The egg parasitoids ofThaumetopoea pityocampa in the atlas Mountains near Marrakech (Morocco)

Studies were performed on 25 egg batches ofThaumetopoea pityocampa (Den. & Schiff.) collected onPinus pinaster Ait. on 29. XI. 1995, in the Atlas Mountains of Morocco near Marrakech at 1400-1800 m above sea level. All the egg masses had been deposited in the autumn of 1995 and were exposed to the parasitoids throughout the developmental period of the host. In 1996, the egg batches, kept singly in test tubes, were observed almost daily. Emerged parasitoids were recorded and separated. The final analyses were made in November 1996 based on the meconia and remains of the emerged or the dead parasitoids in the eggs. In all cases, oviposition occurred from the base to the tip of the needles, distances varying up to 62 mm from the base. The mean number of eggs per batch was 175 (range 34-245), the number of egg-rows varied between 6 and 11, and a 1-cm egg-row contained a mean of 9 eggs. Caterpillars hatched from 72. 7% of the eggs; total mortality of the eggs was thus 27. 3%. The impact of egg parasitoids was 21. 4%. Most of the parasitized eggs were attacked byBaryscapus servadeii (Dom.) followed byOoencyrtus pityocampae (Mercet). Males (1. 5%) were found only in B. servadeii. The emergence rate ofO. pityocampae was much higher in the year of host oviposition than in the following year. B. servadeii emerged in equal numbers before and after hibernation, and in the subsequent year in equal numbers in spring and autumn. The high rate of emergence ofB. servadeii in April-May is discussed in relation to the embryonic development ofThaumetopoea bonjeani (Powel) until the end of winter, as an alternative host ofB. servadeii in the Atlas region.     

Identification by meconia of two egg parasitoids ofThaumetopoea wilkinsoni

Baryscapus servadeii (Dom.) andOoencyrtus pityocampae (Mercet) were the most frequent egg parasitoids ofThaumetopoea wilkinsoni Tams (Lep.: Thaumetopoeidae) in the Mountains of Lahav, Israel. Their meconia, remaining in the eggs, differ in structure and can be used to determine the annual rate of parasitism without collecting emergent adults. InB. servadeii, diapausing insects can be discriminated from non-diapausing ones by their meconia.     

Parasitism of egg-batches of the cedar processionary moth<Emphasis Type="Italic">Traumatocampa ispartaensis</Emphasis> in Turkey

Studies were carried out on the egg material ofTraumatocampa ispartaensis Doganlar & Avcı (Lep.: Notodontidae) collected onCedrus libani A. Rich. A total of 95 egg-batches were sampled over two annual generations ofTr. ispartaensis. The number of eggs in each egg-batch varied between 39 and 245 and the length of the batches varied between 7 and 36 mm. The mean number of eggs per batch was found to be 119 and 122 in 1999 and 2000, respectively. Based on field data the oviposition period continued from mid August to mid September. The mean hatching rate of the host was found to be 85.8% and 88.9%, whereas the impact of egg parasitoids accounted for 11.3% and 7.4%, respectively in the 2 years.Ooencyrtus pityocampae (Mercet) was observed as the most abundant egg parasitoid, followed byOoencyrtus sp. nearmasii (Mercet) andTrichogramma brassicae Bezdenko. Based on the emergence dynamics of the egg parasitoids in the laboratory, it seems thatO. pityocampae emerged mainly in June whereasO. sp. nearmasii andT. brassicae emerged mainly in May. http://www.phytoparasitica.org posting Feb. 3, 2003.     

Studies on the egg parasitism inThaumetopoea pityocampa over a period of four years (1991–1994) at marikostino/bulgaria

