Effect of Botanical Insecticides on the Foraging and Feeding Behavior of the Coccinellid PredatorCryptolaemus montrouzieri

To investigate the effect of botanicals on the foraging behavior of the mealybug predatorCryptolaemus montrouzieri Mulsant, predator larvae and adults were exposed to leaves and the mealybugPlanococcus citri (Risso) treated with one of the following: a crude neem seed extract; a formulation of azadirachtin (Azatin EC®); a pyrethrum extract; and one of two naphthoquinones isolated fromCalceolaria andina Benth. (BTG 504 and BTG 505). All the botanicals influenced the foraging behavior ofC. montrouzieri, at one or more concentrations. Larval and adult foraging behavior was influenced most by BTG 504 and neem also affected larval behavior; the predators contacted fewer treated leaves and spent less time on treated than on untreated leaves. Larvae also consumed fewer mealybugs treated with BTG 504 and BTG 505 compared with untreated mealybugs.     

Investigation of mealybug (hemiptera: Coccoidea: Pseudococcidae) species from Turkey by RAPD

Molecular markers are commonly used for determining the relationship between insect species. In this study, we investigated the relationship of six mealybug species,Planococcus citri (Risso),Planococcus ficus (Signoret),Planococcus vovae (Nasonov),Pseudococcus longispinus (Targioni Tozzetti),Pseudococcus viburni (Signoret) andPhenacoccus aceris (Signoret), sampled from Turkey, using randomly amplified polymorphic DNA-polymerase chain reaction (RAPD-PCR). Of the 50 RAPD primers tested, 18 identified a total of 256 fragments of which all were polymorphic. Sufficient discrimination betweenP. citri andP. ficus was provided by several RAPD primers. The genetic distance values calculated for each pair-wise comparison ranged from 0.156 to 0.504. Cluster analyses of RAPD data clearly separated the species into two groups. http://www.phytoparasitica.org posting May 4, 2007.     

Susceptibility to citrus canker caused by <Emphasis Type="Italic">Xanthomonas axonopodis</Emphasis> pv. <Emphasis Type="Italic">citri</Emphasis> depends on the nuclear genome of the host plant

Susceptibility to Xanthomonas axonopodis pv. citri of a citrus cybrid, in which the nuclear and cytoplasmic genomes were derived from Citrus sinensis and C. unshiu, respectively, was evaluated. Bacterial growth in the leaves of the cybrid was similar to that in C. sinensis after pin-prick inoculation throughout the experiment, whereas growth was greater than that in C. unshiu from 8 days after inoculation. Lesion expansion and pustules that later developed from the lesions on the cybrid and on C. sinensis also appeared to be greater than those on C. unshiu. The incidence of citrus canker disease caused by the bacteria on the cybrid trees was in the field was equivalent to that on C. sinensis but was severer than on C. unshiu. These results indicate that the nuclear genome of the cybrid plays a critical role in susceptibility to citrus canker disease. However, the pathogenicity gene pthA of the bacteria is not likely to be involved in the difference in susceptibility to the bacteria between C. unshiu and C. sinensis because their susceptibility to a pthA-deficient mutant of the bacteria also differs.     

Effect of Buprofezin onIcerya Purchasi andPlanococcus Citri

The effectiveness of buprofezin (aqueous suspensions from 25% wettable powder) on cumulative nymph mortality and reproduction of two homopterous pests,Icerya purchasi Maskell (Margarodidae) andPlanococcus citri (Risso) (Pseudococcidae), was investigated under laboratory conditions. Buprofezin was very effective against crawlers of both species. Dipping in concentrations of 0.002%, 0.01% and 0.05% (a. i.) resulted in 91–99% nymph mortality ofP. citri, whereas 100% mortality was recorded whenI. purchasi was treated at 0.05% (a. i.); the 3rd-instar nymphs ofI. purchasi were less susceptible to the chemical. Death of the larval stages occurred mainly during the molting process to the 2nd-instar nymphs. At 0.05%, buprofezin sprayed on adults slightly reduced fecundity and decreased egg hatch to 31% forI. purchasi and, depending on the exposure period of the females, to 49-7% forP. citri. Buprofezin at 0.05% exhibited strong ovicidal activity onP. citri, resulting in inhibition of over 80% egg hatch.     

