Factors affecting the establishment and dispersal of nymphs of Pristhesancus plagipennis Walker (Hemiptera: Reduviidae) when released onto soybean, cotton and sunflower crops

Abstract A problem with augmenting predatory bugs through mass release is the logistical difficulty of delivering nymphs onto the foliage of field crops. In this paper we examine postrelease establishment and dispersal of the nymphs of the predatory bug Pristhesancus plagipennis on soybean, cotton and sunflower in an effort to devise an appropriate strategy for field release. The effects of predator stadia and release rates on field establishment and within-crop-canopy dispersal after hand release were recorded in soybean, cotton and sunflower. Field establishment improved with the release of more-developed nymphs, with third instars providing the most appropriate compromise between field hardiness and rearing cost. Increased nymphal density at the point of release had little effect on nymphal dispersal throughout the crop canopy. The patterns of nymphal dispersal observed on the three crops suggest that crop-canopy architecture may have an effect on the ability of nymphs to spread out postrelease, as nymphs dispersed poorly in cotton and sunflower compared to soybean. To overcome poor dispersal of nymphs after release, a mechanical release method, where nymphs were mixed with vermiculite and delivered onto a target crop through a spinning disk fertiliser spreader, was tested, and provided similar nymph establishment rates and dispersal patterns as releasing nymphs individually by hand. The implications of nymph dispersal and field hardiness in regard to inundative field release techniques are discussed.     

Suitability of the maize weevil and angoumois grain moth as hosts for the parasitoidsAnisopteromalus calandrae andPteromalus cerealellae

Two parasitoids,Pteromalus cerealellae (Ashmead) andAnisopteromalus calandrae (Howard) (Hymenoptera: Pteromalidae), were compared for their ability to parasitize two important internally-developing insect pests of stored maize (Zea mays L.). Parasitism byP. cerealellae was greater on Angoumois grain moth,Sitotroga cerealella (Olivier), than on maize weevil,Sitophilus zeamais Motschulsky, in no-choice experiments.Anisopteromalus calandrae parasitized more maize weevils than didP. cerealellae. The former parasitoid parasitized only a few Angoumois grain moths successfully in maize, but parasitized many in wheat if the hosts were younger than 3 weeks old. Thus, both host age and type of grain affect suitability for parasitism. The effects of parental host (species on which the female developed) and experimental host (species exposed to parasitism) on parasitism rate ofP. cerealellae were tested in a host-switching experiment. Parasitism by parasitoids reared on maize weevils was 23% lower than that of parasitoids reared on Angoumois grain moth. This effect was independent of which host the filial generation of parasitoids was tested on. However, the experimental host species had a much greater effect on parasitoid fecundity than the parental host species. Female progeny had smaller body sizes when emerging from maize weevil than from Angoumois grain moth, which may explain the parental host effect on fecundity. There was also a slight intergenerational effect of host species on parasitoid body size.     

Prey finding by larvae and adult females of shape Episyrphus balteatus

The prey-location behaviour of larvae of Episyrphus balteatus DeG. (Dipt.: Syrphidae) was investigated in two different experimental set-ups. First instar larvae exhibited directed search over short distances, guided by olfactory cues from aphids, but not from honeydew. However, second and third instars did not respond to aphid-plant-complex odours in a 4-arm-olfactometer. Aphid extracts, honeydew and sucrose were found to be feeding stimulants for the larvae. The oviposition behaviour of female syrphids was investigated in a series of two-choice experiments: females were able to evaluate aphid numbers and adjust oviposition rates accordingly, with higher prey numbers eliciting increased oviposition, even when the aphids were removed at the start of the experiment. The presence of conspecific syrphid larvae did not inhibit oviposition when the females were deprived of suitable oviposition sides before the experiments were conducted.     

