Rhyzopertha dominica (F., 1792) (Coleoptera: Bostrichidae): a stored grain pest on olive trees in Sicily

In October 2014 samples were collected from olive trees growing in South‐Eastern Sicily (Italy) that were showing wilting symptoms. In the field, clear signs of flagging appeared on young twigs and lateral shoots, and many leaves had fallen to the ground. Initial laboratory examinations of attacked twigs revealed the presence of a large number of adults of Rhyzopertha dominica (F., 1792). Sampling was repeated during the following 2 years, and while an outbreak of the pest did not occur, continuous damage was observed. In 2016, exclusively using pheromone‐baited traps in olive trees, a large number of adults were captured. The main local climatic parameters were monitored from 2014 to 2016 and compared with the population levels. The incidence of damage and survival of R. dominica in an environment different from its usual one (stored grain) deserves attention, especially considering that climate change could greatly affect pest demographics and put olive trees in this area and further afield at risk of increased damage.     

First report of Eulachnus tuberculostemmatus (Theobald, 1915) on Pinus nigra subsp. mauretanica stands in Algeria

Pinus nigra (black pine) is a Mediterranean taxonomic complex (including different subspecies), with a discontinuous distribution. The southernmost part of its range is in North Africa, in Morocco and Algeria, where it is present as P. nigra subsp. mauretanica. Currently, an extremely limited number of trees of this subspecies still persist within its natural range, giving this taxon an outstanding ecological importance. These residual stands are threatened by many biotic and abiotic factors, putting at risk the survival of this subspecies in its natural habitat. This paper reports for the first time the presence of Eulachnus tuberculostemmatus (Hemiptera: Aphididae: Lachninae) in Algeria, and its infestation on P. nigra subsp. mauretanica. This insect was detected in three sites of the Djurdjura National Park in May 2012 and identified in February 2016. The aphid seems to be responsible for needle discoloration and premature senescence, symptoms observed since spring 2008 on the infested pines. These clusters of P. nigra subsp. mauretanica trees are protected by park regulations, and given their conservation status further investigations into this pest species, and other biotic and abiotic factors that may threaten this important tree, are required.     

Experimental studies on Tuta absoluta (Meyrick) in protected tomato crops in France: biological control and integrated crop protection

Tuta absoluta is a pest from South America which has been detected in many European and Mediterranean countries since 2006. It was identified in Corsica and the South of France in late 2008, and by 2010 this Lepidopteran species had spread to further tomato‐production areas. The pest is present mainly on tomatoes in protected and field crops, and damage on leaves and fruit can be so severe that it can lead to total destruction of the plant. Since 2010, studies have been carried out in experimental insect‐proof glasshouses with artificial infestations of the pest. The objective was to gain better knowledge of this emergent pest and to develop adapted control strategies under the conditions of the South‐East of France. Integrated pest management is widely used on tomato crops in France, and the predator Macrolophus pygmaeus and the parasitoid Trichogramma achaeae were studied, alone and in combination. The possible effect of the concurrent prey Trialeurodes vaporariorum on the impact of the predator on T. absoluta was also studied. The best results were obtained when the two beneficials were released in combination, even in the presence of whiteflies T. vaporariorum.     

Review on exotic Bondar’s nesting whitefly,Paraleyrodes bondari Peracchi infestation on multiple cropping system

