Insect inhabitants of old larval galleries of<Emphasis Type="Italic"> Saperda populnea</Emphasis> (L.) (Coleoptera: Cerambycidae) in Bulgaria

The complex of insect inhabitants of old larval galleries of Saperda populnea (L.) (Coleoptera: Cerambycidae) was studied during the period 2000–2003 in 18 localities in Bulgaria. As a result, 32 insect species were reared from old S. populnea galls: Metopoplax origani (Kolenati) (Heteroptera: Lygaeidae), Malachius sp. (Coleoptera: Malachiidae), Agrilus pratensis pratensis (Ratzeburg) (Coleoptera: Buprestidae), Xylocleptes bispinus (Duftschmidt) (Coleoptera: Scolytidae), Crossocerus cetratus (Shuckard), Crossocerus megacephalus (Rossi), Crossocerus nigritus (Lepeletier & Brullé), Crossocerus acanthophorus (Kohl), Passaloecus brevilabris Wolf, Passaloecus gracilis (Curtis), Psenulus schencki (Tournier), Solierella compedita compedita (Piccioli), Trypoxylon figulus figulus (Linnaeus), Trypoxylon fronticorne fronticorne Gussakovskij (Hymenoptera: Crabronidae), Cleptes schmidti Linsenmaiser, Trichrysis cyanea (Linnaeus) (Hymenoptera: Chrysididae), Clistopyga incitator (Fabricius), Ctenochira sanguinatoria (Ratzeburg), Liotryphon crassisetus (Thomson), Nemeritis fallax (Gravenhorst), Mesochorus georgievi Schwenke, Campoletis sp. (Hymenoptera: Ichneumonidae), Charmon extensor (Linnaeus) (Hymenoptera: Braconidae), Eupelmus urozonus Dalman (Hymenoptera: Eupelmidae), Perilampus aeneus (Rossius) (Hymenoptera: Perilampidae), Trichiocampus grandis (Lepeletier) (Hymenoptera: Tenthredinidae), Janus luteipes (Lepeletier) (Hymenoptera: Cephidae), Cydia corollana (Hübner) (Lepidoptera: Tortricidae), Fiebrigella brevibucca (Duda) (Diptera: Chloropidae), Eustolomyia hilaris (Fallén) (Diptera: Anthomyiidae), Senotaina sp. (Diptera: Sarcophagidae) and Heringia vitripennis (Meigen) (Diptera: Syrphidae). Amongst them, 27 species were established as new inhabitants of old S. populnea galls. Five species (C. schmidti, N. fallax, M. georgievi, P. aeneus and J. luteipes) were recorded for the first time in Bulgaria. The dwellers of old S. populnea galls belong to the following ecological groups: insects using galls as a place to develop (3 species); insects nidificating in empty galls (10 species); insects using old galls as a pupating place (1 species); insects using empty galls as overwintering shelters (3 species); predators and parasites of primary dwellers of empty galls (13 species); or insects with uncertain ecological status (2 species).     

Insects reared from stems and branches of goat willow (<Emphasis Type="Italic">Salix caprea</Emphasis> L.) in Bulgaria

Seven xylophagous insect species were established in stems and branches of Salix caprea L. during the period 1998–2003 in Bulgaria: Agrilus lineola lineola Redtenbacher (Coleoptera: Buprestidae), Aromia moschata (Linnaeus), Oberea oculata (Linnaeus), Saperda populnea (Linnaeus), Saperda similis Laicharting (Coleoptera: Cerambycidae), Synanthedon formicaeformis (Esper) (Lepidoptera: Sesiidae) and Rhabdophaga clavifex (Kieffer) (Diptera: Cecidomyiidae). From them, six parasitoid species were reared: Dolichomitus mesocentrus (Gravenhorst), Dolichomitus populneus (Ratzeburg) (Hymenoptera: Ichneumonidae), Stephanus serrator (Fabricius) (Hymenoptera: Stephanidae), Aprostocetus metra (Walker), Euderus caudatus (Thomson) (Hymenoptera: Eulophidae) and Billaea irrorata (Meigen) (Diptera: Tachinidae). D. populneus, E. caudatus and B. irrorata were connected with S. populnea; D. mesocentrus and S. serrator with S. similis; and A. metra with R. clavifex. Two parasitoids (A. metra and E. caudatus) had not previously been reported for the fauna of Bulgaria. The parasitoid–host relationships D. mesocentrus–S. similis and S. serrator –S. similis were established for the first time in this study.     