龟纹瓢虫对柑橘木虱的捕食功能反应及猎物偏好性

为评估龟纹瓢虫Propylea japonica对柑橘木虱Diaphorina citri的生物防治潜能,在实验室条件下测定龟纹瓢虫1~4龄幼虫和成虫对柑橘木虱5龄若虫的捕食功能反应、搜寻效应、自身密度干扰反应以及捕食偏好性。结果表明,龟纹瓢虫1~4龄幼虫和成虫对柑橘木虱5龄若虫的捕食功能反应均符合Holling II型功能反应类型,其各虫态龟纹瓢虫的瞬时攻击率分别为0.313、0.610、0.234、0.585和0.675,处理时间分别为0.088、0.077、0.013、0.008和0.016 d,龟纹瓢虫4龄幼虫对柑橘木虱5龄若虫的捕食能力最大,为73.125,龟纹瓢虫成虫、3龄幼虫、2龄幼虫、1龄幼虫次之,捕食能力分别为42.188、18.000、7.922和3.557。各虫态龟纹瓢虫对柑橘木虱5龄若虫的搜寻效应随柑橘木虱5龄若虫密度升高而下降;在柑橘木虱5龄若虫密度一定的条件下,各虫态龟纹瓢虫对柑橘木虱5龄若虫的捕食率随自身密度升高而下降,其自身密度干扰方程为E=0.421P^-0.52;当柑橘木虱5龄若虫和豆蚜Aphis craccivora 4龄若虫2种猎物共存时,龟纹瓢虫成虫对其食物选择性指数均小于1,表明龟纹瓢虫成虫对这2种猎物无捕食偏好性。表明龟纹瓢虫对柑橘木虱5龄若虫有较强的防控潜能。     

Presence of Grapevine leafroll-associated virus 3 in primary salivary glands of the mealybug vector Planococcus citri suggests a circulative transmission mechanism

Grapevine leafroll-associated virus 3 (GLRaV-3) is a mealybug-transmissible ampelovirus. Though the transmission mechanism has been described as semipersistent on the basis of temporal parameters, definitive proof of this mechanism has never been provided. In the present study, we carried out preliminary assays to establish the location of the virus in its vector, Planococcus citri. After dissecting the insects, GLRaV-3 was detected by means of IC-RT-PCR in the salivary glands, intestine and Malpighian tubes, but not in the sucking apparatus. Immunogold labelling of the capsid protein revealed the presence of the virus in some cells of the primary salivary glands, but not in the alimentary channel of the stylet, or in the accessory salivary glands. The strong labelling of the electron-dense secretion vesicles in some cells of the primary salivary glands, together with the non-detection of the virus in the sucking apparatus suggests that the transmission mechanism may be different from that previously described. We propose a circulative transmission mechanism based on a specific transportation route for the viral particles from the midgut or hindgut to the salivary glands. As the transmission mechanism is generally a common feature of a viral genus, the existence of a circulative transmission mechanism for other mealybug-transmitted ampeloviruses is expected. Organ by organ analysis of GLRaV-1, another ampelovirus not transmissible by P. citri, showed the absence of the virus in the salivary glands, thus providing further, though indirect, evidence in favour of circulative transmission for this virus genus.     

短翅蚜小蜂对桃蚜的取食和寄生功能反应

为评估短翅蚜小蜂对桃蚜的搜寻及控害潜能,采用叶碟法研究了短翅蚜小蜂对甘蓝和辣椒2种植物上桃蚜2龄若虫的取食与寄生行为。结果表明,短翅蚜小蜂对甘蓝桃蚜和辣椒桃蚜的取食和寄生功能反应均符合Holling II及Holling III型方程。短翅蚜小蜂的取食和寄生搜寻效应均随蚜虫密度的增加而降低,当桃蚜密度小于35头时,短翅蚜小蜂对甘蓝桃蚜的取食搜寻效应大于辣椒桃蚜,而当桃蚜密度大于35头时,短翅蚜小蜂对辣椒桃蚜的取食搜寻效应大于甘蓝桃蚜;短翅蚜小蜂在所有密度下对辣椒桃蚜的寄生搜寻效应均大于甘蓝桃蚜。短翅蚜小蜂取食甘蓝桃蚜的瞬间攻击率a'为0.3289,处理时间T_h为0.2597,均大于辣椒桃蚜,寄生甘蓝桃蚜的瞬时攻击率a'为0.8213,小于辣椒桃蚜,而处理时间T_h为0.0275,大于寄生辣椒桃蚜;短翅蚜小蜂对甘蓝桃蚜的理论最大取食量和寄生量均小于辣椒桃蚜。研究表明,短翅蚜小蜂对不同密度的桃蚜均有一定的控制能力,且对辣椒桃蚜的控制作用大于甘蓝桃蚜。     

