Influence of foliar and systemically applied azadirachtin on host‐plant evaluation behaviour of the sweetpotato whitefly,Bemisia tabaci

Abstract The behaviour of female adult Bemisia tabaci is observed for a period of 20 min after initial contact with untreated cucumber leaves, or leaves either foliar or systemically treated with azadirachtin, to determine whether application of azadirachtin affects the host‐evaluation behaviour and whether the behaviour on treated leaves differs between application methods. Application of azadirachtin deters settling of the whiteflies on host plants. The whiteflies probe for shorter duration and less frequently but spend longer and engage more frequently in labial grooming on treated leaves than on untreated leaves. Behavioural transition between probing and other behavioural elements is less common, and that between labial grooming and other behavioural elements more common, on both treated leaves than on untreated leaves. No difference is detected in the host‐evaluation behaviour of B. tabaci between leaves foliar treated and systemically treated with azadirachtin.     

Effect of a novel repellent,acetylated glyceride,on courtship behaviours and acoustic signals of Bemisia tabaci

The sweet potato whitefly, Bemisia tabaci (Hemiptera: Aleyrodidae), attacks a wide range of vegetables and ornamental plants in the tropics and subtropics. This study involved observations of adult whitefly courtship behaviours to determine the impact of acetylated glyceride treatment, which is currently being developed as a repellent for adults, on their progeny. In addition, the effect of acetylated glyceride treatment on acoustic‐based communication was evaluated, as this type of communication is known to play a pivotal role in the search for mating partners on host‐plant leaves in adult whiteflies. Adults were able to land on grape tomato leaves a few days after treatment, when the residual repellency had dissipated. Almost no male courtship behaviour in terms of searching for sexually mature females was observed throughout the observation period (60 min) under conditions in which adults of both sexes remained on a treated leaf or those in which an adult of either sex remained on a non‐treated leaf. By contrast, these behaviours accounted for 26.5% of the observation time under conditions in which both sexes remained on a non‐treated leaf. In cross‐tests performed for 4 days using one non‐mated female and two non‐mated males, the sex ratio (male/female) of the newly emerged adults on treated leaves (2.4) was 63.6% lower than that of the non‐treated controls (0.9). During courtship, acoustic signals produced by both sexes were exchanged rhythmically on non‐treated leaves, whereas the signals on treated leaves were irregular. The frequency of the vibratory sound produced by males was 66–81% lower on the treated leaves than on the non‐treated leaves. A large reduction in the acoustic signals produced by males on treated leaves caused a decrease in courting pair formation, leading to a significant reduction in the number of female progeny due to arrhenotokous parthenogenesis in virgin B. tabaci females.     

Imidacloprid applications by subirrigation for control of silverleaf whitefly (Homoptera: Aleyrodidae) on poinsettia

The objective of this study was to determine whether silverleaf whiteflies, Bemisia argentifolii Bellows & Perring, on poinsettia, Euphorbia pulcherrima Willdenow ex Klotsch, can be controlled with imidacloprid applied by subirrigation. Different amounts of imidacloprid uptake by the growing medium were obtained by not watering the subirrigated plants for 0, 1, 2, or 4 d before the imidacloprid application. These treatments resulted in absorption of 12-175 ml of imidacloprid solution by the growing medium. These treatments were compared with untreated control plants and plants that were treated with a standard drench application (100 ml) to the top of the growing medium. All imidacloprid treatments resulted in a significant decrease in both the survival of adult whiteflies and number of immature whiteflies on the plants. Subirrigation treatments resulted in better control of adult and immature whiteflies than drench application. Withholding water for 2 or 4 d before the imidacloprid application by subirrigation improved control of immature whiteflies. This indicates that the application of imidacloprid to poinsettia by subirrigation is a practical and efficient method to control silverleaf whiteflies.     

Acylsucrose-producing tomato plants forces Bemisia tabaci to shift its preferred settling and feeding site

Background

The whitefly Bemisia tabaci (Genn.) causes dramatic damage to plants by transmitting yield-limiting virus diseases. Previous studies proved that the tomato breeding line ABL 14-8 was resistant to B. tabaci, the vector of tomato yellow leaf curl disease (TYLCD). This resistance is based on the presence of type IV glandular trichomes and acylsucrose production. These trichomes deter settling and probing of B. tabaci in ABL 14-8, which reduces primary and secondary spread of TYLCD.

