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Dutra TM, da Graça Batista M, Teixeira JC, Todorova S, Oliveira L, Tavares J, Borges I, Soares AO. Economic and financial model to the mass-rearing of Macrolophus pygmaeus (Rambur) (Heteroptera: Miridae), a biological control agent against the tomato moth Tuta absoluta (Meyrick) (Lepidoptera: Gelechiidae) in protected culture. PEST MANAGEMENT SCIENCE 2023; 79:3712-3720. [PMID: 37184331 DOI: 10.1002/ps.7552] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/17/2022] [Revised: 03/21/2023] [Accepted: 05/11/2023] [Indexed: 05/16/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Tuta absoluta (Meyrick) is a major pest of tomato produced in glasshouses and open field, causing severe damages to crops, reducing the quality of tomato fruits. The current maintenance of the pest populations below the economic threshold is not achieved by natural and classical control, thus requiring the continuous application of biological control agents (BCAs), under an augmentative or inoculative approach. The present study aims to develop an economic and financial model to evaluate the commercial viability of a continuous mass production of Macrolophus pygmaeus (Rambur), a BCA commonly used against the tomato moth, Tuta absoluta, in protected culture. The estimations for our model were based on two approaches: the farm-level impact analysis and the benefit-cost analysis. RESULTS The results of the farm-level analysis show that the adoption of a more sustainable biological control approach is profitable for farmers and the benefit-cost analysis provides evidence that the investment on a new factory dedicated to the mass rearing of M. pygmaeus to control tomato moth populations generates a positive net present value (NPV) of 7.2 million euros, corresponding to an internal rate of return (IRR) of 28.4% per year. CONCLUSION Our results are in line with (i) the more recent European Commission proposals for a new Regulation on sustainable use of plant protection products, which includes the reduction of 50% the use and risk of chemical pesticides by 2030 and (ii) most of the existing literature which conclude that new projects on BCA production are worth investments. © 2023 The Authors. Pest Management Science published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd on behalf of Society of Chemical Industry.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tiago Mota Dutra
- School of Business and Economics, University of the Azores, Ponta Delgada, Portugal
- Business Research Unit (BRU-IUL), Lisbon, Portugal
| | - Maria da Graça Batista
- School of Business and Economics, University of the Azores, Ponta Delgada, Portugal
- Centre of Applied Economics Studies of the Atlantic (CEEAplA), Ponta Delgada, Portugal
| | - João Ca Teixeira
- School of Business and Economics, University of the Azores, Ponta Delgada, Portugal
- Centre of Applied Economics Studies of the Atlantic (CEEAplA), Ponta Delgada, Portugal
| | - Silvia Todorova
- Anatis Bioprotection Inc, Saint-Jacques-le-Mineur, Quebec, Canada
| | - Luísa Oliveira
- CBA - Biotechnology Centre of Azores, Faculty of Sciences and Technology, University of the Azores, Ponta Delgada, Portugal
| | - João Tavares
- CBA - Biotechnology Centre of Azores, Faculty of Sciences and Technology, University of the Azores, Ponta Delgada, Portugal
| | - Isabel Borges
- cE3c - ABG - Centre for Ecology, Evolution and Environmental Changes and Azorean Biodiversity Group and CHANGE - Global Change and Sustainability Institute, Faculty of Science and Technology, Ponta Delgada, Portugal
| | - António Onofre Soares
- cE3c - ABG - Centre for Ecology, Evolution and Environmental Changes and Azorean Biodiversity Group and CHANGE - Global Change and Sustainability Institute, Faculty of Science and Technology, Ponta Delgada, Portugal
