The efficacy of spinosad against the western flower thrips, Frankliniella occidentalis, and its impact on associated biological control agents on greenhouse cucumbers in southern Ontario

Insecticides are the most commonly used tactic to control western flower thrips (WFT), Frankliniella occidentalis Pergande (Thysanoptera: Thripidae), on greenhouse cucumber. However, WFT has developed resistance to several of the insecticides presently in use. In addition, some of these insecticides adversely affect greenhouse biological control agents used to control WFT, resulting in subsequent pest resurgence. Therefore, there is a need to identify novel insecticides with unique modes of action for use in integrated pest management (IPM) programs to effectively control WFT with minimal impact on associated biological control agents. In laboratory bioassays conducted in 2001, immature and adult WFT and three associated greenhouse biological control agents: Amblyseius cucumeris Oudemans (Acarina: Phytoseiidae), Orius insidiosus Say (Hemiptera: Anthocoridae) and Encarsia formosa Gahan (Hymenoptera: Aphelinidae) were exposed to direct, direct/residual, and residual contact applications of the novel biopesticide, spinosad (Conserve 120 SC), and the industry standard for whitefly control, endosulfan (Thiodan 50 WP). In all three types of assay, spinosad was effective against immature and adult WFT life stages. It showed low toxicity to A. cucumeris, moderate toxicity to O. insidiosus and high toxicity to E formosa. Greenhouse studies involving exposure of immature and adult WFT and adult biological control agents to cucumber leaves sprayed previously with spinosad supported the laboratory data. Spinosad showed low toxicity to A. cucumeris exposed to leaves 1 day after treatment (DAT), moderate toxicity to O. insidiosus 1 and 8 DAT, and high toxicity to E. formosa up to 28 DAT. These data, along with spinosad's unique mode of action, suggest it would be a valuable reduced-risk control agent for greenhouse cucumber IPM programs.     

Insecticide resistance management strategies against the western flower thrips, Frankliniella occidentalis

Western flower thrips (WFT), Frankliniella occidentalis (Pergande), is an economically important pest of a wide range of crops grown throughout the world. Insecticide resistance has been documented in many populations of WFT. Biological and behavioural characteristics and pest management practices that promote insecticide resistance are discussed. In addition, an overview is provided of the development of insecticide resistance in F. occidentalis populations and the resistance mechanisms involved. Owing to widespread resistance to most conventional insecticides, a new approach to insecticide resistance management (IRM) of F. occidentalis is needed. The IRM strategy proposed consists of two parts. Firstly, a general strategy to minimise the use of insecticides in order to reduce selection pressure. Secondly, a strategy designed to avoid selection of resistance mechanisms, considering cross-resistance patterns and resistance mechanisms.     

Frankliniella occidentalis (Pergande) integrated pest management programs for fruiting vegetables in Florida

BACKGROUND: The spread of the western flower thrips, Frankliniella occidentalis (Pergande) (Thysanoptera: Thripidae), resulted in the worldwide destabilization of established integrated pest management programs for many crops. Efforts to control the pest and the thrips‐vectored tospoviruses with calendar applications of broad‐spectrum insecticides have been unsuccessful. The result has been a classic ‘3‐R’ situation: resistance to numerous insecticides; resurgence of the western flower thrips populations as a result of natural predators and native competitor thrips being eliminated; replacement by various other pests. This paper reports on integrated pest management programs for fruiting vegetables that are effective, economical, ecologically sound and sustainable. RESULTS: The components include the following: define pest status (economic thresholds); increase biotic resistance (natural enemies and competition); integrate preventive and therapeutic tactics (scouting, ultraviolet‐reflective technologies, biological control, compatible insecticides, companion plants and fertility); vertically integrate the programs with other pests; continually communicate latest science‐based management tactics with end‐users. CONCLUSION: These programs have been widely implemented in Florida and have significantly improved the management of western flower thrips and thrips‐transmitted viruses. Copyright © 2012 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 need to implement the landscape of fear within rodent pest management strategies

