Populations of aphids, whiteflies and associated predators and parasites on different vegetables cultivated in plastic greenhouses

During 1996 and 1997, populations of aphids and whiteflies and their parasites were studied in plastic greenhouses under a chemical control program and in those free of pesticides. In the greenhouses free of pesticides, the parasite A. colemani destroyed 14.7% of the aphids. B. tabaci had no effect on the cucumbers during the spring cultivation. However, it attacked the autumn cultivation. The parasite E. mundus killed 30% of these nymphs. The parasite A. colemani parasitized up to 10% of aphids on tomato plants in greenhouses free of chemical pesticides. The parasite E. mundus killed 15.7% of whitefly nymphs.     

Effects of soil solarization on nematodes in Croatia

For the first time soil solarization was investigated in Croatia both in the field and in the greenhouse in 1991, 1992, 1993 and 1994. For two months (July and August), the soil was mulched with transparent polyethylene (PE) sheets of 0.015 or 0.050mm thickness. Soil temperatures at depths of 5, 10 and 20cm were recorded daily. In order to assess nematode population densities, soil samples were analysed before mulching and at the end of the mulching treatment. The results of these experiments showed that soil solarization drastically reduced the population of plant-parasitic nematodes (Meloidogyne, Pratylenchus, Paratylenchus, Tylenchus, Tylenchorhynchus spp.) by about 97–100% at a depth of 10cm and 92–97% at a depth of 20cm in the field, while in the greenhouse, the population of plant-parasitic nematodes was reduced by about 89–100% at a depth of 10cm and 98–100% at a depth of 20cm.In the same experiments, the population of saprophytic nematodes in the field was reduced by about 86–90% at a depth of 10cm and 72–89% at a depth of 20cm. In the greenhouse, the population of saprophytic nematodes was reduced by about 87–97% at a depth of 10cm and 87–93% at a depth of 20cm. This data shows that soil solarization was less effective in the control of saprophytic nematodes, which is considered to be an advantage.     

Assessment of Transmission Ability of Barley Yellow Dwarf Virus-PAV Isolates by Different Populations of Rhopalosiphum padi and Sitobion avenae

Populations of two aphid species from different geographic regions of Morocco were tested for their ability to transmit five barley yellow dwarf virus-PAV (BYDV-PAV) type isolates using Clintland 64 oat as the test plant. Transmission efficiencies were determined for 10 sub-populations of Rhopalosiphum padi and 12 sub-populations of Sitobion avenae. After a short acquisition access period (AAP) of 4h, all populations transmitted the virus but with different efficiencies. R. padi (Rp-S) and S. avenae (Sa-S) collected in the Settat region were the most efficient vectors, with transmission rates of 38% and 27%, respectively. R. padi (Rp-C) collected at Chaouen and S. avenae (Sa-B) at Berkane, were poor transmitters with respective vectoring abilities of 20% and 16%. These four sub-populations were chosen to study the acquisition of BYDV-PAV and the retention of virus within aphids in more detail. The transmission after two AAPs of 4h and 48h were compared. Starved aphids given a 4h AAP had significantly higher transmission efficiencies than non-starved aphids. However, after a 48h AAP, no difference was observed in the transmission between starved and non-starved aphids. Intraspecific variability was also detected by means of serial transfers of individual aphids after the given AAP. Following the first day of serial transfers, no differences were observed in transmission efficiency and virus titers for sub-populations within each species acquiring the virus during 48h, but there was significant variation when the virus was acquired in 4h. The levels of PAV antigen retained by aphids fed on healthy plants declined rapidly during the first day after acquisition, but remained fairly constant during the next 5–7 days depending on the length of the AAP. Virus antigen could be detected by ELISA in Rp-S and Sa-S for up to 11 days of serial transfer, but it was shown that aphids could retain and transmit BYDV-PAV for at least 3 weeks.     

Gamma radiation sensitivity of larvae and adults of the red flour beetle, Tribolium castaneum Herbst

In this study, the susceptibility of larvae and adults of Tribolium castaneum (Herbst) to gamma radiation was investigated in the laboratory in Turkey. Gamma radiation was applied at 6 dose levels between 20 and 200Gy to 13–15day-old adults and at 5 dose levels between 20 and 180Gy to 18–20day-old larvae of T. castaneum. All experiments were performed in growth chambers maintained at 27±1°C and 70±5% r.h. The larvae proved to be the more susceptible stage, survival to the adult stage being prevented by exposure of the eggs to 100Gy; the adult stage was less susceptible. LD₅₀ and LD₉₉ values were determined as 19,75 and 42,97Gy for larvae and 33,21 and 64,50Gy for adult stage, respectively. It was concluded that 100Gy is the effective dose for both larval and adult stages.     

