The thermal constant for timing the emergence of the Red Palm Weevil, <Emphasis Type="Italic">Rhynchophorus ferrugineus</Emphasis> (Oliv.) (Coleoptera,Curculionidae)

The pupal duration of the red palm weevil, Rhynchophorus ferrugineus (Oliv.) at two different temperatures revealed that the thermal threshold is –?2.3?°C, while the thermal constant is 423 degree days. Around 20.7 cycles of weevil emergence per year have been predicted in Egypt. A temperature between 44?–?45?°C was found to be the higher threshold at which the pupae are killed. The heat units required for the pupal development were utilized to predict the dates of adult emergence throughout the year.     

Biological characteristics and life tables of Neoseiulus umbraticus Chant (Acari, Phytoseiidae) at three constant temperatures

The development time, survival and fecundity of the generalist predatory mite, Neoseiulus umbraticus Chant, were determined at 20, 25, and 30?°C and 65?±?10?% RH. N. umbraticus females completed development in 9.7, 8.0 and 5.9 days, respectively, using a diet of all life stages of Tetranychus cinnabarinus Boisduval. Total developmental times of males were relatively shorter at 25 and 30?°C than at 20?°C. In general, preoviposition, oviposition, and postoviposition periods of N. umbraticus shortened as temperature increased. The longest survival rate of N. umbraticus of 80.5 days occurred at 20?°C, followed by 67.0 and 57.6 days at 25 and 30?°C, respectively. Mated females laid an average 0.9, 1.3 and 1.4 eggs per female per day and 33.1, 44.0 and 43.6 eggs over their entire lives at 20, 25 and 30?°C, respectively. The sex ratios of this species were 0.57, 0.57 and 0.54 female (female+male) at 20, 25 and 30?°C, respectively. The intrinsic rate of increase (r_m) became greater with rising temperatures from 0.123 at 20?°C to 0.180 at 30?°C. The net reproduction rate (R_o) was highest at 25?°C (25.0 females/female) and lowest at 20?°C (18.8 females/female), while T_o decreased with increasing temperatures, from 23.8 days at 20?°C to 17.5 days at 30?°C.     

Effect of host plants on development and reproduction of <Emphasis Type="Italic">Rhynchophorus ferrugineus</Emphasis> (Olivier) (Coleoptera: Curculionidae)

The development, survivorship and reproduction of red palm weevil Rhynchophorus ferrugineus, reared on five ornamental palm slices, were studied in the laboratory at constant temperature of 26°C. The developmental time of R. ferrugineus was 68.8 days on Washington palm (Washingtonia filifera), 74.1 days on Canary Island date palm (Phoenix canariensis), 82.1 days on Chusan palm (Trachycarpus fortunei), 85.4 days on pindo palm (Butia capitata) and 90.6 days on silver date palm (Phoenix sylvestris), respectively, and the developmental time on silver date palm was significantly longer than that on the other plants. The survival of immature R. ferrugineus ranged from 25.0 to 38.3%. Most mature larvae began to pupate at eighth-instar on Canary Island date palm and Washington palm, while on Chusan palm, Pindo palm and silver date palm, most of them began to pupate at ninth-instar. The mean lifetime fecundity of R. ferrugineus on Canary Island date palm, Chusan palm, Pindo palm, Washington palm and silver date palm was 267.8, 134.0, 109.8, 216.0, and 131.4 eggs, respectively, and lifetime fecundity on Canary Island date palm and Washington palm was significantly greater than that on the other plants. The intrinsic rate of natural increase (r _m ), net reproductive rate (R ₀) and mean generation time (T) were 0.038, 78.3 and 115.0 days on Canary Island date palm, 0.028, 33.1 and 125.5 days on Chusan palm, 0.029, 40.9 and 128.2 days on Pindo palm, 0.041, 64.0, 101.4 days on Washington palm, and 0.025, 30.6, 135.6 days on silver date palm, respectively. Based on population growth parameters, it is concluded that Canary Island date palm and Washington palm were the more suitable host plants and silver date palm was the least suitable host plant for R. ferrugineus.     

