Effect of temperature on development and fecundity of Aphis gossypii Glover (Homoptera: Aphididae) on cucumber

The developmental time, survivorship and reproduction of Aphis gossypii Glover was evaluated on detached cucumber leaves at nine constant temperatures ranging from 15±1°C to 35±1°C in 2.5°C increments in the laboratory. Developmental periods of immature stages ranged from 10.8 days at 15°C to 4.1 days at 30°C and 32.5°C. Constant 35°C was lethal to immature stages of A. gossypii. The lower developmental threshold for the cotton aphid was estimated at 6.0°C and it required 92.6 degree–day development for a first instar to become adult. The average reproduction rate was 82.1 nymphs female^–1 at 25°C and 2.3 nymphs female^–1 at 32.5°C. The mean generation time of the population ranged from 6.8 days at 32.5°C to 22.8 days at 15°C. The highest per capita growth rate (r_m=0.526) occurred at 25°C and the lowest at 15°C (r_m=0.208) and 32.5°C (r_m=0.132). It was evident that temperatures over 30°C prolonged development, increased mortality of immature stages, shortened adult longevity and reduced fecundity. The optimal range of temperature for population growth of A. gossypii on cucumber was very broad and ranged between 22.5°C and 30°C.     

The infestation of Vicia faba L. (Fabaceae) by Aphis fabae (Scop.) (Homoptera: Aphididae) under the influence of Lamiaceae (Ocimum basilicum L. and Satureja hortensis L.)

Abtract The system Vicia faba–Aphis fabae fabae was studied under the influence of Ocimum basilicum (basil) and Satureja hortensis, in a wind tunnel, in the greenhouse and in field experiments. In the wind tunnel at 20°C both Lamiaceae were deterrent for A. fabae, and S. hortensis proved to be more deterrent than O. basilicum. In experiments in the greenhouse at low temperatures (average minimum 14.6°C, average maximum 24.1°C), A. fabae colonised first and significantly more intense Vicia fabae (field beans) not surrounded by O. basilicum or S. hortensis. At high temperatures (average minimum 18.0°C, average maximum 38.5°C) this relation was inverted: Vicia faba surrounded by the two Lamiaceae were preferred for colonisation (Ocimum basilicum significantly). It showed that pots with Lamiaceae were no obstacle for the aphids to reach Vicia faba. In strip cropping in the field, the repellent effect of Ocimum basilicum proved to be stronger than of Satureja hortensis. In 2002 there was observed only a tendency of lower aphid attack of field beans intercropped with Lamiaceae, while in 2004 and 2005 the infestation of Vicia faba by Aphis fabae was significantly lower in plots intercropped with basil. In plots with Satureja hortensis as intercrop, Vicia faba were significantly lower infested, after 3 weeks. The differences between the results of the wind tunnel/greenhouse at low temperatures, and the field experiments concerning the deterrence by Satureja hortensis cannot be explained. But basing on our results with Ocimum basilicum and those published by other authors, it is recommended to follow up intercropping, after a sincere analysis in every case, in favour of agronomists.     

Aphidicidal activity of some indigenous plant extracts against bean aphid <Emphasis Type="Italic">Aphis </Emphasis><Emphasis Type="Italic">craccivora</Emphasis> Koch (Homoptera: Aphididae)

Aphidicidal activity of hot and cold water extracts of some indigenous plants, Azadirachta indica A. Juss (neem), Calotropis procera (Aiton) W.T. Aiton (akanda), Polygonum hydropiper L. (biskatali) and Ipomoea sepiaria J. Koenig ex Roxb. (bankalmi), were tested against the bean aphid, Aphis craccivora Koch. Hot water extract of P. hydropiper and A. indica was found to be the most effective (87.6–94.5 and 80.47–89.6% mortality respectively, P < 0.01) among all the extracts. Other hot and cold water extracts also appeared to be useful (59.5–87.5% mortality) as pesticides for A. craccivora. The highest yield (3.25 kg per plant) was obtained using hot water extract of P. hydropiper followed by hot water extract of A. indica (3.15 kg per plant). The lowest yield (0.32 kg per plant) was recorded from the control block. All the phytoproduct treatments had significantly (P < 0.01) better yield than the control block.     

