Antifeedant activity of a novel 6-(4,7-hydroxy-heptyl) quinone? from the leaves of the milkweed Pergularia daemia on the cotton bollworm Helicoverpa armigera (Hub.) and the tobacco armyworm Spodoptera litura (Fab.)

The effects of crude extracts and an isolated compound from the leaves of milkweed, Pergularia daemia (Forssk) Choiv., on the antifeedant activity against two important lepidopteran pests, Helicoverpa armigera (Hub.) and Spodoptera litura (F.), were studied. Maximum antifeedant activity was recorded in ethyl acetate crude extract against H. armigera (70.3%) and S. litura (71.82%) at 1% concentration. Ethyl acetate crude extract was further subjected to column chromatography, which was performed using hexane as initial solvent and then by increasing the polar strength using ethyl acetate. Fractions collected at hexane and ethyl acetate (80:20) yielded 6-(4,7-hydroxy-heptyl) quinone, a novel compound which showed significant antifeedant activity against H. armigera (80.22% at 2000 ppm) and S. litura (68.31% at 2000 ppm).     

Studies on insects and mites causing galls on the leaves of European aspenPopulus tremula L. in the Ojców National Park in Poland

Analytical studies were conducted on the species composition of galls occurring on the leaves of European aspen Populus tremula L. in the Ojców National Park in 1997–1998. The species composition of galls was similar in two consecutive years, i.e 6 and 7 species, respectively (a total of 5492 galls). The most numerous species wasPhyllocoptes populi Nalepa in both years. Index of occurrence frequency and Agrell’s index of species co-existence have been calculated. This index reached the highest values in both years in case ofHarmandia cavernosa (Rübsaamen) andH. tremulae Winnertz.     

Studies on insects and mites causing galls on the leaves of European aspenPopulus tremula L. in the Ojców National Park in Poland

Analytical studies were conducted on the species composition of galls occurring on the leaves of European aspen Populus tremula L. in the Ojców National Park in 1997–1998. The species composition of galls was similar in two consecutive years, i.e 6 and 7 species, respectively (a total of 5492 galls). The most numerous species wasPhyllocoptes populi Nalepa in both years. Index of occurrence frequency and Agrell’s index of species co-existence have been calculated. This index reached the highest values in both years in case ofHarmandia cavernosa (Rübsaamen) andH. tremulae Winnertz.     

Studies on insects and mites causing galls on the leaves of purple willow Salix purpurea L. in the Ojców National Park in Poland

Analytical studies were conducted on the species composition of galls occurring on the leaves of Salix purpurea L. in the Ojców National Park in 1999–2000. The species composition of galls was identical in two consecutive years. Galls were caused by 5species (a total of 480galls). The most numerous species in both years was Pontania viminalis (L.). Index of occurrence frequency and Agrell's index of species co-existence have been calculated. This index reached the highest values in case of Pontania dolichura (Thoms.) and P. viminalis (L.) in 1999 as well as Phyllocolpa leucaspis (Tischb.) and P. viminalis (L.) in 2000.     

Studies on insects and mites causing galls on the leaves of purple willow Salix purpurea L. in the Ojców National Park in Poland

Analytical studies were conducted on the species composition of galls occurring on the leaves of Salix purpurea L. in the Ojców National Park in 1999–2000. The species composition of galls was identical in two consecutive years. Galls were caused by 5species (a total of 480galls). The most numerous species in both years was Pontania viminalis (L.). Index of occurrence frequency and Agrell's index of species co-existence have been calculated. This index reached the highest values in case of Pontania dolichura (Thoms.) and P. viminalis (L.) in 1999 as well as Phyllocolpa leucaspis (Tischb.) and P. viminalis (L.) in 2000.     

Studies on insects and mites causing galls on the leaves of common ash Fraxinus excelsior L. in the Ojców National Park in Poland

The occurrence frequency of galls caused by insects and mites on the leaves of Fraxinus excelsior L. was investigated, based on leaf samples collected in the Ojców National Park in 2000–2001. The species composition of galls was identical in two consecutive years. Galls were caused by 5 species a total of 2881 galls. The most numerous species was Dasineura fraxinea (Kieffer) in both years.Index of occurrence frequency and Agrell's index of species co-existence have been calculated. This index reached the highest values in case of Dasineura fraxinea and Vasates fraxini (Nalepa) in 2000 as well as D. fraxinea and Psyllopsis fraxini (L.) in 2001.     

