Role of imidacloprid in integrated pest management of California citrus

Portions of three commercial citrus orchards were treated for 1 yr with foliar imidacloprid or for 2 yr with a systemic formulation in a replicated plot design to determine the impact of this neonicotinoid on the San Joaquin Valley California citrus integrated pest management (IPM) program. Foliar-applied imidacloprid had little effect on California red scale, Aonidiella aurantii (Maskell); cottony cushion scale, Icerya purchasi Maskell; or citrus red mite, Panonychus citri (McGregor), populations. Short-term suppression of the parasitoids Aphytis melinus DeBach and Comperiella bifasciata Howard; vedalia, Rodolia cardinalis (Mulsant); and the predacious mite Euseius tularensis (Congdon) were observed. Suppression of natural enemies allowed scales and mites to maintain higher populations in the treated areas compared with the nontreated areas. Thus, foliar imidacloprid did not exhibit control of these citrus pest species, and it disrupted biological control. Systemically applied imidacloprid suppressed California red scale and citricola scale populations 2-3 mo after treatment. Suppression of parasitoids of the California red scale also was observed. Thus, treatments of systemic imidacloprid applied in areawide management programs for invasive pests would provide a benefit of California red scale and citricola scale suppression. However, this treatment provided only single-season control of citricola scale, it was somewhat disruptive of biological control, and it did not suppress densities of either scale as low as a treatment of the organophosphate chlorpyrifos for citricola scale or the insect growth regulator pyriproxyfen for California red scale. Insecticides with longer periods of efficacy and greater IPM compatibility than imidacloprid should be used for a sustainable IPM approach in California citrus.     

Advancements in management of major fruit flies (Diptera: Tephritidae) in North Africa and future challenges: A review

Fruit flies are one of the most economically damaging pests of fleshy fruits worldwide. Two species of highest concern for fruit production in North Africa are the Mediterranean fruit fly (Medfly) Ceratitis capitata (Wied.) and the peach fruit fly (PFF) Bactrocera zonata (Saunders) (in Egypt and Libya only). Currently, both fruit fly species are mainly targeted by chemical applications of broad-spectrum contact insecticides. Despite the disparities in control efforts among North African countries, government and research are focused on reducing chemical reliance and adopt more environmentally friendly technologies. In this review, advances in integrated pest management (IPM) implementation against fruit flies are outlined for each country. In addition, challenges for future efforts are identified with emphasis on the efficacy of trapping for monitoring and control.     

Influence of ground beetles (Carabidae) as biological agent to control of the Mediterranean fruit fly pupae,Ceratitis capitata,in Iranian citrus orchards

Damage by Mediterranean fruit fly, Ceratitis capitata (Wiedemann) (Diptera: Tephritidae) in the northern Iranian citrus orchards has been led to spray by different chemical pesticides. The present study was conducted in the citrus orchard in Mazandaran province of Iran where with the exception of mineral oil treatments for scale insects, had not been sprayed with synthetic insecticides for six years. The purpose of this study was initially to investigate faun and seasonal activity of predaceous ground carabid beetles in the citrus orchards. Additionally, their role as predators of Ceratitis capitata (Wiedemann) pupae was evaluated under laboratory and field conditions. Predation in laboratory was evaluated by no choice feeding experiments while predation under field conditions was evaluated by molecular detection of the pest DNA in the gut contents of field-collected Carabids. A total of 3437 beetles of ten carabid species were collected from a non-chemical treatment citrus orchard. The results of the seasonal density fluctuation indicated increasing population in spring reaching the highest in September, simultaneously with the peak of fruit fly damage, and thereafter decreasing during winter when the pest was overwintering. However, three species, Harpalus rufipes, Broscus karelinii and Brachinus brevicollis were most abundant in the field collection but the results of no-choice experiments in the laboratory indicated H. rufipes, B. karelinii and Pterostichus macer were the most voracious predators on pupae. Results of gut content analysis of the voracious species indicated the positive testing for pest DNA in 79.16 % of H. rufipes, 76.92 % of B. karelinii and 75 % of P. macer of analyzed beetles. The results of the study strongly indicated that in citrus orchards where intensive spraying is eliminated, natural enemies such as Carabid beetles could play an important role in reducing pests such as medfly.     

