Limonoids from Turraea floribunda (Meliaceae)

Six novel limonoids and limonoid derivatives, turraflorins D-I along with the known turraflorins A and B have been isolated from seed of the South African Turraea floribunda (Meliaceae).     

Antifeeding activity of limonoids from Khaya senegalensis (Meliaceae)

Abstract: Fifteen B,D-secolimonoids of mexicanolide, rearranged phragmalin, methyl angolensate and glycoside types have been isolated from ether and acetone extracts of the stem bark of Khaya senegalensis (Desr.). The antifeedant activity of the isolated compounds was assessed by conventional choice leaf disc method on the third-instar larvae of Spodoptera littoralis (Boisd.). Khayalactol, 1- O -acetylkhayanolide A, 2-hydroxyseneganolide, khayanolide A, khayanolide D and methyl angolensate displayed strong antifeedant activity at 1000  μ g/ml with antifeedant percentages of 83.8, 61.9, 60.1, 59.5, 57.1 and 55.7, respectively. 2-Hydroxyseneganolide and khayanolide D showed high activity at 500, 300 and 200  μ g/ml while 1- O -acetylkhayanolide A was the only compound that revealed antifeedant activity at a concentration as low as 100  μ g/ml. Antifeedant activity was dose-dependent in some of the isolated compounds. Correlation between antifeedant activity of the isolated compounds and chemical structure was discussed.     

Tetranortriterpenoid derivatives from Turraea parvifolia (Meliaceae)

The methanol extract of the seeds of Turraea parvifolia has yielded seven novel triterpenoid derivatives: 12alpha-acetoxyazadironolide, turraparvin A (12alpha-acetoxy-7alpha,23-dihydroxy-24,25,26,27-tetranor-3-oxoapotirucalla-1,14,20(22)-trien-21,23-olide), turraparvin B (12alpha-acetoxy-7alpha,21-dihydroxy-24,25,26,27-tetranor-3-oxoapotirucalla-1,14,20(22)-trien-23,21-olide), turraparvin C (7alpha,12alpha-diacetoxy-21-hydroxy-24,25,26,27-tetranor-3-oxoapotirucalla-1,14,20(22)-trien-23,21-olide), 11-epi-21-hydroxytoonacilide, 11-epi-23-hydroxytoonacilide and turraparvin D (12alpha-acetoxy-7alpha-hydroxy-24,25,26,27-tetranor-3-oxoapotirucalla-1,14,20(22)-trien-21,23-lactam).     

First record of an entomopathogenic fungus of tomato leafminer,Tuta absoluta (Meyrick) in Tanzania

Tuta absoluta (Meyrick) is a destructive pest causing adverse environmental and economic effects globally. Management of T. absoluta by synthetic chemicals is of diminutive achievement due to resistance trick of the pest. Harnessing of biocontrols is currently fascinating and efficient for management of the tremendous pests. This study isolated an entomopathogenic fungus from dead larvae of T. absoluta on tomato leaves from farmer’s field Tanzania. Two Aspergillus fungal isolates were isolated and tested against larvae and adults of T. absoluta under conditions of 19.5°C and 50%RH, 30.4°C and 70% RH, respectively, in the laboratory. Sequence analysis of Aspergillus isolates that we referred as A-Tz1 and A-Tz2 were analysed with the BLAST program available at the National Center for Biological Information (NCBI). The two isolates (A-Tz1 and A-Tz2) showed 100% similarity with Aspergillus oryzae of GeneBank accession numbers EF121337.1 and MG519722.1. Such similarity implied that both A-Tz1 and A-Tz2 isolates were A. oryzae. To confirm pathogenicity, bioassays were conducted against the larvae, pupa and adults of T. absoluta. Results showed that at 1.0?×?10⁸?conidia/mL, fungal isolates caused up to 70% larval mortality 3 days post inoculation and consequently inhibited pupation by 84.5% and adult emergence by 74.4%. The identified A. oryzae reduced the life span of adult T. absoluta up to 5 days post inoculation at 1.0?×?10⁸?conidia/mL whereas in control T. absoluta survived up to 25 days. This study found that isolates of Aspegillus species have the potential to be used as active ingrediennt for the formulation of a new bioinjections for application by farmers to control the pest in fields.     

