Evidence for oil-induced oxidative stress to larvae of the lightbrown apple moth, Epiphyas postvittana Walker (Lepidoptera: Tortricidae)

For the purpose of understanding better the mode of action of alkanes on insects, the relationship between mortality, weight loss in oxygen enriched atmospheres and dietary antioxidants was examined using an alkane, C15 Ampol CPD and a spray oil, C23 DC-Tron NR, on lightbrown apple moth, Epiphyas postvittana Walker, (LBAM). The results showed that the surfactant blend used in CPD was an insignificant contributor to the overall toxicity of dilute oil/water emulsions. Higher weight loss occurred in CPD-dipped larvae than C23 DC-Tron NR-dipped larvae, which suggests that alkanes disrupt tracheal waxes and render insects more prone to desiccation. High levels of oxygen increased the toxicity of CPD to LBAM larvae. In addition, dietary supplements of anti-oxidant, alpha-tocopherol, fed to LBAM larvae were successful in reducing the toxicity of CPD. These results suggest that the alkane may contribute to oxidative injury. The potential role of oil-induced oxidative stress in acute and chronic toxicity in insects is discussed.     

Response of two lacewing species to biorational and broad-spectrum insecticides

Green lacewings, includingChrysoperla rufilabris (Burmeister) andCeraeochrysa cubana (Hagen), are predators of small, soft-bodied insects including whiteflies. The silverleaf whitefly,Bemisia argentifolii Bellows & Perring [formerlyB. tabaci (Gennadius) strain B], is an important pest of agronomic, vegetable and ornamental crops. Practical use of these lacewings as biological control agents would be facilitated by better understanding of their responses to both biorational (selective) and broad-spectrum insecticides. The topical and residual toxicity of azadirachtin (Azatin-EC^TM), insecticidal soap (M-Pede^TM), paraffinic oil (Sunspray Ultra-Fine Spray Oil^TM) and the pyrethroid bifenthrin (Brigade^TM) to eggs, larvae and adults of the lacewings were studied in the laboratory. Larvae ofC. cubana were much more tolerant to residues of bifenthrin than wasC. rufilabris and were somewhat more tolerant to topically applied soap. At normal field concentrations, azadirachtin (0.005%, by wt a.i.), paraffinic oil (1.0% by volume) and soap (1.0% by volume) were not toxic to larvae or adults of either species either topically or residually. Oil was toxic topically to eggs but azadirachtin and soap were not. Bifenthrin was toxic topically and residually to larvae and adults but was not so toxic to eggs as was oil. Thus, selectivity of all materials tested was relative to lacewing species and lifestage. The relative tolerance to insecticide residues exhibited byC. cubana larvae may be related to its trash-carrying habit, suggesting that use of trash-carrying chrysopids in place of non-trash carriers for augmentative biological control would increase options for non-disruptive chemical intervention when necessary.     

Fumigant toxicity is the major route of insecticidal activity of citruspeel essential oils

Dosages (>10 ml mg⁻¹ against Callosobruchus maculatus F. or Sitophilus zeamais Motsch; >20 ml kg⁻¹ against Dermestes maculatus Deg.) of citruspeel oils reduced oviposition or larval emergence through parental adult mortality, but had no residual activity on the eggs or larvae produced by survivors. Oil-treated grains (7 ml kg⁻¹ against C. maculatus) or dried fish (28 ml kg⁻¹ against D. maculatus) which caused 100% mortality 1 h after application lost all activity within 24 h, thus confirming the non-residual nature of the effects. The activity of limepeel oil against test insects was found to be dependent on the time interval between the application of oil and start of bioassays. The non-volatile residues of limepeel oil were not toxic to insects on glass and dried-fish surfaces. Topical toxicity trials against D. maculatus adults also illustrated the relative unimportance of contact toxicity of citrus oils, as appreciable mortality (at application rates of up to 2 μl per insect) was obtained only when treated insects were confined in air-tight glass chambers. The volatility of toxic constituents in the oils was further illustrated by mortality of untreated C. maculatus adults confined in air-tight chambers with topically treated D. maculatus. A more efficient way to use citruspeel essential oils to control insects would be as a fumigant in relatively enclosed or air-tight systems.     

