Diversity of lepidopteran stemborers and their parasitoids on maize and wild host plants in the rain forest of Kisangani,DR Congo

Lepidopteran stemborers are considered as the most important insect pests of cereal crops in Sub-Saharan Africa. However, limited information exists on stemborers and their parasitoids in the rain forest of the DR Congo. In order to enhance the understanding of the pest ecology, sampling in both cultivated and wild habitats has been recommended as a bottom line to any action aiming at the design of pest management measures. Following this recommendation, a survey was carried out in the rain forest of the DR Congo on maize and wild host plants. We collected eighteen stemborer and one earborer species belonging to 5 families. Five species were found feeding on maize while 18 species fed on wild host plants. Busseola fusca was the commonest species feeding on maize which accounted for 50.1%. At least 20 parasitoids species distributed as 15 species on maize and 16 species in the wild habitats were recovered during this study. Cotesia sesamiae, Enicospilus ruscus and Sturmiopsis parasitica accounted for 99.8% of interactions within parasitoid community. Out of nineteen wild host plants encountered, Pennisetum purpureum and Vossia cuspidata were the most speciose grasses in terms of both parasitoids and stemborers. The implications of such diversity and network structure are discussed.     

寄主植物上喷药对大螟产卵选择性的影响

为明确稻田适量喷施保护性农药是否影响周边香根草对水稻螟虫的诱集效果,通过室内盆栽试验测定了在水稻和香根草上分别喷施氯虫苯甲酰胺对大螟成虫趋性及产卵选择性的影响。结果表明:在水稻上喷药后第1天,栖息在香根草上的大螟雌、雄成虫总量分别为4.2头和3.8头,显著高于水稻上雌、雄成虫的总量1.00头和0.60头;在水稻上喷药后1~3 d接入大螟,在水稻上不产卵,直到第6天才出现卵块;喷药后6 d和12 d接入大螟,在香根草上的卵粒数分别为287.2粒和309.2粒,显著高于其在水稻上的57.2粒和81.4粒,约为水稻上的5.0倍和3.8倍。在香根草上喷药后1~3 d接入大螟,成虫选择水稻居多,在香根草上的产卵量为0;喷药后6 d接入大螟,成虫对2种寄主植物的选择性无显著差异;喷药后12 d接入大螟,在香根草上的成虫数量为9.8头,约为水稻上的2.5倍,产卵量也约为水稻上的1.9倍,二者均差异显著。表明香根草喷施氯虫苯甲酰胺后其对大螟的诱集作用有一定影响,但这种影响会随着施药时间的延长而逐渐减弱。     

亚洲玉米螟幼虫对不同寄主植物的取食选择性

为深入了解亚洲玉米螟Ostrinia furnacalis(Guenée)不同龄期幼虫的取食特性,采用叶碟法对6个科的24种植物进行了测定.结果显示,亚洲玉米螟初孵幼虫选择性试验中,酸模叶蓼上幼虫百分率最高,为29.81％;菜豆上次之,为27.36％.3龄幼虫选择性试验中,菜豆上幼虫百分率最高,为28.66％;酸模叶蓼上次之,为26.21％;该虫较喜食的其它几种植物上幼虫百分率由多到少依次是葎草、向日葵和苘麻,而玉米叶片上的幼虫取食百分率最低,初孵幼虫为0,3龄幼虫为4.28％.5龄幼虫在上述6种植物茎秆或果实上取食停留的时间没有显著差异.试验说明,亚洲玉米螟幼虫保持了对原始寄主的取食特性.     

