Field performance of Lynfield and McPhail traps for monitoring male and female sterile Bactrocera tryoni (Froggatt) and wild Dacus newmani (Perkins)

BACKGROUND: McPhail traps, baited with protein food lure, are used worldwide for surveillance of many species of fruit flies. Queensland fruit fly (Qfly) Bactrocera tryoni (Froggatt) (Diptera: Tephritidae) is a native Australian fruit fly and normally monitored using Lynfield traps baited with cuelure. On some occasions, McPhail traps with wet food lures are deployed to detect female flies or to find the incursion epicentre. This paper reviews field results on the merits of Lynfield and McPhail traps for detection of male and female Qfly. RESULTS: Following release of equal numbers of sterile males and females, Lynfield traps baited with cuelure captured more Qfly males than protein autolysate or orange concentrate in McPhail traps. Significantly more male than female Qfly were captured in McPhail traps baited with protein autolysate or orange. There was no significant difference between orange concentrate lure and protein autolysate lure in attracting either males or females. Another Australian native fruit fly, Dacus newmani (Perkins), was attracted to cuelure in Lynfield traps but not to either lure in McPhail traps. CONCLUSIONS: The data obtained run counter to the reputation of McPhail traps baited with protein autolysate or orange concentrate as a specialist lure/trap combination for female Qfly. Copyright © 2010 Society of Chemical Industry     

Female preference did not evolve under laboratory conditions in the solanaceous fruit fly Bactrocera latifrons

Sterile insect technique (SIT) is widely used to eradicate target pest species. Its effectiveness depends on the ability of released sterile males to mate with wild females. In pest species with a female choice mating system, there is potential for female preference to evolve in the wild population in view of the resulting zero-fitness in females that mate with sterile males. The evolution of female preference against sterile males can, therefore, reduce the efficiency of the SIT as the likelihood decreases that sterile males will mate with wild females. We examined this experimentally by using the solanaceous fruit fly Bactrocera latifrons, a serious pest of solanaceous crops, by allowing female preference in mass-reared fruit flies to select between fertile and sterile males over 12 generations. However, this did not generate a rapid evolutionary response. Also the remating rate of females did not increase, even when the first mating partner was a sterile male. We discuss the implication of the results for the eradication project by the SIT program.     

Lethal and sublethal effects of chlorantraniliprole on three species of Rhagoletis fruit flies (Diptera: Tephritidae)

BACKGROUND: Chlorantraniliprole formulated as a 350 g kg^?1 WG (Altacor 35WG) for management of apple maggot Rhagoletis pomonella (Walsh), blueberry maggot R. mendax Curran and cherry fruit fly R. cingulata (Loew) (Diptera: Tephritidae) was evaluated in laboratory assays and field trials. RESULTS: A tarsal contact toxicity bioassay showed that a surface residue of 500 mg L^?1 of chlorantraniliprole caused significantly higher mortality of male and female flies of all species compared with a control. Male apple maggot and blueberry maggot mortality was significantly higher than that for females, but there was similar mortality of male and female cherry fruit flies. An ingestion toxicity bioassay showed that 500 mg L^?1 of chlorantraniliprole in diet caused significantly higher mortality of male and female flies of all species than the control, but there were no significant differences among the sexes. Delayed egglaying by females that had ingested chlorantraniliprole was found, but there were no significant sublethal effects on either the number of eggs laid or the egg hatch. Field trials with apple maggot and cherry fruit fly showed that protection of fruit by chlorantraniliprole was comparable with that of standard broad‐spectrum insecticides. CONCLUSIONS: The present data indicate that chlorantraniliprole has suppressant activity against Rhagoletis fruit flies, preventing fruit infestation primarily through direct lethal effects. Copyright © 2008 Society of Chemical Industry     

Biological studies of the date stone beetle,Coccotr ypes dactyliperda

The date stone beetle,Coccotrypes dactyliperda F. (Coleoptera: Scolytidae), is a primary pest of green unripe dates. The adult beetle chews a characteristically round hole in the fruit, which results in the druit dropping 1 or 2 days later. Egglaying and entire development occur within galleries produced by the female in the date stone; males are unable to penetrate the stones. In laboratory cultures and in field-collected date stones, the beetle adult females were predominant (85-93%). Overwintering probably occurs in the adult stage within date stones of fruits which had dropped and were left on the ground. At 28°C the average egg incubation period was 5.9 days, larval duration 12–15 days, and pupal development 4.0 days. Development from egg to adult for females was significantly longer than for males (24.8vs. 22.1 days). Mated females produced males and females, whereas unmated females gave rise to males only. The mean number of progeny per mated female (30.4) was significantly higher than that recorded for unmated females (6.6), but the latter lived significantly longer (73.3vs. 62.9 days).     

