Corn rootworms (CRW) are among the most destructive pests in corn production across the Corn Belt, causing considerable damage through larval feeding on roots. While crop rotation and Bt technologies are widely adopted management strategies, their effectiveness is increasingly compromised by the pest's evolution of resistance and behavioral adaptability. Chemical insecticides applied at planting to target larvae directly serve as an additional tool for corn rootworm control. In this study, we evaluated the performance of various insecticides, applied in-furrow, for managing corn rootworms by assessing Node Injury Scale (NIS), lodging rates, and grain yields from 2020 to 2024. We found that Mode of Action (MOA) 3A insecticides (sodium channel modulators), such as Force Evo (tefluthrin) and Capture LFR (bifenthrin), did not provide substantial efficacy in reducing NIS and lodging rates. In contrast, MOA 1B+3A insecticides (acetylcholinesterase (AChE) inhibitors + sodium channel modulators), such as INDEX (chlorethoxyfos + bifenthrin) and AZTEC HC (tebupirimphos + cyfluthrin), significantly reduced CRW larval damage, particularly under high pest pressure in 2020, 2021 and 2023. Differences in insecticide concentrations did not significantly impact larval control efficacy. Additionally, seasonal rainfall during larval hatching and variation in cumulative corn growing degree days (GDD) strongly influenced the root injury and lodging outcomes. Lower GDD likely limits root regeneration, increasing lodging risk under CRW pressure. These findings demonstrate the values of in-furrow insecticides in managing corn rootworms, particularly under high pest pressure and provide valuable insights for developing integrated pest management strategies to sustain effective CRW larval control and improve crop productivity.

To identify the species of Collembola that harm Morchella and to screen for pesticides that are effective in controlling these pests with minimal inhibition of mycelial growth, a five-point sampling method was used to investigate the population of Collembola and its damaging effects on Morchella and to analyze its spatial distribution in the soil. The indoor control efficacy of ten insecticides was determined using the mushroom disc immersion method and the pesticide film method. The most effective insecticides were then selected for field testing. The effect of the best-performing field pesticides on the mycelial growth of Morchella was measured using the Petri dish mycelial growth rate method, and pesticide residues were detected using chromatography. The survey revealed that in three Morchella greenhouses, the average Collembola population was 220,333 individuals/m3. The spatial distribution of Collembola was uniform. The collected Collembola specimens were identified as Oligaphorura ursi from the family Onychiuridae. Through the lab and field screening of pesticides, it was found that 40% phoxim EC, 1.8% abamectin EC, 2.5% lambda-cyhalothrin EW, and 4.5% beta-cypermethrin EC had the best efficacy. Meanwhile, residues of these four pesticides were not detected. Mycelial growth inhibition experiments showed that 2.5% lambda-cyhalothrin EW, 1.8% abamectin EC, and 4.5% beta-cypermethrin EC exhibit low inhibition of mycelial growth and can be used as control pesticides for Collembola on Morchella, providing a technical reference for the green pesticide control of Collembola on Morchella in the study region.

Metal-based nanoparticles (MNPs) are gaining attention as promising components of nanopesticides, offering innovative solutions to enhance agricultural pest management while addressing environmental concerns associated with traditional pesticides. MNPs, such as silver, copper, zinc, nickel, gold, iron, aluminum, and titanium, exhibit unique nanoscale properties. These properties enable the formulation of MNPs for controlled and sustained release, thereby reducing application frequency and minimizing environmental runoff. This controlled release mechanism not only improves pest management efficacy but also reduces risks to non-target organisms and beneficial species, aligning with the principles of sustainable crop protection. This review examines nanopesticides based on their specific targets, such as nanoinsecticide, nanobactericide, nanofungicide, nanonematicide, and nanoviricide. It also explores the mechanisms of action of metal-based nanoparticles, including physical disruption, chemical interactions, and biological processes. Additionally, the review details how MNPs compromise cellular integrity through mechanisms such as membrane damage, DNA disruption, mitochondrial impairment, and protein denaturation. Despite these advantages, significant challenges remain, particularly concerning the environmental impact of MNPs, their long-term effects on soil health and ecosystem dynamics, and potential risks to human safety. Addressing these challenges is crucial for realizing the full potential of MNPs in sustainable agriculture.

