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The fall armyworm (FAW), Spodoptera frugiperda, is one of the most important invasive pests worldwide, resulting in considerable losses in host crops. FAW comprises two genetic strains, such as the “rice strain”, which prefers rice and other grass species, and the “maize strain”, which feeds upon maize and sorghum. Potential control measures are generally more applicable to the farmers who lack financial assets to buy chemical insecticides or costly pure seeds. The adverse effects of pesticides on the ecosystem and human’s health and the development of resistance to insect pests have exaggerated efforts to find an alternative strategy that is cost-effective, low-risk and target-specific. Therefore, biological control is widely considered as one of the most important options for insect pest management. This comprehensive review amasses the information on biological control in all phases of their development, including predators, parasitoids, entomopathogenic fungi, viruses, nematodes, bacteria, and biopesticides, with a special focus on their effectiveness against FAW. The findings regarding biological control are briefly discussed in light of improving management programs of the invasive pest S. frugiperda.

Historically, biological control utilizes predatory species and pathogenic microorganisms to reduce the population of mosquitoes as disease vectors. This is particularly important for the control of mosquito-borne arboviruses, which normally do not have specific antiviral therapies available. Although development of resistance is likely, the advantages of biological control are that the resources used are typically biodegradable and ecologically friendly. Over the past decade, the advancement of molecular biology has enabled optimization by the manipulation of genetic materials associated with biological control agents. Two significant advancements are the discovery of cytoplasmic incompatibility induced by Wolbachia bacteria, which has enhanced replacement programs, and the introduction of dominant lethal genes into local mosquito populations through the release of genetically modified mosquitoes. As various arboviruses continue to be significant public health threats, biological control strategies have evolved to be more diverse and become critical tools to reduce the disease burden of arboviruses.

Precision agriculture is revolutionizing the management and production of agricultural crops. The development of new technologies in agriculture, such as unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs), has proven to be an efficient option for spraying various compounds on crops. UAVs significantly contribute to enhancing precision agriculture. This review aims to determine whether integrating advanced precision technologies into drones for crop spraying enhances spraying accuracy compared to drones utilizing standard spraying technologies. To achieve this, 100 articles published between 2019 and 2024 were selected and analyzed. The information was summarized into five main areas: (1) improved spraying with agricultural drone technologies, (2) operational parameters, (3) spraying applications of chemical and natural compounds with agricultural drones, (4) evaluations of control pest efficacy, and (5) considerable limitations. Finally, considerations are presented on the advantages of drone technology with artificial intelligence (AI); the practical effects of reducing pesticides, which, in some cases, have reached a reduction of 30% compared to the recommended dose; and future directions for improving precision agriculture. The use of drones in precision agriculture presents technical and scientific challenges for the maximization of spraying efficiency and the minimization of agrochemical use.

The ambrosia beetle Euwallacea interjectus Blandford (Coleoptera: Curculionidae: Scolytinae) has recently emerged as a pest in Chinese poplar plantations, causing significant economic losses through damage to host trees in association with its mutualistic fungus Fusarium populicola. This study evaluated the biocontrol potential of Beauveria bassiana strain B-BB-1, Serratia marcescens strain B-SM-1, its metabolite prodigiosin, and two ectoparasitic mites, Pyemotes moseri and Pyemotes zhonghuajia. B. bassiana exhibited significant lethality toward adult female E. interjectus, reduced offspring production, and inhibited F. populicola growth. S. marcescens and prodigiosin had certain lethal effects on larvae and inhibited the growth of F. populicola. Both mites effectively parasitized beetle pupae and larvae, with no significant differences in efficacy between the two species. These agents demonstrate promise for the biological control of E. interjectus, offering insights for managing ambrosia beetle infestations.

The Calliphoridae family (order: Diptera), also known as blowflies, has a holometabolous cycle which spans across three larval instars. During development, they appear vermiform and exhibit necrophagous habits. It has been suggested that these organisms are responsible for the development of myiasis and transmission of pathogens to humans and animals. Biological control refers to the regulation of the number of pests by their respective natural enemies. It is an event that occurs naturally in the environment or due to mass creation and subsequent release of the controller in the laboratory. The objective of this review was to study the main biological controllers of the Calliphoridae family through a bibliographical survey of the last 10 years (2007-2017). The use of biological controllers avoids damages to the environment. One form of biological control of blowflies is to use plant extracts, which provides a great diversity of sustainable species to choose from. Additionally, it poses no harm to human health. Parasitoids, predators, bacteria and entomopathogenic fungi have also been tested. Though the results are promising, further studies are necessary before implementation in the society.

