Different squash cultivars mediate performance of Aphis gossypii and its predator (Aphidoletes aphidimyza): Towards developing an IPM strategy

Different cultivars of plant species can affect the performance of aphids and their natural enemies. In this study, development and life table parameters of the cotton aphid, Aphis gossypii (Hem.: Aphididae) and its predatory midge, Aphidoletes aphidimyza (Dip.: Cecidomyiidae) were determined on four different squash cultivars (Rajaei, Elion, Clarita, and Chance) under laboratory conditions at 23 ± 2 °C, 70 ± 5% RH and 16:8 h L:D photoperiod. Adult longevity and total fecundity of A. gossypii differed with cultivar, with the highest value observed on Rajaei as the most susceptible host plant (21.93 ± 0.191 days and 74.37 ± 0.088 nymphs/female, respectively). Moreover, the intrinsic rate of increase (r) of the aphid on Rajaei and Elion (0.354 ± 0.008 day⁻¹ and 0.340 ± 0.009 day⁻¹, respectively) were significantly higher than two other cultivars. The predator reared on A. gossypii, feeding on Chance cultivar, had the lowest fecundity (51 ± 2.78 eggs/female) and the lowest r value (0.120 ± 0.011 day⁻¹) than those reared on other cultivars. These results attained from population projection estimation based on the age-stage, two-sex life table theory were in consistence with other findings which indicated the influence of different host plant cultivars on the performance of A. gossypii and its predator, A. aphidimyza. Combined use of resistant host plant cultivars together with biological control agents can be proposed as an efficient integrated pest management strategy.     

Simple mass‐rearing technique of a predatory mite Gaeolaelaps aculeifer (Canestrini) (Acari: Laelapidae)

We developed a simple mass‐rearing technique for a soil‐dwelling predatory mite Gaeolaelaps aculeifer. The rearing container consists of two (inner and outer) plastic boxes. The inner box contains rice husks, and is placed inside the outer box which contains a small amount of water. This system is useful to keep high humidity within the inner box and to prevent mites escaping from the box. The prey mite Tyrophagus putrescentiae was also reared in a similar way using rice bran and provided to G. aculeifer once a week. Rearing condition within the inner box were maintained at 25 ± 1°C, 95 ± 5% relative humidity. In this double box system, G. aculeifer was rapidly grown and overpopulated within two weeks while another predatory mite Stratiolaelaps scimitus require four weeks rearing period. This technique help farmers improve biological control efficacy of soil pests in greenhouse as well as open field cultivation.     

Biological traits and life table parameters of variegated lady beetle, <Emphasis Type="Italic">Hippodamia variegata</Emphasis> (Coleoptera: Coccinellidae) on three aphid species

The aphidophagous ladybird beetle, Hippodamia variegata (Goeze) (Coleoptera: Coccinellidae), is a dominant predator in various crop systems. Its life history was studied when fed on three aphid prey, viz. Aphis gossypii Glover, Aphis fabae Scopoli and Macrosiphum rosae (L.), under laboratory conditions, 25 ± 1 °C, 65 ± 5 % RH and a photoperiod of 16L:8D. The immature development period was shortest (15.2 days) when A. gossypii was used as prey and longest (18.9 days) on A. fabae. Adult coccinellids had the shortest longevity on A. fabae (64.8 days). The higher and lower mean daily fecundity was recorded for A. fabae (12.4 eggs) and M. rosae (6.2 eggs), respectively. The highest (291.0 eggs) and lowest (183.2 eggs) net reproduction rates (R ₀) were observed on A. fabae and M. rosae, respectively. Mean generation time (T) on rose aphid was significantly longer (33.4 days) than on the two other preys. The intrinsic rate of increase (r _m) was affected by the R ₀ value, and it was highest on A. fabae (0.183) and lowest on M. rosae (0.156). Based on r _m as an index of suitability of prey species, A. fabae was the most suitable prey for H. variegata. Our finding may provide basic information for developing aphid biological control programs.     