Between 2016 and 2020, seven new whitefly species were uncovered in the tropical Southern region of India, wrecking chaos among producers in certain invasive whitefly instances. The repercussions of climate change, improved free trade practices between countries, increased intercontinental migration, enhanced exim operations for planting supplies, etc., may have led to insect invasions. A limited number of invasive insect species only swelled to unmanageable proportions when entered into new geographic locations. Bondar’s Nesting Whitefly (BNW), Paraleyrodes bondari Peracchi (Hemiptera: Aleyrodidae), a native of Brazil to Honduras, was one such species. In May 2017, BNW noticed from the Indian Andaman and Nicobar islands, by December 2018 reached Indian mainland Kerala. Because of its co-existence with other whiteflies and cryptic appearance, BNW identification at immature stages can be challenging and may call for specific instruments and methods. Global analysis of BNW mitochondrial cytochrome oxidase (COI) indicated the presence of highly homogenous population. BNW is polyphagous, co-lives with other whiteflies and feeds by desapping from adaxial leaf surfaces of perennial and seasonal plants, crops, weeds etc., thus promoting sickliness. The land areas invaded and host plants exploited have increased within a short span from its introduction. BNW has no known parasitoids, and only non-specific predators utilize them. The presence of an intensive BNW population warrants frequent adoption of pest control practices. Even though insecticides bring down whiteflies, it is not the sole panacea. The information pertinent to BNW and its sustainable control is limited and scattered. These details mandate reviewing them concerning poly-crop systems practised in tropical ecosystems. This review discusses the possibilities of BNW becoming a significant pest of crops in tropical Indian mainlands and its management prospects.

     

The tomato borer Tuta absoluta in South America: pest status,management and insecticide resistance

The tomato borer Tuta absoluta (Lepidoptera: Gelechiidae) has been a recognized pest in South America since the 1960s, quickly spreading to the major tomato‐producing countries in the region. A series of studies regarding this pest's biology, ecology and management were conducted to contain tomato losses within acceptable levels. Although cultural control methods were attempted against T. absoluta, as were the development of resistant tomato varieties and the use of pheromones and natural enemies, insecticides are still the main control method used. The sex pheromone of T. absoluta was identified, confirmed and synthesized in the late 1990s and it is currently used for detection and monitoring of this species, but improved sampling plans are still necessary for its use in decision‐making regarding insecticide use. Insecticide use has shifted from earlier reliance on organophosphates, pyrethroids, cartap and abamectin to insect growth regulators and, more recently, to novel insecticides. Unfortunately, the overreliance on insecticide use led to problems with insecticide resistance in the region, which is a current matter of concern not only in South America, but also elsewhere since introduced strains may carry insecticide‐resistance genes at high frequency even without local selection in the site of introduction.     

Assessment of damage caused by evolved fall armyworm on native and transgenic maize in South Africa

The fall armyworm (FAW), Spodoptera frugiperda (J.E. Smith) (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae) is a transboundary polyphagous insect pest which preferentially feeds on grain crops. The FAW was responsible for economic damage to maize crops in more than 44 African countries by 2019 accounting for the loss of over US$2–5.5 billion. The parallel cultivation of Bt-maize expressing Cry1Ab protein and indigenous maize varieties in some African countries was aimed to enhance output and mitigate the harmful impact of the Lepidopteran insect below the economic injury level. A total of six maize farms (holding at least 4–20 ha of land) in delocalized geographies of Gauteng province, South Africa were randomly selected and assessed for the impact of FAW during the 2017 outbreak. A biotype of S. frugiperda that significantly destroyed Bt maize and non-Bt maize and exhibited tolerance to pesticides under field conditions is reported. It is observed that, whether maize at the tasseling stage carried the Cry1Ab trait or not, S. frugiperda caused a minimum damage of ~62.6% (P?<?0.05, P?=?0.0001, |t|?=?2.78) and maximum damage of ~83.33% (P?<?0.05, P?=?0.0001, |t|?=?2.78) in farms without refuge strategies. Phylogenetic analysis using the mitochondrial cytochrome oxidase I gene, revealed divergent evolution amongst reported S. frugiperda lineages, the emergence of singleton, and distinct haplotypes within the African continent. It is concluded that S. frugiperda that invaded maize farms in the Gauteng region of South Africa is genetically evolved from those identified in São Tomé and Príncipe, and Nigeria, and tolerant to certain insecticides. Thus, the African continent might have been invaded by several routes and distinct haplotypes.

