Natural enemies of the bagworm, Metisa plana Walker (Lepidoptera: Psychidae) and their impact on host population regulation

The bagworm, Metisa plana (Lepidoptera: Psychidae) is an important pest of oil palm, capable of being present as outbreak, which could cause a crop loss of up to 44%. Circumstantial evidence has long indicated that natural enemies play an important role in the population regulation of this pest. However, direct field data on the enemies themselves has been lacking.

A field study on a population of M. plana was made at PORIM Kluang, Johor, Malaysia from September 1988 to December 1992. The population of bagworm was initially high (late 1988, up to 38 larvae/frond, and in early 1990, up to 30 larvae/frond) but remained extremely low in the subsequent period (< 10 larvae/frond).

The population of M. plana was affected by both primary and secondary parasitoids and predators. Among the primary parasitoids, Dolichogenidea metesae was the most pronounced larval parasitoid of M. plana. This parasitoid was commonly attacked by hyperparasitoids, particularly Pediobius anomalus and Pediobius imbreus. A hypothetical life table constructed from the mortality figures of the declining part of the population during late 1988 confirmed that the natural enemies played a key role in suppressing the bagworm population.

The present study confirmed that overlapping generations were vital for the persistence of parasitoids of M. plana. The paper also suggested a possible need of alternative hosts. An active predator, Callimerus arcufer was also commonly encountered.     

Effect of host plant resistance and insecticide on brown planthopper Nilaparvata lugens (Stål) and predator population development in the Mekong Delta, Vietnam

Crop yield and populations of brown planthopper Nilaparvata lugens (Stål), whitebacked planthopper Sogatella furcifera (Horvath) (Homoptera: Delphacidae), green leafhopper Nephotettix spp. (Homoptera: Cicadellidae), and hemipteran and spider predators were monitored on rice varieties susceptible, moderately resistant, and highly resistant to N. lugens, under insecticide-treated and insecticide-free conditions. Nilaparvata lugens outbreaks and hopperburned plants were observed only in plots of the insecticide-treated susceptible varieties. In insecticide-free plots, the yield of the susceptible variety was lower than those of resistant varieties in only one of four seasons. In plots of a moderately resistant and a highly resistant variety, populations of N. lugens, S. furcifera, Nephotettix spp., and predators were generally similar, and yields did not differ, under both insecticide-treated and insecticide-free conditions. In insecticide-free plots, predator-N. lugens ratios were generally higher on resistant varieties than susceptible varieties. Two conclusions can'be drawn from our results relevant to the question of what levels of N. lugens host plant resistance are appropriate for farmers who do not overuse insecticides. First, susceptible varieties will not necessarily be damaged by N. lugens, even when N. lugens outbreaks occur in adjacent plots. Second, moderate and high levels of N. lugens resistance do not appear to be incompatible with biological control of N. lugens or other homopteran pests.     

云南河口芒果主要病虫害发生规律调查及害虫天敌种类研究

通过对湿热地区云南河口县芒果园内的5种主要病虫害发生规律进行调查,根据调查情况对芒果白粉病、炭疽病,芒果横线尾夜蛾、芒果切叶象甲、桔小实蝇等5种发生程度较重的病虫害进行发生危害情况的相关分析,同时对云南河口地区芒果害虫天敌进行搜集、调查及鉴定,调查鉴定结果表明：共有天敌昆虫24种,其中寄生性天敌11种,分属于2目5科;捕食性天敌昆虫21种,分属于5目8科。调查结果对于生产上科学制定芒果病虫害防治措施具有重要的意义。     

Use of CLSA and SPME-headspace techniques followed by GC-MS analysis to extract and identify the floral odorants

Flowers of Ziziphus spina christi are known to be attractive for parasitoids and predators. In Y-tube olfactometer experiments, the dried flowers attracted significantly (p < 0.001) the female parasitoids Aphelinus abdominalis. The flower volatile compounds were analyzed to understand which compounds could be specifically responsible for this attractiveness. The volatile compounds of Ziziphus flowers were extracted by closed-loop-stripping-analysis (CLSA) and also by solid phase microextraction (SPME) followed by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS) analysis. The main chemical classes of the volatile compounds are aldehydes, monoterpene-alcohols, ketones and hydrocarbons. Flower extract and some specific compounds will be further tested for their responsiveness to predators and parasitoids in behavioural and electrophysiological experiments.     

