Epitrix similaris and Epitrix cucumeris in Portugal: damage patterns in potato and suitability of potential host plants for reproduction

The potato flea beetle species Epitrix similaris and Epitrix cucumeris were identified in mainland Portugal in 2009. This was the first finding of the species E. similaris in the EPPO region, and the first report of the species E. cucumeris, established in the Atlantic Islands of Azores (Portugal) for three decades, in the mainland EPPO zone. Preliminary information on the damage patterns caused by E. similaris and E. cucumeris on potato and their host plant preferences is provided. Leaf feeding by the adults causes the characteristic shot‐hole pattern common to flea beetles. The larvae of both species develop on the root system and cause damage to the tubers. In field experiments, tuber damage by E. similaris presented three patterns: superficial tracks (serpentines), black splinters, and shallow holes. In the laboratory E. cucumeris was observed to be able to feed on very small immature tubers, causing serpentines and holes as well. However, in some cases it developed exclusively on roots. The adults of both Epitrix species hardly fed and reproduced on sweet pepper plants but fed and reproduced on the remaining five solanaceous plants tested (aubergine, Datura stramonium, tomato, potato and Solanum nigrum). E. similaris produced a much higher number of progeny on potato and on S. nigrum than on the other host plants. E. cucumeris produced more offspring on S. nigrum than on the other host‐plants.     

苏云金芽胞杆菌在马铃薯甲虫防治上的研究进展

马铃薯甲虫是重要的入侵害虫,严重威胁着我国粮食作物马铃薯的生产。苏云金芽胞杆菌是重要的农业害虫生防细菌,对马铃薯甲虫有良好的防治效果。本文围绕苏云金芽胞杆菌在马铃薯甲虫防治上的研究进展与应用进行综述。主要从马铃薯甲虫的入侵与防治手段、苏云金芽胞杆菌的晶体蛋白结构与杀虫机制、对马铃薯甲虫有活性的Bt毒蛋白研究进展、Bt毒蛋白对马铃薯甲虫的作用机制以及马铃薯甲虫对Bt毒蛋白的抗性机制等方面进行了综述。最后,从Bt新基因的挖掘和杀虫机理方面对苏云金芽胞杆菌在马铃薯甲虫防治上的研究进行了展望。     

Cross-pathogenicity of <Emphasis Type="Italic">Verticillium dahliae</Emphasis> between potato and sunflower

This study examined cross-pathogenicity of the soilborne pathogen Verticillium dahliae between potato and sunflower. Four week-old potato and sunflower seedlings were inoculated with ten isolates from each of the two host species. Potato cultivars (Kennebec, susceptible, and Ranger Russet, moderately resistant) and sunflower hybrids (IS8048, susceptible, and 6946, moderately resistant) were assessed for disease severity and percent infection at 2 weeks, 3 weeks, 4 weeks, 5 weeks, and 6 weeks after inoculation (w.a.i), and for vascular discolouration at 6 w.a.i., using visual scales developed for each host species. The experiments were conducted in 2006 and repeated in 2007. Based on percent infection and disease severity, most V. dahliae isolates were highly aggressive on both host species. The tested isolates caused higher disease levels in the susceptible than in the moderately resistant phenotypes. They also caused more vascular discolouration in their original than in the alternative host. However, the isolates originating from sunflower caused less infection and disease severity on both hosts, compared to their potato counterparts. Cluster analysis based on all of the criteria used to assess pathogenicity led to three groups of isolates: (i) most V. dahliae potato isolates, which ranged with the highly aggressive control isolates, (ii) one V. dahliae sunflower isolate, which showed a similar pathogenicity level to the weakly-aggressive V. albo-atrum sub-group II control isolate, with no more symptoms than in the non-inoculated plants, and (iii) most V. dahliae sunflower isolates with mildly- to weakly-aggressive levels. Based on these results, V. dahliae cross-pathogenicity is very effective between potato and sunflower. Therefore, rotations involving these species should be avoided, especially where sunflower follows potato.     

