Biological Control of the Hibiscus Mealybug, Maconellicoccus Hirsutus Green (Hemiptera: Pseudococcidae) in the Caribbean

The hibiscus mealybug, Maconellicoccus hirsutus Green, was first reported in the Caribbean in 1994 in Grenada. This was the first record of the insect as a major pest in the New World. By the beginning of 2001, the pest had spread to over 25 territories from Guyana and Venezuela in the South to Bahamas in the North. The pest has also extended its distribution to Central America (Belize) and North America (California, USA). Early attempts to control the pest using pesticides resulted in failure and a classical biological control approach was adopted. Several exotic natural enemies were introduced but control was attributed to Anagyrus kamali Moursi and Cryptolaemus montrouzieri Mulsant. In all countries where biological control was implemented, this resulted in success. This paper reviews the remarkable success story. Information is provided on the distribution and factors leading to rapid spread of the pest, its pest status and resultant economic losses, and implementation of the biological control effort.     

Redesigning sugarcane for resistance to Australian canegrubs: a potential IPM component

Current management options to minimize the impact of canegrubs (larvae of melolonthine scarabs) on Australian sugarcane are heavily dependent on the use of synthetic insecticides. In developing a successful integrated pest management (IPM) programme for canegrubs, control options must be broadened. Plant resistance offers the potential for an easily deliverable and environmentally acceptable management option. Previous anecdotal reports suggest that Australian cultivars vary in their resistance to canegrubs. Many sugarcane clones (Saccharum spp. complex hybrids) have been screened and our studies have shown that there is variability in resistance through the reduction of the amount of tops, roots and stubble and in their effects on canegrub development and survival. Proteinase inhibitors, lectins and avidin have been identified as having activity against Australian canegrubs and are being introduced into the sugarcane genome. Toxins from Bacillus thuringiensis have shown little potential and are not being used further. We present a rationale for using resistant plants as a control option and for the incorporation of plant resistance into the breeding programme. Projected research will screen more sugarcane clones for resistance, study the nature of inheritance, identify chemical mechanisms involved in antibiotic effects, screen further antimetabolites for possible incorporation into the genome, prove the potential resistance of genetically engineered plants and incorporate plant resistance into an IPM programme for canegrubs.     

International plant protection; the role of FAO

Plant protection has many international aspects; it is also quickly changing, especially in relation to sustainability. FAO’s activities in plant protection are grouped in four major thrusts: plant quarantine, pesticide management, integrated pest management and migratory pest control. The International Plant Protection Convention defines the FAO’s activities in plant quarantine, while, in response to the GATT Uruguay Round, harmonization of plant quarantine is also being undertaken. Pesticide management activities address the International Code of Conduct on the Distribution and Use of Pesticides and standard setting on pesticide residues. Integrated Pest Management is the core of the plant protection programme, together with international coordination of migratory pest control. All these activities are complemented by technical assistance programmes, including assistance with the establishment of plant protection services.FAO’s activities remain a compromise between what member countries see as desirable and what is affordable. Long term commitment is required to achieve result. New functions in quarantine and pesticide management have been taken up, but the international assessment of pesticides needs urgent attention. The paradigm change away from pesticide use will require further international cooperation. Substantial research and a new control system is needed for locust control.     

Can increasing infestations by Rhynchophorus ferrugineus threaten endemic Chamaerops humilis in Sardinia (Italy)?

