The European Biological Control Laboratory: an existing infrastructure for biological control of weeds in Europe

The Agricultural Research Service of the United States Department of Agriculture has maintained a continuous European effort in classical biological control of exotic pests in the USA. The European Parasite Laboratory was established in France in 1919, while the European Weed Laboratory began operations in Rome in 1958. The two laboratories were merged in Montpellier in 1991 as the European Biological Control Laboratory (EBCL), becoming the primary overseas biocontrol laboratory of the USDA. The management of weeds, insect pests, and pathogens is an important feature of agricultural research programmes worldwide. These invasive species can lead to vast financial losses for countries engaged in agriculture. The overall goal of research at EBCL is to develop biological control technologies to be used to suppress invading weeds and insect pests. This is done through expeditions to find natural enemies (insects, mites and pathogens), or phytophagous, parasitoid or predator species. These are characterized in careful experimentation in quarantine facilities and eventually developed as biological control agents. Current weed projects include studies on the Centaurea spp., Arundo donax , Vincetoxicum spp., Isatis tinctoria , Taeniatherum sp. and Dipsacus sp. Insect projects research Lygus bugs, the olive fruit fly, the vine mealybug, and the Asian long-horned beetle. The EBCL team is international and interdisciplinary. Entomology, plant and insect pathology, molecular biology and ecology are the main approaches of our biocontrol research. The team cooperates with universities and agencies worldwide.     

Potential for classical biocontrol of silverleaf nightshade in the Mediterranean Basin

Unlike biocontrol of insect pests, biocontrol of invasive weeds is not largely studied in Eurasia, but remains an ecologically sound approach to invasive species management. The case study of silverleaf nightshade ( Solanum elaeagnifolium ) is a good example of a New World weed which has been introduced and is spreading over the Mediterranean Basin. S. elaeagnifolium economically impacts agricultural areas by competing with cereal crops, damaging pastures, and infesting meadows and roadsides. This paper deals with classical biological control of S. elaeagnifolium in the Mediterranean basin with natural enemies from the region of origin of the target plant, using studies conducted on other continents. Natural enemies are listed and their capability to attack and control the target plant is discussed. Special attention is devoted to Leptinotarsa texana and L. deflecta , chrysomelid beetles already released with success against S. elaeagnifolium in South Africa, one of the five Mediterranean-type regions of the world.     

气候变暖对农业害虫及其天敌的影响

全球气候的持续变暖引起了人类的高度关注。农业害虫是关系到农业生产顺利进行的一个特殊的昆虫类群,已经受到温度升高的影响。本文从气候变暖对农业害虫的发生、为害以及与天敌间关系的影响等三方面进行了综述。温度升高导致农业害虫的发生区域扩张,发生期提前和延长,高温适生种群发生量增大;农业害虫的为害时期改变,为害程度加重,为害物种之间产生新的竞争关系;农业害虫与寄主植物、天敌之间的同步性发生改变,继而影响到农业害虫的生物防治。本文最后对当前的研究工作进行了评述,就气候变暖形势下农业害虫的防治提出建议。     

显花植物在提高节肢动物天敌控制害虫中的生态功能

由于农业集约化生产引起的非作物生境减少和农业化学品的过量使用减弱了农田生态系统中害虫天敌的自然控制作用。合理而有效地利用显花植物可以为害虫天敌提供食物来源和庇护场所,从而能有效地提高天敌对害虫的自然控制能力、减少化学农药的使用量。本文综述了显花植物对天敌种群的促进作用及其在果园、蔬菜和粮食作物等害虫防治中应用的最新进展,同时对进一步利用显花植物提高农业生态系统稳定性的发展方向进行了讨论。     

我国植物害虫生物防治的研究现状及发展策略

植物害虫生物防治是指利用生物或生物代谢产物来控制农业害虫的一种害虫防治方法,具有安全、环境友好和可持续等优点。本文基于我国近年在天敌资源挖掘、天敌控害机制、天敌产业化应用和新方法探索等方面研究现状与存在问题的分析,探讨了我国植物害虫生物防治学科的体系建设及促进学科发展的主要策略。     

不同生态茶园昆虫群落多样性研究

对4种不同类型生态茶园中昆虫群落进行调查,共发现茶树害虫50种,天敌45种;生态茶园与纯茶园相比,其昆虫群落丰富度、多样性指数、均匀度指数较高,而优势度指数较低;昆虫群落多样性为梨茶间作>林窗式茶园>杉茶间作>纯茶园。茶园物种的多样性与它的稳定性紧密相关,多样性越强,其稳定性越好,害虫大发生的几率较小。     

Insect Enemies of Aquatic Weeds

Abstract

The Agricultural Research Service of the USDA has been actively engaged in research on the biological control of aquatic weeds since 1959. Research emphasis until 1967 was on alligatorweed, Alternanthera philoxeroides (Mart.) Griseb. As a result of this research, three species of insects from Argentina were released in the southeastern United States. Alligatorweed control with these natural enemies has been variable; but indications are that control will be substantial over most of the range of the weed.

