Work

Ecological risks of a biopesticide from marine-derived amino-oligosaccharides in agriculture: Food chain effects on non-target organisms Frankliniella occidentalis and its natural predator Neoseiulus barkeri

Year: 2025

Type: article

Abstract: A biopesticide from marine-derived amino-oligosaccharides (AO) are extensively utilized in China, yet there is a lack of scientific literature on their potential ecological risks when transmitted through the food chain to Neoseiulus barkeri , a natural predator of Frankliniella occidentalis . In this study, we conducted a comprehensive investigation into the food chain effects of AO on both F. occidentalis and N. barkeri . Our findings indicate that AO-treated cucumber leaves facilitated the population growth of F. occidentalis but indirectly suppressed the fecundity of N. barkeri which fed on the first instar nymphs of F. occidentalis . Besides, F. occidentalis that ingested AO-treated cucumber leaves exhibited elevated levels of total protein and defense enzymes, including catalase (CAT) and peroxidase (POD), whereas the detoxification enzymes activity, such as carboxylesterase (CarE) and cytochrome P450 monooxygenase (P450), was diminished. Conversely, N. barkeri exhibited decreased levels of the defense enzymes superoxide dismutase (SOD) and POD, coupled with an elevated CarE activity, because of AO food chain transmission. In conclusion, the food chain effects of AO on non-target organisms F. occidentalis and N. barkeri may involve the modulation of defense and detoxification enzyme activities, leading to varying fitness costs. These findings provide critical insights for agricultural pest management strategies, highlighting the necessity of evaluating the effects of AO on non-target organisms within ecosystems, especially beneficial insects, during its application. Our analysis demonstrated that cucumber seedlings treated with amino-oligosaccharides (AO) facilitated an increase in the population growth of F. occidentalis, while concurrently suppressing the reproductive success of N. barkeri when transmitted through the trophic chain. Moreover, AO was observed to exert direct or indirect effects on the activity of defense and detoxification enzymes in both F. occidentalis and N. barkeri . These findings suggest that the impact of AO on non-target organisms may involve the modulation of defense and detoxification enzyme activities, leading to variable fitness costs. ● Amino-oligosaccharides (AO) showed hormesis effects on the fecundity of F . occidentalis through food chain transmission. ● AO negatively impacted the fecundity of Neoseiulus. barkeri, a natural predator of F. occidentalis, via food chain transmission. ● AO directly increased defense enzyme and inhibited detoxifying enzymes activity in F. occidentalis . ● AO indirectly decreased defense enzyme and boosted detoxifying enzyme activity in N. barkeri through by F. occidentalis . ● Biological pesticides induced resurgence might occur in F. occidentalis after exposure to AO.

Source: Ecotoxicology and Environmental Safety

DOI: 10.1016/j.ecoenv.2025.118015