Baseline susceptibility of Haemaphysalis longicornis to organophosphate,carbamate, and pyrethroid acaricides

BACKGROUND

The Asian longhorned tick, Haemaphysalis longicornis, continues to expand its range in North America, and synthetic acaricides are likely to play an increasing role in managing this species. Acaricide resistance is common in some tick species that infest livestock. However, baseline acaricide susceptibility has not previously been examined in this invasive tick.

RESULTS

We used a standard larval packet test to evaluate the susceptibility of the Asian longhorned tick to acaricides currently or formerly used in tick control: propoxur, carbaryl, bifenthrin, permethrin, and coumaphos. Discriminating concentrations were estimated at 6.5, 27.9, 988, 2242, and 808 ppm, respectively. The half-maximal lethal concentration (LC₅₀) values for propoxur, carbaryl, permethrin and coumaphos were compared with data available for other tick species and showed that H. longicornis was more susceptible to propoxur, carbaryl and coumaphos, and had a similar susceptibility to permethrin.

CONCLUSIONS

The results indicate that resistance to these acaricides is not currently a concern for H. longicornis in the United States. However, responsible integrated management and early detection of resistance can help ensure the long-term efficacy of products used for controlling this tick species. © 2023 The Authors. Pest Management Science published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd on behalf of Society of Chemical Industry.     

Susceptibility of a dieldrin-resistant and a susceptible strain of the tick Rhipicephalus evertsi evertsi Neumann, 1897 from East Africa,to carbamate and organophosphorus acaricides

A dieldrin-resistant and a susceptible strain of the tick Rhipicephalus evertsi evertsi Neumann, 1897 from East Africa were compared for susceptibility to nine organophosphorus and a carbamate acaricides, using an internationally approved oil-based packet test. As only minor differences in response existed between the strains, the presence of cross resistance may be excluded. For some of the acaricides, distinct susceptibility classes were recognised which were probably genetically determined. The tolerances existed independently of the organochlorine-susceptibility status and were low (by a factor less than 3), except in the case of dimethoate for which resistance factors of up to 10 were present. As susceptibility data were not assessed prior to introduction of the compounds in the field, the lowest susceptibility classes may now be considered as providing baseline data. When compared with data from susceptible reference strains of other ticks such as Boophilus microplus from Australia and R. appendiculatus from East Africa, it is feasible that the tolerances observed in the laboratory will not interfere with practical control.     

The activity of amitraz against infestations of Rhipicephalus appendiculatus

Tick-infested adult cattle were hand sprayed with solutions containing 178 or 250 mg amitraz litre^?1, prepared from a miscible oil concentrate formulation. Both concentrations achieved clearance of infestation within 7 h of spraying. All stages of tick, collected from both sprayings, subsequently died with the exception of two engorged nymphs, which moulted successfully, and six half-fully engorged females, which all laid small batches of eggs. The eggs from the ticks treated at the higher rate failed to hatch. Expulsion of adult Rhipicephalus appendiculatus, applied daily to a single bovine which had been sprayed once at the higher rate, ceased on the 11th day after spraying. All ticks expelled from the animal died within 24 h. First feeding on the animal was visible on day-13 and fully engorged females were first observed 18 days after spraying.     

Biological control of Cimex lectularius with Beauveria bassiana: Effects of substrate,dosage, application strategy,and bed bug physiology

Background

Cimex lectularius L. (bed bug) (Hemiptera: Cimicidae) is a serious indoor pest worldwide, and this nuisance needs to be controlled using different methods in integrated pest management (IPM). Beauveria bassiana (Bals.-Criv.) Vuill. (Hypocreales: Cordycipitaceae) kills bed bugs, and insect pathogenic fungi may be utilized to control bed bugs in IPM. To increase knowledge of this methodology, forced exposure experiments were conducted with different formulations, doses, and substrates, using bed bugs in variable physiological states.