Relationships between mass mortality of two oak species (Quercus mongolica Turcz. var.grosseserrata Rehd. et Wils. andQ. serrata Thunb.) and infestation by and reproduction ofPlatypus quercivorus (Murayama) (coleoptera: Platypodidae)

This study investigated the number of adults ofPlatypus quercivorus (Murayama) captured on host oak (Quercus spp.) trees, the attack density (the number of entry holes per 100 cm²), and the number of emerging adults to clarify the relationships between the beetle’s colonization on trees in oak stands and tree mortality. The initial attack ofP. quercivorus, which was the most intense attack, was observed on most living trees simultaneously. Although some attacked trees died within the year of the attack or in the next year, a high density of attack did not usually cause the death of host trees. Surviving trees suffered low levels of consecutive attack after the initial attack. BecauseP. quercivorus successfully produced broods only in the dead trees, the population of the insect seems to be maintained only in stands where oak mortality occurs. However, the adults that landed on most of the surviving trees appeared unable to reproduce probably due to degradation of host quality. Thus, oak mortality probably ceases within 3 or 4 years after the start of infestation in a stand, with subsequent reductions in population density of the borer.     

Contribution of cultivated crops,vegetables, weeds and ornamental plants in harboring of <Emphasis Type="Italic">Bemisia tabaci </Emphasis>(Homoptera: Aleyrodidae) and associated parasitoids (Hymenoptera: Aphelinidae) in cotton agroecosystem in Pakistan

The population dynamics of Bemisia tabaci and its parasitoids was studied on Gossypium hirsutum, Cucumis melo, Helianthus annus, Glycine max, Solanum melangena, Cucurbita pepo melopopo, Bauhinia pupurea, Morus alba, Albizzia lebbek, Lantana camara, Achyranthus aspera, and Convolvulus arvensis in cotton growing areas of Punjab, Pakistan during 2004 and 2005. Whitefly infested leaves having maximum number of second to third instar were collected and kept in glass petri dishes with lid on at 28 ± 2°C and 65 ± 3% RH. Mean population of whitefly adults that emerged per 200 cm² leaf area per sampling period recorded was maximum on G. hirsutum (43.2), followed by C. melo (31.5), L. camara (23.0), H. annus (20.5), G. max (19.3), C. pepo melopopo (18.1), S. melangena (16.9), A. aspera (11.2), C. arvensis (9.2), B. pupurea (5.4), M. alba (5.3) and A. lebbek (5.0). Percentage parasitism was higher on G. hirsutum (44.3%), followed by C. melo (38.9%), A. aspera (38.3%), L. camara (38.1%), A. lebbek (35.3%), G. max (33.5%), C. arvensis (33.0%), M. alba (31.1%), B. pupurea (27.0%), S. melangena (24.8%), C. pepo melopopo (16.1%) and H. annus (15.2%). Overall the population of whitefly remained low during winter (November–February) and high during summer (May–August) whereas, the percentage parasitism was higher during June–September and lower during December–February. The study revealed that the availability of parasitoids could be enhanced by planting L. camara, B. pupurea, A. lebbek and M. alba in the cotton growing area.     

Host plant range and biology of Lixus nordmanni Hochhuth (Coleoptera, Curculionidae) on hogweed Heracleum L. in eastern Turkey

The biology and host plant range of Lixus nordmanni Hochhuth were studied in the eastern part of Turkey. This weevil feeds and grows on Heracleum trachyloma Fisch. et C.A. Mey, Heracleum sosnowskyi Manden, Heracleum pastinacifolium C. Koch, H. platytaenium Boiss., Angelica sylvestris L. and Falcaria sp. of the family Apiaceae (=Umbellifera). In the early spring, adults emerged from overwintering places and started feeding on host plants. After feeding for several days on leaves, they mated and laid eggs on the main stem of a host. After emergence, larvae fed in stems up to late summer and pupated in the same places. Pupae were found at the beginning of autumn and then adults of the new generation emerged from the stem. Most of adults overwinter under dry plants at rootneck and under stones. L. nordmanni have one generation per year in eastern Anatolia. This Caucasian weevil species is recorded for the first time for Turkish fauna. The biology and host plant records are presented.     

