Insecticidal activity of scorpion toxin (ButaIT) and snowdrop lectin (GNA) containing fusion proteins towards pest species of different orders

BACKGROUND: The toxicity of a fusion protein, ButalT/GNA, comprising a venom toxin (ButaIT) derived from the red scorpion, Mesobuthus tamulus (F.), and Galanthus nivalis agglutinin (GNA), was evaluated under laboratory conditions against several pest insects. Insecticidal activity was compared with SFI1/GNA, a fusion comprising a venom toxin (SFI1) derived from the European spider Segestria florentina (Rossi) and GNA, which has been previously demonstrated to be effective against lepidopteran and hemipteran pests, and to GNA itself. RESULTS: Injection assays demonstrated that both fusion proteins were toxic to lepidopteran larvae, dipteran adults, coleopteran adults and larvae and dictyopteran nymphs. ButalT/GNA was more toxic than SFI1/GNA in all cases. GNA itself made a minor contribution to toxicity. Oral toxicity of ButalT/GNA towards lepidopteran pests was confirmed against neonate Spodoptera littoralis (Boisd.), where incorporation at 2% dietary protein resulted in 50% mortality and > 85% reduction in growth compared with controls. ButaIT/GNA was orally toxic to Musca domestica L. adults, causing 75% mortality at 1 mg mL^?1 in aqueous diets and, at 2 mg g^?1 it was orally toxic to Tribolium castaneum (Herbst.), causing 60% mortality and a 90% reduction in growth. CONCLUSIONS: Toxicity of the ButaIT/GNA recombinant fusion protein towards a range of insect pests from different orders was demonstrated by injection bioassays. Feeding bioassays demonstrated the potential use of the ButaIT/GNA fusion protein as an orally active insecticide against lepidopteran, dipteran and coleopteran pests. These experiments provide further evidence that the development of fusion protein technology for the generation of new, biorational, anti‐insect molecules holds significant promise. © Crown Copyright 2009. Reproduced with permission of Her Majesty's Stationery Office. Published by John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Using bioassays with the green peach aphid (Myzus persicae) to determine residual activity of two systemically soil-applied neonicotinoid insecticides in field-grown tobacco

Duration of systemic pesticide activity under field conditions has wide implications for pest management. Our aim was to determine the duration of activity of systemic insecticides commonly used in cultivated tobacco (Nicotiana tabacum) by measuring the levels of insect infestations on field plots and effects on reproduction and survival of the green peach aphid (Myzus persicae) in controlled bioassays using field grown leaves. Plants were treated with different concentrations of two systemic neonicotinoid pesticides, imidacloprid and thiamethoxam, and grown in small field plots. Our results show that these materials are effective under field conditions against aphids for at least 13 weeks after transplant. Pesticides also affected aphid reproduction and nymph survival in bioassays, although some aphids survived on pesticide-treated leaves. We also observed that leaf age affected aphid survival. We showed that neonicotinoids were very effective against M. persicae, aphids are a useful organism to assess pesticide efficacy early in the growing season, but plant characteristics are more important than pesticide concentration in the second half of the growing season.     

Evaluation of the biocontrol potential of various Metarhizium isolates against green peach aphid Myzus persicae (Homoptera: Aphididae)

BACKGROUND: Twenty‐three isolates of Metarhizium anisopliae (Metschnikof) Sorokin and M. acridum (Driver & Milner) JF Bischoff, Rehner & Humber from non‐aphid host insects around the globe were evaluated for their aphid biocontrol potential, which is not well known. RESULTS: The apterous adults of green peach aphid Myzus persicae (Sulzer) were exposed to the fungal sprays of 11.5, 99 and 1179 conidia mm^?2 and blank control in three leaf‐dish bioassays. All the tested isolates except one were proven to be infective to the aphid species at 21 ± 1 °C and 14:10 h light:dark photoperiod, causing corrected mortalities of 10.1–95.3% at the high spore concentration. The data from ten isolates causing > 50% mortality at the high concentration were found to fit a time–concentration–mortality model well, yielding parameters for the estimates of their LC₅₀ and LT₅₀ that vary with post‐spray time and spore concentration respectively. Four isolates of M. anisopliae (ARSEF 759, 4132, 2080 and 576) had LC₅₀ values of 44–80 conidia mm^?2 on day 8 and LT₅₀ values of 4.9–6.8 days at 100 conidia mm^?2, with 91–98% of the killed aphids being well mycotised after death. CONCLUSION: The Metarhizium infectivity to M. persicae differs greatly among the tested isolates. The four mentioned isolates with desired virulence and sporulation potential are excellent candidates for microbial control of aphids. Copyright © 2010 Society of Chemical Industry     

