Organophosphate resistance in olive fruit fly, Bactrocera oleae, populations in Greece and Cyprus

The olive fruit fly Bactrocera oleae (Gmelin) (Diptera: Tephritidae) is the most important pest of olives in countries around the Mediterranean basin. Its control has been based mostly on bait sprays with organophosphate insecticides (usually dimethoate or fenthion) for about 40 years. In the present study, the resistance status of olive fruit fly populations to dimethoate was examined in Greece and Cyprus over 2 years. Thirty-one populations from various regions of Greece, nine from Cyprus and one laboratory susceptible strain, which served as a control, were assayed by topical application of dimethoate. Considerable variation in the resistance levels to dimethoate was recorded in the populations of B. oleae, with resistance ratios ranging from 6.3 to 64.4 (ED(50) values 12.5-128.7 ng dimethoate per insect). The highest resistance ratios were found in populations from Crete, and the lowest in those from Cyprus. This variation could be attributed to different selection pressures from insecticidal applications among populations from the various regions. Migration of resistant genotypes, either autonomous or via commerce, may also be involved.     

Efficacy of the pyrethroid alpha-cypermethrin against Bactrocera oleae populations from Greece, and improved diagnostic for an iAChE mutation

BACKGROUND: The most important pest of olive orchards worldwide is the olive fruit fly Bactrocera oleae (Gmelin). Its control in Greece has been based on organophosphates (OPs), but their intense use has led to the development of resistance. A test previously developed to monitor the trait may not be as robust as originally thought. The pyrethroid alpha-cypermethrin has recently been registered for bait sprays, as an alternative to OPs. RESULTS: The susceptibility of 20 B. oleae populations to alpha-cypermethrin was examined. Variation was observed in their response, with LD(50) ranging from 0.14 to 3.28 ng insect(-1) and resistance factors from 2.3 to 54.7. Resistance mechanisms were investigated. Cytochrome P450 monoxygenase activities showed an association with resistance. Sequences in the domain IIS4-IIS6 of the B. oleae para-type sodium channel were also analysed, but no resistance-associated mutations were identified. Finally, a novel diagnostic assay able to reliably monitor the frequency of the iAChE G488S resistance mutation was developed. CONCLUSION: This is the first attempt to evaluate the efficacy of alpha-cypermethrin against B. oleae from Greece. Data showed that it can be used effectively, but also highlighted the importance of continuous monitoring. The IIS4-IIS6 sodium channel region is the default area in which to look for resistance mutations if target-site resistance to pyrethroids arises. The application of the novel iAChE molecular diagnostic may facilitate the introduction of pyrethroids alongside OPs currently in use.     

Control of the Olive Moth in Cyprus

Damage caused by larvae of Prays oleae has great economic impact for the olive growers in many of the chief olive-growing areas of Cyprus. P. oleae has three generations per year affecting successively the flowers, the fruit and the leaves. The fruit generation is the most destructive, the larvae living inside the stone of the fruits and the attacked fruit falling prematurely from the tree either in late June of in late August. The trials reported in this paper were aiming to find the best time to spray for more effective control of the fruit generation. Olive trees were sprayed four times at weekly intervals using the insecticide formothion. The treatments which started on 25 May were completed by 16 June 1976. The best period was found to be that particular stage of fruit growth at which the fertilized fruit started to grow normally and they can easily be distinguished from the non-fertilized. Having found the best time to control the fruit generation in 1976, three insecticides were tested in 1978. These were cypermethrin, formothion and triazophos.     

Control methods of the olive leaf gall midge (Dasineura oleae Angelini,Cecidomyiidae, Diptera) and potential implementation of integrated control programs in olive orchards

Journal of Plant Diseases and Protection - The olive leaf gall midge (Dasineura oleae) is a gall-inducing insect on leaves, branches and stems of flowers of olive trees. Heavy infestation with the...     

