Release of Aphidius matricariae for control of Myzus persicae in glasshouses1

Aphidius matricariae, the most effective antagonist of Myzus persicae, has been released in experiments to control this aphid on capsicum, Anthurium andreanum and Ficus lyrata. In all cases, effective short-term as well as long-term control has been achieved through an infestation-linked application of the parasite, at parasitoid-host ratios from 1:5 to 1:50. Control experiments in capsicum over 31 weeks showed effective control of M. persicae by A. matricariae, even at a high infestation level. Chemical insecticides were not needed against aphids until week 26, when it became necessary to avoid damage due to mass propagation of naturally occurring Aphis gossypii and Macrosiphum euphorbiae. The results show that, with increasing complexity of biological control methods, the species diversity of aphids increases their significance as pests. In particular, biocontrol of aphids seems to necessitate the use of several antagonists.     

Situation of glasshouse pests in Hungary1

The area of protected crops in Hungary is about 5300 ha. Most of it is under plastic, the area under glass being only about 250 ha. Vegetable growing makes up 80%, mostly on private farms. The main crops are capsicum, tomato and cucumber. On relatively small areas, ornamentals, principally cut flowers, are produced: carnation, gerbera, rose and chrysanthemum. The three most important, commonly occurring pests are Trialeurodes vaporariorum, Tetranychus urticae and aphids (Aphis gossypii, Myzus persicae, A. nasturtii). Polyphagotarsonemus latus, Liriomyza trifolii and Aculops lycopersici caused considerable economic damage during the eighties. However, in the last few years these pests have not been observed in any crops. Two new glasshouse pests have been described from ornamentals during the last 2 years in Hungary: Frankliniella occidentalis and Bemisia tabaci. Their accidental appearance in vegetable crops could lead to direct economic loss, besides endangering biological control systems.     

Life history parameters of Tetranychus cinnabarinus on glasshouse plants1

During the last few years, mass outbreaks of Tetranychus cinnabarinus have occurred on different host plants in Poland. The most heavy damage has been noted on glasshouse tomatoes, but the species was frequent on other host plants such as cucumber, capsicum, aubergine and gerbera. The aim of the study was to estimate the potential of development of T. cinnabarinus on different host plants. Demographic parameters such as intrinsic rate of natural increase, net reproductive rate, and the mean generation time, have been used as criteria of life-history traits on glasshouse tomato, cucumber, capsicum and gerbera. The relationships between the difference in life-history parameters of T. cinnabarinus and the different degree of damage on these host plants are discussed.     

Development of glasshouse pests of cucumber under different conditions,in relation to possibilities for their biological control1

Experiments were performed under controlled conditions on the development of four cucumber pests (Trialeurodes uaporariorum, Tetranychus urticae, Aphis gossypii and Thrips tabaci). The main variables were temperature, photoperiod and light intensity. The effect of these factors on the natural enemies Encarsia formosa and Amblyseius mckenziei was also assessed. Comparison of the results allows recommendations on manipulation of the glasshouse environment to favour biological control.     

