Assessment of the biocontrol potential of natural enemies against psyllid populations in a pear tree orchard during spring

Abstract

BACKGROUND Modern pest control management systems are based on the support of naturally occurring arthropod predators, as it has been shown that such predators offer an important ecosystem service. However, most naturally occurring arthropod predators are generalists (euryphagous). Their role in the biological control of specific pests has been recognized but remains poorly studied. Here, we focused on the naturally occurring arthropod predators of psyllids – the main insect pest of pear trees. We investigated the abundance of psyllids and all of their potential enemies in an abandoned pear orchard on a weekly basis from early spring to early summer. In addition, employing polymerase chain reaction diagnostics and specific primers, we investigated the predation rate on psyllids in all predators collected. RESULTS We found four predatory groups: spiders were the most abundant (60%, N = 756), followed by coccinellid beetles, anthocorid bugs and cantharid beetles. Anthocorids and spiders had the highest predation rates among the predatory groups. Among spiders, >50% of foliage‐dwelling spiders (belonging to the genera Philodromus and Clubiona; N = 206) were positive for psyllids and showed a numerical response to the abundance of psyllids. CONCLUSION We conclude that foliage‐dwelling spiders are, of the four groups, the most important natural enemies of psyllids on pear trees during spring in Central Europe, as they outnumber specialized Anthocoris bugs. © 2021 Society of Chemical Industry

Natural enemies of Pentalonia nigronervosa, vector of Banana Bunchy Top Virus

“…However, Philodromus sp. Has a high predation capacity against Cacopsylla pyri and C. pyricola (Gajski and Pekár 2021). In this research, a parasitoid i.e., Lipolexis bengalensis, was identified as a natural enemy of P. nigronervosa.…”

Vector transmission and epidemiology of ‘Candidatus Phytoplasma pyri’ in Austria and identification of Cacopsylla pyrisuga as new pathogen vector

“…All in all successful PD management by insecticides seems to be hardly feasible due to vector presence all year round, especially in times of a general trend towards reduced pesticide input. Naturally occurring predators can make a valuable contribution to psyllid control (Gajski et al 2021) and their presence in orchards can be promoted, e.g. by a species rich flora in the surrounding of the orchards (Cross et al 2010).…”

Aphid DNA detection by molecular gut content analysis in a natural enemy consuming honeydew

“…Hemipteran‐secreted honeydew is consumed by many parasitoids and predators, such as ants, lacewings, ladybirds, parasitic wasps, syrphids, mirids and anthocorid bugs (Ge et al, 2020; Hogervorst et al, 2008; Lundgren, 2009a, 2009b; Sanchez et al, 2016; Stadler & Dixon, 2005; Tena et al, 2013). Because hemipteran insects are important pests of various crops worldwide, their natural enemies have been investigated by molecular gut content analysis using species‐specific PCR primers (e.g., Chen et al, 2000; Choate & Lundgren, 2015; Cuthbertson et al, 2003; Gajski & Pekár, 2021; Gomez‐Polo et al, 2015, 2016; Harwood et al, 2007; Hayashi et al, 2020; Krey et al, 2021; Nakano & Hinomoto, 2021). However, if hemipteran DNA is present in their honeydew, there is a risk that this DNA will be detected in arthropods that have fed on the honeydew but have never preyed on the hemipteran.…”