The effect of some cucumber cultivars on the biology of <Emphasis Type="Italic">Aphis gossypii</Emphasis> Glover (Hemiptera: Aphididae)

The development, reproduction, and population growth parameters of cotton aphid, Aphis gossypii Glover (Hemiptera: Aphididae), were studied on three different Cucumis sativus cultivars (Beith Alpha Bal?kesir, B.T. Bursaalpha, Beith Alpha MR,) under controlled conditions (25?±?1 °C, 65?±?5% RH, and a photoperiod of 16:8 (L:D) h. Life table parameters were estimated according to age-stage, two-sex life table method. Results indicated that the Bt Bal?kesir are favorable hosts for A. gossypii because of the shorter preadult developmental time, lower preadult mortality rate, and higher total fecundity on this cultivar. The intrinsic rate of increase (r?=?0.4214 d^-1), the net reproduction rate (R₀?=?51.80 offspring), and the finite rate of increase (λ?=?1.5242 d^-1) values were higher on the Bt Bal?kesir. The effect of cucumber cultivars on the biology of A. gossypii was determined as significant and it was found that cv. Bt Bal?kesir was the most convenient cucumber cultivar in terms of the life cycle of A. gossypii. For an ecological and economic pest control, against aphids use of resistant or less favourable crop cultivars is considered one of the important components of integrated pest management. Therefore, results acquired might be used in pest management program that will be prepared for this aphid.     

Demography and population projection of <Emphasis Type="Italic">Myzus persicae</Emphasis> (Sulz.) (Hemiptera: Aphididae) on five pepper (<Emphasis Type="Italic">Capsicum annuum</Emphasis> L.) cultivars

The green peach aphid, Myzus persicae (Sulzer) (Hemiptera: Aphididae), is a major pest of pepper. In this study, we collected data on the development, survival, fecundity, and proportion of apterous and alate forms of green peach aphid reared on five commercial pepper cultivars (Amiral, Erciyes, Mert, Mertcan, and Naz) at 25?±?1°C, 60?±?5% RH, and a photoperiod of 16:8 (L:D) h. We analyzed the life history raw data by using the age-stage, two-sex life table. The shortest development time (6.66 days) and highest fecundity (62.68 individuals) occurred on the Erciyes cultivar. The highest intrinsic rate of increase (r?=?0.332 d^?1), finite rate of increase (λ?=?1.394 d^?1), net reproductive rate (R₀?=?62.7 offspring) and shortest mean generation time (T?=?12.45 d) also occurred on the Erciyes cultivar; while the lower fitness occurred on the Amiral, Mertcan and Naz cultivars. Our results compared differences in the population growth rate of M. persicae on different pepper cultivars. This information will be useful to individuals working in pest management programs particularly those involving M. persicae.     

Development of <Emphasis Type="Italic">Tetranychus ludeni</Emphasis> (Acari: Tetranychidae) on transgenic soybean cultivars

The aim of this study was to assess the influence of transgenic soybean [Glycine max L. (Fabaceae)] cultivars on the biological cycle of Tetranychus ludeni Zacher (Acari: Tetranychidae) in laboratory conditions. We used three cultivars: a conventional soybean (CO), a glyphosate-resistant with insertion of genes of Agrobacterium sp., Roundup Ready (RR), and a glyphosate-resistant with insertion of genes of Bacillus thuringiensis var. israelensis (BT). Duration of developmental stage, mite viability, number of laid eggs, and female longevity of T. ludeni were evaluated. The duration of the deutonymph phase was shorter in RR (2.1?±?0.12 days) than in CO (2.6?±?0.12) and BT (2.5?±?0.08). The duration of egg, larval, and protonymph phases were similar for T. ludeni on the three cultivars. The mean duration of each generation (T), net reproduction rate (R_o), intrinsic rate of natural increase (r_m), and doubling time (DT) were similar on the three cultivars. Results showed that population growth are not influenced by transgenesis at the laboratory level. Females died without a post-oviposition period on all soybean cultivars. The intrinsic rate of natural increase of T. ludeni on soybean cultivars was low (between 0.15 and 0.17).     