Effects of temperature on reproductive capacity and longevity of Trissolcus simoni, an egg parasitoid of Eurygaster integriceps

In order to understand the effects of temperature on Trissolcus simoni, some parameters of the life tables of adult parasitoids were investigated under laboratory conditions. The following parameters were measured (the values in parentheses were obtained at 20, 26, and 32 °C temperatures, respectively): net reproductive rate (R_o=37.785, 40.301, and 58.299), intrinsic rate of population increase (r_m=0.111, 0.221, and 0.325), generation time (T=32.77, 16.60, and 12.49 days), doubling time (DT=6.245, 3.136, and 2.133), and finite rate of increase (=1.117, 1.247, and 1.385). Fecundity increased with increasing temperature. The values for total number of eggs deposited per female were 50.1, 64.1, and 68.1, and average female longevity was 24.2, 13.8, and 11.1 days at 20, 26, and 32°C, respectively. Temperature had a significant effect on longevity and oviposition and post-oviposition periods. The results of the study are discussed and compared with life-table parameters of other scelionids.     

Importation, colonization and establishment of Coccophagus cowperi Gir. (Hymenoptera: Aphelinidae) on Saissetia coffeae (Walk.)(Homoptera: Coccidae) in Egypt

The hemispherical soft scale, Saissetia coffeae (Walker) (Homoptera: Coccidae), is one of the most important pests attacking olive trees in Egypt. During the period 2001–2003, a total of about 300,000 individuals of the parasitoid Coccophagus cowperi Girault (Hymenoptera: Aphelinidae), obtained from India, was released at 35 sites for the biological control of S.coffeae on olive trees in Egypt. The maximum parasitism rates reached 53 and 62%, while average parasitism rates were 17.2 and 30.8% in the Marsy Mattrouh and El-Arish locations, respectively. These results indicate establishment of this parasitoid on this important economic plant in Egypt.     

Effect of soybean cultivar on life history parameters of <Emphasis Type="Italic">Tetranychus urticae</Emphasis> Koch (Acari: Tetranychidae)

The two-spotted spider mite, Tetranychus urticae Koch, is a very polyphagous pest with a worldwide distribution. In order to appraise population growth parameters of this pest, samples of two-spotted spider mites were taken from soybean (Glycine max) fields of Moghan region, Iran in June 2007 and are reared on bean plants var. Derakhshan (Phaseolus vulgaris) in a growth chamber. The life table parameters of this pest were calculated on three commercial soybean cultivars (Zane, Hach, and L17) and one hybrid (Hob × Will) at 25 ± 1°C, 60 ± 10%RH, and 16 h photophase. The developmental times of immature stages varied from 9.69 on Hach to 9.82 days on L17, whereas the immature survival was 57–79% on Hach and Hob × Will, respectively. On average, there were 65.5, 40.8, 38.8 and 34 eggs produced per female on L17, Hach, Hob × Will and Zane, respectively. The intrinsic rate of natural increase (r _m ) for T. urticae on Hob × Will was the highest, whereas the values for r _m ranged from 0.211 (females/female/day) on Zane to 0.292 on Hob × Will. Also, jackknife values of other life table parameters such as net reproductive rate (R ₀), generation times (T), doubling time (DT), and finite rate of increase (λ) on these cultivars were estimated. Overall, the two-spotted spider mite indicated a better performance on Hob × Will than on the other soybean cultivars.     

Effect of cold storage and different diets on <Emphasis Type="Italic">Ephestia kuehniella</Emphasis> Zeller (Lep:Pyralidae)

Ephestia kuehniella adults were stored at 10°C for 1–10 weeks. Reproductive ability and number of living adults decreased depending on the length of the storage period. Long-term exposure to cold lengthened the life of the adults and 50% mortality was reached after 6 weeks. To obtain complete mortality and sterility 10 weeks of storage was needed. The larvae reared on corn flour diet developed to the adult stage more rapidly than that of the other treatments. The adults reared on oat flour produced significantly more eggs than the other diets. There was no difference among diets with regard to emergence rate, longevity or sex ration of E. kuehniella adults. Trichogramma evanescens did not differentiate among hosts from different food sources with respect to parasitization, adult emergence and sex ratio. The suitability of the eggs from cold-exposed adults with respect to parasitization was found to be the same as the control during the first 3 weeks.     

Expansion of the aphid Myzocallis (Lineomyzocallis) walshii (Monell) on the red oak Quercus rubra, and adaptation of local parasitoids in the northeastern Iberian Peninsula (Hom., Aphididae, Calaphidinae; Hym., Braconidae, Aphidiinae)

An ongoing expansion of Myzocallis (L.) walshii (Monell) in the NE Iberian Peninsula was detected. The aphid species was recorded in Catalonia, Andorra and Navarra. Adaptation of local native parasitoids (at least Trioxys pallidus Haliday and T. tenuicaudus Stary) to the new immigrant was documented, together with background information on their host range in the native environments. The detection of parasitoids of M. walshii is the first published evidence in Europe. The new evidence for M. walshii in the NE Iberian Peninsula also supports the warning of the expansion of the aphid as a pest of Quercus rubra over Europe.     

