Nematicidal activity of anion transport blockers against Meloidogyne incognita, Caenorhabditis elegans and Heterorhabditis bacteriophora

BACKGROUND: Because methyl bromide has been phased out as a soil sterilant, new nematicides are urgently needed. Four different chemical classes of organic acids acting as anion transport (AT) blockers were tested against a free-living nematode, Caenorhabditis elegans Maupas, a plant-parasitic nematode, Meloidogyne incognita (Kofoid and White) Chitwood, and an entomopathogenic nematode, Heterorhabditis bacteriophora Poinar, in toxicity bioassays. The materials tested were DIDS (4,4'-diisothiocyanatostilbene-2,2'-disulfonic acid), 9-AC (anthracene-9-carboxylic acid), NPPB [5-nitro-2-(3-phenylpropylamino)benzoic acid] and IAA-94 (indanyloxyacetic acid). RESULTS: All the compounds showed slowly developing nematicidal activity against second-stage juveniles of M. incognita and adults of C. elegans, but not against H. bacteriophora infective-stage juveniles. The LC(50) values of these compounds were < 50 mg L(-1) after 48 and 72 h incubation, while at 168 h incubation the LC(50) values were < 10 mg L(-1) for both sensitive species. Across both species and time, the LC(50) values generally differed no more than twofold among the four compounds tested in this study. In contrast, none of the compounds (200 mg L(-1)) caused more than control mortality to H. bacteriophora, even after 168 h of incubation. CONCLUSION: These compounds are potential leads for commercial nematicides. The insensitivity to H. bacteriophora is consistent with the natural exposure of this nematode to DST (3,5-dihydroxy-4-isopropylstilbene), a stilbene produced by its symbiotic bacterium. Based on the known activity of the compounds used in this study, it is suggested that anion transporters form the probable target sites for DIDS, 9-AC, NPPB and IAA-94 in nematodes.     

First report of Heterorhabditis bacteriophora (Poinar, 1975) (Nematoda: Heterorhabditidae) isolated from the red palm weevil, Rhynchophorus ferrugineus (Oliver, 1790) (Coleoptera: Curculionidae) in Turkey

Infestation levels of the red palm weevil, Rhynchophorus ferrugineus (Oliver, 1790) and its natural enemies on palm trees in recreation areas were investigated in the Adana province of Turkey in 2008. The trunks of dead palms were sampled for R. ferrugineus and for the presence of entomopathogenic nematodes. While 20% of Phoenix canariensis Hort. were found to be killed by R. ferrugineus , only 2 trees from other species, 1 Washingtonia filifera (L. Linden) and 1 Phoenix dactlylifera L., were killed. Only one species of entomopathogenic nematode, Heterorhabditis bacteriophora ( Poinar, 1975 ) (Nematoda: Heterorhabditidae), was isolated from the R. ferrugineus specimens. Seasonal mortality rate in the total larval population (total 565 larval specimens) of R. ferrugineus was 69%. H. bacteriophora resulted in a significant mortality rate (80%) in the pupae population (total 314 pupal specimens). Overall, 70% of the total of 879 pre-adult specimens were found to be fatally infested by the attacks of this nematode. Heterorhabditis bacteriophora killed few adults, corresponding to 2% of the overall mortality rate. It is concluded that H. bacteriophora could be evaluated as a potential candidate for biological control of R. ferrugineus in the Mediterranean region.     

Effect of Bacillus thuringiensis subsp. israelensis and neonicotinoid insecticides on the fungus gnat Bradysia sp nr. coprophila (Lintner) (Diptera: Sciaridae)

The soil bacterium Bacillus thuringiensis Berliner subsp. israelensis (Bti), the neonicotinoid insecticides dinotefuran, imidacloprid, thiamethoxam and clothianidin and the insect growth regulator pyriproxyfen were evaluated to determine their efficacy against the larval stages of the fungus gnat Bradysia sp nr. coprophila (Lintner) in the laboratory. Treatments were applied as a drench to the growing medium in polypropylene deli containers. The Bti treatments had no effect on either instar tested, whereas all the other compounds negatively affected both the second and third instars. This study demonstrates that the soil bacterium B. thuringiensis var. israelensis may not be active on these larval stages, whereas the neonicotinoid insecticides and the insect growth regulator pyriproxyfen are effective on these stages. The fact that Bti is not effective on the second and third instars of the fungus gnat means that greenhouse producers using this insecticide must make applications before fungus gnat populations build up and before overlapping generations develop.     