The red palm weevil, Rhynchophorus ferrugineus, is the most devastating pest of the Canary palm, Phoenix canariensis, in the Mediterranean Basin. Sporadic infestations have also been observed in other cultivated palm species and, above all, in the endemic European fan palm, Chamaerops humilis. Considering the high ecological importance of C. humilis in coastal ecosystems, the present paper gives an update on the status of R. ferrugineus infestations on the European fan palm in Sardinia (Italy). Since the introduction of R. ferrugineus into Sardinia, attacks of this pest on C. humilis have been limited but have increased in the last 2 years, including infestations on eight naturally growing palms in a Natura 2000 site. Male and female red palm weevils that emerged from C. humilis were similar in size to those of P. canariensis, indicating that the quality of these two feeding substrates is similar. The limited number of infested European fan palms observed so far suggests caution when predicting a rapid spread of this pest in cultivated and non‐cultivated C. humilis palms. Nonetheless, natural populations of C. humilis along western Mediterranean shores should be monitored in order to highlight the potential establishment of R. ferrugineus in these habitats.     

Integrated pest management in olive in the Mediterranean area1

The FAO Interregional Cooperative Research Network on Olives is working on plant protection with the main objective of setting up an integrated pest management system aimed at controlling the main insect pests attacking Mediterranean olive orchards. The study of the factors controlling populations of both olive pests and their natural parasites and predators has therefore taken a great share of that cooperative effort. This paper reviews the work developed so far, while describing the computerized pest management programme now in use in Spain. This is directed by the national and some regional Plant Protection Services and based on the cooperation of olive growers' associations named Agrupaciones para Tratamientos Integrados (ATRIAs). Each ATRIA provides the meteorological and insect population data needed for plant protection researchers to take decisions about where and when to treat each pest.     

Microwave treatment for pest control: the case of Rhynchophorus ferrugineus in Phoenix canariensis

Rhynchophorus ferrugineus (red palm weevil) is currently one of the major threats to palms in the Mediterranean area. No single technique developed up to now seems able to completely eradicate this pest. This paper introduces microwave treatment as an effective tool to help the control of this insect; the effect of microwave radiation on palm tissues and on the curculionid is described and discussed. The main advantage of microwaves is their eco‐compatibility, and preliminary results of their application to Rhynchophorus ferrugineus control are very promising.     

PM 10/13: Disinfestation of production site against Bemisia tabaci

Specific scope

This standard describes a treatment programme aimed at eradication of Bemisia tabaci in those parts of the EPPO region where it is not established, or for eradication of new and invasive biotypes. It is recognized that not all treatments (active substances) will be available in EPPO countries and emergency procedures (special restrictions) may be required to permit implementation of such an intensive treatment programme. A risk assessment of this programme will need to be made by individual countries in order to assess a particular situation. The programme may be adapted according to the national availability of the active substances and resistance profile of the pest.

Specific approval and amendment

First approved in 2009–09.

     

Induced resistance against leafminer eggs by extrusion in young potato plants

Abstract

Egg extrusion patterns were investigated as an inducible defensive mechanism in potato plants against the leafminer Liriomyza huidobrensis (Blanchard) (Diptera: Agromyzidae). Increased multiplication rates in leaf cells surrounding an egg of L. huidobrensis leads to its exposure through the leaf cuticle, which might increase the risk of mortality. Extrusion rates were evaluated in laboratory tests, in relation to plant and leaf age in Solanum tuberosum L. var. Spunta. Stratified field sampling was also carried out in order to assess leafminer distribution on new and old leaves. Extrusion was higher in young plants, being restricted in older ones to new, still expanding leaves. Plant reaction was independent of egg density. In the field, damage was concentrated in older foliage, in line with the extrusion results. The relevance of egg extrusion for pest management is discussed.     

The first report and control strategies of Tuta absoluta in Iran

In Iran, the tomato growing area is about 150 000 ha, mostly located in the south of the country. The Iranian Plant Protection Organization and inspection service in Iranian Research Institute of Plant Protection (IRIPP) prepared a monitoring program for this pest in 2009 and 2010. A technical guideline was issued and distributed among PPO inspectors. For the first time in November 2010, samples were collected by Uromiyeh PPO on tomato from Uromiyeh in Azarbaijan province in North West Iran. The specimens found in these samples were identified as Tuta absoluta. Three months later in January 2011, pheromone traps were placed in tomato growing areas in Borazjan, Busher province, to detect and monitor this pest. T. absoluta was identified, based on adult morphology and on male genitalia from moths collected in 5 of these traps during January 2011. More pheromone traps were put into place covering the entire tomato growing area throughout the country. As of June 2011, the pest was detected in 24 different locations. This is the first report of T. absoluta in Iran. T. absoluta is a very serious pest for tomato, and an outbreak of this pest is expected during the crop cycle in autumn and winter 2011–2012 in the south of Iran. Thus, based on experiences in other countries an IPM program according to available tools and materials was developed.     

