The uptake,excretion and metabolism of the acylurea insecticide,flufenoxuron in spodoptera littoralis larvae,by feeding and topical application

Flufenoxuron is an acylurea insecticide which inhibits chitin synthesis. Its uptake, excretion and metabolism in larvae of Spodoptera littoralis have been measured. Larvae fed on a leaf disc sprayed at an application rate equivalent to 50 g ha^?1rapidly absorbed a maximum of 20% of ingested flufenoxuron, the remainder being voided in the frass. Excretion of absorbed compound was slow, with a 50% excretion time of approximately 20 h. Flufenoxuron was equally effective as an insecticide by topical application or ingestion. Following topical application, a total of 11% of the dose had penetrated into the body within 24 h. Of this 11%, half had travelled to the gut so that the rest of the body tissues contained no more than 6% of the toxicant dose. The concentration of flufenoxuron in the body tissues was maintained for at least 24 h, the surface residue probably acting as a reservoir. The compound was metabolically quite stable. Following topical application the 6 % of the applied dose which was absorbed into the body was still 92% as unchanged flufenoxuron 24 h after application. The enhanced toxicity of flufenoxuron to S. littoralis compared with earlier acylureas can probably be attributed to its slower metabolism and reduced excretion.     

The inhibition of chitin synthesis in spodoptera littoralis larvae by flufenoxuron,teflubenzuron and diflubenzuron

The chitin precursor [¹⁴C] N-acetylglucosamine injected into the haemolymph of Spodoptera littoralis (Boisduval) larva was incorporated into the chitin exponentially with time. When caterpillars were injected with precursor at the commencement of feeding on acylurea-treated leaf discs, flufenoxuron, teflubenzuron and diflubenzuron were found to be equally effective inhibitors of chitin synthesis, measured after 21 h. The dose response curves by feeding are not parallel, indicating that the relative potency of the compounds will vary across the dose range. When chitin precursor was injected simultaneously with topically applied diflubenzuron, flufenoxuron or teflubenzuron, all three acylureas were found to be equally effective as inhibitors of chitin synthesis when measured after five hours. The I₅₀values (50% inhibition of chitin synthesis) were not significantly different; average 600 ng, compared with LD₅₀values (50% lethal dose) of ～ 13 ng for flufenoxuron and teflubenzuron but 130 ng for diflubenzuron (topical application). Injection of precursor 24 h after topical application of insecticide gave an I₅₀value which had dropped 670- and 150-fold for flufenoxuron and teflubenzuron respectively but only 20-fold for diflubenzuron. It is postulated that the reason for the low increase in diflubenzuron effectiveness with time was due either to less diflubenzuron than flufenoxuron reaching the site of action, or more probably, a faster rate of metabolism and excretion for diflubenzuron. The lower toxicity of diflubenzuron compared with flufenoxuron and teflubenzuron may not be due to any inherent differences in biochemical effectiveness, but rather to different penetration/metabolism properties.     

Speed of action and toxicity of acylurea insect growth regulators against Spodoptera exempta (Walk.) and Spodoptera littoralis (Boisd.) larvae: Effect of inter-moult age

Ultra-low volume (ULV) spray bioassays at droplet densities (20–80 drops cm^?2) corresponding to field deposits were used to determine the efficacy of two acylurea insect growth regulators, teflubenzuron (‘Nomolt®’) and flufenoxuron (‘Cascade®’) against three different age groups of third-instar Spodoptera exempta and Spodoptera littoralis larvae. While no response (mortality and/or abnormal moulting with impaired ability to feed) was observed with one-day-old larvae until 48 h after treatment, two-day-old larvae showed some response (27–93% abnormal moulting and 3–10% mortality when larvae were sprayed; 80–100% abnormal moulting and up to 83% mortality when larvae and plants were sprayed) after 24 h and up to 100% mortality at 120 h. Studies with non-feeding, pre-moult larvae showed that cuticular uptake of acylureas was sufficient to affect an appreciable proportion of larvae after 24 h, with up to 100% mortality at 120 h. More detailed studies with pre-moult S. littoralis larvae showed that, while a few larvae which moulted between 1 and 5 h after treatment showed abnormal moulting to the L4 stage, a much larger proportion of larvae which moulted 6–20 h after treatment were affected. Previous studies with S. exempta have shown that different larval instars show similar levels of sensitivity to acylureas. The present work suggests that, while the age distribution within instars has little influence on the end-point mortality of acylureas, it can profoundly modify the speed of response, the majority of larvae within an instar being effectively controlled at the moult following treatment. The significance of these observations in relation to the crop protection activity of acylureas against field populations of Spodoptera larvae is discussed.     

