Behavioural Manipulation of Insect Pests in Integrated Pest Management

Author: Chandana C.R. and Sushila Nadagouda

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Abstract

The threat posed by the usage of insecticides in reducing the damage caused by insect pests has led to an expansion in the potential scope of managing these insect pests by manipulating their behaviour via external and internal cues. Here in this review, we explore techniques for manipulating behaviour through the utilization of natural and/or artificial signals, such as pheromones, kairomones, vibrations, and sounds. It fits seamlessly within IPM's multi-disciplinary framework, as it combines biological, ecological, and chemical approaches to pest management. We place particular emphasis on three types of behavioural manipulation methods using stimuli to reduce pest damage: (a) chemical stimuli (e.g., sex pheromones for monitoring, mass trapping, mating disruption, attract and kill), (b) visual stimuli, and (c) host plant volatiles (including attractants, repellents, stimulants, and deterrents). It is crucial to comprehend the fundamental behavioural patterns in insects to effectively manipulate their behaviour, and we delve into the potential of these techniques for environmentally sustainable insect pest management strategies.

Keywords

Behavioural manipulation, IPM, chemical stimuli, visual stimuli, host plant volatiles, sustainability

Conclusion

The use of broad-spectrum pesticides currently dominates insect pest management. But pest control through the manipulation of pest behaviour by utilizing chemical stimuli, visual stimuli and host plant volatiles is gaining momentum over broad-spectrum insecticides because of the stringent restrictions placed on the use of insecticides around the world. Behavioural manipulation is a highly specific, non-toxic and environmentally sustainable replacement tool in IPM and which are expected to play a pivotal role in high-tech crop protection. A meticulous understanding of the behaviour of the pest and its ecology is a must to develop a successful behavioural manipulation tactic. Ultimately the adoption of a behavioural manipulation strategy for the control of insect pests will depend on farmers' view of these strategies (e.g., cost when compared to other current management practices). Therefore, during the development of technologies to alter insect behaviour, there is a wider scope for effective collaboration between firms, academics, extension specialists, members of agribusiness, and farmers.

References

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How to cite this article

Chandana C.R. and Sushila Nadagouda (2023). Behavioural Manipulation of Insect Pests in Integrated Pest Management?. Biological Forum – An International Journal, 15(10): 1554-1561.