Thrips (Thysanoptera) Associated with Economically Important Crops and their Integrated Pest Management (IPM): A Review

Towards sustainable management of Thrips tabaci Lindeman (Thysanoptera: Thripidae): combining resistance, cultural, biological, and chemical approaches-a comprehensive review

Findings indicate that durable, cost-effective T. tabaci control will depend on investing in resistant cultivars, supporting access to quality biocontrol agents, and embedding monitoring based decision tools in extension and policy frameworks rather than relying on calendar based insecticide use.

Sustainable Control Strategies for Thrips in Agricultural Crops: A Review

Sustainable farming faces an ongoing challenge from thrips, which are widespread agricultural pests that cause severe crop damage and spread harmful plant viruses. The overuse of chemical pesticides has backfired, leading to pest resistance, leaving toxic residues in the soil, and harming beneficial organisms, highlighting the need for eco-friendly alternatives for thrips management. Using biological controls offers a reliable path forward by capitalising on the natural interaction between predatory insects and plant-derived compounds. Beneficial organisms, such as Amblyseius swirskii (predatory mites) and minute pirate bugs, work alongside a variety of parasitoids to control thrips populations naturally. Furthermore, microscopic allies such as beneficial nematodes and specialised fungi (Beauveria bassiana and Metarhizium anisopliae) can be deployed to target pests at vulnerable points in their life cycles. Turning to botanical sprays, such as tobacco and neem-derived azadirachtin, also allows farmers to reduce dependency on synthetic chemical treatment. Combining these biological agents and botanical extracts into a unified Integrated Pest Management (IPM) model helps growers protect their crop yields, reduce chemical footprints, and build long-term agricultural resilience.

Towards the sustainable control of diamondback moth (Plutella xylostella L.) in cruciferous crops: current trends, resistance mechanisms, and future frontiers

Diamondback moth (DBM, Plutella xylostella L.) is one of the most damaging pests of cruciferous crops, causing significant economic losses in multiple agri-food production systems globally. The high reproductive potential of DBM, rapid adaptability to diverse ecological zones, and resistance to several synthetic insecticides destabilize their integrated pest management (IPM) efforts. Here, we critically synthesize the current knowledge on DBM research across key IPM thematic areas, including biocontrol, insecticide use, phytochemistry interactions, insect-associated microbiomes and insecticide resistance, as well as the impact of climate alterations. This review has emphasized the importance of evidence based on insecticide applications, which have encouraged the development of resistance and are not sustainable for use in insect population management. However, the availability of other options for biocontrol agents, such as parasitoids, predators, entomopathogens, and host-plant resistance, has also been significant and sustainable for the management of DBM population. Apart from this, the effects of climate fluctuation have increased the spread of DBM population, which has also necessitated the use of adaptive strategies for its management, such as advanced pest surveillance systems, genome editing, and climate resilient cropping systems for breeding resistance to the pest. Despite significant technological advancements, key research gaps remain, including a limited understanding of DBM interactions with phytopathogens, as well as the socio-economic and policy-related barriers that hinder the adoption of IPM. Hence, future goal for DBM control would be implementing robust, sustainable, eco-friendly, and technology-driven approaches to reduce the development of resistance to conventional insecticides and achieving maximum control effects. Future approaches should focus on multidisciplinary collaboration, farmer awareness, and policy support to improve sustainable DBM management. In conclusion, our review provides practical information for improving IPM strategies against DBM populations, ensuring food security, and developing long-term resilience of plant production systems under increasing ecological and climate change pressures.

Biology, distribution, and management of the polyphagous invasive pest Thrips parvispinus (Karny): implications for crop protection

Application of entomopathogenic fungi for managing fruit flies (Diptera: Tephritidae and Lonchaeidae): strategies to optimize bioinputs and enhance the production of healthy guava

Abstract The guava tree, Psidium guajava (Myrtales: Myrtaceae), is a tropical fruit species native to South and Central America and is widely cultivated in Brazil due to favorable soil and climate conditions for commercial production. Brazil is the third-largest guava-producing country in the world. Consequently, the fruit's nutritional value, agricultural production, industrial processing, and exports have expanded. However, this fruit tree is susceptible to pest infestations throughout its phenological cycle, resulting in qualitative and quantitative losses that may render the fruit unsuitable for fresh consumption. Fruit flies (Diptera: Tephritidae and Lonchaeidae) are the main pests affecting guava. Growing restrictions on chemical pesticide use, due to their toxicity to human health and the development of insecticide resistance in pest species, have intensified the search for sustainable alternatives for pest control. Microbial control using entomopathogenic fungi against these pest species is essential for the economic sustainability of guava production. Entomopathogenic fungi are effective because they infect hosts at multiple developmental stages, penetrate the cuticle, and persist in the environment, leading to greater control efficacy. They pose minimal risk to non-target beneficial organisms, including bees, earthworms, collembolans, parasitoids, and predators. This review examines how Beauveria bassiana and Metarhizium anisopliae can enhance fruit fly management, improve plant, and fruit health, increase yield, and provide effective biological control solutions. It also promotes sustainability by encouraging agricultural practices that conserve environmental integrity and biodiversity.

Screening of chilli (Capsicum annuum L.) germplasm for resistance to broad mite, Polyphagotarsonemus latus (Banks) under field conditions

Chilli (Capsicum annuum L.) is an economically important spice and vegetable crop cultivated extensively in tropical and subtropical regions of the world. However, its productivity is severely constrained by several insect and mite pests, among which the broad mite, Polyphagotarsonemus latus (Banks), is a major pest causing leaf curling, stunted growth, flower drop and substantial yield losses. Developing resistant cultivars offers an eco-friendly and sustainable approach for broad mite management. Therefore, field investigations were conducted during kharif 2023 and 2024 to evaluate sixteen chilli genotypes, including the susceptible check Byadgi Dabbi, for resistance against broad mite infestation. The study aimed to assess genotypic variability and identify resistant sources for future breeding programmes. During 2023, mean mite infestation was 2.96 mites per leaf, ranging from 2.30–4.02 mites per leaf. Higher populations were recorded on Sadabahar, Rasgulla and Byadgi Kaddi, whereas Phule Jyoti and Phule Mukta exhibited lower infestation levels. Mite incidence commenced at 45 days after transplanting (DAT), reached its peak at 120 DAT and declined thereafter. In 2024, infestation ranged from 1.98–3.78 mites per leaf, with maximum incidence observed at 90 DAT. Sadabahar remained highly susceptible, while Phule Jyoti, RHRCH 8-2 and Phule Mukta consistently recorded lower mite populations. The pooled mean infestation was 2.79 mites per leaf (2.14–3.90). Based on resistance categorisation, 2 genotypes were identified as resistant, 8 as moderately resistant, 3 as moderately susceptible and 3 as susceptible, indicating substantial genetic variability and providing valuable sources for resistance breeding and integrated pest management programmes in chilli.