Flufenoxuron, an acylurea insect growth regulator, alters development of Tribolium castaneum (Herbst) (Coleoptera: Tenebrionidae) by modulating levels of chitin, soluble protein content, and HSP70 and p34 in the larval tissues

The effect of sublethal concentrations, 0.00141% (LC₂₀), 0.00251% (LC₃₀), and 0.0036% (LC₄₀) of a dispersible formulation of an acylurea insect growth regulator, flufenoxuron (Cascade) on certain biochemical parameters in the larvae of Tribolium castaneum was investigated. When neonates were fed on diet treated with sublethal concentrations for 24 h, it was observed that at all concentrations tested, there was a significant reduction in chitin content on the 15th day of development. Total soluble protein content at LC₂₀ and LC₃₀ decreased with increasing age of the larvae. At LC₂₀ and LC₄₀ concentrations there was a progressive increase in the protein: chitin ratio as a function of increase in age of the larvae. SDS-PAGE analysis of the larval tissue extracts indicated gross quantitative changes in some of the protein bands (MW 50-97 kDa). Western blot analysis revealed significant increase in the level of HSP70 in the extracts of larvae fed on LC₃₀ treated diet, on the 7th and 10th day of development in the decreasing order. Conversely, a significant decrease in the hyper-phosphorylated form of p34^cdc2 kinase due to flufenoxuron treatment indicating modulation of cell cycle regulation was observed. Thus, sublethal concentrations of flufenoxuron alter expression of developmentally regulated proteins, HSP70 and p34^cdc2 and chitin formation in a stage-specific manner thereby resulting developmental abnormalities in T. castaneum.     

Effect of temperature on toxicity of pyrethroids and endosulfan, activity of mitochondrial Na-K-ATPase and Ca-Mg-ATPase in Chilo suppressalis (Walker) (Lepidoptera: Pyralidae)

The toxicity of deltamethrin, bifenthrin, and endosulfan to the fourth-instar larvae of rice stem borer, Chilo suppressalis (Walker), was measured at 17, 27, and 37 °C. The three insecticides all displayed a positive temperature coefficient between 17 and 37 °C. The temperature coefficients of deltamethrin, bifenthrin, and endosulfan were 5.59, 1.68, and 2.85, respectively. However, temperature coefficients of deltamethrin and bifenthrin between 17 and 27 °C and between 27 and 37 °C varied. The inhibition of the above three insecticides to mitochondrial Na⁺-K⁺-ATPase and Ca²⁺-Mg²⁺-ATPase from the fourth-instar larvae of rice stem borer was determined at 17, 27, and 37 °C. The inhibition of deltamethrin to the specific activities of Na⁺-K⁺-ATPase and Ca²⁺-Mg²⁺-ATPase showed a negative temperature coefficient, but endosulfan exhibited a positive temperature coefficient. Inhibition of bifenthrin exhibited the contrary temperature coefficients between Na⁺-K⁺-ATPase and Ca²⁺-Mg²⁺-ATPase and a negative temperature coefficient for the former and a positive temperature coefficient for the later.     

Residual activity of spinosad applied as a soil drench to tomato seedlings for control of Tuta absoluta

BACKGROUND

Tuta absoluta (Lepidoptera: Gelechiidae) is difficult to control by means of foliar insecticides, partly because of the endophytic feeding behavior of its larvae. The biopesticide spinosad is applied as a foliar spray for control of T. absoluta and has systemic properties when applied as a soil drench to the growing medium of tomato plants. The aims of this study were to determine the: (i) instar-dependent tolerance of larvae to spinosad; (ii) efficacy of spinosad drench application for the control of larvae; (iii) residual period of systemic activity of spinosad in leaves and fruit after drenching; and (iv) effect of spinosad drenching on tomato plant growth parameters.