Characterization of raffia palm fiber for use in polymer composites

Raffia palm fibers are potential reinforcement materials for making cost-effective polymer-based composite. This paper presents the results obtained from a study of physical, chemical, thermal and mechanical properties of raffia palm fibers (RPFs) derived from the raffia palm tree (Raphia farinifera). The as-received RPFs had their remnant binders manually removed and was subsequently cleaned in a 2% detergent solution before drying in an air oven at 70 °C for 24 h. Evaluation of the properties of the dried samples was carried out using a combination of characterization techniques including chemical composition determination, density measurement, moisture adsorption and water absorption measurements, tensile testing, scanning electron microscopy (SEM), differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), Raman spectroscopy, X-ray diffractometry, and Fourier transform infrared spectromicroscopy. The main constituents of RPFs were found to be cellulose, hemicellulose and lignin. The average diameter and average density were 1.53?±?0.29 mm and 1.50?±?0.01 g/cm³, respectively. The average breaking strength of the fibers ranged from 152?±?22 to 270?±?39 MPa; it did not vary significantly with fiber length and cross-head speed during tensile testing. The results of scanning electron microscopic investigation of the fibers showed that they comprise several elemental fibers which are tightly packed together with each having its own lumen. Synchrotron-based Fourier-transform infrared spectromicroscopy of a cross-section of the fiber showed that lignin is concentrated mostly on the outside while cellulose and pectin are concentrated in the mid-section. A two-stage water sorption behavior was observed for the fibers.     

Aggregation pheromone traps, a major component of IPM strategy for the red palm weevil, Rhynchophorus ferrugineus in date palms (Coleoptera: Curculionidae)

The population fluctuation of the red palm weevil, Rhynchophorus ferrugineus was studied, using the aggregation pheromone traps, during 2000 and 2001 in the United Arab Emirates. The insect population increased gradually from January to reach its peak in March, April, or May. The populations in three date palm plantations were much less in 2001 compared to 2000 with reductions of 29.7–51.7%. An evaluation of the performance of the pheromone traps showed that they could capture 4.4 to 20.7% of the resident populations of R. ferrugineus in the three different date palm plantations. No significant differences could be found in rates of capture between males and females. Individuals of marked weevils released in date palm plantations migrated 1–7 km from the plantations in which they were released. The released marked weevils were recaptured, mostly, within 3–5 days post release.     

Comparative performance of the cotton bollworm,Helicoverpa armigera (Hübner) (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae) on various host plants

The effect of various host plants; chickpea (varieties Arman, Hashem, Azad and Binivich), bean varieties (Phaseolus vulgaris L.), common bean (Khomein), white kidney bean (Dehghan), red kidney bean (Goli), cowpea (variety Mashhad) and tomato (variety Meshkin) on the life table parameters of the cotton bollworm, Helicoverpa armigera (Hübner) were evaluated under laboratory conditions (25 ± 1 °C, 65 ± 5 % RH and a 16:8 h light:dark photoperiod). Records for larval period, pupal period, and development time of H. armigera were longest on tomato (24.9, 15.1, and 45.4 days, respectively) and shortest on chickpea Arman (17.5, 9.1, and 31.7 days, respectively). Among various host plants fecundity (total number of eggs laid per female) was highest (2,665 eggs) on chickpea Arman and the lowest (700 eggs) on tomato. The net reproductive rate (R ₀) was significantly affected by various host plants being highest on chickpea Arman (1,422) and lowest on tomato (111.3 females/female/generation). The highest and lowest intrinsic rates of natural increase (r _m) were observed on chickpea Arman (0.244 day^?1) and tomato (0.123 day^?1) varieties, respectively. Cluster analysis of the life table parameters of H. armigera on various host plants indicated that tomato, in comparison to other plants was an unsuitable host to H. armigera.     

