Preliminary resistance screening on abamectin in pear psylla (Hemiptera: Psyllidae) in northern Italy

In northern Italy (Emilia-Romagna region), integrated pest management has been used for several years against pear psylla, Cacopsylla pyri L. (Hemiptera: Psyllidae), a relevant pest of pear (Pyrus spp.) trees. After the outlawing of amitraz in 2005, the most common active ingredient involved is abamectin, a mixture of avermectin B1a and avermectin B1b. After the development of C. pyri resistance to azinphos methyl in southern France, we evaluated, by topical application, the different sensitivities to abamectin on C. pyri populations collected in orchards from Emilia-Romagna, where different field strategies were used, with alternative success in terms of pest management. The LC50 values ranged between 1.61 and 28.37 mg/liter, and they revealed variations more related to collection time than to field strategies. The failure of abamectin treatments against C. pyri in some Emilia-Romagna locations is probably unrelated to resistance development, but rather it is related to incorrect pest defense management, which could interfere with pest parasitoids and predators.     

Dispersion patterns and sampling plans for Diaphorina citri (Hemiptera: Psyllidae) in citrus

The abundance and spatial dispersion of Diaphorina citri Kuwayama (Hemiptera: Psyllidae) were studied in 34 grapefruit (Citrus paradisi Macfad.) and six sweet orange [Citrus sinensis (L.) Osbeck] orchards from March to August 2006 when the pest is more abundant in southern Texas. Although flush shoot infestation levels did not vary with host plant species, densities of D. citri eggs, nymphs, and adults were significantly higher on sweet orange than on grapefruit. D. citri immatures also were found in significantly higher numbers in the southeastern quadrant of trees than other parts of the canopy. The spatial distribution of D. citri nymphs and adults was analyzed using Iowa's patchiness regression and Taylor's power law. Taylor's power law fitted the data better than Iowa's model. Based on both regression models, the field dispersion patterns of D. citri nymphs and adults were aggregated among flush shoots in individual trees as indicated by the regression slopes that were significantly >1. For the average density of each life stage obtained during our surveys, the minimum number of flush shoots per tree needed to estimate D. citri densities varied from eight for eggs to four flush shoots for adults. Projections indicated that a sampling plan consisting of 10 trees and eight flush shoots per tree would provide density estimates of the three developmental stages of D. citri acceptable enough for population studies and management decisions. A presence-absence sampling plan with a fixed precision level was developed and can be used to provide a quick estimation of D. citri populations in citrus orchards.     

Cacopsylla pyri L. (Hom., Psyllidae) and its predators relationship in Italy's Emilia-Romagna region

Abstract: Sampling techniques for Cacopsylla pyri adults and its predators ( Anthocoris nemoralis, Coccinellidae spp. and Chrysopidae spp.) were comparatively studied over autumn–winter 2000 in three pear orchards of Ferrara Province in northern Italy's Emilia-Romagna Region. Bating tray (or frappage), yellow sticky traps and corrugated cardboard traps were employed for insect monitoring while water pan traps were used for the phenological timing of leaf fall. The beating tray provided a more representative sampling method to evaluate the population dynamics and density of C. pyri and its predators than the yellow sticky traps; the corrugated cardboard proved a reliable tool to assess the predator population dynamic in overwintering refuges. Along with climate (temperature) and plant physiological (leaf fall) data, the results reported provide useful information for the scheduling of winter treatments, also in case to control the spread of the mycoplasma-like organism (pear decline) in spring.     

Processed kaolin as an alternative insecticide against the European pear sucker, Cacopsylla pyri (L.)

