Compatibility of bioinsecticides with parasitoids for enhanced integrated pest management of Drosophila suzukii and Tuta absoluta

Authors: LISI, FABRIZIO - University Of Catania; CAVALLARO, CARMELO - University Of Catania; PITRUZZELLO, MARIA - University Of Catania; ARNÒ, JUDIT - Institute De Recerca I Tecnologia Agroalimentaries (IRTA); DESNEUX, NICOLAS - National Council For Scientific Research-Cnrs; HAN, PENG - Yunnan University; Wang, Xingeng; ZAPPALÀ, LUCIA - University Of Catania; BIONDI, ANTONIO - University Of Catania; GUGLIUZZO, ANTONIO - University Of Catania

Submitted to: Insects
Publication Type: Peer Reviewed Journal
Publication Acceptance Date: 6/20/2024
Publication Date: 6/22/2024
Citation: Lisi, F., Cavallaro, C., Pitruzzello, M.F., Arnò, J., Desneux, N., Han, P., Wang, X., Zappalà, L., Biondi, A., Gugliuzzo, A. 2024. Compatibility of bioinsecticides with parasitoids for enhanced integrated pest management of Drosophila suzukii and Tuta absoluta. Insects. 15(7). https://doi.org/10.3390/insects15070467.
DOI: https://doi.org/10.3390/insects15070467

Interpretive Summary: The spotted wing Drosophila (SWD) and the South American tomato pinworm (TP) are two major invasive insect pests worldwide. Native to eastern Asia, SWD has also become the most serious pest of berries and other small fruits in North America. TP is native to South America and is considered a high-risk invasive pest of tomato crops in North America. Current management strategies of both pests rely heavily on the application of synthetic insecticides. Sustainable pest management approaches and tools need to be developed, including the use of microbials, botanicals and other bio-based substances alone or in combination with natural enemies. This study evaluated the potential synergistic or antagonistic effects in the control of both pests using various biopesticides with two major natural enemies. We found that two entomopathogens can be considered most compatible with both natural enemies. These findings provide valuable information for the incorporation of these bio-insecticides and natural enemies into integrated pest management strategies for these two major invasive pests.

Technical Abstract: Drosophila suzukii and Tuta absoluta are successful biological invaders of agroecosystems. Their integrated pest management (IPM) programs involve the release and/or conservation of natural enemies. Among these, Ganaspis cf. brasiliensis is a major Asian parasitoid of D. suzukii and has been introduced as a classical biological control for this pest in Europe and North America, while Necremnus tutae is a key fortuitous parasitoid of T. absoluta in the Mediterranean region. Bioinsecticides represent key alternatives to chemicals for controlling both pests. This study investigated the potential compatibility of both parasitoids with Beauveria bassiana, Bacillus thuringensis, garlic essential oil (EO) and spinosad, in comparison with two synthetic insecticides, cyantraniliprole and chlorantraniliprole. Results showed that combining insecticides with G. cf. brasiliensis did not significantly increased the pest mortality compared to the insecticides alone. Necremnus tutae had significantly an additive effect in host mortality when combined with insecticides.Beauveria bassiana and B. thuringensis were most compatible to both parasitoids. Both garlic EO and chlorantraniliprole impaired the survival of immature N. tutae and showed sublethal toxicity on the reproductive and non-reproductive behaviors of N. tutae. Spinosad exhibited high acute toxicity on both juvenile and adult parasitoids of both species. Overall, these findings provide useful insights on the insecticide selectivity towards two key parasitoids and offer new knowledge on the potential of combining natural enemies and bioinsecticides for optimized IPM.