Using Egg Parasitoids to Manage Caterpillars in Soybean and Maize: Benefits, Challenges, and Major Recommendations
The use of egg parasitoids in Augmentative Biological Control (ABC) is a highly effective strategy within the integrated pest management (IPM) of lepidopteran defoliators. Safer than chemical insecticides, these natural antagonists have demonstrated significant efficacy. <i>Trichogramma pretio...
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| Main Authors: | , , , |
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
| Published: |
MDPI AG
2024-11-01
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| Series: | Insects |
| Subjects: | |
| Online Access: | https://www.mdpi.com/2075-4450/15/11/869 |
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| Summary: | The use of egg parasitoids in Augmentative Biological Control (ABC) is a highly effective strategy within the integrated pest management (IPM) of lepidopteran defoliators. Safer than chemical insecticides, these natural antagonists have demonstrated significant efficacy. <i>Trichogramma pretiosum</i> and <i>Telenomus remus</i>, known for their high parasitism rates, are the most extensively used and studied parasitoids for controlling economically important lepidopterous in crops such as soybean and maize. Brazil, a leading adopter of crops expressing <i>Bacillus thuringiensis</i> (<i>Bt</i>) proteins, faces growing field-evolved resistance to Cry proteins in soybean and maize. This resistance, particularly of <i>Rachiplusia nu</i> in soybean and <i>Spodoptera frugiperda</i> in maize, has become more prominent in recent years, increasing insecticide use. Therefore, this article reviews the current status of egg parasitoids adoption in ABC against lepidopteran pests, emphasizing the role of <i>Tr. pretiosum</i> and the potential of <i>Te. remus</i> as sustainable alternatives to chemical insecticides to manage pests in both non-<i>Bt</i> and <i>Bt</i> crops. Additionally, we provide recommendations for using these parasitoids in ABC programs and discuss the challenges that must be addressed to optimize the adoption of biocontrol agents in ABC programs for maximum benefit. |
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| ISSN: | 2075-4450 |