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.     

Behaviour modifying effects of low systemic concentrations of imidacloprid on Myzus persicae with special reference to an antifeeding response

With a combination of biological, analytical, electrophysiological, and video-optical methods, it was possible to show that low concentrations of the new chloronicotinyl insecticide, imidacloprid, strongly affect the behaviour of Myzus persicae (Sulz.), leading eventually to the death of the aphids. Tests to elucidate the biological properties were performed under laboratory conditions with cabbage leaf petioles placed in insecticidal solutions over different periods of time. LC_15(24h) values were considered as low concentrations and calculated for imidacloprid and pirimicarb, respectively. Imidacloprid at low concentrations depressed the honeydew excretion of apterous adults of M. persicae by almost 95% within 24 h without affecting the vitality of the majority of aphids, whereas, at equitoxic concentrations, pirimicarb showed much weaker effects on honeydew excretion, which strongly coincided with mortality. In choice experiments with alate morphs of M. persicae over 48 h, their larvae almost always occurred on the untreated control leaf, and were not found on the leaf which was treated systemically with low concentrations of imidacloprid. Apterous aphids placed on cabbage leaves systemically treated with low concentrations of imidacloprid showed nearly the same decrease in weight as untreated starving aphids, suggesting that their death was caused by starvation. Aphids that were moved from imidacloprid-treated to untreated leaves after 24 h began feeding on the latter and showed a steady increase in weight and honeydew production. This suggests that the behavioural response is reversible. Aphids on pirimicarb-treated (equitoxic dose) leaves showed no decrease in weight. Electrical penetration graphs revealed that M. persicae on artificial membranes containing imidacloprid probed more often before feeding than aphids on control sachets. Time-lapse videofilming of apterous adults placed on cabbage leaves revealed a migration from the leaf treated with low concentrations of imidacloprid to an untreated leaf. From the results of these experiments and the observed symptomatology it is possible to postulate two different and dose-dependent modes of action of imidacloprid on M. persicae: (1) the well-known mode of action with visually obvious irreversible symptoms (paralysis, tremor, uncoordinated leg-movement) at field rates, and (2) the reversible starvation response as an antifeedant effect, which is not coupled with typical symptoms of neuronal disorder, at lower concentrations.     

Effect of a UV-deficient environment on the biology and flight activity of<Emphasis Type="Italic">Myzus persicae</Emphasis> and its hymenopterous parasite<Emphasis Type="Italic">Aphidius matricariae</Emphasis>

Laboratory and field experiments were conducted to study the effect of UV filtration on the population growth, distribution and flight activity of the green peach aphidMyzus persicae (Sulzer) (Homoptera: Aphididae), and on the fecundity and host-finding behavior of the parasitic waspAphidius matricariae (Haliday) (Hymenoptera: Braconidae). The work was done in the Arava Valley of Israel, in walk-in tunnels covered with polyethylene film, to compare the effects of UV-absorbing filmversus those of regular film. Following artificial aphid infestation on pepper grown under the tested films, aphid population growth and spread under the UV-absorbing films were significantly less than under the regular films. The greatest impact of UV-absorbing film on aphid behavior was observed in winter and early spring, when temperature conditions favor aphid development. Elimination of UV by UV-absorbing film did not affect the parasitic activity ofA. matricariae. Previous results had indicated that covering the greenhouse with UV-absorbing films inhibited the invasion of aphids and other insect pests into it. That effect, in combination with those described in the present paper, makes the use of UV-absorbing films an effective component of IPM that aims to reduce the application of toxic insecticides. Contribution from the Agricultural Research Organization, No. 524/2002. http://www.phytoparasitica.org posting Oct. 13, 2003.     

Development of a high‐throughput real‐time PCR assay for the detection of the R81T mutation in the nicotinic acetylcholine receptor of neonicotinoid‐resistant Myzus persicae