Evaluation of Montandoniola confusa Streito and Matocq sp. nov. and Orius insidiosus Say (Heteroptera: Anthocoridae), for control of Gynaikothrips uzeli Zimmerman (Thysanoptera: Phlaeothripidae) on Ficus benjamina

Since its discovery in Florida in 2003, the weeping fig thrips, Gynaikothrips uzeli Zimmerman has spread rapidly throughout the southeastern United States in shipments of ornamental Ficus benjamina L. Concurrently, there have been reports of an invasive anthocorid, Montandoniola confusa (=moraguesi) Streito and Matocq sp. nov., widely associated with G. uzeli populations in landscape plantings of ornamental Ficus spp. We evaluated M. confusa and a commercially available anthocorid, Orius insidiosus Say, as biological control agents of G. uzeli. Prey preference studies revealed that eggs were the numerically preferred host stage for both predator species (representing 92% and 94% of all prey taken in ‘no choice’ and ‘choice’ tests, respectively). Females of both predator species consumed significantly more eggs than males (83–91 versus 25–35 per 48 h period, respectively), and (in the absence of eggs) also more larvae (4.1–5.5 versus 2.1–2.5). Fecundity of M. confusa was significantly higher than for O. insidious, 10.6 ± 1.5 eggs per 48 h versus 5.0 ± 1.4, respectively. Greenhouse tests on heavily infested F. benjamina revealed that M. confusa was a highly effective predator of G. uzeli. Evaluations with three F. benjamina cultivars showed that M. confusa reproduced throughout the year and reduced thrips populations ⩾95% and leaf galls by up to 77% within 5 weeks. By contrast O. insidiosus did not establish or significantly reduce populations of G. uzeli inside leaf galls. Methods to monitor and protect M. confusa in urban landscapes are discussed.     

转RRM2基因棉和其亲本苗蚜种群数量及其优势天敌的动态规律

【目的】转基因作物的大规模种植,可能会对人类健康和生态环境造成影响。因此,商业化种植之前,评价环境安全性十分必要。【方法】以转基因(RRM2)高产棉为实验品种,受体材料中棉所12为对照品种,分别于2013年和2014年连续2年对2种棉田的苗期蚜虫及其几种主要捕食性天敌的田间种群数量进行系统的田间调查,并比较它们在这2种不同棉田间的差异。【结果】与中12相比,转RRM2基因棉苗期无翅蚜的发生数量显著增加,有翅蚜迁入棉田的数量也有所增加,但二者差异不显著;2个棉花品系间棉蚜的几种主要捕食性天敌发生数量也无明显差异。【结论】与亲本材料相比,转高产棉花苗蚜数量显著增加,但其捕食性天敌数量增加不明显。本研究为转RRM2高产基因棉花环境安全评价技术的完善提供了理论依据。     

Intraguild Predation among the Hoverfly Episyrphus balteatus de Geer (Diptera: Syrphidae) and Other Aphidophagous Predators

Aphidophagous predators compete for the same prey species. During their foraging activity they frequently encounter heterospecific aphid predators. These situations can lead to intraguild predation and may disrupt biological control efforts against aphids where more than one predator species is present. We investigated the behavior of larvae of the hoverfly Episyrphus balteatus de Geer and its interaction with three other aphid predators: the ladybird Coccinella septempunctata L., the lacewing Chrysoperla carnea Stephens, and the gall midge Aphidoletes aphidimyza (Rondani). Interspecific interactions between predators were examined in arenas of different sizes and in the presence of extraguild prey. The outcome of interactions between E. balteatus larvae and the other predators depended predominantly on the relative body size of the competitors. Relatively large individuals acted as intraguild predators, while relatively smaller individuals became intraguild prey. Eggs and first- as well as second-instar larvae of E. balteatus were highly susceptible to predation by all other predators, whereas pupae of E. balteatus were preyed upon only by the larvae of C. carnea. Interactions between A. aphidimyza and E. balteatus were asymmetric and always favored the latter. Eggs and first- as well as second-instar larvae of E. balteatus sustained intraguild predation irrespective of the size of the arena or the presence of extraguild prey. However, the frequency of predation on third-instar larvae of E. balteatus was significantly reduced. This study indicated that the same species can be both intraguild predator and intraguild prey. It is suggested that combinations of predators must be carefully chosen for success in biological control of aphids.     

