Effects of two neem insecticide formulations on the attractiveness, acceptability and suitability of diamondback moth larvae to the parasitoid, Diadegma mollipla (Holmgren) (Hym., Ichneumonidae)

Abstract:  Behavioural responses of female Diadegma mollipla to volatiles from cabbage plants and host-infested [ Plutella xylostella (L.)] cabbage plants sprayed with two neem insecticide formulations were investigated in a Y-tube olfactometer. Parasitoids were significantly more attracted to volatiles from cabbage and host-infested cabbage sprayed with the powder formulation than to clean air. In contrast, parasitoid response to volatiles from cabbage and host-infested cabbage sprayed with the oil formulation was not significantly different from clean air. In choice tests between infested plants sprayed with water (control) or the powder formulation, parasitoids showed no preference for volatiles from either of the treatments. In similar tests with the oil formulation, parasitoids showed a preference for volatiles from control plants over plants sprayed with the oil formulation. In host acceptance and suitability tests, parasitism rates in the neem- and water-sprayed hosts were, with one exception, not significantly different. However, the neem-sprayed larvae died earlier than control larvae and were therefore not able to support parasitoid development. The implication of these findings for the combined use of neem insecticides and parasitoids in the management of P. xylostella is discussed.     

Do laboratory studies predict parasitoid interaction outcomes in the field?

Studying competitive interactions among natural enemies is important to elucidate the success and non-target impact of candidate biological control agents. Increased regulation of new introductions requires that studies on non-target species be carried out in confined conditions. Hypotheses about potential impacts of biological control agents in the field are based on data from Petri dish or small cage experiments conducted in the laboratory. This study compared the performance of the diamondback moth, Plutella xylostella (L.) (Lepidoptera: Plutellidae), parasitoids Diadegma insulare (Cresson) (Hymenoptera: Ichneumonidae) and Microplitis plutellae (Muesebeck) (Hymenoptera: Braconidae) in experiments conducted in small cages in the laboratory and in large cages in the field. Results showed no significant differences between laboratory and field outcomes for D. insulare alone and when D. insulare and M. plutellae were combined. For M. plutellae alone, parasitism in the laboratory cages was significantly less than in the field cages. These results demonstrate that laboratory studies may be useful to develop hypotheses on competitive interactions of candidate parasitoid biological control agents.     

A comparison of the host-searching efficiency of two larval parasitoids of Plutella xylostella

1. A host specialist parasitoid is thought to have greater efficiency in locating hosts or greater ability to overcome host defence than a generalist species. This leads to the prediction that a specialist should locate and parasitise more hosts than a generalist in a given arena. The work reported here tested these predictions by comparing the host‐searching behaviour of Diadegma semiclausum (a specialist) and Cotesia plutellae (an oligophagous species), two parasitoids of larval Plutella xylostella. 2. Both parasitoids employed antennal search and ovipositor search when seeking hosts but D. semiclausum also seemed to use visual perception in the immediate vicinity of hosts. 3. Larvae of P. xylostella avoided detection by parasitoids by moving away from damaged plant parts after short feeding bouts. When they encountered parasitoids, the larvae wriggled vigorously as they retreated and often hung from silk threads after dropping from a plant. 4. These two parasitoids differed in their responses to host defences. Diadegma semiclausum displayed a wide‐area search around feeding damage and waited near the silk thread for a suspended host to climb up to the leaf, then attacked it again. Cotesia plutellae displayed an area‐restricted search and usually pursued the host down the silk thread onto the ground. 5. Diadegma semiclausum showed a relatively fixed behavioural pattern leading to oviposition but C. plutellae exhibited a more plastic behavioural pattern. 6. The time spent by the two parasitoids on different plants increased with increasing host density, but the time spent either on all plants or a single plant by D. semiclausum was longer than that of C. plutellae. Diadegma semiclausum visited individual plants more frequently than C. plutellae before it left the patch, and stung hosts at more than twice the rate of C. plutellae. 7. The results indicated that the host‐location strategies employed by D. semiclausum were adapted better to the host's defensive behaviour, and thus it was more effective at detecting and parasitising the host than was C. plutellae.     