BACKGROUND: Myzus persicae is a globally important aphid pest that is mainly controlled through the application of chemical insecticides. Recently, a clone of M. persicae exhibiting control‐compromising levels of resistance to neonicotinoid insecticides was described. The resistance of this clone was associated with reduced affinity of imidacloprid for the target site (the nicotinic acetylcholine receptor) as a result of mutation of a key amino acid residue (R81T) in the loop D region of a nAChR β1 subunit. The potent levels of resistance conferred by this mechanism are cause for considerable concern, and the frequency and distribution of the mutation in worldwide populations of M. persicae require careful monitoring. In this study, a high‐throughput assay has been developed that allows detection of the mutation in individual aphids. RESULTS: A real‐time TaqMan assay to detect the R81T substitution was developed that proved to be sensitive and specific in tests of analytical sensitivity and in a blind genotyping trial of DNA extracted from individual aphids comprising the three possible genotypes. The assay was then used to examine the frequency of the R81T mutation in aphids collected and stored in ethanol from peach orchards in southern France. The R81T frequency varied from 33 to 100% in seven populations from the department of Gard, France. CONCLUSIONS: This study describes a rapid and sensitive assay that very effectively detects the R81T mutation in individual aphids. The results also have practical significance for the control of M. persicae in southern France and provide contemporary data to inform current resistance management strategies. Copyright © 2012 Society of Chemical Industry     

四种强度磁场辐射对桃蚜生长发育和种群参数的影响

为探究磁场对桃蚜Myzus persicae生长发育和种群参数的影响,于室内对24 h内孵化的桃蚜1龄若虫分别进行0.065、0.100、0.178和0.280 T强度辐射,测定辐射后桃蚜发育历期,并构建特定年龄-龄期两性生命表,利用构建的生命表分析磁场辐射对其存活率、繁殖力、繁殖值、寿命期望和种群参数的影响。结果表明,当磁场强度为0.065、0.100、0.178和0.280 T时,成虫前期发育历期随着磁场强度的增强先缩短后延长,当磁场强度为0.100 T时成虫前期寿命最短,为8.00 d,当磁场强度为0.280 T时成虫前期寿命最长,为9.00 d,均低于对照的9.63 d。当磁场强度为0.065、0.100、0.178和0.280 T时,桃蚜第1次繁殖分别于第5.5、5.0、5.5和5.5天开始,均早于对照（第7天开始产蚜）。当磁场强度为0.065、0.100 T、0.176和0.280 T时,桃蚜种群特定年龄净繁殖力均呈现波动性变化,但4个磁场强度下的桃蚜种群特定年龄净繁殖力均显著低于对照,峰值分别为0.6、1.0、0.8和0.7头。当磁场强度为0.065、0.100、0.17...     

释放异色瓢虫对北京温室甜椒和圆茄上桃蚜的控害效果

为评价异色瓢虫在温室条件下对桃蚜的控害能力及效益,在甜椒和圆茄生产温室中以生物农药防治为对照,开展释放异色瓢虫控制桃蚜的示范试验,分析天敌害虫的种群动态变化,并计算防治成本。结果显示:异色瓢虫能够持续控制甜椒温室中桃蚜种群密度,其定殖率在蚜虫暴发高峰期时最高,为64%;且甜椒产量及经济效益高于生物农药防治。在圆茄温室中,前期释放的异色瓢虫使桃蚜高峰延缓1周出现;在增加瓢虫释放量后,1周内桃蚜种群密度下降了79%,且瓢虫定殖率达到86%,控害效果较好。表明通过生产期全程监测天敌-害虫的种群动态,在植株定植15 d后每周确定益害比,通过2~3个月持续释放异色瓢虫,可有效、持续控制整个生产期桃蚜为害。     

基于EPG技术分析杭菊两主栽品种对三种菊蚜抗性及其相关抗性物质

为比较杭白菊主栽品种早、晚小洋菊对菊小长管蚜Macrosiphoniella sanborni、棉蚜Aphis gossypii、桃蚜Myzus persicae的抗性,通过刺吸电位技术(electrical penetration graph,EPG)研究菊蚜在菊顶叶上刺吸行为,并检测了菊顶叶主要化合物。结果表明:在晚小洋菊上,菊小长管蚜的E1、E2波平均持续时间4.31、3.47 min,分别短于在早小洋菊上的4.63、3.75 min;棉蚜、桃蚜的E1、E2波平均持续时间分别为4.32、4.72 min和4.92、4.64 min;3种蚜虫的平均刺探次数均大于在早小洋菊上的平均刺探次数。聚类分析结果显示,2个主栽品种之间抗性存在差异。早小洋菊顶叶平均可溶性糖和可溶性蛋白含量分别为2.71 mg/g和25.36 mg/g,均高于晚小洋菊;早小洋菊顶叶总酚含量为0.24 mg/g,显著低于晚小洋菊;早、晚小洋菊总黄酮含量分别为3.46 mg/g和3.37 mg/g。早小洋菊顶叶可溶性糖、可溶性蛋白含量基本上与每种菊蚜的E1、E2波持续时间显著正相关,总酚含量、总黄酮含量与每种菊蚜的E1或E2波持续时间显著负相关。推测早小洋菊对于菊长管蚜的抗性稍弱于晚小洋菊,2种杭白菊对棉蚜或桃蚜的抗性相当,且菊叶中的这4种物质含量与抗蚜性相关。     

