黄玛草蛉幼虫对草地贪夜蛾卵和低龄幼虫的捕食能力

【目的】明确本地优势天敌黄玛草蛉Mallada basalis对入侵我国的重大农业害虫草地贪夜蛾Spodoptera frugiperda卵及低龄幼虫的捕食能力和生防潜力。【方法】在实验室条件下采用功能反应模型评价了黄玛草蛉2和3龄幼虫对草地贪夜蛾卵及1和2龄幼虫的捕食能力。【结果】黄玛草蛉幼虫对草地贪夜蛾卵和低龄幼虫的捕食量均随猎物密度的升高而增加,最后趋于捕食饱和状态,而其捕食率随猎物密度的升高而逐步下降,对不同发育阶段的草地贪夜蛾均表现为Ⅱ型功能反应。黄玛草蛉2龄幼虫对草地贪夜蛾卵及1和2龄幼虫的瞬时攻击率a分别为0.150, 0.084和0.094,处理时间Th分别为0.282, 0.333和0.519 h,理论日最大捕食量T/Th分别为85106粒、72072头和46.242头;黄玛草蛉3龄幼虫对草地贪夜蛾卵及1和2龄幼虫的瞬时攻击率分别为2.018, 0.288和0.259,处理时间分别为0.102, 0.311和0.375 h,理论日最大捕食量分别为235294粒、77170头和64000头。【结论】黄玛草蛉2和3龄幼虫对草地贪夜蛾卵和低龄幼虫均具较强的捕食能力,其中黄玛草蛉3龄幼虫比2龄幼虫具有更强的捕食效率。     

草间钻头蛛、大草蛉和中华通草蛉对茶尺蠖、小绿叶蝉的选择效应

室内研究了草间钻头蛛Hylyphantes graminicola雌蛛对茶尺蠖Ectropis oblique1龄幼虫和小绿叶蝉Em-poesca flavescens成虫、大草蛉Chrysopa pallens和中华通草蛉Chrysoperla sinica的2龄幼虫对茶尺蠖卵、1龄幼虫的选择捕食作用。对试验数据应用Ivelev指数、Jacobs指数和Manly指数及Murdoch作图法进行了比较分析。结果显示,草间钻头蛛对茶尺蠖1龄幼虫和小绿叶蝉成虫的选择性不明显,选择性不因猎物数量的增加而转移。而大草蛉和中华通草蛉对茶尺蠖卵均有明显的正选择效应。     

溴氰菊酯亚致死浓度对烟草粉螟生物学特性的影响

为探讨溴氰菊酯对烟草粉螟的亚致死效应,本文采用烟叶浸渍法以溴氰菊酯亚致死浓度(LC 10和LC 25)胁迫烟草粉螟3龄幼虫,并通过年龄-龄期两性生命表的方法探究溴氰菊酯胁迫对烟草粉螟发育和繁殖的影响。结果显示:与对照相比,溴氰菊酯LC 10、LC 25处理F 0代的平均单雌产卵量显著下降;LC 25处理F 0代的产卵前期及总产卵前期明显长于对照;LC 25处理与LC 10处理和对照间,F 0代雌、雄虫寿命均差异显著;LC 10处理和LC 25处理F 1代与对照存活率明显下降,F 1代各处理间的卵、1龄幼虫、3龄幼虫、5龄幼虫、7龄幼虫和蛹的发育历期无显著差异;但LC 25处理组2龄、4龄、6龄幼虫历期比对照延长了且差异显著;LC 25处理组的成虫前期比对照组延长了且差异显著。同时LC 25处理的雌、雄虫寿命最短,但3个处理间差异不显著。研究表明,亚致死浓度的溴氰菊酯能够抑制烟草粉螟的生长发育和繁殖,以上研究结果可为田间用药控制烟草粉螟提供理论参考。     

Life Cycle and Predation Potential of the Black Cricket,Methioche vittaticollis (Orthoptera: Gryllidae) and Its Population Density in the Rice Field