Parasitoids of the grapeleaf skeletonizer, Harrisina brillians Barnes and McDunnough (Lepidoptera: Zygaenidae) in northwestern Mexico

Nine species of parasitoids were collected from pupae of the grapeleaf skeletonizer, Harrisina brillians Barnes and McDunnough (Lepidoptera: Zygaenidae) in Caborca, Sonora in northwestern Mexico. The parasitoids detected and the percentage parasitization observed were: Ametadoria misella (Wulp), (Diptera: Tachinidae) 29.3%; Hockeria rubra (Ash.), and a species from the genus Euchalcidia (Hymenoptera: Chalcididae), plus five suspected species, all from the family Eulophidae, and a species from the genus Arachnophaga (Hymenoptera: Eupelmidae), 21.6%. Mortality due to unknown causes was 13.7%. In all, 64.6% parasitization and mortality was observed. The most abundant parasitoids were the five unidentified suspected species of Eulophidae, which corresponded to 46% of the total collected; the species from the genus Euchalcidia made up 31% of the total; the tachinid fly, Ametadoria misella comprised 15%; Hockeria rubra comprised 8%, and the species from the genus Arachnophaga comprised < 1%.     

海南桑螟寄生蜂种类及优势种的寄生特性研究

为明确桑树主要害虫桑螟的天敌寄生蜂资源及其寄生特性并利用生物防治措施有效控制桑螟的危害,对海南主要桑园桑螟寄生蜂进行了系统调查和研究。结果表明,海南桑螟天敌寄生蜂主要有5种,分别为桑螟绒茧蜂Apanteles heterusiae Wilkinson、食心虫白茧蜂Phanerotoma planifrons Nees、红铃虫甲腹茧蜂Chelonus pectinophorae Cushman、菲岛长距茧蜂Macrocentrus philippinensis Ashmead和广大腿小蜂Brachymeria lasus Walker。其中,桑螟绒茧蜂为优势种,田间寄生率高达63.24%,1头桑螟幼虫可出蜂3~16头;其他4种寄生蜂均为单寄生,田间平均寄生率依次为9.15%、6.21%、5.62%和5.24%。室内寄生特性研究发现,桑螟绒茧蜂对桑螟龄期和密度具有选择性,主要寄生1龄和2龄桑螟幼虫,偶尔寄生3龄幼虫,仅在1龄桑螟幼虫密度为9和2龄密度为8头时寄生率最高,且出蜂量最大。待被寄生桑螟幼虫发育至5龄时从桑螟体内啮出,并在5~7 h内结茧化蛹,啮出幼虫可全部化蛹,4~5 d后羽化,羽化率为33.33%~ 100%,性比为0~87.50%,成蜂寿命为1~3 d,多为2 d,雄蜂寿命略短于雌蜂。未观察到桑螟绒茧蜂寄生家蚕。研究为桑螟绒茧蜂的规模化繁育和利用提供前提。     

