Laboratory host range testing of Neomusotima conspurcatalis (Lepidoptera: Crambidae) – a potential biological control agent of the invasive weed,Old World climbing fern,Lygodium microphyllum (Lygodiaceae)

Old World climbing fern, Lygodium microphyllum, is a serious invasive weed in south Florida. Development of biological control is vital for sustainable management of L. microphyllum. Neomusotima conspurcatalis was discovered in Hong Kong in 1997 and was subsequently found causing feeding damage on L. microphyllum in much of its native range in Asia. Quarantine testing of N. conspurcatalis used 37 non-Lygodium fern species representative of New World genera of cultivated ferns and fern allies, one gymnosperm, three crop species, six Lygodium species, and the primary host L. microphyllum. No significant oviposition or feeding was observed on any of the 41 non-Lygodium species evaluated. Oviposition and feeding occurred on all Lygodium species, but amounts were low and usually significantly less than observed on L. microphyllum. The exception was L. japonicum, which was preferred as an oviposition host. Neomusotima conspurcatalis was only able to complete development on L. japonicum and L. palmatum, but survival on these species was only half that occurring on L. microphyllum. Neomusotima conspurcatalis is a Lygodium specialist. Lygodium japonicum is an invasive weed in the United States. Lygodium palmatum is restricted to areas of the United States where freezing winter temperatures would be lethal to N. conspurcatalis. It was concluded that N. conspurcatalis would pose no threat to native or cultivated plants in North America or the Caribbean and should be considered for biocontrol of L. microphyllum. A release petition was submitted in 2005. An USDA-APHIS release permit for N. conspurcatalis was issued in 2007.     

Laboratory host range of Austromusotima camptozonale (Lepidoptera: Crambidae), a potential biological control agent of Old World climbing fern,Lygodium microphyllum (Lygodiaceae)

Old World climbing fern, Lygodium microphyllum, is one of the most serious invasive weeds impacting south Florida and development of biological control is crucial for sustainable management. Larvae of a small moth, Austromusotima camptozonale, were discovered defoliating L. microphyllum in Australia. Preliminary testing suggested this moth was a Lygodium specialist. Laboratory host range testing was conducted on 65 species of test plants, from 31 families, comprising seven Lygodium species, four close relatives, 45 other species of ferns and fern allies, eight agricultural crops and one gymnosperm species plus the primary host L. microphyllum. Significant oviposition occurred only on other species of Lygodium. No eggs were laid on the agricultural crops, or about half the species of non-Lygodium ferns and fern allies tested. Oviposition on the other non-Lygodium ferns was very low, except on Anemia adiantifolia and Blechnum serrulatum, which received modest egg loads, but did not support development to adult. Larval feeding was low to non-existent on all the non-Lygodium species. Larvae developed to adult only on the native, American climbing fern L. palmatum, and to a lesser extent on L. japonicum. Lygodium japonicum is a naturalized invasive weed in the United States. Colonies of A. camptozonale were unable to persist on L. palmatum and died out in two to seven generations. Freezing winter temperatures in states where L. palmatum occurs would be lethal to A. camptozonale. It was concluded that A. camptozonale would pose no threat to native or cultivated plants in North America or the Caribbean and should be considered as a weed biological control agent against L. microphyllum.     

<Emphasis Type="Italic">Myrothecium verrucaria</Emphasis> – a potential biological control agent for the invasive ‘old world climbing fern’ (<Emphasis Type="Italic">Lygodium microphyllum</Emphasis>)

One of the greatest threats to the native ecosystems in any part of the world is the invasion and permanent colonization of ecosystems by non-native species. Florida is no exception to this biological invasion, and is currently colonized by an extensive variety of exotic plant species. Originally imported from Asia over 30 years ago, Old World Climbing Fern Lygodium microphyllum (Cavanilles) R. Brown) has become one of the most invasive and destructive weeds in southern Florida. To date different effective control measures of its growth and spread have not been successful; fire and herbicide applications that are currently employed are neither cost effective nor environmentally friendly. In light of the highly delicate ecosystem that is being affected by L. microphyllum, we tested the soil fungus Myrothecium verrucaria (Albertini and Schwein) Ditmar: Fr. for its pathogenicity on the invasive fern. In greenhouse studies the effect of two conidial concentrations of M. verrucaria on L. microphyllum was investigated. Plants were spray inoculated with M. verrucaria which resulted in successful disease development with leaf necrosis symptoms. The higher conidial concentration (1 × 10⁸ ml⁻¹) produced a disease index of approximately 3 on a scale of 0 to 4, day 24 postinitial inoculation, demonstrating the efficacy of this fungus as a severe retardant of Lygodium growth. Preliminary screening of selected native plant species for susceptibility to M. verrucaria showed low disease indices after repeated spray inoculations; the highest index attained was 0.4 by Slash pine (Pinus elliottii).     