Results

Both oil- and water-formulated fungal products showed significant improvement when conidial concentrations were raised in five steps from 0.02 to 2.0%. At low concentrations (0.02% in water) effects from substrate and application strategy were observed. Application on soft substrates (cotton and polyester) yielded significantly higher bed bug mortality rates than on harder substrates (paper, wood, and linoleum) with a final mortality of 35–63% against 8–10%. Multiple applications over time also improved B. bassiana's ability to kill bed bugs, and at low concentrations only a triple application on cotton showed 100% final mortality. Bed bug age and reproductive status significantly affected survival. Older and reproducing individuals showed higher mortality compared to newly emerged adults. Differences in feeding status also yielded differences in mortality timing, but only minor differences in final mortality rates. Egg production and hatching success were significantly reduced by some treatments.

Conclusion

B. bassiana appears to be an asset in the fight against bed bugs. Substrate, dosage, application strategy, and bed bug physiology are important factors to consider for optimal efficacy and safe indoor control with insect pathogenic fungi. © 2023 Society of Chemical Industry.     

Biological control of the tick fowl Argas persicargas persicus by the entomopathogenic fungi Beauveria bassiana and Metarhizium anisopliae

The pathogenicity of the entomopathogenic fungi Beauveria bassiana and Metarhizium anisopliae against the tick fowl Argas persicargas persicus was studied. Bioassays revealed significant differences between the two fungi and the A. persicargas persicus stages exposed. The first nymphal instar was more highly susceptible to both fungi than the second nymphal instar. The unfed female of A. persicargas persicus was significantly less susceptible to both fungi than the engorged female. Application of M. anisopliae to sackcloth naturally infested with the tick fowl A. persicargas persicus induced mortality which reached 100% three weeks after treatment under field conditions. The present study suggests that entomopathogenic fungi have good potential for tick fowl, A. persicargas persicus, control.     

Interactions of air temperature,relative humidity and biological control agents on grey mold of bean

The interactions ofBotrytis cinerea and seven biological control agents (BCAs) were examined in controlled environments to determine the influence of selected relative humidities (RH) (90,95, and 100%) and air temperatures (20,24 and 28 C) on grey mold of bean. All main effects and interactions were significant (P0.05) among the 72 treatments. In the control, lesions of grey mold developed under all environmental conditions but were largest at 24 C×95 and 100% RH, and 28 C×95% RH. Interactions of environment, BCAs and grey mold were complex.Alternaria alternata, Drechslera sp.,Myrothecium verrucaria, Trichoderma viride, Gliocladium roseum and an unidentified pink yeast were all highly dependent on environment for biological control efficacy, and changes of 4 C or 5% RH were associated with variability in disease suppression that ranged from 15 to 100%. Efficacy ofEpicoccum purpurascens appeared independent of environment and this BCA suppressed disease by 100% in all of the environmental treatments. Suppression of grey mold by many of the BCAs was most effective under environmental conditions least conducive to disease. Therefore, evaluations of potential BCAs in environmental conditions that are marginal for disease can overestimate their efficacy in field environments. Assessments of biological control efficacy in various environments can be used to more accurately assess the potential of BCAs.     

Production of Beauvericin by Different Races of Fusarium Oxysporum F. sp. Melonis, The Fusarium Wilt Agent of Muskmelon

Fourty-four strains of Fusarium oxysporum were isolated from plants of melon with Fusarium wilt symptoms. Among these strains, thirty-nine were characterized for their pathogenicity on melon. Thirty-seven strains belonged to known races of F. oxysporum f. sp. melonis, while two strains were non-pathogenic. Four strains belonged to race 0, seven to race 1, four to race 2, and twenty-two to race 1,2. Beauvericin was produced by thirty-six strains in a range from 1 to 310gg^–1. Eight isolates of race 1,2 did not produce the toxin. In addition, of the two non-pathogenic strains, only one strain produced the toxin (290gg^–1). The production of enniatin A₁, enniatin B₁, and enniatin B was also investigated. Enniatin B was the only enniatin detected, being produced by eleven strains belonging to all the races, with a range of production from traces to 60gg^–1. Finally, melon fruits belonging to two different cultivars (Cantalupo and Amarillo) were artificially inoculated with one strain of F. oxysporum f. sp. melonis (ITEM 3464). Beauvericin was detected in the fruit tissues of both cultivars at a level of 11.2 and 73.8gg^–1, respectively. These data suggest that the production of both the toxins is not related to the pathogenicity of F. oxysporum f. sp. melonis, nor to the differential specificity of the races. The results confirm that beauvericin is a common metabolite of phytopathogenic Fusarium species.     

