Non-host plant extracts reduce oviposition of Plutella xylostella (Lepidoptera: Plutellidae) and enhance parasitism by its parasitoid Cotesia plutellae (Hymenoptera: Braconidae)

Botanical preparations, usually from non-host plants, can be used to manipulate the behaviour of insect pests and their natural enemies. In this study, the effects of extracts of Chrysanthemum morifolium, a non-host plant of the diamondback moth, Plutella xylostella (Linnaeus), on the olfactory and oviposition responses of this phytophagous insect and on levels of parasitism by its specialist parasitoid Cotesia plutellae (Kurdjumov) were examined, using Chinese cabbage Brassica campestris L. ssp. pekinensis as the test host plant. Olfactometer tests showed that volatiles of chrysanthemum extract-treated host plants were less attractive to P. xylostella females than those from untreated host plants; and in contrast, volatiles of the chrysanthemum extract-treated host plants were more attractive to females of its parasitoid C. plutellae than those from untreated host plants. Oviposition preference tests showed that P. xylostella females laid only a small proportion of their eggs on chrysanthemum extract-treated host plants, while ovipositing parasitoid females parasitized a much higher proportion of host larvae feeding on the treated host plants than on untreated host plants. These results suggest that certain non-host plant compounds, when applied onto a host plant, may render the plant less attractive to a phytophagous insect but more attractive to its parasitoids. Application of such non-host plant compounds can be explored to develop push-pull systems to reduce oviposition by a pest insect and at the same time enhance parasitism by its parasitoids in crops.     

Reproductive isolation and differentiation between five populations of Cotesia plutellae (Hymenoptera: Braconidae), parasitoid of Plutella xylostella (Lepidoptera: Plutellidae)

Many taxa used in biological control may be composed of several population units reproductively isolated to various degrees. Yet, the introductions of non-compatible populations may result in a depression of intended biological control. Cotesia plutellae has been widely used as a biological control agent of the diamondback moth, Plutella xylostella. However, not all introductions and augmentations were successful. With the aim to develop markers of compatibility for this species, we studied the reproductive compatibility between five populations (South Africa, Benin, Martinique, Reunion, and Taiwan) and analyzed its statistical relationship with three morphological characters (antennae and body length and antennae/body ratio), one molecular character (sequence of a cytochrome b fragment) and the Wolbachia infection status. This study shows that C. plutellae populations formed two interbreeding groups. The antenna/body length ratio of females, the ratio between male and female body length, one non-silent base pair substitution observed in cytochrome b sequences, and Wolbachia infection status differentiate these groups and were all good predictors of reproductive compatibility. Our results suggest also that genetic factors independent from Wolbachia are needed to fully explain reproductive isolation between C. plutellae populations. We conclude that C. plutellae is a single species composed of at least two partially incompatible population aggregates. Diagnostic markers were proposed for the prediction of the level of reproductive compatibility between populations which can be used for further biocontrol introductions.     

菜蛾盘绒茧蜂主要寄生因子导致的寄主小菜蛾幼虫脂肪体结构的变化

在不同的寄生状态下,菜蛾盘绒茧蜂Cotesia plutellae不同的寄生因子可引起寄主小菜蛾Plutella xylostella幼虫脂肪体结构发生相应的改变。显微和亚显微形态结构显示： 假寄生后多分DNA病毒和毒液对脂肪体结构的完整性没有显著影响,但细胞内脂质体变得小而密集,线粒体和内质网丰富,并有糖原积累; 正常寄生后,脂肪体结构被破坏,多数线粒体内嵴紊乱,脂质体也变得不规则,特别是当幼蜂完成在寄主体内发育时,寄主体内几乎无完整脂肪体存在。与此同时,同批未被寄生的小菜蛾幼虫发育到4龄末期时,体内脂肪体细胞发育正常,已开始向蛹期细胞形态转化,细胞内脂质体很大,细胞器数量较多、糖原积累丰富, 而且部分细胞已成为游离态细胞。由此证明,寄生蜂携带的寄生因子,如多分DNA病毒、毒液、畸形细胞和幼蜂等,均对寄主脂肪体结构的改变产生影响,但程度明显不同。     