Diversity and differentiation in two populations of Gibberella circinata in South Africa

Gibberella circinata [anamorph Fusarium circinatum (=  F. subglutinans f.sp. pini )] causes pitch canker and is an important pathogen in South African pine nurseries. The initial outbreak of the pitch canker fungus was limited to a single nursery at Ngodwana in Mpumalanga Province. Subsequently, several other pine nurseries in South Africa became infected. Most of these outbreaks were relatively small except for the outbreak in the Klipkraal nursery (Mpumalanga Province). The genetic diversity, population differentiation and relative frequencies of the sexual and asexual cycles among two South African subpopulations were determined to establish whether immigration, mutation and/or recombination contributed towards population structure. The allelic diversity of the initial population (Ngodwana) was observed to be lower (0·16) than that of the more recent Klipkraal population (0·25). Approximately 4% ( G _ST = 0·04) of total gene diversity could be attributed to differences among the subpopulations. Furthermore, six new vegetative compatibility groups (VCGs) have been identified since the initial outbreak of G. circinata in South Africa 10 years ago. The relatively low allelic diversity and low level of genetic differentiation suggest restricted gene flow among subpopulations, and indicate that the pathogen has been introduced recently. However, the amount of allelic and VCG diversity suggests that multiple genotypes have been introduced into South Africa. The increases in effective population number, allelic diversity and new VCGs over the past 10 years suggest that sexual reproduction might be occurring.     

Leafminers in vegetables,ornamental plants and weeds in Indonesia: Surveys of host crops,species composition and parasitoids

Extensive surveys of vegetable, ornamental and weedy plant species were conducted in highland and lowland vegetable production areas in Indonesia with the aim of recording leafminer species present and their associated natural enemies. The most common dipterous species reared from samples was the pea leafminer, Liriomyza huidobrensis (Blanchard) (Diptera: Agromyzidae). This introduced pest was particularly serious in highland vegetables in Java, Sumatra and South Sulawesi, causing yield losses as high as 60-70%. Another alien species, the vegetable leafminer, Liriomyza sativae Blanchard, contributed to problems in lowland areas on the north coast of West Java, where cucumbers were heavily damaged. An Asian leafminer species, Chromatomyia horticola Goureau, was more common in snow peas (Pisum sp.). Intensive sampling of leafminer-infested leaves from surveyed host plants yielded 11 species of hymenopteran parasitoids: 10 eulophids (Asecodes sp., Chrysocharis sp., Cirrospilus ambiguus (Hansson and LaSalle), Closterocerus sp., Hemiptarsenus varicornis (Girault), Neochrysocharis formosa (Westwood), Neochrysocharis sp., Pnigalio sp., Quadrastichus sp., Zagrammosoma sp.) and 1 eucoilid (Gronotoma sp.). The most abundant parasitoid species was H. varicornis. Levels of parasitism varied among crops and growing seasons, but were usually low, especially on potato (< 3%). Surveys revealed that most farmers (63%) attempted to control leafminers by applying insecticides twice weekly although these applications were neither effective nor economical according to responses of about 72% of the farmers. An integrated pest management approach is suggested that emphasizes IPM training for vegetable farmers and includes reductionor elimination of broad spectrum chemicals that would adversely affect parasitoids that may already be present as well as those that may be introduced. The initiation of a classical biological control programme is recommended to enhance the limited parasitoid complex present in Indonesia and increase levels of biological control.     

Ceratocystis species infecting stem wounds on Eucalyptus grandis in South Africa

Reports of Ceratocystis spp. causing disease of exotic plantation hardwood species have increased in recent years. Ceratocystis fimbriata causes wilt and canker on Eucalyptus spp. in Africa and South America, and C. albofundus results in wilt and death of Acacia mearnsii in Africa. Ceratocystis spp. generally infect wounds on trees, and artificial stem wounding can thus be used to determine the presence of these fungi. The aim of this study was to identify Ceratocystis spp. infecting wounds on Eucalyptus grandis in South Africa. Isolated Ceratocystis spp. were identified using morphological characteristics and comparisons of DNA sequence data for the ITS and 5·8S regions of the rRNA operon. Pathogenicity trials were conducted in the greenhouse to determine the possible role that these Ceratocystis spp. could have in disease development. These trials were also conducted under field conditions. Three Ceratocystis spp. were collected: C. fimbriata , C. moniliformis and C. pirilliformis . This is the first report of C. fimbriata and C. pirilliformis from Eucalyptus spp. in South Africa, and the first report of the latter fungus outside Australia. Both C. fimbriata and C. pirilliformis caused significant lesions on inoculated E. grandis trees. This is the first evidence that C. pirilliformis is a pathogen of Eucalyptus spp. From the results of both greenhouse and field trials, it has the potential to cause serious disease problems in Eucalyptus plantations.     