Comparative damage and digestive enzyme activity of Tuta absoluta (Meyrick) (Lepidoptera: Gelechiidae) on 12 tomato cultivars

The damage caused by the tomato leaf miner Tuta absoluta (Meyrick) (Lepidoptera: Gelechiidae) to 12 tomato cultivars was investigated under greenhouse conditions. The 2 cultivars Korral and CH Falat experienced lower damage in terms of all parameters investigated, whereas the cultivars Valouro and Cal JN3 were categorized as the most susceptible host plants. The larvae feeding on CH Falat and Korral cultivars reached the lowest final weight (1.82 and 1.93 mg, respectively), whereas those reared on the Valouro and Cal JN3 cultivars reached the highest body weight (3.42 and 3.33 mg, respectively). The highest proteolytic and amylolytic activity was detected in larvae feeding on the Korral cultivar, whereas larvae reared on the Valouro cultivar had the lowest enzyme activity for both third and fourth instar larvae. Altogether, the Korral and CH Falat cultivars were classified as relatively resistant cultivars, whereas the 2 cultivars Valouro and Cal JN3 were categorized as highly susceptible to infection by T. absoluta. Therefore, the resistant cultivars can be considered as candidates for use in integrated management programs of the tomato leaf miner in Iran.     

Control of Tuta absoluta (Meyrick) (Lepidoptera: Gelechiidae) in greenhouse tomato crops using the mating disruption technique

The effectiveness of mating disruption to control the tomato leafminer, Tuta absoluta (Meyrick) (Lepidoptera: Gelechiidae), in greenhouse tomato crops was evaluated in four trials carried out in winter–spring and summer–winter growing seasons in Southwestern Sardinia (Italy). Pheromone dispensers loaded with 60 mg of the natural blend of the major and minor sex pheromone component (rate 90 : 10) were applied in disrupted greenhouses at a rate of 1000/ha (60 g of active ingredient/ha). Male captures in monitoring pheromone traps, percentage of tomato plants infested by T. absoluta and damage on leaves and fruits were monitored weekly and compared in disrupted and untreated (control) greenhouses. In greenhouses disrupted with 1000 dispensers/ha, a reduction of 93–97% in male trap captures was observed, compared with control. Leaf damage was significantly lower in greenhouses disrupted with 1000 dispensers/ha than in control ones, with a reduction of infestation throughout the growing season ranging from 57% to 85%. Pheromone dispensers applied at the density of 1000/ha significantly reduced the percentage of damaged fruits by 62–89%. In control greenhouses, the highest damage on leaves and fruits was generally observed in edge plants, while leaf and fruit infestation was uniformly distributed in pheromone‐treated greenhouses, indicating an even distribution of the pheromone cloud inside the greenhouse. Mating disruption showed to be an efficient strategy to control in greenhouse the tomato leafminer and can be included in the overall tomato integrated pest management programs.     

Efficacy of some biorational insecticides against Tuta absoluta (Meyrick) (Lepidoptera: Gelechiidae) under laboratory and greenhouse conditions in Kuwait

The tomato leafminer, Tuta absoluta, is one of the most destructive pests of tomato worldwide. Management of the pest is mainly based on chemical insecticides. Reliance on insecticides is difficult to sustain because of unintended long‐term adverse effects on the environment and human health. Consequently, there is a need to develop pest management strategies that ensure the production of high‐quality products, while at the same time ensuring environmental sustainability and maximum consumer protection. We evaluated the efficacy the biopesticides: Azadirachtin, Bacillus thuringiensis, Steinernema feltiae and Beauveria bassiana individually and in combination against T. absoluta under laboratory and greenhouse conditions. When second instar larvae were exposed to tomato leaf discs treated with Azadirachtin (3 g / L), B. thuringiensis (0.5 g/L) or B. bassiana (1.5 g/L), 70%–86%, 55%–65%, and 45.5%–58.5% mortality was observed, respectively. Steinernema feltiae (1,000 IJs/ml) was the least effective biopesticide, with 26%–42% mortality. In the greenhouse trials on tomato, pest infestation (mines/10 leaves/plant) and fruits damaged were significantly lower on plants treated with Azadirachtin  +  B. thuringiensis or Azadirachtin  +  B. bassiana compared to plants treated with Azadirachtin, B. thuringiensi, B. bassiana or S. feltiae alone. Azadirachtin  +  B. thuringiensis and Azadirachtin  +  B. bassiana resulted in 90% and 81% reduction in fruits damaged in the summer experiments, respectively, and 96% and 91% in winter. The most severe pest infestation was observed on plants treated with S. feltia. The results indicate that the biopesticides, except S. feltia, can contribute to T. absoluta control in greenhouse tomato crops. In particular, the combined use of Azadirachtin with B. thuringiensis or B. bassiana provided the highest level of control of the pest. The potential for including these biopesticides in an overall sustainable integrated pest management programme for T. absoluta is discussed.     