不同功能植物对棉花蚜虫及其捕食性天敌的影响

为明确功能植物对棉花蚜虫及其捕食性天敌的调控作用,通过田间系统调查和室内选择行为反应试验测定4种功能植物对棉花蚜虫及其捕食性天敌种群动态的影响。结果显示,4种功能植物均可涵养多异瓢虫Hippodamia variegata、中华通草蛉Chrysoperla sinica和东亚小花蝽Orius sauteri等捕食性天敌,其中蛇床草Cnidium monnieri上的捕食性天敌总数最多,达821头。蛇床草种植区棉花上多异瓢虫和中华通草蛉的种群数量均显著高于对照区棉花,而棉蚜Aphis gossypii、棉长管蚜Acyrthosiphon gossypii和棉黑蚜Ap.craccivora的种群数量均显著低于对照区棉花;油菜Brassica napus种植区棉花上的中华通草蛉种群数量显著高于对照区棉花,棉长管蚜种群数量则显著低于对照区棉花;薄荷Mentha haplocalyx种植区棉花上的多异瓢虫和中华通草蛉种群数量均显著高于对照区棉花,棉蚜和棉长管蚜种群数量均显著低于对照区棉花;罗勒Ocimum basilicum种植区棉花上的棉长管蚜和棉黑蚜种群数量均显著低于对照区棉花。此外,棉蚜和棉长管蚜种群数量与捕食性天敌总数之间呈显著负相关;蛇床草和罗勒植株的挥发物显著吸引多异瓢虫和中华通草蛉,罗勒和薄荷植株的挥发物显著驱避有翅棉蚜。表明功能植物蛇床草、油菜、薄荷和罗勒可为棉田涵养捕食性天敌,而薄荷和罗勒还能驱避棉花蚜虫,可用于棉田害虫及天敌的生态调控。     

Selective transmission of the seedling yellows-type genotypic variants of Citrus tristeza virus by Aphis gossypii in northern Iran

Citrus tristeza virus (CTV) has existed in northern Iran for more than five decades. The long-time interaction of different virus genotypes with Aphis gossypii, as the only aphid vector of CTV in northern Iran, has led to the emergence of highly virulent subpopulations, among others, in the established foci. Here, we studied the population structure of the originally established CTV isolates present in Satsuma mandarin (Citrus unshiu) trees imported from Japan, and subisolates thereof, formed following experimental transmission by A. gossypii, as well as those evolved through natural transmission by this aphid species in the groves. Symptoms of the naturally spread and the experimentally aphid-transmitted isolates were similar to those of the Satsuma CTV source isolates for all indicator plants except for sour orange (Citrus aurantium) and grapefruit (Citrus paradisi), with the aphid-transmitted isolates additionally inducing severe seedling yellows and stunting in these two indicators. Studies on the population heterogeneity of these isolates through comparison of their single-strand conformational polymorphism profiles and nucleotide sequences of the 25 kDa capsid protein gene from the predominant haplotypes, and dot-blot hybridization signals, revealed the presence of two major T36- and SY568- (or NUagA-) like genotypes along with a minor poorly characterized one in the originally infected Satsuma trees; in contrast, only a certain genomic variant having the highest similarity to the isolate SY568 (and NUagA) was predominant both in the naturally infected trees and in those infected experimentally by A. gossypii. It seems that transmission by A. gossypii to sweet orange (Citrus sinensis) has led to the preponderance of the CTV genomic variants inducing severe seedling yellows in northern Iran.     

氟啶虫胺腈等11种杀虫剂对瓜蚜的毒力及协同增效作用

为探寻防治瓜蚜的高效协同增效药剂组合,采用叶片带虫浸渍法测定了氟啶虫胺腈等11种杀虫剂对瓜蚜的毒力。结果表明:处理后24 h,氟啶虫胺腈对瓜蚜的毒力最高,吡蚜酮最低,LC₅₀值分别为10.15和369.63 mg/L;48 h时依然是氟啶虫胺腈毒力最高,而高效氯氟氰菊酯最低,LC₅₀值分别为2.35和117.57 mg/L。在此基础上进行协同增效药剂筛选,结果表明:按质量比计,氟啶虫酰胺与吡蚜酮1 : 1、氟吡呋喃酮与吡蚜酮1 : 5、氟啶虫胺腈与吡蚜酮1 : 3、氟吡呋喃酮与高效氯氟氰菊酯1 : 5、氟啶虫胺腈与高效氯氟氰菊酯1 : 5几种组合的增效作用显著,共毒系数分别达1 271、820、561、1 277和478。研究结果可为田间瓜蚜的高效化学防治提供科学依据。     

Susceptibility of standard clones and European field populations of the green peach aphid, Myzus persicae, and the cotton aphid, Aphis gossypii (Hemiptera: Aphididae), to the novel anthranilic diamide insecticide cyantraniliprole