宁夏回族自治区中宁县枸杞红瘿蚊生物学特性及发生规律

为绿色安全防控枸杞红瘿蚊Jaapiella sp.,于2016—2018年自宁夏回族自治区中宁县新堡镇宋营村枸杞种植基地枸杞上采集枸杞红瘿蚊,对其各虫态的形态特征、生活习性和成虫寿命等生物学特性进行室内观察,并对其年生活史及年发生规律进行田间调查。结果表明:枸杞红瘿蚊成虫羽化高度集中,羽化后的雌成虫不需要补充营养,便可立即求偶、交尾和产卵,孵化后幼虫取食子房,致使花蕾畸形膨大形成虫瘿,幼虫老熟后脱离虫瘿并弹跳入土结茧化蛹。成虫寿命极短,已交尾的雌、雄成虫平均寿命分别为41.8 h和38.3 h;未交尾的雌、雄成虫平均寿命分别为28.5 h和16.6 h。枸杞红瘿蚊每年发生6代,以老熟幼虫在地表土层中越冬,每年4月中旬至9月下旬为其为害期,其中第1代、第2代和第6代幼虫为害严重。枸杞红瘿蚊成虫发生高峰期有2个,分别为4—6月和9月。从4月枸杞红瘿蚊越冬代成虫陆续羽化开始,其成虫数量不断增长,4月和5月成虫数量分别为121头和167头,6月达到第1个高峰,为282头,随着枸杞秋枝萌发,9月枸杞红瘿蚊成虫数量又明显增多,达到第2个高峰,为117头。2017年4—10月从田间共收集788头成虫,雌成虫数量为420头,略高于雄成虫数量,雌雄比介于1.11～1.19之间。     

Studies on the Fecundity of Acarid Mites (Acarina: Acaridae)1

The effect of food on fecundity and its distribution during the life of Acarus siro L. was studied. In addition, the effect of repeated matings, of age of females and males, of parental age and of sex ratio on the fecundity of Tyrophagus putrescentiae (Schr.) was studied. Nutrition affects the total fecundity and its distribution in A. siro. The highest fecundity of T. putrescentiae females occurred when mating occurred more than once a week. The fecundity of ageing virgin females decreases gradually with delays in the time of the first mating. The effect of male's age is not significant until the age of 60 days onwards. Females descending from 100-day-old parents showed 25% lower fecundity than females from young parents. Density of males above the sex ratio 1:1 diminishes the fecundity of females molested by males. The higher the number of the males in the cage per female, the lower their fecundity.     

Spatial regression analysis of Ceratitis capitata Wiedemann (Diptera: Tephritidae) on Terceira Island,Azores

The fruit fly Ceratitis capitata Wiedemann is one of the most important threats to the trade of fresh fruits in the world due to its ability to survive in a wide range of hosts and climatic conditions. The main goal of this study is to evaluate if there is any significant relationship between the abundance of wild adults of C. capitata and the spatial characteristics of the location. The ordinary least squares estimation model calculated for each gender cannot provide a satisfactory general explanation for abundance of both genders of wild adults, yet it might generate some hypotheses about wild adult females of C. capitata fruit-seeking behaviour. Results from geographically weighted regression analysis can provide a satisfactory general explanation for abundance of both genders of wild adults. Both methods suggest that males are more dispersed than females, and because of that they might play an important role in scouting the surroundings for additional fruit hosts. The presence of some host-plants, even in places offering less protection (like pasture areas), provides an ecological corridor that supports the spread of wild adults of C. capitata.     