Alternaria Brown Spot of Minneola in Greece; Evaluation of Citrus Species Susceptibility

During the last three years, a new disease was observed in northwestern Greece on Minneola trees, hybrid of mandarin and grapefruit. On May small brown necrotic leaf spots surrounded by yellow halo areas of various sizes appeared and covered a major portion of the leaves with extension of necrosis into the veins. On young fruits small, slightly depressed black spots were the first symptoms, which later became 2–7 mm in diameter. Brown spots were observed on the leaves and fruits in several orchards in the same area, causing leaves and fruits to drop. In some orchards over 50% of the fruits were affected. From the fruit and leaf spots the typical small-spore species Alternaria alternata was isolated. Pathogenicity tests were performed by artificially inoculating fruits of Minneola, common mandarin and Clementine. The symptoms of the disease were reproduced only on fruits of Minneola hybrids by the specific strain of the fungus Alternaria alternata pv. citri. Different citrus susceptibility tests indicated that mandarins Minneola, Nova and Page were very susceptible to tested isolates while Clementine SRA and Poros Clementine were not. All lemons and lime Seedless were not susceptible. Grapefruit New Hall was not susceptible, while the Star Ruby was. Orange Lane Late, Navel Late, Oval Poros, Olinda, Navel Athos were not susceptible and only Moro showed reaction being slightly susceptible only to one isolate.     

丽草蛉对柑橘木虱成虫的捕食功能反应及捕食偏好

为明确丽草蛉Chrysopa formosa对柑橘木虱Diaphorina citri成虫的生物防控潜能,在实验室条件下测定丽草蛉1、2、3龄幼虫和成虫对柑橘木虱成虫的捕食功能、搜寻效应及其种内干扰效应,并测定其对不同猎物的捕食偏好。结果显示,丽草蛉1～3龄幼虫和成虫对柑橘木虱成虫均有捕食行为,捕食功能反应均符合Holling II模型。丽草蛉1、2、3龄幼虫和成虫对柑橘木虱成虫的瞬时攻击率分别为0.247、0.393、0.769和0.509,处理时间分别为0.228、0.048、0.015和0.013 d,理论日最大捕食量分别为4.386、20.833、66.667和76.923头,控害效能分别为1.083、8.188、51.267和39.154。各虫态丽草蛉对柑橘木虱成虫的搜寻效应均随着猎物密度的增加而降低,其中3龄丽草蛉幼虫的搜寻效应下降趋势最大。当柑橘木虱成虫密度固定时,单头丽草蛉的日捕食量随柑橘木虱密度的增加而逐渐降低,其捕食作用受到自身密度的干扰,干扰效应方程为E=0.260P-0.351。当存在柑橘木虱与豌豆蚜Acyrthosiphon pisum两种捕食对象时,丽草蛉3...     