Pathogenic variation in poplar rust <Emphasis Type="Italic">Melampsora larici-populina</Emphasis> from England

Using a leaf disc method, 19 isolates of the poplar rust, Melampsora larici-populina , and one isolate of M.populnea from England were inoculated on to 25 poplar clones belonging to Populus nigra and P.trichocarpa, and hybrids between P. deltoides and P. nigra, P. deltoidesand P. trichocarpa, P.tacamahaca and P.trichocarpa, and P. alba and P. tremula. Disease was scored based on the pustule area and inoculum density. In terms of whether sporulating uredinia formed, the 19 isolates showed seven different patterns to the tested poplar clones. The majority of the rust isolates infected P. nigra P3090 and Vereecken, P.nigra×P. deltoides Casale and Tasman, P. tacamahaca×trichocarpa 36 and Balsam Spire, and P.trichocarpa Blom. Populus trichocarpa×P. deltoides 69039/4 was infected by only three isolates collected from southern England. No visible symptoms appeared on P. alba ×P. tremulaTower and P.trichcarpa×P. deltoides×P. deltoides76028/5 in inoculations with M. larici-populina isolates. Populus alba×P.tremula Tower was infected only by M. populnea. When M. larici-populina isolates were tested using AFLP, no differences were found either between isolates from different geographical regions or between those having narrow spectrum of virulence and those showing wide spectrum of virulence on the tested clones. The results suggest that the UK rust populations possess virulences which were found in races E1, E2, E3 and E4 in continental Europe and that rust having virulence patterns similar to race E4 has occurred in UK poplar plantations since 1996.     

Biological characteristics and life tables of Neoseiulus umbraticusChant (Acari, Phytoseiidae) at three constant temperatures

The development time, survival and fecundity of the generalist predatory mite, Neoseiulus umbraticusChant, were determined at 20, 25, and 30°C and 65±10% RH. N. umbraticus females completed development in 9.7, 8.0 and 5.9 days, respectively, using a diet of all life stages of Tetranychus cinnabarinus Boisduval. Total developmental times of males were relatively shorter at 25 and 30°C than at 20°C. In general, preoviposition, oviposition, and postoviposition periods of N. umbraticus shortened as temperature increased. The longest survival rate of N. umbraticus of 80.5 days occurred at 20°C, followed by 67.0 and 57.6 days at 25 and 30°C, respectively. Mated females laid an average 0.9, 1.3 and 1.4 eggs per female per day and 33.1, 44.0 and 43.6 eggs over their entire lives at 20, 25 and 30°C, respectively. The sex ratios of this species were 0.57, 0.57 and 0.54 female (female+male) at 20, 25 and 30°C, respectively. The intrinsic rate of increase (r_m) became greater with rising temperatures from 0.123 at 20°C to 0.180 at 30°C. The net reproduction rate (R_o) was highest at 25°C (25.0 females/female) and lowest at 20°C (18.8 females/female), while T_o decreased with increasing temperatures, from 23.8 days at 20°C to 17.5 days at 30°C.     

Treatment of rice with diatomaceous earth and effects on the mortality of the Red flour beetle Tribolium castaneum (Herbst)

Diatomaceous earth has been demonstrated in Australia, Germany, and the USA to protect stored products from infestation by insect pests. However, application of diatomaceous earth has rarely been used in Asian countries for the protection of stored grain from insect damage. These facts and the paucity of existing data from the tropics prompted the present study of storage with diatomaceous earth. We exposed rice treated with the diatomaceous earth product Fossil Shield® to infestation by Tribolium castaneum Herbst. During the dry season, when tests were conducted, the mean temperature was 29±2°C and relative humidity was 80±3%. The population of T. castaneum in rice was significantly reduced after treatment with Fossil Shield®. Diatomaceous earth at 1g and 2g per kilogram rice reduced population growth of T. castaneum to a coefficient of 0.27, and 0.02 respectively after 42 days. Fossil Shield® at 0.5g per kilogram rice increased the mortality of T. castaneum, but did not stop population growth.     

