The green lacewingChrysopa formosaas a potential biocontrol agent for managingSpodoptera frugiperdaandSpodoptera litura

Abstract

Understanding predator–prey interactions is essential for successful pest management by using predators, especially for the suppression of novel invasive pest. The green lacewing Chrysopa formosa is a promising polyphagous predator that is widely used in the biocontrol of various pests in China, but information on the control efficiency of this predator against the seriously invasive pest Spodoptera frugiperda and native Spodoptera litura is limited. Here we evaluated the predation efficiency of C. formosa adults on eggs and first- to third-instar larvae of S. frugiperda and S. litura through functional response experiments and determined the consumption capacity and prey preference of this chrysopid. Adults of C. formosa had a high consumption of eggs and earlier instar larvae of both prey species, and displayed a type II functional response on all prey stages. Attack rates of the chrysopid on different prey stages were statistically similar, but the handling time increased notably as the prey developed. The highest predation efficiency and shortest-handling time were observed for C. formosa feeding on Spodoptera eggs, followed by the first-instar larvae. C. formosa exhibited a significant preference for S. litura over S. frugiperda in a two-prey system. In addition, we summarized the functional response and predation efficiency of several chrysopids against noctuid pests and made a comparison with the results obtained from C. formosa. These results indicate that C. formosa has potential as an agent for biological control of noctuid pests, particularly for the newly invasive pest S. frugiperda in China.

Eco-friendly approaches of zinc oxide and silver nitrate nanoparticles along with plant extracts against Spodoptera litura (Fabricius) under laboratory conditions

“… 28 , 29 Biological control presents a sustainable solution to tackle this notorious pest problem. Various biological control agents, such as predators, 30 parasitoids, 31 entomopathogenic nematodes, 32 bacteria, 33 fungi 34 – 36 and nucleopolyhydrousvirus (NPVs), 37 are widely employed and its impact on physiological and biochemical activities.…”

Effects of Host Plant on Spodoptera litura under Laboratory Condition

“…This bug breeds on sesbania for one to two generations and entirely obliterates the plant's leaves (Yinghua et al, 2017). Different management approaches have used by farmers in their fields to control this noxious pest on different host plants (Li et al, 2022;Mehta et al, 2022;Sharma et al, 2022;Kumar and Bhattacharya, 2019). Before adopting any control measures for pest, it will be best for researchers to determine the suitable host and its effect on the pest.…”