In Bulgaria near Marikostino, in a forest ofPinus nigra Arn. 239 egg batches were sampled over four generations ofThaumetopoea pityocampa (Den. & Schiff.) (Lep., Thaumetopoeidae) in various seasons. Directly after collection the batches were singled in test tubes, closed with cotton stoppers and stored under laboratory conditions at 20–22°C. Oviposition always started from the base towards the tip of the needles. The emergence of egg parasitoids was observed daily, and the parasitoids were counted and identified. The eggs from which parasitoids emerged were marked for further studies. After removing the adults and opening the eggs, the impact of the species of parasitoids was evaluated by identifying the meconia and other rests (left overs). Ooencyrtus pityocampae (Mercet) was the most abundant egg parasitoid, followed byAnastatus bifasciatus (Fonsc.). Only few individuals ofBaryscapus servadeii (Dom.) were collected. The hyperparasitoidBaryscapus servadeii (Dom.) were collected. The hyperparasitoidBaryscapus transversalis Graham, was found at low densities. Only a few eggs were parasitised byTrichogramma embryophagum Htg. Total mortality of the host eggs varied from 34.7 to 79.7% depending on the period of parasitism and on the numbers of sterile eggs. The impact of the parasitoids was calculated to be 9.3–38.9%, depending on the period when parasitism had taken place. The mean number of eggs per batch varied from 203 to 253. The rate of parasitism was reduced by early sampling of the egg batches. In some cases, a very high percentage (up to 29.2%) of undeveloped eggs was found. In all samples a small percentage of empty eggs was always observed.

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Untersuchungen zum Eiparasitismus von Thaumetopoea pityocampa bei Marikostino/Bulgarien w?hrend einer Vierjahresperiode (1991–1994)

Zusammenfassung  In Bulgarien, in der N?he von Marikostino, wurden 239 Eigelege des PinienprozessionsspinnersThaumetopoea pityocampa (Den.& Schiff.) (Lep., Thaumetopoeidae) in einemPinus nigra Forst über 4 Generationen zu verschiedenen Jahreszeiten gesammelt. Die Gelge wurden sogleich einzeln in Reagensgl?ser gegeben, die mit Wattestopfen verschlossen wurden, und unter Laborbedingungen bei 20–22°C aufbewahrt. Die Eiablage fand stets von der Nadelbasis zur Spitze hin statt. Der Schlupf der Parasitoiden wurde t?glich registriert. Nach Entfernen der Gelegeschuppen wurde jedes Ei markiert, aus dem ein Parasitoid schlüpfte. Alle adulten Parasitoide wurden sogleich nach dem Schlupf entfernt und zur Determination vorbereitet. Nach Ende der Schlupfperiode (mindestens 1 Jahr nach dem Raupenschlupf) wurden alle Eier ge?ffnet. Der Einflu? der cinzelnen Parasitoiden-Arten auf die Eimortalit?t wurde anhand der Mekonien und Rückst?nde in den Eiern bewertet. Ooencyrtus pityocampae (Mercet) war in den Eiern die h?ufigste Art, gefolgt vonAnastatus bifasciatus (Fonsc.) VonBaryscapus servadeii (Dom.) wurden nur wenige Individuen gefunden. Auch der Hyperparasitoid,Baryscapus transversalis Graham, war nur in geringer Populationsdichte vertreten. Nur wenige Eier waren vonTrichogramma embryophagum Htg. parasitiert. Die Gesamtmortatit?t der Wirtstiere variierte von 34,7% bis 79,7%; sie war abh?ngig von der Parasitierungsperiode und der Menge an sterilen Eiern. Der Einflu? der Eiparasitoide betrug 32,7–38,9%, wenn sie die gesamte Embryonalentwicklung des Wirtes zur Parasitierung nutzen konnten. Die mittlere Anzahl der Eier pro Gelege variierte in den Sammelproben von 203 bis 253. Die Parasitierungsrate war nach frühem Einsammeln der Gelege (nach Oviposition des Wirtes) stark reduziert. In einigen F?llen war ein sehr hoher Prozensatz (bis zu 29,2%) an nicht entwickelten Eiern zu finden. In allen Eigelegen waren einige Eier vorhanden, die total leer waren.

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The research conducted was supported by the Government of Lower Saxony, Hannover, Germany.     

The role of the monoterpene composition inPinus spp. needles, in host selection by the pine processionary caterpillar,Thaumetopoea pityocampa

