Agistemus exsertus Gonzalez (Acari: Stigmaeidae) as a predator of two scale insects of the family Diaspididae (Homoptera: Diaspididae)

Abstract

The predacious mite Agistemus exsertus Gonzalez completed its life-span when fed on eggs and crawlers of the Florida red scale Chrysomphalus ficus Ashmead and the white date scale Parlatoria blanchardi (Targioni). The development was faster when individuals were maintained on eggs and crawlers of C. ficus, compared with both stages of P. blanchardi. The average number of eggs/female/day was 2.5 and 1.1 on eggs and crawlers of C. ficus, respectively. Eggs and crawlers of P. blanchardi were an unsuitable food for egg laying for A. exsertus. Life table parameters showed that A. exsertus preferred eggs of C. ficus to the crawlers as prey. The population of the predator feeding on eggs and crawlers of Florida red scale multiplied 45 and 7 times in a generation time of 23 and 20.5 days, respectively. Under these conditions, the intrinsic rate of increase (r _m) was (0.17 and 0.098) individuals/female/day on eggs and crawlers of C. ficus, while the finite rate of increase (λ) was (1.18 and 1.11) on both stages of C. ficus.     

Life table parameters of large white butterfly Pieris brassicae (Lepidoptera: Pieridae) on different cabbage varieties

Effect of four different cole crops (Brassica oleracea var. botrytis, Brassica oleracea var. capitata, Brassica oleracea var. italica and Brassica oleracea var. viridis) on biological parameters of the large white butterfly Pieris brassicae was evaluated at temperature 26 ± 1 °C, 60 ± 5% R. H. and a photoperiod of 16: 8 (L:D) h. The shortest larval and pupal period stages were recorded on B. oleracea var. botrytis (22.18 ± 0.20 days) and (13.32 ± 0.17 days), respectively. The life span was longest on B. oleracea var. viridis (60.43 ± 2.34 days) and shortest on B. oleracea var. botrytis (50.19 ± 0.51 days). The highest percentage of larval and pupal mortality was observed on B. oleracea var. viridis (74%), and (53%), respectively. We found that P. brassicae prefers B. oleracea var. botrytis and B. oleracea var. capitata among cole crops; it is due to the lowest percentage of larval and pupal mortality and the highest rate of life table parameters, including survival rate (lx) and life expectancy (ex), which makes them to be susceptible varieties to this pest. Contrary, a longer developmental time on B. oleracea var. viridis may be attributed to poor nutritional status and reduced survival of the cohort, resulting in high rates of mortality, which was partial resistance to pest. Knowledge of the biology and life table parameters of P. brassicae on different cole crops could be effective in detecting and monitoring the pest infestation, variety selection and crop breeding.     

Prominence of three diets on life table parameters for Chrysoperla carnea (Neuroptera: Chrysopidae) to mass rearing under laboratory conditions

Chrysoperla carnea (Steph.) is a general predator reared in industrial scale. Different eggs of moth were used to rear C. carnea, but stabled moth colony needed expensive equipment and is costly. In this research, we surveyed appropriate diet to mass rearing. For this purpose, 100 same old (24H) eggs of C. carnea, separately, were selected randomly from the mass culture of C. carnea which was reared on the egg of flour moth Anagasta kuehniella (Zeller), artificial diet and semi-artificial diet under laboratory conditions (25 ± 5°C, 65 ± 5% RH and L–D: 16–8). These results showed reduction process e_x (expectation of life table at age X) and the survival curve was convex (K-Strategy). Also L_x in appearing of adults that fed on egg of flour moth, artificial diet and semi-artificial diet were 0.76, 0.4 and 0.9 which implied that 24, 60 and 10% of cohort were dead before reaching adult stage. Eggs produced by each female were recorded daily until all females died. The parameters were estimated using Carey’s (1993) method. Gross (GRR) and net (R₀) reproductive rates of predator on A. kuehniella, artificial diet and semi artificial diets were 225.5 ± 3.45, 72.4 ± 3.5, 267.8 ± 4.8 and 180.12 ± 2.3, 24.33 ± 4.3, 254.05+3.3 (female/female/generation), respectively. Mean generation time (T), Doubling time (DT), Intrinsic rate of increase (r_m ) and Finite rate of increase (λ) of predator on A. kuehniella, artificial diet and semi artificial diet were 31.9 ± 0.71, 42.87 ± 0.45, 29.79 ± 0.57 (days); 4.27 ± 0.03, 9.36 ± 0.06, 3.74 ± 0.05 (days); 0.162 ± 0.001, 0.074 ± 0.003, 1.185 ± 0.002; and 1.175 ± 0.001, 1.076 ± 0.002, 1.203 ± 0.002 (female/female/day), respectively. This research indicated that semi-artificial diet is a suitable prey for the predator.     