Methodology/Principal Findings

Whitefly settlement preference was evaluated on the adaxial and abaxial leaf surfaces of nearly-isogenic tomato lines with and without B. tabaci-resistance traits, ‘ABL 14-8 and Moneymaker’ respectively, under non-choice and free-choice conditions. In addition, the Electrical Penetration Graph technique was used to study probing and feeding activities of B. tabaci on the adaxial and abaxial leaf surfaces of the same genotypes. B. tabaci preferred to settle on the abaxial than on the adaxial surface of ‘Moneymaker’ leaves, whereas no such preference was observed on ABL 14-8 tomato plants at the ten-leaf growth stage. Furthermore, B. tabaci preferred to feed on the abaxial than on the adaxial leaf surface of ‘Moneymarker’ susceptible tomato plants as shown by a higher number of sustained phloem feeding ingestion events and a shorter time to reach the phloem. However, B. tabaci standard probing and feeding behavior patterns were altered in ABL 14-8 plants and whiteflies were unable to feed from the phloem and spent more time in non-probing activities when exposed to the abaxial leaf surface.

Conclusions/Significance

The distorted behavior of B. tabaci on ABL 14-8 protects tomato plants from the transmission of phloem-restricted viruses such as Tomato yellow leaf curl virus (TYLCV), and forces whiteflies to feed on the adaxial side of leaves where they feed less efficiently and become more vulnerable to natural enemies.     

Analysis by DC–EPG of the resistance to Bemisia tabaci on an Mi-tomato line

The tomato Mi gene confers resistance to nematodes, Meloidogyne spp., and to the potato aphid, Macrosiphum euphorbiae (Thomas). Previous greenhouse choice assays with Bemisia tabaci (Gennadius) showed that tomato commercial varieties carrying this gene had significantly lower values of host suitability and whitefly reproduction than varieties lacking Mi. This indicated that Mi, or another gene in its region, could regulate partial resistance. In order to characterise this resistance, probing and feeding behaviour of Bemisia tabaci B-biotype was studied with DC Electrical Penetration Graph (EPG) technique on the near-isogenic tomato lines Moneymaker (without Mi) and Motelle (carrying Mi). Significant differences (P < 0.05) between tomato lines were found in EPG parameters related to epidermis and/or mesophyll tissues. On Motelle, a lower percentage of whiteflies achieved phloem phase and they made more probes before attaining first phloem phase, had a higher ratio (number of probes before first phloem phase)/(total number of probes), had a longer total duration of non-probing time, and a longer time before making the first intracellular puncture and before making the first phloem phase. In contrast, most of the parameters related to phloem phase were found not to differ significantly between these near-isogenic lines. The behavioural data strongly suggest that the partial resistance in the variety Motelle is due to factors in the epidermis and/or mesophyll that inhibit the whiteflies from reaching phloem sieve elements. However, once the stylets reach a sieve element, whitefly behaviour did not differ between the two varieties. Thus, phloem sap of the two varieties appears to be equally acceptable to the whiteflies. Further studies are necessary to provide a better understanding of these mechanisms of resistance to whiteflies in tomatoes.     

A Plant Virus Manipulates the Behavior of Its Whitefly Vector to Enhance Its Transmission Efficiency and Spread

Plant viruses can produce direct and plant-mediated indirect effects on their insect vectors, modifying their life cycle, fitness and behavior. Viruses may benefit from such changes leading to enhanced transmission efficiency and spread. In our study, female adults of Bemisia tabaci were subjected to an acquisition access period of 72 h in Tomato yellow leaf curl virus (TYLCV)-infected and non-infected tomato plants to obtain viruliferous and non-viruliferous whiteflies, respectively. Insects that were exposed to virus-infected plants were checked by PCR to verify their viruliferous status. Results of the Ethovision video tracking bioassays indicated that TYLCV induced an arrestant behavior of B. tabaci, as viruliferous whitefly adults remained motionless for more time and moved slower than non-viruliferous whiteflies after their first contact with eggplant leaf discs. In fact, Electrical Penetration Graphs showed that TYLCV-viruliferous B. tabaci fed more often from phloem sieve elements and made a larger number of phloem contacts (increased number of E1, E2 and sustained E2 per insect, p<0.05) in eggplants than non-viruliferous whiteflies. Furthermore, the duration of the salivation phase in phloem sieve elements (E1) preceding sustained sap ingestion was longer in viruliferous than in non-viruliferous whiteflies (p<0.05). This particular probing behavior is known to significantly enhance the inoculation efficiency of TYLCV by B. tabaci. Our results show evidence that TYLCV directly manipulates the settling, probing and feeding behavior of its vector B. tabaci in a way that enhances virus transmission efficiency and spread. Furthermore, TYLCV-B. tabaci interactions are mutually beneficial to both the virus and its vector because B. tabaci feeds more efficiently after acquisition of TYLCV. This outcome has clear implications in the epidemiology and management of the TYLCV-B. tabaci complex.     