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Soares AO, Haelewaters D, Ameixa OMCC, Borges I, Brown PMJ, Cardoso P, de Groot MD, Evans EW, Grez AA, Hochkirch A, Holecová M, Honěk A, Kulfan J, Lillebø AI, Martinková Z, Michaud JP, Nedvěd O, Roy HE, Saxena S, Shandilya A, Sentis A, Skuhrovec J, Viglášová S, Zach P, Zaviezo T, Losey JE. A roadmap for ladybird conservation and recovery. CONSERVATION BIOLOGY : THE JOURNAL OF THE SOCIETY FOR CONSERVATION BIOLOGY 2023; 37:e13965. [PMID: 35686511 DOI: 10.1111/cobi.13965] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/24/2021] [Revised: 05/25/2022] [Accepted: 05/30/2022] [Indexed: 06/15/2023]
Abstract
Ladybirds (Coleoptera: Coccinellidae) provide services that are critical to food production, and they fulfill an ecological role as a food source for predators. The richness, abundance, and distribution of ladybirds, however, are compromised by many anthropogenic threats. Meanwhile, a lack of knowledge of the conservation status of most species and the factors driving their population dynamics hinders the development and implementation of conservation strategies for ladybirds. We conducted a review of the literature on the ecology, diversity, and conservation of ladybirds to identify their key ecological threats. Ladybird populations are most affected by climate factors, landscape composition, and biological invasions. We suggest mitigating actions for ladybird conservation and recovery. Short-term actions include citizen science programs and education, protective measures for habitat recovery and threatened species, prevention of the introduction of non-native species, and the maintenance and restoration of natural areas and landscape heterogeneity. Mid-term actions involve the analysis of data from monitoring programs and insect collections to disentangle the effect of different threats to ladybird populations, understand habitat use by taxa on which there is limited knowledge, and quantify temporal trends of abundance, diversity, and biomass along a management-intensity gradient. Long-term actions include the development of a worldwide monitoring program based on standardized sampling to fill data gaps, increase explanatory power, streamline analyses, and facilitate global collaborations.
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Affiliation(s)
- António O Soares
- Center for Ecology, Evolution and Environmental Changes / Azorean Biodiversity Group (cE3c-ABG) / CHANGE - Global Change and Sustainability Institute, Faculty of Science and Technology, University of the Azores, Ponta Delgada, São Miguel Island (Azores), Portugal
- IUCN SSC, Ladybird Specialist Group
| | - Danny Haelewaters
- IUCN SSC, Ladybird Specialist Group
- Department of Biology, Faculty of Sciences, Ghent University, Ghent, Belgium
- Faculty of Science, University of South Bohemia, České Budějovice, Czech Republic
- Biology Centre of the Czech Academy of Sciences, Institute of Entomology, České Budějovice, Czech Republic
| | - Olga M C C Ameixa
- Centre for Environmental and Marine Studies (CESAM) & Department of Biology, University of Aveiro, Aveiro, Portugal
| | - Isabel Borges
- Center for Ecology, Evolution and Environmental Changes / Azorean Biodiversity Group (cE3c-ABG) / CHANGE - Global Change and Sustainability Institute, Faculty of Science and Technology, University of the Azores, Ponta Delgada, São Miguel Island (Azores), Portugal
| | - Peter M J Brown
- Applied Ecology Research Group, School of Life Sciences, Anglia Ruskin University, Cambridge, UK
| | - Pedro Cardoso
- Laboratory for Integrative Biodiversity Research, Finnish Museum of Natural History LUOMUS, University of Helsinki, Helsinki, Finland
| | - Michiel D de Groot
- Department of Biology, Faculty of Sciences, Ghent University, Ghent, Belgium
- Research Institute for Nature and Forest (INBO), Geraardsbergen, Belgium