Current reactive pest management methods have serious drawbacks such as the heavy reliance on chemicals, emerging genetic rodenticide resistance and high secondary exposure risks. Rodent control needs to be based on pest species ecology and ethology to facilitate the development of ecologically based rodent management (EBRM). An important aspect of EBRM is a strong understanding of rodent pest species ecology, behaviour and spatiotemporal factors. Gaining insight into the behaviour of pest species is a key aspect of EBRM. The landscape of fear (LOF) is a mapping of the spatial variation in the foraging cost arising from the risk of predation, and reflects the levels of fear a prey species perceives at different locations within its home range. In practice, the LOF maps habitat use as a result of perceived fear, which shows where bait or traps are most likely to be encountered and used by rodents. Several studies have linked perceived predation risk of foraging animals with quitting‐harvest rates or giving‐up densities (GUDs). GUDs have been used to reflect foraging behaviour strategies of predator avoidance, but to our knowledge very few papers have directly used GUDs in relation to pest management strategies. An opportunity for rodent control strategies lies in the integration of the LOF of rodents in EBRM methodologies. Rodent management could be more efficient and effective by concentrating on those areas where rodents perceive the least levels of predation risk. © 2017 The Authors. Pest Management Science published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd on behalf of Society of Chemical Industry.     

草地贪夜蛾对化学农药和Bt作物的抗性机制及其治理技术研究进展

草地贪夜蛾Spodoptera frugiperda(Smith)是一种重要的经济作物害虫,在美洲玉米种植区均有发生。近几年该害虫迅速蔓延至非洲和东南亚等地区,并于2018年12月下旬在中国云南省被发现,对玉米生产造成严重威胁。化学农药和Bt作物是目前防治草地贪夜蛾的最主要手段,但大量研究表明,草地贪夜蛾已经形成了具有高抗药性和Bt抗性的种群。本文介绍了草地贪夜蛾抗药性和Bt抗性现状,从抗性相关因子的表达调控和靶标位点变异2个方面论述了草地贪夜蛾抗药性和Bt抗性机制,总结了目前草地贪夜蛾抗药性和Bt抗性的治理策略,并结合中国实际情况探讨了草地贪夜蛾综合防控的发展方向,以期为该害虫的防控提供参考。     

Sampling plans,selective insecticides and sustainability: the case for IPM as ‘informed pest management’

Integrated Pest Management (IPM) is considered the central paradigm of insect pest management and is often characterized as a comprehensive use of multiple control tactics to reduce pest status while minimizing economic and environmental costs. As the principal precursor of IPM, the integrated control concept formulated the economic theory behind pest management decisions and specified an applied methodology for carrying out pest control. Sampling, economic thresholds and selective insecticides were three of the critical elements of that methodology and are now considered indispensable to the goals of IPM. We examine each of these elements in the context of contemporaneous information as well as accumulated experience and knowledge required for their skillful implementation in an IPM program. We conclude that while IPM is principally about integrating control tactics into an effective and sustainable approach to pest control, this overarching goal can only be achieved through well‐trained practitioners, knowledgeable of the tenets conceived in the integrated control concept that ultimately yield informed pest management. Copyright © 2009 Society of Chemical Industry     

RNAi在农业病虫害防控中的应用研究进展

RNAi (RNA干扰) 是指由诱导分子siRNA (小干扰 RNA)、miRNA (微小RNA)或piRNA (P 转座子诱导互作 RNA) 特异性降解或者抑制同源mRNA,引起靶标基因沉默的现象。RNAi技术具有操作简便、特异性和选择性强等显著特点,是目前农业生命科学领域最有可能应用于病虫害防控的新技术之一。本文通过综述近年来RNAi在农业病虫害防控领域应用的最新研究成果,并对RNAi技术在新靶标基因筛选、高效dsRNA载体开发、与传统农药相结合以及拓宽应用范围等诸多方面的发展前景进行了展望,同时还针对RNAi干扰效率、稳定性、成本控制、抗性发展及抗性治理等方面所面临的挑战进行了深入探讨,提出了合理建议。基于RNAi技术的病虫害防控策略将继续焕发新的活力,为综合防控提供新理念。     

Trapping whiteflies? A comparison of greenhouse whitefly (Trialeurodes vaporariorum) responses to trap crops and yellow sticky traps

BACKGROUND: Greenhouse whiteflies, Trialeurodes vaporariorum (Westwood), are notorious pests that, through the reduction of crop yields and excretion of honeydew, cause significant economic losses for sweet pepper (Capsicum annuum L.) growers. Chemical and biological controls are the two most common forms of whitefly management in greenhouses. Consequently, insecticide resistance and inadequate control have rejuvenated interest in alternative tactics. In the present study, whitefly responses to trap crops (eggplant and squash) and yellow sticky traps were compared in order to identify the most effective traps for dispersing and resident adults. RESULTS: Results indicated that yellow sticky traps were most effective at trapping adult whiteflies. Significantly more dispersing whiteflies were recorded on eggplant than on squash trap crops. None of the traps significantly reduced adult populations on the main crops (peppers) compared with the control. However, yellow sticky traps did significantly reduce oviposition on peppers. CONCLUSIONS: Adult whiteflies were most effectively trapped on yellow sticky traps followed by eggplant trap crops. Further study of whitefly trapping using visual cues may enhance trapping management. Specifically, research combining yellow sticky traps with other control strategies is recommended. Copyright © 2011 Society of Chemical Industry     

