First record of ambrosia beetle (Euplatypus parallelus) infestation on cashew from Goa, India

The occurrence of ambrosia beetle Euplatypus parallelus (Fabricius) (Coleoptera: Curculioninae: Platypodinae) infestation on cashew (Anacardium occidentale L.) is reported for the first time from Goa, India. Most of the infested trees were either previously attacked by cashew stem and root borer Plocaederus ferrugineus (Coleoptera: Cerambycidae) or were pruned trees. The visible symptoms of attack include appearance of numerous round bore holes on the tree trunk and branches, and extrusion of fibrous dust frass on the tree trunk and in loose piles at the base of the tree. Large numbers of larvae, pupae and adults were observed in the galleries of the affected trees. Adult beetles measure 4.0–4.3 mm in length and are brown in color, having long and slender bodies with yellow hairs. They have a characteristic feature of absence of pores on the pronotum. Male and female insects were identified based on the elytral declivity.     

Olfactory and visual responses of the longlegged chafer Hoplia spectabilis Medvedev (Coleoptera: Scarabaeidae) in Qinghai Province, China

BACKGROUND: Monitoring traps and control methods are needed for the long‐legged chafer, Hoplia spectabilis Medvedev, which has recently reached outbreak numbers in pastureland of Qinghai Province, China. RESULTS: Field trapping experiments, using cross‐pane funnel (barrier) traps, showed that H. spectabilis adults were not significantly attracted to branches of the host plant Dasiphora fructicosa (L.) Rydb. However, beetles were slightly attracted to similar host plant branches infested by conspecific beetles, possibly owing to weakly attractive volatiles, primarily (Z)‐3‐hexenyl acetate, released from beetle‐damaged host leaves. This compound was weakly attractive when released from traps. However, H. spectabilis beetles showed strong visual responses to yellow‐ or white‐painted trap panes, with weaker responses to blue, red or green panes, and least response to black panes. Black traps at 0.2–1.5 m above ground intercepted significantly more beetles than traps at 2.5 m. The mean flight height based on trap catches was 0.88 m (SD = 0.76), yielding an effective flight layer of 1.9 m. Flight response of beetles to colored barrier traps occurred between 10:00 and 18:00, and peaked between 12:00‐14:00, when daily temperatures reached their maximum. CONCLUSION: Unbaited yellow or white cross‐pane funnel traps are recommended for both monitoring and mass‐trapping programs against this economically and ecologically important scarab beetle. Copyright © 2010 Society of Chemical Industry     

The leaf beetle, Tricliona nr nigra Jacoby (Coleoptera: Chrysomelidae), a new pest damaging pomegranate, Punica granatum

This is the first report on occurence of the leaf beetle, Tricliona nr nigra (Coleoptera: Chrysomelidae) from India infesting pomegranate, Punica granatum L. Preliminary observations on general biological aspects and feeding damage of T. nr nigra have been conducted. The beetles occurred in large numbers and the nature of damage was mainly through surface scraping.     

Target-site resistance to pyrethroids in European populations of pollen beetle, Meligethes aeneus F.

Pollen beetle, Meligethes aeneus F. (Coleoptera: Nitidulidae) is a major univoltine pest of oilseed rape in many European countries. Winter oilseed rape is cultivated on several million hectares in Europe and the continuous use of pyrethroid insecticides to control pollen beetle populations has resulted in high selection pressure and subsequent development of resistance. Resistance to pyrethroid insecticides in this pest is now widespread and the levels of resistance are often sufficient to result in field control failures at recommended application rates. Recently, metabolic resistance mediated by cytochrome P450 monooxygenases was implicated in the resistance of several pollen beetle populations from different European regions. Here, we have also investigated the possible occurrence of a target-site mechanism caused by modification of the pollen beetle para-type voltage-gated sodium channel gene. We detected a single nucleotide change that results in an amino acid substitution (L1014F) within the domain IIS6 region of the channel protein. The L1014F mutation, often termed kdr, has been found in several other insect pests and is known to confer moderate levels of resistance to pyrethroids. We developed a pyrosequencing-based diagnostic assay that can detect the L1014F mutation in individual beetles and tested more than 350 populations collected between 2006 and 2010 in 13 European countries. In the majority of populations tested the mutation was absent, and only samples from two countries, Denmark and Sweden, contained pollen beetles heterozygous or homozygous for the L1014F mutation. The mutation was first detected in a sample from Denmark collected in 2007 after reports of field failure using tau-fluvalinate, and has since been detected in 7 out of 11 samples from Denmark and 25 of 33 samples from Sweden. No super-kdr mutations (e.g. M918T) known to cause resistance to pyrethroids were detected. The implications of these results for resistance management strategies of pollen beetle populations in oilseed rape crops are discussed.     