The effect of host plant on colorado potato beetle (coleoptera: Chrysomelidae) susceptibility to pyrethroid insecticides

In laboratory studies, Colorado potato beetle (CPB) (Leptinotarsa decemlineata Say) reared on eggplant were significantly more susceptible to permethrin than CPB reared on tomato. Field studies conducted in 1984 and 1985 showed that the percentage reduction of CPB larvae reared on eggplant due to foliar applications of fenvalerate was significantly greater than the percentage reduction of CPB larvae reared on either potato or tomato. Plant defoliation was greater on eggplant and potato than on tomato. Eggplant and potato yields increased as the dose of fenvalerate increased and the potato beetle population decreased, but tomato yields were unaffected by fenvalerate treatments. The effects and biological activity of individual plant chemical compounds (i.e., glvcoalkaloids) in various Solanum species need to be examined in detail before the full significance of the role of these compounds in host-plant resistance and their interaction with CPB insecticide resistance are understood.     

Insect-trapping Hairs on Potato Plants

Abstract

The ability of glandular hairs on the foliage of the wild potato species Solanum polyadenium and S. berthaultii to trap mite and insect pests is illustrated by scanning electron micrographs. Both potato species have hairs with four-lobed heads which release a sticky substance when ruptured. On S. polyadenium these hairs trapped aphids, Colorado beetle larvae and a leafhopper Javasella pellucida. S. berthaultii also has hairs with a sticky droplet at their tips; these hairs trapped such small pests as spider mites, thrips and larval mealybugs. Adult whitefly were not trapped because a powdery wax from the whiteflies coated the hairs. It is suggested that these glandular hairs could help protect potato crops by trapping many foliage pests, including disease vectors.     

Potential host range of four Phytophthora interspecific hybrids from Clade 8a

In recent years several interspecific hybrids have been reported in the plant pathogenic oomycete genus Phytophthora. Due to the large genotypic and phenotypic changes, these hybrids might have broader or more limited host ranges compared with their parental species. It is crucial to understand the host range of Phytophthora hybrids to minimize the economic losses caused by their infection. The potential host range of four hybrids belonging to Clade 8a of the Phytophthora phylogenetic tree was investigated in this study. Thirty species of herbaceous plants as well as eight species of woody plants were inoculated and monitored for any symptom of infection. In addition, the detached twigs of 32 tree species, fruits of six plant species, tubers of potato, and roots of carrot and sugar beet were investigated for susceptibility to these hybrids. Almost all hybrids caused severe rot on all tested fruits, tubers, and roots, although different isolates showed different pathogenicity on detached tree twigs. All hybrids tested had a different host range compared with their parental species: they were able to infect plants outside the host range of their parents, infect hosts of both parental species, although these parents did not have overlapping hosts, or, in some cases, they were not able to infect hosts infected by the parents.     

莲草直胸跳甲羧酸酯酶基因AhCesB1的克隆、序列分析及表达特征

莲草直胸跳甲Agasicles hygrophila是入侵杂草喜旱莲子草的专食性天敌。为进一步明确莲草直胸跳甲寄主专一性的分子机制,通过分析其转录组数据克隆羧酸酯酶(carboxylesterases,Car Es)基因,采用RT-PCR技术从其体内获得1个羧酸酯酶B簇基因并进行生物信息学分析,同时利用实时定量PCR方法检测其在不同身体部位及不同发育阶段的表达特性,并对饥饿处理、取食靶标植物喜旱莲子草和非靶标植物莙荙后该基因的表达水平进行比较。结果显示,克隆得到1条莲草直胸跳甲羧酸酯酶基因的cDNA全长序列,长度为1 851 bp,开放阅读框长度为1 647 bp,编码548个氨基酸,以该基因推导的氨基酸序列与其它物种的CarEs进行聚类分析,发现此基因为羧酸酯酶B簇家族成员,命名为AhCesB1(GenBank登录号KT032151)。实时定量PCR检测结果显示,AhCesB1基因在莲草直胸跳甲3龄期表达量最高,成虫期和蛹期表达量次之,卵、1龄和2龄期表达量相对较低。AhCesB1基因在头和中肠的表达量较低,在其余身体部分表达量较高。取食莙荙后AhCesB1表达量显著增高,为饥饿处理的13.7倍,而取食喜旱莲子草与饥饿处理并无显著差异。表明莲草直胸跳甲AhCesB1在不同发育阶段和成虫不同身体部位具有不同的表达水平,而非寄主植物莙荙可以诱导该基因的表达,推测羧酸酯酶在莲草直胸跳甲代谢次生物质中发挥着重要作用。     