Effects of Bt plants on the development and survival of the parasitoid Cotesia plutellae (Hymenoptera: Braconidae) in susceptible and Bt-resistant larvae of the diamondback moth, Plutella xylostella (Lepidoptera: Plutellidae)

A range of crops have been transformed with delta-endotoxin genes from Bacillus thuringiensis (Bt) to produce transgenic plants with high levels of resistance to lepidopteran pests. Parasitoids are important natural enemies of lepidopteran larvae and the effects of Bt plants on these non-target insects have to be investigated to avoid unnecessary disruption of biological control. This study investigated the effects of Cry1Ac-expressing transgenic oilseed rape (Brassica napus) on the solitary braconid endoparasitoid Cotesia plutellae in small-scale laboratory experiments. C. plutellae is an important natural enemy of the diamondback moth (Plutella xylostella), the most important pest of brassica crops world-wide. Bt oilseed rape caused 100% mortality of a Bt-susceptible P. xylostella strain but no mortality of the Bt-resistant P. xylostella strain NO-QA. C. plutellae eggs laid in Bt-susceptible hosts feeding on Bt leaves hatched but premature host mortality did not allow C. plutellae larvae to complete their development. In contrast, C. plutellae developed to maturity in Bt-resistant hosts fed on Bt oilseed rape leaves and there was no effect of Bt plants on percentage parasitism, time to emergence from hosts, time to adult emergence and percentage adult emergence from cocoons. Weights of female progeny after development in Bt-resistant hosts did not differ between plant types but male progeny was significantly heavier on wildtype plants in one of two experiments. The proportion of female progeny was significantly higher on Bt plants in the first experiment with Bt-resistant hosts but this effect was not observed again when the experiment was repeated.     

Seasonal changes of methamidophos susceptibility and biochemical properties in Plutella xylostella (Lepidoptera: Yponomeutidae) and its parasitoid Cotesia plutellae (Hymenoptera: Braconidae)

Methamidophos resistance and acetylcholinesterase (AChE) insensitivity to methamidophos, dichlorvos, and carbofuran were determined in the field populations of Plutella xylostella (L.) (Lepidoptera: Yponomeutidae) and its parasitoid Cotesia plutellae Kurdjumov (Hymenoptera: Braconidae) collected from the corresponding hosts between October 1998 and December 2003 in Fuzhou and Minhou, Fijian, China. Resistance levels to methamidophos and AChE insensitivity to the three insecticides in the two species of insects were high during autumn and spring and low during summer. Resistance to methamidophos was 15.3- and 12.6-fold higher in resistant F0 parents of P. xylostella and C. plutellae than in their susceptible F11 progeny, respectively. The bimolecular rate constant (k(i)) values of AChE to methamidophos, dichlorvos, and carbofuran were 4.6-, 6.3-, and 7.7-fold higher in F11 progeny of P. xylostella, and 3.7-, 4.5-, and 3.7-fold higher in F11 progeny of C. plutellae than those in their F0 parents, respectively. Compared with susceptible F11 progeny, the resistance ratios for methamidophos were 4.2-29.8 and 3.8-13.1 in 21 field populations of P. xylostella and C. plutellae, respectively. The k(i) values of AChE to methamidophos, dichlorvos, and carbofuran were 2.0-21.6-, 3.6-9.5-, and 2.6-9.2-fold higher in F11 progeny of P. xylostella, and 1.8-7.6-, 1.9-4.6-, and 2.2-7.6-fold higher in F11 progeny of C. plutellae than those in 21 field populations, respectively. Significant correlative variations of methamidophos resistance as well as significant correlative variations of k(i) values of AChE to insecticides between the two species of insects also were found in space and time. The k(i) values of AChE to insecticides in C. plutellae were far higher than those in P. xylostella. There were no obvious differences in the Km and Vmax of AChE between F0 parents and F11 progeny of P. xylostella and C. plutellae, respectively. But carboxylesterase activity was 1.6-fold higher in F0 parents of C. plutellae than in F11 progeny, and glutathione S-transferase activity was 1.5-fold higher in F0 parents of P. xylostella than in F11 progeny. The results suggested that the AChE insensitivity to insecticides might play the most important role in methamidophos resistance in the two species of insects. From these results, a spatial and temporal correlative evolution of methamidophos resistance and insensitive AChE was found to exist between P. xylostella and C. plutellae.     

