Integration of the SIT with Biocontrol for Greenhouse Insect Pest Management
Closed for Proposals
Project Type
Coordinated Research ProjectProject Code
D43003
CRP
2116
Approved Date
14 September 2016Project Status
ClosedStart Date
17 March 2017Expected End Date
16 March 2023Completed Date
12 July 2023Participating Countries
Argentina, Brazil, Canada, Chile, Egypt, France, Guatemala, India, Iran (Islamic Republic of), Italy, Mexico, New Zealand, PakistanDescription
This CRP will develop and evaluate SIT for insect pests in greenhouses. The CRP will focus on three groups of species that are disruptive to current biocontrol practices, or are expected to become serious pest when invading new areas. The three groups are Drosophila suzukii, Heilcoverpa / Spodoptera spp. and Tuta absoluta / Neoleucinodes elegantalis. The background information required for SIT, such as mass-rearing and radiation biology, has been developed for these greenhouse pests to a variable extent. However, for all of these groups the application in confined areas still needs to be refined and evaluated.
Objectives
The overall objective is to advance development and implementation of SIT for integration with other biocontrol in greenhouses.
Specific Objectives
To develop SIT and inherited sterility for Tuta absoluta and Neoleucinodes elegantalis
To adapt SIT and inherited sterility for Spodoptera/Helicoverpa species for confined cropping systems
To develop SIT for Drosophila suzukii
To develop SIT and inherited sterility for Tuta absoluta and Neoleucinodes elegantalis
To adapt SIT and inherited sterility for Spodoptera/Helicoverpa species for confined cropping systems
To develop SIT for Drosophila suzukii
Impact
1. Guidelines for D suzukii mass rearing and irradiation protocols http://www.dgdingfa.net/sites/default/files/massrearing-and-irradiation-sw… provides tools and knowledge for member states.
2. Quality control parameters guidelines under development will provide knowledge and tools for member states.
3. Knowing the effect of biological control agents gives new residue-free options for D. suzukii suppression.
4. Population models and molecular markers provide guidance on numbers of sterile insects and BCAs for D. suzukii management.
5. Desirable phenotypic traits to improve mating success of mass-reared sterilized insects were identified.
6. Dose response of parental, and subsequent sterilization of F1, has been established for Tuta absoluta, Helicoverpa armigera and Spodoptera littoralis.
7. Diets have been developed for T. absoluta, H. armigera and S. littoralis mass rearing.
8. No asexually reproducing populations of T. absoluta have been detected in Argentina meaning that SIT remains viable for Argentinian populations.
9. The presence of Wolbachia in T. absoluta from India (Supergroup A and B) and Argentina (Supergroup B) means that cytoplasmic incompatibility is a possible tool for T. absoluta management.
10. Biocontrol agents like Chrysoperla sp., Tupiocoris sp. Trichogramma sp., have been validated as viable control agents for T. absoluta and S. littoralis.
The results achieved during this CRP have now made it possible to manage Drosophila suzukii and Tuta absoluta with the sterile insect technique and with biological control agents. Key diet development and dose response steps have been achieved to realize the implementation of the sterile insect technique and inherited sterility technique for future Helicoverpa armigera and Spodoptera littoralis management.
Relevance
The CRP pioneered the development of the sterile insect technique for Drosophila suzukii and Tuta absoluta. The results of the research undertaken during the CRP have provided novel information regarding the dose response, mass rearing diet and insect collection and the use of biological control agents for population suppression of Drosophila suzukii and Tuta absoluta. Furthermore, the methodologies have been transferred to Helicoverpa armigera and Spodoptera littoralis. Specific mass rearing and irradiation recommendations have been provided in an IAEA guideline document. Semi-field trials have validated the SIT and BCA strategies as viable options for D. suzukii and T. absoluta. Wolbachia was identified from Tuta populations, paving the way for the development of management tools utilizing cytoplasmic incompatibility.
CRP Publications
USA / Italy - Department of Horticulture, Oregon State University / Technology Transfer Centre, Fondazione Edmund Mach, Italy
Reserch article
2019
Augmentative releases of Trichopria drosophilae for the suppression of early season Drosophila suzukii populations