Factors influencing the parasitism of codling moth eggs by Trichogramma cacoeciae March. and T. principium Sug. et Sor. (Hymen. Trichogrammatidae)

Non-choice laboratory experiments were conducted to evaluate the influence of host acceptance, previous rearing host, host age and the contact time between parasitoids and host on the efficacy of Trichogramma cacoeciae Marchal and T. principum Sug. et Sor. against the codling moth Cydia pomonella. The tendency of T. cacoeciae and T. principum females to attack the codling moth was similar to E. kuehniella, and it was not affected by the previous rearing host. T. cacoeciae showed a greater preference for codling moth eggs than T. principum. A high mean number of emerged F₁ progeny was observed when both parasitoids were sequentially reared on codling moths. Codling moth acceptance, the number of parasitized eggs and the number of emerged progeny were higher when younger codling moth eggs were offered. The tendency of female parasitoids to oviposit remained unchanged when the contact time with the host was prolonged. When the contact time was increased, the number of parasitized eggs and emerged offspring was higher. The results showed that the codling moth fertility (egg hatch) was reduced when younger eggs were offered and when the contact time with the parasitoids was increased. T. cacoeciae was more efficient in reducing codling moth fertility. The current study provided essential information necessary to increase the efficiency of T. cacoeciae and T. principum against the codling moth.     

Effects of repeated and delayed exposure to codling moth eggs on reproduction of Trichogramma cacoeciae and T. principium (Hymenoptera: Trichogrammatidae) females

Laboratory experiments were conducted to evaluate the influence of repeated and delayed exposure to fresh codling moth eggs on the parasitism of Trichogramma cacoeciae Marchal and T. principium Sug. et Sor. The percentage survival of T. cacoeciae and T. principium females significantly declined as the number of exposure times increased (or as the females became older). The highest mean number of parasitized eggs and F₁ progeny were recorded during the first day of exposure, after which they declined. However, the percentage mortality of parasitized eggs of T. cacoeciae and T. principium was negatively correlated with repeated exposure. When the exposure of T. cacoeciae and T. principium females to host eggs was delayed for 3 days after emergence, the percentage of oviposited females was not affected; however, the mean number of parasitized eggs, F₁ individuals and the percentage mortality declined significantly. The current study provided essential information necessary to determine the optimal timing of parasitoid releases to increase the efficiency of T. cacoeciae and T. principium against codling moth.     

A study on some anatomical parameters of the piercing-sucking process in leaves and branches of<Emphasis Type="Italic"> Pittosporum tobira</Emphasis> L. (Pittosporaceae) infested by the cottony cushion scale,<Emphasis Type="Italic"> Icerya purchasi</Emphasis> Maskell (Homoptera: Coccina,Margarodidae)

Pittosporum tobira L. (Family Pittosporaceae) is an important plant species grown in parks and gardens in Turkey. The cottony cushion scale, Icerya purchasi Maskell (Homoptera: Coccina, Margarodidae), is an important pest of P. tobira, and causes damage mainly to the leaves, branches and stems of the host plant. In spite of the great economic importance of I. purchasi to its host plant P. tobira, information has been limited on some basic anatomical parameters of the nature of the damage to leaves and branches. The present study was, therefore, initiated to investigate the insertion and penetration of stylets into the leaves and branches of P. tobira, the length of stylets and depth of penetration in both of these tissues, and penetration of stylets into the cortex, xylem and phloem tissues and into the secretory and non-secretory canals of the leaves and branches. The results showed great variations between the leaves and branches in all the criteria observed in I. purchasi infesting P. tobira. The study found 20 whole and 23 broken mouthparts in the leaves as compared to 3 whole mouthparts and 1 broken in the branches. Length of the stylets inserted into the leaves ranged from 33.83 m to 540.93 m and into the branches from 202.85 m to 340.8 m. The stylets reached greater depths in the leaves, at 540.93 m, as compared to 498.67 m in the branches. The stylets in the leaves were associated with 12 secretory canals, but with none in the branches. It was found that three stylets reached xylem in the leaves as compared to one in the branches. Similarly, 17 stylets in the leaves reached to the phloem, but only 2 in the branches. No stylets were found in the cortex of the leaves, but one was found in the branches. In the leaves, 11 stylets reached and remained in the non-secretory canals, but none in the case of the branches.     

