Nectar fermentation by bacteria from the nectar of Fagopyrum esculentum: Effects on biological control agents

Abstract: Predators and parasitoids, depend on floral and extrafloral nectar, but intensive
agriculture often lacks these resources. Providing flowering plants supports predators and
parasitoids, but the sugar content in nectar can also promote microbial growth, altering its
chemistry and potentially affecting these insects. This study examined how bacteria from
Bacillota, Pseudomonadota, and Actinomycetota phyla, isolated from Fagopyrum esculentum nectar, modify the quality of synthetic nectar with potential effects for predators and parasitoids. The aim was to test whether the nectar fermentation affected the adult longevity of Aphidoletes aphidimyza and the potential fecundity of Trissolcus basalis.