First evidence of deuterotokous parthenogenesis in the tomato leafminer, Tuta absoluta (Meyrick) (Lepidoptera: Gelechiidae)

The tomato leafminer, Tuta absoluta (Lepidoptera: Gelechiidae), originates from South America and is now considered to be one of the most damaging invasive pests of tomatoes in the Mediterranean Basin countries of Europe and North Africa. The preventing pest mating control methods include: (1) the use of synthetic pheromones for male attraction and annihilation inside insecticide-containing traps; (2) mating disruption by saturating the atmosphere with sex pheromones which alter the ability of males to locate females; and (3) massive applications of sterile males to alter the overall reproductive success of the pest population. However, all these methods achieve only a poor success rate in controlling T. absoluta populations under greenhouse conditions. Sex pheromone management and sterile insect techniques are both based on an important biological trait: the insect must breed through sexual reproduction. Here, we report for the first time laboratory evidence of deuterotokous parthenogenesis, an asexual reproduction where both males and females are produced from unfertilized eggs. We discuss the consequences for T. absoluta control strategies.     

杨背麦蛾(鳞翅目:麦蛾科)触角感器的超微结构

【目的】了解杨背麦蛾成虫触角感器的类型、数量、分布和超微形态。【方法】利用扫描电镜技术观察杨背麦蛾雌、雄蛾的触角感器。【结果】杨背麦蛾触角感器绝大部分位于触角鞭节的腹面和侧面,少部分位于柄节和梗节。基于感器外部形态可分为8种类型:Bhm氏鬃毛(BBⅠ型和BBⅡ2种亚型)、毛形感器、锥形感器(SBⅠ和SBⅡ2种亚型)、刺形感器、腔锥形感器、耳形感器、鳞形感器和栓锥形感器。其中毛形、锥形和耳形感器表皮具多孔,属于嗅觉感器。雌、雄蛾触角感器形态和分布无明显差异。但雄蛾触角与雌蛾相比,亚鞭节多1~4节;毛形和锥形SBⅡ感器明显长于雌蛾;刺形和腔锥形感器基部直径雄蛾明显长于雌蛾;毛形、锥形、刺形、腔锥形和鳞形感器总数均明显多于雌蛾。【结论】杨背麦蛾触角感器种类丰富,多数具有嗅觉功能,雌、雄蛾触角感器在数量和特征上有明显的性二型现象。     

Thermal biology of Tuta absoluta: demographic parameters and facultative diapause

Journal of Pest Science - The South American tomato pinworm, Tuta absoluta, (SATP) is now a devastating pest worldwide of crops in the family Solanaceae. Most prior studies of SATP’s thermal...     

Studies on the parasitoids of Gelechia senticetella (Stgr.) (Lepidoptera: Gelechiidae) in Bulgaria

The parasitoids of Gelechia senticetella (Stgr.) (Lepid.: Gelechiidae), a pest of Juniperus excelsa M.?B., were studied in the “Tissata” reserve in Bulgaria. They were reared in laboratory conditions from pest larvae and pupae collected in 1991, 1992 and 2000. As a result of this study, 16 species of parasitoids of G. senticetella were recorded: Habrobracon stabilis Wesm., Hormius moniliatus (Nees), Phanerotoma tritoma Marsh. (Hym.: Braconidae), Diadegma consumptor (Grav.), Liotryphon cydiae (Perk.), Scambus pomorum (Ratz.), Scambus foliae (Cush.), Pimpla turionellae (L.), Eudelus simillimus (Tasch.), Mesochorus sp. (Hym.: Ichneumonidae), Sympiesis acalle Walk., Aprostocetus sp. (Hym.: Eulophidae), Eupelmus urozonus Dalm. (Hym.: Eupelmidae), Copidosoma thompsoni Merc. (Hym.: Encyrtidae), Calliprymna bisetosa Grah., and Mesopolobus sp. (Hym.: Pteromalidae). H. stabilis and P. tritoma were discovered as new species for the fauna of Bulgaria. Three species (E. simillimus, Mesochorus sp. and Aprostocetus sp.) are hyperparasitoids, and the remaining species are primary parasitoids. Most of the parasitoid species attack the larvae of G. senticetella and kill the hosts before pupation. In the studied parasitoid complex, D. consumptor and H. moniliatus were the dominant species. In 1991, the level of total parasitism of the host in the “Tissata” reserve was 24.3?%, in 1992 – 57.9?% and in 2000 – 12.7?%. D. consumptor was the most important parasitoid destroying 26.6?% of the pest larvae in 1992.     