Synergistic effect of imidacloprid combined with synergistic agents (Beichuang,Jiexiaoli) on Myzus persicae (Hemiptera: Aphididae)

Myzus persicae is a well known aphid pest, which can transport plant viruses to plants of the nightshade/potato family, namely the Solanaceae, and other food crops. Our aim was to explore the effects of imidacloprid combined with synergistic agents (Beichuang and Jiexiaoli) on Myzus persicae. Different concentrations of imidacloprid combined with synergistic agents were used to treat M. persicae. Biological activity of M. persicae was analyzed under indoor conditions, and the control efficiency of the admixture was determined through field experiments. The penetration rate of the admixture on tobacco leaf and M. persicae was analyzed, and the liquid surface tension and contact angle was measured. Imidacloprid combined with Beichuang and Jiexiaoli showed significant synergistic effects with high control efficacy. Beichuang and Jiexiaoli significantly improved the penetration of imidacloprid into the cuticle of tobacco leaves and the insect body wall. The surface tension and contact angles were abated by synergists. The combination of imidacloprid with Beichuang and Jiexiaoli showed a significant synergistic effect, which can be used for decreasing the dosage of imidacloprid and improving its long-term control efficacy.     

释放异色瓢虫对北京温室甜椒和圆茄上桃蚜的控害效果

为评价异色瓢虫在温室条件下对桃蚜的控害能力及效益,在甜椒和圆茄生产温室中以生物农药防治为对照,开展释放异色瓢虫控制桃蚜的示范试验,分析天敌害虫的种群动态变化,并计算防治成本。结果显示:异色瓢虫能够持续控制甜椒温室中桃蚜种群密度,其定殖率在蚜虫暴发高峰期时最高,为64%;且甜椒产量及经济效益高于生物农药防治。在圆茄温室中,前期释放的异色瓢虫使桃蚜高峰延缓1周出现;在增加瓢虫释放量后,1周内桃蚜种群密度下降了79%,且瓢虫定殖率达到86%,控害效果较好。表明通过生产期全程监测天敌-害虫的种群动态,在植株定植15 d后每周确定益害比,通过2~3个月持续释放异色瓢虫,可有效、持续控制整个生产期桃蚜为害。     

Green peach aphid,Myzus persicae (Hemiptera: Aphididae), reproduction during exposure to sublethal concentrations of imidacloprid and azadirachtin

BACKGROUND: Resurgence of insect pests following insecticide applications is often attributed to natural enemy disturbance, but hormesis could be an alternative or additional mechanism. Green peach aphid, Myzus persicae (Sulzer), is an important insect pest of many crops worldwide that may be exposed to sublethal insecticide concentrations over time. Here, the hypothesis that exposure to low concentrations of imidacloprid and azadirachtin can induce hormetic responses in M. persicae is tested in the laboratory. RESULTS: When insects were exposed to potato leaf discs dipped in sublethal concentrations of insecticide, almost all measured endpoints—adult longevity, F1 production, F1 survival and F2 production—were affected, and a statistically significant (P < 0.05) stimulatory response was recorded for F2 production following exposure to imidacloprid. No other measures for hormesis were statistically significant, but other trends of hormetic response were consistently observed. CONCLUSIONS: Given that variable distribution and degradation of insecticides in the field would result in a wide range of concentrations over time and space, these laboratory experiments suggest that exposure to sublethal concentrations of imidacloprid and azadirachtin could stimulate reproduction in M. persicae. Copyright © 2008 Society of Chemical Industry     

Susceptibility of standard clones and European field populations of the green peach aphid, Myzus persicae, and the cotton aphid, Aphis gossypii (Hemiptera: Aphididae), to the novel anthranilic diamide insecticide cyantraniliprole