Effect of support on the growth of a woody vine,Wisteria floribunda DC. (Leguminosae)

Seedling ofWisteria floribunda, which belongs to the twiner type of climbing plants, were planted in nursery and the effect of support on the growth of the seedlings was tested. The seedlings were grown with 240 cm-height and 120 cm-height supports (the culms of a dwarf bamboo), and without support. Positive effect of the supports and its length were observed for stem length ofW. floribunda at the end of the growing season. The positive effect of support was also observed for total dry weight. Total dry weight with 240 cm-height support reached more than the double of the seedlings without support. These effects of the support were attributed to die-back behavior of the twining stem, which detached from the support or did not encounter the support. Diameter of the stems without support showed a rapid decrease toward the stem tip, while that with support were relatively constant when they were twining around the support. The existence of the support also affected the dry matter allocation in this species; supported seedlings allocated larger proportion of biomass to current-year stems than unsupported seedlings, although the allocation to the roots was smaller in the supported treatments. Support availability may be critical for the establishment and further growth of the seedlings ofW. floribunda which regenerate at the forest edge and canopy gaps. A part of this report was presented at the 107th Annual Meeting of the Japanese Forestry Society, at Tsukuba, April, 1996.     

Effect of the application of the leaf mulch of Gliricidia sepium on early development,leaf nutrient contents and tuber yields of water yam (Dioscorea alata)

This paper describes the effects of the leaf mulch of Gliricidia sepium on the development and yield of Water Yam, Dioscorea alata. Using leaf mulch, the time taken for the yam setts to sprout can be shortened by approximately 20 percent.Organic mulches contain considerable quantities of plant nutrients. Increasing amounts of mulch improved the leaf nutrient contents of the yam crop and resulted in significantly higher tuber yields. Over a tuber yield range up to c. 15 tons ha^–1 each additional ton DM Gliricidia sepium mulch applied resulted in a yield increment of about 2 ton yam tubers. A nutrient supply — nutrient extraction balance is discussed, comparing mulch applied and yam tubers harvested.Mulching as agricultural technique is a useful and affordable tool in adapting low external input cropping systems to local economic and environmental conditions.     

Studies on phenology and harmfulness of Aceria carvi Nal. (Acari: Eriophyidae) on caraway, Carum carvi L., in the Czech Republic

Caraway (Carum carvi L.) belongs to the traditional crops which have been grown in Bohemia since the end of the 19th century. Depressaria daucella (Denis and Schiffermüller) and Aceria carvi Nal. are two main pests of caraway in the Czech Republic. The latter becomes a serious problem in major caraway-growing areas. So far, no effective method for its control is known. The aim of this paper is to describe the phenology of symptoms of A. carvi infestation and damage caused by this pest. Our observation revealed that although A. carvi overwinters hidden within leaves of young caraway plants, the first symptoms are usually not visible before the start of flowering. Though the initial density of the pest is low, the mite population multiplies during the season when the pest attacks plant tissues and causes development of galls on leaves and flowers. Comparison of healthy plants and plants infested by A. carvi showed that infested plants had significantly more umbels but produced far fewer seeds, and the yield of caraway was thus substantially decreased. Recommendations for crop management methods to suppress the pest are given.Electronic Supplementary Material Supplementary material is available for this article at     

Effects of nest hoarding on foraging behavior of two species of Apodemus mice,A. speciosus and A. argenteus (Rodentia: Muridae)

Food hoarding is one of the determinant factors of foraging behavior and benefits the hoarder. Two species of Apodemus mice, A. speciosus Temminck and A. argenteus Temminck, hoard acorns for later use. In 1988 and 1989, I conducted laboratory experiments to reveal the effects of food hoarding in the nest on the foraging behavior of these mice. I released a mouse into an indoor arena (2.8 × 2.8m) and recorded the foraging behavior of four female A. speciosus and four female A. argenteus mice in sessions with and without food hoarding in the nest box. Nest hoarding did not affect the time that a mouse allotted to excursions or the number of peanuts that a mouse ate during the night, but decreased the number of peanuts handled and the intensity of food handling (the number of handled peanuts per visit) at the food stations. The decrease in food handling outside the nest box, which seemed to be beneficial to the survival and reproduction of the hoarder in the field, was more apparent in A. speciosus than in A. argenteus. The different behavioral responses in foraging behavior to nest hoarding between two Apodemus mice may be related to their different microhabitat preferences.