Infection of Tomicus piniperda (Col., Scolytidae) with Canningia tomici sp. n. (Microsporidia, Unikaryonidae)

Canningia tomici sp. n. (Microsporidia, Unikaryonidae) infects the midgut epithelium, the gut muscules, Malpighian tubules, connective tissues, adipose tissues and the gonads of the pine shoot beetle, Tomicus piniperda (L.) (Coleoptera, Scolytidae). The infection is present in populations of Tomicus piniperda in Europe and in the United States. Uninucleate oval single spores occur in two sizes: 2.8±0.4× 1.4±0.4m and 3.8±0.3×2.0±0.2m. The polar filament of this microsporidium is fixed subapically in a flat anchoring disc. The thick posterior lamellae of the binary polaroplast are asymmetric due to the lateral fixation of the polar filament.     

Investigations on side-effects of the mixed biocide GCSC-BtA on different predators of Plutella xylostella (L.) (Lep., Plutellidae) in southeastern China

The present paper deals with laboratory studies on side-effects of the mixed biocide GCSC-BtA on Plutella xylostella (L.) (Lep., Plutellidae) and its predators, e.g. Amblyseius longispinosus (Evans) (Acari, Phytoseiidae), Erigonidium graminicola (Sundvall) (Araneae, Linyphiidae), Orius similis Zheng (Het., Anthocoridae) and Coccinella septempunctata L.(Col., Coccinellidae), in comparison to the commercial insecticides, e.g. Abamectin, Tebufenozide, Dichlorvos, Cartap and Lambda-cyhalothrin.The results showed that GCSC-BtA was highly toxic to the 3^rd instar of P. xylostella with 91.18% mortality, followed by Cartap with 84.38%, Abamectin with 78.00%, Tebufenozide with 75.57%, Lambda-cyhalothrin with 63.75% and Dichlorvos with 50.86% mortality. On the other hand, GCSC-BtA was found to be comparatively less toxic to the predators, causing 31.11%, 13.33%, 11.54% and 6.00% mortalities in A. longispinosus, E. graminicola, O. similis and C. septempunctata, respectively. For comparison, the mortalities recorded for Abamectin, Tebufenozide, Dichlorvos, Cartap, Lambda-cyhalothrin were 72.94%, 55.55%, 70.00%, 53.26% and 98.85% in A. longispinosus, 46.51%, 55.10%, 60.00%, 46.00% and 73.68% in E. graminicola, 22.00%, 16.00%, 35.71%, 26.78% and 81.03% in O. similis, 15.55%, 19.64%, 28.00%, 16.66% and 41.79% in C. septempunctata, respectively.Cluster analysis was introduced to group the mortalities caused by the treatments into three toxicity groups with the distance of D=4.1. The 1^st group consisted of GCSC-BtA characterized with low toxicity to all the predators tested with 15.49% mortality on average (highest 31.11% and lowest 6.00%). The 2^nd group consisted of Abamectin, Tebufenozide, Dichlorvos and Cartap with moderate toxicity to the predators with 39.96% mortality on average. The 3^rd group included Lambda-cyhalothrin with high toxicity to the predators with 73.83% mortality on average (highest 98.85% and lowest 41.70%). The susceptibility of the pest and its predators to GCSC-BtA and the insecticides is discussed. GCSC-BtA as a biological control agent is recommended for use in the integrated pests control programs in the vegetable fields.     

Infection of Tomicus piniperda (Col., Scolytidae) with Canningia tomici sp. n. (Microsporidia, Unikaryonidae)

Canningia tomici sp. n. (Microsporidia, Unikaryonidae) infects the midgut epithelium, the gut muscules, Malpighian tubules, connective tissues, adipose tissues and the gonads of the pine shoot beetle, Tomicus piniperda (L.) (Coleoptera, Scolytidae). The infection is present in populations of Tomicus piniperda in Europe and in the United States. Uninucleate oval single spores occur in two sizes: 2.8±0.4× 1.4±0.4m and 3.8±0.3×2.0±0.2m. The polar filament of this microsporidium is fixed subapically in a flat anchoring disc. The thick posterior lamellae of the binary polaroplast are asymmetric due to the lateral fixation of the polar filament.     

