In-Stress · Insecticide-induced stress in host-parasitoid interaction

Biological invasions by exotic insect pests are a major driver of the widespread use of pesticides in agriculture, raising concerns about food safety, environmental health and sustainability of pest management strategies. Specifically, agrochemicals can strongly compromise the effectiveness of biological control strategies that rely on parasitoids by altering their intricate interactions with the pest. In this context, InStress will investigate the impact of pesticides on the physiological host-parasitoid interaction, which is critical but underexplored dimension of pesticide toxicology. To address this aim, the project will focuses on two complementary systems, which are the invasive pest Drosophila suzukii and the EU high-priority quarantine pest Spodoptera frugiperda. The objectives of the project will be achieved by (i) assessing whether pesticide exposure alters host immunocompetence and (ii) parasitoid venomics; (iii) exploring physiological trade-offs between host insecticide resistance and immune performance against parasitoids; (iv) validating laboratory insights in semi-field conditions. To achieve these objectives, InStress will adopt an inter-sectorial (academic and private) and interdisciplinary approach by integrating toxicology, entomology, immunology, venomics, and molecular biology. Laboratory bioassays (total and differential hemocyte count, phenoloxidase activity, proteomic and transcriptomic analyses of parasitoid venom) will be conducted under pesticide sublethal stress (obj. i and ii) and development of host resistance (obj. iii) and will be coupled with semi-field trials in Southern Italy strawberry greenhouses (obj. iv). Results will have direct relevance for integrated pest management (IPM) programs, informing strategies to optimize the compatibility between chemical and biological control and supporting the transition toward resilient and sustainable agricultural systems in line with global policy priorities and EU sustainability goals.