providing living A. siro and L. destructor , or frozen larvae of T. entomophagous as food, were comparable with provision of pollen. Use of supplemental food in crops can be a risk if it is also consumed by omnivorous pests such as western flower thrips, Frankliniella occidentalis Pergande. However, we showed that both frozen and living mites of T. entomophagous were unsuitable for thrips oviposition. Hence, we believe that provision of prey mite species increases A. swirskii density, supporting biological control of thrips and other pests in greenhouse crops.

Nutritional niche overlap analysis as a method to identify potential biocontrol fungi against trunk pathogens - C. M. Wallis (BioControl, 2021)

Efficacy of Wickerhamomyces anomalus yeast in the biocontrol of blue mold decay in apples and investigation of the mechanisms involved - Lina Zhao; Yuanjian Wang; Solairaj Dhanasekaran; Zhipeng Guo; Shangjian Chen; Xiaoyun Zhang; Hongyin Zhang (BioControl, 2021)

Eriophyid mite Floracarus perrepae readily colonizes recovering invasive vine Lygodium microphyllum following herbicide treatment - Aaron S. David; Jonathan S. Glueckert; Stephen F. Enloe; Andrea Carmona Cortes; Anwar A. Abdel-Kader; Ellen C. Lake (BioControl, 2021)

Biological control of strawberry crown rot, root rot and grey mould by the beneficial fungus Aureobasidium pullulans - Mudassir Iqbal; Maha Jamshaid; Muhammad Awais Zahid; Erik Andreasson; Ramesh R. Vetukuri; Johan A. Stenberg (BioControl, 2021)
Utilization of biocontrol agents is a sustainable approach to reduce plant diseases caused by fungal pathogens. In the present study, we tested the effect of the candidate biocontrol fungus Aureobasidium pullulans (De Bary) G. Armaud on strawberry under in vitro and in vivo conditions to control crown rot, root rot and grey mould caused by Phytophthora cactorum (Lebert and Cohn) and Botrytis cinerea Pers, respectively. A dual plate confrontation assay showed that mycelial growth of P. cactorum and B. cinerea was reduced by 33–48% when challenged by A. pullulans as compared with control treatments. Likewise, detached leaf and fruit assays showed that A. pullulans significantly reduced necrotic lesion size on leaves and disease severity on fruits caused by P. cactorum and B. cinerea . In addition, greenhouse experiments with whole plants revealed enhanced biocontrol efficacy against root rot and grey mould when treated with A. pullulans either in combination with the pathogen or pre-treated with A. pullulans followed by inoculation of the pathogens. Our results demonstrate that A. pullulans is an effective biocontrol agent to control strawberry diseases caused by fungal pathogens and can be an effective alternative to chemical-based fungicides.

Efficacy of Entomopathogenic fungus Aspergillus nomius against Dolichoderus thoracicus - Wei-Jiun Lin; Ming-Chung Chiu; Chung-Chi Lin; Yuan-Kai Chung; Jui-Yu Chou (BioControl, 2021)

Do the beneficial fungi manage phytosanitary problems in the tea agro-ecosystem? - Abhay K. Pandey; Bhabesh Deka; Richa Varshney; Evelyn Chepkirui Cheramgoi; Azariah Babu (BioControl, 2021)

Impact of relative humidity and water availability on the life history of the predatory mite Amblyseius swirskii - Phyu Phyu San; Midori Tuda; Masami Takagi (BioControl, 2021)

Potential of the predatory mite Amblydromalus zannoui to control pest mites on Jatropha curcas - Valdirene Coutinho Miranda; Emiliano Brandão de Azevedo; Wilton Pires da Cruz; Sofía Jiménez Jorge; Marçal Pedro-Neto; Raphael de Campos Castilho; Marie-Stéphane Tixier; Gilberto José de Moraes; Renato Almeida Sarmento (BioControl, 2021)