Activity of heterorhabditid nematodes at high temperature and in combination with cytoplasmic polyhedrosis virus

Percentage survival in aqueous suspensions and infectivity of six Egyptian entomopathogenic nematode isolates from the genus Heterorhabditis varied during the hot period of the year with daily temperature range from 18 to 24?°C. The isolate designated as AS1 had the highest mean of survival (87?%) and infectivity to Galleria mellonella larvae (90?%) after 10 days. When the nematodes coexisted with cytoplasmic polyhedrosis virus of 100 × 10⁶ polyhedra inclusion bodies/ml, which was reproduced within and killed Rhynchophorus ferrugineus larvae, the nematode survival was adversely and progressively affected by the increase in the viral suspension. Among tested concentrations, a viral suspension equal to one-fifth size of the nematode and virus suspension is the best for nematode activity in integrated control against the red palm weevil.     

Development, feeding and reproduction responses of Adalia fasciatopunctata revelierei(Mulsant) (Coleoptera: Coccinellidae) to Hyalopterus pruni(Geoffroy) (Homoptera: Aphididae)

This study was carried out to determine the development, survival and reproduction responses of Adalia fasciatopunctata revelierei (Mulsant) (Coleoptera: Coccinellidae) feeding on Hyalopterus pruni (Geoffroy) (Homoptera: Aphididae), using 20, 40, 80, 160 and 250 prey densities. All experiments were conducted at 25±1°C, 60±5% relative humidity, 16:8 light:dark under laboratory conditions. The average daily prey consumption of A. fasciatopunctata revelierei immatures and adults increased with increasing prey densities. Predation was not different for the larval stages at 80, 160 and 250 prey densities. The longevities of adult females were 35.67, 35.33, 49.00, 58.33 and 57.16 days when 20, 40, 80, 160 and 250 H. pruni were provided, respectively. The mean daily and total fecundity of A. fasciatopunctata revelierei increased with increasing prey densities. Females of A. fasciatopunctata revelierei feeding on H. pruni laid 89 eggs at 20 prey density and 301.67 eggs at 160 prey density. The search rate of females was higher than that of all larval instars; and the search rate of the fourth-instar larvae was higher than that of younger instars. Handling time decreased with development from larval stages to adult.     

3种饲料对异色瓢虫生长发育的影响

为筛选异色瓢虫的适宜饲料,观察比较了菜缢管蚜、麦蛾卵和人工饲料对异色瓢虫生长发育的影响。结果显示:菜缢管蚜饲养的异色瓢虫发育最快,世代历期为25.3d,产卵前期为11.0d,平均单雌产卵量为929.3粒;麦蛾卵饲养的世代历期为39.5d,产卵前期为18.2d,平均单雌产卵量为391.9粒;人工饲料饲养的世代历期为44.9d,产卵前期为17.2d,平均单雌产卵量为262.3粒。由此表明,菜缢管蚜的饲养效果最好,麦蛾卵和人工饲料虽能满足异色瓢虫世代营养的需求,但发育历期明显延长、产卵量明显下降。因此,在天然食物蚜虫不足时,麦蛾卵和人工饲料可作为补充饲料。     

Entwicklung,Lebensdauer, Fruchtbarkeit und Geschlechtsverhältnis der RaubmilbeAmblyseius longispinosus (Evans) mitTetranychus cinnabarinus (Boisd.) als Beute

The development, longevity, fecundity and sex ratio of the predatory miteAmblyseius longispinosus (Evans) were studied at different constant and alternating temperatures withTetranychus cinnabarinus as prey. Alternating temperatures had no significant effect on the developmental times, in comparison with optimal constant temperature. At the alternating temperature of 33/23°C the mean duration of the life cycle from egg to adult was obvious longer with 5.0 and 4.4 days forA. longispinosus females and males than at alternating temperature of 30/20°C with 4.2 and 4.1 days for females and males. At 25°C constantly the egg stage was the longest during development and required a mean of 2.2 days.A. longispinosus females and males remained in larval stage for 0.5 and 0.6 days. The protonymphal and deutonymphal stage lasted for 0.7 and 1.1 for females and for 0.7 days for males, respectively. At all temperatures the development of females required significantly longer than of males. Longevity ofA. longispinosus adults was variable to tested temperatures: At 25°C females lived for 33.1 days, at 30/20°C for 30.6 days and at 33/23°C for 29.9 days. At 25°CA. longispinosus females produced a mean total progeny of 48.8 eggs and the mean duration of oviposition period was 21 days; at 30/20°C and at 33/23°C a mean number of 49.1 and 48.2 eggs was laid during an oviposition period of 20 days. Temperature had no effect on the sex ratio of predatory mites, about 70% of mites became females at all temperatures.     