Effects of selected insecticides on Diadegma insulare (Hymenoptera: Ichneumonidae), a parasitoid of Plutella xylostella (Lepidoptera: Plutellidae)

Effects of eight insecticides on Diadegma insulare (Cresson), a parasitoid of the diamondback moth, Plutella xylostella L., were evaluated under the laboratory conditions. The insecticides were three azadirachtin-based products (Ecozin, Agroneem and Neemix), two Bacillus thuringiensis (Bt) products (Xentari and Crymax), indoxacarb, spinosad, and λ-cyhalothrin. When D. insulare pupae were treated, none of the insecticide treatments except λ-cyhalothrin significantly reduced adult emergence, with 76-90% adults emerged from the treated pupae. In the λ-cyhalothrin treatment, only 10% D. insulare pupae produced adult wasps. Indoxacarb, spinosad, and λ-cyhalothrin caused 100% D. insulare adult mortality in 24 h in Petri dishes sprayed with insecticides in the contact bioassays, and 95.8, 100 and 95.8% adult mortality in 24 h in the ingestion bioassays, respectively. In contrast, all three azadirachtin-based insecticides and the two Bt-insecticides caused only 0-10.4% mortality of D. insulare adults after ingestion. The surviving D. insulare from ingestion treatments with Bt- and azadirachtin-insecticides parasitized 50.8-67.6% of P. xylostella larvae, respectively, compare to 72.1% for the water control. After ingesting indoxacarb, spinosad and λ-cyhalothrin mixed in honey-water, both the females and the males lived significantly shorter than those ingesting Bt- and azadirachtin-insecticides and the non-insecticide honey-water. Effects of leaf residues of indoxacarb, spinosad and λ-cyhalothrin varied significantly. The leaf residues of spinosad had the least effects on D. insulare adults, and 7- and 10-day-old residue only caused 5.6 and 7.4% mortality in 24 h, whereas 10-day-old leaf residues of indoxacarb and λ-cyhalothrin caused 40.7 and 57.4% mortality in 24 h, respectively.     

闭弯尾姬蜂与菜蛾盘绒茧蜂寄生菜蛾幼虫时的种间竞争

在室内25℃下,以菜蛾3龄初幼虫作寄主,研究了菜蛾盘绒茧蜂Cotesia plutellae和半闭弯尾姬蜂Diadegma semiclausum的种间竞争。当寄主供2种蜂同时产卵寄生时,2种蜂各自的寄生率与其单独寄生时无显著差异,合计寄生率比一种蜂单独存在时有所提高,但差异不显著。2种蜂均能产卵寄生已被另一种蜂寄生了的寄主幼虫。当寄主被2种蜂寄生的间隔时间很短（少于10 h）时,所育出的蜂绝大部分（80%以上）为绒茧蜂;当寄主先被绒茧蜂寄生,并饲养2天以上再供弯尾姬蜂寄生时,所育出的全为绒茧蜂;当寄主先被弯尾姬蜂寄生,并饲养2天以上再供绒茧蜂寄生时,寄主幼虫绝大部分不能存活,只有少部分能育出寄生蜂,且多为弯尾姬蜂。当2种蜂的幼虫存在于同一寄主体内时,2种蜂的发育均受到另一种蜂的抑制;绒茧蜂1龄幼虫具有物理攻击能力,能将弯尾姬蜂卵或幼虫致死。这些结果表明,菜蛾盘绒茧蜂与半闭弯尾姬蜂在同一寄主中发育时,前者具有明显的竞争优势。     

Parasitism-induced effects on host growth and metabolic efficiency in Plutella xylostella larvae parasitized by Cotesia vestalis or Diadegma semiclausum