Susceptibility of eight Algerian olive cultivars to <Emphasis Type="Italic">Bactrocera oleae</Emphasis> infestation – a pomological and nutritional quality perspective

The olive fruit fly, Bactrocera oleae (Rossi), is the major olive pest in the Mediterranean Basin, being responsible for high losses in olive production. The objective of this work was to study the influence of B. oleae infestation on the pomological parameters and nutritive value (lipids, proteins, carbohydrates and ash) of eight olive cultivars (Abani, Aellah, Blanquette de Guelma, Chemlal, Ferkani, Limli, Rougette de Mitidja and Souidi) from Algeria. The results displayed different degrees of susceptibility of the studied cultivars to this pest. Fruit size (weight) and the Fruit weight / stone weight ratio are significantly correlated with the attack. The statistical treatment of the results (PCA and HAC) highlighted different behaviors from the cultivars, concerning the attack. There are some cultivars more susceptible, being the nutritional value also affected. The lipid and protein contents were positively correlated with the attack and the carbohydrates negatively, suggesting a careful choice by the B. oleae. Ovipositional preference of olive fruit fly females and the success of larval development in different olive cultivars are crucial to establishing new approaches in Integrated Pest Management (IPM) against this pest.     

苹果蠹蛾在辽宁省彰武县梨树上的发生规律

为明确辽宁省苹果蠹蛾Cydia pomonella(Linnaeus)的发生规律,于2014—2016年连续3年对辽宁省彰武县哈尔套镇10个村59个不同梨园采用三角屋胶粘式诱捕器进行了雄成虫数量消长动态的监测,并对幼虫蛀果率、老熟幼虫数量及化蛹行径、蛹期进行调查。结果表明,在辽宁省彰武县,从4月下旬至9月下旬,苹果蠹蛾成虫共有2次发生高峰:第1次为5月下旬,第2次为7月中下旬;苹果蠹蛾在2016年全年内有3次明显的蛀果高峰期:第1次为6月下旬至7月上旬,第2次为8月上旬,第3次为8月下旬。老熟幼虫更趋向于脱果后直接掉落到地上再从地上沿着树干往上爬并在老翘皮下寻找合适位置化蛹;苹果蠹蛾经人工饲养的蛹期为9.95 d。研究表明,苹果蠹蛾在辽宁省彰武县1年发生2代,第1代从5月中旬到9月下旬,越冬代从7月中旬到翌年6月下旬。     

New findings on infestation and phenology of Dasineura oleae Angelini (Diptera,Cecidomyiidae): an emerging pest on olive trees in the Palestinian Territories

Journal of Plant Diseases and Protection - Dasineura oleae is a gall midge on leaves and branches of olive trees. Due to the scarcity of information regarding to the infestation and phenology of D....     

不同果园中主要食心虫种群监测与防控技术

利用性信息素和黑光灯系统调查了枣园、桃园中食心虫的种类构成及其种群发生动态,并比较了3种土壤防控措施对桃小食心虫的效果。结果显示：枣园中食心虫的数量由多到少依次为：桃小食心虫、梨小食心虫和桃蛀螟,其中桃小食心虫1年发生2代,发生期为6月上旬至9月下旬,其成虫累积诱捕量随日期的变化符合Sigmoid方程;梨小食心虫1年发生4代,发生期为5月下旬至9月下旬;桃蛀螟1年发生2代,发生期为5月下旬至9月下旬。桃园中以梨小食心虫为主,1年发生4～5代,发生期为5月上旬至9月底,年均性信息素累积诱捕量为8829头/诱捕器,而桃小食心虫和桃蛀螟数量均极少。3种土壤防控措施中,灌水覆膜对桃小食心虫防控效果最好,幼虫出土抑制率为67%,其次为盖草覆膜和盖土拍实。     

The distribution of olive fruit fly captures with McPhail traps within an olive orchard

The spatial distribution of olive fruit flyBactrocera (Dacus) oleae (Gmelin) (Diptera: Tephritidae) field captures with McPhail traps within an experimental orchard was evaluated. Contour maps were constructed to examine the patterns in the 3-year trapping data. Captures varied widely inside the olive orchard, with traps suspended on wild olive trees exhibiting the poorest performance. Favorable microclimate, created by a standing water pool, appeared to be responsible for increased trap captures during the hot summer months. The positive role of the olive tree fruit load is also discussed. http://www.phytoparasitica.org posting Feb. 2, 2003.     