BACKGROUND: Parthenogenetic clones of the green peach aphid, Myzus persicae (Sulzer), and the cotton aphid, Aphis gossypii Glover, were tested with the anthranilic diamide insecticide cyantraniliprole (i.e. DuPont^? Cyazypyr^?) in systemic‐uptake bioassays to investigate potential for cross‐resistance conferred by mechanisms of insecticide resistance to organophosphates, carbamates and pyrethroids and, in the case of M. persicae, reduced sensitivity to neonicotinoids. These data were compared with the response of field samples of M. persicae and A. gossypii collected from around Europe. RESULTS: Cyantraniliprole was not cross‐resisted by any of the known insecticide resistance mechanisms present in M. persicae or A. gossypii. The compound was equally active against resistant and susceptible aphid strains. The responses of the M. persicae field samples were very consistent with a maximum response ratio of 2.9 compared with a standard laboratory clone. The responses of the A. gossypii field samples were more variable, although a majority of the responses were not statistically different. CONCLUSION: Cyantraniliprole is currently the only anthranilic diamide (IRAC MoA 28) insecticide targeting aphid species such as M. persicae and A. gossypii. There is no evidence to suggest that the performance of this compound is affected by commonly occurring mechanisms that confer resistance to other insecticide chemistries. Cyantraniliprole is therefore a valuable tool for managing insecticide resistance in these globally important pests. Copyright © 2011 Society of Chemical Industry     

基于EPG技术分析杭菊两主栽品种对三种菊蚜抗性及其相关抗性物质

为比较杭白菊主栽品种早、晚小洋菊对菊小长管蚜Macrosiphoniella sanborni、棉蚜Aphis gossypii、桃蚜Myzus persicae的抗性,通过刺吸电位技术(electrical penetration graph,EPG)研究菊蚜在菊顶叶上刺吸行为,并检测了菊顶叶主要化合物。结果表明:在晚小洋菊上,菊小长管蚜的E1、E2波平均持续时间4.31、3.47 min,分别短于在早小洋菊上的4.63、3.75 min;棉蚜、桃蚜的E1、E2波平均持续时间分别为4.32、4.72 min和4.92、4.64 min;3种蚜虫的平均刺探次数均大于在早小洋菊上的平均刺探次数。聚类分析结果显示,2个主栽品种之间抗性存在差异。早小洋菊顶叶平均可溶性糖和可溶性蛋白含量分别为2.71 mg/g和25.36 mg/g,均高于晚小洋菊;早小洋菊顶叶总酚含量为0.24 mg/g,显著低于晚小洋菊;早、晚小洋菊总黄酮含量分别为3.46 mg/g和3.37 mg/g。早小洋菊顶叶可溶性糖、可溶性蛋白含量基本上与每种菊蚜的E1、E2波持续时间显著正相关,总酚含量、总黄酮含量与每种菊蚜的E1或E2波持续时间显著负相关。推测早小洋菊对于菊长管蚜的抗性稍弱于晚小洋菊,2种杭白菊对棉蚜或桃蚜的抗性相当,且菊叶中的这4种物质含量与抗蚜性相关。     

Application of plant growth regulators mitigates chlorotic foliar injury by the black pecan aphid (Hemiptera: Aphididae)

BACKGROUND: Black pecan aphid, Melanocallis caryaefoliae (Davis) (Hemiptera: Aphididae), feeding elicits localized chlorotic injury to pecan foliage [Carya illinoinensis (Wangenh.) K Koch] and apparent acceleration of leaf senescence and defoliation. The ability of certain plant growth regulators (PGRs) (forchlorfenuron, gibberellic acid and aviglycine) to prevent M. caryaefoliae from triggering pecan leaf chlorosis and senescence‐like processes was evaluated on two dates in both 2006 and 2007. Treatments were applied to orchard foliage and used in laboratory leaf‐disc bioassays to assess possible reduction in aphid‐elicited chlorosis and concomitant effects on aphid mortality and development. RESULTS: Foliage pretreated with forchlorfenuron + gibberellic acid prior to being challenged with aphids resulted in significantly less aphid‐elicited chlorosis than did control or aviglycine‐treated leaf discs. No PGR affected aphid mortality; however, development time was increased by forchlorfenuron + gibberellic acid in 2006 and by aviglycine + gibberellic acid on one date in 2007. CONCLUSION: Certain PGRs possess the potential for usage on pecan to protect foliar canopies from M. caryaefoliae via changes in the susceptibility of the host leaf to senescence‐like factors being introduced by feeding aphids. This protective effect on host foliage and the associated suppressive effect on development of feeding aphids might also be relevant to pest management programs on other aphid–crop systems in which aphid‐elicited chlorosis and senescence‐like processes can limit profitability. Published 2010 by John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