Host range of an NPV and a GV isolated from the common cutworm, Agrotis segetum: pathogenicity within the cutworm complex

The term cutworm covers a range of species with a similar life history that can be very damaging pests on a wide range of crops. Attacks by cutworms are often made up of more than one species; thus, the most cost effective microbial control agent needs to be pathogenic for multiple species within this complex. In this study we investigate the host range of Agrotis segetum NPV and A. segetum GV for other cutworm species and closely related Noctuinae. Eight species, A. segetum, Agrotis ipsilon, Agrotis exclamationis, Agrotis puta, Noctua comes, Peridroma saucia, Xestia sexstrigata, and Xestia xanthographa, were clearly susceptible to AgseNPV, which was confirmed by DNA analysis. Aglais urticae, Diarsia rubi, Noctua pronuba, and Xestia c-nigrum were not susceptible to AgseNPV at the doses used. Noctua fimbriata, Noctua janthina, and Ochroplura plecta gave ambivalent results: larvae died of NPV infection when they were challenged with AgseNPV, but these individuals only produced weak positives in a squash blot analysis and there was insufficient DNA for confirmation by restriction endonuclease profiling. These ambivalent results could suggest either a weak infection by AgseNPV or partial homology between their own virus and AgseNPV. The untreated control insects of several species died of NPV infection, which indicates that these field-collected insects were probably carrying a vertically transmitted NPV. Fewer species were tested with AgseGV and only N. pronuba and N. comes were susceptible. N. fimbriata and Helicoverpa armigera were not susceptible to AgseGV.     

Host range of Ceutorhynchus assimilis (Coleoptera: Curculionidae), a candidate for biological control of Lepidium draba (Brassicaceae) in the USA

Ceutorhynchus assimilis has been selected as a potential biological control agent of Lepidium draba, which is a Eurasian invasive weed in North America. Preliminary studies indicated specificity of this weevil collected in southern France on L. draba. This result was in discord with the pest status of C. assimilis found in the literature. Host-specificity tests based both on field and laboratory experiments showed heterogeneity in the host spectrum of the weevils reared from different host-plants as determined by larval development. However, no distinguishable morphological differences could be visually detected between the populations feeding on different host-plants. All sampled populations of weevils were polyphagous as adults. Weevils reared from L. draba were specific to this plant for their complete larval development. Conversely, populations living on other wild and cultivated Brassicaceae species were not able to use L. draba as a host plant. Such differentiation is further highlighted by other biological aspects such as plant infestation rates, sex-ratio, duration of larval development, and differences in the timing of their life cycles. These results demonstrate that C. assimilis, an insect species formerly considered as a pest of Brassicaceae, is characterized by its host-range variability, with one population being potentially useful in the biological control of L. draba. Moreover, this example points to the need to test multiple populations of biological control agents in assessing risk.     

The introduction and release of Chiasmia inconspicua and C. assimilis (Lepidoptera: Geometridae) for the biological control of Acacia nilotica in Australia