Effects of Bacillus thuringiensis on Adults of Cotesia plutellae (Hymenoptera: Braconidae), a Parasitoid of the Diamondback Moth, Plutella xylostella (Lepidoptera: Plutellidae)

To complement existing information on the mortality of larvae of the wasp Cotesia plutellae attacking moth caterpillars infected with Bacillus thuringiensis (Bt) we tested the direct and indirect effects of the bacterium on adult wasp longevity and oviposition behaviour. In one experiment with female parasitoids, mean longevity (SEM) was not significantly different between females exposed to Bt (1.98 +/- 0.08 days) and those not exposed (2.18 +/- 0.13 days). In a second experiment with both males and females, Bt treatment did not significantly effect either male or female parasitoids exposed to Bt. To observe the possible effects of Bt on oviposition behaviour of C. plutellae each of 10 females were given five larvae that had been treated with Bt and five untreated larvae at the same time. All parasitoids were observed to make oviposition attempts in both untreated and treated larvae. Upon dissection of the host larvae, one or more C. plutellae eggs were found in each of the larvae in which a parasitoid attempted oviposition. There was no effect of Bt treatment on parasitoid oviposition. The mean number of ovipositions in treated larvae (4.3 +/- 0.3) was not significantly different from untreated larvae (4.7 +/- 0.2).     

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。     

菜蛾绒茧蜂和小菜蛾对杀虫剂的敏感性及酶学特性的比较研究

分别采用药膜法和浸叶法测定了菜蛾绒茧蜂Apanteles plutellae和小菜蛾Plutella xylostella对杀虫剂的敏感度。结果显示： 有机磷、氨基甲酸酯、拟除虫菊酯类杀虫剂、阿维菌素和锐劲特对菜蛾绒茧蜂高毒,而抑太保和Bt为低毒,然而,短时间(1 h)接触常规防治剂量的锐劲特、氰戊菊酯、氯氰菊酯和乙酰甲胺磷对菜蛾绒茧蜂低毒。增效剂胡椒基丁醚（PB）、磷酸三苯酯（TPP）和马来酸二乙酯（DEM）对菜蛾绒茧蜂的甲胺磷、克百威、氰戊菊酯、氯氰菊酯、阿维菌素和锐劲特敏感性增效显著,但对抑太保无增效作用。PB的增效作用显著高于TPP 和DEM。PB和TPP对菜蛾绒茧蜂羧酸酯酶(CarE),以及DEM对谷胱甘肽S转移酶(GST)具显著的活体抑制作用,但PB,TPP和 DEM对菜蛾绒茧蜂乙酰胆碱酯酶（AChE）无抑制作用。菜蛾绒茧蜂AChE的米氏常数(K_m)、最大反应速度(V_max)、CarE和GST活性分别为小菜蛾的0.22、2.08、4.60和0.45倍,甲胺磷、敌敌畏和克百威对菜蛾绒茧蜂AChE的双分子速度常数(Ki)分别为对小菜蛾的14.7、10.5 和26.0倍。酶与抑制剂反应温度增高将导致酶抑制率增高,尤其对菜蛾绒茧蜂AChE的抑制作用更为显著。上述结果表明,菜蛾绒茧蜂对有机磷和氨基甲酸酯类杀虫剂的高敏感性与其显著高的AChE敏感性有关,氧化代谢的解毒作用对菜蛾绒茧蜂耐药性的影响大于水解作用。此外,对小菜蛾和菜蛾绒茧蜂杀虫剂敏感性差异的毒理学原因进行了讨论。     