The use of sniffing dogs for the detection of Rhynchophorus ferrugineus

The red palm weevil (RPW) Rhynchophorus ferrugineus (Olivier) (Coleoptera: Dryophthoridae) is the most serious pest of Canary Island date palms (Phoenix canariensis Hort. ex Chabaud) and date palms (Phoenix dactylifera L.). Early infestations of this invasive weevil are difficult to detect under field conditions. The adults are very elusive and not visible inside the dense frond of the palms. Efficient methods for detecting this pest are needed for its successful management under field conditions and in particular at ports of entry to avoid its' spreading via infested imported palms. The present study evaluated the ability of Rottweiler and Golden Retriever dogs (Canis familiaris L.) to detect Canary Island palms that were baited with RPW adults or larvae under field conditions. During these experiments, the dogs successfully detected 78% of the baits hidden in the crown of the palms. These encouraging results need to be confirmed by evaluation of the performance of sniffing dogs in detection of naturally infested palms of different species.     

Current status of red palm weevil in Turkey

The red palm weevil Rhynchophorus ferrugineus (Olivier) is the most serious pest of palms in Turkey. Weevil infestation was first detected in Turkey in summer 2005 in parks and gardens of Mersin province, along the Mediterreanean coast of Turkey. Following the discovery of the pest, destruction of infested plant material, prophylactic insecticide chemical treatments, as well as adult weevil trapping were carried out on palm plantations. Traps containing a commercial aggregation pheromone were hung on palm trees at a high density, in order to monitor the pest infestation and reduce the weevil population by mass trapping. A significant decrease in the number of trapped beetles and destruction of infested plant material was observed in 2009 and continued in the following years in several cities in Turkey. Therefore, it has been observed that mass trapping and curative pesticide applications have played a significant role in the suppression of R. ferrugineus populations in palm plantations.     

Field efficacy of imidacloprid and Steinernema carpocapsae in a chitosan formulation against the red palm weevil Rhynchophorus ferrugineus (Coleoptera: Curculionidae) in Phoenix canariensis

BACKGROUND: The invasive red palm weevil, Rhynchophorus ferrugineus (Olivier), has become the major pest of palms in the Mediterranean Basin. Chemical control against this species is difficult because of its cryptic habits and is mainly based on the repeated application of large quantities of synthetic insecticides. The aim of this work has been to evaluate in the field the efficacy of imidacloprid (Confidor^® 240 OD) and Steinernema carpocapsae Weiser with chitosan (Biorend R^® Palmeras) as soil and stipe treatments respectively, alone or in combination, against this pest. RESULTS: All treatments significantly reduced the mean number of immature stages of R. ferrugineus per palm. However, there were no significant differences among the different treatments considered. Efficacies ranged from 83.8 to 99.7% for the mean number of immature stages found in the palms and resulted in a significant increase in palm survival compared with the untreated control (75.0–90.0% versus 16.5% respectively). CONCLUSION: Both imidacloprid and S. carpocapsae in a chitosan formulation proved highly effective against R. ferrugineus in the field, and their efficacies did not significantly change when used in combination. Copyright © 2009 Society of Chemical Industry     

First report of the papaya mealybug,Paracoccus marginatus (Coccomorpha: Pseudococcidae), in Tahiti,French Polynesia