Two geometrid moths Chiasmia inconspicua and Chiasmia assimilis, identified as potential biological control agents for prickly acacia Acacia nilotica subsp. indica, were collected in Kenya and imported into quarantine facilities in Australia where laboratory cultures were established. Aspects of the biologies of both insects were studied and CLIMEX® models indicating the climatically favourable areas of Australia were developed. Host range tests were conducted using an approved test list of 74 plant species and no-choice tests of neonate larvae placed on both cut foliage and potted plants. C. inconspicua developed through to adult on prickly acacia and, in small numbers, Acacia pulchella. C. assimilis developed through to adult on prickly acacia and also in very small numbers on A. pulchella, A. deanei, A. decurrens, and A. mearnsii. In all experiments, the response on prickly acacia could be clearly differentiated from the responses on the non-target species. Both insects were approved for release in Australia. Over a three-year period releases were made at multiple sites in north Queensland, almost all in inland areas. There was no evidence of either insect’s establishment and both colonies were terminated. A new colony of C. assimilis was subsequently established from insects collected in South Africa and releases of C. assimilis from this new colony were made into coastal and inland infestations of prickly acacia. Establishment was rapid at one coastal site and the insect quickly spread to other infestations. Establishment at one inland area was also confirmed in early 2006. The establishment in coastal areas supported a CLIMEX model that indicated that the climate of coastal areas was more suitable than inland areas.     

Relative host plant species use by the lantana biological control agent Aconophora compressa (Membracidae) across its native and introduced ranges

Aconophora compressa Walker (Hemiptera: Membracidae) was released in 1995 against the weed lantana in Australia, and is now found on multiple host plant species. The intensity and regularity at which A. compressa uses different host species was quantified in its introduced Australian range and also its native Mexican range. In Australia, host plants fell into three statistically defined categories, as indicated by the relative rates and intensities at which they were used in the field. Fiddlewood (Citharexylum spinosum L.: Verbenaceae) was used much more regularly and at higher densities than any other host sampled, and alone made up the first group. The second group, lantana (Lantana camara L.: Verbenaceae; pink variety) and geisha girl (Duranta erecta L.: Verbenaceae), were used less regularly and at much lower densities than fiddlewood. The third group, Sheena’s gold (another variety of D. erecta), jacaranda (Jacaranda mimosifolia D. Don: Bignoniaceae) and myoporum (Myoporum acuminatum R. Br.: Myoporaceae), were used infrequently and at even lower densities. In Mexico, the insect was found at relatively low densities on all hosts relative to those in Australia. Densities were highest on L. urticifolia, D. erecta and Tecoma stans (L.) Juss. ex Kunth (Bignoniaceae), which were used at similar rates to one another. It was found also on a few other verbenaceous and non-verbenaceous host species but at even lower densities. The relative rate at which Citharexylum spp. and L. urticifolia were used could not be assessed in Mexico because A. compressa was found on only one plant of each species in areas where these host species co-occurred. The low rate at which A. compressa occurred on fiddlewood in Mexico is likely to be an artefact of the short-term nature of the surveys or differences in the suites of Citharexylum and Lantana species available there. These results provide further incentive to insist on structured and quantified surveys of non-target host use in the native range of potential biological control agents prior to host testing studies in quarantine.     

Conidial germination and germ tube elongation of Phomopsis amaranthicola and Microsphaeropsis amaranthi on leaf surfaces of seven Amaranthus species: Implications for biological control

Microsphaeropsis amaranthi and Phomopsis amaranthicola are potential biological control agents for several Amaranthus species. In an effort to understand the initial infection processes with these pathogens, a study was conducted of the conidial germination and germ tube length (μm) on the weed leaf surfaces at 21 °C and 28 °C. Weeds included Amaranthus rudis, A. palmeri, A. powellii, A. retroflexus, A. spinosus, A. hybridus, and A. albus. For P. amaranthicola, conidial germination and germ tube length varied among the seven weed species at both temperatures, while for M. amaranthi the differences in germ tube lengths were significant among weed species only at 21 °C. While the conidia of M. amaranthi and P. amaranthicola germinated on the leaf surfaces of all seven weed species, temperature appeared to impact the number and length of germ tubes on the leaf surfaces. The percentage of germinated conidia and the length of germ tubes at both temperatures were often greater for M. amaranthi than for P. amaranthicola. In order for the fungal pathogen to successfully infect and kill a weedy host, conidia must germinate and form a germ tube, two processes that vary with host species and temperature for M. amaranthi and P. amaranthicola. The extent to which successive infection processes, e.g., penetration, invasion and colonization, contribute to host specificity warrants study.     

