Computational modeling of tritrophic interactions in biological pest control

• Grant number: 19/26071-8
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Post-Doctoral
• Start date: February 01, 2020
• End date: March 31, 2023
• Field of knowledge: Agronomical Sciences - Agronomy - Plant Health
• Agreement: Koppert Brasil
• Principal Investigator: José Roberto Postali Parra
• Grantee: Adriano Gomes Garcia
• Host Institution: Escola Superior de Agricultura Luiz de Queiroz (ESALQ). Universidade de São Paulo (USP). Piracicaba , SP, Brazil
• Company: Universidade de São Paulo (USP). Escola Superior de Agricultura Luiz de Queiroz (ESALQ)
• Associated research grant: 18/02317-5 - Center for Excellence in Biological Control, AP.PCPE

Abstract

With the growing demand for novel strategies of pest management that reduce the use of agrochemicals and concomitantly, increase crop production more sustainably, biological control, using predators and parasitoids, is gaining ground. However, unsuccessful programs of biological control has occurred because of the lack of understanding about the complexity of the biological interactions. As the biological control depends on the interactions established between organisms of different trophic levels and the environment, the results can be unpredictable, and the detailed study of tritrophic interactions (natural enemies, herbivores and plants) becomes necessary, as well as the role of abiotic factors in these interactions.One of the biggest concerns among researchers is the identification of suitable areas and periods for the release of natural enemies. Among the possible metrics used for decision-making, abiotic factors, such as temperature and relative humidity, have played an important role on the determination of spatial occurence of different insects in agriculture systems based on their thermal and moisture requirements, combining biology studies and GIS (Geographic Information System). Such approaches are extremely important for the biological control and meet the mission and goals of the Center for Excellence in Biological Control giving support to at least two lines of research proposed in the main project: i) Evaluation of the risks and benefits of Biological Control; and ii) Strategies for using Biological Control in IPM. Thus, the objective of this post-doctoral fellowship is focused on the development of computational and mathematical models to describe the spatial distribution of insect pests and their natural enemies, resulting in new technologies to support biological control programs applied in brazilian crops, using GIS and mathematics approaches.

Scientific publications

(9)

(References retrieved automatically from Web of Science and SciELO through information on FAPESP grants and their corresponding numbers as mentioned in the publications by the authors)

GARCIA, ADRIANO GOMES; MALAQUIAS, JOSE BRUNO; FERREIRA, CLAUDIA PIO; TOME, MAYSA PEREIRA; WEBER, IGOR DANIEL; GODOY, WESLEY AUGUSTO CONDE. Ecological Modelling of Insect Movement in Cropping Systems. Neotropical Entomology, v. 50, n. 3, APR 2021. (14/16609-7, 17/05953-7, 19/26071-8)

PARRA, L. M.; GARCIA, A. G.; ALVES, G. R.; MAGRO, S. R.; PARRA, J. R. P.. Effect of Different Wheat-Based Diets and Corn Meal Addition on Development Parameters of Ephestia kuehniella (Zeller, 1879) (Lepidoptera: Pyralidae). JOURNAL OF INSECT SCIENCE, v. 22, n. 3, p. 5-pg., 2022-05-01. (18/02317-5, 19/26071-8)

CANTORI, LUCAS VINICIUS; GARCIA, ADRIANO GOMES; PINTO, ALEXANDRE DE SENE; CONDE GODOY, WESLEY AUGUSTO; PARRA, JOSE ROBERTO POSTALI. Detailed look at paralysis of hosts by the ectoparasitoid Habrobracon hebetor (Hymenoptera: Braconidae): does more efficient paralysis mean more effective parasitism?. BIOCONTROL, v. 67, n. 6, p. 8-pg., 2022-10-13. (18/02317-5, 19/26071-8)

BERTANHA, LAISY ALBERTI; DINIZ, ALEXANDRE JOSE FERREIRA; GARCIA, ADRIANO GOMES; PARRA, JOSE ROBERTO POSTALI. Determining the Minimum Temperature for Storage of Tamarixia radiata (Hymenoptera: Eulophidae) Adults for Biological Control of Asian Citrus Psyllid. Neotropical Entomology, v. 50, n. 1, JAN 2021. (18/02317-5, 19/26071-8)

RODRIGUES, LUCAS MANIERO; GARCIA, ADRIANO GOMES; PARRA, JOSE ROBERTO POSTALI. Ecological zoning of Euschistus heros in Brazil based on the net reproductive rate at different temperatures and relative-humidity levels. Journal of Economic Entomology, v. 116, n. 4, p. 7-pg., 2023-06-17. (19/26071-8, 18/02317-5, 14/50871-0)

MARIN, DENIS ROGERIO; EDUARDO, WELLINGTON IVO; DINIZ, ALEXANDRE JOSE FERREIRA; MIRANDA, MARCELO PEDREIRA; ZANARDI, ODIMAR ZANUZO; TOMASETO, ARTHUR FERNANDO; GARCIA, ADRIANO GOMES; PARRA, JOSE ROBERTO POSTALI; VOLPE, HAROLDO XAVIER LINHARES. Density and Dispersal Radius of Tamarixia radiata for Control of Diaphorina citri in Citrus Groves. Neotropical Entomology, v. 52, n. 4, p. 8-pg., 2023-06-27. (17/21460-0, 19/26071-8, 19/19649-3)

PARRA, JOSE ROBERTO POSTALI; GARCIA, ADRIANO GOMES; DINIZ, ALEXANDRE JOSE FERREIRA; BENTO, JOSE MAURICIO SIMOES. Sustainability in Brazilian Citriculture: Three Decades of Successful Biological Control of Insect Pests. FRONTIERS IN AGRONOMY, v. 4, p. 10-pg., 2022-05-27. (19/26071-8, 18/02317-5)

GARCIA, ADRIANO G.; JAMIELNIAK, JOSEMERI A.; DINIZ, ALEXANDRE J. F.; PARRA, JOSE R. P.. The importance of Integrated Pest Management to flatten the huanglongbing (HLB) curve and limit its vector, the Asian citrus psyllid. ENTOMOLOGIA GENERALIS, v. 42, n. 3, p. 11-pg., 2022-01-01. (18/02317-5, 19/26071-8)

TOME, MAYSA P.; WEBER, IGOR D.; GARCIA, ADRIANO G.; JAMIELNIAK, JOSEMERI A.; WAJNBERG, ERIC; HAY-ROE, MIRIAN M.; GODOY, WESLEY A. C.. Modeling fall armyworm resistance in Bt-maize areas during crop and off-seasons. JOURNAL OF PEST SCIENCE, v. N/A, p. 12-pg., 2022-07-14. (18/02317-5, 19/26071-8, 20/09495-6)