Few indirect effects of baculovirus on parasitoids demonstrate high compatibility of biocontrol methods against Tuta absoluta
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Publication date
2022-12-08ISSN
1526-498X
Abstract
BACKGROUND
Combining different biocontrol agents, particularly micro- and macroorganisms, can contribute to new and sustainable pest control approaches. Tuta absoluta (Meyrick) (Lepidoptera: Gelechiidae) is one of the most destructive pests of solanaceous crops. An emerging management strategy consists of biological control using microbial insecticides such as baculoviruses, but with limited efficacy. Thanks to their high target specificity, baculoviruses can be used simultaneously with natural enemies such as parasitoids for improved control of T. absoluta. However, potential indirect nontarget effects of baculoviruses on parasitoids can result from overlapping resource requirements. We assessed whether ovipositing parasitoid females discriminated against virus-treated hosts and examined the outcome of within-host competition between the hymenopteran parasitoids Necremnus tutae (Reuter) (Eulophidae) and Dolichogenidea gelechiidivoris Marsch (Braconidae), and the Phthorimaea operculella granulovirus (PhopGV, Baculoviridae) that infects T. absoluta larvae.
RESULTS
Female D. gelechiidivoris discriminated against virus-treated hosts, whereas N. tutae did not. We found few indirect virus-related effects depending on the species, the sex, and the time of virus treatment. Effects were ambivalent for D. gelechiidivoris offspring and ranged from increased male longevity when infection occurred before parasitization to reduced emergence and male longevity when infection occurred after parasitization. N. tutae offspring showed a longer development time and shorter male longevity when they developed in virus-treated hosts.
CONCLUSION
The virus had a low impact on parasitoid offspring. In rare cases, adverse effects were detected; however, the low magnitude of these effects is unlikely to reduce the fitness of parasitoid offspring, therefore both parasitoids seem compatible with the baculovirus for control of T. absoluta.
Document Type
Article
Document version
Accepted version
Language
English
Subject (CDU)
632 - Plant damage, injuries. Plant diseases. Pests, organisms injurious to plants. Plant protection
Pages
11
Publisher
Wiley
Is part of
Pest Management Science
Citation
Gonthier, J., Arnó, J., Romeis, J. and Collatz, J. (2022), Few indirect effects of baculovirus on parasitoids demonstrate high compatibility of biocontrol methods against Tuta absoluta. Pest Manag Sci. Accepted Author Manuscript. https://doi.org/10.1002/ps.7314
Program
Protecció Vegetal Sostenible
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- ARTICLES CIENTÍFICS [2555]
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