Evaluating the damage of Tuta absoluta (Meyrick) (Lepidoptera: Gelechiidae) on some cultivars of tomato under greenhouse condition

Tuta absoluta (Meyrick) (Lepidoptera: Gelechiidae) is the major pest of tomato plant. Since using relatively resistant cultivars may reduce the number of sprayings as well as postpone the development of the resistance to pesticides, the present study focused on evaluating the damage of T. absoluta on eleven 45-day-old tomato cultivars under greenhouse condition. Larval mines on the leaves as well as the terminal bud damage were considered. Damaged leaves, active mines and damaged terminal buds were significantly different among the cultivars. Cluster analysis using SPSS software resulted in grouping the cultivars into four categories as relatively resistant, partially resistant, partially susceptible and susceptible. The host plant’s growing characteristics (height and leaflet number) were assessed and likewise the weight of the resulted pupae. Differences in vulnerability of the cultivars showed that tomato cultivars possess resistant traits and the identification and utilisation of these traits can give rise to resistant varieties.     

Ecological Life Table of Tuta absoluta (Meyrick) (Lepidoptera: Gelechiidae)

An ecological life table was constructed, aiming to determine the critical stages and key mortality factors of Tuta absoluta (Lepidoptera: Gelechiidae). The total population mortality of this tomato leafminer was 92.3%. During the egg stage the mortality was 58.7%, mainly due to egg inviability. A total of 8.6% egg parasitism by Trichogramma pretiosum (Riley) (Hymenoptera: Trichogrammatidae) and 5.0% egg predation by Xylocoris sp. (Heteroptera: Anthocoridae), Cycloneda sanguinea (L.) (Coleoptera: Coccinellidae) and members of the family Phlaeothripidae (Thysanoptera) was observed. The mortality of the larval stage was 33.0%. This was considered to be the critical stage as it showed the highest apparent mortality (79.8%). Larval parasitism was low (0.1%), and was only found with Goniozus nigrifemur Ashmead (Hymenoptera: Bethylidae). Predators were responsible for 79.4% of larval mortality. Therefore, their attraction to and maintenance in the target area are important management tactics to be considered for T. absoluta control. The first and second instars were considered to be the most critical, and predation by the above mentioned species was the key mortality factor. The mortality at the pupal stage was low (0.6%) and was due to malformation.     

Thermal plasticity in the invasive south American tomato pinworm Tuta absoluta (Meyrick) (Lepidoptera: Gelechiidae)

South American tomato pinworm, Tuta absoluta (Meyrick) (Lepidoptera: Gelechiidae) is a devastating invasive global insect pest of tomato, Solanum lycopersicum (Solanaceae). In nature, pests face multiple overlapping environmental stressors, which may significantly influence survival. To cope with rapidly changing environments, insects often employ a suite of mechanisms at both acute and chronic time-scales, thereby improving fitness at sub-optimal thermal environments. For T. absoluta, physiological responses to transient thermal variability remain under explored. Moreso, environmental effects and physiological responses may differ across insect life stages and this can have implications for population dynamics. Against this background, we investigated short and long term plastic responses to temperature of T. absoluta larvae (4th instar) and adults (24–48 h old) from field populations. We measured traits of temperature tolerance vis critical thermal limits [critical thermal minima (CT_min) and maxima (CT_max)], heat knockdown time (HKDT), chill coma recovery time (CCRT) and supercooling points (SCP). Our results showed that at the larval stage, Rapid Cold Hardening (RCH) significantly improved CT_min and HKDT but impaired SCP and CCRT. Heat hardening in larvae impaired CT_min, CCRT, SCP, CT_max but not HKDT. In adults, both heat and cold hardening generally impaired CT_min and CT_max, but had no effects on HKDT, SCP and CCRT. Low temperature acclimation significantly improved CT_min and HKDT while marginally compromising CCRT and CT_max, whereas high temperature acclimation had no significant effects on any traits except for HKDT in larvae. Similarly, low and high temperature acclimation had no effects on CT_min, SCPs and CT_max, while high temperature acclimation significantly compromised adult CCRT. Our results show that larvae are more thermally plastic than adults and can shift their thermal tolerance in short and long timescales. The larval plasticity reported here could be advantageous in new envirnments, suggesting an asymmetrical ecological role of larva relative to adults in facilitating T. absoluta invasion.     