     

The psyllid Macrohomotoma gladiata Kuwayama, 1908 (Hemiptera: Psylloidea: Homotomidae): a Ficus pest recently introduced in the EPPO region

The psyllid Macrohomotoma gladiata, is a new insect pest of Ficus originating from Asia which has recently been found in Spain (Alicante) on urban Ficus microcarpa trees. This species may be of phytosanitary concern because of its leaf wrapping habits, wax secretion and honeydew excretion that may lead to direct and secondary twig damage. Although more studies are needed on the biology of M. gladiata, it is suspected that it might behave in the Euro‐Mediterranean as an invasive alien species. The predation by Anthocoris sp. (nemoralis?) needs to be investigated in order to assess its effectiveness as a natural biological control agent. This is the first report of M. gladiata from the EPPO region.     

喷雾法施用线虫大面积防治荔枝拟木蠹蛾

荔枝拟木蠹蛾(Arbela dea Swinhoe)是南方荔枝、木麻黄等主要的钻蛀害虫,作者利用拟木蠹蛾昼伏夜出的习性,用大蜡螟幼虫诱测和回收喷雾荔枝拟木蠹蛾粪道上的线虫(Steinernema carpocapsae Agriotos),不同温度、不同粪道大小对线虫存活影响的测试结果表明,应用1×10~3/ml线虫剂量喷雾拟木蠢蛾挂在树上的粪道,粪道上便有足够数量的线虫和时间使寄主感染。1995年喷雾法施用线虫防治荔枝拟木蠹蛾260hm~2,防治效果在85％～100％,平均为94.28％,有效地压低了田间的虫口密度。解决了树冠嫩枝受害后人工难以注射及倒置斜垂坑道的虫口防治效果差的矛盾,也使利用病原线虫防治害虫这一有效的生物防治手段更容易为果农所接受。     

First report of the papaya mealybug,Paracoccus marginatus (Coccomorpha: Pseudococcidae), in Tahiti,French Polynesia

The papaya mealybug, Paracoccus marginatus Williams and Granara de Willing (Coccomorpha: Pseudococcidae), is a polyphagous pest that damages many tropical crops. It is native to Central America and spread to the Caribbean region and South America in the 1900s. Since then, it has accidentally been introduced to several islands in the Pacific region and some countries in Africa and Asia. The first record of this mealybug in Polynesia was in Hawaii, in 2004. This paper presents the first report of this pest in Tahiti (French Polynesia), where it was found in March 2017 on papaya (Carica papaya) and frangipani trees (Plumeria spp.). Its presence, which is mainly in the inhabited part of the island of Tahiti, suggests the recent introduction of the pest in French Polynesia. Several coccinellid predators have been found feeding on the mealybug in Tahiti: Cryptolaemus montrouzieri, Hyperaspis pantherina and Scymnus spp. None of its parasitoids have been found yet.     

Aspidiella hartii (Cockerell 1895) (Hemiptera: Diaspididae) on yam (Dioscorea spp.) tubers: a new pest regularly entering the European part of the EPPO region

Yam is an important West African crop and is an inexpensive source of carbohydrate. Many people of Central African origin living in South Italy buy imported tubers to prepare their preferred recipes. Aspidiella hartii (Cockerell) infests yam tubers marketed in Bari (South Italy). Adult female scales on tuber bark are brownish, subcircular and about 1.2 mm wide. Ventral shields (‘flags’) from dead individuals are also abundant. The pest reproduces during storage and covers the tuber. Removal of plant sap shrivels the tubers during their trade, reducing quality, viability and marketability of the product. Severe A. hartii infestation of tubers can also inhibit their resprouting or kill the plant in the country of origin. Dipping yam in concentrated pyrethroids, or organophosphate insecticide, storage in sawdust, paddy husk or wood ash or paraffin wax coating may help to control the pest, although dipping in pyrethroids or organophosphate insecticide is not allowed in Europe. The armoured scale also infests Colocasia sp. (Taro, Araceae) and Ipomoea batatas (L.) Lam. (sweet potato, Convolvulaceae) causing similar damage. The presence of A. hartii host plants in Europe and the possible host‐shift of this pest to other crops in the region pose a risk for EPPO countries.     