Fumigant Toxicity of Citruspeel Oils against Adult and Immature Stages of Storage Insect Pests

The biological action of citruspeel oils was shown to depend on a strong fumigant action. Bioassays conducted in air-tight glass chambers showed that all the six citrus oils tested had vapour toxicity towards adults of Callosobruchus maculatus F., Sitophilus zeamais Motsch. and Dermestes maculatus Deg. The 24-h LC₅₀ value of limepeel oil (a typical citrus oil) vapour against C. Maculatus was 7·99 μl litre⁻¹ which made it 1·5 and 1·6 times less toxic against the smaller S. zeamais and the larger D. maculatus adult insects. When immature stages were fumigated, limepeel oil vapour had 24-h LC₅₀ values of 7·8 and 21·5 μl litre⁻¹ against eggs of C. maculatus and D. maculatus respectively, and 9·1, 17·8 and 23·1, 23·9 μl litre⁻¹ against early larvae, pupae of C. maculatus and late larvae, pupae of D. maculatus respectively. X-ray studies showed that fumigated C. maculatus larvae within cowpea grains died immediately without further development. The bioactivities of five other citruspeel oils were similar to that of limepeel oil. Bioassays showed that sorption of citruspeel oil fumes occurred in the presence of grains or strips of dried fish, and that this tended to reduce the amount available for fumigant action outside the materials. The problems presented by sorption may hinder the development of citrus oils into practical fumigants for large-scale treatments of stored commodities.     

Fumigant toxicity of essential oils fromLaurus nobilis andRosmarinus officinalis against all life stages ofTribolium confusum

The essential oils from rosemary (Rosmarinus officinalis L.) and laurel (Laurus nobilis L.) obtained from Mersin Province in Turkey, were tested for their fumigant toxicity against all life stages of confused flour beetle (Tribolium confusum du Val.). GC-MS analysis showed that 1,8-cineole was found to be the major component of both rosemary and laurel essential oils. Vapors of rosemary and laurel essential oils were toxic to all life stages ofT. confusum. Only 65% mortality of the eggs was achieved when exposed to a dose of 172.6 mgl ⁻¹ air of rosemary essential oil at the longest exposure period (144 h); at the same dose, the pupae were the most resistant stage, with LT₉₀ (lethal time) value of 120.2 h. The adults were the most resistant stage to laurel essential oil, with LT₉₀ value of 77.2 h. On the basis of LT₉₀ values, tolerance of the life stages ofT. confusum to rosemary and laurel essential oils was, in descending order: pupa < larva < adult, and larva < adult < egg < pupa, respectively. Based on the concentration × time (Ct) products (g hl ⁻¹), rosemary essential oil was more toxic than laurel to the adults and larvae ofT. confusum. However, laurel essential oil was more toxic than rosemary to the eggs and pupae. Since these essential oils need such high Ct products to obtain complete mortality ofT. confusum compared with the most commonly used commercial fumigants, it would be impossible to use them on their own as a commercial fumigant against stored-product insects.     

Ph 70–23: A new acaricide and insecticide interfering with chitin deposition

PH 70–23 is a new benzoylphenylurea interfering with chitin deposition. In larvae of Spodoptera littoralis, incorporation of N-acetyl-glucosamine into chitin was equally inhibited by PH 70–23 and diflubenzuron, the first commercially available benzoylphenylurea. In contrast to diflubenzuron, which is active only against insects and eriophyid mites, PH 70–23 has the advantage of also being highly active on spider mites. The latter activity might be partly due to leaf penetration of PH 70–23. Laboratory experiments indicate PH 70–23 to have a better ovo-larvicidal activity than the commercial acaricides tested (cyhexatin, dicofol, fenbutatin oxide and tetradifon) against Tetranychus cinnabarinus, T. turkestani, T. urticae and Panonychus ulmi. A method in which eggs were deposited on residues of cyhexatin or fenbutatin oxide resulted in much lower activities than application of the spray liquid after egg deposition. Activities of PH 70–23, dicofol and tetradifon were hardly influenced by this difference in the test method. The direct contact activity of PH 70–23 on eggs of mites is influenced by the relative humidity and the age of the eggs. The total ovolarvicidal activity of PH 70–23 is only slightly positively influenced by the relative humidity, however. Ovicidal activity of PH 70–23 is also achieved by transovarial transmission. The compound does not influence the fertility of the mites. Comparison of a strain of T. urticae, resistant to dicofol, parathion and tetradifon, with a susceptible strain indicated absence of cross-resistance to PH 70–23. Compared to diflubenzuron, PH 70–23 shows an interesting shift in the spectrum of insecticidal activity.     

