Towards Predictions of Interaction Dynamics between Cereal Aphids and Their Natural Enemies: A Review

Abstract

(1) Although most past studies are based on static analyses of the pest regulation drivers, evidence shows that a greater focus on the temporal dynamics of these interactions is urgently required to develop more efficient strategies. (2) Focusing on aphids, we systematically reviewed (i) empirical knowledge on the drivers influencing the dynamics of aphid–natural enemy interactions and (ii) models developed to simulate temporal or spatio-temporal aphid dynamics. (3) Reviewed studies mainly focus on the abundance dynamics of aphids and their natural enemies, and on aphid population growth rates. The dynamics of parasitism and predation are rarely measured empirically, although it is often represented in models. Temperature is mostly positively correlated with aphid population growth rates. Plant phenology and landscape effects are poorly represented in models. (4) We propose a research agenda to progress towards models and empirical knowledge usable to design effective CBC strategies. We claim that crossover works between empirical and modeling community will help design new empirical settings based on simulation results and build more accurate and robust models integrating more key drivers of aphid dynamics. Such models, turned into decision support systems, are urgently needed by farmers and advisors in order to design effective integrated pest management.

From a local descriptive to a generic predictive model of cereal aphid regulation by predators

“…It is easy to think that models involving more processes and including more traits might be more effective predictive tools (Alexandridis et al, 2021;Stell et al, 2022). But this study also…”

“…Although aphid dynamics are modelled more often than any other crop pest (Alexandridis et al, 2021), only a few models have simulated their interactions with their predators (Stell et al, 2022).…”

“…Those models have been used to test the ecological theory with empirical data to understand how ecosystem structures and functions drive prey–predator dynamics and to gain mechanistic insights into how multitrophic networks function (Schneider et al., 2016; Thompson et al., 2012). However, the use of such models to address issues applied to agricultural contexts is relatively rare (Stell et al., 2022; Tixier et al., 2013).…”

Population Dynamics and Correlation Analysis of Wheat Aphids and Their Natural Enemies

“…Among these measures, chemical control remains one of the most direct and effective methods. However, long-term application of large amounts of insecticides can lead to ecological problems such as pesticide residues, resistance, environmental pollution and deterioration of wheat eld environment, of particular concern is the harm caused to natural enemies of aphids, disrupting the balance of the ecosystem (Tang et al 2013;Eric et al 2022). In response to these ecological concerns, people have begun to pursue green environmental protection and pollution-free control measures.…”

Cereal Aphid Parasitoids in Europe (Hymenoptera: Braconidae: Aphidiinae): Taxonomy, Biodiversity, and Ecology

“…Cereals dominate in the European agricultural landscape, by encompassing almost one-third of the European agricultural area [1]. It is well known that aphids are one of the most important limiting factors of cereal production, through direct damage or by transmitting viral pathogens (e.g., barley yellow dwarf virus, wheat dwarf virus) [2][3][4][5][6][7]. Aphid parasitoids are diverse and effective natural enemies of cereal aphids [8][9][10][11][12][13][14][15][16].…”