Seasonal and biological interactions between the parasitoid, <Emphasis Type="Italic">Aenasius arizonensis</Emphasis> (Girault) and its host, <Emphasis Type="Italic">Phenacoccus solenopsis</Emphasis> Tinsley on cotton

Aenasius arizonensis (Girault) (Hymenoptera: Encyrtidae) is an important solitary endoparasitoid of mealybug, Phenacoccus solenopsis Tinsley (Hemiptera: Pseudococcidae). Studies on seasonal and biological interactions between host and parasitoid are important to optimize the mass production and field release of high-quality females. We investigated the influence of different crop seasons viz., pre-monsoon, monsoon and post-monsoon and host stages viz., three nymphal instars (1st, 2nd and 3rd) and adult stage of P. solenopsis on the development, longevity, fecundity and sex ratio of its parasitoid, A. arizonensis. A. arizonensis female parasitized all life stages of its host except the 1st instar nymphs. Only males emerged from parasitized 2nd instar nymphs, while the sex ratio in the later host instars was strongly female-biased. The adult host stage was most suitable for A. arizonensis in terms of shorter development time, while the 3rd instar nymphal stage was most suitable with respect to higher fecundity, proportion of adults emerged and more females in the progeny. Among different seasons, post-monsoon season (September–October) with temperature (25 to 29 °C) and relative humidity (68 to 73%) was most suitable for the overall fitness of the parasitoid. The findings of this study have implications in designing mass rearing of this parasitoid and devising an effective biological control strategy for P. solenopsis on cotton.     

Identification and characterization of <Emphasis Type="Italic">Choanephora</Emphasis> spp. causing Choanephora flower rot on <Emphasis Type="Italic">Hibiscus syriacus</Emphasis>

Hibiscus syriacus, as a national flower of Korea, is most popularly used for ornamental purposes and includes numerous cultivars, and it is widely planted in temperate zones that feature hot summers. We investigated Choanephora flower rot on H. syriacus from 2012 to 2014 in Korea and Japan and confirmed Choanephora infection in several localities in both countries. Here, our objectives were to identify the main causal agent of Choanephora flower rot on H. syriacus and describe its morphological and molecular characteristics. We identified 44 out of 50 isolates as Choanephora cucurbitarum and the remainder as C. infundibulifera based on morphological characterization and phylogenetic analysis. The sequences of the internal transcribed spacer region (ITS) of ribosomal DNA and the D1/D2 region of the large subunit (LSU) rDNA of examined isolates were compared with sequences obtained from GenBank, and the analysis of the results revealed 100 % identity with the corresponding sequences of C. cucurbitarum and C. infundibulifera strains. Classification of the Choanephora species performed here according to the key described by Kirk (1984) corresponded with the results of the phylogenetic analysis of this study. Through intraspecific and interspecific mating tests, the characteristics of zygospore were described in details. Pathogenicity tests using both species showed the same symptoms, causing blossom blight and soft rot on the flowers, which were identical to those observed in the field. All identified causal agents of Choanephora rot were indeed Choanephora species, where C. cucurbitarum was identified in the majority, while the others were in the minority of examined samples.     

Effect of <Emphasis Type="Italic">Metarhizium guizhouense</Emphasis> infection on mating competition and mate choice of <Emphasis Type="Italic">Bactrocera latifrons</Emphasis> (Diptera: Tephritidae)

Metarhizium guizhouense PSUM02 treated males of Bactrocera latifrons were investigated for the mating competition among males and mating choice by female flies to develop an auto-dissemination for the control of B. latifrons. In the present study, on day 1–4 of experiment, M. guizhouense–treated male flies were equally competitive with the normal male flies as we did not observe any differences in mating by treated and normal male flies of B. latifrons. Further, mating competitiveness were found low in treated adult male B. latifrons than normal male B. latifrons from 5th days of treatment until death. Kaplan-Meier survival analysis of treated male flies gave average survival times (AST) of 4.3?±?0.1 days, while the healthy female and male flies in the same cage showed AST of 9.3?±?0.3 and 8.3?±?0.4 days, respectively. The AST of untreated flies in control experiment ranged from 14.2–14.5 days. In mating preference experiment, M. guizhouense–treated male flies were chosen by virgin female than gravid female flies for mating. The treated male flies caused mortality in both virgin and gravid female flies in the same cage with AST of 4.4?±?0.1, 5.6?±?0.1 and 7.4?±?0.2 days, respectively, while untreated flies showed AST ranged from 13.9–14.3 days in control. The treated male flies could transmit the fungus infection to both untreated female and male flies as well as in virgin and gravid female flies by mating and contact. Our experiments showed the potentiality of M. guizhouense PSUM02 in management of B. latifrons by auto-dissemination with treated male flies, which transmit the fungus to a healthy population to reduce insect pest infestations.     