BACKGROUND: Parthenogenetic clones of the green peach aphid, Myzus persicae (Sulzer), and the cotton aphid, Aphis gossypii Glover, were tested with the anthranilic diamide insecticide cyantraniliprole (i.e. DuPont^? Cyazypyr^?) in systemic‐uptake bioassays to investigate potential for cross‐resistance conferred by mechanisms of insecticide resistance to organophosphates, carbamates and pyrethroids and, in the case of M. persicae, reduced sensitivity to neonicotinoids. These data were compared with the response of field samples of M. persicae and A. gossypii collected from around Europe. RESULTS: Cyantraniliprole was not cross‐resisted by any of the known insecticide resistance mechanisms present in M. persicae or A. gossypii. The compound was equally active against resistant and susceptible aphid strains. The responses of the M. persicae field samples were very consistent with a maximum response ratio of 2.9 compared with a standard laboratory clone. The responses of the A. gossypii field samples were more variable, although a majority of the responses were not statistically different. CONCLUSION: Cyantraniliprole is currently the only anthranilic diamide (IRAC MoA 28) insecticide targeting aphid species such as M. persicae and A. gossypii. There is no evidence to suggest that the performance of this compound is affected by commonly occurring mechanisms that confer resistance to other insecticide chemistries. Cyantraniliprole is therefore a valuable tool for managing insecticide resistance in these globally important pests. Copyright © 2011 Society of Chemical Industry     

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.     

几种生化物质与西瓜抗蚜性的相关性

为了初步探讨西瓜抗蚜性的营养与次生代谢物质防御效应,采用分光光度法测定并分析了几种生化物质与西瓜抗蚜性的相关性。结果表明,抗性品种黑皮、绿美人、黑美人和惠兰的游离氨基酸、脯氨酸和可溶性氮含量分别为2.22~2.27、0.23~0.26和1.88~3.03 mg/g,显著低于感性品种金美人、小玲、甜美人和花绿的3.24~3.83、0.67~0.87和5.26~5.82 mg/g;抗性品种的糖/氮比为5.38~7.94,显著高于感性品种;抗、感品种间可溶性糖和维生素C(Vc)含量无显著差异;瓜蚜为害4 d后的抗性品种叶组织中的总酚和单宁酸含量显著增加,感性品种显著降低;丙二醛含量增加幅度显著高于抗性品种。研究表明,西瓜品种抗蚜性与糖/氮比及总酚、单宁酸含量均呈显著正相关,与可溶性氮、游离氨基酸、脯氨酸及丙二醛含量均呈显著负相关,但与可溶性糖和Vc含量无显著相关性。     

Microbial control of soil-borne pathogens in Hungary1

Biological control of soil-borne pathogens has been the aim of the Biological Control Laboratory in Hódmezövásárhely since 1982. In Hungarian glasshouses (this means areas both under glass and plastic foil cover), the growing medium is still the natural soil or mixtures based on soil. This is the reason why soil-borne pathogens, such as species of Fusarium, Sclerotinia, Pythium, Botrytis, Rhizoctonia and Alternaria, cause increasing problems, especially at sites where there has been intensive continuous cropping for many years. Soil steaming is very expensive, while methyl bromide and other soil disinfectants are harmful for the environment and especially for the soil microflora. All this favours the introduction of biological control against soil-borne plant diseases. After laboratory tests, experiments have been carried out over a 9-year period, with good results, on several Trichoderma species and strains in relation to practically all glasshouse crops (capsicum, lettuce, tomato, ornamentals, etc.) and in some field crops also. Since 1986, experiments have been done with Finnish-originated strains of Streptomyces griseoviridis, then with the preparation Mycostop which was developed from this actinomycete. These were carried out on ornamentals, on vegetables and on some cereals. The preparation was especially effective against Fusarium spp. but also against other pathogens.     

