A Review of Interactions between Insect Biological Control Agents and Semiochemicals

Abstract

Biological control agents and semiochemicals have become essential parts of the integrated pest management of insect pests over recent years, as the incorporation of semiochemicals with natural enemies and entomopathogenic microbials has gained significance. The potential of insect pheromones to attract natural enemies has mainly been established under laboratory conditions, while semiochemicals from plants have been used to attract and retain natural enemies in field conditions using strategies such as trap crops and the push–pull mechanism. The best-known semiochemicals are those used for parasitoids–insect pest–plant host systems. Semiochemicals can also aid in the successful dispersal of entomopathogenic microbials. The use of semiochemicals to disseminate microbial pathogens is still at the initial stage, especially for bacterial and viral entomopathogens. Future studies should focus on the integration of semiochemicals into management strategies for insects, for which several semiochemical compounds have already been studied. More effective formulations of microbial agents, such as granular formulations of entomopathogenic fungi (EPFs), along with bio-degradable trap materials, could improve this strategy. Furthermore, more studies to evaluate species-specific tactics may be needed, especially where more than one key pest is present.

Ozone disrupts the communication between plants and insects in urban and suburban areas: an updated insight on plant volatiles

“…Chemical-signaling interactions via BVOCs between plants and plants/insects have biologically important roles in nature (Sharma et al 2019 ). BVOCs are emitted to the atmosphere from leaves or flowers as scents (Dudareva and Pichersky 2008 ).…”

Laboratory and field studies supporting augmentation biological control of oriental fruit moth, Grapholita molesta (Lepidoptera: Tortricidae), using Trichogramma dendrolimi (Hymenoptera: Trichogrammatidae)

“…When high wind speeds are experienced (as is more often the case for parasitoids dispersing above the canopy of a low‐growing field crop), these tiny wasps are passively carried in a downwind direction. In an orchard situation, the boundary layer typically occurs above the tree canopy, allowing parasitoids to actively disperse within the tree canopy and to orient upwind toward attractive volatile odors, whether these emanate from plants or hosts 48 . In order to maximize biological control efficacy of G. molesta with Trichogramma dendrolimi , releases should probably be avoided during inclement weather or windy conditions that could potentially interfere with active orientation to hosts.…”

Discovery of behaviorally active semiochemicals in Aenasius bambawalei using a reverse chemical ecology approach

“…Through EAG and olfactory bioassay, we confirmed that diethyl sebacate, 1‐octen‐3‐one, and 2,4,4‐trimethyl‐2‐pentene are potential attractants for A. bambawalei . Using insect pheromones and kairomonal semiochemicals from plants to manipulate the behavior of parasitoids and promote their participation as biological control agents have become essential parts of pest management programs 56 . An analogous compound of mealybug pheromone, cyclolavandulyl butyrate, can recruit natural enemies that attack Japanese mealybug, Planococcus kraunhiae under natural conditions 57 .…”