Developing sustainable biocontrol based integrated pest control strategies for major CEA pests

Developing a successful integrated pest management program in CEA rooted in compatibility of different management pillars within the program, resulting in synergistic pest control. Biological control programs offer much promise in CEA, where the density and diversity of natural enemies can be manipulated using augmentative natural enemy releases. However, the success of biocontrol programs in part depends on the use of selective products that complement biocontrol, highlighting the importance non-target testing. Hence, in this research, we studied the compatibility of a few chemical insecticides (Propoxyphene and Cyantraniliprole) and entomopathogenic fungal strains (Beauveria bassiana GHA and Cordyceps javanica Apopka 97) with two Bemisia tabaci predators. We studied these products affect on Geocoris punctipes and Hippodamia convergens feeding rate, prey preference, and survivorship. Our results indicate the species-specific response of G. punctipes and H. convergens towards these products, highlighting the need for species-specific research. Furthermore, the success of biocontrol programs could be linked to the use of diverse mixes of natural enemies that engage in additive or synergistic interactions. However, diversifying natural enemies can result in intraguild predation (IGP) that limits the efficacy of biocontrol programs. Molecular gut content analysis (MGCA) has surfaced as a tool and revolutionized the studies of trophic interactions, allowing intraguild predation to be tracked among competing natural enemies. My research program leads the efforts to find compatible natural enemy mixes for B. tabaci and Aphis gossypii in numerous CEA crops, along with compatible chemical and EPF products that can complement biocontrol efforts in CEA.