Lethal and Sublethal Effects of Pesticides on Biological Control Agents: Towards Sustainable and Intelligent Phytoprotection

In agricultural science, the sustainable use of pesticides alongside biological control agents is a critical aspect of integrated pest management (IPM). While synthetic pesticides play a vital role in managing pest outbreaks, their widespread use can adversely impact beneficial arthropods, such as predators, parasitoids, and entomopathogens that underpin natural regulation of pests. The latest research underscores both lethal and sublethal pesticide effects that can impair behavior, reproduction, physiology, and ecological interactions of biological control agents. Persistent knowledge gaps remain in understanding the complex dynamics of non-target toxicity, particularly as agriculture adopts more sophisticated, technology-driven protection systems. Current debates focus on balancing effective pest control with minimizing ecological disruption, emphasizing the need to integrate toxicology, ecology, and precision agriculture.This Research Topic aims to stimulate a comprehensive examination of how modern chemical pesticides impact beneficial organisms essential for sustainable crop management. We seek to answer specific questions regarding the extent and mechanisms by which pesticides exert both lethal and subtle sublethal effects on biological control agents, and to identify intelligent solutions that reduce non-target harm. We encourage contributions that employ innovative risk-assessment frameworks and leverage cutting-edge digital technologies—such as artificial intelligence, robotics, machine vision, and sensor networks—to detect, quantify, and mitigate negative pesticide impacts. The objective is to guide the evolution of pest management toward compatibility between chemical and biological strategies, ultimately supporting ecological resilience and food security.This Research Topic encompasses original research, reviews, and case studies that address the diversity of pesticide effects on key beneficial arthropods and explore integrative approaches for mitigation. The scope is limited to studies that combine laboratory, semi-field, or field observations; risk-assessment tool development; and/or practical demonstrations of digital and intelligent phytoprotection. We welcome articles addressing, but not limited to, the following themes:• Characterization of lethal and sublethal pesticide effects on beneficial arthropods (predators, parasitoids, entomopathogens)• Behavioral, physiological, and reproductive impacts of pesticide exposure on biological control agents• Development and validation of risk-assessment frameworks for integrated pest management systems• Applications of AI, machine vision, robotics, UAVs, and sensor networks for monitoring and mitigating pesticide effects• Innovative methodologies for sublethal effect assessment, including molecular biomarkers and automated data analytics• Multidisciplinary strategies combining toxicology, ecology, precision agriculture, and data science• Real-world case studies demonstrating intelligent solutions for sustainable crop protection• Contributions to SDGs by promoting pesticide stewardship and ecological alternatives in agricultureWe encourage the submission of the following research article types: Data Report, FAIR² DATA Direct Submission, FAIR² Data, Hypothesis and Theory, Methods, Mini Review, Opinion, Original Research, Perspective, Policy and Practice Reviews, Review, Systematic Review, Technology and Code. Topic editors: Cesar Rodriguez-Saona, Alessandra Marieli Vacari, GERALDO CARVALHO Source: https://www.frontiersin.org/research-topics/74499/lethal-and-sublethal-effects-of-pesticides-on-biological-control-agents-towards-sustainable-and-intelligent-phytoprotection