A Monte Carlo study to investigate the feasibility to use the Moroccan panoramic irradiator in sterile insect technique programs

Radiation and Environmental Biophysics - Mediterranean fly pest (Ceratitis) is one of the most destructive pests of fruit species in Morocco. The sterile insect technique (SIT) is an...     

Successful colonization ofEretmocerus debachi (Hym.: Aphelinidae) in the eastern mediterranean citrus region of Turkey

The whitefly,Parabemisia myricae (Kuwana) is one of the most serious citrus pests in the Eastern Mediterranean region of Turkey. In 1986, a host-specific parasitoid ofP. myricae, the aphelinidEretmocerus debachi Rose and Rosen, was imported from California to Turkey and released into citrus orchards along the Eastern Mediterranean coast. In the following yearsP. myricae-populations were rapidly reduced from about 17 whitefly-immature stages per leaf to less than 0.1 stages per leaf in all citrus orchards where the parasitoids were released. Furthermore,E. debachi was shown to be a good disperser and it is well adapted to the climatic conditions in the Eastern Mediterranean region. Since the successful colonization ofE. debachi, the whitefly is no longer a serious pest and it is difficult to find unparasitized individuals in the Eastern Mediterranean region of Turkey.     

Sampling and distribution pattern of Trioza erytreae Del Guercio, 1918 (Hemiptera: Triozidae) in citrus orchard

Developing efficient sampling protocols is essential to monitor crop pests. One vector of the citrus disease HLB, the African citrus psyllid Trioza erytreae Del Guercio, 1918 (Hemiptera: Triozidae), currently threatens the lemon industry throughout the Mediterranean region. In this work, a pool of sampling methods devoted to monitoring the population of T. erytreae was compared, its spatial distribution in the orchard was assessed, and the minimum sampling effort for the best sampling method was estimated. Three lemon orchards in North-western Portugal were sampled for one year using two types of yellow sticky traps (standard yellow and fluorescent Saturn yellow), B-vac sampling and sweep net sampling. The method that best performed, in terms of cost-efficiency, was the yellow sticky traps. The two colours of the sticky traps tested did not yield a significantly different number of catches. The spatial distribution throughout the orchards was found to be aggregated towards the borders. A minimum of three sticky traps per hectare was found to be enough to estimate the population at 90% accuracy for the mean during the outbreak. These results should help to monitor and anticipate outbreaks that may even colonize neighbour orchards. Studies on the local dispersion patterns of T. erytreae throughout the orchard are mandatory to further refine and optimize efficient monitoring protocols.     

重庆地区柑桔大实蝇系统监测研究

柑桔大实蝇Bactrocera minax是柑桔类植物果实的重要害虫,以往对该虫的发生监测仅局限于通过果园诱集和室内外养蛹监测成虫的发生期。本研究综合应用室外养蛹、桔园系统调查、成虫诱集和蛆果解剖等技术手段,以期了解柑桔大实蝇的产卵进度、幼虫发育进度、蛆果落地进度、幼虫化蛹进度以及蛹的羽化进度。研究结果表明,重庆地区柑桔大实蝇产卵盛期为6月下旬-7月上旬,高峰期为6月下旬末-7月初;一龄、二龄和三龄幼虫的发生盛期分别为9月中旬-10月初、10月上旬-下旬和10月中旬-11月初;受害蛆果落地盛期为10月上旬-下旬,与二龄和三龄幼虫的发生盛期吻合;室外养蛹的成虫羽化盛期为5月上旬-中旬末,但果园成虫诱集的盛期为6月中旬-下旬,较室外养蛹的成虫发生盛期推迟30 d左右,对出现此种情况的原因作者做了初步分析。研究结果还表明,各虫态的累计发生进度均可用逻辑斯缔方程拟合,从而可计算出各虫态发生进度为16%、50%和84%的始盛期、高峰期和盛末期。研究结果对于柑桔大实蝇的发生期预测和防治具有重要指导意义。     

Seasonal occurrence of key arthropod pests and associated natural enemies in Alabama Satsuma citrus

