Ophelimus maskelli (Ashmead) et son parasitoïde Closterocerus chamaeleon (Girault) (Hymenoptera: Eulophidae) au Maroc

Leaf galls causing severe damage were observed on Eucalyptus camaldulensis in the Gharb‐Maâmora region in 2002 due to Ophelimus maskelli (Ashmead) (Hymenoptera: Eulophidae) reported for the first time in Morocco. Since then, this pest has spread to other eucalyptus stands nationwide. During field investigations, the authors noted that the degree of infestation of Eucalyptus camaldulensis differs from one region to another and were classified on a three‐level scale: low, moderate or high. The study of the life cycle of the insect in the field and in the laboratory revealed the presence of two generations per year. This work has shown that Closterocerus chamaeleon (Hymenoptera: Eulophidae), a parasitoid used successfully in other EPPO countries as a biological control agent, is present in Morocco. The rate of parasitism was very high, which consequently resulted in the lack of damage caused by the gall pest on Eucalyptus camaldulensis in Morocco.     

The pomegranate butterfly Deudorix livia (Lepidoptera: Lycaenidae): an emerging pest on dates in Tunisia

The pomegranate butterfly Deudorix (=Virachola) livia Klug 1834 (Lepidoptera: Lycaenidae) was encountered for the first time infesting dates (Phoenix dactylifera, variety Deglet Nour) in the oasis of Gafsa, Southern Tunisia in September 2011. Larvae of D. livia only caused damage on date fruits at the phenological stages kimiri (green fruits) and khalal (yellow fruits). The average infestation rate of dates was 10%. In addition, 7.1% of the infested fruits dropped to the ground. Damage caused by this insect on dates is described, the current situation in Tunisia is provided and possible control methods in Tunisia are briefly discussed. Although this pest has previously been reported in Tunisia on pomegranate this is the first report of D. livia on dates in the country.     

Effect of multiple infestations from insect pests and other stresses on irrigated rice in the Philippines: I. Damage functions

Artificial infestation methods were employed to generate damage function graphs for guilds of three rice insect pests. In the vegetative stage, infestation of whorl maggot (Hydrellia philippina Ferino) and defoliators (a mixed population of Naranga aenescens Moore and Rivula atimeta [Swinhoe]) was applied as a combined or single pest attack. Infestation of yellow stemborer (Scirpophaga incertulas [Walker]) and leaffolder (Cnaphalocrocis medinalis [Guenée]) each were infested in one or two crop growth stages. Combinations of three stresses (four N application rates, solar radiation from the wet or dry season, and/or the presence or absence of weeds) were applied to each guild to develop more holistic economic injury levels (EILs). Slopes on the linear portion of damage curves of each pest guild became steeper with each additional stress applied, whether from multiple insect pest attack, low N, low solar radiation, or weeds. EILs can be developed by pest managers from the graphs of the damage functions for the variables quantified in this study.     

草地贪夜蛾对不同生育期玉米产量的影响及防治指标

为明确草地贪夜蛾Spodoptera frugiperda对我国玉米产量造成的损失,并制订相应的防治指标,在玉米不同生育期分别接入不同数量的草地贪夜蛾3龄幼虫,研究其为害玉米后对产量和其他相关指标造成的影响,建立不同生育期产量损失与不同为害率之间的回归方程。结果显示,大喇叭口期接虫对玉米成株期株高有显著影响,玉米各生长时期接入不同数量草地贪夜蛾后对产量损失均有显著影响。根据防治成本及玉米产量等指标计算出国内玉米的经济危害允许水平为5.56%。利用回归方程计算出玉米小喇叭口期、大喇叭口期以及吐丝期的防治指标分别是为害率达8.72%、7.99%和6.17%。     

Previous infestation affects recolonization of cotton byAphis gossypii: induced resistance or plant damage?

