Understanding how sublethal insecticide exposure affects natural enemies is crucial for sustainable pest management, yet such effects remain largely unexplored in some scelionid parasitoids, including Telenomus busseolae Gahan (Hymenoptera: Scelionidae). This study evaluated the compatibility of widely used insecticides with different modes of action-imidacloprid, indoxacarb, teflubenzuron, and chlorantraniliprole-with the biological control of the Mediterranean corn borer, Sesamia nonagrioides (Lefèbvre) (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae), by the egg parasitoid T. busseolae, a key natural enemy. Risk quotients (RQ), calculated as the ratio of field concentrations to LC50 (median lethal concentration) values, indicated low acute risk for all insecticides. Sublethal effects on adult parasitoids were assessed at LC25 concentrations using the age-stage, two-sex life table approach revealing significant impacts on longevity, fecundity, oviposition duration, and population growth parameters, including intrinsic rate of increase (r) and finite rate of increase (λ), with the most pronounced effects observed under imidacloprid exposure. Host exploitation remained mostly unaffected except under imidacloprid, which reduced net parasitism rate (P0), while the transformation rate (Qp = P0/R0), representing the relationship between net parasitism (P0) and net reproductive rate (R0) at the population level, the stable parasitism rate (ψ), representing parasitism capacity under a stable age-stage structure, and the finite parasitism rate (ω), integrating parasitism capacity with population growth to describe overall parasitism potential, were unchanged. Population projections over 60 days (three generations) suggested the greatest decline under imidacloprid exposure. These findings demonstrate that even sublethal exposure can affect parasitoid fitness, host utilization, and population trajectories, emphasizing the importance of choosing insecticides that are selective for T. busseolae to maintain effective biological control.

The beet armyworm, Spodoptera exigua (Hubner) (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae), poses a significant threat to beet plants, adversely affecting their yield. This study assessed the demographic parameters of this pest on seven commercial fodder beet cultivars, including “Kyros”, “1025”, “Geryty”, “Alianka”, “Laciana”, “Kara”, and “Enermax” under controlled laboratory conditions (27 ± 1 °C, 65 ± 5% RH, 16:8 h L: D). We selected 70 eggs, each less than 12 hours old, from a laboratory-reared generation and monitored their development, mortality, and oviposition daily until the death of the last individual. Data were analyzed using age-stage two-sex life table approach. The duration of the immature stages varied significantly among cultivars, with the total developmental period ranging from 23.79 days on “1025” to 33.25 days on “Laciana”. Immature survival rates also differed, with the highest survival recorded for “1025” (88.57%) and the lowest for “Kyros” (37.14%). Net reproductive rates (R0) were highest for “Alianka” (385.81 offspring) and lowest for “Laciana” (110.97 offspring). The intrinsic rate of increase (r) varied across cultivars, with values of 0.149, 0.214, 0.160, 0.180, 0.125, 0.156, and 0.193. Our findings indicate that “1025” is the most susceptible cultivar to the beet armyworm, while “Laciana” is the most resistant. These results are valuable for developing targeted beet armyworm management programs in different fodder beet cultivation regions.

Myzus persicae Sulzer (Hemiptera: Aphididae), a highly adaptable and economically significant pest, poses a serious threat to agriculture due to its ability to infest a diverse range of host plants. Despite extensive research on aphid behavior and pest management, the specific mechanisms driving host adaptation in M. persicae remain inadequately explored. This review addresses this critical knowledge gap by examining the genetic, behavioral, and physiological mechanisms that enable M. persicae to adapt to various host plants. The formation of biotypes through genetic adaptation, including color polymorphism and detoxification processes, is explored as a key factor in the pest's survival and proliferation. Additionally, we analyze the behavioral strategies M. persicae employs in host selection and feeding preferences, influenced by host plant traits. Physiological adaptations, such as changes in digestive enzymes and life cycle modifications, further contribute to the aphid's capacity to overcome plant defenses. The review also considers the impact of environmental and host plant factors on these adaptations, providing a comprehensive understanding of the complex interactions between M. persicae and its hosts. By integrating these insights, the review proposes implications for the development of more targeted and sustainable pest management strategies. This work enhances our understanding of host adaptation in M. persicae and underscores the need for novel approaches in controlling this resilient pest, ultimately contributing to the advancement of integrated pest management (IPM) practices.