Evaluating side effects of newer insecticides on the vine mealybug parasitoid <Emphasis Type="Italic">Anagyrus</Emphasis> sp. near <Emphasis Type="Italic">pseudococci</Emphasis>, with implications for integrated pest management in vineyards

Control of the invasive vine mealybug Planococcus ficus (Signoret) can be achieved through integration of different management strategies such as the application of chemical treatments and biological control. However, compatibility between these control methods is considered crucial when adopting integrated pest management (IPM) programs against this insect pest. The recently used insecticides Prev-Am®, a contact biopesticide, and spirotetramat, a systemic tetramic acid insecticide, were assessed in laboratory conditions for their side effects on the vine mealybug parasitoid Anagyrus sp. near pseudococci with reference to chlorpyriphos-methyl, an organophosphate insecticide conventionally used for mealybug control in vineyards. Regarding contact toxicity, chlorpyriphos-methyl caused 100% parasitoid mortality 24 h after treatment, but parasitoid mortality from Prev-Am® or spirotetramat was almost absent. Neither the total parasitoid offspring/female nor the sex ratio of the progeny was negatively affected by Prev-Am® or spirotetramat relative to the untreated control. According to the IOBC classification for laboratory trials, both Prev-Am® and spirotetramat were rated harmless (IOBC category 1), whereas chlorpyriphos-methyl was categorized as harmful (IOBC category 4) to A. sp. near pseudococci. None of the insecticides adversely affected the development of the parasitoid pupal stage inside mealybug mummies or the survival of the emerged parasitoids. The practical implications of the results for implementing mealybug IPM programs in vineyards are emphasized and discussed.     

The cotton mealybug, <Emphasis Type="Italic">Phenacoccus solenopsis</Emphasis> Tinsley (Hemiptera: Pseudococcidae) in Israel: pest status,host plants and natural enemies

In Israel, the cotton mealybug Phenacoccus solenopsis Tinsley, an invasive scale insect, was reported for the first time in the Jordan Valley in 2008 on basil (Ocimum basilicum) and bell pepper (Capsicum annuum). This mealybug is highly polyphagous with economic and environmental impacts. Since then, Ph. solenopsis has spread to almost every region of Israel and developed high populations on several ornamental plants, mainly Hibiscus sp. (Malvaceae) and Lantana sp. (Verbenaceae). It has become a pest in greenhouses, mainly on bell pepper, tomato, and eggplant (Solanaceae) and a serious threat in cotton fields. Fourteen species of insect natural enemies have been found in association with Ph. solenopsis in Israel the common ones were: Aenasius arizonensis (Girault) (Hym. Encyrtidae), Cheilomenes propinqua (Mulsant), Hyperaspis vinciguerrae (Capra); H. polita Weise, Exochomus nigripennis (Erichson), Parascymnus varius Kirsch and Scymnus flagellisiphonatus (Fursch) (Col., Coccinellidae). To date, the population density of Ph. solenopsis in Israel is steeply decreasing in most regions of Israel due to the activity of A. arizonensis. An identification key to distinguish between adult females of the eight species belonging to the genus Phenacoccus in Israel is also provided.     

Host status of cultivated plants to <Emphasis Type="Italic">Meloidogyne hispanica</Emphasis>

The reproduction of a Meloidogyne hispanica isolate from Portugal was evaluated in 63 plant species/cultivars, in pot assays at 25?±?2.0°C, on the basis of root gall index (GI) and reproduction factor (Rf?=?final/initial egg density) at 60 days after inoculation. Cultivars of aubergine, bean, beetroot, broccoli, carnation, corn, cucumber, French garlic, lettuce, melon, onion, parsley, pea, potato, spinach, and tobacco and two of cabbage were susceptible (3?≤?GI?≤?5; 1.15?≤?Rf?≤?262.86). Cabbage cv. Bacalan, cauliflower cv. Temporão and pepper cv. Zafiro R2 were hypersusceptible or poor hosts (Rf??2) and pepper cvs. Aurelio and Solero were resistant (0.0?≤?GI?≤?0.4; 0.00?≤?Rf?≤?0.03). The response of the pepper cultivars and the Mi-1 resistant tomato cv. Rossol was also conducted in pots using two inoculum levels and four temperatures, three growth chamber (25?±?2.7°C, 29.3?±?1.8°C and 33.6?±?1.2°C) and one outdoors (24.4?±?8.2°C). At 24.4?±?8.2°C and 25?±?2.7°C, the reproduction on the resistant tomato was significantly lower compared to the susceptible cv. Easypeel. At all temperatures, resistance was evident for the pepper cultivars, despite the fact they were not found to contain any of the Me1, Me3, Me7 and N genes. The eggs obtained on cv. Aurelio at 33.6?±?1.2°C were used to get a selected resistance breaking isolate of M. hispanica that was able to reproduce on the three pepper cultivars. Our results suggest that the initial M. hispanica isolate is a mixture of virulent and avirulent individuals. The pepper cultivars tested, have potential to reduce M. hispanica populations in agro-ecosystems under certain conditions, but they should be used as a part of an integrated management strategy in order to prevent the development of virulent populations.     