Entomopathogenic nematodes and fungi to control Hyalesthes obsoletus (Hemiptera: Auchenorrhyncha: Cixiidae) - Abdelhameed Moussa; Michael Maixner; Dietrich Stephan; Giacomo Santoiemma; Alessandro Passera; Nicola Mori; Fabio Quaglino (BioControl, 2021)
Hyalesthes obsoletus Signoret (Hemiptera: Auchenorrhyncha: Cixiidae) is a univoltine, polyphagous planthopper that completes its life cycle, including the subterranean nymph cryptic stage, on herbaceous weeds. In vineyards, it can transmit ‘ Candidatus Phytoplasma solani’, an obligate parasitic bacterium associated with bois noir (BN) disease of grapevine, from its host plants to grapevine when occasionally feeding on the latter. The main disease management strategies are based on vector(s) control. Insecticide treatments on grapevine canopy are completely inefficient on H. obsoletus , due to its life cycle. Consequently, control of this planthopper focuses on the nymphs living on the roots of their host plants. Such practices, based on herbicide application and/or weed management, can reduce vector density in the vineyard but can impact the environment or may not be applicable, highlighting the necessity for alternative strategies. In this study, the efficacy of entomopathogenic nematodes (EPNs; Steinernema carpocapsae , S. feltiae , Heterorhabditis bacteriophora ) and fungi (EPFs; Beauveria bassiana , Metarhizium anisopliae , Isaria fumosorosea , Lecanicillium muscarium ) against H. obsoletus nymphs (EPNs) and adults (EPNs and EPFs) was assessed under laboratory and greenhouse conditions. The majority of examined EPNs and EPFs were able to kill H. obsoletus exhibiting a range of effectiveness. S. carpocapsae (among EPNs) and I. fumosorosea (among EPFs) were found to be the most effective biocontrol agents in all trials carried out. Advantages and limitations of such promising biocontrol agents were discussed. Ecological competency and conditions that can impede or enhance the EPNs and EPFs performance should be investigated to optimize their performance under field conditions.

Correction to: Cleome hassleriana plants fully support the development and reproduction of Nesidiocoris tenuis - Ryohei Nakano; Taiki Morita; Yuta Okamoto; Ayaka Fujiwara; Takehiko Yamanaka; Tetsuya Adachi-Hagimori (BioControl, 2021)

Effects of temperature and relative humidity on Aflatoxin B1 reduction in corn grains and antagonistic activities against Aflatoxin-producing Aspergillus flavus by a volatile organic compound-producing yeast, Kwoniella heveanensis DMKU-CE82 - Sopin Jaibangyang; Rujikan Nasanit; Savitree Limtong (BioControl, 2021)

Cleome hassleriana plants fully support the development and reproduction of Nesidiocoris tenuis - Ryohei Nakano; Taiki Morita; Yuta Okamoto; Ayaka Fujiwara; Takehiko Yamanaka; Tetsuya Adachi-Hagimori (BioControl, 2021)

Age and parasitism status of Tuta absoluta eggs alter the foraging responses of the predator Nabis pseudoferus - Marzieh Mohammadpour; J. P. Michaud; Mojtaba Hosseini; Javad Karimi; Vahid Hosseininaveh (BioControl, 2021)

Plant defense responses triggered by phytoseiid predatory mites (Mesostigmata: Phytoseiidae) are species-specific, depend on plant genotype and may not be related to direct plant feeding - Joaquín Cruz-Miralles; Marc Cabedo-López; Michela Guzzo; Meritxell Pérez-Hedo; Víctor Flors; Josep A. Jaques (BioControl, 2021)
Zoophytophagous arthropods can elicit plant defense responses affecting potential prey beyond predation. Phytophagy prevails as the main trigger for these responses, as in the case of Euseius stipulatus (Athias-Henriot) (Mesostigmata: Phytoseiidae), a predator occurring in citrus. Because other triggers cannot be excluded, our aim was to examine whether other phytoseiids co-occurring with E. stipulatus but not engaged in plant feeding [ Neoseiulus californicus (McGregor) and Phytoseiulus persimilis Athias-Henriot] could induce similar responses (in terms of herbivore induced plant volatiles, HIPVs, and main defensive pathways), and how these affected the behavior of conspecifics and the shared prey, Tetranychus urticae Koch (Prostigmata: Tetranychidae). N. californicus triggered plant genotype-specific defense responses, including the production of different HIPVs compared to clean plants. However, we could not observe these effects for P. persimilis . T. urticae avoided better protected plants, because of stronger direct or indirect defense. As plants with weaker direct defense levels should offer higher prey densities, and those harboring conspecific predators represent higher risk of cannibalism, predators were expected to behave similarly. However, they did not. Our results demonstrate that plant defense triggered by phytoseiids is species-specific, depend on plant genotype and can be triggered by non-feeding activities. As N. californicus is a highly efficient predator used worldwide, further studies with this species are needed. Likewise, cineol, one of the volatiles identified in the blends triggered by this phytoseiid, could be used to manipulate the prey. These studies could pave the way for a more efficient use of phytoseiids in agroecosystems.