黄胸蓟马对香蕉的危害及其防治

１９９６～１９９７年在香蕉花期调查结果表明,黄胸蓟马在广州地区香蕉园中普遍存在,香蕉花感虫率达１００％,平均每花苞感虫８２．８头。感虫数与花苞着生高度有关,以高度１２０～１４０ｃｍ的花苞感虫数最高,以后随高度的增加剧减。黄胸蓟马只危害稍开和已开的第１至第４苞片内花段,且虫口数由外向里递减。园中杂草有助于蓟马对香蕉花的危害,平均每花苞虫口数多杂草蕉园比管理精细的无杂草园多３．６倍。室内药效试验结果表明,毒死蜱、乐果、丁基克百威和灭多威对黄胸蓟马有很好的毒杀效果,氯氰菊酯和顺式氯氰菊酯效果不理想。     

Results of an artificial feeding of eggs of Taenia saginata Goeze, 1782 to various beetle species

We confirmed in experiments with four beetle species--Carabus granulatus L., Pterostichus vulgaris (L.), Aphodius fimetarius (L.) and A. luridus (L.)--that these can carry and disseminate eggs of Taenia saginata. The eggs pass the digestive tract of these beetle species. Difficulties in entering the digestive tube proper have been explained by the presence of filtrating and triturating organs in the mouth parts of the beetles.     

First report on the flower-rot of Crossandra infundibuliformis, a commercial flower crop in India

Crossandra infundibuliformis (L.) Nees is an important commercial plant in many cities in India, which is useful for bouquets, garlands, and decorations. The crop is affected by a new flower rot caused by Fusarium pallidoroseum (Cooke) Sacc. Severely infected plants had purplish leaves, decayed flowers and shortened internodes and were colonized by the cottony colonies of the fungus. The fungus was isolated and caused the same symptoms on plants after inoculation.     

Plant–herbivore asynchrony necessitates augmentative releases of the exotic beetle,Zygogramma bicolorata,to enhance the biological control of P arthenium hysterophorus

Systematic information on the quantitative impact of Z ygogramma bicolorata on the biology of P arthenium hysterophorus is crucial as the seeds of this weed continue to germinate from the accumulated soil seed bank throughout the year in the form of different germinating flushes, while the activity of the beetle ceases during winter as it enters diapause. Therefore, plant–herbivore interactions need to be explored to develop predictions of the overall impact of the introduced beetle on the weed. The findings revealed that defoliation by Z . bicolorata had a significant impact on the plant height, density and flower production in flushes F ₃, F ₄ and F ₅, but not in F ₁ and F ₂ that exhibited longer periodicity, profuse branching, a longer flowering period and maximum flower production and contributed mostly to the existing seed soil bank. Therefore, total depletion of the existing soil seed bank was not possible. Consequently, the effect of augmentative field releases of laboratory‐reared beetles was explored on F ₁ and F ₂ in February for three consecutive years (2011–2013). Before initiating the trial, random soil samples were taken from the plots that were assigned to the paired treatments (i.e. with the beetle and without the beetle [insecticide‐treated]) and it was found that the seed bank in those samples did not differ. The single release of Z . bicolorata adults at five per plant at the six‐leaf stage significantly reduced the soil seed bank, compared to without the biocontrol agent, irrespective of the flushes at the end of the season.     