Life cycle and predation potential of a predatory black crickets, Methioche vittaticollis (Stal), were studied in the laboratory at the conditions of 27±1°C and 70±5% RH with a photoperiod of 14: 10 (L: D). Average life cycle was 90 days. The cylindrical eggs were laid singly within the leaf sheath and hatched in 17 days. Total nymphal period lasted 33 days. There were four nymphal stadia that lasted for 7.2, 7.7, 8.7, and 9.0 days, respectively. Adult male and female lived an average of 35 and 43 days, respectively. The female lay an average of 45 eggs during her life span. The number of striped stemborer (SSB) eggs consumed per day by 1st, 2nd, 3rd and 4th instar nymphs of M. vittaticollis was 1.7, 2.5, 13.3 and 184.3, respectively. Also, The number of SSB eggs consumed per day by male and female adults were 102.7 and 158.7, respectively. The fourth instar nymph consumed the most number of preys. The functional response curve of 4th instar nymph, male and female adults of M. vittaticollis to the densities of SSB eggs indicated Holling's TYPE II. The consumption of prey by the M. vittaticollis increased with the prey density but the consumption rate decreased. The attack rate of 4th instar of M. vittaticollis was the highest compared to the adults, and handling time was the shortest. Population densities of hoppers and lepidoptera in unsprayed field consisted of rice variety “PSBRc 20” were very low throughout the cropping period. This could be due to the high density of M. vittaticollis. M. vittaticollis was collected from the field and bunds, its population inside the field increased as crop matures. Bunds served as refuge for predators when the crop is maturity stage.     

亚非草蛉的生物学及其对柑桔潜叶蛾幼虫的捕食效应研究

在实验室条件下,亚非草蛉的平均发育历期为:卵期3.1天,幼虫8.9天,成虫寿命雌虫101.7天、雄虫61.8天,产卵前期8.4天。每雌虫平均产卵量400.3粒。最大产卵量746粒。产卵高峰期为羽化后的16—24天。亚非草蛉对湿度的适应范围较广,但幼虫的死亡率与湿度的关系大。 亚非草蛉幼虫一生捕食柑桔潜叶蛾幼虫数平均为149.1头,其日捕食量随龄期的增大而增加。温度对草蛉幼虫的捕食效应具有显著的影响,在35℃时达到最高的捕食效应,而在15℃以下和40℃以上,则受到明显的限制。湿度对草蛉捕食潜叶蛾幼虫的影响呈Iogistic曲线。草蛉对潜叶蛾幼虫密度的功能反应属HollingⅠ型反应。草蛉幼虫对其自身密度的功能反应可用Watt模型模拟。草蛉对潜叶蛾幼虫的捕食作用率随捕食者个体间的相互干扰作用的增加而下降,两者之间的关系随草蛉幼虫数的增加呈幂函数下降曲线。 田间观察及室内试验结果表明,亚非草蛉是柑桔潜叶蛾的一种重要的捕食性天敌。     

Interference and competitive behaviour of the aphid predators,Chrysoperla carnea andCoccinella septempunctata in the laboratory

Interference and competition betweenChrysoperla carnea (Stephens) andCoccinella septempunctata L. was investigated in the absence and presence of aphid prey. When larvae of similar vigour encountered each other,C. carnea larvae were superior toC. septempunctata. Otherwise the larger of 2 individuals always killed the smaller. In the absence of preyC. carnea adults were attacked by their own 2nd and 3rd instar larvae as well as by 3rd instar larvae ofC. septempunctata. In all encounters the adults ofC. septempunctata were superior. Since the eggs ofC. carnea are protected to some extent by being on egg stalks, they were less susceptible to cannibalism and predation thanC. septempunctata eggs which are deposited in batches directly on plant leaves. In the presence of prey cannibalism and predation were reduced, especially between larvae. Only eggs and 1st instar larvae were endangered. In the present experimentsC. carnea showed a slight superiority overc. septempunctata. Paper presented at the 17th International Congress of Entomology held in August 20–26 1984 in Hamburg, F.R. Germany.     