Mummified fruit as a source of inoculum and disease dynamics of olive anthracnose caused by Colletotrichum spp

Anthracnose, caused by Colletotrichum spp., is a destructive disease of olive fruit worldwide. The objective of this study was to investigate the influence of agronomical and weather factors on inoculum production using detached olive fruit and on the development of epidemics in the field. The pathogen produced very large numbers of conidia on rotted (>1.87 × 10(8) conidia/fruit) or mummified (>2.16 × 10(4) conidia/fruit) fruit under optimal conditions. On mummified fruit, conidial production was highest on mummies incubated at 20 to 25°C and 96 h of wetness. Repeated washings of mummies reduced conidial production until it was very low after five washings. When mummies were placed in the tree canopy, conidial production was not reduced after 6 months (May to October); but, when they were held on the soil or buried in the soil, conidial production comparatively decreased up to 10,000 times. Anthracnose epidemics on susceptible 'Hojiblanca' and 'Picudo' during three seasons (2005-08) were influenced by rainfall, temperature, and fruit ripening, and had three main phases: the latent period (May to October); the onset of the epidemic, which coincided with the beginning of fruit ripening (early November); and disease development, which was predicted by the Weibull model (November to March). No epidemics developed on the susceptible cultivars during the driest season (2007-08) or on the resistant 'Picual' olive during any of the three seasons. These results provide the basis for a forecasting system of olive anthracnose which could greatly improve the management of this disease.     

Fumigation of citrus fruit with ethylene dibromide: Desorption of residues and ethylene evolution

The desorption of ethylene dibromide (EDB) residues from fumigated Shamouti citrus fruits is fitted by a single exponential equation at 17 and 22°C, and by an equation with a double exponential term at 5°C. Establishing the rate constant enables calculation of the initial concentration of EDB residues in the peel, thereby obtaining information on conditions during fumigation and on the possibility of peel injury development in the fumigated fruit. Healthy, harvested Shamouti citrus fruit evolve ethylene at a low rate, which is increased by EDB fumigation. Fumigated fruit in which EDB caused peel injury evolved ethylene at a higher rate than fumigated fruit in which peel injuries did not develop. This information could be used for predicting peel injuries and in studies aimed at a better understanding of the processes leading to the development of peel injuries in fumigated citrus fruit.     

Resistance of codling moth, Cydia pomonella (L.) (Lepidoptera: Tortricidae), larvae in Michigan to insecticides with different modes of action and the impact on field residual activity

BACKGROUND: The codling moth is one of the principal pests of apple in the world. Resistance monitoring is crucial to the effective management of resistance in codling moth. Three populations of codling moth in neonate larvae were evaluated for resistance to seven insecticides via diet bioassays, and compared with a susceptible population. In addition, apple plots were treated with labeled field rate doses of four insecticides. Treated fruit were exposed to neonate larvae of two populations from commercial orchards. RESULTS: Two populations of codling moth expressed two‐ and fivefold resistance to azinphos‐methyl, seven‐ and eightfold resistance to phosmet, six‐ and tenfold resistance to lambda‐cyhalothrin, 14‐ and 16‐fold resistance to methoxyfenozide and sixfold resistance to indoxacarb, but no resistance to acetamiprid and spinosad. The impact of the resistance to azinphos‐methyl, measured as fruit damage, increased as the insecticide residues aged in the field. In contrast, fruit damage in methoxyfenozide‐ and lambda‐cyhalothrin‐treated fruit was observed earlier for resistant codling moth. No differences in efficacy were found for acetamiprid. CONCLUSIONS: Broad‐spectrum insecticide resistance was detected for codling moth. Resistance to azinphos‐methyl, lambda‐cyhalothrin and methoxyfenozide was associated with reduced residual activity in the field. Broad‐spectrum resistance presents serious problems for management of the codling moth in Michigan. Copyright © 2008 Society of Chemical Industry     

