Applied Chemical Ecology to Enhance Insect Parasitoid Efficacy in the Biological Control of Crop Pests

Abstract

The field application of semiochemicals, used by parasitoids to find mates and to locate their hosts, is a promising environmentally sustainable and highly specific pest control strategy and an attractive alternative to the use of pesticides. In this chapter, we first examine research progress dealing with the effect of semiochemical cues on parasitoid foraging strategy. In the second part, we review the possible field applications of these chemical cues to enhance pest control strategies, either through direct pest control or by manipulating parasitoid behaviour. We then consider novel approaches, such as the “attract and reward” strategy, combining semiochemical application and habitat management to improve the success of pest management. Even if semiochemical-based tactics are promising in pest control, they still are developing and may face several constraints leading to different challenges. Therefore, in the last part of this chapter, we draw attention to the potential limitations and risks of semiochemical applications in the field. Then, we propose potential solutions to overcome these different constraints.