Abstract:  Application of processed kaolin particle film (Surround^® WP; Engelhard Corporation, Iselin, NJ, USA) repels insects without lethal effects; hence side effects on beneficial arthropods are low. Processed kaolin may be an alternative to broad-spectrum insecticides used against European pear sucker, Cacopsylla pyri (L.), in organic and conventional pear production. A small-plot field trial was conducted in spring 2003 to assess this hypothesis. Multiple applications of processed kaolin during the first flying period of C. pyri significantly reduced the number of nymphs compared to the untreated control. Processed kaolin protected pear trees at least as good as the standard organic insecticide rotenone. Since the effects on the summer population could not be assessed in this small-plot trial due to the high mobility of the adult C. pyri , a large-plot trial was conducted in 2004. Thereby, the processed kaolin showed a very high efficacy and the population of C. pyri was kept under a damaging level over the whole season. At the end of June the population density of C. pyri in the processed kaolin treated area was lower than in the IPM treated plot. In conclusion, kaolin shows promise as an alternative control for C. pyri in organic and IPM orchards.     

Detecting Cacopsylla pyricola (Hemiptera: Psyllidae) in predator guts using COI mitochondrial markers

Cacopsylla pyricola (F?rster) is one of the most important pests of pear in North America, where several native predators have been considered for integrated pest management (IPM) programmes. Two molecular markers of 271 and 188 bp were developed from C. pyricola cytochrome oxidase I (COI) fragments, in order to study the detection of this species in the gut of arthropod predators. Primer sensitivity and the detection period for pear psylla remains in the guts of Anthocoris tomentosus Pericart were determined. The sensitivity threshold was defined at 10-5 dilution of a C. pyricola fifth-instar nymph in all samples. Predator adults were evaluated immediately after ingestion of one to five C. pyricola nymphs (t = 0) and after 2, 4, 6, 8, 16, 24 and 32 h. Detection of the presence of C. pyricola DNA always lasted longer using the shorter fragment and was observed after 32 h of digestion using both markers. The primers amplifying the 188 bp fragment amplified all four psyllid species tested, whereas the primers designed to amplify the 271 bp fragment did so exclusively for C. pyricola and its close relative, Cacopsylla pyri (Linnaeus). Both primers failed to amplify DNA from representative species of the Coccinellidae, Chrysopidae, Hemerobiidae, Anthocoridae, Miridae, Salticidae, Aphididae, Tetranychidae and the Tortricidae, suggesting their suitability for general trophic studies.     

Probability distribution of Orthezia praelonga Douglas (Hemiptera: Sternorrhyncha: Ortheziidae) in citrus

The probability distribution of the orthezia scale, Orthezia praelonga Douglas, was studied in plots of commercial orange orchards (Citrus sinensis L., var. "Pêra Rio"), with 5, 9 and 15 years of age, during one year. The survey of presence or absence of the pest in the plants was carried through twenty samplings in the total area of each plot visually inspecting each plant. The dispersion indexes used were: variance/mean relationship (I), index of Morisita (Id), coefficient of Green (Cx) and k exponent of negative binomial distribution for each sampling. The negative binomial distribution was more representative of the frequency distribution data of this scale in citrus, since the variance was superior to the average in all samplings. The analysis of the aggregation index showed that the majority of the samplings presented aggregate distribution for the scales.     

Predatory mites of the Phytoseiidae family in integrated and ecological pest management systems in orchards in Slovakia

During 2005–2007, 1,332 individuals of predatory mites were found in integrated and ecological orchards in Slovakia. Seven predatory mite species of the family Phytoseiidae, namely Phytoseius echinus, Phytoseiulus macropilis, Euseius finlandicus, Typhlodromus pyri, Paraseiulus triporus, Amblyseius andersoni and Neoseiulella tiliarum, were identified. Out of 1,332 individuals, 519 (39.0%) were found in the apple orchards and 813 (61.0%) in the pear orchards. Out of all predatory mite individuals, 460 (34.5%) were found in the integrated pest management system (IPM) and 872 (65.5%) in the ecological pest management system (EPM). In apple orchards, P. echinus was dominant and constituted 49.3% of the detected mites. In pear orchards, E. finlandicus was dominant and constituted 48.7% of the detected mites. Typhlodromus pyri was also abundant, especially in pear orchards. The other species were less abundant.     