RESULTS

The estimated LC₅₀ value (Lethal Concentration at which 50% of the larvae died) differed between instars. The LC₅₀ for second-instar larvae (0.41 ppm) to spinosad was significantly lower than that for third- (0.64 ppm) and fourth-instar (0.63 ppm) larvae. The LC₈₀ value (Concentration at which 80% of the larvae died) for fourth-instar larvae (2.48 ppm) was 2.6- and 1.7-fold higher than that for the second- and third-instar larvae, respectively. The spinosad concentration recorded in leaves at 25 days after treatment (DAT; 0.26 μg g⁻¹) was significantly lower than that in leaves sampled at 3, 10 and 15 DAT. High larval mortalities were, however, recorded for the duration of the experiment, which lasted 25 days (equivalent to one T. absoluta generation).

CONCLUSION

Systemic spinosad effectively controlled T. absoluta larvae over a prolonged period. However, drenching this insecticide violates the recommendation of the Insecticide Resistance Action Committee to avoid treating consecutive insect generations with the same mode of action and can therefore result in the evolution of insecticide resistance. © 2023 The Authors. Pest Management Science published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd on behalf of Society of Chemical Industry.     

Cytochemical demonstration of the effects of the acylureas flufenoxuron and diflubenzuron on the incorporation of chitin into insect cuticle

Flufenoxuron (“Cascade”) is a novel acylurea with acaricidal and insecticidal properties. It acts in a similar manner to diflubenzuron (DFB) by impairing chitin incorporation into insect cuticle. Chitin can be localised cytochemically using the lectin, wheat germ agglutinin (WGA), which binds specifically to N-acetylglucosamine-containing polymers. WGA adsorbed to monodisperse colloidal gold (WGA-gold) was used as an electron-dense marker for localising chitin in the cuticle of sixth-instar Spodoptera littoralis. In the cuticle of control insects, the deposition zone and endocuticle were heavily labelled. In flufenoxuron- and DFB-treated insects, only the endocuticle (formed before treatment) was labelled, the deposition zone being devoid of label. These results show that flufenoxuron and DFB act in similar manner in reducing chitin incorporation in the cuticle of S. littoralis.     

Cross-resistance between acylurea insect growth regulators in a strain of Plutella xylostella L. (Lepidoptera: Yponomeutidae) from Malaysia

The activities of the acylurea insect growth regulators, chlorfluazuron, teflubenzuron and difubenzuron, and the neurotoxic macrocyclic lactone, abamectin were assessed against a laboratory susceptible (FS) strain and a field (Cameron Highlands, Malaysia (CH)) strain of the diamondback moth, Plutella xylostella L. using a leaf-dip bioassay at 20°C. The time taken to achieve end-point mortality was found to vary considerably (9–17 days), being fastest with abamectin against the FS strain and slowest with difubenzuron against the CH strain. The order of activity (LC₅₀ at F6/7) against second-instar larvae of both strains was: abamectin > chlorfluazuron = teflubenzuron ? difubenzuron. Subsequent assays (F14) with the acylureas, flufenoxuron and hexaflumuron against the FS strain suggested that the former was slightly more active than chlorfluazuron or teflubenzuron, the latter slightly less active. The CH population was found to be 12.6-, 6.7-, 6.4- and 2.3-fold less sensitive to difubenzuron, teflubenzuron, chlorfluazuron and abamectin respectively than the FS strain. Selection of sub-populations of the CH strain with chlorfluazuron (CHL-SEL) and teflubenzuron (TEF-SEL) for six generations (F6-11), resulted in LC₅₀ resistance ratios of 109- and 315-fold respectively when compared with the FS strain, equivalent to an 18- and a 46-fold increase in resistance compared with the unselected CH strain. Marked cross-resistance was also demonstrated between chlorfluazuron and teflubenzuron in both sub-populations. However, there was no evidence of cross-resistance to dijlubenzuron and abamectin and little or no cross-resistance to flufenoxuron and hexaflumuron. Resistance to chlorfluazuron and teflubenzuron appeared to be relatively unstable in the TEF-SEL compared with the CHL-SEL sub-population (over 6–9 generations). However, reselection of the TEF-SEL population with chlorfluazuron (F18–20) led to a very rapid increase in resistance to chlorfluazuron and particularly teflubenzuron. For the latter compound, resistance factors of about 1000000 were obtained (F19, 21). Such values are probably only semi-quantitative, as above a certain level of resistance feeding bioassays with acylureas (compounds which are active to a significant extent by ingestion) are likely to become rate-limiting.     

