寄主树木、寄主和环境因子对松褐天牛深沟茧蜂寄生率的影响研究

[目的]松材线虫病是我国对森林危害和威胁最严重的病害,控制其传播媒介昆虫松褐天牛是防治松材线虫病的主要手段。作者发现的松褐天牛深沟茧蜂(Iphiaulax monochamusi Yang)是寄生松褐天牛中老龄幼虫的重要天敌。为明确松褐天牛深沟茧蜂的寄生率与寄主树木、寄主和环境因子的关系,开展了本研究。[方法]通过解剖46株松褐天牛危害致死的马尾松,调查了松褐天牛深沟茧蜂寄生率与马尾松、松褐天牛和环境因子之间的关系。[结果]调查研究表明:寄主树木的高度、胸径和树龄对松褐天牛深沟茧蜂寄生率没有显著影响,松褐天牛的数量对松褐天牛深沟茧蜂寄生率亦没有显著影响,而松褐天牛幼虫龄期和松褐天牛幼虫在树干上的位置显著影响松褐天牛深沟茧蜂寄生率。松褐天牛深沟茧蜂寄生率与松褐天牛龄期呈显著正相关,其偏好寄生3~5龄幼虫;就天牛在其危害寄主树木上的位置而言,松褐天牛深沟茧蜂偏好寄生马尾松主干上部和在韧皮部危害的松褐天牛幼虫,其对位于马尾松树干上部的寄主幼虫寄生率最高,达27.38%,对在韧皮部生活、危害的寄主幼虫寄生率为20.18%,显著高于位于木质部生活的寄主幼虫寄生率(5.46%)。逐步回归分析表明:影响松褐天牛深沟茧蜂寄生率的关键环境因子是寄主树木的坡位和其它天敌寄生率,其中,坡位与松褐天牛深沟茧蜂呈显著正相关,其它天敌寄生率与松褐天牛深沟茧蜂寄生率呈显著负相关。[结论]以上研究初步明确了松褐天牛深沟茧蜂的寄生率与寄主树木、寄主害虫和天敌之间的关系,为今后利用该重要天敌控制松褐天牛打下了基础。     

Über die Fähigkeit vonBracon brevicornis Wesm. (Hym., Braconidae), zwischen nicht infizierten und von Bakterien infizierten Raupen vonSesamia cretica Led. (Lep., Noctuidae) zu unterscheiden

Sesamia cretica larvae infected with the bacterium,Serratia marcescens orBacillus thuringiensis were exposed toBracon brevicornis females, separately and in combination with non-infected larvae in the laboratory. Host larvae were exposed to the parasitoid under two manipulations “the larvae still alive or dead completely”. Bracon brevicornis females could not absolutely discriminate between healthy and moribund larvae (due toB. t. orS. m.) when those larvae exposed in a live appearance separately or jointly. However, they could discriminate between dead larvae (due to parasitoid's venom) and dead larvae due to Bacteria (B. t. orS. m.).     

Parasitoids of Saperda populnea (L.) (Coleoptera: Cerambycidae) on aspen (Populus tremula L.) in Bulgaria

The parasitoids of Saperda populnea (L.) (Col.: Cerambycidae) were studied in Bulgaria during the period 1997?–?2001. Galls with pest larvae were collected from young aspen trees at eight locations (Sofia, Kokaliane, Plana, Churek, Gorni Lom, Gintzi, Dolno Kamartzi and Klisura) and examined under laboratory conditions. Four species were reared from 1118 galls containing overwintering pest larvae: Iphiaulax impostor (Scop.) (Hym.: Braconidae), Dolichomitus populneus (Ratz.), Schreineria populnea (Gir.) (Hym.: Ichneumonidae) and Billaea irrorata (Meig.) (Dipt.: Tachinidae). All of the parasitoids were solitary. Schreineria populnea was found as a new parasitoid of the host in Bulgaria. B. irrorata emerged mainly from late-stage S. populnea larvae; the remaining species from both early- and mid-stage larvae. In the parasitoid complex of S. populnea, the most numerous were B. irrorata (59.8?%) and D. populneus (29.4?%). The percentage of host larval parasitism varied from 2.4 to 33.3, with an average of 9.7?%. B. irrorata was the most important in reducing the pest number. The average mortality of S. populnea caused by the tachinid was 5.8?%, and the highest mortality observed in individual study was 20.2?%.     