DNA barcoding: a new module in New Zealand's plant biosecurity diagnostic toolbox

Molecular methods for identification of high risk pests and pathogens have been employed for more than a decade to supplement standard diagnostic protocols. However, as the volume of traded goods continues to increase so does the breadth of taxa that diagnosticians need to deal with. Keeping pace by introducing more molecular tests that are typically species-group specific is not an efficient way to progress. Since 2005 classical DNA barcoding using cytochrome oxidase I sequence has been employed routinely in New Zealand for the highest risk insect species (fruit flies and lymantriid moths). Subsequently a broader range of pests have been considered. Case studies are presented here for three important lepidopteran pests, Lymantria mathura (pink gypsy moth), Conogethes punctiferalis (yellow peach moth) and Hyphantria cunea (fall web worm), as well as a trial to identify miscellaneous border interceptions. While the data support the effectiveness of DNA barcoding for border diagnostics, they also raise issues around cryptic species identification and potential species discovery that could impact on operational biosecurity systems.     

Evaluation of commercial traps of various designs for capturing the olive fruit fly Bactrocera oleae (Diptera: Tephritidae)

Abstract

The attractiveness of six different traps, one hand-made and five commercially available, on olive fruit fly adults, was compared in the field. Experiments were undertaken at three different localities of Messinia Co., SW Greece, with varying conditions of fruit load and pest population density. The Glass-Plastic Elkofon Trap attracted more adult flies than any other type of trap. Satisfactory catches were also given by the Glass McPhail trap, the Plastic McPhail trap and the Plastic Elkofon trap, whereas low attractiveness was demonstrated by the Bottle trap and the Pouch trap. It is clear from the findings of this study that trap captures of the olive fruit fly are significantly influenced by trap design (e.g. shape, materials, special features), especially during the period of the high population peak (mid-September – early November) as well as in olive orchards with a high pest population density. In olive orchards with a low pest population density no significant differences were recorded among captures of different trap types. We discuss ways of improving the mass-trapping technique as a control method against olive fruit fly.     

Toxicity of emamectin benzoate to Cydia pomonella (L.) and Cydia molesta (Busck) (Lepidoptera: Tortricidae): laboratory and field tests

BACKGROUND: Emamectin benzoate is a novel macrocyclic lactone insecticide derived from naturally occurring avermectin molecules isolated by fermentation from the soil microorganism Streptomyces avermitilis Kim & Goodfellow. The present study aims to evaluate the toxicity of emamectin benzoate to codling moth, Cydia pomonella (L.), and oriental fruit moth, C. molesta (Busck), under laboratory and semi‐field conditions. RESULTS: Dose response bioassays showed that emamectin benzoate had a high level of intrinsic toxicity to early‐stage larvae of both species, and that contact activity might contribute significantly to mortality. In the semi‐field trials, residual toxicity lasted for more than 1 week. Ovicidal activity was recorded only for C. pomonella (approximately 30%), irrespective of the concentrations tested. Field trials confirmed the efficacy of emamectin benzoate on codling moth when applied at 7 day intervals. Fruit damage, both from the first and second generations, was comparable with that on treatment with chlorpyrifos‐ethyl, used as a chemical reference. CONCLUSION: Emamectin benzoate may be considered a valuable tool for the control of codling moth as a component of an IPM programme. Its collective advantages are: high efficacy, lack of cross‐resistance with currently used products, control of secondary pests such as oriental fruit moth and selective toxicity that spares beneficials. Copyright © 2008 Society of Chemical Industry     

Effect of latent and symptomatic infections by Colletotrichum godetiae on oil quality

European Journal of Plant Pathology - Anthracnose, caused by Colletotrichum spp., is the main olive fruit disease. Colletotrichum can severely infect olive fruit with a negative impact on the oil...     