光周期对莲草直胸跳甲生长发育和繁殖的影响

为明确莲草直胸跳甲Agasicles hygrophila Selman et Vogt的生态适应性,提高其对恶性杂草喜旱莲子草Alternanthera philoxeroides(Martius)的生物防治效率,研究了7组不同光周期对其生长发育和繁殖的影响。结果表明:不同光周期处理下,莲草直胸跳甲卵的孵化历期差异显著,在L∶D=12 h∶12 h时孵化历期最短,为4.33 d;其化蛹率无显著差异。相较于短光期,长光期条件更适合其幼虫生长发育。随着光照时数的增加,莲草直胸跳甲成虫寿命、产卵历期、雌虫产卵量呈明显单峰趋势,光周期为L∶D=12 h∶12 h时,成虫寿命和产卵历期最长,分别为41.8 d和34.0 d;光周期为L∶D=8 h∶16 h时,雌虫产卵量最高,为98.5块。不同光周期处理下其成虫后代的孵化率均高于85%,各处理间均无显著差异。在7组光周期处理下,莲草直胸跳甲均未出现生长与生殖停滞及大量死亡现象。生命表分析结果显示,光周期为L∶D=12 h∶12 h时,莲草直胸跳甲种群的净增殖率、平均世代周期及内禀增长率均最高,分别为386.88、45.36和0.13;而种群增殖时长最短,为5.27 d。表明光周期为L∶D=12 h∶12 h时最适合莲草直胸跳甲生长发育和繁殖。     

Lateral transfer of a phytopathogenic symbiont among native and exotic ambrosia beetles

Different ambrosia beetle species can coexist in tree trunks, where their immature stages feed upon symbiotic fungi. Although most ambrosia beetles are not primary pests and their fungal symbionts are not pathogenic to the host tree, exceptional situations exist. Notably, Xyleborus glabratus carries a phytopathogenic symbiont, Raffaelea lauricola, which causes laurel wilt, a lethal disease of some Lauraceae species. Both X. glabratus and R. lauricola are natives of Asia that recently invaded much of the coastal plain of the southeastern USA. This study examined ambrosia beetles that breed in susceptible trees in Florida (USA), including avocado (Persea americana), redbay (P. borbonia) and swampbay (P. palustris). Raffaelea lauricola was recovered from six of eight ambrosia beetle species that emerged from laurel wilt‐affected swampbay trees, in addition to X. glabratus. Controlled infestations with cohorts of the six species other than X. glabratus revealed that each could transmit the pathogen to healthy redbay trees and two could transmit the pathogen to healthy avocado trees; laurel wilt developed in five and one of the respective beetle × host interactions. These results indicate flexibility in the lateral transfer of a non‐native ambrosial fungus to other ambrosia beetles, and for the first time documents the transmission of a laterally transferred phytopathogenic symbiont by new ambrosia beetle species. Additional work is needed to determine whether, or to what extent, the new beetle × R. lauricola combinations play a role in spreading laurel wilt.     