Biology of two key Palaearctic larval ectoparasitoids when parasitizing the invasive pest Tuta absoluta

During the last few years following the invasion of European tomato crops by the invasive South American tomato leafminer, Tuta absoluta (Meyrick) (Lepidoptera: Gelechiidae), several indigenous larval parasitoid species were recorded as natural enemies of this pest. Necremnus cf. artynes (Walker) and to a lesser extent Stenomesius sp. nr. japonicus (Ashmead) (Hymenoptera: Eulophidae) have been frequently reported attacking T. absoluta in tomato greenhouses in Europe and they are considered as possible biocontrol agents. Few biological data are available on these two species, notably when they parasitize T. absoluta. Therefore, the present study documents their biology when parasitizing T. absoluta, and provides scientific bases for potential development of biological control programs relying on larval ectoparasitoids in invaded areas. We demonstrated the ability of the two parasitoid species to reproduce on T. absoluta as host on tomato plants. On average, N. cf. artynes female parasitized 28.5 larvae and killed 26.2 larvae during its life time whereas S. sp. nr. japonicus female was more long-lived and consequently more efficient; it parasitized 144.3 larvae and killed 90.1 larvae. In a second step, we also explored the effect of T. absoluta larvae instar on parasitism by S. sp. nr. japonicus and subsequent development of the parasitoid offspring. Best results were obtained with the third larvae instar with a higher number of offspring produced, bigger individuals and a higher proportion of females. Our results support the hypothesis that the two species are good candidates for biological control programs targeting T. absoluta in Europe.     

松褐天牛肿腿蜂对松褐天牛低龄幼虫控制作用的研究

研究测定了松褐天牛肿腿蜂对松褐天牛1～3龄幼虫的控制作用,采用林间和室内罩网相结合的方法研究了2组松褐天牛肿腿蜂对松褐天牛幼虫的寄生情况.结果显示:在室内试验条件下,松褐天牛肿腿蜂产卵之前的刺蛰、补充营养取食能直接造成松褐天牛1～3龄幼虫死亡,对1、2及3龄幼虫的平均致死率分别为95.66％、85.91％、57.88％,并可产卵寄生2、3龄幼虫;林间释放2组松褐天牛肿腿蜂后,在刺蛰和补充营养取食后能有效寄生寄主的肿腿蜂雌蜂数量比例变化较大,有效肿腿蜂率最高为14.9％,最低为2.3％.松褐天牛肿腿蜂寄生行为不受寄主聚集程度的影响,但刚羽化出茧肿腿蜂雌蜂的寄生效率比经饲喂后的雌蜂高近5倍.从肿腿蜂单一个体来看,每头雌蜂补充营养取食和产卵寄生致死的松褐天牛幼虫数为2.1～7.7头.松褐天牛肿腿蜂雌蜂的补充营养习性及刺蛰、取食致死寄主行为在防治中有很重要的作用,表明该种肿腿蜂是防治松褐天牛的重要天敌,在生物防治松褐天牛幼龄幼虫上具有良好的应用前景.     

Relationships between the emergence and oviposition of ectoparasitoid Spathius agrili Yang and its host emerald ash borer, Agrilus planipennis Fairmaire