Zur Kenntnis der Blattminen-MotteCameraria ohridella Desch. & Dim. (Lep., Lithocolletidae) anAesculus hippocastanum L. in der Tschenchischen Republik

Cameraria ohridella was recorded first in 1985 in Macedonia. It gradually expanded to north and west and at present it is a serious pest of Horse ChestnutAesculus hippocastanum in the Czech Republic, having been established at about 80 localities. There are 4–5 overlapping generations with sizes of the larvae of 0.4–4.0 mm. The larva develops inside the leaf tissue in the upper parenchym layer of the leaflet and causes a mine, the size of which is broadened with growing larva. First adults start to fly at the end of April. After mating the females lay single eggs on the leaves. Larval development lasts 25–30 days followed by the prepupa I and II. The latter spins a cocoon in which the pupa of the last generation hibernates. The development from L4 to the prepupa lasts for 3–6 days at 22°C. During the summer it is possible to find all larval and prepupal stages in attacked leaves. FourAesculus species:A. parviflora Walk,A. carnea Haey.,A. glabra Walk andA. indica J. Hobb. were found to be resistent toC. obridella. A. lutea H. J. was liftle andA. pavia L. was heavily attacked. The parasitization ofC. o. larvae was very low. Only 2 parasites were found in 1500 mines in the first and second generation ofC. o., and 40 parasites in 1000 mines of the fourth and fifth generation. The highest mortality takes place in moths, eggs and young larvae. It was found in all 4 generation that there were i. m. 50 eggs/leaflet from which i. m. 3 hibernating pupae resulted. Supposing 2 moths (1♀, 1♂)/leaflet emerged in spring which produced 50 eggs (75 eggs/♀—33% moth mortality), the density of eggs in the first generation after hibernating being the same as in the last (fourth) generation before hibernating. As to the whole populations density in this case we can calculate as following: 3 pupae/leaflet on the tree=3000 pupae/leaflets pro m² on the soil=2000 emerging moths pro m²=50,000 moths (25,000 ♀♀) pro tree (namely 25 m² projecting area of the tree crown×2000 moths).      

Biological activity of the essential oil from the leaves of Piper sarmentosum Roxb. (Piperaceae) and its chemical constituents on Brontispa longissima (Gestro) (Coleoptera: Hispidae)

The results showed that the essential oil from Piper sarmentosum has strong antifeedant and toxicity effects on Brontispa longissima. The best antifeedant and contact toxicity effects were observed in the 1st-2nd instar larvae. The essential oil also displayed a notable fumigation effect on the eggs and pupae of B. longissima. It took the control-treated insects 43.34 d to complete one generation, while the insects treated with 2000 mg/L essential oil needed 73.58 d. The essential oil was analyzed by gas chromatography/mass spectrometry and 41 components were identified. Myristicin (65.22%) and trans-caryophyllene (13.89%) were the major components. Myristicin exhibited strong antifeedant and contact toxicity effects on both the 3rd instar larvae and the imagoes of B. longissima, when it showed a significant fumigation effect on the eggs and pupae of B. longissima. Another P. sarmentosum essential oil and myristicin all showed a strong inhibiting effect on the growth and development of B. longissima along with the activity of AChE, CarE, GSTs and Na⁺, K⁺-ATPase in B. longissima larvae.     