| | - Edward W Evans
- Department of Biology, Utah State University, Logan, Utah, USA
| | - Audrey A Grez
- Facultad de Ciencias Veterinarias y Pecuarias, Universidad de Chile, Santiago, Chile
| | - Axel Hochkirch
- Department of Biogeography, Trier University, Trier, Germany
- IUCN SSC Invertebrate Conservation Committee, Trier, Germany
| | - Milada Holecová
- Department of Zoology, Faculty of Natural Sciences, Comenius University, Bratislava, Slovak Republic
| | - Alois Honěk
- Crop Research Institute, Prague, Czech Republic
| | - Ján Kulfan
- Institute of Forest Ecology, Slovak Academy of Sciences, Zvolen, Slovak Republic
| | - Ana I Lillebø
- Centre for Environmental and Marine Studies (CESAM) & Department of Biology, University of Aveiro, Aveiro, Portugal
| | | | - J P Michaud
- Agricultural Research Center - Hays (ARCH), Department of Entomology, Kansas State University, Hays, Kansas, USA
| | - Oldřich Nedvěd
- Faculty of Science, University of South Bohemia, České Budějovice, Czech Republic
- Biology Centre of the Czech Academy of Sciences, Institute of Entomology, České Budějovice, Czech Republic
| | - Helen E Roy
- UK Centre for Ecology & Hydrology, Wallingford, UK
| | - Swati Saxena
- Ladybird Research Laboratory, Department of Zoology, University of Lucknow, Lucknow, India
| | - Apoorva Shandilya
- Ladybird Research Laboratory, Department of Zoology, University of Lucknow, Lucknow, India
| | - Arnaud Sentis
- UMR RECOVER, National Research Institute for Agriculture, Food and the Environment (INRAE) & Aix-Marseille University, Aix-en-Provence, France
| | | | - Sandra Viglášová
- Institute of Forest Ecology, Slovak Academy of Sciences, Zvolen, Slovak Republic
| | - Peter Zach
- Institute of Forest Ecology, Slovak Academy of Sciences, Zvolen, Slovak Republic
| | - Tania Zaviezo
- Facultad de Agronomía e Ingeniería Forestal, Pontificia Universidad Católica de Chile, Santiago, Chile
| | - John E Losey
- IUCN SSC, Ladybird Specialist Group
- Department of Entomology, Cornell University, Ithaca, New York, USA
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Meseguer R, Lumbierres B, Pons X. Establishment and Expansion of Harmonia axyridis Pallas (Coleoptera: Coccinellidae) in Urban Green Areas in the Iberian Peninsula: From 2015 to 2021. INSECTS 2022; 13:741. [PMID: 36005366 PMCID: PMC9409829 DOI: 10.3390/insects13080741] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/05/2022] [Revised: 08/13/2022] [Accepted: 08/15/2022] [Indexed: 06/15/2023]
Abstract
In the Western Palearctic region, Harmonia axyridis (Coleoptera: Coccinellidae) is mainly established in urban areas. In this study, we update its occurrence in urban areas of the Iberian Peninsula and determine its expansion after 2014. Changes in the ladybird species assemblage are also evaluated. We compile information about the records of H. axyridis in Spain from 2015 to 2021. In addition, we sample different locations to determine the relative abundances of the species composing the aphidophagous ladybird complex. The expansion of H. axyridis mainly occurred in Catalonia (Iberian Peninsula), where it is possible to identify two clear areas: one that has already been invaded and another that has not yet been invaded. Harmonia axyridis became the dominant species in the invaded area two years after it was first identified. This dominance is clearly shown on Liriodendron tulipifera and Tilia platyphyllos, where it accounted for more than 75% of the total collected individuals in the last year of the study. In the not-yet invaded area, Adalia bipunctata overcame Oenopia conglobata and became the prevalent species from 2020 onwards, likely due to its regular releases for aphid biocontrol. This study reveals that changes in ladybird species assemblages may not only be caused by invasive species, but also by biological control practices.