海南百香果病虫害种类调查鉴定及其发生危害

百香果是海南省的新兴产业,也是我国多个省区扶贫攻坚的重要产业。病虫害是影响百香果产业的重要因素,随着海南百香果种植面积越来越大,病虫害对百香果产业的不利影响越来越凸显。由于缺乏百香果病虫害种类调查鉴定的基础性研究,许多种植户对田间发生的病虫害种类识别不足,从而影响了百香果病虫害的防控效果。为了摸清海南百香果种植区的病虫害种类,于2019—2021年对海南省儋州市、乐东县、屯昌县、文昌市、三亚市、东方市、保亭县、白沙县、海口市等百香果种植区的病虫害进行了系统调查与鉴定,并对其发生危害特点进行了研究。鉴定发现海南百香果种植区的病害有11种,分别是病毒病、茎基腐病、炭疽病、疮痂病、疫病、灰霉病、果腐病、褐斑病、烟煤病、藻斑病和缺镁。重要病害为病毒病和茎基腐病,危害程度分别为4级和3级,炭疽病和疮痂病危害也较重,危害程度均为2级,其他病害危害较轻。害虫有28种,分别是黄胸蓟马、茶黄蓟马、红带蓟马、美洲棘蓟马、普通大蓟马、咖啡木蠹蛾、美洲斑潜蝇、橘小实蝇、斜纹夜蛾、双线盗毒蛾、绿丽刺蛾、白带锯蛱蝶、烟粉虱、温室白粉虱、柑橘粉蚧、木槿曼粉蚧、藤壶蜡蚧、茶角盲蝽、樟颈曼盲蝽、稻绿蝽、中稻缘蝽、茶小绿叶蝉、丽球瓢蜡蝉、绿鳞象甲、眼斑芫菁、白条豆芫菁、甘薯梳龟甲和朱砂叶螨。重要害虫为黄胸蓟马和咖啡木蠹蛾,危害程度均为3级,茶黄蓟马和美洲斑潜蝇的危害也较重,危害程度均为2级,其他害虫危害较轻。软体动物3种,分别是灰巴蜗牛、同型巴蜗牛和一种尚未鉴定的蛞蝓。本研究明确了海南百香果种植区病虫害具体种类,新发现百香果病害1种和害虫24种,为海南百香果病虫害的精准防控提供技术支撑。     

Ecosystem Immunity as a Strategy for Controlling Insect Pests in a Biotic Community

Summary

Populations of insect pests sometimes increase beyond the economic threshold to become serious problems in crop production. However, their populations are usually maintained below the economic injury level by natural predator insects and parasites. Living bodies often develop a degree of immunity against pest invasion, such as macrophages in the human body. In this case, macrophages reproduce in the human body at the expense of blood and body fluid, but are suppressed below the level of illness to the human body. This is analogous to crops, which have developed defense mechanism in the biotic community against pests by means of natural enemies and provided immunity in a total system. However, natural enemies, parasites and predators, must be maintained themselves with little compensation or support from the agroecosystem. Some years ago I proposed a model “reproduction curve with two equilibrium points” to describe the fluctuation of insect populations (Takahashi, 1964). The lower equilibrium point in the model can be regarded as a latent period and the higher one as the outbreak level. This model is based on the S-shaped functional response curve of predator to prey density and is applicable in a biotic community where polyphagous predators predominate. To ensure stable populations of natural enemies in the biotic community, it is necessary to maintain their food supply in the field. The populations of monopha-gous predators, such as parasitoids, fluctuate in response to prey or host populations sometimes inducing dramatic increases in pest populations above the economic injury level. On the other hand, polyphagous predators can utilize ordinary organisms as alternate food sources and keep their population stable even when a pest population (i.e., their target food) decreases to low level. This model will be discussed with respect to the diversity of a biotic community.     

Cotton-pest management in Egypt

Cotton (Gossypium barbadense L.) in Egypt is attacked by various pests and diseases during the different stages of its development. The cotton leafworm (Spodoptera littoralis (Boisduval)), the pink bollworm (Pectinophora gossypiella (Saunders)) and the American bollworm (Heliothis armigera (Hübner)) are the primary pests of cotton causing most damage. The system of cotton pest management adopted in Egypt is described in relation to the economic thresholds of infestation of various species. The management system includes cultural, mechanical and chemical control methods.     

