Insecticides for control of potato tuberworm and green peach aphid on potatoes in California

Six insecticides were evaluated in a replicated field experiment at Gonzales, California, for control of the potato tuberworm,Phthorimaea operculella (Zeller), and the green peach aphid,Myzus persicae (Sulzer). Azodrin^®, methomyl, Stauffer N 4543 (O-isobutyl ethylphosphonodithioate S-ester with N-(mercaptomethyl) phthalimide) and azinphosmethyl were applied as foliage sprays by ground sprayer at 2-week intervals. The systemic insecticides, aldicarb (Temik^®) and carbofuran (Furadan^®) formulated as 10% granules, were applied to the soil as side dress treatments on the same day that the spray treatments were begun. Aldicarb granules were also applied topically so that the granules fell on the young plants and on the soil surface. Azinphosmethyl, Stauffer N 4543, Azodrin^® and methomyl effectively controlled the tuberworm larvae in the foliage but effective control of tuberworms in the harvested tubers occurred only where azinphosmethyl, methomyl and Stauffer N 4543 were used. The granule applications of carbofuran and aldicarb were totally ineffective in controlling the potato tuberworm. Effective green peach aphid control was obtained with Azodrin^® spray and the two granular aldicarb treatments. The side dressed application of aldicarb appeared to provide better green peach aphid control than did the soil surface application.     

Resistance of Bt-maize (MON810) against the stem borers Busseola fusca (Fuller) and Chilo partellus (Swinhoe) and its yield performance in Kenya

A study was conducted to assess the performance of maize hybrids with Bt event MON810 (Bt-hybrids) against the maize stem borer Busseola fusca (Fuller) in a biosafety greenhouse (BGH) and against the spotted stem borer Chilo partellus (Swinhoe) under confined field trials (CFT) in Kenya for three seasons during 2013–2014. The study comprised 14 non-commercialized hybrids (seven pairs of near-isogenic Bt and non-Bt hybrids) and four non-Bt commercial hybrids. Each plant was artificially infested twice with 10 first instar larvae. In CFT, plants were infested with C. partellus 14 and 24 days after planting; in BGH, plants were infested with B. fusca 21 and 31 days after planting. In CFT, the seven Bt hybrids significantly differed from their non-Bt counterparts for leaf damage, number of exit holes, percent tunnel length, and grain yield. When averaged over three seasons, Bt-hybrids gave the highest grain yield (9.7 t ha⁻¹), followed by non-Bt hybrids (6.9 t ha⁻¹) and commercial checks (6 t ha⁻¹). Bt-hybrids had the least number of exit holes and percent tunnel length in all the seasons as compared to the non-Bt hybrids and commercial checks. In BGH trials, Bt-hybrids consistently suffered less leaf damage than their non-Bt near isolines. The study demonstrated that MON810 was effective in controlling B. fusca and C. partellus. Bt-maize, therefore, has great potential to reduce the risk of maize grain losses in Africa due to stem borers, and will enable the smallholder farmers to produce high-quality grain with increased yield, reduced insecticide inputs, and improved food security.     

Larval survival and plant injury of Cry1F-susceptible, -resistant,and -heterozygous fall armyworm (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae) on non-Bt and Bt corn containing single or pyramided genes

