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Differential Responses of the Egg-Larval Parasitoid Chelonus Bifoveolatus To Fall Armyworm-Induced and Constitutive Volatiles of Diverse Maize Genotypes (2025)
Journal Article
Onjura, C. O., Peter, E., Asudi, G. O., Gicheru, M. M., Mohamed, S. A., Bruce, T. J. A., & Tamiru, A. (in press). Differential Responses of the Egg-Larval Parasitoid Chelonus Bifoveolatus To Fall Armyworm-Induced and Constitutive Volatiles of Diverse Maize Genotypes. Journal of Chemical Ecology, 51(2), 1-14. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10886-025-01585-3

The fall armyworm (FAW), Spodoptera frugiperda, is a serious invasive crop pest and threat to food security. Conventional pest control approaches using chemical pesticides can lead to adverse environmental and human health problems calling for safer... Read More about Differential Responses of the Egg-Larval Parasitoid Chelonus Bifoveolatus To Fall Armyworm-Induced and Constitutive Volatiles of Diverse Maize Genotypes.

Rapid screening for resistance to Sitobion avenae (F.) and Rhopalosiphum padi (L.) in winter wheat seedlings and selection of efficient assessment methods (2024)
Journal Article
Qonaah, I. A., Simon, A. L., Warner, D., Rostron, R. M., Bruce, T. J. A., & Ray, R. V. (in press). Rapid screening for resistance to Sitobion avenae (F.) and Rhopalosiphum padi (L.) in winter wheat seedlings and selection of efficient assessment methods. Pest Management Science, 1-12. https://doi.org/10.1002/ps.8485

BACKGROUND: Sitobion avenae (F.) and Rhopalosiphum padi (L.) are harmful pests of wheat [Triticum aestivum (L.)]. No genetic resistance against the aphids has been identified in commercial wheat varieties and resistance phenotyping can be time‐consum... Read More about Rapid screening for resistance to Sitobion avenae (F.) and Rhopalosiphum padi (L.) in winter wheat seedlings and selection of efficient assessment methods.

'The Garlic Gambit': an alternative strategy for controlling vine weevil (Otiorhynchus sulcatus F.; Coleoptera: Curculionidae). (2024)
Journal Article
Fezza, E., Roberts, J. M., Bruce, T. J. A., Walsh, L. E., Gaffney, M. T., & Pope, T. W. (in press). 'The Garlic Gambit': an alternative strategy for controlling vine weevil (Otiorhynchus sulcatus F.; Coleoptera: Curculionidae). Journal of Economic Entomology, 117(5), 1968-1976. https://doi.org/10.1093/jee/toae175

Plant protection products derived from plant material are proposed to be a sustainable alternative to conventional synthetic chemical pesticides. This study determines the efficacy of a commercially available bioinsecticide based on garlic (Allium sa... Read More about 'The Garlic Gambit': an alternative strategy for controlling vine weevil (Otiorhynchus sulcatus F.; Coleoptera: Curculionidae)..

Constraints and solutions for development and uptake of integrated pest management in the UK (2024)
Journal Article
Walters, K. F. A., Parry, G., Burnstone, J., Grenz, K., Collier, R., & Bruce, T. (in press). Constraints and solutions for development and uptake of integrated pest management in the UK. Annals of Applied Biology, https://doi.org/10.1111/aab.12896

Agricultural improvements that reduce conventional pesticide use and support environmental aims are a priority. Current approaches develop promising alternative products but meet significant challenges in bringing them to market. This article reports... Read More about Constraints and solutions for development and uptake of integrated pest management in the UK.

Decoding attraction: improving vine weevil monitoring by exploiting key sensory cues. (2023)
Journal Article
Fezza, E., Roberts, J. M., Bruce, T. J. A., Walsh, L. E., Gaffney, M. T., Pope, T. W., Bruce, T. J. A., & Gaffney, M. T. (in press). Decoding attraction: improving vine weevil monitoring by exploiting key sensory cues. Pest Management Science, 10.1002/ps.7665. https://doi.org/10.1002/ps.7665

Monitoring is an integral component of integrated pest management (IPM) programmes used to inform crop management decisions. Vine weevil, Otiorhynchus sulcatus F. (Coleoptera: Curculionidae), continues to cause economically significant losses in hort... Read More about Decoding attraction: improving vine weevil monitoring by exploiting key sensory cues..

Efficacy of selected botanical oils against the cassava whitefly (<i>Bemisia tabaci</i>) and their effects on its feeding behaviour (2023)
Journal Article
Amour, M., Wosula, E. N., Mrisho, L., Hoskins, C., Buss, D., Bruce, T., Stephano, F., & Legg, J. P. (2023). Efficacy of selected botanical oils against the cassava whitefly (Bemisia tabaci) and their effects on its feeding behaviour. Journal of Applied Entomology, 147(7), 473-485. https://doi.org/10.1111/jen.13128

The control of the whitefly Bemisia tabaci relies heavily on the use of synthetic insecticides. There is a need to develop alternative control strategies due to concerns about impact of these insecticides on the environmental and human health, and th... Read More about Efficacy of selected botanical oils against the cassava whitefly (<i>Bemisia tabaci</i>) and their effects on its feeding behaviour.