Habitat functionality for the ecosystem service of pest control: reproduction and feeding sites of pests and natural enemies

• 1 Landscape management for enhanced natural pest control requires knowledge of the ecological function of the habitats present in the landscape mosaic. However, little is known about which habitat types in agricultural landscapes function as reproduction habitats for arthropod pests and predators during different times of the year.
• 2 We studied the arthropod assemblage on six crops and on the seven most abundant native plant species in two landscapes over 1 year in Australia. Densities of immature and adult stages of pests and their predators were assessed using beat sheet sampling.
• 3 The native plants supported a significantly different arthropod assemblage than crops. Native plants had higher predator densities than crops over the course of the year, whereas crops supported higher pest densities than the native plants in two out of four seasonal sampling periods. Crops had higher densities of immature stages of pests than native plants in three of four seasonal sampling periods, implying that crops are more strongly associated with pest reproduction than native plants. Densities of immature predators, excluding spiders, were not different between native plants and crops. Spiders were, however, generally abundant and densities were higher on native plants than on crops but, because some species disperse when immature, there is less certainty in identifying their reproduction habitat.
• 4 Because the predator to pest ratio on native plant species showed little variation, and spatial variation in arthropod assemblages was limited, the predator support function of native vegetation may be a general phenomenon. Incentives that maintain and restore native remnant vegetation can increase the predator to pest ratio at the landscape scale, which could enhance pest suppression in crops.

     

Suitability of Aphis craccivora (Hemiptera: Aphididae) and Bemisia tabaci (Hemiptera: Aleyrodidae) biotype-B as prey for Chrysopa pallens (Neuroptera: Chrysopidae)

The suitability of Aphis craccivora Koch (Hemiptera: Aphididae) and Bemisia tabaci Gennadius (Hemiptera: Aleyrodidae) biotype-B eggs and nymphs as prey for pre-imaginal development and survival, adult longevity, and fecundity of the lacewing, Chrysopa pallens (Rambur) (Neuroptera: Chrysopidae) was evaluated under laboratory conditions at 25±1°C, 50±10% RH and a photoperiod of 16 h L:8 h D. Survival of C. pallens from first instar to adult eclosion was significantly different between the larvae that fed on the two prey species. C. pallens fed on A. craccivora completed development from egg to adult emergence, but those fed on eggs and nymphs of B. tabaci could not complete development, resulting in abnormal pupae and no normal adults emerged. The net reproductive rate (R ₀), intrinsic rate of natural population increase (r _m ), finite rate of increase (λ), mean generation time (T), index of population trend (I), doubling time (DT), and gross reproductive of rate (GRR) of C. pallens that fed on A. craccivora were 201.9 eggs per female, 0.13/d, 1.1/d, 40.1 d, 68.5, 5.2 d, 203.1 eggs per female, respectively. These results could be useful for mass-rearing of C. pallens and for understanding its population dynamics in the field in relation to the availability of different prey species.     

Life history characteristics of Orius insidiosus (Say) fed diets of soybean aphid, Aphis glycines Matsumura and soybean thrips, Neohydatothrips variabilis (Beach)

Field studies in soybeans have demonstrated that the endemic predator, Orius insidiosus (Say), is an important natural enemy of the soybean aphid, Aphis glycines Matsumura. Soybean thrips, Neohydatothrips variabilis (Beach), serve as an important prey resource for O. insidiosus in soybeans and may be important in sustaining O. insidiosus populations before the arrival of soybean aphid. Because soybean aphid is new to the US soybean system, the effects of a mixed diet of soybean aphid and soybean thrips on O. insidiosus life history is not known. We measured the survival, development, and reproduction of O. insidiosus when fed soybean thrips, and a mixed prey diet of soybean aphids and soybean thrips, and compared these results to a previous study of O. insidiosus life history fed soybean aphid alone. Nymphal development to adulthood (15.9 days) and fecundity (68.8 eggs per female) was improved for O. insidiosus fed ad libitum soybean thrips daily compared to O. insidiosus fed ad libitum soybean aphids daily. The contribution of alternative prey to O. insidiosus life history characteristics can be complex depending on the amount and quality of a particular prey item. At low levels of prey, the addition of prey appears to enhance O. insidiosus survival, development, and fecundity. However, as predators are fed more often, the predator’s response depends on the type of prey that predominates in the mixed prey diet. We discuss soybean thrips impact on O. insidiosus population ecology and soybean aphid dynamics.     

