Efficacy of pheromonal control of peachtree borer (Synanthedon exitiosa (Say)) in small‐scale orchards

The efficacy of pheromone‐based mating disruption for control of the peachtree borer Synanthedon exitiosa (Say) in small‐scale peach orchards (<0.1 ha) was evaluated in a total of six blocks at two locations in New Mexico, USA, from 2010 to 2015. In treated orchards, commercial pheromone dispensers were deployed at rates of approximately 500 or 600 per ha. Pheromone‐based monitoring traps were installed in each block (treated and untreated), and catches of male moths were recorded throughout each growing season to assess the effectiveness of pheromone treatments and to determine the pest's seasonal flight activity. Levels of larval trunk infestation were assessed twice yearly by inspecting all trees at and below soil level. Infestation levels in an unreplicated block of mature peaches at one site (Los Lunas) declined from 57.5% to 8.4% while under pheromone treatment (2010–2011). Pheromone treatments in this block were discontinued in 2012, and infestation levels subsequently increased to 16.9% by spring 2015. In a replicated study in four other peach blocks at the same site, annual application of pheromones from 2012 to 2014 resulted in a significant difference in larval infestations in treated blocks compared to untreated blocks. In addition, when a single block of infested peaches at a second site (Alcalde) was treated with pheromone dispensers for three consecutive years, trunk infestation levels declined significantly, but were not completely eliminated. These results indicate that mating disruption can help protect even very small orchards from damage by S. exitiosa. However, the technique is likely to be more effective where such orchards are relatively isolated and/or where the surrounding pest pressure is moderate or low.     

中国新发现外来入侵害虫——南美番茄潜叶蛾(鳞翅目:麦蛾科)

2017年8月,在新疆维吾尔自治区伊犁哈萨克自治州露地鲜食番茄上发现一种鳞翅目害虫,以幼虫潜食叶肉、蛀食果实,经鉴定为南美番茄潜叶蛾。该害虫原产南美洲的秘鲁,2006年入侵欧洲的西班牙,截至2017年5月,已在南美洲、欧洲、非洲、中美洲和亚洲的80多个国家和地区发生,严重危害鲜食番茄、加工番茄和樱桃番茄/圣女果,产量损失最高可达80%～100%。本文提供了南美番茄潜叶蛾的危害情况及主要形态鉴定特征,提出了防范其进一步扩散危害的措施建议以及今后应开展的主要研究方向,包括植物检疫、发生分布调查、生物学生态学特性研究、天敌资源挖掘利用等,以为积极应对南美番茄潜叶蛾对我国农业生产安全的威胁提供参考。     

Comparison of three dispenser distribution patterns for pheromone mating disruption of Paralobesia viteana (Lepidoptera: Tortricidae) in vineyards

Over two growing seasons, Isomate GBM-Plus tube-type dispensers releasing the major pheromone component of grape berry moth, Paralobesia viteana (Clemens) (Lepidoptera: Tortricidae), were evaluated in vineyards (Vitis spp.) in Michigan, New York, and Pennsylvania. Dispensers were deployed in three different density-arrangement treatments: 124 dispensers per ha, 494 dispensers per ha, and a combined treatment with 124 dispensers per ha in the vineyard interior and 988 dispensers per ha at the vineyard border, equivalent to an overall density of 494 dispensers per ha. Moth captures and cluster infestation levels were compared at the perimeter and interior of vineyards receiving these different pheromone treatments and in vineyards receiving no pheromone. Orientation of male moths to pheromone-baited traps positioned at the perimeter and interior of vineyards was reduced as a result of mating disruption treatments compared with the nontreated control. These findings were consistent over both years of the study. Disruption of male moth captures in traps varied from 93 to 100% in treated vineyards, with the 494 dispensers per ha application rates providing significantly higher level of disruption than the 124 dispensers per ha rate, but only in 2007. Measurements of percentage of cluster infestation indicated much higher infestation at perimeters than in the interior of the vineyards in all three regions, but in both sample positions there was no significant effect of dispenser density on cluster infestation levels in either year. The contrasting results of high disruption of moth orientation to traps in vineyards that also had low levels of crop protection from this pheromone treatment are discussed in the context of strategies to improve mating disruption of this tortricid pest.     