Fumigant toxicity of<Emphasis Type="Italic">Eucalyptus blakelyi</Emphasis> and<Emphasis Type="Italic">Melaleuca fulgens</Emphasis> essential oils and 1,8-cineole against different development stages of the rice weevil<Emphasis Type="Italic">Sitophilus oryzae</Emphasis>

Essential oils extracted fromEucalyptus blakelyi (1,8-cineole, 77.5%),Melaleuca fulgens (1,8-cineole, 56.9%) and 1,8-cineole were shown to have fumigant toxicity against different development stages ofSitophilus oryzae. The eggs ofS. oryzae were the most tolerant, followed by pupae, larvae and adults in that order.M. fulgens oil,E. blakelyi oil and 1,8-cineole at 100 μl per liter of air gave, respectively, LT₅₀ values of 16.2, 17.4 and 9.1 h for adults, 31.1, 19.3 and 17.5 h for larvae, 55.6, 75.2 and 39.7 h for pupae, and required >7 days for eggs. Only 1,8-cineole (200 μl ⁻¹ air) gave a significant egg kill by 7 days and the LT₉₅ was 134.5 h. 1,8-Cineole could be a useful new fumigant. http://www.phytoparasitica.org posting Oct. 3, 2004.     

大草蛉幼虫对不同寄主植物上烟粉虱卵的捕食功能反应与搜寻效应

为了研究不同寄主上大草蛉Chrysopa pallens(Rambur)幼虫对烟粉虱Bemisia tabaci(Gennadius)卵的捕食功能反应与搜寻效应,在室内条件下评估了大草蛉捕食功能反应模型,并研究了大草蛉3龄幼虫对棉花、烟草和辣椒上烟粉虱卵的搜寻效应和控害潜能。结果显示,在3种寄主植物上大草蛉3龄幼虫捕食量均随猎物密度的增加而升高,在烟草、棉花、辣椒上的捕食量分别为7.6~28.4、5.4~23.2、6.0~18.8粒;3种寄主植物上的大草蛉捕食功能反应均拟合Holling II、III功能反应模型;在烟草上大草蛉的瞬间攻击率最大,为0.470,处理时间最短,为0.021;在3种寄主植物上大草蛉3龄幼虫搜寻效应均随猎物密度的增加而下降,当猎物密度相同时,在烟草上的搜寻效应高于棉花和辣椒。研究表明,不同寄主植物能够影响大草蛉3龄幼虫对烟粉虱卵的瞬间攻击率及其搜寻效应。     

利用人工卵赤眼蜂蛹规模化饲养七星瓢虫的可行性研究

利用人工卵赤眼蜂蛹规模化饲养七星瓢虫的结果表明：（1）人工卵赤眼蜂蛹基本上能满足七星瓢虫幼虫的生长发育，并能正常羽化，但发育历期延长2.7d，蛹重降低；（2）成虫取食人工卵赤眼蜂蛹后，产卵前期、产卵期、总产卵量分别为12.3d、45.6d和1589.7粒，与蚜虫对照组差异显著。（3）用人工卵赤眼蜂蛹连续饲养七星瓢虫至6代时，生殖力有明显退化。（4）幼虫期饲喂人工卵赤眼蜂蛹、成虫期饲喂蚜虫与幼虫期及成虫期均用蚜虫饲喂的七星瓢虫具有相似的生殖力。（5）用人工卵赤眼蜂蛹饲养成虫，添加取食刺激剂（5%的蔗糖 0.1%橄榄油）后，其生殖力接近用蚜虫饲养的水平。综上所述，人工卵赤眼蜂蛹可满足幼虫的生长育，但对成虫的生殖力有一定影响；连代饲养后出现退化现象，这些影响主要是成虫产卵前期的营养得不到满足，可通过在成虫期添加取食刺激剂或成虫产卵前期改喂蚜虫解决。     

Differential effects of the acylurea insect growth regulator teflubenzuron on the adults of two endolarval parasitoids of Plutella xylostella,Cotesia plutellae and Diadegma semiclausum