The fall armyworm, Spodoptera frugiperda (J.E. Smith), is a major target of transgenic corn, Zea mays L., expressing Bacillus thuringiensis (Bt) proteins in both North and South America. A highly Cry1F-resistant strain of S. frugiperda was established from a field collection in Puerto Rico in 2011. In this study, three greenhouse trials were conducted to evaluate larval survival and leaf injury of Cry1F-susceptible, -resistant, and -heterozygous genotypes of S. frugiperda on whole plants of five non-Bt and eight Bt corn hybrids. The Bt corn products included two single-gene Bt corn hybrids containing Herculex^®I (Cry1F) and YieldGard^® (Cry1Ab) traits and six pyramided Bt corn hybrids representing four traits: Genuity^® VT Double Pro™, Genuity^®VT Triple Pro™, Genuity^® SmartStax™, and Agrisure^® Viptera™ 3111. In each trial, neonates of S. frugiperda were placed into the plant whorls at vegetative plant stages (V6–V10). Larvae of the three insect genotypes on non-Bt corn hybrids survived well and caused serious plant injury. Cry1Ab corn was ineffective against all three insect genotypes. On Cry1F corn plants, resistant larvae survived on 72.9% plants after 12–15 d and caused a leaf injury rating (Davis' 1 to 9 scales) of 5.7 after 7 d and 7.6 after 12–15 d. Both the larval survivorship and leaf injury rates of the resistant larvae on Cry1F corn plants were not significantly different from those observed on non-Bt corn hybrids. In contrast, no live larvae and little or no leaf injury were observed on the Cry1F corn plants that were infested with susceptible or heterozygous genotypes, or on the pyramided Bt plants. The results demonstrated that the Cry1F-resistant S. frugiperda was highly resistant to whole plants of Cry1F corn and the resistance was recessive. Hybrids that contained one of the four pyramided Bt traits were effective for managing the Cry1F resistance in S. frugiperda.     

Evaluation of chemical disinfestants in reducing Verticillium dahliae conidia in irrigation water

Irrigation water disinfestation is an unexplored option for reducing Verticillium dahliae inoculum in water and consequently for more efficiently managing Verticillium wilts in Andalusia. We assessed Suppressive Efficacy (SE; water was infested and subsequently treated) and Preventive Efficacy (PE; previously treated water was subsequently inoculated) of OX-VIRIN^®, OX-AGUA AL 25^® and Deccoklor^® in reducing water infestations by V. dahliae conidia. Five concentrations of each disinfestant, the lowest three being recommended by the manufacturer, were tested in vitro against six V. dahliae isolates. Validation assays were carried out in experiments under natural environmental conditions in spring. The four highest concentrations of OX-VIRIN^® (0.8–51.2 mL L⁻¹), the three highest of OX-AGUA AL 25^® (46.4–417.5 μL L⁻¹) and the two highest of Deccoklor^® (0.375 and 3.75 mL L⁻¹), showed an in vitro-efficacy (SE and PE) of 96.2, 80.0 and 100.0% after 30, 5 to 30 and 15 days respectively. Therefore, recommended concentrations for OX-VIRIN^® and OX-AGUA AL 25^® showed a greater in vitro-effectiveness than those recommended for Deccoklor^®. Assays in natural environmental conditions proved that OX-VIRIN^® at the recommended concentration of 3.2-mL L⁻¹, applied every 28 days to water, was the most effective treatment (SE and PE), with a 100% reduction of the average relative viability after 56 days. Other chemical treatments showing high in vitro-efficacy, such as OX-VIRIN^® at 0.8 mL L⁻¹ and OX-AGUA AL 25^® at 46.4 μL L⁻¹ showed an SE of 99.9% after 14 and 28 days when applied every 28 and 14 days, respectively. However, PE of OX-AGUA AL 25^® at 46.4 μL L⁻¹ was only 59 and 38% after 28 and 14 days respectively, depending on the experiment.     

Cost:benefit analysis of botanical insecticide use in cabbage: Implications for smallholder farmers in developing countries