Six Alabama Satsuma mandarin orchards (four conventionally sprayed and two unsprayed) were surveyed during 2005 and 2006 to determine the population dynamics of arthropod pests and their natural enemies. Twenty-eight arthropod pest species were encountered; the major foliage pests were citrus whitefly, Dialeurodes citri (Ashmead); purple scale, Lepidosaphes beckii (Newman); Glover scale, L. gloveri (Packard); and citrus red mite, Panonychus citri (McGregor). Two distinct population peaks were recorded for citrus whitefly at most locations. The most important direct sources of citrus whitefly mortality were parasitism by Encarsia lahorensis (Howard) and infection by the pathogenic fungus, Aschersonia aleyrodis Webber. In general, all stages of both scale insects (purple scale and Glover scale) were present in the orchards year-round, indicative of overlapping generations; however, the highest densities were recorded during the early season. Citrus whitefly, purple scale, and Glover scale were more abundant on leaves collected from the interior of the tree canopy than in the exterior canopy. Citrus red mite densities were highest in the spring, with populations declining at the start of the summer, and were more abundant in the exterior canopy than in the interior canopy. The most important natural enemies of citrus red mite were predatory mites belonging to several families, of which Typhlodromalus peregrinus Muma (Phytoseiidae) was the predominant species. Major differences were recorded in the relative abundance of different arthropod pest species in the orchards: citrus whitefly, purple scale, and Glover scale predominated in the unsprayed orchards, whereas citrus red mite infestations were more severe in the sprayed orchards. The results are discussed in relation to the possible effect of orchard management practices on abundance of the major pests.     

A history of the biological and integrated control of red scale,Aonidiella aurantii on citrus in the lower Murray valley of Australia

In the lower Murray valley of Australia, the major insect pest of citrus, California red scaleAonidiella aurantii (Maskell), is controlled by a number of introduced hymenopterous parasites. Parasite introductions began in 1943, and continued until 1979. Eight species, especially in the Encyrtid genusAphytis, were introduced and mass released. The only species to become permanently established wereAphytis chrysomphali Mercet,Comperiella bifasciata (Howard),A. melinus DeBach, andProspaltella perniciosi (Tower).A. melinus, introduced in 1961, has become widely established throughout the region, is the dominant and most important parasite, and now appears to have completely displacedA. chrysomphali (1954) in all areas.C. bifasciata (1943) is also an important parasite and is distributed throughout the area.P. perniciosi (1970) is established on a few orchards near Mildura. Most of the work on the biological and integrated control of red scale began with the establishment of laboratory and insectary facilities at Mildura in 1967 and Loxton in 1968. A commercial insectary was also established at Loxton in 1971. Biological methods of insect control were first used commercially during 1944 (war period) by a few citrus growers at Merbein in Sunraysia. However, the adoption of biological and integrated methods for the control of red scale and other citrus pests, began on a large scale in the late 1960's. The use of organophosphate insecticides on citrus has declined since that time and has been close to zero since about 1977. Parasites and petroleum oil sprays have been used together in an integrated approach to the control of California red scale on some orchards. The biological control of this key pest has led to a decline in the incidence of secondary pests to the point where all insect pests of citrus are now regarded as being under effective biological control. The incidence of red scale, and other pests, has been less under biological and integrated control than it ever was when chemical control measures were widely used in the 1960's. Factors which have contributed to the success of the programme are discussed.     

The fruit fly scourge: has Zimbabwe been spared?

We conducted a questionnaire survey to assess fruit growers’ knowledge and practices regarding fruit fly pests and a fruit fly trapping inspection to capture any fruit fly species present at 10 points of 23 wards of Marondera district. Most growers were not aware of the pest, although they had reported that fruits were rotting in orchards. Most growers therefore took no action against fruit flies on their farms. The trapping inspection confirmed that three fruit fly species, Bactrocera, Ceratitis, and Dacus, are already present in Zimbabwe in general and in Marondera district in particular and the Bactrocera species dominates. There is a need for government, through extension agents, and other stakeholders to compile and communicate accurate data on the presence and status of the fruit fly in addition to investing in the continuous monitoring of the pest.     