Inhibitory effect of <Emphasis Type="Italic">Lycium europaeum</Emphasis> extracts on phytopathogenic soil-borne fungi and the reduction of late wilt in maize

The ability to control soil-borne pathogens in agriculture is highly conditioned by the restricted use of synthetic pesticides. Allelopathy, the antimicrobial activity of plant extracts, is a promising option against crop pathogens. Extracts from Lycium spp. such as L. barbarum, L. chinense and L. intricatum possess biological and therapeutic properties. Individual methanolic extracts from leaves and stems of the Mediterranean medicinal species L. europaeum collected in two locations of Tunisia were each evaluated in vitro against Verticillium dahliae (Vd), Sclerotinia sclerotiorum (Ss) and Harpophora maydis (Hm). The mycelial growth of the three fungi was significantly reduced by all the extracts at doses of 10 and 30 μl mL^?1 (equivalent to 1 and 3 mg plant tissue mL^?1). The sporulation of Hm was almost completely inhibited in all the amendments, but that of Vd was stimulated by one of the leaf extracts when 1 and 3 mg dried plant tissue mL^?1 were used. Sclerotia of Ss were formed in a smaller number, their total weight increasing at extract doses equivalent to 1 mg plant tissue mL^?1 and higher. In greenhouse, the pathogenicity of Hm was confirmed as early as 6 weeks after inoculation, since it caused significant decreases of weights in both roots and aboveground parts of maize. The detrimental effect of Hm on maize root weight in greenhouse was significantly counteracted by one of the leaf extracts added by watering. In total, 11 phenolic compounds were separated in the four extracts. The hydroxycinnamic acid family, including chlorogenic acid as a major compound, represented more than 50% of the total content in all the samples. Rutin was the most abundant flavonoid. The results of this work show the detrimental effect of L. europaeum extracts against the soil-borne pathogens Hm, Ss and Vd, and highlight their potential in crop protection if adequately developed into final products and used in combination with other tools.     

Challenging the larvae of <Emphasis Type="Italic">Helicoverpa armigera</Emphasis> and assessing the immune responses to nematode-bacterium complex

Helicoverpa armigera is a strong insecticidal resistance developed insect pest. The understanding of its innate immune responses to emerging biocontrol agent entomopathogenic nematode-bacterial complex can provide an opportunity to control this insect in an environmentally benign manner. Study was focused on role of hemocytes changes and PO activity in Steinernema abbasi-Xenorhabdus indica challenged larvae of H. armigera over the time. Total cell count changed effectively from 10.2?±?1.81?×?10⁵ to 15.5?±?3.3?×?10⁵ cells/mm³ upto 9 h and reduced distinctly up to 8.0?±?2.49?×?10⁵ cells/ mm³ in 24 h. PO activity inclined significantly and was recorded highest at 9 h (24.67?±?1.08?×?10² units) and lowest at 24 h (14.34?±?0.74?×?10² units) in total hemolymph with a similar pattern in plasma and the cellular fraction. Phenoloxidase activity in total and cellular component of hemolymph was positively correlated with prohemocytes, granulocytes and oenocytoids. Study showed the hemocytes and PO accounted as active immune responses against nematode infection. The results provide the first insight to understand the hemolytic activity, quick immunosuppression responses of S. abbasi-X. indica and vulnerability of H. armigera.     

A new species of <Emphasis Type="Italic">Anagyrus</Emphasis> (Hymenoptera: Encyrtidae) from China,parasitoid of <Emphasis Type="Italic">Phenacoccus solani</Emphasis> Ferris (Hemiptera: Pseudococcidae) on <Emphasis Type="Italic">Lycoris radiata</Emphasis> (L’Her.) Herb.