Prey consumption during development as well as longevity and reproduction of <Emphasis Type="Italic">Typhlodromus pyri</Emphasis> Scheuten (Acari,Phytoseiidae) at higher temperatures in the laboratory

The predatory mite Typhlodromus pyri Scheuten (Acari, Phytoseiidae) has been reported as an important predator of the European red mite, Panonychus ulmi (Koch) (Acari, Tetranychidae) in apple culture and vineyards at below 25?°C. However, sufficient biological data was lacking on its efficiency at temperatures above 25?°C. Therefore, the purpose of the present laboratory work was to obtain experimental data on prey consumption during development as well as longevity and reproduction of T. pyri on apple leaf discs and in Plexiglas cells at constant temperatures of 25?±?2?°C and 30?±?2?°C with P. ulmi as prey.     

Above- and belowground carbon stocks of two organic,agroforestry-based oil palm production systems in eastern Amazonia

Ecosystem-level assessments of carbon (C) stocks of agroforestry systems are scarce. We quantified the ecosystem-level C stocks of one agroforestry-based oil palm production system (AFS_P) and one agroforestry-based oil palm and cacao production system (AFS_P+C) in eastern Amazonia. We quantified the stocks of C in four pools: aboveground live biomass, litter, roots, and soil. We evaluated the distribution of litter, roots, and soil C stocks in the oil palm management zones and in the area planted with cacao and other agroforestry species. The ecosystem-C stock was higher in AFS_P+C (116.7 ± 1.5 Mg C ha^?1) than in AFS_P (99.1 ± 3.1 Mg C ha^?1). The total litter-C stock was higher in AFS_P+C (3.27 ± 0.01 Mg C ha^?1) than in AFS_P (2.26 ± 0.06 Mg C ha^?1). Total root and soil C stocks (0–30 cm) did not differ between agroforestry systems. Ecosystem-C stocks varied between agroforestry systems due to differences in both aboveground and belowground stocks. In general, the belowground-C stocks varied spatially in response to the management in the oil palm and non-oil palm strips; these results have important implications for the monitoring of ecosystem-level C dynamics and the refinement of soil management.     

Lebenszyklus von Meloidogyne incognita acrita (Kofoid & White) Chitwood (Nematoda,Heteroderidae) in Wurzeln der Baumwolle,Gossypium barbadense L

The incubation period ofM. incognita acrita eggs took 24–72 hours till the appearance of the second larval stage hatching from eggs in the laboratory at 25±5°C and at 60±5 R. H. The second larval stage, was observed in cotton roots 48 hours after the addition of it to soil beside cotton seedlings. The 3rd and 4th larval stage and adult female were observed in cotton roots 7, 11, and 24 days, respectively, after the addition of second larval stage to soil beside cotton seedlings. The total life cycle ofM. incognita acrita on cotton, (Gossypium barbadense) lasted for 33–38 days, at 25±5°C and at 60±5 R. H.     

Effect of adult nutrition and insect density on the performance of spotted stem borer, <Emphasis Type="Italic">Chilo partellus</Emphasis> in laboratory cultures

The spotted stem borer, Chilo partellus (Swinhoe) (Lepidoptera: Crambidae) is being successfully reared on artificial diets for screening programmes. Besides quality characteristics of the diet, rearing density and adult nutrition have significant implications on the successful mass multiplication of lepidopterans. The performance of C. partellus moths was assessed on different adult diets (water and sugar solution) and compared with unfed adults. Further, three pairing densities, viz. 2, 5 and 8 pairs/oviposition jar (1177.5 cm³) were compared for their effect on C. partellus longevity and fecundity. In another experiment, different larval densities (100, 150 and 200 neonate larvae/diet jar) were evaluated for their effect on the larval survival. Water-fed moths (both males and females) lived longer (7.32 and 7.26 days, respectively) and showed higher fecundity (307.17 eggs) than the sugar-fed or unfed moths. The latter, however, showed better egg hatchability (76.55%) than the water- or sugar-fed moths (60.45 and 50.59%, respectively). The longevity (5.67 days) and fecundity (258.46 eggs) were significantly greater at pairing density of 2 pairs/jar. The larval survival was higher (58.50%) at rearing density of 100 larvae/jar. The neonate larval release into diet jars was compared with conventional egg release and both modes were no different with respect to larval survival.     