Influences of plant species on life history traits of Cotesia rubecula (Hymenoptera: Braconidae) and its host Pieris rapae (Lepidotera: Pieridae)

The relative suitability of four plants was studied for larvae of Pieris rapae L. and its parasitoid Cotesia rubecula (Marshall). For unparasitized P. rapae, pupal dry weight and egg-pupa growth rate were higher on cabbage, radish and nasturtium than on Indian hedge mustard. Larval developmental rate and size were greatest for C. rubecula when its host was feeding on nasturtium. Wasp survival was not affected by the host insect/plant combination in which the parasitoid developed. These results indicate that the plant on which host larvae feed is an important factor in development of the parasitoid.     

The elimination of intracellular microorganisms from insects: an analysis of antibiotic-treatment in the pea aphid (Acyrthosiphon pisum)

Antibiotics are routinely used to eliminate intracellular prokaryotic microorganisms from a wide range of insect species, but concerns about deleterious effects of antibiotic therapy on the insect host are seldom addressed. Here, the impact of antibiotic therapy in the symbiosis between the pea aphid Acyrthosiphon pisum and bacteria of the genus Buchnera is reviewed. Antibiotic-treatment produces aposymbiotic (i.e. symbiont-free) aphids, but does not depress the mitochondrial complement, the assimilation of dietary amino acids or the incorporation of amino acids into protein in these insects and does not impair osmoregulation, feeding rate and the capacity to penetrate plant tissues. It is concluded that the general malaise associated with aposymbiotic aphids is not attributable to a direct effect of the antibiotic. However, an important implication of this study is that aposymbiotic insects exhibit substantial metabolic adjustments to loss of the symbiosis; they are not simply aphids from which the symbiotic bacteria have been removed.     

Diversity and distribution of fungal foliar endophytes in New Zealand Podocarpaceae

The diversity and distribution of fungal endophytes in the leaves of four podocarps (Dacrydium cupressinum, Prumnopitys ferruginea, Dacrycarpus dacrydioides, and Podocarpus totara, all Podocarpaceae) and an angiosperm (Kunzea ericoides, Myrtaceae) occurring in close stands were studied. The effects of host species, locality, and season on endophyte assemblages were investigated. Host species was the major factor shaping endophyte assemblages. The spatial separation of sites and seasonal differences played significant but lesser roles. The mycobiota of each host species included both generalist and largely host-specialised fungi. The host-specialists were often observed at low frequencies on some of the other hosts. There was no clear evidence for family-level specialisation across the Podocarpaceae. Of the 17 species found at similar frequencies on several of the podocarp species, 15 were found also on Kunzea. Many of the endophytes isolated appear to represent species of fungi not previously recognised from New Zealand.     

Effects of genetic and environmental host plant variation on the susceptibility of two noctuids toBacillus thuringiensis

TwoApium graveolens var.rapaceum (L.) cultivars that differ in their suitability for the survival and growth ofSpodoptera exigua (Hübner) andTrichoplusia ni (Hübner) were used to examine the effect of genetic and seasonal environmental variation in host plant suitability on the efficacy ofBacillus thuringiensis subsp.kurstaki (Berliner). The effects of host plant genotype andB. thuringiensis were generally independent, so thatB. thuringiensis efficacy was greatest on the resistant host plant cultivar. Host plant suitability varied within growing season for both insect species but, while host plant suitability decreased with increasing plant age forT. ni, the response ofS. exigua to plant age was not as clear. Within season variation in host plant suitability affectedB. thuringiensis efficacy and the interaction betweenB. thuringiensis and host plant cultivar forS. exigua but not forT. ni. Soluble protein and Folin-Denis phenolic concentrations of host plant tissue were not correlated with changes in host plant suitability to either insect species.     

