Preliminary notes on the parasites ofSpodoptera Exigua (Huebner) (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae) in Israel

Larvae ofSpodoptera exigua (Huebner) were collected and their parasites were reared out. From larvae collected in alfalfa fields, 14 parasite species were recovered; from those collected in corn fields, 12 species were recovered; eight species were common to both situations.Meteorus unicolor Wesm. was predominant in corn fields andChelonus inanitus (L.) was predominant in alfalfa fields.     

New Chalcidoidea (Hymenoptera) parasitoids of Dasineura saliciperda (Dufour) (Diptera, Cecidomyiidae) in Bulgaria

Abstract The parasitoid complex of Dasineura saliciperda (Dufour) (Diptera, Cecidomyiidae) on Salix fragilis L. was studied in 1997 and 2002 in two localities in Bulgaria. As a result, 5 species from 3 families of Chalcidoidea (Hymenoptera) were reared from pest galls: Eurytoma afra Boheman, Eurytoma salicis Walker (Eurytomidae), Torymus microcerus (Walker) (Torymidae), Gastrancistrus sp. and Mesopolobus sp. (Pteromalidae). E. afra and T. microcerus are new species for the fauna of Bulgaria, and E. salicis – a new parasitoid of the host. Total parasitism of D. saliciperda in the studied years ranged between 44.1 and 53.5 %. E. afra was the most important, destroying 21.9-53.5 % of the pest.     

Interaction of acetic acid and phenylacetaldehyde as attractants for trapping pest species of moths (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae)

BACKGROUND: Phenylacetaldehyde is a flower volatile and attractant for many nectar‐seeking moths. Acetic acid is a microbial fermentation product that is present in insect sweet baits. It is weakly attractive to some moths and other insects, but can be additive or synergistic with other compounds to make more powerful insect lures. RESULTS: Acetic acid and phenylacetaldehyde presented together in traps made a stronger lure than either chemical alone for moths of the alfalfa looper Autographa californica (Speyer) and the armyworm Spodoptera albula (Walker). However, this combination of chemicals reduced captures of the cabbage looper moth Trichoplusia ni (Hübner), the silver Y moth Autographa gamma (L.), MacDunnoughia confusa (Stephens) and the soybean looper moth Chrysodeixis includens (Walker) by comparison with phenylacetaldehyde alone. CONCLUSION: These results indicate both positive and negative interactions of acetic acid, a sugar fermentation odor cue, and phenylacetaldehyde, a floral scent cue, in eliciting orientation responses of moths. This research provides a new two‐component lure for the alfalfa looper A. californica and for the armyworm S. albula for potential use in pest management. Copyright © 2012 Society of Chemical Industry     

Life tables of Agrotis ipsilon (Hufnagel) (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae) (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae) on different cultivated plants

Agrotis ipsilon (Hufnagel) (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae) is a cosmopolitan species that feeds on numerous cultivated plants and herbaceaus plants. Agrotis ipsilon causes significant economic losses in various agricultural products, especially in indisturial plants and vegetables in Turkey and worldwide. In this study, the effects on the biology and reproductive potential of lettuce (Lactuca sativa L., Asteraceae), maize (Zea mays L., Poaceae), sugarbeet (Beta vulgaris var. saccharifera Alef.,Amaranthaceae) and potato (Solanum tuberosum L., Solanaceae) which are essential host plants of A. ipsilon were investigated under climatized conditions of 28?±?1 °C, 60%?±?10 r.h., and 16 h daily artificial light. The data obtained were analyzed by using an age-stage two-sex life table. Agrotis ipsilon had five larval stages fed on lettuce, whereas seven larval stages were fed on other host plants. Agrotis ipsilon showed the best development and reproduction on lettuce, followed by sugar beet. When A. ipsilon is reared on lettuce the intrinsic rate of increase (r?=?0.1237 d^?1), finite rate of increase (λ?=?1.1317 d^?1) and net reproductive rate (R₀?=?403.06 offspring/individual) were found higher and the mean generation times (T?=?48.51 d) is shorter than those in other host plants. According to these results, A. ipsilon can cause the most damage to lettuce among studied plants.