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Affiliation(s)
- Roberto Meseguer
- Department of Crop Protection and Forest Sciences, University of Lleida, 25198 Lleida, Spain
| | - Belén Lumbierres
- Laboratori d’Agricultura i Sanitat Vegetal de Catalunya, Departament d’Acció Climàtica, Alimentació i Agenda Rural, Generalitat de Catalunya, 25198 Lleida, Spain
| | - Xavier Pons
- Department of Crop Protection and Forest Sciences, University of Lleida, 25198 Lleida, Spain
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Soares AO, Borges I, Calado HR, Borges PAV. An updated checklist to the biodiversity data of ladybeetles (Coleoptera: Coccinellidae) of the Azores Archipelago (Portugal). Biodivers Data J 2021; 9:e77464. [PMID: 34963754 PMCID: PMC8702535 DOI: 10.3897/bdj.9.e77464] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/01/2021] [Accepted: 11/22/2021] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND A recently-published review from 2021 presents a comprehensive checklist of ladybeetles of Portugal, including the Azores and Madeira Archipelagos. Until then, the available information was very scattered and based on a single revision dating back to 1986, a few international catalogues and databases, individual records and studies on communities of agroecosystems. However, no information was available on faunal composition across the Azorean islands and their habitats, using standardised inventories. Here, we present data about the biodiversity of ladybeetles and their distribution and abundance in five Islands of the Azores (Faial, Graciosa, Pico, São Jorge and São Miguel). Surveys included herbaceous and arboreal habitats from native to anthropogenic-managed habitats: ruderal road vegetation, vegetable garden, mixed forest of endemic and non-native host plants, coastal prairies, coastal mixed vegetation, cornfields and urban areas. We aimed to contribute to the ongoing effort to document the terrestrial biodiversity of Portugal, including the Archipelago of the Azores, within the research project AZORESBIOPORTAL-PORBIOTA (ACORES-01-0145-FEDER-000072). NEW INFORMATION In this study, a total of 1,487 specimens of Coccinellidae belonging to 19 species are reported for several habitats. The listed species are from one single sub-familiy (Coccinellinae) and six tribes; Chilocorini (one species), Coccidulini (three species), Coccinellini (six species), Noviini (one species), Scymnini (seven species), Stethorini (one species). The number of species collected per island differed; Faial (10 species), Graciosa (four species), Pico (seven species), São Jorge (seven species) and São Miguel (12 species). For six species, new island records are given. Currently, the number of species known to occur in the Azores are 32, including two doubtful records. The majority of species are Scymnini, being Scymnus (Scymnus) interruptus (Goeze, 1777) and Scymnus (Scymnus) nubilus Mulsant, 1850, the most abundant species (relative abundance 71.1%). This database will be the baseline of a long-term monitoring project allowing assessment of the impact of ongoing global changes in the distribution and abundance of ladybeetles.
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Affiliation(s)
- António Onofre Soares
- IUCN SSC, Ladybird Specialist Group, Ponta Delgada, Azores, PortugalIUCN SSC, Ladybird Specialist GroupPonta Delgada, AzoresPortugal
