A decade of leafminer invasion in China: lessons learned

Liriomyza trifolii (Burgess) is a highly invasive species that has become established in agricultural and ornamental crops throughout the world. L. trifolii was first recorded in China in 2005 in Guangdong Province. Subsequently, its known distribution in China has rapidly expanded to another 11 provinces (Zhejiang, Jiangsu, Shanghai, Fujian, Guangxi, Shandong, Hainan, Hebei, Henan, Hubei and Anhui), where it is currently causing considerable damage and economic losses. Experimental research and field surveys have contributed to our understanding of the ecology of L. trifolii and particularly the process of invasion and its interactions with other established, exotic Liriomyza leafminer species. A number of factors have contributed to the successful establishment of L. trifolii and displacement of interspecific competitors. In China, L. trifolii has become a particularly devastating pest in areas with intensive farming with extensive monocultures and a reliance on insecticide use. Integrated pest management incorporating judicious applications of insecticide combined with biological and cultural controls is likely to provide the best long‐term management strategy for L. trifolii. We provide information regarding 10 years of L. trifolii invasion in China and discuss areas of future research to enhance our overall understanding of the biology and ecology of L. trifolii and to improve management programmes for this widespread invasive insect pest. © 2017 Society of Chemical Industry     

Enhancing the effectiveness of biological control programs of invasive species through a more comprehensive pest management approach

Invasive species are one of the greatest economic and ecological threats to agriculture and natural areas in the US and the world. Among the available management tools, biological control provides one of the most economical and long‐term effective strategies for managing widespread and damaging invasive species populations of nearly all taxa. However, integrating biological control programs in a more complete integrated pest management approach that utilizes increased information and communication, post‐release monitoring, adaptive management practices, long‐term stewardship strategies, and new and innovative ecological and genetic technologies can greatly improve the effectiveness of biological control. In addition, expanding partnerships among relevant national, regional, and local agencies, as well as academic scientists and land managers, offers far greater opportunities for long‐term success in the suppression of established invasive species. In this paper we direct our recommendations to federal agencies that oversee, fund, conduct research, and develop classical biological control programs for invasive species. By incorporating these recommendations into adaptive management strategies, private and public land managers will have far greater opportunities for long‐term success in suppression of established invasive species. © 2016 Society of Chemical Industry     

Combined use of a synthetic trail pheromone and insecticidal bait provides effective control of an invasive ant

BACKGROUND: Except for sex pheromones, use of pheromones in pest management has been largely unexplored. A high concentration of trail pheromone disrupts ant trail following and foraging, and thus synthetic trail pheromone can be a novel control agent for pest ants. In this study, a year‐long treatment of small areas (100 m² plots of urban house gardens) with synthetic trail pheromone, insecticidal bait or both was conducted to develop a novel control method of the invasive Argentine ant Linepithema humile (Mayr). RESULTS: The ant population could be maintained lower than or similar to the initial level only by combined treatment with synthetic trail pheromone and insecticidal bait. Actually, the ant population was nearly always lowest in combination treatment plots. Throughout the study period, the ant population in plots treated with either one of synthetic trail pheromone or insecticidal bait remained similar to no‐treatment plots. CONCLUSIONS: Combination treatment may be a more effective and environmentally friendly method for controlling invasive ants than conventional methods. Extermination of ants by insecticidal bait and inhibition of re‐infestation by pheromone may be the mechanism of the combination effect. This is the first study to show a significant effect of synthetic trail pheromone on ant population. Copyright © 2011 Society of Chemical Industry     