Fall armyworm larvae (FAW), Spodoptera frugiperda (J. E. Smith) were collected from whorl-stage corn, Zea mays (L.), between the V2 and V4 stages, in 22 localities of Central, Chiapas, México, called “La Frailesca” during late Jun 2009 to determine the occurrence of native entomopathogens and parasitic nematodes, and to determine the most parasitized instars. A total of 1,247 larvae were examined in search of native biological control agents. Overall total larval mortality was 16.36%. The percent larval mortality due to entomopathogens and parasitic nematodes was 12.99%. Hexamermis sp., probably albicans Siebold (Mermitha: Mermithidae) were isolated from 105 FAW larvae (8.42%) with highest incidence from the 4th, 5th, 6th and 3rd instars, respectively. Ahyphomycete, Nomuraea rileyi Farlow (Samson), was recovered from 38 larvae (about 3.05% parasitism) with highest incidence in the 5th, 3rd, 4th, and 6th instars, respectively. Lowest percentage of FAW larval parasitism was caused by unidentified microsporidian or microsporidium (1.52%), infecting 19 larvae in the 6th, 5th and 3rd instars, respectively. First and 2nd instars did not show parasitism. This information is useful in designing future biological control programs.

This review summarizes the literature about pathogens and predators of ticks and their potential use as biocontrol agents published since the beginning of this century. In nature, many bacteria, fungi, spiders, ants, beetles, rodents, birds, and other living things contribute significantly toward limiting tick populations, as do, for instance, the grooming activities of hosts. Experiments with the most promising potential tick biocontrol agents-especially fungi of the genera Beauveria and Metarhizium and nematodes in the families Steinernematidae and Heterorhabditidae, as well as oxpeckers-are described.

Entomopathogenic nematodes (EPNs) are used in inundative biological control of pests, such as Spodoptera frugiperda, which is targeted primarily when it enters the soil to form pupae. Within insects, EPNs require 7–15 days to form new infective juveniles (IJs); however, if the insect carcass is predated during this period, the population dynamics of nematodes and predators in the soil may be affected. In the soil, S. frugiperda is predated by carabid beetle Calosoma granulatum, which feeds on carcasses and living insects. The aim of the study was to analyze the direct effects of EPN contact with the predator and the effects of EPNs parasitizing prey on predator feeding. The predator C. granulatum and EPN H. amazonensis isolates RSC 5 and JPM 4, which have activity against S. frugiperda, were used. Laboratory experiments were conducted with topical application of IJs on the predator, as were experiments with and without choice using S. frugiperda larvae that were either healthy or infected by EPNs as prey. It was found that only the first instar predator larvae are susceptible to EPNs when applied topically at concentrations greater than 150 IJs/mL. The third instar larvae and adults avoid feeding on infected larvae, but the repulsion occurs only after symbiotic bacteria are released by EPNs inside the host. When predator only had access to infected carcasses as food, most larvae died during the 6 days of feeding. The results obtained shown that in general, these two native isolates of H. amazonensis, are safe for the native predator C. granulatum.

For the burgeoning global population, sustainable agriculture practices are crucial for accomplishing the zero-hunger goal. The agriculture sector is very concerned about the rise in insecticide resistance and the Modern Environmental Health Hazards (MEHHs) that are problems for public health due to on pesticide exposure and residues. Currently, farming practices are being developed based on microbial bio-stimulants, which have fewer negative effects and are more efficient than synthetic agro-chemicals. In this context, one of the most important approaches in sustainable agriculture is the use of biocontrol microbes that can suppress phytopathogens and insects. Simultaneously, it is critical to comprehend the role of these microbes in promoting growth and disease control, and their application as biofertilizers and biopesticides, the success of which in the field is currently inconsistent. Therefore, editorial is part of a special issue titled \"Biocontrol Strategies: An Eco-smart Tool for Integrated Pest and Disease Management\" which focuses on biocontrol approaches that can suppress the biotic stresses, alter plant defense mechanisms, and offer new eco-smart ways for controlling plant pathogens and insect pests under sustainable agriculture.

Larvae of fall armyworm (FAW), Spodoptera frugiperda (J. E. Smith) and soil samples were collected in six Mexican states. Larvae were collected from whorl-stage corn, grain sorghum, forage sorghum, and Sudan grass fields in 64 locations during the summer of 2000, to determine the occurrence of entomopathogens and parasitic nematodes. A total of 5591 FAW larvae from 64 locations were examined for indigenous FAW biological control agents. Overall total larval mortality was 3.935%. The larval mortality percent due to entomopathogens and parasitic nematodes was 3.524%, other causes reached 0.411% of total mortality. Three species of entomopathogenic fungi representing two classes, Hyphomycetes (Nomuraea rileyi, and Hirsutella sp.) and Zygomycetes (Entomophthora sp.) were recovered from FAW larvae, and two species of Hyphomycetes (Metarhizium anisopliae and Beauveria bassiana) were isolated from soil samples. An unidentified microsporidian was recovered from four locations in the State of Jalisco, three from Michoacán, three from Nayarit, and one from Veracruz and Colima, respectively. Mermithid nematodes were recovered from 24 FAW larvae at three locations in Nayarit and three larvae were recovered from two locations in Veracruz. Six larvae showing symptoms of viral disease were collected from Sinaloa (2), Jalisco (2), Michoacán (1), and Nayarit (1). Entomopathogenic nematodes from the genus Heterorhabditis sp. and Steinernema sp. were isolated from soil samples from Colima in one and two locations, respectively. Steinernema sp., and Heterorhabditis sp. were isolated from soil in one location in Michoacán. Steinernema sp. was recovered from two locations of Jalisco. In this survey, N. rileyi, mermithid nematodes, and microsporidia were the most frequent pathogens and parasites.