P450-mediated resistance in Myzus persicae (Sulzer) (Hemiptera: Aphididae) reduces the efficacy of neonicotinoid seed treatments in Brassica napus

BACKGROUND

The prophylactic use of seeds treated with neonicotinoid insecticides remains an important means of controlling aphid pests in canola (Brassica napus) crops in many countries. Yet, one of the most economically important aphid species worldwide, the peach potato aphid (Myzus persicae), has evolved mechanisms which confer resistance to neonicotinoids, including amplification of the cytochrome P450 gene, CYP6CY3. While CYP6CY3 amplification has been associated with low-level resistance to several neonicotinoids in laboratory acute toxicity bioassays, its impact on insecticide efficacy in the field remains unresolved. In this study, we investigated the impact of CYP6CY3 amplification on the ability of M. persicae to survive neonicotinoid exposure under laboratory and semi-field conditions.

RESULTS

Three M. persicae clones, possessing different copy numbers of CYP6CY3, were shown to respond differently when exposed to the neonicotinoids, imidacloprid and thiamethoxam, in laboratory bioassays. Two clones, EastNaernup209 and Osborne171, displayed low levels of resistance (3–20-fold), which is consistent with previous studies. However, in a large-scale semi-field trial, both clones showed a surprising ability to survive and reproduce on B. napus seedlings grown from commercial rates of neonicotinoid-treated seed. In contrast, an insecticide-susceptible clone, of wild-type CYP6CY3 copy number, was unable to survive on seedlings treated in the same manner.

CONCLUSION

Our findings suggest that amplification of CYP6CY3 in M. persicae clones substantially impairs the efficacy of neonicotinoid seed treatments when applied to B. napus. These findings highlight the potentially important real-world implications of resistances typically considered to be ‘low level’ as defined through laboratory bioassays. © 2023 The Authors. Pest Management Science published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd on behalf of Society of Chemical Industry.     

Response of a red clone of Myzus persicae (Hemiptera: Aphididae) to sublethal concentrations of imidacloprid in the laboratory and greenhouse

BACKGROUND: Pest resurgence following a pesticide application may occur owing to a stimulatory (hormetic) response to sublethal insecticide concentrations. The objective of the present study was to examine the potential for a greenhouse‐derived red clone of Myzus persicae to exhibit resurgence owing to a hormetic response following a systemic imidacloprid treatment in a bell pepper greenhouse. RESULTS: No differences in mortality and fecundity were observed among apterous adults exposed to sublethal imidacloprid concentrations on excised pepper leaves fed aqueous solutions of imidacloprid. Survival of first‐generation progeny was negatively affected by imidacloprid exposure, yet surviving progeny exhibited no differences in development rates or fecundity from progeny of adults unexposed to imidacloprid. Aphid mortality declined most rapidly in clip cages on pepper leaves at the top of the pepper canopy as compared with leaves present at the middle or bottom of the pepper canopy. CONCLUSION: Imidacloprid decays rapidly in mature pepper plants, resulting in sublethal concentrations in the upper canopy in as little as 4 weeks. Sublethal insecticide concentrations have been implicated in the resurgence of pest populations; however, exposure to sublethal doses of imidacloprid are unlikely to result in pesticide‐induced resurgence of the M. persicae aphid clone examined in this study. Copyright © 2011 Society of Chemical Industry     

The detection and distribution of organophosphorus and carbamate insecticide-resistant Myzus persicae (Sulz.) in Britain in 1976