Preliminary inventory of hymenopteran parasitoids associated with fruit-infesting flies (Diptera: Tephritidae) in Northern Ghana

Baseline studies were conducted to determine the parasitoids associated with fruit flies in the northern savanna ecology of Ghana. Fruit fly puparia obtained from incubation of 17 host fruit species were maintained in rearing cages for the emergence of parasitoid wasps. Four species of braconid parasitoids namely, Fopius caudatus (Szépligeti), Psyttalia cosyrae (Wilkinson), Psyttalia concolor (Szépligeti) and Diachasmimorpha fullawayi (Silvestri) were recovered. F. caudatus was the most abundant parasitoid (61.0%) reared from most host fruits while D. fullawayi was the least abundant (7.7%). The overall mean parasitism rate was 7.1% with the highest record in Annona senegalensis Pers., Sarcocepholus latifolium S. Bruce and Icacina senegalensis Juss. Ceratitis cosyra and Bactrocera invadens were the fruit fly species most commonly reared that produced F. caudatus, and to a lesser extent, P. cosyrae. The peak occurrence of the parasitoids coincided with the peak of the rains and the maturity period of many of the host fruits. This first inventory of tephritid parasitoids in Ghana provides critical baseline data for biological control efforts in the future.     

Note:Capparimyia savastani (Martelli, 1911): A new record of tephritidae of economic significance for Spain

During a trial in Majorca (Balearic Islands) conducted in 2007 for the detection of parasitoids of the olive flyBactrocera oleae by using yellow sticky traps, a single female of the tephritidaeCapparimyia savastani (Martelli, 1911) was captured. This species had never been recorded previously either in the Balearics or mainland Spain. The larvae of this species feed on the edible flower buds of the common caper (Capparis sp.), thus being a potential pest of this crop. There has not been any previous study of the response of this diptera to the traps and attractants most commonly used in the area for the monitoring of other tephritidae of economic importance, such asB. oleae and the Mediterranean fruit flyCeratitis capitata. http://www.phytoparasitica.org posting May 30, 2008.     

桑椹瘿蚊生物学特性及其化学防控

为探索桑椹瘿蚊Cotarina sp.生物学特性,并进行有效地化学防控,通过调查桑椹瘿蚊的发生期,观察并记录其各部分形态特征,同时统计了乐果对桑椹瘿蚊的防治效果,并采用高效气相层析法测定了成熟桑椹中乐果的残留量。结果表明:桑椹瘿蚊为完全变态昆虫,经历卵、幼虫(休眠体)、蛹、成虫4个阶段,每年3月开始羽化为成虫,成虫不取食桑椹,可存活2~4 d,雌雄成虫傍晚交配,产卵于桑椹小果中,卵经6~7 d孵化为幼虫,幼虫从果柄中心取食桑椹,导致桑果局部畸形(干瘪)、早熟;幼虫经历3个龄期,老熟幼虫弹跳入土,形成休眠体进行越夏越冬,翌年2月化蛹。喷洒乐果乳剂1 000倍稀释液后,桑椹虫害率由83.3%降低到15.0%,被害桑椹虫口密度下降了89.3%;经高效气相色谱法分析,乐果残留量仅为0.75 mg/kg,低于国际标准,表明乐果对桑椹瘿蚊的防治效果较好。     

Phenology modelling of major insect pests in fruit orchards from biological basics to decision support: the forecasting tool SOPRA*

The forecasting tool SOPRA has been developed with the objective of optimizing timing of monitoring, management and control measures of insect pests in fruit orchards in Switzerland. Applying time‐varying distributed delay approaches, phenology‐models were developed driven by solar radiation, air temperature and soil temperature on hourly basis. Relationships between temperature and stage‐specific development rates for relevant stages of the life cycles were established under controlled laboratory conditions for Dysaphis plantaginea, Hoplocampa testudinea, Cydia pomonella, Grapholita lobarzewskii, Cacopsylla pyri, Rhagoletis cerasi, Anthonomus pomorum and Adoxophyes orana. The implementation of body temperatures in the models is based on habitat selection and biophysical modelling of habitat conditions. In order to validate modelling, phenology predictions were compared with several years of independent field observations. On the basis of local weather data, the age structure of the pest populations is simulated and crucial events for management activities are announced. Through a web interface, the simulation results are made available to consultants and growers ( http://www.sopra.info ) and the latter can be applied as a decision support system for the eight major insect pests of fruit orchards in the alpine valleys and north of the Alps on local and regional scale.     

