The Role of Parasitoids and Entomopathogenic Fungi in Mortality of Third-instar and Adult Ceroplastes destructor and C. sinensis (Hemiptera: Coccidae: Ceroplastinae) on Citrus in New Zealand

The incidence of parasitism and disease in third-instar and adult Ceroplastes destructor Newstead and C. sinensis Del Guercio (Hemiptera: Coccidae) on citrus in Northland, New Zealand, was measured from 1991-1994. Both species were parasitized by female Euxanthellus philippiae Silvestri (Hymenoptera: Aphelinidae). Female E. philippiae were hyper-parasitized by males of their own species and by Coccidoctonus dubius Girault (Hymenoptera: Encyrtidae). Male E. philippiae were also tertiary parasitoids of C. dubius. E. philippiae was found in third-instar and adult C. sinensis , but was virtually restricted to third-instar C. destructor . Parasitoid phenology varied according to the instar and species of the host. Two fungal pathogens, Verticillium lecanii (Zimmermann) Viegas and Fusarium spp., were identified from both C. destructor and C. sinensis . Disease was a greater mortality factor than parasitism in C. destructor , whereas the opposite applied to those C. sinensis for which the cause of death could be identified. Disease levels were underestimated, particularly in C. destructor. Mortality from parasitism and disease did not act in a density-dependent manner.     

Dominant honeybee colony infestation by Varroa destructor (Acari: Varroidae) K haplotype in Japan

Applied Entomology and Zoology - Varroa destructor Anderson and Trueman (Acari: Varroidae) are ectoparasitic mites found in the western honeybee Apis mellifera Linnaeus (Hymenoptera: Apidae)....     

Two new egg parasitoids (Hymenoptera: Encyrtidae) of the wood borer Agrianome spinicollis (Macleay) (Coleoptera: Cerambycidae), a pest of pecans in eastern Australia

Abstract Baeoanusia xanthopleuron sp. n. and Avetianella coombsi sp. n. (Hymenoptera: Encyrtidae) are described from New South Wales and Queensland. Photomicrographs are provided to illustrate morphological characters of both species, and their systematic position is discussed on the basis of their morphology and biology. Both species are egg parasitoids of the wood borer Agrianome spinicollis (Macleay), an important pest of pecans in eastern Australia.     

Parasitoids and hyperparasitoids of Mythimna convecta (Walker) (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae) larvae infesting late-maturing maize in southern New South Wales

Abstract  After several reports of late-maturing maize in Murrumbidgee valley, southern New South Wales, Australia, being severely damaged by armyworm, five crops were surveyed for the presence of larvae in April 2003. Mythimna convecta Walker (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae) was the only species successfully reared from armyworm larvae collected in the field. Ninety-six per cent of armyworm larvae collected were parasitised. Five parasitoid species, Cuphocera sp. nr pilosa (Malloch), Ceromya horma (Malloch), Tritaxys scutellate (Macquart), Chaetophthalmus sp. (Diptera: Tachinidae) and Netelia sp. (Hymenoptera: Ichneumonidae) were reared from M. convecta larvae. Cuphocera sp. nr pilosa was the most frequently encountered parasitoid being reared from 83% of M. convecta larvae collected. Examination of maize plants at each collection site showed high numbers of tachinid puparia adhering to plants. Cuphocera sp. nr pilosa was the only species reared from these puparia. Of the Cu . sp. nr pilosa puparia collected, 23–83% were parasitised by five parasitoid wasps: Trichomalopsis sp. Crawford (Hymenoptera: Pteromalidae), Brachymeria sp. Westwood, Eupelmus sp. Dalman (Hymenoptera: Chalcididae), Perilampus sp. Latreille (Hymenoptera: Perilampidae) and a species belonging to the family Diapriidae.     

