Effects of four host plants on susceptibility of Spodoptera litura (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae) larvae to five insecticides and activities of detoxification esterases

BACKGROUND: The tobacco cutworm, Spodoptera litura (F.), is one of the most destructive polyphagous pests worldwide. The susceptibility of S. litura larvae reared on tobacco, Chinese cabbage, cowpea and sweet potato to phoxim, chlorfenapyr, methomyl, fenvalerate and emamectin benzoate under laboratory conditions was determined. RESULTS: Spodoptera litura larvae reared on tobacco were most tolerant to all insecticides, whereas those that fed on sweet potato were most susceptible. When larvae were reared on each host plant for three generations, the susceptibilities to phoxim of larvae that fed on Chinese cabbage and cowpea were similar, whereas the susceptibility of larvae that fed on sweet potato decreased by the third generation, and on tobacco the susceptibility decreased in each consecutive generation. When nicotine was added to their diet for three consecutive generations, the tolerance of larvae to phoxim increased twofold, and to emamectin benzoate 3.1‐fold, but the tolerance of larvae to fenvalerate and chlorfenapyr did not change. The acetylcholinesterase activities of the larvae that fed on sweet potato and cowpea were greater than the activities of those that fed on Chinese cabbage and tobacco. In contrast, the carboxylesterase activities of the larvae that fed on tobacco and Chinese cabbage were greater than the activities of those that fed on sweet potato and cowpea. The glutathione S‐transferase activities of larvae were highest when they fed on tobacco, followed by Chinese cabbage and cowpea, and the lowest activities were observed when larvae fed on sweet potato. CONCLUSION: Feeding on tobacco or with nicotine added to the diet, the larvae became more tolerant to insecticides, especially to phoxim and emamectin benzoate. Copyright © 2010 Society of Chemical Industry     

The incidence of Chilo partellus (Swinh.) (pyralidae) and the contribution of natural enemies to its mortality under intercropping system in Kenya

Abstract

In the present study the incidence of Chilo partellus and its mortality due to natural enemies on sorghum intercropped with cowpea and maize were investigated in the 1984–6 cropping seasons. The lowest larval density was recorded in sorghum/ cowpea intercrop (mean 0. 18 larvae/plant); and the highest density in sorghum/maize (mean 1. 8 larvae/plant), although significant differences in larval density were observed only in three out of five seasons. Life table analysis showed first‐generation mortality of C. partellus to be highest in the age interval from egg to early‐instar larva (95–98% real mortality) and attributable mainly to predation; first‐generation mortality due to parasitoids and pathogens was negligible. Significantly higher (P < 0. 05) apparent pupal mortality due to Dentichasmias busseolae (Heinrich) (Ichneumonidae), in the second generation occurred in sorghum/cowpea (42.8%) than in sorghum/maize (12.5%). It was concluded that predators play a significant role and that intercropping sorghum with cowpea or maize does not interfere with their activity. Intercropping sorghum with cowpea gave nearly 40% higher yield index than sorghum monocrop. The implications of these findings on management     

Selection for resistance, reversion towards susceptibility and synergism of chlorantraniliprole and spinetoram in obliquebanded leafroller, Choristoneura rosaceana (Lepidoptera: Tortricidae)

BACKGROUND: Obliquebanded leafroller, Choristoneura rosaceana (Harris), is an economic pest of pome fruits throughout North America. Repeated applications of broad‐spectrum insecticides have resulted in the development of resistance, cross‐resistance and multiple resistance in this pest. Studies were conducted to determine the possibility of resistance evolution, stability of resistance and the effect of metabolic synergists on toxicity of new reduced‐risk insecticides chlorantraniliprole and spinetoram in C. rosaceana. RESULTS: Larvae of C. rosaceana were selected for resistance to chlorantraniliprole and spinetoram in the laboratory. Significant levels of resistance to each insecticide were observed after 12 generations of selection. In the absence of selection pressure, susceptibility of a subset of larvae from both chlorantraniliprole‐ and spinetoram‐selected populations reverted to preselection levels after five and six generations respectively, indicating that resistance to both chlorantraniliprole and spinetoram was unstable in C. rosaceana. In synergist bioassays performed after 12 generations of selection, S,S,S‐tributylphosphoro trithioate (DEF) and piperonyl butoxide (PBO) synergized the toxicity of chlorantraniliprole and spinetoram respectively, suggesting the involvement of esterases in chlorantraniliprole resistance and the involvement of mixed‐function oxidases in spinetoram resistance. CONCLUSION: These findings suggest that chlorantraniliprole and spinetoram could be incorporated into C. rosaceana resistance management programs by using rotational strategies. Copyright © 2011 Society of Chemical Industry     

