Side effects of grain protectants on biological control agents: How <Emphasis Type="Italic">Hyptis</Emphasis> plant extracts affect parasitism and larval development of <Emphasis Type="Italic">Dinarmus basalis</Emphasis>

Dinarmus basalis Rondani (Hymenoptera: Pteromalidae), an ectoparasitoid of bruchid pests of stored cowpeas (Vigna unguiculata), is a potential biological control agent. We investigated whether grain protectants from Hyptis spicigera and H. suaveolens (Lamiaceae) disturb parasitism and post-embryonic growth of the parasitoid. When cowpeas containing bruchid larvae were treated before being placed in the presence of D. basalis females, the rate of parasitism decreased on average up to 24% and 47% in the presence of, respectively, leaf dry powder and essential oils from both plant species. The estimated larval mortality was higher on treated (9.55 to 28.6%) than on non-treated parasitized hosts (2.8%), depending on the plant species and the plant extract tested. Additional larval mortality was higher for essential oil, and for H. suaveolens. An in-depth analysis of the pre-imaginal development in capsules adapted for this purpose showed that without treatment, mortality was recorded only for eggs and the first two larval stages. With treatment, mortality not only significantly increased on eggs but also spanned all other pre-imaginal stages. Pre-imaginal development was also significantly extended in the presence of treatment, depending on the type of extract and dose used. In conclusion, both plant species exert acute toxicity on D. basalis larvae and also act as growth inhibitors. These results provide additional information that enable us to move towards the harmonious use of allelochemical compounds from plants while protecting biocontrol agents from their adverse effects.     

Oviposition behavior and development of immature stages ofParasierola swirskiana, a parasitoid of the lesser date mothBatrachedra amydraula

Parasierola swirskiana Argaman (Hymenoptera: Bethylidae) is a parasitoid of the mothBatrachedra amydraula Meyrick, a pest of unripe fruits of the date palm,Phoenix dactylifera L. The parasitoid is most commonly found in the field on second-generation host ,larvae. Its biological characteristics were studied in the laboratory. Adult longevity averaged 34.9 and 20.5 days for females and males, respectively. Clutch size ranged between 1 and 13 eggs per host, and was positively correlated with host weight. Females laid an average of 60.4 eggs on 11.6 hosts, with a maximum of 152 eggs on 29 hosts in 53 days. Parasitoids were observed standing motionless upon 52% of the paralyzed hosts, and active brood defense was occasionally observed. Immature development is described. Total development time from egg to adult averaged 13.6 days at 26 ± 2°C and 30-50% r.h. The potential for utilizingP. swirskiana for biological control ofB. amydraula is discussed.     

Parasitism and development of<Emphasis Type="Italic">Trissolcus simoni</Emphasis> in eggs of different host species

A scelionid egg parasitoid,Trissolcus simoni (Mayr), was investigated by exposing different host eggs to parasitism by females in order to assess the role of this alternative host species in the biological control of the sunn pestEurygaster integriceps Puton. Egg masses of laboratory colonies of four field-collected host species were used in the experiments. Parasitism rates ofE. integriceps, Dolycoris baccarum (L.),Graphosoma lineatum L. andCarpocoris pudicus (Pd.) averaged 86.8%, 81.6%, 82.8% and 84.0%, respectively. The parasitoid sex ratio and the percent of adult emergence did not differ significantly among the four hosts. The average development period was shorter inD. baccarum andC. pudicus, with respective mean times of 10.3 and 10.8 days for females, and 9.2 and 9.6 days for males, than inE. integriceps andG. lineatum. According to these results, all the tested eggs were adequate hosts forT. simoni development. http://www.phytoparasitica.org posting Dec. 19, 2003.     