Efficacy of some biorational insecticides against Tuta absoluta (Meyrick) (Lepidoptera: Gelechiidae) under laboratory and greenhouse conditions in Kuwait

The tomato leafminer, Tuta absoluta, is one of the most destructive pests of tomato worldwide. Management of the pest is mainly based on chemical insecticides. Reliance on insecticides is difficult to sustain because of unintended long‐term adverse effects on the environment and human health. Consequently, there is a need to develop pest management strategies that ensure the production of high‐quality products, while at the same time ensuring environmental sustainability and maximum consumer protection. We evaluated the efficacy the biopesticides: Azadirachtin, Bacillus thuringiensis, Steinernema feltiae and Beauveria bassiana individually and in combination against T. absoluta under laboratory and greenhouse conditions. When second instar larvae were exposed to tomato leaf discs treated with Azadirachtin (3 g / L), B. thuringiensis (0.5 g/L) or B. bassiana (1.5 g/L), 70%–86%, 55%–65%, and 45.5%–58.5% mortality was observed, respectively. Steinernema feltiae (1,000 IJs/ml) was the least effective biopesticide, with 26%–42% mortality. In the greenhouse trials on tomato, pest infestation (mines/10 leaves/plant) and fruits damaged were significantly lower on plants treated with Azadirachtin  +  B. thuringiensis or Azadirachtin  +  B. bassiana compared to plants treated with Azadirachtin, B. thuringiensi, B. bassiana or S. feltiae alone. Azadirachtin  +  B. thuringiensis and Azadirachtin  +  B. bassiana resulted in 90% and 81% reduction in fruits damaged in the summer experiments, respectively, and 96% and 91% in winter. The most severe pest infestation was observed on plants treated with S. feltia. The results indicate that the biopesticides, except S. feltia, can contribute to T. absoluta control in greenhouse tomato crops. In particular, the combined use of Azadirachtin with B. thuringiensis or B. bassiana provided the highest level of control of the pest. The potential for including these biopesticides in an overall sustainable integrated pest management programme for T. absoluta is discussed.     

Optimization of a Trap for Tuta absoluta Meyrick (Lepidoptera: Gelechiidae) and Trials to Determine the Effectiveness of Mass Trapping

Management of the South American tomato leafminer, Tuta absoluta Meyrick, with insecticides has led to the widespread development of insect resistance. Mass trapping using traps baited with the female-produced sex pheromone is an attractive alternative for the management of this pest. The current study evaluated several commercial trap designs for capture of T. absoluta. Based on its small size and ease of handling, the most effective trap is a small plastic container with entry windows cut on the sides filled with motor oil over water. These traps are most effective when placed near ground level. Tests of septa containing 0.1 or 0.2 mg of the pheromone (95:5) E4, Z8-14Ac/E4,Z8,Z11-14Ac were slightly more attractive than septa loaded with 0.5, 1.0, or 2 mg during the first week of use, but the latter three loadings were slightly more attractive than the first two loadings after 9 weeks. Ideal trap baits were loaded with 0.5 mg of pheromone. Higher numbers of T. absoluta were captured near upwind borders of tomato fields suggesting that treatments against T. absoluta should be concentrated near upwind parts of fields. Comparisons of conventional insecticide treatment versus mass trapping to manage T. absoluta damage in three different test sites showed that even when initial captures in monitoring traps were high (>35 males trap^?1 day^?1), mass trapping at 48 traps/ha reduced leaf damage more efficiently than conventional insecticide treatment. Based on the typical insecticide recommendations against T. absoluta, mass trapping is an economically viable alternative.     

Sprayable microencapsulated sex pheromone formulation for mating disruption of oriental fruit moth (Lepidoptera: Tortricidae) in Australian peach and pear orchards

Areawide mating disruption treatments have been effective in controlling infestation of oriental fruit moth, Grapholita molesta (Busck) (Lepidoptera: Tortricidae), in Australian pome and stone fruit orchards. Although successful, the areawide mating disruption program has been an expensive approach by using hand-applied Isomate dispensers. Sprayable microencapsulated (MEC) pheromone formulations that can be applied with standard spray equipment could substantially reduce the cost of application. Field trials conducted during two consecutive seasons (2002-2004) demonstrated that monthly applications of MEC-OFM phase V (3M Canada, London, Ontario, Canada) at a rate of 125 ml/ha (37.1 g [AI]/ha) in replicated 2-ha blocks of both peaches and pears reduced oriental fruit moth shoot tip and fruit damage as effectively as a single application of Isomate OFM Rosso hand-applied dispensers (500 dispensers per ha) and as or more effectively than standard broad-spectrum insecticide sprays. Fruit protection was achieved despite high oriental fruit moth population densities in both crops as measured by moth catches in terpinyl acetate food and pheromone traps. Similar numbers of oriental fruit moths were captured among all treatments in food traps but captures of males in pheromone traps were disrupted (96-99%) in pheromone-treated blocks relative to controls. The results of this study suggest that microencapsulated formulations of pheromone could be effectively used in areawide mating disruption programs for oriental fruit moth in Australia as a cost-saving alternative to reservoir-style dispensers requiring labor-intensive hand application.     