The acylurea chitin synthesis inhibitor, teflubenzuron (‘Nomolt’® SC) showed no apparent activity against adult males of Diadegma semiclausum Hellén or Cotesia plutellae Kurdj. when applied to foliage at a rate ( = 50 g a.i. ha^?1) approximating to 2 × field usage. In contrast, the pyrethroid cypermethrin (‘Cymbush’® EC) showed appreciable foliar activity (at rates = 10–50 ga.i. ha^?1) to D. semiclausum but showed low activity against C. plutellae. When single adult female D. semiclausum were pre-treated with teflubenzuron (= 50 g a.i. ha^?1) and then exposed to 5. 10. 25, 50 or 100 second-instar host larvae, the number of purasitoid cocoons formed was significantly reduced compared with controls except at the lowest host density (P 0-05). However, there was no evidence that teflubenzuron had a host density-dependent effect on parasitism by D. semiclausum. Teflubenzuron had no significant effect on host parasitism in an equivalent experiment with C. plutellae (P > 0-05) except at the median host density. When batches of ten host larvae were introduced at hourly intervals to female D. semiclausum pre-treated with teflubenzuron (= 50 g a.i. ha^?1), the number of cocoons formed in the first two batches was not significantly different from untreated controls (P > 0-05), whereas teflubenzuron significantly reduced the number of cocoons in the next three batches of host larvae (P < 0-05). This suggests that teflubenzuron may affect chitin synthesis in developing eggs within female D. semiclausum but has little or no effect on pre-formed eggs which are more likely to be oviposited first. Teflubenzuron had no significant (P > 0-05) effect on parasitism by C. plutellae when presented with batches of host larvae. When female D. semiclausum and C. plutellae were placed in the same host arena, the former showed a 3-fold greater rate of parasitism. Pre-treatment with teflubenzuron significantly reduced parasitism by D. semiclausum (P > 0-05) but had no significant effect with C. plutellae (P > 0-05) although the latter species failed to exploit the reduction in parasitism by D. semiclausum. The differential response of D. semiclausum and C. plutellae to insecticides is discussed in relation to the relative rates of establishment of these species in Malaysia.     

Side effects of pesticides on the larvae of the hoverfly <Emphasis Type="BoldItalic">Episyrphus balteatus</Emphasis> in the laboratory

The hoverfly Episyrphus balteatus (Degeer) is one of the most abundant predators of the cabbage aphid (Brevicoryne brassicae (L.)) in brussels sprouts in Belgium. In the current laboratory study, the toxicity of several insecticides applied at maximum recommended field rates was investigated on the larvae of E. balteatus. Two- to 3-day-old larvae were confined in glass petri dishes with dry residues of freshly applied insecticides. Their mortality was checked daily until adult emergence. Sub-lethal effects were investigated by assessing the reproductive performance of adult hoverflies, originating from the surviving larvae. Of the five compounds tested, only pirimicarb caused 100% larval mortality. The corrected mortality for spinosad was 60% and the adults obtained from the surviving larvae did not succeed in laying eggs. Therefore, pirimicarb and spinosad were rated “harmful” (International Organization for Biological and Integrated Control of Noxious Animals and Plants (IOBC) category 4) for the larvae of E. balteatus. In contrast, flonicamid, thiacloprid and spirotetramat yielded much lower mortality percentages. The hatching rate of hoverfly eggs treated with flonicamid was 25.6% vs 48.7% in the control. Hence, flonicamid was rated “slightly harmful” (IOBC category 2). The fertility of adults treated as larvae with thiacloprid or spirotetramat was not affected (IOBC category 1). These laboratory trials suggest that thiacloprid and spirotetramat can be used safely in integrated pest management programs to control the cabbage aphid. Pirimicarb, spinosad and flonicamid should be tested in semi-field and field situations to assess their toxicity under more realistic conditions.     

Mode of action of fixed oils against eggs of Callosobruchus maculatus (F.)

Studies on the mode of action of fixed vegetable oils on Callosobruchus maculatus eggs revealed two possible mechanisms of action which may be complementary: (1) that the oils exert lethal action slowly by drastically reducing respiratory activity and elimination of toxic metabolites as a result of the oil ‘barrier effect’, and (2) direct toxic effects of oil or oil constituents that possibly penetrate the eggs. The slow lethal action of oil was demonstrated by the continuous low level respiratory activity (measured by carbon dioxide emission) of dying eggs over a six-day monitoring period, and the fact that a significantly higher proportion of the dead eggs found on groundnut or traditional coconut oiltreated grains developed up to the late embryonic stage (first instar larvae) when compared with the control. Furthermore, in an experiment carried out by trapping C. maculatus eggs on oil-treated and untreated artificial membrane (Sellotape), it was found that oiling did not affect egg development up to the late embryonic stage but prevented hatching of significantly higher numbers of developed first instar larvae. Eggs that successfully hatch on oily grain surfaces may find it more difficult to penetrate, since egg attachments on such surfaces were found to be significantly less secure than on the control. The proposed modes of action show that the complete spread of an oil film over the surfaces of a commodity is vital for the successful utilisation of fixed oils as stored-product protectants.     