The joint action of mixtures of insecticides,or of insect growth regulators and insecticides,on susceptible and diflubenzuron-resistant strains of Spodoptera littoralis boisd

The joint action of insecticides, or of mixtures of insect growth regulators and insecticides, on the susceptible (S) strain and diflubenzuron-resistant (R_d) strain of the cotton leafworm Spodoptera littoralis Boisd. was investigated. The joint action of the insecticides and/or insect growth regulator mixtures was determined by mixing them in proportion to their activity equivalents at the LD₂₅ or ED₂₅ levels. A total of 15 mixtures of two synthetic pyrethroids, two organophosphorus, one carbamate and one organochlorine insecticides, were applied to the fourth-instar larvae of the S and R_d strains. The insecticide mixtures cypermethrin/methomyl and cypermethrin/endrin exhibited high and moderate levels of synergism on the S strain, respectively. However the mixtures chlorpyrifos/methomyl, phosfolan/methomyl, and phosfolan/endrin produced antagonism, while the other mixtures showed varying levels of additive effects. The response of the fourth-instar larvae of the S strain, to the joint action of diflubenzuron/juvenoid, diflubenzuron/insecticide, or insecticide/juvenoid mixtures, revealed that diflubenzuron produced high levels of synergism when combined with methoprene and progressively less with fenvalerate, methomyl and cypermethrin. On the other hand, the mixture diflubenzuron/triprene was antagonistic. Fenvalerate with the two juvenoids produced synergism while methomyl showed an additive effect with methoprene. However, the mixtures cypermethrin/methoprene, cypermethrin/triprene and methomyl/triprene produced antagonism. The mixtures that produced potentiation on the fourth-instar larvae of the S strain lost their high potency when tested against the R_d strain. The results also indicated that insecticide/juvenoid mixtures, when applied on 2-day-old pupae of the S strain, were synergistic, except in the case of cypermethrin/methoprene and methomyl/triprene mixtures, for which additive effects were observed. When the mixtures that had synergistic effects on the S strain were tested on the R_d strain, the results revealed that their synergistic effects were apparently reduced. This was attributed to the fact that the generalised levels of tolerance in the R_d strain towards various compounds may have influenced the several defence mechanisms to act against the synergistic action of the chemical mixtures.     

Neurophysiological studies of the effects of permethrin upon pyrethroid resistant (kdr) and susceptible strains of dipteran larvae

Permethrin at concentrations as high as 10^?6 had no detectable effect upon neuromuscular transmission at 20-21°C in the body-wall muscles of susceptible larvae of Lucilia sericata and susceptible and resistant (kdr) strains of larvae of Musca domestica. At the higher concentrations of 5 × 10^?6M, muscle cells in all strains and species of larva were slowly depolarised, resulting in failure of neuromuscular transmission when the level of depolarisation corresponded with the peak height of the postsynaptic potentials. Multiple postsynaptic potentials were sometimes obtained in response to a single electrical stimulus to the motor axon. Neither of these effects is considered to result from interference with release of the neurotransmitter or its binding to the postsynaptic receptors. Spontaneous activity in sensory nerve fibres from susceptible larvae was increased followed by intermittent bursting and block at concentrations of permethrin as low as 10^?9M at 20-21°C and 10^?10 at 26°C. Resistant larvae of M. domestica were 1000 times less sensitive, needing concentrations of permethrin as high as 10^?6M at 20-21°C and 10^?7M at 26°C to affect sensory discharge. The results are discussed in relationship to the cause of knockdown by pyrethroid insecticides and to possible changes in the nervous system which may be brought about by the kdr resistance factor.     