Gastrophysa atrocyanae (Col: Chrysomelidae), an agent for biological control of the dock,Rumex japonicus (Polygonaceae) in China

Abstract

The biology and host specificity of the beetle, Gastrophysa atrocyanea Motch were studied in the laboratory in Nanchang, China. This univoltine insect completed its immature stage in 32–39 days with adult overwintering in soil. A total of 35 plant species from 21 families were tested. Both larvae and adults attacked Rumex japonicus and Rumex acetosa with R. japonicus the main host. Larvae also attacked two Polygonum species, P. hydropiper and P. perfoliatum. But the adults are not concurrent with the two Polygonum species. Though oviposition occurred on five other plant species, none of them supported larval development. Field observations showed that G. atrocyanae caused a progressive decline in natural R. japonicus populations. Thus it is recommended as a valuable biological agent for this weed.     

Fusarium graminearum as a dry rot pathogen of potato in the USA: prevalence,comparison of host isolate aggressiveness and factors affecting aetiology

A 2004–2005 survey of potatoes from stores in the north‐central potato‐producing region of the USA showed that the predominant causes of dry rot were Fusarium graminearum and Fusarium sambucinum. Isolates of F. graminearum originally isolated from potato tubers with dry rot (n = 15), wheat kernels with scab (n = 15), and sugarbeet tap roots with decay (n = 5) were tested for aggressiveness to potato tubers. There were no significant differences in aggressiveness among isolates of F. graminearum, regardless of original host, as measured by their ability to cause dry rot. These findings may have implications for survival of F. graminearum inoculum since potatoes, wheat and sugarbeets are frequently used in crop rotation in the region. Fusarium graminearum required larger wounds for infection of potato tubers than F. sambucinum. Plug‐removal injury, simulating a stolon‐removal injury, resulted in equal incidence of dry rot caused by the two Fusarium species, whereas abrasion and bruising injury were sufficient for infection and dry rot development by F. sambucinum, but not F. graminearum. A change in harvest practices from vine‐killing prior to harvest to mechanical vine‐killing on the day of harvest may be a factor affecting the onset of dry rot caused by F. graminearum, since this process often causes large wounds at the stem end of the tubers when the stolon is forcibly removed.     

Identification and pest status of two exotic flea beetle species newly introduced in Portugal: Epitrix similaris Gentner and Epitrix cucumeris (Harris)

Around 2004, a new type of injury was noticed in potato tubers harvested in the north of Portugal. Two North American flea beetles, Epitrix cucumeris and Epitrix similariswere later identified. The second species seems to be responsible for the characteristic type of tuber injury observed. The main morphological characters enabling the two species to be distinguished are presented.     

Plant phylogeny determines host selection and acceptance of the oligophagous leaf beetle Cassida rubiginosa

BACKGROUND

Predicting the host range of biocontrol agents is important for the safe and effective implementation of biocontrol of weeds. In this study, we examined the phylogenetic pattern of host selection and acceptance by the biocontrol beetle, Cassida rubiginosa. The beetle was released in New Zealand for control of Cirsium arvense, its primary host plant, but has potential to attack many Cardueae (thistles and knapweeds) species. We conducted a series of no-choice and choice experiments and modelled the responses of Cassida rubiginosa in relation to phylogenetic distance from Cirsium arvense.

RESULTS

The olfactory recognition (single odour) and preference (two odours) of the beetle showed a significant phylogenetic relationship. These relationships showed a high degree of correlation with 66.9% of the variation in olfactory recognition and 82.8% of the variation in olfactory preference explained by phylogeny. Where the beetle could contact plants, under no-choice conditions there was no phylogenetic pattern to host plant acceptance. However, under choice conditions, phylogenetic distance was a strong predictor of feeding and oviposition preference. These relationships showed a high degree of correlation, with 63.4% of the variation in feeding preference, and 89.0% of the variation in oviposition preference, explained by phylogeny.

CONCLUSIONS

As far as we are aware, this is the first demonstration of an herbivorous insect that exhibits a phylogenetic pattern to olfactory host plant selection. Host plant utilisation by Cassida rubiginosa in New Zealand will be mostly restricted to Cirsium and Carduus species, with minimal potential for impact on other Cardueae weeds. © 2023 The Authors. Pest Management Science published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd on behalf of Society of Chemical Industry.     