World species of the genus Platyscelio Kieffer (Hymenoptera: Platygastridae)

The genus Platyscelio Kieffer (Hymenoptera: Platygastridae, Scelioninae) is a widespread group in the Old World, found from West Africa to northern Queensland, Australia. The species concepts are revised and a key to world species is presented. The genus is comprised of 6 species, including 2 known species which are redescribed: Platyscelioafricanus Risbec (Benin, Cameroon, Central African Republic, Ghana, Guinea, Guinea-Bissau, Ivory Coast, Kenya, Mozambique, Nigeria, Sierra Leone, South Africa, Tanzania, Togo, Uganda, Yemen, Zimbabwe); and Platysceliopulchricornis Kieffer (Australia, Bangladesh, China, India, Indonesia, Japan, Malaysia, Papua New Guinea, Philippines, Solomon Islands, Taiwan, Thailand, Vanuatu, Vietnam). Five species-group names are considered to be junior synonyms of Platysceliopulchricornis: Platyscelioabnormis Crawford syn. n., Platysceliodunensis Mukerjee syn. n., Platysceliomirabilis Dodd syn. n., Platysceliopunctatus Kieffer syn. n., and Platysceliowilcoxi Fullaway. The following species are hypothesized and described as new taxa: Platyscelioarcuatus Taekul & Johnson, sp. n. (Western Australia); Platysceliomysterium Taekul & Johnson, sp. n. (Zimbabwe, Botswana, South Africa); Platysceliomzantsi Taekul & Johnson, sp. n. (South Africa); and Platysceliostriga Taekul & Johnson, sp. n. (Western Australia).     

环足施氏冠蜂——中国新记录种（膜翅目：冠蜂科）

本文结合形态学特征和线粒体COI基因分子数据,记述了采集于我国山东省的冠蜂科一新记录种：环足施氏冠蜂Schlettererius cinctipes (Cresson, 1880),详细描述了该种的形态特征,并提供鉴定特征图以及COI序列。通过与来自于北美、日本和澳洲的环足施氏冠蜂的COI序列对比,相似度达到99.79%。虽然环足施氏冠蜂在我国的寄主未能明确,但由于该蜂从松幽天牛Asemum amurense Kraatz, 1879为害的松木中羽化出来,能为其寄主的确定提供参考。研究标本分别保存在华南农业大学膜翅目标本室（SCAU）和山东省林业科学研究院林业有害生物标本室。     

Host-plant affinities of two biotypes of Dactylopius opuntiae (Homoptera: Dactylopiidae): enhanced prospects for biological control of Opuntia stricta (Cactaceae) in South Africa

1. Until recently, neither the phycitid moth Cactoblastis cactorum nor the cochineal insect Dactylopius opuntiae have been satisfactory biological control agents of Opuntia stricta in South Africa.
2. In marked contrast, both of these agents have kept O. stricta under biological control for many decades in Australia.
3. In an attempt to improve the situation in South Africa, a stock of D. opuntiae was obtained from O. stricta in Australia during 1996.
4. Host-specificity tests confirmed that the newly imported D. opuntiae from Australia is a different biotype to the one already established in South Africa.
5. The Australian ('stricta') biotype thrives on O. stricta but is unable to develop satisfactorily on O. ficus-indica , while the converse is true for the South African ('ficus') biotype, which thrives on O. ficus-indica but fares poorly on O. stricta .
6. The integrity of the host-plant specificity of the two biotypes of D. opuntiae has important implications for biological control of Cactaceae in South Africa, and has greatly enhanced prospects that O. stricta can be brought under biological control successfully.     

Plant host associations of Penthaleus species and Halotydeus destructor (Acari: Penthaleidae) and implications for integrated pest management

Integrated pest management programs seek to minimise reliance on pesticides and provide effective long-term control of pests. Cultural control strategies, such as crop rotations, trap and border crops, and weed management, require a thorough understanding of pest host associations. This paper examines the effects of different plant hosts on the persistence and reproduction of blue oat mites, Penthaleus spp., and the redlegged earth mite, Halotydeus destructor (Tucker), which are major agricultural pests in southern Australia. Field and shade-house experiments were conducted testing several crop and plant types. All species survived and reproduced from one mite season to the next when confined to pasture. Canola and a common weed, 'bristly ox-tongue', were suitable hosts for H. destructor and Penthaleus falcatus (Qin and Halliday), whereas Penthaleus sp. x and Penthaleus major (Dugés) failed to persist on these plants. A mixture of wheat and oats sustained P. sp. x and H. destructor, but not P. falcatus or P. major. Lentils were generally a poor host plant for all mite species. These findings show that earth mite species differ in their ability to persist on different plant types, highlighting the importance of distinguishing mite species before implementing control strategies. Results are discussed with respect to cultural control options for the management of these winter pests.     