This paper presents preliminary results on attempts to extract and characterize the volatile secondary metabolites contained in needles of differentPinus species and to ascertain the role played by these substances on the behavior ofThaumetopoea pityocampa (Denis et Schiffermüller) females, which show a marked preference, during the oviposition period, for some indigenous and exotic species of host plants existing in mixed formation. Limonene is the most abundant monoterpene extracted fromP. pinea needles, the least favored species of pine processionary caterpillar (PPC) females, although it is present in only very low amounts in otherPinus species. An increase was observed in limonene production byP. pinea at the start of the flight period of the PPC adult, and subsequently at the beginning of the females’ oviposition period. Assays carried out in two pine stands in central Italy showed that limonene, emulsified with water and sprayed on foliage of four different pine species plants,P. sylvestris, P. nigra, P. pinaster andP. radiata, during the PPC oviposition period, provided a satisfactory degree of protection. In fact, the number of egg clusters collected from treated plants was often lower than the number of egg clusters collected from control plants and was comparable to the number of egg clusters laid onP. pinea plants. In particular (R)-(+)-limonene, although not produced in nature by pines, was the most effective deterrent. However, the effect of (S)-(-)-limonene, the enantiomer biosynthesized by pines, was also adequate.     

Comparison of the reproductive potential of <Emphasis Type="Italic">Monochamus galloprovincialis</Emphasis> on two pine species under laboratory conditions

Monochamus galloprovincialis Olivier (Coleoptera: Cerambycidae) is one of the vectors of the pinewood nematode Bursaphelenchus xylophilus (Steiner and Buhrer) Nickle (Nematoda: Parasitaphelenchidae), the causal agent of pine wilt in susceptible pine trees. It is therefore important to study both the biological and ecological characteristics of the beetle. In this study reproductive potentials of female beetles reared on two pine species were investigated under laboratory conditions and compared using fertility tables constructed for beetles reared on each tree species. Beetle population parameters were compared between tree species. The intrinsic rate of increase and associated population parameters of beetles reared on Pinus sylvestris L. were consistently higher than those reared on P. nigra Arnold. This result suggests that P. sylvestris has a significantly greater positive effect on the reproductive potential of M. galloprovincialis populations than does P. nigra.     

Parasitism and development of<Emphasis Type="Italic">Trissolcus simoni</Emphasis> in eggs of different host species

A scelionid egg parasitoid,Trissolcus simoni (Mayr), was investigated by exposing different host eggs to parasitism by females in order to assess the role of this alternative host species in the biological control of the sunn pestEurygaster integriceps Puton. Egg masses of laboratory colonies of four field-collected host species were used in the experiments. Parasitism rates ofE. integriceps, Dolycoris baccarum (L.),Graphosoma lineatum L. andCarpocoris pudicus (Pd.) averaged 86.8%, 81.6%, 82.8% and 84.0%, respectively. The parasitoid sex ratio and the percent of adult emergence did not differ significantly among the four hosts. The average development period was shorter inD. baccarum andC. pudicus, with respective mean times of 10.3 and 10.8 days for females, and 9.2 and 9.6 days for males, than inE. integriceps andG. lineatum. According to these results, all the tested eggs were adequate hosts forT. simoni development. http://www.phytoparasitica.org posting Dec. 19, 2003.     

New Ichneumonidae (Hymenoptera) parasitoids of forest insect pests in Bulgaria

During the period 1989–1998 investigations were carried out on the parasitoids of some forest insect pests in Bulgaria. Twenty-one ichneumonid species are reported for the first time in Bulgaria as parasitoids of different coleopteran, lepidopteran, and hymenopteran hosts. From these, 6 parasitoids are new records for the parasitoid complexes of the hosts:Exochus decoratus Holmgr. onEudemis profundana (Den. & Schiff.) andGelechia turpella (Den. & Schiff.);Lissonota culiciformis Grav.—onParanthrene tabaniformis (Rott.);Lissonota unicincta Holmgr.—onG. turpella; Xorides gracilicornis (Grav.)—onXylotrechus sp.; andEriborus terebrator Aubert—onClostera anastomosis (L.). Most parasitoids developed as primary parasitoids in the hosts.Itoplectis alternans (Grav.) is a primary parasitoid ofNycteola asiatica (Krul.) and a hyperparasitoid ofE. terebrator: Acropimpla pictipes (Grav.) is secondary parasitoid onAnacampsis populella (Cl.). With the exception of two species ofOlesicampes genus, which destroyed over 50% ofStauronematus compressicornis (F.) andPristophora conjugata (Dahlm.) larvae, andE. terebrator which killed 15.4% ofC. anastomosis population, the rest of the parasitoids occurred in low densities, and did not play an important role in reducing the number of their hosts.     