Honeydew, a sugary excretion from sap-feeding insects, significantly influences plant-insect interactions. While extensive research has examined honeydew's composition, regulation, and role in insect-plant relationships, its direct effects on plant physiology and health remain understudied. This review synthesizes current knowledge about the effects of insect honeydew deposition on plant physiology and health, focusing on both beneficial and detrimental effects. Adverse impacts include sooty mold development, increased pathogen susceptibility, and reduced photosynthetic capacity due to surface occlusion. Beneficial effects encompass enhanced flowering, strengthened direct and indirect plant defense mechanisms, and improved soil fertility through indirect pathways. This review examines the relationship between honeydew composition and its effects on plants, while highlighting critical knowledge gaps in molecular mechanisms and long-term plant responses. This synthesis based on a comprehensive literature search provides a foundation for future research on honeydew's role in plant health and ecological interactions.

Telenomus busseolae Gahan (Hymenoptera: Scelionidae) is the most effective egg parasitoid of corn borers, Sesamia spp. (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae). A balanced pest management requires the use of insecticides compatible with T. busseolae since relying solely on the parasitoid may prove inadequate in controlling pest outbreaks. This study investigated the lethal and sublethal effects of chlorantraniliprole, imidacloprid, indoxacarb, lambdacyhalothrin, lufenuron, malathion, and thiamethoxam + lambda-cyhalothrin, at various concentrations on emergence rate and fecundity of treated generation as well as emergence rate and sex ratio of offspring generation. The experiments were performed by immersing the host eggs with the parasitoid, encompassing its early larval, late larval, and pupal stages into the insecticide solutions. All concentrations of the insecticides reduced emergence rate in the treated generation, with the pupal stage being most vulnerable except for controversial effects of lambda-cyhalothrin and immature stage-independent effects of imidacloprid. The insecticides, at least one of the concentrations, negatively affected parasitoid fecundity regardless of a consistent pattern across immature stages. The insecticides did not affect the tested attributes of offspring generation except for that imidacloprid reduced female offspring numbers, and malathion decreased emergence rates. This study provides insights into immature stage-specific susceptibility and fecundity responses of treated generation along with potential impacts on subsequent generation, highlighting the necessity of prudent insecticide usage within the context of integrated pest management strategies (IPMs) in maize fields. Additionally, it underscores the urgency of performing field studies to ascertain actual toxicological scenarios.

Phytohormones, pivotal regulators of plant growth and development, are increasingly recognized for their multifaceted roles in enhancing crop resilience against environmental stresses. In this review, we provide a comprehensive synthesis of current research on utilizing phytohormones to enhance crop productivity and fortify their defence mechanisms. Initially, we introduce the significance of phytohormones in orchestrating plant growth, followed by their potential utilization in bolstering crop defences against diverse environmental stressors. Our focus then shifts to an in-depth exploration of phytohormones and their pivotal roles in mediating plant defence responses against biotic stressors, particularly insect pests. Furthermore, we highlight the potential impact of phytohormones on agricultural production while underscoring the existing research gaps and limitations hindering their widespread implementation in agricultural practices. Despite the accumulating body of research in this field, the integration of phytohormones into agriculture remains limited. To address this discrepancy, we propose a comprehensive framework for investigating the intricate interplay between phytohormones and sustainable agriculture. This framework advocates for the adoption of novel technologies and methodologies to facilitate the effective deployment of phytohormones in agricultural settings and also emphasizes the need to address existing research limitations through rigorous field studies. By outlining a roadmap for advancing the utilization of phytohormones in agriculture, this review aims to catalyse transformative changes in agricultural practices, fostering sustainability and resilience in agricultural settings.