Examination of the enzyme that determines the level of resistance to organophosphorus insecticides and carbamates in Myzus persicae (Sulz.) and bioassays were used to establish the frequency and resistance levels of resistant aphids on outdoor crops in Britain in 1976. The biochemical tests, staining esterase-4 after electrophoresis and total esterase determination, were more sensitive than bioassays. However the dip-test, a simple, rapid and inexpensive bioassay designed to detect resistance and its different levels gave satisfactory results which warrant its use where biochemical detection of resistance is not possible. Carboxylesterase activities of M. persicae collected in 1976 fell into three groups: low, moderate and high, and these were correlated with differences in tolerance to dimethoate, demeton-S-methyl and pirimicarb. Aphids with low esterase activity were susceptible(S). Those with the moderately active enzyme (R₁) had five- to seven-fold resistance to the two organophosphorus insecticides and were marginally resistant (about two-fold) to pirimicarb. The insects with the most active esterase (R₂) were strongly resistant to dimethoate (resistance factor, RF × 126) and moderately resistant to demeton-S-methyl (RF × 17) and pirimicarb (RF × 8). Some R₁, but no S aphids survived the recommended dose of demeton-S-methyl on field crops probably because they were under the lowest leaves and therefore protected from direct contact with the spray. Laboratory tests demonstrated that these R₁ aphids tolerated the residual deposit and systemic dose present in the leaves of the treated potato-plants. This enabled their numbers to recover in treated fields much faster than the susceptible insects which could do so by immigration only when the residual dose in the plant was no longer toxic. R₁ aphids were common throughout the country particularly in eastern England where susceptible aphids were rare, but in the Shardlow area of Derbyshire susceptible aphids were in the majority throughout the summer. R₂ aphids were found only in samples from the west of Scotland and northern England. The implications of the presence of aphids with different levels of resistance for aphid control are discussed.     

Host plant preference of aphids, thrips and spider mites on GNA-expressing and control potatoes

The effect of snowdrop lectin (Galanthus nivalis agglutinin: GNA) expression on host-plant preference was examined with a two-choice disc test. Discrimination between a transgenic potato [Solanum tuberosum (Solanaceae)] capable of synthesizing GNA, and an isogenic cultivar, was studied under laboratory conditions using the glasshouse potato aphidAulacorthum solani (Hemiptera: Aphididae), the onion thripThrips tabaci (Thysanoptera: Thripidae), and the two-spotted spider miteTetranychus urticae (Acari: Tetranychidae). Adults of these species were placed individually on leaf discs (one half transgenic and one half control) and observed 1, 24, 48, 72 and 96 h after release, at which times also the distributions ofA. solani nymphs andT. urticae eggs on the discs were recorded. Aphids were found more frequently on control leaves at all observation periods, with the highest bias observed at 72 h (only 35.9% of all aphids were found on the GNA halves). Similarly, more aphid nymphs (57.6% of the total) were found on isogenic half-discs. The percentage of thrips found on GNA halves ranged from 36.8% to 48.4%, with significant control-potato bias at the first three observations. Contrary to this, the proportion ofT. urticae females found on GNA halves was significantly lower than the expected proportion (0.5) at 72 and 96 h, with a minimum of 34.0% on GNA. The distribution of spider mite eggs reflected the observed biased distribution of females (only 34.1% of all eggs were laid on GNA half-discs). These results indicate that potatoes expressing GNA for resistance against aphids are less preferred than an isogenic cultivar by all three tested species under a choice test condition using excised leaves.     

Effects of jasmonic acid-induced resistance in rice on the plant brownhopper, Nilaparvata lugens Stål (Homoptera: Delphacidae)

It has been established that jasmonate and its pure derivative, Jasmonic Acid can induce the emission of volatiles similar to those induced by herbivory which fed on the plant. Although the effects of induced resistance on chewing insects have been extensively studied, relatively little is known about their potential effects on phloem-feeding insects such as brown planthoppers. We studied the pattern of within-plant preference in the brown planthopper, Nilaparvata lugens (Stål) (BPH) (Homoptera: Delphacidae) and its consequences for offspring performance on the host-plant Oryza sativa L. (Taebaegbyeo variety) regarding the role of induced resistance of rice plants to hopper feeding. The present study examined the effects of induced resistance on the feeding (food assimilation and digestion), development, egg hatchability and survival. In this study, induced resistance was activated in rice using a foliar application of synthetic jasmonic acid (JA) (low 2.5 mM and high 5 mM). Induced resistance significantly reduced the longevity and egg hatchability of the adult N. lugens, as well as the percentage of nymphs surviving to maturity (only at high dose). This study also observed N. lugens food utilization, in order to evaluate the potential influence of induced resistance on N. lugens feeding behavior. The quantity of food ingested and assimilated by N. lugens on JA treated rice plants was significantly affected at the high dose of JA. These results indicate that JA application induces systemic defenses in rice that have a direct negative impact on N. lugens survivorship. At high concentration (5 mM) several abnormalities possibly related to defective moulting, were observed along with malformed eggs. These findings expand our knowledge the effects of JA-dependent defenses on phloem-feeding insects.     

