Potential for combined use of parasitoids and generalist predators for biological control of the key invasive tomato pest Tuta absoluta

The tomato leafminer Tuta absoluta (Meyrick) (Lepidoptera: Gelechiidae) has recently invaded Mediterranean countries and is a major pest in tomato crops. Trichogrammatid oophagous parasitoids have shown promising potential for controlling the pest before the yield decreases in the greenhouse. In protected tomato crops (greenhouse), mirid predators are commonly used for biological control of whiteflies and they also prey on T. absoluta. These predators do not attack Trichogramma adults but they may partially decrease the overall impact of parasitoids on T. absoluta if intraguild predation (IGP) occurs on parasitized eggs. Under laboratory conditions, we tested if the mirid predator Macrolophus pygmaeus shows preference between parasitized and unparasitized T. absoluta eggs. We also tested if the predator reduces the number of parasitized eggs on caged tomato plants (microcosms) and assessed the efficacy of natural enemies used alone or together in limiting T. absoluta populations. We found that IGP is inflicted on the parasitoid Trichogramma achaeae by M. pygmaeus and that the risk of IGP depends on the developmental stage of T. achaeae inside the egg because the larva is at risk mostly early in its development (when parasitized egg is still yellow). In addition, we observed that non-consumptive events, likely probing of the predator on parasitized eggs, may induce mortality in parasitoid offspring without actual feeding on parasitized eggs. However, both IGP and non-consumptive events decreased when the predator was not confined with parasitized eggs in small arenas. Despite negative effects of the predator to the parasitoid, results demonstrate that adding Trichogramma parasitoids may significantly increase the level of control of the pest over what could be attained when only the mirid predator M. pygmaeus is present on tomato. Implications of results are discussed regarding potential of these natural enemies for biological control of T. absoluta in greenhouse tomato crops.     

Basis and monitoring of methoxyfenozide resistance in the South American tomato pinworm Tuta absoluta

The South American tomato pinworm, Tuta absoluta (Meyrick, 1917) (Lepidoptera: Gelechiidae), is heavily targeted by insecticide applications. Methoxyfenozide is highly effective against T. absoluta with reduced side effects to natural enemies. This work aimed to (1) genetically and biochemically characterize resistance of the T. absoluta GBN population to methoxyfenozide, (2) establish cross resistance profiles with other insecticide groups and (3) monitor resistance in populations with the goal of improving T. absoluta insecticide resistance management (IRM). Methoxyfenozide resistance was completely recessive, polyfactorial and autosomal. Effective dominance revealed that 10 mg methoxyfenozide/L would be enough to eliminate susceptible homozygotes and heterozygotes, thus used to diagnose resistance in field populations. The synergism of methoxyfenozide toxicity in the resistant population for PBO (SR?=?95×), DEF (SR?=?51×) and DEM (SR?=?45×), suggested monooxygenases, esterases and glutathione S-transferases as resistance mechanisms. However, only monooxygenase activity appeared to be involved in methoxyfenozide resistance. Resistance ratio for methoxyfenozide (2352-fold) after selection and cross-resistance ratios of a lab-selected GBN strain (“GBN-Sel”) were significant relative to a susceptible strain “JDR1-Sus” for tebufenozide (656-fold), cartap hydrochloride (10.68-fold), deltamethrin (4.70-fold), abamectin (2.65-fold), lufenuron (2.22-fold) and indoxacarb (1.92-fold), with negative cross-resistance to spinetoram (0.32-fold). Evidence of control failures was observed in 10 field populations of T. absoluta (mortalities between 13 and 76%), and all populations showed frequencies of resistant phenotypes (percentage survivorship ranging between 4 and 96%). A rational basis for managing resistance to bisacylhydrazines is discussed, along with details of recommended T. absoluta resistance management tactics.