Influence of prey species on immature survival, development, predation and reproduction of Coccinella transversalis Fabricius (Col., Coccinellidae)

Six aphid species, viz. Aphis craccivora, Aphis gossypii, Aphis nerii, Myzus persicae, Lipaphis erysimi and Uroleucon compositae were provided as prey to the feeding stages of Coccinella transversalis (Fabricius). All of them were found to be essential prey, however the relative prey suitability varied. All the predatory stages of C. transversalis consumed and preferred A. gossypii, the most and A. nerii, the least. Significant effect of prey quality was observed on pre‐imaginal developmental periods, wet weights and adult longevity. The complete development was shortest on A. gossypii (13.01 ± 0.18 days) and longest on A. nerii (20.51 ± 0.25 days). The total prey consumption by larva, adult male and female in their lifetime was maximum (665.30 ± 5.75, 4831.10 ± 123.54 and 5412.30 ± 94.51, respectively) on A. gossypii and minimum (434.80 ± 4.03, 802.80 ± 34.37 and 905.20 ± 52.48, respectively) on A. nerii. Immature survival, growth index and adult emergence of C. transversalis was maximum (68.33, 7.82 and 88.21%, respectively) when larval instars consumed A. gossypii and minimum (37.75, 2.18 and 60.69%, respectively) after feeding on A. nerii. Female reproduction was also prey quality dependent showing maximum reproductive performance in terms of fecundity and percentage viability, with a highest reproductive period and lowest non‐reproductive period on A. gossypii, followed by A. craccivora, L. erysimi, M. persicae, U. compositae and A. nerii. Regression analysis revealed a positive correlation between: (1) daily prey consumption and relative growth rate, (2) adult weight and developmental rate, (3) weights of adult male and female, and (4) female longevity and fecundity.     

Role of leaf glandular trichomes of melon plants in deterrence of Aphis gossypii Glover

External characteristics of the leaf epidermis and their effects on behaviour of Aphis gossypii Glover were evaluated in two Cucumis melo L. genotypes, ‘Bola de Oro’ (aphid susceptible) and TGR‐1551 (aphid resistant) in order to explore their role in the early rejection of TGR‐1551 by this aphid. No differential effects of epicuticular waxes on aphid behaviour were observed. The type, distribution and number of trichomes on melon leaves were also studied. Pubescence in melon, measured as the number of non‐glandular trichomes per cm², was not sufficient to prevent aphid settling. However, there was a high density of type I glandular trichomes on leaves of the aphid‐resistant genotype. According to microscopic observations and stain testing, these trichomes store and secrete phenols and flavonoids. Free‐choice tests were conducted to determine the effect of these glandular trichomes on A. gossypii preference, revealing that aphids reject leaf disks of TGR‐1551 from the onset of the experiment. Additional experiments after removal of leaf type I glandular trichome exudates showed that A. gossypii preferred washed TGR‐1551 leaf disks over unwashed disks, while this effect was not observed in experiments using washed and unwashed ‘Bola de Oro’ leaf disks. These results suggest that a high density of glandular trichomes and chemicals secreted by them deter A. gossypii and disturb aphid settling on TGR‐1551.     

Effects of prey aphid species on the abundance of a parasitoid and two predator species in aphid colonies attended by ants on citrus

This study focused on three species of enemies, the parasitoid wasp Lysiphlebus japonicus Ashmead (Hymenoptera: Aphidiidae), the ladybird Scymnus posticalis Sicard (Coleoptera: Coccinellidae) and the predatory gall midge Aphidoletes aphidimyza (Rondani) (Diptera: Cecidomyiidae), all of which are able to exploit aphids attended by ants. I experimentally evaluated the effects of prey aphid species on the abundance of each of the three enemy species in ant‐attended aphid colonies on citrus. The aphids compared were Aphis gossypii Glover versus Aphis spiraecola Patch in late spring, and Toxoptera citricidus (Kirkaldy) versus A. spiraecola in late summer (all, Hemiptera: Aphididae). Colonies of the three aphid species were attended by the ant Pristomyrmex punctatus Smith (Hymenoptera: Formicidae). The initial number of attending ants per individual aphid did not differ significantly between the colonies of the two aphid species compared in each season. Between A. gossypii and A. spiraecola, there was no significant difference in the number of mummies formed by the parasitoid or foraging larvae of each of the two predators per aphid colony. A significant difference was detected between T. citricidus and A. spiraecola for each of the three enemy species, with a far greater number of L. japonicus mummies in T. citricidus colonies and distinctly more larvae of each of the two predators in A. spiraecola colonies. Thus, the abundance of each of the three enemy species in ant‐attended aphid colonies was significantly influenced by the species of the prey aphids, with the three enemies showing different responses to the three aphid species.     

