Spodoptera exigua (Hübner) (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae) is a globally important polyphagous pest that affects various horticultural and ornamental crops. The conventional control of this pest relies on chemical insecticides; however, the resistance developed by S.exigua, along with regulatory restrictions in Europe, has driven the search for alternatives such as the use of baculoviruses and natural enemies. This study evaluates the ability of the parasitoides Hyposoter didymator (Thunberg) (Hymenoptera: Ichneumonidae) and Chelonus inanitus (Linnaeus) (Hymenoptera: Braconidae) to retain and transmit the Spodoptera exigua multiple nucleopolyhedrovirus (SeMNPV) after exposure to infected host larvae of S. exigua.
The parasitism efficiency of H. didymator females increased over time, peaking after one week. Females were able to transmit SeMNPV to S. exigua for at least 10 days. Additionally, a higher proportion of female offspring was observed when H. didymator was exposed to infected larvae and subsequently parasitized healthy larva. C. inanitus female were able to transmit SeMNPV for at least 14 days. The sex ratio was male-biased, regardless of the infection status of the parasitized host.
While these observations reinforce the potencial of a combined strategy using baculoviruses and parasitoids, the study´s limitations-such a biological variability and lack of replication- require further research to confirm the findings. Nevertheless, the use of SeMPNV as a integrated pest management tool offers ecological benefits by reducing the environmental impact associated with chemical insecticides.
Spodoptera exigua (Hübner) (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae) is a globally important polyphagous pest that affects various horticultural and ornamental crops. The conventional control of this pest relies on chemical insecticides; however, the resistance developed by S.exigua, along with regulatory restrictions in Europe, has driven the search for alternatives such as the use of baculoviruses and natural enemies. This study evaluates the ability of the parasitoides Hyposoter didymator (Thunberg) (Hymenoptera: Ichneumonidae) and Chelonus inanitus (Linnaeus) (Hymenoptera: Braconidae) to retain and transmit the Spodoptera exigua multiple nucleopolyhedrovirus (SeMNPV) after exposure to infected host larvae of S. exigua.
The parasitism efficiency of H. didymator females increased over time, peaking after one week. Females were able to transmit SeMNPV to S. exigua for at least 10 days. Additionally, a higher proportion of female offspring was observed when H. didymator was exposed to infected larvae and subsequently parasitized healthy larva. C. inanitus female were able to transmit SeMNPV for at least 14 days. The sex ratio was male-biased, regardless of the infection status of the parasitized host.
While these observations reinforce the potencial of a combined strategy using baculoviruses and parasitoids, the study´s limitations-such a biological variability and lack of replication- require further research to confirm the findings. Nevertheless, the use of SeMPNV as a integrated pest management tool offers ecological benefits by reducing the environmental impact associated with chemical insecticides. Read More
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