- cE3c – Centre for Ecology, Evolution and Environmental Changes / Azorean Biodiversity Group and Universidade dos Açores, Rua Madre de Deus, sn, Ponta Delgada, Azores, PortugalcE3c – Centre for Ecology, Evolution and Environmental Changes / Azorean Biodiversity Group and Universidade dos Açores, Rua Madre de Deus, snPonta Delgada, AzoresPortugal
| | - Isabel Borges
- cE3c – Centre for Ecology, Evolution and Environmental Changes / Azorean Biodiversity Group and Universidade dos Açores, Rua Madre de Deus, sn, Ponta Delgada, Azores, PortugalcE3c – Centre for Ecology, Evolution and Environmental Changes / Azorean Biodiversity Group and Universidade dos Açores, Rua Madre de Deus, snPonta Delgada, AzoresPortugal
| | - Hugo Renato Calado
- cE3c – Centre for Ecology, Evolution and Environmental Changes / Azorean Biodiversity Group and Universidade dos Açores, Rua Madre de Deus, sn, Ponta Delgada, Azores, PortugalcE3c – Centre for Ecology, Evolution and Environmental Changes / Azorean Biodiversity Group and Universidade dos Açores, Rua Madre de Deus, snPonta Delgada, AzoresPortugal
| | - Paulo A. V. Borges
- cE3c – Centre for Ecology, Evolution and Environmental Changes / Azorean Biodiversity Group and Universidade dos Açores, Rua Capitão João d’Ávila, São Pedro, 9700-042, Angra do Heroísmo, Azores, PortugalcE3c – Centre for Ecology, Evolution and Environmental Changes / Azorean Biodiversity Group and Universidade dos Açores, Rua Capitão João d’Ávila, São Pedro, 9700-042Angra do Heroísmo, AzoresPortugal
- IUCN SSC, Mid-Atlantic Islands Specialist Group, Angra do Heroísmo, Azores, PortugalIUCN SSC, Mid-Atlantic Islands Specialist GroupAngra do Heroísmo, AzoresPortugal
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Soares AO, Calado HR, Franco JC, Aguiar AF, Andrade MM, Zina V, Ameixa OMCC, Borges I, Magro A. An annotated checklist of ladybeetle species (Coleoptera, Coccinellidae) of Portugal, including the Azores and Madeira Archipelagos. Zookeys 2021; 1053:107-144. [PMID: 34393557 PMCID: PMC8352855 DOI: 10.3897/zookeys.1053.64268] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/10/2021] [Accepted: 04/24/2021] [Indexed: 11/12/2022] Open
Abstract
A comprehensive annotated checklist of the ladybeetle species of Portugal, including the Azores and Madeira archipelagos, is presented. The Coccinellidae fauna comprises a total of 101 species: 83 from the Mainland, 39 from Madeira, and 32 from the Azores. The listed species are distributed among 2 sub-families and 13 tribes: within the subfamily Microweiseinae, Madeirodulini (1 species), Serangiini (2 species), and within the subfamily Coccinellinae, Azyini (1 species), Chilocorini (4 species), Coccidulini (7 species), Coccinellini (30 species), Epilachnini (4 species), Hyperaspidini (7 species), Noviini (2 species), Platynaspini (1 species), Scymnini (37 species), Stethorini (3 species), and Sticholotidini (2 species). The Portuguese fauna comprises 10 exotic species: 5 present in the Mainland, 7 in Madeira, and 6 in the Azores. Harmoniaaxyridis (Pallas, 1773) from Madeira, Propyleaquatuordecimpunctata (Linnaeus, 1758) from the Azores, Delphastuscatalinae (Horn, 1895) from the Azores and Madeira, Nephus (Geminosipho) reunioni (Fürsch, 1974) and Nephus (Nephus) voeltzkowi Weise, 1910 from Madeira and Microserangium sp. from the Mainland, are reported for the first time. Some species are considered doubtful records, as explained in the text. These results were obtained by compiling information on the available literature regarding ladybeetle species on the Portuguese mainland and insular territories, and original data.