Action of the ecdysteroid agonist tebufenozide in susceptible and artificially selected beet armyworm

Toxicity assays with tebufenozide, the first commercial non-steroidal ecdysteroid agonist, against a laboratory strain of the beet armyworm, Spodoptera exigua (Hübner), demonstrated the promise of this new compound for the control of this important pest. Experiments to select insects artificially from the laboratory strain by continuous exposure of larval instars to corresponding LC₂₅ doses of tebufenozide for over 12 generations (G₀→G₁₂: 14–15 months), revealed no loss in susceptibility to the insecticide for up to five generations. Moreover, retention and fate of ¹⁴C-labelled tebufenozide were investigated using G₆ larvae from the selection experiments and the results compared with those for the susceptible (G₀) larvae. In addition, piperonyl butoxide, an inhibitor of monooxygenases, when ingested by larvae along with tebufenozide, increased the susceptibility of intoxicated larvae to this ecdysteroid agonist, indicating its oxidative metabolism in Spodoptera larvae. © 1998 Society of Chemical Industry.     

Insect pests of pearl millet in West Africa: A review

Abstract

Pearl millet (Pennisetum americanum (L.) K. Schum), a major food crop in the sahelian and savanna regions of West Africa, is attacked by about 100 species of insects. Of these, the only regular pests are stem borers (Acigona ignefusalis Hmps. and Sesamia spp.) and earhead caterpillars (Masalia spp., Raghuva spp.). Sporadic pests such as hairy caterpillars (Amsacta moloneyi Druce), armyworms (Spodoptera spp. and Mythimna spp.) and grasshoppers (Acrididae) may cause severe losses to crops during prolonged droughts early in the season. A grain midge (Geromyia penniseti (Felt)) attacks late millets and causes a considerable loss in yield. Information is presented on the biology, distribution, hosts and natural enemies of these pests, and some methods of control are discussed.     

Vertical transmission of sublethal granulovirus infection in the tobacco caterpillar <Emphasis Type="Italic">Spodoptera litura</Emphasis>

Larvae that survived sublethal infection of Spodoptera litura granulovirus (SlGV) as 4th and 5th instars led to an increase in the larval period of treated larvae when compared with control. While pupal period and pupal weight remained unaffected, a significant alteration in sex ratio was observed. Although survivor moths could mate successfully, there was a significant reduction in the proportion of ovipositing females in treated larvae as compared with control. A significant reduction in fecundity of moths emerging from treated larvae was also noticed, but the egg viability was never influenced by the treatment. However, there was a significant increase in progeny mortality in treated larvae over control. The offspring mortality in survivors increased up to three subsequent generations but not thereafter. Hence, repeated field applications of inoculum are required. The implication of the present findings in terms of reduced fecundity coupled with increased larval development indicates that vertical transmission can lead to increased virus dispersal, both of which would reduce the host's innate capacity for population increase. This is particularly important in S. litura, which is a migratory species and occurs sporadically in a particular agro-ecosystem.     

Bactra spp. in Pakistan and their Potential as Biocontrol Agents of Cyperus rotundus

Abstract

Observations on distribution, abundance, phenology, host spectrum, biology and damage of Bactra venosana and B. minima are reported. Morphological differences between larvae and pupae of the two species for field identification are given. Oviposition and larval feeding tests were carried out and showed that oviposition is indiscriminate but larvae have a strong preference for Cyperus rotundus though they also feed on some other Cyperus spp. In laboratory experiments 72% of plants damaged by B. venosana and 65% by B. minima failed to regenerate. The ecological preferences of B. venosana and B. minima are also discussed and as a result both species are recommended for simultaneous introduction for the control of C. rotundus in areas where other Cyperus spp. are not economically important.     

浙南地区豆野螟生物学特性和消长规律研究

经室内饲养和田间调查明确,豆野螟在浙南地区一年发生7～8代,第8代为不完全代。一年中在6月下旬、7月中下旬、8月上中旬、9月中旬、10月上中旬均有明显的发生高峰,呈现波浪多峰型的发生特点,世代重叠严重,2、3、4、5各主害代之间危害程度相差不大。豆野螟在自然变温条件下卵的发育起点温度和有效积温分别为10.84℃和53.17日度,幼虫的发育起点温度和有效积温分别为7.84℃和214.90日度,蛹的发育起点温度和有效积温分别为9.48℃和124.41日度。     