Effect of Buprofezin onIcerya Purchasi andPlanococcus Citri

The effectiveness of buprofezin (aqueous suspensions from 25% wettable powder) on cumulative nymph mortality and reproduction of two homopterous pests,Icerya purchasi Maskell (Margarodidae) andPlanococcus citri (Risso) (Pseudococcidae), was investigated under laboratory conditions. Buprofezin was very effective against crawlers of both species. Dipping in concentrations of 0.002%, 0.01% and 0.05% (a. i.) resulted in 91–99% nymph mortality ofP. citri, whereas 100% mortality was recorded whenI. purchasi was treated at 0.05% (a. i.); the 3rd-instar nymphs ofI. purchasi were less susceptible to the chemical. Death of the larval stages occurred mainly during the molting process to the 2nd-instar nymphs. At 0.05%, buprofezin sprayed on adults slightly reduced fecundity and decreased egg hatch to 31% forI. purchasi and, depending on the exposure period of the females, to 49-7% forP. citri. Buprofezin at 0.05% exhibited strong ovicidal activity onP. citri, resulting in inhibition of over 80% egg hatch.     

Further studies on the role of monoterpenes in pine host selection and oviposition ofThaumetopoea pityocampa

In a young mixed pine plantation (Pinus nigra andP. pinea) in central Italy, the influence of the pine needle monoterpenes (R)-(+)-limonene, (S)-(−)-limonene and (1S)-(−)-β-pinene on the oviposition activity of the pine processionary moth,Thaumetopoea pityocampa (Denis et Schiffermüller), was assessed. Two application methods were compared: spraying the trees with the substances emulsified with water, and setting up polyethylene dispensers from which the monoterpenes evaporated. During the moth’s flight period weekly treatments (at 500 mg of monoterpene /l water) were carried out and the evaporation from the polyethylene dispensers (each with 5 g of a single monoterpene) was checked on each occasion by weighing the dispensers. The GLM analysis did not uncover any difference between the methods of application or between the pine species.T. pityocampa laid a significantly (P=0.01) lower number of egg masses on the trees treated with (1S)-(−)-β-pinene than on those treated with the other substances and on the control trees. A ∼45% reduction in egg mass number was obtained on the pines treated with (1S)-(−)-β-pinene, independent of the level of infestation, method of application or pine species. (R)-(+)-limonene and (S)-(−)-limonene were not effective. http://www.phytoparasitica.org posting July 29, 2008.     

Tachinidae parasitoids of<Emphasis Type="Italic">Traumatocampa ispartaensis</Emphasis> from Turkey

Tachinid parasitoids ofTraumatocampa ispartaensis Doğanlar & Avcı (Lepidoptera, Thaumetopoeidae), which was found to be a new species, were collected from the cedar forests around Isparta-Kapıdağ. The species found wereBlondelia nigripes (Fall.),Compsilura concinnata (Meig.),Pales processioneae (Ratz.),Phryxe caudata (Rond.),Exorista segregata (Rond.) andCarcelia iliaca (Ratz.). Within the six species of Tachinidae,B. nigripes was the most common one, parasitizing up to 4.6% ofT. ispartaensis pupae. http://www.phytoparasitica.org     

松毛虫赤眼蜂对柞蚕灰卵的寄生选择与适应性

为明确柞蚕Antheraea pernyi灰卵(工厂化繁育赤眼蜂过程中广泛存在的一种感病寄主卵)对松毛虫赤眼蜂Trichogramma dendrolimi寄生选择与适应性及其繁育子代蜂寄生能力的影响,以柞蚕灰卵作为供试寄主,健康卵作为对照,在无选择和双向选择条件下研究松毛虫赤眼蜂对其的寄生选择与适应性,并比较灰卵和健康卵繁育的子代蜂对0、1、2、3日龄米蛾Corcyra cephalonica卵的寄生能力。结果表明,在无选择条件下,松毛虫赤眼蜂在灰卵上的寄生率、羽化率、单卵出蜂数和总蜂数分别为30.0%、54.1%、39.3头和48.7头,而在健康卵上分别达到96.0%、93.0%、82.5头和96.8头。在双向选择条件下,松毛虫赤眼蜂在灰卵上的寄生率、羽化率、单卵出蜂数和总蜂数分别为33.3%、27.1%、24.7头和52.2头,而在健康卵上分别为68.0%、86.3%、60.6头和74.2头。在无选择和双向选择条件下,松毛虫赤眼蜂在灰卵和健康卵上的发育历期和后代雌性比均不存在显著差异,但灰卵繁育的子代蜂对1、2日龄米蛾卵的寄生数则显著低于健康卵繁育的子代蜂,且后者对米蛾卵的寄生数随着米蛾卵日龄的增加呈逐渐下降趋势,而灰卵繁育的子代蜂对0、3日龄米蛾卵的寄生数要显著高于1、2日龄的。表明柞蚕灰卵会对松毛虫赤眼蜂的寄主选择与适应性以及子代蜂的寄生能力产生不良影响。     