Binomial sequential sampling plan for hemlock woolly adelgid (Hemiptera: Adelgidae) sistens infesting individual eastern hemlock trees

The hemlock woolly adelgid, Adelges tsugae Annand (Hemiptera: Adelgidae), is an exotic insect pest that is killing eastern hemlock, Tsuga canadensis (L.) Carrière, and Carolina hemlock, Tsuga caroliniana Engelmann, in the eastern United States. We used the sequential interval procedure to develop a binomial sequential sampling plan for A. tsugae sistens on individual eastern hemlock trees that uses nondestructive sampling of new shoots. The actual a (type I) and beta (type II) error rates were essentially 5 and 10%, respectively. Tallies of new shoots infested by at least one A. tsugae sistens were compared with stop values for thresholds of 10 and 30% of new hemlock shoots infested. Twenty to 80 new shoots had to be examined per tree to render a low, high, or indeterminate classification, which took < 2 min per tree regardless of the threshold used. This plan should be an efficient and cost-effective tool in the management of A. tsugae infestations on individual, high-value eastern hemlock trees.     

Analysis of the spatio-temporal distribution of Eurygaster integriceps (Hemiptera: Scutelleridae) by using spatial analysis by distance indices and geostatistics

Eurygaster integriceps Puton (Hemiptera: Scutelleridae) is the most serious insect pest of wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) and barley (Hordeum vulgare L.) in Iran. In this study, spatio-temporal distribution of this pest was determined in wheat by using spatial analysis by distance indices (SADIE) and geostatistics. Global positioning and geographic information systems were used for spatial sampling and mapping the distribution of this insect. The study was conducted for three growing seasons in Gharamalek, an agricultural region to the west of Tabriz, Iran. Weekly sampling began when E. integriceps adults migrated to wheat fields from overwintering sites and ended when the new generation adults appeared at the end of season. The adults were sampled using 1- by 1-m quadrat and distance-walk methods. A sweep net was used for sampling the nymphs, and five 180° sweeps were considered as the sampling unit. The results of spatial analyses by using geostatistics and SADIE indicated that E. integriceps adults were clumped after migration to fields and had significant spatial dependency. The second- and third-instar nymphs showed aggregated spatial structure in the middle of growing season. At the end of the season, population distribution changed toward random or regular patterns; and fourth and fifth instars had weaker spatial structure compared with younger nymphs. In Iran, management measures for E. integriceps in wheat fields are mainly applied against overwintering adults, as well as second and third instars. Because of the aggregated distribution of these life stages, site-specific spraying of chemicals is feasible in managing E. integriceps.     

Sampling of Nesidiocoris tenuis (Heteroptera: Miridae) in tomato crops

The number of N. tenuis on the upper, middle, and bottom leaves of tomato plants was correlated; nymphs were most abundant on middle and adults on upper leaves. The dispersion pattern of N. tenuis is aggregated and can be described using a negative binomial distribution. A binomial sampling method is proposed.     

Within-plant distribution and binomial sampling of Pentalonia nigronervosa (Hemiptera: Aphididae) on banana

The banana aphid, Pentalonia nigronervosa Coquerel (Hemiptera: Aphididae), infests banana (Musa spp.) worldwide. Pentalonia nigronervosa is the vector of Banana bunchy top virus (family Nanoviridae, genus Babuvirus) the etiological agent of Banana bunchy top disease (BBTD). BBTD is currently the most serious problem affecting banana in Hawaii. Despite the importance of this vector species, little is known about its biology or ecology. There are also no sampling plans available for P. nigronervosa. We conducted field surveys to develop a sampling plan for this pest. Ten plots were surveyed on seven commercial banana farms on the island of Oahu, HI, for the presence of P. nigronervosa on banana plantlets. We found aphids more frequently near the base of plants, followed by the newest unfurled leaf at the top of the plant. Aphids were least likely to be located on leaves in between the top and bottom of the plant. Aphid infestation on surveyed plots ranged from 8 to 95%. We developed a sequential binomial sampling plan based on our surveys. We also discovered that the within-plant distribution of P. nigronervosa is an important factor to consider when sampling for this pest. Our sampling plan will assist in the development of sustainable management practices for banana production.     

