Using Chemical Ecology to Enhance Weed Biological Control

Gaffke, Alexander M.; Alborn, Hans T.; Dudley, Tom L.; Bean, Dan W.

doi:10.3390/insects12080695

Cited by 12 publications

(5 citation statements)

References 59 publications

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“…Further, Heard (1999) argued that the sequential nature of host selection behavior, the effects of experience, and time‐dependent changes of host acceptance or rejection were important determinants of ecological host range, but were seldom tested. Advances in the science of host range determination include a phylogenetic approach to the selection of test plants (Briese, 2003; Lefoe et al, 2022), the use of chemical ecology (Gaffke et al, 2021), and the use of open field trials in the region of origin (Paterson et al, 2019).…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Performance and field host range of the life stages of Cornops aquaticum, a biological control agent of water hyacinth

Franceschini

Hill

Fuentes‐Rodríguez

et al. 2023

Entomologia Exp Applicata

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Host specificity determination of weed biocontrol agents has historically relied on evidence generated through quarantine trials in the region of introduction. These trials could give ‘false positive’ results due to a maximum type I error probability, and where possible, more research under field conditions should be conducted in the region of origin. The oligophagous, semiaquatic grasshopper, Cornops aquaticum Bruner (Orthoptera: Acrididae, Tetrataeniini), was released in South Africa for the biological control of Pontederia crassipes Pellegrini and Horn (Pontederiaceae). The aim of this study was to assess how the performance and field host range of C. aquaticum varies according to its stages of development, and how this contributes to the understanding of the relationship between the fundamental (laboratory‐based) and the ecological (field‐based) host range of this grasshopper, and its implications for water hyacinth biocontrol. We conducted post‐release laboratory no‐choice trials, confining early instars (instars 1 and 2), later instars (instars 3–6), and adult females and males in mesh cages, to determine insect performance on wetland plants growing in sympatry with P. crassipes. Also, gut analysis from field‐collected C. aquaticum was done to determine the ecological host range of this insect, identifying epidermal tissue of consumed plants. In no‐choice trials, survival rates of the later instars and adult C. aquaticum were similar on Pistia stratiotes L. (Araceae), Oxycaryum cubense (Poepp. & Kunth) Lye (Cyperaceae), and P. crassipes. However, under field conditions, P. crassipes and the congeneric Pontederia azurea Sw. were the only plant contents in the guts of early instars and the most abundant species in later instars and adults. The results support the hypothesis that C. aquaticum is an oligophagous insect on the genus Pontederia, and that different life stages should be considered when conducting host‐specificity trials in externally feeding mobile herbivore species. Diet composition of field‐collected insects thus could help detect false positives in laboratory trials, being an additional and realistic approach in understanding and predicting the selection processes of the insect in the new environment. Retrospective analysis of potential agents that were rejected due to lack of host‐specificity, using the methods from this study, could add a suite of additional agents to programs where invasive weeds remain unmanaged.

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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Performance and field host range of the life stages of Cornops aquaticum, a biological control agent of water hyacinth

Franceschini

Hill

Fuentes‐Rodríguez

et al. 2023

Entomologia Exp Applicata

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“…This aids us to improve our understanding of the ecological functions and community dynamics of plant plasticity and interactions with a variety of herbivores. All of this points to the potential development of eco-friendly strategies, for which aromatic plants may offer a promising alternative due to their repellent properties [ 59 , 60 , 61 , 62 , 63 , 64 , 65 ].…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Responses of Adult Hypera rumicis L. to Synthetic Plant Volatile Blends

et al. 2022

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The behavioral responses of Hypera rumicis L. adults to varying blends of synthetic plant volatiles (SPVs) at various concentrations in lieu of single compounds are reported for the first time. For this study, Rumex confertus plants were treated with two blends of SPVs at different quantities that act as either attractants or repellents to insects. Blend 1 (B1) consisted of five green leaf volatiles (GLVs), namely (Z)-3-hexenal, (E)-2-hexenal, (Z)-3-hexenol, (E)-2-hexenol, and (Z)-3-hexen-1-yl acetate. Blend 2 (B2) contained six plant volatiles, namely (Z)-ocimene, linalool, benzyl acetate, methyl salicylate, β-caryophyllene, and (E)-β-farnesene. Each blend was made available in four different amounts of volatiles, corresponding to each compound being added to 50 µL of hexane in amounts of 1, 5, 25 and 125 ng. The effects of the two blends at the different concentrations on the insects were evaluated using a Y-tube olfactometer. Both sexes of the insects were found to be significantly repelled by the highest volatile levels of B1 and by two levels of B2 (25 and 125 ng). Females were also observed to be repelled using B2 with 5 ng of each volatile. Attraction was observed for both sexes only for B1 at the three lower volatile levels (1, 5 and 25 ng). In additional experiments, using only attractants, unmated females were found to be attracted to males, whereas mated females were only attracted to B1. Both unmated and mated males (previously observed in copula) were attracted only to females.

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“…Biological control of weeds. In addition to the biological control of insects and pathogens, increasing attention is being paid to how chemical ecology can be applied to enhance classical weed biological control [ 214 , 215 ]. This involves the introduction of highly host-specific coevolved herbivores to provide permanent suppression of invasive weeds.…”

Section: Future Perspectives and Research Prioritiesmentioning

confidence: 99%

Deciphering Plant-Insect-Microorganism Signals for Sustainable Crop Production

et al. 2023

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Agricultural crop productivity relies on the application of chemical pesticides to reduce pest and pathogen damage. However, chemical pesticides also pose a range of ecological, environmental and economic penalties. This includes the development of pesticide resistance by insect pests and pathogens, rendering pesticides less effective. Alternative sustainable crop protection tools should therefore be considered. Semiochemicals are signalling molecules produced by organisms, including plants, microbes, and animals, which cause behavioural or developmental changes in receiving organisms. Manipulating semiochemicals could provide a more sustainable approach to the management of insect pests and pathogens across crops. Here, we review the role of semiochemicals in the interaction between plants, insects and microbes, including examples of how they have been applied to agricultural systems. We highlight future research priorities to be considered for semiochemicals to be credible alternatives to the application of chemical pesticides.

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Using Chemical Ecology to Enhance Weed Biological Control

Cited by 12 publications

References 59 publications

Performance and field host range of the life stages of Cornops aquaticum, a biological control agent of water hyacinth

Performance and field host range of the life stages of Cornops aquaticum, a biological control agent of water hyacinth

Responses of Adult Hypera rumicis L. to Synthetic Plant Volatile Blends

Deciphering Plant-Insect-Microorganism Signals for Sustainable Crop Production

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