Botanical insecticides based on plant extracts are not widely used as crop protectants even though they can be produced simply from locally available plants. Many studies have examined efficacy but there is a paucity of information on the cost:benefit ratio of their use compared with conventional insecticides. In the present study, crude extracts of Ageratum conyzoides (Asterales: Asteraceae), Chromolaena odorata (Asterales: Asteraceae), Synedrella nodiflora (Asterales: Asteraceae), Nicotiana tabacum (Solanales: Solanaceae), and Ricinus communis (Malpighiales: Euphorbiaceae) were compared with the synthetic insecticide, emamectin benzoate (Attack^®) against insect pests of cabbage in randomised, replicated field experiments during the major and minor rainy seasons of 2012 in Ghana. The cost of each treatment including material and labour was calculated and the revenue of each derived using the value of the marketable yield of cabbage. The cost:benefit ratios of sprayed treatments were derived by comparing the cost of each plant protection regime against the additional market value of the treatment yield above that obtained in the control treatment. With the exception of plots sprayed with N. tabacum, the cost of plant protection using Attack^® was higher than any of the botanicals in both seasons. The highest cost:benefit ratio of 1: 29 was observed for plots sprayed with C. odorata and was followed closely by N. tabacum treatment with 1: 25 and Attack^® with 1: 18. In the minor season, plots sprayed with Attack^® had the highest cost:benefit ratio of 1: 15 and was followed closely by N. tabacum with 1: 14. Botanical insecticides differed markedly in levels of pest control and cost:benefit but some were comparable to that from conventional insecticide use whilst being produced easily from locally available plant materials and are likely to be safer to use for smallholder farmers and consumers in developing countries.     

Organic compounds increase the efficacy of famoxadone + cymoxanil in the control of bacterial leaf spot of lettuce

Bacterial leaf spot of lettuce, induced by Xanthomonas campestris pv. vitians, constitutes a major disease on commercial lettuce (Lactuca sativa) production in south Florida. Under greenhouse conditions, resorcinol, two antioxidants, and various sugar alcohols such as mannitol, were evaluated alone, and in combination with Tanos^® 50DF (25% a.i. of each component cymoxanil and famoxadone, E.I du Pont de Nemours and Company, Wilmington, DE) for control of bacterial leaf spot. Among the compounds evaluated, resorcinol (35–50% disease control) and mannitol (9–45%) were the most effective. In field trials, different mixtures containing propionic acid, mannitol, resorcinol, Tanos and or copper hydroxide (Kocide 3000^®, 46.1%, 30% copper equivalent) were evaluated for the control of bacterial leaf spot of lettuce. Field data support a moderate impact of Tanos in disease reduction. Both greenhouse and field data support a synergistic interaction between Tanos and the compounds including copper, in disease reduction. The mixture Tanos + resorcinol, or copper/resorcinol, Tanos + copper provided better or similar disease control than copper alone. No phytotoxicity was observed in our trials. In an integrated management program for bacterial leaf spot of lettuce, Tanos may be useful in tank mixes with these compounds and copper.     

The effect of an alternate weed host,hairy nightshade,Solanum sarrachoides (Sendtner) on green peach aphid distribution and Potato leafroll virus incidence in potato fields of the Pacific Northwest

Hairy nightshade, Solanum sarrachoides (Sendtner) is an annual solanaceous weed prevalent in potato farmlands of the Pacific Northwest. S. sarrachoides is also a reservoir for Potato leafroll virus (PLRV) and its most important vector, the green peach aphid, Myzus persicae (Sulzer). Green peach aphids prefer S. sarrachoides than potato, Solanum tuberosum (L.), and produce more nymphs on S. sarrachoides than on potato. Increased green peach aphid preference for S. sarrachoides and greater fecundity on this plant could lead to overcrowding and movement toward neighboring potato plants. To test our hypothesis, field trials were conducted at Kimberly, Idaho during the summers of 2003 and 2004. A row of S. sarrachoides seedlings was planted in the middle of potato plots and naturally occurring green peach aphid populations were monitored weekly on potato plots with and without S. sarrachoides. More aphids were consistently found on S sarrachoides plants than on potato plants. More aphids were found on potato plants in plots with S. sarrachoides plants than without S. sarrachoides. Targeted insecticide applications on S. sarrachoides rows alone reduced the number of aphids on potato plants in those plots, suggesting that insecticide sprays prevented aphid movement from S. sarrachoides to potato. Testing of potato tuber sprouts 90 days after harvest by double antibody sandwich ELISA indicated a greater PLRV infection rate on plots with S. sarrachoides than plots without S. sarrachoides. Therefore, the presence of S. sarrachoides in potato plots will likely increase aphid populations and PLRV incidence on neighboring potato plants.     