The invasive stink bug Halyomorpha halys affects the reproductive success and the experience-mediated behavioural responses of the egg parasitoid Trissolcus basalis - Ezio Peri; Maria Cristina Foti; Letizia Martorana; Antonino Cusumano; Stefano Colazza (BioControl, 2021)

Potential inter-guild interactions to enhance biological control of Bactericera cockerelli on tomatoes: a laboratory and cage study - Emiliano R. Veronesi; Oluwashola Olaniyan; Howard London; David J. Saville; Stephen D. Wratten (BioControl, 2021)

Establishment of the predator Laricobius nigrinus, introduced as a biological control agent for hemlock woolly adelgid in Virginia, USA - Carrie S. Jubb; Thomas J. McAvoy; Kari E. Stanley; Ariel R. Heminger; Scott M. Salom (BioControl, 2021)

Host discrimination of a larval parasitoid: the quick movement of Microplitis demolitor - Shun-ichiro Takano; Nancy A. Schellhorn (BioControl, 2021)

Response of Pseudomonas tolaasii, the causal agent of mushroom brown blotch disease to the volatile compounds produced by endofungal bacteria - Samira Ghasemi; Behrouz Harighi; Mahdi Mojarrab; Abdolbaset Azizi (BioControl, 2021)

Combined effects of elevated CO2 and temperature on multitrophic interactions involving a parasitoid of plant virus vectors - Ana Moreno-Delafuente; Elisa Viñuela; Alberto Fereres; Pilar Medina; Piotr Trębicki (BioControl, 2021)

Competition between Diachasmimorpha kraussii and Fopius arisanus in Bactrocera tryoni: does native parasitoid-host association matter? - Kiran Mahat; Anthony R. Clarke (BioControl, 2021)

Predatory ability of generalist predators on eggs, young nymphs and adults of the invasive Halyomorpha halys in southern Europe - Giacomo Bulgarini; Zaid Badra; Stefano Leonardi; Lara Maistrello (BioControl, 2021)

Bacillus velezensis RC 218 as a biocontrol agent against Fusarium graminearum: effect on penetration, growth and TRI5 expression in wheat spikes - Renata Cantoro; Juan Manuel Palazzini; Nadia Yerkovich; Daniel Julio Miralles; Sofía Noemi Chulze (BioControl, 2021)

Correction to: Life history traits and host-killing rate of Neochrysocharis formosa on Tuta absoluta - P. Guleria; P. L. Sharma; S. C. Verma; R. S. Chandel (BioControl, 2021)

Correction to: Impact of the exotic fall armyworm on larval parasitoids associated with the lepidopteran maize stemborers in Kenya - Bonoukpoè Mawuko Sokame; Julius Obonyo; Enock Mwangangi Sammy; Samira A. Mohamed; Sevgan Subramanian; Dora Chao Kilalo; Gerald Juma; Paul-André Calatayud (BioControl, 2021)

Demographic parameters of the reduviid predator, Rhynocoris marginatus (Reduviidae: Hemiptera) fed on two lepidopterous insect pests - Muhammad Arshad; Muhammad Irfan Ullah; Rashad Rasool Khan; Sana Anjum; Muhammad Tahir; Adeela Shamshad; Muhammad Rizwan (BioControl, 2021)

A predatory mite as potential biological control agent of Diaphorina citri - Milena O. Kalile; André C. Cardoso; Angelo Pallini; Morgana M. Fonseca; Simon L. Elliot; Verônica S. Fialho; Tércio da S. Carvalho; Arne Janssen (BioControl, 2021)

Host specificity and non-target longevity of Calophya lutea and Calophya terebinthifolii, two potential biological control agents of Brazilian peppertree in Florida, USA - Patricia Prade; Carey R. Minteer; Salvador A. Gezan; Vera Carolina Arguijo; Kristen Bowers; James P. Cuda; William A. Overholt (BioControl, 2021)

Impact of the exotic fall armyworm on larval parasitoids associated with the lepidopteran maize stemborers in Kenya - Bonoukpoè Mawuko Sokame; Julius Obonyo; Enock Mwangangi Sammy; Samira A. Mohamed; Sevgan Subramanian; Dora Chao Kilalo; Gerald Juma; Paul-André Calatayud (BioControl, 2021)

The use of artificial habitats increases spider abundance and richness in a vineyard of Argentina - Gabriel Pompozzi; Sofía Copperi; Florencia Fernández Campón; Susana Lagos Silnik; Sol García; Agustina Peralta; Eduardo Albrecht (BioControl, 2021)

Life history study of the mirid Tupiocoris cucurbitaceus feeding on Tuta absoluta eggs: implications for biological control and its combination with inherited sterility - Cynthia L. Cagnotti; Ariel E. Arias; Erika N. Ermantraut; Andrea V. Andorno; Mariana M. Viscarret; Silvia N. López (BioControl, 2021)