     

First evidence of deuterotokous parthenogenesis in the tomato leafminer, Tuta absoluta (Meyrick) (Lepidoptera: Gelechiidae)

The tomato leafminer, Tuta absoluta (Lepidoptera: Gelechiidae), originates from South America and is now considered to be one of the most damaging invasive pests of tomatoes in the Mediterranean Basin countries of Europe and North Africa. The preventing pest mating control methods include: (1) the use of synthetic pheromones for male attraction and annihilation inside insecticide-containing traps; (2) mating disruption by saturating the atmosphere with sex pheromones which alter the ability of males to locate females; and (3) massive applications of sterile males to alter the overall reproductive success of the pest population. However, all these methods achieve only a poor success rate in controlling T. absoluta populations under greenhouse conditions. Sex pheromone management and sterile insect techniques are both based on an important biological trait: the insect must breed through sexual reproduction. Here, we report for the first time laboratory evidence of deuterotokous parthenogenesis, an asexual reproduction where both males and females are produced from unfertilized eggs. We discuss the consequences for T. absoluta control strategies.     

Supercooling capacity and cold tolerance of the South American tomato pinworm,Tuta absoluta,a newly invaded pest in China

Journal of Pest Science - Tuta absoluta is a devastating invasive pest worldwide, causing severe damage to the global tomato industry. It has been recorded recently in the northwestern border areas...     

Thermal biology of Tuta absoluta: demographic parameters and facultative diapause

Journal of Pest Science - The South American tomato pinworm, Tuta absoluta, (SATP) is now a devastating pest worldwide of crops in the family Solanaceae. Most prior studies of SATP’s thermal...     

Correction to: Thermal biology of Tuta absoluta: demographic parameters and facultative diapause

Journal of Pest Science - Formula, Equation 2 and the table 3 are published incorrectly in the original publication of the article. The correct version of the article is given below     

Natural enemies of the South American moth, Tuta absoluta, in Europe, North Africa and Middle East, and their potential use in pest control strategies

The South American tomato leafminer, Tuta absoluta Meyrick (Lepidoptera: Gelechiidae), is an invasive Neotropical pest. After its first detection in Europe, it rapidly invaded more than 30 Western Palaearctic countries becoming a serious agricultural threat to tomato production in both protected and open-field crops. Among the pest control tactics against exotic pests, biological control using indigenous natural enemies is one of the most promising. Here, available data on the Afro-Eurasian natural enemies of T. absoluta are compiled. Then, their potential for inclusion in sustainable pest control packages is discussed providing relevant examples. Collections were conducted in 12 countries, both in open-field and protected susceptible crops, as well as in wild flora and/or using infested sentinel plants. More than 70 arthropod species, 20 % predators and 80 % parasitoids, were recorded attacking the new pest so far. Among the recovered indigenous natural enemies, only few parasitoid species, namely, some eulophid and braconid wasps, and especially mirid predators, have promising potential to be included in effective and environmentally friendly management strategies for the pest in the newly invaded areas. Finally, a brief outlook of the future research and applications of indigenous T. absoluta biological control agents are provided.     

Shade-based control of Imperata cylindrica: tree fallows and cover crops

Imperata is shade-intolerant, although little is known of the relative roles of competition for light, water and nutrients in suppressing its growth. Shading of Imperata results in reduced carbohydrate storage, reduced rhizome and tuber-bulb production, reduced shoot dry weight, increased susceptibility to competition, increased susceptibility to herbicides and decreased vigor/regeneration. Herbaceous cover crops in the genera Calapogonium, Crotoleria, Mucuna and Pueraria have been shown to effectively suppress Imperata growth and can be used to prevent and in some cases eradicate Imperata. Tree fallows with fast-growing species such as Sesbania sesban, Acacia nilotica and Leucaena leucocephala can improve soil physical and chemical properties and suppress weed growth. Forest plantations have been successfully used, particularly with the use of moderate to high tillage, weeding and fertilizer inputs to suppress Imperata growth. These plantations produce marketable wood and reclaim the site for other uses. Additional research is needed to evaluate the specific nature of competition and allelopathic effects from Imperata. Continued evaluation of tree species and provenances for Imperata suppression, forms of tillage after woody fallow crops and the constraints to adoption of cover crops and trees as Imperata control measures are also needed.     

