insects Review Identifying Molecular-Based Trophic Interactions as a Resource for Advanced Integrated Pest Management Jason M. Schmidt 1,*, Angelita Acebes-Doria 1 , Brett Blaauw 2, Arash Kheirodin 1 , Swikriti Pandey 1, Kylie Lennon 1, Amos D. Kaldor 2, Pedro F. S. Toledo 1 and Erin E. Grabarczyk 3 1 Department of Entomology, Tifton Campus, University of Georgia, Tifton, GA 31794, USA;
[email protected] (A.A.-D.);
[email protected] (A.K.);
[email protected] (S.P.);
[email protected] (K.L.);
[email protected] (P.F.S.T.) 2 Department of Entomology, Athens Campus, University of Georgia, Athens, GA 30602, USA;
[email protected] (B.B.);
[email protected] (A.D.K.) 3 Southeast Watershed Research, USDA, Tifton, GA 31793, USA;
[email protected] * Correspondence:
[email protected] Simple Summary: With increasing human populations and the need for ecosystem services to work in synergy with the production of specialty crops, the maintenance of biodiversity is becoming increasingly important. The aims of this study were to review the current literature employing molecular analysis to reveal the roles of species in providing biological control in agricultural systems. Decrypting the trophic networks between biological control agents and agricultural pests is essential Citation: Schmidt, J.M.; to build eco-friendly strategies that promote the natural management of pests before any mediations, Acebes-Doria, A.; Blaauw, B.; such as chemical control strategies, are required. It was found, during the review process, that our Kheirodin, A.; Pandey, S.; Lennon, K.; understanding of biological control communities is lacking in many agricultural systems, including Kaldor, A.D.; Toledo, P.F.S.; common fruit and vegetable production, both in terms of what species are doing for crop production, Grabarczyk, E.E.