空心莲子草叶(虫甲)的寄主专一性测验

空心莲子草叶(虫甲)原产阿根廷,是空心莲子草的天敌。1987年由美国佛罗里达州引入北京,在室内用代表21个科的39种主要经济作物、观赏植物及与空心莲子草近缘或形态相似的植物,进行了叶(虫甲)食性测验,结果表明:该天敌为单食性,除自然寄主外,不取食其它植物;在人为强制饥饿条件下,仅轻微取食马齿苋、白菜、莴苣,但不能完成生活史。这种天敌在我国可以安全利用。     

SSR assessment of Phytophthora infestans populations on tomato and potato in British gardens demonstrates high diversity but no evidence for host specialization

Phytophthora infestans populations can differ in composition as a result of host specialization on tomato and potato hosts. In Great Britain many amateur gardeners grow outdoor tomatoes but there is little or no commercial tomato production outdoors. This study analysed isolates of P. infestans from British gardens with 12 multiplexed simple sequence repeat markers that are used to monitor the disease on commercial potato crops. Samples of P. infestans from tomato hosts were collected in 3 years and from potato in 1 year from across Great Britain. Seven previously unreported clonal lineages were detected in garden populations and higher frequencies of unique clonal lineages (28–40%) were present compared with populations from British commercial potato crops reported elsewhere. Garden populations had a lower proportion (11–48% less) of the most common lineages (13_A2 and 6_A1) that together made up at least 86% of the commercial potato populations during the sampling period. Host species accounted for only 2·0% of molecular variance detected between garden potato‐ and tomato‐hosted samples. No significant difference in clonal lineage composition was found between host species in Great Britain and this could be due to the whole P. infestans population overwintering on potato. British garden populations on both hosts were much more diverse than those on commercial potato crops; this finding may be influenced by less frequent fungicide use by gardeners and a higher diversity of unsprayed susceptible potato cultivars, enabling metalaxyl‐sensitive and less aggressive genotypes to survive in gardens.     

Relative resistance or susceptibility of maple (Acer) species,hybrids and cultivars to six arthropod pests of production nurseries

BACKGROUND: Maples (Acer spp.) in production nurseries are vulnerable to numerous arthropod pests that can stunt or even kill the young trees. Seventeen cultivars representing various Acer species and hybrids were evaluated for extent of infestation or injury by shoot and trunk borers (Proteoteras aesculana, Chrysobothris femorata), potato leafhopper (Empoasca fabae), Japanese beetle (Popillia japonica), maple spider mite (Oligonychus aceris) and calico scale (Eulecanium cerasorum). Evaluations were done in replicated field plots in central and western Kentucky. RESULTS: All of the maples were susceptible, to varying degrees, to one or more key pest(s). Red maples (A. rubrum) were relatively vulnerable to potato leafhopper injury and borers but nearly free of Japanese beetle feeding and spider mites. Sugar maples sustained conspicuous Japanese beetle damage but had very low mite populations, whereas the opposite was true for Freeman maples (A. × freemanii). A. campestre was heavily infested by calico scale. Within each species or hybrid there were cultivar differences in degree of infestation or damage by particular pests. CONCLUSION: The results should help growers to focus pest management efforts on those plantings at greatest risk from particular pests, and to choose cultivars requiring fewer insecticide inputs to produce a quality tree. Copyright © 2012 Society of Chemical Industry     

An evaluation of the role of oxidative enzymes in Colorado potato beetle resistance to carbamate insecticides