Comparison of Diadegma insulare (Hymenoptera: Ichneumonidae) and Microplitis plutellae (Hymenoptera: Braconidae) as biological control agents of Plutella xylostella (Lepidoptera: Plutellidae): field parasitism, insecticide susceptibility, and host-searching

Parasitism of Plutella xylostella (L.) third and fourth instars was evaluated in a cabbage field in Geneva, NY, in 1999. Over the entire season, average parasitism was 33.6% for third instars and 53.6% for fourth instars, and the main parasitoids were Diadegma insulare (Cresson) and Microplitis plutellae Muesbeck. In the early season, total parasitism was low, and mainly caused by D. insulare. However, later in the season, parasitism reached >80% for the fouth instars and 50% for the third instars. Our survey indicated that M. plutellae heavily parasitized P. xylostella, and provided higher parasitism rates than D. insulare in the late season. Comparison of these two species in laboratory bioassays indicated there were no significant differences in susceptibility to four insecticides commonly used in crucifer fields. For both parasitoids, an experience with P. xylostella on a damaged leaf increased their host-searching efficacy. Compared with M. plutellae, D. insulare was a better host-searcher both for the naive and the experienced adults. Although both parasitoids can cause high mortality rates of P. xylostella, D. insulare may be more suitable to be released in fields to enhance natural control against P. xylostella.     

菜蛾盘绒茧蜂对寄主小菜蛾幼虫营养的调节和利用

寄主小菜蛾Plutella xylostella被内寄生蜂菜蛾盘绒茧蜂Cotesia plutellae寄生后,其取食、发育及营养代谢在各种寄生因子的作用下伴随幼蜂的发育而发生很大的变化,畸形细胞作为调节因子之一也发挥了重要的作用。本实验通过比较被寄生和未被寄生小菜蛾血淋巴蛋白浓度以及两种血淋巴对菜蛾盘绒茧蜂幼蜂进行体外培养的培养液的蛋白浓度,发现被寄生小菜蛾血淋巴比未被寄生小菜蛾血淋巴的蛋白浓度略低但差异不显著,而未被寄生小菜蛾血淋巴幼蜂培养液的蛋白浓度显著低于被寄生小菜蛾血淋巴幼蜂培养液的蛋白浓度,证明畸形细胞的蛋白质分泌功能。被寄生后期, 小菜蛾体重明显大于未被寄生的小菜蛾体重,而脂肪体重量相比正好相反;通过显微染色观察,在小菜蛾念珠状脂肪体表面粘附有畸形细胞,对脂肪体进行分解破坏而使其成颗粒状; 蛋白含量和脂滴浓度测定也表明,脂肪体的可溶性蛋白含量和脂滴浓度也迅速降低,同比低于未被寄生小菜蛾。而与此同时,幼蜂正处在快速生长阶段,中肠酯酶的活性逐步上升,幼蜂得以快速消化吸收小菜蛾体内的营养直到完成幼虫发育,整个幼蜂的脂滴浓度也达到了最大值。因此寄生后期,推测在畸形细胞的协助下,幼蜂吸收了寄主小菜蛾体内的营养为自身生长发育所用。     