Plant quality effects on intraguild predation between Orius laevigatus and Aphidoletes aphidimyza

To understand the influence of plant quality on intraguild predation and consequently on the suppression of a shared prey population as well as on plant yield, the interactions between Aphis gossypii Glover (Hemiptera: Aphididae) (shared prey), Aphidoletes aphidimyza (Rondani) (Diptera: Cecidomyiidae) (intermediate predator), and Orius laevigatus Fieber (Hemiptera: Anthocoridae) (top predator) were investigated in 25‐day experiments on cucumber, Cucumis sativus L. (Cucurbitaceae) at various N fertilization levels (90, 150, and 190 p.p.m.) in microcosm set‐ups under greenhouse conditions. The final aphid population size was significantly affected by an interactive effect of N fertilization and predator application. Regardless of the N fertilization levels, O. laevigatus alone was more effective in aphid suppression than A. aphidimyza alone. In addition, the risk for aphids of being predated upon by both predators together was significantly reduced in the low and medium‐N fertilization levels, whereas it was additive in the high‐N fertilization treatment. The A. aphidimyza population was suppressed by O. laevigatus in both the 90 and 150 p.p.m. N treatments. However, there was no intraguild predation of O. laevigatus on A. aphidimyza at the 190 p.p.m. N level. Total plant yield depended on predator treatments and N fertilization levels, with the highest yield produced at the 150 p.p.m. N fertilization level in treatments with either O. laevigatus alone or with both predators together. Our results demonstrate that the weak asymmetric intraguild predation among A. aphidimyza and O. laevigatus does not influence the ability of both predators together to diminish bottom‐up effects on aphid populations and the yield losses associated with aphid infestations.     

Effects of aphid honeydew sugars on the longevity and fecundity of the aphidophagous gall midge Aphidoletes aphidimyza

The predatory gall midge Aphidoletes aphidimyza, which is used for augmentative biological control of aphids in greenhouses, uses aphid honeydew as an energy source. Currently, Rhopalosiphum padi on barley plants and Melanaphis sacchari on sorghum plants are used as the banker plant systems for A. aphidimyza to control Aphis gossypii on eggplant in Japan. We analyzed the sugar components of the honeydew of these three species by HPLC. The major components of honeydew were sucrose, fructose, and melezitose for A. gossypii; glucose and fructose for R. padi; and glucose, fructose, and melezitose for M. sacchari. Maltose and trehalose were minor components of the honeydew of these species. We investigated the influence of sugars, including three artificial aphid honeydews, six sugar components, and distilled water, on the longevity of unmated A. aphidimyza. Both females and males attained the greatest longevity on sucrose and artificial honeydew of A. gossypii. Mean longevities of both females and males were shortest when they were provided only with water. We conducted another experiment in which a mated female was released in a cage with an eggplant seedling infested with A. gossypii and fed with sucrose or only water. Females fed with sucrose lived significantly longer and had higher lifetime fecundity than those fed only water.     

Predation rate and numerical response of Aphidoletes aphidimyza feeding on different densities of Aphis craccivora

Predation rate and numerical response are basic to any investigation of predator–prey relationships and key components in the selection of predators for biological control. The density-dependent predation rate and numerical response of Aphidoletes aphidimyza (Rondani) (Diptera: Cecidomyiidae) to varying densities (5, 10, 20, 40, 60 and 80) of third-instar Aphis craccivora (Koch) (Hemiptera: Aphididae), were studied in laboratory conditions [23±1°C, 70 ± 5% relative humidity (RH), and a photoperiod of 16:8 h L:D. Predation rate data were analysed using the age-stage, two-sex consumption rate software. Net consumption rate (C₀) increased by increasing prey density. The lowest and highest net consumption rates were 20.75 and 190.8 prey nymphs at densities of 5 and 80 A. craccivora. The transformation rate from prey population to predator offspring (Q_p) increased by increasing prey density. The reproductive numerical response, in terms of eggs laid, increased curvilinearly with increasing prey density. Females laid 121.375 ± 4.301 eggs when exposed to the highest prey density (80) and 52.5 ± 1.544 eggs at lowest prey density (5). It can be concluded that different densities of A. craccivora influenced the reproductive performance of A. aphidimyza in terms of predation rate and numerical response.     