Evaluation of extended-season mating disruption of the Oriental fruit moth Grapholita molesta (Busck) (Lep., Tortricidae) in apples

Abstract:  Oriental fruit moth Grapholita molesta (Busck) (Lep., Tortricidae) has recently become a key pest of apples throughout the eastern USA. Pheromone-mediated mating disruption of Oriental fruit moth was successfully used in North Carolina apple orchards in the past few years. However, low levels of late-season fruit damage occurred in some orchards treated in late May with hand-applied pheromone dispensers because of inadequate dispenser longevity. To investigate alternative pheromone application schedules for extended mating disruption control, the following pheromone treatments were compared with conventional insecticides in Henderson County (NC) in 2002: late May application of hand-applied dispensers; late June application of hand-applied dispensers; late May application of hand-applied dispensers supplemented with a late August application of sprayable pheromone dispensers; late May application of hand-applied dispensers which have a longer activity period; and conventional insecticides as a control. All treatments were sprayed with an insecticide at petal fall in late April for thinning and for control of the first generation Oriental fruit moth adults. Pheromone trap catches were significantly reduced in all mating disruption blocks compared with conventional insecticide blocks. Among pheromone treatments, the highest trap captures were recorded in the delayed hand-applied dispenser treatment in June before treatment. However, the mean percentage fruit damage did not vary with timing of application of hand-applied dispensers and the type of pheromone dispenser used. Clearly, the combination of each mating disruption treatment with insecticide application against first generation Oriental fruit moth was as effective as the conventional insecticide treatment under moderate population pressure.     

Control of Ichneumonoptera chrysophanes (Meyrick) (Lepidoptera: Sesiidae) by mating disruption in persimmons

Abstract A ca 0.62 ha block of 480 persimmon trees at Woombye, Queensland, was treated with the pheromone of Ichneumonoptera chrysophanes emitted from polyethylene dispensers placed at a rate equivalent to 1480/ha early in September 2000. A second block of 219 trees was left untreated and served as the control. The technique was assessed using traps to measure the ability of I. chrysophanes males to locate synthetic pheromone baits, and by the incidence of fresh damage detected during December and June surveys of a minimum of 67 trees in each block. Pheromone release rates were determined approximately weekly by measuring the amount of pheromone remaining in a sample of 10 dispensers suspended within the treated block. A second orchard at Amamoor, Queensland, was partly treated with pheromone applied at a similar rate, but was monitored only in terms of trap catch. No assessments were made of damage levels. Mean pheromone-release rates ranged from 15.8 to 1.6 mg/ha/h. Over the entire period of the trial, from 8 September 2000 to 27 June 2001, no males were caught in any of the 12 traps in the pheromone-treated block of the Woombye orchard, while 944 were caught in the five traps in the untreated block. The proportion of trees with fresh damage was significantly higher in the untreated block (0.188 and 0.567; December and June surveys, respectively) than in the treated block (0.027 and 0.205), although there was no significant difference between treatments in the mean number of strikes/infested tree in either survey. In the Amamoor orchard no moths were caught in any of the 32 traps in the treated blocks, compared with a total of 303 in the 13 traps in the untreated block.     

