Recruiting on the Spot: A Biodegradable Formulation for Lacewings to Trigger Biological Control of Aphids

Sammanfattning

Upon herbivory, plants release herbivore-induced plant volatiles (HIPVs), which induce chemical defenses in the plant as well as recruit natural enemies. However, whether synthetic HIPVs can be employed to enhance biological control in a cultivated crop in the field is yet to be explored. Here we show that a biodegradable formulation loaded with induced and food-signaling volatiles can selectively recruit the common green lacewing, Chrysoperla carnea, and reduce pest population under field conditions. In apple orchards, the new formulation attracted lacewing adults over a 4-week period, which correlated well with independent assessments of the longevity of the slow-release matrix measured through chemical analyses. In barley, lacewing eggs and larvae were significantly more abundant in treated plots, whereas a significant reduction of two aphid species was measured (98.9% and 93.6% of population reduction, for Sitobion avenae and Rhopalosiphum padi, respectively). Results show the potential for semiochemical-based targeted recruitment of lacewings to enhance biological control of aphids in a field setting. Further research should enhance selective recruitment by rewarding attracted natural enemies and by optimizing the application technique.

Nyckelord

apple; barley; Chrysoperla carnea; herbivory induced plant volatiles; integrated pest management; semiochemicals; ecological intensification

Publicerad i

Insects
2019, volym: 10, nummer: 1, artikelnummer: 6
Utgivare: MDPI

SLU författare

• Pålsson, Joakim

  • Institutionen för växtskyddsbiologi, Sveriges lantbruksuniversitet
    

• Porcel Vilches, Mario

  • Institutionen för växtskyddsbiologi, Sveriges lantbruksuniversitet
    

• Dekker, Teun

  • Institutionen för växtskyddsbiologi, Sveriges lantbruksuniversitet
    

• Tasin, Marco

  • Institutionen för växtskyddsbiologi, Sveriges lantbruksuniversitet
    

Associerade SLU-program

SLU Nätverk växtskydd

Globala målen (SDG)

SDG2 Ingen hunger
SDG15 Ekosystem och biologisk mångfald

UKÄ forskningsämne

Jordbruksvetenskap

Publikationens identifierare

• DOI: https://doi.org/10.3390/insects10010006

Permanent länk till denna sida (URI)

https://res.slu.se/id/publ/98384