4种杀虫剂对甘草胭珠蚧的防治效果

甘草胭珠蚧Porphyrophora sophorae(Arch.)是人工栽培甘草的主要害虫。采用灌根、土壤处理法研究了35%吡虫啉悬浮剂、70%噻虫嗪水分散粒剂、48%毒死蜱乳油和5%毒死蜱颗粒剂4种杀虫剂对甘草胭珠蚧的防治效果。结果表明,8月中旬施药各药剂的防治效果均低于50%,但可有效降低翌年春季田间的虫口密度;6月中旬采用35%吡虫啉悬浮剂和70%噻虫嗪水分散粒剂灌根的防效可达80%以上。建议生产中可在6月中旬或之前采用灌溉后进行35%吡虫啉悬浮剂1 500倍或70%噻虫嗪水分散粒剂7 500倍液300mL/株灌根的措施防治甘草胭珠蚧。     

应用昆虫病原线虫防治小菜蛾的研究

小菜蛾Ｐｌｕｔｅｌｌａ ｘｙｌｏｓｔｅｌｌａ,ＤＢＭ是十字花科的重要害虫。本文应用昆虫病原线虫斯氏线虫的六个种和异小杆线虫的一个种对小菜蛾四龄幼虫进行室内测定,筛选出斯氏线虫Ｓｔｅｉｎｅｒｎｅｍａ ｃａｒｐｏｃａｐｓａｅ Ａ２４和异小杆线虫Ｈｅｔｅｒｏｒｈａｂｄｉｔｉｓ ｂａｃｔｅｒｉｏｐｈｏｒａ ８４０６为防治小菜蛾的较理想线虫种,田间小区试验也主宰了这点。     

Neonicotinoid insecticides alter diapause behavior and survival of overwintering white grubs (Coleoptera: Scarabaeidae)

The chloronicotinyl, imidacloprid, and the thianicotinyl, thiamethoxam, are effective insecticides against white grubs when applied as preventative treatments during or immediately after egg laying. Their efficacy sharply declines when the grubs reach late-instar stage. As both imidacloprid and thiamethoxam act on post-synaptic nicotinic acetylcholine receptors and modify insect behavior, we hypothesized that the two compounds will interfere with overwintering behavior of scarabs, thus reducing their ecological fitness and exposing them to increased winter mortality. We tested this hypothesis by applying the two compounds curatively against late second-instar and early third-instar Popillia japonica and Cyclocephala borealis grubs in turfgrass. Imidacloprid provided control of P japonica equivalent to the most widely used curative organophosphate, trichlorfon, by 14 days after treatment, but thiamethoxam had no affect. In contrast, both imidacloprid and thiamethoxam caused significant reductions in C borealis populations. Both insecticides altered the overwintering behavior of P japonica by significantly reducing the normal downward movement of grubs in October. Halofenozide, an ecdysone agonist, also caused rapid mortality of the late second-instar C borealis equivalent to trichlorfon, but had no affect on P japonica. In another experiment on a site naturally infested with entomopathogenic nematodes, the exclusive treatment of third-instar P japonica with imidacloprid resulted in no significant mortality in the autumn (up to 15 days after treatment), but caused a significant reduction in the survival of overwintered grubs. There was an increase in the numbers of grubs infected with nematodes in the imidacloprid and trichlorfon treatments compared with control, but these differences were significant only for trichlorfon. These results indicate that imidacloprid can effectively control late second-instars of both P japonca and C borealis and can significantly reduce survival of overwintered third-instar P japonica by altering their normal overwintering behavior.     