Insecticidal activities of crude extracts and phospholipids from Chenopodium ficifolium against melon and cotton aphid, Aphis gossypii

Several organic solvent extracts of Chenopodium ficifolium were tested for their insecticidal activity against melon and cotton aphid, Aphis gossypii, on cucumber plants. Both methanol and ethanol extracts, at 5000 μg ml⁻¹, were highly active giving over 80% control. The other crude extracts displayed moderate or weak insecticidal activity giving control in the range of 16–69%. Two phospholipids were isolated as insecticidal active substances from C. ficifolium. Their chemical structures were identified as 1-palmitoyl-2-(3-trans)-hexadecenoyl-sn-glycero-3-phosphoglycerol and 1-palmitoyl-2-linoleoyl-3-glycerophosphocholine by GC–MS, EDS, mass and NMR spectral analyses. Both compounds displayed a dose-dependent mortality of A. gossypii. Furthermore, the liquid formulation that was obtained by partitioning with n-hexane from the methanol extract of C. ficifolium controlled melon and cotton aphid on cucumber plants effectively. These results indicate that extracts of C. ficifolium have potential for development as botanical insecticides for controlling A. gossypii infesting cucumber plants.     

Are traditional neem extract preparations as efficient as a commercial formulation of azadirachtin A?

Neem seeds contain many substances with insecticidal properties, the main insecticidal ingredient being azadirachtin A. In developing countries such as Mali, a neem seed water extract is prepared by soaking ground seeds in water for three or seven days. The aim of this study was to check the effectiveness of this extract in terms of azadirachtin A extraction yield and insecticidal activity. The yield of extraction was 0.19 g azadirachtin A/100 g seeds. The concentration of azadirachtin A in the seed extract was approximately 200 mg l⁻¹, eight times higher than the recommended concentration of commercial products (25 mg l⁻¹). A comparison of the extractive capacity of different solvents indicated that the best solvents were water and methanol. The azadirachtin A concentration declined in extracts stored for more than 3 days at a temperatures higher than 30 °C. Bioassays were performed on target insects (the leafhopper Macrosteles quadripunctulatus, the moth Spodoptera littoralis and the tobacco whitefly Bemisia tabaci) in order to compare the insecticidal activity of the neem extract with that of the commercial product Neemazal T/S and of a solution of pure azadirachtin A. The bioassays conducted on the leafhopper and the moth demonstrated that the neem extract at the recommended concentration (25 mg l⁻¹ active ingredient) was as effective as the azadirachtin-based commercial product at the same concentration, while for the control of the whitefly B. tabaci a higher concentration of the water extract was needed.     

Effects of crude seed extracts of Annona atemoya and Annona squamosa L. against the cabbage looper, Trichoplusia ni in the laboratory and greenhouse

Antifeedant, growth inhibitory and toxic effects of crude seed extracts of Annona squamosa and Annona atemoya from Fazenda Viveiro Bona, Parasisópolis – Minas Gerais, Brazil, were evaluated against the cabbage looper, Trichoplusia ni (Hübner) (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae) using different bioassays. Crude methanolic seed extracts deterred feeding of third instar T. ni larvae in a leaf disc choice bioassay. A. squamosa was ∼10 times more active as a feeding deterrent than A. atemoya (DC₅₀ = 2.3 mg/ml vs. 20.1 mg/ml). A. squamosa was ∼three times more active as a growth inhibitor than A. atemoya (EC₅₀ = 38.0 ppm vs. 117.0 ppm). Methanolic seed extracts of A. squamosa and A. atemoya were toxic to third instar T. ni larvae both through topical and oral application. A. squamosa was more toxic through feeding (LC₅₀ = 167.5 ppm vs. 382.4 ppm) whereas, A. atemoya exerted greater toxicity via topical application (LC₅₀ = 301.3 μg/larva vs. 197.7 μg/larva). Both A. squamosa and A. atemoya extracts reduced leaf area consumption and larval growth in a greenhouse experiment. Our results indicate that both A. squamosa and A. atemoya have potential for development as botanical insecticides, especially for local use in Brazil.     