A novel molecular approach to assess mating success of sterile Ceratitis capitata (Diptera: Tephritidae) males in sterile insect technique programs

Areawide sterile insect technique (SIT) programs against Mediterranean fruit fly, Ceratitis capitata (Wiedemann) (Diptera: Tephritidae), are increasingly implemented worldwide. A key issue in SIT is to assess mating success of released sterile males, which could be currently estimated by egg hatchability and by stored sperm head measurements. We report here on a novel molecular approach that would allow detecting the presence of Mediterranean fruit fly sterile male sperm in the female spermathecae under field conditions, as a precise marker to assess mating performance. The simplicity (only two polymerase chain reactions) and reliability of this method, jointly with the capability to detect Vienna sperm in wild Mediterranean fruit fly maintained in monitoring traps for 7 d under field conditions, suggest that it could be an efficient tool when coupled with areawide SIT programs.     

Field infestation of rambutan fruits by internal-feeding pests in Hawaii

More than 47,000 mature fruits of nine different varieties of rambutan (Nephelium lappaceum L.) were harvested from orchards in Hawaii to assess natural levels of infestation by tephritid fruit flies and other internal feeding pests. Additionally, harvested, mature fruits of seven different rambutan varieties were artificially infested with eggs or first-instars of Mediterranean fruit fly, Ceratitis capitata (Wiedemann), or oriental fruit fly, Bactrocera dorsalis (Hendel) (Diptera: Tephritidae) to assess host suitability. When all varieties were combined over two field seasons of sampling, fruit infestation rates were 0.021% for oriental fruit fly, 0.097% for Cryptophlebia spp. (Lepidoptera: Tortricidae), and 0.85% for pyralids (Lepidoptera). Species of Cryptophlebia included both C. illepida (Butler), the native Hawaiian species, and C. ombrodelta (Lower), an introduced species from Australia. Cryptophlebia spp. had not previously been known to attack rambutan. The pyralid infestation was mainly attributable to Cryptoblabes gnidiella (Milliere), a species also not previously recorded on rambutan in Hawaii. Overall infestation rate for other moths in the families Blastobasidae, Gracillariidae, Tineidae, and Tortricidae was 0.061%. In artificially infested fruits, both species of fruit fly showed moderately high survivorship for all varieties tested. Because rambutan has such low rates of infestation by oriental fruit fly and Cryptophlebia spp., the two primary internal-feeding regulatory pests of rambutan in Hawaii, it may be amenable to the alternative treatment efficacy approach to postharvest quarantine treatment.     

Seasonal phenology of Bactrocera minax (Diptera: Tephritidae) in western Bhutan

The Chinese citrus fruit fly, Bactrocera (Tetradacus) minax (Enderlein), is one of the major citrus pests in Bhutan and can cause >50% mandarin (Citrus reticulata Blanco) fruit drop. As part of the development of a management strategy for the fly in mandarin orchards, population monitoring and experimental manipulations were carried out to determine: (i) adult emergence period; (ii) adult phenology patterns; (iii) period of crop susceptibility; and (iv) period from fruit drop to pupation. In western Bhutan, adult flies emerge from the overwintering pupal stage in late April/early May. Most flies are mature by the end of May and it is inferred that mating occurs at this time: from the beginning of June males rapidly disappear from the population and by mid- to late June are rare or absent from traps. Mature females are present in the mandarin crop at the beginning of June, but very little oviposition occurs until mid-June, while most damage has occurred by mid-July. Initiation of oviposition into mandarins is almost certainly linked to crop phenology. Adult flies disappear from the orchard system during August. After fruit drop, larvae were recorded leaving the fruit to pupate within 13 days. The use of early to mid-season protein bait sprays and/or targeted use of systemic insecticides during the one month oviposition period, plus the removal of fallen fruit once every 10 days, are recommended as control strategies.     