Plant volatile compounds shorten reaction time and enhance attraction of the codling moth (Cydia pomonella) to codlemone

BACKGROUND: The codling moth is the most serious pest of deciduous tree fruit (apples, pears, crabapples, walnuts, quince) worldwide. The high frequency of insecticide treatments per season has resulted in breakdown of codling moth control owing to insecticide resistance. As an alternative, integrated pest management includes mating disruption to achieve population suppression in orchards. Under this scheme, the sex pheromone of the codling moth, (E, E)‐8,10‐dodecadien‐1‐ol (codlemone), is released from dispensers in crops to hinder mating by luring males. Increasing the attractiveness of codlemone formulations to codling moth males can be regarded as a key to increasing the efficacy of mating disruption. With this aim, the effects of adding plant volatiles on the behavioural responses of codling moth males to codlemone were tested. RESULTS: Adding R(+)‐limonene, linalool, (E)‐β‐farnesene or ethyl (E, Z)‐2,4‐decadienoate to codlemone significantly increases the proportion of males flying to the pheromone source in a wind tunnel. The response level is equivalent to that of males responding to females releasing codlemone. Using real‐time recordings, it is shown how these four plant products also shorten the response time of males to codlemone under the behavioural criteria time to activation, time till upwind flight is induced and time to pheromone source contact. CONCLUSION: Shortening the response time and increasing source location by males of dispensers releasing codlemone with R(+)‐limonene, linalool, (E)‐β‐farnesene or ethyl (E, Z)‐2,4‐decadienoate added would enhance mating disruption through better engagement of males with dispensers, to the detriment of females. Copyright © 2011 Society of Chemical Industry     

Evaluation of lufenuron as a chemosterilant against fruit flies of the genus Anastrepha (Diptera: Tephritidae)

BACKGROUND: Chemosterilisation with lufenuron bait stations is a recently developed technique that is being implemented for Ceratitis capitata Wiedemann control. The aim of this work was to evaluate the chemosterilising effect of lufenuron against four economically important Latin American fruit flies species: Anastrepha ludens (Loew.), A. obliqua Macquart, A. serpentina Wiedemann and A. striata Schiner (Diptera: Tephritidae) in order to design a similar strategy for their control. RESULTS: Sexually mature adults were treated by ingestion with concentrations ranging from 0.1 to 30.0 mg g^?1 of lufenuron in the diet. In addition, conspecific crosses with only one of the sexes being treated (30.0 mg g^?1) were performed in order to appraise the contribution of each sex to the sterilising effect. In all cases, fecundity was not affected by the treatments, as opposed to fertility where all Anastrepha species studied were significantly affected, although to different extents. The conspecific crosses showed that treated males of A. ludens, A. obliqua and A. serpentina were not able to transmit the sterility to their respective untreated females. Only in the case of A. striata did crossing treated males with untreated females significantly reduced egg hatch. CONCLUSION: Although further investigations are required, the present results demonstrate that the use of lufenuron for controlling A. striata could be potentially viable. Copyright © 2010 Society of Chemical Industry     

A wind-oriented sticky trap for evaluating the behavioural response of the leaf-beetle Diabrotica speciosa to cucurbit extracts

Cucurbitacins are plant defensive chemicals that attract many species of adapted insect herbivores such as luperine leaf beetles, and they have been employed in traps and toxic baits. Male and female beetles feed avidly on baits containing these compounds, but field trials have revealed that males find them far more attractive than females. A wind-oriented baited sticky trap was designed to evaluate the response of Diabrotica speciosa to cucurbit extracts, by means of a mark–release–recapture experiment. The spatial range of attraction was less than 20 m, and captures were almost exclusively of males (99.91%). Distance attraction for D. speciosa to a point-source of bitter cucurbit juices is probably exclusive to males. These conclusions probably apply to most Diabrotica species, of which many are crop pests.     

A bacterium against the tiger: further evidence of the potential of noninundative releases of males with manipulated Wolbachia infection in reducing fertility of Aedes albopictus field populations in Italy

BACKGROUND

Incompatible insect technique (IIT) is a population suppression approach based on the release of males with manipulated Wolbachia infection inducing egg inviability in wild females. We here present results of multiple field releases of incompatible ARwP males carried out in 2019 in a 2.7-ha green area within urban Rome (Italy) to assess the effect on Aedes albopictus egg viability. Data are compared with results obtained in 2018, when the approach was tested for the first time in Europe.

