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Advancing Sustainable Agriculture: Potential of Life Story Strategies of Solitary and Gregarious Microgastrinae Parasitoids (Hymenoptera: Braconidae) to Enhance Biological Control

Author

Listed:
  • Vladimir Žikić

    (Department of Biology and Ecology, Faculty of Sciences and Mathematics, University of Niš, 18000 Niš, Serbia)

  • José L. Fernández-Triana

    (Canadian National Collection of Insects, Arachnids and Nematodes, Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada, Ottawa, ON K1A 0C6, Canada)

  • Aleksandra Trajković

    (Department of Biology and Ecology, Faculty of Sciences and Mathematics, University of Niš, 18000 Niš, Serbia)

  • Maja Lazarević

    (Department of Biology and Ecology, Faculty of Sciences and Mathematics, University of Niš, 18000 Niš, Serbia)

Abstract

The life history strategies of solitary and gregarious Microgastrinae parasitoids are both valued for their potential in biological control, but they have rarely been directly compared to fully understand their roles in integrated pest management (IPM) programs. This paper provides a detailed comparison of these two strategies, focusing on critical traits, such as host specialisation, mating behaviour, and the mechanisms used to overcome host immune defences. Instead of treating these strategies holistically, the study isolates and examines each trait while also identifying synergistic interactions and their underlying causes. Key IPM success factors, including parasitism efficiency, host acceptance, and susceptibility to natural enemies, are defined to assess the effectiveness of each strategy. The results show that while gregarious parasitoids tend to have broader host ranges and higher fecundity, solitary parasitoids offer greater host specificity and reduced vulnerability to predators. Despite both strategies receiving similar overall performance scores, this study identifies monophagy as a particularly significant factor, offering insight into why some IPM programs succeed more effectively than others under seemingly identical environmental conditions. This study highlights host specificity and ecological adaptability as essential for effective, sustainable pest management, supporting the integration of both parasitoid types to enhance IPM efficacy.

Suggested Citation

  • Vladimir Žikić & José L. Fernández-Triana & Aleksandra Trajković & Maja Lazarević, 2024. "Advancing Sustainable Agriculture: Potential of Life Story Strategies of Solitary and Gregarious Microgastrinae Parasitoids (Hymenoptera: Braconidae) to Enhance Biological Control," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 16(22), pages 1-22, November.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jsusta:v:16:y:2024:i:22:p:10004-:d:1522368
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    References listed on IDEAS

    as
    1. Clausen, C.P., 1956. "Biological Control of Insect Pests in Continental United States," Technical Bulletins 157130, United States Department of Agriculture, Economic Research Service.
    2. Vladimir Žikić & Tanja Bohinc & Christos Athanassiou & Paraskevi Agrafioti & Matilde Eizaguirre & Drago Trajber & Stanislav Trdan, 2024. "First records of Glyptapanteles liparidis (Braconidae, Microgastrinae) and Gelis areator (Ichneumonidae, Cryptinae) in Slovenia," Journal of Forest Science, Czech Academy of Agricultural Sciences, vol. 70(1), pages 24-30.
    3. John J. Pexton & Peter J. Mayhew, 2002. "Siblicide and life-history evolution in parasitoids," Behavioral Ecology, International Society for Behavioral Ecology, vol. 13(5), pages 690-695, September.
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