Effect of cotton cultivars on the oviposition preference of pink bollworm (Lepidoptera: Gelechiidae)

The effect of four cotton cultivars on the oviposition behavior of the pink bollworm Pectinophora gossypiella (Saunders) was studied under laboratory and semi-field conditions. Young plants and bolls from four commercial upland cotton cultivars (Lachata, Macnair-220, Midas and Sandra) cultivated in the area of Thessaloniki were used. The four cultivars had palmate leaves, and nectaries on both leaves and bolls. Differences were observed in the trichome density and the length of leaf petiole among the cultivars. The typical shape of bolls was either round or ovate. Differences were observed among the cultivars tested in boll size and bract’s length. In a series of experiments we recorded the number of eggs oviposited in no-, two-, three-, and four-choice tests using either young plants or bolls. Although the four cotton cultivars exhibited a variation in morphological characteristics, the mean number of eggs oviposited on young plants and bolls did not differ among them in two-, three-, and four-choice experiments. Substantially higher number of eggs were oviposited on either young plants or bolls of Midas in no-choice experiments. Eggs were oviposited mainly on newly developed unfolded leaves of the young plants and under the calyx of the bolls. In a semi-field experiment, we found a clear oviposition preference for bolls compared with plant terminals in all the cultivars tested. Females oviposited similar number of eggs in the four cultivars. We discuss the effect of morphological characteristics of cotton cultivars on the oviposition behavior of pink bollworm.     

Correction to: Thermal biology of Tuta absoluta: demographic parameters and facultative diapause

Journal of Pest Science - Formula, Equation 2 and the table 3 are published incorrectly in the original publication of the article. The correct version of the article is given below     

Effect of thiacloprid against the potato tuber moth Phthorimaea operculella Zeller (Lepidoptera: Gelechiidae)

The effect of the chloronicotinyl insecticide (thiacloprid 480 SC) was evaluated to determine its potential in controlling the potato tuber moth, Phthorimaea operculella. Application of thiacloprid at various concentrations (0.1–0.4 ml/l) on different age groups of eggs (1–4.5 day-old) had no effect on egg hatchability. However, slight embryocidal effect was noted in all egg age groups exposed to 0.4 ml/l concentration. Egg incubation period was increased (20%) when 4–4.5 day-old eggs were treated with thiacloprid at a rate of 0.4 ml/l compared with the untreated control. Thiacloprid was effective in reducing larval survival on potato seedlings or adults emergence from potatoes, exhibiting activity for at least 14 days after application. When already infected potato seedlings or tubers were treated with thiacloprid at a rate of 0.4 ml/l, adult emergence was decreased. Larvae that hatched from thiacloprid-treated eggs and fed, untreated tubers, encountered some difficulties in surviving and emerging as adults. Our data suggest that potato plants or tubers treated with thiacloprid at a commonly used rate (0.4 ml/l) should be well protected from the possibility of infestations by the potato tuber moth. Publication of this article was held up owing to technical problems. The publisher apologizes sincerely for this lengthy delay.     

Die amerikanische Fichtennadel-MiniermotteColeotechnites picaeella (Kearfott) jetzt auch in Österreich nachgewiesen (Lepidoptera,Gelechiidae)

The species was found in Lower Austria, causing injury on about fifty trees ofPicea pungens. The introduced pest seems to be as important as in its native area of distribution, harmful especially to ornamental trees.     

