Susceptibility of the obscure mealybug,Pseudococcus viburni (Signoret) (Pseudococcidae), to South African isolates of entomopathogenic nematodes

Pseudococcus viburni (Signoret) (Hemiptera: Pseudococcidae), the obscure mealybug, is a serious pest of apples and pears in South Africa. The potential use of entomopathogenic nematodes (EPNs) against P. viburni was assessed in laboratory bioassays. The results showed Heterorhabditis zealandica (J34) to be most effective, causing 80% mortality of P. viburni 48-h post inoculation at 25 ºC. After 48 h, the LD₅₀ and LD₉₀ values were 54 and 336 nematodes, respectively. H. zealandica (J34) and Steinernema yirgalemense successfully reproduced in P. viburni, with H. zealandica (J34) attaining greater penetration ability than did the S. yirgalemense. Mealybug size affected infectivity, with the crawlers being less susceptible (22%) than were the adults and intermediates, with mortalities of 78% and 76%, respectively. H. zealandica (J34) were able to enter the apple core of infested apples, where they infected the P. viburni. This work represents the first report on using EPNs to control P. viburni.     

Response by encapsulation of four mealybug species (homoptera: pseudococcidae) to parasitization byAnagyrus pseudococci

The frequency of encapsulation of eggs ofAnagyrus pseudococci (Girault) (Hymenoptera: Encyrtidae) by four mealybug species:Planococcus citri (Risso),PL vovae (Nasonov),Pl. ficus (Signoret) andPseudococcus cryptus Hempel (=citriculus Green), was studied under controlled laboratory conditions. The aggregate percentage of encapsulated eggs (AE) and the percentage of efficient encapsulation (EE) (= percent parasitized mealybugs wherein encapsulation prevented the development of all parasitoid larvae) byPl. citri andPl. vovae did not differ significantly (39.0%vs 38.2% AE and 15.4%vs 17.6% EE, respectively), but was significantly higher than inPs. cryptus (16.2% AE and 5.4% EE). Encapsulation byPl. vovae was significantly higher than byPl. ficus (38.2%vs 20.1% AE and 17.6% vs 7.7% EE, respectively). Neither the host plant nor the rearing temperature significantly affected the incidence of parasitoid encapsulation. It is suggested thatA. pseudococci displays a relatively low physiological adaptation toPl. citri; thus, in a citrus grove, for example,ca 40% of the parasitoid eggs might be lost due to encapsulation. The question of a possible association between encapsulation and host—parasitoid relationships among the mealybugs studied andA. pseudococci, is discussed.     

Effectiveness of imidacloprid,spirotetramat, and flupyradifurone to prevent spread of GLRaV-3 by grape mealybug,Pseudococcus maritimus (Hemiptera: Pseudococcidae)

Journal of Plant Diseases and Protection - Pseudococcus maritimus status as an economic pest increased substantially after it was identified as a key vector of most grape vine leafroll-associated...     

Phenology of the Florida wax scale,Ceroplastes Floridensis Comstock (Homoptera: Coccidae), on citrus in Israel

The phenology of the Florida wax scale (Ceroplastes floridensis) was studied on grapefruit trees in three citrus-growing regions of Israel — the Jordan Valley, the Coastal Plain, and the Yizre’el Valley. This citrus pest develops two annual generations in, all the regions: a ‘summer generation’ which develops from May-June to August-September, and a ‘winter generation’ which develops from August-September to May-June. The mass appearance of the first instar larvae of each generation occurs in May-June and August-September, respectively.     

Icerya purchasi (Homoptera: Margarodidae) on Rosmarinus officinalis (Lamiaceae), a new host plant record for Greece

Since July 2008, Rosmarinus officinalis plants in Greece have been observed to be infested by the cottony cushion scale, Icerya purchasi Maskell. This is the first time that I. purchasi has been found on R. officinalis in Greece. Observations made have shown that this scale insect prefers to initially attack the stems of R. officinalis plants.     