Carbofuran and carbaryl LD₅₀ values were determined with and without piperonyl butoxide pretreatment for a resistant (New Jersey) and two susceptible (Utah and Netherland) populations of Colorado potato beetle larvae. Similar bioassays were conducted with carbofuran for resistant (Rutgers) and susceptible (NAIDM) adult house flies. The degree of resistance development by New Jersey Colorado potato beetles (RR = 848) was greater than that of the laboratory-selected colony of Rutgers house flies (RR = 583). Comparisons of synergist difference calculations including “percentage synergism” (%S), “log percentage synergism” (L%S), and “relative percentage synergism (R%S) for the resistant (R) and the susceptible (S) populations indicated the possibility that monooxygenases and other resistance mechanisms may be involved in Colorado potato beetle resistance to these carbamates. Monooxygenase involvement in resistance of Rutgers house flies was demonstrated in vitro by a 4-fold enhancement of p-nitroanisole O-demethylation over that of NAIDM house flies. O-demethylation of p-nitroanisole could not be demonstrated for potato beetle larvae. Colorado potato beetle resistance was associated with increases in microsomal levels of NADPH-cytochrome c reductase (ca. 2-fold) and NADPH oxidation (1.2-fold). The inability to measure O-demethylation in Colorado potato beetles may have been due to the solubilization of NADPH-cytochrome c reductase during microsomal preparation. Significant differences between resistant and susceptible Colorado potato beetle larvae were not observed in the penetration of [¹⁴C]carbaryl. Excretion of the radiocarbon may have been significantly greater in the resistant New Jersey population, but some of the insecticide may have also rubbed off the cuticle. This increased capacity for excretion, combined with increased levels of monooxygenase enzymes, could account for the high resistance level of this population.     

Control of Colorado beetle (Leptinotarsa decemlineata) in Poland1

Leptinotarsa decemlineata (Colorado beetle) was found in Poland for the first time in 1945 and a great invasion of this pest took place in 1950. It now plays a very important role in Polish plant protection, mainly because the acreage of potato in Poland amounts to about 1.8 million ha. The pest is controlled by repeated insecticide applications to a yearly total of 2 million ha, which is the highest amount of insecticides used in Poland. Research has been carried out in Poland on the following subjects: biology and ecology of Colorado beetle, influence of pest appearance and control on the biocenosis of fields, methods of control, biochemical factors influencing the life cycle, forecasts and warning of appearance, artificial diet, resistance of potato cultivars and reaction of leaf blades of potato to the eggs of Colorado beetle. Research is also carried out on chemical control, modernization of pesticide recommendations and resistance of Colorado beetle to pesticides. The influence of biotic and abiotic factors on the reduction of Colorado beetle numbers has been studied. With a view to possible biological control, predatory bugs (Perillus bioculatus and Podisus maculiventris) were introduced into Poland in 1959 and 1979. Research is also conducted on entomopathogenic fungi, parasitic nematodes, protozoans, spiroplasms and Bacillus thuringiensis.     

Differentiation of the closely related species,Alternaria solani and A. tomatophila,by molecular and morphological features and aggressiveness

The main causal agent of early blight, the noxious disease of solanaceous crops, is generally considered to be Alternaria solani Sorauer (in a broad sense). However, heterogeneity in many morphological features of this pathogen has been noted suggesting that the disease may not be caused by a single species. Recent research has revealed that several large-spored Alternaria species may cause disease of potato and tomato including A. solani sensu stricto and A. tomatophila. The goal of our research was to compare Russian large-spored Alternaria isolates from tomato and potato to test the hypothesis that early blight of tomato and potato are caused by different species. Cluster analysis of genetic distances estimated from 12 polymorphic molecular markers (universally primed-polymerase chain reaction and randomly amplified polymorphic DNA) revealed two groups of isolates accepted here as A. solani and A. tomatophila that were supported by morphology and host plant association. Differentiation of species was supported by phylogeny derived from the DNA sequences of a portion of the Alt a1, gpd and calmodulin genes. Species-specific primers based on the Alt a1 and calmodulin gene sequences for both species were designed. Under laboratory conditions, A. solani isolates were equally aggressive on both tomato and potato, whereas A. tomatophila was highly aggressive to tomato but only weakly aggressive to potato. In the field, A. solani was isolated from potato, tomato and from several wild potato species including S. schickii, S. papita and S. kurtzianum. The majority (90 %) of A. solani isolates carried the mating type locus 1 (MAT1) idiomorph MAT1-1 while the majority (88 %) of A. tomatophila isolates carried the MAT1-2 idiomorph.