Quality parameters and adaptation of Muscidifurax raptorellus (Hymenoptera: Pteromalidae) against dipteran pests harmful to livestock and cultivated plants

Abstract

Muscidifurax raptorellus is a parasitoid wasp which is commonly used in the biological control of harmful dipterans in stables. In this study, the adaptation of M. raptorellus to different species of dipteran hosts—detrimental to both agriculture (Diptera: Tephritidae) and livestock (Diptera: Muscidae)—as well as several quality parameters of this commercial parasitoid was assessed under laboratory conditions. Our results showed a higherparasitism rate of M. raptorellus onmuscidthan ontephritid hosts and a significant effect of the natal host on M. raptorellus female longevity and fertility; however, despite this and the innate preference formuscid hosts, M. raptorellus showed similar fecundity, fertility and sex ratios when reared on pupae of Ceratitis capitata and on muscidpupae. Furthermore, both fertility and the sex ratio of commercially available M. raptorellus individuals showed values within an acceptable range of quality. Our results suggest that M. raptorellus could be recommended as a natural enemy in biological control programmes against dipteran pests harmful both to livestock and cultivated plants.     

探索促进寄生蜂生殖力的蜜源植物共性特征

通过布局合适的蜜源植物,以提高农田生态系统的害虫防控服务,已成为一种常用的生境管理技术。然而,如何筛选理想的蜜源植物是保护生物防治中迫切需要解决的现实问题。本研究通过室内试验构建蜜源植物对寄生蜂寄生能力影响的数据库,分析了不同蜜源植物的效应值与寄生蜂和蜜源植物关键生态特征的相关性。结果表明,花序类型是筛选蜜源植物的最重要特征,其中复伞形花序植物的花对寄生蜂寄生能力的促进作用最显著,而花单生、头状花序和穗状花序植物的对寄生蜂寄生能力的促进作用不明显。赤眼蜂等微小型寄生蜂的生殖潜力的高低对其取食蜜源植物后的寄生能力影响不显著。寄生蜂的寄主类型、种群类型等不会影响蜜源植物对赤眼蜂的寄生能力。     

Leafminers in vegetables,ornamental plants and weeds in Indonesia: Surveys of host crops,species composition and parasitoids

Extensive surveys of vegetable, ornamental and weedy plant species were conducted in highland and lowland vegetable production areas in Indonesia with the aim of recording leafminer species present and their associated natural enemies. The most common dipterous species reared from samples was the pea leafminer, Liriomyza huidobrensis (Blanchard) (Diptera: Agromyzidae). This introduced pest was particularly serious in highland vegetables in Java, Sumatra and South Sulawesi, causing yield losses as high as 60-70%. Another alien species, the vegetable leafminer, Liriomyza sativae Blanchard, contributed to problems in lowland areas on the north coast of West Java, where cucumbers were heavily damaged. An Asian leafminer species, Chromatomyia horticola Goureau, was more common in snow peas (Pisum sp.). Intensive sampling of leafminer-infested leaves from surveyed host plants yielded 11 species of hymenopteran parasitoids: 10 eulophids (Asecodes sp., Chrysocharis sp., Cirrospilus ambiguus (Hansson and LaSalle), Closterocerus sp., Hemiptarsenus varicornis (Girault), Neochrysocharis formosa (Westwood), Neochrysocharis sp., Pnigalio sp., Quadrastichus sp., Zagrammosoma sp.) and 1 eucoilid (Gronotoma sp.). The most abundant parasitoid species was H. varicornis. Levels of parasitism varied among crops and growing seasons, but were usually low, especially on potato (< 3%). Surveys revealed that most farmers (63%) attempted to control leafminers by applying insecticides twice weekly although these applications were neither effective nor economical according to responses of about 72% of the farmers. An integrated pest management approach is suggested that emphasizes IPM training for vegetable farmers and includes reductionor elimination of broad spectrum chemicals that would adversely affect parasitoids that may already be present as well as those that may be introduced. The initiation of a classical biological control programme is recommended to enhance the limited parasitoid complex present in Indonesia and increase levels of biological control.     