Effect of Environmental Conditions on Germination and Survival of Teliospores and Basidiospores of the Pear Rust Fungus (Gymnosporangium asiaticum)

Pear rust, caused by Gymnosporangium asiaticum, is an important disease of pear (Pyrus spp.) in China in areas where cypress (Juniperus spp. and Sabina spp.), the alternate host, is present. Controlled environment experiments were conducted to study the effects of temperature, relative humidity (RH) and duration of free water on germination of teliospores and basidiospores of G. asiaticum. Teliospores, sampled from Juniperus chinensis, germinated at temperatures ranging from 5 to 28 , with an optimum between 16 and 20 . For teliospores to germinate, telial horns required free water: soaking in water for 30 sec triggered teliospore germination. After initial wetting, RH had little effect on germination of teliospores except at extreme temperatures (5 and 30 ) where germination needed near-saturation moisture. The minimum time for telial horns to produce basidiospores was about 3 h at optimum temperatures. Teliospores in all telial horns germinated at 12--4 , but at 8 and 28 only those from a third of telial horns germinated. Basidiospores germinated at 5--0 with the optimum around 15 ; they needed free water or saturated moisture to germinate. Germination in free water was about eight times greater than at 100% RH. Logistic models described well the germination dynamics of basidiospores. Basidiospore survival declined exponentially with storage time, and linearly with increasing temperature and decreasing RH. Basidiospores survived for at least six days in dry conditions with RH as low as 45%.     

Impact of seed blend and structured maize refuge on Helicoverpa zea (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae) potential phenological resistance development parameters in pupae and adults

BACKGROUND

Helicoverpa zea, an economic pest in the south-eastern United States, has evolved practical resistance to Bacillus thuringiensis (Bt) Cry toxins in maize and cotton. Insect resistance management (IRM) programs have historically required planting of structured non-Bt maize, but because of its low adoption, the use of seed blends has been considered. To generate knowledge on target pest biology and ecology to help improve IRM strategies, nine field trials were conducted in 2019 and 2020 in Florida, Georgia, North Carolina, and South Carolina to evaluate the impact of Bt (Cry1Ab + Cry1F or Cry1Ab + Cry1F + Vip3A) and non-Bt maize plants in blended and structured refuge treatments on H. zea pupal survival, weight, soil pupation depth, adult flight parameters, and adult time to eclosion.

RESULTS

From a very large sample size and geography, we found a significant difference in pupal mortality and weight among treatments in seed blends with Vip3A, implying that cross-pollination occurred between Bt and non-Bt maize ears. There was no treatment effect for pupation depth, adult flight distance, and eclosion time.

CONCLUSION

Results of this study demonstrate the potential impact of different refuge strategies on phenological development and survival of an important pest species of regulatory concern. © 2023 The Authors. Pest Management Science published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd on behalf of Society of Chemical Industry.     

Germination of <Emphasis Type="Italic">Gibberella zeae</Emphasis> ascospores as affected by age of spores after discharge and environmental factors

The effects of age of ascospores (0–18 days after discharge), photon flux density (0–494 mol m^–2 s^–1 PAR), temperature (4–30 °C), frost (–15 °C for 30 min), relative humidity (RH; 0–100%), pH (2.5–6.5) and dryness (0 and 53% RH for up to 40 min) on the germination of the ascospores of the mycotoxin-producing fungus Gibberella zeae (anamorph Fusarium graminearum) were studied. Freshly discharged ascospores germinated within 4 h at 20 °C and 100% RH. The rate of germination and the percentage of viable ascospores decreased over time after the spores were discharged from perithecia. The time course of ascospore germination was not significantly affected by photon flux density. The period of time required to obtain 50% germinated ascospores at 100% RH was 26.90 h at 4 °C, 10.40 h at 14 °C, 3.44 h at 20 °C and 3.31 h at 30 °C. There was no significant effect of frost on the percentage of viable ascospores. A small percentage (6.6 ± 3.8%) of the ascospores germinated at 53% RH. At RH 84% and 20 °C almost 100% of the freshly discharged ascospores germinated. The time course of ascospore germination was affected by pH. The maximum rate of ascospore germination was estimated to be at pH 3.76. Ascospores lost their ability to germinate following exposure to 0% RH almost instantaneously. No germinating spores were detected after an incubation period of 1 min at 0% RH. Incubating the ascospores at 53% RH decreased the percentage of viable spores from 93 to 6% within 10 min. The data demonstrate that age of spores, relative humidity, temperature and pH, but not photon flux density, are key factors in germination of G. zeae ascospores.     