Spread of Paraleyrodes minei Iaccarino (nesting whitefly) in Italian citrus groves

Outbreaks of Paraleyrodes minei Iaccarino have been noted on citrus in a wide area along the whole eastern coast of Sicily (South Italy), in the districts of Catania, Messina and Siracusa. Until this year, the whitefly was only reported in Italy from a few samples collected on a limited number of ornamental sour orange trees in a town park in Portici, in the district of Naples. Findings in 2014 of the insect in Sicily were made not only on ornamental citrus trees in urban areas, but more importantly in orange, lemon and mandarin commercial orchards. This severe and extremely rapid spread of P. minei in Sicily (where more than half of Italian citrus are produced) represents a potential threat for the local citrus industry and requires careful monitoring to define both the actual pest status of the whitefly as well as the occurrence and role of eventual natural enemies. Brief notes on morphology, bio‐ecology and present geographical distribution of P. minei are given in this paper, together with details on the occurrences in Sicily and short considerations on the pest importance and control possibilities for this insect.     

Development time and fecundity of the white peach scale,Pseudaulacaspis pentagona, in Turkey

The white peach scale (WPS),Pseudaulacaspis pentagona (Targioni-Tozzetti) (Homoptera: Diaspididae), is a worldwide polyphagous scale insect. It is widely distributed in Turkey, where it is the main pest of peach trees. The development and fecundity ofP. pentagona were examined at different temperatures and on different hosts in the laboratory; from these data, life tables were constructed and intrinsic rates of increase were calculated. The longevity of WPS decreased with a rise in temperature. At 25°C the largest number of crawlers (76.1 crawlers/female) was observed. The development time of WPS was generally longer on peach than on squash or potato; fecundity was higher on potato than on the other hosts, potato tubers and peach trees.     

First report of the Opuntia cochineal scale Dactylopius opuntiae (Hemiptera: Dactylopiidae) in Morocco

The Opuntia cochineal scale Dactylopius opuntiae (Cockerell) (Hemiptera: Dactylopiidae) causes severe damage to prickly pear (Opuntia ficus‐indica (L.) Miller). This scale insect was first detected in Morocco in 2015 during sampling in the cactus crop in the Sidi Bennour region (120 km north‐west of Marrakech). Methods for sampling, preservation and identification are described. Although this scale insect can be used for the production of the natural dye carmine, the damage it can cause is considerable. A pest risk analysis should be carried out and the ensuing management measures implemented to prevent severe economic and ecological losses.     

Biological Control of the Hibiscus Mealybug, Maconellicoccus Hirsutus Green (Hemiptera: Pseudococcidae) in the Caribbean

The hibiscus mealybug, Maconellicoccus hirsutus Green, was first reported in the Caribbean in 1994 in Grenada. This was the first record of the insect as a major pest in the New World. By the beginning of 2001, the pest had spread to over 25 territories from Guyana and Venezuela in the South to Bahamas in the North. The pest has also extended its distribution to Central America (Belize) and North America (California, USA). Early attempts to control the pest using pesticides resulted in failure and a classical biological control approach was adopted. Several exotic natural enemies were introduced but control was attributed to Anagyrus kamali Moursi and Cryptolaemus montrouzieri Mulsant. In all countries where biological control was implemented, this resulted in success. This paper reviews the remarkable success story. Information is provided on the distribution and factors leading to rapid spread of the pest, its pest status and resultant economic losses, and implementation of the biological control effort.     