Investigations on side-effects of the mixed biocide GCSC-BtA on different predators of Plutella xylostella (L.) (Lep., Plutellidae) in southeastern China

The present paper deals with laboratory studies on side-effects of the mixed biocide GCSC-BtA on Plutella xylostella (L.) (Lep., Plutellidae) and its predators, e.g. Amblyseius longispinosus (Evans) (Acari, Phytoseiidae), Erigonidium graminicola (Sundvall) (Araneae, Linyphiidae), Orius similis Zheng (Het., Anthocoridae) and Coccinella septempunctata L.(Col., Coccinellidae), in comparison to the commercial insecticides, e.g. Abamectin, Tebufenozide, Dichlorvos, Cartap and Lambda-cyhalothrin.The results showed that GCSC-BtA was highly toxic to the 3^rd instar of P. xylostella with 91.18% mortality, followed by Cartap with 84.38%, Abamectin with 78.00%, Tebufenozide with 75.57%, Lambda-cyhalothrin with 63.75% and Dichlorvos with 50.86% mortality. On the other hand, GCSC-BtA was found to be comparatively less toxic to the predators, causing 31.11%, 13.33%, 11.54% and 6.00% mortalities in A. longispinosus, E. graminicola, O. similis and C. septempunctata, respectively. For comparison, the mortalities recorded for Abamectin, Tebufenozide, Dichlorvos, Cartap, Lambda-cyhalothrin were 72.94%, 55.55%, 70.00%, 53.26% and 98.85% in A. longispinosus, 46.51%, 55.10%, 60.00%, 46.00% and 73.68% in E. graminicola, 22.00%, 16.00%, 35.71%, 26.78% and 81.03% in O. similis, 15.55%, 19.64%, 28.00%, 16.66% and 41.79% in C. septempunctata, respectively.     

Induced Resistance to Cyst and Root-knot Nematodes in Cereals by DL-β-amino-n-butyric Acid

Foliar sprays and soil drenches with DL--amino-n-butyric acid (BABA) reduced the number of Heterodera avenae and H. latipons cysts on wheat and barley. Foliar sprays of wheat with 8000mgl^–1 BABA reduced the number of H. avenae cysts by 90%, whereas 2000mgl^–1 BABA was enough to reduce the number of H. latipons cysts by 79%. Multiple spray treatments with 2000mgl^–1 BABA at 10-day intervals reduced the number of H. avenae cysts on wheat and barley. A soil drench of wheat with 125mgl^–1 BABA reduced the number of H. latipons cysts by 93% and H. avenae cysts by 43%. Second-stage juveniles of these nematodes penetrated and formed syncytia in wheat roots soil-drenched with BABA. More adult males of H. avenae were produced in BABA (<250mg1^–1)-treated wheat roots (~76%) than in untreated roots (27%). Soil drenches with higher concentrations of BABA inhibited development of adult males and females. Several chemical elicitors of induced resistance were tested for their ability to reduce the number of H. avenae cysts on wheat. Only BABA was found to be an effective resistance inducer. The number of egg masses of an unidentified Meloidogyne sp. root-knot nematode, which infects only monocots, was also reduced by 95% by a soil drench of wheat with 500mgl^–1 BABA. Development of this nematode inside the BABA-treated roots was also inhibited.     

Shoot meristem tissue of tobacco inoculated with Cucumber mosaic virus is infected with the virus and subsequently recovers from infection by RNA silencing

Distribution of Cucumber mosaic virus (CMV) in shoot meristem tissue of CMV-inoculated tobacco was successively analyzed with immunohistochemical microscopy and in situ hybridization. CMV signals were detected in the tissue at 7 days postinoculation (dpi), but then they decreased and disappeared after 14dpi. Detailed observation confirmed CMV invasion of shoot apical meristem at 6–8dpi. Short interfering RNA corresponding to CMV RNAs was first detected at 7dpi and was detected up to 24dpi. These results suggest that the shoot meristem tissue is infected with CMV but subsequently recovers from the infection by RNA silencing.     