The role of sinigrin in host plant recognition by aphids during initial plant penetration

Plant penetration behaviour (probing) of the cabbage aphid, Brevicoryne brassicae, and the pea aphid, Acyrthosiphon pisum, was studied on excised leaves of broad beans, Vicia faba, kept in water or in a 1% aqueous solution of sinigrin. Using the DC EPG (Electrical Penetration Graph) technique it was shown that the cabbage aphid on sinigrin-untreated bean leaves showed numerous short probes into epidermis and mesophyll. None of these aphids showed either phloem salivation or ingestion waveforms on untreated leaves. In contrast, on sinigrin-treated bean leaves, 35% of the probing time was spent on phloem sap ingestion (E2) and almost all aphids reached phloem vessels and started feeding. The duration of phloem salivation before phloem ingestion and the mean duration of phloem ingestion periods were similar on a host and a sinigrin-treated non-host plant. However, the total probing time by B. brassicae was 10% longer, the total phloem sap ingestion time was twice as long, and the time to the first phloem phase within a probe was three times shorter on the host plant compared to sinigrin-treated broad beans. Acyrthosiphon pisum also responded to the addition of sinigrin to broad beans, but in this case sinigrin acted as a deterrent. On sinigrin-treated leaves, A. pisum terminated probes before ingestion from phloem vessels, and none of these aphids showed phloem salivation and ingestion on treated leaves. Glucosinolates were detected in the mesophyll cells of the brassicaceous plant, Sinapis alba. Based on this finding and in addition to the foregoing EPG analysis of aphid probing on these plants and broad beans, our hypothesis is that aphids may recognise their host plants as soon as they probe the mesophyll tissue and before they start ingestion from phloem vessels.     

Electroantennogram responses of male Sphinx perelegans hawkmoths to floral and ‘green-leaf volatiles’

The effects of sublethal dosages of the chloronicotinyl insecticide imidacloprid on different strains of the tobacco whitefly, Bemisia tabaci Gennadius (Homoptera: Aleyrodidae), have been studied after leaf dip and systemic application. All bioassays were performed with the insecticide susceptible strain, SUD-S, and two Spanish biotypes, ALM-2 and LMPA-2, both resistant to conventional insecticides and with a lower susceptibility towards imidacloprid. Honeydew, excreted by all strains feeding on treated and untreated cotton leaf discs was quantified by photometric analysis of its carbohydrate content. EC50-values for the depression of honeydew excretion in female adults after systemic application of imidacloprid were calculated at 0.037 ppm, 0.027 ppm and 0.048 ppm for strains SUD-S, ALM-2 and LMPA-2, respectively, indicating no significant differences between strains in feeding behaviour throughout an 48 h testing period. Depending on the strain these EC50-values were 150- to 850-times lower than LC50-values calculated for mortality in the same bioassay. Starvation tests revealed mean survival times of >48 h for female adults placed on agar without leaf discs, indicating that sublethal dosages of imidacloprid which caused antifeedant responses, were probably not covered in common 48 h systemic bioassays, used to monitor resistance to imidacloprid. Effects of sublethal dosages on honeydew excretion after leaf dip application seem to be minor. In choice situations with systemically treated and untreated leaf discs in a single container, female adults of B. tabaci showed a clear preference for the untreated leaf discs. However, when using leaf discs treated by painting the surface with imidacloprid in the same bioassay, feeding activities on treated and untreated leaf discs were not significantly different. The results of the present study demonstrate the antifeedant properties of imidacloprid on B. tabaci, which might play an essential role after soil application or seed treatment under field conditions.     