Evaluation of the predatory mite <Emphasis Type="Italic">Phytoseiulus macropilis</Emphasis> (Acari: Phytoseiidae) as a biological control agent of the two-spotted spider mite on strawberry plants under greenhouse conditions

The predatory mite Phytoseiulus macropilis is a potential biological control agent of the two-spotted spider mite (TSSM) Tetranychus urticae on strawberry plants. Its ability to control TSSM was recently assessed under laboratory conditions, but its ability to locate and control TSSM under greenhouse conditions has not been tested so far. We evaluated whether P. macropilis is able to control TSSM on strawberry plants and to locate strawberry plants infested with TSSM under greenhouse conditions. Additionally, we tested, in an olfactometer, whether odours play a role in prey-finding by P. macropilis. The predatory mite P. macropilis required about 20 days to achive reduction of the TSSM population on strawberry plants initially infested with 100 TSSM females per plant. TSSM-infested plants attract an average of 27.5 ± 1.0% of the predators recaptured per plant and uninfested plants attracted only 5.8 ± 1.0% per plant. The predatory mites were able to suppress TSSM populations on a single strawberry plant and were able to use odours from TSSM-infested strawberry plants to locate prey in both olfactometer and arena experiments. Hence, it is concluded that P. macropilis can locate and reduce TSSM population on strawberry plants under greenhouse conditions.     

Orientation behavior of Propylaea japonica toward visual and olfactory cues from its prey–host plant combination

The lady beetle Propylaea japonica (Thunberg) (Coleoptera: Coccinellidae) is an important predator of aphids in agroecosystems. The inundative release of coccinellid beetles can be an effective biological control strategy. An understanding of how biological control agents perceive and use stimuli from host plants is the key to successfully implement commercially produced predators. Here, we studied the relative role of visual and volatile cues. Dual‐choice assays using foraging‐naïve and foraging‐experienced P. japonica adults were conducted using cotton plants [Gossypium hirsutum L. (Malvaceae)] with or without infestation by the cotton aphid, Aphis gossypii (Glover) (Hemiptera: Aphididae). Overall, experienced beetles were more attracted than naïve beetles toward cues associated with aphid‐infested plants. Experienced beetles were also more responsive to olfactory cues compared with naïve beetles. Both foraging‐naïve and ‐experienced lady beetles integrate olfactory and visual cues from plants infested with aphids, with an apparently greater reliance on olfactory cues. The results suggest that foraging experience may increase prey location in P. japonica.     

Enhanced production of pink pineapple mealybug,Dysmicoccus brevipes (Hemiptera: Pseudococcidae)

A mass rearing program was developed for the pink pineapple mealybug (PPM), Dymsicoccus brevipes (Cockerell) (Hemiptera: Pseudococcidae), to provide host material for producing the encyrtid parasitoid Anagyrus ananatis (Gahan). PPM individuals produce honeydew that accumulates on heavily infested squash and entraps crawlers and older instars. A new protocol was tested to reduce accumulated honeydew with minimal mortality to PPM. Butternut and kobocha squash were placed in rearing containers and covered with coarse vermiculite (>2.36?mm diameter) after being infested with PPM. Use of vermiculite removed the honeydew from the squash surface. PPM produced using vermiculite were easily harvested from the host squash, but mealybugs produced on squash without vermiculite were embedded within the honeydew. When individual kobocha squash fruit were inoculated with 300–400 mature PPM adults (>0.6?mm length), about 700 adult PPM (appropriate for A. ananatis production) were produced for each dollar value (USA) of squash fruit (i.e., ～1500?PPM per individual squash).     

Isotopic niche differs between seal and fish‐eating killer whales (Orcinus orca) in northern Norway