RESULTS

An average of 4674 ARwP males were released weekly for 7 weeks, resulting in a mean ARwP:wild male ratio of 1.1:1 (versus 0.7:1 in 2018). Egg-viability dynamics in ovitraps significantly varied between treated and control sites, with an estimated overall reduction of 35% (versus 15% in 2018). The estimated proportion of females classified as mated with ARwP males was 41.8% and the viability rate of eggs laid by these females (9.5%) was on average significantly lower than that of females only mated with wild males (87.8%); however, high variability in fertility was observed. Values of ARwP male competitiveness were 0.36 and 0.73 based on the overall viability rate of eggs in ovitraps and on female fertility, respectively; thus, well above the conventional 0.2 threshold for an effective suppressive impact in the field.

CONCLUSIONS

Results further support the potential of IIT as a tool to contribute to Ae. albopictus control in the urban context, stressing the need for larger field trials to evaluate the cost-efficacy of the approach in temperate regions. © 2023 The Authors. Pest Management Science published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd on behalf of Society of Chemical Industry.     

Bioactivity of compounds from Acmella oleracea against Tuta absoluta (Meyrick) (Lepidoptera: Gelechiidae) and selectivity to two non-target species

BACKGROUND: Tropical plants are recognised sources of bioactive compounds that can be used for pest control. The objective of this study was to evaluate the biological activity of compounds present in Acmella oleracea (Asteracea) against Tuta absoluta (Meyrick) (Lepidoptera: Gelechiidae), which is the main pest of tomato crops in Latin America. The selectivity of these compounds to the predator Solenopsis saevissima (Smith) (Hymenoptera: Formicidae) and to the pollinator Tetragonisca angustula (Latr.) (Hymenoptera: Apidae: Meliponinae) was also of interest. RESULTS: A bioassay screening with hexane and ethanol extracts from 23 plants was performed. The hexane extract of A. oleraceae was the most active of the extracts and was selected for further study. The following three alkamides were isolated from a hexane extract of the aerial parts of A. oleracea : spilanthol, (E)‐N‐isobutylundeca‐2‐en‐8,10‐diynamide and (R, E)‐N‐(2‐methylbutyl)undeca‐2‐en‐8,10‐diynamide. All of the isolated compounds showed insecticidal activity, with spilanthol being the most active (LD₅₀ = 0.13 µg mg^?1) against T. absoluta . The alkamides were selective to both beneficial species studied. CONCLUSION: The crude hexane extract of A. oleraceae showed high insecticidal activity and can be used to control T. absoluta in organic or conventional crops. Quantification of LD₅₀ values of isolated compounds against T. absoluta showed that alkamides could serve as potent insecticides for T. absoluta control programmes. Spilanthol was the main alkamide active isolated. This alkamide is the most promising as it has the highest insecticidal activity and is selective to non‐target organisms. Copyright © 2011 Society of Chemical Industry     

Night observations on the cotton leafworm,Spodoptera littoralis: Reliability of pheromone traps for population assessment and efficacy of widely separated pheromone dispensers for mating disruption

Night observations on the cotton leafworm,Spodoptera littoralis (Boisd.) (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae), were conducted in pheromone-treated and untreated plots in which males, females, mating pairs on plants, and males caught in traps were collected. Results indicated that emergence of a new population was rapid (8-9 days) and that the number of virgin females and of mating pairs on plants reached a peak 5–6 days prior to that of males captured in pheromone traps. Males responded to pheromone traps most actively when the actual virgin female popution had already declined considerably. Dispensers adsorbed with(Z,E)-9,11-tetradecadienyl acetate and located 25 m apart, effectively reduced male captures in traps. However, the number of native mating pairs observed in the treated field during the night was not reduced. Few releasers at wide spacing, even with high amounts of the major pheromonal component, were ineffective in causing mating disruption ofSpodoptera littoralis.     