半闭弯尾姬蜂寄生及其毒液对小菜蛾幼虫血细胞吞噬作用的影响

半闭弯尾姬蜂Diadegma semiclausum是小菜蛾Plutella xylostella的优势内寄生蜂, 拥有毒液、多分DNA病毒（PDV）等寄生因子,能有效调控寄主幼虫的营养生理和免疫系统, 但其毒液在这过程中的功能不明。本文利用SDS-PAGE方法分析了半闭弯尾姬蜂毒液的蛋白组分,利用寄主幼虫血细胞体外原代培养的方法,研究了小菜蛾幼虫血细胞噬菌能力在半闭弯尾姬蜂寄生后的变化情况。结果表明：半闭弯尾姬蜂毒液蛋白分子量主要集中在35~220 kDa之间,少数小于15 kDa,但分子量处于35~70 kDa之间的蛋白含量较高,与其他寄生蜂毒液蛋白相似。半闭弯尾姬蜂毒液单独对寄主小菜蛾幼虫功能血细胞（浆血细胞和颗粒血细胞）的延展能力和吞噬功能不产生破坏作用。但半闭弯尾姬蜂寄生后短时间内,寄主功能血细胞的延展受到抑制,然而功能血细胞仍然能识别外源异物, 却无法进一步吞噬外源物; 寄生后24 h,功能血细胞的延展力恢复,颗粒血细胞的吞噬作用可顺利完成。本研究证明了半闭弯尾姬蜂寄生能暂时性地抑制颗粒血细胞的延展性从而影响其噬菌过程。     

Cotesia plutellae parasitizing Plutella xylostella: Host-age dependent parasitism and its effect on host development and food consumption

The braconid Cotesia plutellae(Kurdjumov) (Hymenoptera: Braconidae) is amajor solitary, larval endoparasitoid of thediamondback moth, Plutella xylostella(L.) (Lepidoptera: Plutellidae). Parasitism oflarvae of different host instars and fourdevelopmental ages of the 4th instar ofthe pest was examined. The effects of hostinstar at initial parasitization on thedevelopment, survival, size and fecundity ofthe parasitoid were determined in thelaboratory at 25 °C. The effects ofparasitism on host development and foodconsumption were investigated at 28 °C.Cotesia plutellae could parasitize larvaeof all four instars of P. xylostella, butpreferred 2nd and 3rd instars. In achoice test, the relative parasitism indicesfor 2nd, 3rd and 4th instarswere 0.37, 0.39 and 0.24, respectively.Parasitism decreased sharply with increasinghost age in the 4th instar and approachedzero in host larvae that had gone beyond 37%of 4th stadium. The development time andthe final adult size of the parasitoid variedwith the host instar at initial parasitization.Parasitoids with initial parasitism in the4th instar hosts had the shortestdevelopment time, followed by those in the3rd instar, and then by those in the2nd instar. Parasitoids startingparasitism in 2nd instar hosts weresmaller in body size than those starting in the3rd or 4th instar. However, resultantfemales starting parasitism in 3rd instarhosts had the highest fecundity. Parasitizedlarvae exhibited longer development time andincreased food consumption compared withunparasitized ones. This study presents thefirst record that a solitary parasitoidregulates host behavior leading to an increasein food consumption by the host.     

亚致死剂量阿维菌素和氟虫睛处理小菜蛾对寄生蜂菜蛾绒茧蜂生长发育的影响

分别在小菜蛾体内的菜蛾绒茧蜂处于卵期、早期幼虫和中期幼虫时,饲喂小菜蛾2龄幼虫亚致死剂量（＝LC₁₀）的阿维菌素和氟虫睛,研究上述杀虫剂处理对寄主体内菜蛾绒茧蜂结茧率和羽化率的影响。结果表明： 在菜蛾绒茧蜂处于卵期、早期幼虫和中期幼虫时,饲喂小菜蛾LC₁₀剂量阿维菌素处理的菜叶后,菜蛾绒茧蜂的结茧率分别下降26.6%,22.8%和5.8%,饲喂小菜蛾LC₁₀剂量氟虫睛处理的菜叶后,菜蛾绒茧蜂的结茧率分别下降76.9%,42.5%和18.5%。上述阿维菌素处理对菜蛾绒茧蜂成虫羽化率影响不显著,但上述氟虫睛处理可显著抑制菜蛾绒茧蜂成虫羽化率,在菜蛾绒茧蜂处于卵期、早期幼虫和中期幼虫时,饲喂小菜蛾LC₁₀ 剂量氟虫睛处理的菜叶可导致菜蛾绒茧蜂成虫羽化率分别下降53.1%,36.1%和47.8%。结果显示,即便是对寄主小菜蛾幼虫很低的剂量（LC₁₀剂量）也会显著危害小菜蛾幼虫体内的菜蛾绒茧蜂的生长发育。此外,饲喂小菜蛾幼虫亚致死剂量杀虫剂对菜蛾绒茧蜂生长发育的影响与杀虫剂种类及蛾绒茧蜂发育阶段有关。     