不同虫态及虫龄大草蛉与七星瓢虫之间的集团内互作

【目的】为明确新疆棉田棉蚜 Aphis gossypii 捕食性天敌之间的集团内捕食效应及其对蚜虫数量的控制作用。【方法】本研究以优势天敌昆虫大草蛉 Chrysopa pallens 和七星瓢虫 Coccinella septempunctata 为对象,以棉蚜为猎物,在温室中利用盆栽棉花,首先观察了2种天敌昆虫之间各虫态及虫龄配对的19个处理在无蚜植株上共存24 h后的存活数,然后观察了2种天敌昆虫配对处理下棉苗上棉蚜数量随时间的变化趋势。【结果】在无蚜棉株上2种捕食性天敌昆虫共存24 h后的存活结果表明：（1）在发育阶段相同的配对组合中,若是成虫则均存活,若是１龄幼虫则大草蛉存活较多,若是末龄幼虫则七星瓢虫存活较多;（2）在有卵的组配中,除七星瓢虫卵不被大草蛉成虫所捕食外,其他5个组配处理中卵均被捕食;（3）在有蛹的配对组合中,除七星瓢虫蛹被大草蛉末龄幼虫捕食外,其他处理下蛹均不被捕食;（4）在成虫与幼虫的配对组合中,七星瓢虫成虫捕食较多的大草蛉1龄幼虫,但不捕食大草蛉末龄幼虫,而大草蛉成虫与七星瓢虫1龄或末龄幼虫之间不发生捕食;(5）在不同龄期幼虫的配对组合中,大草蛉末龄幼虫捕食七星瓢虫1龄幼虫,而七星瓢虫末龄幼虫捕食大草蛉1龄幼虫。在有蚜植株上2种捕食性天敌共存对棉蚜数量具有不同的控制作用：（1）2种捕食昆虫的幼虫各自单独存在（对照）下,蚜虫密度随时间而降低;（2）大草蛉幼虫与七星瓢虫幼虫或成虫配对处理下,棉蚜密度随时间而增大;（3）大草蛉成虫与七星瓢虫幼虫或成虫配对处理下,棉蚜密度随时间而减小。【结论】研究结果说明,大草蛉与七星瓢虫之间存在集团内捕食,但２种天敌共存对棉蚜的控制作用取决于大草蛉虫态, 若大草蛉为幼虫,可使蚜虫密度增大,若为成虫,则使蚜虫密度减小。     

杀虫剂胁迫下褐飞虱迁飞虫和本地虫后代体内粗脂肪、可溶性糖及氨基酸含量的比较

为了解迁飞种群与居留种群后代发生再猖獗的生理生化差异,探讨再猖獗的机制,比较研究了在两个水稻品种（TN1和协优963）上施用杀虫剂后褐飞虱Nilaparvata lugens (Stål)迁飞虫和本地虫后代3龄、5龄若虫和成虫体内可溶性糖和粗脂肪含量以及迁飞成虫与其后代成虫体内游离氨基酸含量的变化。结果表明： 施药以及未施药处理(对照)TN1水稻品种上的迁飞后代3龄、5龄若虫和成虫体内的可溶性糖含量均显著高于本地虫。与可溶性糖含量相比,施药以及对照TN1水稻品种上的迁飞后代3龄、5龄若虫和成虫体内的粗脂肪含量均显著低于本地虫。协优963上3龄、5龄若虫体内可溶性糖含量的变化趋势与TN1上相同。对照水稻上迁飞成虫的粗脂肪含量显著高于本地种群,迁飞与本地3龄、5龄若虫间粗脂肪含量没有显著差异。杀虫剂处理后的水稻上迁飞后代5龄若虫和成虫体内粗脂肪含量显著高于本地虫。方差分析结果也显示,可溶性糖和粗脂肪含量的变化在虫源和杀虫剂,虫源和杀虫剂浓度以及杀虫剂类型和浓度方面有显著交互作用。两种水稻品种上,迁飞当代成虫体内的游离氨基酸含量显著低于其后代成虫。在经3种杀虫剂处理后,TN1上施用三唑磷后成虫体内的氨基酸含量显著高于施用溴氰菊酯和吡虫啉的处理,而协优963上施用溴氰菊酯和吡虫啉显著高于施用三唑磷的处理。本研究结果对深入阐明农药诱导褐飞虱再猖獗的机制具有参考价值。     