Distribution and relative importance of lepidopteran cereal stemborers and their parasitoids in Uganda

Infestation levels and parasitism of lepidopteran stemborers on maize were assessed in four agroecological zones (AEZ) in Uganda. The indigenous noctuidBusseola fusca Fuller (Noctuidae) and the invasiveChilo partellus Swinhoe (Crambidae) were the most important stemborers recorded.C. partellus represented 77% of the stemborers in the Eastern AEZ whileB. fusca was dominant in the other AEZs, accounting for 60–79%. The proportion of infested plants was between 16% and 45% and borer density between 0.2 and 1.0 borers per plant. There was no clear relationship between damage and stem tunneling, which is often used to estimate yield loss.Telenomus busseolae Gahan (Scelionidae), the only egg parasitoid recovered, caused parasitism of up to 46% onB. fusca eggs. Several larval and pupal parasitoid species were recorded. The most common were the indigenous braconidCotesia sesamiae and the introducedCotesia flavipes, which are larval parasitoids ofB. fusca andC. partellus, respectively. Mean parasitism by the indigenousC. sesamiae ranged between 2.0% and 29.4% onB. fusca and from 0 to 13% onC. partellus. C. flavipes was recovered at most locations with parasitism of 0–30.5% onC. partellus and 0–12% onB. fusca; the latter was probably the result of multiparasitism as laboratory studies have shown that it was not a suitable host forC. partellus. Results indicated further that the parasitoid has not attained equilibrium 5 years after its introduction. http://www.phytoparasitica.org posting Nov. 20, 2006. Teddy Matama-Kauma died suddenly in an accident on Dec. 10, 2006, while this paper was in press.     

Parasitoid complex of<Emphasis Type="Italic">Cameraria ohridella</Emphasis> (lepidoptera: Gracillariidae) in Serbia

Fourteen species in two families of the order Hymenoptera: Ichneumonidae (1 sp.) and Eulophidae (13 spp.), were recorded during the study ofCameraria ohridella parasitoids at eight localities in Serbia. Among the observed parasitoids, the most significant species wereMinotetrastichus frontalis, Pediobius saulius, Pnigalio agraules andClosterocerus trifasciatus. In addition, at some localities the speciesMinotetrastichus platanellus andCirrospilus talitzkii were also significant. The parasitoids do not have a significant effect on the abundance ofC. ohridella because in the majority of study samples parasitism levels did not exceed 20%. http://www.phytoparasitica.org posting Feb. 23, 2004.     

Biology,revised taxonomy and impact on host plants of<Emphasis Type="Italic">Ophelimus maskelli</Emphasis>, an invasive gall inducer on<Emphasis Type="Italic">Eucalyptus</Emphasis> spp. in the Mediterranean Area

Ophelimus maskelli (Ashmead) (Hymenoptera: Eulophidae), an invasive species in the Mediterranean area that occurs naturally onEucalyptus camaldulensis at Wagga Wagga in New South Wales, was studied in Israel on the same host plant. The most distinctive characteristic ofO. maskelli as compared with other congeners is the presence of only a single seta on the submarginal vein.O. maskelli shows a clear tendency to oviposit in developed, immature leaves, and it prefers to oviposit on an area of the leaf blade near the petiole. The female lays an average of 109 eggs when maintained on water alone. The egglaying distribution tended towards aggregation, and the same tendency has also been observed within and among trees. The wasp prefers to attack the lower canopy. The gall diameter ranged from 1.2 to 0.9 mm, and gall density from 11.5 to 36.0 galls cm⁻², respectively. The typical color of the gall appeared as soon as third instar larva developed. Galls on shaded leaves remained green or greenish-yellow, whereas those that were exposed to the sun were reddish.O. maskelli produces three generations per year in Israel. High flight occurs among the spring generations, starting in early March. The wasps were attracted to green sticky plates much more than to the other tested colors. Heavy galling byO. maskelli results in premature shedding of the leaves, soon after the emergence of the wasps. Among the 84 eucalyptus species tested, the following 14 species were found to be suitable hosts:E. botryoides, E. bridgesiana, E. camaldulensis, E. cinerea, E. globulus, E. gunii, E. nicholii, E. pulverulenta, E. robusta, E. rudis, E. saligna, E. tereticornis andE. viminalis. This study focused on morphological and development characters that can clearly distinguishO. maskelli fromOphelimus eucalypti Gahan, and on examining the effect of crossing between eucalyptus species on the development possibilities of the wasps. Also considered were the effect of the food on adult survival, the competition between the eulophid gall makerLeptocybe invasa Fisher & LaSalle andO. maskelli, the heavy damage inflicted on eucalyptus, and the health problems and nuisance to people caused by the wasp near heavily infested trees during the mass emergence of adults. http://www.phytoparasitica.org posting Dec. 5, 2006.     

