A review of interactions between insect biological control agents and semiochemicals

Authors: SHARMA, ANAMIKA - Montana State University; SANDHI, RAMANDEEP - Montana State University; Reddy, Gadi V.P.

Submitted to: Insects
Publication Type: Peer Reviewed Journal
Publication Acceptance Date: 12/2/2019
Publication Date: 12/5/2019
Citation: Sharma, A., Sandhi, R.K., Reddy, G.V. 2019. A review of interactions between insect biological control agents and semiochemicals. Insects. 10(12):439. https://doi.org/10.3390/insects10120439.
DOI: https://doi.org/10.3390/insects10120439

Interpretive Summary: The potential of insect pheromones to attract natural enemies has been mainly 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 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. Using 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 along with bio-degradable trap material could improve this strategy.

Technical Abstract: Biological control agents and semiochemicals have become essential parts of the integrated pest management of insect pests over the last several years, as the incorporation of semiochemicals with natural enemies and entomopathogenic microbials has been an area gaining significance. The potential of insect pheromones to attract natural enemies has been mainly 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 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. Using 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 material could improve this strategy. Furthermore, more studies to evaluate species-specific tactics may be needed, especially where more than one key pest is present.