The role of endosymbionts in the evolution of haploid-male genetic systems in scale insects (Coccoidea)

There is an extraordinary diversity in genetic systems across species, but this variation remains poorly understood. In part, this is because the mechanisms responsible for transitions between systems are often unknown. A recent hypothesis has suggested that conflict between hosts and endosymbiotic microorganisms over transmission could drive the transition from diplodiploidy to systems with male haploidy (haplodiploidy, including arrhenotoky and paternal genome elimination [PGE]). Here, we present the first formal test of this idea with a comparative analysis across scale insects (Hemiptera: Coccoidea). Scale insects are renowned for their large variation in genetic systems, and multiple transitions between diplodiploidy and haplodiploidy have taken place within this group. Additionally, most species rely on endosymbiotic microorganisms to provide them with essential nutrients lacking in their diet. We show that species harboring endosymbionts are indeed more likely to have a genetic system with male haploidy, which supports the hypothesis that endosymbionts might have played a role in the transition to haplodiploidy. We also extend our analysis to consider the relationship between endosymbiont presence and transitions to parthenogenesis. Although in scale insects there is no such overall association, species harboring eukaryote endosymbionts were more likely to be parthenogenetic than those with bacterial symbionts. These results support the idea that intergenomic conflict can drive the evolution of novel genetic systems and affect host reproduction.     

Ecology and biological control application of multicoloured Asian ladybird, Harmonia axyridis: A review

The ecology of and biological control by multicoloured Asian ladybird beetle, Harmonia axyridis (Pallas) are reviewed. Our emphasis is on assembling and interpreting information on general characteristics, invasion and establishment, sexual activity, foraging and predation, development, survival and reproduction, predator-predator interactions, natural enemies, biocontrol, non-target effects and status of H. axyridis as a pest of fruits. Colonization of H. axyridis for aphid biocontrol in the USA have been successful in terms of its establishment, but its abundance is turning out to be a nuisance to humans. Its harmful non-target impact on beneficial organisms, humans and native species is becoming a debatable issue. The question on its present position, whether it is a biocontrol agent or pest, is a critical issue and discussed. Inferences from the empirical data are made and new avenues for future research are suggested.     

Ecology and Biocontrol Potential of a Scale-Predator, Chilocorus nigritus

Chilocorus nigritus (Fabricius) is a common predator of scale insects, especially Diaspididae. It is an effective colonist, native to India and may easily establish in pest prevalent regions. Several attempts have been made in the recent past to exploit it for the biocontrol of diaspids infesting sugarcane, citrus and other horticultural crops. The scattered information on its global distribution, foraging, prey range and predation habits, growth and development, reproduction, mass rearing and releases is reviewed. The interpretation of the empirical data has been made and inferences drawn, wherever needed. There is an asymmetry in the literature available, since much emphasis has been given to sampling, mass rearing and field releases of the predator, whereas its ecological and reproductive aspects are poorly dealt with. There are a number of gaps in the information, such as, influences of its age, reproductive, adaptive and survival strategies, its role in the guild and artificial diets which require further investigation.     

中国花翅跳小蜂属六新种(膜翅目 :跳小蜂科)(英文)

本文报道采自浙江、福建、广东、云南的跳小蜂六新种 ,即瘤毡蚧花翅跳小蜂MicroterysmetaceronemaeXu、露尾花翅跳小蜂MicroterysnuticaudatusXu、后缘花翅跳小蜂MicroteryspostmarginisXu、拟聂特花翅跳小蜂MicroteryspseudonietneriXu、匀色花翅跳小蜂MicroterysunicolorisXu、赵氏花翅跳小蜂MicroteryszhaoiXu。除露尾花翅跳小蜂MicroterysnuticaudatusXu ,sp .n .寄主尚不明确外 ,其余种类均为林木上各种介壳虫的寄生蜂。对新种进行了详细描述 ,并附特征图。标本存放浙江大学植物保护系。     

Influence of Temperature,pH and Selected Growth Media on Germination,Growth and Sporulation of Aschersonia placenta and Hypocrella raciborskii

Tween 70 at 0.1% provided the best conditions for germination of Aschersonia placenta. Optimum germination and growth of the germ tube occurred over a temperature range of 25–30°C and a pH range of 5.0–6.0. A temperature of 30°C resulted in the longest germ tube at 45 μm. Apparently, temperature and pH did not affect the type of germination, with polar germination being consistently recorded for in excess of 60% of conidia. In general, growth and sporulation seemed to be much better in semi‐solid than in liquid media. Amongst several plant media tested, pumpkin consistently gave the most mycelial growth and sporulation. The ability of A. placenta to sporulate on the surface of liquid culture has increased the possibilty of its mass production for the purpose of formulating a microbial pesticide against the indigenous scale insects of tropical fruits such as durian and guava in Malaysia.     

