Wirkung von ätherischem öl ausAcorus calamus (L.)-Rhizomen und β-Asaron auf den großen KornbohrerProstephanus truncatus (Horn) (Coleoptera,Bostrichidae)

In the early 1980s,Prostephanus truncatus (Horn) spread out uncontrollably in aras south of the Sahara, having been brought in by imported maize from tropical regions of America. Its main diet is maize; it reproduces at a great rate in stored maize cobs. Attempts were made to control this pest usingAcorus calamus oil and its main ingredient β-asarone, as the use of similar oils has been shown to arrest the development of other insects. Vapourising the maize kernels and cobs was unsuccessful and in some cases led to a significant increase in the destruction of maize and the reproduction of beetles. However vapourisation killed hungry beetles within 3 days; short periods of treatment achieved a high rate of pest destruction, leaving the survivors with a reduced appetite and reproductive rate. Spraying of maize cobs did not prevent infestation; beetles able to infect these cobs reproduced normally. Success was only achieved by spraying maize kernels, usingAcorus calamus oil dosed at 750 mg per kilo maize; damage was then restricted to 5%.     

Distribution and ecology ofLymantria monacha L. andCephalcia spp. in non-outbreak areas of Trentino (N-Italy)

The life history and the ecology ofLymantria monacha andCephalcia spp. were studied in spruce (Picea abies) stands under latent conditions. Methods were based on the use of different monitoring devices, whose efficiency was evaluated. The abundance ofL. monacha monitored by pheromone traps, was inversely proportional to the altitude and the catches fell always within the range known for the latent populations. The following species of sawflies of the genusCephalcia were found, in order of decreasing abundance:C. arvensis, C. fallenii, C. abietis, C. alashanica. They presented different flight period,C. fallenii being the first emerging species in spring, followed byC. arvensis, C. abietis, C. alashanica andC. arvensis again. The problem of the peaks in the flight ofC. arvensis is discussed in the light of the recent findings in Czechoslovakia. The devices used in monitoring (tree band, yellow board, emergence trap) supplied different results for the sex ratio and the level of catches. Evidence for attraction between individuals is given. The catches of the most abundant species were strongly influenced by the altitude and the stand characteristics.L. monacha seems to prefer the lower sites, with a large number of small trees.C. arvensis andC. fallenii were most abundant in the colder sites, characterized by a medium (C. arvensis) or a medium-high (C. fallenii) diameter and by a low number of trees. The results are compared with the stand characteristics of the outbreak areas.     

Control ofEphestia kuehniella Zell. by sex pheromones in the flour mills

The possibility of controlling ofEphestia kuebniella Zell. by mass-trapping, mating-disruption and attracticide method was investigated in Northern Italy from 1986 to 1992.Considerable progress has been made in these years in controlling of mediterranean flour moth with sex pheromone (Z9E12-14Ac or TDA). The utilization of synthetic pheromone could lead to a drastic reduction of chemical treatments with consequent economic and qualitative advantages, protecting goods from residual products noxious to consumers and improving the image of the firm.

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Zusammenfassung Es wurden von 1986 bis 1992 in norditalienischen Mühlen Versuche zur Bekämpfung vonEphestia kuehniella durch Massenfang, Kopulationsverhinderung und Anlockung/Vergiftung durchgeführt. Es ergaben sich beachtliche Erfolge mit dem Sexualpheromon Z9E12-14Ac (=TDA). Es konnte damit eine drastische Verminderung der chemischen Bekämpfung erreicht werden, woraus wirtschaftliche Vorteile und ein besseres Image bei den Verbrauchern resultierten.

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With 5 figures     

Studies on hymenopteran parasites ofMelanagromyza obtusa (Malloch) (diptera,agromyzidae), a pest ofCajanus cajan spreng., in India

Four hymenopteran species viz.Ormyrus orientalis Walker (Ormyridae),Euderus lividus (Ashmead) (Eulophidae),Eurytoma sp. (Eurytomidae) andSenegalella sp. (Torymidae) were reared and studied as parasites ofMelanagromyza obtusa (Malloch) (Dipt., Agromyzidae) in India. The biology ofM. obtusa and their parasites is briefly described. A view is given on the possibility of using these parasites for biological control.     

Herstellung polyklonaler Antikörper in Hühnern unter Ausnutzung des immunologischen Gedächtnisses am Beispiel des Tabakmosaikvirus (TMV)

Zusammenfassung In einem Huhn wurden polyklonale Antikörper gegen TMV produziert. Da, um das immunologische Gedächtnis optimal auszunutzen, die Spanne zwischen erster und zweiter Immunisierung größer sein sollte als dies üblicherweise bei phytopathogenen Viren gehandhabt wird, erfolgte die zweite Immunisierung 10 Wochen nach der ersten. Bei diesem langen zeitlichen Abstand konnte nach der zweiten Immunisierung bei den Antikörpern aus dem Eidotter ein Titter von 80000 erzielt werden, nach der dritten Immunisierung stieg der Titer auf 160000. Die Antikörper, die man aus dem Blutserum gewann (Titer: 40000), konnte man auch erfolgreich im ELISA einsetzen.

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Raising polyclonal antibodies against TMV in a hen utilizing the immunological memory

Polyclonal antibodies were raised against TMV in a hen. According to the immunological theory that in order to get a good immunological memory the time interval between the first and the second immunization should be larger than mostly practised in the case of plant viruses, the second immunization was undertaken 10 weeks after the first. Using this long interval a titer of 80000 could be achieved for antibodies from egg yolk after the second immunization. After the third immunization the titer increased up to 160000. The antibodies from the blood serum (titer: 40000) could also be used successfully for the ELISA.

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Mit einer Abbildung und einer Tabelle     

Experimentelle Infektion von Pityogenes chalcographus L. (Coleoptera,Scolytidae) durch Malamoeba scolyti Purrini (Amoebina,Amoebidae) und Menzbieria chalcographi Weiser (Neogregarina,Ophryocystidae)

Experimental infection of differentPitygenes chalcographus strains with the protozoan parasitesMalamoeba scolyti andMenzbieria chalcographi were partially successful.Malamoeba, although not yet described as a parasite ofPityogenes in the field, seems better adapted to this new host thanMenzbieria. The development of the two pathogens is comparatively described. Preliminary results on mortality in infected and uninfected samples indicate an influence of nematode infection on susceptibility ofPityogenes toMenzbieria andMalamoeba and strain-specific differences in sensitivity to protozoan infection, as well.