桃一点斑叶蝉种群消长动态和空间分布型研究

研究探明了桃一点斑叶蝉Erythroneurasudra种群消长动态和空间分布型 ,结果表明 :该虫在桃园全年共出现 3个为害高峰 ,分别发生于 4月下旬、5月下旬和 8月上旬 ;该害虫在桃园中呈聚集型的负二项分布。讨论了适宜取样调查方法。     

Population dynamics and seasonal variation in the embryonic dormancy of Pilophorus gallicus (Hemiptera: Miridae): ‘don't put all your eggs in one basket'

相似文献   

Biocontrol of Pests of Apples and Pears in Northern and Central Europe - 3. Predators

Predators of apple and pear pests in northern and central Europe and their use as biological control agents are reviewed. Many natural enemy species are specialized feeders and are able to respond to the population dynamics of particular pest species. The most oustandingly successful example of this is the use of phytoseiid mites, particularly Typhlodromus pyri , against phytophagous pest mites in apple. This mite management strategy is now widespread throughout European apple growing regions. Another example is the use of Anthocoris nemoralis against pear psyllids, Cacopsylla pyricola and C. pyri . Several groups of naturally occurring polyphagous predators, such as chrysopids, coccinellids, syrphids and spiders, also prey on a number of pest species in orchards, contributing generally to the reduction in pest populations. However, they are unlikely alone to prevent pest damage fully and reliably. In seeking biological control opportunities for a particular pest, these polyphagous natural enemies are unlikely to be a high priority. An exception, due to its abundance in orchards, is the common earwig, Forficula auricularia , although this predator may also cause some fruit injury. Another option to consider when reviewing possibilities for biological control in orchards is the introduction of biological control agents. The success rate of this approach, using arthropod predators to control pests of field crops, has been generally poor. Furthermore, mass production methods for predators are likely to be difficult and very costly. The biological supplies industry is constantly seeking culture techniques, largely for arthropod biological control agents of pests of protected crops. It is possible that some future advance may be relevant to orchards, though currently available predators do not appear promising. A careful economic appraisal of the feasibility of use of any potential biological control agent would be prudent before embarking on research.     

Evaluation of sequential sampling plans for the larger grain borer (Coleoptera: Bostrichidae) and the maize weevil (Coleoptera: Curculionidae) and of visual grain assessment in West Africa

Repeated sampling of rural maize stores in Benin was conducted to evaluate published parameters of a sequential sampling plan for a negative binomial distribution to determine pest status for Prostephanus truncatus (Horn) and Sitophilus zeamais Motschulsky. A computer program was used to rerandomize the data and evaluate the effects, in terms of average sample number and error rates, of different sampling plan parameter values. With respect to P. truncatus, lower and upper thresholds of 0.2 and 1.0 insects per ear and parameter values of k = 0.2 and alpha = beta = 0.1 were found to be adequate. With respect to S. zeamais, lower and upper thresholds of 10 and 20 insects per ear and parameter values of k = 1.0 and i alpha = beta = 0.1 were found to be adequate. Simplified sampling rules were proposed in which 11 ears should be sampled and if no P. truncatus are found, the population is low; otherwise the Wald plan should be followed. Owing to the lower per capita rate of damage, effective simplified sampling rules for S. zeamais were difficult to construct. An evaluation of the visual assessment scale rising whole ears showed that a visual scale estimating percentage damage rather than percentage loss, might be easy to construct and preferable for traders. Further work is needed to improve the usefulness of the visual scale in pest management decision support.     

Microbial control of cotton pests: use of the naturally occurring entomopathogenic fungus Aspergillus sp. (BC 639) in the management of Bemisia tabaci (Genn.) (Hemiptera: Aleyrodidae) and beneficial insects on transgenic cotton crops