Isolation of heterorhabditid nematodes from palm tree planted areas and their implications in the Red Palm Weevil control

Soil samples from 102 sites planted with intercropped palm trees in 8 Egyptian governorates were baited with greater wax moth larvae for the recovery of entomopathogenic nematodes. Only heterorhabditied nematodes were extracted from 5 sites in Alexandria, Behaira, Ismaelia, and Giza governorates. Evaluation of the novel isolates in the laboratory to identify the most efficient ones for biological control of the red palm weevil Rhynchophorus ferrugineus (Oliv.) showed that they are generally more virulent than other entomopathogenic nematode species. However, only two of the 5 strains, isolated from Behaira and Giza, survived a 24?h exposure period in palm weevil-infested tree tissue with a low viability of 19 and 14?%, respectively.     

黄斑星天牛人工饲料研究

本文对6种人工饲料的配方作了详细比较、分析和讨论,找出了用于饲养黄斑星天牛幼虫的饲料最佳配方,其主要成分是干酪素、纤维素、蔗糖、黄豆粉;利用此种饲料饲养,黄斑星天牛幼虫期缩短、存活率达86.2％,蛹重增加,产卵量提高,寿命延长;试脸还表明,不同成分的饲料不仅影响幼虫存活率和生长发育,而且还明显影响其物质与能量代谢活动。     

Physiological effects of touching hinoki cypress (<Emphasis Type="Italic">Chamaecyparis obtusa</Emphasis>)

This study aimed to clarify the physiological effects of touching hinoki cypress (hereinafter called “hinoki”) (Chamaecyparis obtusa) wood with the palm of the right hand on brain activity and autonomic nervous activity. Twenty-two female university students (mean age 21.1?±?0.2 years) participated in the study. As an indicator of brain activity, oxyhemoglobin (oxy-Hb) concentrations were measured in the left/right prefrontal cortex using near-infrared time-resolved spectroscopy. Heart rate variability (HRV) was used as an indicator of autonomic nervous activity. The high-frequency (HF) component of HRV, which reflected parasympathetic nervous activity, and the low-frequency (LF)/HF ratio, which reflected sympathetic nervous activity, were measured. Plate (300?×?300 mm) of uncoated hinoki was used as tactile stimulation. Marble was used as a control material. After sitting at rest with their eyes closed, the participants touched the materials for 90 s with their eyes still closed. The results showed that tactile stimulation with hinoki significantly decreased oxy-Hb concentration in the left prefrontal cortex and increased ln(HF) reflected parasympathetic nervous activity compared with marble. In conclusion, our study showed that touching hinoki wood with the palm calms prefrontal cortex activity and increases parasympathetic nervous activity, thereby inducing physiological relaxation.     

Host-tree conditions affecting the oviposition activities of the woodwasp,Sirex nitobei Matsumura (hymenoptera: Siricidae)

Experiments were conducted to elucidate how the oviposition activities ofSirex nitobei Matsumura could be affected by different conditions of the host trees, using logs from felled healthy trees and the dead and living trees ofPinus densiflora Sieb. et Zucc. According to days elapsed after tree-felling, the proportions of oviposition defined as the proportion of eggs laid to the potential fecundity of a female during her lifetime, could be divided arbitrarily into three groups. The proportions of oviposition on the logs within 0–3 days after felling,i.e fresh logs, varied greatly from log to log, and about half of female adults showed proportions of oviposition under 50% (mean ±SD: 39±32%). However, all the females that oviposited on the logs 4–24 days after felling,i.e. intermediate logs, invariably showed proportions of oviposition over 50% (88±1.5%). On the other hand, proportions of oviposition in most of the females that oviposited on the logs over 25 days after felling,i.e. old logs, were less than 50% (26±17%). The proportions of oviposition were significantly different between intermediate logs and old logs. The mean proportion of oviposition on living trees and that for dead trees were 45 and 58%, respectively. Thus,S. nitobei in the field would exhibit its preference for weakened trees ofP. densiflora as oviposition sites, as it did for the logs 4–24 days after felling in this study.     