不同寄主植物上桃蚜种群动态的研究

１９９３年～１９９６年,在陕西耀县、乾县对１０１种植物的２４次调查结果表明,当地桃蚜的寄生植物有４３种,其中主要危害寄主３６种,偶发寄主７种,越冬寄主３种。通过系统调查,查明了桃蚜在不同寄主植物上的数量变化规律和在不同寄主植物上的迁移规律,为桃蚜种群数量测报和防治提供了可靠的依据。     

The cotton mealybug, <Emphasis Type="Italic">Phenacoccus solenopsis</Emphasis> Tinsley (Hemiptera: Pseudococcidae) in Israel: pest status,host plants and natural enemies

In Israel, the cotton mealybug Phenacoccus solenopsis Tinsley, an invasive scale insect, was reported for the first time in the Jordan Valley in 2008 on basil (Ocimum basilicum) and bell pepper (Capsicum annuum). This mealybug is highly polyphagous with economic and environmental impacts. Since then, Ph. solenopsis has spread to almost every region of Israel and developed high populations on several ornamental plants, mainly Hibiscus sp. (Malvaceae) and Lantana sp. (Verbenaceae). It has become a pest in greenhouses, mainly on bell pepper, tomato, and eggplant (Solanaceae) and a serious threat in cotton fields. Fourteen species of insect natural enemies have been found in association with Ph. solenopsis in Israel the common ones were: Aenasius arizonensis (Girault) (Hym. Encyrtidae), Cheilomenes propinqua (Mulsant), Hyperaspis vinciguerrae (Capra); H. polita Weise, Exochomus nigripennis (Erichson), Parascymnus varius Kirsch and Scymnus flagellisiphonatus (Fursch) (Col., Coccinellidae). To date, the population density of Ph. solenopsis in Israel is steeply decreasing in most regions of Israel due to the activity of A. arizonensis. An identification key to distinguish between adult females of the eight species belonging to the genus Phenacoccus in Israel is also provided.     

Note: The malvastrum mealybugFerrisia malvastra (Hemiptera: Coccoidea: Pseudococcidae): Distribution, host plants and pest status in Israel

The malvastrum mealybugFerrisia malvastra (McDaniel) (Hemiptera: Coccoidea: Pseudococcidae) is widely distributed in Israel, recorded so far from 30 species of host plants belonging to 18 families. Its occurrence on herbal plants and on avocado should be considered by farmers in Israel.     

Changes and comments on the taxonomy and nomenclature of some taxa in the families coccidae, eriococcidae and pseudococcidae (Homoptera: Coccoidea)

Catalogues of soft scale insects (Coccidae), felt scales (Eriococcidae) and mealybugs (Pseudococcidae) will soon be placed on the World Wide Web. Before these data are made available, several taxonomic and nomenclatural changes in taxa of these families must be validated in print.     

Monellia costalis (Fitch), a new host forZoophthora radicans (Brefeld) Batko andEntomophthora Planchoniana Cornu (Zygomycetes: Entomophthoraceae) in Israel

Two entomophthoraceous species,Zoophthora radicans andEntomophthora planchoniana, were found on the yellow pecan aphid,Monellia costalis, shortly after it was introduced into Israel. This aphid is a new host forZ. radicans anywhere. The fungus was isolated in pure culture and artificially inoculated on three Dipteran species:Musca domestica, Drosophila melanogaster andCeratitis capitata, as well as on the HemipteranEmpoasca sp. from pecan. The identity ofZ. radicans and some new characters,e.g. the production of two kinds of rhizoids, are discussed. The possibility of usingM. domestica as a vector for artificial spread of the fungus, as a means of biological control of various insect pests, is advocated.     