Spatial pattern of beech (<Emphasis Type="Italic">Fagus sylvatica</Emphasis> L.) and oak (<Emphasis Type="Italic">Quercus pubescens</Emphasis> Mill.) seedlings in natural pine (<Emphasis Type="Italic">Pinus sylvestris</Emphasis> L.) woodlands

Spatial pattern of recruitment is an important factor influencing population dynamics of plant communities. The spatial pattern is determined by seed dispersal and by the spatial variability of germination and initial survival. In the process of forest expansion following farmland abandonment, mid- and late-successional species are often dispersed in pioneer forests by birds. This could result in an aggregated spatial pattern of seeds that could influence the dynamics of these species in mixed pioneer forests. In the sub-Mediterranean area, mid- and late-successional species such as Quercus pubescens (downy oak) and Fagus sylvatica (European beech) are expected to replace pioneer Pinus species. Using a point sampling method we demonstrated that beech and oak seedlings (height <2 m) have a clumped distribution in the understorey of pine. This could result from an aggregated dispersal by jays (dispersal effect) or from preferential recruitment in particular habitats (habitat effect). To test these hypotheses we proposed a statistical analysis of spatial patterns of regeneration of beech and oak. Ground cover variables (i.e. cover by rock outcrops, herbs, box shrubs, mosses or pine) did not differ significantly around seedlings as compared with random sample plots. Likewise, clumped seedlings had growth similar to isolated seedlings, thus refuting the hypothesis of preferential location in the most favourable microsites. Aggregated dispersal seems to be involved in the process of regeneration. Since beech and oak seedlings have contrasting ecological demands, we discuss the implication of this pattern for the replacement dynamics of pine by these species.     

<Emphasis Type="Italic">Lariophagus distinguendus</Emphasis> (F.) (Hyme., Chalcidoidea,Pteromalidae), an ectoparasitoid of<Emphasis Type="Italic"> Lasioderma serricorne</Emphasis> (F.) (Col., Anobiidae), found for the first time in tobacco stores in Greece

Studying the biotope of Lasioderma serricorne (F.) in tobacco stores during 2001 and 2002, we identified the ectoparasitoid Lariophagus distinguendus (F.) which parasitises various beetle species. L. distinguendus is reported for the first time in Greece to parasitise L. serricorne in tobacco stores.     

<Emphasis Type="Italic">Bursaphelenchus mucronatus</Emphasis> (Nematoda: Aphelenchoididae) vectored by <Emphasis Type="Italic">Monochamus </Emphasis><Emphasis Type="Italic">urussovi</Emphasis> (Coleoptera: Cerambycidae) in Hokkaido,Japan

Bursaphelenchus mucronatus Mamiya et Enda has been recovered for the first time from adults of the cerambycid beetle, Monochamus urussovi (Fischer), in Hokkaido, Japan. The nematode was also recovered from the inner bark of Picea jezoensis (Siebold et Zuccarini) Carrière and Abies sachalinensis (Fr Schmidt) Masters infested with M. urussovi larvae. PCR–RFLP analysis indicated that B. mucronatus in Hokkaido is the European type.     

Parasitoids of<Emphasis Type="Italic"> Ips typographus</Emphasis> (Col., Scolytidae), their frequency and composition in uncontrolled and controlled infested spruce forest in Bavaria

In the Bavarian Forest national park, the spruce bark beetle Ips typographus (Col., Scolytidae) has caused an uncontrolled mass propagation for more than 10 years. To find out if the population of parasitoid species, which can develop in an uncontrolled natural forest, is able to restrict spruce bark beetle gradation, we investigated the parasitoid fauna, their abundance and frequency in the central part of the park (no control), in the protection area and the enlargement area of the park and in a productive forest where the spruce bark beetle is strictly controlled. In 2002 and 2003, the species Coeloides bostrichorum, Roptrocerus xylophagorum/mirus, Rhopalicus tutela, Tomicobia seitneri and Dendrosoter eupterus were identified. C. bostrichorum was the most numerous species before Roptrocerus sp. and Rh. tutela. T. seitneri and D. eupterus were not as numerous. The order of frequency differed. Roptrocerus sp. was the most frequent parasitoid wasp in both years, and Rh. tutela and even T. seitneri were more frequent than C. bostrichorum. C. bostrichorum and Rh. tutela were found to be protandrous, whereas Roptrocerus sp. males and females had different sequences of appearance in different forest types. The average percentages of parasitism increased with time of exposure and was highest in the second generation. We found astonishingly high parasitization rates at sites where attacked trees are regularly removed.     