First report of sclerotinia rot of mango caused by <Emphasis Type="Italic">Sclerotinia sclerotiorum</Emphasis> in Japan

A panicle blight with sclerotia was found on mango (Mangifera indica L.) in Okinawa Prefecture, Japan, in March 2016. Water-soaked lesions with white mycelia developed on panicles in the flowering stage; softening and decay of panicles was followed by formation of sclerotia. The fungus isolated from these sclerotia was identified as Sclerotinia sclerotiorum based on morphology and analysis of rDNA-ITS sequences. The isolate reproduced the symptoms on mango panicles in an inoculation test and was reisolated from flower stalks. This is the first report of sclerotinia rot (kinkaku-byo in Japanese) on mango caused by S. sclerotiorum in Japan.     

High incidence of seed transmission of Papaya ringspot virus and Watermelon mosaic virus, two viruses newly identified in Robinia pseudoacacia

Black locust (Robinia pseudoacacia L.) is an ornamental legume tree susceptible to several viruses. Virus diseases of black locust often go unrecognized making infected trees a prime inoculum source, not only for legumes, but also other plant species. In this communication we report, for the first time, two viruses, Papaya ringspot virus and Watermelon mosaic virus, associated with disease in black locust. Isolates of both viruses were partially characterized and seed transmission was examined. The high percentage of seed transmission suggests that this may be an important avenue for virus dissemination.     

Invasion of rugose spiraling whitefly, <Emphasis Type="Italic">Aleurodicus rugioperculatus</Emphasis> Martin (Hemiptera: Aleyrodidae): a potential threat to coconut in India

The invasion and infestation of the Rugose spiraling whitefly (RSW), Aleurodicus rugioperculatus Martin (Hemiptera: Aleyrodidae) on coconut palm (Cocos nucifera L.) (Arecales: Arecaceae) in India is reported for the first time from Indian as well as from Oriental region. The severity of its infestations and impact on coconut cultivation in India is discussed.     

Discovery of a sooty mould scavenging beetle, <Emphasis Type="Italic">Leiochrinus nilgirianus</Emphasis> Kaszab (Coleoptera: Tenebrionidae) on coconut palms infested by the invasive rugose spiralling whitefly, <Emphasis Type="Italic">Aleurodicus rugioperculatus</Emphasis> Martin (Hemiptera: Aleyrodidae)

Scavenging action of Leiochrinus nilgirianus Kaszab (Coleoptera: Tenebrionidae) on sooty mould deposition on coconut palms due to heavy honeydew production by the invasive rugose spiralling whitefly, Aleurodicus rugioperculatus Martin (Hemiptera: Aleyrodidae), is reported for the first time from Kerala, India. Adult beetles, averaging 2.07?±?0.9 / leaflet, with a maximum of five beetles per leaflet, and immature stages were generally confined to the abaxial of the palm leaves during daytime, but were found feeding on sooty mould during morning hours in damp conditions. The specially aided adaptive leg features of L. nilgirianus with bristle-like hairs on the undersurface of tarsomeres probably aid in proper adhesion on sooty mould laden plant surface and well developed tarsal claws that perhaps assist swift movement on fungus-laden leaflets. On an average one adult beetle could clear 1–2 mm² sooty mould laden area in a period of one minute. In situ habitat conservation of L. nilgirianus would help to reduce the sooty mould at no cost in the most natural and eco-friendly manner avoiding chemical management options and other expensive methods.     