     

Thaumetopoea solitaria Freyer (Lepidoptera: Thaumetopoeidae) in Israel

Thaumetopoea solitaria Freyer, the main insect pest ofPistacia spp. in Israel, occurs throughout most of the area of distribution of the genusPistacia in the country, except for the Negev. The larvae feed mainly onP. palaestina Boiss. andP. atlantica Desf., to a lesser degree onP. vera L., and rarely onP. lentiscus L. andSchinus terebinthifolius Raddi. The main flight period is in the first 3 weeks of October; the average duration of the incubation, larval development and hypogaeous stages is 143, 52 and 170 days, respectively. A prolonged diapause of 1–2 years is common. Of five species of Tachinidae,Drino imberbis (Wiedemann) was most common, parasitizing up to 10.1% of the pupae. Over the last 24 years one single outbreak occurred, in 1977–1981. Phonological differences amongTh. solitaria in Macedonia, Iran and Israel are discussed.     

Lack of cross-resistance to indoxacarb in insecticide-resistant Spodoptera frugiperda (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae) and Plutella xylostella (Lepidoptera: Yponomeutidae)

Two field strains of the fall armyworm, Spodoptera frugiperda (JE Smith), collected from corn in north Florida showed high resistance to carbaryl (626- and 1159-fold) and moderate resistance to parathion-methyl (30- and 39-fold) as compared with a laboratory susceptible strain. A field strain of the diamondback moth, Plutella xylostella (L.) collected from cabbage in north Florida and selected for 20 generations with permethrin showed high resistance to permethrin (987-fold) as compared with a susceptible strain. However, in all instances, no cross-resistance to indoxacarb, a novel oxidiazine insecticide, was observed in these two species. Biochemical studies revealed that, in S. frugiperda, activities of detoxification enzymes (microsomal oxidase, glutathione S-transferase and general esterase) were significantly higher in the field strains than in the susceptible strain, indicating that these detoxification enzymes were not actively involved in the resistance to indoxacarb. The lack of cross-resistance between indoxacarb and permethrin in P. xylostella further supports the notion that the mode of action of these insecticides on the insect sodium channel is different.     

江西省裳夜蛾亚科昆虫名录（鳞翅目;夜蛾科）

本文记述了江西省裳夜蛾亚科的昆虫24个属71种昆虫,其中2种江西新纪录。     

The insecticidal potential of Piper ribesioides (Piperales: Piperaceae) extracts and isolated allelochemicals and their impact on the detoxification enzymes of Spodoptera exigua (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae)

Phytoparasitica - The dried twigs of Piper ribesioides were used to prepare various extracts in different solvents. Each extract was evaluated for their toxicity against 2nd instar larvae of...     

Antifeedant activity of Jatropha gossypifolia and Melia azedarach senescent leaf extracts on Spodoptera frugiperda (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae) and their potential use as synergists

BACKGROUND: To reduce rates of synthetic insecticide applications, natural product alternatives and synergists are needed. A study has been made of the toxicity of ethanolic senescent leaf extracts (SLEs) of Jatropha gossypifolia and Melia azedarach on larvae of the noctuid pest Spodoptera frugiperda. Their effects as syngergists and inhibitors of several enzyme activities are also reported. RESULTS: When added to the diet, M. azedarach SLE showed lower toxicity than J. gossypifolia SLE. However, after 2 weeks on the diet, the M. azedarach SLE proved to be lethal to 100% of the larval population. Artificial diets with both SLEs have an antifeedant effect on armyworm larvae. Acute toxicity after topical application in a dipping assay was relatively low for both J. gossypifolia and M. azedarach SLEs (LC₅₀ of 2.6 and 1.4 g L^?1, respectively, after 24 h). However, mixtures of the SLEs of M. azedarach and J. gossypifolia had a strong synergistic effect with cypermethrin. Synergism was higher with the J. gossypifolia SLE, perhaps because it contains several natural products with a methylenedioxyphenyl moiety. Both extracts inhibited P450, general esterase and acetylcholinesterase activities in vitro and in vivo. CONCLUSION: Both J. gossypifolia and M. azedarach SLEs are antifeedants to armyworm larvae when present in the food, and also have a synergistic effect with cypermethrin in topical assays. Although the synergistic effect is less than with piperonyl butoxide, both SLEs have some inhibitor activity against detoxification enzymes and acetylcholinesterase. Thus J. gossypifolia and M. azedarach SLEs may be considered as ecofriendly approaches for the control of S. frugiperda in order to reduce cypermethrin usage. Copyright © 2012 Society of Chemical Industry     