昆虫病原线虫与Bt联用对黏虫的防治效果

为明确昆虫病原线虫与Bt联用后对黏虫致病力的协同增效作用, 本研究分别测定了自主分离获得的一种新嗜菌异小杆属线虫Heterorhabditis sp.(LF)和实验室保存的Heterorhabditis bacteriophora(Hb)线虫对黏虫的致病力; 比较了两种Bt菌株(HD1和G03)对黏虫的毒力差异, 开展了G03对黏虫的毒力测定试验; 明确了室内和田间试验条件下两种线虫(LF和Hb)与G03联用对黏虫的交互作用。结果表明, 黏虫的死亡率随两种线虫剂量的增加而增加, 在100 IJs/mL剂量下黏虫死亡率均达到了90%以上; Bt菌株G03对黏虫的毒力显著高于HD1, G03对黏虫的LC50为3.55×10 10 cfu/mL; 室内条件下LF 25 IJs/mL+G03(LC50)联用处理6 d对黏虫的防治具有显著的协同增效作用, 较单独LF线虫和G03处理死亡率分别提高了50.72和50.0百分点, Hb 25 IJs/mL+G03(LC50)联用处理6 d对黏虫的防治也具有显著的协同增效作用, 较单独Hb线虫和G03处理死亡率分别提高了76.67和50.0百分点; 田间小区试验表明线虫与Bt联用对黏虫的防治具有协同的加成或增效作用, 其中LF线虫与G03联用具有显著的增效作用, 较单独LF线虫和Bt处理死亡率分别提高了47.96和46.80百分点。本研究为黏虫的防治提供了新的技术措施, 拓宽了黏虫生防研究的思路。     

Susceptibility of the taro beetle,Papuana uninodis,to entomopathogenic nematodes

Six strains of entomopathogenic nematodes, Steinernema glaseri (Steiner) (Biosys #326, nc 34, gb), S. feltiae = bibionis (Filipjev) (Biosys #349), S. carpocapsae Weiser (Biosys #25) and Heterorhabditis zealandica Poinar, were evaluated in laboratory tests against taro beetles, Papuana uninodis Prell. Larvae of this species and adult Papuana Arrow spp. were found to be susceptible to entomopathogenic nematodes. The best results were obtained with S. glaseri #326 in larval and adult P. uninodis . The dose causing 50% mortality (LD ) for third instar P. uninodis larvae in Petri dish assays ranged from almost 7000 nematodes/larva for 1 days exposure to less than 250 nematodes/larva for 6 days; in pot assays the concentration causing 50% mortality (LC ) in 2 weeks was 1.4 106 nematodes/m2. For 50 adults in Petri dishes with soil, the LD was ca 20 000 nematodes/ 50 adult for 1 weeks exposure and ca 6000 nematodes/adult for 3 weeks. In pot assays the LC was 2.5 106 nematodes/m2 in 3 weeks. 50 Preliminary tests showed that P. huebneri (Fairmaire) and P. woodlarkiana laevipennis Arrow adults were also most susceptible to S. glaseri #326. A field test on adults Papuana uninodis did not result in damage reduction but served to illustrate the practical difficulties of applying nematodes in remote areas. 50     

Entomopathogenic nematodes for the management of Agrotis ipsilon: effect of instar, nematode species and nematode production method

BACKGROUND: Previous laboratory studies have indicated the potential of some entomopathogenic nematode (EPN) species for the control of larvae of the black cutworm (BCW). To determine the most promising EPN species and the most susceptible BCW stages, a more in‐depth evaluation of seven EPN species against different BCW instars was carried out, the efficacies of in vitro‐ and in vivo‐produced EPNs were compared and the suitability of BCW instars for EPN reproduction was examined. RESULTS: Heterorhabditis megidis was the most virulent species, irrespective of larval stage in small arenas, followed most often by H. bacteriophora. In pots with grass, Steinernema carpocapsae tended to be the most virulent species, followed by H. bacteriophora, H. megidis and S. riobrave. Fourth and/or fifth instars were the most susceptible stages to most EPN species, and pupae the least susceptible. Furthermore, H. bacteriophora, H. megidis and S. carpocapsae successfully reproduced in fifth and sixth instars and pupae. In vivo‐produced H. megidis and S. carpocapsae controlled fifth instars better than the corresponding in vitro‐produced products; production method did not affect H. bacteriophora and S. riobrave efficacy. CONCLUSIONS: Several in vitro‐produced commercial EPN strains were highly virulent to BCW and warrant further testing under field conditions, along with some in vivo‐produced strains. Copyright © 2011 Society of Chemical Industry     