The nutritional physiology of the diamondback moth, Plutella xylostella, larvae was examined after parasitization by the solitary endoparasitoids Cotesia vestalis or Diadegma semiclausum. Examinations were performed in two phases, one was examined at the time point of 24 h post‐parasitization, and the other was done at the end of the 4th instar larvae of host. Rates of growth, food consumption, assimilation, excretion, and respiration were calculated as well as approximate digestibility and the rate ratios ECI (percent efficiency of conversion of ingested food to body substance), and ECD (percent efficiency of conversion of digested food to body substance). Parasitization by C. vestalis resulted in significant decrease in the rates of growth, feeding, excretion, assimilation, and respiration, but the final dry rate of respiration at the end of last larval stadium was elevated. The ECI and ECD were also reduced as the result of parasitization, but digestibility was increased. All these parameters in the larvae parasitized by D. semiclausum at 24 h post‐parasitization were also significantly changed compared to the control; however, these differences were quantitatively, but not qualitatively before pupation, similar to those resulted from parasitization by C. vestalis. In spite of the similarities of the parasitism‐induced effects caused by these endoparasitoids, the final metabolic rate, that is, the rate of intake of nutrients required to compensate for metabolism, was much lower in the larvae parasitized by C. vestalis than that of the larvae parasitized by D. semiclausum. All of the results discussed here will contribute toward explaining the different ways these two wasps regulate the parasitoid‐host relationship.     

Interspecific competition between Diadegma semiclausum Hellen (Hym., Ichneumonidae) and Cotesia plutellae (Kurdjumov) (Hym., Braconidae) in parasitizing Plutella xylostella (L.) (Lep., Plutellidea)

Abstract:  Interspecific competition between Diadegma semiclausum and Cotesia plutellae was investigated at 25°C in the laboratory, by exposing the third instar larvae of the diamondback moth, Plutella xylostella to both species together, either species alone or by exposing the host larvae already parasitized by one species, at different intervals, to the other. When host larvae were exposed simultaneously to two species in one arena, parasitism rates of the host by each species were not reduced by the presence of the other species; joint parasitism rate by two species was not significantly higher than that by either parasitoid alone. Both parasitoids could lay eggs into the host larvae which had previously been parasitized by the other species, leading to the occurrence of multiparasitized hosts. When host larvae were parasitized first by D. semiclausum and then being followed within 1–2 h by exposing to C. plutellae , or vice versa, ensuing parasitoid cocoons from the multiparasitized host larvae were nearly all C. plutellae . When host larvae were parasitized initially by C. plutellae and then being followed by D. semiclausum two or more days later, all parasitoids ensued from the multiparasitized hosts were C. plutellae . In contrast, when host larvae were parasitized initially by D. semiclausum and then being followed by C. plutellae two or more days later, most host larvae could not survive to prepupae and most of the ensuing parasitoid adults from the surviving hosts were D. semiclausum . Dissections of host larvae at various time intervals after parasitization by the two parasitoids showed that development of both parasitoids in multiparasitized hosts were somewhat arrested, and that the first instar larvae of C. plutellae could initiate a physical attack on the larvae of D. semiclausum and remove the latter.     

Specificity of accessory gland extracts. in three Delia fly species (Diptera: Anthomyiidae)

Abstract. Extracts of testes and male accessory (paragonial) glands made from three species of Delia (onion fly {D.antiqua) , seedcorn fly (D.platura) , and cabbage fly (D.radicum)) were injected into conspecific virgin females. Extracts of paragonial glands, but not testes, from onion, seedcorn and cabbage fly males stimulated oviposition and suppressed mating when injected into conspecific virgin females. When extracts of paragonial glands from males of these species were injected into heterospecific virgin females, the extracts of D.antiqua and D.platura were fully cross-reactive with respect to oviposition; interspecific injection stimulated oviposition at the level of the conspecific mated controls. Injection of D.radicum extract fully activated the D.antiqua and D.platura ovipositional response. D.antiqua extract caused mating inhibition and partial oviposition in D.radicum; that of D.platura had no effect on either oviposition or mating inhibition in D.radicum. These results suggest that D.antiqua and D.platura are more closely related to one another than either is to D.radicum , and agree with published anatomically-based phylogenies and a genetic distance calculation based on eight enzyme loci. The occurrence of sex peptide cross-reactivity, though asymmetrical, between D.radicum versus D.antiqua and D.platura indicates that, functionally, sex peptides have changed little during the evolution of this genus. An emerging pattern of broad cross-reactivity within genera suggests that sex peptides are not an initiator of reproductive isolation.     