Emerald ash borer (EAB), Agrilus planipennis Fairmaire (Coleoptera: Buprestidae), (= A. marcopoli Obenberger), is an important bark beetle attacking ash trees (Fraxinus spp.). It is very difficult to detect and control because of its highly concealed life history. This pest mainly distributed in partial Asian countries (China, Japan, Korea, Mongolia) and Far East Russia, while in China it presented in Heilongjiang, Jilin, Liaoning, Shandong, Inner Mongolia, Hebei, Taiwan Provinces and Tianjin City, etc. The important timber species F. mandshurica and gardening tree F. velutina were damaged severely in northern China. Spathius agrili Yang (Hymenoptera: Braconidae) is an important ectoparasitic wasp of the EAB larvae. This parasitoid has the potential to use as an excellent biological control agent for suppressing populations of EAB. The differences of emergence date between overwintered S. agrili and its host, parasitism rates at different periods, relations between parasitism rates and host densities, and relationships between ovipositions of braconid wasp and body sizes of host larvae were studied using methods of regular surveys in forests and observations in laboratory. Results revealed that the emergence of S. agrili was more than one month later than that of its host. It suggests good synchrony between parasitoid emergence and host availability. The overwintered S. agrili emerged from mid June to mid August with the peak in July in 2003, and it lasted from late May till late July with the peak during late June to early July in 2004. While the EAB emergence period ranged from mid May to late May in 2003, it ranged from mid April to mid May in 2004 (in laboratory). The emergence date of parasitoid asynchronously inosculated with the optimum developmental instars of the earliest host larvae, which was the result of a long-term co-evolution between the two species. It was also suggested that the parasitoid S. agrili could be a specialized natural enemy for EAB. The natural parasitism rates on the whole gradually increased in field with time. The body sizes of host larvae, i.e. larval instar, affected the decision of parasitoid S. agrili to lay eggs or not. Under natural conditions, this parasitoid usually oviposited only on those host larvae with a prontum and body width more than 1.5 mm, and a body length in excess of 12 mm, i.e. the third or fourth instar larvae. These findings would consequentially contribute to the further successfully biological control of the trunk borer. __________ Translated from Acta Ecologica Sinica, 2006, 26(4): 1,103–1,109 [译自: 生态学报]     

Impact of neem and chinaberry fruit extracts on the pest/parasitoid (Pieris rapae/Hyposoter ebeninus) interactions

A new technique was performed to simulate exposure of the host Pieris rapae larvae to both botanical treatment and the parasitoid Hyposoter eheninus in different sequences. It was found that: host larvae subjected to both parasitoid and 1?% neem treatment showed significant or insignificant reductions both in pupal formation as well as adult emergence percentages when treatment preceded or followed parasitism, respectively. Both neem treatments revealed significant prolongation in the development of unparasitized and parasitized larvae (on average 4 to 5 days delay), whereas chinaberry caused significant prolongation only among parasitized larvae (on average 2.7 days delay in egg-larval duration). Fate of parasitism among untreated hosts was found to be faster than among neem-treated ones. Parasitism percentages among 1 and 0.5?% neem-treated third instar host larvae held 7 days before parasitism reached 3 and 2 times that achieved among those reared on untreated diet for the same period, ­respectively. It was concluded that prolongation of the preferred target instars of the host, due to neem treatments, increased the chance for parasitism. Nevertheless, treatment with neem at the LC₅₀ level exhibited a great reduction in parasitoid progeny. However, a lower concentration (LC₂₅) could reasonably potentiate parasitism without drastic losses in parasitoid emergence.     

补充营养对白蜡吉丁肿腿蜂寄生效率和发育进程的影响

[目的]为了探明补充营养是否对白蜡吉丁肿腿蜂雌蜂的寄生效率、生殖能力和寿命有显著影响。[方法]本文通过在白蜡吉丁肿腿蜂搜寻到寄主前期为其提供寄主血淋巴和蜂蜜补充营养,调查有前期补充营养经历的肿腿蜂对寄主麻天牛的寄生率、母蜂生殖能力和子代蜂发育进程的变化。同时,给予刚羽化的肿腿蜂雌蜂短期的补充营养的过程,调查其寿命长短的变化情况。[结果]研究结果表明,寄主血淋巴和糖类物质均可以作为供肿腿蜂补充营养的潜在食物源。寄生前期取食寄主血淋巴和蜂蜜的肿腿蜂寄生率显著高于前期仅补充蒸馏水的个体。补充营养后可促使寄生蜂卵的成熟,可以使肿腿蜂更快的开始产卵进程。前期取食寄主血淋巴的肿腿蜂生殖能力显著高于寄生前期仅补充蒸馏水的个体,取食蜂蜜的肿腿蜂产卵量较前2组均无显著差异。寄生蜂母蜂是否补充营养对其子代的发育过程和性比无显著影响。此外,生存分析结果表明,刚羽化的肿腿蜂补充营养后,其寿命显著延长。取食寄主血淋巴或蜂蜜的寄生蜂寿命均约为羽化后无营养补充经历雌蜂个体的2倍。[结论]以上结果表明,白蜡吉丁肿腿蜂在寄生过程开始前期的补充营养过程可以显著的增强其对寄主害虫的控制作用和延长其寿命。取食蜂蜜或寄主血淋巴对肿腿蜂生殖和寿命的增强作用相近。建议在害虫的生物防治中,可以通过在天敌释放区周边配植一定的蜜源植物以此实现对天敌昆虫资源更有效的利用和保护。     