Changes in soil properties and plant biodiversity after 12 years of rehabilitating livestock farms in the Hyrcanian Forests

Livestock presence in forest ecosystems is considered a factor in forest destruction in developing countries; therefore, rehabilitation practices following livestock exclusion could be a good way to restore forests. The main purpose of this study was to investigate the changes in the soil properties and plant biodiversity 12 years after applying fencing and planting in the livestock farms in the Hyrcanian Forests of Iran. First, three regions close to each other were selected and then four areas (treatments) were considered in each region: 1. An area under livestock use (L), 2. an enclosed area (E; with fences, established in 2007), 3. a planted area (P; established with Acer velutinum seedlings in 2007), and 4. a control area (C; natural forest); therefore, a total of 12 areas were considered. In each of the 12 areas, three plots (20?×?20 m) were randomly established (a total of 36 plots), and all the vascular plants in the herbaceous layer and woody species seedlings were recorded in order to study the biodiversity of the vegetation cover. One soil sample was taken from each plot to examine the physical and chemical properties of the soil. The results showed that bulk density, pH, electrical conductivity (EC), and available potassium were not significantly different between the C, E, and P treatments. Rehabilitation practices improved the soil pH (P: 6.36?±?0.06, E: 6.59?±?0.08), EC (P: 0.86?±?0.05, E: 0.82?±?0.04 ds cm^?1), total nitrogen (P: 0.31?±?0.001, E: 0.31?±?0.005), available phosphorus (P: 10.13?±?2.22, E: 19.29?±?2.43 mg kg^?1), and available potassium (P: 1369.60?±?31.06, E: 1898.80?±?448.60 mg kg^?1). The Margalef index was lower in the L area and no significant difference was observed between the E and P areas. Since the multivariate analysis (based on the vegetation and soil data) showed that P and E had more similarity to C, these treatments could accelerate the forest restoration process.

     

Short-term changes in the soil carbon stocks of young oil palm-based agroforestry systems in the eastern Amazon

The current expansion of the oil palm (Elaeis guineensis Jacq.) in the Brazilian Amazon has mainly occurred within smallholder agricultural and degraded areas. Under the social and environmental scenarios associated with these areas, oil palm-based agroforestry systems represent a potentially sustainable method of expanding the crop. The capacity of such systems to store carbon (C) in the soil is an important ecosystem service that is currently not well understood. Here, we quantified the spatial variation of soil C stocks in young (2.5-year-old) oil palm-based agroforestry systems with contrasting species diversity (high vs. low); both systems were compared with a ~10-year-old forest regrowth site and a 9-year-old traditional agroforestry system. The oil palm-based agroforestry system consisted of series of double rows of oil palm and strips of various herbaceous, shrub, and tree species. The mean (±standard error) soil C stocks at 0–50 cm depth were significantly higher in the low (91.8 ± 3.1 Mg C ha^?1) and high (87.6 ± 3.3 Mg C ha^?1) species diversity oil palm-based agroforestry systems than in the forest regrowth (71.0 ± 2.4 Mg C ha^?1) and traditional agroforestry (68.4 ± 4.9 Mg C ha^?1) sites. In general, no clear spatial pattern of soil C stocks could be identified in the oil palm-based agroforestry systems. The significant difference in soil carbon between the oil palm area (under oil palm: 12.7 ± 2.3 Mg C ha^?1 and between oil palm: 10.6 ± 0.5 Mg C ha^?1) and the strip area (17.0 ± 1.4 Mg C ha^?1) at 0–5 cm depth very likely reflects the high input of organic fertilizer in the strip area of the high species diversity oil palm-based agroforestry system treatment. Overall, our results indicate a high level of early net accumulation of soil C in the oil palm-based agroforestry systems (6.6–8.3 Mg C ha^?1 year^?1) that likely reflects the combination of fire-free land preparation, organic fertilization, and the input of plant residues from pruning and weeding.