Using bioassays with the green peach aphid (Myzus persicae) to determine residual activity of two systemically soil-applied neonicotinoid insecticides in field-grown tobacco

Duration of systemic pesticide activity under field conditions has wide implications for pest management. Our aim was to determine the duration of activity of systemic insecticides commonly used in cultivated tobacco (Nicotiana tabacum) by measuring the levels of insect infestations on field plots and effects on reproduction and survival of the green peach aphid (Myzus persicae) in controlled bioassays using field grown leaves. Plants were treated with different concentrations of two systemic neonicotinoid pesticides, imidacloprid and thiamethoxam, and grown in small field plots. Our results show that these materials are effective under field conditions against aphids for at least 13 weeks after transplant. Pesticides also affected aphid reproduction and nymph survival in bioassays, although some aphids survived on pesticide-treated leaves. We also observed that leaf age affected aphid survival. We showed that neonicotinoids were very effective against M. persicae, aphids are a useful organism to assess pesticide efficacy early in the growing season, but plant characteristics are more important than pesticide concentration in the second half of the growing season.     

Semipersistency of <Emphasis Type="Italic">Myzus persicae</Emphasis> Transmission of Cucumoviruses Systemically Infecting Leguminous Plants

Sequential transmission tests of Peanut stunt virus (PSV) and Cucumber mosaic virus (CMV) systemically infecting common bean, Phaseolus vulgaris, were conducted using Myzus persicae allowed to fast for 2 hr and then to acquisition feed on infected common bean plants or purified virus for 10 min. In the sequential transmission tests using either one or 10 aphids per assay plant, three isolates of PSV (J,S,Y5) and one of CMV (V) were transmitted from and to common bean up to a third or fourth inoculation access. Many aphids transmitted these viruses to two or three plants. Purified viruses of PSV-S and CMV-V were also transmitted up to a third or second inoculation access at low percentage. On tobacco, Nicotiana tabacum, aphids transmitted PSV-S and CMV-V only in the first inoculation access, although PSV-S was transmitted to only one plant in the fourth and fifth inoculation access. These viruses may be transmitted in two phases by aphids, depending on the plant species. Received 16 April 1999/ Accepted in revised form 1 September 1999     

Activation of defence in sweet pepper, Capsicum annum, by cis-jasmone, and its impact on aphid and aphid parasitoid behaviour

BACKGROUND: Two important pests of the sweet pepper, Capsicum annuum, are the peach potato aphid, Myzus persicae, and the glasshouse potato aphid, Aulacorthum solani. Current aphid control measures include the use of biological control agents, i.e. parasitic wasps, but with varying levels of success. One option to increase parasitoid efficiency is to activate plant defence. Therefore, sweet pepper plants were treated with the naturally occurring plant defence activator cis-jasmone, and its impact upon the behaviour and development of aphids and aphid parasitoids was investigated. RESULTS: Growth rate studies revealed that the intrinsic rate of population increase of A. solani and M. persicae on sweet pepper plants treated with cis-jasmone (cJSP) was not affected compared with untreated plants (UnSP), but the positive behavioural response of alate M. persicae towards the volatile organic compounds (VOCs) from UnSP was eliminated by cis-jasmone treatment 48 h previously (cJSP48). In addition, the aphid parasitoid Aphidius ervi preferred VOCs from cJSP48 compared with UnSP, and a significant increase in foraging time was also observed on cJSP. Analysis of VOCs collected from cJSP48 revealed differences compared with UnSP. CONCLUSION: There is evidence that treatment with cis-jasmone has the potential to improve protection of sweet pepper against insect pests. © Crown copyright 2012. Reproduced with permission of Her Majesty's Stationery Office. Published by John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Effects of Susceptibility of Test Plants on Modes of Cucumovirus Transmission by Myzus persicae