Imidacloprid effects on probing and settling behavior of Frankliniella fusca and Frankliniella occidentalis (Thysanoptera: Thripidae) in tomato

The effects of tomato, Lycopersicum spp., leaves treated with imidacloprid on probing and settling behavior of Frankliniella fusca (Hinds) and Frankliniella occidentalis (Pergrande) were examined using an electrical penetration graph technique and an intact leaf bioassay. For each experiment, thrips were subjected to nontreated plants and plants treated with either of two rates of imidacloprid: 7.81 and 41.55 microg [(AI)] per plant. F. fusca probed less frequently on plants treated with the high rate of imidacloprid compared with the nontreated plants. The duration of F. fusca noningestion probing waveforms and ingestion was shorter on plants treated with the high rate of imidacloprid compared with that on nontreated plants. In contrast, F. occidentalis probed longer and more frequently on plants treated with either the low or high imidacloprid rates compared with nontreated plants. They also ingested more frequently and for longer durations on plants treated with the high rate compared with nontreated plants. The duration and frequency of noningesting probing waveforms were greater on the imidacloprid-treated plants compared with the nontreated plants. F. occidentalis probed and ingested more frequently and for a longer duration than F. fusca on plants treated with the high rate of imidacloprid. F. fusca ingested more frequently and the duration of ingestion was longer than F. occidentalis in untreated plants. F. fusca and F. occidentalis settling behavior differed within the first 30 min in a choice bioassay. F. fusca preferred settling on leaves of nontreated plants, whereas F. occidentalis showed no preference in an intact leaf choice bioassay.     

Comparing Behavioural Patterns of Thrips tabaci Lindeman on Leek and Cucumber

This study documents the behavioural repertoire of Thrips tabaci. Seventeen behavioural elements shown by adult females were videotaped, described and classified into seven behavioural categories. The comparison of thrips behaviour on leek and cucumber over 24 h (L:D = 16:8) revealed that on cucumber thrips spent significantly less time being inactive, but significantly more time with feeding resulting in significantly higher feeding damage compared to leek. Oviposition behaviour incidence and oviposition rate were somewhat, but not significantly lower on cucumber compared to leek. Sequences of leaf surface exploration lasted significantly longer on cucumber than on leek. Thrips females were as active during light as during dark periods. Our results show that T. tabaci females spend different amounts of time with resting, feeding and explorative behaviours on leek and cucumber, thus indicating differences in host use on these two crops.     

Effect of Ifchit1 gene of Isaria fumosorosea on mortality,oviposition and oxidase activities of Bemisia tabaci

Isaria fumosorosea is one of important entomopathogenic fungi showed a good potential in controlling Bemisia tabaci. The effects of I. fumosorosea ⊿Ifchit1 mutant (Ifchit1 gene deletion mutant) on the mortality, oviposition, and host immunological response of B. tabaci, on Brassica campestris L. plant, were evaluated under laboratory conditions. The wild-type fungal strain infection significantly increased insect mortality and reduced the oviposition effeciency of B. tabaci, whereas the ⊿Ifchit1 mutant was much less effective, resulting in higher survival and ovipositing of B. tabaci. The activities of four insect enzymes were examined during a time course of fungal infection. Insect phenoloxidase, perioxidase, and catalase activities were decreased in whiteflies treated with the wild type and mutant I. fumosorosea strain at 12–36?h post treatment. However, these enzyme activities increased in fungal-treated whiteflies as compared to controls between 36 and 60?h post-infection, reaching peak values. Superoxide dismutase activity in fungal-treated whiteflies was higher than that in controls during the entire experimental time course examined. The overall enzyme activity profiles in ⊿Ifchit1 mutant-treated whiteflies were significantly different from wild-type strain treatments. Our results showed that loss of the Ifchit1 gene in I. fumosorosea affects whitefly mortality, ovipositioning and various antioxidant enzyme activities, providing new insights into the role of chitinases in I. fumosorosea-insect host–pathogen interactions.     