The role of overseas genetic surveys to potentially accelerate biological control development for a new Hydrilla verticillata introduction in the USA - Nathan E. Harms; Dean A. Williams; Matthew F. Purcell (BioControl, 2021)

Antimicrobial effect of Bacillus licheniformis HN-5 bacitracin A on rice pathogen Pantoea ananatis - Pengfei Jin; Zheng Tan; Haonan Wang; Wenbo Liu; Weiguo Miao (BioControl, 2021)

Parasitization of the sugarcane aphid, Melanaphis sacchari, by commercially available aphid parasitoids - Nathan H. Mercer; Ricardo T. Bessin; John J. Obrycki (BioControl, 2021)

Summary of classical biological control introductions of entomopathogens and nematodes for insect control - Ann E. Hajek; Sana Gardescu; Italo Delalibera (BioControl, 2021)

Publisher Correction to: Integrating adverse effect analysis into environmental risk assessment for exotic generalist arthropod biological control agents: a three-tiered framework - Débora P. Paula; David A. Andow; Barbara I. P. Barratt; Robert S. Pfannenstiel; Philippa J. Gerard; Jacqui H. Todd; Tania Zaviezo; Maria G. Luna; Claudia V. Cédola; Antoon J. M. Loomans; Andy G. Howe; Michael D. Day; et al. (BioControl, 2021)

Exotic generalist arthropod biological control agents: need to improve environmental risk assessment to ensure safe use - David A. Andow; Barbara I. P. Barratt; Robert S. Pfannenstiel; Débora Pires Paula (BioControl, 2021)

Integrating adverse effect analysis into environmental risk assessment for exotic generalist arthropod biological control agents: a three-tiered framework - Débora P. Paula; David A. Andow; Barbara I. P. Barratt; Robert S. Pfannenstiel; Philippa J. Gerard; Jacqui H. Todd; Tania Zaviezo; Maria G. Luna; Claudia V. Cédola; Antoon J. M. Loomans; Andy G. Howe; Michael D. Day; et al. (BioControl, 2021)

Contributions to improve current environmental risk assessment procedures of generalist arthropod biological control agents (GABCAs) in Argentina - Claudia Cédola; María G. Luna; M. Fernanda Achinelly; Norma E. Sánchez (BioControl, 2021)

Non-target effects of the exotic generalist parasitoid wasp Fopius arisanus (Sonan) estimated via competition assays against Doryctobracon areolatus (Szepligeti) on both native and exotic fruit fly hosts - Beatriz A. G. Paranhos; Sonia Poncio; Renata Morelli; Dori E. Nava; Luiz A. N. de Sá; Nicholas C. Manoukis (BioControl, 2021)

Correction to: Risk assessment procedures for biological control agents in New Zealand: two case studies for generalists - Philippa J. Gerard; Barbara I. P. Barratt (BioControl, 2021)

Risk assessment procedures for biological control agents in New Zealand: two case studies for generalists - Philippa J. Gerard; Barbara I. P. Barratt (BioControl, 2021)

Scrutinizing the enemy release hypothesis: population effects of parasitoids on Harmonia axyridis and local host coccinellids in Brazil - Débora P. Paula; Pedro H. B. Togni; Valmir A. Costa; Lucas M. Souza; Alex A. T. C. Sousa; Gustavo M. Tostes; Carmen S. S. Pires; David A. Andow (BioControl, 2021)

Are specialists really safer than generalists for classical biocontrol? - Joseph Michael Taylor; William Emerson Snyder (BioControl, 2021)
Generalists rarely are considered for classical biocontrol because their broad feeding habits are expected to make non-target impacts inevitable. This assumes an increase in overall ecological risk with increasing number of feeding connections. With the goal of inspiring fresh consideration of the safety of exotic biocontrol agents for classical biocontrol, we present a selective review of the impacts of nine particularly-well-studied exotic natural enemies ranging from relative specialists to generalists. Surprisingly, non-target effects could be particularly strong for relative specialists that attacked just a few natives, but were often widespread but weak for the broadest generalists. This appeared to reflect relatively strong apparent competition and density-dependence for the narrow feeders, versus broadly diffuse net effects for the broader feeders. Overall, we suggest a sole focus on specialists in classical biocontrol might be an unreliable means to reduce ecological risk. Additional research is needed to fully compare the net direct and indirect effects of generalists and specialists across food webs, following classical biocontrol releases.