Prey consumption during development as well as longevity and reproduction of Typhlodromus pyri Scheuten (Acari, Phytoseiidae) at higher temperatures in the laboratory

The predatory mite Typhlodromus pyri Scheuten (Acari, Phytoseiidae) has been reported as an important predator of the European red mite, Panonychus ulmi (Koch) (Acari, Tetranychidae) in apple culture and vineyards at below 25°C. However, sufficient biological data was lacking on its efficiency at temperatures above 25°C. Therefore, the purpose of the present laboratory work was to obtain experimental data on prey consumption during development as well as longevity and reproduction of T. pyri on apple leaf discs and in Plexiglas cells at constant temperatures of 25±2°C and 30±2°C with P. ulmi as prey.The results showed that mean daily and total prey consumption by both the nymphs and adults of T. pyri decreased significantly on both the arenas as the temperature was increased from 25°C to 30°C, whereby adult prey consumption, both mean daily and total, was higher than that of nymphs. Prey consumption by both the nymphs and adults was significantly higher in the Plexiglas cells than on the leaf discs at both temperatures. Mean total prey consumption during nymphal development was 16.1 () and 12.8 () at 25°C compared to 7.0 () and 5.8 () preys at 30°C on the apple leaf discs and 46.0 () and 38.5 () at 25°C compared to 25.2 () and 20.3 () preys at 30°C in the Plexiglas cells. Mean duration of nymphal development was similar for the two sexes at the same temperature, but it was longer at 25°C than at 30°C. It was 6.0 and 4.0days on the apple leaf discs while 7.0 and 6.0days in the Plexiglas cells at 25°C and 30°C, respectively. Mean daily and total prey consumption by both male and female adults also decreased with the increasing temperature, whereby the females consumed more than double the mean total number of prey than the males on both the arenas of observation and at both temperatures: 355.4 versus 149.7 preys at 25°C and 192.2 versus 85.6preys at 30°C on the leaf discs and 826.8 versus 374.5 preys at 25°C and 488.9 versus 187.9 preys at 30°C in the Plexiglas cells. Longevity of the females was longer than males on both arenas and at both temperatures and it was longer at 25°C than at 30°C. Mean total longevity on the apple leaf discs was 68.3 () and 50.8 () days at 25°C compared to 52.5 () and 36.8 () days at 30°C, while in the Plexiglas cells it was 91.0 () and 65.8 () days at 25°C compared to 75.3 () and 48.5 () days at 30°C. Reproduction in females also decreased significantly with increasing temperature. It decreased from 62.0 to 39.0 eggs/female on the leaf discs and 75.0 to 47.1 eggs/female in the Plexiglas cells. The females laid significantly higher numbers of eggs at both temperatures in the Plexiglas cells than on the leaf discs. Oviposition period in females was 30days at 25°C on both the arenas, while at 30°C it was 26days on the apple leaf discs and 27days in the Plexiglas cells.     

Interactions between the striped stem borer Chilo suppressalis (Walk.) (Lep., Pyralidae) larvae and rice plants in response to nitrogen fertilization

A screenhouse experiment was conducted to examine the damage and compensation in rice plants when injured by the striped stem borer, Chilo suppressalis (Walker), larvae at tillering stage, as well as larval survival and development of the insect at different nitrogen (N) fertilization levels. Potted plants were fertilized at late seedling stage at the rates 0, 200, 400, 600 and 800mgN/pot, respectively. More deadheads were caused as fertilization increased. Plants compensated well for injury at the fertilization concentrations of 200 and 400mgN/pot by producing new tillers, but such compensation did not take place at 600 and 800mgN/pot. Two weeks after infestation, the highest number of remaining healthy tillers was found in plants fertilized at 400mgN/pot. Larval survival varied little among the treatments 200 to 800mgN/pot. Larval weight attainment and/or developmental rate increased with increasing fertilization level from 200 to 600mgN/pot, but both declined rapidly as fertilization reached 800mgN/pot, indicating the great dependence of plant suitability on N fertilization levels. Conclusively, both the compensation response of rice plants and their suitability for C. suppressalis larvae could be significantly affected by N fertilization levels.     