<Emphasis Type="Italic">Dittrichia viscosa</Emphasis> and<Emphasis Type="Italic">Rubus ulmifolius</Emphasis> as reservoirs of aphid parasitoids (Hymenoptera: Braconidae: Aphidiinae) and the role of certain Coccinellid species

The role of the self-sown shrubsDittrichia viscosa (L.) W. Greuter andRubus ulmifolius Schott as reservoirs of aphid parasitoids was investigated. In the field studies conducted,D. viscosa grew adjacent to crops of durum wheat and barley andR. ulmifolius grew adjacent to cotton. The relative abundance of the parasitoids of(a) Capitophorus inulae (Passerini) onD. viscosa, (b) Rhopalosiphum padi (Linnaeus) on durum wheat and barley,(c) Aphis ruborum (Börner) onR. ulmifolius, and(d) Aphis gossypii Glover on cotton in various parts of Greece, was assessed during the years 1996–2000. In 2000, the fluctuation of parasitization of the above four aphid species was recorded and the action of the aphidophagous predators of the family Coccinellidae was studied. It was observed thatAphidius matricariae Haliday predominated onC. inulae andR. padi in all sampling cases. In contrast,Lysiphlebus fabarum (Marshall) was the dominant species parasitizingA. ruborum onR. ulmifolius andA. gossypii on cotton in Thessaly (central Greece) and Macedonia (northern Greece), whereasLysiphlebus confusus Tremblay et Eady andBinodoxys acalephae (Marshall) were the dominant parasitoid species in Thrace (northern Greece).Coccinella septempunctata Linnaeus was the most abundant coccinellid species on durum wheat, whereasAdonia variegata (Goeze) predominated on cotton. However, coccinellid individuals were scarce on bothD. viscosa andR. ulmifolius. The present study indicated that these two shrubs can be regarded as useful reservoirs of aphid parasitoids.     

Insecticide selectivity to two species of Trichogramma in three different hosts, as determined by IOBC/WPRS methodology

BACKGROUND: The use of Trichogramma species is a potential key strategy in integrated pest management. However, its effectiveness depends on the use of chemicals that do not interfere with parasitism and parasite population growth. Here, a study was made of the effects of synthetic insecticides on Trichogramma pretiosum and Trichogramma exiguum in different hosts (Ephestia kuehniella, Plutella xylostella and Spodoptera frugiperda) and the influence of International Organisation for Biological Control (IOBC/WPRS) methodology in selectivity studies using different Trichogramma species. The insecticides used were commercial formulations (triflumuron at a concentration of 0.2 mL L^?1 water, etofenprox at a concentration of 0.47 mL L^?1 water and endosulfan at a concentration of 7.5 mL L^?1 water); the control treatment consisted of distilled water. Eggs attached to cardboard cards were offered to parasitoids inside glass cages. Parasitised eggs, parasitism and adult emergence rates and parasitism reduction were evaluated. RESULTS: Endosulfan and etofenprox, classified as class‐4 toxic products, were extremely toxic to the parasitoids. Triflumuron, classified as a non‐toxic product, was selective to the parasitoids in eggs of all hosts. CONCLUSIONS: The methodology recommended by IOBC/WPRS influenced results regarding the use of different species of parasitoids, and the use of a single parasitoid species in their experiment is questionable. Copyright © 2011 Society of Chemical Industry     