Virus transmission studies and diagnostic detection of four begomovirus isolates in selected crop hosts and in Bemisia tabaci biotype B*

Virus transmission studies were conducted under glasshouse conditions using the vector Bemisia tabaci biotype B to determine how effectively isolates of the begomoviruses Tomato yellow leaf curl virus (TYLCV) and Tomato leaf curl Bangalore virus (ToLCBV) could be transmitted to phaseolus bean, capsicum and tomato test plants, the latter host used as a positive control for transmission. Diagnostic detection of viruses in these host crops and vector was also evaluated. Polymerase chain reaction (PCR) detection of TYLCV in bean cv. Wade and capsicum cv. Bellboy was achieved 4 weeks after fumigation in asymptomatic plants. Detection of TYLCV in tomato controls was achieved 2 weeks after fumigation with improved frequency of detection at 4 weeks. PCR was found to be a more sensitive method than triple‐antibody sandwich enzyme‐linked immunosorbent assay (TAS‐ELISA) for the detection of TYLCV isolates in all hosts. ToLCBV was detected by PCR and TAS‐ELISA in bean. TYLCV was also detected by PCR in the vector, with a novel internal positive control. This work was carried out to facilitate the development of a diagnostic protocol for the begomoviruses causing tomato yellow leaf curl under the EU SMT programme project –‘Diagnostic protocols for organisms harmful to plants’ (DIAGPRO).     

Different thermal responses in two coexisting aphids may account for differences in their seasonal abundance in cotton fields

The coexistence of species competing for resources can be facilitated by differential effects of temperature on fitness components. The coexisting cotton aphids Aphis gossypii Glover and Acyrthosiphon gossypii Mordvilko show seasonal differences in abundance in North-Western China, the former reaching higher field abundances and declining later in the season than the latter. We hypothesized that differences in responses to temperature might be the proximate mechanism driving this difference in population dynamics between the two species. Aphids from laboratory-reared colonies and directly collected from the field in early summer were used to study their development, survival and reproduction under a range of constant temperatures. Life-table parameters suggest that A. gossypii performed better than Ac. gossypii under all temperature treatments tested, and the difference tended to be strongest under high temperatures. These observations are consistent with the higher numbers and the later decline of A. gossypii in the field compared with Ac. gossypii. Our findings help in understanding the seasonal population dynamics of both species, as well as in forecasting pest trends under global warming scenarios.     

Prospects for strain improvement in entomopathogenic fungi

The deployment of entomopathogenic fungi for the control of insect pests offers an environmentally-acceptable strategy. Major obstacles to their application include variability in effectiveness due to uncontrolled environmental parameters (temperature, humidity) and development of suitable formulation techniques. Strains differ considerably in genetic ability to cause mortality and to spread within populations. Pathogenicity is the result of the interaction of numerous individual traits determining germination and penetration, followed by successful growth within the target host, which is a prerequisite for induction of mortality. No effective singlegene determined toxin has been reported for entomopathogenic fungi, but the application of gene cloning techniques for specific proteases is a likely future development. Genetic manipulation techniques, designed to recombine complex traits associated with pathogenicity via the parasexual cycle, are described here in relation to successful steps achieved in strain improvement programmes which involve: (a) Verticillium lecanii (Zimm.) Viegas against the glasshouse whitefly: Trialeurodes vaporariorum and the aphid Macrosiphoniella sanborni; (b) Metarhizium anisopliae (Metsch.) Sorokin against the rice brown planthopper Nilaparvata lugens.     