Development of single nucleotide polymorphism markers specific to Apis mellifera (Hymenoptera: Apidae) line displaying high hygienic behavior against Varroa destructor,an ectoparasitic mite

To control Varroa destructor, an ectoparasitic mite, a honey bee line possessing high hygienic behavior (HHB) against this mite has been bred in South Korea. However, a method that can diagnose and assess the HHB line from control (the low hygienic behavior, LHB) line has not been reported yet. Thus, the objective of this study was to develop single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) markers through whole-genome sequencing of worker bees from HHB line of A. mellifera caucasica and LHB line of A. m. carnica (Hymenoptera: Apidae). A total of 319,445,977 sequence reads were mapped to the known A. mellifera reference genome (average coverage of 87.46%). In 2,316,128 and 3,266,756 SNPs from HHB and LHB line, respectively, 20 SNPs that showed homozygosity in each line were selected and eight SNPs were used to diagnose the HHB line either by typical PCR-restriction fragment length polymorphism or allele-specific PCR. Six of remaining SNPs were of different sizes, enabling relatively easy differentiation of these two honey bee lines on typical agarose gel. Another remaining six SNPs had different sequences, including SNP sites. These SNP markers can be used to diagnose and assess V. destructor-specific HHB line of honey bees.     

Molecular evidence that fireweed (Senecio madagascariensis, Asteraceae) is of South African origin

ITS1 sequence data was obtained for fireweed (Senecio madagascariensis) andS. lautus from Australia,S. madagascariensis andS. inaequidens from South Africa andS. madagascariensis from Madagascar. Despite the low level of variation (0.0–3.4%), these data further resolve the controversy concerning the identity and origin of fireweed. They confirm that fireweed is part of the South AfricanS. madagascariensis/S. inaequidens complex, and indicate that the infestation in Australia originated from South Africa as opposed to Madagascar. This will facilitate a resumption of biological control efforts in Australia and will direct surveys for control agents to South Africa.     

The biology of Penthaleus species in southeastern Australia

Earth mites are major pests of pastures and crops within southern Australia. While the biology and ecology of the redlegged earth mite (Halotydeus destructor) have been studied extensively, the blue oat mite (Penthaleus major) and its recently discovered relative, Penthaleus falcatus, have received little attention. The distribution of H. destructor, P. major and P. falcatus is described in Victoria, Australia, and the inland borders in central New South Wales are re-described. A new undescribed Penthaleus species identified from mallee samples is recognized, and its restricted distribution in Victoria is mapped. Electrophoretic data and the complete absence of males indicate that all Penthaleus species are obligate thelytokous parthenogens. The three Penthaleus species differ in clonal diversity. All species are pests of pastures and/or crops, however the preferred plant hosts of P. major and P. falcatus differ. Tolerance of a commonly used pesticide (omethoate) differs between the species. P. falcatus shows the highest LC₅₀, and may be responsible for pesticide control failures. Rearing methods for P. major and P. falcatus are described. The large differences between these blue oat mite species point to difficulties in interpreting early published data that failed to distinguish them.     

Evaluation and host specificity of two seed flies Mesoclanis polana and M. magnipalpis (Diptera: Tephritidae): biological control agents for Chrysanthemoides monilifera (Asteraceae) in Australia

Larvae of the South African tephritid flies Mesoclanis polana Munro and M. magnipalpis Bezzi feed in the developing seeds of Chrysanthemoides monilifera. Host specificity evaluation using 109 plant species from 25 families indicated that complete development was restricted to their natural host C. monilifera. Minor feeding and limited development was detected on 18 species, but was of no ecological or economic significance. Mesoclanis polana and M. magnipalpis have been released in Australia and M. polana has established and dispersed widely. Mesoclanis magnipalpis has not yet become naturalized. Parasitism of M. polana in Australia by several species of Hymenoptera has been detected, but is not expected to limit the establishment and impact of these flies.     