Recapture of sterile Mediterranean fruit flies (Diptera: Tephritidae) in California's Preventative Release Program

In southern California, the sterile insect technique has been used since 1994 to prevent establishment of the Mediterranean fruit fly, Ceratitis capitata (Wiedemann). This method involves the continual mass release of sterile flies, which suppress or eliminate any introduced wild fly populations. In addition, Jackson traps baited with trimedlure are deployed throughout the preventative release region for the dual purpose of detecting wild flies and monitoring released sterile flies. Sterile fly recapture data for a 3-yr period was compared with climate and to host plant (in which traps were placed). Precipitation was negatively correlated; and temperature and relative humidity were positively correlated with fly recapture levels. The highest numbers of flies were recaptured during trapping periods associated with intermediate relative humidity and temperature, and low precipitation. Flies were recaptured throughout the entire year, in traps that had been frequently relocated to host plants with fruit. This finding suggests that these flies were capable of locating acceptable fruit in a variety of abiotic conditions. However, these data do not necessarily suggest that measurements unimportant in explaining sterile fly recapture are not of value in determining other outcomes important to the goals of sterile release programs, such as reducing the likelihood of establishment of an introduced wild Mediterranean fruit fly population. Future research might build on these results in developing more precise models useful in predicting recapture of sterile flies.     

Trapping tephritid fruit flies (Diptera: Tephritidae) in citrus groves of Fujian Province of China

Certain tephritid fruit flies, such as the oriental fruit fly, Bactrocera dorsalis, the Chinese citrus fly, B. minax and the Japanese orange fly, B. tsuneonis (Diptera: Tephritidae: Dacinae), are destructive citrus pests in China. A two-year trapping study was conducted in pomelo, Citrus maxima, groves in Fujian Province of China. The objectives of this study were to investigate the species, the abundance of tephritid fruit flies in the orchards, as well as the efficacy of the selected lure traps to these flies. Four lure traps or devices, i.e. methyl eugenol + Steiner trap (ST), cuelure + ST, ammonium acetate + putrescine + ST, and sticky spheres, were deployed from June to November 2017 and April to October 2018. Six economically significant Dacini pests were trapped during the period. These flies are B. dorsalis, the melon fruit fly, Zeugodacus cucurbitae, the pumpkin fruit fly, Z. tau, the Malaysian fruit fly, B. latifrons, and other two species - B. rubigina and Z. scutellatus. B. dorsalis was the most abundant, accounting for more than 50% of the capture, followed by Z. cucurbitae. The remaining four species accounted for less than 2% of the total capture. B. minax and B. tsuneonis, two destructive citrus-damaging tephritid fruit flies in China, were not found during the trapping period. Methyl eugenol trapped the highest number of fruit flies, followed by cuelure.     

柑橘重要害虫寄生性天敌的研究与利用进展

柑橘是我国重要的岭南特色水果,种植面积广,产量大。在生产过程中,柑橘容易受到各类病虫害的危害。因为害虫抗药性的产生以及化学农药使用带来的负面影响,害虫生物防治成为今后柑橘害虫可持续防控的重要策略。本文以桔小实蝇、柑橘木虱、介壳虫以及柑橘潜叶蛾、柑橘卷叶蛾、柑橘凤蝶等柑橘重要害虫及其寄生蜂为研究对象,对近年来国内外在柑橘害虫生物防治领域,尤其是寄生蜂的研究与利用等方面取得的最新进展进行了综述,以期不断推进我国柑橘害虫生物防治技术的研究与应用,保障我国柑橘产业的健康发展。     

From trickle to flood: the large-scale,cryptic invasion of California by tropical fruit flies

Since 1954, when the first tropical tephritid fruit fly was detected in California, a total of 17 species in four genera and 11 386 individuals (adults/larvae) have been detected in the state at more than 3348 locations in 330 cities. We conclude from spatial mapping analyses of historical capture patterns and modelling that, despite the 250+ emergency eradication projects that have been directed against these pests by state and federal agencies, a minimum of five and as many as nine or more tephritid species are established and widespread, including the Mediterranean, Mexican and oriental fruit flies, and possibly the peach, guava and melon fruit flies. We outline and discuss the evidence for our conclusions, with particular attention to the incremental, chronic and insidious nature of the invasion, which involves ultra-small, barely detectable populations. We finish by considering the implications of our results for invasion biology and for science-based invasion policy.     