Effects of previous leaf injuries to spring canola on western black flea beetle (Phyllotreta pusilla) feeding

Two trials were conducted in 2002 with 14-day-old spring canola (Brassica napus L.) seedlings to evaluate the effects of previous leaf injuries of different cultivars on subsequent injury by western black flea beetle (WBFB),Phyllotreta pusilla Horn (Coleoptera: Chrysomelidae), under greenhouse conditions in Colorado (USA). Previous leaf cutting was found to have only minor effects on subsequent infestation and injury by WBFB, and such effects may be cultivar-specific. Only IMC205 showed significant differences by more than one parameter during these studies; cultivars Excel and 46A65 showed no responses in injury or infestation between previously cut and uncut plants. http://www.phytoparasitica.org posting Nov. 14, 2005.     

Relations between glasshouse climate and dry weight of petals,epicuticular wax,cuticle, pre-harvest flowering period and susceptibility toBotrytis cinerea of gerbera and rose flowers

Studies were conducted on the effects of seasonal levels of relative humidity, temperature, and total radiation, on dry weight of petals, on fresh weight of epicuticular wax and of cuticle of petals, on numbers ofBotrytis cinerea lesions in petals, and on preharvest flowering periods in gerbera and rose. No temporal relationships or significant correlations were found among dry weight of petals, weight of wax and cuticle of petals, and numbers of lesions on the petals. Temperature, relative humidity and total radiation did not correlate significantly with dry weight of petals, or with fresh weights of wax and cuticle of petals, except for a positive correlation between relative humidity and cuticle weight in the gerbera cultivar Delphi. No relation was found between weight of epicuticular wax and cuticle of petals and susceptibility of gerbera and rose petals toB. cinerea. The thickness of wax and cuticle on flowers did not seem to be an important factor influencing the susceptibility of flowers toB. cinerea. The seasonal pattern in number of lesions produced on the flowers byB. cinerea was related to the effects of relative humidity and radiation on infectivity of conidia of the pathogen on the flower surface but not to the effects on the susceptibility of flowers.     

Attraction ofOrthotomicus erosus andPityogenes calcaratus to a synthetic aggregation pheromone ofIps typographus

Funnel traps baited with a synthetic aggregation pheromone ofIps typographus L. (Pheroprax) or with methyl-butenol were tested for mass-trapping ofOrthotomicus erosus (Woll.) andPityogenes calcaratus Eichh. (Coleoptera: Scolytidae), the major bark beetle pests of pine forests in Israel. The traps were operated during three periods in the years 1985–1986 in five pine forests. More than 170 individuals ofO. erosus and 180P. calcaratus per trap per day were caught in Pheroprax-baited traps in the warm season; the latter species was trapped in large numbers also during the winter. Traps baited with methyl-butenol did not attract significant numbers ofO. erosus orP. calcaratus. Sixteen species of insect associates and predators of pine scolytids were trapped, but onlyHylurgus micklitzi Wachtl (Scolytidae),Eremotes porcatus Germ. (Curculionidae) (first record in Israel) andAulonium ruflcorne Oliv. (Colydiidae) were caught in considerable numbers (a total of several hundred). The mass catches of the target beetles and the very small number of predators trapped, suggest that Pheroprax-baited traps may be useful for bark beetle management in Israeli pine forests.     

不同花色菊花品种上西花蓟马种群密度及雌雄性比

为明确不同花色菊花品种上西花蓟马Frankliniella occidentalis发生情况及种群变化规律,利用蓝色粘虫板调查了大棚种植的7种单色(黄色、橙色、白色、绿色、粉色、紫色、红色)以及4种双色(黄绿、黄红、白绿、黄白)菊花品种上不同时期西花蓟马的种群密度及雌雄性比。结果表明,根据四分位法得到西花蓟马的发生早期与菊花苗期重合,主要发生期与菊花开花期重合,发生晚期为切花后生长期。在所有单色菊花品种中,西花蓟马在黄色菊花品种上的种群密度最高,主要发生期虫口密度达19.98头/板;且雌雄性比最大,为5.85,显著高于其它单色菊花品种上的雌雄性比。在所有双色菊花品种中,黄绿菊花品种上的西花蓟马种群密度最高,主要发生期虫口密度达26.89头/板,显著高于其它双色菊花品种上数量,且雌雄性比也最大,为6.87。菊花开花是导致西花蓟马种群迅速上升和种群中雌虫比例迅速增加的主要原因,且西花蓟马偏好为害与黄色花色相关的菊花品种。     