A new species of Anagyrus Howard (Hymenoptera: Encyrtidae), A. pseudofuscus Zu sp. nov., is described from China as a parasitoid of the mealybug, Phenacoccus solani Ferris (Hemiptera: Pseudococcidae).     

First interception of the asiatic Bamboo longhorn, <Emphasis Type="Italic">Chlorophorus annularis</Emphasis> (F., 1787) (Coleoptera,Cerambycidae) in Italy

This study provide information on the first occurrence in Italy of the Coleoptera Cerambycidae Chlorophorus annularis (Fabricius, 1787). It is a species naturally and widely distributed in Asia and in oriental tropical and subtropical areas. This cerambyx is a post-harvest pest of bamboo belonging to several genera as Bambusa, Dendrocalamus, Phyllostachys, Sinocalamus, but it can also infest cultivated plants as Citrus spp., Gossypium, Liquidambar spp., Saccharum officinarum L., Vitis spp., and Zea mays L.     

Data on the ecology of <Emphasis Type="Italic">Kermes echinatus</Emphasis> Balachowsky (Hemiptera,Coccomorpha, Kermesidae) on <Emphasis Type="Italic">Quercus ilex</Emphasis> (Fagaceae) in Greece

The Phenology and natural enemies of the scale insect Kermes echinatus Balachowsky (Hemiptera: Kermesidae), which infests the holly oak Quercus ilex (Fagaceae), were studied between November 2015 and November 2017, in southern Greece (Kalamata, Peloponnese). Kermes echinatus is a univoltine, oviparous and biparental species. It overwinters as 1st instar nymphs, settling on the branches of the trees. The second instar nymphs appear by the middle of April, followed by 3rd instar nymphs until the end of May. The male larvae and pupae were recorded from the end of April to the end of May. Mature females, pre-ovipositing and ovipositing adults, were recorded during May and June. The newly hatched crawlers appeared by the end of June, which remained at this stage, settled on branches during the rest of summer and winter periods till next April. The parasitoid species Metaphycus gennaroi Guerrieri & Noyes and the hyperparasite Cheiloneurus claviger Thomson (Hymenoptera: Encyrtidae) were recorded on the colonies of the scale. The parasitism level of the scale reached to 21%. The predator Chilocorus bipustulatus L. (Coleoptera: Coccinellidae) was also recorded on the colonies of the scale.     

Effect of host plants on developmental and population parameters of invasive leafminer, <Emphasis Type="Italic">Tuta absoluta</Emphasis> (Meyrick) (Lepidoptera: Gelechiidae)

Tuta absoluta (Meyrick) (Lepidoptera: Gelechiidae) is one of the most serious pests of tomato, capable of causing 100% crop losses under favourable conditions. We studied the effect of different host plants on developmental and population parameters of this pest at 25?±?0.5 °C temperature, 70?±?5% relative humidity and 12 L: 12D photoperiod. Host plant had significant effect on the developmental biology and the population growth parameters of the pest. The leafminer developed fastest on tomato leaves and slowest on potato tubers. Population growth parameters like intrinsic rate of increase, net reproductive rate, finite rate of increase, doubling time and weekly multiplication rate of T. absoluta were highest on tomato leaves and lowest on potato tubers. Mean generation time was minimum on tomato leaves and maximum on potato tubers. Females developed on tomato leaves were more fecund than other hosts. Though, tomato was found to be the most suitable host plant of T. absoluta, yet, the pest developed and grew successfully on other alternate hosts like potato (Solanum tuberosum L.), brinjal (Solanum melongena L.) and pepino (Solanum muricatum Aiton). These hosts can, therefore, play an important role in the survival, population build up and overwintering of the miner. Further, under favourable conditions the miner can become a serious pest on these crops and need to be monitored on these crops as well.     

Attempts to eradicate graft-transmissible infections through somatic embryogenesis in <Emphasis Type="Italic">Citrus</Emphasis> ssp. and analysis of genetic stability of regenerated plants