One species of weevil, Neochetina eichhorniae Warner, has been released against water hyacinth, Eichhornia crassipes (Mart.) Solms, in the USA as a result of research in Argentina. A second closely related species, N. bruchi Hustache, is presently undergoing final clearance procedures. Several other arthropods are being studied in Argentina as possible biological control agents of water hyacinth.

A USA sponsored programme in Yugoslavia under the direction of Dr M Leki? resulted in the discovery of two insect species that show potential as control agents for eurasian watermilfoil, Myriophyllum spicatum L. Further testing for host specificity of these insects will be carried out in the USA in quarantine in Florida.

A USA sponsored Pakistan programme under Dr M. A. Ghani is investigating insects and other phytophagous organisms attacking Hydrilla verticillata Royle. The results are encouraging. PANS 20: 444–450, 1974.     

转Bt基因抗虫作物对非靶标生物的影响

迄今为止,已经获得了大量的抗虫转Bt基因作物。尽管这些作物中表达的Bt蛋白只是针对靶标害虫起到杀虫效果,但是抗虫转Bt基因作物是否会对非靶标生物产生影响一直存在争议。本文就抗虫转Bt基因作物对节肢动物群落、非靶标植食性昆虫、天敌和有益昆虫的影响进行了综述。综合评价认为,现有的抗虫转Bt基因作物对非靶标生物是安全的。     

岫岩农业生态环境与农田害虫的生物控制研究初报

岫岩县是辽宁省生态农业建设示范县之一,具有得天独厚的自然资源优势,为害虫的生物控制提供了良好的条件。研究表明,良好的农业生态环境为农田提供了丰富的天敌资源,对一些主要害虫具有明显的自然控制作用;通过补充释放天敌昆虫,对主要害虫取得了较好的防治效果。     

昆虫病原真菌在害虫防治中对天敌生物的影响研究进展

昆虫病原真菌是一类重要的微生物杀虫剂,广泛应用于农林害虫的生物防治。由于寄主范围广和主动侵染的特点,昆虫病原真菌在侵染、致死靶标害虫的同时,对包括天敌昆虫在内的非靶标节肢动物等会产生潜在的致病或亚致死风险。本文总结了昆虫病原真菌在害虫防治中的研究进展及对天敌生物的影响,并展望了昆虫病原真菌作为极具潜力的生物农药与天敌生物联合防治害虫的未来发展方向。     

Weeds as hosts for new crop pests: the case of Protortonia navesi (Hemiptera: Monophlebidae) on cassava in Brazil

Weeds may serve as reservoirs for new and invasive insect pests. The cassava root scale ( Protortonia navesi ) is a recent pest in the Brazilian 'Cerrado' that causes qualitative and quantitative damage by sucking plant sap. Recently, field surveys revealed that many common weeds in this region act as host for P. navesi in cassava fields. In a discrete survey, 15 weed species were identified that were hosting P. navesi . Among these, 13 species occurred during the cropping season and five were observed 4 months after cassava harvest. Eight months after harvest, only cassava volunteer plants were found to be hosting P. navesi . This survey provided a real example of the problem created when weeds host new crop pests. The management of weeds (including crop volunteers) needs to be considered as part of generalised pest management and pest invasion prevention schemes. Effective weed management can be a means of limiting the survival of new pests and the re-infestation of susceptible crop species in subsequent years. Simple studies like this point to a practical need to create greater collaborations between pest management researchers working within discrete pest categories.     

The use of entomopathogenic fungi for the control of stored-grain insects

The present contribution discusses the recent advances in the biological control of stored-grain insects with entomopathogenic fungi (EF). Thus, the effect of formulated vs. unformulated strains of EF and the effect of combinations of EF with other components, i.e. diatomaceous earths (DEs), chemical insecticides, natural products and natural enemies against stored-product insects are reviewed. Very few formulations of EF strains have been developed and used, of which invert emulsion formulation (water-in-oil type) is considered the most important. A synergistic effect of EF is produced by combining them with DEs, chemical insecticides and natural products but not with natural enemies belonging to arthropods. Moreover, since the action of EF against insect pests in general, and stored-grain insects in particular, is compatible with the food safety and environmental regulations, a good perspective for these biocontrol agents is expected as alternatives to synthetic insecticides. The potential areas of future research on the effective use of EF as biocontrol agents of stored-grain insects and the constraints that are associated with the registration and commercialization of EF as biopesticides under storage conditions are also discussed. Suggestions for the possible ways for implementation of this technology in storage systems are also provided in the present study.     