一点缀螟生物学特性及其在云南德宏玉米田的为害调查

为明确一点缀螟Paralipsa gularis(Zeller)在云南省德宏州玉米田的发生情况,采用五点取样法在连片种植的夏玉米田块对一点缀螟为害情况进行调查,用随机抽样法研究其在玉米田秸秆和当年仓储的玉米果穗中越冬情况,并观察其形态特征、生活史及生物学特性。结果表明,一点缀螟在德宏州每年发生2~3代,以老熟幼虫在玉米秸秆和果穗中越冬,其中主要以第2代幼虫进行为害,玉米果穗平均被害率达24.3%。一点缀螟雌蛾体长及翅展分别为18.7 mm和30.2 mm,雄蛾分别为13.6 mm和28.2 mm;雌、雄蛾前翅外缘末端均有6个小黑点,雌蛾前翅中央有1个黑斑,雄蛾有2个黑斑;卵为散产,椭圆形,长、宽分别为0.6、0.4 mm;幼虫初为乳白色,大龄渐变为灰黑色,老熟幼虫体长25.9 mm。在室内条件下,一点缀螟的发育历期为52.5 d,其中卵期、幼虫期、蛹期、成虫期分别为7.5、26.4、10.0、8.6 d。     

Toxicological and biochemical response to azinphos-methyl in Cydia pomonella L. (Lepidoptera: Tortricidae) among orchards from the Argentinian Patagonia

BACKGROUND: Azinphos‐methyl is the main insecticide used to control codling moth on apple and pears in Northern Patagonia. The aim of this study was to evaluate the toxicological and biochemical response of diapausing larvae of codling moth in orchards subjected to different insecticide selection pressure. RESULTS: Dose–mortality assays with azinphos‐methyl in diapausing larvae of Cydia pomonella L. showed significant differences between the LD₉₅ from a population collected in one untreated orchard (2.52 µg moth^?1) compared with that in a laboratory‐susceptible population (0.33 µg moth^?1). Toxicity to azinphos‐methyl in field populations of diapausing larvae collected during 2003–2005 was evaluated by topical application of a discriminating dose (2.5 µg moth^?1) that was obtained from larvae collected in the untreated orchard (field reference strain). Significantly lower mortality (37.71–84.21%) was observed in three out of eight field populations compared with that in the field reference strain. Most of the field populations showed higher esterase activity than that determined in both the laboratory susceptible and the field reference strains. Moreover, there was a high association between esterase activity and mortality (R² = 0.64) among the field populations. On the other hand, a poor correlation was observed between glutathione S‐transferase activity and mortality (R² = 0.33) among larvae collected from different orchards. CONCLUSIONS: All the field populations evaluated exhibited some degree of azinphos‐methyl tolerance in relation to the laboratory susceptible strain. Biochemical results demonstrated that esterases are at least one of the principal mechanisms involved in tolerance to this insecticide. Copyright © 2008 Society of Chemical Industry     

Establishment ofHarmonia axyridis on Citrus and Some Data on Its Phenology in Greece

In September 1993, a colony ofHarmonia axyridis Pallas (Coleoptera:Coccinellidae) was imported from France into Greece. In 1994, insectary-reared adults were released in 11 citrus orchards in four citrus-growing areas of Greece. Between May 19 and June 8, 1994,H. axyridis was recovered from a total of seven localities in three of these areas. This species was established on orange, mandarin and sour orange trees heavily infested withToxoptera aurantii, Aphis spiraecola andA. gossypii; its absence from the remaining four localities may have been the result of low prey densities. Twenty-three days after the initial releases,H. axyridis larvae comprised 57.9% and 83.3%, respectively, of the aphidophagous coccinellid larval populations in two localities (on Chios Island). In samples taken at Leonidion 43 days after the introduction release, both adult and larval populations ofH. axyridis represented approximately one-third of aphidophagous coccinellid adults and larvae found, whereas the indigenousAdalia bipunctata comprised about one-half of the population. In cages placed outside the Athens laboratory,H. axyridis completed four overlapping generations annually; average longevities of 56.2, 66.8, 78.9 and 102.2 days, respectively, were recorded for the successive generations. Adults of the 3rd and 4th generations overwintered, giving rise to the following year’s 1st generation. Oviposition began in April and emergence of 1st generation adults occurred in mid-May. The egg-laying activity of the females throughout the warm period of the year indicates thatH. axyridis does not diapause in summer. From December until March, small aggregations (2-4 individuals) were observed within the cages at protected sites.     