The commercial adoption of transgenic Bacillus thuringiensis (Bt) cotton (Bollgard II®) reduced the use of insecticides to control Helicoverpa spp. However, the ineffectiveness of the Bt toxin against sucking pests such as silverleaf whiteflies (Bemisia tabaci) resulted in a marked increase in B. tabaci populations and in the use of insecticides to control this pest. The effect of the entomopathogenic fungus Aspergillus sp. BC 639 on B. tabaci and beneficial insects (predominantly predatory insects) was studied in commercial cotton field trials. The results showed that oil-based extracts of the entomopathogenic fungus BC 639 control the number of B. tabaci adults and nymphs in commercial transgenic cotton crops. The BC 639 fungus caused 60.0%, 67.2%, and 68.8% mortality in adults, and 54.6%, 62.3%, and 51.7% in nymphs at 7, 14, and 21 days after treatment, respectively, relative to the unsprayed controls. The effect of BC 639 at concentrations of 125, 250, and 500?ml/ha on low-density B. tabaci (～10 nymphs/leaf) did not differ significantly from that of the commercial insecticide (pyriproxifen). However, at higher densities (>50 nymphs per leaf), low concentrations of BC 639 (125 and 250?ml/ha) were not as effective as 500?ml/ha BC 639 in successfully controlling the pest. A simple graphic analysis suggested that the more B. tabaci nymphs per leaf, the fewer adults per leaf, and that once the number of nymphs increased to ～70 per leaf, a negative feedback regulatory effect reduced the survivorship of the nymphs and adults and/or caused the emigration of the adults from the contaminated leaves in search of new resources. Therefore, the ability of BC 639 to control B. tabaci adults and nymphs with minimal effects on predatory insects indicates its potential utility in supplementing integrated pest management programmes for cotton crops.     

柑橘木虱蜜露排泄机制:进展与展望

半翅目昆虫柑橘木虱Diaphorina citri是柑橘类果树重要害虫,主要以高渗透压的植物韧皮部汁液为食,是柑橘毁灭性病害——柑橘黄龙病(HLB)的主要传播媒介。柑橘木虱取食韧皮部汁液时自身进化出一套完整的渗透调节机制调节其体内渗透压,将体内过量摄入的糖类转化成长链寡糖并以蜜露形式排出体外。本文从柑橘木虱蜜露排泄行为、蜜露组成成分以及影响蜜露排泄的多个因素进行了论述,同时综述了可能参与柑橘木虱蜜露排泄行为的渗透调节基因。研究表明,柑橘木虱雌雄成虫及若虫在蜜露排泄行为上存在显著差异,且排泄的蜜露在颜色、纹路及组成成分方面均有不同;寄主植物、杀虫剂、病原微生物及天敌化合物均会影响柑橘木虱蜜露排泄行为。分子机制探究发现,α-葡萄糖苷水解酶、水通道蛋白及糖基转移酶基因等关键渗透调节基因可能参与调控柑橘木虱蜜露排泄行为。本文可为未来有关柑橘木虱蜜露排泄行为方面的研究以及为研制柑橘木虱防治新型药剂开发新靶标提供参考。     

Susceptibility of twolined spittlebug (Hemiptera: Cercopidae) life stages to entomophagous arthropods in turfgrass

Prosapia bicincta (Say) (Hemiptera: Cercopidae), the twolined spittlebug, is an economic pest of turfgrass in the southeastern United States. No data concerning natural enemies of P. bicincta in turfgrass have been reported previously. We compared predation of spittlebug eggs, nymphs, and adults in the laboratory by potential generalist predators commonly found in turfgrass: bigeyed bugs Geocoris uliginosus Say and Geocoris punctipes Say; red imported fire ant, Solenopsis invicta Buren; wolf spiders (Lycosa sp. Walckenaer); carabid beetles Harpalaus pensylvanicus DeGeer and Calosoma sayi Dejean; and tiger beetles Megacephala carolina carolina L. Eggs were readily consumed by generalist predators. S. invicta consumed 100% of the eggs offered. H. pensylvanicus and C. sayi were also significant predators of P. bicincta eggs. Nymphs live in spittlemasses that protect them from attack by predators, but exposed nymphs were susceptible to attack when mechanically removed from their spittlemasses. S. invicta and M. carolina carolina caused significant mortality of exposed nymphs. P. bicincta adults are aposematic and have the ability to reflex bleed; however, reflex bleeding did not prevent attack by predators. S. invicta and M. carolina carolina killed 100% of the adult spittlebugs offered in laboratory bioassays. Lycosa sp. are less voracious predators of adults. Sound background knowledge about P. bicincta and its potential natural enemy complex is important for the development and implementation of a detailed, site-specific, biologically based pest management program in turfgrass.     