Rearing of two predators,Thanasimus dubius andTemnochila virescens, for the biological control ofIps grandicollis in Australia

Rearing methods for two coleopterous predators,Thanasimus dubius andTemnochila virescens, imported into Australia for the biological control ofIps grandicollis, were developed. Bionomic data obtained from laboratory rearings between 1982–1987 showed thatT. dubius eggs took about 7 days to hatch and that duration of the larval stage was about 42 days. Observations showed thatT. dubius had a prolonged prepupal stage (x=56.4 days, range 14–274 days), which was probably non-diapausal in nature. Mean adult longevity was 50 days (range 1–358 days).Temnochila virescens eggs took almost 9 days to hatch, and a lengthy larval stage (x=155.4 days, range 73–333 days) was observed. Mean duration of the pupal stage was 14 days (range 7–28 days). A long preoviposition period (x=141 days, range 47–206 days) was observed, and adults were very long-lived (x=232.7 days, range 14–667 days). Capacity for increase (r_c) calculated from rearing data suggested that numbers ofT. dubius could be increased faster thanT. virescens. Mortality between 1982–1987 averaged about 70% for both species. However, mortality ofT. dubius in 1987 increased significantly, suggesting that inbreeding or other methodological factors could be responsible. A mass-rearing method usingIps-infested pine billets was developed as a cheaper alternative to laboratory rearing, and was shown to be effective in producing large numbers of insects for release.     

Evaluation of cold-stored eggs of Dolycoris baccarum (Hemiptera: Pentatomidae) for parasitization by Trissolcus nigripedius (Hymenoptera: Scelionidae)

Trissolcus nigripedius Nakagawa (Hymenoptera: Scelionidae) is an egg parasitoid of Dolycoris baccarum L. (Hemiptera: Pentatomidae), a polyphagous insect pest of many crops including soybean. As a method for mass-rearing to augment the parasitoid, cold storage of host eggs were evaluated in the laboratory. After 0 (control), 8, 20, 60, 90, and 120 days of refrigeration, host eggs were given to adult female T. nigripedius. Host acceptance behaviors of the parasitoid, categorized as drumming, oviposition, and marking, on the refrigerated eggs and biological attributes of offspring were assessed. Most of the attributes examined were affected by the refrigeration of host eggs. But host eggs could be refrigerated for up to two months without significant change in emergence rate and sex ratio and with 90% of parasitism. In addition, the second generation of the parasitoid was not negatively affected at all. However, frozen eggs of D. baccarum can not be used for rearing the parasitoid since parasitism rate decreased to 44% on host eggs frozen for 8 days. Refrigeration of D. baccarum eggs could be useful for mass-rearing and augmentation of T. nigripedius to control D. baccarum without reduction in the quality of parasitoid’s progeny. Furthermore, refrigerated eggs could be supplemented in the field to boost the population of T. nigripedius since immature D. baccarum can not hatch after 20 days of refrigeration.     

An immunological approach to quantify consumption of protein-tagged Lygus hesperus by the entire cotton predator assemblage

A new method for post-mortem quantification of predation on prey items marked with protein antigens is described. First, short-term protein marking retention tests were conducted on the targeted prey, immature Lygus hesperus Knight (Heteroptera: Miridae). Chicken IgG, rabbit IgG, or soy milk proteins were readily detectable by a suite of protein specific enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays (ELISA) on the L. hesperus. Then, predator gut content assays were conducted on chewing and piercing–sucking type predators that consumed a 3rd instar L. hesperus marked with rabbit IgG. The rabbit IgG gut content ELISA detected the marked prey in the vast majority of both types of predators for up to 24 h after feeding. Finally, field cage studies were conducted to quantify predation rates of the natural cotton predator assemblage on protein marked L. hesperus nymphs. Each 4th instar L. hesperus marked with rabbit IgG, chicken IgG, and soy milk was released into one of 360 field cages containing a cotton plant and the natural population of predators. After 7 h, each caged plant was pulled from the field, the number of predaceous arthropods in each cage were tallied, and each individual predator was assayed for the presence of marked prey by a suite of protein-specific ELISAs. A procedural error with the soy mark application negated the anti-soy ELISA data, but the anti-rabbit IgG and anti-chicken IgG ELISAs pinpointed exactly which predators preyed on the IgG marked nymphs. The protein-specific gut ELISAs revealed that various members of Araneae, Heteroptera, and Coleoptera were the most common predators of the marked prey items. In all, 74 predation events were recorded in the guts of the 556 predators encountered in the field cages. Of these 26, 23, and 14 marked individuals were eaten by various members of Araneae, Heteroptera, and Coleoptera, respectively. This study verifies that prey immunomarking is a simple, versatile, and effective method for quantifying predation rates on L. hesperus.     