A novel use of Nesidiocoris tenuis (Reuter) (Hemiptera: Miridae) as inoculative agent of baculoviruses

Background

Alphabaculoviruses are Lepidoptera-specific virulent pathogens that infect numerous pests, including the Spodoptera complex. Due to their low environmental persistence, the traditional use of Alphabaculoviruses as bioinsecticides consist in high-rate spray applications with repeated treatments. Several abiotic and biotic factors can foster its dispersion, promoting their persistence in the agroecosystem. Amongst biotic factors, predatory arthropods can disperse the viruses by excretion after preying on infected individuals. Therefore, this study focused on promoting predator's ingestion of nucleopolyhedrovirus (NPV)-treated diets, and the later exposition of the insect host to leaf surfaces contaminated with predator excreta. The virus–host–predator system studied was Spodoptera littoralis nucleopolyhedrovirus (SpliNPV), Spodoptera littoralis (Boisduval) and Nesidiocoris tenuis (Reuter). The infective potential of N. tenuis feces and the retention time of SpliNPV were assessed under laboratory conditions after feeding on treated diets (sucrose solution and Ephestia kuehniella eggs).

Results

Mortality of S. littoralis larvae was lower via N. tenuis excretion than in positive control (spray application) in the first infection cycle, together with a delay in host death. In the second infection cycle, both SpliNPV-treated diets triggered 100% mortality. Both diets allowed the transmission of SpliNPV, with a faster excretion via sucrose solution compared to E. kuehniella eggs. SpliNPV remained in N. tenuis digestive tract and was viable after excretion at least for 9 days for both diets.

Conclusions

This study demonstrated the potential of the predator N. tenuis as inoculative agent of baculoviruses, representing a new alternative that, along with inundative applications, might contribute to improve pest management strategies. © 2023 The Authors. Pest Management Science published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd on behalf of Society of Chemical Industry.     

Identifying weather‐related covariates controlling grape berry moth dynamics*

The use of plant protection products requires precise forecasting of the susceptible larval stages of the grape berry moths Lobesia botrana and Eupoecilia ambiguella as these dynamics vary with the weather pattern of a particular year. The objective of this research has been to partition the relative influence of specific climatic factors on the dynamics of these insects. Data taken from 7 years of continuous monitoring of the flight occurrence of male adults, and of the following development stages (i.e. eggs and larvae), was analysed by a generalized Leslie process. The model type reduces the population to three probabilities: development, survival and fertility. Each probability can be modelled as a function of the associated weather factors, while the functional relationships and the model parameters are established. The analysis started with the simplest approach and, in a step‐by‐step procedure, model complexity was added until a sufficient fit to the overall data set was achieved. Within the magnitude of the model, development rates were controlled solely by temperature, but the duration of single stages (i.e. survival) was found to be affected by a combination of temperature and relative humidity. The model represents a combination of mechanisms within a season with empirical components.     

Screening techniques for the evaluation of chemicals with activity as tick repellents

Screening techniques are described for the evaluation of the activity of tick repellents in vitro and in vivo, for the control of ticks of veterinary importance. In addition a modification of the in-vitro technique is described whereby the knockdown activity of chemicals may be assessed. There was a lack of correlation between results obtained in vitro and those obtained in vivo. Butopyranoxyl and N, N-diethyl-m-toluamide, which were highly active in vitro, showed only medium to low activity in vivo. Conversely, benzyl benzoate and dimethyl carbate, which were highly active in vivo, showed only low activity in vitro. Chemical breakdown, volatility, the ability of the chemical to bind to hair and skin, and differences in the behaviour and the morphology and physiology of the sense organs between larval and adult Rhipicephalus evertsi evertsi (Neumann 1897) are suggested as likely explanations for these differences in activity. Of the four synthetic pyrethroids tested, cypermethrin, deltamethrin, permethrin and fenvalerate, only the first three were shown to have good knockdown activity but only two, deltamethrin and permethrin, produced significant mortality of the exposed larvae. Further tests would be required to determine whether there is a correlation between knockdown and mortality.     

