Enhancing Coccinella Beetle Biological Pest Control via a Floral Approach in Cucumber Greenhouse

Abstract

Flower-rich habitats are crucial for promoting biodiversity and ecosystem services within agricultural ecosystems, such as pollination and pest control. The present study investigates the efficacy of employing floral structures as a criterion for the selection of plant species in order to enhance the attraction of natural enemies within cucumber greenhouses, consequently augmenting floral resources. The results of our study provide evidence that flower strips have a beneficial effect on the fitness of critical natural predators, while not facilitating the proliferation of detrimental insect species. These findings exhibit potential for enhancing pest-management services in the agricultural sector. The findings of our study demonstrate that pest levels within greenhouse environments closely resemble those observed in real-world commercial cropping systems. As a result, the introduction of Coccinella septempunctata and Menochilus sexmaculatus biocontrol agents is confirmed to be a reliable and efficient method for pest management. The phenomenon of predator–prey density dependency is recognized as a crucial element in the implementation of biological control strategies. Furthermore, we investigate the impact of floral resources on the reproductive capacity of indigenous predators. The impact of Coriandrum sativum on fertility is substantial, indicating that the presence of a varied plant assortment with overlapping flowering periods can prolong the availability of floral resources. This study highlights the significance of flower-rich habitats and deliberate plant selection in augmenting biodiversity, ecosystem services, and pest management within agricultural settings. The implementation of conservation biological control technologies presents supplementary ecological advantages, thus offering practical implications for the promotion of sustainable agricultural practices.