Chlorpyrifos (CHP) contamination affects agricultural land and poses significant risks to plants and humans. Chitosan-oligosaccharide (COS) enhances plant resilience under stress and boosts the activity of enzymes metabolizing exogenous substances. This study aimed to explore the potential and mechanism of COS in mitigating CHP phytotoxicity and reducing CHP accumulation through both pot and field experiments. The results indicated that CHP exposure caused oxidative stress and decreased photosynthesis by 18.5 % in wheat. COS up-regulated the expression of antioxidant enzyme genes in CHP-stressed plants, resulting in a 12.1 %-29.4 % increase in antioxidant enzyme activity, which resulted in an 11.3 %-12.8 % reduction in reactive oxygen species (ROS) and an 11.5 %-14.7 % reduction in malondialdehyde (MDA) content in leaves and roots, respectively. Additionally, COS increased chlorophyll content by 6.6 % by regulating genes related to chlorophyll metabolism, enhancing photosynthesis by 13.6 %. COS also reduced CHP uptake and accelerated its metabolism by upregulating CYP450, GST, and lignin biosynthesis-related genes. Wheat treated with COS exhibited a 26.7 %-28.7 % reduction in grains' CHP content, resulting in a lower health risk index (HRI). These findings provide novel insights into the potential of COS in alleviating CHP phytotoxicity and reducing its accumulation.

Limited studies have highlighted the importance of incorporating behavioural assessments into insecticide efficacy evaluations for wireworm pest control. For this study, video tracking technology combined with a soil bioassay arena was employed to analyse the behaviour of Agriotes obscurus wireworms before, during, and after exposure to wheat seeds treated with the neonicotinoid insecticides thiamethoxam and imidacloprid at field-relevant concentrations. The analysis identified a set of behavioural key metrics for assessing the effects of these insecticides on wireworms. The results showed that these insecticides exhibited neutral attractancy towards wireworms. A brief period of feeding followed by rapid intoxication minimised damage to seeds. Furthermore, the wireworms demonstrated a specific form of behavioural resistance to neonicotinoids that did not rely on sensory input. In these insects, the rapid speed of intoxication, accompanied by drastic changes in behaviour, ensured that they received a sublethal rather than lethal dose of the insecticide. The wireworms fully recovered from all behavioural abnormalities within a week, and none died within 20 days following the exposure. In conclusion, this video tracking method provides a rapid and efficient means of assessing insecticides intended for wireworm management, offering valuable insights prior to more resource-intensive and costly field trials.

Pine forests in the North-east German Plain (Brandenburg) are typical areas for outbreaks of insect pests, like Dendrolimus pini (L.). The reasons for the landscape-defining cultivation of Pinus sylvestris L. are mainly climatic and historical. In interest of forest management, it is important to prevent large-scale larvae feeding and defoliation damages. Therefore, insecticides can be applied to the crown area of pine forests, if a high risk of forest damage is predicted after using monitoring methods. According to Paragraph 18 of the German Plant Protection Act (PflSchG), the aerial application with helicopter is possible. Ecological-chemical monitoring can generate data on the fate and persistence of the plant protection products respectively incorporated active substances applied in the environment, which can be used to estimate the effects on the ecosystem. In the present study, aerial forest protection measures were monitored and further field trials were carried out to determine the active substance levels of tebufenozide and lambda-cyhalothrin on different compartments (insect pests/non-target organisms, pine needles and forest soil) in time-dependent sampling before and after application. The results of the trace analysis and exposure estimation allowed an evaluation of the exposure situation in pine forests.

Insecticide treated seeds are commonly used to reduce yield losses from burrowing insect damage such as wireworms. Using temporal X-ray Computed Tomography (CT) of soil-filled bioassays, we aimed to quantify changes in burrow network production and structure as a measure of wireworm behavioural change in response to three types of insecticide treated maize seed; compound X (R&D &D product in field trial stage of development); tefluthrin and thiamethoxam. A biopesticide alternative treatment (neem), untreated maize seed and bare soil were also investigated. Insect health outcomes were also monitored to provide toxicity/mortality data. Wire- worms exposed to compound X produced greater burrow networks than untreated maize and neem treatments, similar to that in volume of those produced in bare soil. Compound X exposure also elicited the production of more complex burrow structures, a function of the number of vertices, edges and faces of a shape (V-E+F) +F) related to the number of interconnected branches, compared to any other treatments. Compound X, tefluthrin and thiamethoxam induced mortality at greater rates than neem or untreated, suggesting all three could have potential to manage wireworm populations and reduce yield loss, but only compound X modified burrowing behaviour. With soil biopores playing an important role in soil productivity and carbon sequestration, the wider implications of this increase in burrowing activity for food security and climate change warrants further exploration.