Host resistance and influence of tuber surface on larval performance of potato tuberworm (Lepidoptera: Gelechiidae)

Potato tuberworm (PTW), Phthorimaea operculella (Zeller) (Lepidoptera: Gelechiidae), is one of the most important pests of potatoes in tropic and subtropic regions. Previous studies suggested that tuber periderm may limit larval penetration and establishment of PTW. Short term influence of parental host plant acclimatization, influence of tuber dormancy and influence of tuber periderm (the outer cork layer of tubers) on aspects of PTW biology were investigated on tubers of a susceptible commercial potato cultivar, cv. Allegany (Solanum tuberosum L.), and a resistant hybrid potato clone, Q174-2 (S. tuberosum × S. berthaultii Hawkes). Short-term parental host plant acclimatization did not affect numbers of PTW larvae on resistant and susceptible tubers. Numbers of larvae produced on tubers of Q174-2, and Allegany, were similar although larval weight was less on Q174-2 than on Allegany. Larval production increased with tuber age on both susceptible and resistant potato clones, suggesting that bud sprouts may enhance fitness by providing food and shelter for first instars prior to tuber entry. Removal of tuber periderm led to a significant increase in larval survival on Allegany and Q174-2, although proportional survival on Allegany and Q174-2 was similar to that on intact tubers, suggesting the involvement of internal rather than external periderm factors in tuber resistance of Q174-2. Weights of larvae reared on Q174-2 were consistently less than those of larvae reared on susceptible potato tubers in both intact and peeled tuber assays. Although the expression of periderm-mediated tuber resistance declines with tuber age, such resistance could significantly reduce preharvest field infestations by PTW and constitute an important component of sustainable PTW management, particularly for fresh market crops and for those potato crops stored for several months or less in the absence of refrigeration.     

Integrated pest management of Tuta absoluta: practical implementations across different world regions

Journal of Pest Science - The South American tomato pinworm, Tuta absoluta (Meyrick) (Lepidoptera: Gelechiidae), has invaded most Afro-Eurasian countries and is threatening worldwide tomato...     

Mating disruption of the pink bollworm<Emphasis Type="Italic"> Pectinophora gossypiella</Emphasis> (Saund.) (Lepidoptera: Gelechiidae) using gossyplure PB-rope dispensers in cotton fields

The effects of mating disruption on population densities and percentage of damage of the pink bollworm Pectinophora gossypiella (Saunders) were investigated in a cotton field in central Greece, in 1992 and 1993. A 10-ha field was divided in two parts of 5 ha each. PB-rope dispensers were installed in mid-season in one part, whereas the other was used as a control field. Catches of pink bollworm moths in pheromone-baited traps and damage caused were recorded in both the treated and control fields. Results showed that moth catches were highly reduced in the treated field and, therefore, mid-season installation of dispensers was successful. Damage (%) was significantly less in the treated compared with the control field. Consequently, the field size of 5 ha seems to be adequate for the effective implementation of mating disruption.     

Comparison of insecticide resistance in a North American field population and a laboratory colony of potato tuberworm (Lepidoptera: Gelechiidae)

Potato tuberworm, Phthorimaea operculella Zeller, has become a serious threat to potato production in the Columbia Basin region of Oregon and Washington and in 2005 was found in Idaho. Despite intensive insecticide application, severe defoliation has occurred in recent years indicating insensitivity of potato tuberworms (PTW) to insecticides. In this study, dose responses of potato tuberworms from a Columbia Basin field population (CBFP) and a laboratory colony from Colorado (COLC) to three commonly used field crop insecticides (esfenvalerate, methamidophos and fipronil) were tested. The COLC was included in this study as a standard susceptible colony but despite being reared in isolation for >30 years, it was resistant to field-labeled rates of all three insecticides used in this study. The CBFP was also resistant to esfenvalerate and fipronil at field rates but was relatively susceptible (40% mortality) to methamidophos. At 10× field rate of fipronil, COLC was very susceptible (>90% mortality) but CBFP was not significantly affected. CBFP was also more resistant to esfenvalerate than COLC. None of the COLC survived a 500× field rate of esfenvalerate; the same dose killed only 10% of the CBFP. Although further tests are required to more broadly assess the levels and types of insecticide resistance in these populations, our findings indicated that the laboratory colony was susceptible to fipronil at dosages somewhat greater than labeled field rates and that the field population was susceptible to methamidophos. Although COLC was moderately insensitive to esfenvalerate and methamidophos, this laboratory colony was still more broadly susceptible to field rates than the CBFP.     

