Evaluation of attract-and-kill strategy for management of cocoa pod borer,Conopomorpha cramerella,in Malaysia cocoa plantation

Abstract

In South-East Asia, cocoa production is dramatically affected by cocoa pod borer (CPB) infestations. As an alternative tool to chemical control, the efficacy of attract-and-kill strategy (CPB sex-pheromone as attractant and Delta trap without sticky liner sprayed with cypermethrin solution as killing station) was evaluated and compared with current standard CPB management approach as control treatment during two main cocoa harvest seasons in Malaysia (with 100 µg and 33.3 µg CPB-pheromone loading per station, respectively). In both seasons, attract-and-kill strategy was highly effective at reducing male flight activity (p?<?0.05) in attract-and-kill plots comparing with standard CPB management plots. For the percentage of CPB-infested pods, the attract-and-kill strategy (100 µg) was as good as the conventional pesticide spray applications of cypermethrin (p?=?0.083) in first season. However, it was significantly (p?=?0.021) reduced in the second season with lower pheromone loading (33.3 µg), indicating that this semiochemical based strategy is far superior to and more feasible than the currently applied conventional synthetic pesticide treatment and is therefore a good alternative in CPB integrated pest management.     

美国白蛾性信息素(9Z,12Z)-十八碳二烯醛及(9Z,12Z,15Z)-十八碳三烯醛的合成

采用仿生合成法制备了美国白蛾Hyphantria cunea性信息素的两个主要成分,(9Z,12Z)-十八碳二烯醛和(9Z,12Z,15Z)-十八碳三烯醛。其结构均经IR、1H NMR、GC-MS波谱分析确证。     

Assessing insecticide resistance and aversion to methomyl-treated toxic baits in Musca domestica L (Diptera: Muscidae) populations in southern California

Progeny of house flies (Musca domestica L) from ten California poultry operations, three dairies and one horse-riding facility were tested for methomyl- and muscalure-treated bait resistance using up to three different assays: a topical assay, a no-choice feeding assay and a choice feeding assay. LD50 resistance factors from the topical assay, compared with a locally-derived susceptible colony, ranged between 1 and 4. LC50 resistance factors from the no-choice feeding assay ranged mostly between 2 and 5, with one value of 18. Measurable LT50 resistance ratios for female flies in the choice feeding assay ranged from 43 to 159; two populations had <10% mortality at 48h and could not be measured. LT50 resistance ratios for male flies in the choice feeding assay ranged from 26 to 96, and one population was too resistant to measure. A behavioral assay tested the feeding preference of male and female flies provided a dish of sugar and a dish of methomyl- and muscalure-treated bait. Of eight strains tested, females from seven strains and males from six strains showed significant preference for sugar over bait. Behavioral factors appear to be important in the severe resistance of house flies to baits in California.     

Composition of essential oil of Chinese Chenopodium ambrosioides and insecticidal activity against maize weevil, Sitophilus zeamais

BACKGROUND: In a screening programme for new agrochemicals from Chinese medicinal herbs, Chenopodium ambrosioides L. was found to possess strong fumigant activity against the maize weevil Sitophilus zeamais (Motsch.). Essential oil of C. ambrosioides was obtained by hydrodistillation, and the constituents were determined by GC‐MS analysis. The active compounds were isolated and identified by bioassay‐directed fractionation. RESULTS: Five active compounds [(Z)‐ascaridole, 2‐carene, ρ‐cymene, isoascaridole and α‐terpinene] were isolated and identified from the essential oil from Chinese C. ambrosioides. The LC₅₀ values (fumigation) of the crude essential oils and the active compound (Z)‐ascaridole against S. zeamais adults were 3.08 and 0.84 mg L^?1 air respectively. The LD₅₀ values (contact toxicity) of the crude essential oil and (Z)‐ascaridole against S. zeamais adults were 2.12 and 0.86 µg g^?1 body weight respectively. CONCLUSION: The findings suggested that the essential oil of Chenopodium ambrosioides and its main active constituent, (Z)‐ascaridole, may be explored as a natural potential fumigant. Copyright © 2011 Society of Chemical Industry     

Semiochemical modulation of oviposition behaviour in the gregarious desert locust Schistocerca gregaria

Bioassays have shown that sand freshly contaminated by ovipositing females of the gregarious desert locust Schistocerca gregaria (Forskal) is more effective in inducing further oviposition from conspecifics than contaminated sand stored for three or six months, which contrasts with results obtained previously with Locusta migratoria (Reiche & Farmaire). The activity of contaminated sand correlated with the levels of three unsaturated aliphatic ketones, (Z)-6-octen-2-one, (E,E)-3,5-octadien-2-one and its geometric isomer (E,Z)-3,5-octadien-2-one present in the volatile emissions from the sand.     