The effect of previous infestation by the cotton aphid (Aphis gossypii Glover) on resistance of cotton seedlings to further infestation by the same insect, was examined in the laboratory. Seedlings which survived a heavy infestation and produced new leaves, were recolonized artificially and the fate of the colonizers was monitored. The two cotton varieties used in the experiments differed in resistance to aphid colonization, and a few seedlings were initially unsuitable for aphid colonization. Aphids transferred to new leaves on previously infested plants were not so successful as on uninfested seedlings and repeated attempts over a few weeks were sometimes required until a colony became established. Reinfested plants often showed no visible signs of stress, but the aphid colonies were frequently of the ‘yellow dwarf’ morph, indicating that the plants had been stressed after the first infestation. We suggest that damage caused by the first infestation — and not the production of some excess metabolites — is the reason for the lower success on previously infested plants.     

Impact of Cameraria ohridella on Aesculus hippocastanum growth and long-term effects of trunk injection with pesticides

Defoliation caused annually by Cameraria ohridella has a considerable impact on the general condition of horse chestnut trees. We investigated the consequences of tree endotherapy against this insect. Wood samples, leaves and insect specimens were collected ten years after the treatment (injection) with pesticides. Insect invasion was manifested in all investigated trees by distinct radial growth depression. Treatment resulted in a growth upturn, while non-treated trees maintained decreased growth. The overall foliage infestation level was lower in treated trees, but pupal mass and potential fecundity of insect females were not affected. Our study revealed a long-lasting, positive effect of endotherapy on trees’ appearance and growth.     

First report of Maconellicoccus hirsutus Green infestation on Jatropha curcas saplings

In December 2009 and May 2010 an insect pest was observed on Jatropha curcas L. (Euphorbiaceae) saplings at the Biomass Farm Site, Banthara, of CSIR-National Botanical Research Institute, Lucknow, India. On the basis of morphology of the insect pest and symptoms caused on its host, it was identified as Maconellicoccus hirsutus (Green) (Homoptera: Coccoidae: Pseudococcidae) synonym Phenacoccus hirsutus Green. This is the first report of the occurrence of M. hirsutus infestation on J. curcas.     

Induced defense dynamics in plant parts is requisite for resistance to <Emphasis Type="Italic">Helicoverpa armigera</Emphasis> (Hubner) infestation in chickpea

Helicoverpa armigera is the most serious insect pest in chickpea that causes significant yield losses due to its feeding on vegetative (leaves) and reproductive (developing pods and seeds) parts of plants. The present aim of study was to explore response dynamics of induced defence mechanism in leaves, podwall and seeds of ten chickpea genotypes (ICC 506, ICCV 10, ICC 10393, 5283, RSG 963, GL 25016, GL 26054, ICCL 86111, ICC 3137, L 550) after insect infestation. Two chickpea genotypes namely ICC 3137 and L 550 were found to be highly susceptible to Helicoverpa armigera infestation due to higher leaf and pod damage in them as compared to rest of eight genotypes which are found to be considerably resistant due to lower damage. Insect infestation induced decreased activities of defensive enzymes such as peroxidase (POD), catalase (CAT), glutatione reductase (GR) and polyphenol oxidase (PPO), decreased free radical scavenging activities in terms of 2,2-diphenyl-1-picryl hydrazyl (DPPH), decreased contents of signaling molecules such as nitric oxide ((NO), hydrogen peroxide (H₂O₂), reduced content of insect feeding behaviour regulating molecules such as total phenols, trypsin inhibitor and accumulation of membrane damage marker such as malondialdehyde (MDA) in leaves of ICC 3137 and L 550; decreased POD activity, nitric oxide content and H₂O₂ in podwall of L550; decreased SOD, GR, nitric oxide content and H₂O₂ in seeds of L550 resulted in aggravation of infestation induced oxidative stress and makes these genotypes more vulnerable to insect damage. The resistance of rest eight chickpea genotypes to insect infestation was due to the integrative effect of up regulated defensive components in leaves, podwall and seeds such as enhanced activities of CAT, POD, GR, PPO and PAL along with accumulation of H₂O₂` and total phenols in leaves, increased SOD, POD, GR and PPO activities along with increased contents of trypsin inhibitor and total phenols in podwall; increased SOD, GR, PPO activities and accumulated total phenols in seeds of resistant chickpea genotypes might be responsible for causing significant shift in oxidative status of these genotypes due to scavenging of free radicals, maintenance of membrane integrity and deterrent to insect feeding. Induced glycine betaine after herbivory was found to be positively correlated with superoxide dismutase and trypsin inhibitors. H₂O₂ content was positively correlated with trypsin inhibitor, DPPH, ferric reducing antioxidant power (FRAP) and total phenols in leaves and with FRAP, DPPH and total phenols in pod wall indicating that H₂O₂ might be stimulating the cascade that will be helping to scavenge free radical species and correlation with phenols and trypsin inhibitor indicated that it act as toxicant to insect feeding.     