The role of allelopathy in agricultural pest management

Allelopathy is a naturally occurring ecological phenomenon of interference among organisms that may be employed for managing weeds, insect pests and diseases in field crops. In field crops, allelopathy can be used following rotation, using cover crops, mulching and plant extracts for natural pest management. Application of allelopathic plant extracts can effectively control weeds and insect pests. However, mixtures of allelopathic water extracts are more effective than the application of single-plant extract in this regard. Combined application of allelopathic extract and reduced herbicide dose (up to half the standard dose) give as much weed control as the standard herbicide dose in several field crops. Lower doses of herbicides may help to reduce the development of herbicide resistance in weed ecotypes. Allelopathy thus offers an attractive environmentally friendly alternative to pesticides in agricultural pest management. In this review, application of allelopathy for natural pest management, particularly in small-farm intensive agricultural systems, is discussed.     

中国农业害虫天敌信息系统

本系统利用SQL Server 2000数据库工具和Visual Basic编程语言，开发了具有查询、维护和添加功能的中国农业害虫天敌信息系统。该系统实现了天敌信息的综合管理，并可按天敌类群、生活环境（作物）、寄主昆虫种类和地理分布等条件进行快捷的查询，将天敌的分类特征、生活习性、地理分布、寄主范围等十几项信息以图文并茂的形式直观地展现在用户面前。     

我国稻田养殖防虫除草的研究概况

利用稻田养殖控制稻田害虫和杂草是水稻有害生物可持续治理的有效措施之一。本文综述了稻田养殖治虫除草效果,相关养殖技术及其产生的生态和经济效益。     

广丰县茶树害虫天敌昆虫资源调查

本文报道了广丰县茶树害虫天敌昆虫资源调查的结果,共查明天敌昆虫57种,分属半翅目2科、脉翅目2科、鞘翅目4科、双翅目1科和膜翅目12科.指出了主要茶树害虫重要天敌昆虫.讨论了茶园生物防治有待于进一步探讨的问题.     

宁夏麦蚜天敌多样性及种间关系

麦蚜是宁夏小麦的主要害虫,为了实现自然天敌对麦蚜的有效控制,采用网捕法和陷阱法等采集手段,通过3年田间调查,共鉴定麦蚜天敌97种,包括寄生性天敌16种和捕食性天敌81种。将麦蚜天敌划分为单食性天敌、寡食性天敌、多食性天敌及杂食性天敌共4类功能团进行分析,结果表明,不同天敌功能团对麦蚜种群的影响存在显著的交互作用;寄生性天敌中蚜茧蜂属的燕麦蚜茧蜂与烟蚜茧蜂是优势种;捕食性天敌种类较为复杂,不同地区麦蚜天敌组成存在显著性差异,复杂的农业景观能够维持更高的天敌多样性。表明在农业生态系统中建立和恢复非作物生境能够明显提高天敌种群数量,进而提高其生物防治作用。     

水稻覆膜旱作对病虫草害发生程度的影响

就覆膜旱作栽培方式对早稻和单季稻病虫草害、天敌、腐食者等的丰盛度与为害程度影响作了研究。结果表明,稻田覆膜旱作可显著降低早稻纹枯病的发生程度,与常规淹水对照稻田相比,覆盖旱作稻田纵卷叶螟为害率、灰飞虱和蚜虫类虫密度及杂草发生程度无显著差异,但螟虫为害加剧,施肥量仅对照田一半的覆膜田螟虫为害株百分率比对照田提高２．４％～８．５％。水稻覆膜旱作栽培方式和种植密度高低是影响寄生蜂和蜘蛛类密度的主要因子。     

The management type used in plum orchards alters the functional community structure of arthropod predators

Abstract

The management practices in agroecosystems can alter the community structure of pests’ natural enemies, which can consequently disturb their biocontrol function. Here, we investigated how organic or conventional farming influence the community structure of arthropod predators (spiders, coccinelids, anthocorids, ants) in orchards. The three conventional orchards studied were plum tree monocultures where mainly fungicides were applied. The three organic orchards studied were dominated by plum trees with admixture of apple trees and no agrochemical was applied. We found that management significantly affected only spiders that were less abundant in the conventional orchards than in the organic orchards. In addition, the conventional management resulted in reduced species density and altered the community composition of spiders. The conventional management reduced the functional dispersion of spider body size, which may narrow the size-spectrum of pests that could be reduced by spiders. The conventional management also reduced abundances of foliage hunters and space-web spiders. Since these spiders are effective against various insect pests, the conventional management of applying fungicides might result in increased crop damage via increased insect pests.     

南岳茶场害虫-天敌群落结构及季节动态

通过对南岳茶场害虫一天敌群落的系统调查,应用群落指数进行多样性、主分量和聚类分析。结果表明:南岳茶场害虫一天敌群落的季节动态明显受到气候条件、茶树生长习性及农事活动的影响。全年大体可分为3个阶段:即10月至翌年3月为群落的越冬期,4～6月为群落的活跃期,7～9月为群落的波动期。由于采取了生态控制措施,全年中群落丰富度、多样性指数和均匀度都较大,害虫优势度指数较小,害虫与天敌之间处于较好的平衡状态。