不同种昆虫病原线虫对同一寄主个体的竞争及对线虫繁殖的影响

采用注射侵染和自然侵染法，测试了长尾斯氏线虫X-7品系、小卷蛾斯氏线虫All品系和嗜菌异小杆线虫H06品系对同一寄主大蜡螟幼虫的相互作用，及其对线虫繁殖的影响。结果表明，无论是注射侵染还是自然侵染法，对大蜡螟幼虫个体的致死竞争能力最强的是长尾斯氏线虫，其次是小卷蛾斯氏线虫，嗜菌异小杆线虫的致死能力最弱。在同一大蜡螟幼虫体内时。异小杆线虫的繁殖受斯氏线虫的不利影响较大，而两种斯氏线虫的繁殖受异小杆线虫的不利影响较小。两种斯氏线虫对各自的繁殖影响不大。     

A survey of entomopathogenic nematodes of the families Steinernematidae and Heterorhabditidae (Nematoda: Rhabditida) in Damascus countryside of Syria

A survey of entomopathogenic nematodes was conducted in Damascus countryside from January 2011 to December 2013. Soil samples were tested for the presence of steinernematid and heterorhabditid nematodes by baiting with Galleria mellonella larvae. Of the 189 soil samples studied 17 were positive for entomopathogenic nematodes (9%), with 11 of these positive samples (65%) containing Heterorhabditis and 6 (35%) Steinernema isolates. Morphological studies were carried out to characterize eight isolates. The Heterorhabditis isolates collected in Syria were identified as Heterorhabditis zealandica (Poinar, 1990), Heterorhabditis indica (Poinar et al., 1992) and Heterorhabditis bacteriophora (Poinar, 1990). Heterorhabditis zealandica was isolated from 4 sites. Heterorhabditis indica and H. bacteriophora were isolated from two sites each. Entomopathogenic nematodes were mainly found in stone fruit orchards and apple orchards but also in citrus groves, vineyards, and walnut orchards.     

Laboratory and field evaluations of rhodojaponin-III against the imported cabbage worm Pieris rapae (L.) (Lepidoptera: Pieridae)

The activity of rhodojaponin-III (R-III), a grayanoid diterpene compound isolated from Rhododendron molle G. Don flowers, was determined under laboratory and field conditions as an antifeedant, stomach poison, contact toxicant and insect growth inhibitor against Pieris rapae (L.) larvae. The median antifeedant concentration (AFC(50)) values in no-choice leaf disc tests were 1.16 and 15.85 mg L(-1) at 24 h after treatment when tested against third and fifth instars respectively. The median lethal concentration (LC(50)) values in leaf disc tests were 2.84 and 9.53 mg L(-1) at 96 h after treatment against third and fifth instars respectively. R-III showed an almost 30 times higher contact toxicity against third instars than for fifth instars, and the median lethal dose (LD(50)) values for topical application were 1.18 and 34.09 mg kg(-1) at 72 h after treatment respectively. R-III disrupted the development of larvae to pupae or adults with median concentration for inhibiting growth (IC(50)) values of only 1.36 mg L(-1) for third instars and 11.28 mg L(-1) for fifth instars. In field trials, a greater than 80% reduction in the adjusted larval numbers was obtained against P. rapae 14 days after treatment when Rhodo 0.1% EC, a commercial botanical insecticide based on R-III, was applied at both 937.5 and 625 mL ha(-1). These results suggest that further research to develop R-III, and extracts from R. molle, as biorational pesticides or as lead compounds for integrated pest management deserve consideration.     