Estimation of rice yield losses due to the African rice gall midge,Orseolia oryzivora Harris and Gagne

Abstract

The African rice gall midge, Orseolia oryzivora Harris and Gagne (Diptera: Cecidomyiidae), is an important pest of rice, Oryza sativa, in Burkina Faso as well as other countries in West and East Africa. In spite of its importance, little is known regarding the relationship between gall midge populations and grain yield losses. To determine yield losses the gall midge was reared in cages and adult midges were placed on caged plants of the rice variety ITA 123 at different population levels. The seven treatments consisted of different numbers of insects infested on the plants; 0 insect pairs (non‐infested check), and 1, 5, 10, 15, 20 or 25 midge pairs/cage. The loss in yield in relation to the non‐infested control was highly positively correlated (R² = 0.81) with the percentage of gall midge damaged tillers. The infestation by the insect on the plants resulted in the compensatory production of tillers which developed in response to the gall midge damage but the compensation was not sufficient to make up for the loss of yield due to the damaged tillers. Yield loss ranged from 0% in the control to 65.3% in the treatment with 25 pairs of adults. One per cent of tillers damaged resulted in 2% grain yield loss.     

Evaluation of an oil dispersion formulation of imidacloprid as a drench against Rhynchophorus ferrugineus (Coleoptera, Curculionidae) in young palm trees

BACKGROUND: The red palm weevil, Rhynchophorus ferrugineus (Olivier), is a phytophagous insect that feeds on soft succulent tissues of most palm species and is considered the main palm pest in the Middle East and the Mediterranean Basin. The aim of this study was to test the efficacy of imidacloprid oil dispersion (OD) as a drench in preventive and curative treatments against R. ferrugineus in Phoenix canariensis, Washingtonia robusta, Washingtonia filifera and Trachycarpus fortunei. RESULTS: Levels of infestation were highest in P. canariensis. There was no infestation in W. filifera. Mean efficacies of 100 and 94% were obtained in preventive and curative treatments respectively. High efficacies in preventive treatments (mean 95.4%) lasted for up to 45 days after application. CONCLUSION: The high efficacies and persistence of imidacloprid OD applied as a drench in young palms show the potential of this product for the management of R. ferrugineus. Copyright © 2011 Society of Chemical Industry     

黄胸蓟马对香蕉的危害及其防治

１９９６～１９９７年在香蕉花期调查结果表明,黄胸蓟马在广州地区香蕉园中普遍存在,香蕉花感虫率达１００％,平均每花苞感虫８２．８头。感虫数与花苞着生高度有关,以高度１２０～１４０ｃｍ的花苞感虫数最高,以后随高度的增加剧减。黄胸蓟马只危害稍开和已开的第１至第４苞片内花段,且虫口数由外向里递减。园中杂草有助于蓟马对香蕉花的危害,平均每花苞虫口数多杂草蕉园比管理精细的无杂草园多３．６倍。室内药效试验结果表明,毒死蜱、乐果、丁基克百威和灭多威对黄胸蓟马有很好的毒杀效果,氯氰菊酯和顺式氯氰菊酯效果不理想。     

