Parasitoid complex (Hymenoptera, Braconidae, Aphidiinae) of Aphis craccivora Koch (Hemiptera: Aphidoidea) in Iran

The parasitoids (Hymenoptera, Braconidae, Aphidiinae) of the cowpea aphid, Aphis craccivora Koch, were investigated throughout two far distant provinces, Tehran and Sistan-Baluchestan. Colonies of the cowpea aphid were collected from different host plants and reared under laboratory conditions until the parasitoids emerged. The aphids were parasitized by an expected range of parasitoids. The species were Aphidius colemani Viereck, Lysiphlebus fabarum (Marshall), Lysiphlebus confusus Tremblay and Eady, Lysiphlebus testaceipes (Cresson), Binodoxys acalephae (Marshall), Binodoxys angelicae (Haliday), Praon volucre (Haliday) and Ephedrus persicae Froggatt. L. testaceipes is reported here for the first time in Iran. The most common species was L. fabarum followed by B. acalephae and L. confusus. A key is provided for identification and host plant associations are considered.     

Male multiple matings and reproductive success in commodity-adapted strains of <Emphasis Type="Italic">Sitophilus oryzae</Emphasis>

Multiple matings occur in many species of stored-grain insect pests, such as the rice weevil Sitophilus oryzae (L.), with both female and male mating more than once and with more than one partner. Multiple female mating in S. oryzae increased lifetime fecundity by extending the period of time progeny were produced, but consequences of multiple male mating in S. oryzae were not yet studied although it is likely to increase male fitness by increasing offspring production. Here, the effects of polygynous mating on male mating behavior, success, and fitness were assessed in two strains of S. oryzae, one adapted to barley and another to wheat. Two insect strains were considered because they may differ in response depending on the host grain, which present distinct nutritional value to the insects. Mating by pairs formed between the two strains did not impact mating success, but wheat-adapted females exhibited longer mating duration, which was positively correlated with progeny production. Wheat-adapted males exhibited higher fertility than barley-adapted males. When male multiple matings were considered in successive polygynous matings, late matings led to lower non-cumulative values of progeny production, but higher cumulative performance, and wheat-adapted S. oryzae always performed better. Thus, male fitness and grain losses in wheat are higher than in barley, even when S. oryzae was adapted to the latter.     

Influence of grain type on the insecticidal efficacy of two diatomaceous earth formulations against Rhyzopertha dominica (F) (Coleoptera: Bostrychidae)

Laboratory bioassays were carried out in order to evaluate the effectiveness of two diatomaceous earth (DE) formulations, Insecto and SilicoSec, against adults of Rhyzopertha dominica (F) in eight different grain commodities. The adherence of the two DEs to each grain was also measured. The eight grains tested were wheat, whole barley, peeled barley, oats, rye, triticale, rice and maize. These commodities were treated with the DEs at three rates, 0.75, 1.0 and 1.5 g DE kg(-1) grain. The mortality of R dominica adults was measured after 24 h, 48 h, 7 days and 14 days of exposure in the treated grains at 26 degrees C and 55% RH. After the 14-day mortality count, all adults were removed and the treated grains retained under the same conditions for a further 60 days. The treated grains were subsequently examined for F1 progeny. Significant differences were recorded among the eight grain types as well as between the DE formulations tested. After 14 days of exposure, even at the lowest DE rate for both formulations, adult mortality was high (>90%) in wheat and triticale. In contrast, adult mortality was significantly lower in peeled barley. Increasing the rate improved the efficacy of the DEs significantly in only some of the grains tested. Reproductive capacity in all the treated grains was significantly suppressed when compared with untreated grains. Generally, more F1 individuals of R dominica were noted in the treated peeled barley than in the other commodities. Significant differences in the percentage of DE retention were noted among the eight grains. The highest retention level was noted in rice (>87%) and the lowest in maize (<6%). However, the degree of DE adherence to a given grain was not always indicative of the effectiveness of DE against R dominica.     

