2026/04/20 by Jamin Ali, Adil Tonğa, Qiyun Li +2 · 1 voice
Agricultural and Biological Sciences · Psychology · #Animal Behavior and Reproduction #Animal and Plant Science Education #Insect-Plant Interactions and Control
paper · doi:10.1127/entomologia/3892
openalex publication_date 2026/04/20 · openalex created_date 2026/04/21 · openalex updated_date 2026/07/28
Pests are not only suppressed through direct killing by natural enemies, such as predation by predators and parasitism by parasitoids, but also through non-lethal effects driven by pests’ escape behaviors triggered by the mere presence or cues of these enemies, a phenomenon known as the ecology of fear. When pest insects sense threats via olfactory, visual cues, vibrations, or sounds from their enemies, they initiate defensive behaviors to survive. These non-consumptive effects (NCEs) include fleeing, stopping feeding, or producing winged offspring for escape. Though less apparent than direct mortality, NCEs carry apparent sublethal costs: prolonged development, reduced fecundity, and shorter lifespan. This review reveals how pests integrate multiple cues (e.g., predator odors, parasitoid vibrations) to deploy defenses. We show these fear responses cascade through ecosystems: reducing pest populations, reshaping communities, and ultimately boosting plant health. Critically, ignoring NCEs underestimates natural enemies’ full potential. Evidence from aphids and caterpillars confirms fear alone can suppress pests as effectively as killing. Harnessing these NCEs offers transformative potential for plant protection. Deploying synthetic enemy cues (e.g., artificial predator smells) could revolutionize pest control, contribute to reducing dependence on pesticides. Key gaps remain however: field validation beyond laboratory studies, molecular understanding of cue detection, and managing pest habituation to deployed cues. This review emphasize the urgency of interdisciplinary collaboration to turn “fear of ecology” into practical tools for sustainable farming.