First record of Ceroplastes japonicus (Gray) (Hemiptera: Coccidae) in Greece and a combined approach of morphological identification and DNA barcoding

High levels of infestation of a wax soft scale insect (Hemiptera: Coccidae) have been observed on Laurus nobilis L. (Lauraceae) and Diospyros kaki Thunb. (Ebanaceae) in Greece in recent years. Specimens of Ceroplastes were collected from regions of Thessaloniki, Naousa and Kavala (northern Greece) and Attica (southern Greece) in 2012–2017. The specimens were identified based on DNA barcoding and female morphological characteristics as Ceroplastes japonicus Green (Hemiptera: Coccidae).     

First record of the tomato leafminer,Tuta absoluta (Meyrick) (Lepidoptera: Gelechiidae) in Sudan

An outbreak of larvae and adults of a devastating moth was noted to be causing severe damage in tomato grown in greenhouses at Khartoum State, Sudan during June 2010. Symptoms included foliage mining and leaves drying. Photographs of symptoms and larvae and adults of the pest (and subsequently specimens) were sent to Russell IPM, UK and the Finnish Museum of Natural History for identification. The pest was identified as Tuta absoluta (Meyrick), (Lepidoptera: Gelechiidae). This is the first official record of T. absoluta in Sudan, based on surveys in tomato production areas in Khartoum, Gezira, Red Sea and North Kordofan States and eggplant and potato in Khartoum State. Severe yield loss due to the serious feeding damage on foliage and fruits infestation was reported on tomato and eggplant fields at Khartoum State.     

水稻大螟为害规律的调查与研究

通过对大螟田间分布规律的调查分析,明确了大螟的趋边集中为害行为.幼虫侵入水稻方式以从剑叶叶鞘缝侵入和从剑叶叶鞘处咬孔侵入为主.幼虫为害水稻造成白穗,随为害茎节的升高而加重,以穗茎节为主,占80%左右,其次是穗茎下第一节.一至四龄幼虫为害均能造成水稻白穗,以二龄为害造成白穗为主,平均为86.7%.据此提出了大螟的测报调查方法,防治时期应在水稻破口期和卵孵高峰期,以及轻发年份田边挑治、重发年份全田用药的防治策略.     

春小麦品种对麦秆蝇抗性筛选调查

麦秆蝇是华北春麦区的主要害虫,选育抗虫品种是一种有希望的防治途径。作者等于1957—1966及1973—1978年先后16年中,在内蒙几处生产、研究单位结合其原始材料及品种试验地栽培的春小麦品种,进行了麦秆蝇产卵情况及为害率的调查。先后共调查过32次,计共1372品种次,包括867个品种(系)。本项调查均以当时推广的丰产但不抗虫的品种为对照品种,1966年前是甘肃96号,1973年后是白欧柔。抗性比较根据品种的被害指数,即其被害率与对照品种被害率的比率,以对照被害率作为100计算,共分高抗、抗、中等、感虫及高感五级,其被害指数标准依次为0—20,20.1—40,40.1—60,60.1—80及≥80.1。共鉴定出高抗级28个品种,抗级的33个品种,另外,根据1—2次调查有81个品种被害指数很低,其抗虫性值得进一步鉴定。     

Ribavirin, a nucleoside with potential insecticidal activity

BACKGROUND: The triazole-based antiviral nucleoside ribavirin exhibited significant in vitro insecticidal effects against Spodoptera litura, a finding that has prompted further investigations into its in vivo insecticidal properties and mode of action against this insect pest. RESULTS: Ribavirin showed delayed insecticidal effects on third-instar larvae of S. litura at a concentration of 1 mg mL⁻¹. When incorporated into an artificial diet, ribavirin caused various effects, depending on the concentration used. Compared with controls, food intake was lower, larval growth was reduced and larval development prolonged. Pupae weight was reduced, and adult morphology was also affected. Relative to the untreated group, treated groups showed higher mortality at larval and pupal stages, which was generally caused by moult disruption. Results of this study with ribavirin resemble those found in treatment with insect growth regulators. CONCLUSION: This work shows that ribavirin merits further study as a lead compound in a novel class of potential insect control agents or for managing field populations of Lepidoptera pests on cruciferous crops. Copyright © 2012 Society of Chemical Industry     