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Affiliation(s)
- António Onofre Soares
- Centre for Ecology, Evolution and Environmental Changes and Azorean Biodiversity Group, Faculty of Sciences and Technology, University of the Azores, 9500-321, Ponta Delgada, Portugal
| | - Hugo Renato Calado
- Azorean Biodiversity Group, Faculty of Sciences and Technology, University of the Azores, 9501-801, Ponta Delgada, Portugal
| | - José Carlos Franco
- Centro de Estudos Florestais (CEF), Instituto Superior de Agronomia, Universidade de Lisboa, 1349-017, Lisboa, Portugal
| | - António Franquinho Aguiar
- Laboratório de Qualidade Agrícola, Caminho Municipal dos Caboucos, 61, 9135-372, Camacha, Madeira, Portugal
| | - Miguel M Andrade
- Rua das Virtudes, Barreiros Golden I, Bloco I, R/C B, 9000-645, Funchal, Madeira, Portugal
| | - Vera Zina
- Centro de Estudos Florestais (CEF), Instituto Superior de Agronomia, Universidade de Lisboa, 1349-017, Lisboa, Portugal
| | - Olga M C C Ameixa
- Centre for Environmental and Marine Studies and Department of Biology, University of Aveiro, Campus Universitário de Santiago, 3810-193, Aveiro, Portugal
| | - Isabel Borges
- Centre for Ecology, Evolution and Environmental Changes and Azorean Biodiversity Group, Faculty of Sciences and Technology, University of the Azores, 9500-321, Ponta Delgada, Portugal
| | - Alexandra Magro
- Laboratoire Evolution et Diversité biologique, UMR 5174 CNRS, UPS, IRD, 118 rt de Narbonne Bt 4R1, 31062, Toulouse cedex 9, France.,University of Toulouse - ENSFEA, 2 rt de Narbonne, Castanet-Tolosan, France
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Li H, Li B, Lövei GL, Kring TJ, Obrycki JJ. Interactions Among Native and Non-Native Predatory Coccinellidae Influence Biological Control and Biodiversity. ANNALS OF THE ENTOMOLOGICAL SOCIETY OF AMERICA 2021; 114:119-136. [PMID: 33732410 PMCID: PMC7953206 DOI: 10.1093/aesa/saaa047] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/30/2020] [Indexed: 05/05/2023]
Abstract
Over the past 30 yr, multiple species of predatory Coccinellidae, prominently Coccinella septempunctata L. and Harmonia axyridis (Pallas) (Coleoptera: Coccinellidae) have spread to new continents, influencing biodiversity and biological control. Here we review the mechanisms underlying these ecological interactions, focusing on multi-year field studies of native and non-native coccinellids and those using molecular and quantitative ecological methods. Field data from Asia show that H. axyridis, C. septempunctata, and Propylea japonica (Thunberg) (Coleoptera: Coccinellidae) are regularly among the most abundant predatory species but their rank varies by habitat. Studies of these species in their native Asian range, primarily related to their range in mainland China, document different patterns of seasonal abundance, species specific associations with prey, and habitat separation. Intraguild predation is well documented both in Asia and in newly invaded areas, and H. axyridis benefits most from this interaction. Harmonia axyridis also seems to rely more on cannibalism in times of prey scarcity than other species, and relatively sparse data indicate a lower predation pressure on it from natural enemies of coccinellids. Declines in the abundance of native coccinellids following the spread and increase of non-native species, documented in several multi-year studies on several continents, is a major concern for native biodiversity and the persistence of native coccinellid species. We suggest that future studies focus more attention on the community ecology of these invasive species in their native habitats.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hongran Li
- Department of Entomology, University of Kentucky, Lexington, KY, USA
- Department of Entomology, School of Plant Protection, Nanjing Agricultural University, Nanjing, Jiangsu Province, China
| | - Baoping Li
- Department of Entomology, School of Plant Protection, Nanjing Agricultural University, Nanjing, Jiangsu Province, China
| | - Gábor L Lövei
- Department of Agroecology, Aarhus University, Flakkebjerg Research Centre, Forsøgsvej 1, Slagelse, Denmark
| | - Timothy J Kring
- Department of Entomology, Virginia Tech, Blacksburg, VA, USA
| | - John J Obrycki
- Department of Entomology, University of Kentucky, Lexington, KY, USA
- Corresponding author, e-mail: john.