Effectiveness of deltamethrin for protecting olives from attack by the beetle Phloeotribus scarabaeoides (Scolytidae)

Deltamethrin, a pyrethroid insecticide, was tested in both the laboratory and the field, with the aim of controlling the olive bark beetle, Phloeotribus scarabaeoides (Bernard), in living olive trees. In the laboratory, bark beetle adults were exposed to olive twigs treated with different concentrations of deltamethrin. Among these concentrations, dosage at 0.05% produced 100% mortality in the scolytids after 13 weeks. This dosage of deltamethrin, applied in the field, protected olive trees from scolytid attack during the whole emergence period.     

青海省枸杞林病虫害及其天敌昆虫种类调查

本文于2009-2016年调查了青海省天然枸杞林和栽培枸杞林病虫害及其天敌昆虫种类和主要病虫害发生规律。在当地枸杞林有害虫34种,病害7种,天敌昆虫32种。对栽培红果枸杞生产造成较大影响的病害有:枸杞白粉病、根腐病、干热风害和霜冻害。34种枸杞害虫隶属于节肢动物2纲7目18科,栽培红果枸杞的主要害虫有棉蚜、白枸杞瘤瘿螨、枸杞木虱、枸杞绢蛾;天然枸杞林重要病虫有枸杞绢蛾、白枸杞瘤瘿螨和枸杞白粉病。黑果枸杞主要病虫仅有2种,枸杞瘤瘿螨和枸杞白粉病。枸杞干果(黑果枸杞和红果枸杞)的重要仓储害虫是印度谷斑螟。枸杞蚜虫类的主要天敌昆虫为瓢虫类和丽草蛉,枸杞瘿螨类的主要天敌昆虫是枸杞瘿螨姬小蜂,枸杞木虱的优势天敌为莱曼氏蚁。     

应用楝科植物防治柑桔害虫试验

本文应用楝科植物(印楝、川楝、苦楝)种籽油及其抽提物对柑桔木虱及其他害虫进行一系列的忌避拒食及触杀作用试验,证明印楝油有明显的忌避及拒食作用。印楝油对柑桔潜叶蛾有良好的防效。印楝、川楝及苦楝油对柑桔红蜘蛛也有较强的触杀作用。应用楝科植物杀虫剂可兼治几种害虫,对人畜安全,不污染环境,不会引起抗药性的产生,而且对害虫天敌也比较安全。     

Insect Mobility and the Philosophy of Crop Protection with Reference to the Sudan Gezira

Abstract

Mobility results in movement of insects from their birth place (emigration) to another site (immigration). The scale, both in time and in space, on which such migration occurs may determine rates of increase or decrease in numbers in a fixed geographical area or plot. This is self evident in the case of mobile insects, such as locusts. Other documented examples include the spruce budworm in Canada and the Queensland fruit fly.

In the Sudan Gezira the distribution of the major insect pest of cotton, Heliothis armigera Hb., was found to conform to a common temporal pattern over probably some thousands of square kilometres, and other major pests, Empoasca libyca de Berg and Bemisia tabaci Gen., are considered to be similarly distributed, suggesting that their occurrence in damaging numbers may be dominated by transport and concentration by major windfields rather than by natality and mortality within a field or area. This posibility was investigated using a Pilatus Turbo-Porter aircraft fitted with Doppler Navigator equipment and an insect collecting net, and densities of flying insects monitored by a ground-based Marine-type Radar.

The results of this study will make it possible to determine the spatial extent of a threatening population and the time during which that population is present, so that control action may be taken on a commensurate scale. Such matching of scale of operations to insect mobility is of particular importance when repeated invasions occur during periods of rapid crop growth, because it enables non-persistent insecticides to be employed, thus providing potentially better utilisation of parasites and predators than can be achieved by maintaining the crop as an environment lethal to insects. These procedures, connoted ‘synoptic survey’ and ‘synchronous control’, require that the control is applied on a scale determined by pest mobility rather than by the boundaries of fields or other artificial constraints. Evidence is accumulating regarding the importance of insect mobility, in particular adaptive dispersal, in population dynamics and this may require re-assessment of farmer and government responsibilities in crop protection.