Laboratory assay of the effectiveness of the entomopathogenic fungus Isaria farinosa (Holmsk.) Fries (Sordariomycetes: Hypocreales) against the vine mealybug Planococcus ficus (Signoret) (Hemiptera: Pseudococcidae), even under the use of fungicides

The vine mealybug, Planococcus ficus (Signoret) (Hemiptera: Pseudococcidae), is one of the main pests in vineyards. At present biological control of the pest is based on the release of hymenopterous parasitoids and coccinellid predators. The effectiveness of an entomopathogenic fungus, Isaria farinosa, as an alternative biological control agent on vine mealybug P. ficus was investigated by using different inoculum densities and different relative humidity levels. The fungus caused more than 80% mortality at 95% relative humidity and at 1 × 10⁸ conidia ml^?1 inoculum density. The mortality effects of the fungus decreased in lower humidity levels and lower spore densities. The inhibitory effects of common fungicides, used in vineyards, on I. farinosa were also investigated. Sulphur, copper oxychloride, fosetyl-Al and chlorothalonil did not decrease the effectiveness of I. farinosa as a pathogen of vine mealybug. With the application of tebuconazole, penconazole and mancozeb, the most inhibitory fungicides on the entomopathogen, the mortality rates of mealybugs, inoculated with I. farinosa, decreased from 86% to 42%, 34% and 45%, respectively, in the adult females; from 94% to 51%, 45% and 45%, respectively, in the first nymphal stages; and from 86% to 56%, 49% and 63%, respectively, in ovisacs.     

Experimental infection of the squirrel (Sciurus vulgaris) and the muskrat (Ondatra zibethica) with Tahyna virus (California group, Bunyaviridae)

Two squirrels aged 16 weeks and three muskrats aged 24 weeks were subcutaneously infected with a dose of 400 SMicLD50 of the extraneurally passaged "236" strain of Tahyna virus. Viremia was detected in one squirrel (48 and 96 hours post infection) and in two muskrats (24 and 48 hours p.i.). Seroconversion was demonstrated by plaque-reduction neutralization test (PRNT) 21 days p.i. in all animals.     

多异瓢虫对豆无网长管蚜捕食作用研究

在实验室内测定了多异瓢虫成虫,各龄幼虫对豆无网长管蚜的捕食作用,结果表明,多异瓢虫成虫及4龄幼虫对豆无网长管蚜有较强的捕食作用;多异瓢虫成虫及各龄幼虫对豆无网长管蚜密度的功能反应符合Holling-Ⅱ型;多异瓢虫成虫自身密度的功能反应能用Hassell数学模型较好地反映。     

Tuta absoluta (Meyrick) (Lepidoptera,Gelechiidae) in the Republic of Srpska (Bosnia and Herzegovina)

Pheromone traps were placed in the market place in Banja Luka, and in greenhouses and open field tomato crops, on 13 September 2010 to determine the presence of Tuta absoluta (Meyrick) (Lepidoptera: Gelechiidae) in Banja Luka region. Based on examination of traps, the presence of T. absoluta was confirmed for the first time in the Republic of Srpska. Only mines of Liriomyza species were found by examining leaves under a stereomicroscope. In 2011, pheromone traps were placed in greenhouses at several locations (Banja Luka, Prijedor, Novi Grad, Kozarska Dubica, Ljubinje and Trebinje) at the beginning of June, and in open fields in Bijeljina and Trebinje at the beginning of September. Examination of the traps was carried out at intervals of 15 days. A sample of 100 leaves, taken from 20 randomly selected plants, was examined in order to evaluate the intensity of the attack. The first adults were caught in greenhouses in Ljubinje and Trebinje on 18 June 2011; in open field crops in Bijeljina on 9 September 2011 and in Banja Luka on 5 October 2011. Adults were not captured in Prijedor, Novi Grad or Kozarska Dubica, and no mined leaves were observed. The intensity of attack was evaluated on the basis of active infestation (percentage of leaves with active mines compared with all mined leaves). The strongest intensity of active infestation was recorded in the open field crops in Trebinje, where 19% of leaves with active mines were found.     

Two new species of the genus Gyrodactylus (Monogenea) from the fins of Leuciscus cephalus (L.)

Gyrodactylus kearni sp. n. and G. lamberti sp. n. (Monogenea: Gyrodactylidae) are described from the fins of the freshwater fish, Leuciscus cephalus (L.) (Cyprinidae), from the Rokytná River and St?pánovicky Brook (basin of the River Danube), Czechoslovakia, G. kearni sp. n. is most related to G. leucisci Zitnan, 1964 in the shape and size of marginal hooks, but can be separated from it in the shape of anchors and ventral bar. G. lamberti sp. n. is most closely related to G. gobii Shulman, 1953 and G. truttae Glser, 1974 in the shape of the complex of anchors, but differs markedly from them in the shape of the hook proper of marginal hooks.     