A behavioural study to help clarify how undersowing with clover affects host-plant selection by pest insects of brassica crops

Laboratory and field-cage tests were done to determine how undersowing brassica plants (Brassica oleraceae L. and B. rapa L.) (Cruciferae) with subterranean clover (Trifolium subterraneum L.) (Papilionaceae) affected host-plant selection by eight pest insect species of brassica crops. The pest species tested were Pieris rapae (Lepidoptera: Pieridae) (the small white butterfly), Pieris brassicae (Lepidoptera: Pieridae) (the large white butterfly), Delia radicum (Diptera: Anthomyiidae) (the cabbage root fly), Phaedon cochleariae (Coleoptera: Chrysomelidae) (the mustard beetle), Plutella xylostella (Lepidoptera: Yponomeutidae) (the diamond-back moth), Evergestis forficalis (Lepidoptera: Pyralidae) (the garden-pebble moth), Mamestra brassicae (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae) (the cabbage moth) and Brevicoryne brassicae (Hemiptera: Aphididae) (the cabbage aphid). In all tests, except two in which the brassica plants were about three times as high as the clover background, 39%–100% fewer of the pest insect stage monitored were found on host plants presented in clover than on those presented in bare soil. Contrary to claims supporting the ‘enemies hypothesis’, differences in colonization alone appeared sufficient to account for the lower numbers of insects found when host plants are undersown with clover. To be effective in reducing plant colonization, the clover must cover 50%, and preferably more, of the vertical profile of the crop plants. As clover used as an undersown crop often has to be cut to make it less competitive with the main brassica crop, temporal aspects of the condition of the clover during critical periods of pest activity need to be recorded carefully before concluding that undersowing does not produce the effect desired against certain pest species under field conditions. The effective clover barrier is like any other treatment, if it is not present at the appropriate time it cannot be expected to reduce pest insect numbers.     

农药亚致死剂量对小菜蛾及优姬蜂种群动力学的影响(英文)

本研究通过用农药农蒙特(25×10~(-6))和氯氰菊酯(20×10~(-6))处理,采用生命表技术和控制效应来评判农药亚致死剂量对田间小菜蛾和优姬蜂种群动力学的影响。结果表明,农蒙特和氯氰菊酯对优姬蜂种群的控制效应大于对小菜蛾种群的控制效应,寄生在农蒙特处理的小菜蛾幼虫体内的优姬蜂幼虫的死亡率显著地高于氯氰菊酯处理的和对照的,表现出农蒙特对寄生蜂影响的深远性。     

Inter- and intra-population differences in the effects of temperature on postdiapause development of Delia radicum