Serological detection of plant viruses in their aphid vectors and host plants in Tunisia

DAS-ELISA was used to study the presence of viruses in four aphid species ( Aphis gossypii , Aphis craccivora , Myzus persicae and Macrosiphum euphorbiae ) and in their host plants potato, capsicum and tomato. Samples were collected in different regions in Tunisia: north, Cap Bon, Sahel, centre and south. A. gossypii and M. persicae carried all the viruses detected: Cucumber mosaic cucumovirus , Tomato aspermy cucumovirus , Tobacco etch potyvirus , Potato Y potyvirus , Alfalfa mosaic alfamovirus and Potato leafroll polerovirus . These two aphids were also those that occurred most frequently on the crops concerned.     

Gene and Genotypic Diversity of Phytophthora cinnamomi in South Africa and Australia Revealed by DNA Polymorphisms

Phytophthora cinnamomi isolates from South Africa and Australia were compared to assess genetic differentiation between the two populations. These two populations were analysed for levels of phenotypic diversity using random amplified polymorphic DNAs (RAPDs) and gene and genotypic diversity using restriction fragment length polymorphisms (RFLPs). Sixteen RAPD markers from four decanucleotide Operon primers and 34 RFLP alleles from 15 putative loci were used. A few isolates from Papua New Guinea known to posses alleles different from Australian isolates were also included for comparative purposes. South African and Australian P. cinnamomi populations were almost identical with an extremely low level of genetic distance between them (D_m=0.003). Common features for the two populations include shared alleles, low levels of phenotypic/genotypic diversity, high clonality, and low observed and expected levels of heterozygosity. Furthermore, relatively high levels of genetic differentiation between mating type populations (D_m South Africa=0.020 and D_m Australia=0.025 respectively), negative fixation indices, and significant deviations from Hardy–Weinberg equilibrium, all provided evidence for the lack of frequent sexual reproduction in both populations. The data strongly suggest that both the South African and Australian P. cinnamomi populations are introduced.     

Pectinolytic bacteria associated with potato soft rot and blackleg in South Africa and Zimbabwe

Soft rot and blackleg can cause severe economic losses in potato production in South Africa and Zimbabwe depending on climatic conditions. The aim of the study was to identify the predominant bacteria causing potato soft rot and blackleg in these countries. Samples, comprising of stems and tubers from potato plants with blackleg and soft rot symptoms were collected from 2006?C2009 from potato production areas where disease outbreaks occurred. The isolates from these plants and tubers yielded Gram negative, pectinolytic bacteria on crystal violet pectate and inoculated tubers. Identification was based on biochemical and phenotypic characteristics, rep-PCR, Amplified Fragment Length Polymorphisms and sequences of gyrB and recA genes. Isolates from Zimbabwe were identified as Pectobacterium carotovorum subsp. brasiliensis (Pcb) (21 isolates), Dickeya dadantii subsp. dadantii (Dd) (20 isolates), P. c. subsp. carotovorum (Pcc) (16 isolates) and P. atrosepticum (Pa) (4 isolates). Pcb, Pcc and Dd subsp. dadantii were isolated from samples collected from all the regions, while Pa was isolated from Nyanga the coolest region in Zimbabwe. In South Africa, however, Pcb was the most common causal agent of soft rot and blackleg. P. atrosepticum was the only pathogen isolated from samples collected in Nyanga, Zimbabwe, and was not isolated from any South African samples. AFLP analysis separated the Pcb strains into 12 clusters, reflecting subdivision in terms of geographic origin, and Pcc isolates were clearly differentiated from Pcb isolates. A large degree of DNA polymorphism was evident among these 12 clusters. The study identified all the pathogens associated with the blackleg/soft rot disease complex.     