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Alaniz AJ, Soares AO, Vergara PM, de Azevedo EB, Grez AA. The failed invasion of Harmonia axyridis in the Azores, Portugal: Climatic restriction or wrong population origin? INSECT SCIENCE 2021; 28:238-250. [PMID: 31989775 DOI: 10.1111/1744-7917.12756] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/20/2019] [Revised: 12/25/2019] [Accepted: 01/16/2020] [Indexed: 06/10/2023]
Abstract
We tested two questions: (i) whether the climatic conditions of the Azorean Islands in Portugal may have restricted the invasion of Harmonia axyridis across this archipelago and (ii) determine what population of this species could have a higher probability of invading the islands. We used MaxEnt to project the climate requirements of different H. axyridis populations from three regions of the world, and the potential global niche of the species in the Azorean islands. Then we assessed the suitability of the islands for each of the three H. axyridis populations and global potential niche through histograms analysis, Principal Component Analysis (PCA) of climate variables, and a variable-by-variable assessment of the suitability response curves compared with the climatic conditions of the Azores. Climatic conditions of the Azores are less suitable for the U.S. and native Asian populations of H. axyridis, and more suitable for European populations and the global potential niche. The PCA showed that the climatic conditions of the islands differed from the climatic requirements of H. axyridis. This difference is mainly explained by precipitation of the wettest month, isothermality, and the minimum temperature of the coldest month. We concluded that the climatic conditions of the Azores could have influenced the establishment and spread of H. axyridis on these islands from Europe. Our results showed that abiotic resistance represented by the climate of the potentially colonizable zones could hinder the establishment of invasive insects, but it could vary depending of the origin of the colonizing population.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alberto J Alaniz
- Laboratorio de Ecología de Ambientes Fragmentados, Departamento de Ciencias Biológicas Animales, Facultad de Ciencias Veterinarias y Pecuarias, Universidad de Chile, Chile
- Centro de Estudios en Ecología Espacial y Medio Ambiente, Ecogeografía, Santiago, Chile
- Departamento de Gestión Agraria, Facultad Tecnológica, Universidad de Santiago de Chile, Chile
| | - António O Soares
- Center for Ecology, Evolution and Environmental Changes and Azorean Biodiversity Group, Faculty of Sciences and Technology, University of the Azores, Ponta Delgada, Portugal
| | - Pablo M Vergara
- Departamento de Gestión Agraria, Facultad Tecnológica, Universidad de Santiago de Chile, Chile
| | - Eduardo Brito de Azevedo
- Center of Climate, Departamento de Ciências Agrárias, Meteorology and Global Change of the University of the Azores (CCMMG- CITA-A), Universidade dos Açores, Angra do Heroísmo, Portugal
| | - Audrey A Grez
- Laboratorio de Ecología de Ambientes Fragmentados, Departamento de Ciencias Biológicas Animales, Facultad de Ciencias Veterinarias y Pecuarias, Universidad de Chile, Chile
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Aphid colony duration does not limit the abundance of Harmonia axyridis in the mediterranean area. Sci Rep 2020; 10:21085. [PMID: 33273581 PMCID: PMC7713073 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-020-78257-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/11/2020] [Accepted: 11/19/2020] [Indexed: 11/08/2022] Open
Abstract
There is a lot of information on the factors limiting the distributions of species in their native areas, but much less on those limiting potential changes in distributions of species that are currently spreading outside their present range, especially invasive species. However, this information is often quite essential, as it enables the prediction of future spatial distributions and local abundances of invasive species and the potential effect they may have on people and crops. Arising from glasshouse escapes in North America and the Netherlands, the invasive ladybird, Harmonia axyridis (Pallas) (Coleoptera: Coccinellidae), originally from the east Palearctic, has now spread across the whole of North America and most of Europe, both of which caused serious concern. Recent observations show that the spread of H. axyridis towards the equator is limited. For example, it is quite rare in the Mediterranean area and its northward spread in South America is also quite slow, as if there was something limiting its spread towards the equator. European literature indicates it is neither climate, nor the distance of the Mediterranean from the original release location in the Netherlands. Therefore, we hypothesized that it may be biotic factors. In particular, the duration of colonies of prey (colony is the set of individuals in one patch, usually on one plant) that becomes shorter as one approaches the equator. This may lower the fitness of the predator and subsequently lead to low population densities. We test here, whether the duration of aphid colonies is shorter in the Mediterranean area than in Central Europe. Unfortunately, our data does not support this hypothesis. Therefore, the question of what limits the distribution of H. axyridis towards the equator remains to be resolved.
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