Exogenous application of jasmonic acid (JA) can trigger the induced resistance of plants to herbivores. This study aimed to investigate the genetic variation of 13 cucumber cultivars in response to the exogenous application of JA for inducing resistance to the vegetable leafminer, Liriomyza sativae, in the field. The plants were treated with 0 (control), 10, or 50 μM of JA and exposed to natural infestation by L. sativae. Exogenous application of JA-induced resistance to L. sativae, but its effects varied across the cultivars. The most prominent decrease in plant damage (34.7%), leaf damage (78.2%), and the number of larval mines (58%) were observed in Argeto, 14cu4141, and Aroma with 50 μM JA, respectively. The plants sprayed with JA had more leaf thickness, trichome density, and phenol content compared to control plants. Soheil and Beit Alpha2 had the greatest increase in leaf thickness (89.50%) and trichome density (74.42%) at 10 μM JA, respectively. The highest increase of phenol content (14.70%) was seen in Emparator upon treatment with 50 μM JA. Insect damage showed significant negative correlations with leaf thickness and phenol content. Our results indicate that crop cultivars that respond better to treatment should be determined to use JA in pest management programs.

The peach–potato aphid, Myzus persicae (Sulzer), is one of the most important pests of economic crops. It damages the plant directly by consuming nutrients and water and indirectly by transmitting plant viruses. This pest has the unenviable title of having resistance to more insecticides than any other herbivorous insect pest. Due to the development of its resistance to chemical pesticides, it is necessary to find other control options. Consequently, increased efforts worldwide have been undertaken to develop new management approaches for M. persicae. In this review, we highlight the problems associated with the peach–potato aphid, its economic importance, and current management approaches. This review also describes the challenges with current management approaches and their potential solutions, with special focus given to the evolution of insecticidal resistance and sustainable pest management strategies, such as biocontrol agents, entomopathogens, the use of natural plant-derived compounds, and cultural methods. Furthermore, this review provides some successful approaches from the above eco-friendly pest management strategies that show high efficacy against M. persicae.

Potato Tuber Moth (PTM), Phthorimaea operculella (Zeller), is one of the most destructive pests of potatoes under field and storage conditions. Exploiting plant resistance may help control the pest in an eco-friendly manner. Therefore, the present study aimed to assess the resistance status of six common potato cultivars (Banba, Bellini, Draga, Marfona, Jelly, and Milva) under laboratory conditions (25±1°C, 65±5% RH and 14:10 (L: D) hours photoperiod). Life history and demographic parameters of P. operculella under laboratory conditions were analyzed based on the age-stage, two-sex life table theory, which could be appropriate indices in resistance and susceptibility evaluation of potato cultivars. Pre-adult development was slower on Marfona and faster on Banba (19.91 and 21.93 days, respectively) compared to the other cultivars. The longest oviposition days was found on Jelly (8.20 days), while the shortest (5.43 days) was on Bellini. The maximum values of r and λ were found on Marfona ( r = 0.160 d -1 , λ = 1.173 d -1 ), whereas the minimum values were recorded on Draga ( r = 0.092 d -1 , λ = 1.096 d -1 ). According to the findings of the present study, Draga was considered resistant and a less favorable host plant for the development and reproduction of PTM. These demographic data may be used to better understand the population dynamics of the pest on the six potato cultivars tested, thereby inevitably improve efficient pest management approaches for PTM in both organic and conventional production systems. tuber moth.