Evaluation of surveillance methods for monitoring house fly abundance and activity on large commercial dairy operations

Relative house fly, Musca domestica L., activity at three large dairies in central California was monitored during the peak fly activity period from June to August 2005 by using spot cards, fly tapes, bait traps, and Alsynite traps. Counts for all monitoring methods were significantly related at two of three dairies; with spot card counts significantly related to fly tape counts recorded the same week, and both spot card counts and fly tape counts significantly related to bait trap counts 1-2 wk later. Mean fly counts differed significantly between dairies, but a significant interaction between dairies sampled and monitoring methods used demonstrates that between-dairy comparisons are unwise. Estimate precision was determined by the coefficient of variability (CV) (or SE/mean). Using a CV = 0.15 as a desired level of estimate precision and assuming an integrate pest management (IPM) action threshold near the peak house fly activity measured by each monitoring method, house fly monitoring at a large dairy would require 12 spot cards placed in midafternoon shaded fly resting sites near cattle or seven bait traps placed in open areas near cattle. Software (FlySpotter; http://ucanr.org/ sites/FlySpotter/download/) using computer vision technology was developed to count fly spots on a scanned image of a spot card to dramatically reduce time invested in monitoring house flies. Counts provided by the FlySpotter software were highly correlated to visual counts. The use of spot cards for monitoring house flies is recommended for dairy IPM programs.     

Resistance to malathion in field populations of Ceratitis capitata

The Mediterranean fruit fly, Ceratitis capitata (Wiedemann) (Diptera: Tephritidae), is considered one of the most economically damaging pests of citrus orchards in Spain. Insecticide treatments for the control of this pest are mainly based on aerial and ground treatments with malathion bait sprays. However, the frequency of insecticide treatments has been increased in some areas of the Comunidad Valenciana in the last years, because of problems with the control of C. capitata. We have found that field populations from citrus and other fruit crops from different geographical areas in Spain showed lower susceptibility to malathion (6- to 201-fold) compared with laboratory populations. More importantly, differences in susceptibility could be related to the frequency of the field treatments. A resistant strain (W), derived from a field population, and a susceptible laboratory strain (C) were maintained in the laboratory. The W strain showed cross-resistance to the organophosphate fenthion (10-fold) but not to spinosad. Enzymatic assays showed that acethylcholinesterase activity was less inhibited in vivo by malathion and in vitro by malaoxon (active form of malathion) in adult flies from the W-resistant strain. Experiments to evaluate the effects of synergists revealed that the esterase inhibitor S,S,S-tributyl phosphorotrithioate (DEF) partially suppressed malathion resistance. Thus, target site insensitivity and metabolic resistance mediated by esterases might be involved in the loss of susceptibility to malathion in C. capitata. Nonetheless, additional biochemical and molecular studies will be required to confirm this hypothesis.     

The ground beetle Pseudophonus rufipes revealed as predator of Ceratitis capitata in citrus orchards

The Mediterranean fruit fly Ceratitis capitata (Wiedemann) is a major citrus pest in Spain. Although medfly is being controlled chemically, alternative biorational strategies should be developed, like those based on conservation biological control of polyphagous predators. The ground beetle Pseudophonus rufipes (De Geer) is the most abundant carabid inhabiting the ground of citrus orchards in eastern Spain. However, little is known about its activity–density and predatory role against C. capitata in the citrus agroecosystem. Here, we report on its predatory potential on the medfly’s developmental stages that take place in the citrus ground. This carabid species preyed efficiently on C. capitata third instar larvae and especially on pupae but not on teneral adults. Moreover, predation under field conditions was evaluated by detecting C. capitata DNA remains using PCR-based gut-content analysis. Half-life DNA detectability of C. capitata was of 32.33 h. Pseudophonus rufipes specimens were field-collected after C. capitata sterilized pupae were deployed in a commercial citrus orchard. Thereafter, the carabids captured by pitfall traps were analyzed, being DNA-remains of C. capitata detected in 22.2% of them. Data reported here clearly suggest that P. rufipes could play an important role in regulating medfly populations in citrus orchards. This information is particularly useful when biological control conservation strategies are being considered to control this pest.