Potency of some novel insecticides at various environmental temperatures on<Emphasis Type="Italic">Myzus persicae</Emphasis>

An attempt was made to achieve low environmental risk control of insect pests using sublethal concentrations of insecticides, enhanced by the effect of high temperatures (>25°C). For each of the insecticides imidacloprid, abamectin, pirimicarb and azadirachtin, the lethal and sublethal concentrations were determined for the green peach aphidMyzus persicae (Sulzer) (Homoptera: Aphididae) and its predator, the lady beetleHarmonia axyridis (Pallas). The lady beetle was more tolerant of all four insecticides, as well as of high temperatures below 40°C, compared with the prey. The joint action of sublethal concentrations of insecticides and high temperatures was investigated to determine the sublethal concentrations and temperatures that would be effective in controlling the aphids, but not detrimental to the beneficial lady beetle. The results suggested a synergistic effect of sublethal insecticide concentrations and high temperatures against the green peach aphid.     

Differential effects of the acylurea insect growth regulator teflubenzuron on the adults of two endolarval parasitoids of Plutella xylostella,Cotesia plutellae and Diadegma semiclausum

The acylurea chitin synthesis inhibitor, teflubenzuron (‘Nomolt’® SC) showed no apparent activity against adult males of Diadegma semiclausum Hellén or Cotesia plutellae Kurdj. when applied to foliage at a rate ( = 50 g a.i. ha^?1) approximating to 2 × field usage. In contrast, the pyrethroid cypermethrin (‘Cymbush’® EC) showed appreciable foliar activity (at rates = 10–50 ga.i. ha^?1) to D. semiclausum but showed low activity against C. plutellae. When single adult female D. semiclausum were pre-treated with teflubenzuron (= 50 g a.i. ha^?1) and then exposed to 5. 10. 25, 50 or 100 second-instar host larvae, the number of purasitoid cocoons formed was significantly reduced compared with controls except at the lowest host density (P 0-05). However, there was no evidence that teflubenzuron had a host density-dependent effect on parasitism by D. semiclausum. Teflubenzuron had no significant effect on host parasitism in an equivalent experiment with C. plutellae (P > 0-05) except at the median host density. When batches of ten host larvae were introduced at hourly intervals to female D. semiclausum pre-treated with teflubenzuron (= 50 g a.i. ha^?1), the number of cocoons formed in the first two batches was not significantly different from untreated controls (P > 0-05), whereas teflubenzuron significantly reduced the number of cocoons in the next three batches of host larvae (P < 0-05). This suggests that teflubenzuron may affect chitin synthesis in developing eggs within female D. semiclausum but has little or no effect on pre-formed eggs which are more likely to be oviposited first. Teflubenzuron had no significant (P > 0-05) effect on parasitism by C. plutellae when presented with batches of host larvae. When female D. semiclausum and C. plutellae were placed in the same host arena, the former showed a 3-fold greater rate of parasitism. Pre-treatment with teflubenzuron significantly reduced parasitism by D. semiclausum (P > 0-05) but had no significant effect with C. plutellae (P > 0-05) although the latter species failed to exploit the reduction in parasitism by D. semiclausum. The differential response of D. semiclausum and C. plutellae to insecticides is discussed in relation to the relative rates of establishment of these species in Malaysia.     

Larvicidal activity of Cnidium monnieri fruit coumarins and structurally related compounds against insecticide-susceptible and insecticide-resistant Culex pipiens pallens and Aedes aegypti

BACKGROUND: An assessment was made of the toxicity of imperatorin and osthole identified in Cnidium monnieri fruit, 11 related compounds and five insecticides to larvae from insecticide‐susceptible Culex pipiens pallens (KS‐CP strain) and Aedes aegypti and wild C.p. pallens (YS‐CP colony) using a direct‐contact mortality bioassay. Results were compared with those of the conventional larvicide temephos. RESULTS: Imperatorin (LC₅₀ = 3.14 and 2.88 mg L^?1) was 1.9‐, 3.7‐ and 4.2‐fold and 2.4‐, 4.5‐ and 4.6‐fold more toxic than isopimpinellin, isoimperatorin and osthole against susceptible C. p. pallens and A. aegypti larvae respectively. Overall, all of the compounds were less toxic than temephos (0.011 and 0.019 mg L^?1). The toxicity of these compounds was virtually identical against larvae from the two Culex strains, even though YS‐CP larvae were resistant to fenthion (resistance ratio RR = 390), deltamethrin (RR = 164), cyfluthrin (RR = 14) and temephos (RR = 14). This finding indicates that the coumarins and the insecticides do not share a common mode of action. The structure–activity relationship indicates that the chemical structure and alkoxy substitution and length of the alkoxyl side chain at the C8 position are essential for imparting toxicity. CONCLUSION: The C. monnieri fruit‐derived coumarins and the related coumarins described merit further study as potential insecticides or lead molecules for the control of insecticide‐resistant mosquito populations. Copyright © 2012 Society of Chemical Industry     