Ecological diversity has been reported for killer whales (Orcinus orca) throughout the North Atlantic but patterns of prey specialization have remained poorly understood. We quantify interindividual dietary variations in killer whales (n = 38) sampled throughout the year in 2017–2018 in northern Norway using stable isotopic nitrogen (δ¹⁵N: ¹⁵N/¹⁴N) and carbon (δ¹³C: ¹³C/¹²C) ratios. A Gaussian mixture model assigned sampled individuals to three differentiated clusters, characterized by disparate nonoverlapping isotopic niches, that were consistent with predatory field observations: seal‐eaters, herring‐eaters, and lumpfish‐eaters. Seal‐eaters showed higher δ¹⁵N values (mean ± SD: 12.6 ± 0.3‰, range = 12.3–13.2‰, n = 10) compared to herring‐eaters (mean ± SD: 11.7 ± 0.2‰, range = 11.4–11.9‰, n = 19) and lumpfish‐eaters (mean ± SD: 11.6 ± 0.2‰, range = 11.3–11.9, n = 9). Elevated δ¹⁵N values for seal‐eaters, regardless of sampling season, confirmed feeding at high trophic levels throughout the year. However, a wide isotopic niche and low measured δ¹⁵N values in the seal‐eaters, compared to that of whales that would eat solely seals (δ_N‐measured = 12.6 vs. δ_N‐expected = 15.5), indicated a diverse diet that includes both fish and mammal prey. A narrow niche for killer whales sampled at herring and lumpfish seasonal grounds supported seasonal prey specialization reflective of local peaks in prey abundance for the two fish‐eating groups. Our results, thus, show differences in prey specialization within this killer whale population in Norway and that the episodic observations of killer whales feeding on prey other than fish are a consistent behavior, as reflected in different isotopic niches between seal and fish‐eating individuals.     

Temperature responses of a plant‐insect system using a food‐web performance approach

Evaluation of the performance of a plant‐herbivore system as a whole is difficult due to the lack of fitness parameters that can be applied to both components. The individual use of traditional measures of performance (e.g., r_m, biomass) can provide useful, but incomplete information on the performance of insect herbivores and seldom incorporates plant performance. We propose the use of the net generational productivity (NGP) to evaluate the fitness of the herbivore, which can then be compared directly with the performance of the plant in biomass units, to obtain the food‐web performance ratio (φ_H/P). We compared three biotypes of the potato aphid, Macrosiphum euphorbiae Thomas (Hemiptera: Aphididae), when raised on three different host plants: potato (Solanum tuberosum L. cv. Norland) and two bell peppers (Capsicum annuum L. cv. Fascinato and cv. Crosby) (all Solanaceae) at temperatures ranging from 8 to 36 °C. The temperature profiles of the potato aphid biotypes suggest that this aphid is better suited to temperate climates, and its performance generally depends on the particular host‐plant/biotype association. Plant growth performance showed that potato has a lower thermal tolerance, but has a faster growth rate than bell peppers, especially in the range of 16–24 °C. Temperature variation in the φ_H/P ratio shows that aphids have a greater performance than plants, especially at lower temperatures, at which they can accumulate biomass up to 148 times faster. Because of the aphid's biological inability to withstand long exposures to temperatures above 28 °C, plants have a slight advantage over aphids. Nonetheless, as the performance of plants is extremely reduced at high temperatures, this advantage cannot withstand long‐term exposures to extreme temperatures. This is the first attempt to obtain a parameter capable of determining the climatic profile and performance of a food web in an inclusive yet simple manner.     

Arbuscular mycorrhiza enhances preference of ovipositing predatory mites for direct prey‐related cues

Most terrestrial plants are associated with arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi but research on the effects of arbuscular mycorrhizal symbiosis on aboveground plant‐associated organisms is scarcely expanded to tri‐trophic systems. The arbuscular mycorrhizal fungus Glomus mosseae Nicol. & Gerd. enhances fitness of the two‐spotted spider mite Tetranychus urticae Koch and its natural enemy, the predatory mite Phytoseiulus persimilis Athias‐Henriot, via changes in host plant and prey quality, respectively. In the present study, it is hypothesized that gravid P. persimilis are able to recognize arbuscular mycorrhiza‐enhanced prey quality and behave accordingly. In two experiments, on leaf arenas and in cages, P. persimilis is given a choice between prey patches deriving from mycorrhizal and non‐mycorrhizal bean plants (Phaseolus vulgaris L.) as feeding and oviposition sites. The use of cages allows the manipulation of distinct patch components acting as possible cues to guide predator foraging and oviposition behaviours, such as eggs produced and traces (webbing and faeces) left by the spider mite females. Both experiments show that P. persimilis preferentially resides close to prey fed on mycorrhizal plants. The cage experiment reveals that P. persimilis uses direct prey‐related cues, mainly derived from eggs, to discern prey quality and preferentially oviposits close to prey from mycorrhizal plants. This is the first study to document that predators recognize arbuscular mycorrhiza‐induced changes in herbivorous prey quality via direct prey‐related cues.     

