Integrated management approaches for pink bollworm in the southwestern United States

The pink bollworm (PBW), Pectinophora gossypiella (Saunders) (Lepidoptera: Gelechiidae), is the key pest in cotton (Gossypium spp.) production areas in the southwestern United States and in many other cotton-producing areas of the world. The high costs of chemical control, continuing economic losses, secondary pest problems and environmental considerations suggest the need for ecologically oriented PBW management strategies. Extensive research has resulted in a broad array of monitoring, biological control, cultural, behavioural, genetic and host plant resistance methods that can serve as a base for the formulation of integrated PBW management systems. The life history characteristics of the PBW, in particular the high mobility of adults, indicate the need for combinations of selected integrated pest management (IPM) components implemented over large geographical areas. The areas involved present a wide range of PBW population densities, differences in cotton production methods and social and environmental considerations. The best option is tailor-made systems for targeted management areas with the selection of IPM components based on the PBW population density, crop production methods and economic feasibility. The unlikelihood of eradication indicates the need for long-term monitoring and programme maintenance following successful area-wide management. The success of area-wide PBW management is highly dependent on participation in the planning, site selection, implementation and assessment phases of the programme by all segments of the agricultural community. A highly effective extension--education communication programme is an essential component. Local uncoordinated efforts have not reduced the economic status of this pest in any area where it is an established pest. The potential long-term benefits of PBW population suppression on an area-wide basis appear to justify area-wide efforts in terms of reduced costs, more effective control, less environmental contamination and other peripheral problems associated with conventional control approaches.     

Status of pesticide resistance in arthropod pests in Israel

A complex of events and factors, pertinent to a specific insect and insecticide, governs the development of resistance to insecticides. In Israel, resistance to conventional and novel insecticides occurred in insect pests such asBemisia tabaci andSpodoptera littoralis (that damage agricultural crops),Tribolium castaneum and other flour beetles (that contaminate stored products), andPediculus humanus spp., house flies and mosquitoes (that threaten public health). In the mid-1980s an insecticide resistance management (IRM) strategy was established for all cotton grown in Israel and is being adjusted on a yearly basis as needed. At present, insect pest management and IRM strategies are being developed and implemented area-wide for three regions in Israel: Bet She’an Valley, western Galilee, and western Negev. There are several research groups now working in Israel on various aspects of resistance including occurrence, mechanisms, and management practices. This paper offers a tentative review of the status of insecticide and acaricide resistance in pests in Israel.     

Preventative releases of self-limiting Ceratitis capitata provide pest suppression and protect fruit quality in outdoor netted cages

Abstract

The Mediterranean fruit fly, Ceratitis capitata, (Medfly) is considered a key pest of citrus fruit in many countries. Integrated pest management (IPM) approaches are frequently highly dependent on the use of insecticides. Oxitec’s self-limiting (prevents the insects’ offspring from surviving to adulthood) Medfly technology (OX3864A) offers an approach to manage Medfly outbreaks and may offer improved sustainability and economics for area-wide programmes. Netted cages were used to evaluate OX3864A deployed for the first time outdoors as a preventative treatment to suppress wild Medfly. Comparative assessments examined sexual competitiveness, the relative performance of OX3864A releases at both adult and pupal life-stages, and the ability of OX3864A to protect against fruit damage. OX3864A males are as competitive as wild males. Deployment of both adult and pupal life-stages of OX3864A effectively reduce Medfly abundance, resulting in elimination of the target pest populations. OX3864A deployment as adults also demonstrated the beneficial attribute of protecting fruit quality to preserve marketable yield. Data for adult and pupal deployment strategies are encouraging for self-limiting technologies targeting Medfly populations and support a broader evaluation of OX3864A Medfly or further improved self-liming Oxitec strains of Medfly in open settings.     

Ecological pest management and control by using allelopathic weeds (Ageratum conyzoides,Ambrosia trifida,and Lantana camara) and their allelochemicals in China

The development of pest management and control is striving toward a future of sustainable agriculture. Weeds cause serious problems in agricultural ecosystems and attempts to control them have met with limited success. However, many weeds are allelopathic; that is, they can produce and release allelochemicals to interact with other plant competitors and to attack microbes or insect and other animal predators. These allelopathic weeds and their allelochemicals may be put into use for ecological pest management and control or employed for other uses. Currently, little attention has been paid to how allelopathic weeds and their allelochemicals potentially can be utilized as an important part of pest management and control in agricultural ecosystems. This review outlines recent research regarding the potential for pest management and control by allelopathic weeds and their allelochemicals by studying the cases of Ageratum conyzoides, Ambrosia trifida, and Lantana camara and provides examples of allelopathic weeds and their allelochemicals that have been incorporated into ecological pest management and control in China.     