Toxicity of plumbagin and juglone to the eggs of the cotton stainer,Dysdercus koenigii

Toxicity of two plumbaginoids viz., plumbagin and juglone to the eggs of the cotton stainer,Dysdercus koenigii was studied by a residual film technique. Of these two, plumbagin showed the higher toxicity against different-age eggs with LC₅₀ ranging from 0.0044 to 0.0066%. Eggs showed low susceptibility in the middle of embryogenesis. The toxicity of plumbaginoids, especially plumbagin, is discussed in relation to mode of action and prospects of its use as an ovicide in control of the insect.     

Interactions between panicle size, insect density, and environment for genotypic resistance in sorghum to head bug,Calocoris angustatus

Studies were undertaken on interactions between panicle size, insect density, host plant, and the environment for sorghum head bug,Calocoris angustatus Lethiery on five sorghum genotypes in terms of bug population increase, grain damage and loss in grain mass across four panicle sizes (5, 10 or 20 branches/panicle and whole panicle), and three infestation levels (5, 10 and 15 pairs of bugs/panicle). Head bug numbers increased and grain damage decreased with an increase in panicle size in the head bug susceptible cultivars, CSH 1 and CSH 5. However, the increase in bug numbers or decrease in grain damage was not significant in head bug resistant genotypes, IS 17610 and IS 17645. Head bug numbers increased with an increase in infestation level in CSH 1 and CSH 5, however, such an increase was not substantial in IS 17610 and IS 17645. Grain damage was significantly lower in IS 17610 and IS 17645 compared with CSH 1 and CSH 5 across infestation levels. Head bug population increased at a greater rate during the rainy season compared with the dry season. Panicle size and infestation levels accounted for greater variation in grain damage and percentage loss in grain mass during the rainy season than in the dry season. To identify reliable sources of resistance to insects, it is important to study insect host plant-interactions across panicle sizes (levels of food availability), infestation levels and seasons.     

Intraguild interactions between the predator Macrolophus pygmaeus and the parasitoid Eretmocerus mundus,natural enemies of Bemisia tabaci

The native parasitoid Eretmocerus mundus Mercet and the predator Macrolophus pygmaeus Rambur are widely used to control Bemisia tabaci (Gennadius) in Mediterranean tomato greenhouses. An optimal biological control strategy for B. tabaci should take into account intraguild interactions between these natural enemies. In this study, predator's prey preferences and prey consumption were studied when offered different parasitoid and whitefly stages. The effect of the host plant on the adults of both natural enemies was also examined. M. pygmaeus preferred to consume B. tabaci over E. mundus when immature stages and adults of B. tabaci and E. mundus were offered. They consumed a larger amount of healthy B. tabaci nymphs and adults than of parasitised nymphs or E. mundus adults. The predator M. pygmaeus interfered with the reproduction of E. mundus females on cotton but not on tomato. However, B. tabaci nymphal mortality on tomato associated with parasitoid host feeding was also lower when the adult parasitoids coexisted with the predators. The joint release of M. pygmaeus and E. mundus adults did not increase the control of the whitefly B. tabaci.     