亚洲柑橘木虱成虫和5龄若虫在感染黄龙病的柑橘上的取食行为及获菌效率比较

【目的】亚洲柑橘木虱Diaphorina citri是柑橘的毁灭性病害——黄龙病亚洲种‘Candidatus Liberibacter asiaticus’(‘C las’)的主要传播媒介。本研究的目的是明确木虱成虫和5龄若虫的取食行为、获菌效率是否有差异,以及寄主感染黄龙病是否对5龄若虫取食产生影响。【方法】利用直流型刺吸电位仪(DC-EPG Giga-4)记录柑橘木虱成虫和5龄若虫在携带黄龙病的酸橘Citrus reticulata cv.Sunki嫩梢上10 h的取食行为,用qPCR单头检测其获得黄龙病病原菌的效率,并比较5龄若虫在感病和健康植株嫩梢上的取食行为。【结果】柑橘木虱成虫与5龄若虫在感染黄龙病的酸橘上的取食行为有显著差异。5龄若虫比成虫更快地开始在韧皮部和木质部进行吸食,口针在韧皮部的总过程以及吸食时间显著长于成虫。此外,5龄若虫和成虫在EPG测定(同时饲菌)10 h后获菌率分别为37.5%和20.0%,若虫明显高于成虫。寄主植物感染黄龙病对5龄若虫的取食行为有一定的影响,表现在感病植株上的刺探次数、唾液分泌次数和韧皮部吸食次数都显著少于健康植株,而两者分泌唾液和韧皮部吸食时间没有显著差异。另外,在感病植株上首次韧皮部取食出现时间较在健康植株上要早。【结论】在同等时间下,柑橘木虱5龄若虫比成虫在感染黄龙病的酸橘上的取食能力更强、取食量更大、获菌率更高,原因可能是若虫需要更多的营养物质供其生长发育所致。寄主感染黄龙病对木虱5龄若虫的取食有利,使其更快地开始取食,而且更改取食位点次数变少,推测可能与黄龙病菌破坏了植物的防御有关。     

Towards the on-farm conservation of the assassin bug Pristhesancus plagipennis (Walker) (Hemiptera: Reduviidae) during winter using crop plants as refuges

Abstract Habitat instability associated with seasonal crop succession in broad-acre farming systems presents a problem for the conservation and utilisation of beneficial insects in annual field crops. The present paper describes two experiments used to measure the potential of seven plant species to be utilised as winter refuges to support and conserve the predatory bug Pristhesancus plagipennis (Walker). In the first experiment, replicated plots of canola ( Brassica napus ), red salvia ( Salvia coccinea ), niger ( Guizotia abyssinica ), linseed ( Linum usitatissimum ), lupins ( Lupinus angustifolius ), and lucerne ( Medicago falcata ) were planted in a randomized experiment during Autumn 1998. Upon crop establishment, adults and nymphs of P. plagipennis were released into treatment plots and their numbers were assessed, along with those of their potential prey, throughout the ensuing winter months. Post-release sampling suggested that canola and niger retained a proportion of adult P. plagipennis , while niger, lucerne and canola retained some nymphs. The other plant species failed to support P. plagipennis nymphs and adults postrelease. In the second experiment, niger was compared with two lines of sunflower ( Helianthus annus ). Both sunflower lines harboured significantly higher ( P  < 0.05) densities of P. plagipennis nymphs than did niger. The more successful refuge treatments (sunflower, niger and canola) had an abundance of yellow flowers that were attractive to pollinating insects, which served as supplementary prey on which P. plagipennis were observed to feed. Sunflower and niger also supported high densities of the prey insect Creontiades dilutus (Stål) and provided protective leafy canopies which supplied shelter during the winter months. The potential and limitations for using each plant species as a winter refuge to retain P. plagipennis during winter are discussed.