Canadian populations of D. radicum differ in their response to temperature during postdiapause development. Populations that are primarily of the early-emerging type ( ) (St-Jean, Quebec; London, Ontario) have high values for the parameters describing this response: % MathType!MTEF!2!1!+-% feaafiart1ev1aaatCvAUfeBSjuyZL2yd9gzLbvyNv2CaerbuLwBLn% hiov2DGi1BTfMBaeXatLxBI9gBaerbd9wDYLwzYbItLDharqqtubsr% 4rNCHbGeaGqiVu0Je9sqqrpepC0xbbL8F4rqqrFfpeea0xe9Lq-Jc9% vqaqpepm0xbba9pwe9Q8fs0-yqaqpepae9pg0FirpepeKkFr0xfr-x% fr-xb9adbaqaaeGaciGaaiaabeqaamaabaabaaGcbaGaamOuamaaBa% aaleaacaWGTbaabeaakiabg2da9aaa!38F2!$$R_m = $$ 12.7–13.3; 28.0–31.8 °C ; T = 10.3–14.2 ( , the maximum developmental rate at the temperature, [ °C ] where the developmental rate is highest, and T , the parameter which gives the shape of the truncated normal curve fitted to the data), a low degree-day requirement for emergence (160–232 ), and may lack a developmental delay at temperatures above ca. 21 °C . Populations of the late-emerging type (Kildare, Prince Edward Island) have low parameter values ( , °C ; T = 6.4), high degree-day requirements (530 ), and a developmental delay at high temperatures. The parameters for the early-emergers in the population from Winnipeg, Manitoba (74% early) were intermediate ( , °C , T = 10.7, ), but resembled the early rather than the late type. This population varied from 31 to 90% early type over a 10-year period and the rate of postdiapause development at 20 °C was directly related to the percentage early. In the year with the most rapid development (90% early), development was significantly slower than in the populations from other locations with predominantly early populations, and the year with the slowest development (31% early) showed significantly faster development than that from Kildare, Prince Edward Island (100% late). Therefore the parameters for early and late types of development will not be accurate for use in mixed populations, and the parameters in mixed populations will change among years. Populations of D. radicum in North America and Europe (67 locations by years) varied from 0–100% early. At Winnipeg, the percentage early was directly related to the annual temperature accumulation ( ) during the growing season. The calculation of developmental parameters for the early-emergers of mixed populations provides a more accurate basis for estimating the times of first emergence and the first peak of emergence than parameters based on the whole population. Since postdiapause developmental rates vary both among and annually within locations, developmental models should be designed to include such variations.     

三种内寄生蜂寄生对小菜蛾幼虫精子发生的影响

内寄生蜂寄生可能会引起寄主的寄生性去势。对小菜蛾Plutella xylostella与菜蛾啮小蜂Oomyzus sokolowskii Kurdumov (膜翅目： 姬小蜂科)、半闭弯尾姬蜂Diadegma semiclausum Hellén (膜翅目： 姬蜂科)、菜蛾盘绒茧蜂Cotesia plutellae (Kurdj.) (膜翅目： 茧蜂科) 3个寄生体系,利用形态学方法和蛋白质技术,研究了寄生对小菜蛾幼虫精子发生的影响。结果表明：菜蛾啮小蜂寄生对寄主的精子发生过程没有影响。半闭弯尾姬蜂寄生造成寄主精母细胞的细胞核畸形,精细胞的染色质超浓缩并趋向核膜,但能形成少量的精子;半闭弯尾姬蜂寄生会导致寄主精巢总蛋白的含量显著下降。菜蛾盘绒茧蜂寄生对小菜蛾幼虫精子发生的抑制程度最强,被寄生寄主的精母细胞出现肿胀,核膜皱缩,胞质中的线粒体发生病变;精细胞的染色体也出现超浓缩并趋向核膜,大量的精子溶解,无正常的精子形成;其精巢总蛋白含量的下降程度比姬蜂寄生的更为明显,且导致分子量为63.4 kD的主蛋白缺失。     

Niche overlap and interspecific association between Chilo partellus and Chilo orichalcociliellus on the Kenya coast

The use of felt traps to estimate oviposition by the cabbage root fly, Delia radicum (L.), and turnip root fly, Delia floralis (Fall.), was compared with soil sampling at seven localities between 1992 and 1994 in Denmark and Norway. In all, 281 comparisons were made, based on 6800 samples. In 4.6% of these comparisons no eggs were found by either method. In 16% of the comparisons, 2.0±0.41 (±S.E.) eggs were found per soil sample and no eggs were found in felt traps, whereas in 0.7% of the comparisons 0.10±0.03 eggs were found per felt trap and no eggs in soil samples. When eggs were found using both methods, the ratio between soil sampling and felt traps varied from 13.1±3.2 when the egg laying rate was very low to 1.8±0.2 at high egg laying rates. Regression analysis showed significant correlation between felt trap catches and soil sampling (P<0.001), whereas locality did not influence felt trap efficiency (P=0.096). The influence of the physical conditions of felt traps, i.e., whether they were clean and dry, were analysed in a single year. Tentative action thresholds for control measures against cabbage root flies and turnip root flies were developed for cauliflower, Brassica oleracea, convar. botrytis (L.) Alef., var. botrytis, based on data from the literature and the present results.