Interactions between<Emphasis Type="Italic"> Orthotomicus erosus</Emphasis> (Woll.) (Col., Scolytidae) and the Argentine ant<Emphasis Type="Italic"> Linepithema humile</Emphasis> (Mayr) (Hym., Formicidae)

Interactions occurring between Orthotomicus erosus, an economically important pine bark beetle in Portugal, and the aggressive Argentine ant Linepithema humile were investigated. Tri-trophic experimental enclosures consisting of Pinus pinaster logs, O. erosus adults and L. humile workers were set up in the field and in the laboratory. Interactions between ants and scolytids were observed and quantified in terms of the bark beetles success in colonizing the logs. The presence of L. humile did not influence the ability of O. erosus to colonize the logs, apparently due to the difficulties met by the ants in handling the bark beetles and to their inability to injure them. Thus, although abundant in many pine stands in Portugal and in spite of its aggressiveness, L. humile does not seem to affect populations of O. erosus.     

Efficacy assessment of some<Emphasis Type="Italic"> Trichogramma</Emphasis> species (Hymenoptera: Trichogrammatidae) in controlling the potato tuber moth<Emphasis Type="Italic"> Phthorimaea operculella</Emphasis> Zell. (Lepidoptera: Gelechiidae)

Laboratory studies were conducted to assess several life-history characteristics of three Trichogramma species—T. cacoeciae, T. evanescens, and T. principium—reared on potato tuber moth eggs. The effects of host age, parasitoid age, and different temperatures on the mean number of parasitized eggs and the percentage of emerged progeny were determined. The age of both Trichogramma and host eggs significantly affected the number of eggs parasitized by the wasps, but did not affect the percentage of parasitoids emerging from parasitized eggs. No intraspecific differences for potato tuber moth eggs were found among the tested Trichogramma species. However, T. principium proved to be more effective than T. cacoeciae and T. evanescens in parasitizing host eggs at high temperatures (>33 °C). Trichogramma significantly decreased the number of potato tuber moth F₁ emerged progeny when they were released with moths in small cages either over potatoes or potato seedlings.     

<Emphasis Type="Italic">Ophiostoma</Emphasis> species associated with bark beetles infesting three <Emphasis Type="Italic">Abies</Emphasis> species in Nikko,Japan

Ophiostoma species were isolated from bark beetles and Abies mariesii, A. veitchii and A. homolepis attacked by the beetles in Nikko, Tochigi, central Honshu, Japan. One to two Ophiostoma species were frequently isolated from each species of bark beetle. Ophiostoma subalpinum was the most common associate of Cryphalus montanus. Ophiostoma sp. B as well as O. subalpinum was a common fungus associated with Polygraphus proximus. Ophiostoma europhioides was isolated from Dryocoetes hectographus and D. autographus as one of the common associates. Ophiostoma sp. J and Ophiostoma sp. S were frequently isolated from D. autographus and D. striatus, respectively. These fungi seem to have specific relationships with particular bark beetles. Ophiostoma sp. B, Ophiostoma sp. J and Ophiostoma sp. S have unique morphological characteristics and appear to be new species. Five trees of A. veitchii, approximately 43 years old, were inoculated with five Ophiostoma species to assess the relative virulence of the fungi. Ophiostoma subalpinum, Ophiostoma sp. B, and O. europhioides had relatively higher virulence than the other species studied.     

Bioremediation of CCA-treated wood by brown-rot fungi <Emphasis Type="Italic">Fomitopsis palustris</Emphasis>, <Emphasis Type="Italic">Coniophora puteana</Emphasis>, and <Emphasis Type="Italic">Laetiporus sulphureus</Emphasis>