Potential of betabaculoviruses to control the tomato leafminer Tuta absoluta (Meyrick)

The tomato leafminer Tuta absoluta (Meyrick 1917) (Lepidoptera:Gelechiidae) is a devastating pest, causing losses of up to 100%. An interesting tool for its control is the use of the insect specific viruses of Baculoviridae family. Despite its high potential, its use on T. absoluta larvae has been poorly studied. In this work, Colombian granuloviruses VG013 and VG003 isolated from T. absoluta and Tecia solanivora (Lepidoptera:Gelechiidae) larvae sampled in tomato and potato crops, respectively, were morphologically, biologically and molecularly characterized. Occlusion bodies showed ovoid shape containing one nucleocapsid. Restriction endonuclease analysis revealed a pattern similar to Phthorimaea operculella granulovirus and bioinformatics studies showed that both isolates are variants of that baculovirus specie. Similar mean lethal concentrations (LC₅₀) on T. absoluta larvae were estimated for both viruses, although VG013 exhibited shorter mean time to death than VG003. The latter reached a higher OBs yield in comparison with VG013. These results demonstrated an interesting potential of evaluated betabaculoviruses to control T. absoluta populations and pointed key features to its use under field conditions.     

Nanosilica and jasmonic acid as alternative methods for control Tuta absoluta (Meyrick) in tomato crop under field conditions

Recently, Tuta absoluta became one of the major pests that attack commercial tomato globally. Field test was done to evaluate the effect of different concentrations of nanosilica (NS) and jasmonic acid (JA), and compared them with indoxacrb (recommended insecticide) on reduction of damage rate caused by T. absoluta larvae under field conditions. Nanosilica (600 ppm) and indoxacrb (0.25 cm³/L) had the highest efficiency to reduce the rate of mines in the leaves. Jasmonic acid at rate 1.141 μM/plant showed a good reduction of number of fruits damaged. Nanosilica with 600 ppm concentration and Jasmonic acid at rate 1.141 μM/plant is used to control T. absoluta in the field.     

Insecticide resistance in populations of Tuta absoluta (Lepidoptera: Gelechiidae)

1 Control failures of insecticides used against the tomato leafminer Tuta absoluta (Meyrick) (Lepidoptera: Gelechiidae) in Brazil led to the investigation of the possible occurrence of resistance of this insect pest to abamectin, cartap, methamidophos and permethrin. 2 The insect populations were collected from seven sites in the states of Minas Gerais, Rio de Janeiro, and São Paulo. These populations were subjected to concentration–mortality bioassays using insecticide‐impregnated filter papers. 3 We were unable to obtain a single population which provided a susceptibility standard for all insecticides tested. Therefore, the resistance levels were estimated in relation to the most susceptible population to each insecticide. Resistance to abamectin and cartap were observed in all populations when compared with the susceptible standard population, with resistance ratios ranging from 5.2‐ to 9.4‐fold and from 2.2‐ to 21.9‐fold for abamectin and cartap, respectively. Resistance to permethrin was observed in five populations with resistance ratios ranging from 1.9‐ to 6.6‐fold, whereas resistance to methamidophos was observed in four populations with resistance ratios ranging from 2.6‐ to 4.2‐fold. 4 The long period and high frequency of use of these insecticides against this insect pest suggest that the evolution of insecticide resistance on them has been relatively slow. Alternatively, the phenomenon might be widespread among Brazilian populations of T. absoluta making the finding of suitable standard susceptible populations difficult and leading to an underestimation of the insecticide resistance levels in this pest. 5 Higher levels of resistance to abamectin, cartap and permethrin are correlated with greater use of these compounds by growers. This finding suggests that local variation in insecticide use was an important cause of variation in susceptibility.     