Use of biochemical and DNA diagnostics for characterising multiple mechanisms of insecticide resistance in the peach-potato aphid,Myzus persicae (Sulzer)

The peach-potato aphid Myzus persicae (Sulzer) can resist a range of insecticides by over-producing detoxifying esterase and having mutant-insensitive forms of the target proteins, acetylcholinesterase (AChE), and the sodium channel. Using a combination of bioassays, biochemical and DNA diagnostics, it is now possible to diagnose all three mechanisms in individual aphids, and thereby establish their spatial distributions and temporal dynamics. A survey of 58 samples of wide geographic origin showed that all 46 resistant clones had amplified esterase genes (E4 or FE4) conferring broad-spectrum resistance to pyrethroids, organophosphates and carbamates. These occurred in combination with insensitive AChE (11 clones), conferring resistance to pirimicarb and triazamate, and/or mutant sodium channel genes (25 clones), conferring knockdown (kdr) resistance to pyrethroids and DDT. Amplified esterase genes were in linkage disequilibrium with both insensitive AChE and the kdr mutation, reflecting tight physical linkage, heavy selection favouring aphids with multiple mechanisms, and/or the prominence of parthenogenesis in many M. persicae populations. An ability to monitor individual mechanisms with contrasting cross-resistance profiles has important implications for the development of resistance management recommendations. ©1997 SCI     

Activation of defence in sweet pepper, Capsicum annum, by cis-jasmone, and its impact on aphid and aphid parasitoid behaviour

BACKGROUND: Two important pests of the sweet pepper, Capsicum annuum, are the peach potato aphid, Myzus persicae, and the glasshouse potato aphid, Aulacorthum solani. Current aphid control measures include the use of biological control agents, i.e. parasitic wasps, but with varying levels of success. One option to increase parasitoid efficiency is to activate plant defence. Therefore, sweet pepper plants were treated with the naturally occurring plant defence activator cis-jasmone, and its impact upon the behaviour and development of aphids and aphid parasitoids was investigated. RESULTS: Growth rate studies revealed that the intrinsic rate of population increase of A. solani and M. persicae on sweet pepper plants treated with cis-jasmone (cJSP) was not affected compared with untreated plants (UnSP), but the positive behavioural response of alate M. persicae towards the volatile organic compounds (VOCs) from UnSP was eliminated by cis-jasmone treatment 48 h previously (cJSP48). In addition, the aphid parasitoid Aphidius ervi preferred VOCs from cJSP48 compared with UnSP, and a significant increase in foraging time was also observed on cJSP. Analysis of VOCs collected from cJSP48 revealed differences compared with UnSP. CONCLUSION: There is evidence that treatment with cis-jasmone has the potential to improve protection of sweet pepper against insect pests. © Crown copyright 2012. Reproduced with permission of Her Majesty's Stationery Office. Published by John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Insecticide resistance profiles can be misleading in predicting the survival of Myzus persicae genotypes on potato crops following the application of different insecticide classes