Few indirect effects of baculovirus on parasitoids demonstrate high compatibility of biocontrol methods against Tuta absoluta

BACKGROUND

Combining different biocontrol agents, particularly micro- and macroorganisms, can contribute to new and sustainable pest control approaches. Tuta absoluta (Meyrick) (Lepidoptera: Gelechiidae) is one of the most destructive pests of solanaceous crops. An emerging management strategy consists of biological control using microbial insecticides such as baculoviruses, but with limited efficacy. Thanks to their high target specificity, baculoviruses can be used simultaneously with natural enemies such as parasitoids for improved control of T. absoluta. However, potential indirect nontarget effects of baculoviruses on parasitoids can result from overlapping resource requirements. We assessed whether ovipositing parasitoid females discriminated against virus-treated hosts and examined the outcome of within-host competition between the hymenopteran parasitoids Necremnus tutae (Reuter) (Eulophidae) and Dolichogenidea gelechiidivoris Marsch (Braconidae), and the Phthorimaea operculella granulovirus (PhopGV, Baculoviridae) that infects T. absoluta larvae.

RESULTS

Female D. gelechiidivoris discriminated against virus-treated hosts, whereas N. tutae did not. We found few indirect virus-related effects depending on the species, the sex, and the time of virus treatment. Effects were ambivalent for D. gelechiidivoris offspring and ranged from increased male longevity when infection occurred before parasitization to reduced emergence and male longevity when infection occurred after parasitization. N. tutae offspring showed a longer development time and shorter male longevity when they developed in virus-treated hosts.

CONCLUSION

The virus had a low impact on parasitoid offspring. In rare cases, adverse effects were detected; however, the low magnitude of these effects is unlikely to reduce the fitness of parasitoid offspring, therefore both parasitoids seem compatible with the baculovirus for control of T. absoluta. © 2022 The Authors. Pest Management Science published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd on behalf of Society of Chemical Industry.     

Kombinierter Einsatz von synthetischen Insektiziden und Bacillus thuringiensis sowie Trichogramma evanescens gegen ausgewa¨hlte Scha¨dlinge an Vigna sesquipedalis unter tropischen Tieflandbedingungen

Field experiments with the synthetic insecticides, Methomyl and Carbaryl, alone and in combination with the biological control agents, Bacillus thuringiensis (Bt) and Trichogramma evanescens, were conducted to control pests in yardlong beans, Vigna sesquipedalis, during the dry season 1998/1999. The experimental area was located at the Central Luzon State University in the province of Nueva Ecija on the Philippine main island Luzon. Carbaryl was applied against bean flies 5 days after plant emergence. Methomyl was sprayed against pod sucking insects and the bean podborer, Maruca vitrata, 45 days after plant emergence. The biological control agents were applied with the beginning of the flowering stage of V. sesquipedalis, when plants were first attacked by M. vitrata.Major insect pests on V. sesquipedalis were cowpea aphid (Aphis craccivora), leafminer (Liriomyza sp.), and bean podborer (M. vitrata). Both, Bt and T. evanescens had no significant impact on yield. M. vitrata eggs, exposed for 48 hours in the fields to augmented T. evanescens, were used to measure field efficacy of the parasitoid. Highest parasitism rate was 13.3%, thus, generally low.     

Susceptibility of cocooned pupae and adults of the parasitoid <Emphasis Type="Italic">Microplitis mediator</Emphasis> to selected insecticides

The braconid parasitoid Microplitis mediator (Haliday) is a key natural enemy of the cabbage moth, Mamestra brassicae (L.), in Europe. In the context of an Integrated Pest Management approach, the use of selective insecticides is essential for the conservation of naturally occurring beneficial arthropods. The present laboratory study investigated the side effects of six insecticides applied at recommended field rates on adults and cocooned pupae of M. mediator. Male and female parasitoids were paired in drum cells contaminated with dry residues of insecticides. Besides lethal effects after 24 h, parasitization capacity and longevity of the surviving parasitoids was evaluated. Lethal effects on cocooned pupae were also investigated by assessing adult emergence from treated cocoons. Pirimicarb caused 100% adult mortality after 24 h, whereas the other tested insecticides caused no direct toxic effects. However, sub-lethal effects in terms of reduced parasitization activity, percentage of parasitism or female longevity were found for flonicamid, pymetrozine, spinosad and thiacloprid. Spirotetramat shortened only male longevity. Adult emergence from treated cocoons was reduced only by flonicamid and pymetrozine.     