Laboratory shelf-life of oil-formulated conidia of the locust and grasshopper fungal pathogen Metarhizium flavoviridae Gams & Rozsypal,in mixtures with the pyrethroid insecticide lambda-cyhalothrin

The addition of 20 ppm lambda-cyhalothrin pyrethroid insecticide to Metarhizium flavoviridae (Fungi: Deuteromycetes) dry conidia in oil kept germination above 80% for 2 and 12 months at temperatures of approximately 30 and 8°C respectively. At 30°C, conidia in oil alone maintained viability for only a few weeks, but this was doubled at 8°C. Even dry conidia retained good viability for only 5 months at the higher temperature. The extended viability of conidia given by adding the pyrethroid to the oil formulation is regarded as very valuable for areas where the fungus is to be used against locusts and grasshoppers.     

Depression of the minimum concentration of methyl bromide effective against diapausing warehouse moth larvae at 15°c by prior exposure at a moderate concentration

Warehouse moth (Ephestia elutella) larvae in diapause were exposed at 15°C to methyl bromide at 8 mg litre^?1 for 14.5 h and then immediately exposed at a lower concentration. The exposure at 8 mg litre^?1 killed 44–69% of the larvae treated. Subsequent concentrations down to 1.1 mg litre^?1 obeyed Haber's rule (concentration × time= k, a constant for mortality), but a higher concentration-time product (ct) was required for over 90% kill at 0.8 mg litre^?1. Only concentrations down to 1.9 mg litre^?1 obey Haber's rule if there is no prior exposure at a higher concentration. Although minimum effective concentrations are lower at 15°C than at 25°C, exposure at a higher concentration depresses the subsequent level to a similar extent at each temperature. The contribution to the efficacy of a treatment, of low concentrations persisting at the end of fumigation, is thus likely to be even greater at moderate to low temperatures than at 25°C. The implications for the development of resistance to methyl bromide are discussed.     

Preliminary studies on the insecticidal activity and wash-fastness of twelve pyrethroid treatments impregnated into bednetting assayed against mosquitoes

The insecticidal properties of twelve pyrethroid preparations impregnated into polyester netting were compared, before and after washing, with a view to assessing their suitability for treating bednets (mosquito nets) in the field. Bioassays were carried out by exposing the mosquitoes, Anopheles gambiae Giles sensu stricto andAedes aegypti L. to netting with two concentrations of insecticide, on washed and unwashed samples, for 30 s and 3 min at different times after impregnation. Mortality was recorded after 24 h. Permethrin applied at 97°C at pH 3.4 resulted in increased uptake by polyester fibres. The performance of most insecticides on unwashed netting had not declined appreciably 12 weeks after impregnation. However, all the insecticides were depleted by washing. The treatments with best insecticidal activity after washing were cypermethrin, lambda-cyhalothrin applied at ambient temperature and normal pH and permethrin applied in a hot acid solution.     

Lethal and sublethal effects of commercial insecticides on Philodromus buxi,a potential predator of defoliating Lepidoptera in dehesa woodland in southern Spain

Chemical and other selective insecticides are annually used as foliar treatments against defoliating Lepidoptera in the southern Spanish open woodland (known as dehesa), one of the largest forest ecosystems in the Mediterranean basin. In order to analyse the negative impact of these treatments on beneficial arthropods, the toxic effect of the three authorised insecticides on Philodromus buxi Simon (Araneae: Philodromidae), the most abundant tree canopy spider in southern Spain, was tested under laboratory conditions. Cypermethrin was the most harmful insecticide 96 hours after application, causing around 90% corrected mortality, while flufenoxuron (an insect growth-regulator) prompted around 45% mortality, and Bacillus thuringiensis caused no mortality at all. In addition, flufenoxuron produced a clear alteration in the predatory capacity of P. buxi, increasing the reaction times of treated specimens, and additional mortality associated with the moulting process. Bacillus thuringiensis caused no effects in reaction times, growth or moulting. The results obtained clearly indicate that B. thuringiensis is the most suitable of the authorised insecticides for conserving populations of P. buxi in dehesa woodland in southern Spain.     