Aerosol delivery of trail pheromone disrupts the foraging of the red imported fire ant,Solenopsis invicta

BACKGROUND: The fire ant, Solenopsis invicta, is one of the most aggressive and invasive species in the world. The trail pheromone Z,E‐α‐farnesene (91% purity) was prepared, and disruption of worker trail orientation was tested using an ethanol‐based aerosol formulation presenting a single puff of this compound by airbrush and compressed air. Trail‐following behaviour was recorded by overhead webcam and ants digitised before and after presentation of the aerosol treatment at four rates (1.6, 16, 160 and 1600 ng cm^?2). RESULTS: Ants preferred 110 ng cm^?1 over 11, 1.1 and 0.11 ng cm^?1 for trail following. Within seconds of presentation of 1600 ng cm^?2, the highest dose tested, trail disruption was observed. Disruption was evident as reduced arrival success and reduction in the trail integrity statistic (r²), as well as increased deviation from the trail (deg). The distribution of walking track angles was also flattened. CONCLUSIONS: The feasibility of using aerosol for delivery of trail pheromone was demonstrated, but the need for high purity combined with the difficulty of commercial supply makes this technique impractical. However, the commercial production of Z,E‐α‐farnesene of high purity by industrial biotechnology or from (E)‐nerolidol may be possible in future, which would facilitate further development of trail pheromone disruption of S. invicta. Copyright © 2012 Society of Chemical Industry     

Olfactory and visual responses of the longlegged chafer Hoplia spectabilis Medvedev (Coleoptera: Scarabaeidae) in Qinghai Province, China

BACKGROUND: Monitoring traps and control methods are needed for the long‐legged chafer, Hoplia spectabilis Medvedev, which has recently reached outbreak numbers in pastureland of Qinghai Province, China. RESULTS: Field trapping experiments, using cross‐pane funnel (barrier) traps, showed that H. spectabilis adults were not significantly attracted to branches of the host plant Dasiphora fructicosa (L.) Rydb. However, beetles were slightly attracted to similar host plant branches infested by conspecific beetles, possibly owing to weakly attractive volatiles, primarily (Z)‐3‐hexenyl acetate, released from beetle‐damaged host leaves. This compound was weakly attractive when released from traps. However, H. spectabilis beetles showed strong visual responses to yellow‐ or white‐painted trap panes, with weaker responses to blue, red or green panes, and least response to black panes. Black traps at 0.2–1.5 m above ground intercepted significantly more beetles than traps at 2.5 m. The mean flight height based on trap catches was 0.88 m (SD = 0.76), yielding an effective flight layer of 1.9 m. Flight response of beetles to colored barrier traps occurred between 10:00 and 18:00, and peaked between 12:00‐14:00, when daily temperatures reached their maximum. CONCLUSION: Unbaited yellow or white cross‐pane funnel traps are recommended for both monitoring and mass‐trapping programs against this economically and ecologically important scarab beetle. Copyright © 2010 Society of Chemical Industry     

Seasonal variations of carbohydrates in Pueraria lobata related to growth and phenology

The seasonal changes of non‐structural carbohydrates (NSCs), water‐soluble carbohydrates (WSCs) and starch concentrations were examined in Pueraria lobata throughout its life cycle in order to elucidate the potential points in the seasonal growth and phenological cycles for its improved control. The study was carried out at two different habitat zones with distinct soil conditions in the riparian zone of the Tama River, Tokyo, Japan. One zone, with sandy soil, had lower levels of available nitrogen and phosphorous, while the second zone contained high levels of organic matter and nutrients. The highest and lowest concentrations of the NSC pools in the roots of P. lobata were observed in December and August, respectively, at both study sites. The lowest NSC reserves were attained at the end of the vegetative stage, with the highest NSC reserves found at the end of the reproductive stage. The WSCs gradually decreased from April to August in the roots and then increased until February. The starch concentrations of all the plant organs followed the same pattern as for the WSCs. The stems and leaves did not show the same pattern as did the roots. The total carbohydrate concentrations and pools did not show significant variation between the two sites, suggesting that the soil conditions had very little effect on carbohydrate production in the different organs of the plant. The study suggests that to control P. lobata effectively, the above‐ground biomass should be removed at any date between the end of August and early September.     