Kombinierter Einsatz von synthetischen Insektiziden und Bacillus thuringiensis sowie Trichogramma evanescens gegen ausgewa¨hlte Scha¨dlinge an Vigna sesquipedalis unter tropischen Tieflandbedingungen

Field experiments with the synthetic insecticides, Methomyl and Carbaryl, alone and in combination with the biological control agents, Bacillus thuringiensis (Bt) and Trichogramma evanescens, were conducted to control pests in yardlong beans, Vigna sesquipedalis, during the dry season 1998/1999. The experimental area was located at the Central Luzon State University in the province of Nueva Ecija on the Philippine main island Luzon. Carbaryl was applied against bean flies 5 days after plant emergence. Methomyl was sprayed against pod sucking insects and the bean podborer, Maruca vitrata, 45 days after plant emergence. The biological control agents were applied with the beginning of the flowering stage of V. sesquipedalis, when plants were first attacked by M. vitrata.Major insect pests on V. sesquipedalis were cowpea aphid (Aphis craccivora), leafminer (Liriomyza sp.), and bean podborer (M. vitrata). Both, Bt and T. evanescens had no significant impact on yield. M. vitrata eggs, exposed for 48 hours in the fields to augmented T. evanescens, were used to measure field efficacy of the parasitoid. Highest parasitism rate was 13.3%, thus, generally low.Highest yield was obtained from plots treated with both synthetic insecticides. No significant difference in fresh pod yield was observed when, in addition to the synthetic insecticides, Bt and/or T. evanescens was applied. However, all treatments significantly out-yielded the untreated control.     

Introduction into Italy of Gryon pennsylvanicum (Ashmead), an egg parasitoid of the alien invasive bug Leptoglossus occidentalis Heidemann

Leptoglossus occidentalis (Heteroptera, Coreidae), a Nearctic species, was accidentally introduced into Northern Italy in the late 1990s, from where it has spread throughout Europe. The bug causes abortion of immature cones of Pinus pinea L., with economic impact on the pine‐nut industry. As part of a pest control research program, the egg parasitoid Gryon pennsylvanicum Ashmead (Hymenoptera, Platygastridae) was collected from British Columbia, Canada, and legally introduced to a quarantine climatic chamber in Florence, Italy. The egg parasitoid will be tested against native non‐target heteropterans, an environmental impact assessment will be conducted, and a mass rearing method will be developed if appropriate. The ultimate goal is to release G. pennsylvanicum into Italian P. pinea forests for classical biological control of L. occidentalis.     

Overwintering of <Emphasis Type="Italic">Taphrina wiesneri</Emphasis> within cherry shoots monitored with species-specific PCR

Taphrina wiesneri, the pathogen of witches’ broom of cherry, is highly pathogenic to Cerasus × yedoensis, the most widely planted ornamental cherry species in Japan. For adequate control of this disease, it is necessary to understand the life history of T. wiesneri. However, sites inhabited by T. wiesneri within infected trees are little understood, except during flowering and leafing periods in spring. Therefore, we attempted to detect the location of T. wiesneri in shoots of witches’ broom before flowering and leafing in spring using PCR with a T. wiesneri-specific primer pair that was designed from 69 sequences in rDNA-internal transcribed spacer region of 32 Taphrina species. DNA extracted from symptomatic and asymptomatic C. × yedoensis sampled before leafing was amplified by PCR. T. wiesneri was detected in every bud and 5-mm stem segment of symptomatic shoots, except for one stem segment, and locally inside buds and the inner bark of stem segments. These results indicate that T. wiesneri overwinters inside symptomatic shoots. Fungal hyphae were observed with an epifluorescence microscope in intercellular spaces of young leaves in symptomatic buds but not in asymptomatic ones in thin sections stained with fluorescein-isothiocyanate-conjugated concanavalin A. This observation supports the results of PCR detection.     