萧氏松茎象的生活史和生态影响因子研究

萧氏松茎象在湖南省主要危害湿地松和马尾松。通过采用解剖林内虫害木的研究方法和林间的定期观察技术，对萧氏松茎象在湖南的生活习性及主要的生态影响因子进行了研究，研究结果表明萧氏松茎象在湖南的郴州两年发生一代，寄主种类、林分类型和林内植被直接影响萧氏松茎象的发生危害程度。     

Infection of Arceuthobium americanum by Colletotrichum gloeosporioides and its potential for inundative biological control

Inundative biological control of Arceuthobium americanum occurring on Pinus contorta var. latifolia with the fungus Colletotrichum gloeosporioides was investigated. Isolates of C. gloeosporioides were collected throughout British Columbia, Canada, and one isolate was selected for assessment based on its growth and sporulation in culture. The fungus was formulated using the ‘Stabileze’ method and inoculated onto A. americanum under field conditions. It became established on some replicates and there was a higher incidence of C. gloeosporioides on treated replicates than controls. In some replicates, the treatment reduced fruit production, leading to a decrease in the reproductive capacity of the dwarf mistletoe plant; however, the efficacy was highly variable and not significant.     

Biomass, basic density and biomass expansion factor functions for European beech (Fagus sylvatica L.) in Denmark

The objective of this study was to analyse the within-tree allocation of biomass and to develop biomass functions for above- and below-ground components of European beech in Denmark. Separate functions were developed for stem, branches, below-ground stump and root system, total above-ground biomass and total tree biomass. For each of these components or aggregate components, models were also developed for the average basic density of wood and bark. To enhance the versatility of the models, a function for estimating the biomass expansion factor (BEF) was also developed. The functions were based on 66 trees measured for total biomass. Model performance was evaluated based on 74 trees measured only for above-ground biomass. The trees were sampled in 18 different forest stands covering a wide range of tree sizes and stand treatments. Models were estimated using a linear mixed-effects procedure to account for within-stand correlations. The functions for biomass and BEFs included only diameter at breast height and total tree height for individual trees as predictor variables. Inclusion of additional variables reflecting site quality or stand density did not improve model performance. The functions for basic density included individual tree diameter, tree height and quadratic mean diameter as predictor variables, indicating an effect of stand density on the basic density of wood and bark.     

榆锐卷叶象甲生物学特性及防治方法

榆锐卷叶象甲以成虫和幼虫危害榆树叶片，在辽宁省抚顺地区1年发生1代，以成虫在地被物或表土层中越冬。翌年5月中旬开始活动并危害嫩叶，6月上旬为产卵盛期，6月中旬幼虫孵化，幼虫卷叶危害，致使整树树冠悬挂黑褐色枯死的卷叶，6月下旬化蛹，7月上旬至中旬达羽化高峰，成虫于7月下旬、8月上旬进入越冬状态。5月下旬用2．5％溴氢菊脂4000倍液或2．5％功夫乳油3000倍液，喷雾防治效果均在95％以上；7月下旬或翌年5月上旬，用拟除虫菊酯制成的毒笔，在树干基部涂两个闭合环，毒杀成虫。     

释放白蛾周氏啮小蜂生物防治美国白蛾试验

开展了释放白蛾周氏啮小蜂生物防治美国白蛾试验,结果表明:第1代美国白蛾老熟幼虫期和化蛹盛期分别为6月19,23日,第2代分别为7月30日、8月2日;释放孕蜂蛹60枚/hm2的防治效果较好,可达52.5%;繁育的孕蜂蛹在18-20℃时羽化出蜂受到显著抑制,从而避开阴雨天气的影响。     

榆凤蛾生物学特性观察与防治

榆凤蛾幼虫喜食榆树叶片,严重发生时,能将榆树叶片全部吃光。该虫在公主岭市1 a1代,以蛹越冬。成虫6月下旬羽化,幼虫为害期7月中旬至8月下旬。采用2.5%森得保可湿性粉剂600~800倍液或25.0%灭幼脲3号胶悬剂800~1 000倍液,防治1~3龄幼虫,杀虫率达95%以上。     

辽宁本溪地区女贞尺蠖生物学观察及防治试验

采用普查法和定点观测法研究本溪地区女贞尺蠖的分布、寄主、危害以及生活史,通过灯光诱捕和室内饲养喂药进行防治试验。结果显示:女贞尺蠖在本溪地区普遍发生,主要危害紫丁香、水曲柳等;该虫1 a发生1代,以2龄幼虫在土下越冬;用400 w黑光灯野外诱捕效果最好;室内筛选出高效杀虫剂敌百虫200倍液、氧化乐果800倍液和苦参碱600倍液,防治效果均达98%以上。