Biocontrol of Pests of Apples and Pears in Northern and Central Europe - 3. Predators

Predators of apple and pear pests in northern and central Europe and their use as biological control agents are reviewed. Many natural enemy species are specialized feeders and are able to respond to the population dynamics of particular pest species. The most oustandingly successful example of this is the use of phytoseiid mites, particularly Typhlodromus pyri , against phytophagous pest mites in apple. This mite management strategy is now widespread throughout European apple growing regions. Another example is the use of Anthocoris nemoralis against pear psyllids, Cacopsylla pyricola and C. pyri . Several groups of naturally occurring polyphagous predators, such as chrysopids, coccinellids, syrphids and spiders, also prey on a number of pest species in orchards, contributing generally to the reduction in pest populations. However, they are unlikely alone to prevent pest damage fully and reliably. In seeking biological control opportunities for a particular pest, these polyphagous natural enemies are unlikely to be a high priority. An exception, due to its abundance in orchards, is the common earwig, Forficula auricularia , although this predator may also cause some fruit injury. Another option to consider when reviewing possibilities for biological control in orchards is the introduction of biological control agents. The success rate of this approach, using arthropod predators to control pests of field crops, has been generally poor. Furthermore, mass production methods for predators are likely to be difficult and very costly. The biological supplies industry is constantly seeking culture techniques, largely for arthropod biological control agents of pests of protected crops. It is possible that some future advance may be relevant to orchards, though currently available predators do not appear promising. A careful economic appraisal of the feasibility of use of any potential biological control agent would be prudent before embarking on research.     

Aphid suppression by natural enemies in mulched cereals

Large populations of natural enemies are the basis for natural pest control. Effects of mulch on predator–prey interactions in arable fields are poorly known, despite its potential to enhance ground‐dwelling predators and thereby reduce pest infestations. We studied the densities of predators and parasitoids, and their impact on cereal aphids in the presence and absence of mulch. Released populations of the bird cherry aphid, Rhopalosiphum padi (L.) (Homoptera: Aphididae), and two naturally occurring aphid species, were monitored under experimentally reduced densities of: (i) ground‐dwelling predators, (ii) flying predators and parasitoids, and (iii) with straw mulch. The three treatments were applied in a 2 × 2 × 2 factorial design in a field of spring wheat (Triticum aestivum L.). The exclusion of ground‐dwelling predators increased aphid populations by 55% in June and 40% in July, respectively. Mulched plots had 25% lower aphid densities in June. This was presumably due to enhanced densities of spiders (Araneida) in mulched plots. The exclusion of flying predators and parasitoids led to 94% higher aphid populations in late July (109 vs. 56 individuals per 100 shoots), irrespective of mulch or ground predator manipulation. This was attributed to the larvae of gall midges Aphidoletes cf. aphidimyza (Rondani) (Diptera: Cecidomyiidae) and hoverflies (Diptera: Syrphidae). The results indicate that a scarcity of predators and a bare soil surface renders crops more susceptible to arthropod pests. Farming schemes should aim at enhancing both ground‐dwelling and flying predators for elevated levels of natural pest control.     

Nonselective oviposition by a fastidious insect: the laboratory host range of the melaleuca gall midge Lophodiplosis trifida (Diptera: Cecidomyiidae)

Invasion by the Australian paperbark, Melaleuca quinquenervia, has degraded large areas of south Florida wetlands. Restoration of these wetlands requires the removal of expansive monocultures of this large tree while simultaneously curtailing its spread. Management strategies developed by federal and state agencies include biological control to halt the spread of this species and to prevent reinfestation of cleared areas. This requires biological agents able to reduce flowering, seed production, and growth while increasing mortality of seedlings and saplings. Two of the three introduced agents (Oxyops vitiosa Pascoe and Boreioglycaspis melaleucae Moore) partially meet these needs but outcomes are not spatially or temporally consistent. Thus, additional agents are needed. The bud-gall fly Fergusonina turneri Taylor, with its mutualistic nematode Fergusobia quinquenerviae Davies and Giblin-Davis, is actively being released but has not established. A fourth promising agent, the gall midge Lophodiplosis trifida Gagné, manifested an extremely narrow host range during laboratory testing. Oviposition was indiscriminant in caged environments. Small, incipient, unilocular galls were initiated on Melaleuca viminalis, but larval development ensued only on M. quinquenervia. The unilocular galls on M. viminalis did not grow and produced no adult flies. As a result, M. viminalis test plants suffered only minor cosmetic damage. Observations from both Australia and Florida attest to the ability of this midge to impede M. quinquenervia growth and kill small plants. Thus, L. trifida is safe to release and will likely contribute to management objectives for control of this pernicious wetland invader.     

Development and optimisation of a sex pheromone lure for monitoring populations of saddle gall midge,Haplodiplosis marginata

