Topical collection: natural enemies and biological control of plant pests

Authors: Riddick, Eric

Submitted to: Insects
Publication Type: Peer Reviewed Journal
Publication Acceptance Date: 4/26/2022
Publication Date: 4/29/2022
Citation: Riddick, E.W. 2022. Topical collection: natural enemies and biological control of plant pests. Insects. 13(5):421. https://doi.org/10.3390/insects13050421.
DOI: https://doi.org/10.3390/insects13050421

Interpretive Summary: Natural enemies have an extensive history as biological control agents against crop pests worldwide. Predatory insects and mites, parasitic wasps and flies, pathogenic bacteria, fungi, and viruses have been used against crop pests with varying degrees of success. The aim of this editorial is to highlight articles that reveal recent advances or discoveries in fundamental and applied research on natural enemies and biological control. In conclusion, this editorial summarizes research collected on a topic on considerable interest and importance; that is, natural enemies and biological control of plant pests. This topical collection demonstrates that researchers continue to search for new methods and techniques to manage natural enemies, singly or combined with other species, with the ultimate goal of integrating them into pest management systems that rely less-and-less on harmful pesticides. Future research should continue to discover new and improved technologies to mass produce and release natural enemies, manipulate their densities in agroecosystems, and conserve their populations within agricultural landscapes throughout the world.

Technical Abstract: Natural enemies have an extensive history as biological control agents against crop pests worldwide. Predatory insects and mites, parasitic wasps and flies, pathogenic bacteria, fungi, and viruses have been used against crop pests with varying degrees of success. The aim of this editorial is to highlight articles that reveal recent advances or discoveries in fundamental and applied research on natural enemies and biological control. In conclusion, this editorial summarizes research collected on a topic on considerable interest and importance; that is, natural enemies and biological control of plant pests. This topical collection demonstrates that researchers continue to search for new methods and techniques to manage natural enemies, singly or combined with other species, with the ultimate goal of integrating them into pest management systems that rely less-and-less on harmful pesticides. Future research should continue to discover new and improved technologies to mass produce and release natural enemies, manipulate their densities in agroecosystems, and conserve their populations within agricultural landscapes throughout the world.