Field evaluation of vaporised ethyl formate and carbon dioxide for fumigation of stored wheat

BACKGROUND: Vapormate? is a cylinderised non‐flammable mixture of ethyl formate (16.7% by weight) and carbon dioxide (CO₂) that has been developed as a rapid fumigant of stored grain. Four field trials were undertaken on wheat in 50 t farm silos to demonstrate the feasibility of dynamic application. To assess treatment efficacy, each trial tested mixed stages of Rhyzopertha dominica F. (>11 000), Tribolium castaneum (Herbst.) (>1500) and Sitophilus oryzae (L.) (>13 000) in mesh cages positioned through the centre of the grain bulk and on the grain surface. Ethyl formate and CO₂ concentrations were measured in the silo during fumigation and in ambient air outside the 6 m fumigation zone. Application rates of 420, 660 and 940 g m^?3 of ethyl formate/CO₂ formulation and exposure times of 24, 3 and 72 h, respectively, were examined using wheat of 10.4–11.7% moisture content and grain temperatures between 2 and 32 °C. RESULTS: All life stages of R. dominica and T. castaneum were fully controlled under all conditions tested, and mortality of all life stages of S. oryzae was greater than 98%. CONCLUSION: Dynamic application of vaporised ethyl formate and CO₂ to 50 t silos proved safe to operators and rapidly effective against stored‐grain insects on cold to warm grain. Copyright © 2009 CSIRO, Australia. Published by John Wiley & Sons, Ltd     

白僵菌及其伴生菌发酵液对线虫的毒力研究

采用发酵液浸没法,以4种线虫作为靶标,对6株白僵菌、7株伴生菌菌株进行了杀线虫活性筛选,以期获得新的、高效的杀线虫生防菌资源。其中:处理24 h对南方根结线虫Meloidogyne incognita 2龄幼虫及大豆胞囊线虫Heterodera glycines 2龄幼虫校正死亡率均达80%以上的菌株仅有白僵菌Snef2598及伴生菌Snef5;供试菌株对水稻干尖线虫Aphelenchoides besseyi的毒力均较低,其中仅有1株白僵菌校正死亡率达到40%以上。处理48 h对南方根结线虫2龄幼虫校正死亡率达90%以上的菌株有白僵菌4株和伴生菌5株;对大豆胞囊线虫2龄幼虫校正死亡率超过90%的菌株有白僵菌3株和伴生菌1株;供试菌株对水稻干尖线虫毒力均较低,校正死亡率达60%以上的菌株有白僵菌3株和伴生菌2株;几乎所有供试菌株,对小杆线虫Caenorhabditis sp.的毒力均很高,处理24 h及48 h的校正死亡率均达97%以上,且被杀死的小杆线虫体壁以及虫体内部物质均被不同程度地消解。研究表明,球孢白僵菌菌株Snef2598及其伴生菌菌株Snef5对4种靶标线虫的毒力均较好,具有进一步研究的价值。     

Effects of low temperatures on pupal survival of the stone leek leafminer Liriomyza chinensis (Diptera: Agromyzidae)

Abstract

The cold-hardiness of Liriomyza chinensis pupae was measured in the laboratory by observing pupal mortality at low temperatures. Pupal mortality increased with decreasing temperature and with extended cold exposure time. No recently pupated pupae (6 h) were able to survive after 16 days of chilling at 0, 2.5 and 5°C, but 42.9% survival was observed at 10°C. Pupae at different developmental stages showed significant difference in mortality, with very low levels of mortality observed for older pupae (4 and 7 days) after exposure to 0°C for 16 days. The lethal time for 50% survival (LT₅₀) increased with increasing age of pupae. LT₅₀ for 4-day-old pupae exposed to 0°C was 52.1 days. Analysis of mean temperatures at several localities indicated that L. chinensis is able to overwinter outdoors in southern regions, but is unable to overwinter in open fields in northern regions of Japan, suggesting that overwintering in these regions would only occur in greenhouses.     

