MICRObe-based atTRACTion of natural enemies to enhance biological control of pest insects

Biological control using natural enemies such as predatory insects and parasitoids has become an important alternative way of pest management. However, the efficacy of biological pest control can be seriously hampered by the lack of carbohydrate-rich food in modern agricultural systems. Almost all pest natural enemies require nectar or other sugar sources for growth, survival and reproduction during their adult stage. Therefore, additional food sources such as plant nectars or sugar mixtures are often provided. Additionally, naturally occurring beneficial insects are often complemented with the release of commercially-reared natural enemies. Nonetheless, despite these efforts, a major challenge in biological pest control remains to attract and retain the beneficial insects in the crop so that they can control the pest insects whenever needed. Recently, it has been shown that specific plant- and insect-associated microbes are able to attract and retain natural enemies in the crop, and therefore can enhance the efficacy of biological control programs. The goal of this project is to develop a microbe-based device that will enhance biological control efficacy by combining in one single product suitable microbes to attract natural enemies with an optimal sugar-rich food source that will ensure rapid population built-up of the beneficial insects. Ultimately, this should result in a portfolio of novel products enhancing efficacy of biological control of pest insects.

Keywords:integrated pest management, parasitoids, Biological insect control, biovolatiles, semiochemicals

Disciplines:Animal biology