Global Habitat Suitability of Spodoptera frugiperda (JE Smith) (Lepidoptera, Noctuidae): Key Parasitoids Considered for Its Biological Control

Abstract

The present study is the first modeling effort at a global scale to predict habitat suitability of fall armyworm (FAW), Spodoptera frugiperda and its key parasitoids, namely Chelonus insularis, Cotesia marginiventris,Eiphosoma laphygmae,Telenomus remus and Trichogramma pretiosum, to be considered for biological control. An adjusted procedure of a machine-learning algorithm, the maximum entropy (Maxent), was applied for the modeling experiments. Model predictions showed particularly high establishment potential of the five hymenopteran parasitoids in areas that are heavily affected by FAW (like the coastal belt of West Africa from Côte d’Ivoire (Ivory Coast) to Nigeria, the Congo basin to Eastern Africa, Eastern, Southern and Southeastern Asia and some portions of Eastern Australia) and those of potential invasion risks (western & southern Europe). These habitats can be priority sites for scaling FAW biocontrol efforts. In the context of global warming and the event of accidental FAW introduction, warmer parts of Europe are at high risk. The effect of winter on the survival and life cycle of the pest in Europe and other temperate regions of the world are discussed in this paper. Overall, the models provide pioneering information to guide decision making for biological-based medium and long-term management of FAW across the globe.

Horizon scanning to assess the bioclimatic potential for the alien species Spodoptera eridania and its parasitoids after pest detection in West and Central Africa

“…The egg parasitoids can be excellent candidates for inundative biological control against SAW. The current work is another demonstration that the guild of parasitoids shared between SAW and FAW 53,54 represents a perfect opportunity to pursue further work for biocontrol of both pests by the studied parasitoids. The interpretation of the models in this study is based only on bioclimatic suitability thresholding, and output data are only as good as the input data available.…”

Identification, Microhabitat, and Ecological Niche Prediction of Two Promising Native Parasitoids of Tuta absoluta in Kenya

“…The tomato production system was also recorded as either an open field or greenhouse/screen house production. Additionally, an average number of N. tenuis per kilogram of tomato leaves were estimated and four classes were obtained for this variable 0 = absence of N. tenuis , [ 1 , 2 , 3 , 4 , 5 , 6 , 7 , 8 , 9 , 10 , 11 , 12 , 13 , 14 , 15 , 16 , 17 , 18 , 19 , 20 , 21 , 22 , 23 , 24 , 25 , 26 , 27 , 28 , 29 , 30 , 31 , 32 , 33 , 34 , 35 , 36 , 37 , 38 , 39 , 40 , 41 , 42 , 43 , 44 , 45 , 46 , 47 , 48 , 49 , 50 ] = low-level presence of N. tenuis , [ 50 ,…”

“…The assemblage of native parasitoids in various tomato-producing areas needs to be documented if they are to be incorporated into augmentative and conservative biological control approaches for the management of T. absoluta. Furthermore, habitat and climate are significant factors limiting the distribution and abundance of insect pests, as well as their physiology and reproduction [ 37 , 38 , 39 , 40 , 41 , 42 ]. Parasitoids and predator distribution on a local scale, are also affected by agronomic practices such as pesticide application [ 43 , 44 ].…”

Advances in Control Strategies against Spodoptera frugiperda. A Review

“…Light traps take advantage of the fact that S. frugiperda is attracted to light sources, allowing their monitoring and control [89]; although it has been shown that the capture rate of males and females of S. frugiperda is lower than that of other lepidopterans, due to its phototactic behavior [90], recently this strategy has been combined with other control These natural enemies of S. frugiperda, which can parasitize eggs, egg and larvae, and only larvae, are candidates for selection in an augmentative biological control program; based on their reproductive performance, host selection, resilience at low host population densities and dispersal capabilities, they can be selected to be mass reproduced in a laboratory and preserved in strips with a high density (>2500 eggs/in 2 ) of parasitized eggs of alternative hosts and be released in strategic areas (20 to 40 points per hectare) to allow the search for eggs or larvae of S. frugiperda and to carry out their control. Its low cost and the fact that the evidence suggests that these parasitoids do not show a preference for the rice or corn biotype make it a viable option for the control of S. frugiperda, in addition to that fact that they may be a viable option in areas of new invasion such as Africa, where it has no associated natural enemies [86][87][88].…”