First report of brown marmorated stink bug Halyomorpha halys Stål (Hemiptera: Pentatomidae) in Greece

In autumn 2011, stink bugs were found causing a nuisance in houses in the centre of Athens, Greece. Specimens were identified by D.A. Rider at North Dakota State University as Halyomorpha halys Stål (Hemiptera: Pentatomidae). The species is native to Asia; it was detected in the USA in 1996 and has recently been introduced into Europe (2008). This paper provides the first report of the presence of H. halys (brown marmorated stink bug) in Greece. Some data on its phenology and economic impact are also provided.     

Graphosoma lineatum (Hemiptera: Pentatomidae): a suitable host for mass rearing Ooencyrtus telenomicida (Hymenoptera: Encyrtidae)

The species Ooencyrtus telenomicida (Vassiliev) (Hymenoptera: Encyrtidae) is currently being considered as a candidate for augmentative biological control agent (BCA) against several pests, including Halyomorpha halys (Stål) (Heteroptera: Pentatomidae). Protocols for mass production of a BCA need fundamental information on its biological attributes. Here we tested a possible laboratory host for the rearing of O. telenomicida: the common bug Graphosoma lineatum L. (Heteroptera: Pentatomidae). At tested conditions, O. telenomicida biological parameters were: r_m 0.154, offspring production 84.07 specimens/female, sex ratio (% females) 71%, juvenile development time about 16 days, population doubling time 4.52 days, emergence rate about 90%.     

Important invasive species and its pest status in Turkey: Halyomorpha halys (Stål) (Heteroptera: Pentatomidae)

Journal of Plant Diseases and Protection - The brown marmorated stink bug, Halyomorpha halys (Stål), is a pest of many annual and perennial agricultural products. The species is native to...     

Distribution and damage caused by Halyomorpha halys in Italy

Since the first occurrence of Halyomorpha halys (Heteroptera: Pentatomidae) in Italy in 2012, the pest has spread in the Po Valley causing severe damage in summer 2015, particularly in pear orchards. At present, populations of H. halys have been reported in the regions of Emilia‐Romagna (Modena, Reggio Emilia and Bologna provinces), Piedmont, Lombardy, Veneto and Friuli. The damage caused by H. halys is typical of pentatomids and is aggravated by the pest's polyphagy and by the behaviour of adults which move continuously from plant to plant, from hedges or herbaceous crops to fruit orchards. The unpredictability of H. halys’ movements, along with the effect of the aggregating pheromone that concentrates the pest in certain areas of the orchards, therefore making chemical spraying complicated.     

The brown marmorated stink bug,Halyomorpha halys (Hemiptera: Heteroptera: Pentatomidae) in Malta

Halyomorpha halys, commonly known as the brown marmorated stink bug, has been recorded for the first time from the Maltese Islands. The record is currently based on the capture of a single specimen. Information is provided on the distribution range of this polyphagous species which was accidentally introduced into Europe (Switzerland) in 2007 and since then has invaded many European countries. Morphological details are also included to aid in the discrimination of this species from similar species occurring in the Mediterranean region. Notes are provided on the feeding strategies used by this insect and the type of damage incurred on agricultural commodities, which are often rendered unsaleable.     

Species-specific insecticide resistance to imidacloprid and fipronil in the rice planthoppers Nilaparvata lugens and Sogatella furcifera in East and South-east Asia

BACKGROUND: In 2003 the development of insecticide resistance against neonicotinoids in the brown planthopper (BPH), Nilaparvata lugens (Stål) (Homoptera: Delphacidae), was first observed in Thailand and has since been found in other Asian countries such as Vietnam, China and Japan. However, the LD₅₀ values of BPH and the whitebacked planthopper (WBPH), Sogatella furcifera (Horváth), against both neonicotinoid and phenylpyrazole insecticides have been poorly reported in many Asian countries. RESULTS: The topical LD₅₀ values for imidacloprid in the BPH populations collected from East Asia (Japan, China, Taiwan) and Vietnam in 2006 were 4.3–24.2 µg g^?1 and were significantly higher than those collected from the Philippines (0.18–0.35 µg g^?1). The BPH populations indicated a positive cross‐resistance between imidacloprid and thiamethoxam. Almost all the WBPH populations from Japan, Taiwan, China, Vietnam and the Philippines had extremely large LD₅₀ values (19.7–239 µg g^?1 or more) for fipronil, except for several populations from the Philippines and China. CONCLUSION: Species‐specific changes in insecticide susceptibility were found in Asian rice planthoppers (i.e. BPH for imidacloprid and WBPH for fipronil). Insecticide resistance in BPH against imidacloprid occurred in East Asia and Indochina, but not in the Philippines. In contrast, insecticide resistance in WBPH against fipronil occurred widely in East and South‐east Asia. Copyright © 2008 Society of Chemical Industry     