Characterization of fungicide resistant isolates of Phaeoacremonium aleophilum infecting grapevines in Spain

Fungicide resistance in Phaeoacremonium aleophilum, one of the most frequent fungal pathogens associated with grapevine trunk diseases, was investigated and found to exist in some isolates of the pathogen against a commercial formulation, Escudo^®. The effect of this compound and its two active substances, carbendazim and flusilazole, was first evaluated on the mycelial growth of P. aleophilum. Escudo^®-resistant isolates were estimated at a frequency of 24% in Spanish vineyards. Then, the two active substances were used individually to test their effect on mycelia growth of twelve single-spore cultures originating from six Escudo^®-resistant isolates. Flusilazole (DMI-triazole) did not inhibit mycelia growth of any single-spore cultures of P. aleophilum. Carbendazim (benzimidazole) used alone allowed the growth of the same single-spore cultures that were also resistant to Escudo^®. AFLP characterization of sensitive and resistant single-spore cultures showed genetic diversity within P. aleophilum isolates but no AFLP markers were associated with resistance. New primers set (L2/R1) were designed to partially amplify the exon 6 of the beta-tubulin gene of P. aleophilum. Two different point mutations resulted in glycine (GGC) or lysine (AAA) replacing the glutamic acid (GAG) at codon 198 of the beta-tubulin gene in some of the resistant single-spore cultures studied. Resistant single-spore cultures of P. aleophilum were shown to have different aggressiveness levels as sensitive single-spore cultures by inoculation of wood segments of Vitis vinifera in the presence and absence of fungicide.     

Evaluation of adjuvants for enhanced management of Podosphaera xanthii using potassium silicate and biocontrol agents

Three adjuvants [polyether-polymethylsiloxane-copolymer (Break-Thru^®), alkoxylated fatty alkylamine polymer/ethoxylated sorbitane ester (Partner 650^®) and polyoxyethylene 20 sorbitan monooleate (Tween-80^®)] were compared for their ability to improve the efficacy of potassium silicate and biocontrol agents (BCAs) against powdery mildew of zucchini caused by Podosphaera xanthii (Castagne) U. Braun & Shishkoff. The most effective adjuvant was investigated for its direct impact on the pathogen and deposition of BCAs using electron microscopy and its compatibility with the BCAs and zucchini plant was evaluated to establish an integrated management of powdery mildew. Furthermore, effects of Si spray in accumulation of Si and K in the leaves were measured. Break-Thru^® and Partner 650^® improved the efficacy of silicate by 18–35%. The best adjuvant, Break-Thru^®, caused a collapse and degeneration of the conidia and hyphae of the pathogen, restricted growth and spread of the powdery mildew colonies by binding its propagative structures, and improved deposition of BCAs on the leaf surface and the fungus. Break-Thru^® was compatible with the plant and the BCAs at concentrations <0.4 ml l⁻¹, and can be used with selected BCAs and SiO₂ for an integrated management of powdery mildew. SiO₂ applied as a foliar spray increased the level of Si in zucchini leaves, which may contribute to systemic resistance of the plant against the disease.     

Survival of cabbage looper, Trichoplusia ni (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae), through winter cleanups of commercial vegetable greenhouses: Implications for insecticide resistance management

Cabbage looper, Trichoplusia ni (Hübner) (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae), is a highly migratory and destructive pest of various crops in North America. Its infestations in vegetable greenhouses in western Canada are generally attributed to annual immigrations from southern overwintering areas, but whether it survives overwinter in western Canada is uncertain. Bioinsecticides based on Bacillus thuringiensis (Bt) toxins are commonly used in southwestern British Columbia where some T. ni populations have developed strong resistance to Bt-insecticides. In this study, overwintering success of T. ni populations was monitored outside and inside three commercial greenhouses in British Columbia. In both years, T. ni pupae placed outside greenhouses did not survive although pupae placed inside the greenhouses survived the unheated cleanup period and exposure to organophosphate insecticides commonly used in the cleanup procedure in the greenhouses. During the cleanup period, no moths were caught inside the unheated greenhouses, but once the heating was restored for the new growing season, adults were captured in pheromone traps. No developmental stages of T. ni were detected on nursery seedlings and visual monitoring of transplants at the beginning of the season found no signs of previous feeding damage. This strongly suggests that T. ni were not introduced with the seedlings. Our findings are important for understanding the potential risks of inadequate winter cleanup and the potential carryover of resistance to Bt-insecticides in populations from one season to the next that could complicate pest management.     

