Eldana saccharina as a Crop Pest in Ghana

Abstract

Eldana saccharina is a serious pest of maize in Ghana on the second rains crop grown in the south of the country. The question is raised whether it is worth growing a second maize crop under present conditions. E. saccharina is also a serious pest of sugarcane, causing severe losses to a valuable cash crop, and more work is needed to find suitable means of control, preferably combining the use of resistant varieties, cultural practices and natural enemies.     

Feasibility of biological control of the sugarcane scale insect Melanaspis gfomerata in India

Abstract

Melanaspis glomerate (Green) is a serious pest of sugarcane in India and does not have effective natural enemies. Parasites of M. smilacis Comst. and M. paulislus Hempel from Brazil and Aphytis mytilaspidis (Le Baron) collected from Aulacaspis tegalensis (Zehnt.) in Mauritius were imported for biological control trials. Only Neococcidencyrtus sp., an endoparasite of M. paulistus accepted M. glomerata. Among the coccinellid predators that were imported only Chilocorus cacti (L.) bred on M. glomerata. The non‐acceptance of this scale insect by most of the introduced natural enemies seems to indicate the need for confirmatory studies on its taxonomic status. Until such time as this is done and suitable natural enemies are found, an integrated approach for its control may have to be considered.     

Prospects for the biological control of Tuta absoluta in tomatoes of the Mediterranean basin

Since its detection in the Mediterranean basin at the end of 2006 and later in other European countries, the South American tomato pinworm, Tuta absoluta (Meyrick), has become a serious threat to tomato crops. In newly infested areas, it is especially problematic during the first years of its presence. Nevertheless, after 2–3 years, the incidence of T. absoluta has become less severe in certain areas. There are several factors contributing to this decline, such as the increase in growers' knowledge of pest behaviour and biology and the correct application of integrated pest control strategies. The impact of opportunistic native natural enemies (fortuitous biological control) should be considered as one of the key factors in this decline. In this review, available information on indigenous natural enemies is updated, and the current pest management approaches used against T. absoluta are addressed. Finally, future scenarios for biological control of this pest are discussed. Copyright © 2012 Society of Chemical Industry     

Note: First record ofGaleruca tanaceti in organicOriganum vulgare in Crete

The tansy leaf beetleGaleruca tanaceti (L.) is recorded for the first time in Crete as a pest of oreganoOriganum vulgare (L.). Oregano is an important herb extensively cultivated both in Crete and mainland Greece. The absence of serious pests due to the production of phenolic compounds and essential oils in the plant tissue has promoted the organic cultivation of oregano.G. tanaceti is a pest of herbaceous plants that has developed appropriate behavioral and biochemical strategies to circumvent host plant defences. In addition, the tansy leaf beetle has very few natural enemies and may pose a serious threat to the organic oregano crops, unless extensive studies of the biology and integrated control of the pest are undertaken. http://www.phytoparasitica.org posting Sept. 18, 2006.     

Biological control of aphids on capsicum1

During four growing periods from 1986 to 1989, biological pest control on capsicum was investigated in glasshouses under practical conditions. Aphids, mainly Myzus persicae, caused the most serious pest problems. As biological control agents, the commercially available predatory gall midge Aphidoletes aphidimyza and the green lacewing Chrysoperla curnea were used. Both these natural enemies were released according to the recommendations of the producers. For the releases of the gall midges, small peat samples containing the pupae of the predator were placed at a few spots in the glasshouse (1–2 pupae per m²). The lacewings were introduced as eggs on small mesh-pieces which were placed on every second plant (10–20 eggs per m²). In these experiments, control of the aphid populations was effective only if the two predators were introduced early and were released several times. During the summer, other natural enemies such as parasitic wasps, syrphids, ladybirds and predatory bugs immigrated from outdoors and enhanced the biological control of aphids.     