感染内生真菌的羽茅对大针茅的化感作用

以羽茅(Achnatherum sibiricum)为材料,采用室内生物测定法研究感染不同内生真菌的羽茅浸提液对大针茅(Stipa grandis)种子萌发和幼苗生长的化感作用,并采用气相色谱-质谱(GC-MS)联用技术对羽茅浸提液中的化学成分进行分析。结果表明:(1)内生真菌感染可缓解宿主羽茅对群落优势种大针茅的化感作用;(2)内生真菌感染对宿主羽茅化感作用的影响与内生真菌种类有关,具体表现为相比于未染菌羽茅,感染Epichloё gansuensis可显著缓解宿主羽茅对大针茅的抑制作用,而感染Neotyphodium sibiricum、Neotyphodium gansuensis有缓解羽茅对大针茅化感作用的趋势,但未达到显著影响;(3)羽茅浸提液中含有2,4-二叔丁基苯酚、邻苯二甲酸、邻苯二甲酸二丁酯和硬脂酸甲酯等潜在化感物质,这4种物质相对含量的差异可能是不同内生真菌感染状态的羽茅产生不同化感效应的主要原因;(4)对羽茅浸提液中4种潜在化感物质的化感作用进行验证实验,结果表明,2,4-二叔丁基苯酚对大针茅的化感作用基本表现为低浓度无影响,高浓度抑制,邻苯二甲酸二丁酯的化感作用表现为"低促高抑"的效应趋势,而邻苯二甲酸和硬脂酸甲酯对大针茅均表现出"剂量效应"的化感作用趋势,即4种潜在化感物质在高浓度时均可显著抑制大针茅的种子萌发和幼苗生长。     

Insecticidal action of Bauhinia monandra leaf lectin (BmoLL) against Anagasta kuehniella (Lepidoptera: Pyralidae), Zabrotes subfasciatus and Callosobruchus maculatus (Coleoptera: Bruchidae)

Bruchid beetle larvae cause major losses in grain legume crops throughout the world. Some bruchid species, such as the cowpea weevil (Callosobruchus maculatus) and the Mexican bean weevil (Zabrotes subfasciatus), are pests that damage stored seeds. The Mediterranean flour moth (Anagasta kuehniella) is of major economic importance as a flour and grain feeder; it is often a severe pest in flour mills. Plant lectins have been implicated as antibiosis factors against insects. Bauhinia monandra leaf lectin (BmoLL) was tested for anti-insect activity against C. maculatus, Z. subfasciatus and A. kuehniella larvae. BmoLL produced ca. 50% mortality to Z. subfaciatus and C. maculatus when incorporated into an artificial diet at a level of 0.5% and 0.3% (w/w), respectively. BmooLL up to 1% did not significantly decrease the survival of A. kuehniella larvae, but produced a decrease of 40% in weight. Affinity chromatography showed that BmoLL bound to midgut proteins of the insect C. maculatus. 33 kDa subunit BmoLL was not digested by midgut preparations of these bruchids. BmoLL-fed C. maculatus larvae increased the digestion of potato starch by 25% compared with the control. The transformation of the genes coding for this lectin could be useful in the development of insect resistance in important agricultural crops.     

The structure of the phytophagous insect fauna on the introduced weed Solidago altissima in Switzerland

Solidago altissima L. was introduced into Europe as an ornamental plant from North America more than 100 years ago and the phytophagous insect fauna of it was recently examined in Switzerland where it has become an important weed in disturbed habitats. Rhizomes and aerial parts were examined and all insects collected in summer were tested in a no-choice feeding test. 18 out of 55 phytophagous insects were found feeding on S. altissima in Switzerland and for the remaining 37 the relation with the plant was not determined. The insects that have expanded their host range to feed on S. altissima since its introduction to Switzerland are almost solely opportunistic, unspecialized ectophages not closely attuned to the growth cycle of S. altissima. Only 4% of the insects were specialists and 9% endophagous. In contrast in North America S. altissima supports 25% specialists and 17% endophages. The native Solidago virgaurea L. in Switzerland supports many more specialists (28%) and endophages (23%) than S. altissima here. Possible reasons why almost none of these have switched to S. altissima are discussed. A comparison is made between the number of insects recruited by S. altissima in Switzerland with the number recruited by the exotic plants Heracleum mantegazzianum Som. & Lev. (Apiaceae) in Switzerland and Xanthium occidentale Bertol. (Asteraceae) in Australia. Reasons for different levels of insect recruitment are discussed. The high number of phytophagous insect species found on S. altissima in North America shows that there should be no shortage of possible control agents and any insects imported into Switzerland for the biological control of S. altissima would find largely unexploited food sources awaiting them.     