Relative abundance and damage of some insect pests of wheat under different tillage practices in rice–wheat cropping in India

Tillage changes the physical and chemical properties of soil and can also inhibit or enhance useful and harmful fauna. In agriculture, different tillage technologies are being tried to enhance crop productivity, but little concrete information seems to exist on their effects on pest abundance and damage. To address this lack of information, sowing of wheat was investigated under different tillage systems. In order to monitor pest abundance and damage in altered tillage systems, the present studies on the relative abundance and damage due to insect pests viz. pink stem borer (PSB, Sesamia inferens Walker), termites (Microtermes obesi Holmgren and Odontotermes obesus Rambur) and root aphid (Rhopalosiphum rufiabdominalis Sasaki) were undertaken in a rice–wheat cropping system during 2010–11 and 2011–12. Pest abundance and damage was monitored in four tillage systems i.e. conventional tillage (CT), zero tillage (ZT), ZT + mulch and rotary tillage (RT) under insecticide protected and unprotected conditions. The application of insecticide did not affect root aphid incidence or termite damage. However, significant differences in PSB damage in insecticide protected (0.9%) and unprotected (1.2%) conditions were observed. The investigations demonstrated that in CT, damage by PSB (0.6%) was minimum; however termite damage (2.2%) was maximum as compared to all other tillage conditions. In ZT, PSB damage (1.4%) was maximum and root aphid incidence (3.1 aphids/tiller) was minimum in comparison to other tillage conditions. ZT + mulch resulted in inter-mediate insect pest incidence/damage; however, RT was the least effective practice which showed relatively high incidence/damage of these three insects (1.2% PSB damage, 1.9% termite damage and 5.1 aphids/tiller). The insecticide × tillage interaction indicated that insecticide application is needed only in ZT and RT for PSB management.     

Toxicity of organic-coffee-approved products to the southern red mite Oligonychus ilicis and to its predator Iphiseiodes zuluagai

Organic coffee growers in Brazil often spray a wide range of organic-farming compatible products to control pests including the southern red mite, Oligonychus ilicis. However, most of these products have not yet been proven to be effective for mite control and there is no information about their side effects on natural enemies. We evaluated the lethal and sublethal effects of three organic compatible products, the biofertilizer Supermagro, a fresh bovine manure supplemented with micronutrients, bone meal, unrefined sugar, and milk to stimulate fermentation, an enriched Bordeaux mixture (Viça Café Plus^®) and lime sulfur to O. ilicis and to its predatory mite Iphiseiodes zuluagai. Additionally, we evaluated the efficacy of these products against O. ilicis under greenhouse conditions. Only lime sulfur showed acute lethal effects at concentrations lower than the field recommended rates (20–40 ml/l). The predatory mite I. zuluagai was more tolerant than its prey to the three products based on acute lethal concentration bioassays. The instantaneous rate of increase (r_i) of O. ilicis when exposed to lime sulfur at field recommended rates was negative but r_i of the predatory mite, I. zuluagai was not. The r_i of the predatory mite was lower than that of its prey under Supermagro and Viça Café exposure, including at their field recommended rates (200 ml/l and 10 g/l, respectively). In a greenhouse experiment, the control efficacy against O. ilicis 14 days after spraying reached levels higher than 80% for all three products. Lime sulfur has the potential to control O. ilicis in organic coffee plantations. Although, Supermagro and Viça Café exhibited potential to control O. ilicis in the greenhouse, the product concentrations used were very high and may lead to selectivity problems. Therefore, spraying suitable concentrations of such products taking into account their effectiveness against O. ilicis and their selectivity to natural enemies are important for ecological pest management in organic coffee besides benefiting coffee plant nutrition.     