Evaluation of spinetoram and spinosad for control of Prostephanus truncatus,Rhyzopertha dominica,Sitophilus oryzae,and Tribolium confusum on stored grains under laboratory tests

Spinetoram and spinosad have been evaluated against certain stored-product insect pests with success but there are no data available on the comparison of the efficacy of these two novel compounds in stored grains. Thus, laboratory bioassays were conducted to compare spinetoram and spinosad as grain protectants against Prostephanus truncatus (Horn) (Coleoptera: Bostrychidae) adults, Rhyzopertha dominica (F.) (Coleoptera: Bostrychidae) adults, Sitophilus oryzae (L.) (Coleoptera: Curculionidae) adults, and Tribolium confusum Jacquelin du Val (Coleoptera: Tenebrionidae) adults and larvae. Factors such as treatment (1 ppm spinetoram, 1 ppm spinosad, 0.1 ppm spinetoram + 0.9 ppm spinosad, 0.5 ppm spinetoram + 0.5 ppm spinosad, and 0.9 ppm spinetoram + 0.1 ppm spinosad), exposure interval (1, 2, 7, and 14 days), temperature (20, 25, and 30 °C), and commodity (barley, maize, rye, and wheat) were evaluated. Progeny production was assessed after 60 days of exposure. Concerning temperatures, for P. truncatus adults, after 14 days of exposure, all adults were dead in treatments except of the case of spinosad alone at 20 °C. Offspring emergence was completely suppressed in all treatments at 20 and 25 °C. For R. dominica adults, after 7 days of exposure, the overall mortality ranged from 92.8 to 100 %. After 14 days of exposure, all adults were dead in all treatments of the combined use of spinetoram and spinosad at 25 and 30 °C. Progeny production was completely suppressed in all treatments at 30 °C. For S. oryzae adults, after 7 days of exposure, all S. oryzae were died at 25 and 30 °C in all treatments except in the case of spinosad alone. Offspring emergence was very low in all treatments and temperatures except in the case of spinosad alone at 30 °C. For T. confusum adults, after 1, 2, and 7 days of exposure, the overall mortality was low in all treatments and temperatures. Concerning commodities, for R. dominica adults, after 7 and 14 days of exposure, the overall mortality was >97 %. Offspring emergence was very low in all commodities. For S. oryzae adults, after 7 and 14 days of exposure, the overall mortality was increased exceeding 91 % except in the case of spinosad alone 7 days after exposure in barley. Progeny production was high in barley and rye in all treatments. For T. confusum adults, after 7 and 14 days, the overall mortality was low in barley, rye, and wheat. No offspring emergence was recorded in all treatments and commodities. For T. confusum larvae, after 14 days of exposure mortality was further increased, but did not reach 100 % for any of the combinations tested. The results of the present study suggest that the simultaneous application of spinetoram and spinosad was generally equally effective with the use of either spinosad or spinetoram alone. Furthermore, the increase of dose of either compound resulted in the same mortality levels. Thus, no benefits were achieved when spinetoram and spinosad were used simultaneously on grains, regardless of the proportion of each ingredient. These issues should be seriously considered when control measures against stored-product insects are designed.     

Evaluation of a multisurface trap for the capture ofEphestia kuehniella in stored wheat

An experiment was conducted to assess the use of a multisurface trap for the capture ofEphestia kuehniella Zeller (Lepidoptera: Pyralidae) in a horizontal-type warehouse in southern Greece, filled with approx. 200 tons of wheat. This type of trap consists of five white rectangular adhesive cardboard strips, suspended vertically from a cruciform apparatus. Four different types of traps were placed in the warehouse, one at each corner (pheromonebaited multisurface, unbaited multisurface, pheromone-baited single, and unbaited single trap). Traps were checked at 15-day intervals from July to November 2000. Approx. 85% of the total number of captured adults were recorded by late August. The highest numbers of moths were observed from mid-July until mid-August. As compared with the unbaited multisurface trap, the baited single and the unbaited single, the baited multisurface traps caught approximately 4.2, 4.8 and 41.2 times moreE. kuehniella adults, respectively. For all trap types, significantly higher numbers of adults were captured at the lower part of the sticky surface, as compared with the central and upper parts (P<0.05). A considerable percentage of the moths captured was found at the edges of the trapping surfaces, especially on the unbaited traps, where the figure exceeded 36%. With the exception of the unbaited single trap, significantly more adults were recorded at the lower edge of the trap (P<0.001), while the upper edge — as compared with the other edges — captured the fewest adults. Exposure of the trapping surface to illuminated areas of the warehouse, or location of the trapping surfaces close to walls, had no significant effect on captures. http://www.phytoparasitica.org posting Dec. 16, 2002.     