Comparative biology of Mallada desjardinsi (navas) and Chrysoperla congrua (walker) (Neuroptera: Chrysopidae), predators of Helicoverpa armigera (Hubner) (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae) and aphis gossypii (glover) (Homoptera: Aphididae) on cotton in eastern Tanzania

The developmental biology of Mallada desjardinsi (Navas) and Chrysoperla congrua (Walker) on the American bollworm, Helicoverpa armigera and the cotton aphid, Aphis gossypii was studied in the laboratory at 28–32°C. Total larva! periods of M. desjardinsi and C. congrua on H. armigera eggs were 14.4 and 14.8 days respectively. However, when reared on A. gossypii larval periods of M. desjardinsi and C. congrua were 14.9 and 13.5 days respectively. When reared on H. armigera 52.9% and 25% respectively of third instars of M. desjardinsis and C. congrua sp. died before pupation. However, when reared on A. gossypii 82.6% and 46.9% respectively of third instars of M. desjardinsi and C. congrua died before pupation. Thus, H. armigera eggs and A. gossypii nymphs were both adequate but not optimal diets for chrysopid larval development. The number of prey consumed by M. desjardinsi and C. congrua increased with instar. Total larval consumption of H. armigera by M. desjardinsi and C. congrua was determined to be 135.5 and 169.8 eggs respectively. However, total larval consumption of A. gossypii by M. desjardinsi and C. congrua was found to be 189.0 and 171.8 nymphs respectively. Because of its longer larval period, and higher consumption of A. gossypii, M. desjardinsi would be better suited for use against A. gossypii than C. congrua. In contrast, C. congrua whose consumption of H. armigera was higher than that of M. desjardinsi although their larval periods were similar, would appear promising for control of H. armigera.     

Insecticidal effect of juglone and its disturbance analysis in metabolic profiles of <Emphasis Type="Italic">Aphis gossypii</Emphasis> glover using <Superscript>1</Superscript>H NMR-based metabonomics approach

Juglone shows a wide range of biological activities but its insecticidal effect and mechanism on Aphis gossypii has not been reported up to now. In this study, on the basis of insecticidal effect research, a ¹H NMR-based hemolymph metabonomics analysis approach was applied to comprehensively and holistically investigate the toxic mechanism of juglone on A. gossypii. The sublethal effect of juglone was administered to A. gossypii Glover up to 12 h post treatment with the healthy insects as controls. By means of pattern recognition analysis, the metabolic profile of juglone treatment group was clearly distinct from that of control group. On the basis of biochemical traits measurement of A. gossypii hemolymph, the variations of a number of metabolites such as glucose, trehalose, betaine, valine, alanine, lactate, taurine, dimethylamine, and putrescine were determined and discussed. These results revealed that the juglone caused a disturbance of A. gossypii physiology by affecting its metabolomics profile of hemolymph. The current work may provide valuable clues for understanding the insecticidal mechanisms of juglone, as well as show the potential power of the combination of the NMR technique and the pattern recognition method for pesticide biochemistry research.     

基于EPG分析无翅型和有翅型柑橘蚜虫的取食行为

为明确无翅型、有翅型柑橘蚜虫取食行为的差异,采用EPG技术对褐色橘蚜Toxoptera citricida(Kirkaldy)和棉蚜Aphis gossypii Glover的有翅型、无翅型成蚜在柑橘苗上的取食行为进行测定。结果表明,褐色橘蚜无翅型和有翅型的EPG均记录到7种取食波形,依次为非刺探波np、路径波A、B和C、电位下降波pd、韧皮部取食波E1和E2;棉蚜无翅型和有翅型的EPG记录到9种取食波形,除上述7种外,还包括木质部主动吸食波G和口针阻碍波F。褐色橘蚜有翅型和无翅型的np波持续时间为25.73 min和8.39 min,二者间差异显著;棉蚜有翅型的np波持续时间、刺探次数、C波次数分别为27.34 min、19.16次、20.21次,显著高于无翅型,而刺探总持续时间为332.66 min,显著低于无翅型。棉蚜的C波次数及总持续时间、刺探次数、pd波次数及总持续时间均显著高于褐色橘蚜,而E2波总持续时间及平均持续时间均显著小于褐色橘蚜。表明棉蚜无翅型比有翅型在柑橘上更容易取食,影响有翅型蚜虫取食的抗性因子可能位于柑橘表面;褐色橘蚜比棉蚜对柑橘的适应性更强。     