永兴岛岛礁植物害虫普查及风险评估

为了有效监控永兴岛危险性害虫发生与危害,本研究对永兴岛可调查的所有陆地区域野生盐生植物、园林绿化植物、耐盐果蔬和绿色固沙植物害虫进行系统性普查及风险评估。普查结果表明：8种野生盐生植物上害虫（螨）19种,其中5种外来入侵害虫和11种世界危险性害虫普遍严重发生与危害;57种园林绿化植物上害虫（螨）33种,其中9种外来入侵害虫和17种世界危险性害虫普遍严重发生与危害;31种耐盐果蔬害虫（螨）36种,其中7种外来入侵害虫和20种世界危险性害虫普遍严重发生与危害;22种绿色固沙植物害虫（螨）15种,其中5种外来入侵害虫和5种世界危险性害虫普遍严重发生与危害。风险评估结果表明,椰心叶甲（Brontispa longissima）、木瓜秀粉蚧（Paracoccus marginatus）、扶桑绵粉蚧（Phenacoccus solenopsis）的综合风险值（R）均为2.09,在永兴岛均属于高度危险有害生物,椰子织蛾（Opisina arenosella）、波氏白背盾蚧（Diaspis boisduvalii）、新菠萝灰粉蚧（Dysmicoccu neobrevipes）、烟粉虱（Bemisia tabaci）、棕榈蓟马（Thrips palmi）、二斑叶螨（Tetranychus urticae）、瓜实蝇（Bactrocera cucuribitae）和美洲斑潜蝇（Liriomyza sativae）的R值分别为1.99、1.97、1.93、1.87、1.87、1.87、1.82和1.79,在永兴岛均属于中度危险有害生物。上述结果为永兴岛岛礁植物害虫发生与危害情况首次报道,为有效监控永兴岛生物安全提供了重要的基础信息支撑。     

松墨天牛对马尾松林节肢动物群落数量分布的影响

分析了松墨天牛（Monochamus alternatusHope）对马尾松（Pinus massonianaLamb.）林分节肢动物群落的影响。结果表明：随松墨天牛危害程度加重,马尾松林分中节肢动物的物种数和个体数明显下降,其捕食性、植食性功能群种类和个体数及寄生性天敌个体数明显减少;松墨天牛危害对灌木草本层节肢动物种类和数量影响最大,在重度危害林分中,灌木草本层的节肢动物多样性指数H′和优势集中性指数J均显著低于轻度危害林分中的指数;受松墨天牛危害后,林分中稳定性指数S1/S2和N1/N2显著下降,马尾松林分中节肢动物的多样性和稳定性及其天敌对害虫的制约潜能显著降低。     

槟榔主要病虫害研究进展

槟榔是一种重要的热带药用植物,也是海南省第二大经济作物。病虫害是制约槟榔产量和质量的关键因子。近年来,槟榔病虫害研究成果丰硕。本文对槟榔8种主要病害和5种主要虫害的研究进展进行总结,同时提出研究问题与展望,以期为科研人员和种植户提供参考。     

Seasonal abundance of the mirids, Lygus lucorum and Adelphocoris spp. (Hemiptera: Miridae) on Bt cotton in northern China

Lygus lucorum Meyer-Dür, Adelphocoris fasciaticollis Reuter and Adelphocoris lineolatus (Goeze) (Hemiptera: Miridae) are important secondary insect pests in cotton fields in northern China. The seasonal dynamics of their mixed populations on a transgenic variety expressing the insecticidal Bt protein Cry1A, and a cotton line expressing proteins of Cry1A and CpTI (cowpea trypsin inhibitor gene) were compared to seasonal dynamics on similar but non-transgenic varieties from 1998 to 2001. No significant differences were detected between population densities of these bugs on unsprayed normal cotton and unsprayed transgenic cotton. However, mirid damage on unsprayed transgenic cotton was significantly higher due to a reduced number of insecticide sprays against Helicoverpa armigera compared with the number of sprays in the normal cotton. This suggests that the mirids have become key insect pests in transgenic cotton fields, and that their damage to cotton could increase further with the expansion of the area planted to transgenic cotton if no additional control measures are adopted.     

Farmers’ knowledge and perceptions of pests in agroforestry with particular reference to Alnus species in Kabale district, Uganda