First report of the citrus leafhopper <Emphasis Type="Italic">Penthimiola bella</Emphasis> (Stål) (Hemiptera,Cicadellidae) in Europe

The presence of the citrus leafhopper, Penthimiola bella (Stål) (Hemiptera, Cicadellidae), was detected in citrus orchards in Portugal. This is the first report of this cicadellid in Europe. A survey was carried out in 30 citrus orchards in Algarve, in southern Portugal, based on both the beating method and visual observation of shoots, between July and December 2012. P. bella was detected in a total of 19 orchards distributed throughout the region. The occurrence of reproducing populations of P. bella and its dispersion over a relatively large area of at least 70 km in length within Algarve suggests that this species established and has been expanding its distribution in the region for several years since its arrival. The possible pathway of introduction and its pest status are discussed.     

Factors influencing short-term parasitoid establishment and efficacy for the biological control of Halyomorpha halys with the samurai wasp Trissolcus japonicus

BACKGROUND

Classical biological control has been identified as the most promising approach to limit the impact of the invasive pest species Halyomorpha halys (Heteroptera: Pentatomidae). This study investigated the parasitism rate at sites where the biocontrol agent Trissolcus japonicus (Hymenoptera: Scelionidae) was released and where its unintentional introduction took place, in the Trentino–South Tyrol region. The effect of land-use composition was studied to understand which factors favor the establishment of hosts and parasitoids, including native and exotic species.

RESULTS

The released T. japonicus were detected a year after the start of the program, with a significant parasitoid impact and discovery, compared to control sites. Trissolcus japonicus was the most abundant H. halys parasitoid, and Trissolcus mitsukurii and Anastatus bifasciatus were recorded also. The efficacy of T. mitsukurii was lower in sites where T. japonicus was successfully established, suggesting a possible competitive interaction. Parasitism level by T. japonicus at the release sites was 12.5% in 2020 and 16.4% in 2021. The combined effect of predation and parasitization increased H. halys mortality up to 50% at the release sites. Landscape composition analysis showed that both H. halys and T. japonicus were more likely to be found at sites with lower altitude and with permanent crops, whereas other hosts and parasitoids preferred different conditions.

CONCLUSION

Trissolcus japonicus showed a promising impact on H. halys, at release and adventive sites, with minor nontarget effects, mediated by landscape heterogeneity. The prevalence of T. japonicus in landscapes with permanent crops could support IPM in the future. © 2023 The Authors. Pest Management Science published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd on behalf of Society of Chemical Industry.     

Virulence of select entomopathogenic fungi to the brown marmorated stink bug, Halyomorpha halys (Stål) (Heteroptera: Pentatomidae)

The brown marmorated stink bug. Halyomorpha halys, (BMSB) is an exotic pest causing damage to fruits and vegetables. They also transmit diseases. Integrated pest management strategies are lacking for this invasive. For the first time, information is presented on the virulence of several entomopathogenic fungi against BMSB. Three Beauveria bassiana and two Metarhizium anispoliae isolates were bioassayed against adult BMSB. One B. bassiana isolate was the active ingredient in BotaniGard^® which produced 85 and 100% mortality in 9 and 12 days post treatment, respectively. Experimental isolates ERL 1170 and ERL 1540 were also efficacious. Metarhizium anispoliae isolates produced lower mortalities than the B. bassiana isolates. Data presented showed the potential for management of BMSB with entomopathogenic fungi. Copyright © 2012 Society of Chemical Industry     

Evaluation of the use of insects for biological control of Lantana camara L. (Verbenaceae) in Zambia

Abstract

The present status of the imported and naturally occurring insects pests of Lantana camara L. a noxious exotic weed in Zambia, was determined by survey. Of the seven insect species imported in 1969–74, only Teleonemia scrupulosa Stål has become established in Zambia and occurs today all over the country. Two other neotropical lantana insects, namely Ophiomyia lantanae (Froggat) and Lantanophaga pusillidactyla Walk, have spread naturally into Zambia. In addition, 17 indigenous insect species were recorded as infesting lantana during the survey. The actual injuriousness of the insect complex to lantana was in all cases negligible, and it was concluded that insects will probably not contribute significantly to lantana control in Zambia.     