This study evaluated oxalic acid accumulation and bioremediation of chromated copper arsenate (CCA)-treated wood by three brown-rot fungi Fomitopsis palustris, Coniophora puteana, and Laetiporus sulphureus. The fungi were first cultivated in a fermentation broth to accumulate oxalic acid. Bioremediation of CCA-treated wood was then carried out by leaching of heavy metals with oxalic acid over a 10-day fermentation period. Higher amounts of oxalic acid were produced by F. palustris and L. sulphureus compared with C. puteana. After 10-day fermentation, oxalic acid accumulation reached 4.2 g/l and 3.2 g/l for these fungi, respectively. Fomitopsis palustris and L. sulphureus exposed to CCA-treated sawdust for 10 days showed a decrease in arsenic of 100% and 85%, respectively; however, C. puteana remediation removed only 18% arsenic from CCA-treated sawdust. Likewise, chromium removal in F. palustris and L. sulphureus remediation processes was higher than those for C. puteana. This was attributed to low oxalic acid accumulation. These results suggest that F. palustris and L. sulphureus remediation processes can remove inorganic metal compounds via oxalic acid production by increasing the acidity of the substrate and increasing the solubility of the metals.An erratum to this article can be found at     

Seasonal population trends of<Emphasis Type="Italic"> Liriomyza huidobrensis</Emphasis> (Blanchard, 1926) (Diptera: Agromyzidae) on cucumber (<Emphasis Type="Italic">Cucumis sativus</Emphasis> L.) in Western Turkey

Liriomyza huidobrensis (Blanchard) (Diptera: Agromyzidae) is an important pest in cucumber greenhouses in Izmir, Western Turkey. This study was carried out during the spring and autumn seasons of 1999 and 2000 in two adjacent cucumber greenhouses, each 1,000 m² in size. Population densities of adult L. huidobrensis in insecticide-treated and non-treated greenhouses were compared by using yellow sticky traps. Ten traps were placed in the non-treated greenhouse and ten traps in the insecticide-treated greenhouse. Yellow sticky traps were changed weekly and the number of flies counted in order to compare the two greenhouses. In addition to monitoring the leaf miner population, in each greenhouse 100 plants were checked and the ratio of infested plants, the ratio of infested leaves per plant and the number of mines per leaf were recorded weekly. The population density of the leaf miner was almost the same in both insecticide-treated and non-treated greenhouses. Thus, it was concluded that using yellow sticky traps will be healthier and more cost effective than using pesticides. Furthermore using pesticides is risky for the environment and the use of yellow sticky traps can easily reduce the number of pesticide applications. If yellow sticky traps are used in the greenhouse in a completely isolated environment and the appropriate insecticide is used when it is necessary, this will provide successful and integrated management against L. huidobrensis.     

Prey consumption preferences of<Emphasis Type="Italic"> Serangium parcesetosum</Emphasis> Sicard (Col., Coccinelidae) for different prey stages,species and parasitized prey

Serangium parcesetosum Sicard (Col., Coccinellidae) is considered one of the important predators of whiteflies. However, knowledge about its preferences for different prey stages, species and parasitized prey is still lacking in the literature. The present work investigated the preferences of S. parcesetosum for different stages of B. tabaci, different prey species and B. tabaci parasitized by Encarsia formosa Gahan (Hym., Aphelinidae) by prey consumption at different temperatures in the laboratory. Results showed that L₂ and L₄ predatory instars of S. parcesetosum preferred puparia to nymphs and eggs of Bemisia tabaci (Genn.) (Hom., Aleyrodidae). The mean daily prey consumption was 5.1–9.0, 4.5–6.2 and 3.6–4.3 by L₂ and 6.4–9.7, 5.5–8.5 and 2.5–7.5 by L₄ for puparia, nymphs and eggs, respectively. Adult females, however, indicated a significantly greater preference for both puparia and nymphs, consuming a daily mean of 6.4–7.5 puparia and 5.1–6.7 nymphs, but only 3.0–4.7 eggs. At 18 and 30 °C, all S. parcesetosum stages tested significantly preferred B. tabaci and Trialeurodes vaporariorum Westwood (Hom., Aleyrodidae) over the other three prey species offered. At both temperatures, all predatory stages preferred B. tabaci to T. vaporariorum, the L₂ instar at 18 °C, showing significantly more preference for B. tabaci than T. vaporariorum. In contrast, very few individuals were consumed from Aphis gossypii Glover (Hom., Aphididae), Frankliniella occidentalis (Pergande) (Thys., Thripidae) and Tetranychus urticae Koch (Acari, Tetranychidae). At 18 °C, a daily mean of 7.5–8.0, 6.6–9.0 and 6.7–8.1 B. tabaci as well as 5.3–6.4, 5.4–7.8 and 5.6–6.3 T. vaporariorum was consumed by L_2, L₄ and adult females, respectively, while at 30 °C, L₂, L₄ and adult females consumed a mean of 9.3, 8.8–9.7 and 8.3–9.7 B. tabaci/day as well as 8.3–9.0, 7.8–9.1 and 5.5–8.4 T. vaporariorum/day, respectively. S. parcesetosum L₂ and L₄ instars as well as adult females and males at both studied temperatures showed a significant tendency to avoid B. tabaci puparia after 5 days of parasitism by E. formosa and preferred to feed on unparasitized whiteflies. At 18 °C, the mean daily consumption was 8.7 and 0.2 (L₂), 11.1 and 0.6 (L₄), 12.1 and 1.0 () as well as 10.5 and 0.2 (), while at 30 °C the means were 15.9 and 0.5 (L₂), 19.8 and 1.0 (L₄), 18.9 and 1.2 () as well as 17.4 and 0.6 () from unparasitized and parasitized B. tabaci puparia, respectively.This paper is gratefully dedicated to Prof. Dr. W Schwenke on his 83rd birthday, 22 March 2004     