Computer simulation of the population dynamics of Panonychus ulmi and applications to integrated pest management*

Panonychus ulmi is a serious pest of apple orchards, especially in hot dry years. To improve quantitative insight into its population dynamics, and as a tool for forecasting optimal dates for visual assessment of abundance and of integrated pest management strategies, an age‐ and stage‐structured temperature‐dependent predator–prey model for P. ulmi and two of its natural enemies, Typhlodromus pyri and Amblyseius potentillae, has been developed.     

Phenology and impact of natural enemies associated with the hop looper (Hypena humuli) in Washington State,USA

The hop looper, Hypena humuli Harris (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae), is becoming an increasingly important pest of hops (Humulus lupulus L.) (Rosales: Cannabaceae) in western USA. Currently, control of this pest usually involves broad-spectrum pesticides that kill natural enemies and disrupt biological control of other hop pests. In order to develop better management strategies for H. humuli, field and laboratory studies were conducted over a four-year period to identify the pest's natural enemies and to investigate their phenologies and to assess their impact. Nine parasitoid species and assorted species of invertebrate predator were found to attack different life-stages of H. humuli. Levels of parasitism were consistently low throughout the study period and none of the parasitoids found was a specialist natural enemy of the pests. Exclusion cage studies showed, however, that the complex of natural enemies as a whole can significantly reduce larval densities of the pest, and laboratory studies confirmed successful predation of H. humuli larvae by several generalist predators including the European earwig (Forficula auricularia L.), the damsel bug Nabis alternatus Parshley and two species of the geocorid bug genus Geocoris.     

Improving Control of the Vegetable Armyworm

Abstract

Because of recently acquired resistance of armyworm in Cyprus to prophyllactic spraying of methylparathion, a full investigation into the biology of Spodoptera littoralis was launched. It is not yet clear whether immigration to the Island occurs, but some moths can overwinter in “survival pockets” on the South coast. Pheromone traps and sterilisation are suggested as an alternative method of control. A more rational use of pesticides will cause less damage to natural enemies of the pest and reduce further development of resistance.     

The effects of intercropping with cereals and minimal permethrin applications on insect pests of cowpea and their natural enemies in Nigeria

Abstract

Major insect pests and their natural enemies were sampled on cowpea in monocrop and cereal intercrop plots in southern and northern Nigeria. Populations of flower thrips, Megalurothrips sjostedti (Trybom), were reduced by 42% and predators, mostly Orius spp. (Anthocoridae), by 23% on cowpea in maize intercrop plots at Ofiki in the south. Infestation by pyralid pod borer, Maruca testulalis Geyer, was unaffected by cropping system. The results suggest that tasselling maize attracts flower‐eating beetles (Meloidae) to intercrop plots, and that pod‐sucking Hemiptera were increased by cereal intercrops at Yankara in the north. Three u.l.v. applications of permethrin at 150 g a.i./ha to monocrop cowpea reduced pest populations by 50 to 85% in the south and increased yield sevenfold. However, the sprayed crop in the north was lost due to a heavy infestation of pod‐sucking bug, Clavigralla tomentosicollis Stål, and outbreaks of Aphis craccivora Koch on sprayed plots in both localities suggested damage to natural enemies. It is concluded that the pest management potential of intercropping is variable and dependent on environmental factors, but it is recommended that intercropping be used in integrated pest management systems with the progressive decrease in insecticide use.     

Potential biological control agents for Mikania micrantha hbk from the Neotropical region

Abstract

Mikania micrantha HBK, a sprawling composite vine native to the Neotropics, is a serious weed of plantation crops in Southeast Asia. A survey and assessment of its natural enemies in the Neotropics reveals nine major natural enemies and over 20 minor ones. The biology of the nine major natural enemies: Acalitus sp. (Acarina, Eriophyiidae), Liothrips mikaniae (Priesner) (Thysanoptera, Phloeothripidae), Teleonemia sp. (Heteroptera, Tingidae), Desmogramma conjuncta Bechyné, Physimerus pygmaeus Jacoby, Omoplata spp. (Coleoptera, Chrysomelidae), Apion luteirostre Gerst. (Col., Apionidae), Pseudoderelomus baridiiformis Champ. (Col., Curculionidae), together with brief accounts of the minor ones, forms the bulk of this paper. The prospects for biological control of M. micrantha are considered reasonable, and an outline for a continuation of work on the project is given, beginning with the introduction of L. mikaniae to Southeast Asia.     