Prospects for the biological control of Tuta absoluta in tomatoes of the Mediterranean basin

Since its detection in the Mediterranean basin at the end of 2006 and later in other European countries, the South American tomato pinworm, Tuta absoluta (Meyrick), has become a serious threat to tomato crops. In newly infested areas, it is especially problematic during the first years of its presence. Nevertheless, after 2–3 years, the incidence of T. absoluta has become less severe in certain areas. There are several factors contributing to this decline, such as the increase in growers' knowledge of pest behaviour and biology and the correct application of integrated pest control strategies. The impact of opportunistic native natural enemies (fortuitous biological control) should be considered as one of the key factors in this decline. In this review, available information on indigenous natural enemies is updated, and the current pest management approaches used against T. absoluta are addressed. Finally, future scenarios for biological control of this pest are discussed. Copyright © 2012 Society of Chemical Industry     

Management strategies for the control of Tuta absoluta (Lepidoptera: Gelechiidae) damage in open‐field cultivations of processing tomato in Tuscany (Italy)

Since its recent introduction into the Mediterranean area, Tuta absoluta (Meyrick) has become widespread and an important pest throughout the region, including in Tuscany, where it was first recorded in 2009. Although several studies have been conducted within controlled environments on the ecology and management of T. absoluta, limited information is currently available on the importance of this pest in open‐field cultivations, which may lead to ineffective management strategies. This study was carried out to monitor fluctuations in adult populations of T. absoluta in organic and conventional cultivations of processing tomatoes using pheromone lures, and to collect inter‐annual data on direct yield loss and fruit damage from larval feeding in two separate trials in Grosseto (Tuscany). The first trial included eight conventionally managed fields; the second trial was carried out in four organically managed fields. Results show relatively higher crop damage for tomatoes transplanted later in the season and harvested towards the end of August to early September, and limited fruit damage from this pest during the second year of the study for both conventional and organically managed fields. Finally, biological and chemical pest management strategies for the control of T. absoluta adopted by farmers within the region are reviewed and discussed.     

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.     

Towards area‐wide control of Bactrocera invadens: prospects of the sterile insect technique and molecular entomology

It is 10 years since the first detection of the invader fruit fly, Bactrocera invadens, in sub‐Saharan Africa. The pest continues to hamper fruit production and create barriers to trade. Strategies currently employed to control B. invadens are insufficient, and more effective area‐wide strategies are needed. The sterile insect technique and molecular entomology approaches have high potential and could help to bring about effective area‐wide control of the pest if adopted and used as components of area‐wide integrated pest management. © 2013 Society of Chemical Industry     

Towards dsRNA-integrated protection of medical Cannabis crops: considering human safety,recent- and developing RNAi methods,and research inroads

Owing to the expanding industry of medical Cannabis, we discuss recent milestones in RNA interference (RNAi)-based crop protection research and development that are transferable to medical Cannabis cultivation. Recent and prospective increases in pest pressure in both indoor and outdoor Cannabis production systems, and the need for effective nonchemical pest control technologies (particularly crucial in the context of cultivating plants for medical purposes), are discussed. We support the idea that developing RNAi tactics towards protection of medical Cannabis could play a major role in maximizing success in this continuously expanding industry. However, there remain critical knowledge gaps, especially with regard to RNA pesticide biosafety from a human toxicological viewpoint, as a result of the medical context of Cannabis product use. Furthermore, efforts are needed to optimize transformation and micropropagation of Cannabis plants, examine cutting edge RNAi techniques for various Cannabis–pest scenarios, and investigate the combined application of RNAi- and biological control tactics in medical Cannabis cultivation. © 2022 The Authors. Pest Management Science published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd on behalf of Society of Chemical Industry.     

Effects of harvesting and stubble management on abundance of pest rodents (Mus musculus) in a conservation agriculture system

BACKGROUND

The shift to more environmentally sensitive agricultural practices over the last several decades has changed farmland landscapes worldwide. Changes including no-till and retaining high biomass mulch has been coincident with an increase in rodent pests in South Africa, India, South America and Europe, indicating a possible conflict between conservation agriculture (CA) and rodent pest management. Research on effects of various crop management practices associated with CA on pest rodent population dynamics is needed to anticipate and develop CA-relevant management strategies.