不同虫态叉角厉蝽对草地贪夜蛾幼虫的室内捕食作用

为了明确叉角厉蝽 Eocanthecona furcellate (Wolff)对草地贪夜蛾 Spodoptera frugiperda (J.E.Smith)幼虫的控制作用,在实验室条件下测定了叉角厉蝽不同虫态对草地贪夜蛾不同龄期幼虫的捕食能力,研究了该蝽捕食功能反应、搜寻效应以及种内干扰作用。结果表明,叉角厉蝽3龄若虫、5龄若虫、成虫均可捕食草地贪夜蛾幼虫,总体呈现叉角厉蝽低龄若虫捕食草地贪夜蛾低龄幼虫的数量较多,高龄若虫和成虫捕食中间龄期幼虫数量较多的规律;叉角厉蝽3个虫态对草地贪夜蛾2~3龄幼虫的捕食功能反应均符合Holling II方程和HollingⅢ型功能反应新模型;5龄若虫对草地贪夜蛾2~3龄幼虫的捕食效能(a/Th)最强（214.0）、日最大捕食量(1/Th)最大（256.4头）。不同虫态叉角厉蝽的搜寻效应与草地贪夜蛾密度均呈负相关。建立了叉角厉蝽成虫密度、草地贪夜蛾4龄幼虫密度对捕食作用的干扰反应方程,干扰作用发生后该蝽的平均捕食量和捕食作用率均逐渐下降。本研究结果可为田间释放叉角厉蝽防治草地贪夜蛾提供依据。     

柿长绵粉蚧的生物学特性及药剂防效

柿长绵粉蚧Phenacoccus pergandei Cockrell是近年来严重危害柿树的重要害虫。该虫在河南省郑州地区1年发生1代,以3龄若虫在枝条上和树皮缝中越冬。每年3月上旬越冬若虫开始为害,4月中旬雌成虫继续为害。4月下旬开始产卵,卵期约20d。5月上旬卵开始孵化,5月中旬为卵孵化盛期。幼虫有3个龄期,以3龄若虫于10月下旬开始越冬。7种药剂对柿长绵粉蚧的田间药效试验结果表明,40%杀扑磷乳油1000倍液、3%高渗苯氧威乳油1000倍液、25%噻嗪酮可湿性粉剂2000倍液对柿长绵粉蚧具有良好的防效,药后7d和药后15d的防效均达90%以上。     

3种拟除虫菊酯类农药对草地贪夜蛾的毒力测定及田间应用效果评价

评价使用氟氯氰菊酯、溴氰菊酯、高效氯氟氰菊酯喷雾和喇叭口点施处理对草地贪夜蛾的活性与防效,为草地贪夜蛾综合防控提供技术支持。采用喷雾法测定了3种农药原药对草地贪夜蛾3龄幼虫毒力;采用喷雾和喇叭口点施2种方式田间施用5.7%氟氯氰菊酯乳油、25 g/L溴氰菊酯乳油、5.0%高效氯氟氰菊酯乳油,药后第1天、第3天、第7天调查挂牌标记玉米上草地贪夜蛾活虫数,计算防治效果。3种拟除虫菊酯农药对草地贪夜蛾3龄幼虫LC 50值大小顺序依次为氟氯氰菊酯(29.80 mg/L)<高效氯氟氰菊酯(42.39 mg/L)<溴氰菊酯(49.88 mg/L);3种拟除虫菊酯类农药在54.00 g a.i./ha剂量下均能明显降低草地贪夜蛾田间虫口数量,同等剂量防效氟氯氰菊酯乳油>高效氯氟氰菊酯乳油>溴氰菊酯微乳剂。由于草地贪夜蛾低龄幼虫和高龄幼虫取食部位有差异,喷雾法防治低龄幼虫的效果好,喇叭口点施防治高龄幼虫的效果好。拟除虫菊酯类农药对草地贪夜蛾具有较好的防治效果,喇叭口点施方式节省药剂、提高对高龄幼虫的防效,在防治草地贪夜蛾等害虫方面具有广阔的应用前景。     