Assessment of Potential Sublethal Effects of Various Insecticides on Key Biological Traits of The Tobacco Whitefly,Bemisia tabaci

The tobacco whitefly Bemisia tabaci is one of the most devastating pests worldwide. Current management of B. tabaci relies upon the frequent applications of insecticides. In addition to direct mortality by typical acute toxicity (lethal effect), insecticides may also impair various key biological traits of the exposed insects through physiological and behavioral sublethal effects. Identifying and characterizing such effects could be crucial for understanding the global effects of insecticides on the pest and therefore for optimizing its management in the crops. We assessed the effects of sublethal and low-lethal concentrations of four widely used insecticides on the fecundity, honeydew excretion and feeding behavior of B. tabaci adults. The probing activity of the whiteflies feeding on treated cotton seedlings was recorded by an Electrical Penetration Graph (EPG). The results showed that imidacloprid and bifenthrin caused a reduction in phloem feeding even at sublethal concentrations. In addition, the honeydew excretions and fecundity levels of adults feeding on leaf discs treated with these concentrations were significantly lower than the untreated ones. While, sublethal concentrations of chlorpyrifos and carbosulfan did not affect feeding behavior, honeydew excretion and fecundity of the whitefly. We demonstrated an antifeedant effect of the imidacloprid and bifenthrin on B. tabaci, whereas behavioral changes in adults feeding on leaves treated with chlorpyrifos and carbosulfan were more likely caused by the direct effects of the insecticides on the insects'' nervous system itself. Our results show that aside from the lethal effect, the sublethal concentration of imidacloprid and bifenthrin impairs the phloem feeding, i.e. the most important feeding trait in a plant protection perspective. Indeed, this antifeedant property would give these insecticides potential to control insect pests indirectly. Therefore, the behavioral effects of sublethal concentrations of imidacloprid and bifenthrin may play an important role in the control of whitefly pests by increasing the toxicity persistence in treated crops.     

Impact of greenhouse whitefly management on strawberry fruit quality

The greenhouse whitefly, Trialeurodes vaporariorum （Westwood）, is an important pest of strawberries in California, USA. The adults and nymphs feed on phloem sap of leaves to remove the photo-assimilates. The objective of this study is to test the impact of whitefly management with insecticides on strawberry fruit quality. Applications of imidacloprid, thiamethoxam, buprofezin and pyriproxyfen decreased the mean adult whitefly numbers by 2.80-, 2.17-, 1.69- and 1.39-fold, respectively, compared to the untreated control, Similarly, the mean numbers of first and second instar whiteflies were reduced 4.36-, 2.20-, 1.90- and 2.02-fold, respectively, while the mean numbers of third and fourth instars were reduced 5.48-, 2.28-, 2.71- and 1.43-fold, respectively, in plants treated with imidacloprid, thiamethoxam, buprofezin and pyriproxyfen. The mean soluble solids content in imidacloprid, thiamethoxam, buprofezin and pyriproxyfen treatments was 1.04-, 1.06-, 1.03- and 1.04-fold greater, respectively, than that in the control. The whitefly reduction enhanced the mean fruit titratable acidity by 4%-6%. Mean glucose levels in imidacloprid and thiamethoxam treatments were significantly higher than in other treatments. However, the whitefly management did not affect the mean fructose levels, lmidacloprid, thiamethoxam and pyriproxyfen treatments boosted the ascorbic acid levels by up to 4%. The impact of whitefly management on strawberry fruit nutrition and antioxidant capacity is discussed.     

Feeding rates and carbohydrate metabolism by Bemisia tabaci (Homoptera: Aleyrodidae) on different quality phloem saps

Abstract.The effects of water stress on phloem sap quality of the melon, Cucumis melo, and how this, in turn, has an impact on the sweet potato whitefly, Bemisia tabaci were studied. Melon plants were grown under watering regimes that produced plants with or without water stress. Plants showed strong developmental responses to the treatments; water-stressed plants were shorter, with fewer, smaller leaves than those without stress. There was, however, no effect of plant water stress on the development period of whiteflies feeding on these plants, or on the weights of male or female adults. Honeydew production was used as an indirect measure to test whether the absence of insect developmental or behavioural effects was due to differential phloem sap ingestion. Feeding rates on the stressed plants were almost half those on unstressed plants, and there was also variation in the daily pattern of honeydew production. Phloem sap and honeydew were analysed to determine why the feeding behaviours differed. Amino acid composition of the phloem sap was similar in both groups of plants, but carbohydrate concentrations were greater in water-stressed plants, indicating that lower feeding rates may have been due either to the physical or nutritional quality of the phloem sap. The honeydew of insects that were feeding on water-stressed plants contained a greater concentration of carbohydrate than those on unstressed plants, and was composed of a significantly greater proportion of glucose and the disaccharide, trehalulose. This isomerization of more complex sugars from those in the diet suggests that B. tabaci uses a mechanism of osmoregulation to actively maintain its internal water status. It is concluded that transient conditions of water stress in this host plant do not affect the development of B. tabaci, due to physiological and behavioural changes in response to diets with different nutritional and physical properties. The implications of this finding for the feeding biology of B. tabaci on desert-grown crops are discussed.     