西花蓟马天敌种类及主要种类的控害潜能

西花蓟马[Frankliniella occidentalis(Pergande)]是国际上备受关注的检疫性有害生物,近年来该虫分布范围不断扩大,对农作物、园林园艺植物的危害日趋加重,发挥天敌对该虫的自然控制作用已引起人们广泛重视。本文根据国内外研究报道,总结和记述了西花蓟马的天敌种类及其主要种类对西花蓟马的控制作用。西花蓟马的天敌约有60种,其中天敌昆虫50种,昆虫病原线虫5种,虫生真菌5种。同时,对主要天敌种类小花蝽、昆虫病原线虫和虫生真菌对西花蓟马的捕食寄生及控制潜力进行了阐述。     

A new pest on soybean in Turkey: Melanagromyza sojae Zehntner (Diptera: Agromyzidae)

Melanagromyza sojae Zehntner (Hemiptera: Agromyzidae) is known as a pest of several leguminous plants, especially Glycine max, soybean, in several countries worldwide. As a result of an alert raised by soybean producers in the province of Adana, which has a large share of soybean production in Turkey, plant samples in which pupae were observed were collected from two soybean fields in Çukurova in the production season in 2018. The samples were kept in the laboratory and the emerging adults were identified morphologically as M. sojae. Observations made in soybean fields in Turkey are presented. A review of the situation for this pest and its control methods are is presented. This is the first report of M. sojae in Turkey. It is therefore recommended to perform a close monitoring of this pest to investigate more in detail the extent of the damage caused by this pest in soybean crops in Turkey, to identify its variety preferences, other other hosts, natural enemies and control methods to be used.     

Temporal dynamics of the arthropod community in pear orchards intercropped with aromatic plants

BACKGROUND: Increasing attention has been paid to enhancing biological control through habitat management in agricultural systems for enhanced pest management. Pest management benefits can be realised by intercropping, which can increase natural enemy abundance and, in turn, reduce pest abundance. In this study, the composition and temporal dynamics of arthropod communities in pear orchards when intercropped with aromatic plants were investigated, and the effectiveness and applicability of aromatic plants as intercrops for enhancing insect control were assessed. RESULTS: When compared with natural grasses or clean tillage, intercropping significantly reduced pest abundance and increased the ratio of natural enemies to pests. Intercropping also shortened the occurrence duration and depressed the incidence peak in annual dynamics curves of the pest subcommunity and the arthropod community, mainly because of the repellent effects of aromatic plants. Equally important, intercropping significantly reduced the numbers of major pests, such as Psylla chinensis, Aphis citricola and Pseudococcus comstocki, while their incidence period was delayed to varying degrees, and the numbers of their dominant natural enemies (Coccinella septempunctata, Phytoseiulus persimilis and Chrysoperla sinica) increased. CONCLUSION: Intercropping with aromatic plants led to a considerable improvement in arthropod pest management by enhancing the activity of the beneficial arthropod community within the pear orchard ecosystem. Copyright © 2011 Society of Chemical Industry     

Biological control of exotic pests in Italy: recent experiences and perspectives1