Asymmetry of mating behaviour affects copulation success in two stored-product beetles

Lateralization (i.e. left–right asymmetries in the brain and behaviour) has been documented in all vertebrate classes, while evidences for invertebrates are limited. To the best of our knowledge, there is no information about behavioural asymmetries in the order Coleoptera. In this research, we investigated the lateralization of mating traits in two major pests of stored products: the rice weevil, Sitophilus oryzae (Coleoptera: Curculionidae), and the confused flour beetle, Tribolium confusum (Coleoptera: Tenebrionidae). Both T. confusum and S. oryzae males showed population-level left-biased copulation approaches of potential mates. Interestingly, T. confusum and S. oryzae males performing left-biased copulation attempts achieved higher mating success over right-biased males. Furthermore, S. oryzae males periodically exhibited a typical head wagging behaviour, which consists of waving the rostrum laterally across the female thorax and then resting the rostrum on the mid thorax. This behaviour was right-biased, even in the majority of males that previously showed left-biased copulation attempts. The quantification of mating displays could allow comparisons with other strains, in order to evaluate the impact of a given host or of the rearing methods on the mating traits of S. oryzae and T. confusum. Overall, this is the first report of lateralization of mating traits in Coleoptera. Furthermore, this research adds basic knowledge to the reproductive behaviour of S. oryzae and T. confusum.     

Insecticidal efficacy of fipronil against four stored‐product insect pests: influence of commodity,dose, exposure interval,relative humidity and temperature

BACKROUND: Fipronil is an insecticidal pyrazole that is commonly used as an insecticide in field crops, urban pesticide and veterinary medicine, but there are no reports of its evaluation against stored‐product insects. Three series of laboratory bioassays were conducted to assess fipronil as a potential grain protectant against adults of Sitophilus oryzae (L.), Tribolium confusum Jacquelin du Val, Rhyzopertha dominica (F.) and Prostephanus truncatus (Horn). Factors such as dose (0.01, 0.1, 1 and 10 mg fipronil kg^?1 grain), exposure interval (24 h, 48 h, 7 days and 14 days), temperature (20, 25 and 30 °C), relative humidity (RH; 55 and 65%) and commodity (wheat, maize, barley and paddy rice) were evaluated with regard to their impact on the insecticidal activity of fipronil. Progeny production was assessed after 64 days of exposure. RESULTS: At doses of < 1 mg fipronil kg^?1 grain, efficacy of fipronil was enhanced by an increase in temperature from 20 to 25 °C against S. oryzae or R. dominica for exposures of > 48 h and against T. confusum or P. truncatus for exposures of > 24 h. A further increase in temperature from 25 to 30 °C, although it enhanced efficacy at doses of < 1 mg fipronil kg^?1 grain against S. oryzae at all exposure intervals and against T. confusum after 7 days of exposure, it was negatively associated with efficacy against R. dominica or P. truncatus for exposures of > 24 h. By contrast, increase in RH did not have a significant impact on efficacy of fipronil. Although the performance of fipronil among the tested commodities was species dependent, this substance appeared to be less effective in paddy rice than in barley, maize and wheat. Regardless of the treated commodity, progeny production of all the tested species was almost suppressed with doses higher than 0.1 mg fipronil kg^?1 grain. CONCLUSIONS: Fipronil appeared to be a very effective alternative to the existing substances in stored‐grain protection at doses equal to or higher than 1 mg fipronil kg^?1 grain, and thus these doses require further evaluation in terms of safety for the consumer and residues on stored products. Copyright © 2010 Society of Chemical Industry