Ugandan farmers were interviewed in order to investigate their knowledge, perceptions and ability to manage pests in agroforestry generally and on Alnus species particularly. Farmers’ ability to recognise pest problems on Alnus species was significantly influenced by their length of experience in cultivating the species, but not their age, sex or formal education. Most farmers (77%) were aware of pest problems on Alnus species. However, identification of pest problems was based largely on damage type rather than causal agents. Whereas farmers had good knowledge of vertebrate pests of Alnus, insects and diseases that infest the tree species were unknown to most farmers. Apis mellifera damage on Alnus was the most frequently described damage, but its cause was either unknown or misdiagnosed. Most farmers did not control insect and disease infestations on Alnus because they did not know the causal agents and/or appropriate control measures. Farmers were generally more knowledgeable on insect and disease infestations on crops than on multipurpose tree species (MPTS) and most of them (98%) perceived that crops suffer more damage from such pests than do MPTS. However, farmers’ ability to manage insect pests and diseases seemed weak on both crops and MPTS. Most farmers suggested the use of pesticides to combat pests, but they mentioned only one insecticide, permethrin and one fungicide, mancozeb. More alarming were the suggestions by a few farmers on the use of mancozeb against aphids, and permethrin to combat crop wilt and dieback. Farmers need to be educated about diagnosis, basic ecology and management strategies for both crop and tree pests to ensure sustainable pest control in agroforestry.     

5种常用杀虫剂对台湾甲腹茧蜂的影响

本研究测定了防治草地贪夜蛾（Spodoptera frugiperda）的常用药剂对台湾甲腹茧蜂（Chelonus formosanus）成虫的室内杀虫活性、蛹的羽化率、处理蛹后羽化成虫寿命和寄生率的影响,为草地贪夜蛾的化学与生物协同防治中药剂的选择提供依据。在室内条件下用药膜法和喷雾法测定200 g/L氯虫苯甲酰胺SC、30%茚虫威EC、5%甲氨基阿维菌素苯甲酸盐ME、10%虫螨腈SC和5.7%氯氟氰菊酯EW 5种常用杀虫剂对台湾甲腹茧蜂成蜂的LR₅₀,及其推荐浓度对台湾甲腹茧蜂寄生率、蛹的羽化率及羽化后寿命的影响。结果表明,5种杀虫剂药膜法处理台湾甲腹茧蜂成蜂后,LR₅₀由高到低为氯虫苯甲酰胺>茚虫威>氯氟氰菊酯>虫螨腈>甲氨基阿维菌素苯甲酸盐;氯虫苯甲酰胺对台湾甲腹茧蜂成蜂风险系数HQ=1.55,有较高风险,其余药剂风险系数均<1,风险较低。喷雾处理蜂蛹后,甲氨基阿维菌素苯甲酸盐80 mg/L处理对羽化率无显著影响;虫螨腈1000 mg/L处理的羽化率最低（63.33%）;氯虫苯甲酰胺60 mg/L处理显著降低蜂蛹羽化后成虫寿命,茚虫威180 mg/L、甲氨基阿维菌素苯甲酸盐80、90 mg/L处理无显著影响。茚虫威180 mg/L和虫螨腈1000 mg/L处理下成蜂的寄生率分别下降5.50%和4.98%,影响较小。综上所述,5%甲氨基阿维菌素苯甲酸盐ME在配合台湾甲腹茧蜂对草地贪夜蛾进行综合防治具有应用潜力,30%茚虫威EC及10%虫螨腈SC在适当的剂量下仍需完善应用规范,避免过量使用。     

Efficacy of insecticides against major insect pests of potatoes in hot climates of Peru

Soil-incorporated and foliar-applied insecticides, alone and in combination, were tested in two different tropical sites of Peru. At San Ramon (altitude 800 m) major pests during the wet season were Diabrotica spp. and Myzus persicae. Soil-incorporated insecticides gave protection against Diabrotica but not M. persicae, and yields were significantly lower with these compared with the foliar-applied insecticide, carbofuran. Mean yield was inversely and significantly correlated with mean number of Diabrotica individuals per plant (r=0·989; 0·01 <P<0·05). The foliar-applied insecticide, season, major pests were Phthorimaea operculella, M. persicae and Feltia spp. Mean yield was inversely correlated with mean number of larval mines by P. operculella on foliage (r=0·976;0·02 <P<0·05). The foliar-applied insecticide methomyl, reduced pest damage and increased yields significantly. The major pests during the dry season at Yurimagus (altitude 180m) were Diabrotica spp. Foliar application of carbaryl alone, or in combination with soil-incorporated insecticides, was equally effective in reducing damage and yield loss. An inverse significant correlation (r=0·985; 0·01<P<0·02) for yield vs. damage from Diabrotica spp. was observed.     