In Italy, successful application of classical biological control began in the 20th century, when Berlese released the predator Rodolia cardinalis in 1901 and the parasitoid Encarsia berlesei in 1906. Later, the ‘inoculative’ method was applied many times, limiting the misuse of insecticides and therefore achieving very positive effects for both the agricultural economy and environmental protection. When the establishment of new natural enemies failed, some exotic pests continued to damage important crops, sometimes disrupting any possibility of applying Integrated Pest Management (IPM). In other cases, new associations between exotic pests and native natural enemies occurred spontaneously and the importation of new species was not necessary: when no broad-spectrum plant protection products are applied, some palaearctic parasitoids, such as Diglyphus isaea, naturally control the imported American leafminers Liriomyza trifolii and L. huidobrensis and some native predators (mainly Orius spp.) often control the exotic western flower thrips Frankliniella occidentalis. However, the introduction of natural enemies from the area of origin of the exotic pest is often the only alternative to chemical insecticides. Since its introduction in 1979, the American Flatid, Metcalfa pruinosa, has been spreading annually into new areas of the Mediterranean, causing severe damage to many crops because none of the indigenous natural enemies are sufficiently effective. Therefore, only the introduction of exotic natural enemies, such as the parasitoid Neodryinus typhlocybae, may reduce the outbreaks.     

Dual action of Catsia tora in tea plantations: repellent volatiles and augmented natural enemy population provide control of tea green leafhopper

The tea green leafhopper Empoasca vitis Göthe (Homoptera: Cicadellidae) has become the key insect pest affecting tea plantations in southern China. The control of E. vitis with chemical insecticides is not only costly but also has serious undesirable effects. It is therefore imperative that environmentally sound and sustainable management alternatives be developed. The aim of this study was to evaluate the potential of using the non-host plant Catsia tora (Fabaceae) as a cover crop for the control of E. vitis in tea plantations. The volatile organic compounds derived from the C. tora plants were shown to be repellent to leafhoppers. These compounds were collected through headspace absorption, and its 19 components were identified through gas chromatography–mass spectrometry. Based on the behavioral responses of E. vitis to 11 of these volatile compounds (those with relative amounts greater than 1), three bioactive compounds (p-cymene, limonene, and 1,8-cineole) were observed to play a key role in the regulation of the E. vitis population and were significantly effective at repelling leafhoppers. The intercropping of C. tora in a tea field markedly reduced the E. vitis population levels and promoted an increase in the natural enemies of this pest, such as spiders, coccinellids, and lacewings. Our findings suggest that the sustainable pest management achieved using C. tora as a cover crop offers an interesting alternative strategy for the control of this important tea pest.     

Biological Control of the Hibiscus Mealybug, Maconellicoccus Hirsutus Green (Hemiptera: Pseudococcidae) in the Caribbean

The hibiscus mealybug, Maconellicoccus hirsutus Green, was first reported in the Caribbean in 1994 in Grenada. This was the first record of the insect as a major pest in the New World. By the beginning of 2001, the pest had spread to over 25 territories from Guyana and Venezuela in the South to Bahamas in the North. The pest has also extended its distribution to Central America (Belize) and North America (California, USA). Early attempts to control the pest using pesticides resulted in failure and a classical biological control approach was adopted. Several exotic natural enemies were introduced but control was attributed to Anagyrus kamali Moursi and Cryptolaemus montrouzieri Mulsant. In all countries where biological control was implemented, this resulted in success. This paper reviews the remarkable success story. Information is provided on the distribution and factors leading to rapid spread of the pest, its pest status and resultant economic losses, and implementation of the biological control effort.     

小麦禾缢管蚜种群动态的研究

本文采用平均密度（X），聚块性指标（m/m）和有蚜株率（F）对小麦禾缢管蚜种群动态进行模糊聚类分析。找出了其种群消长的4个时期：点片发生期，始盛期，猖獗期和衰退期；防治重点应在始盛期，即瓢虫卵期，以达到经济有效，充分保护利用天敌的目的。     

Harmonious interaction of kaolin and two insect predator species in plant protection

