Biological Control of Insect Pests with Predatory Arthropods: A Mini-Review

The intensive use of synthetic insecticides for pest control in agricultural systems has led to problems of resistance, environmental contamination, and risks to human health, which has driven the development of sustainable Integrated Pest Management strategies. The objective of this work was to document the use of predatory arthropods in the biological control of insect pests in agricultural crops. The reviewed scientific evidence indicates that the main predators belong to the classes Arachnida and Insecta. In the class Arachnida, predatory mites of the family Phytoseiidae stand out for their effectiveness in controlling thrips and whiteflies, while species from the families Laelapidae and Parasitidae show potential for managing soil pests. In the class Insecta, the families Coccinellidae, Syrphidae, Anthocoridae, Miridae, Chrysopidae, and Hemerobiidae show high effectiveness in controlling aphids, psyllids, springtails, flies, lepidopteran larvae andmealybugs. In conclusion, predatory arthropods are an effective and environmentally sustainable tool that can be successfully used in Integrated Pest Management programs, contributing to more balanced and sustainable agriculture.