Development of preliminary economic thresholds for an integrated pest management system for soybeans in Java

Abstract

Two field trials were conducted for the purposes of comparing various soybean pest management schemes and setting preliminary economic thresholds that could be used by farmers as part of an integrated pest management (IPM) programme. Both trials tested the same four treatments: (1) a pest management scheme that followed the type of plan that many farmers in Java use, (2) and (3) two schemes utilizing different economic thresholds set by researchers, and (4) an untreated control. The pest management schemes are compared regarding various aspects, including yield and profitability. In both trials the plans did not differ significantly in profitability; however, in each trial the same threshold scheme had the highest mean values for both yield and profitability. Therefore, a pest control system based on this threshold scheme is recommended, with some refinements in certain threshold levels for specific pest guilds where the trials show refinements to be appropriate. It is advised that farmers use the threshold levels recommended here as starting points, and then make adjustments according to the soybean variety used, abundance of natural enemies present, economic factors, etc.     

Developing Drosophila suzukii management programs for sweet cherry in the western United States

BACKGROUND: The spotted wing drosophila, Drosophila suzukii Matsumura (Diptera: Drosophilidae), is a newly introduced pest of sweet cherry on the west coast of North America which produces about 97% of the value of the US sweet cherry crop. D. suzukii initially caused considerable economic loss to cherry growers, who were unaware of this new pest. Little control information was available at the time of initial infestation. Pest control studies were initiated to examine the materials, timings and application methods to control D. suzukii in three major cherry‐producing states (California, Oregon and Washington). RESULTS: Three classes of registered insecticides, organophosphates, pyrethroids and spinosyns, have demonstrated good topical or residual activity against D. suzukii. Neonicotinoids and the systemic organophosphate dimethoate appear to be able to kill eggs or larvae in fruit. Preliminary timing studies indicate that at least two preharvest insecticide sprays are required to obtain control of D. suzukii in California cherry orchards. Aerially applied malathion ULV (ultra‐low volume) appears to be a viable control tactic for this pest. CONCLUSION: The results presented here form the basis for developing D. suzukii management programs in the western United States. Additional studies are needed to refine management practices for the different growing regions and conventional versus organic production requirements. Cherry growers will likely need to apply broad‐spectrum insecticides in a prophylactic manner until treatment thresholds and monitoring methods have been developed and validated. Copyright © 2011 Society of Chemical Industry     

Direct and indirect efficacy of truck-mounted applications of s-methoprene against Aedes albopictus (Diptera: Culicidae)

Aedes albopictus (Skuse) is a globally significant vector that complexifies management programs already contending with Aedes aegypti (L.). The Ae. albopictus mosquito is a daytime biting, container breeding, anthropophilic mosquito that is generally considered unresponsive to operational larviciding that does not also incorporate source reduction. S-methoprene is a readily available juvenile hormone mimic common to pest management. This 14-week study examines direct and indirect treatment efficacy using s-methoprene as an ultra-low volume (ULV) truck spray in area-wide operations against Ae. albopictus in the southeastern United States. An overall 63.3% reduction of Ae. albopictus adults and 47.8% reduction of deposited eggs in treatment areas were observed compared with control. Indirect plots saw reduction in Ae. albopictus adults by 32.7% and eggs by 32.3%. Using insect growth regulator bioassays, truck-mounted ULV application of s-methoprene was effective to an inhibition of emergence (IE) of ≥92% within directly treated (sprayed) areas and >65% IE among containers placed up to 90 m away. S-methoprene could still benefit urban vector management programs when applied at an operational scale.     

Characterization of α-amylase and its activity from mustard aphid Lipaphis erysimi (Kalt.) (Hemiptera) and its inhibition by Rorippa indica defensin

Abstract

Lipaphis erysimi Kaltenbach is one of the economically important pests of Indian mustard Brassica juncea. Plant defense against these pests include impairing digestive processes in the insect gut. Thus, for an effective pest management, it is imperative to understand the digestive enzymes present in the pest. The present study involves the characterization of mustard aphid α-amylase and the efficacy of a potent insecticidal agent, RiD (Rorippa indica defensin) against it. The total protein of L. erysimi was analysed to determine the α-amylase activity present in it. The relative α-amylase activity in the total protein was assayed by the dinitrosalicylic acid (DNS) procedure, using 1% soluble starch as substrate and was observed to be 2.32?±?0.025?U/mL of the total protein. The optimum temperature for α-amylase activity was found to be 35?°C and optimum pH was recorded as 6.5. Presence of RiD showed a decrease in the α-amylase activity in a non-competitive way. Moreover, cryo-sections of the aphid midgut also revealed bound RiD in the confocal analysis.     