Effect of Ultraviolet Disinfection of Hydroponic Solutions on Pythium Root Rot and Non-target Bacteria

Dispersal of root pathogens is a major concern in closed hydroponic cultures. To limit dispersal, ultraviolet (UV) disinfection technology has been used to remove pathogens but its effect on non-target bacterial populations is largely unknown. In this study, the circulating solution was disinfected with various UV doses (i.e., 19, 38, 59, 88mJcm^–2) before recirculation. At the beginning of the experiment, the hydroponic solution was inoculated with Pythium aphanidermatum at 6.7±1.5CFUmL^–1. Four months later the population density of P. aphanidermatum reached 1030CFUmL^–1 in the control and 1028, 970, 610, and 521CFUmL^–1 in the solutions treated by the above UV doses. In all UV-treated solutions, significant (P<0.05) reduction of both Pythium and bacterial populations was noted. For the former, its reduction did not result in decrease of Pythium root rot nor increase of tomato fruit yield. For the latter, its reduction showed a concomitant decrease of the populations in the rhizosphere. The bacterial populations in the rhizosphere were 6.77×10⁹CFUmg^–1 fresh roots at the beginning of the experiment and were 7.89×10⁸, 9.93×10⁷, 7.33×10⁷, and 3.51×10⁷CFUmg^–1 fresh roots at the end of the experiment in the control, UV38, UV59, and UV88 treatments, respectively. The bacterial density also decreased with time in the control (UV0) although at a low rate. The results suggest that the attempt to control Pythium root rot by UV irradiation of recirculating solutions to remove P. aphanidermatum also affects the non-target bacterial populations in the rhizosphere. The interaction between the target pathogen and non-target bacterial flora in UV-treated hydroponics needs further investigation.     

Interactions between Plasmopara helianthi, Glomus mosseae and Two Plant Activators in Sunflower Plants

Interactions between Plasmopara helianthi, Glomus mosseae and two plant activators DL--amino-n-butyric acid (BABA) and CGA 245704 (acibenzolar-S-methyl (BTH)) in sunflower plants susceptible to downy mildew were studied in four experiments using different methods of treatment and pathogen inoculation. Both chemicals were applied as soil drenches and foliar sprays, whereas P. helianthi infection was obtained by root and cotyledon inoculations of the seedlings. Soil drenches at the rates of 50 and 100mgkg^–1 soil of BABA and BTH given 1 and 3 days before P. helianthi inoculation, respectively to mycorrhizal plants, provided moderate protection against the pathogen (about 50–55%). Morphological changes and decrease in mycorrhizal colonization in roots of BTH-treated plants and in BTH-treated mycorrhizal plants were also observed. Delay in the emergence and reduction of the root systems were more evident at the highest concentration but decreased with time. These effects were absent with the BABA treatment.Foliar spray treatment of BABA and BTH, applied at 4000 and 200µgml^–1, respectively (1 day post-inoculation) to mycorrhizal plants provided good protection (about 80%) against P. helianthi foliar infections. No effects on mycorrhizal colonization or on root systems were observed. In vitro tests on the effect of the compounds on the mycorrhizal fungus showed that the germination of G. mosseae sporocarps increased with BABA treatment whereas it was greatly inhibited by BTH treatment.     

Influences of host age, sex ratio, population density, and photoperiod on parasitism by Trichogramma evanescens Westw. (Hym., Trichogrammatidae)

Moth species Ephestia kuehniella and Sitotroga cerealella are serious pests in cereal-based food processing facilities and stores in Turkey. Control of these pests is undertaken by regular space treatment of infested areas with pesticides. An alternative control method could be the release of parasitic wasps of the genus Trichogramma. In laboratory tests, we use T. evanescens as a parasitic wasp reared on the eggs of Ephestia kuehniella. Adult wasps emerging from the host were maintained in glass tubes at 27±1° C, 60–70±5% r.h and L14:D10 and fed on honey solution. Adults of T. evanescens in vials without food enclosed from host eggs and all died within 1.8days; in comparison, in vials with honey, live adults were evident for 15.2days. Fresh (6–48h) and old (72–96h) host eggs were offered to T. evanescens and fresh eggs were more accepted than old. Host acceptance of females with males in vials was better than without males. The number of females in the vials also influenced the parasitization rate and single female parasitized more eggs. Adults living in light regime (L14:D10 and L6:D18) parasitized more eggs than in total darkness. Results are discussed with relation to enhancing parasitoid effectiveness in biological control in processing facilities and mills.     