Effect of pre‐storage seed treatments on adult mortality,oviposition and development of Callosobruchus chinensis L. (Bruchidae: Coleoptera), and the viability of mungbean (Vigna radiata (L.) Wilczek) in India

Abstract

The adult mortality of Callosobruchus chinensis L. was 100% within 24 h after artificially infesting seeds pretreated with inert clay and stored for 12 months under ambient conditions. Pre‐treatment with thiram and delsan‐30 (TCMTB) were also effective in controlling the adults by impairing oviposition. The seeds maintained over 80% germination up to 12 months of storage under all the treatments.     

Biological studies on the olive leaf moth, Palpita unionalis Hübner (Lepid., Pyralidae), and the olive moth, Prays oleae Bernard (Lepid., Yponomeutidae)

Abstract The biology of two important lepidopterous pests, Prays oleae Bernard and Palpita unionalis Hübner, was studied. The target pests were reared on olive plants, Oleae europaea L. (Oleaceae) under laboratory conditions for two successive generations, from March to June 2002. For P. oleae, the duration of larval stage development in the first generation was 21.4 ± 0.18 days at 19.3–20.9 °C, 65–68 % R.H, while in the second generation it was 14.8 ± 0.10 days at 20.8–24.2 °C, 65–69 % R.H. The number of eggs laid per female ranged from 58 to 109 eggs in the first generation, and from 47 to 113 in the second. The larval stage duration of P. unionalis was 16.3 ± 0.12 days at 16.8–22.9 °C, 65–69 % R.H. and 15.5 ± 0.12 days at 21.6–25.5 °C, 66–69 % R.H. for the first and second generations, respectively. Also, the number of eggs laid per female ranged from 630 to 653 eggs, and from 425 to 493 eggs in the second generation under the same previous laboratory conditions. P. oleae laid eggs at night mostly singly on flower-buds, more on the calyx. than on the petals. The larvae mined on leaves and damaged groups of flowers. P. unionalis adults were active at night, laid eggs singly at twilight usually on the lower surface of foliage. Larvae fed on leaves spinning several leaves together to form shelter for the pupa.     

Biological studies on the olive leaf moth, Palpita unionalis Hübner (Lepid., Pyralidae), and the olive moth, Prays oleae Bernard (Lepid., Yponomeutidae)

Abstract The biology of two important lepidopterous pests, Prays oleae Bernard and Palpita unionalis Hübner, was studied. The target pests were reared on olive plants, Oleae europaea L. (Oleaceae) under laboratory conditions for two successive generations, from March to June 2002. For P. oleae, the duration of larval stage development in the first generation was 21.4 ± 0.18 days at 19.3–20.9 °C, 65–68 % R.H, while in the second generation it was 14.8 ± 0.10 days at 20.8–24.2 °C, 65–69 % R.H. The number of eggs laid per female ranged from 58 to 109 eggs in the first generation, and from 47 to 113 in the second. The larval stage duration of P. unionalis was 16.3 ± 0.12 days at 16.8–22.9 °C, 65–69 % R.H. and 15.5 ± 0.12 days at 21.6–25.5 °C, 66–69 % R.H. for the first and second generations, respectively. Also, the number of eggs laid per female ranged from 630 to 653 eggs, and from 425 to 493 eggs in the second generation under the same previous laboratory conditions. P. oleae laid eggs at night mostly singly on flower-buds, more on the calyx. than on the petals. The larvae mined on leaves and damaged groups of flowers. P. unionalis adults were active at night, laid eggs singly at twilight usually on the lower surface of foliage. Larvae fed on leaves spinning several leaves together to form shelter for the pupa.     

Studies on the egg parasitism inThaumetopoea pityocampa over a period of four years (1991–1994) at marikostino/bulgaria

In Bulgaria near Marikostino, in a forest ofPinus nigra Arn. 239 egg batches were sampled over four generations ofThaumetopoea pityocampa (Den. & Schiff.) (Lep., Thaumetopoeidae) in various seasons. Directly after collection the batches were singled in test tubes, closed with cotton stoppers and stored under laboratory conditions at 20–22°C. Oviposition always started from the base towards the tip of the needles. The emergence of egg parasitoids was observed daily, and the parasitoids were counted and identified. The eggs from which parasitoids emerged were marked for further studies. After removing the adults and opening the eggs, the impact of the species of parasitoids was evaluated by identifying the meconia and other rests (left overs). Ooencyrtus pityocampae (Mercet) was the most abundant egg parasitoid, followed byAnastatus bifasciatus (Fonsc.). Only few individuals ofBaryscapus servadeii (Dom.) were collected. The hyperparasitoidBaryscapus servadeii (Dom.) were collected. The hyperparasitoidBaryscapus transversalis Graham, was found at low densities. Only a few eggs were parasitised byTrichogramma embryophagum Htg. Total mortality of the host eggs varied from 34.7 to 79.7% depending on the period of parasitism and on the numbers of sterile eggs. The impact of the parasitoids was calculated to be 9.3–38.9%, depending on the period when parasitism had taken place. The mean number of eggs per batch varied from 203 to 253. The rate of parasitism was reduced by early sampling of the egg batches. In some cases, a very high percentage (up to 29.2%) of undeveloped eggs was found. In all samples a small percentage of empty eggs was always observed.