Competitive interactions among four pest species of earth mites (Acari: Penthaleidae)

Earth mites are major winter pests of a variety of crops and pastures in southern Australia. Competition between four earth mite species was investigated using field and shadehouse experiments. The influence of different plant hosts on the frequency and intensity of competitive interactions also were examined. This information is important, because control attempts that eradicate one species of mite could be directly followed by an increase in abundance of another earth mite species. There were strong effects of intraspecific competition on the reproductive rate of species, while interspecific interactions between Halotydeus destructor (Tucker) and Penthaleus species and between the three Penthaleus species also were detected. Competitive abilities were altered on the different plant types. On pasture, the competitive advantage swayed between Penthaleus major (Dugés), H. destructor, and Penthaleus falcatus (Qin & Halliday). Penthaleus sp. x was the strongest competitor in a mixture of wheat, Triticum aestivum (L.), and oats, Avena sativa (L.), whereas on canola, Brassica napus (L.), and bristly ox-tongue, Picris echioides (L.), P. falcatus, and H. destructor were superior competitors. These results suggest that competition is a strong force influencing the abundance of earth mites in the field and that host plant factors are important in shaping the type of interactions. This highlights the importance of identifying mite species when considering control options and suggests that effective control recommendations need to be developed for each individual species.     

Russian honey bee (Hymenoptera: Apidae) colonies: Acarapis woodi (Acari: Tarsonemidae) infestations and overwintering survival

Honey bee, Apis mellifera L. (Hymenoptera: Apidae), colonies infested by parasitic mites are more prone to suffer from a variety of stresses, including cold temperature. We evaluated the overwintering ability of candidate breeder lines of Russian honey bees, most of which are resistant to both Varroa destructor Anderson & Trueman and Acarapis woodi (Rennie), during 1999-2001. Our results indicate that Russian honey bee colonies (headed by original and supersedure queens) can successfully overwinter in the north, even during adverse weather conditions, owing to their frugal use of food stores and their resistance to tracheal mite infestations. In contrast, colonies of Italian honey bees consumed more food, had more mites, and lost more adult bees than Russian honey bees, even during unusually mild winter conditions.     

Uroleucon sonchi (Linnaeus) (Hemiptera: Aphididae) in Australia

Uroleucon sonchi, an aphid species of Palaearctic origin, is a recent adventive to Australia. It is now widespread in anthropic areas of all states and the Australian Capital Territory, principally on sowthistles ( Sonchus spp.) but also on lettuce. It is occasionally parasitised by Aphidius sonchi Marshall (Hymenoptera: Braconidae). Its possible economic importance in Australia is discussed. The species is also recorded for the first time from Norfolk and Philip Islands.     

Diapause and implications for control of Penthaleus species and Halotydeus destructor (Acari: Penthaleidae) in southeastern Australia

Blue oat mites, Penthaleus spp., and redlegged earth mites, Halotydeus destructor (Tucker) are major winter pests of a variety of crops and pastures. In southern Australia earth mites exhibit a facultative egg diapause to survive unfavorable summer conditions. The initiation of diapause egg production in earth mites was investigated using field and shade-house experiments. Species differed in their timing of diapause. H. destructor mainly produced diapausing eggs towards the end of the active mite season in spring, although small numbers were also produced in winter. In contrast, Penthaleus major (Dugés) produced diapause eggs almost immediately after emergence in autumn and continued producing these eggs throughout the season. Penthaleus falcatus (Qin and Halliday) also produced diapause eggs in early winter, although the first appearance of these eggs was slightly later in the season than for P. major. The diapause response of an undescribed species was also somewhat later than in P. major and P. falcatus, but earlier than in H. destructor. Electrophoresis of P. major samples indicated that clones of this parthenogenic species may differ in their timing of diapause egg production, providing another potential selective factor contributing to the maintenance of clonal diversity within this group. The results highlight the importance of determining species composition when devising control strategies for earth mite outbreaks.     