Adaptive co-management for collaborative commercial pest management: the case of industry-driven fruit fly area-wide management

Area-wide management is recommended for managing several mobile pests. With limited on-ground government assistance available, several Australian local industry groups drive such initiatives to minimise Queensland Fruit Fly impacts on production and market access. This qualitative study investigates how adaptive co-management thinking can assist industry-driven area-wide management. The concepts of social learning, communication, adaptive capacity, shared decision-making and shared authority can make valuable contributions to strengthening collaborative pest management. The tension between “top-down” market requirements and “bottom-up” adaptive co-management principles is best addressed if local industries focus primarily on minimising pest infestation and view market requirements as a bolt-on component.     

Spread modelling: a suitable tool to explore the role of human-mediated dispersal in the range expansion of the yellow-legged hornet in Europe

Abstract

Invasive species can spread locally on their own and can be introduced at long distance by humans. Here, we show how a spread model can be used to explore the role of humans in the range expansion of the invasive yellow-legged hornet, Vespa velutina nigrithorax, in Europe with a special focus on some islands. In 2017, the hornet distribution in France, southern Belgium, south-eastern Germany and northern Spain could largely be explained by the insect’s own dispersal while the occurrence in Portugal, Italy, the Netherlands and Great Britain likely results from human-mediated dispersal. However, in the following years, it could spread to Portugal, Italy and Great Britain also by its own means. The yellow-legged hornet has likely reached the Channel Islands by its own flight but it could hardly reach the Mediterranean islands. Hence, the infestation in Majorca likely results from an accidental introduction. When simulating human-mediated dispersal in the Mediterranean islands, the hornet density would remain relatively low anyhow. Assessing the means of dispersal is important in terms of pest management as the target is either to reduce the spread rate and the population density, or to reduce the risk of entry.     

Insecticide resistance management and integrated mite management in orchards: can they coexist?

At the core of an integrated pest management program for Pennsylvanian apple orchards is an integrated mite management program that is based on a natural enemy, the coccinellid Stethorus punctum punctum (LeConte). The program relies upon the principles of ecological selectivity (e.g. chemical selection, timing, dose and method of application) for the organophosphate and carbamate insecticides. During the last 20 years the tufted apple bud moth (TABM), Platynota idaeusalis (Walker), a direct pest of apple, has developed resistance to these two chemical classes. In an effort to address this growing resistance problem, an intensive research program was initiated in 1986 on how to manage insecticide resistance in TABM while preserving the integrity of the integrated mite management program. One aspect of this research program is the investigation of biochemical and genetic approaches to resistance, including an analysis of detoxification mechanisms, effects of host plant allelochemistry on resistance and detoxification enzyme activities, reversion, gene flow and the isolation and characterization of a gene for glutathione transferase from TABM. Management approaches that have been developed and successfully implemented include pheromone mating disruption, parasitoids, ground-cover management including insecticides, Bacillus thuringiensis Berl. products and insect growth regulators. Resistance management options for TABM are presented. ©1997 SCI     

Temporal dynamics of the arthropod community in pear orchards intercropped with aromatic plants

BACKGROUND: Increasing attention has been paid to enhancing biological control through habitat management in agricultural systems for enhanced pest management. Pest management benefits can be realised by intercropping, which can increase natural enemy abundance and, in turn, reduce pest abundance. In this study, the composition and temporal dynamics of arthropod communities in pear orchards when intercropped with aromatic plants were investigated, and the effectiveness and applicability of aromatic plants as intercrops for enhancing insect control were assessed. RESULTS: When compared with natural grasses or clean tillage, intercropping significantly reduced pest abundance and increased the ratio of natural enemies to pests. Intercropping also shortened the occurrence duration and depressed the incidence peak in annual dynamics curves of the pest subcommunity and the arthropod community, mainly because of the repellent effects of aromatic plants. Equally important, intercropping significantly reduced the numbers of major pests, such as Psylla chinensis, Aphis citricola and Pseudococcus comstocki, while their incidence period was delayed to varying degrees, and the numbers of their dominant natural enemies (Coccinella septempunctata, Phytoseiulus persimilis and Chrysoperla sinica) increased. CONCLUSION: Intercropping with aromatic plants led to a considerable improvement in arthropod pest management by enhancing the activity of the beneficial arthropod community within the pear orchard ecosystem. Copyright © 2011 Society of Chemical Industry     