Predation capacity and prey preference of <Emphasis Type="Italic">Chrysoperla carnea</Emphasis> on <Emphasis Type="Italic">Pieris brassicae</Emphasis>

The predation capacity and prey preference of larvae of Chrysoperla carnea (Stephens) (Neuroptera: Chrysopidae) on eggs or larvae of Pieris brassicae (Linnaeus) (Lepidoptera: Pieridae) in the absence and presence of cabbage aphids as an alternative prey were evaluated in laboratory experiments at 25°C. Both instars preyed upon butterfly eggs and larvae as well as on cabbage aphids with the third instar being the most voracious. The lacewings had a strong preference for caterpillars to butterfly eggs. In the presence of the aphids the predation on P. brassicae eggs or larvae was either completely abandoned or reduced by about 70%, respectively, by second instar lacewings and either reduced by about 80% or maintained, respectively, by third instar lacewings. Both instars thus had a clear preference for aphids compared to eggs of P. brassicae. However, second instar lacewings preferred aphids to caterpillars whereas the opposite was the case for third instar lacewings. The results indicate that 3rd instar C. carnea has a potential as biocontrol agent against P. brassicae.     

叉角厉蝽对斜纹夜蛾不同龄期幼虫的选择捕食作用

应用二次回归通用旋转组合设计探讨了叉角厉蝽与斜纹夜蛾低龄幼虫,中龄幼虫和高龄幼虫共存系统中,天敌对猎物不同年龄等级的选择捕食作用,建立了3个年龄等级的幼虫被捕食量模型。根据被捕食量模型可计算出斜纹夜蛾3个年龄等级不同密度组合下,天敌对猎物的选择捕食比率,结果表明,在3个年龄等级相同密度的组合下,叉角厉蝽倾向于捕食个体大的中高龄幼虫。     

Laboratory Effects of Ingestion of Azadirachtin by Two Pests ( Ceratitis capitata and Spodoptera exigua ) and Three Natural Enemies ( Chrysoperla carnea , Opius concolor and Podisus maculiventris )

The effects of azadirachtin on two pests: neonate larvae and newly emerged adults of Ceratitis capitata (Wiedemann) and last instar larvae of Spodoptera exigua (Hubner); and three natural enemies: newly emerged adults of Opius concolor Szepligeti, second instar larvae of Chrysoperla carnea (Stephens), and fifth instar nymphs of Podisus maculiventris (Say) were studied in laboratory. Adult insects were exposed to a non-oil formulation of azadirachtin (Align, emulsifiable concentrate, 3.2% azadirachtin, Sipcam Inagra, Spain) via their drinking water and immature instars were reared in the presence of the insecticide-treated diet. The natural enemies were exposed to at least the maximum field recommended concentration of the insecticide (0.15% v/v). Azadirachtin was highly toxic to neonate larvae of C. capitata and prevented adult emergence at a concentration of 1 mg a.i. l -1 . When adults were fed the insecticide at the maximum recommended concentration, their survival was not affected but egg laying was totally inhibited. Last instar S. exigua larvae were also very susceptible (LC 50 = 7.7 mg a.i. l -1 ) and at a concentration of 10 mg a.i. l -1 fecundity of surviving adults, and egg fertility, were reduced by 72 and 85%, respectively. Effects on O. concolor were large, and significant reductions in longevity, percentage of attacked hosts, and progeny size per female, were recorded. The predator P. maculiventris was much less sensitive to azadirachtin, but slight reductions in survival of emerged adults and of reproductive parameters occurred. The insecticide had no significant effect on C. carnea larvae fed with treated Sitotroga cerealella (Oliver) eggs, probably because of its inability to penetrate inside the egg.     