Methyl jasmonate (MEJA), a volatile organic compound, can induce plant defenses, thereby contributing to repelling insect pests and attracting their natural enemies. In 2013 and 2014, the influence of three exogenous MEJA doses (0.88, 1.76, and 3.55 mM) under field conditions was investigated on the abundance of the cotton pests Thrips tabaci Lindeman (Thysanoptera: Thripidae), Empoasca decipiens Paoli (Hemiptera: Cicadellidae), and Aphis gossypii Glover (Hemiptera: Aphididae), as well as of the predators Coccinella septempunctata L. (Coleoptera: Coccinellidae), Aeolothrips intermedius Bagnall (Thysanoptera: Aeolothripidae), and Chrysoperla carnea (Stephens) (Neuroptera: Chrysopidae). The MEJA treatments were performed at three cotton plant growth stages: 6–8 true leaves‐early squaring, square bud, and boll forming. The abundances of A. gossypii, T. tabaci, and E. decipiens varied considerably among strata and growing seasons and between experimental years, but overall they were lower on MEJA‐treated cotton plants than on control plants. The population density of A. intermedius and C. septempunctata did not differ between MEJA‐treated and control plants, whereas the intermediate MEJA concentration had an attractive but inconsistent effect on C. carnea. Most of the insect pests and predators showed a preference for specific plant strata. The abundance of T. tabaci was higher in earlier plant growth stages, whereas A. gossypii and E. decipiens were more abundant in later growth stages. Our results demonstrate the deterrent effects of MEJA‐induced cotton plants on sucking pests and suggest that MEJA could be exploited as a non‐toxic pest management tool. Possible mechanisms underlying the effectiveness of MEJA‐mediated cotton plant responses to insect pests are discussed.

Maize, Zea mays L., is currently among the leading cultivated crops in Turkey. Several lepidopteran stemborer species especially, Sesamia nonagrioides Lefèbvre and S. cretica Lederer (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae) may cause high maize yield losses. This study is the first to report parasitism of Sesamia spp. eggs by Trichogramma evanescens (Hymenoptera: Trichogrammatidae) in Southeastern Turkey. During our extensive 3-years region-wide survey program (2018-2020), we collected Sesamia spp. eggs laid between leaf sheets and cobs/stalks. T. evanescens adults hatched from the host eggs collected from two locations in Diyarbakır: one in the central county (L10) and the other in Bismil county (L11). The discovery efficiency, parasitism efficiency, and parasitoid impact indexes of T. evanescens were 77.5%, 38.92%, and 32.87% in L10 and 50.0%, 33.45%, and 12.42% for L11, respectively. Sesamia spp. eggs collected from other counties of Diyarbakır province and other provinces such as Batman, Mardin, and Şanlıurfa did not yield in T. evanescens emergence. To our best knowledge, this study is the first to report the presence of T. evanescens in Southeastern Turkey. Possible factors involved in the restriction of T. evanescens are discussed. Special attention should be devoted to increase the potential of conservative biological control strategies to support egg parasitoids.

Maize cultivation has enormously increased in Southeastern Turkey in recent years. The naked grass-mealybug, Heterococcus nudus (Green, 1926) (Hemiptera: Pseudococcidae), is known as a pest for many uncultivated Poaceae plants. The aims of this study are to report maize as a new host plant for H. nudus and its early region-wide distribution in Southeastern Turkey and to examine its parasitoids. The mealybug was detected on the first (sown in March-April) crop maize plants in Cinar during periodic surveys in June and August 2018. In total, forty-two maize fields from fourteen counties belonging to five provinces, namely Adiyaman, Batman, Diyarbakir, Mardin, and Sanliurfa, were checked for the presence of the mealybug and its parasitoids. The mealybug was recorded in only two counties, Bismil and Cinar of Diyarbakir province while it was not present on maize plants in other surveyed provinces. Mealybug specimens were found feeding between leaf sheets and the stem of maize plants. Mean infestation ratios, i.e. the number of adults + larvae (+/- SEM), were 2.69 (+/- 0.52) and 0.5 (+/- 0.23) adult +/- larvae for Cinar and Bismil respectively. The pest did not infest second crop maize plants (sown in June-July). In addition, incubation of collected grass mealybug individuals yielded no parasitoids. Since the pest is not widely distributed throughout the region and currently has very low population densities, no control practices are recommended for the pest.