灰飞虱核心共生菌的鉴定

媒介昆虫的核心共生菌能被用作基因工程菌发挥抗病毒功能.灰飞虱是一种重要的农业害虫,其传播的水稻条纹病毒造成水稻的大面积减产甚至绝收.[目的]本研究对不同稻区及温室饲养的灰飞虱进行菌群组成分析并初步鉴定灰飞虱的核心共生菌.[方法]通过16SrDNA介导的二代测序技术,分析了 2018-2020年间采集自云南昆明、河南开封...     

Host suitability and preference studies of Trichogramma cordubensis (Hymenoptera: Trichogrammatidae)

Studies of host suitability and preferences of Trichogramma cordubensis Vargas and Cabello (Hymenoptera: Trichogrammatidae) were performed with eggs of six Lepidoptera (Noctuidae) species: Thysanoplusia orichalcea Fabricius, Peridroma saucia (Hübner), Xestia c-nigrum L., Phlogophora meticulosa (L.), Noctua pronuba (L.), and N. atlantica (Warren). Host suitability was studied by analysing separately the effects of the attacked host species and the influence of the rearing host species on different biological parameters of T. cordubensis. Host preference was analysed by offering eggs of two host species simultaneously to a single female wasp without previous oviposition experience (dual-choice tests). Results show that P. saucia, followed by P. meticulosa were the least suitable hosts for T. cordubensis, since on these species the preimaginal development of the parasitoids was significantly longer and, the number of parasitized eggs as well the number of offspring per female were significantly lower. Contrarily, T. cordubensis parasitized at a higher rate the eggs of the endemic non-target species, N. atlantica. Dual choice tests showed that the option of the first host to be accepted by the wasp was random; however, the mean number of parasitized eggs differed significantly when two host species were offered simultaneously to T. cordubensis, always being the host species with heavier eggs the most parasitized.     

Are three colonies of Neostromboceros albicomus,a candidate biological control agent for Lygodium microphyllum,the same host biotype?

Three colonies of Neostromboceros albicomus, a candidate biological control agent of Lygodium microphyllum, were barcoded using the D2 expansion domain, to determine which of two biotypes they represented. The first colony, collected in 2005 and 2007, was used for the initial host range testing. Colonies collected in 2012 and 2014 are currently being used to finalise this testing. All three colonies were collected in Trat Province, Thailand and all three populations show identical sequences to the N. albicomus biotype which prefers L. microphyllum as its host plant. The N. albicomus biotype that uses L. flexuosum as its host plant differs by a single nucleotide, a difference which may reflect cryptic speciation.     

Synergies between biological and neonicotinoid insecticides for the curative control of the white grubs Amphimallon majale and Popillia japonica

Synergistic combinations of biological and chemical insecticides might yield promising alternatives for soil insect pest management. In turfgrass of the Northeast U.S., control of root-feeding scarab larvae is highly dependent on conventional insecticides. Studies on interactions between entomopathogenic nematodes and neonicotinoid insecticides, however, demonstrate the feasibility of synergies as an approach for reduced-risk curative control. To understand the breadth of potential synergies, we screened numerous combinations of biological control agents with sublethal doses of neonicotinoids against third instars. Interactions were characterized as synergistic, additive or antagonistic. The most promising combinations identified in laboratory bioassays were advanced to greenhouse pot studies and then to field trials featuring microplots with artificially infested populations. To reveal variation across scarab species, trials were conducted on Amphimallon majale and Popillia japonica. Synergies were consistent across trials and specific to white grub species. For A. majale, synergistic combinations of Heterorhabditis bacteriophora with imidacloprid and clothianidin were discernible in laboratory, greenhouse and field trials. For P. japonica, synergistic combinations of Beauveria bassiana and Metarhizium anisopliae with both neonicotinoids were discernible in the laboratory and greenhouse, but not in the field. For both species, antagonistic interactions were discernible between Bt-products and both neonicotinoids. While nematode-neonicotinoid synergies among scarab larvae have been examined before, fungi-neonicotinoid synergies are unreported. In the context of previous studies, however, no patterns emerge to explain variation across target species or control agent. Further study of non-additive interactions will guide how biological and chemical products could be combined to enhance soil insect pest management.