The potential use of different predatory bug species in the biological control of<Emphasis Type="Italic"> Frankliniella occidentalis</Emphasis> (Pergande) (Thysanoptera: Thripidae)

In the present study, the suitability of different predatory bug species, such as Dicyphus tamaninii Wagner, Macrolophus pygmaeus (Rambur), Orius albidipennis Reuter, Orius majusculus Reuter and Orius sauteri Poppius, for the biological control of Frankliniella occidentalis (Pergande) (Thysanoptera: Thripidae), were investigated. Development of the predatory bug species, their reproduction as well as their daily and total prey consumption over a 18-day period with F. occidentalis larvae or various stages of Tetranychus urticae Koch (Acari: Tetranychidae) individuals as prey species were studied during the experiments in the laboratory. In further experiments, the efficiency of D. tamaninii, M. pygmaeus, O. albidipennis and O. majusculus in controlling F. occidentalis under glasshouse conditions was investigated. Results showed that all the predators could develop under the experimental conditions with either F. occidentalis larvae or different stages of T. urticae as prey. When F. occidentalis larvae were offered as prey, the shortest duration of development was observed for O. albidipennis with a mean of 17.7 days, while D. tamaninii took the longest to develop with a mean of 36.3 days. With different stages of T. urticae as prey, the duration of development ranged from 19.3 days in O. albidipennis to 42.9 days in M. pygmaeus. Mean daily fecundity ranged from 0.8 eggs/female for O. majusculus to 2.2 eggs/female for O. sauteri with F. occidentalis larvae as prey and from 0.6, O. majusculus, to 2.3 eggs/female/day, O. sauteri, when different stages of T. urticae were offered as prey. Over the 18-day reproduction period, O. sauteri was the most fecund predatory species, laying a mean total of 31.6 and 31.3 eggs/female with F. occidentalis and T. urticae as prey, respectively. Daily consumption from F. occidentalis larvae ranged between 5.5 individuals consumed per day by O. majusculus and 29.1, by O. sauteri. When different stages of T. urticae were offered as prey, maximal consumption was observed in D. tamaninii with a mean of 29.0 individuals/day, while O. albidipennis consumed the least with an average of 8.1 preys/day. Over the 18-day prey consumption period, D. tamaninii consumed the highest mean number of 422.8 F. occidentalis larvae, while O. majusculus only consumed 98.8 larvae. Also, D. tamaninii had the maximum consumption of different stages of T. urticae with a mean of 522.4, while M. pygmaeus and O. albidipennis consumed the least, with an average of 146.1 and 146.0, respectively. The predatory bugs D. tamaninii, M. pygmaeus, O. albidipennis and O. majusculus significantly reduced the density of F. occidentalis on hybrids of Euphorbia milii, Serissa foetida and Saintpaulia ionantha in the glasshouse, which confirms their efficiency against this pest on different hosts under controlled climatic conditions.     