Effects of contact, oral and persistent toxicity of selected pesticides on Cotesia plutellae (Hym., Braconidae), a potential parasitoid of Plutella xylostella (Lep., Plutellidae)

Cotesia plutellae (Kurd.) is an important larval parasitoid of Plutella xylostella (L.). Effects of contact, oral and persistent toxicity of field doses of selected pesticides on immature and mature stages of this useful wasp were determined in controlled conditions. Contact toxicity tests showed that cartap 75% SG, chlorfenapyr 10% F, emamectin benzoate 1% EC, permethrin 20% EC, chlorfluazuron 5% EC, flufenoxuron 10% EC, and teflubenzuron 5% EC were found to be selective against the cocoon stage. In contrast, contact toxicity of four insecticides viz., cartap 75% SG, chlorfenapyr 10% F, emamectin benzoate 1% EC, permethrin 20% EC were found to be moderately to extremely toxic (80% to 100% lethal) to wasp stage. Effects of oral toxicity of three IGRs on wasp stage were somewhat selective. However, beneficial performance of wasps seems to be adversely affected as host parasitism was recorded as being significantly different ( P  < 0.05) in comparison with control. A persistent toxic effect of insecticides via cabbage leaves discs against female wasps showed that cartap 75% SG was moderately persistent (16–30 days). While chlorfenapyr 10% F and emamectin benzoate 1% EC were recorded slightly to be persistent (5–10 days) and permethrin seems to be short lived (< 5 days). Implications of tested products in IPM of cabbage are discussed.     

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.     

Fumigant Toxicity of Plant Essential Oils to Plutella xylostella (Lepidoptera: Yponomeutidae) and Cotesia glomerata (Hymenoptera: Braconidae)

The fumigant toxicity of 66 plant essential oils to Plutella xylostella (L.) larvae and Cotesia glomerata (L.) adults was examined using a vapor-phase toxicity bioassay and compared with that of dichlorvos. Responses varied according to oil and insect species used. Based on 24 h LD₅₀ values, pennyroyal oil [10.77 mg/filter paper (4.25 cm diameter)] was the most toxic fumigant, followed by rosemary and sage (Dalmatin) oils (15.15 mg/paper). Potent fumigant toxicity was also produced from armoise, buchu leaf, cedarleaf, coriander, eucalyptus, howood, lavender, myrtle, niaouli, peppermint, and rosewood oils (LD₅₀, 21.29–27.31 mg/paper). All essential oils were less effective than dichlorvos (LD₅₀, 0.52 mg/paper). Against adult C. glomerata, dichlorvos (LD₅₀, 0.03 mg/paper) was the most toxic fumigant, whereas the LD₅₀ values of the 14 essential oils ranged from 1.59 to 8.51 mg/paper. Based on selective toxicity ratio (STR, P. xylostella LD₅₀/C. glomerata LD₅₀), the 14 essential oils (STR, 2.5–14.5) are more selective than dichlorvos (STR, 17.3). The essential oils tested merit further study as potential fumigants for the control of P. xylostella in greenhouses because of their selective toxicity to adult C. glomerata and their much greater activity as a fumigant.     