Toxicity and kinetics of methoxyfenozide in greenhouse-selected Spodoptera exigua (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae)

Methoxyfenozide (RH-2485) was found to be 7.5-fold less toxic in terms of LD50 values against last-instar larvae of a greenhouse-selected strain of the beet armyworm Spodoptera exigua (Hübner) that was collected in July 2001 in an experimental greenhouse for resistance at Murcia in southern Spain, in comparison with a laboratory susceptible strain. To date, the compound is the newest member of this new group of moulting hormone accelerating IGRs to reach the marketplace against Lepidoptera. To understand this different potency in the greenhouse-selected S exigua, oxidative metabolism and acetylcholinesterase activities were measured in last-instar larvae and adults. In addition, we determined, by the use of 14C-labelled methoxyfenozide, the pattern of absorption in body tissues and excretion via faeces in last-instar larvae of the greenhouse-selected strain and compared the results with those from the laboratory susceptible strain. It was striking that the rate of excretion was about twice as high in the greenhouse-selected strain, resulting in a more rapid clearance of insecticide amounts from the insect body. Data are discussed in relation to mechanisms of lower toxicities for this new group of IGRs.     

A new species of eulophidae (Hymenoptera: Chalcidoidea) from Kerala, India

A new species,Tamarixia sheebae, is described and illustrated.Tamarixia sheebae differs fromT. bicolor Mercet andT. radiata Waterston in having the apex of gaster tilted upwards. It emerged from leaf galls ofTerminalia arjuna (Roxb.) Wright & Arn. (Combretaceae), a tree with many medicinal properties in addition to its timber value.     

Establishment and dispersal of the parasitoids Ageniaspis citricola Logvinovskaya (Hymenoptera: Encyrtidae) and Semielacher petiolatus Girault (Hymenoptera: Eulophidae), introduced into Tunisia for the biological control of Phyllocnistis citrella (Lepidoptera: Gracillariidae)

Abstract

A programme for the biological control of the citrus leafminer Phyllocnistis citrella Stainton (Lepidoptera, Gracillariidae) was carried out in Tunisia between 1996 and 1998. Two exotic parasitoids, Ageniaspis citricola (Logvinovskaya) (Hymenoptera, Encyrtidae) and Semielacher petiolatus Girault (Hymenoptera, Eulophidae), were introduced from Australia, mass-reared in a greenhouse on Citrus aurantium L. seedlings infested with P. citrella, and released in different orchards located in the major citrus-growing area of Tunisia. In 1996, A. citricola was recovered in 39.13% of release sites, reaching a maximum percentage of parasitism of 28%. In 1997, the parasitoid was recovered in a third of all release points, with an average percentage of parasitism of 5%. However, the wasp was unable to survive the winter 1998, and has become extinct. The non-establishment of A. citricola may have been due to the more arid climatic conditions present during the rainless summer and most of the autumn in Tunisia. By contrast, the establishment, dispersal, and reduction in citrus leafminer population observed with S. petiolatus between 1997 and 1998 shows this species to be well-adapted to the Tunisian climate. The average percentage parasitism of P. citrella by S. petiolatus increased from 6.6% in 1997 to 15% in 1998. Moreover, S. petiolatus was established in 76% of release points in 1997 and in 82% in 1998. It spread as much as 30 km from some release points, with no apparent decline in parasitism levels with distance. Semielacher petiolatus is considered to be an effective biological control of the leafminer in Tunisia. Its biological control action would supplement the action of the native parasitoids Pnigalio sp. and Cirrospilus pictus Nees (Hymenoptera, Eulophidae).     

A survey of aphid parasitoids in Kahramanmaras,Turkey (Hymenoptera: Braconidae,Aphidiinae; and Hymenoptera: Aphelinidae)

A list of aphid parasitoids found in a survey conducted between 1999 and 2001 in Kahramanmaras Province of Turkey is presented. Nineteen taxa of aphid parasitoids were found on 30 hosts.Pauesia picta (Haliday) is reported for the first time from Turkey. Two check-lists are presented, by host aphids and by plant species. http://www.phytoparasitica.org posting April 30, 2004.     