BACKGROUND: The accuracy of predicting the survival of insecticide‐resistant aphids following the application of commonly used insecticides from the carbamate, the pyrethroid, a mix of the two or the neonicotinoid chemical classes was evaluated in a potato field in Scotland. Equal proportions of five genotypes of the peach‐potato aphid, Myzus persicae (Sulzer), with none, resistance to dimethyl‐carbamates, resistance to pyrethroids or combinations conferring resistance to both chemical classes were released into potato field plots. The insecticides were sprayed separately onto these plots, the aphid populations were analysed after 6–8 days and the process repeated. RESULTS: For each assessment after the three separate spray events, plots treated with the carbamate had 48, 147 and 28%, those treated with pyrethroid 53, 210 and 89%, those treated with carbamate/pyrethroid 28, 108 and 64% and those treated with neonicotinoid 43, 55 and 11% of the numbers of M. persicae by comparison with untreated controls. Only the proportions of surviving aphids from the genotype containing no insecticide resistance traits and the genotype containing elevated carboxylesterases matched ratios predicted from the selective advantage afforded by the resistance traits alone. Survival of aphids from the other three genotypes that carried 1–3 of the insecticide resistance traits differed from expectations in all cases, possibly owing to physiological differences, including their vulnerability to predators and hymenopterous parasitoids present at the site and/or their carrying unknown insecticide resistance mechanisms. CONCLUSION: Control strategies based on knowledge of the genetically determined insecticide resistance profile of an M. persicae population alone are insufficient. Hence, other important factors contributing to aphid survival under insecticide pressure need to be considered. Copyright © 2012 Society of Chemical Industry     

The effect of potato leafroll virus on the biology of Myzus persicae

Since potato leafroll virus multiplies in the green peach aphid,Myzus persicae, the effect of the virus on the biology of its vector was investigated. Observations were made regarding the longevity and the reproduction rate of viruliferous and non-viruliferous aphids on leafroll-diseased and healthy plants ofPhysalis floridana. The same matters were investigated for both viruliferous and non-viruliferous aphids on seedlings of Chinese cabbage (Brassica pekinensis). It was shown that on leafroll-diseased plants ofP. floridana the aphids produced more progeny than on healthy ones, although the average number of progeny produced per day in both cases was almost the same. On healthy Chinese cabbage seedlings there was no difference in average length of the larval and adult stages, number of progeny per aphid, and number of progeny per day, between viruliferous and non-viruliferous aphids. Evidence was obtained that the virus does not influence the development of its vector. Measurements of oxygen consumption of both viruliferous and non-viruliferous aphids point in the same direction.     

Release of Aphidius matricariae for control of Myzus persicae in glasshouses1

Aphidius matricariae, the most effective antagonist of Myzus persicae, has been released in experiments to control this aphid on capsicum, Anthurium andreanum and Ficus lyrata. In all cases, effective short-term as well as long-term control has been achieved through an infestation-linked application of the parasite, at parasitoid-host ratios from 1:5 to 1:50. Control experiments in capsicum over 31 weeks showed effective control of M. persicae by A. matricariae, even at a high infestation level. Chemical insecticides were not needed against aphids until week 26, when it became necessary to avoid damage due to mass propagation of naturally occurring Aphis gossypii and Macrosiphum euphorbiae. The results show that, with increasing complexity of biological control methods, the species diversity of aphids increases their significance as pests. In particular, biocontrol of aphids seems to necessitate the use of several antagonists.     

球孢白僵菌孢子萌发促进剂的筛选及其对杀蚜效果的增强作用

以生物学相容性较好的聚乙二醇辛基苯基醚为乳化剂,从五大类生化营养基质中筛选出海藻糖、葡萄糖、蛋白胨、酪氨酸和菜籽油作为孢子萌发促进剂的基本成份,采用5因子正交旋转组合设计并实施了36个组配试验以优化配方。将所获孢子萌发促进剂加入球孢白僵菌(Beauveria bassiana)孢子乳悬液中喷雾接种桃蚜(Myzus persicae)无翅成蚜,在20℃和12L:12D的条件下饲养并逐日观察发病死亡数。所获数据经时间-剂量-死亡率模型模拟分析,桃蚜接种后第4～6天为死亡高峰,在10~6～10~8个孢子/ml的浓度下喷雾处理6天后的累计死亡率为62.9％～88.7％,LT_(50)估计值为3.8～4.8天,接种后第4、5和6天的LD_(50)估计值分别为3.75×10~7、3.73×10~5和2.08×10~5个孢子/ml。在连续6天的观察中,接种成蚜日均产若蚜数比对照分别下降了40.7％～85.0％,下降幅度随孢子乳悬液浓度提高而增大。这些结果表明,以上孢子萌发促进剂具有作为球孢白僵菌孢子制剂添加剂的应用潜力。