四种Bt毒素蛋白对二点委夜蛾幼虫毒力测定及中肠组织病理学变化

为更好地了解苏云金芽胞杆菌Bacillus thuringiensis毒素蛋白对二点委夜蛾Athetis lepigone的毒力以及作用机理,通过饲喂含有Cry1Ac、Cry1Ab、Cry2Ab和Vip3Aa四种不同Bt毒素蛋白饲料,测定Bt毒素蛋白对二点委夜蛾幼虫的毒力,并观察取食4种毒素蛋白后幼虫中肠组织的病理学变化。结果显示,二点委夜蛾幼虫取食毒素蛋白后72 h,Cry1Ab和Cry1Ac毒素蛋白对二点委夜蛾幼虫的杀虫活性较高,校正死亡率为84.7%和76.4%;Vip3Aa和Cry2Ab毒素蛋白的毒力较弱。二点委夜蛾幼虫取食4种Bt毒素蛋白后,中肠柱状细胞微绒毛脱落,杂乱地分散在肠腔内,杯状细胞变形和腔内微绒毛脱落,线粒体和内质网等变形破裂,细胞核的核膜消失、核质凝聚和形状发生变化,经Cry1Ab和Cry1Ac毒素蛋白处理后中肠细胞的病变症状和速度明显高于Cry2Ab和Vip3Aa毒素蛋白处理。表明Cry1Ab和Cry1Ac毒素蛋白对二点委夜蛾幼虫杀虫活性较高,显著高于Cry2Ab和Vip3Aa毒素蛋白,且对其中肠细胞的破坏作用也较强。     

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

Abstract

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

Toxicity,persistence and efficacy of indoxacarb and two other insecticides on Plutella xylostella (Lepidoptera: Plutellidae) immatures in cabbage

Toxicities of indoxacarb on eggs and 5-day-old larvae of diamondback moth, Plutella xylostella L., on cabbage and those of field-aged leaf residues on 5-day-old larvae were determined in the laboratory. The persistence and efficacies of indoxacarb and two other newer insecticides (spinosad and emamectin benzoate) to P. xylostella were tested under field conditions. Results from laboratory bioassays indicate that indoxacarb was highly toxic to P. xylostella larvae through food ingestion, with LC₅₀ and LC₉₀ values of 24.1 and 90.1 mg AI l ^{- 1}, respectively. However, indoxacarb had no significant effects on eggs and larvae through direct contact compared with water control. The toxicity of field-aged leaf residues of indoxacarb (0-, 3-, 5-, 7-, 10-, 14-, 17- and 21-day-old residues) declined slowly and gradually under the field conditions in South Texas. Almost all larvae died on day 5 after feeding on the leaves with 0 - 14-day residue, and the mortalities were as high as 94 and 78% for the 14- and 17-day-old leaf residues. With one application, indoxacarb suppressed P. xylostella larvae below the economic threshold for 14 - 21 days. Two field trials showed that indoxacarb at 0.05 - 0.07 kg AI ha ^{- 1} was effective against P. xylostella, providing marketable cabbage with three applications per season. In addition, indoxacarb was as effective as spinosad, and significantly more effective than emamectin benzoate.     

昆虫病原线虫泰山Ⅰ号的研究

昆虫病原线虫泰山Ⅰ号是小杆目异杆线虫科异杆线虫属(Heterorhabditis)线虫。1984年5月,自山东泰安苹果园土壤及桃小食心虫(简称桃小)(Carposina niponensis Walsingham)圆茧分离获得。在长江以北地区分离到这种昆虫寄生性线虫还未见有报道。其生活史包括两个世代,即卵生世代(短世代)和卵胎生世代。25℃温度下完成整个生活史需9天时间。它与一种无色杆菌(Xencrhabdus)互惠共生,线虫进入昆虫体腔便释放出其共生菌,引起昆虫败血病,48小时内导致寄主死亡。尸体变红并发出较强的生物光。本文主要报道其生活史、形态、共生菌、人工繁殖方法及对桃小的致死效果。     

Possibilities of Biological Control of Liver Flukes

A survey was conducted to gain insight into the perceptions of Lesotho's farmers with regard to insect pests of maize and sorghum, to identify management practices that could impact on stalk-borer numbers and to shed light on other farming practices such as variety selection and crop residue management. Field studies were conducted to determine the incidence and distribution of Busseola fusca (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae) and Chilo partellus (Lepidoptera: Pyralidae) larvae in sorghum and maize residues and to determine the effect of certain crop residue management practices on stalk-borer survival. Results indicated that farmers regard stalk-borers as important pests that sometimes need to be controlled. However, most farmers never apply control measures, mainly due to lack of resources. Residues of maize and sorghum plants are largely used as animal fodder with maize being cut and fed to animals after harvest. Sorghum crop residues are largely left on fields after harvest to be used by free-grazing animals. While stacks of maize stalks were not important in the winter survival of B. fusca larvae, stacking of sorghum ensures winter survival of C. partellus larvae. Detasselling of maize plants is commonly done at plant senescence and the upper halves of plants are fed to animals. Detasselling of maize plants had no effect on the number of borer larvae in plants at harvest.     