Defense induction by exogenous applications of natural plant defense elicitors is an alternative pest control method. Such deployments not only provide resistance against herbivores but also attract their natural enemies. The influences of different doses of the plant defense elicitor cis-jasmone (CJ) (25, 50, 100 g/ha and an untreated control) on cooccurring sucking cotton, Gossypium hirsutum Linnaeus, insect pests from different feeding guilds (Thrips tabaci, Aphis gossypii, Empoasca decipiens) and their predators (Aeolothrips intetmedius, Chrysoperla carnea, Coccinella septempunctata) were examined under field conditions in 2012 and 2013. CJ treatments, coinciding with different plant growth stages, were made per growing season. The abundance of apterous A. gossypii was lower on CJ-sprayed cotton plants than on untreated control plants. Similarly, the overall abundance of T. tabaci was lower on treated cotton plants irrespective of the tested dose comparing with untreated control plants. Empoasca decipiens abundance was lowest on plants treated with the lowest CJ dose (25 g/ha). An attractive effect of CJ treatments on the predatory thrips A. intermedius was detected; its highest abundances were recorded on plants treated with 100 g/ha CJ. The highest abundances of C. carnea were detected on plants treated with 100 g/h CJ in 2012, whereas no such dose-specific attraction was recorded in 2013. CJ treatments had no significant effect on C. septempunctata and alate A. gossypii abundances. The different CJ doses used had no phytotoxic effects on cotton plants and cotton yield. The results are discussed in terms of possible CJ deployment in cotton pest management.

1. Department of Plant Protection, Faculty of Agriculture, University of Urmia, Urmia, Iran; 2. Department of Plant Protection, Faculty of Agriculture, University of Tabriz, Tabriz, Iran; 3. Department of Plant Protection, Faculty of Agriculture, Dicle University, Diyarbakir, Turkey & 4. Department of Plant Protection, Faculty of Agriculture, University of Kurdistan, Sanandaj, Iran. Corresponding author, E-mail: m.maroufpoor@uok.ac.ir Abstract The Mediterranean flour moth, Ephestia kuehniella (Zeller) and the cowpea weevil, Callosobruchus maculatus (Fabricius) rank among the most destructive pests in food processing facilities worldwide. Ephestia kuehniella and C. maculatus may live in the same store simultaneously. To provide a comprehensive ecological based and cost effective control program, the life history and demographic parameters of the both stored product pests were studied at 25 ± 1°C, 60 ± 5% RH, and 16L:8D hours photoperiod. Moreover, population growth potential of the pests compared based on population projection. Life history and demographic parameters of both pests were analyzed using the age-stage, two-sex life table theory. The results revealed that E. kuehniella had longer immature developmental time, shorter adult longevity, shorter reproduction period, higher fecundity, higher net reproduction rate, and lower intrinsic rate of increase in comparison with the cowpea weevil. The obtained results have been discussed in terms of developing appropriate management strategies against both pests in the storage.

cis-Jasmone (CJ) is a natural plant volatile derived from linolenic acid via the octadecanoid pathway, and acts as a semiochemical and plant defense elicitor. In the present study, the effects of three different CJ doses (25 g.ha(-1); 50 g.ha(-1); 100 g.ha(-1)), applied at two different wheat growth stages (flag leaf just visible and emergence of inflorescence completed), on wheat insect pests and beneficial insects were investigated using three different sampling methods (direct visual counting, sweep-netting, colored sticky traps) under semi-arid conditions during 2011-2013. Depending on the insect species, CJ dose-effects varied with study years, plant growth stages and/or sampling methods. Among the pest species, cereal aphids (apterous and alate) were the most prominently affected by CJ treatment, irrespective of the dose; fewer aphids were detected on the CJ-treated plants than on untreated control plants by direct visual counting, sweep net and yellow sticky trap samplings. CJ treatment also had deterrent effects on phytophagous thrips species and wheat stem sawflies (Hymenoptera: Cephidae), whereas CJ was an attractant for aphid parasitoids, coccinellid species and the wheat stem sawfly parasitoid Collyria coxator (Hymenoptera: Ichneumonidae). CJ treatment had no effect on syrphid species (Diptera: Syrphidae). There was no significant effect of CJ treatment on wheat yield; however, CJ-treated plants were taller than untreated control plants. Although the behavioral responses of the studied species to CJ treatment varied with the plant growth stage and treatment dose, and were not consistent across all sampling methods, our findings indicate CJ treatment may be used to reduce some insect pest populations and manipulate some natural enemy species under field conditions.