Significant host jump of Xanthomonas vasicola from sugarcane to a Eucalyptus grandis clone in South Africa

A number of bacterial pathogens have previously been shown to cause blight and die‐back of Eucalyptus species. These include Pantoea ananatis, Pseudomonas cichorii, Xanthomonas axonopodis and Xanthomonas dyei pv. eucalypti. In 2003 a newly established compartment of a Eucalyptus grandis clone in the Mtunzini area of South Africa showed extensive leaf blight and die‐back. The plantation was located in an area where sugarcane is extensively cultivated. Bacteria were commonly found exuding from leaves and petioles. Numerous insects in the family Miridae were observed in the plantation and collected. Isolations from diseased material and mirid insects yielded two distinct bacterial species. The objectives of this study were to identify these bacterial species and determine their aetiology. Phenotypic methods as well as 16S rRNA and gyrB sequencing were performed on all isolates, confirming the presence of P. ananatis and Xanthomonas vasicola, of which the pathovar vasculorum (Xvv) is known to infect sugarcane and maize. Xanthomonas vasicola isolates from E. grandis and a strain of Xvv, previously isolated from sugarcane, were inoculated into the susceptible Eucalyptus clone and three sugarcane cultivars. All isolates were found to be pathogenic. This study thus suggests that X. vasicola has made a significant host jump from sugarcane to eucalypts in South Africa.     

Index of plant diseases and associated organisms of Mozambique

Abstract

The phytopathogenic fungi and bacteria of Mozambique and their hosts are listed. Diseases of important crops are tabulated giving their common English and Portuguese names, causal agents and economic importance. A selected bibliography is included.     

山西烟粉虱寄主植物及其被害程度调查

连续3年对山西省烟粉虱的寄主植物进行调查、鉴定,并根据寄主植物上烟粉虱的种群数量将其危害程度划分为4个等级。调查结果:山西省现有烟粉虱寄主植物27科103种(变种),其中葫芦科、十字花科、茄科和豆科等被害较为严重。全省以晋南地区受害最重,寄主种类较多。     

Botryosphaeriaceae occurring on native Syzygium cordatum in South Africa and their potential threat to Eucalyptus

Eight species of the Botryosphaeriaceae (canker and dieback pathogens) were identified on native Syzygium cordatum in South Africa, based on anamorph morphology, ITS rDNA sequence data and PCR-RFLP analysis. The species identified were Neofusicoccum parvum, N. ribis, N. luteum, N. australe, N. mangiferae , Botryosphaeria dothidea, Lasiodiplodia gonubiensis and L. theobromae . Their pathogenicity on S. cordatum seedlings and a Eucalyptus grandis  ×  camaldulensis clone was determined in glasshouse inoculation trials. Isolates of all identified species, except one of N. mangiferae , were more pathogenic on the Eucalyptus clone than on S. cordatum . Some of the species that cross-infected these hosts, such as N. ribis, N. parvum and L. theobromae , were amongst the most pathogenic on the Eucalyptus clone, while B. dothidea and L. gonubiensis were the least pathogenic. Results of this study illustrate that species of the Botryosphaeriaceae from native hosts could pose a threat to introduced Eucalyptus spp., and vice versa .     

2003年灵川县晚稻稻瘿蚊、二化螟大发生

灵川县水稻病虫观察区位于灵川县灵川镇石子岭村 ,地理位置为北纬 2 5°2 5′,东经 1 1 0°1 9′,海拔1 68.2 m,地域较平坦 ,水田面积约 30 hm2 ,旱地面积 1 7.67hm2 ,为早稻—中稻—晚稻混栽区 ,在其周围为 66.67hm2 左右的连片水稻种植区域。石子岭村2 0 0 3年早稻种植面积为 1 6.93hm2 ,占全年水稻种植面积的 40 .3% ,中稻面积为 1 2 .33hm2 ,占 2 9.3% ,晚稻面积为 1 2 .8hm2 ,占 30 .4% ,中稻种植面积占的比例较大。1　发生为害情况　　 2 0 0 3年晚稻期间 ,石子岭村稻瘿蚊及二化螟发生普遍而严重。 9月中旬调查晚稻稻瘿蚊发生为害情况…