Contribution of Biological Control to Integrated Pest Management of Tephritid Fruit Flies in the Tropics and Subtropics

The biological control of pest tephritid flies using parasitoids has been successful in relatively few subtropical and tropical regions. The best documented successes were in Hawaii and Florida, USA, Fiji and southern Europe. There were relatively limited successes in Australia, Costa Rica and Mexico. With the accidental establishment of new pest tephritids, such as Bactrocera latifrons (Hendel) in Hawaii or Bactrocera papayae Drew and Hancock in Australia, foreign exploration for new parasitoids is essential. A renewal of interest in classical biological control has recently occurred, although not at the same level as in the 1940s and 1950s. New parasitoid species are currently being obtained for several tephritids, such as Ceratitis capitata (Weidemann), B. latifrons and Anastrepha suspensa (Loew). The advances in mass rearing and quality control technology for parasitoids has enabled researchers to perform large-scale field testing of these parasitoids to determine the potential of augmentative releases. Numerous studies on the augmentative release of parasitoids have been done. Historically, the larval—pupal parasitoid Diachasmimorpha longicaudata (Ashmead) has been the most frequently studied parasitoid, due to the ease of rearing this species. However, recent successes in rearing other species with different biologies, e.g. the egg—pupal parasitoid Biosteres arisanus (Sonan), the gregarious eulophid, Tetrastichus giffardianus (Silvestri) and the pupal parasitoid, Coptera sp., will enable researchers to broaden the repertoire of parasitoid species for the future. Both successes and failures in augmentative releases have occurred. Without knowledge of the behavioural ecology of parasitoids, the reasons for success or failure can only be surmised. Recent research on the dispersal and host habitat finding of tephritid parasitoids will provide insights into improving augmentation and conservation strategies. The integrated pest management (IPM) of tephritid flies in the tropics has been less well-developed than research and programmes for tephritids in temperate zones. Significant emphasis is now being placed on the development of quarantine treatment methods that are environmentally sound; thus IPM will take a larger role. Several existing pest management strategies are reviewed which show the potential for compatibility with the activities of tephritid parasitoids. These include trap cropping, insecticides with selective toxicity to the target pests, mass trapping with parapheromones, the sterile insect technique and field sanitation.     

Is the parasitization rate of<Emphasis Type="Italic">Diaeretiella rapae</Emphasis> influenced when<Emphasis Type="Italic">Brevicoryne brassicae</Emphasis> feeds on<Emphasis Type="Italic">brassica</Emphasis> plants?

The development time and parasitization rate ofDiaeretiella rapae (M’Intosh) onBrevicoryne brassicae (L.) feeding on differentBrassica cultivars was studied in the laboratory at 20°C. The shortest development time from egg to adult parasitoid was 11.6 days on cabbage cv. ‘Yalova 1’ and the longest was 12.1 days on turnip cv. ‘Antep’ and rapeseed cv. local variety. Females lived significantly longer than males on the host plants used in the study. Females and males had the shortest longevity on rapeseed at 11.1 and 5.1 days, respectively. The highest percent parasitism ofB. brassicae byD. rapae was found on cabbage (40.20%), and the lowest was recorded on turnip (32.64%). Our results demonstrate that parasitism rate could be influenced by the plant quality, probably due to the nutritional status of the aphids or to toxic compounds ingested through the plant. Cabbage, cauliflower and broccoli were found to be suitable plants for the parasitoid, considering the development time of pre-adults, and the parasitization rate ofD. rapae onB. brassicae. http://www.phytoparasitica.org posting Jan. 23, 2007.     