Management strategies of mealybug pests of citrus in mediterranean countries

Six mealybug species have been reported as citrus pests in the Mediterranean Basin: the citrus mealybugPlanococcus citri (Risso), the citriculus mealybugPseudococcus cryptus Hempel, the longtailed mealybugPseudococcus longispinus (Targioni-Tozzetti), the citrophilus mealybugPseudococcus calceolariae (Maskell), the obscure mealybugPseudococcus viburni (Signoret) and the spherical mealybugNipaecoccus viridis (Newstead). Some of these species,e.g. N. viridis, have recently been introduced into the region and are still spreading. Mealybugs are usually occasional or minor pests of citrus, but some species can reach key pest status. Mealybug management strategies in citrus have been based mostly on classical biological control and, to a lesser extent, on augmentative releases. However, chemical control is widely used, mainly because of the poor adaptation of the principal natural enemies to the climatic conditions of the Mediterranean. The application of pheromones is still restricted to monitoring the citrus mealybug, whose sex pheromone is commercially available. Mass trapping and mating disruption should be considered for possible use in IPM programs as an alternative method to supplementary chemical treatments. Enhancement of biological control through management of ant populations is another promising tactic for control of mealybugs. Strategies for managing mealybug pests of citrus, and possible levels of integration of different tactics according to the pest status, are discussed. http://www.phytoparasitica.org posting Oct. 3, 2004.     

The Biology and Control of the Grasshopper Zonocerus variegatus

Abstract

The grasshopper Zonocerus variegatus (L.) is recognised as a pest of many crops in West Africa. Evidence that it is becoming an increasing problem in southern Nigeria prompted research into the biology, bionomics and control of this insect. Summaries of the main points in the biology, bionomics and recommended control are given. It is concluded that although a chronic pest it only periodically causes economical damage to cassava and community self help is the best level at which to effect control.     

入侵害虫蔗扁蛾在中国的风险性分析

为确定入侵害虫蔗扁蛾是否应列入检疫性害虫进行控制,根据WTO的<卫生与植物卫生措施协定>(SPS)要求,对其进行风险性分析.依据国际植物检疫措施标准(ISPM)规定的有害生物风险性分析(PRA)程序,利用相关模型,对各项分析指标进行分析并赋值运算.各分析指标及运算值为:(1)国内分布情况,风险值为2;(2)潜在的危害性,风险值为1.6;(3)寄主植物的经济重要性,风险值为3;(4)传播扩散的可能性,风险值为1.89;(5)风险性管理难度,风险值为1.67.蔗扁蛾的综合风险性值为1.98,风险指数已达到检疫性害虫条件,应列入检疫性害虫名单,最后提出了相关风险性管理对策.     

Integrated control of pests in tropical and subtropical sweet pepper production

Sweet pepper is now grown, in tropical and subtropical areas, under the integrated pest management (IPM) tactic of 'physical barrier', whereas it was once grown primarily in open fields. This management tactic, when properly employed, has the advantage of eliminating many of the larger open-field pests, and has resulted in greatly increased pepper yields. However, certain other pest populations are exacerbated by this IPM tactic. This paper reviews the primary pests and current control tactics in sweet pepper.     

Bt maize and integrated pest management ‐ a European perspective

The European corn borer (Ostrinia nubilalis), the Mediterranean corn borer (Sesamia nonagrioides) and the western corn rootworm (Diabrotica virgifera virgifera) are the main arthropod pests in European maize production. Practised pest control includes chemical control, biological control and cultural control such as ploughing and crop rotation. A pest control option that is available since 1996 is maize varieties that are genetically engineered (GE) to produce insecticidal compounds. GE maize varieties available today express one or several genes from Bacillus thuringiensis (Bt) that target corn borers or corn rootworms. Incentives to growing Bt maize are simplified farm operations, high pest control efficiency, improved grain quality and ecological benefits. Limitations include the risk of resistance evolution in target pest populations, risk of secondary pest outbreaks and increased administration to comply with licence agreements. Growers willing to plant Bt maize in the European Union (EU) often face the problem that authorisation is denied. Only one Bt maize transformation event (MON810) is currently authorised for commercial cultivation, and some national authorities have banned cultivation. Spain is the only EU member state where Bt maize adoption levels are currently delivering farm income gains near full potential levels. In an integrated pest management (IPM) context, Bt maize can be regarded as a preventive (host plant resistance) or a responsive pest control measure. In any case, Bt maize is a highly specific tool that efficiently controls the main pests and allows combination with other preventive or responsive measures to solve other agricultural problems including those with secondary pests. Copyright © 2011 Society of Chemical Industry     

Avian regulation of crop and forest pests,a meta-analysis

BACKGROUND

Birds have been shown to reduce pest effects on various ecosystem types. This study aimed to synthesize the effect of birds on pest abundance, product damage and yield in agricultural and forest systems in different environments. Our hypothesis is that birds are effective pest regulators that contribute to a reduction in pest abundance, enhancement of yield quality and quantity and economic profit, and that pest regulation may depend on moderators such as the type of ecosystem, climate, pest, and indicator (ecological or economic).