Host Selection by the Herbivorous Mite Polyphagotarsonemus latus (Acari: Tarsonemidae)

This study examined the host-selection ability of the broad mite Polyphagotarsonemus latus (Banks) (Acari: Tarsonemidae). To make long-distance-shifts from one host plant patch to another, broad mites largely depend on phoretic association with whiteflies. However, the host plants of whiteflies and broad mites are not necessarily the same. We determined the host-preference and acceptance of free-moving and phoretic broad mites using two behavioral bioassays. We used a choice test to monitor host selection by free-moving mites. In the case of phoretic mites, we compared their rate of detachment from the phoretic vector Bemisia tabaci placed on leaves taken from various host plants. The suitability of the plant was further determined by monitoring mite’s fecundity and its offspring development. We compared the mites’ responses to young and old cucumber (Cucumis sativus cv. ‘Kfir’) leaves (3rd and 8–9th leaf from the apex, respectively), and two tomato (Solanum lycopersicum cvs. ‘M82’ and ‘Moneymaker’). Free-moving mites of all stages and both sexes preferred young cucumber leaves to old cucumber leaves and preferred young cucumber rather than young tomato leaves, demonstrating for the first time that broad mites are able to choose their host actively. As for phoretic mated females, although eventually most of the mites abandoned the phoretic vector, the rate of detachment from the whitefly vector was host dependent and correlated with the mites’ fitness on the particular host. In general, host preference of phoretic female mites resembled that of the free-moving female. Cues used by mites for host selection remain to be explored.     

Root nematode infection enhances leaf defense against whitefly in tomato

The foliar response to different herbivores sharing the same hosts is an important topic for the study of plant-insect interactions. Plants evolve local and systemic resistant strategies to cope with herbivores. Many researchers have characterized the mechanisms of leaf responses to insect infestation; however, the fact that roots serve as systemic resistance modulators to leaf herbivores has been widely ignored. Here, we report that tomato (Solanum lycopersicum) plants infected with southern root-knot nematodes (Meloidogyne incognita)—which feed on the roots to form nodules—enhanced leaf defenses against aboveground attackers, specifically, the whitefly (Bemisia tabaci). Our results show that nematode infection reduced the whitefly population abundance because of conferring a stronger SA-dependent defense pathway against whitefly than in tomato plants without nematode infection. Meanwhile, nematode-infected tomato plant also activated the foliar JA-dependent defense pathway at 4 h after whitefly infestation. However, the foliar JA-dependent defense under whitefly infestation alone was suppressed, with the JA content being nearly 30 % lower than that in tomato plants co-infected with nematodes and whiteflies. Furthermore, nematode infection significantly decreased the plant nitrogen concentration in leaves and roots. As a result, nematode infection reduced the number of whiteflies by enhancing foliar SA-dependent defense, activating JA-dependent defense and decreasing nitrogen nutrition. Our results suggest that underground nematode infection significantly enhances the defense ability of tomato plants against whitefly.     

Binomial sampling plans for estimatingBemisia tabaci populations in cantaloupes

Early season infestations of the sweet potato whitefly, Bemisia tabaci (Gennadius), on cantaloupes, Cucumis melo L., were determined by counts of the number of adults per leaf in fields near Yuma, Arizona. We used these data to develop binomial sampling plans based on the relationship between mean densities of whiteflies per leaf, m, and proportion of leaves infested with more than I whiteflies, P_I, according to the empirical model ln m=a′+b′ ln[−ln(1−P_I)]. The models were developed for the presence-absence approach (I=0) and for a cutoff value of three whiteflies per leaf (I=3). Four independent data sets were used to evaluate the models. Both methods yielded reliable predictions at low infestation levels, but some of the higher m values were overestimated. As the tentative economic threshold for B. tabaci is three adults per leaf, which corresponds to low P_I values, results of the binomial sampling were satisfactory for pest management purposes.     