Book Review

Two factors were examined to determine their effect on the life history, reproduction and life table parameters in the predacious mite Paraseiulus talbii (Athias-Henriot), cultured in the laboratory at 32°C and 75% RH, using tydeid mite, Orthotydeus californicus (Banks) as food. The factors investigated included age of mating females and food deprivation periods during adult stage. Age of mating females has an influence on fecundity and adult longevity; old females decreased egg production and shortened adult longevity compared with young females under constant conditions of abundant prey. A significant lower fecundity, shorter oviposition period and adult longevity were recorded on females when exposed to different food deprivation programmes. Old mating females (30-days old) as well as females exposed to severe food deprivation (three days starvation/a week) resulted in the lower net reproductive rate (Ro), intrinsic rate of natural increase (r_m) and finite rate of increase (λ) values (Ro = 7.301 and 7.486, r_m = 0.202 and 0.198, λ = 1.224 and 1.219) compared with young females (0-day old) and without food deprivation (Ro = 41.312, r_m = 0.308, λ = 1.361). The influence of the duration of copulation on egg production was also studied. Artificial curtailment of copulation to half or quarter the average duration resulted in a reduction in the percentage of reproducing females, fecundity, oviposition duration and the proportion of females in the progeny.     

榆紫叶甲赤眼蜂基础生物学特性及其实验种群生命表

榆紫叶甲赤眼蜂(Asynacta ambrostomae Liao)是榆紫叶甲卵期重要寄生蜂。在实验条件下对榆紫叶甲赤眼蜂生殖、寿命、性比等生物学特性进行观察研究。结果表明：每粒寄主卵平均出蜂量为2.92头,雌雄比为3.64:1,营两性生殖,孤雌产雄。不同营养条件对寿命有显著影响,其中成虫补充20%蜂蜜水和20%蔗糖水能显著增加雌雄虫寿命。组建了25℃条件下榆紫叶甲赤眼蜂成蜂补充不同营养的实验种群生命表,成虫补充20%蜂蜜水、20%蔗糖水、清水、对照组(不添加任何物质)的净生殖力R₀分别为74.42、65.27、56.77和44.50。可见,成蜂补充营养能提高种群生殖力。研究结果将为榆紫叶甲赤眼蜂的开发利用提供理论依据。     

灵空山油松种群年龄结构与动态分析

对山西灵空山自然保护区的油松（Pinus tabulaeformis）种群进行了调查,利用生存分析理论及谱分析理论,分析了油松种群径级结构和静态生命表,绘制了存活曲线,同时分析了种群数量的周期性。主要结果如下：（1）油松种群幼苗幼树个体数较多,中径级的个体数较稳定,而高径级由于种间竞争及环境因子的影响,个体数明显下降。（2）油松种群的存活曲线呈现Deevey-Ⅱ型。动态表现为前期增长,中期稳定,后期衰退。（3）油松种群波动存在小周期,但变化不大,说明油松种群发展较为稳定。     