世界毁灭性检疫害虫番茄潜叶蛾的生物生态学及危害与控制

番茄潜叶蛾原产于南美洲的秘鲁,严重危害多种茄科作物,是最具毁灭性的世界检疫性害虫,严重发生地块番茄减产80%~100%。该虫主要借助农产品的贸易活动进行远距离传播扩散。截至2017年,番茄潜叶蛾已在全世界的85个国家和地区发生(以及在22个国家和地区疑似发生)。目前,我国尚没有该虫分布,然而其一旦入侵,将对我国的番茄和马铃薯产业构成巨大威胁。从番茄潜叶蛾寄主范围、危害特点及造成的经济损失、生物生态学习性、地理分布和传播扩散途径、防控措施等方面进行概述,以期为该虫的有效防范提供参考。     

Comparison of a sprayable pheromone formulation and two hand-applied pheromone dispensers foruse in the integrated control of oriental fruit moth (Lepidoptera: Tortricidae)

The efficacy of integrated programs using a sprayable pheromone formulation or one of two hand-applied pheromone dispensers, and a conventional oriental fruit moth, Grapholita molesta (Busck) (Lepidoptera: Tortricidae) control program, was compared using 4-5-ha blocks of peach orchard at three Niagara Peninsula farms during 2000-2002. In the integrated programs, chlorpyrifos and mating disruption with 3M Sprayable Pheromone, Isomate OFM Rosso, or Rak 5 hand-applied dispensers were used to control first-generation larvae, and mating disruption alone was used to control second- and third-generation larvae. In the conventional program, chlorpyrifos was used to control first-generation larvae, and pyrethroid insecticides were used to control larvae of the later generations. All programs were effective at maintaining fruit infestation by G. molesta below the industry tolerance level of 1%. An integrated program using sprayable pheromone required the use of more supplementary insecticide applications to control second- and third-generation larvae than a program using hand-applied dispensers. The elimination of insecticide sprays from integrated program blocks did not result in an increase in damage by plant bugs, Lygus spp. (Hemiptera: Miridae) or by the plum curculio, Conotrachelus nenuphar (Herbst) (Coleoptera: Curculionidae).     

Economic injury level and crop loss assessment for Tuta absoluta (Lepidoptera: Gelechiidae) on different tomato cultivars

Specifying the relationship between pests and their host plants in terms of damage is one of the basic concepts of integrated pest management (IPM) programmes. The crop loss and economic injury level (EIL) of Tuta absoluta (Lepidoptera: Gelechiidae) were determined on different tomato cultivars using gain threshold (field experiment) and regression (semi‐field experiment) methods. By assessing the crop loss in 2015 and 2016, four out of seven infested tomato cultivars had a significant yield loss in terms of weight of total fruits versus the control under the open‐field conditions. However, the total number of tomato cultivars had no significant difference to control treatment. The semi‐field experiment included six treatments (0, 2, 4, 6, 8 and 10 gravid females/plant) and examined two tomato cultivars. The tomato cages with between 6 and 10 gravid females/plant showed the highest number and weight of damaged fruits. Based on pesticide control costs, the market value of tomato and the control efficacy, we determined the EIL for T. absoluta. In the field experiment, the EIL value for T. absoluta on “Petomech,” “Cal JN3,” “Rio Grande” and “Early Urbana Y” cultivars was 4.15, 4.47, 4.70 and 5.04 larvae per plant, respectively. Based on regression equations, we calculated the EIL values for T. absoluta on “Cal JN3” and “Early Urbana Y” to be 4.75 and 5.44 larvae/plant, respectively. Crop loss assessment and EIL are necessary components of cost‐effective IPM programs and can be effective tools for making decisions about the application of pesticides against T. absoluta.     

Mating disruption to control damage by leafrollers in virginia apple orchards

Mating disruption for control of variegated leafroller (VLR),Platynota flavedana (Clemens), tufted apple bud moth (TBM),P. ideausalis Walker, and redbanded leafroller (RBL),Argyrotaenia velutinana (Walker), was studied in Virginia apple orchards in 1989 and 1990. In 1989, each dispenser (1000/ha) contained 190 mg of 67.2%E11–14:Ac, 28.8%Z11–14:Ac, 1.4%E11–14:OH, 0.6%Z11–14:OH, and 2%Z9–12:Ac (a putative generic leafroller disruption blend). Trap captures of VLR, TBM and RBL were reduced by 97%, 51% and 55%, respectively. Average leafroller injury in the interior and edge of the pheromone block was 3.8% and 2.7%, respectively. The conventional control and abandoned blocks had 0.05 and 27.5% injury, respectively. Dispensers containingE11–14:OH (70%) andZ11–14:OH (30%) (close to the natural blend of VLR), more effectively disrupted orientation to pheromone traps by bothPlatynota spp. than did the generic blend. In 1990, dispensers containing 150 mg ofE11–14:OH (70%) andZ11–14:OH (1000/ha) were placed in two 2-ha blocks and one 4-ha block. One pheromonetreated block was sprayed in August with phosmet for codling moth, not timed for leafrollers. Trap captures of VLR and TBM were reduced by almost 100% and 69%, respectively. RBL captures were not reduced by VLR pheromone permeation. Injury fromPlatynota spp. in pheromone block middles and edges ranged from 0.3–1.7% and 0.3–2.3%, respectively. Injury in conventional blocks ranged from 0–1.1%. RBL injury in pheromone block middles ranged from 0–6.1%, and in edges, 1.7–4.8%. Injury in control blocks ranged from 0–1.1%. Combined leafroller injury in an abandoned block was 18% (s.e. 0.3). Release rates averaged 30 and 32 mg/ha/h for the VLR and generic pheromone dispensers, respectively.     