Resistance of Phytophthora capsici to metalaxyl in plastic‐house capsicum crops in southern Italy*

In Calabria (southern Italy), control of crown and root rot of capsicum caused by Phytophthora capsici has relied primarily on soil drenches of metalaxyl. However, severe outbreaks occur every year in glasshouse crops, in which the practice of using plastic mulch and furrow irrigation favours the disease. Single‐hypha isolates of P. capsici collected in Calabria in 1992/1998 were tested in vitro for their level of sensitivity to metalaxyl. Isolates of other species of Phytophthora were used as reference. Fungicide sensitivity was determined by plating mycelial plugs onto potato dextrose agar amended with metalaxyl, at final concentrations ranging from 0.1 to 1000μg mL^?1 a.s. Inhibition of radial growth (%) was determined when colonies on unamended medium had covered approximately two‐thirds of the plate. The ED₅₀ values for inhibition of mycelial growth of P. capsici isolates ranged from 1.41 to44.6μg mL^?1 a.s. More than 80% of the P. capsici isolates from commercial plastic‐house crops in Calabria showed a moderate level of resistance as they were inhibited less than 60% at 5 μg mL^?1 but more than 60% at 100μg mL^?1     

Efficacy of dose-dependent indigenous microbial insecticides against cotton aphid,Aphis gossypii Glover (Homoptera: Aphididae) at various temperature regimes

Strain selection based on temperature may be warranted when choosing an isolate for development as a microbial control agent. To this end, the effects of three temperature regimes, namely 20, 25 and 30°C, on the virulence of four Beauveria and two Metarhizium isolates against the cotton aphid, Aphis gossypii, were investigated under controlled conditions, 65–70% relative humidity, and a photoperiod of 12:12 (light: dark) hours. The isolates did vary significantly in their activities of efficacy over a range of temperatures. The highest mortality and lowest survival times were observed at 25°C for DLCO41 and at 30°C for DLCO87; while mortality decreased and survival time increased at temperatures of 20°C. Besides the tested fungal isolate DLCO87 had the lowest LC₅₀ value (6.84 × 10⁵ conidia mL^?1) at 30°C. The promising result of this study should enable us to conduct further studies to determine the potential use of the fungus as an agent against Aphis gossypii both in greenhouse and under field conditions.     

我国棉蚜对吡虫啉和氟啶虫胺腈抗性水平监测与交互抗性分析

为了解我国不同地区棉蚜Aphis gossypii对吡虫啉和氟啶虫胺腈的抗性现状,对代表性棉区棉蚜田间种群进行抗药性监测,同时通过构建具有R81T及V62I单突变和R81T-V62I共同突变的棉蚜烟碱型乙酰胆碱受体(nicotinic acetylcholine receptor,nAChR)蛋白模型,与吡虫啉和氟啶虫胺腈进行分子对接,分析这些突变在吡虫啉和氟啶虫胺腈抗性中的作用,并分析吡虫啉和氟啶虫胺腈之间是否存在交互抗性。结果显示,不同地区棉蚜对吡虫啉产生了高水平抗性,抗性倍数为174.70～56 409.18,对氟啶虫胺腈产生了低至中等水平抗性,抗性倍数为7.35～44.63,说明不同地区的棉蚜对氟啶虫胺腈的敏感度高于吡虫啉,且吡虫啉抗性和氟啶虫胺腈抗性间不存在相关性。R81T、V62I单突变和R81T-V62I共同突变导致吡虫啉与棉蚜nAChR的亲和力降低,对氟啶虫胺腈与棉蚜n AChR的结合无明显影响。R81T及V62I单突变和R81T-V62I共同突变导致棉蚜对吡虫啉产生靶标抗性,但是对氟啶虫胺腈的抗性无明显影响,这些突变不会导致吡虫啉与氟啶虫胺腈产生靶标突变的交互抗性。