Laboruntersuchungen zur Wirtshabitat-Wahl von Bracon brevicornis Wesm. (Hym., Braconidae), einem Parasitoiden der Raupen von Sesamia cretica Led. (Lep., Noctuidae) in Sorghum-Stengeln

Females of the parasitoid,Bracon brevicornis were more strongly attracted to “live” larvae ofSesamia cretica (themselves) than any other accessible materials (e. g. “stalk”, “frass”, “paralyzed larva” or control). They were also attracted to paralyzed larvae but only when live larvae were absent. On the other hand, males were more strongly attracted to “stalk” than to “live” larvae or any other available material. Apparently “stalk” exhibited an important cue that directed the parasitoid males.     

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.     

Studies on the parasitoids of Gelechia senticetella (Stgr.) (Lepidoptera: Gelechiidae) in Bulgaria

The parasitoids of Gelechia senticetella (Stgr.) (Lepid.: Gelechiidae), a pest of Juniperus excelsa M.?B., were studied in the “Tissata” reserve in Bulgaria. They were reared in laboratory conditions from pest larvae and pupae collected in 1991, 1992 and 2000. As a result of this study, 16 species of parasitoids of G. senticetella were recorded: Habrobracon stabilis Wesm., Hormius moniliatus (Nees), Phanerotoma tritoma Marsh. (Hym.: Braconidae), Diadegma consumptor (Grav.), Liotryphon cydiae (Perk.), Scambus pomorum (Ratz.), Scambus foliae (Cush.), Pimpla turionellae (L.), Eudelus simillimus (Tasch.), Mesochorus sp. (Hym.: Ichneumonidae), Sympiesis acalle Walk., Aprostocetus sp. (Hym.: Eulophidae), Eupelmus urozonus Dalm. (Hym.: Eupelmidae), Copidosoma thompsoni Merc. (Hym.: Encyrtidae), Calliprymna bisetosa Grah., and Mesopolobus sp. (Hym.: Pteromalidae). H. stabilis and P. tritoma were discovered as new species for the fauna of Bulgaria. Three species (E. simillimus, Mesochorus sp. and Aprostocetus sp.) are hyperparasitoids, and the remaining species are primary parasitoids. Most of the parasitoid species attack the larvae of G. senticetella and kill the hosts before pupation. In the studied parasitoid complex, D. consumptor and H. moniliatus were the dominant species. In 1991, the level of total parasitism of the host in the “Tissata” reserve was 24.3?%, in 1992 – 57.9?% and in 2000 – 12.7?%. D. consumptor was the most important parasitoid destroying 26.6?% of the pest larvae in 1992.     

Host-tree conditions affecting the oviposition activities of the woodwasp,Sirex nitobei Matsumura (hymenoptera: Siricidae)

Experiments were conducted to elucidate how the oviposition activities ofSirex nitobei Matsumura could be affected by different conditions of the host trees, using logs from felled healthy trees and the dead and living trees ofPinus densiflora Sieb. et Zucc. According to days elapsed after tree-felling, the proportions of oviposition defined as the proportion of eggs laid to the potential fecundity of a female during her lifetime, could be divided arbitrarily into three groups. The proportions of oviposition on the logs within 0–3 days after felling,i.e fresh logs, varied greatly from log to log, and about half of female adults showed proportions of oviposition under 50% (mean ±SD: 39±32%). However, all the females that oviposited on the logs 4–24 days after felling,i.e. intermediate logs, invariably showed proportions of oviposition over 50% (88±1.5%). On the other hand, proportions of oviposition in most of the females that oviposited on the logs over 25 days after felling,i.e. old logs, were less than 50% (26±17%). The proportions of oviposition were significantly different between intermediate logs and old logs. The mean proportion of oviposition on living trees and that for dead trees were 45 and 58%, respectively. Thus,S. nitobei in the field would exhibit its preference for weakened trees ofP. densiflora as oviposition sites, as it did for the logs 4–24 days after felling in this study.     