Natural enemies of the pear psylla<Emphasis Type="Italic">Cacopsylla pyri</Emphasis> in treated<Emphasis Type="Italic">vs</Emphasis> untreated pear orchards in Antalya,Turkey

Populations of pear psylla,Cacopsylla pyri (L.) (Rhynchota: Psyllidae), and its natural enemies were sampled on pears in Antalya province during the years 2000–2002. Thirty-two species of predators and three species of parasitoids were detected to be associated withC. pyri in Antalya province. The heteropterans (especially anthocorid species) were the most abundant predator group. Among the anthocorids,Anthocoris nemoralis (Fabricius) (Heteroptera: Anthocoridae), whose population was closely related to the dynamics of the pear psylla population, was generally the principal antagonist ofC. pyri. Other species recorded during the study were the miridDeraeocoris spp., the chrysopidChrysoperla carnea L., and many coccinellid species. Although these predators are polyphagous, as are theOrius species, their populations were related to the psylla fluctuations. Among the parasitoid complex belonging to the order Hymenoptera, the encyrtidTrechnites psyllae (Ruschka) was the only primary parasitoid. Two hyperparasites,viz., Syrphophagus mamitus (Walker) andPachyneuron aphidis (Bouché) (Encyrtidae and Pteromalidae, respectively), were detected in the surveys. Also, this study revealed new information concerning the pear psylla parasitoid complex in Turkey. WhileT. psyllae andS. mamitus are new records to Turkish parasitoid fauna,C. pyri is a new host record forP. aphidis. The population development and abundance of pear psylla and its natural enemies, as well as the parasitization rates in treated and untreated pear orchards, are presented here. http://www.phytoparasitica.org posting May 6, 2004.     

Differences in flowering phenology and seed production of four morning glory (Ipomoea) species in Japan

The spread of morning glory (Ipomoea spp.) in soybean fields in Japan has severely decreased soybean yield. Yet, current control measures do not control the proliferation of Ipomoea spp. As little is known about the flowering period and seed production among the different invading Ipomoea spp., it is challenging to create targeted control measures based on ecological characteristics. This study aimed to reveal the characteristics of the flowering phenology and seed production of four morning glory species, namely, Ipomoea coccinea L. (red morning glory), Ipomoea lacunosa L. (pitted morning glory), Ipomoea hederacea L. Jacq. var. integriuscula A. Gray (entireleaf morning glory), and Ipomoea triloba L. (three-lobe morning glory). Between 2017 and 2019, the four selected study species were grown under similar conditions of soil quality, irrigation, and environmental influences and their flowering phenology and seed data were recorded. The flowering period ranged from 36 to 40 days, and the initial flowering of I. triloba was approximately 2 weeks later than the others. I. coccinea had the highest flowering number and seed production, followed by I. lacunosa, I. triloba, and I. hederacea var. integriuscula. The fruit setting rate of I. triloba decreased later in the reproductive stage but tended to increase as the daily mean temperature increased on each flowering day. Thus, we report that the flowering phenology and seed production differed greatly among the Ipomoea spp. These findings can provide crucial insights into designing targeted species-specific control measures against the spread of Ipomoea spp. in Japan.     

Toxicity of soybean-registered agrochemicals to <Emphasis Type="Italic">Telenomus podisi</Emphasis> and <Emphasis Type="Italic">Trissolcus basalis</Emphasis> immature stages

Biological control of phytophagous bugs in soybean crops is efficiently performed by egg parasitoids, such as Telenomus podisi and Trissolcus basalis. Based on this, the use of agrochemicals in these crops must be managed consciously, making use of pesticides that are selective to the egg of these parasitoids, in order to ensure a balanced ecosystem. The aim of this study was to assess the selectivity of 15 registered pesticides to the immature stages (pre and post-parasitism) of T. podisi and T. basalis, following the method proposed by the “International Organization for Biological and Integrated Control” (IOBC). Pesticides were classified as class 1 – harmless (RP?<?30%); class 2 – slightly harmful (30%?≤?RP?≤?79%); class 3 – moderately harmful (80%?≤?RP?≤?99%); and class 4 – harmful (RP?>?99%). During pre-parasitism, the insecticides imidacloprid+beta-cyfluthrin, deltamethrin, lambda-cyhalothrin+thiamethoxam, acephate, and fenitrothion reduced parasitism of both parasitoids. The others: flubendiamide, diflubenzuron, Bacillus thuringiensis, lufenuron, and the herbicide isopropylamine were selective, i.e. harmless (class 1), to both parasitoids, except for pyraclostrobin+metconazole, which significantly reduced T. basalis parasitism, being considered slightly harmful (class 2). In post parasitism, all the aforementioned pesticides were harmless to T. podisi and T. basalis. Moreover, in pre-parasitism, T. basalis was found to be more sensitive to the tested pesticides when compared to T. podisi. Still, more studies must be conducted to provide a better understanding of the impact of agrochemicals on these parasitoid species in semi-field conditions.     