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Untersuchungen zum Eiparasitismus von Thaumetopoea pityocampa bei Marikostino/Bulgarien w?hrend einer Vierjahresperiode (1991–1994)

Zusammenfassung  In Bulgarien, in der N?he von Marikostino, wurden 239 Eigelege des PinienprozessionsspinnersThaumetopoea pityocampa (Den.& Schiff.) (Lep., Thaumetopoeidae) in einemPinus nigra Forst über 4 Generationen zu verschiedenen Jahreszeiten gesammelt. Die Gelge wurden sogleich einzeln in Reagensgl?ser gegeben, die mit Wattestopfen verschlossen wurden, und unter Laborbedingungen bei 20–22°C aufbewahrt. Die Eiablage fand stets von der Nadelbasis zur Spitze hin statt. Der Schlupf der Parasitoiden wurde t?glich registriert. Nach Entfernen der Gelegeschuppen wurde jedes Ei markiert, aus dem ein Parasitoid schlüpfte. Alle adulten Parasitoide wurden sogleich nach dem Schlupf entfernt und zur Determination vorbereitet. Nach Ende der Schlupfperiode (mindestens 1 Jahr nach dem Raupenschlupf) wurden alle Eier ge?ffnet. Der Einflu? der cinzelnen Parasitoiden-Arten auf die Eimortalit?t wurde anhand der Mekonien und Rückst?nde in den Eiern bewertet. Ooencyrtus pityocampae (Mercet) war in den Eiern die h?ufigste Art, gefolgt vonAnastatus bifasciatus (Fonsc.) VonBaryscapus servadeii (Dom.) wurden nur wenige Individuen gefunden. Auch der Hyperparasitoid,Baryscapus transversalis Graham, war nur in geringer Populationsdichte vertreten. Nur wenige Eier waren vonTrichogramma embryophagum Htg. parasitiert. Die Gesamtmortatit?t der Wirtstiere variierte von 34,7% bis 79,7%; sie war abh?ngig von der Parasitierungsperiode und der Menge an sterilen Eiern. Der Einflu? der Eiparasitoide betrug 32,7–38,9%, wenn sie die gesamte Embryonalentwicklung des Wirtes zur Parasitierung nutzen konnten. Die mittlere Anzahl der Eier pro Gelege variierte in den Sammelproben von 203 bis 253. Die Parasitierungsrate war nach frühem Einsammeln der Gelege (nach Oviposition des Wirtes) stark reduziert. In einigen F?llen war ein sehr hoher Prozensatz (bis zu 29,2%) an nicht entwickelten Eiern zu finden. In allen Eigelegen waren einige Eier vorhanden, die total leer waren.

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The research conducted was supported by the Government of Lower Saxony, Hannover, Germany.     

Evaluating the presence of larvae of Lobesia botrana (Denis & Schiffermüller) developing on olive trees in some central-southern Italian regions

Phytoparasitica - The present study was conducted in four central-southern Italian regions (Abruzzo, Campania, Molise, Puglia) in the years 2008 and 2016–2018, with the aim to verify in hilly...     

Monitoring of stored tobacco insect pests by means of pheromones: the case ofEphestia elutella (Hübner) andLasioderma serricorne Fabricius in South Europe

Results obtained in the monitoring of stored tobacco pests by pheromones are reported. In GreeceEphestia elutella (Hübner) is likely to have at least 3 generations per year: the first one appears in early May, the second one during the last week of June and the third one— the most populated and the longer lasting—in August. In the same environmentsPlodia interpunctella (Hübner) has shown about 5 generations per year. The first on appeared in late May; the remaining 4—definitely overlapping—are placed in mid-June, in July, in early August and early September. In Italy four commercial pheromone dispensers effective in trappingLasioderma serricorne Fabricius have been compared. The results pointed out highly significant differences of the efficacy of the four different dispensers tested.L. serricorne was present in the tobacco store from June to October with a quite remarkable increase between August and early September.     