Evaluation of the entomopathogenic fungiMetarhizium anisopliae andBeauveria bassiana against the red palm weevilRhynchophorus ferrugineus

The red palm weevil (RPW,Rhynchophorus ferrugineus (Olivier) (Coleoptera: Curculionidae) is one of the most severe pests of various palm species, including date palms. While examining the susceptibility of RPW to two entomopathogenic fungi,Metarhizium anisopliae andBeauveria bassiana, strains of the former were found to be more virulent than those of the latter, achieving 100% larval mortality within 6–7 days. The most virulent strains ofM. anisopliae were then tested on RPW eggs and adults. Incubation in a substrate treated withM. anisopliae spores increased egg mortality and reduced their hatchability. The total percentage mortality of eggs and hatched larvae was 80–82%, compared with 34% in the controls. RPW adults were challenged with two types of fungal formulation: dry powder and aqueous suspension. Cumulative adult mortality of 100% was achieved in 2–3 weeks for the dry rice-based formulation and in 4–5 weeks for the spore suspension. As a result of decreased longevity, treated females had a shorter oviposition period and three times lower fertility than the controls. Possible strategies for fungus application are discussed in the light of the high susceptibility of eggs and larvae to fungal infection. http://www.phytoparasitica.org posting July 19, 2006.     

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.     

Effects of some foliar fungicides on the chrysomelid beetle Gastrophysa polygoni (L.)

The effects of the fungicides benomyl, thiophanate-methyl and triadimefon on the chrysomelid beetle Gastrophysa polygoni were investigated in the laboratory. Contact with a suspension of benomyl (1.5 g a. i. litre^?1 did not affect the hatchability of the eggs. Larvae were reared on shoots of knotgrass (Polygonum aviculare) that had been sprayed with suspensions of benomyl, ranging in concentration from 0.1 to 5.0 g a. i. litre^?1. The mortality to the adult stage, of larvae reared on shoots treated with concentrations of benomyl of 0.5 g a. i. litre^?1 and above, was significantly higher than that of control larvae. At concentrations of 2.0 g a. i. litre^?1 and above, no larvae survived to the adult stage. The LD₅₀ was 0.78 g a. i. benomyl litre^?1. The LT₅₀ values at concentrations of 1.0, 2.0 and 5.0 g a. i. benomyl litre^?1 were 22.6, 12.6 and 5.3 days, respectively. The mean weights of adults bred from larvae that had been reared on shoots treated with benomyl (0.5 and 1.0 g a. i. litre^?1) were significantly less than those of adults bred from control larvae. The mortality of larvae, reared on shoots of P. aviculare treated with triadimefon (0.5 g a. i. litre^?1) or thiophanate-methyl (1.0 g a. i. litre^?1), was also significantly higher than that of control larvae. Females kept on plants of P. aviculare treated with benomyl (1.5 g a. i. litre^?1) laid similar numbers of eggs to those kept on untreated plants, and the hatchability of the eggs was not affected.     

