The presence of the red palm mite, Raoiella indica Hirst is recorded for the first time in South America. High populations and severe damages caused by this new invasive mite were found on coconut and banana leaves in Sucre (10 degrees 27' 47' N and 64 degrees 10' 38' W) and Monagas (9 masculine46'60' N and 63 masculine12'0' W) states in northeastern Venezuela.

Agriculture in Latin America plays a significant role in the region’s economy, food security, and rural development. Although pest control has traditionally relied on chemicals, there is increasing adoption of sustainable agricultural practices. Thus, in recent years, there has been a growing emphasis on sustainable agriculture practices, including biological control, to minimise environmental impact, conserve natural resources, and ensure long-term agricultural productivity. In Latin America, high biodiversity enhances biological control, both classical and augmentative biological control. The use of biological control agents allows farmers to produce their crops whilst reducing the use of chemicals in agriculture. In addition, biological control opens new market opportunities for farmers and job options for youth in rural areas. Maximal benefits will however be attained only after adoption of biological control practices and when an effective interaction among key stakeholders is achieved. Thus, farmers and consumers can reap the benefits of biological control, which can incentivise and accelerate adoption at the field level. To evaluate the socio-economic benefits of biological control, establishing multidisciplinary teams to conduct the studies is crucial. The current article explores the benefits resulting from the implementation of biological control programmes, highlighting social benefits. In addition, as part of the Plantwise programme, created to assist agricultural production with a sustainable perspective, data on the use of biopesticides in some countries are discussed in the context of sustainable production looking forward to reinforcing food security and safety in Latin America.

Tuta absoluta (Meyrick) (Lepidoptera: Gelechiidae) is indigenous to South America. It has invaded several tomato-producing regions worldwide resulting from globalization of commerce and trade. T. absoluta is now considered one of the most devastating pests affecting tomato plants and fresh tomatoes. Although tomatoes are the primary host, T. absoluta can feed and develop on other solanaceous plants as well as plants from other botanical families, including 15 economically important crop species and weeds. Chemical control continues to be the primary management option, even in areas where T. absoluta is an invasive species. This occurs despite the well-documented effects of chemical insecticides on the environment and its low efficacy. In this article, we discuss the biology, ecology, and a more sustainable management for T. absoluta. The management plan includes periodic monitoring program to improve pest management strategies by detecting the presence or arrival of the pest in a given host plant, estimating population levels over time, and studying the distribution of the pest. Lastly, we discuss pest management from the perspective of Plantwise, an innovative global program which aims to contribute to increased food security, based on its implementation in Bolivia and Costa Rica. In both countries, plant clinics have been established to show farmers new ways of managing pests in a sustainable way while maintaining crop productivity. The implementation of the Plantwise program resulted in a reduction in pesticide use via incorporation of less toxic active ingredients and sustainable pest management strategies such as biological control. Plantwise has encouraged the use of cultural end ethological practices by smallholder farmers in participating countries.

The agricultural production in the Neotropical region is highly affected by the attack of pests and diseases. Due to the overuse of pesticides, sustainable methods of control are in demand, such as biological control. Integrated Pest Management (IPM) considered the use of Biological control as a method to suppress the population of pests in several field agricultural systems and in protected crops systems. Biological control is generally appreciated today as an important component of IPM, and the demand for it is likely to spread as the IPM programs develop worldwide. The tropics present an important region for the application of biological control. The Neotropical region is characterized by its rich biodiversity, resulting in a wide range of natural enemies of pests represented by parasitoids, predators, and pathogens. Parasitoids are the natural enemies most used around the world for biological control. In this chapter, we present biological control programs using parasitoids established in the Neotropical region to control key pests of economic importance. Agricultural practices that maintain and enhance the action of natural enemies in crops will be reviewed, as the challenges and potential for the establishment of Biological Control programs using parasitoids in the Neotropical region.