Zum Auftreten der Robinien-Miniermotte,Phyllonorycter robiniella (Clem.) und der Ro?kastanien-Miniermotte,Cameraria ohridella Desch. & Dim. (Lep., Gracillariidae) in Südtirol

Zusammenfassung  An 2 Gracillariiden,Phyllonorycter robiniella undCameraria ohridella, wird gezeigt, wie rasch importierte Sch?dlinge sich ausbreiten k?nnen: Die RobinienblattmotteP. robinella wurde in Südtirol erstmals 1991 festgestellt und trat 1996 bereits in Massenbefall bei Brixen an Robinien auf.—Die Ro?kastanienminiermotteC. ohridella war hier erstmals 1992 im Pustertal bei Toblach festgestellt worden (Butin & Führer, 1994). Neueste Untersuchungen im Herbst 1997 zeigen, da? sie nun bereits im gesamten Eisacktal zwischen Franzensfeste und Bozen an Ro?kastanien (Aesculus hippocastanum) verbreitet ist (Tab. 1); hingegen wurde im Etschtal südlich und westlich von Bozen bisher noch kein Befall festgestellt.

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On the occurrence of the robinia-leafminer,Phyllonorycter robiniella (Clem.) and the horse-chestnut- leafminer,Cameraria ohridella Desch. et Dim. (Lep., Gracillariidae) in South Tyrol

The examples of two species of Gracillariidae,Phyllonorycter robiniella andCameraria ohridella, show how fast the expansion can take place: The robinia-leafminerP. robiniella was first noticed in South Tyrol in 1991 and an outbreak occured on False Acacias near Brixen, already in 1996.—The horsechestnut leafminerC. ohridella was first noticed in the Pusteria Valley near Toblach-Dobiacco, in 1992 (Butin & Führer, 1994). The latest research, of autumn 1997, shows that they are now distributed on Horse Chestnut Trees (Aesculus hippocastanum) in the whole Isarco Valley, between Fortezza and Bozen-Bolzano (Tab. 1), whereas in the Adige Valley at south and west of Bolzano no occurrence could be found as yet.

     

Note: A new pest,<Emphasis Type="Italic">Liriomyza trifolii</Emphasis>, on cotton in the Büyük Menderes Valley,Turkey

The study was conducted to evaluateLiriomyza trifolii (Burgess) in the cotton fields of the Büyük Menderes Valley, Turkey, from 1999 to 2000. Leaves were sampled weekly from the middle of June to the middle of August and kept in the laboratory to observe emerging leafminers. Leafminers were initially found on cotton leaves from 35 to 66 days after sowing. The numbers of larval mines varied from one to four per leaf. The largest number of infested leaves was observed in Aydın (Center), where 18.8% and 17.7% of the sampled leaves were infested in 1999 and 2000, respectively. We conclude thatL. trifolii is a potential pest in the cotton fields of Turkey and more research is needed. http://www.phytoparasitica.org posting July 3, 2003.     

Studies on the distribution and fate of [γ-3H] hexachlorocyclohexane in rats

After male Wistar rats were fed a diet containing 25 ppm γ-hexachlorocyclohexane (γ-HCH) for 6 months, a single dose of [γ-³H]HCH was administered to each rat by gavage at a dose of 1 mCi/kg body wt. Renal specific activity of the γ-HCH-treated rats, especially that of the renal cortex, was significantly higher than that of a group of rats (controls) not previously treated with γ-HCH. Thin-layer chromatographic analysis of the petroleum ether fraction of renal homogenates indicated that the parent [γ³H]HCH amounted to more than 60% of the total radioactivity. Results of microautoradiography indicated that the silver grains shown in the epithelial cells of the renal proximal convoluted tubule were more dense. [γ-³H]HCH was probably mainly in the free form. The results obtained were consistent with the location and severity of the granular hyaline degeneration observed microscopically. One month following termination of γ-HCH treatment, the radioactivity and silver grains in the kidney sections were significantly decreased, while the pathological changes were gradually reversed.     

Plum pox virus as a stress factor in the vegetative growth, fruit growth and yield of plum (Prunus domestica) cv. ‘Cacanska Rodna’

During 2005–2007, under the environmental conditions of Cacak (43°53’N; 20°21’E), western Serbia, the effect of Plum pox virus (PPV) on the phenology of vegetative shoot and fruit growth was investigated in a plum orchard of cv. ‘Cacanska Rodna’ including trees non-infected with PPV and those with infection and clearly visible symptoms, as verified by RT-PCR. The results showed that PPV did not affect the growth phenology of the vegetative shoot (length and thickness) and the fruit growth. However, it caused negative effects on the average length (22.31 ± 0.28 cm in non-infected trees, 18.35 ± 0.07 cm in infected trees) and thickness (4.21 ± 0.03 mm in non-infected trees, 4.01 ± 0.02 mm in infected trees) of vegetative shoots as well as on the average fruit weight (20.43 ± 0.16 g in non-infected fruits, 17.58 ± 0.18 g in infected fruits) and fruit dimensions. The greatest effect of PPV during the trial was the induction of a massive premature fruit drop and, consequently, a 52.94% decrease in total yields per tree (18.0 ± 1.10 kg) and unit area (12.0 ± 0.89 t ha^-1) in infected vs non-infected trees.     