Susceptibility to neonicotinoids and risk of resistance development in the brown planthopper, Nilaparvata lugens (Stål) (Homoptera: Delphacidae)

BACKGROUND: In recent years, outbreaks of the brown planthopper, Nilaparvata lugens (Stål), have occurred more frequently in China. The objective of this study was to determine the susceptibility of N. lugens to neonicotinoids and other insecticides in major rice production areas in China. RESULTS: Results indicated that substantial variations in the susceptibility to different insecticides existed in N. lugens. Field populations had developed variable resistance levels to neonicotinoids, with a high resistance level to imidacloprid (RR: 135.3–301.3‐fold), a medium resistance level to imidaclothiz (RR: 35–41.2‐fold), a low resistance level to thiamethoxam (up to 9.9‐fold) and no resistance to dinotefuran, nitenpyram and thiacloprid (RR < 3‐fold). Further examinations indicated that a field population had developed medium resistance level to fipronil (up to 10.5‐fold), and some field populations had evolved a low resistance level to buprofezin. In addition, N. lugens had been able to develop 1424‐fold resistance to imidacloprid in the laboratory after the insect was selected with imidacloprid for 26 generations. CONCLUSION: Long‐term use of imidacloprid in a wide range of rice‐growing areas might be associated with high levels of resistance in N. lugens. Therefore, insecticide resistance management strategies must be developed to prevent further increase in resistance. Copyright © 2008 Society of Chemical Industry     

Biological characterization of sulfoxaflor, a novel insecticide

BACKGROUND: The commercialization of new insecticides is important for ensuring that multiple effective product choices are available. In particular, new insecticides that exhibit high potency and lack insecticidal cross‐resistance are particularly useful in insecticide resistance management (IRM) programs. Sulfoxaflor possesses these characteristics and is the first compound under development from the novel sulfoxamine class of insecticides. RESULTS: In the laboratory, sulfoxaflor demonstrated high levels of insecticidal potency against a broad range of sap‐feeding insect species. The potency of sulfoxaflor was comparable with that of commercial products, including neonicotinoids, for the control of a wide range of aphids, whiteflies (Homoptera) and true bugs (Heteroptera). Sulfoxaflor performed equally well in the laboratory against both insecticide‐susceptible and insecticide‐resistant populations of sweetpotato whitefly, Bemisia tabaci Gennadius, and brown planthopper, Nilaparvata lugens (Stål), including populations resistant to the neonicotinoid insecticide imidacloprid. These laboratory efficacy trends were confirmed in field trials from multiple geographies and crops, and in populations of insects with histories of repeated exposure to insecticides. In particular, a sulfoxaflor use rate of 25 g ha^?1 against cotton aphid (Aphis gossypii Glover) outperformed acetamiprid (25 g ha^?1) and dicrotophos (560 g ha^?1). Sulfoxaflor (50 g ha^?1) provided a control of sweetpotato whitefly equivalent to that of acetamiprid (75 g ha^?1) and imidacloprid (50 g ha^?1) and better than that of thiamethoxam (50 g ha^?1). CONCLUSION: The novel chemistry of sulfoxaflor, its unique biological spectrum of activity and its lack of cross‐resistance highlight the potential of sulfoxaflor as an important new tool for the control of sap‐feeding insect pests. Copyright © 2010 Society of Chemical Industry     

Buprofezin susceptibility survey, resistance selection and preliminary determination of the resistance mechanism in Nilaparvata lugens (Homoptera: Delphacidae)