Factors enabling Epinotia granitalis (Lepidoptera: Tortricidae) overwintered larvae to escape from oleoresin mortality in Cryptomeria japonica trees in comparison with Semanotus japonicus (Coleoptera: Cerambycidae)

The factors involved in the successful escape of overwintered larvae of Epinotia granitalis from host oleoresin in the phloem of Cryptomeria japonica were studied. The mortality, period, and body weight of E. granitalis overwintered larvae while feeding on the phloem of C. japonica were compared with the same parameters for Semanotus japonicus larvae. The seasonal fluctuation in the ability of C. japonica to form traumatic resin canals in the phloem was also assessed. The oleoresin mortality of E. granitalis was low compared with that of S. japonicus. Although both species started feeding on approximately the same date in spring, the feeding period of E. granitalis was only about 24 days, showing that E. granitalis faced the danger of host oleoresin for a shorter period than S. japonicus. The larval weight of E. granitalis was consistently greater than that of S. japonicus through the phloem-feeding period of E. granitalis, and the growth rate was also higher in E. granitalis, suggesting that E. granitalis had a better ability to avoid host oleoresin. These results demonstrated that not only the feeding habits, that is, the tendency of a single larva to feed at several sites, but also the shorter feeding period and larger body size were probably the important factors facilitating escape of E. granitalis from host oleoresin mortality. Furthermore, the ability of C. japonica to form traumatic resin canals increased after the starting date of larval feeding in spring. Because E. granitalis finished feeding before the culmination of the ability of C. japonica to form traumatic resin canals, it was likely that the shorter feeding period was the most important factor in enabling E. granitalis to escape from mortality by host oleoresin.     

The effect of landscape context on the biological control of <Emphasis Type="Italic">Sitobion avenae</Emphasis>: temporal partitioning response of natural enemy guilds

Landscape contexts with high complexity may promote diversity of natural enemies, although the effect on biocontrol remains under discussion. Although biocontrol of Sitobion avenae is a well-studied system, little is known about the temporal effect of landscape context on the natural enemy assemblages. In a previous study, we showed a positive effect of predators in the decline of aphids; however, this effect had a temporal pattern responding to different landscape contexts. We study here two contrasting agricultural contexts, high landscape complexity with low intensification and low complexity with high intensification. Abundance and diversity of parasitoids was examined via a molecular approach, using a combination of diagnostic multiplex and singleplex PCR assays to test field-collected samples of S. avenae with genus- and species-specific parasitoid primer pairs. Temporal population dynamics were analyzed and differences related to these two contexts were observed. Parasitism rates were greater in the mid-sampling dates in high intensification simple landscapes, which were not observed for the low intensification complex landscapes. According to our results, we suggest that the greater landscape complexity in combination with a low agricultural intensification increase negative interactions for parasitoid population built-up; however, early predation by coccinellids was able to control the aphid populations. In contrast, under a simple landscape context with a high agricultural intensification, our results suggest an important role of parasitism with a complementary effect of late predation. We highlight the importance of different natural enemy guilds and their temporal dynamics under contrasting agricultural settings to further understand the relationship between functional diversity and biological control.     

四川省大邑县舞毒蛾天敌的研究*

１９９３年在大邑县共收集到舞毒蛾天敌３０种，其中寄生性昆虫１９种，捕食性昆虫９种，病毒和虫霉菌各１种。卵期平均寄生率为２７．０６％±０．５４％，大蛾卵跳小蜂是主要天敌。幼虫期天敌有病毒、斑痣悬茧蜂、毒蛾镶颚姬蜂和绒茧蜂等，平均杀死幼虫５１．５９％±６．４８％。蛹期主要天敌有寄蝇、广大腿小蜂和脊腿囊爪姬蜂等，平均寄生率达３２．９１％±２６．４０％。在舞毒蛾卵－蛹期，累计约有８７．６２％的个体被天敌致死。     