Temperature and food availability effects on spinosad and malathion against <Emphasis Type="Italic">Rhagoletis indifferens</Emphasis> (Diptera: Tephritidae) in the laboratory

Western cherry fruit fly, Rhagoletis indifferens Curran (Diptera: Tephritidae), is a quarantine pest of cherries (Prunus spp.) in western North America that is managed primarily using insecticides. Different insecticides could vary in efficacy and ability to control flies depending on environmental factors. Here, the objective was to determine if temperature and food availability affect the efficacies of spinosad and malathion against R. indifferens in the laboratory. Fourteen- to 18-day old flies were exposed to sweet cherries with dried residues of spinosad and malathion at 19 or 21 versus 27 °C with or without yeast extract + sucrose food (‘food’). Deaths and oviposition were recorded over four days. In spinosad treatments, fly kill was greater at 27 °C than at lower temperatures when there was no food, but in the malathion treatments, kill did not differ between temperatures and it was greatest when there was no food. In spinosad treatments, lower oviposition occurred at 19 or 21 °C than 27 °C, with differences larger when there was food. However, in malathion treatments, oviposition was not affected by temperature although it was lower when there was no food. Results imply temperature and food availability could be factors affecting R. indifferens control in cherries, but whether temperature is such a factor depends on the insecticide used.     

Ecology of Xiphinema vuittenezi and Xiphinema pachtaicum in vineyards of north-east Croatia1

During a 3-year field study on two vineyards of north-eastern Croatia, the qualitative and quantitative composition as well as the vertical dynamics of Xiphinema spp. were determined each month. The greatest number of fertile X. vuittenezi females was noted in August-September at a soil moisture of 18–20%. The greatest number of larvae of this species was determined in September-October in a temperature range of 14–18°C and soil moisture of 18–22%. The development cycle of X. vuittenezi lasts about 24–33 months under natural conditions and that of its larval stages 3–8 months. The nematodes of this species are susceptible to high temperatures (above 20°C) and drought (under 13%). The greatest number of fertile females of X. pachtaicum was determined in July at a soil temperature of 20–24°C, absolute soil moisture of 16–20%. The greatest number of larvae was noted in September-October at a soil temperature of 16–21°C and soil moisture of 13–23%. The development cycle of X. pachtaicum in field conditions lasts about 12–13 months and that of the larval stages 2–3 months. This species demonstrated reduced activity at soil temperatures under 10°C and at soil moisture under 13%; larvae were less active than females at temperatures over 20°C. On the basis of the results obtained, it is suggested that sampling of vineyards to determine the distribution and population density of the two Xiphinema spp. should be performed at depths down to 50 cm in spring and autumn, which are also the most favourable times for nematicide application.     

Effect of insecticide—synergist combinations on the survival of Spodoptera exigua

The chitin synthesis inhibitors diflubenzuron and teflubenzuron have recently become ineffective for the control of Spodoptera exigua in floricultural crops. An extended laboratory test with second-instar larvae of S. exigua on Vicia faba plants was carried out to determine the influence of synergists on the biological activity of three benzoylphenyl ureas (BPUs). The co-application of piperonyl butoxide, an oxidase inhibitor, did not increase the activity of diflubenzuron, teflubenzuron or hexaflumuron. The best results were obtained with diethyl maleate, for suppressing glutathione S-transferase activity, and with dimethoate, as a hydrolase inhibitor. A joint application of diflubenzuron (at a concentration which resulted in 43% survival) with diethyl maleate or dimethoate gave only 6.2 and 8.9% surviving larvae, respectively. In addition, development to fourth-instar larvae was inhibited. The more stable teflubenzuron was synergized by both compounds to a much lesser extent than diflubenzuron. None of the synergists had a significant effect on the activity of hexaflumuron, which was the most potent insecticide of the three BPUs tested against S. exigua.