Native marsupial acts as an in situ biological control agent of the main soybean pest (Euschistus heros) in the Neotropics

Natural predators of agricultural pests are known to help increase crop yields and considered an alternative chemical insecticides. We investigated the role gracile mouse opossum Gracilinanus agilis for controlling a soybean pest, brown stink bug Euschistus heros. tested hypothesis that this disperses natural forest environments Brazilian savanna (Cerrado) during off-season G. acts as relevant predator insect. also quantified valued predation on E. heros independently in five areas located at different distances from crop. The isotope ratios (δ13C δ15N) remains found fecal samples collected were more similar than growing season. forests was greater season but decreased with increasing distance between This inverse relationship indicates potential opossums pest control depends proximity crops. estimated ecosystem service provided by marsupial may reach up US$ 31.08 ha−1 year−1 native forest, which represent tens millions dollars per year considering amount vegetation within farmlands Cerrado. These results highlight relevance conservation near crops maintenance control.