SIX NEW SPECIES OF THE GENUS MICROTERYS OF CHINA (HYMENOPTERA: ENCYRTIDAE) *

Abstract This paper deals with six new species of the genus Microterys, collected from Zhejiang, Fujian, Yunnan and Guangdong Provinces. They are M. metaceronemae Xu, sp. n. M. nuticaudatus Xu, sp. n. M. postmarginis Xu, sp. n. M. pseudonietneri Xu, sp. n. M. unicoloris Xu, sp. n. and M. zhaoi Xu, sp. n. The host of these parasitoids are Metaceronema japonica on Camellia oleosa Cerococcus muratae on Magnolia officinalis, Coccus hesperidum on citrus, Ceroplastes japonicus on citrus, Chloropulvinaria aurantii, Laccifer lacca Ceroplastes japonicus and Kerria lacca (Homoptera: Coccidoidea)     

蚧虫蜡泌物的化学研究进展

总结了国内外对蚧虫蜡泌物及其化学成分的研究进展 ,内容包括蜡泌物形成介壳的主要类型 ;蜡泌物的化学研究方法及已涉及的种类 ;蜡泌物的主要化学组成 ,并对 5类物质 ,即蜡、烃类、树脂或萜类、色素类、内蜜露作了重点叙述。最后 ,讨论了研究蚧虫蜡泌物的化学成分具有的意义和应用前景 ,包括蜡泌物作为生物资源的利用 ;以蚧虫作为农林、果树和花卉业的重要害虫 ,针对蜡泌物的特点研制相应的新型杀虫剂 ;利用蜡泌物的化学信息素对天敌的诱导作用 ,开展蚧虫生物防治 ;利用蜡泌物作为化学分类性状的应用等。     

Influence of native ants on arthropod communities in a vineyard

• 1 Ants can have a range of effects on arthropods in crops, including suppressing herbivores such as caterpillars. However, ants can also increase hemipteran densities while reducing natural enemy numbers. In vineyard ecosystem, the effects of native ants and their interactions with other arthropods are poorly understood.
• 2 An ant‐exclusion experiment was designed to test the impact of native ants on both canopy and ground arthropods concurrently. The potential influence of ants on predation and parasitism of light brown apple moth (LBAM) eggs, a grape pest, was also examined. Adult grapevine scale insects and earwigs under bark were counted after a season of ant‐exclusion.
• 3 Among 23 ground ant species collected, six were found to forage in the canopy, with two Iridomyrmex species being the most commonly encountered.
• 4 There was no difference in the abundance of most arthropod orders and feeding groups between ant‐excluded and control vines, although ground spiders were more abundant under ant‐excluded vines, despite increased ground ant foraging pressure. LBAM egg parasitism and predation were low and probably affected by weather and other arthropods. Ant exclusion did not reduce survival of scale insects, although the distribution and abundance of scale insects were negatively associated with earwigs.
• 5 In conclusion, native ants did not consistently suppress arthropod assemblages, including natural enemies, and they did not promote the survival of scale insects. Interactions among native ant species within a vineyard might minimize their effects on other arthropods, although this needs further study.

     

Relating shading levels and distance from natural vegetation with hemipteran pests and predators occurrence on coffee

The study was carried out to determine the effect of shading levels and/or distance from the natural alpine vegetation (NAV) on the occurrence of two insect functional groups: hemipteran herbivores and generalist predators in farmers' coffee fields in the Mt. Elgon region of Uganda. Three distance categories from the NAV, that is (i) 0–250 m; (ii) 250–1000 m and (iii) 1000–1500 m, were used to demarcate farms in the first stage of selection, and within each distance category, three levels of shading, that is (i) no shade, (ii) moderate shade and (iii) full shade, were used for final selection of coffee farms for the study. A total of 90 individually owned coffee fields were studied; 30 for each distance category, of which 10 represented each shading level. In two separate rounds, inventories of scale insects (Coccus spp.), antestia bugs (Antestiopsis spp.), root mealybugs (Planococcus spp.) and aphids (Toxoptera aurantii) on coffee plants were made for the hemipteran herbivores, whereas ants (Formicidae) and spiders (Araneae) were recorded for the predatory taxa. The results showed that the interaction between distance from the NAV and shading level consistently influenced the occurrence of the insects in both functional groups. For scale insects, root mealybugs and ants, it was closest to the NAV that shading‐level effects were most discernible and generally limiting. To the contrary, the occurrence of aphids and spiders increased with the increase in the level of shading for plants furthest from the NAV. These results indicate that if inclusion of shade trees is to be a strategy in ecological pest management, the level of shading should be determined basing on the insect taxa as well as other pertinent factors in the landscape.     

Effects of some insect growth regulators on natural enemies of scale insects (Hom.: Coccoidea)

We report and discuss effects of four insect growth regulators: buprofezin, fenoxycarb pyriproxyfen and chlorfluazuron, at concentrations recommended for agricultural use on six species of natural enemies of homopteran pests. Dipping in buprofezin had no appreciable effect on adult mortality, oviposition and development ofComperiella bifasciata (Howard), (Hymenoptera: Encyrtidae). When exposed to hosts treated with buprofezin, percentage mortality of adultEncyrtus infelix Embleton (Encyrtidae) was low; buprofezin had some detrimental effect on immature stages ofE. infelix when applied prior to parasitization, but not when introduced after parasitization. Buprofezin had a slight effect on the immature stages ofCryptochaetum iceryae Williston (Diptera: Cryptochaetidae), while fenoxycarb and pyriproxyfen had marked detrimental effects on parasitization and/or development of the parasitoid fly. None of the larvae ofRodolia cardinalis Mulsant (Coleoptera: Coccinellidae) developed into adults after application of buprofezin, fenoxycarb or pyriproxyfen. Buprofezin and chlorfluazuron completely prevented egg hatch ofChilocorus bipustulatus L. (Coleoptera: Coccinellidae). Buprofezin did not adversely affect egg hatch and larval development ofElatophilus hebraicus Pericart (Hemiptera: Anthocoridae); fenoxycarb or pyriproxyfen applied either before or after oviposition on pine needles caused total suppression of egg hatch.