Biological control interventions reduce pest abundance and crop damage while maintaining natural enemies in sub-Saharan Africa: a meta-analysis (2022)
Journal Article
Ratto, F., Bruce, T., Chipabika, G., Mwamakamba, S., Mkandawire, R., Khan, Z., Mkindi, A., Pittchar, J., Sallu, S., Whitfield, S., Wilson, K., & Sait, S. (2022). Biological control interventions reduce pest abundance and crop damage while maintaining natural enemies in sub-Saharan Africa: a meta-analysis. Proceedings of the Royal Society B: Biological Sciences, https://doi.org/10.1098/rspb.2022.1695

Insect pests are a major challenge to smallholder crop production in sub-Saharan Africa (SSA), where access to synthetic pesticides, which are linked to environmental and health risks, is often limited. Biological control interventions could offer a... Read More about Biological control interventions reduce pest abundance and crop damage while maintaining natural enemies in sub-Saharan Africa: a meta-analysis.

Biological control interventions and botanical pesticides for insect pests of crops in sub-Saharan Africa: A mapping review (2022)
Journal Article
Ratto, F., Bruce, T., Chipabika, G., Mwamakamba, S., Mkandawire, R., Khan, Z., Mkindi, A., Pittchar, J., Chidawanyika, F., Sallu, S. M., Whitfield, S., Wilson, K., & Sait, S. M. (2022). Biological control interventions and botanical pesticides for insect pests of crops in sub-Saharan Africa: A mapping review. Frontiers in Sustainable Food Systems, 6, Article ARTN 883975. https://doi.org/10.3389/fsufs.2022.883975

<jats:p>Agricultural productivity can be increased sustainably in sub-Saharan Africa (SSA) by reducing crop losses due to insect pest damage. As an alternative to environmentally-damaging chemical pesticides, biological control interventions and bota... Read More about Biological control interventions and botanical pesticides for insect pests of crops in sub-Saharan Africa: A mapping review.

Valorization of Hesperidin from Citrus Residues: Evaluation of Microwave-Assisted Synthesis of Hesperidin-Mg Complex and Their Insecticidal Activity (2022)
Journal Article
da Silva, D., Bomfim, J., Marchi, R., Amaral, J., Pinto, L., de Oliveira, R., Buss, D., Kirk, W., Bruce, T., da Silva, M., Carlos, R., Ferreira, A., Forim, M., & Fernandes, J. (2022). Valorization of Hesperidin from Citrus Residues: Evaluation of Microwave-Assisted Synthesis of Hesperidin-Mg Complex and Their Insecticidal Activity

The aim of the current study was the valorization of hesperidin, the dominant flavonoid in citrus processing waste, by microwave-assisted synthesis of hesperidin-Mg complex, improving its antioxidant activity and insecticidal potential. Here we show,... Read More about Valorization of Hesperidin from Citrus Residues: Evaluation of Microwave-Assisted Synthesis of Hesperidin-Mg Complex and Their Insecticidal Activity.

Wild potato ancestors as potential sources of resistance to the aphid Myzus persicae (2022)
Journal Article
Bruce, T. J., Ali, J., & Sobhy, I. S. (2022). Wild potato ancestors as potential sources of resistance to the aphid Myzus persicae. Pest Management Science, 78(9), 3931-3938. https://doi.org/10.1002/ps.6957

BACKGROUND: Plant resistance to insects can be reduced by crop domestication which means their wild ancestors could provide novel sources of resistance. Thus, crossing wild ancestors with domesticated crops can potentially enhance their resistance ag... Read More about Wild potato ancestors as potential sources of resistance to the aphid Myzus persicae.

Bioactive Volatiles From Push-Pull Companion Crops Repel Fall Armyworm and Attract Its Parasitoids (2022)
Journal Article
Sobhy, I., Tamiru, A., Chiriboga Morales, X., Nyagol, D., Cheruiyot, D., Chidawanyika, F., Subramanian, S., Midega, C., Bruce, T., & Khan, Z. (2022). Bioactive Volatiles From Push-Pull Companion Crops Repel Fall Armyworm and Attract Its Parasitoids. Frontiers in Ecology and Evolution, https://doi.org/10.3389/fevo.2022.883020

Fall armyworm, Spodoptera frugiperda, is a serious invasive pest in Africa but "Push-Pull" companion cropping can substantially reduce infestation. Here, we elucidate the underpinning chemical ecology mechanisms. We hypothesized that companion crop v... Read More about Bioactive Volatiles From Push-Pull Companion Crops Repel Fall Armyworm and Attract Its Parasitoids.