Acaricidal activity against Panonychus citri of a ginkgolic acid from the external seed coat of Ginkgo biloba

An acaricidal substance extracted from the external seed coat of Ginkgo biloba L. was identified by UV (ultraviolet), IR (infrared), EI-MS (electron impact ion source mass spectrometry), (1)H NMR (nuclear magnetic resonance) and (13)C NMR as 6-[(Z)-10-heptadecenyl]-2-hydroxybenzoic acid (compound 1). Laboratory bioassay on citrus red mite, Panonychus citri (Mcg), showed that compound 1 possessed the following properties. (i) Powerful contact toxicity with an LC(50) of 5.2 mg litre(-1) after 24 h that was similar to that of pyridaben (LC(50) = 3.4 mg litre(-1)) and significantly superior to that of omethoate (LC(50) = 122 mg litre(-1)). Furthermore, its LC(90) was 13.4 mg litre(-1) after 24 h, which is significantly superior to both pyridaben (LC(90) = 69.6 mg litre(-1)) and omethoate (LC(90) = 453 mg litre(-1)). (ii) Quick-acting acaricidal activity. At identical concentrations, compound 1 was much faster-acting than pyridaben or omethoate. (iii) Compound 1 had strong corrosive action on the cuticle of P. citri but no phytotoxicity to plants.     

棉铃虫不同地理种群性信息素通讯系统的比较分析

棉铃虫性信息素已普遍用于种群测报和防治，但其效果在不同地区不尽一致。为探讨这种不稳定性产生的原因，我们对黄河流域、长江流域及新疆地区不同地理种群棉铃虫的性信息素通讯系统进行了比较分析。就雌蛾性信息素的产生而言，连续两年的测定结果表明，性信息素腺体中2个主要组分（Z11-16：Ald和Z9-16：Ald）的含量在不同种群间变化较大，而两者间的相对比例（Z11/Z9）虽然个别种群有显著差异但幅度很小，总体被控制在狭窄的范围（97：3~92：8）；对同一地区的不同年份间进行比较，也得到了类似结果。就雄蛾对性信息素的反应，我们根据雌蛾腺体及田间常用诱芯中的Z11/Z9比例，配制99：1~90：10共4个不同比例的诱芯，在河南安阳、山东惠民和新疆昌吉进行了田间雄蛾诱捕试验。结果发现，在安阳和惠民其诱蛾量在不同比例的诱芯间无显著差异，而在昌吉地区的诱蛾量随Z11/Z9比例的降低而增高，且99：10比例的诱芯显著高于99：1的诱芯，表明新疆地区雄蛾对Z11/Z9感受的最佳比例范围更窄，且偏向于低的Z11/Z9比例。分析认为，新疆和内地棉铃虫种群在性信息素通讯系统间存在一定的差异，而内地不同种群间基本一致。研究结果为开发和使用区域针对性的棉铃虫性信息素诱芯提供了重要参考。     

Synthesis and insecticidal activity of new 3-benzylfuran-2-yl N,N,N',N'-tetraethyldiamidophosphate derivatives