Integrated pest management in field vegetable crops in northern Europe — with focus on two key pests

Improvements in (1) insecticide application, (2) supervised control, and (3) pest forecasting systems have each helped to reduce considerably the amounts of insecticides required to control fly, caterpillar and aphid infestations in vegetable crops in northern Europe. By growing plants that are partially resistant to certain major pests, it is now possible to apply even less insecticide than the dose recommended for the crop. In crops where only small amounts of insecticides are applied, natural predators should prevent large increases in pest insect populations and natural parasitoids should reduce the numbers of pest insects entering subsequent generations. The possible impact of introducing transgenic plants and the use of physical (crop covers), cultural (crop rotation, undersowing) and microbial (e.g. fungi, bacteria and nematodes) methods of control are also discussed. The withdrawal of certain insecticides, as a result of environmental and commercial pressures, means that some crops may soon be without appropriate insecticides for controlling one or more of the major pest species. Whether such systems will be sustainable, remains to be seen.     

The role of parasitic Hymenoptera in integrated pest management in fruit orchards

Parasitic Hymenoptera are some of the most abundant natural enemies of all fruit pests. Their role is rather variable in relation to the type of agroecosystem. Several approaches (introduction of exotic species, inoculative and inundative releases, measures for conservation of the existing species, etc.) can be implemented to increase the role of the parasitoids in controlling pest species. Classical biological, when applicable, as against several citrus pests, is still the most ecologically and economically sound method. The role parasitoids play in the regulation of pest populations remains uncertain, but much evidence for its importance as a regulatory factor comes from biological control programs.     

Relative toxicity of insecticides to the crucifer pests Plutella xylostella and Myzus persicae and their natural enemies

The widespread and intensive use of conventional pesticides, particularly insecticides, presents a major risk to natural enemies of target pests, as well as to the environment in general. The aim of this study was to investigate the differential intrinsic toxicity of insecticides to two key pests of crucifers, Plutella xylostella and Myzus persicae and their respective hymenopteran parasitoids, Cotesia vestalis and Aphidius colemani. Such knowledge can help inform effective integration of insecticides and biological control in IPM systems. Three insecticides generally regarded as being compatible with natural enemies (abamectin, spinosad and indoxacarb) and one compound regarded as harmful to natural enemies (lambda-cyhalothrin) were examined. A comparative measure of the intrinsic toxicity of fresh deposits of insecticides on Chinese cabbage leaf discs was determined for both pest and parasitoids species after exposure to insecticide for 24 h and 120 h, and after 24 h exposure to insecticide plus 96 h on untreated leaf discs. Differences in the susceptibility of pests and parasitoids to different insecticides were marked for P. xylostella and C. vestalis, LC₅₀ values being significantly lower for the pest species. Such differences were not observed for M. persicae and A. colemani. There was a direct relationship between dose, exposure time and toxicity for all insecticides tested. All insecticides tested showed lower toxicity to both parasitoids compared with P. xylostella, which suggests that for this pest species side-effects on parasitoids can be minimised through IPM practices that reduce exposure time to such non-target organisms.     

混交模式对茶园产量、天敌和主要害虫的影响研究

通过对云南省普洱市5种不同模式茶园的茶叶产量调查、主要害虫与天敌之间的关系研究,探讨了混交模式对茶园鲜叶产量、茶园天敌和害虫的影响。结果表明,捕食性蜘蛛和假眼小绿叶蝉是5种茶园中最重要的天敌与害虫。纯茶园中假眼小绿叶蝉的数量显著高于混交茶园;蜘蛛数量在5种茶园中的大小顺序为：龙眼+茶>板栗+茶>糖胶树+茶>杉木+茶>纯茶园;龙眼混交茶园的害虫数量显著小于其他模式茶园,而纯茶园、板栗+茶、糖胶树+茶和杉木+茶等4种类型茶园害虫数量之间无显著差异。龙眼+茶模式因茶园透光适中,产量、天敌数量最高,害虫数量最低,是较好的混交模式。捕食性蜘蛛与假眼小绿叶蝉以及其他害虫之间不同季节存在显著负相关,并能用Logarithm方程很好表示。