SPLAT-OrB reveals competitive attraction as a mechanism of mating disruption in oriental beetle (Coleoptera: Scarabaeidae)

This study compared the efficacy of SPLAT-OrB, a new pheromone formulation for oriental beetle mating disruption that can be mechanically applied, with hand-applied plastic dispensers in commercial blueberry fields. Both formulations were tested at 2.5 and 5 g of the major sex pheromone component (Z)-7-tetradecen-2-one per hectare, and evaluated by measuring trap shut-down, mating success of caged females, and the number of grubs in sentinel blueberry pots baited with tethered females. All pheromone-treated plots had fewer male captures in traps and lower mating success of caged females compared with untreated plots. SPLAT-OrB, and plastic dispensers at the higher rate, also reduced the number of grubs in sentinel pots. To understand the mechanism of mating disruption in oriental beetle, males were observed approaching the pheromone sources in disrupted plots. In addition, male oriental beetle captures were quantified in plots treated with varying SPLAT-OrB dollop densities per ha. Consistent with predictions for competitive attraction, field observations revealed males approaching the pheromone source and male captures decreasing concavely with increasing dollop density. In a mark-release-recapture study, male oriental beetles responded to SPLAT-OrB dollops and plastic dispensers at least 60 m from the source. Additionally, SPLAT-OrB emitted pheromone that was attractive to male oriental beetles for >5 wk; however, emission rates and attraction dropped rapidly during the first 3-4 wk. This study demonstrates the feasibility of using SPLAT-OrB for oriental beetle mating disruption as an alternative to hand-applied plastic dispensers, and conclusively reveals that a principal mechanism is the competitive attraction of males.     

Communication disruption of maleAgrotis segetum moths with one or several sex pheromone components

Attraction of maleAgrotis segetum Dennis & Schiffermüller (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae) to sex pheromone traps in fields, which were treated with one or three pheromone components was investigated. Small plots of 1/4ha size were treated with synthetic pheromone, released by 25 evenly dispersed latex rubber tube dispensers. The dispensers were loaded with either 500 μg Z5-10:OAc (50 mg/ha), or 1000 μg Z7-12:OAc (100 mg/ha), or a 3-component mixture consisting of 500 μg Z5-10:OAc+1000 μg Z7-12:OAc+1000 μg Z9-14:OAc. Pheromone traps were placed both within and outside of the treated area in a cross design, with an intertrap spacing of 15 m. Release rates from disruption dispensers were measured in the laboratory after being exposed in the field. The release rates of the components were estimated to be 0.44, 0.11, and 0.06 μg/h/dispenser for Z5-10:OAc, Z7-12:OAc and Z9-14:OAc, respectively. The highest effect of disruption was achieved by the three-component blend, resulting in a significant suppression of trap catches extending 5 m outside of the treated area. The Z5-10:OAc treatment resulted in reduced trap catches inside the treated area, but the effect did not extend outside. Z7-12:OAc alone did not result in any significant reduction in trap catch. The results indicate that different mechanisms may explain the disruptive effect of the treatments and that the single pheromone components are not as effective as the three-component blend.     