In sequential transmission tests of Peanut stunt virus S (PSV-S) and Cucumber mosaic virus V (CMV-V) using Myzus persicae, these viruses behave as a semipersistent virus in Phaseolus vulgaris, but as a nonpersistent virus in Nicotiana tabacum, regardless of the species of plant used as the virus source. In addition, viruliferous aphids retained virus infectivity and transmitted it to P. vulgaris, even after they lost infectivity to N. tabacum. Apparently, the mode of transmission by the aphids differs depending on the plant species used for the assay. After mechanical inoculation with purified PSV-S or CMV-V, P. vulgaris appeared more susceptible to PSV-S than N. tabacum. However, the susceptibility to CMV-V appeared similar in both assay plants. Received 22 May 2000/ Accepted in revised form 14 September 2000     

Evaluation of the biocontrol potential of various Metarhizium isolates against green peach aphid Myzus persicae (Homoptera: Aphididae)

BACKGROUND: Twenty‐three isolates of Metarhizium anisopliae (Metschnikof) Sorokin and M. acridum (Driver & Milner) JF Bischoff, Rehner & Humber from non‐aphid host insects around the globe were evaluated for their aphid biocontrol potential, which is not well known. RESULTS: The apterous adults of green peach aphid Myzus persicae (Sulzer) were exposed to the fungal sprays of 11.5, 99 and 1179 conidia mm^?2 and blank control in three leaf‐dish bioassays. All the tested isolates except one were proven to be infective to the aphid species at 21 ± 1 °C and 14:10 h light:dark photoperiod, causing corrected mortalities of 10.1–95.3% at the high spore concentration. The data from ten isolates causing > 50% mortality at the high concentration were found to fit a time–concentration–mortality model well, yielding parameters for the estimates of their LC₅₀ and LT₅₀ that vary with post‐spray time and spore concentration respectively. Four isolates of M. anisopliae (ARSEF 759, 4132, 2080 and 576) had LC₅₀ values of 44–80 conidia mm^?2 on day 8 and LT₅₀ values of 4.9–6.8 days at 100 conidia mm^?2, with 91–98% of the killed aphids being well mycotised after death. CONCLUSION: The Metarhizium infectivity to M. persicae differs greatly among the tested isolates. The four mentioned isolates with desired virulence and sporulation potential are excellent candidates for microbial control of aphids. Copyright © 2010 Society of Chemical Industry     

The effect of sub-lethal dosages of the synthetic pyrethroid fenvalerate on the reproductive rate of the aphid Myzus persicae

A series of experiments in the laboratory and greenhouse, were designed to test the possible causes of the field resurgence of the aphid Myzus persicae. Stimulation of reproduction occurred at topical dosages of around the LD₅ value. Residual film tests indicated a significant depression in fecundity when aphids were held on sub-lethal deposits of fenvalerate, even at dosages below the LD₅ value. Trends in the population build-up experiments in the greenhouse suggested there may be some stimulation when aphids are confined to aged deposits of fenvalerate 7 days after treatment, but the slight increase was not significant.     

Predators with a future as bioagents against glasshouse pests1

As a result of the application of Encarsia formosa, Phytoseiulus persimilis and Bacillus thuringiensis, and of the decreased use of pesticides, we have observed the spontaneous appearance of natural enemies not normally present in Bulgarian glasshouses. Clitostethus arcuatus has proved a competitive species with E. formosa on Nicotiana glauca, green capsicum and Hibiscus syriacus, attacked by Trialeurodes vaporariorum. On cucumber and capsicum plants infested respectively by Aphis gossypii and Myzus persicae, Cryptolaemus montrouzieri was established after spontaneously entering an experimental glasshouse. Some trials were carried out with the polyphagous bug Podisus maculiventris under laboratory conditions. It was able to use larvae of T. vaporariorum, M. persicae and A. gossypii as prey. On this basis, it seems quite promising to include this predator in IPM programmes as an additional bioagent against certain glasshouse pests during the autumn-winter-spring period.     