Two Anthocoris bugs as predators of glasshouse aphids – voracity and prey preference

Voracity and prey preference were evaluated for adult females of the predatory bugs Anthocoris nemorum (L.) and Anthocoris nemoralis (Fabricius) (Heteroptera: Anthocoridae) preying upon five species of aphids (Homoptera: Aphididae), of which Myzus persicae Sulzer, Aulacorthum solani (Kaltenbach), Macrosiphum euphorbiae (Thomas), and Aphis gossypii Glover are common pests in Danish glasshouse crops. Aphis fabae Scopoli was included to determine the influence of food quality on the preference of the predators, since A. fabae has proved to be of poor nutritional value to Anthocoris spp. The experiments were carried out over 24 h in climate cabinets at 20 °C, 60–70% r.h., L18:D6. The aphids were offered in equal amounts in combinations of two species in instars of comparable size. Myzus persicae served as a reference species in all combinations. Both predators accepted all five species of aphids as prey. The numbers of aphids killed per 24 h period varied between 3.7 and 18.0 for A. nemorum and between 3.6 and 12.7 for A. nemoralis. Field collected A. nemorum females, presumably in a state of reproductive diapause, killed in three of four prey combinations significantly more aphids than did ovipositing A. nemoralis females which originated from a commercial rearing. When A. nemorum females had terminated their reproductive diapause and commenced oviposition, voracity increased approximately threefold. When prey preferences were evaluated as a total number of killed prey, no difference in preference was found between the two Anthocoris species. Both predatory bugs preferred M. persicae to the other species, the most accepted alternative prey were A. gossypii, A. fabae, A. solani, and M. euphorbiae, in descending order. However, evaluating preference by number of aphids consumed, A. nemoralis showed a more pronounced preference for M. persicae, especially when combined with A. fabae. In nearly every case, A. nemoralis rejected A. fabae as a food item after killing the aphid. Thus, A. nemoralis exhibited a more specific food choice than A. nemorum. By killing and consuming different aphid species found in glasshouse crops – particularly M. persicae– both A. nemorum and A. nemoralis showed preliminary qualities as agents for the biological control of aphids.     

Sub-lethal effects of fenbutatin oxide on prey location by the predatory mite <Emphasis Type="Italic">Iphiseiodes zuluagai</Emphasis> (Acari: Phytoseiidae)

We used a Y-tube olfactometer to assess the sub-lethal effects of the acaricide fenbutatin oxide on the olfactory response of the predatory mite Iphiseiodes zuluagai towards odours from: (1) air or undamaged coffee plants; (2) undamaged or red spider mite Oligonychus ilicis-infested coffee plants; (3) undamaged or false spider mite Brevipalpus phoenicis-infested coffee plants. Predatory mite adult females were exposed to residues of fenbutatin oxide or distilled water on leaf discs during a period of 72 h prior experiments. When exposed to distilled water (control treatments), predatory mites significantly preferred undamaged plants over air, O. ilicis-infested plants over undamaged plants, and they did not prefer B. phoenicis-infested plants over undamaged plants. However, predatory mites that had been exposed to residues of fenbutatin oxide were neither attracted towards undamaged plants nor to O. ilicis-infested plants. Thus, fenbutatin oxide affected negatively the olfactory response of I. zuluagai. We conclude that sub-lethal-effect studies should be considered in pesticide selectivity programs since the ability of predatory mites to locate their prey may be negatively affected by non-lethal concentrations of pesticides.     

Volatiles from non‐host aromatic plants repel tea green leafhopper Empoasca vitis

The tea green leafhopper, Empoasca vitis Göthe (Hemiptera: Cicadellidae), is a serious pest of tea crops in China. The effectiveness of five aromatic non‐host plants, Corymbia citriodora (Hook.) (Myrtaceae), Ocimum basilicum L. (Lamiaceae), Lavandula pinnata L. (Lamiaceae), Ruta graveolens L. (Rutaceae), and Rosmarinus officinalis L. (Lamiaceae), was investigated to determine their ability to suppress E. vitis on tea plants. Volatile organic compounds derived from L. pinnata, R. officinalis, and C. citriodora were found to repel leafhoppers and to mask the host's odors. Intercropping L. pinnata and C. citriodora with tea plants significantly reduced the E. vitis population levels in the tea plantation associated with higher population densities of generalist predators. The volatile compounds from the five non‐host plants were collected by headspace absorption under field conditions, and the 10 major components were identified. Qualitative and quantitative differences were found among the five odor profiles. Moreover, the emission dynamics of non‐host volatiles were monitored. Non‐host volatile emissions showed two peak periods, one in the spring and one in the autumn period. These peaks were almost consistent with the population dynamics of E. vitis. Our findings suggested that this newer approach to ecologically based, sustainable pest management implemented via intercropping with non‐host aromatic plants such as L. pinnata and C. citriodora offers a promising alternative to chemical control of the leafhopper population.     