BACKGROUND: A series of 3-benzylfuran-2-yl N,N,N',N'-tetraethyldiamidophosphate derivatives were synthesized as potential new agents to control insects. Their structures were confirmed on the basis of IR, NMR and MS analyses. RESULTS: Ten 3-benzylfuran-2-ylN,N,N',N'-tetraethyl derivatives were prepared from the compound furan-2-yl N' (N,N,N',N'-tetraethyldiamidophosphate). The contact toxicity of all derivatives, at a dose of 10 microg mg(-1) insect, was evaluated against four insect species, Ascia monuste orseis Latr. (Lepidoptera: Pyralidae), Diaphania hyalinata (L.) (Lepidoptera: Pyralidae), Sitophilus zeamais Mots. (Coleoptera: Bruchidae) and Solenopsis saevissima (Smith) (Hymenoptera: Formicidae). The mortality range observed for some derivatives, such as 3-(3-methylbenzyl)furan-2-yl N,N,N',N'-tetraethyldiamidophosphate (82.5% mortality against D. hyalinata; 100% mortality against S. saevissima), was comparable with that of the commercial insecticide chlorpyrifos-methyl. The biological activity of the derivatives depended on the substitution pattern of the benzylic ring. Furan-2-yl N,N,N',N'-tetraethyldiamidophosphate, furan-2-yl N,N-diethylamidochlorophosphate and difuran-2-yl N,N-diethylamidophosphate were also evaluated, displaying, in some cases, activity comparable with that of chlorpyrifos-methyl (90%, 100% and 97.5% respectively against A. monuste orseis). Considerable activity was observed for some furan-2(5H)-ones evaluated. CONCLUSION: Ten 3-benzylfuran-2-yl N,N,N',N'-tetraethyldiamidophosphate derivatives were synthesized and fully characterized from a chemical point of view. The results obtained from the biological assays indicate that this class of compounds can be utilized for the design of new substances endowed with insecticidal activity.     

Dissipation and movement of flumioxazin in soil at four field sites in Chile

BACKGROUND: Flumioxazin is a soil-applied herbicide recommended for broadleaf weed control in soybeans and peanuts, and was recently introduced for vineyard weed management. Considering the limited information available in relation to flumioxazin field soil behaviour, the main objectives of this study were to determine the persistence, adsorption and movement of flumioxazin in soil in four Chilean vineyard production areas. RESULTS: DT(50) values ranged from 10.6 +/- 1.0 to 32.1 +/- 3.1 days between localities, being correlated with rain events, time between herbicide application and first heavy rain event, and soil pH. Flumioxazin soil residue found at 90 days after application (DAA) varied from 9.6 to 24.9% of the initial amount applied, and depended on the total rainfall amount that occurred during the first 90 DAA. Herbicide leaching below 15 cm was approximately 45% of the flumioxazin detected at 90 DAA in the whole soil profile. Flumioxazin maximum leaching soil depth was 45 cm at all locations. K(d) values varied from 2.54 to 6.51 mg L(-1), depending on localities and soil profile depth, and correlated positively with organic carbon and clay content. CONCLUSIONS: These results indicate that flumioxazin is a herbicide with low environmental risk owing to its short DT(50), reduced soil residues 3 months after application and low effective dose.     

咸阳市气候暖干化及干旱灾害趋势判断

依据咸阳市1961-2009年气象资料,利用Z指数和Mann-Kendall气候突变检验法对咸阳市的气候变化特征进行了分析。结果显示：（1）近49年来,咸阳市出现3年重旱、2年大旱、8年偏旱,重旱大旱年份出现在20世纪80年代中期以后,偏旱年份大部分出现在90年代和21世纪初的几年。（2）各季节重旱年份主要出现在20世...     

Virulence of Verticillium lecanii (Z.) against cereal aphids; does timing of infection affect the performance of parasitoids and predators?

BACKGROUND: Entomopathogenic fungi such as Verticillium lecanii (Z.) (Mycotal^®) are used for pest control as an alternative to chemical control. In this study, the effect of V. lecanii on cereal aphids is assessed. In addition, an investigation is carried out to determine whether the use of V. lecanii affects the performance of two natural enemies of aphids, the predator Harmonia axyridis (P.) and the parasitoid Aphidius colemani (V.), in no‐choice experiments under laboratory conditions. RESULTS: The number of Rhopalosiphum padi (L.) and Sitobion avenae (F.) killed was increased by increasing the concentration of V. lecanii. The timing of application of fungus to aphids affected the efficacy of other biocontrol agents, a parasitoid and a predator. Parasitation by A. colemani (V.) in both cereal aphids (S. avenae and R. padi) was not affected by V. lecanii when aphids were first treated with V. lecanii and then exposed to A. colemani. The emergence of adults from parasitised mummies was, however, lower in infected aphids than in uninfected aphids when the aphids were first exposed to the parasitoids and then treated with fungus. The female sex ratio in the emerging adults was lower in V. lecanii‐treated aphids in both species. When aphids were first treated with V. lecanii, 72 h before predation, fewer aphids of both species were consumed by H. axyridis (P.). CONCLUSION: Use of entomopathogenic fungus as a biological control agent could be a complementary strategy in an integrated pest management programme against cereal aphids, but it can reduce the efficiency of other biocontrol agents (parasitoids and predators) when applied simultaneously. © 2012 Society of Chemical Industry     