The papaya mealybug, Paracoccus marginatus Williams and Granara de Willing (Coccomorpha: Pseudococcidae), is a polyphagous pest that damages many tropical crops. It is native to Central America and spread to the Caribbean region and South America in the 1900s. Since then, it has accidentally been introduced to several islands in the Pacific region and some countries in Africa and Asia. The first record of this mealybug in Polynesia was in Hawaii, in 2004. This paper presents the first report of this pest in Tahiti (French Polynesia), where it was found in March 2017 on papaya (Carica papaya) and frangipani trees (Plumeria spp.). Its presence, which is mainly in the inhabited part of the island of Tahiti, suggests the recent introduction of the pest in French Polynesia. Several coccinellid predators have been found feeding on the mealybug in Tahiti: Cryptolaemus montrouzieri, Hyperaspis pantherina and Scymnus spp. None of its parasitoids have been found yet.     

First record of tomato leafminer Tuta absoluta Meyrick (Lepidoptera: Gelechiidae) in Kyrgyzstan

This short note reports the first record of the tomato leaf miner Tuta absoluta Meyrick (Lepidoptera: Gelechiidae) in Kyrgyzstan. This pest was found in February 2017 in greenhouses producing tomatoes, located 15 km from Bishkek. Identification of the pest was carried out in the Plant Protection Department, Çukurova University, Turkey based on the morphology of adults and larvae and the male genitalia. According to initial surveys this pest could be a major threat to tomato production in Kyrgyzstan.     

Risk maps for targeting exotic plant pest detection programs in the United States

In the United States, pest risk maps are used by the Cooperative Agricultural Pest Survey for spatial and temporal targeting of exotic plant pest detection programs. Methods are described to create standardized host distribution, climate and pathway risk maps for the top nationally ranked exotic pest targets. Two examples are provided to illustrate the risk mapping process: late wilt of corn (Harpophora maydis) and the giant African land snail (Achatina fulica). Host risk maps were made from county‐level crop census and USDA Forest Inventory and Analysis data, respectively. Climate risk maps were made using the North Carolina State University–USDA APHIS Plant Pest Forecasting System (NAPPFAST), which uses a web‐based graphical user interface to link climatic and geographic databases with interactive templates for biological modelling. Pathway risk maps were made using freight flow allocation data sets to move commodities from 7 world regions to 3162 US urban areas. A new aggregation technique based on the Pareto dominance principle was used to integrate maps of host abundance, climate and pathway risks into a single decision support product. The maps are publicly available online ( http://www.nappfast.org ). Key recommendations to improve the risk maps and their delivery systems are discussed.     

Melanaspis corticosa: a new insect pest of olive trees in Europe

The presence of the South African Obscure Scale, Melanaspis corticosa (Brain) (Hemiptera, Diaspididae), was detected infesting olive trees, in Portugal. The identity of the scale insect was confirmed based on both morphological and molecular studies. Until now, this species was only known in a few African countries, including Guinea, Mozambique, South Africa and Zimbabwe. This is the first record of this species in Europe and in the Palearctic region. The scale was observed in 15 different locations, in the Algarve, since its first detection at the end of 2016. Samples were collected between 21 December 2016 and 10 March 2022, covering all seasonal periods. Most of the sampling sites resulted from private requests from farmers and proprietaries received by the Plant Protection Division of the Regional Directorate of Agriculture. Although it is considered a polyphagous species, it was not observed in other plant species, besides olive trees. The actual dispersion in the region suggests that M. corticosa became established and has been expanded its distribution since its arrival. This scale insect is a potential injurious pest of olive trees and needs to be studied to clarify its pest status and develop effective pest management strategies.

     

Computer‐aided information systems of the Lithuanian NPPO*

The computerized information system of the Lithuanian NPPO connects all its subdivisions into a single network, including the Central Authority, the Regional Plant Protection and Quarantine Posts and the Plant Quarantine Border Posts. Besides covering the main administration, inspection and certification functions of the NPPO, it also includes the Phytosanitary Register, an information system on pest distribution, and a system on quality control of imported and exported fresh fruits and vegetables.     