Data on the morphology of the nematode Spinitectus minor (Stewart, 1914) (Nematoda: Cystidicolidae)

Morphology of the nematode Spinitectus minor harboured by Mastacembelus armatus from Burdwan, West Bengal, India was studied by light and scanning electron microscopes. The worms were described, illustrated and discussed taking into consideration of the information available relative to this species. Alate spicules, polar caps on the eggs and prodelphic uteri are clearly seen in the present LM studies and SEM photomicrographs provided detailed information about the microtopography of the worms.     

Infection of the pearl millet (Pennisetum americanum) inflorescence by the downy mildew fungus (Sclerospora graminicola)

Different developmental stages of the inflorescence of pearl millet (Pennisetum americanum) were inoculated with zoospores of the downy mildew fungus (Sclerospora graminicola). Individual florets within a panicle were infected, with resultant malformation of any floral organs that were not fully differentiated at the time of infection. 'Green-ear' symptoms resulting from hyperplasia and hypertrophy of the host tissues were accompanied by both sexual and asexual sporulation of the fungus on the malformed plant parts. No grain set occurred in affected florets, indicating that secondary inoculum was able to cause yield reductions even at late stages in the host development. Infection of differentiated stigmas led to rapid dissolution and necrosis of tissue and prevented colonization by the pathogen. This failure suggests that seeds are unlikely to be infected internally.     

引诱剂对蜜柑大实蝇的诱捕效果

本文报道了采用国际通用的监测技术,利用橘小实蝇、瓜实蝇、地中海实蝇引诱剂和水解蛋白诱饵,在广西凭祥市确定存在蜜柑大实蝇的果园开展了针对性的诱捕;诱捕结果表明,瓜实蝇引诱剂和水解蛋白诱饵能够诱捕到蜜柑大实蝇成虫,且水解蛋白诱饵比瓜实蝇引诱剂诱捕效果好.     

Structure of the Aedes aegypti (L.) and Culex quinquefasciatus Say (Diptera: Culicidae) populations in the houses of Phnom Penh (Kampuchea)

Sex ratio and engorged females ratio were studied in the main mosquito species populations (Aedes aegypti, Culex quinquefasciatus and partially Anopheles vagus) in the houses of Phnom Penh. Collections were carried out in 7 different localities, including area from the centre of the town to the periphery. In Ae. aegypti and C. quinquefasciatus populations females were dominant in 5 localities, while males were dominant in 2 localities. Engorged females were predominant over unfed ones in all cases (collections were always carried out in the morning). Structure of population varied slightly according to the date of collection. The influence of two main factors, character of locality and monthly amount of rainfall, on structure of mosquito population is discussed.     

Analysis of interspecific relationships in mesostigmatid mites (Acari: Mesostigmata) in the nests of the bank vole (Clethrionomys glareolus (Schreber, 1780))

An analysis is presented of a community of mesostigmatid mites from the nests of Clethrionomys glareolus found in the forest biotopes of Vsetínské Beskydy Mts. (North Moravia) throughout all seasons of the year. Main attention was paid to the structure of the nest community, relationships of mites to their host and interspecific relationships in the mites themselves. Primarily cluster and factor analyses based on correlation matrix were used for mathematical assessment. The particular elements of correlation matrix were Spearman's non-parametric correlation coefficients computed from frequencies of species in the nests studied.     

Additional diet of the parasitoids (Hymenoptera: Braconidae) and the parasitizing of the Elm Bark Beetle (Coleoptera: Scolytidae)

Supplementing the diet of Coeloides scolyticida, Dendrosoter protuberans and Ecphylus silesiacus (Hymenoptera: Braconidae) with Parker's diet and the nectars of melliferous plants: Daucus carota L., Sinapis alba L. and Stachys recta L. had a significant effect on longevity, reproduction, developmental rate, and parasitizing of Scolytus scolytus (Fab.), Scolytus multistriatus (Marsh.) and Scolytus pygmaeus (Fab.) (Coleoptera: Scolytidae). These values were considerably lower for wasps fed with the nectar of Sinapis arvensis L. and Trifolium repens L. and the lowest for those without dietary additives. Parker's diet had the most significant effect on the parasitoids and parasitizing of the bark beetles. Nectar of S. recta and S. alba proved most suitable for C. scolyticida and D. protuberans, while E. silesiacus using the nectar from D. carota flower significantly increased parasitizing of S. pygmaeus. T. repens flowers were not a suitable additive for the diet of parasitoids. The parasitoids without additives in their diet had shorter lives, shorter development, and were less effective in reducing host numbers. E. silesiacus wasps had the longest development, and C. scolyticida the shortest. Generally, the parasitoids of the second generation had a slightly prolonged development (1–2 days).     

Assessing the resistance of collard greens genotypes to the cabbage aphid (Brevicoryne brassicae) (Hemiptera: Aphididae)

Phytoparasitica - Severe attacks of Brevicoryne brassicae (Hemiptera: Aphididae) on brassica crops may lead to a significant decrease in yield and can cause plant death. Host plant...