Attraction of Chrysoperla carnea complex and Chrysopa spp. lacewings (Neuroptera: Chrysopidae) to aphid sex pheromone components and a synthetic blend of floral compounds in Hungary

BACKGROUND: The deployment of synthetic attractants for the manipulation of lacewing populations as aphid predators is currently used in integrated pest management. This study investigates a synthetic bait comprising floral compounds previously found to attract the Chrysoperla carnea complex, and, for the first time, the aphid sex pheromone components (1R,4aS,7S,7aR)‐nepetalactol and (4aS,7S,7aR)‐nepetalactone, in field experiments in Hungary, for their ability to manipulate lacewing populations. RESULTS: The synthetic floral bait attracted both sexes of the Chrysoperla carnea complex, and Chrysopa formosa Brauer showed minimal attraction. The aphid sex pheromone compounds alone attracted males of C. formosa and C. pallens (Rambur). When the two baits were combined, Chrysopa catches were similar to those with aphid sex pheromone baits alone, but carnea complex catches decreased significantly (by 85–88%). CONCLUSION: As the floral bait alone attracted both sexes of the carnea complex, it showed potential to manipulate the location of larval density via altering the site of oviposition. Aphid sex pheromone compounds alone attracted predatory males of Chrysopa spp. and can potentially be used to enhance biological control of aphids. For the carnea complex, however, a combination of both baits is not advantageous because of the decrease in adults attracted. Assumptions of intraguild avoidance underlying this phenomenon are discussed. Copyright © 2010 Society of Chemical Industry     

Mode of action of new diethylamines in lycopene cyclase inhibition and in photosystem II turnover

The new bleaching herbicidal compound N,N‐diethyl‐N‐(2‐undecynyl)amine (NDUA) is identified here as an inhibitor of lycopene cyclase and is compared with the known cyclase inhibitors N,N‐diethyl‐N‐[2‐(4‐chlorophenylthio)ethyl]amine (CPTA) and N,N‐diethyl‐N‐[2‐(4‐methylphenoxy)ethyl]amine (MTPA). HPLC separation of chloroplast pigments shows lycopene accumulation in NDUA treated tissue. Variation in chain length of the undecynylamine moeity of NDUA from 7 to 21 C atoms reveals an optimum of 11 to 14 C atoms for herbicidal activity. A series of seven further analogues of NDUA and CPTA reveals the structural elements necessary for inhibition of lycopene cyclase. The effect of NDUA derivatives on photosynthesis has been studied in Chlamydomonas reinhardtii. Photosynthesis is highly sensitive, particularly towards the C14 and longer chain length analogues at nanomolar concentrations. It is shown that the breakdown of photosynthesis by NDUA is due to interference with the turnover of the D1 protein of the photosystem II reaction centre that requires the continous biosynthesis of the two reaction‐centre β‐carotene moieties in the reassembly phase. The D1 protein disappearance is most marked under strong light conditions. The depletion of photosystem II occurs before total pigment bleaching. This newly recognized mechanism in herbicidal activity is also the basis for the mode of action of other lycopene cyclase inhibitors as well as phytoene desaturase inhibitors. © 2001 Society of Chemical Industry     

PDSI和Z指数在西北干旱监测应用中差异性分析

利用西北地区137个气象台站1961～2003年气象资料,分别计算了西北地区的Z和PDSI两种干旱指数,并对其结果进行了对比分析.结果认为:两种指数在多数地区多数季节可以互相兼容,但Z指数适宜于在雨季表征干湿事件,而PDSI则适宜于西北的所有地区和所有季节,并对当地干旱事件的反映更为敏感;在对不同程度干旱面积的表征上,PDSI对轻旱的表征反映较为敏感,而Z指数对重旱的反映更为敏感;对于中等程度的干旱而言,两种指数表征下的干旱面积较为统一;从西北地区的实际情况出发,PDSI对干旱的表征更为客观.