Methyl jasmonate (MEJA), a well-known herbivore-induced plant volatile, promotes plant defences against various stress factors. The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of different doses of exogenously applied MEJA on the population densities of wheat insect pests and their natural enemies by employing three sampling methods (direct visual sampling, sweep net, sticky traps) in 2012 and 2013 under semi-arid conditions. MEJA treatments had repellent effects on aphids (Hemiptera: Aphididae), phytophagous thrips species (Thysanoptera: Phlaeothripidae and Thripidae) and hoverfly species (Diptera: Syrphidae), whereas it was attractive to wheat stem sawflies (Hymenoptera: Cephidae), lady beetle species (Coleoptera: Coccinellidae) and Collyria coxator (Hymenoptera: Ichneumonidae). MEJA treatments had no effect on aphid parasitoids abundances (Hymenoptera: Braconidae). The experimental outcomes varied, depending on plant phenology and sampling method. MEJA treatment also led to reductions in wheat yield and plant height. MEJA treatment could be beneficial as a natural pest control tool when certain species are targeted.

The spotted stem borer, Chilo partellus (Swinhoe, 1885) (Lepidoptera: Crambidae), an invasive pest of wild and cultivated grasses in Asia and Africa, was found for the first time during periodic surveys of maize fields in the East Mediterranean region of Turkey in September and October 2014. The pest was recorded in maize fields of three of four provinces surveyed (Adana, Hatay and Osmaniye; it was not detected in Icel province). The Mediterranean corn stalk borer, Sesamia nonagrioides Lefebvre (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae), is the dominant maize pest in the East Mediterranean region of Turkey, followed by the European corn borer, Ostrinia nubilalis (Hubner) (Lepidoptera: Crambidae). The new invasive species comprised 4.9% of the total number of collected lepidopteran pests collected from maize stems and cobs in locations infested by C.partellus. No natural enemies of the new pest were recorded during our surveys. We discuss possible interactions among these three lepidopteran pests sharing the same habitat, prospects for control of C.partellus by the control methods currently used against S.nonagrioides and O.nubilalis, and also speculate on the path of invasion taken by C.partellus into Turkey.

380 alcifying fibrous tumor is a well-circumscribed fibrous lesion usually seen in young people. It is observed in the subcutaneous and soft tissue of body, extremities and neck. Also, it may be observed in serous areas, such as pleura, pericardium, peritoneum and the adrenal glands, lungs, mediastinum. It is characterized by dystrophic calcification inside the hyalinized fibrotic stroma. Calcifying fibrous tumor located in the pleura is a rare lesion.1-4 Fourteen cases have been reported in the english literature. We present 44 year-old female patient that ossified mass was deCalcifying Tumor of the Pleura: Case Report and Review of the Literature

The South American tomato leafminer, Tuta absoluta Meyrick (Lepidoptera: Gelechiidae), is an invasive Neotropical pest. After its first detection in Europe, it rapidly invaded more than 30 Western Palaearctic countries becoming a serious agricultural threat to tomato production in both protected and open-field crops. Among the pest control tactics against exotic pests, biological control using indigenous natural enemies is one of the most promising. Here, available data on the Afro-Eurasian natural enemies of T. absoluta are compiled. Then, their potential for inclusion in sustainable pest control packages is discussed providing relevant examples. Collections were conducted in 12 countries, both in open-field and protected susceptible crops, as well as in wild flora and/or using infested sentinel plants. More than 70 arthropod species, 20 % predators and 80 % parasitoids, were recorded attacking the new pest so far. Among the recovered indigenous natural enemies, only few parasitoid species, namely, some eulophid and braconid wasps, and especially mirid predators, have promising potential to be included in effective and environmentally friendly management strategies for the pest in the newly invaded areas. Finally, a brief outlook of the future research and applications of indigenous T. absoluta biological control agents are provided.