Evaluation of seed treatment insecticides for management of the rice water weevil,Lissorhoptrus oryzophilus Kuschel (Coleoptera: Curculionidae), in commercial rice fields in Louisiana

The rice water weevil, Lissorhoptrus oryzophilus Kuschel (Coleoptera: Curculionidae), is the most injurious insect pest in US rice production. Yield losses in excess of 25% can occur from severe infestations. Management demonstrations were conducted in the 2008, 2009, 2010, and 2011 growing seasons to evaluate the use of commercially available insecticides to control L. oryzophilus in commercial rice fields. The demonstration tests, conducted on farms throughout Louisiana, compared the efficacies of recently registered seed treatment insecticides to untreated controls and to foliar applications of pyrethroids. Efficacy was assessed by collecting root/soil core samples three to four weeks after application of permanent flood and counting numbers of larvae and pupae in core samples. Tests were replicated across locations in multiple rice-producing Louisiana parishes. Densities of larvae and pupae in core samples exceeded the larval threshold (three larvae or pupae per core sample) in over 80% of untreated plots/cuts, confirming the ubiquity and severity of this insect as a pest of rice. Use of chlorantraniliprole (Dermacor^® X-100, DuPont™ Crop Protection, Wilmington, DE), thiamethoxam (CruiserMaxx^® Rice, Syngenta^® Crop Protection, Greensboro, NC), and clothianidin (NipsIt Inside^®, Valent^® USA Corporation, Walnut Creek, CA) seed treatments significantly reduced L. oryzophilus infestation compared to untreated checks. Fewer larvae and pupae were observed in rice treated with chlorantraniliprole than in rice treated with other insecticides.     

Resistance monitoring and enzyme activity in three field populations of cowpea aphid (Aphis craccivora) from Egypt

The cowpea aphid (Aphis craccivora) is one of the most important sucking insect pests attacking certain legumes in Egypt particularly faba bean, cowpea and pea. In this study we monitored the resistance level of three field populations of A. craccivora to seven insecticides belonging to three different chemical classes (organophosphates, carbamates and neonicotinoids). The three populations were collected from three governorates in Egypt namely Dakahlia, Qalyobia and Beni Suef. Diagnostic concentrations (LC₉₀ values for susceptible strain) for each insecticide were established using a leaf dipping technique. Resistance monitoring showed that the field population from Dakahlia was highly resistant to all the tested insecticides. In a similar manner, the population from Qalyobia was also resistant to all insecticides except for fenitrothion to which only moderate resistance was observed. The field population from Beni Suef exhibited a lower level of resistance to all the seven tested insecticides.Biochemical assay showed that esterase activity in these three field populations was generally higher as the enzyme activity ratio ranged from 4.3 to 7.8 fold more than that for the susceptible strain. The activity of the other measured detoxifying enzymes (glutathione -S- transferase and mixed function oxidases) was moderate in the populations from Qalyobia and Dakahlia. Nevertheless, the enzyme activity in A. craccivora collected from Beni Suef was variable and differed slightly from the activity measured in the susceptible strain. Monitoring insecticide resistance among the three aphid populations was a proactive approach to detect any shift in insecticide efficiency. The possible occurrence of resistance in the cowpea aphid to the tested insecticides may be due to the higher activity of carboxylesterases. Further studies on the resistance mechanism to these insecticides are needed to provide insights in how to manage and delay the onset of the resistance and thus prolong the performance of insecticides against A. craccivora.     