In-transit control of Liriomyza trifolii in chrysanthemum cuttings1

Individual cuttings and leaves of chrysanthemum infested with eggs and larvae of the alien leaf miner Liriomyza trifolii (Burgess) and batches of pupae, were treated in the laboratory in order to find an effective quarantine treatment to control the pest in imported cuttings. Cold treatment for 2 days at 1–2°C followed by methyl bromide fumigation at 15°C with a range of concentration time products (CTPs) was used to obtain accurate dose-response lines and estimate the LD99 and LD99.9 for each stage of the insect. The largest estimates of the LD99 for eggs, larvae and pupae up to 3 days old were less than the CTP specified in the existing (as at September 1983) United Kingdom statutory fumigation treatment designed to prevent the entry of Spodoptera littoralis (Boisd.). This statutory schedule for unrooted cuttings consists of cold storage for 2 days at 1–2°C and then fumigation with methyl bromide at a CTP of not less than 54 g·h/m³ with a minimum treatment period of 4 h at a minimum air temperature of 15°C. Our results indicate that the Spodoptera treatment should give high levels of kill for most stages of L. trifolii provided a CTP of 54 g·h/m³ and a temperature of 15°C (throughout the fumigation) arc achieved uniformly within packs of cuttings when they are fumigated in their transit boxes in commercial practice. The practicality of the technique will depend on whether it is possible to achieve this without causing unacceptable phytotoxicity. The LD99 values for pupae more than 3 days old were greater than those for eggs, larvae and young pupae. Therefore, if this treatment were adopted as a quarantine measure against L. trifolii, good prophylactic treatments and rigorous prc-packing inspections in exporting countries would still need to be maintained, to minimize any risk of importing pupae. The results are presented in full by Mortimer E.A. & Powell, D.F. (1984). Development of a combined cold storage and methyl bromide fumigation treatment to control the American serpentine leaf miner Liriomyza trifolii (Diptera: Agromyzidae) in imported chrysanthemum cuttings. Annals of Applied Biology 105 , (3), 443–454.     

Toxicity of spiromesifen to the developmental stages of Bemisia tabaci biotype B

BACKGROUND: Spiromesifen is a novel insecticidal/acaricidal compound derived from spirocyclic tetronic acids that acts effectively against whiteflies and mites via inhibition of acetyl‐CoA‐carboxylase, a lipid metabolism enzyme. The effects of spiromesifen on the developmental stages of the whitefly Bemisia tabaci (Gennadius) were studied under laboratory conditions to generate baseline action thresholds for field evaluations of the compound. RESULTS: Adult B. tabaci mortality rate after spiromesifen treatment (5 mg L^?1) was 40%. Treatment with 0.5 mg L^?1 reduced fecundity per female by more than 80%, and fertility was almost nil. LC₅₀ for eggs was 2.6 mg L^?1, and for first instar 0.5 mg L^?1. Scanning electron microscopy revealed that eggs laid by treated adult females had an abnormally perforated chorion, and females were unable to complete oviposition. Light and fluorescent microscopy showed significantly smaller eggs following treatment, and smaller, abnormally formed and improperly localized bacteriomes in eggs and nymphs. The number of ovarioles counted in females treated with 5 mg L^?1 was significantly reduced. Spiromesifen showed no cross‐resistance with other commonly used insecticides from different chemical groups, and resistance monitoring in Israel showed no development of field resistance to this insecticide after 1 year of use. CONCLUSION: The strong effect on juvenile stages of B. tabaci with a unique mode of action and the absence of cross‐resistance with major commonly used insecticides from different chemical groups suggest the use of spiromesifen in pest and resistance management programmes. Copyright © 2008 Society of Chemical Industry     

Diflubenzuron: Some aspects of its ovicidal and larvicidal mode of action and an evaluation of its practical possibilities

Diflubenzuron, 1-(4-chlorophenyl)-3-(2,6-difluorobenzoyl)urea, possesses larvicidal and ovicidal activities. On larvae it acts mainly as a stomach poison, yet it sometimes exhibits important contact activity. Though all instars can be controlled, older instars are generally less susceptible than younger ones. Histological inspections of Leptinotarsa decemlineata larvae revealed that after ending exposure to the compound, distortions in newly deposited cuticular layers decreased gradually. Ovicidal effects resulted from direct contact of diflubenzuron with eggs or from contamination of females by contact or feeding. Electron microscopic observations of embryos of Leptinotarsa decemlineata, contaminated via the female, also showed disturbed cuticule formation, suggesting a similar activity of the compound in larvae and in eggs. Spraying the eggs of Leucoptera scitella shows the compound to be mainly ovidical at a rate of 100 mg litre^?1, whilst with lower concentrations (10 and 1 mg litre^?1) the young larval instar will be killed. The levels of cross-resistance to diflubenzuron as a larvicide are low and the compound can be used effectively in the field against populations that are highly resistant to conventional insecticides. Laboratory and field results, based on larvicidal and ovicidal activities of diflubenzuron, are discussed in respect of species belonging to the Diptera, Lepidoptera, Coleoptera, Acarina (Phyllocoptruta oleivora) and Hemiptera (Eurydema oleraceum and Psylla piri).