New Ichneumonidae (Hymenoptera) parasitoids of forest insect pests in Bulgaria

During the period 1989–1998 investigations were carried out on the parasitoids of some forest insect pests in Bulgaria. Twenty-one ichneumonid species are reported for the first time in Bulgaria as parasitoids of different coleopteran, lepidopteran, and hymenopteran hosts. From these, 6 parasitoids are new records for the parasitoid complexes of the hosts:Exochus decoratus Holmgr. onEudemis profundana (Den. & Schiff.) andGelechia turpella (Den. & Schiff.);Lissonota culiciformis Grav.—onParanthrene tabaniformis (Rott.);Lissonota unicincta Holmgr.—onG. turpella; Xorides gracilicornis (Grav.)—onXylotrechus sp.; andEriborus terebrator Aubert—onClostera anastomosis (L.). Most parasitoids developed as primary parasitoids in the hosts.Itoplectis alternans (Grav.) is a primary parasitoid ofNycteola asiatica (Krul.) and a hyperparasitoid ofE. terebrator: Acropimpla pictipes (Grav.) is secondary parasitoid onAnacampsis populella (Cl.). With the exception of two species ofOlesicampes genus, which destroyed over 50% ofStauronematus compressicornis (F.) andPristophora conjugata (Dahlm.) larvae, andE. terebrator which killed 15.4% ofC. anastomosis population, the rest of the parasitoids occurred in low densities, and did not play an important role in reducing the number of their hosts.     

果园螟蛾总科部分种类DNA条形码鉴定

为检验DNA条形码在鳞翅目螟蛾总科蛾类鉴定中的可行性,对采自山西省太原市晋源区螟蛾总科26种78头蛾类标本分别提取了DNA,扩增了全部78头标本的线粒体cox1基因和其中75头标本的核糖体28S基因,并通过构建系统发育树、计算遗传距离及种间差异阈值等方法,对所有标本进行了鉴定和比较分析,检验了国际DNA条形码数据库BOLD(the barcode of life data)系统的鉴定成功率。结果表明,基于cox1基因和28S基因的系统发育树鉴定成功率分别为100.00%和97.14%,BOLD系统的鉴定成功率达到了67.94%。基于最大简约法、邻接法和最大似然法构建的系统发育树,鉴定结果均相同。基于cox1基因的种内遗传距离全部小于1.00%,种内种间的遗传距离形成明显的3.00%阈值现象。研究表明,cox1及28S基因均适用于供试螟蛾总科种类的鉴定,核糖体28S基因可以作为DNA条形码鉴定的辅助基因;BOLD系统数据库仍有待充实,且标本鉴定工作相对滞后;不同聚类分析方法对结果影响很小,其中邻接法计算速度快,更适合DNA条形码大数据的分析。     

Aphid parasitoids (Hymenoptera: Braconidae: Aphidiinae) on weeds from Ankara, Turkey

Studies were conducted during the years 2001–2003 to determine the parasitoids of Aphidoidea (Homoptera) species on weeds in Ankara province. Six genera and ten species of aphid parasitoids belonging to Braconidae were determined. The tritrophic associations of plant/aphid/parasitoid were analyzed. Forty-four associations of aphidiinae wasps, host aphids and host plants new to the Mediterranean region and 71 new associations for Turkish fauna were reported. http://www.phytoparasitica.org posting July 14, 2005.     

棉铃虫载脂蛋白受体基因克隆及转录分析

载脂蛋白受体(lipophorin receptor, LpR)在昆虫体内脂质转运中发挥重要作用。为了明确棉铃虫载脂蛋白受体基因在其卵巢发育及饥饿胁迫中的功能, 本研究克隆了棉铃虫 HaLpR 基因的cDNA序列(GenBank登录号KU355886.1), 全长3 117 bp, 开放阅读框为2 643 bp, 编码880个氨基酸; 其氨基酸序列包含典型的低密度脂蛋白受体结构域, 与其他鳞翅目昆虫的LpR相似度>80%。荧光定量PCR检测结果显示, HaLpR 在雌蛾的卵巢和脂肪体组织中相对转录水平最高; 在雌蛾卵子发生期均有转录, 在雌蛾羽化后3 d表达量达到最高峰; 饥饿处理会抑制 HaLpR 在雌蛾卵巢和脂肪体中的转录。研究结果有助于解析HaLpR参与棉铃虫卵巢发育过程中的脂质转运以及应对饥饿胁迫的作用。