不同温度下新蚜虫疠霉对桃蚜的毒力测定

在15、18、21、25、28℃温度下,将新蚜虫疠霉应用孢子浴法对1～2龄桃蚜进行毒力测定,各处理温度分别设10个剂量,每剂量处理蚜虫60～120头,逐日观察记载蚜虫死亡数量。结果表明,新蚜虫疠霉具有较强杀蚜虫特性,其致病性在25℃时达最佳效果。接种后的前2d为新蚜虫疠霉的潜伏期,接种后3～4d为对桃蚜的致死高峰期。在温度15、18、21、25、28℃下,接种60min后,新蚜虫疠霉对桃蚜的LT₅₀值分别为3.0、3.7、2.8、2.53、.9 d。     

Comparison ofPotato Virus Y andPlum Pox Virus transmission by two aphid species in relation to their probing behavior

Two different aphid species,Myzus persicae (Sulzer) andHyalopterus pruni (Geoffroy) (Homoptera: Aphididae), were used to analyze their ability to transmit two different potyviruses,Potato virus Y (PVY) andPlum pox virus (PPV), to pepper (Capsicum annuum) andNicotiana benthamiana plants, respectively. In parallel experiments,M. persicae consistently transmitted both viruses with high efficiency, whereasH. pruni always failed to transmit either virus. This is in contrast to previous reports describingH. pruni as a vector of these potyviruses. Different aphid probing behavior among individual aphids of each species was obtained in electrical penetration graph (EPG) experiments performed on pepper plants. This suggested thatH. pruni did not transmit these potyviruses due to behavioral differences during probing that impeded virus acquisition and/or inoculation. It was found thatM. persicae usually makes its first probe within the first 2 min, whereasH. pruni individuals remained for more than 10 min on the plant before starting to probe. Furthermore,M. persicae individuals displayed their first intracellular puncture during the first minute of probing whereasH. pruni needed ∼ 15 min to penetrate the cell plasmalemma with their stylets. In addition, intracellular stylet punctures occurred very frequently forM. persicae but was a rare event, never exceeding a single one, forH. pruni. The relevance of these findings for the epidemiological spread of potyviruses by different aphid species is discussed. http://www.phytoparasitica.org posting May 14, 2006.     

Use of Aphidius matricariae in integrated control of Myzus persicae on capsicum in glasshouses1

Aphids are the most important pests of capsicum, and Myzus persicae is the predominant species. The most promising prospect for biological control of this species is use of the parasite Aphidius matricariae. The results of research on the use of the parasite in glasshouses are presented, with special regard to the toxicity of pesticides to the pupae and adults of the parasite.     

Insecticidal spider venom toxin fused to snowdrop lectin is toxic to the peach-potato aphid, Myzus persicae (Hemiptera: Aphididae) and the rice brown planthopper, Nilaparvata lugens (Hemiptera: Delphacidae)

The SFI1/GNA fusion protein, comprising of snowdrop lectin (Galanthus nivalis agglutinin, GNA) fused to an insecticidal spider venom neurotoxin (Segestria florentina toxin 1, SFI1) was tested for toxicity against the rice brown planthopper Nilaparvata lugens (Stål) and the peach‐potato aphid Myzus persicae (Sulzer) by incorporation into artificial diets. Significant effects on the mortality of N. lugens were observed, with 100% of the insects fed on the SFI1/GNA fusion protein diet dead by day 7. The survival of the aphid M. persicae was also reduced when fed on the SFI1/GNA fusion protein. After 14 days, only 49% of the aphids that were fed on the fusion protein were still alive compared with approximately 90% of the aphids fed on the control diet or on diet containing GNA only. The SFI1/GNA fusion protein also slowed the development of M. persicae, and the reproductive capacity of the aphids fed on the SFI1/GNA fusion protein was severely reduced. The ability of GNA to act as a carrier protein, and deliver the SFI1 neurotoxin to the haemolymph of N. lugens, following oral ingestion, was investigated. The successful delivery of intact SFI1/GNA fusion protein to the haemolymph of these insects was shown by western blotting. Haemolymph taken from the insects that were fed on the fusion protein contained two GNA‐immunoreactive proteins of molecular weights corresponding to GNA and to the SFI1/GNA fusion protein. © 2005 British Crown Copyright. Published for SCI by John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

The adverse impact of the neonicotinoid seed treatment ban on crop protection in oilseed rape in the United Kingdom

This paper describes the consequences of the ban on neonicotinoid seed treatments on pest management in oilseed rape. Since the ban was implemented in December 2013, there have been serious crop losses in 2014, 2015 and 2016 owing to cabbage stem flea beetles, Psylliodes chrysocephala, and aphids, Myzus persicae, which have developed resistance to the alternative pyrethroid sprays that were employed to control them. This has resulted in increased crop losses, decreased yields and a substantial decrease in the area grown, leading to fewer flowering crops available in the spring, especially in the eastern region of the United Kingdom. This is likely to have an adverse effect on bees locally. © 2016 Society of Chemical Industry     

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.