BACKGROUND: Buprofezin has been used for many years to control Nilaparvata lugens (Stål). Assessment of susceptibility change in the insect is essential for maintaining control efficiency and resistance management. RESULTS: Eleven‐year surveys showed that most field populations were susceptible before 2004. However, substantially higher levels of resistance (up to 28‐fold) were found in most of the rice fields in China after 2004. A field population was collected and periodically selected for buprofezin resistance in the laboratory. After 65 generations (56 were selected), the colony successfully obtained 3599‐fold resistance to buprofezin. Synergism tests showed that O,O‐diethyl‐O‐phenyl phosphorothioate (SV1), piperonyl butoxide (PBO) and diethyl maleate (DEM) increased buprofezin toxicity in the resistant strain by only 1.5–1.6 fold, suggesting that esterases, P450‐monooxygenases and glutathione S‐transferases had no substantial effect on buprofezin resistance development. CONCLUSION: The results from this study indicate that N. lugens has the potential to develop high resistance to buprofezin. A resistance management program with rotation of buprofezin and other pesticides may efficiently delay or slow down resistance development in the insect. Further investigation is also necessary to understand the resistance mechanisms in N. lugens. Copyright © 2008 Society of Chemical Industry     

茶翅蝽非典型气味受体基因的克隆及其生物信息学特征和组织特异性表达分析

为明确茶翅蝽Halyomorpha halys的非典型气味受体（odorant receptor co-receptor，Orco）基因的生物信息学特征和组织特异性表达谱，采用Trizol法提取茶翅蝽成虫触角的总RNA，利用RTPCR技术克隆其Orco基因，使用生物信息学软件对茶翅蝽Orco蛋白进行跨膜区域预测、结构分析和系统发育分析，并采用实时荧光定量PCR技术测定Orco的组织表达谱。结果表明，克隆获得茶翅蝽Orco基因并命名为Hhal Orco，该基因的开放阅读框全长1 428 bp，编码475个氨基酸。Hhal Orco蛋白的二级结构中，α螺旋占34.11%，无规则卷曲占36.84%，延伸链占29.05%；其分子质量为53.49 kD，等电点为6.16，无信号肽，是非分泌蛋白；有7个跨膜区，是疏水性蛋白，疏水性系数的平均值为0.297；预测的Hhal Orco蛋白为对称亚基构成的同源四聚体。系统进化分析发现，Hhal Orco与同为半翅目的荔蝽Tessaratoma papillosa亲缘关系最近。qPCR检测结果显示，Hhal Orco基因主要在雌雄成虫的触角中表达，在成虫的头、胸、腹、足中仅有微量表达。     

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.     

Development of a monoclonal antibody to detect predation of the brown planthopper Nilaparvata lugens (Stål)

A monoclonal antibody (McAb), 4B8, was developed to whole homogenates of the brown planthopper, Nilaparvata lugens (Stål), using hybridoma technology. It reacted with all the stages of BPH but did not cross-react with other insects and predator species tested with an indirect enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). Immunodiffusion revealed it to belong to the IgG₃ subclass. The ascites developed with 4B8?cell lines had high absorbance values until it was diluted over 6.5536?×?10⁷ times tested by indirect ELISA. It could recognize the BPH proteins after one female was ingested by Pardosa pseudoannulata for about 2.13 days at 25°C. The results of extended antigen detection period and the high specificity of the antibody indicated that 4B8 could be used to study interactions between planthoppers and their predators in the field. Application of the McAb to assess relative importance of four major spider species in subtropical rice ecosystem showed that P. pseudoannulata was more important than Ummeliata insecticeps, and those were more important than Tetragnatha sp. and Coleosoma octomaculatum.     

Fitness costs of laboratory-selected imidacloprid resistance in the brown planthopper, Nilaparvata lugens Stål

Imidacloprid has been used as a key insecticide to control the brown planthopper, Nilaparvata lugens Stål, for several years, but no obvious resistance has been identified in field populations as yet. To evaluate the risk, a field population was collected and selected with imidacloprid in the laboratory. After 37‐generation selection a strain with 250‐fold resistance had been successfully achieved. Fitness analysis by constructing life tables demonstrated that resistant hoppers had obvious disadvantages in their reproduction. The fitness of highly resistant hoppers had decreased dramatically (0.169 and 0.104) to only one‐fifth to one‐tenth of that of the susceptible strain. Hence it was concluded that the brown planthopper had the potential to develop high resistance to imidacloprid but that the lower fitness of resistant hoppers could result in a quick recovery of sensitivity when the population did not come into contact with imidacloprid. This means that a reasonable resistance management programme with less imidacloprid use may efficiently delay or even stop resistance development. Copyright © 2006 Society of Chemical Industry     