Overwintering biology of the carob moth Apomyelois ceratoniae (Lepidoptera: Pyralidae)

The pomegranate fruit moth, Apomyelois ceratoniae (Zeller), is the most important pest of pomegranate orchards in Iran, where infestations lead to 20%–80% fruit loss. A. ceratoniae overwinters as larvae in several instars. The success in overwintering determines the fruit loss in the following season, thus overwintering physiology of A. ceratoniae could provide insights into population prediction. To this end, overwintering strategy and some seasonal physiological and biochemical changes were investigated in the field-collected larvae of A. ceratoniae. The lowest supercooling point was recorded in November (?14.6 ± 0.9 °C) and the highest in both October and March (?10.2 ± 0.9 °C). The median lethal temperature (LT₅₀) of larvae was higher than supercooling point, suggesting that A. ceratoniae is chill-susceptible. Overwintering larvae had slightly higher concentrations of glycerol and sorbitol compared to summer larvae. There were no significant seasonal changes in body water content or hemolymph osmolality. Current winter temperatures in Iranian orchards are higher than the cold tolerance thresholds of A. ceratoniae, suggesting that overwintering mortality is not a key factor in determining A. ceratoniae populations.     

关键环境因子对桃小食心虫出土羽化动态的影响

为明确有效积温、土壤含水量对桃小食心虫Carposina sasakii Matsumura出土羽化的影响,在室内控制土壤温、湿度的条件下测定了越冬代和第1代各生命阶段的有效积温,于2010—2015年在山西省临县枣园对越冬幼虫和成虫动态进行调查,并对田间土壤温度和含水量进行系统监测。结果表明:桃小食心虫室内越冬幼虫出土积温为258.2日度;而受5月份首次有效降雨日的影响,田间出土积温存在384.2~764.6日度的年度变化。土壤含水量对越冬幼虫出土模式及出土率有显著影响。持续干旱或土壤高湿均可导致双峰现象,土壤高湿的频繁出现还可显著降低幼虫出土率。通过6年田间监测数据的分析表明,越冬幼虫首现日与有效降雨日无显著相关性,而首现日有效积温(y)与降雨日有效积温(x)呈极显著正相关,回归方程为y=0.7758x+188.16(r=0.997,P0.001)。     

香蕉扁象的预测预报及防治方法

香蕉扁象Odoiporus longicollis Olivier是我国香蕉产区最重要的钻蛀害虫,以幼虫在蕉茎内取食,造成大量蛀道,危害严重。此虫年发生6代,世代重叠,成虫白天栖息于假茎枯烂叶鞘内侧,夜出活动,产卵前期较长。老熟幼虫在旧蕉茎内越冬,每年成虫种群发生有两个高峰期,分别为4—5月和9—10月。采用历期预测法或卵巢分级预测法,确定防治适期,用化学农药喷杀产卵前期的成虫;以及清除枯烂叶鞘,砍除隔年留头老蕉茎,消灭越冬幼虫,是目前防治此虫比较有效的措施。     

Laboratory selected resistance to diflubenzuron in larvae of aedes aegypti

The variation in tolerance to diflubenzuron [1-(4-chlorophenyl)-3-(2,6-difluorobenzoyl)urea] was examined in fourth instar larvae of seven strains of Aedes aegypti, some of which were resistant to DDT and permethrin. The difference between the least and the most tolerant to diflubenzuron was approximately two-fold. There was no correlation with resistance to the other insecticides. A DDT-resistant strain (T8) was selected 10 times (during 12 generations) with diflubenzuron. The LC₅₀ to diflubenzuron had increased 3.3 times by the S₈ generation but there was no further increase in later generations despite further selection. Associated with this increase, a marked decrease in resistance to DDT was observed but no change in permethrin tolerance. A genetically enriched strain (Hotchpotch) was synthesised from 35 strains of different geographic origin and crossed to the selected T8 strain before subsequent generations were selected five times with diflubenzuron. This procedure resulted in an 8 to 12-fold increase in the LC₅₀ value over that for unselected T8, accompanied by a decrease in the slope of the log dose against probit mortality line.