Antifeedant and toxic effects of naturally occurring and synthetic quinones to the cabbage looper, Trichoplusia ni

We investigated the feeding deterrent effects and toxicity of naturally occurring and synthetic quinones to the cabbage looper, Trichoplusia ni. Feeding deterrent effects were determined via a leaf disc choice bioassay. Based on DC₅₀ values, 1,4-naphthoquinone was the most active antifeedant (DC₅₀ = 1.8 μg/cm²) followed by juglone (DC₅₀ = 2.1 μg/cm²), 2-methoxy-1,4-naphthoquinone (DC₅₀ = 2.6 μg/cm²), plumbagin (DC₅₀ = 3.3 μg/cm²), and 2,3-dimethoxy-5-mehtyl-1,4-benzoquinone (DC₅₀ = 4.2 μg/cm²) in third instar cabbage looper larvae. 2-Bromo-1,4-naphthoquinone, 2-chloro-3-morpholino-1,4-naphthoquinone, 1,8-dihydroxy-anthraquinone, 2-methyl-1,4-naphthoquinone and naphthazarin had DC₅₀ values ranging from 8.4 to 10.1 μg/cm². Juglone and plumbagin were able to provide protection to intact cabbage plants in a greenhouse experiment. Cabbage looper larvae consumed less leaf area and weighed less on cabbage plants treated with either of these naturally occurring quinones. Most of the quinones demonstrated levels of antifeedant activity greater than neem, a positive control, in laboratory bioassays. The level of activity for juglone was comparable to neem in the greenhouse experiment. There was also a reduction in the number of larvae on treated plants compared with the negative control. Structure-activity relationships suggest that the antifeedant effects of the tested quinones depend on the number and position of hydroxyl and methoxyl substituents of quinones. Most of the quinones were of medium-low toxicity to third instar cabbage looper larvae via topical administration. Some of these quinones could have potential for development as commercial insect control agents targeting the feeding behavior of insects with minimal toxicity, provided that their impacts on non-target organisms and environment are minimal.     

Evaluation of Lecanicillium longisporum, Vertalec against the cotton aphid, Aphis gossypii, and cucumber powdery mildew, Sphaerotheca fuliginea in a greenhouse environment

The commercial mycopesticide, Vertalec^® based on Lecanicillium longisporum, was evaluated for simultaneous control of aphids and powdery mildew on cucumbers in a greenhouse setting where temperature and RH were allowed to fluctuate within normal operating ranges. Five to six week old cucumber plants were inoculated with either Sphaerotheca fuliginea (Sf) spores, cotton aphids (Aphis gossypii) or both. Vertalec, Vertalec containing irradiation-inactivated blastospores (II Vertalec) or sterilized water (control) were applied to the plants 1, 4, and 7 days later. Vertalec treatment provided complete control of aphids 16 days after aphid inoculation, whereas effects of the II Vetalec were not significantly different from the water-treated control. The number of powdery mildew spots on cucumber leaves and the number of S. fuliginea spores in each spot were significantly lower in Vertalec-treated plants than II Vertalec-treated plants or the controls, whereas numbers in the II Vertalec treatment were lower that the untreated control. These results demonstrate that Vertalec has potential for simultaneous management of both cotton aphid and powdery mildew in greenhouse cucumber production.     

Effect of chemical treatments on ‘Candidatus Liberibacter asiaticus’ infected pomelo (Citrus maxima)

Huanglongbing (HLB), also known as citrus greening, is one of the most destructive diseases affecting Rutaceae plants in many parts of the world. HLB is associated with three species of ‘Candidatus Liberibacter’ with ‘Ca. L. asiaticus’ (Las), being the most widely distributed bacterium in Thailand and Asia. The effectiveness of chemical treatment via trunk injection was evaluated in Las-infected pomelo (Citrus maxima) trees using quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction. Our results demonstrated that a mixture of streptomycin (250 mg/L), ampicillin (2.5 g/L), penicillin G (2 g/L), and Bacicure^® (2 g/L) provided the highest efficiency in reducing and suppressing the Las-bacterium population indicated by the mean cycle threshold (Ct) values from 20.8 (≈7.2 × 10⁷ cells/g of plant tissue) to 36.6 (≈2140 cells/g of plant tissue) in greenhouse experiments, and from 19.4 (≈1.8 × 10⁸ cells/g of plant tissue) to 37.8 (≈969 cells/g of plant tissue) in the field experiments. In addition, our strategies remained therapeutically effective for one year. Finally, response of Las-infected pomelo to chemical treatment was elucidated using transmission electron microscopy.