Exploring the potential for novel associations of generalist parasitoids for biological control of invasive woodboring beetles - Xingeng Wang; Xiao-Yi Wang; Marc Kenis; Liang-Ming Cao; Jian J. Duan; Juli R. Gould; Kim A. Hoelmer (BioControl, 2021)

Using qualitative food webs to predict species at risk of indirect effects from a proposed biological control agent - Jacqui H. Todd; Brittany M. Pearce; Barbara I. P. Barratt (BioControl, 2021)

The potential impact of climate change on non-target risks from imported generalist natural enemies and on biological control - James R. Nechols (BioControl, 2021)

A framework for predicting competition between native and exotic hymenopteran parasitoids of lepidopteran larvae using taxonomic collections and species level traits - Zane McGrath; Frances MacDonald; Graham Walker; Darren Ward (BioControl, 2021)

Every generalist biological control agent requires a special risk assessment - Antoon J. M. Loomans (BioControl, 2021)

Biological control of Acanthoscelides obtectus and Zabrotes subfasciatus in stored dried beans - Rey D. Iturralde-García; Cristina Castañé; Francisco J. Wong-Corral; Jordi Riudavets (BioControl, 2020)

Laetilia coccidivora feeding on two cochineal insect species, Does the prey affect the fitness of the predator? - Oscar A. Barreto-García; Esteban Rodríguez-Leyva; J. Refugio Lomeli-Flores; Juan M. Vanegas-Rico; Ana Lilia Vigueras; Liberato Portillo (BioControl, 2020)

Exploring the factors involved in the absence of parasitism of Chaetosiphon fragaefolii by generalist parasitoids in strawberry - Natalia Francesena; Joel D. Arneodo; Margarita Rocca; Nancy M. Greco (BioControl, 2020)

Novel biocontrol agents against Rhizoctonia solani and Sclerotinia sclerotiorum in lettuce - F. Aggeli; I. Ziogas; D. Gkizi; G. A. Fragkogeorgi; S. E. Tjamos (BioControl, 2020)

Improvement of a dry formulation of Pseudomonas protegens SN15-2 against Ralstonia solanacearum by combination of hyperosmotic cultivation with fluidized-bed drying - Xiaobing Wang; Danyan Tang; Wei Wang (BioControl, 2020)

Compost is a carrier medium for Trichoderma harzianum - Lisa Joos; Gisèle L. Herren; Marjolein Couvreur; Isabelle Binnemans; Feyisara Eyiwumi Oni; Monica Höfte; Jane Debode; Wim Bert; Hanne Steel (BioControl, 2020)

New potential strains for controlling Spodoptera frugiperda in China: Cordyceps cateniannulata and Metarhizium rileyi - Ye-Ming Zhou; Wen Xie; Jia-Qin Ye; Tao Zhang; Ding-Yin Li; Jun-Rui Zhi; Xiao Zou (BioControl, 2020)

Intraguild predation between two lady beetle predators is more sensitive to density than species of extraguild prey - Fateme Ranjbar; J. P. Michaud; M. Amin Jalali; Mahdi Ziaaddini (BioControl, 2020)

Parasitism of the conical snail, Cochlicella acuta, by the fly, Sarcophaga villeneuveana, in south-western Europe - Thierry Thomann; Mireille Jourdan; René Richet; Andy Sheppard; Geoff H. Baker (BioControl, 2020)

Effect of factitious diets on development and reproduction of the ladybird beetle Stethorus gilvifrons, a predator of tetranychid mites - Jafar Ebrahimifar; Parviz Shishehbor; Arash Rasekh; Eric W. Riddick (BioControl, 2020)

Prospects for microbial control of the fall armyworm Spodoptera frugiperda: a review - Jingfei Guo; Shengyong Wu; Feng Zhang; Chaolong Huang; Kanglai He; Dirk Babendreier; Zhenying Wang (BioControl, 2020)

Evaluation of three entomopathogenic nematode species against nymphs and adults of the sycamore lace bug, Corythucha ciliata - Ivan Julià; Ana Morton; Meritxell Roca; Fernando Garcia-del-Pino (BioControl, 2020)

Parasitoid communities and interactions with Diuraphis noxia in Australian cereal production systems - Thomas Heddle; Maarten Van Helden; Michael Nash; Kate Muirhead (BioControl, 2020)

Climate and seasonal effects on phenology and biological control of giant whitefly Aleurodicus dugesii (Hemiptera: Aleyrodidae) with parasitoids in southern California, USA - Erich N. Schoeller; Richard A. Redak (BioControl, 2020)

Resource-dependent mutual association with sap-feeders and a high predation rate in the ant Crematogaster scutellaris: help or harm in olive pest control? - Filippo Frizzi; Alberto Masoni; Lorenzo Ottonetti; Lorenzo Tucci; Giacomo Santini (BioControl, 2020)