Do hyperparasitoids disrupt the biological control of Pseudococcus longispinus in persimmon?

Plata, Ángel; Gómez‐Martínez, María A.; Beitia, Francisco J.; Tena, Alejandro

doi:10.1016/j.biocontrol.2023.105310

Cited by 4 publications

(3 citation statements)

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“…This outcome supports the natural enemies hypothesis, as these non‐crop habitats were associated with increased parasitism of P. longispinus . In Mediterranean persimmon, a complex of encyrtid parasitoids, particularly Anagyrus fusciventris , targets this mealybug (Plata, Gómez‐Martínez, et al., 2023b). Our study revealed that during spring and, especially, summer, semi‐natural habitats and ground cover vegetation led to reduced mealybug abundance and increased parasitism.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Delottococcus aberiae was first detected in Spain in 2009 (Beltrà et al., 2015) and is not parasitized by native or naturalized parasitoids (Tena et al., 2017); thus, the parasitoid Anagyrus aberiae was introduced (Soto et al., 2021). On the other hand, P. longispinus has been in Spain for over a century (Pellizzari & Germain, 2010), and naturalized parasitoids parasitize this mealybug species (Plata, Gómez‐Martínez, et al., 2023b). Additionally, monoculture landscapes could facilitate mealybug dispersion and benefit both mealybug species, regardless of their natural enemies.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Habitat heterogeneity reduces abundance of invasive mealybugs in subtropical fruit crops

Plata,

Tena,

Beitia

et al. 2024

Journal of Applied Ecology

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The simplification of agricultural landscapes has been associated with an increase in pest pressure. While monocultures increase the resources available for pests and may facilitate their dispersion, the lack of non‐crop habitats may reduce the resources available for pest natural enemies. Herein, we tested which of these hypotheses, namely ‘resource concentration’ and ‘natural enemies’, can better explain the abundance of invasive mealybug pests in two subtropical fruit crops. For this aim, 17 persimmon orchards and 16 citrus orchards were sampled during three different seasons across two consecutive years. Using a model selection approach, we assessed the effects of the surrounding landscape (proportion of focal crops and semi‐natural habitats at different distances) and inter‐row ground cover vegetation on the abundance of mealybugs and their natural enemies. The proportion of focal crop in the landscape increased the abundance of mealybugs attacking both crops. This effect was found at closer distances (up to ~600 m) in citrus and at both closer and further distances (up to 1250 m) in persimmon. Non‐crop habitats, both surrounding semi‐natural habitats and ground cover vegetation, decreased the abundance of mealybugs by increasing the activity of their parasitoids in persimmon. Conversely, non‐crop habitats did not decrease the abundance of the main mealybug species attacking citrus, likely because this mealybug species was not attacked by native or naturalized parasitoids. Synthesis and applications. Our models show that the increase in habitat heterogeneity at local and landscape scales can reduce the abundance of invasive mealybugs in subtropical crops via ‘resource concentration’ and ‘natural enemies’ mechanisms. Therefore, habitat diversification strategies should be considered in the conservation biological control of invasive mealybugs. Importantly, our findings also show that the presence of efficient natural enemies is critical to maximize their control through habitat diversification strategies.

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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Habitat heterogeneity reduces abundance of invasive mealybugs in subtropical fruit crops

Plata,

Tena,

Beitia

et al. 2024

Journal of Applied Ecology

Self Cite

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show abstract

“…Another strategy to improve the control of P. longispinus could be the release of natural enemies. The main natural enemy of P. longispinus in Mediterranean persimmon is the encyrtid parasitoid Anagyrus fusciven-tris (Plata et al 2023). This species parasitizes third instar nymphs and adult females of P. longispinus.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Mealybugs in Mediterranean persimmon: fruit infestation, seasonal trend and effect of climate change

Plata,

Gómez-Martínez,

Beitia

et al. 2023

entomologia

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Mealybugs (Hemiptera: Pseudococcidae) are the main pest of persimmon in Spain, the second producer in the world. In order to develop an Integrated Pest Management (IPM) program, it is necessary to identify the main mealybug species, determine their phenology, and develop tools to predict damage. To do this, we sampled 17 orchards from the main persimmon producing area in Spain over two years. Pseudococcus longispinus (Targioni-Tozzeti) was the most abundant and widely distributed species. This mealybug species completed three generations per year and reached peak density just before harvest. Fruit infestation at harvest was highly correlated with mealybug density in spring and summer. The estimated thermal constants to complete development and one generation were 512.5 and 956.3 degree days, respectively. Based on climate change predictions, crop damage caused by the third generation of P. longispinus will increase in 2040 and the mealybug will complete a fourth generation by 2080. Pseudococcus longispinus has become the main pest for Mediterranean persimmon and damage produced by this mealybug may be exacerbated by climate change. This work provides essential data to design a sampling protocol and determine intervention times and thresholds against this mealybug.

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Exclusion of ground-nesting ants promotes biological control, but facilitates the establishment of an exotic canopy-nesting ant species

Plata,

Gómez-Martínez,

Beitia

et al. 2024

Agriculture, Ecosystems & Environment

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Do hyperparasitoids disrupt the biological control of Pseudococcus longispinus in persimmon?

Cited by 4 publications

References 50 publications

Habitat heterogeneity reduces abundance of invasive mealybugs in subtropical fruit crops

Habitat heterogeneity reduces abundance of invasive mealybugs in subtropical fruit crops

Mealybugs in Mediterranean persimmon: fruit infestation, seasonal trend and effect of climate change

Exclusion of ground-nesting ants promotes biological control, but facilitates the establishment of an exotic canopy-nesting ant species

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