RESULTS

We performed a systematic literature review of experimental and observational studies related to biological control in the presence and absence of regulatory birds. We retained 449 observations from 104 primary studies that were evaluated through qualitative and quantitative analyses. Of the 79 studies with known effects of birds on pest regulation, nearly half of the 334 observations showed positive effects (49%), 46% showed neutral effects, and very few (5%) showed negative effects. Overall effect sizes were positive (mean Hedges’ d = 0.38 ± 0.06). A multiple model selection retained only ecosystem and indicator types as significant moderators.

CONCLUSION

Our results support our hypothesis that there is a positive effect of avian control of pests for each analyzed moderator and this effect was significant for both ecological and economic indicators. Avian regulation of pests is a potential effective approach for environmentally friendly pest management that can reduce pesticide use regardless of the context of implementation. © 2023 The Authors. Pest Management Science published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd on behalf of Society of Chemical Industry.     

Efficacy of mating disruption technique against carob moth,Apomyelois ceratoniae Zeller (Lepidoptera: Pyralidae) in pomegranate orchards in Southeast Turkey (Şanlıurfa)

Carob moth, Apomyelois (=Ectomyelois) ceratoniae Zeller (Lepidoptera: Pyralidae) is a key pest in pomegranate orchards in Southeast of Turkey. The pest causes significant damage and reduces marketability of fruits, and is difficult to control with insecticides. Therefore, it is imperative to develop environmentally sound effective alternative management approaches. In this study, we aimed to evaluate the mating disruption technique and determine the appropriate application dose for the management of the pest. The study was carried out in Central and Suruç districts of ?anl?urfa province (Turkey) in 2011 and 2012. SPLAT EC (Specialized Pheromone-Lure Application Technology) trade named dispenser containing 2% Z7, E9-11-dodecatrienyl formate pheromone mimic was applied at 500, 625 and 750 g/ha in three pomegranate orchards in each district. Results indicated that mating disruption technique significantly reduced the pest populations. But effectiveness of the method was less in terms of the damage rate on fruits. Pheromone applied at 500 g/ha was not effective. However, application at 625 g/ha reduced the pest populations to an acceptable level. Thus, the concentration could be considered an appropriate dose for the less abundant pest population within integrated pest management while higher population would require combining the mating disruption method with a bio-insecticide.     

Metapopulation approach for landscape level management of western tarnished plant bug, Lygus hesperus, in Texas (Hemiptera, Miridae)

Insect source-sink dynamics are vital to ecologically intensive pest management. Maintaining sink plant hosts, or "trap crops", and destroying alternate hosts or breeding places adjacent to the field crop are effective pest management strategies for some arthropods. However, determining whether a host acts as a source or a sink is challenging, especially when the pest species is highly mobile and polyphagous. The western tarnished plant bug, Lygus hesperus, is highly polyphagous, and can utilize >300 hosts. Its presence has been documented in 26 roadside weed hosts in the Texas High Plains. Previous studies demonstrated that L. hesperus prefer alfalfa over cotton and several alternate weed hosts. A four-year project involved surveying and sampling for L. hesperus in the agricultural landscapes of several sub-regions of the southwestern United States, including the Texas High Plains. In Texas, geographic information of the landscape vegetation complex was compiled from a 150 km radius in the Texas High Plains. In one study, fifty irrigated cotton fields representing the crop diversity within this region were sampled via sweep-net for 10 weeks. This effort also included sampling of up to six non-cotton insect habitats within a 3 km radius of each field. Seasonal average L. hesperus abundance data were regressed with 27 field characteristics (variables), including habitat-specific land cover, distance between focal cotton fields and non-cotton habitats, longitude, latitude, elevation, habitat heterogeneity index, and several environmental/ecological variables. Significant variables were selected using a stepwise regression at 15% probability rate. A 10-parameter linear model explained 93% of the variation in the data. Major parameters contributing significantly to variation in L. hesperus abundance in cotton were corn and sunflower acreages, focal cotton field distances from several non-cotton hosts, and habitat heterogeneity index. In addition, field marking-and-capture studies were conducted using protein markers and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays to characterize L. hesperus intercrop movement behavior. The field marking-and-capture approach can be used to study the effects of various crop management practices on L. hesperus intercrop movement and can potentially be applied to other pests and cropping systems.