Influence of temperature on toxicity of propylene oxide at low pressure against<Emphasis Type="Italic">Tribolium castaneum</Emphasis>

Toxicity of propylene oxide (PPO) at low pressure against the most common stored-product insect,Tribolium castaneum (Herbst), over a short exposure time, was tested at three different temperatures (16°, 22° and 30°C). Toxicities of PPO at 100 mm Hg were strongly influenced by ambient temperature. LD₅₀ and LD₉₉ toxicities ranged from 4.7 to 28.9 mgl ⁻¹ and from 10.5 to 72.6 mgl ⁻¹ respectively, showing that susceptibility was positively correlated to the temperature. The LD₉₉ values for all life stages (except the larval stage) were significantly lower at 30° than those at 16° and 22°C. However, the LD₉₉ values for all life stages (except the pupal stage) at 16° were not significantly different from those at 22°C. A concentration × time (Ct) product of 291, 171 and 98 mg h/l was required to obtain complete mortality (99%) ofT. castaneum at 16°, 22° and 30°C, respectively. Thus, the efficacy of PPO at 100 mm Hg to all life stages ofT. castaneum also decreased as the temperature decreased from 30° to 16°C. http://www.phytoparasitica.org posting Sept. 28, 2004.     

Assessment of short-term mortality of granary weevil,Sitophilus granarius (Coleoptera: Curculionidae) triggered by different microwave irradiation powers

Abstract

The insecticidal efficacy of microwave irradiation against the at 12, 24, 48 and 72?h following exposure to microwave irradiations (100, 300?W) and the progeny production was assessed 45?days later. Linearly increasing irradiation power range (100, 200 and 300?W) was set up for determining mortality tendency. An increase of insect mortality caused by higher irradiation period and times elapsed after treatment has become evident commencing from 12?h after the treatment, which has significantly decreased at later elapsed time after treatment. The irradiation periods inducing the highest mortality at the examined powers were at 10?min and at 100?W power (72?h: 64.93%) and at 4.5?min. and at 300?W power (12?h: 87.01). In addition, a complete suppression of progeny production was achieved by 4.5?min treatment at 300?W power. Lognormal-type mortality process was caused by the linearly increased irradiation range. The properly chosen microwave irradiation can be used for management of Sitophilus granarius larval and adult developmental stages. This treatment could provide an effective and friendly environmental treatment technique in Integrated Pest Management (IPM) program.     

黄瓜绿粉病病原鉴定及其发生规律研究

黄瓜绿粉病是温棚蔬菜上一种新病害,由绿藻门集球藻(Palmellococcus sp.)引起。藻孢卵圆形、长椭圆形、淡绿色、单胞、大小3.39～12.38μm×1.06～10.82μm,表面有山脊状隆起,是一种依附于体表的气生性自养生物。该病害多在1～3月份发生,与湿度密切相关。每日温棚中RH不低于80%,RH100%在12h以上,藻孢生长旺盛;当中午有1h以上RH低于70%时,藻孢的发育受到抑制。凡能增大温棚湿度的栽培措施如灌水、密植等因素均能加重发病。黄瓜品种抗病性无明显差异。     

Mechanism of action of clenpyrin on the cattle tick Boophilus microplus

Clenpyrin is effective against all stages of development of one-host cattle ticks (Boophilus spp.) including strains resistant to organophosphorus compounds and carbamates. Ticks treated with clenpyrin are quickly immobilised due to a slackening of the muscles. Manometric measurements revealed a marked depression in respiratory gas exchange and a rise in the R Q within 24 h after treatment. Clenpyrin inhibits NADH oxidation and, as a result, all synthesising processes in the tick. The breakdown of proteins taken up with the blood meal is also inhibited. Clenpyrin, however, does not interfere with carbohydrate degradation. These results have been corroborated in detail by determining various substances in treated and untreated ticks: proteins, haematin, guanine, glycogen, glucose, lactate, ATP, lipoids and cuticular wax. Clenpyrin does not inhibit tick proteinase, tick and other acetylcholinesterase, or rat monoamine oxidase; therefore, the mode of action of clenpyrin differs from that of other known tickicides, especially those involving the acetylcholinesterase system.