Conjugation of δ-endotoxin from Bacillus thuringiensis with abamectin of Streptomyces avermitilis as a new type of biocide, GCSC-BtA, for control of agricultural insect pests

Conjugation of -endotoxin from Bacillus thuringiensis with abamectin, a toxin of Streptomyces avermitilis, was carried out to form a new type of biocide, GCSC-BtA based on Germany-China Scientific Cooperation research, for the control of agricultural insect pests. The strategy for biochemical linkage was designed by conjugating an amino group in B.t. protoxin with a carboxyl group in carboxylated abamectin under the treatment of conjugator EDC [1-Ethyl-3-(3-dimethylaminopropyl carbodiimide Hydrochloride)]. The formation of B.t. protoxin was processed by solubilizing B.t. crystal in 25mM dithiothreitol (DTT) at 37°C for 2h. The carboxylated abamectin was formed by carboxylating the NaH-activated abamectin with 10mg/ml butyric anhydride at 111°C in a water-circumfluent condensation device for 2h. The conjugating reaction, consisting of 5mg/ml B.t. protoxin, 10mg/ml carboxylated abamectin and 19.17mg/ml EDC, was successfully conducted at room temperature for 24h. Significant differences were found between pure abamectin, carboxylated abamectin and the conjugated BtA by means of UV-photo absorptions recorded at wavelengths 354, 438, 518, 600nm (P<0.01). LT₅₀ of the conjugated GCSC-BtA to the 3^rd instar larvae of Plutella xylostella (L.) (Lep., Plutellidae) was 35.27 g a.i./ml, about 62% and 76% of that caused by the B.t. protoxin and the caxboxylated abamectin, respectively. The conjugated GCSC-BtA caused 87.14% mortalities in larvae of P. xylostella, 93.75% in adult Myzus persicae (Sulzer) (Hom., Aphididae) and 89.33% in adult Phyllotreta vittata Fabricius (Col., Chrysomelidae) as compared to 48.33% by the B.t. crystal only in P. xylostella. The symptoms caused by conjugated GCSC-BtA in the 3^rd instar of P. xylostella were black color in the head part and white-yellow in the abdomen of dead larvae, which differed from the black color or the white-yellow all along the body caused by either the B.t. crystal or the abamectin, respectively. It was concluded that the conjugated GCSC-BtA biocide had a broader host spectrum and a faster killing speed than either the B.t. crystal or abamectin alone for the control of agricultural pests.     

Effect of GCSC-BtA biocide on population dynamics of cabbage pests and their natural enemies from fields in southeastern China

The present paper deals with the effect of the biocide GCSC-BtA on population dynamics of cabbage pests, i.e., Plutella xylostella (L.) (Lep., Plutellidae), Brevicoryne brassicae (L.) (Hom., Aphididae), Liriomyza sativae Blanch. (Dip., Agromyzidae), Phyllotreta vittata Fabric. (Col., Chrysomelidae) and their natural enemies, i.e., Apanteles plutellae Kurdj. (Hym., Braconidae), Erigonidium graminicola (Sundv.) (Araneida, Linyphiidae), Coccinella septempunctata L. (Col., Coccinellidae), in common head cabbage (Brassica oleracea var. capitata) fields in the southeastern China. The experiments were conducted at the experimental farm of Fujian Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Fuzhou, PR China in April–June, 2001.The results showed that, at the end of sampling, the pest populations of P. xylostella, B. brassicae and P. vittata reached averages of 39.7, 68.3 and 6.2 ind. / 30 plants in the plot treated with GCSC-BtA, which were about 1.5, 11 and 0.7 times lower than those treated with methomyl, respectively. In contrast, the natural enemy populations were, on average, 23.5 ind./30 plants for A. plutellae, 24.6 ind./30 plants for E. graminicol and 12.2 ind./30 plants for C. septempunctata in the plot treated with GCSC-BtA, about 6, 5 and 3 times higher than for those treated with methomyl, respectively. The GCSC-BtA biocide demonstrated greater effectiveness in controlling the cabbage pests, e.g., P. xylostella, B. brassicae and P. vittata, having final decreasing ratios of 83.60, 97.05 and 53.67% compared to 57.63, 64.89 and 30.88% with the methomyl insecticide. However, it was less toxic to natural enemies, e.g., A. plutellae, E. graminicola and C. septempunctata, final decreasing ratios being 47.68, 17.84, 27.81%, than methomyl, with 90.94, 80.80, 74.55%, in comparison to the populations in the control plots, respectively. So, because of the low toxicity of GCSC-BtA to the natural enemies, it is recommended that, on one hand, its application should be carried out after mass migration of the pests to the fields, on the other hand, the alternative agent GCSC-BtA should be used with the aim of minimizing the harmfulness to the natural enemies in the whole program of integrated pest management in cabbage fields.