Pentatomid host suitability and the discovery of introduced populations of <Emphasis Type="Italic">Trissolcus japonicus</Emphasis> in Oregon

Trissolcus japonicus is an egg parasitoid of Halyomorpha halys, brown marmorated stink bug, a severe agricultural pest in the USA. T. japonicus is being evaluated in quarantine as a classical biological control agent to manage H. halys populations in the USA. To determine T. japonicus’ potential for successful management of the pest, we performed a series of no-choice and paired-host-range tests, evaluating parasitism and host recognition in ten nontarget insects. In laboratory no-choice tests, T. japonicus successfully parasitized egg masses of seven Pentatomidae native to Oregon in addition to H. halys. Mean parasitism proportions of egg masses were greater than 40% in two species, B. dimidiata and H. abbreviatus, and were statistically similar to parasitism of H. halys. However, paired-host tests identified higher proportions of parasitized H. halys egg masses compared to four other pentatomids. T. japonicus was equally attracted to volatiles produced by H. halys and other pentatomids but demonstrated significantly longer arrestment response time on surfaces with H. halys contact kairomones. Although host acceptance patterns were similar between stink bug species, our results suggest a greater potential for parasitoid development in H. halys eggs compared to the native pentatomids. During host-range testing, we detected field populations of T. japonicus at 11 sites in Portland, OR, indicating an unintentional introduction and establishment. Further work is needed to characterize its nontarget activity and dispersal patterns in areas where H. halys causes economic damage in Oregon.     

Parasitoid wasps on <Emphasis Type="Italic">Epinotia granitalis</Emphasis> (Lepidoptera: Tortricidae) larvae

 Parasitism by parasitoid wasps on the larvae of Epinotia granitalis (Butler), which is a wood-injuring pest in coniferous plantations, was observed for 6 years in two plantation forests of Chamaecyparis obtusa (Sieb. et Zucc.) Endl. and Cryptomeria japonica (L.f.) D. Don that were adjacent to each other and consisted of trees of almost the same size. E. granitalis larvae were collected from early April to mid-May, then reared in glass bottles, and finally examined to determine whether or not the larvae had been parasitized. Five species of parasitoids were recorded; two of them were classified in Ichneumonidae, Campoplex spp. A and B, and others in Braconidae, Iconella repleta Papp, Bassus cingulipes Nees von Esenbeck, and Bracon spp. In all 6 years, parasitism was first observed around 20 April. Species composition of parasitoids differed greatly among years and between forests. In 1 year in each forest the percentage parasitism increased significantly with the sampling date, indicating that not all parasitoids attack the same developmental stage of E. granitalis. The mean percentage parasitism per year was significantly higher in the forest of C. obtusa [11.5(%) ± 5.7(SD)] than in the forest of C. japonica (3.0 ± 4.1). These results suggest that the efficiency of parasitoid adults in finding hosts differed between the two forests. Received: September 20, 2001 / Accepted: August 5, 2002 Acknowledgments We are grateful to Dr. K. Maeto, Shikoku Research Center, Forestry and Forest Products Research Institute, and to Dr. K. Konishi, National Agricultural Research Center for Hokkaido Region, for identifying parasitoids, and to Dr. T. Miyaura, Forest Tree Breeding Center, and Dr. H. Kosaka, Forestry and Forest Products Research Institute, for their helpful advice throughout the study. Correspondence to:K. Kato     

Übertragung zweler bakterieller Pathogene in den Körper von Sesamia cretica Led. (Lep., Tortricidae) mittels des Legebohrers von Bracon brevicornis Wesm. (Hym., Braconidae)

Laboratory trials were undertaken to investigate the transmission of 2 bacterial pathogens (Serratia marcescens Bizio andBacillus thuringiensis Berliner) by the ovipositor of a braconid parasitoid,Bracon brevicornis Wesmael into the body cavity ofSesamia cretica Lederer. The braconid's ovipositor was able to transmit the 2 bacterial pathogens and plays as inoculating needle. The host larvaeS. cretica were significantly immobilized faster by the contaminated ovipositor of a parasitoid (in case of the 2 pathogens). After successful transmission of the bacterial pathogen into the body cavity of host larvae, different deleterious effects were significantly found for the parasitoid and its progeny specially in case ofS. marcescens. Through contamination of the ovipositor, the non-sporeforming bacterium,S. marcescens has more pathogenic effects on the parasitoid and its progeny than the sporeforming bacterium,B. thuringiensis.     