Laboratory and field evaluation of <Emphasis Type="Italic">Beauveria bassiana</Emphasis> for controlling Mulberry whitefly <Emphasis Type="Italic">Pealius mori</Emphasis> Takahashi (Homoptera: Aleyrodidae) in mulberry (<Emphasis Type="Italic">Morus alba</Emphasis> Linn)

In a laboratory screening of 12 isolates of entomopathogenic fungi against nymphs of the mulberry whitefly (Pealius mori Takahashi), Beauveria bassiana (Balsamo-Crivelli) Vuillemin CKB-048 was the most virulent, causing 87 ± 3% mortality at 1 × 10⁶ conidia/ml. Infection was confirmed by growth of the fungus from cadavers and by scanning electron microscopy of treated nymphs. Beauveria bassiana CKB-048 was formulated as a wettable powder (1 × 10⁹ conidia/g) and tested in two mulberry (Morus alba Linn) plantations in central and northeastern Thailand. In both locations, two spray applications of B. bassiana CKB-048 at 3.75 × 10¹² to 6.25 × 10¹² conidia/ha and at 14 day intervals provided good control of whitefly nymphs; control with B. bassiana CKB-048 was comparable to that with the pesticide buprofezin at 250 g of active ingredient/ha. In addition, no mortality of silkworm larvae occurred when the larvae were fed with mulberry leaves sprayed with B. bassiana CKB-048 7, 14, or 21 days earlier.     

Fogging can control<Emphasis Type="Italic"> Tetranychus urticae</Emphasis> on greenhouse cucumbers

The effect of a fogging system on interactions between Tetranychus urticae and Phytoseiulus persimilis was studied in two cucumber greenhouses in northern Italy. The greenhouses were divided into two compartments, one (referred to as fog area) was humidified using a fogging system and the other was not humidified (no fog area). Four cultivars were investigated: Akito and Frontera during 2000, Dinero and Jazzer during 2001. Tetranychus urticae was released on a number of plants in both compartments. The release of P. persimilis was planned in both compartments at definite T. urticae thresholds. Phytoseiid releases failed, and the colonization by other predators was scarce.Thus, the effect of the fogging system was evaluated only on T. urticae populations. During the first experimental year, spider mite populations reached low densities in the fog area of both cultivars. Higher densities were found in the no fog area, especially in late June and early July. One year later, spider mites were more abundant in the no fog area of the Dinero cultivar. On the Jazzer cultivar, where most plants were infected by powdery mildew, spider mites were less abundant and differences between the two areas were less marked. Since relative humidity values exceeding 90% (considered as effective on T. urticae) were recorded during the night when the fogging system was not active, we suggest that contact with misty water was the main factor responsible for the reduction of T. urticae populations in the fog area.     

The abundance of <Emphasis Type="Italic">Orius niger</Emphasis> (Wolf.) and <Emphasis Type="Italic">O. minutus</Emphasis> (L.) in potato fields and their life table parameters when fed on two prey species

Two-spotted spider mite (TSSM) and onion thrips are serious pests of potatoes in the Ardabil region (Iran). In the present study, anthocorid species were identified in potato fields of this region during 2006 and 2007. The results of the abundance study indicate that Orius niger (Wolff) and O. minutus (Linnaeus) are major predators of these pests in potato fields. The life table parameters of these predators were compared when they were fed 2nd instar larvae of onion thrips or female TSSM on potato leaves. In these experiments, O. niger had a lower nymphal mortality, longer oviposition period, higher net reproductive rate (R ₀), and higher intrinsic rate of natural increase (r _m ) when fed thrips instead of mites. O. minutus feeding on mites compare to thrips had a lower nymphal mortality, longer oviposition period, higher net reproductive rate, and higher intrinsic rate of natural increase. Based on these results, it can be concluded that these predators could be useful as biological agents in potato fields.     

Successful <Emphasis Type="Italic">Agrobacterium</Emphasis>-mediated transformation of <Emphasis Type="Italic">Populus tomentosa</Emphasis> with apple <Emphasis Type="Italic">SPDS</Emphasis> gene

The problem of salinized soils has become one of the most serious constraints to agricultural and forest productivity. With the purpose of enhancing salt stress tolerance of Populus tomentosa, we transformed this tree species with spermidine synthase （SPDS） genes derived from an apple by an Agrobacterium-mediated method. Four transgenic clones were confu＇med by PCR and Southern blot analysis. As well, the expression of introduced SPDS genes was analyzed by real-time quantitative PCR.     

