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Multiple stressor effects in biological pest control : improving efficacy in challenging environments
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Dearlove, Eleanor Louise (2022) Multiple stressor effects in biological pest control : improving efficacy in challenging environments. PhD thesis, University of Warwick.
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WRAP_Theses_Dearlove(Spence)_2022.pdf - Submitted Version - Requires a PDF viewer. Download (29Mb) | Preview |
Official URL: http://webcat.warwick.ac.uk/record=b3850071~S1
Abstract
Greenhouse whitefly (Trialeurodes vaporariorum) are a major global pest, causing direct damage to >850 plant species and transmitting viral plant diseases. Management of T. vaporariorum is increasingly difficult because of widespread pesticide resistance. Many greenhouse growers rely on biological control agents to maintain T. vaporariorum. However, biological control agents are slow acting and variable in their efficacy, resulting in subsequent application of chemical insecticides when pest populations become unmanageable. There is an increasing drive to use integrated, multiple pest control strategies, limiting chemical application and increasing the use of sustainable alternatives. Entomopathogenic fungi (EPF) have the potential to be used as one of these alternative control methods, but EPF efficacy is highly variable between applications. Co-application of a chemical insecticide with an entomopathogenic fungus can result in improved pest control, assist resistance management, target multiple pest species and increase the range of environmental conditions over which control is effective. Combining chemical and biological pesticides has the potential to result in both positive and negative interactions, so it is important to understand how mixture components interact. Positive interactions result in synergism, whilst negative interactions cause antagonism and a reduction in pest control. In this thesis, EPF with potential to control T. vaporariorum were identified through a series of laboratory in vitro and in vivo tests. Co-application of a mixture of selected EPF and the chemical insecticide spiromesifen were evaluated in laboratory based bioassays. Using an ecotoxicological MixTox model, complex interactions between the EPF and insecticide were described; depending on the EPF and the concentrations applied, mixtures resulted in additivity, synergism or antagonism. The types of interactions were influenced by temperature and applications of a low concentration of spiromesifen with EPF resulted in additive mortality of T. vaporariorum in greenhouse trials. By understanding of the complex interactions between components of integrated pest management strategies, optimised approaches can be developed to control pests.
| Item Type: | Thesis (PhD) | ||||
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| Subjects: | Q Science > QL Zoology S Agriculture > SB Plant culture |
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| Library of Congress Subject Headings (LCSH): | Entomopathogenic fungi, Greenhouse whitefly, Insecticides, Biological pest control agents | ||||
| Official Date: | May 2022 | ||||
| Dates: |
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| Institution: | University of Warwick | ||||
| Theses Department: | School of Life Sciences | ||||
| Thesis Type: | PhD | ||||
| Publication Status: | Unpublished | ||||
| Supervisor(s)/Advisor: | Hesketh, Helen ; Chandler, David | ||||
| Sponsors: | Natural Environment Research Council (Great Britain) | ||||
| Format of File: | |||||
| Extent: | 329 leaves : illustrations, charts | ||||
| Language: | eng |
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