Imidacloprid‐induced transference effect on some elements in rice plants and the brown planthopper Nilaparvata lugens (Hemiptera: Delphacidae)

Abstract The widespread use of imidacloprid against insect pests has not only increased the rate of the development of target pest resistance but has also resulted in various negative effects on rice plants and Nilaparvata lugens resurgence. However, the effect of imidacloprid on elements in rice plants and the transference of these element changes between rice and N. lugens are currently poorly understood. The present study investigated changes of Cu, Fe, Mn, Zn, Ca, K, Mg and Na contents in rice plants following imidacloprid foliar sprays in the adult female of N. lugens that develops from nymphs that feed on treated plants and honeydew produced by females. The results indicated that imidacloprid foliar spray significantly increased Fe and K contents in leaf sheaths. Generally, Fe, Mn, K and Na contents in leaf blades were noticeably decreased, but Ca contents in leaf blades for 10 and 30 mg/kg imidacloprid treatments were significantly increased. The contents of most elements except K and Mg in the adult females and honeydew were significantly elevated. Multivariate statistical analysis showed that Fe, Mn and Na in leaf blades and Fe and Mn in leaf sheaths could be proportionally transferred to N. lugens. The relationship between most elements in adult female bodies and in the honeydew showed a positive correlation coefficient. There were significant differences in the contents of some elements in rice plants and N. lugens from different regions.     

Species‐specific elicitors induce tea leaf to arrest the endoparasitoid Ascogaster reticulata (Hymenoptera: Braconidae)

Ascogaster reticulata Watanabe (Hymenoptera: Braconidae) is an egg‐larval endoparasitoid of the smaller tea tortrix, Adoxophyes honmai Yasuda. Recent studies have examined tritrophic interactions among Camellia sinensis, A. honmai and A. reticulata, but the effect of non‐host insects on the induction of tea plant that may affect foraging behaviour of A. reticulata remains unclear. In this study, we selected two non‐host insects, Homona magnanima Diakonoff and Ostrinia furnacalis (Guenée), as representative species in our bioassays. Tea leaves were treated with homogenized female reproductive tissues of a non‐host insect in comparison with untreated leaves in a choice test. Residence times of parasitoids on both leaves were recorded. The parasitoids seemed to prefer walking on leaves treated with homogenates of H. magnanima over untreated leaves, but the difference in residence times was not significant. In contrast, its residence time on leaves treated with homogenates of O. furnacalis was significantly shorter than that on untreated leaves. Thus, the induction of tea leaf surface chemicals may differ among moth species, which may produce different types of elicitors. This difference may, in turn, affect the host‐searching behaviour of A. reticulata.     

Recognition and differentiation of seven whitefly-transmitted geminiviruses from India, and their relationships to African cassava mosaic and Thailand mung bean yellow mosaic viruses

Particles resembling those of geminiviruses were found by immunosorbent electron microscopy in extracts of plants infected in India with bhendi yellow vein mosaic, croton yellow vein mosaic, dolichos yellow mosaic, horsegram yellow mosaic, Indian cassava mosaic and tomato leaf curl viruses. All these viruses were transmitted by Bemisia tabaci whiteflies, all reacted with at least one out of ten monoclonal antibodies to African cassava mosaic virus (ACMV), and all reacted with a probe for ACMV DNA-1, but scarcely or not at all with a full-length probe for ACMV DNA-2. Most of the viruses were distinguished by their host ranges when transmitted by whiteflies, and the rest could be distinguished by their pattern of reactions with the panel of monoclonal antibodies. Horsegram yellow mosaic virus was distinguished from Thailand mung bean yellow mosaic virus by its lack of sap transmissibility, ability to infect Arachis hypogaea, failure to react strongly with the probe for ACMV DNA-2 and its pattern of reactions with the monoclonal antibodies. Structures resembling a ‘string of pearls’, but not geminate particles, were found in leaf extracts containing malvastrum yellow vein mosaic virus. Such extracts reacted with two of the monoclonal antibodies, suggesting that this whitefly-transmitted virus too is a geminivirus. All seven viruses from India can therefore be considered whitefly-transmitted geminiviruses.