Impact of Bacillus thuringiensis – insecticides on population dynamics and egg predation of the Colorado potato beetle in North Carolina potato plantings

Field studies to assess the impact of Bacillus thuringiensis var. tenebrionis (Btt)-insecticides on Colorado potato beetle populations, egg survivorship and levels of predation on egg masses were conducted in replicated field research plots during two years. Stage-specific abundance of the Colorado potato beetle and predation on egg masses were monitored in Btt-treated and untreated potato plots in both years. The Btt-treatments significantly reduced densities of large (third and fourth instar) Colorado potato beetle larvae. The densities of large larvae remained below 0.5 and 3 per plant in the Btt-treatment while peak densities of 4.5 and 21 large larvae per plant occurred in the untreated control in 1992 and 1993, respectively. Regular sampling of egg masses indicated that predation rates in Btt-treated and untreated plots did not differ significantly although, in 1993, predation rates of up to 100% were recorded, only in Btt-treated plots. In a predator exclusion study carried out in 1992, survivorship of protected eggs was consistently higher than of eggs exposed to predation. Seasonal survivorship of exposed eggs was significantly lower in the Btt-treated than in untreated plots. Btt insecticides for control of Colorado potato beetles provided direct protection of the crop and were compatible with naturally-occurring biological control of Colorado potato beetle eggs due to predation.     

Acute toxicity and sub-lethal effects of a pyrethroid (cypermethrin) on survival,development and fitness of Helicoverpa armigera

The chickpea pod borer, Helicoverpa armigera (Hübner) is one of the most destructive pests of India and most of the countries. In this experiment, sub-lethal effects of cypermethrin were evaluated against sixth instar larvae of this pest that had ingested insecticide-treated chickpea pods. The LC₅₀, LC₃₀ and LC₁₀ values of cypermethrin were 80.38, 26.65 and 5.41?mg a.i.?L^?1, respectively, against sixth instar. The sub-lethal effects on fitness, eggs, larvae, pupae, adult longevity and reproduction were observed in H. armigera population that survived exposure to the sub-lethal doses of LC₅₀, LC₃₀ and LC₁₀ of cypermethrin. Survivorship was reduced to 36?days if H. armigera exposed to the sub-lethal dose of LC_50, whereas it was 42?days in unexposed groups. Larvae treated with LC₅₀ dose exhibit lowest intrinsic rate of increase (r_m) (0.0413 females/female/day) and highest (0.0517) with the unexposed group. Time taken by H. armigera to complete one generation (T_c) was 40.09?days, while this time significantly lowered to 32.85?days when exposed to the sub-lethal dose of LC₃₀. Hatching eggs were greatly reduced in the larvae exposed to cypermethrin at all the sub-lethal doses. About 430 eggs/female/generation were recorded after treatment with 80.38?mg/L as compared with untreated females (1390). Larvae that were exposed to sub-lethal concentrations of cypermethrin exhibited lower pupal weight and prolonged pupal developmental times compared control larvae. The overall fitness performance was better in the unexposed population as compared to the population exposed to sub-lethal doses.     

Stage-based mortality of grassland grasshoppers (Acrididae) from wandering spider (Lycosidae) predation

Mortality rates in insects, including grasshoppers (Acrididae), are often stage- or size-specific. We estimated stage-specific mortality rates for three common grasshopper species from a Nebraska (USA) sandhills grassland (Ageneotettix deorum, Melanoplus sanguinipes and Phoetaliotes nebrascensis), and partitioned the impact due to wandering spider predation from remaining sources. Survivorship was estimated for multiple developmental stages (3rd instar through adult) under experimental conditions that either prevented or permitted predation from free-living, wandering spiders (primarily Schizocosa species). Total stage-specific mortality, including spider predation, examined over the period of single stages was greatest for the youngest stages (91% for 3rd instar, 73% for 4th instar, 63.5% for 5th instar and 30.4% for adults). For the developmental stages considered and averaged for all species, the contribution to total mortality from spider predation over the 10-d period (approximately the length of a developmental stage) ranged from 17% for 3rd instar nymphs to 23% for 4th and 5th instars, and an undetectable level for adults. While spiders may depress grasshopper numbers, contributions from spider predation to grasshopper population dynamics are uncertain.     