Susceptibility of the Australian freshwater crayfish Cherax destructor albidus to white spot syndrome virus (WSSV)

Cherax destructor occurs naturally and/or is farmed in all Australian mainland states and territories and is of major cultural, economical and conservation significance. The aim of this study was to determine susceptibility of the commercially important subspecies C. destructor albidus to white spot syndrome virus (WSSV), a hazard to crustaceans and currently considered to be exotic to Australia. In challenge tests by intramuscular injection, C. destructor albidus displayed a similar level of susceptibility to white spot disease (WSD) as Penaeus monodon (i.e. 100% mortality in 3 d). In one oral challenge test where C. destructor albidus was subjected to significant temperature stress, over 50% died of severe WSD within 14 d post challenge. All dead and moribund crayfish displayed histopathological lesions typical for WSD and gave positive results for WSSV in DNA dot blot hybridization tests. Survivors to 30 d (n = 3) showed no lesions and gave negative dot blot test results. In a second oral challenge test without temperature stress, mortality was delayed but reached 75% by 30 d. However, no typical WSD lesions were observed in the dead, dying or surviving crayfish and dot blot test results were negative. The results suggested that C. destructor albidus would be less susceptible than P. monodon to WSSV exposure via natural routes of infection in farms and in the wild. This information may be useful for disease import risk analysis for WSSV.     

Australian species of Sinella (Sinella) Brook (Collembola: Entomobryidae)

Abstract  The Australian subgenus Sinella ( Sinella ) Brook is revised. Two species are recognised. A new species from New South Wales and South Australia, Sinella ( Sinella ) samueli , is described and the widely distributed species Sinella ( Sinella ) termitum Schött is redescribed based on examination of a specimen from the type series and fresh collections from a wide range of localities in south-eastern Australia. New patterns of chaetotaxy for the genus are described from these species.     

Duration and spread of an entomopathogenic fungus, Beauveria bassiana (Deuteromycota: Hyphomycetes), used to treat varroa mites (Acari: Varroidae) in honey bee (Hymenoptera: Apidae) hives

A strain of the fungus Beauveria bassiana (Balsamo) Vuillemin (Deuteromycota: Hyphomycetes) isolated from varroa mites, Varroa destructor Anderson & Trueman (Acari: Varroidae), was used to treat honey bees, Apis mellifera L. (Hymenoptera: Apidae), against varroa mites in southern France. Fungal treatment caused a significant increase in the percentage of infected varroa mites compared with control treatments in two field experiments. In the first experiment, hives were treated with a formulation containing 0.37 g of B. bassiana conidia per hive and in the second experiment with a dose of 1.0 g of conidia per hive. The percentage of infected varroa mites also increased in the nontreated (control) hives, suggesting a movement of conidia, probably via bee drift, among the hives. Mite fall was significantly higher among treated hives compared with control hives on the sixth and eighth days after treatment in the first experiment. These days correspond to previously published data on the median survivorship of mites exposed to that fungal solate. The interaction of treatment and date was significant in the second experiment with respect to mite fall. Increases in colony-forming unit (cfu) density per bee were observed in all treatments but were significantly higher among bees from treated hives than control hives for at least a week after treatment. The relationship between cfu density per bee and proportion infected was modeled using a sigmoid curve. High levels of infection (>80%) were observed for cfu density per bee as low as 5 x 102 per bee, but the cfu density in hives treated with 0.37 g generally dropped below this level less than a week after treatment.     

The tolerance of the lucerne flea, Sminthurus viridis (Collembola: Sminthuridae), to currently registered pesticides in Australia

Sminthurus viridis (lucerne flea) is a major crop and pasture pest throughout southern regions of Australia that experience a Mediterranean type climate. It is particularly problematic at the establishment phase, and chemicals are currently the main option available to farmers for their control. Few studies have assessed the currently registered pesticides for the control of S. viridis , and rates of application are generally similar to the frequently co-occurring red-legged earth mite, Halotydeus destructor , despite few comparisons between species for their susceptibility being made. Here, we examine the response of S. viridis to six pesticides (α-cypermethrin, bifenthrin, omethoate, methidathion, chlorpyrifos and phosmet) and then directly compare them with H. destructor . S. viridis displayed similar dose–response curves for bifenthrin, omethoate, chlorpyrifos and phosmet. It had greater sensitivity to methidathion and greater tolerance to α-cypermethrin. S. viridis was found to be significantly more tolerant than H. destructor to all pesticides tested, with the exception of chlorpyrifos. This indicates that rates of application for control of S. viridis should be greater than H. destructor and that the organophosphates are likely to provide the most effective control of this pest.