Spinosad resistance development in wild olive fruit fly Bactrocera oleae (Diptera: Tephritidae) populations in California

BACKGROUND: Among target pests of the insecticide spinosad is the olive fruit fly, Bactrocera oleae (Rossi) (Diptera: Tephritidae). In Cyprus, spinosad has been sporadically used since its registration in 2002, whereas in Greece its use has been very limited since its registration in 2004, particularly in biological olive cultivars in Crete. By contrast, in California it has been the only insecticide used against the olive fruit fly since its registration in 2004. This study aimed at examining the resistance status of the olive fruit fly to spinosad. RESULTS: Populations from California, Greece and Cyprus, plus a laboratory population, were tested. Bioassays were performed by oral or topical application of different concentrations of the insecticide. Cypriot populations demonstrated no resistance as compared with that of the laboratory population. Among the Greek populations, only one from Crete demonstrated a fourfold increase in resistance, whereas five populations from California demonstrated a 9–13‐fold increase. CONCLUSION: The observed resistance increase was associated with spinosad applications in the respective areas. These values are relatively low and do not yet pose a serious control problem in the field. However, the observed variation documents that spinosad tolerance has increased in areas where the insecticide has been more extensively used. Copyright © 2010 Society of Chemical Industry     

The Use of ULV Malathion Bait Sprays for the Control of Olive Fly (Dacus oleae Gmel.) by Aerial Applications in Cyprus

Bait spraying at a rate of 1 lit./ha. (0,2 lit. of ULV Malathion at 96%+ 0,8 lit. protein hydrolysate Atropaz) gave positive results in the control of the olive fly and olive moth but was insufficient against the olive weevil. Applications at low and ultra-low volume were clearly more economical and permitted larger areas to be treated. Therefore, it is suggested that the use of malathion concentrate aerial bait spraying be expanded in Cyprus in the control of olive fly.     

Estimation of fly population density of Bactrocera oleae in olive groves of Crete

Population density of adults of Bactrocera oleae (Gmelin) (Diptera: Tephritidae) was obtained from olive trees during a two-year study by means of two different methods, namely, knock down by an insecticide applied as a fog (‘sondage’) and trap captures (of yellow sticky panels and McPhail traps baited with ammonium). First it was concluded that yellow sticky panel traps give a poor representation of the olive fruit fly population density of the olive grove. Yellow panel trap captures were significantly lower than McPhail’s (September) and than the actual population of B. oleae as recorded in olive tree canopy (August of 2008). When only McPhail captures were compared to the olive fruit fly population in the tree canopy, B. oleae captures in McPhail traps represented only a small percentage of the population that was recorded in the olive tree canopy (July and August of 2009). It was estimated that traps captured only 0.5% of the flies present within a radius of 20 m in the studied field (which consists of approximately 25 trees). However, during autumn (September), low trap captures of B. oleae can occur even when the fly population in the field is near zero.     

Influence of Weather Conditions on Infection of Peach Fruit by Taphrina deformans

ABSTRACT The effect of environment on the infection of peach fruit by Taphrina deformans was investigated using orchard observations under natural conditions (in 2001 to 2004) or in trees managed in such a way to exclude rainfall. These conditions were then validated using pot-grown peach plants exposed to single infection events and independent orchard observations. Leaf curl incidence was related to rainfall, length of wet periods, and the temperature during wetness and during the incubation period, as well as to the developmental stage of flowers and fruit. Weather conditions before petal fall did not influence fruit infection. After petal fall, rainfall and the duration of the wet period triggered by rainfall played a key role in infection occurrence. The minimum rainfall required for infection was 12 mm, with at least 24 h of wetness interrupted by no more than 4 h. No infection occurred when temperature was >/=17 degrees C during the wet period or >19 degrees C during incubation. Disease symptoms appeared on fruit after approximately 3 weeks of incubation, which is equivalent to 240- to 290-degree-days (base 0 degrees C). The period for fruit infection was relatively short being from petal fall until air temperature remained greater than 16 degrees C. During this period, the incidence of fruit that developed symptoms was closely related to the number of favorable events and the total wetness duration during such events.