Saddle gall midge, Haplodiplosis marginata (von Roser) (Diptera: Cecidomyiidae), is a sporadic pest of cereals in Northern and Central Europe and is of increasing importance in the UK. Recently, the major component of the sex pheromone produced by adult female H. marginata was reported to be 2‐nonyl butyrate. The importance of absolute configuration on attractiveness, the effects on trap catches of the addition of minor pheromone components, dispenser type, and pheromone loading are described in the development of an optimised pheromone lure with which to trap H. marginata males. In analyses of volatiles collected from virgin female H. marginata by gas chromatography (GC) coupled with electroantennographic recording (EAG) from the antenna of a male H. marginata, two EAG responses were observed. Analyses by coupled GC‐mass spectrometry (MS) indicated these were due to 2‐nonyl butyrate and a trace amount (1%) of 2‐heptyl butyrate. A similar trace amount of 2‐nonanol was detected in GC‐MS analyses but this compound did not elicit an EAG response when the synthetic compound was tested, whereas the other two compounds did. These three compounds were not observed in collections of volatiles made from male H. marginata. The 2‐nonyl butyrate was shown to be the (R)‐enantiomer. In field trapping tests (R)‐2‐nonyl butyrate was at least 10× more attractive to male H. marginata than the racemic compound, and the (S)‐enantiomer was unattractive. Addition of the potential minor components individually or together at the naturally occurring ratios did not increase or reduce the attractiveness of the lure. Polyethylene vials and rubber septa were equally effective as pheromone dispensers, lasting for at least 5 weeks in the field in the UK, although laboratory tests indicated release from the former was more uniform and more likely to last longer in the field. Increasing loading of pheromone in the dispenser increased attractiveness. Traps baited with polyethylene vials containing 0.5 mg of (R)‐2‐nonyl butyrate are recommended for monitoring H. marginata and these are far more sensitive than water or sticky traps currently used for monitoring this pest.     

中国垫瘿蚊属研究(双翅目：瘿蚊科)

记述了双翅目瘿蚊科一中国新记录属垫瘿蚊属 Conarete Pritchard 的4 种,其中包括2新种： 短须垫瘿蚊 C. brevipalpa Li et Bu, sp. Nov.（模式产地： 海南尖峰岭）和葫茎垫瘿蚊 C. sicyoidea Li et Bu, sp. Nov.（模式产地：海南尖峰岭）; 另外2种为在中国首次记录的种： 米垫瘿蚊 C. mihijamensis Grover （分布：海南尖峰岭）和印垫瘿蚊 C. indorensis Grover（分布：陕西周至板房子）。文中给出了垫瘿蚊属与近缘的短角瘿蚊属Anarete Haliday的区别特征和中国种类分种检索表。模式标本均保存于南开大学生物学系昆虫标本室。     

High oviposition rate ofDasineura marginemtorquens onSalix viminalis genotypes unsuitable for offspring survival

A short history of contact betweenDasineura marginemtorquens and resistant genotypes ofSalix viminalis has previously been suggested as an explanation for a poor correspondence between female oviposition preference and larval performance on certain host types. The discovery of resistant wild willows instigated a quest for an alternative hypothesis. This study presents data from laboratory and field experiments that were designed to detect variability in host preferences of individual members of the midge population. Field tests showed that the oviposition site choices of females followed the same random-natured pattern as choices of females in laboratory situations. Ovipositing females did not distinguish between willow genotypes with very high or very low larval mortality. No differences in post-alighting behavior of midges on the two willow types were discovered. Observations revealed that females usually remained and oviposited on the first plant with which they came into contact, regardless of genotype.     

Behavioural,ecological and genetic evidence confirm the occurrence of host‐associated differentiation in goldenrod gall‐midges

Host‐associated differentiation (HAD) is considered a step towards ecological speciation and an important mechanism promoting diversification in phytophagous insects. Although the number of documented cases of HAD is increasing, these still represent only a small fraction of species and feeding guilds among phytophagous insects, and most reports are based on a single type of evidence. Here we employ a comprehensive approach to present behavioural, morphological, ecological and genetic evidence for the occurrence of HAD in the gall midge Dasineura folliculi (Diptera: Cecidomyiidae) on two sympatric species of goldenrods (Solidago rugosa and S. gigantea). Controlled experiments revealed assortative mating and strong oviposition fidelity for the natal‐host species. Analysis of mitochondrial DNA showed an amount of genetic divergence between the two host‐associated populations compatible with cryptic species rather than host races. Lower levels of within‐host genetic divergence, gall development and natural‐enemy attack in the S. gigantea population suggest this is the derived host.     

中国齿铗瘿蚊属一新种记述（双翅目：瘿蚊科）

记述采自浙江省的齿铗瘿蚊属1新种：大齿铗瘿蚊Dentifibula magna Mo et Liu,sp.nov.。模式标本保存于山东农业大学昆虫标本室。     

Redifferentiation of leaflet tissues during midrib gall development in Copaifera langsdorffii (Fabaceae)

The tree Copaifera langsdorffii is a superhost for galling herbivores. This plant species has great morphogenetic potential, and responds differently to the stimuli of more than 20 gall-inducing insects. Among these, an undescribed species of Cecidomyiidae induces a midrib gall in which a radial cecidogenetic field is generated and the leaflet tissues redifferentiate. Our objectives were to assess the amplitude of this cecidogenetic field, in which the leaflet tissues were influenced by the feeding action of the cecidomyiid; how the final gall shape was generated; and if tissue redifferentiation conferred any adaptive value on the galling herbivore. Leaflet morphogenesis followed the pattern described in the literature for simple leaves, resulting in a mesophytic arrangement. Tissue redifferentiation due to gall formation revealed that in a midrib gall, abaxial epidermal cells divided to enlarge the gall; spongy parenchyma cells originated the storage tissue, secretory structures, and vascular bundles; palisade parenchyma cells became homogeneous; and adaxial epidermis originated the nutritive tissue. Cell elongation, a necessary step towards cell redifferentiation, is triggered by an increase in water transport to the gall site and vacuole pressure due to neoformed xylem bundles. The generation of the final shape of the midrib gall involved repetitive histological steps in response to the amplitude of the cecidogenetic field. The largest impact of the cecidomyiid feeding action occurred in gall tissues redifferentiated from protoderm and adaxial ground meristem, which provided advantages to the gall maker of the C. langsdorffii midrib gall in terms of nutritional value, microenvironment, and protection against natural enemies.