Effect of photoperiod and temperature on the induction of diapause in a Japanese strain of <Emphasis Type="Italic">Aphidoletes aphidimyza</Emphasis> (Diptera: Cecidomyiidae)

The aphidophagous gall midge Aphidoletes aphidimyza (Rondani) (Diptera: Cecidomyiidae), a dominant natural enemy of aphids, has been used as a biological control agent in many countries to control aphids in greenhouses. As developmental arrest in diapause lowers the effectiveness of natural enemies, we studied the effect of photoperiod and temperature on the incidence of diapause in a Japanese strain of A. aphidimyza by examining diapause induction under different day-length conditions in the laboratory. The critical day length for diapause induction was determined to be 12.7 h at 20°C. Diapause incidence was completely prevented at 30°C even though the photoperiod used was 11L13D. We also examined diapause induction under changing temperature conditions while maintaining the critical day length (12.7L11.3D). Diapause incidence was 100% in both field and greenhouse conditions under alternating temperatures of 20/16 or 25/16°C while the critical day length of 12.7 h was maintained. The Japanese strain of A. aphidimyza was sensitive to diapause entry from the first to the third noncocooned instar larval stages. Its eggs do not seem to be sensitive to diapause induction. Our results suggest that constant short-day conditions for at least four days are needed to induce diapause in the Japanese strain of A. aphidimyza.     

Development,consumption rates and reproductive biology of <Emphasis Type="Italic">Orius albidipennis</Emphasis> reared on various prey

The predatory bug Orius albidipennis (Reuter) (Hemiptera: Anthocoridae) has tremendous potential as a biological control agent, especially in its native range around the Mediterranean Basin and East Africa. The need to exploit native biological control agents is growing in importance as concerns over the introduction of non-native species continue to increase. However, little is known of the effects of different prey on development and reproduction of O. albidipennis compared with other species of Orius. Therefore, we compared the development, survival, reproductive biology, and prey consumption of O. albidipennis when fed eggs of Ephestia kuehniella Zeller, Tetranychus urticae Koch, and Trialeurodes vaporariorum (Westwood), and larvae of Gynaikothrips ficorum (Marchal), under laboratory of 26 ± 1°C, 60 ± 10% RH and 16L:8D photoperiod. Individuals were reared from the neonate stage until death on one of the four prey types. The type of prey had profound effects on all measured performance traits. The highest survival rate was recorded for nymphs that were fed on E. kuehniella eggs, while the lowest survival rate was observed for those fed on T. vaporariorum eggs. The shortest nymphal period was recorded for nymphs fed on E. kuehniella eggs, while the longest was measured for those fed on T. urticae eggs. During the nymphal period, O. albidipennis consumed significantly more eggs of T. urticae than other prey types, whereas the lowest number of consumed prey were eggs of E. kuehniella. Adult females and males consumed significantly more T. urticae eggs than other types of prey. However, Orius albidipennis females showed the highest fecundity when fed on E. kuehniella eggs, and the lowest when fed on T. vaporariorum eggs. Adult females and males that fed on G. ficorum larvae had significantly longer life spans compared with those fed other prey. Because of their relatively rapid development and high fecundity, O. albidipennis fed E. kuehniella eggs had a significantly higher net reproductive rate (R_o) and intrinsic rate of increase (r _m ) than O. albidipennis fed other prey types. Overall, eggs of E. kuehniella were the most suitable diet for nymphs and adults of O. albidipennis. Although less suitable, O. albidipennis could survive and reproduce on the other prey types, which is a favourable attribute in biological control agents. These results on the effect of different prey types on development and reproduction of O. albidipennis will also contribute to the development of mass rearing programs for biological control agents in developing countries, such as Egypt.