Short- and long-term effects of thinning and prescribed fire on carbon stocks in ponderosa pine stands in northern Arizona

Euro-American logging practices, intensive grazing, and fire suppression have increased the amount of carbon that is stored in ponderosa pine (Pinus ponderosa Dougl. Ex Laws) forests in the southwestern United States. Current stand conditions leave these forests prone to high-intensity wildfire, which releases a pulse of carbon emissions and shifts carbon storage from live trees to standing dead trees and woody debris. Thinning and prescribed burning are commonly used to reduce the risk of intense wildfire, but also reduce on-site carbon stocks and release carbon to the atmosphere. This study quantified the impact of thinning on the carbon budgets of five ponderosa pine stands in northern Arizona, including the fossil fuels consumed during logging operations. We used the pre- and post-treatment data on carbon stocks and the Fire and Fuels Extension to the Forest Vegetation Simulator (FEE-FVS) to simulate the long-term effects of intense wildfire, thinning, and repeated prescribed burning on stand carbon storage.The mean total pre-treatment carbon stock, including above-ground live and dead trees, below-ground live and dead trees, and surface fuels across five sites was 74.58 Mg C ha⁻¹ and the post-treatment mean was 50.65 Mg C ha⁻¹ in the first post-treatment year. The mean total carbon release from slash burning, fossil fuels, and logs removed was 21.92 Mg C ha⁻¹. FEE-FVS simulations showed that thinning increased the mean canopy base height, decreased the mean crown bulk density, and increased the mean crowning index, and thus reduced the risk of high-intensity wildfire at all sites. Untreated stands that incurred wildfire once within the next 100 years or once within the next 50 years had greater mean net carbon storage after 100 years compared to treated stands that experienced prescribed fire every 10 years or every 20 years. Treated stands released greater amounts of carbon overall due to repeated prescribed fires, slash burning, and 100% of harvested logs being counted as carbon emissions because they were used for short-lived products. However, after 100 years treated stands stored more carbon in live trees and less carbon in dead trees and surface fuels than untreated stands burned by intense wildfire. The long-term net carbon storage of treated stands was similar or greater than untreated wildfire-burned stands only when a distinction was made between carbon stored in live and dead trees, carbon in logs was stored in long-lived products, and energy in logging slash substituted for fossil fuels.     

Natural biological control of <Emphasis Type="Italic">Halyomorpha halys</Emphasis> by native egg parasitoids: a multi-year survey in northern Delaware

Halyomorpha halys (Stål) is a highly polyphagous plant pest native to eastern Asia. Since its accidental introduction to the USA in the mid-1990s, it has spread across North America and caused serious economic damages. Chemical control has been a widely applied management strategy which is not sustainable on a long-term basis. A nine-year survey using sentinel and naturally laid H. halys was conducted to investigate the extent of natural biological control by parasitoids in managed and non-managed landscapes in northern Delaware, USA. Naturally laid egg masses of native pentatomids were collected to compare the resident parasitoid complex to the one attacking H. halys eggs. Mean parasitism rates of sentinel eggs were below 6% in any given year of the survey with a grand mean of 1.79%. Parasitism of naturally laid H. halys eggs was higher than that of sentinel eggs, but there was no significant difference in parasitism between years and the grand mean was 4.31%. Parasitoid species richness on sentinel and naturally laid H. halys eggs was similar but both were lower than the richness on native pentatomid eggs. H. halys eggs were parasitized by eight species in the genera Anastatus, Trissolcus, Telenomus, and Ooencyrtus. The level of parasitism by native egg parasitoids is insufficient to provide long-term control of H. halys. Trissolcus japonicus (Ashmead), an Asian egg parasitoid that has been recovered in the USA in several locations since 2014, may be the most promising candidate for long-term biological control of H. halys.