区域性农田景观格局对棉蚜种群数量的生态学效应

农田景观格局的变化显著影响害虫的发生和危害,不同景观格局会对害虫的种群数量产生不同程度的影响,因而明确农田景观格局对害虫的生态学效应是控制害虫的重要前提之一。以山东省的棉花种植区为研究区域,选取14个典型的尽量临近不同土地覆盖类型的棉花生产县,通过卫星遥感影像和土地覆盖分类数据综合分析获得取样县/区的景观因子指数,并系统调查对应县/区的棉蚜种群数量。省级范围的大空间尺度下分析景观组成、景观构成和景观结构等多因子分别与棉田中苗蚜和伏蚜种群的相关性。研究结果表明棉蚜的种群数量与景观格局有密切的关系,且棉蚜发生的两个时期苗蚜和伏蚜对景观因子的响应特征并不完全一致。苗蚜的种群数量与景观总面积、耕地的分形指数、县域范围的蔓延度和县域范围的回旋半径等呈显著正相关,与Simpson多样性指标呈显著负相关;伏蚜的种群数量与斑块丰富密度、居住工业交通的蔓延度等呈显著正相关。总之,苗蚜和伏蚜对景观的蔓延度(形)响应基本上是一致的,景观的破碎化程度越小,伏蚜和苗蚜发生越重。而苗蚜和伏蚜对景观多样性(质)的响应不一致,景观多样性高的农田景观不利于苗蚜的发生,对伏蚜的影响不显著;而丰富度密度有助于伏蚜的发生,却对苗蚜没有显著影响。这一结果显示了农业害虫的不同发生时期对农田景观格局响应的复杂性。     

Effect of cold storage on survival, reproduction and development of adults and eggs of Franklinothrips vespiformis (Crawford)

Cold storage effects on both female adults and eggs of the predatory thrips Franklinothrips vespiformis (Crawford) (Thysanoptera: Aeolothripidae) were investigated. The effect of low temperatures (5.5, 7.0, 8.5, 10.0 and 12.5 °C) on survival of F. vespiformis adults was firstly recorded. Survival times were significantly reduced at the lower temperatures tested, whereas storage at 10.0 and 12.5 °C provided the longest survival. Life-history consequences of exposing adults to moderately low temperatures were examined in terms of pre-oviposition period, oviposition rate, egg viability and survival after storage. Adults stored at 7.0 °C showed longer pre-oviposition period and shorter longevity than unstored females but other reproductive attributes were not significantly affected by storage regime. Low temperature and storage period affected egg viability and subsequent development of pre-imaginal stages. No eggs hatched after a 20-day period of storage at 5.5 and 7.0 °C, whereas eggs stored at 12.5 °C hatched significantly faster than ones stored at 10.0 °C and unstored eggs. Increasing the egg storage period from 10 to 20 and 30 days decreased the oviposition rate of adults and egg viability. An essential component in the successful mass rearing and distribution of these predators is the development of a reliable storage schedule of eggs and adults. Long-term storage was unsatisfactory, however their short-term storage (3.5 weeks at 10.0 and 12.5 °C for adults and 4–5 weeks at 12.5 °C for eggs) gave satisfactory results, which suggest the efficacy of such storage during the mass production of the biocontrol agent.     

Impact of simulated herbivory on Alliaria petiolata survival, growth, and reproduction

In weed biological control, insect damage to target weeds can be simulated in invaded habitats to study potential responses of the plant to introduced natural enemies. In the present study, we investigated the impact of two levels of manual flower-shoot damage (shoots cut at tip or base) on Alliaria petiolata (garlic mustard) survival, size, and reproduction. Experiments were conducted in 2002 and 2003 using invasive field populations of A. petiolata under naturally varying plant densities. Plant survival was recorded, and size and reproduction parameters were measured. Manual flower-shoot damage had a significant effect on plant survival. In both years, fewer plants survived in the basal-cut treatment than in either the control (un-cut) or tip-cut treatment. Plant size and reproductive output were likewise reduced in the basal-cut treatment. In both years, total seed production was significantly lower in the basal-cut treatment than either the control or tip-cut treatment. When combined, increased mortality and reduced seed production of basal-cut plants greatly reduced the contribution these plants made to the seed bank. Plant density did not affect reproduction or plant size. The impacts of cutting were consistent across years and sites with distinct biotic and abiotic conditions, and A. petiolata densities. We anticipate that herbivore damage to A. petiolata populations by introduced biological control agents will likewise remain consistent under varying biotic and abiotic conditions if the agents are equally adapted to these.