The revocation of chlorpyrifos tolerances in 2022 left sweetpotato growers without their most important tool to combat a complex of soil-borne root pests that includes wireworms (Coleoptera: Elateridae). Since then, growers have reported increased root damage despite a rapid pivot to pyrethroid-based management systems to replace mechanically incorporated preplant chlorpyrifos broadcast sprays. Our goal was to evaluate the efficacy of alternative insecticide chemistries and application methods to expand the portfolio of management options for wireworms, specifically Conoderus spp. and Melanotus communis (Gyllenhal). We tested (i) insecticidal transplant water drenches and (ii) a foliar spray program targeting adult elaterids. We found that incorporating insecticides into transplant water reduced wireworm damage when compared to untreated transplant water. Our treatments included a recently registered meta-diamide, broflanilide, which represents a promising path to diversify active ingredients and shift away from an overreliance on preplant and post-directed pyrethroid soil sprays. Foliar spray plots had less damage than plots that did not receive foliar sprays. One benefit of adult-focused management is the availability of effective monitoring tools such as sex pheromones and blacklight trapping. Developing a robust adult monitoring program would enable more precise applications of foliar insecticides versus season-long prophylactic soil sprays targeting larvae. Our results demonstrated a significant benefit to both alternative delivery methods. These management alternatives could expand treatment options beyond traditional preplant and post-directed pyrethroid sprays.

Insect pests are serious threats to agriculture, forestry, and human health because they damage crops and trees and spread diseases. Chemical insecticides control insect pests quickly and effectively, protecting crops. Environmental and health concerns arise from their use. Long-term exposure can cause pesticide-resistant insects, requiring stronger chemicals. Beneficial insects and wildlife may be harmed. Some chemical insecticides persist in the environment, causing long-term ecological damage. The present study was to isolate, identify, and characterize entomopathogenic fungi from the soil, evaluate their pathogenicity against major insect species, and evaluate the non-target effect on soil bioindicator species. Bioassay results show that Beauveria bassiana conidia are more pathogenic to all three species at 10 days after treatment, causing 100% mortality in Halyomorpha halys and Tenebrio molitor within 10 days. The lethal concentration showed lower LC50 values of 9.5 x 103 conidia/mL in H. halys, 2.6 x 103 conidia/mL in T. molitor, and 8.3x104 conidia/mL in P. japonica, B. bassiana treatment results showed a shortened insect life time LT50 of H. halys (6.0 days), T. molitor (5.3 days), and P. japonica (6.9 days). The present study concluded that B. bassiana fungi conidia are more efficient against three major insect pests.

Hylastes species are known to cause damage to conifers in plantations in northern Sweden, and in recent years an increase in seedling damage has been observed in southern Sweden. However, there are few studies on Hylastes spp and the damage it can cause, so there is a lack of knowledge regarding pest management. In order to investigate an eventual interaction between damage by Hylastes spp and the more well-known Hylobius abietis (L) we registered damage by these species. Unprotected spruce seedlings were compared with seedlings protected from Hylobius abietis by a mechanical coating or with an insecticide. The effect of mechanical site preparation (MSP) was studied, with half of the seedlings being planted in unprepared soil and the other half after MSP. Both seedling protection and MSP significantly reduced the level of damage caused by Hylastes spp. MSP reduced the proportion of affected and killed seedlings and reduced the level of damage at the root collar. Protecting the seedlings reduced the level of damage, and no difference was found between seedlings treated with an insecticide and those provided with a coating. Similar responses were observed with both containerized and plug plus seedlings. In conclusion, measures against Hylobius abietis seem to also prevent damage by Hylastes spp.