Mating pair combinations of insecticide-treated male and female Nilaparvata lugens Stål (Hemiptera: Delphacidae) planthoppers influence protein content in the male accessory glands (MAGs) and vitellin content in both fat bodies and ovaries of adult females

The brown planthopper, Nilaparvata lugens (Stål) (Hemiptera: Delphacidae), is an insect pest in which offspring are produced by the mating of adult males with adult females. This species is a classic case in which pest resurgence is induced by insecticides. In the past, studies of resurgence mechanisms have focused on insecticide-induced stimulation of reproduction in adult females. To date, however, the role that males play in the resurgence mechanisms of N. lugens has not been investigated. The aim of the present study is to examine changes in protein levels in male accessory glands (MAGs) induced by the insecticides triazophos and deltamethrin and to determine their relationship with vitellin content in the fat bodies and ovaries of adult females in the context of mating pairs. Our results show that protein content in MAGs is significantly affected by male mating status, insecticide type, and insecticide concentration. Insecticide application induced increased protein levels in MAGs. A greater quantity of MAG products was transferred to females via mating. Thus, protein levels in MAGs significantly decreased after mating. Experimental matings indicate that vitellin content in both fat bodies and ovaries of adult females in mating pairs consisting of a treated male and an untreated female (♂_t × ♀_ck) is significantly greater than that of females in pairs consisting of an untreated male and an untreated female (♂_ck × ♀_ck). Under various concentrations of the two insecticides, vitellin levels are highest in mating pairs consisting of a treated male and a treated female (♂_t × ♀_t), followed by mating pairs consisting of an untreated male with a treated female (♂_ck × ♀_t). These findings demonstrate that (1) insecticides have an effect on males; (2) insecticide effect can be transferred to females; and (3) the reproductive effect of insecticides is strongest in mating pairs in which both the males and females are treated compared to pairs in which only one individual is treated. These findings provide valuable information about the role of males in pesticide-induced resurgence of N. lugens.     

粘虫雌蛾性信息素特征成分鉴定及其不同配比的室内引诱效果

为确定粘虫Mythimna separata(Walker)雌蛾的性信息素特征成分及其不同配比的室内引诱效果,采用气相色谱-质谱和气相色谱-触角电位联用技术检测了雌蛾性腺浸提液,并利用Y型嗅觉仪测定了粘虫雄蛾对不同配比性信息素特征成分的选择反应。结果显示,从粘虫的求偶雌蛾性腺浸提液中可分离到顺-11-十六碳烯醛、十六碳醛和顺-11-十六碳烯醇3种特征成分,在色谱柱中的保留时间依次为15.82、16.06和17.27 min,含量分别为3.37、1.83和0.10 ng,比例约为34∶18∶1。无论是天然存在于雌蛾性腺还是人工合成的顺-11-十六碳烯醛均能够激发雄蛾的电生理反应。顺-11-十六碳烯醛、十六碳醛和顺-11-十六碳烯醇不同配比对雄蛾表现出不同的引诱活性,最大引诱率达87%,极显著高于对照溶剂石蜡油对雄蛾的引诱率。表明顺-11-十六碳烯醛、十六碳醛和顺-11-十六碳烯醇为中国粘虫种群的雌蛾性信息素特征成分,且其不同配比对雄蛾有不同的引诱活性。     

The metabolism of the herbicide flamprop-methyl in rats and some comparative data for dogs,mice and rabbits

[¹⁴C]Flamprop-methyl administered orally to rats (3-4 mg kg^?1 body weight) was excreted mostly via the faeces (78.7 and 61.6% in males and females, respectively). Elimination was rapid and 90% of the dose of ¹⁴C was excreted in faeces and urine 0-48 h after dosing. The distribution of ¹⁴C between faeces and urine was different in males and females. No expired [¹⁴C]carbon dioxide was detected and less than 2% of the dose remained in the animals 4 days after dosing. The predominant metabolic pathway was hydrolysis of the ester bond to afford the carboxylic acid which was excreted unchanged and as its glucuronide conjugate. Aromatic hydroxylation occurred at the para- and meta-positions of the N-benzoyl ring. N-(3)-Chloro- 4-fluorophenyl-N-(3,4-dihydroxybenzoyl)-DL -alaninate was also formed. This hydroxylated form of flamprop-methyl was partially O-methylated at the 3-hydroxy group. Flamprop-methyl was also metabolised and eliminated rapidly by dogs, mice and rabbits. The last of these three species afforded very little aromatic hydroxylation and also differed from the others in that the metabolites were eliminated mostly in the urine. Aromatic hydroxylation lay in the order: male rat = female rat > dog= mouse>rabbit (female).