Design, synthesis and insecticidal activities of novel pyrazole amides containing hydrazone substructures

BACKGROUND: Pyrazole and hydrazone derivatives possess good insecticidal activities; their substructural units are widely used in pesticide design. In an effort to discover new molecules with good insecticidal activities, a series of pyrazole amide derivatives containing hydrazone substructures were synthesised and bioassayed. RESULTS: Bioassays demonstrated that some of the title compounds exhibited notable control of Plutella xylostella (Linnaeus), Helicoverpa armigera (Hübner), Culex pipiens pallens, Laphygma exigua (Hübner), Spodoptera litura (Fabricius), Nilaparvata lugens (Stål) and Rhopalosiphum maidis (Fitch) at 5, 10, 0.25, 200, 20, 100 and 500 mg L^?1 respectively. Comparative molecular field analysis (CoMFA) based on the bioactivities for P. xylostella was studied; the values of q² and r² for the CoMFA model were 0.701 and 0.964 respectively. CONCLUSION: Some of the title compounds displayed good and broad‐spectrum insecticidal activities against different insect species; the CoMFA model revealed that a bulky and negatively charged group at the 4‐position of benzene could enhance insecticidal activity. These results could provide useful information for the design of novel insecticide containing substructural units of pyrazole amide and hydrazone. Copyright © 2011 Society of Chemical Industry     

Population genetic structure of <Emphasis Type="Italic">Sclerotinia sclerotiorum</Emphasis> on canola in Iran

The genetic structure of 276 Sclerotinia sclerotiorum isolates representing 37 field populations from four provinces in northern Iran were analysed with six polymorphic microsatellite loci. In total, 80 haplotypes were detected with 19 haplotypes (23.7%) shared amongst at least two regional populations. None of the haplotypes were shared among all four regional populations. Of the 80 haplotypes, 32 haplotypes (40%) occurred in low frequencies represented by only one isolate. Moderate levels of gene diversity (H = 0.51 to 0.61) and genotypic diversity (Ĝ = 12.0 to 22.0; clonal fraction = 0.39 to 0.67) for regional populations were observed. Genotypic diversities (Ĝ) did not differ significantly among populations. All regional populations were in linkage equilibrium indicating the occurrence of outcrossing. Low to moderate levels of population subdivision (0.03 to 0.07), were observed among regional populations. Only one large panmictic population was inferred by Structure, indicating no significant population structure. A Mantel test showed no significant isolation by distance (r = −0.43; P = 0.18), indicating anthropogenic movement of inoculum. The results demonstrated that S. sclerotiorum populations in northern Iran, are randomly mating and have a number of shared haplotypes among regional populations; this possibly represents recent founder populations and/or a high occurrence of anthropogenic migration of infected plant material among populations.     

Haplotypes of “<Emphasis Type="Italic">Candidatus</Emphasis> Liberibacter solanacearum” suggest long-standing separation

Three haplotypes of the recently discovered bacterium species “Candidatus Liberibacter solanacearum” are described and related to geographic ranges. The first two are associated with Zebra Chip/Psyllid Yellows of potatoes and other solanaceous plants, vectored by the tomato/potato psyllid Bactericera cockerelli in North and Central America and New Zealand. The third is associated with diseased carrots in Finland and vectored by the carrot psyllid Trioza apicalis. The haplotypes are described by SNPs on the 16s rRNA, 16s/23s ISR and 50s rplJ and rplL ribosomal protein genes. These SNPs are inherited as a package across the three genes. Haplotype “a” has been found primarily from Honduras and Guatemala through western Mexico to Arizona and California, and in New Zealand. Haplotype “b” is currently known from eastern Mexico and northwards through Texas to south central Washington. These haplotypes show some range overlap in Texas, Kansas and Nebraska. The haplotypes are not yet known to elicit biological differences in the plant or insect hosts. These apparently stable haplotypes suggest separate bacterial populations of long standing.