Parasitoids and predators of pseudococcidae (hemiptera: coccoidea) in Ankara, Turkey

Natural enemies of mealybugs were surveyed in Ankara, Turkey, during the years 2001 to 2003. Twenty-three predatory species belonging to the insect orders Coleoptera (Coccinellidae, 17), Diptera (Chamaemyiidae, 3) and Neuroptera (Chrysopidae, 2; Hemerobiidae, 1); and 22 parasitoid species belonging to Hymenoptera (Aphelinidae, 2; Encyrtidae, 14; Platy-gasteridae, 1; Pteromalidae, 3; Signiphoridae, 2) were determined. The following ten species are newly recorded for the Turkish fauna:Sidis biguttatus Motchulsky,Nephus sinuatomaculatus Sahlberg (Coccinellidae),Leucopomyia alticeps Czerny,Parochthiphila (Euestelia) decipia Tanasijtshuk (Chamaemyiidae),Leptomastidae matritensis Mercet,Prochiloneurus bolivari Mercet,Rhopus sp.nr.acaetes (Walker),Stematosteres sp.,Eunotus acutus Kurdjumov, andChartocerus kurdjumovi (Nikol’skaya) (Chalcidoidea). http://www.phytoparasitica.org posting July 19, 2006.     

The occurrence of a member of theCirculifer tenellus species complex (Homoptera: Cicadellidae: Euscelini) in Israel

Among leafhoppers of the genusCirculifer, there are several important pests of several crops and vector agents of plant diseases. In this report, we describe the occurrence of a leafhopper species closely related to theCirculifer tenellus group, with characteristics that may classify it asC. dubiosus. This insect was found in nature breeding onAtriplex halimus L., a weed belonging to the Chenopodiaceae, mainly in the Jordan Valley. In captivity it produced one generationon A. halimus over a period of almost 45 days at 25°C. The variations of observed structural differences among members of this taxon and their biological significance are discussed.     

The pink hibiscus mealybug,Maconellicoccus hirsutus (Green) (Hemiptera: Coccomorpha: Pseudococcidae), a new threat to Israel's agriculture and horticulture

The invasive mealybug Maconellicoccus hirsutus (Green) (Hemiptera: Coccomorpha: Pseudococcidae) is reported in Israel for the first time. This damaging mealybug was detected in two locations in Northern Israel on various ornamental plants. Its principal parasitoids, Anagyrus kamali Moursi and Gyranusoidea indica Shafee (Hymenoptera: Encyrtidae), were both recovered from the collected samples. Maconellicoccus hirsutus is highly polyphagous but particularly thrives on members of the plant families Fabaceae, Malvaceae and Moraceae.     

Epiblema strenuana (Walker, 1863) (Lepidoptera: Tortricidae), a new species in Israel

Epiblema strenuana (Walker) (Lepidoptera: Tortricidae), an important biological control agent for invasive plants, was found to be present in Israel from 2008 on Ambrosia spp. The entrance pathway is not known, but is probably via the import of plant material (grains) from the USA.     

大盾象属的种类、分布、寄主及其检疫重要性(鞘翅目:象虫科)

大盾象属(Magdalis Germar,1817)已记录种类95种,分布于古北区的71种,25种分布在新北区。大盾象属既危害针叶树,也取食阔叶树,其寄主植物包括36个属71种。美洲的25种、俄罗斯31种中的22种、日本的8种,在我国均没有分布,是我国检疫工作需要关注的重点种类。     

cis-Jasmone treatment induces resistance in wheat plants against the grain aphid,Sitobion avenae (Fabricius) (Homoptera: Aphididae)

cis-Jasmone is a plant volatile known to have roles as an insect semiochemical and in inducing plant defence. It was evaluated in laboratory and field trials for control of cereal aphids. In an olfactometer bioassay cis-jasmone was repellent to alatae of the grain aphid, Sitobion avenae (Fabricius) (Homoptera: Aphididae). Moreover, wheat, Triticum aestivum (L), seedlings sprayed with formulated cis-jasmone 24 h previously were less susceptible to attack by S. avenae than control plants. In field simulator studies, significantly fewer alate S. avenae settled on cis-jasmone-treated plants over a 24-h period. In addition, the intrinsic rate of population increase, r(m), of S. avenae apterae was reduced on cis-jasmone treated seedlings. In a series of small-plot experiments conducted over four years, cis-jasmone applications reduced cereal aphid populations infesting wheat in the field.