Inhibitory effects of permethrin on flight responses,host‐searching,and foraging behaviour of Cotesia vestalis (Hymenoptera: Braconidae), a larval parasitoid of Plutella xylostella (Lepidoptera: Plutellidae)

Although it is well known that the application of broad‐spectrum synthetic insecticides reduces the effectiveness of natural enemies, the details of the actual mechanisms, including the lethal and sublethal effects of this reduction, are not fully understood. The inhibitory effects of a pyrethroid insecticide (permethrin), Adion 20% EC on the flight responses, host‐searching behaviour and foraging behaviour of Cotesia vestalis (Hymenoptera: Braconidae), a larval parasitoid of the diamondback moth, Plutella xylostella (Lepidoptera: Plutellidae), were investigated under laboratory conditions. In choice trials, the wasps showed significant preference for P. xylostella‐infested Komatsuna plants over insecticide‐treated plants, suggesting an inhibitory effect of the insecticide on the flight response of C. vestalis. When offered a pair of plants, the wasps showed a significant preference for P. xylostella‐infested plants compared to uninfested plants. However, significantly more wasps were attracted to infested permethrin‐treated plants than to uninfested plants, suggesting that the wasps are attracted to the volatile infochemicals from the infested plants, even if treated with permethrin. The searching time was significantly shorter and the mortality of C. vestalis adults on the insecticide‐treated plants significantly higher than in the control plants treated with distilled water. These results suggest that the application of the insecticide had an inhibitory effect on the wasps’‐searching behaviour and consequently reduced the effectiveness of C. vestalis as a biological control agent against P. xylostella. In addition, the strength of the inhibitory effect of permethrin on the attraction of the wasps to the plants is critical to the survival of C. vestalis. Our results suggest that the attraction of the wasps to the permethrin‐treated infested plants increases the risk of their exposure to this insecticide.     

The performance of Oomyzus sokolowskii (Hymenoptera: Eulophidae) parasitizing Plutella xylostella (Lepidoptera: Plutellidae) on different host plants

Oomyzus sokolowskii Kurdjumov is a larval endoparasitoid of the diamondback moth, Plutella xylostella L., which is one of the most destructive pests of cruciferous vegetables worldwide. The performance of O. sokolowskii parasitizing P. xylostella on cauliflower (Brassica oleracea var. botrytis), Chinese cabbage (Brassica pekinensis), pakchoi (Brassica chinensis), cabbage (Brassica oleracea var. capitata), and broccoli (Brassica oleracea var. italica) was determined under laboratory conditions. Our results showed that O. sokolowskii performed best on cauliflower compared with the others, with the greatest net reproductive rate (R _o = 34.99), intrinsic rate of increase (r _m = 0.196), offspring emerged/host larva (9.0), percentage of parasitized host larvae with adults emerged (67.6 %), adults produced (43.6/female), and the shortest developmental time from egg to adult (15.8 days). Chinese cabbage-, pakchoi-, cabbage-, and cauliflower-adapted O. sokolowskii performed the best in percentage of parasitized host larvae with adults emerged, offspring adults produced per female, and offspring produced per host larva when parasitizing fourth instar P. xylostella larvae on cauliflower. The percentage of host-adapted female O. sokolowskii parasitizing different host-adapted fourth instar P. xylostella larvae was similar. Based on our results, we suggest that O. sokolowskii had performed best on cauliflower, which might be the best host plant to rear O. sokolowskii.     

A new virus associated with the parasitoid Cotesia marginiventris (Hymenoptera: Braconidae): Replication in noctuid host larvae

A nonoccluded filamentous baculo-like virus occurred in scattered hypodermal and tracheal matrix cells of five species of noctuid larvae (Spodoptera frugiperda, S. exigua, S. ornithogalli, Heliothis zea, and Trichoplusia ni) parasitized by Cotesia (= Apanteles) marginiventris. Infected cells and their nuclei were moderately hypertrophied. Infected cells contained prominent virogenic stromata, fibrous cytoplasmic inclusions, and moderate numbers of a filamentous virus. Virions were 50–98 nm in diameter, ≥865 nm in length, and straight to slightly flexuous. Nucleocapsids were 30–39 nm in diameter with a core 21–24 nm in diameter, and were enclosed by one or two envelopes. Nucleocapsids occurred in the nuclei and in the cytoplasm. Enveloped nucleocapsids were restricted to the cytoplasm.