Pest Management Science最新文献

Background: The Hoplia spectabilis (Coleoptera: Scarabaeidae) is a major pest threatening local shrubs in the plateau ecosystems of western China. However, little information is available on its chemical ecology. In this study, we aimed to identify host-plant volatiles used for host location by Hoplia spectabilis adults that are specialized to feed upon host plant foliage, and to further develop effective attractants for pest management.

Results: Field observations revealed that the beetles exhibited a strong feeding preference for Hippophae neurocarpa over Potentilla fruticosa and Myricaria germanica. Electroantennography (EAG) assays confirmed that both female and male beetles responded strongly to hexane extracts of host plant foliage. By using gas chromatography coupled with electroantennographic detection (GC-EAD) followed by GC-mass spectrometry, we identified 22 electrophysiologically active compounds, with (Z)-hex-3-en-1-ol and nonanal dominating the volatile profile of Hippophae neurocarpa (52.4%). A binary blend B of (Z)-hex-3-en-1-ol and nonanal was the most effective attractant, outperforming multi-component blend M consisting of the 11 EAD-active components shared by the three host plants. Volatilization kinetics demonstrated significantly higher release rates of (Z)-hex-3-en-1-ol and nonanal from blend B than from blend M, interpreting higher captures of beetles by blend B.

Conclusion: These findings revealed that a binary blend of (Z)-hex-3-en-1-ol and nonanal is a highly effective attractant for Hoplia spectabilis with promising applications in monitoring, mass trapping and integrated pest management programmes. © 2026 Society of Chemical Industry.

Background: Drosophila suzukii, commonly known as spotted wing drosophila (SWD), is a highly invasive and economically major pest that inflicts significant damage on soft-skinned fruit crops, including raspberries, blueberries, strawberries, blackberries, cherries and grapes. The recent invasion of D. suzukii in Africa represents a key impediment to the berry industry on the continent. Conventional control strategies for this pest rely heavily on chemical insecticides, which pose several adverse side effects on biodiversity and environmental health. In this study, we evaluated five Metarhizium anisopliae isolates (ICIPE 7, ICIPE 18, ICIPE 20, ICIPE 30, ICIPE 78) for development as a biopesticide for D. suzukii management, by assessing both their direct pathogenicity and indirect effects via fungal volatile-mediated behavioral responses.

Result: All five M. anisopliae isolates led to high mortality in D. suzukii. The median lethal time (MLT₅₀) showed that the ICIPE 78 isolate had the fastest action (4.75 ± 1.03 days) followed by ICIPE 7, ICIPE 18, ICIPE 30, and ICIPE 20, with MLT₅₀ of 5 to 8 days. ICIPE 78 was horizontally transmitted by donor flies, and the fertility of recipient females was negatively impacted. We further documented that ICIPE 78 induced significant attraction to D. suzukii. Moreover, sporulated cadavers hosting ICIPE 78 attracted and infected healthy flies.

Conclusion: The high pathogenicity of ICIPE 78 and its attraction to D. suzukii could be explored for pest suppression, especially as this isolate is already commercialized against other pests, which could facilitate its registration for use against D. suzukii through label extension. © 2026 The Author(s). Pest Management Science published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd on behalf of Society of Chemical Industry.