A study on some anatomical parameters of the piercing-sucking process in leaves and branches of<Emphasis Type="Italic"> Pittosporum tobira</Emphasis> L. (Pittosporaceae) infested by the cottony cushion scale,<Emphasis Type="Italic"> Icerya purchasi</Emphasis> Maskell (Homoptera: Coccina,Margarodidae)

Pittosporum tobira L. (Family Pittosporaceae) is an important plant species grown in parks and gardens in Turkey. The cottony cushion scale, Icerya purchasi Maskell (Homoptera: Coccina, Margarodidae), is an important pest of P. tobira, and causes damage mainly to the leaves, branches and stems of the host plant. In spite of the great economic importance of I. purchasi to its host plant P. tobira, information has been limited on some basic anatomical parameters of the nature of the damage to leaves and branches. The present study was, therefore, initiated to investigate the insertion and penetration of stylets into the leaves and branches of P. tobira, the length of stylets and depth of penetration in both of these tissues, and penetration of stylets into the cortex, xylem and phloem tissues and into the secretory and non-secretory canals of the leaves and branches. The results showed great variations between the leaves and branches in all the criteria observed in I. purchasi infesting P. tobira. The study found 20 whole and 23 broken mouthparts in the leaves as compared to 3 whole mouthparts and 1 broken in the branches. Length of the stylets inserted into the leaves ranged from 33.83 m to 540.93 m and into the branches from 202.85 m to 340.8 m. The stylets reached greater depths in the leaves, at 540.93 m, as compared to 498.67 m in the branches. The stylets in the leaves were associated with 12 secretory canals, but with none in the branches. It was found that three stylets reached xylem in the leaves as compared to one in the branches. Similarly, 17 stylets in the leaves reached to the phloem, but only 2 in the branches. No stylets were found in the cortex of the leaves, but one was found in the branches. In the leaves, 11 stylets reached and remained in the non-secretory canals, but none in the case of the branches.     

Teak (<Emphasis Type="Italic">Tectona grandis</Emphasis> L.) tree growth,stem quality and health in coppiced plantations in Java,Indonesia

Coppicing is an alternative reforestation tool for teak in the tropics, substantially reducing regeneration time/costs and associated demands for labor and seed when available. Growth rates of coppiced material are rapid in most situations, but stem/wood quality is a frequent concern. We compared coppiced teak plantations to paired seed-origin plantations, at ages 3, 8, and 13 years, on Forest State Corporation managed land located in Java, Indonesia. Teak trees were evaluated for height, diameter, lower-bole straightness, and presence of disease in both plantation types and at three ages. Mean height and diameter of trees in coppiced plantations were both significantly greater than that in their paired seed-origin plantations at all three ages. Furthermore, heights and diameters in coppiced plantations were higher than expected based on established growth tables for Java. Coppiced plantations were less symptomatic of disease than seed-origin plantations, which promises better wood production and quality. Lower-bole stems in coppiced plantations developed less straight than those in seed-origin plantations, but these deviations faded with time and will likely become insignificant within a 60-year rotation. Based on these results from existing coppiced plantations in Java, coppiced plantations can make a major contribution to teak production in Indonesia.     

Effectiveness of Neem (<Emphasis Type="Italic">Azadirachta indica</Emphasis>) insecticides against Brassica pod midge (<Emphasis Type="Italic">Dasineura brassicae</Emphasis> Winn<Emphasis Type="Italic">.</Emphasis>)

The efficiency of the botanical insecticide (BI) NeemAzal T/S (containing 1% Azadirachtin A), on the basis of azadirachtin applied in a dose of 20 g a.i. ha⁻¹ against Brassica pod midge (Dasineura brassicae), has been monitored for 4 years. The biological efficiency of BI was compared with the efficiency of some synthetic insecticides. It was ascertained that BI was very efficient in decreasing the number of damaged oilseed rape pods (ranging from 56.5 to 85.9% compared to untreated plants) and its efficiency was comparable with synthetic insecticides based on Chloronicotinyl (Thiacloprid) and Neonicotinoid (Acetamiprid). BI’s efficiency was, in some years, even significantly higher compared to pyrethroid (λ-cyhalothrin). The high biological efficiency of azadirachtin that we ascertained was significantly reflected in increasing potential crop yields. The yield increase of azadirachtin ranged between 9.3 and 19.4% compared to the control sample. Azadirachtin showed the highest yield for the whole time of experimentation, and in some years the yield increase was significantly higher compared to some synthetic agents.