基于两性生命表评价取食柑橘木虱对六斑月瓢虫和龟纹瓢虫生长发育及种群的影响

为有效防控重要害虫柑橘木虱Diaphorina citri,在实验室条件下测定取食柑橘木虱后六斑月瓢虫Cheilomenes sexmaculata和龟纹瓢虫Propylea japonica各虫态的发育历期,利用构建的年龄-阶段两性生命表对取食柑橘木虱后六斑月瓢虫、龟纹瓢虫生长发育及其种群参数进行研究。结果显示,取食柑橘木虱后六斑月瓢虫羽化前的发育历期为14.80 d,显著长于取食柑橘木虱后龟纹瓢虫的14.41 d;取食柑橘木虱后六斑月瓢虫和龟纹瓢虫产卵期分别为15.88 d和10.23 d,前者显著长于后者;取食柑橘木虱后六斑月瓢虫净增殖率、内禀增长率和周限增长率分别为25.48、0.10 d-1和1.10 d-1,取食柑橘木虱后龟纹瓢虫净增殖率、内禀增长率和周限增长率分别为14.13、0.06 d-1和1.06 d-1,均低于取食柑橘木虱后六斑月瓢虫;取食柑橘木虱后六斑月瓢虫和龟纹瓢虫的平均世代周期分别为33.87 d和44.95 d,前者显著短于后者。表明取食柑橘木虱后六斑月瓢虫和龟纹瓢虫均能完成整个世代,且六斑月瓢虫种群增长优于龟纹瓢虫,可大规模繁殖六斑月瓢虫,可用于柑橘木虱...     

黄皮新肉桂酰胺B对柑橘全爪螨 Panonychus citri的生物活性

为探究黄皮新肉桂酰胺B对柑橘全爪螨Panonychus citri的生物活性,分别采用载玻片浸渍法、叶片残毒法和叶圆片法研究了黄皮新肉桂酰胺B对柑橘全爪螨雌成螨及其卵的触杀活性和驱避作用。结果表明,黄皮新肉桂酰胺B对柑橘全爪螨雌成螨及其卵具有较强的触杀活性,在10~500μg/m L浓度范围内,对柑橘全爪螨雌成螨处理24 h的LC50和LC90分别为62.92μg/m L和346.02μg/m L,其触杀毒力分别是鱼藤酮的3.7和5.4倍、印楝素的3.2和8.1倍;在100μg/m L时杀卵活性达到了42.9%,优于同浓度的鱼藤酮和印楝素;在100μg/m L和500μg/m L浓度下,处理36 h时对柑橘全爪螨的驱避率均大于80.0%,与同浓度的鱼藤酮和印楝素相当。表明黄皮新肉桂酰胺B对柑橘全爪螨具有较好的触杀、驱避作用,可作为杀螨活性的先导化合物。     

HrpG regulates type II secretory proteins in Xanthomonas axonopodis pv. citri

HrpG, a two-component response regulator-like protein, is a key regulator of the type III secretion system (T3SS) in Xanthomonas spp. In X. campestris pv. vesicatoria, HrpG with a single amino acid substitution (HrpG*) gains the ability to induce the expression of T3SS-related genes even under nutrient-rich conditions. In this study, we investigated the role of HrpG in the synthesis of the secretory protein using HrpG* in strain NA-1 of X. axonopodis pv. citri (Xac NA-1), a causal agent of citrus canker. Eleven proteins secreted via a type II secretion system (T2SS) were induced by HrpG*. In proteomic analyses, six of the 11 proteins were identified as extracellular enzymes, and the others as a fimbrial biogenesis-related protein, a type IV-related protein, two hypothetical proteins, and a conserved hypothetical protein. Further analysis of these proteins revealed that the genes coding all 11 proteins were upregulated by HrpG*, even though they had different expression patterns for HrpXct-dependency. The data indicated that HrpG, a key regulator of T3SS, also acts as a positive regulator of certain proteins secreted via a T2SS in Xac NA-1.     

九里香挥发物对柑橘木虱的引诱效果及混配筛选试验

为明确九里香Murraya exotica挥发物对柑橘木虱Diaphorina citri的引诱效果,筛选田间诱杀柑橘木虱的高效混配物组合,采用Y-型嗅觉仪室内测试柑橘木虱对10种九里香挥发物的行为反应,并测定挥发物混剂对柑橘木虱引诱的增效作用以及九里香挥发物混剂对柑橘木虱的田间诱杀效果。试验结果表明,β-石竹烯、D-柠檬烯和芳樟醇对柑橘木虱均有显著的引诱效果,引诱率分别为80.00%、83.33%和73.33%,显著高于其它7种挥发物;混剂B(β-石竹烯∶D-柠檬烯∶芳樟醇=3∶3∶1)对柑橘木虱的引诱率达到88.89%,显著优于其它混剂,增效作用较好;田间悬挂黄色诱虫瓶15 d后,混剂B平均诱集到的柑橘木虱数量为23.3头/瓶,显著优于其它混剂,为矿物油对照的33倍。