Mating disruption for control of damage by codling moth in Virginia apple orchards

Polyethylene dispensers (Shin Etsu) containing 172 ml of the sex pheromone, (E, E)-8,10-dodecadien-1-ol (63%), dodecenol (31%) and tetradecenol (6%), of codling moth (CM),Cydia pomonella (L.), were placed in apple orchards in Virginia. Two blocks of about 2 ha each were treated in 1989, and three in 1990. Dispensers were placed in trees at a density of 1000/ha shortly after apple bloom. Male orientation to pheromone traps was almost totally disrupted (a few males were captured at high population densities). In 1989, the Daleville pheromone-treated block had 0.9% and 0.8% CM-injured fruit in the center and edge, respectively; 0% and 39.5% injured fruit were found in the conventional control and abandoned blocks, respectively. The Criglersville orchard (‘organically’ managed, with high CM density) CM harvest injury was 16.0%, 16.5%, 34.5%, and 26.5% in the pheromone-treated center and edge, organic control and abandoned blocks, respectively. In 1990, the Daleville CM harvest injury was 4.7%, 7.3%, 1.1%, 0.3% and 58%, in the pheromone-treated center and edge, control center and edge, and abandoned blocks, respectively (possible reasons for the high injury in this block are discussed). Harvest injury in the Fincastle pheromone-treated and control blocks were 0.7% and 0%, respectively. The Criglersville orchard yielded 17%, 19% and 20% CM-injured fruit at harvest in the pheromone-treated, organic control and abandoned blocks, respectively. Pheromone release rate was calculated as 37 mg/ha/h in 1989.     

Interrelated responses of tomato plants and the leaf miner Tuta absoluta to nitrogen supply

Plant–insect interactions are strongly modified by environmental factors. This study evaluates the influence of nitrogen fertilisation on the tomato (Solanum lycopersicum L.) cv. Santa clara and the leafminer (Tuta absoluta (Meyrick), Lepidoptera: Gelechiidae). Greenhouse‐grown tomato plants were fed hydroponically on a complete nutrient solution containing either a high nitrogen concentration (HN) sustaining maximum growth or a low nitrogen concentration (LN) limiting plant growth. Insect‐free plants were compared with plants attacked by T. absoluta. Seven and 14 days after artificial oviposition leading to efficacious hatching and larvae development, we measured total carbon, nitrogen and soluble protein as well as defence compounds (phenolics, glycoalkaloids, polyphenol oxidase activity) in the HN versus LN plants. Only in the HN treatment did T. absoluta infestation slightly impair leaf growth and induce polyphenol oxidase (PPO) activity in the foliage. Neither the concentration of phenolic compounds and proteins nor the distribution of nitrogen within the plant was affected by T. absoluta infestation. In contrast, LN nutrition impaired T. absoluta‐induced PPO activity. It decreased protein and total nitrogen concentration of plant organs and enhanced the accumulation of constitutive phenolics and tomatine. Moreover, LN nutrition impaired T. absoluta development by notably decreasing pupal weight and lengthening the development period from egg to adult. Adjusting the level of nitrogen nutrition may thus be a means of altering the life cycle of T. absoluta. This study provides a comprehensive dataset concerning interrelated responses of tomato plants and T. absoluta to nitrogen nutrition.     

Mating disruption of pea moth (Cydia nigricana) in organic peas (Pisum sativum)

We appraised mating disruption (MD) to control pea moth, Cydia nigricana (Fabricius) (Lepidoptera: Tortricidae), by assessing male attraction to monitor traps, larval pod infestation, and larval age structure in pheromone‐treated and untreated grain pea fields [Pisum sativum L. (Fabaceae)], over a 5‐year period. Cellulose pheromone dispensers were manually attached to the top shoots of pea plants and released 540 mg ha^?1 day^?1 synthetic pheromone E8,E10‐dodecadien‐1‐yl acetate in a first test series (2000–2001) and ca. 4 200 mg pheromone ha^?1 day^?1 in a second series (2004–2006). The dispensers had a half‐life of about 30 days. Although male attraction to pheromone monitoring traps was largely suppressed at the edges and within MD fields in both test series, MD treatments did not reduce pod infestation in the open field in 2000 and 2001. In the 2004–2006 series, larval damage reduction was achieved in the majority of the trials but overall MD efficacy in the open field was only 61% and not significant. In contrast, in field cages placed within the experimental sites and supplied with unmated pea moths, MD control was consistently high and significant. There were no obvious differences in the larval age distribution in all MD and control treatments, suggesting that infestations started and developed further similarly. As a univoltine species, C. nigricana larvae stay in the soil of pea fields for hibernation and pupate. The following year, emerging adults disperse and fly to the closest pea crop. Combined emergence site and pea crop treatments were conducted over 2 years to include this early migration phase of C. nigricana adults. However, the emergence site treatments did not enhance MD‐control efficacy. We conclude that mating activity was only prevented in cage tests, whereas substantial mating occurred during the transit phase outside the pheromone‐treated fields either within non‐crop vegetation and/or at the edges of pheromone‐treated pea fields orientated upwind. Thus, resulting gravid female entry can be regarded as the major constraint to reliable MD control.     