Lacewings and lady beetles represent two important groups of natural enemies for pest control. Kaolin is used in various crop ecosystems to reduce abiotic plant stressors and pest colonization. Compatible methods aimed at reducing abiotic and biotic plant stressors are desired in crop management systems. Therefore, this work evaluated the development and survival of Chrysoperla externa (Hagen) (Neuroptera: Chrysopidae) and Eriopis connexa (Germar) (Coleoptera: Coccinellidae) larvae of different ages treated with kaolin at three different concentrations (ca. 60, 80, and 100 g/L) and prey consumption when treated with kaolin at a field rate of 60 g/L. The prey used were the whitefly Bemisia tabaci (Genn.) (Hemiptera: Aleyrodidae) and the aphid Lipaphis erysimi (Kalt.) (Hemiptera: Aphididae). Survival rates and development durations for E. connexa larvae topically treated with kaolin at different ages were similar to those for untreated larvae. However, larvae of C. externa reduced survival and delayed development when treated with kaolin concentrations greater than the recommended field rate. Otherwise, kaolin treatments did not affect prey consumption by larvae and adults of both predator species.     

Induced plant defences in biological control of arthropod pests: a double‐edged sword

Biological control is an important ecosystem service delivered by natural enemies. Together with breeding for plant defence, it constitutes one of the most promising alternatives to pesticides for controlling herbivores in sustainable crop production. Especially induced plant defences may be promising targets in plant breeding for resistance against arthropod pests. Because they are activated upon herbivore damage, costs are only incurred when defence is needed. Moreover, they can be more specific than constitutive defences. Nevertheless, inducible defence traits that are harming plant pest organisms may interfere with biological control agents, such as predators and parasitoids. Despite the vast fundamental knowledge on plant defence mechanisms and their effects on natural enemies, our understanding of the feasibility of combining biological control with induced plant defence in practice is relatively poor. In this review, we focus on arthropod pest control and present the most important features of biological control with natural enemies and of induced plant defence. Furthermore, we show potential synergies and conflicts among them and, finally, identify gaps and list opportunities for their combined use in crop protection. We suggest that breeders should focus on inducible resistance traits that are compatible with the natural enemies of arthropod pests, specifically traits that help communities of natural enemies to build up. © 2017 The Authors. Pest Management Science published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd on behalf of Society of Chemical Industry.     

Short-term toxicity of insecticides residues to key predators and parasitoids for pest management in cotton

The cotton ecosystem comprises various arthropod pest and natural enemies with simultaneous occurrence irrespective of growing region. The use of insecticides with reduced impact on natural enemies is a major goal to conserve them and, therefore, to reduce populations of arthropod pests. The survival of twelve key natural enemies for cotton pest management exposed to dried residues using the highest and lowest recommended rates representing old and new insecticides recommended to control cotton pests (chlorantraniliprole, chlofernapyr, spinosad, lambda-cyhalotrin, methidathion, pymetrozine, and thiamethoxam) was determined. The study included parasitoids [Aphelinus gossypii Timberlake, Bracon vulgaris Ashmead, Lysiphlebus testaceipes (Cresson), Telenomus podisi (Ashmead), Trichogramma pretiosum (Riley)] and predators [Hippodamia convergens Guérin-Méneville, Euborellia annulipes (Lucas), Podisus nigrispinus (Dallas), Solenopsis invicta Buren), Orius insidiosus (Say), Chrysoperla externa Hagen and Eriopis connexa (Germar)], with two different cohorts for these last two species. All natural enemies exposed to methidathion exhibited 100% mortality. Thiamethoxam, lambda-cyhalothrin and chlorfenapyr also caused high mortality of P. nigrispinus, S. invicta, H. convergens, O. insidiosus and all tested parasitoids. Among the natural enemies, E. annulipes exhibited high survival when exposed to all tested insecticides, except methidathion. Chlorantraniliprole and pymetrozine caused overall lower impact on the natural enemies tested followed by spinosad; hence, they are options for cotton pest management. Furthermore, the outcomes highlight the implication of knowing the background susceptibility of the species tested when addressing the impact of insecticides on natural enemies.