María José Ramírez-Soria

Dr. María José Ramírez-Soria


Research Focus & Metrics

Academic Career Length

10Years (2017-Present)

(Calculated once Scilit publication data is synced: current year − year of first publication + 1)

Representative Publications

View All Publications

1 December 2017 in Biological Control
Verified
Journal Article
Closed access
ABAleixandre Beltrà
Aleixandre Beltrà
ACAltea Calabuig
Altea Calabuig
CNCristina Navarro-Campos
Cristina Navarro-Campos
MRMaría José Ramírez-Soria
María José Ramírez-Soria
ASAntonia Soto
Antonia Soto
APApostolos Pekas
Apostolos Pekas

27 August 2021 in Pest Management Science
Verified
Journal Article
Closed access
PDF file
JSJuan Antonio Sanchez
Juan Antonio Sanchez
ACAline Carrasco‐Ortiz
Aline Carrasco‐Ortiz
ELElena López-Gallego
Elena López-Gallego
MRMaría José Ramírez-Soria
María José Ramírez-Soria
MSMichelangelo La Spina
Michelangelo La Spina
HIHelena Ibáñez‐Martínez
Helena Ibáñez‐Martínez

7 December 2020 in Pest Management Science
Verified
Journal Article
Closed access
PDF file
JSJuan Antonio Sanchez
Juan Antonio Sanchez
ACAline Carrasco‐Ortiz
Aline Carrasco‐Ortiz
ELElena López‐Gallego
Elena López‐Gallego
MRMaría José Ramírez-Soria
María José Ramírez-Soria
MSMichelangelo La Spina
Michelangelo La Spina

7 July 2017 in Agricultural and Forest Entomology
Verified
Journal Article
Closed access
PDF file
MRMaría José Ramírez-Soria
María José Ramírez-Soria
MJMaria José
Maria José
ELElena López-Gallego
Elena López-Gallego
MSMichelangelo La Spina
Michelangelo La Spina
JSJuan Antonio Sanchez
Juan Antonio Sanchez

14 August 2025 in Insects
Verified
Journal Article
Open access
PDF file
ELElena López-Gallego
Elena López-Gallego
LFLuis Gabriel Perera Fernández
Luis Gabriel Perera Fernández
MRMaría José Ramírez-Soria
María José Ramírez-Soria
JSJuan Antonio Sanchez
Juan Antonio Sanchez
Bemisia tabaci is a major pest of open-field melons in Mediterranean regions. Combining several species of natural enemies can improve pest control but it can give undesirable results when the species engage in antagonistic interactions. This study evaluated the effectiveness of Deraeocoris serenus, Orius laevigatus, and Eretmocerus eremicus as biological control agents and the interactions among the species. This was assessed with the presence–absence of all three species combined in a full-factorial assay. Each microcosm consisted of a melon plant grown in a 5 L pot enclosed in fine mesh, with each of the eight treatments replicated four times. Whiteflies were counted on three leaves per plant, and natural enemies were counted on the whole plants over six weeks. Basal leaves were taken to the laboratory and observed for the emergence of parasitoids. All three natural enemies independently significantly reduced whitefly numbers. Deraeocoris serenus was the most effective biocontrol agent, achieving whitefly reductions of more than 100-fold compared to the control. In contrast, O. laevigatus and E. eremicus achieved reductions of approximately 2.4-fold and 3.6-fold, respectively. No additive or synergistic effects in whitefly control were observed when two or more natural enemies were combined. Deraeocoris serenus and O. laevigatus were found to engage in mutual antagonistic interactions, and these two predators also interfered with the parasitoid. In addition, E. eremicus was also found to interfere with D. serenus. Understanding such interactions is essential for optimizing the management of natural enemies and improving biological pest control.