云南弥渡县番茄潜叶蛾的发生情况及田间防治效果

外来入侵性害虫番茄潜叶蛾Tuta absoluta(Meyrick)于2018年3月26日在云南弥渡县被发现,为明确其发生为害情况,筛选出有效的防治药剂,阻止该虫的发生和蔓延,本研究采用性诱剂进行田间调查分析了番茄潜叶蛾的发生情况,通过田间药效试验比较噻虫嗪、噻虫胺、虫螨腈、苏云菌杆菌、乙基多杀菌素、阿维·氯虫苯甲酰胺、噻虫·高氯氟和阿维·灭蝇胺对番茄潜叶蛾的防治效果.调查结果表明该虫在番茄种植区域均有发生,大棚番茄地发生尤其严重,为害株达100％,百叶幼虫量55.00～101.67头/百叶,周诱蛾量4.70～61.20头/板,果子的为害率达19.33％,最高达40％.田间药效的结果表明:33％阿维·灭蝇胺SC防效较好,药后3 d防效达74.30％,其次30％虫螨腈SC、6％阿维·氯虫苯甲酰胺SC和6％乙基多杀菌素SC药后3 d防效64.25％、67.98％、54.85％,药后5 d防效79.08％、79.00％、73.45％,药后7 d防效81.60％、80.45％、65.70％.结果表明番茄潜叶蛾在弥渡县大棚发生为害较为严重,性诱剂对成虫有良好的诱集效果,虫螨腈、阿维·氯虫苯甲酰胺、乙基多杀菌素和阿维·灭蝇胺可作为幼虫的防治药剂.     

Efficacy of <Emphasis Type="Italic">Bacillus thuringiensis</Emphasis> (Berliner) in controlling the tomato borer, <Emphasis Type="Italic">Tuta absoluta</Emphasis> (Meyrick) (Lepidoptera: Gelechiidae)

The tomato borer, Tuta absoluta (Meyrick) (Lepidoptera: Gelechiidae), is considered to be one of the most devastating pests affecting tomato crops in South America, where crop losses range from 60 to 100%. After its detection in the Spanish tomato-growing area at the end of 2006, it spread quickly to other European and northern African countries. Currently, T. absoluta management in these countries is mainly based on chemical treatments. Nonetheless, special emphasis is being placed on implementing environmentally safe strategies. Commercial formulates based on Bacillus thuringiensis may be a good alternative, as they have been used to control other insect pests successfully. The laboratory, greenhouse, and open-field experiments presented in this work are evidence that B. thuringiensis is highly efficient in controlling T. absoluta. First instar larvae were the most susceptible, while susceptibility was lower in second and third instar larvae. Our results have shown that the impact of T. absoluta can be greatly reduced by spraying only B. thuringiensis-based formulates, with no need for chemical insecticides. Furthermore, the integration of this technology with other biological control methods focused on T. absoluta eggs, such as the use of mirid predators or parasitoids, could reduce the number of B. thuringiensis treatments and the use of chemicals, with the consequent reduction of residues on fruits.     

New records of Tuta absoluta (Meyrick) (Lepidoptera: Gelechiidae) predation by Brazilian Hemipteran predatory bugs

The tomato borer Tuta absoluta, native to western South America, is an extremely devastating pest in tomato crops in most of South America, Europe and Africa North of the Sahel, causes yield losses up to 100% and decreases fruit quality in open field and greenhouse crops if control methods are not applied. In Brazil two other important lepidopteran pests – Neoleucinodes elegantalis and Helicoverpa zea – occur in tomato, as well as thrips, whiteflies and aphids. For control of these pests, frequent applications of pesticides of up to 5 times per week are needed, and these resulted in the appearance of resistant populations to a number of active ingredients and decimation of natural enemies. Biological control may offer a better, safer and more sustainable opportunity for pest management. Mirid predatory bugs are currently used with success in southern Europe to control T. absoluta and other pests. In Brazil, four Hemipteran predatory bugs, not yet known to attack T. absoluta, were found to successfully prey on eggs and larvae of this pest. The first results on their predation capacity, development, survival and reproduction on T. absoluta on tomato plants are presented.