Grapevine inflorescences are susceptible to the bunch rot pathogens, Greeneria uvicola (bitter rot) and Colletotrichum acutatum (ripe rot)

Grapevine inflorescences (cv. Chardonnay) were found to be susceptible to infection by the berry rotting pathogens Colletotrichum acutatum and Greeneria uvicola responsible for ripe rot and bitter rot of grapes respectively. Infection of inflorescences on field-grown grapevines at mid-flowering led to subsequent berry rot at veraison. An application of the strobilurin fungicide Cabrio (active ingredient pyraclostrobin) at flowering reduced the incidence of ripe rot and bitter rot at veraison from 88% to 0% and from 86% to 2%, respectively. The infection of detached inflorescences was influenced by temperature and was greatest at 25–30°C for C. acutatum and 30°C for G. uvicola. Our results demonstrate for the first time that grapevine flowers are susceptible to C. acutatum and G. uvicola and that flower infections have the potential to lead to subsequent rotting of the grape berries. The findings have implications for the management of ripe rot and bitter rot of grapes.     

Variation in the factors determining flowering time in the Stellaria media complex

The effects of vernalization and photoperiod on flowering time were studied in Stellaria media (L.) Vill., Stellaria neglecta Weihe and Stellaria pallida (Dumort.) Piré collected from various habitats in Kyoto, Japan. Short- and long-day treatments had little effect on flowering in all strains of the three species. In two strains of S. media from riverside habitats and all strains of S. neglecta , the cohorts that were sown early in the autumn under natural conditions required a longer time to flower and had the first flower at a higher node position than the cohorts that were sown later. When grown in the greenhouse (minimum temperature >10 °C) these strains required a larger estimated thermal time than under natural conditions or did not produce flower buds at all, showing a requirement for vernalization. In comparison, most strains of S. media and all strains of S. pallida produced the first flower at almost the same node position independent of sowing time, and showed no requirement for vernalization. The strains of S. media from vegetable fields required a smaller thermal time than those from ruderal or semi-natural habitats. This observation was also true even after the non-agrestal strains had been adequately vernalized.     

The dietary toxicity of deltamethrin to the carabid,Nebria brevicollis (F.)

Batches of adult Nebria brevicollis (F.) (Coleoptera: Carabidae) were provided with freeze-killed aphids, Metopolophium dirhodum (Walk.) (Homoptera: Aphididae), that had been treated topically with 30 ng a.i. deltamethrin. Beetles in different hunger states were found to consume contaminated aphids, but they consumed significantly fewer aphids than control beetles. The mean numbers of contaminated aphids eaten increased with hunger-level, from 2.5 aphids per beetle for those provided with food 24 h before exposure, to 4.5 aphids per beetle for those provided with food 120 h prior to exposure. The highest mortality that occurred over the following six days after consumption of contaminated aphids was 27% for the beetles that had been fed 120 h before exposure and the lowest was 13% for the beetles that had been fed 24 and 48 h prior to exposure. A regurgitation response was observed in 53–80% of the beetles that had consumed deltamethrin-treated aphids. The beetles that survived consumption of treated aphids showed a short-term reduction in mean numbers of untreated aphids consumed relative to the control beetles. Dietary and topical dose-response data for deltamethrin and N. brevicollis were compared by probit analysis and maximum likelihood procedures. The dietary exposure probit line had a significantly steeper slope than the topical exposure probit line but the two lines occupied similar positions along the dose axis. The steepness of the dietary exposure probit line may be partly explained by the regurgitation response shown by the beetles, which causes water loss and may amplify toxic effects. The results indicated that the consumption of deltamethrin-contaminated prey may be an important cause of predator mortality soon after pesticide application.