Responses of Rhynchophorus ferrugineus adults to selected synthetic palm esters: electroantennographic studies and trap catches in an urban environment

BACKGROUND: The red palm weevil (RPW), Rhynchophorus ferrugineus Olivier, accidentally introduced into the European countries facing the Mediterranean basin, is becoming the most serious pest for ornamental palms in the urban environment. In the present work, tests were conducted on the electroantennogram (EAG) and behavioural responses of RPW adults to five selected synthetic palm esters, ethyl propionate, ethyl butyrate, ethyl isobutyrate, ethyl lactate and ethyl acetate, to assess the application of a mass trapping technique in an urban environment. RESULTS: In the laboratory, EAG bioassays on RPW adults with the synthetic palm esters showed: (1) positive dose‐dependent responses; (2) differences among the treatments; (3) a greater response to ethyl propionate; (4) a higher sensitivity of female antennae compared with male antennae. In the urban environment, RPW behavioural responses, evaluated over six biweekly observations on pheromone‐ and molasses‐ baited traps, showed that more adults were caught by traps supplemented with ethyl propionate and ethyl acetate than by traps supplemented with only ethyl propionate. Similar catches were recorded in the traps supplemented with ethyl propionate or ethyl acetate. CONCLUSION: This study supports the application of the mass trapping implemented with synthetic palm esters as a potential tool for the management of RPW populations to protect ornamental palms in urban environments. Copyright © 2010 Society of Chemical Industry     

考虑灌溉及气候变化条件下葡萄花翅小卷蛾在中国的潜在地理分布

葡萄花翅小卷蛾Lobesia botrana(DenisSchiffermüller,1775)是我国重要的检疫性害虫,目前尚未传入我国,为了解该害虫在中国的潜在地理分布,根据该物种在全球已知的最新分布情况,利用CLIMEX 4.0.2在考虑灌溉条件的情景下,预测其在不同气候条件下的潜在地理分布。结果显示,葡萄花翅小卷蛾在我国的潜在地理分布范围较广,我国的主要葡萄产区均为葡萄花翅小卷蛾的适生区,且随着气候变化,至2030年,葡萄花翅小卷蛾在我国黑龙江、青海、四川省的部分适生区有所增加,适生程度也有所提高。因此应加强对葡萄花翅小卷蛾的检疫力度,防止其传入我国,保护我国葡萄种植业的生产安全。     

IPM program development for an invasive pest: coordination, outreach and evaluation

BACKGROUND: Spotted wing drosophila (SWD), Drosophila suzukii Matsumura, was found along the west coast of the United States, beginning in 2008 and 2009, infesting a wide variety of small and stone fruit crops. This pest is a serious economic threat, as noted in its native range (Asia), because it lays eggs within ripening fruit before harvest, leading to crop loss. The aim of this paper is to describe the process in order to create collaboration, communication routes and evaluation methods in response to a new invasive pest. RESULTS: Funding was secured and a program (SWD*IPM) was quickly developed to address social, economic and biological components. Communication routes were outlined, and a stakeholder advisory panel was established to guide program objectives. A central website was created to host up‐to‐date information. An online monitoring and mapping program for D. suzukii in Oregon fruit‐growing regions illustrated the range, distribution and seasonal abundance of the pest. In addition, a program for backyard fruit growers was initiated to examine citizen scientists' roles in managing D. suzukii infestations in the urban setting. A monitoring kit, laminated educational cards, dry fly mounts and quick‐time videos were some of the tools used to educate growers. First‐year challenges for dealing with a new pest are discussed. CONCLUSION: The discovery and subsequent response to an exotic pest is information intensive and requires a well‐planned, coordinated Extension and evaluation effort. Copyright © 2011 Society of Chemical Industry