Suitability of different mealybug species as hosts to solitary endoparasitoid,Aenasius arizonensis (Girault) ( = Aenasius bambawalei Hayat)

We investigated the suitability of six mealybug species, namely Phenacoccus solenopsis, Saccharicoccus sacchari, Paracoccus marginatus, Drosicha mangiferae, Nipaecoccus viridis and Ferrisia virgata as hosts to Aenasius arizonensis ( = Aenasius bambawalei). The study was conducted to ascertain a viable parasitic relationship between a parasitoid species and different mealybug hosts. Successful parasitization, complete development of immature stages within the host and adult emergence was observed only in P. solenopsis, whereas, other mealybug species were not found suitable as hosts by the parasitoid in both choice and no-choice tests. The development studies of A. arizonensis on P. solenopsis showed that the mean duration from oviposition to mummy formation was 6.13 days, while, from mummy formation to adult emergence, it was 5.43 and 7.05 days for male and female, respectively. The total development period from oviposition to adult emergence was 11.28 days for males and 13.13 days for females. Female adults (19.96 days) live longer as compared to male adults (7.83 days). Among different mealybug species, P. solenopsis was observed to be the only ecological and fundamental host of A. arizonensis.     

The phytophagous insects on lantana in brazil and their potential for biological control in Australia

Abstract

A ten‐year survey of phytophagous insects associated with Lantana spp. (chiefly L. tiliaefolia Cham, and L. glutinosa Poepp.) in Brazil, yielded 345 species from eight orders. Half of the total species collected were Coleoptera, with Chrysomelidae being the most important family. Other important families were the Curculionidae and, in the Lepidoptera, Geometridae, Arctiidae and Noctuidae. More than 90% of insect species fed on the vegetative parts of the plant, with almost two‐thirds of these chewing holes in leaves, and fewer than 10% attacking the flowers and fruits. Woody stem borers were rare, constituting only 2% of the total insect species collected. The present status of biological control of lantana in Australia is reviewed together with the prospects of importing further biological control candidates from Brazil.     

Virulence of the entomopathogenic fungus Lecanicillium longisporum against the greenhouse whitefly,Trialeurodes vaporariorum and its parasitoid Encarsia formosa

Understanding the interactions among biological control agents, such as competition for the same host in intraguild predation, is a key component for successful biological control strategies. The pathogenic ability of Lecanicillium longisporum (Petch) Zare and Gams (Ascomycota: Clavicipitaceae) against the greenhouse whitefly, Trialeurodes vaporariorum (Westwood) (Hemiptera: Aleyrodidae) and its parasitoid, Encarsia formosa Gahan (Hymenoptera: Aphelinidae) was assessed. Treatment with six serial deposition rates of fungal conidia on cucumber leaf surface indicated that whitefly mean mortalities for isolates LRC190, LRC216 and LRC229 reached 61, 79 and 54% at 2.6 × 10⁷ conidia/mm², respectively. Median lethal time (LT₅₀) values for isolates LRC190, LRC216 and LRC229 were 6.2, 4.9 and 6.9 days, and median lethal dose (LD₅₀) values were 1.2 × 10⁶, 2.9 × 10⁵ and 6.9 × 10⁶ conidia/mm², respectively. The number of surviving parasitoid larvae, pupae and adults decreased with increasing concentrations of fungus, and earlier developmental stages of parasitoid were affected negatively by fungal treatment. Reproductive capacity and longevity of female parasitoid emerging from fungus-treated hosts were not affected by fungus treatment. These results indicate that correct timing of fungal and parasitoid application may mitigate the negative effects due to direct competition for the same host. In this regard, treatment with fungi in later immature stages of the parasitoid was generally positive with minimum risks of deleterious effects.