三种化学杀虫剂对病原线虫侵染暗黑鳃金龟能力的影响

昆虫病原线虫作为生物杀虫剂已被广泛应用。为了提高其对蛴螬的防治效果,筛选与昆虫病原线虫适宜混用的化学杀虫剂是一项重要的应用研究。本研究测试了70%吡虫啉水分散粒剂、40%毒死蜱乳油和2.5%高效氯氰菊酯乳油对病原线虫Heterorhabditis bacteriophora Cangzhou strain、Steinernema longicaudumX-7和Heterorhabditis indica LN2存活以及侵染率的影响;筛选出杀虫剂与病原线虫混合对暗黑鳃金龟Holotrichia parallela 2龄幼虫致死效果的最佳配比。结果显示：3种杀虫剂对3种线虫的存活均无亚致死作用;吡虫啉对3种线虫的致死率无明显影响,其中LN2在1/50 RC（含量为9.33μg mL 1）和1/100 RC（4.67μg mL 1）低浓度处理的死亡率显著低于对照;推荐浓度的高效氯氰菊酯（16.67μg mL 1）对3种线虫的致死率均显著高于对照;不同浓度的毒死蜱对3种线虫的致死率存在显著差异。70%吡虫啉1/10推荐浓度（有效成分为46.67μg mL 1）与线虫Hb混用暗黑鳃金龟2龄幼虫死亡率提高了87.51%,与X-7和LN2混用后,致死率分别提高了39.99%和47.37%。其中1/10推荐浓度吡虫啉与线虫Hb混用对暗黑鳃金龟2龄幼虫表现出增效作用,其它浓度的吡虫啉和另外两种药剂与3种线虫混用的各处理均表现为相加作用。     

不同昆虫病原线虫—共生细菌组合的生化特性研究

本文分别以无菌的小卷蛾斯氏线虫的A24品系线虫与其自身携带的共生细菌菌株和与格氏线虫RS92品系的共生细菌菌株,以及以无菌的嗜菌异小杆线虫的H06品系线虫与其自身携带的共生细菌菌株和与大异小杆线虫HNA品系的共生细菌菌株建立单菌组合;测定了各组合感染期线虫的致病力、干重和体内主要生化物质的含量。结果发现,共生细菌除了对感染期线虫的致病力产生显著影响外,对线虫干重、蛋白质、氨基酸、糖原和脂肪酸等生化物质的含量也有很大的影响。     

Comparative efficacy of indigenous heterorhabditid nematodes from north western Himalaya and Heterorhabditis indica (Poinar,Karunakar & David) against the larvae of Helicoverpa armigera (Hubner)

The efficacy of three Heterorhabditis spp of entomopathogenic nematodes (EPNs) from north western Himalaya, India was studied against the larvae of pod borer, Helicoverpa armigera (Hubner) (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae), under the laboratory conditions. The larvae were exposed to 10, 20, 30 and 40 infective juveniles (IJs) of each nematode species for different time periods and they were found to be susceptible to all the EPNs tested. However, the susceptibility of larvae to nematode infection varied according to the concentrations of IJs and their exposure periods. The efficacy of these indigenous entomopathogenic nematodes was also compared against commercially available entomopathogenic nematode, H. indica. Appreciably good performance was achieved by H. bacteriophora (HRJ), which showed 73.3% mortality of insect larvae in 96 h exposure time against third instar larvae, while H. indica produced 80.0% mortality. However it was noticed that with the advancement of larval stage its mortality rate reduced and vice versa with the exposure period. All tested EPNs were also found to reproduce within the host and maximum production of IJs was recorded in H. bacteriophora (26.0 ± 3.76 × 10³ IJs/larva) at the concentration of 40 IJs/larva.     