捕虱管蓟马的捕食、交配和产卵行为

观察了捕虱管蓟马的多种行为,认为该虫的日常行为为取食、行走、搜索、休息、交配和产卵;对所试验的5种害虫的喜好程度依次为椭圆蚧卵,柑桔木虱卵、褐圆蚧卵、柑桔粉虱卵、桔全爪螨若虫,褐圆蚧若虫、桔全爪螨卵、椭圆蚧若虫、柑桔木虱一龄 若虫,除柑桔木虱一龄若虫外,取食差异不显;捕虱管蓟马取食卵的量比若虫多,经T－检验分析,两无明显差异;室内饲养蓟马和田间采获蓟马的行为,及各行行为间差异,通过二因素方差分析显示不显;不同虫态蓟马取食时间长短依次为雌成虫、雄成虫、若虫、在食物充足的情况下,不同虫态之间几乎没有竞争,偶有成虫捕食幼虫现象发生。对该虫的交配行为及产卵行为作了详细的观察,发现雌蓟马成虫和雄蓟马成虫都多次交配;雄虫之间的性竞争十分激烈,而雌虫之间几乎没有竞争。     

Field Assessment of Adhesion and Hatch ofChrysoperlaEggs Mechanically Applied in Liquid Carriers

A mechanical technique was evaluated for releasing green lacewing eggs in liquid suspensions. Deposited eggs were enclosed within a circle of nonpoisonous adhesive to protect them from predation and to prevent escape of hatched larvae. Released eggs were monitored daily for 5 days after release by measuring three response variables: adhesion rate of eggs to foliage, hatch rate of eggs, and “yield” of larvae from discharged eggs; “yield” was the product of egg adhesion and egg hatch. Factors tested were: egg conditioning prior to release (incubated or refrigerated), carrier (distilled water or commercial carrier solution), application technique (mechanical or hand application), and row facing (North or South). Release technique did not significantly effect egg hatch on any day. Conditioning eggs prior to release had the greatest effect on hatch of eggs and resulting yield of larvae during the 5-day monitoring period. Carrier had a significant effect on adhesion of eggs to leaves and hatch of eggs. Commercial carrier solution increased egg adhesion but decreased egg hatch compared to water. Overall mean yield of larvae from incubated eggs distributed mechanically was not significantly different for eggs suspended in water (36.4% on day 5 post-release) and for eggs suspended in commercial carrier solution (36.1% on day 5 post-release). Hand-applied eggs had a higher hatch and subsequent yield of larvae than mechanically released eggs; however, the hand technique was labor intensive.     

Reproduction of three eulophid wasps that parasitise larvae of the citrus leafminer

The citrus leafminer, Phyllocnistis citrella Stainton (Lepidoptera: Gracillariidae) (CLM), is a citrus pest indigenous to Southeast Asia. It was discovered in Israel in 1994. The pest attacks the young foliage of citrus, and damage is caused by the larvae tunnelling under the epidermis of young leaves, leading to foliage destruction. The present study documents basic biological parameters of three exotic eulophid wasps in the laboratory: Semielacher petiolatus, Quadrastichus citrella and Teleopterus sp. S. petiolatus females preferred to lay eggs in the 3rd larval instar of CLM, but did not lay eggs in the 1st instar. Its development ranged from 9 to 14 days. Female longevity was 30.2±5.9 days, its daily oviposition was 12.16±0.68 eggs/day, the total number of eggs oviposited per female was 278.9±74.1, and the number of CLM larvae parasitised was 260.0±68.3. Q. citrella preferred to lay in the 3rd and 4th instar larvae, but not in the 1st instar, its development ranged from 9 to 14 days, female longevity was 40.6±1.9 days, oviposition came to 8.3±0.6 eggs/day, the total number of eggs oviposited was 281.3±64.9/female and the number of parasitised CLM larvae was 276.5±63.7. Teleopterus sp. preferred to lay eggs in the 3rd larval instar, its development required 11–17 days, female longevity was 28.7±3.8 days, its daily number of offspring was 5.2±0.38 offspring/day and with emergence of 138.9±27.7 offspring/female. This knowledge enabled us to maintain high quality cultures for their releases in Israel.