Ability to detect Pseudocercospora macadamiae infection in macadamia husk at least four months before symptoms become visible will aid the development of disease control measures. This study examined the distinctness of P. macadamiae within the phylogenetic lineages of the genus Pseudocercospora. In addition, we developed two quantitative PCR (qPCR) assays, as rapid diagnostic tools, for early detection and quantification of P. macadamiae in planta. Phylogenetic analysis of concatenated sequences of four gene loci (large subunits, internal transcribed spacer (ITS), translation elongation factor 1-alpha (TEF-1α) and actin of 47 P. macadamiae isolates showed that P. macadamiae is a distinct species in the genus Pseudocercospora. P. macadamiae isolates were partitioned into subunits in the cluster but the grouping of the isolates was regardless of location. Nucleotide diversity (0.02) and the coefficient of genetic differentiation (0.07) were low in the P. macadamiae population. Two qPCR primer sets, based on ITS (PMI) and TEF-1α (PME) were designed that consistently amplified P. macadamiae in fungal cultures (Ct = 16.93 ± 0.11 and Ct = 21.20 ± 0.11, respectively) and in planta (Ct = 32.36 ± 0.28 and Ct = 38.07 ± 1.20, respectively). The PMI primers also detected species in the genus Pseudocercospora, while PME was more specific and robust for quantification of P. macadamiae. Both primer sets detected P. macadamiae in asymptomatic tissue samples and strongly differentiated various stages of disease progression, which revealed approximately 10-fold increase in fungal biomass between each consecutive stage of symptom development.     

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.     

The biochemical correlation between the epicuticular wax of upland cotton (<Emphasis Type="Italic">Gossypium hirsutum</Emphasis> L.) and the wax of different mealybug species

The study aimed to find the possible differences, existing between the cuticular waxes of cotton and mealybug insects, using advanced analytical studies. The biochemical composition of the leaf wax of upland cotton (Gossypium hirsutum L.) and the cuticular wax of the different mealybug species, including Phenacoccus solenopsis Tinsley, Ferrisia virgata Cockerell, Paracoccus marginatus Williams and Granara de Willink, and Drosicha mangiferae Green were analyzed in detail by Gas Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry (GC-MS). The results clearly confirmed that the cotton wax is dominated by the six-carbon alkanes, while the mealybug wax is a mixture of both the five-carbon alkanes and the six-carbon alkanes. Apart from these differences, the common hydrocarbons such as hexadecane, icosane, and heneicosane, the uncommon hydrocarbons such as ethane, cyclobutanone, decane, and cyclododecane, the species-specific compounds of mealybugs such as myristyl alcohol, quinoline, hexacosane, and pentacosane were also identified and their retention times (RT) were listed out in detail. The outcome of this study will be useful to develop pest management techniques targeting the waxy cuticle of mealybugs without obstructing the normal physiology and growth of the cotton crop.     

Identification mating-type locus structure and distribution of <Emphasis Type="Italic">Cochliobolus lunatus</Emphasis> in China

Cochliobolus lunatus (teleomorph: Curvularia lunata) is an important plant pathogenic fungus that causes the maize foliar spot, resulting in serious yield losses. In ascomycetes, a single mating-type (MAT) locus with two idiomorphs controls sexual development. The structure and arrangement of the MAT genes were examined to understand the MAT locus of C. lunatus. MAT loci were MAT1–1-1 or MAT1–2-1, flanked upstream and downstream by regions encoding GTPase activating protein, pyridoxamine phosphate oxidase domain, and β-glucosidase. A MAT1–1 or MAT1–2 idiomorph was identified in single isolate, and sexual reproduction in vitro indicated that the species was heterothallic. In vitro crossing between isolates with opposite MATs produced perithecia, asci, and ascospores. A multiplex MAT-specific PCR method was developed and used to test mating-type genes in 177 C.lunatus isolates collected from China. The ratio of isolates of each mating-type in China was consistent with a 1:1 ratio.     

Effect of Soil Plowing and Fertilization on the Susceptibility of Four Olive Cultivars to the Insect<Emphasis Type="Italic">Bactrocera oleae</Emphasis> and the Fungi<Emphasis Type="Italic">Sphaeropsis dalmatica</Emphasis> and<Emphasis Type="Italic">Spilocaea oleagina</Emphasis>

Susceptibility to the insectBactrocera oleae and the fungiSpilocaea oleagina andSphaeropsis dalmatica was investigated in four olive cultivars, two for table fruit production (Kalamon and Chondrolia Chalkidikis) and two for oil production (Lianolia and Koroneiki). Cv. Chondrolia Chalkidikis was the most susceptible to all three pathogens, followed by cv. Kalamon. Soil plowing and the organic fertilizer Bio-Trust^® (10-3-6+8% MgCO₃+10% CaCO₈) increased the susceptibility of all four tested olive cultivars to the insect and the two fungi. Correlations were found between the attacks byB. oleae and infections byS. oleagina andS. dalmatica on the four olive cultivars.