海南特有种东方琼楠种群结构特征

为探讨海南特有种东方琼楠(Beilschmiedia tungfangensis)种群结构特征,在海南尖峰岭林区设置20.4hm2样地,从种群径级结构、静态生命表、存活曲线、空间分布格局等方面进行分析。结果表明:1)东方琼楠种群径级分布呈倒"J"型,为增长型种群;2)在第Ⅲ级(DBH:10～15cm)时生命期望值最高,向大龄级和小龄级呈递减趋势;3)存活曲线接近DeeveyⅢ型,呈凹型;死亡率曲线和消失率曲线呈"V"型;4)不同分析方法均表明该种群呈聚集分布,且聚群强度较大;5)聚块性指数随径级呈"正余弦"变化。     

山西五鹿山自然保护区暴马丁香群落木本植物种间联结性分析

通过方差分析,χ²检验、Pearson相关系数和Spearman秩相关系数检验,采用2×2列联表对五鹿山暴马丁香林中频度较高的34个木本植物优势种,561个种对间的关联性进行了研究.分析结果表明: 34个优势种种间总体关联性呈现不显著负关联,表明该群落处于不稳定的顶级状态.χ²检验结果中,有216个种对呈正相关,345个种对呈负相关,正负关联比为0.626; Pearson相关系数检验结果为: 149个种对呈正相关,412个种对呈负相关,正负关联比为0.362; Spearman秩相关系数检验结果为: 206个种对呈正相关,365个种对呈负相关,正负关联比为0.564; Spearman秩相关系数比Pearson相关系数的检验方法灵敏度更高.     

室内外评价在黄淮海夏玉米区释放玉米螟赤眼蜂防治亚洲玉米螟的可行性

为了评价在黄淮海夏玉米区释放米蛾卵繁育的玉米螟赤眼蜂Trichogramma ostriniae防治亚洲玉米螟Ostrinia furnacalis的可行性,本试验在室内组建了玉米螟赤眼蜂在亚洲玉米螟卵上的实验种群生命表的基础上,在河南省鹤壁市滑县测定了玉米螟赤眼蜂对亚洲玉米螟的防治效果,筛选出了具有较好防治效果的释放密度和释放方法。结果显示,米蛾卵繁育的玉米螟赤眼蜂在亚洲玉米螟卵上的净生殖力R0为9.8240,单雌平均产雌率R0'为12.6256,2013年在河南省鹤壁市滑县释放玉米螟赤眼蜂能使亚洲玉米螟虫口密度减退73.91%,释放密度为2.25×105头/hm2。2014年在鹤壁市淇滨区钜桥镇采用传统的人工挂卡和新型的无人机释放玉米螟赤眼蜂,亚洲玉米螟虫口密度减退54.55%-68.16%。结果表明,在黄淮海夏玉米区释放米蛾卵繁育的玉米螟赤眼蜂防治玉米螟是可行的。     

Baseline sensitivity and efficacy of fluopyram against Botrytis cinerea from table grape in Italy

Succinate dehydrogenase inhibitor (SDHI) fungicides constitute a relatively recent fungicide class registered for the treatment of grey mould on grapevine in Italy. The sensitivity profile to a novel compound fluopyram was established for a set of 203 Botrytis cinerea isolates collected from Sicilian vineyards within 2009–2012 prior its introduction into market. In addition, its performances were compared in in vitro and in vivo assays with other registered SDHI fungicide boscalid, to evaluate their frequency distributions EC₅₀ values and cross‐resistance patterns. Results of the article showed that EC₅₀ values for fluopyram ranged from 0.05 to 1.98 µg mL^?1. Although EC₅₀ values of boscalid ranged from 0.01 to 89.52 µg mL^?1, no cross‐resistance relationship was observed between the two fungicides (r = 0.003; P = 0.964) within our B. cinerea population. On further confirming these data, boscalid failed in controlling grey mould infections when boscalid‐resistant isolates were inoculated on grape berries whereas fluopyram exhibited a good efficacy against the same isolates. This study represents the first report on the baseline sensitivity to fluopyram within B. cinerea population from Sicilian table grape vineyards in Italy, and it clearly shows the lack of cross‐resistance in vitro and in vivo between fluopyram and boscalid for the field pathogen isolates. These results provided useful information for managing of fungicide resistance suggesting that fluopyram could be a valid alternative to boscalid for the control of grey mould of table grape.