Simulation of damage in winter wheat caused by the grain aphid Sitobion avenae. 3. Calculation of damage at various attainable yield levels

A dynamic, process-based simulation model is used to evaluate the effect of injury bySitobion avenae F. on yield of winter wheat at a range of attainable yield levels. The attainable yield is defined as the yield in the absence of pests and diseases, at the prevailing temperature and radiation and the available amount of soil nitrogen. Water limitation is not taken into account. Only the period from flowering to ripeness is considered. Aphid infestation intensity is expressed in aphid-days, the integral of aphid density (tiller^–1) over time (day). The calculations show that damage per aphid-day decreases from flowering to ripeness because damage caused by honey-dew decreases with advancing crop development stage while damage caused by aphid feeding is about constant. Damage per aphid-day during a particular period of crop development increases in a nearly linear fashion with the attainable yield level. At attainable yield levels over approximately 9000 kg ha^–1 and until crop development stage early milky ripe (DC 73), however, damage per aphid-day increases at a higher rate with the attainable yield level as compared to lower yield levels. The crop-physiological causes are discussed.Regression models are constructed that relate simulated aphid damage both during various periods of crop development and averaged over the entire post-anthesis phase, to the simulated attainable yield level. The accuracy of these simulation-based regression models and five published models of damage in winter wheat caused byS. avenae is evaluated using 21 data sets, obtained in experiments carried out between 1973 and 1984 in the Netherlands. Attention is focussed on two aspects of model accuracy: the agreement between predicted and measured damage and the size of the error in model predictions. In both aspects the simulation-based regression models are as good as the best published empirical models.     

褐飞虱寄生性天敌两索线虫生活史的研究

两索线虫(Amphimermis sp.)的幼虫寄生于褐飞虱、灰飞虱等害虫的体内,使宿主产生一系列的病理变化,直至死亡。本文较详细地报导了湖北省褐飞虱寄生性天敌两索线虫的生活史。在实验室内用感染期幼虫作感染褐飞虱的试验获得成功。根据该虫的生活史和生态习性,在汉阳县的两索线虫孳生田里,采用与水稻高产栽培相结合的保护线虫措施,可以在褐飞虱中等发生量的年份,有效地控制褐飞虱的危害。     

Control of the mushroom phorid fly, Megaselia halterata (Wood), with plant extracts

BACKGROUND: The most serious insect pest problems affecting the cultivation of mushroom [Agaricus bisporus (Lange) Imbach] in Turkey are mushroom flies (sciarids, cecids and phorids). Mushroom phorid fly, Megaselia halterata (Wood), is the most common insect pest species during April‐October. The aim of this study was to evaluate the potential for eight botanical materials (two commercial neem‐based products and six hot‐water plant extracts) to control M. halterata populations in three successive growing periods. RESULTS: Treatment efficacy was evaluated by assessing adult emergence and sporophore damage rates compared with that of a standard insecticide, chlorpyrifos‐ethyl (positive control). All plant extracts caused significant reductions in the mean number of emerging adults and sporophore damage rates compared with the water‐treated control (negative control). Reduction in adult emergence in both neem treatments, Neemazal and Greeneem oil, was greater than that in the positive control. While Neemazal and Origanum onites L. extract had significantly lower sporophore damage rates than the positive control, there were no significant differences between the chlorpyrifos‐ethyl, Greeneem oil and Pimpinella anisum L. extract treatments. CONCLUSION: The results suggest that both neem products and hot‐water extracts of O. onites and P. anisum may be potential alternatives to conventional pesticides for the control of mushroom phorid fly. Copyright © 2008 Society of Chemical Industry