Evaluation of some selective insecticides and their combinations with summer oil for the control of the pear psyllaCacopsylla pyri

A field trial was carried out to evaluate the efficacy of several selective insecticides for the control of pear psyllaCacopsylla pyri (L.) (Hemiptera: Psyllidae) in two successive years. Three insect growth regulators (IGRs) — diflubenzuron, pyriproxyfen and teflubenzuron, and an amin-hydrazine derivative — amitraz, were evaluated singly and in combination with summer oil (1%). All insecticides were applied at recommended label rates in both years. When compared with the untreated control, all insecticides alone and their combinations with summer oil, except for pyriproxyfen alone, provided control of young (1st and 2nd instars) nymphs. However, combined applications of these insecticides and summer oil were more effective than either insecticide alone for controlling the egg and young nymph stages of the pest. The products were less effective against older (3rd–5th instars) nymphs, even in combination with summer oil, and failed to suppress the population of older nymphs. Adding oil to sprays also delayed oviposition by winterform and summerform females. With the exception of oil with amitraz, combinations of insecticides with summer oil did not cause any phytotoxicity during the study.     

Entomopathogenic fungi and nematodes against larvae of the chestnut weevil,Curculio elephas (Coleoptera: Curculionidae): a laboratory evaluation

Pest control in chestnut orchards is mainly achieved by chemicals, but there is growing focus on the potential use of biological control agents. The larval susceptibility of the chestnut weevil Curculio elephas L. (Coleoptera: Curculionidae) to different strains/species of entomopathogenic fungi and nematodes was evaluated in laboratory by soil cup bioassays. In the experiments with fungi, a wild strain of Metarhizium anisopliae caused the highest larval mortality (about 90%) compared with a commercial and a wild strain of Beauveria bassiana (80% and 77% respectively). Regarding nematodes, the commercial strain of Heterorhabditis bacteriophora was more effective in the control of chestnut larvae (77% insect mortality) than Steinernema carpocapsae (43%).     

烟芽夜蛾囊泡病毒3h株对草地贪夜蛾幼虫的感染特性及对其生长发育的影响

为寻找有效防控外来入侵物种草地贪夜蛾Spodoptera frugiperda的技术,以烟芽夜蛾囊泡病毒3h株(Heliothis virescens ascovirus 3h,HvAV-3h)为研究对象,通过测定不同龄期草地贪夜蛾幼虫口服或针刺感染HvAV-3h后的死亡率、存活时间、取食量及体重,分析该毒株对草地贪夜蛾幼虫的感染特性及对其生长发育的影响。结果显示,草地贪夜蛾1、2龄幼虫口服HvAV-3h后的校正死亡率分别为9.22%和0,3～6龄幼虫针刺感染HvAV-3h后的校正死亡率则高达100.00%,感染HvAV-3h的幼虫均在幼虫期或蛹期死亡。3～5龄幼虫针刺感染HvAV-3h后的存活时间明显长于健康幼虫;3～6龄幼虫针刺感染HvAV-3h后其体重和取食量均受到不同程度的抑制作用,体重抑制率分别为67.79%、41.68%、16.31%和10.30%,总取食量抑制率分别为57.80%、33.90%、17.42%和41.82%;其中3龄幼虫针刺感染HvAV-3h后的体重和取食量被显著抑制,且蜕皮困难,最终在幼虫期死亡;部分4～6龄感染HvAV-3h幼虫能够完成化蛹,但是均无法羽化。表明HvAV-3h感染能够有效控制草地贪夜蛾幼虫,有望开发为草地贪夜蛾的生防制剂。     

Virulence and efficacy of different entomopathogenic nematode species against western flower thrips (Frankliniella occidentalis)

Virulence and efficacy of five species and strains of the entomopathogenic nematodes of the families Steinernematidae and Heterorhabditidae:Steinernema riobravis, Steinernema feltiae strains Ger. and UK, andHeterorhabditis bacteriophora strains HP88 and IS5, against the prepupal and pupal stages of the western flower thrips (WFT),Frankliniella occidentalis (Pergande) (Thysanoptera: Thripidae), were investigated in the laboratory. Although all these nematodes controlled WFT to some extent, they differed in efficiency. The heterorhabditid nematodeH. bacteriophora strain HP88 was more specific to the soil-inhabiting WFT stages (36–49% thrips mortality). The steinernematid nematodesS. riobravis andS. feltiae strains Ger. and UK had only a slight effect (10% mortality) on prepupal and pupal populations of WFT, andH. bacteriophora strain IS5 had the least effect of all. A possible reason for such species variation is suggested and discussed.     

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.