Natural parasitism of<Emphasis Type="Italic">Chrysoperla carnea</Emphasis> by hymenopterous parasitoids in cotton-growing areas of Çukurova,Turkey

A 4-year study of parasitoids attackingChrysoperla carnea (Stephens) in the cotton fields of Çukurova, Turkey, revealed the activities of three principal taxa:Telenomus sp. nr.suvae attacks the eggs ofC. carnea: Catolaccus sp. andBaryscapus sp. are larval and pupal parasitoids, respectively. In general, percent egg parasitism increased starting from the second half of June and into July, then decreased until the beginning of August before rising again at the end of growing season. During the early season, weekly parasitism was found to be as high as 94%. Overall, seasonal egg parasitism varied between 13.6% and 62.0% among all study sites. According to the results of a one-year field study at Hac?ali, total larval and pupal parasitism was found to be 12.5% and 55.6%, respectively. Therefore, different factors influencing the effectiveness of the generalist predatorC. carnea against cotton pests, and the differential effects of cotton treatments on both host and parasitoids, need to be evaluated.     

Note:Cnaemidophorus rhododactyla, a NewRosa spp. Pest for Turkey, and its new parasitoids, a NewRosa spp. Pest for Turkey, and its new parasitoids

In the present study,Cnaemidophorus rhododactyla (Denis & Schiffermüller) (Lepo Pterophoridae) was noted for the first time as a pest ofRosa spp. in Turkey. The larva ofC. rhododactyla makes a cavity by feeding in the flower-bud and destroys at least 60% of the mass of the flower-bud. There are approximately 12 species ofRosa in Erzurum and Kars provinces, butRosa dumalis Bechst. andR. subcanina L. suffered more damage than the otherRosa species. One species of Tachinidae (Diptera) —Pseudoperichaeta palesoidea (Robineau-Desvoidy), and two species of Ichneumonidae (Hymenoptera) —Sinophorus turionus (Ratz.) andScambus brevicornis Gravenhorst, were reared as larval parasitoids ofC. rhododactyla. C. rhododactyla is a new host record for these parasitoids. Additionally,S. turionus is a new record for the Turkish fauna.     

Weed hosts ofVerticillium dahliae in crete: Susceptibility, symptomatology and significance

A survey of common and uncommon weed species usually showing Verticillium wilt symptoms was carried out during 1992–2000 in Crete, Greece.Verticillium dahliae was isolated in 48 out of 182 sampled fields, in which several weed species were grown, from several locations in Oropedio, Lasithi. Altogether, 124 isolates ofV. dahliae were recovered from the vascular stem-tissue of 19 weed species, belonging to ten botanical families. Pathogenicity trials with 13 out of 19 weed species that have never been reported as hosts of the fungus, using for inoculation isolates which originated from the same weed species, resulted in infection of all of them, showing various disease symptoms. Seven weed species (Anthemis melanolepis, Cardaria draba, Convolvulus arvensis, Erodium sp.,Euphorbia helioscopia, Helminthotheca echioides andSinapis alba) are new hosts worldwide, and six additional species (Euphorbia sp.,Lactuca serriola, Raphanus raphanistrum, Sinapis arvensis, Sonchus oleraceus andTrifolium sp.) are new hosts for Greece. The most susceptible (isolation frequency: 27.9–52.8%, moderate disease severity) species were:Capsella bursa-pastoris, C. draba, Chenopodium album, Senecio vulgaris andSolanum nigrum. Less susceptible (isolation frequency: 4.8–17.8%, slight disease severity) were:Amaranthus sp.,A. melanolepis, C. arvensis, Erodium sp.,Euphorbia sp.,E. helioscopia, H. echioides, L. serriola, Malva sylvestris, R. raphanistrum, S. alba, S. arvensis, S. oleraceus andTrifolium sp. Some species —C. draba, C. album, L. serriola andS. nigrum L. — that usually showed external and vascular wilt symptoms, occasionally exhibited only reduced growth. Visible symptoms under natural field conditions in all 13 weed species that had never been reported as hosts ofV. dahliae were similar to those observed after their artificial inoculation. The fungus was not isolated fromFoeniculum vulgare ssp.piperitum, Oxalis corniculata andStellaria media, among other species. http://www.phytoparasitica.org posting Sept. 18, 2002.