Biological invasion of European tomato crops by Tuta absoluta: ecology, geographic expansion and prospects for biological control

The tomato leafminer Tuta absoluta (Meyrick) (Lepidoptera: Gelechiidae) is a devastating pest of tomato originating from South America. After its initial detection in eastern Spain in 2006, it rapidly invaded various other European countries and spread throughout the Mediterranean basin. If no control measures are taken, then the pest can cause up to 80–100% yield losses in tomato crops in recently invaded areas and may pose a threat to both greenhouse and open-field tomato production. The exceptional speed and extent of T. absoluta invasion have called for studies documenting its biology and ecology, while indicating an urgent need for efficient and sustainable management methods. The development of approaches to manage T. absoluta would be facilitated through a detailed revision of information on this pest in its area of origin. This review combines information on the invasion by T. absoluta, its ecology, and potential management strategies, including data that may help the implementation of efficient biological control programs. These programs, together with a variety of other management tactics, may allow efficient integrated pest management of T. absoluta in Europe and Mediterranean Basin countries.     

Sex chromatin body as a marker of radiation-induced sex chromosome aberrations in the potato tuber moth, Phthorimaea operculella (Lepidoptera: Gelechiidae)

Genetic sexing technique based on the construction of a balanced lethal strain (BLS) has been proposed for Phthorimaea operculella (Zeller). The isolation of female with T(W;Z) translocation is a fundamental step to develop such a strain. Gamma irradiation was used to induce the requested translocations. The availability of sex-linked morphological marker is required to facilitate the detection of such mutations. Since a visible sex-linked marker has not been found in P. operculella, the main objective of our study was therefore to determine the possibility of using sex heterochromatin body as a marker to identify the required translocated females. The appearance of sex heterochromatin body and the analysis of sex chromosomes in F₁ females of irradiated P. operculella females were investigated. The percentage of abnormality in sex heterochromatin body in highly polyploid Malpighian tubule nuclei was positively correlated with the applied dose. Based on the appearance of this body, three mutant lines were isolated: elongated, small and fragmented lines. W chromosome was easily distinguished from Z chromosome when the analysis of pachytene sex chromosome bivalents of P. operculella females was carried out. The aberrations involved in W chromosome directly influenced the appearance of sex heterochromatin body in highly polyploid somatic cells of the isolated mutant lines. The results showed that sex heterochromatin could be used as sex determination and cytogenetic marker in P. operculella.     

桐花树毛颚小卷蛾雌成虫内生殖系统研究

通过解剖雌成虫,观察并描述了桐花树毛颚小卷蛾雌成虫内生殖系统结构。结果表明:内生殖系统主要由卵巢、侧输卵管、中输卵管、交配囊、受精囊组成。解剖溶液选择去离子水较好。     

Endosymbiont load,personality and reproductive output of maize weevils (Sitophilus zeamais)

Journal of Pest Science - Endosymbiotic association is frequent in insects, and endosymbionts influence a range of biological processes in these organisms. The endosymbiont–insect association...     

芫花活性物质对昆虫取食和生长的影响

室内生测表明不同浓度芫花乙醇粗提物（YAE）处理叶饲养卫矛尽Hu24h后，导致试虫食量减少，体重下降，且浓度与效果呈正相关，如10％芫花处理组食叶量比CK减少53.78％（重量计），虫重比原来下降14.81%，而K体重增加19.51%。β－谷甾醇对试虫食叶量影响虽不明显，但1.0%,0.5%,0.1%处理仍可使虫体显著下降。YAE的拒食中浓度为2.76％β－谷甾醇为0.34%。YAE及β－谷甾醇 对4龄斜纹夜蛾的抑制取食及生长的作用均不及卫矛尺Hu显著。