RESULTS

During the Australian 2020–2021 mouse plague, farmers used postharvest stubble management practices, including flattening and/or cutting, to reduce stubble cover in paddocks to lessen habitat suitability for pest house mice. We used this opportunity to assess the effects of both harvest and stubble management on the movement and abundance of mice in paddocks using mouse trapping and radio tracking. We found that most tracked mice remained resident in paddocks throughout harvest, and that mouse population abundance was generally unaffected by stubble management.

CONCLUSION

Recent conversions to CA practices have changed how pest house mice use cropped land. Management practices that reduce postharvest habitat complexity do not appear to reduce the attractiveness of paddocks to mice, and further research into new management strategies in addition to toxic bait use is required as part of an integrated pest management approach. © 2023 The Authors. Pest Management Science published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd on behalf of Society of Chemical Industry.     

Biological control of the Western flower thripsFrankliniella occidentalis in cucumber using the entomopathogenic fungusMetarhizium anisopliae

Biological control of the western flower thrips (WFT)Frankliniella occidentalis, using the entomopathogenicMetarhizium anisopliae-7 (M. a-7) strain was studied in three consecutive seasons under greenhouse conditions. Cucumber plants infested with WFT were sprayed with spore suspension of the fungusM. a-7 (0.5 g m^-2), or the soil was treated with dry powder of the fungus (0.5 g m^-2); the control was without fungus application. In the 1997 spring experiment, when the cucumber plants were initially infested with only three or four insects per leaf, the spore suspension spray caused a significant reduction in growth of the thrips population compared with the other treatments and the control. However, in the 1997 summer experiment, when the plants were initially heavily infested with WFT (10–15 insects per leaf), the spray treatment caused only a modest reduction in WFT population growth, and only after 4 weeks of treatment was the reduction significant. In the 1999 experiment, with a low initial WFT population of three or four insects per leaf, the spray treatment was effective in reducing the population growth to a lower level than in the other treatments or control. TheM. a-7 strain was found to be effective in reducing the population growth of WFT under greenhouse conditions, particularly when the initial thrips population was low to moderate. http://www.phytoparasitica.org posting Nov. 4, 2001.     

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.     

A review of research to address carrot fly (Psila rosae) control in the UK1

Carrot fly (Psila rosae) is a serious pest of umbelliferous crops such as carrot, parsnip, celery and parsley. Carrot fly has been studied in the UK for more than 60 years. Whilst some of these studies have been focused on insecticides, others have demonstrated the potential for non‐insecticidal methods of control that might contribute to an integrated pest management strategy. These include rotation and spatial separation of susceptible crops; carrot varieties with partial resistance to carrot fly; and crop management strategies to avoid oviposition or the development of severe damage. This paper outlines some of the approaches that have been taken and indicates how these are, or might be, used in practice.     

Association of the western flower thrips (Frankliniella occidentalis) with cultivated sunflower (Helianthus annuus) in Israel

In 1992 and 1993, sunflower (Helianthus annuus L.) crops in Israel were heavily damaged by the western flower thrips (WFT),Frankliniella occidentalis (Pergande) (Thysanoptera: Thripidae). Adult females appear in the heads of sunflower just as the latter begin to blossom; the population decreases towards completion of anthesis. The damage to kernels is greatest at the periphery of the heads, where flowers appear first, and lowest at the center. Fields sown early in the season (in March) are usually the ones infested most by WFT and suffering the greatest damage. Fields sown one month later are less infested, since predatory bugs of the genusOrius are very active at that time.     

Optimal pest management: A reproductive pollutant perspective

Abstract

Regarding pests as reproductive pollutants, pest management can be considered as an optimal stock management problem similar to that faced in fishery and forestry. Taking this view, an optimal control model with N heterogeneous farmers sharing a mobile pest is developed to investigate the conventional pest management tactic on a farm-by-farm basis and the innovative area-wide pest management tactic on a regional basis. The study results indicate that area-wide pest management (APM) is superior to farm-by-farm pest management in the presence of pest movement. We proceed to examine the stability of the cooperative solution under APM by formulating the pest management problem as a repeated game of infinite duration. The results suggest that a one-off pest suppression campaign can be a practical strategy for initiating APM programs.