Optimising Vine Weevil, Otiorhynchus sulcatus F. (Coleoptera: Curculionidae), Monitoring Tool Design. (2022)
Journal Article
Fezza, E., Roberts, J., Bruce, T., Walsh, L., Gaffney, M., & Pope, T. (2022). Optimising Vine Weevil, Otiorhynchus sulcatus F. (Coleoptera: Curculionidae), Monitoring Tool Design. Insects, https://doi.org/10.3390/insects13010080

Vine weevil, Otiorhynchus sulcatus F. (Coleoptera: Curculionidae), is an economically important insect pest of horticultural crops. To identify an effective and reliable monitoring system for adult vine weevil, this study investigated the influence o... Read More about Optimising Vine Weevil, Otiorhynchus sulcatus F. (Coleoptera: Curculionidae), Monitoring Tool Design..

Effects of cis-Jasmone Treatment of Brassicas on Interactions With Myzus persicae Aphids and Their Parasitoid Diaeretiella rapae. (2021)
Journal Article
Ali, J., Covaci, A., Roberts, J., Sobhy, I., Kirk, W., & Bruce, T. (2021). Effects of cis-Jasmone Treatment of Brassicas on Interactions With Myzus persicae Aphids and Their Parasitoid Diaeretiella rapae. Frontiers in Plant Science, 711896 - ?. https://doi.org/10.3389/fpls.2021.711896

There is a need to develop new ways of protecting plants against aphid attack. Here, we investigated the effect of a plant defence activator, cis-jasmone (CJ), in a range of cultivars of Brassica napus, Brassica rapa and Brassica oleracea. Plants wer... Read More about Effects of cis-Jasmone Treatment of Brassicas on Interactions With Myzus persicae Aphids and Their Parasitoid Diaeretiella rapae..

Evolutionary ecology: Plant volatile profile changes after escaping specialist insects. (2021)
Journal Article
Sobhy, I., & Bruce, T. (2021). Evolutionary ecology: Plant volatile profile changes after escaping specialist insects. Current Biology, R969 - R971. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.cub.2021.06.043

Considerable debate surrounds the role of plant volatiles in plant defence against insects. A new study provides evidence for evolutionary changes in an invasive plant that support the defensive role of plant volatiles.

Potential roles of selected forage grasses in management of fall armyworm (Spodoptera frugiperda) through companion cropping (2021)
Journal Article
Khan, Z. R., Cheruiyot, D., Chiriboga Morales, X., Chidawanyika, F., & Bruce, T. J. A. (2021). Potential roles of selected forage grasses in management of fall armyworm (Spodoptera frugiperda) through companion cropping. Entomologia Experimentalis et Applicata, 169(10), 966-974. https://doi.org/10.1111/eea.13083

Production of maize, Zea mays L. (Poaceae), in sub-Saharan Africa is threatened by a new invasive pest, fall armyworm (FAW), Spodoptera frugiperda (JE Smith) (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae). To mitigate this threat, push-pull companion cropping, a system or... Read More about Potential roles of selected forage grasses in management of fall armyworm (Spodoptera frugiperda) through companion cropping.

Evaluation of African Maize Cultivars for Resistance to Fall Armyworm Spodoptera frugiperda (J. E. Smith) (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae) Larvae (2021)
Journal Article
Chiriboga Morales, X., Tamiru, A., Sobhy, I., Bruce, T., Midega, C., & Khan, Z. (2021). Evaluation of African Maize Cultivars for Resistance to Fall Armyworm Spodoptera frugiperda (J. E. Smith) (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae) Larvae. Plants, 392 - 392. https://doi.org/10.3390/plants10020392

The fall armyworm (FAW) has recently invaded and become an important pest of maize in Africa causing yield losses reaching up to a third of maize annual production. The present study evaluated different aspects of resistance of six maize cultivars, c... Read More about Evaluation of African Maize Cultivars for Resistance to Fall Armyworm Spodoptera frugiperda (J. E. Smith) (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae) Larvae.

Zucchini Plants Alter Gene Expression and Emission of (E)-ß-Caryophyllene Following Aphis gossypii Infestation (2021)
Journal Article
Vitiello, A., Rao, R., Giorgini, M., Molisso, D., Digilio, M., Corrado, G., Bruce, T., & D'Agostino, N. (2021). Zucchini Plants Alter Gene Expression and Emission of (E)-ß-Caryophyllene Following Aphis gossypii Infestation. Frontiers in Plant Science, 592603 - ?. https://doi.org/10.3389/fpls.2020.592603

Zucchini (Cucurbita pepo L.) is widely cultivated in temperate regions. One of the major production challenges is the damage caused by Aphis gossypii (Homoptera: Aphididae), a polyphagous aphid, which can negatively affect its host plant, both direct... Read More about Zucchini Plants Alter Gene Expression and Emission of (E)-ß-Caryophyllene Following Aphis gossypii Infestation.