Spatial and temporal variation in the control failure likelihood of the tomato leaf miner,Tuta absoluta

Insecticide resistance is frequently associated with field control failure, but such an assessment of its likelihood seldom occurs. This phenomenon is a potential cause of the control failure of the tomato leaf miner Tuta absoluta (Lepidoptera: Gelechiidae); therefore we surveyed insecticide resistance as the control failure likelihood for a duration of 7 years in 20 field populations of this species. The insecticide label rate was used as the discriminating concentration, and the minimum efficacy threshold required for insecticides in Brazil (i.e. 80% efficacy) was the targeted efficacy. The spatial and temporal variations of the control failure likelihood were also assessed, as was the potential influence of land topography for the area‐wide pattern observed. Most populations of T. absoluta were susceptible to abamectin, chlorfenapyr and spinosad and not to bifenthrin, triflumuron and teflubenzuron. The indoxacarb susceptibility varied in space and time. Spatial dependence was observed for abamectin and indoxacarb. The control failure likelihood of T. absoluta was higher for bifenthrin, triflumuron and teflubenzuron. A flat topography and the wind direction may favour the spread of the control failure likelihood and should be considered in designing pest management programs for T. absoluta.     

农药助剂对茚虫威防治番茄潜叶蛾的减量增效作用

为评价农药助剂对15%茚虫威悬浮剂防治番茄潜叶蛾Tuta absoluta(Meyrick)的减量增效作用,分别向减量10%、20%、30%的15%茚虫威悬浮剂药液中添加500 ppm的有机硅silwet 408、矿物油、芦荟精油助剂,测定其对番茄潜叶蛾的田间防效。结果显示：相同浓度下,添加农药助剂后的防效均显著高于15%茚虫威悬浮剂的防效,相对常规用量通过添加有机硅Silwet 408、矿物油或芦荟精油可使农药减量10%～20%。田间应用将15%茚虫威悬浮剂按照常规用量减量10%～20%,通过添加有机硅Silwet 408、矿物油或芦荟精油可有效防治番茄潜叶蛾。     

云南弥渡县番茄潜叶蛾的发生情况及田间防治效果

外来入侵性害虫番茄潜叶蛾Tuta absoluta(Meyrick)于2018年3月26日在云南弥渡县被发现,为明确其发生为害情况,筛选出有效的防治药剂,阻止该虫的发生和蔓延,本研究采用性诱剂进行田间调查分析了番茄潜叶蛾的发生情况,通过田间药效试验比较噻虫嗪、噻虫胺、虫螨腈、苏云菌杆菌、乙基多杀菌素、阿维·氯虫苯甲酰胺、噻虫·高氯氟和阿维·灭蝇胺对番茄潜叶蛾的防治效果.调查结果表明该虫在番茄种植区域均有发生,大棚番茄地发生尤其严重,为害株达100％,百叶幼虫量55.00～101.67头/百叶,周诱蛾量4.70～61.20头/板,果子的为害率达19.33％,最高达40％.田间药效的结果表明:33％阿维·灭蝇胺SC防效较好,药后3 d防效达74.30％,其次30％虫螨腈SC、6％阿维·氯虫苯甲酰胺SC和6％乙基多杀菌素SC药后3 d防效64.25％、67.98％、54.85％,药后5 d防效79.08％、79.00％、73.45％,药后7 d防效81.60％、80.45％、65.70％.结果表明番茄潜叶蛾在弥渡县大棚发生为害较为严重,性诱剂对成虫有良好的诱集效果,虫螨腈、阿维·氯虫苯甲酰胺、乙基多杀菌素和阿维·灭蝇胺可作为幼虫的防治药剂.     

