Role of kairomones in biological control of pests: Commercial potential

Authors: Okosun, Olabimpe; George, Justin; Reddy, Gadi V.P.

Submitted to: Book Chapter
Publication Type: Book / Chapter
Publication Acceptance Date: 1/12/2023
Publication Date: 3/30/2023
Citation: Okosun, O.O., George, J., Reddy, G.V. 2023. Role of kairomones in biological control of pests: Commercial potential. In: Koul, O., editor. Development and commercialization of biopesticides: Costs and benefits. London, UK: Academic Press. p. 57-80. https://doi.org/10.1016/B978-0-323-95290-3.00019-4
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/B978-0-323-95290-3.00019-4

Interpretive Summary: Biological control strategies, which include use of natural enemies (predators and parasitoids), and pathogenic microbials agents (fungi, nematodes, bacteria, and viruses) for control of herbivorous insects’ pests, are an essential part of integrated pest management. Successful implementation of biological control strategies is dependent on the establishment of adequate numbers of key natural enemies in crop fields. Use of kairomones within biological control strategies can help increase natural enemy populations in crop fields. Kairomones can be effectively used in conservation and augmentative biological control to improve the performance of biological control agents. These attractant chemicals or kairomones do not leave any residues on the crop; hence, they can be used in an environmentally sound manner in pest management programs. The identification and synthesis of the kairomonal compounds and their field applications could help us to develop environmentally safer pest control operations and increase the biocontrol potential of predators and parasites. Although, the reproducibility of the kairomones synthetic complex mixtures that will induce robust olfactory responses in natural enemies is difficult, investigations into interactions and compatibility of biological control agents with semiochemicals and other control strategies should be continuous. These research results should be integrated into overall beneficial, applicable and profitable pest control strategies in agroecosystem in a competitive market.

Technical Abstract: The use of kairomone-based lures as biological control strategies aids in attracting and retaining natural enemies for insect pest population suppression. The addition of semiochemicals to attract biological control agents such as parasitoids, predators and entomopathogens could amplify the dispersal of these agents resulting in more efficient foraging and strengthening their contribution to sustainable biological control of crop pests in the agroecosystems. Although, research into integrating semiochemicals and biological control has gained momentum in recent years, there is need to incorporate these semiochemical known to affect key biological control agents in laboratory into commercial products that are cost effective and competitive in the market-place. The speed of such incorporation of semiochemicals into IPM could be enhanced by simplifying the registration process for such compounds. Also, cost-effectiveness studies of such new products under field conditions should be carried out by economists and other experts from commercial companies to reduce the burden on researchers. There is need for better training of all stakeholders including researchers and producers on regulatory policies, governing product registration, legislation, and commercial constraints on development and marketing of such products, any of which might, if unfavorable, hinder successful commercialization of these products. Additionally, funding for citizen education on this new class of agro-compounds and their safety should be part of the strategy to market these products.