我国农业入侵生物科学管控体系形成与发展

生物安全是国家安全的重要组成部分, 生物安全研究技术是当前最活跃的技术领域, 是推动世界新一轮科技革命和产业变革的重要力量之一, 日益成为全球科技竞争的热点领域和各国争相布局的战略制高点。进入21世纪以来, 我国农业外来生物入侵等生物安全问题不断凸显, 直接影响粮食安全、生态安全乃至社会与国家安全。本文总结了近年来我国在生物入侵防控领域研究的现状和所取得的成就, 并结合国际生物入侵研究的发展态势及聚焦我国生物入侵领域技术发展的重大需求, 明确我国农业生物入侵防控研究领域的重大科学问题及科技发展方向和重点任务, 进而定位我国在全球生物入侵科技创新坐标系中的位置, 做好我国在该领域的重大科学工程和战略性科学计划, 为我国中长期生物安全科技发展规划和重大任务部署提供重要决策和依据。     

Insect pests and their management in yam production and storage: a world review

Yam (Dioscorea spp.) is a tropical tuber crop produced for food and medicinal purposes. Yams are infested by a broad taxonomic diversity of insect pests. We reviewed a total of 73 insect species associated with Dioscorea species in different parts of the world. Yam is infested by 48 species when the crop is in the field, and after harvest (i.e. in storage) the tubers are attacked by 27 species. The majority of these insects belong to the order Coleoptera (35 species) followed by the orders Hemiptera (15), Lepidoptera (13), Isoptera (5), Hymenoptera (2), Diptera (1), and Thysanoptera (1). Yam scales, mealybugs, and a few beetles cause significant losses to tubers both in the field and in storage. We review various methods of management for these insect pests. An integrated approach towards managing these pests, both in the field and in storage, is essential. Post-harvest losses in storage of yam can be reduced, partly, by using biocontrol agents for mealybugs and scales. Alternative strategies for the management of insect pests of tubers in storage are discussed.     

中国草蛉科天敌昆虫及其生防应用研究进展

草蛉是一类重要的捕食性天敌昆虫,在蚜虫、介壳虫、粉虱、蓟马和螨类等农业害虫的生物防治中发挥着积极作用。虽然利用草蛉进行生物防治在我国已有近50年的历史,但针对不同农业生态系统及不同害虫物种,有关草蛉优势天敌物种的精准开发利用仍受到分类鉴定、生物学习性和捕食潜能等基础科学问题研究不足的制约。本文总结了草蛉科的基础生物学习性、地区优势物种与栖境选择、捕食潜能、草蛉与猎物及植物的互作关系和田间应用现状,提出了改善草蛉生防应用成效中的关键问题,对我国具有生防应用前景的草蛉种质资源发掘进行了评述,以期为推动我国草蛉天敌物种的发掘及其在生物防治中的应用提供参考。     

Attract‐and‐kill: a new strategy for the management of the potato tuber moths Phthorimaea operculella (Zeller) and Symmetrischema tangolias (Gyen) in potato: laboratory experiments towards optimising pheromone and insecticide concentration

BACKGROUND: Sex pheromones of the potato tuber moths Phthorimaea operculella (Zeller) and Symmetrischema tangolias (Gyen) are ideal tools to monitor pest flight activity but are not used as means of control. The aim of the present study was to test the suitability of an attract‐and‐kill strategy consisting of pure pheromones and the contact insecticide cyfluthrin as the active ingredient, formulated with plant oils and ultraviolet absorbers, and applied in droplet sizes of 100 µL. RESULTS: Cyfluthrin at a concentration of 5 g L^?1 resulted in the highest and fastest killing of males after 48 h, with a 100% mortality after 3–4 days. In contrast, control males survived for 13 days. In olfactometer experiments, the pheromone concentration of 0.5 g L^?1 was significantly most attractive against eight virgin females. At controlled conditions (20 °C), no reduction in efficacy of the attract‐and‐kill formulation was observed for a minimum period of 36 days, whereas under natural environmental conditions the efficacy reduced gradually after day 6 of exposure. The longer the droplet was exposed, the longer was the time to reach 100% mortality of males. CONCLUSIONS: Compared with attract‐and‐kill studies for other pest species, the results are promising as a means of achieving highly effective control of potato tuber moths under field conditions. Copyright © 2010 Society of Chemical Industry