A Survey (1992–1996) of natural enemies of diaspididae species in Antalya, Turkey

Natural enemies associated with armoured scale insects were surveyed in Antalya province during the years 1992-1996. The surveys yielded 16 species of predators and 11 species of parasitoids associated with 11 species of scale insects. One predator species—Lestodiplosisaonidiellae Harris, one hyperparasite species—Ablerusperspeciosus Girault, and one parasitoid species—Coccophagoidesmoeris (Walker), are recorded for the first time in Turkey. Three coleopterans, namely,Chilocorus bipustulatus (Linnaeus),Cybocephalus fodori- minor Endrödy-Younga andRhyzobius lophanthae (Blaisdell), were found to be the most common predators and to be associated with the diverse species of diaspidids in Antalya and are known so also in other parts of Turkey. Among the parasitoids found,Aphytis chrysomphali (Mercet) andAphytis melinus DeBach are known to be relatively important onAonidiella aurantii (Maskell),Aphytis maculicornis (Masi) onParlatoria oleae (Colvée),Aphytis mytilaspidis (LeBaron) onLepidosaphes ulmi (Linnaeus), andEncarsia berlesei (Howard) onPseudaulacaspis pentagona (Targioni Tozzetti), in Antalya and/or other parts of Turkey.     

Sequence homogeneity of the ψserA-trmU-tufB-secE-nusG-rplKAJL-rpoB gene cluster and the flanking regions of ‘Candidatus Liberibacter asiaticus’ isolates around Okinawa Main Island in Japan

In Japan and Southeast Asia, ‘Candidatus Liberibacter asiaticus’ (Las) is the dominant causal agent of citrus greening (huanglongbing) disease. Using PCR techniques, we determined the 11168-nucleotide sequence of the ψserA-trmU-tufB-secE-nusG-rplKAJL-rpoB gene cluster and the flanking regions for 51 Japanese, four Taiwanese, four Indonesian, and three Vietnamese isolates of Las. The sequence is identical in 62 isolates collected from Japan, Taiwan, Indonesia, and Vietnam, except for nucleotide substitutions at 11 positions. Some Las isolates from Sakishima Islands near Taiwan had unique nucleotide mutations, but all Las isolates around Okinawa Main Island were homologous. On the basis of the pattern of single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) of the 11 nucleotide substitutions, the 62 Las isolates from Japan, Taiwan, Indonesia, and Vietnam could be divided into 12 pattern groups, and the 51 Japanese isolates consisted of six patterns. The results suggested that one unique genetic group is dominant around Okinawa Main Island, whereas several different are commonly distributed around islands near Taiwan.     

Effect of Cotton leaf curl virus infected plants on the biology of the whitefly,Bemisia tabaci (Hemiptera: Aleyrodidae): Vector–virus mutualism

Cotton leaf curl virus (CLCuV) (Geminiviridae : Begomovirus), the causative agent of leaf curl disease in cotton plants (Gossypium hirsutum), is exclusively transmitted by whitefly species Bemisia tabaci (Gennadius) (Hemiptera: Aleyrodidae). CLCuV transmission occurs in Sriganganagar (Rajasthan), an area endemic with cotton leaf curl disease. The relationships between plant viruses, their herbivore vectors and host plants can be beneficial, neutral, or antagonistic, depending on the species involved. To further understand these relationships, fecundity and life history parameters of an indigenous non- b (Asia II genetic group) biotype whitefly, B. tabaci, were compared on 10, 25, and 40 days post-inoculation (DPI), in CLCuV-infected and healthy cotton plants to determine the effect of virus on its vector. The development time of the immature stages of whiteflies was significantly reduced on CLCuV-infected plants. The development time of the immature stages did not change with severity of symptoms at 25 and 40 DPI (45- and 60-d-old plants). Cotton leaf curl virus infection increased percent egg viability of B. tabaci. Whiteflies deposited significantly fewer eggs on virus-infected plants than on healthy plants. Whiteflies had better egg viability on younger plants than older plants, whereas plant age did not affect the fecundity. Male and female whiteflies had shorter longevity on CLCuV-infected plants than on healthy plants.