New records of Tuta absoluta (Meyrick) (Lepidoptera: Gelechiidae) predation by Brazilian Hemipteran predatory bugs

The tomato borer Tuta absoluta, native to western South America, is an extremely devastating pest in tomato crops in most of South America, Europe and Africa North of the Sahel, causes yield losses up to 100% and decreases fruit quality in open field and greenhouse crops if control methods are not applied. In Brazil two other important lepidopteran pests – Neoleucinodes elegantalis and Helicoverpa zea – occur in tomato, as well as thrips, whiteflies and aphids. For control of these pests, frequent applications of pesticides of up to 5 times per week are needed, and these resulted in the appearance of resistant populations to a number of active ingredients and decimation of natural enemies. Biological control may offer a better, safer and more sustainable opportunity for pest management. Mirid predatory bugs are currently used with success in southern Europe to control T. absoluta and other pests. In Brazil, four Hemipteran predatory bugs, not yet known to attack T. absoluta, were found to successfully prey on eggs and larvae of this pest. The first results on their predation capacity, development, survival and reproduction on T. absoluta on tomato plants are presented.     

Population growth potential of Tuta absoluta (Meyrick) (Lepidoptera: Gelechiidae) on tomato,potato, and eggplant

The influence of host plant on population dynamics of an invasive pest, Tuta absoluta was studied on three economically important solanaceous crops. Experiments were conducted in laboratory (29 ± 0.5°C, 75 ± 5% RH and a photoperiod of 14:10 hr [L:D]) using tomato (Solanum lycopersicum L.), potato (Solanum tuberosum L.) and eggplant (Solanum melongena L.). Results indicated that intrinsic rate of increase (r), finite rate of increase (λ) and net reproductive rate (R₀) were higher, and mean generation time (T) was the shortest on tomato. Results suggested that T. absoluta developed on all the three plants, and tomato plant was most preferred one. Results suggested that T. absoluta has a potential to become a serious pest on potato and even on eggplant under favourable conditions. We used the life tables of 0.025th and 0.975th percentiles of bootstraps to project the uncertainty of population growth, a new concept.     

Two New Limonoids from the Fruits of Melia azedarach (Meliaceae)

Two new limonoids, trichilinin M ( 1 ) and ohchinin benzoate ( 2 ), along with two known limonoids, 12-hydroxyamoorastatone ( 3 ) and mesendanin H ( 4 ), were isolated from the fruits of Melia azedarach Linn. The structures of new limonoids were determined by analyses of HR-ESI-MS, 1D and 2D NMR (HSQC, HMBC and NOESY) data. All compounds were evaluated against human pancreatic cancer PANC1 cells and the results showed that compounds 3 – 4 exhibited substantial cytotoxic activity ( 3 : IC₅₀=4.55 μM; 4 : IC₅₀=7.54 μM), and compounds 1 – 2 exhibited moderate cytotoxicity ( 1 : IC₅₀=27.06 μM; 2 : IC₅₀=21.17 μM).     

The impact of arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi on tomato plant resistance against Tuta absoluta (Meyrick) in greenhouse conditions

The symbiotic relationship between plants and arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF) improves plant growth and increases its resistance to pests and diseases. Mycorrhizal fungi are among the specialized fungi associated with the rhizosphere and are completely dependent on plant organic carbon. In this research tomato, Solanum lycopersicum L. was used as the host plant to evaluate the interaction effects between inoculation of tomato plant with AMF and feeding of tomato leaf miner, Tuta absoluta (Meyrick). In addition, plant growth parameters and growth rate of insect were assessed. The mycorrhizal treatment included a mixture of four fungal species (Funneliformis mosseae, Rhizophagus intraradices, R. irregularis and Glomus iranicus). The results of the experiment showed that tomato plant roots were well colonized (66.29%) by AMF and there was a significant mutual relationship between the insects feeding on the plants and the fungi. Feeding by the insects on plants inoculated with the fungus increased percentage of colonization by AMF in plants infested with the insect as compared to the control plants. The results also indicated that growth parameters and phosphorus content of the plants inoculated with fungi significantly increased compared to the control group. Moreover, significantly lower growth rate and consumption index observed in the T. absoluta larvae were fed on the leaves of plants treated with AMF compared to leaves of plants not inoculated with AMF.