Species composition and population dynamics of thrips (Thysanoptera) in mango orchards of northern peninsular Malaysia

Thrips are key pests of mango, Mangifera indica (L.), in Malaysia, including the Northern Peninsular. As Penang has year-round equatorial climate and high of rainfall, the populations of thrips may be subject to variations in composition and size. With a goal of developing an appropriate control strategy, a survey was conducted in Penang to determine species composition and abundance in relation to some environmental factors. Sprayed and unsprayed orchards were sampled on weekly basis through two flowering seasons of 2009 using CO(2) collection technique. Larval population falling into the ground to pupate and adults emerging from the soil were investigated in both orchards. Thrips hawaiiensis (Morgan) and Scirtothrips dorsalis (Hood) were the most prevalent species in the sprayed and the unsprayed orchards, respectively. The abundance of thrips was high during the flowering period of the dry season and decreased during the flowering period of the rainy season. This latter period coincided with decreased temperature and increased relative humidity. Percentage of adult emergence from the soil was lower in the rainy season than recorded in the dry season in both orchards. Taken together, these observations suggest that T. hawaiiensis and S. dorsalis are the main thrips species pests of mango panicles in Penang. Direct control with insecticides focusing on these two species may help to reduce cosmetic injuries and other damages on mango fruits.     

橘园蓟马的种类、发生规律及防治研究

本文以我国柑橘主产区当阳和赣州为试验基地,系统调查了橘园中蓟马为害的严重性及其发生规律;经鉴定发现我国柑橘主产区橘园内蓟马有11种:包括蓟马科中的茶黄蓟马Scirtothrips dorsalis Hood、褐三棕蓟马Lefroyothrips lefroyi(Bagnall)、花蓟马Frankliniella intonsa(Trybom)、八节黄蓟马Thripsflavidulus(Bagnall)、黄胸蓟马T.hawaiiensis(Morgan)、棕榈蓟马T.palmi Karny、色蓟马T.coloratus Schmutz和管蓟马科中的边腹曲管蓟马Rhaebothrips lativentris Karny、华简管蓟马Haplothrips chinensis Priesner、桔简管蓟马H.subtilissimus(Haliday)、狭翅简管蓟马H.tenuipennis Bagnall;并对蓟马进行药剂防治试验,结果表明,吡虫啉、敌百虫和阿维菌素3种药剂都能有效的减少蓟马的虫口数目,在柑橘花期之前和柑橘花期施药可以有效的降低蓟马对果实的为害率。     

Monitoring insecticide resistance in Australian Frankliniella occidentalis Pergande (Thysanoptera: Thripidae) detects fipronil and spinosad resistance

Abstract  Insecticide resistance monitoring using a Potter precision spray tower with discriminating concentration and log dose probability techniques underpins the Australian insecticide management strategy for Frankliniella occidentalis Pergande. Abamectin, acephate, chlorpyrifos, dichlorvos, dimethoate, endosulfan, fipronil, malathion, methamidophos methidathion, methiocarb, methomyl, pyrazophos and spinosad are recommended for use against F. occidentalis but abamectin, methiocarb and pyrazophos are the only chemicals where insecticide resistance has not been detected. Although not registered, chlorfenapyr was effective against F. occidentalis and should be pursued for that purpose. In contrast, chlorpyrifos, dichlorvos and malathion resistance were detected at low to moderate levels throughout the study period putting their sustainable use for F. occidentalis control in doubt . Although it appears that acephate, dimethoate, endosulfan, fipronil, methamidophos, methidathion and spinosad remain effective, some populations contained a small percentage of thrips that survived exposure to a concentration that killed 100% of the susceptible strain. Subsequent laboratory selection of one such population separately with fipronil and spinosad caused an increase in resistance to these insecticides. These products must now be considered at risk. This is the first report of fipronil or spinosad resistance in populations of F. occidentalis.     

Advances in control of onion thrips (Thysanoptera: Thripidae) in cabbage

Onion thrips, Thrips tabaci Lindeman (Thysanoptera: Thripidae), feeding injury results in discoloration and a rough texture on cabbage, Brassica oleracea capitata (L.), leaves, and damage may occur deep inside the head. It has become a key pest of cabbage in the United States and many other countries. Previous studies have indicated poor control using insecticides. The present study identified imidacloprid drenches and sprays of acetamiprid, dimethoate, spinosad, and imidacloprid as insecticides that performed better than the industry standard, lambda-cyhalothrin. However, additional tests with foliar sprays of dimethoate and acetamiprid indicated there was not an ideal crop stage (precupping, cupping, or postcupping) at which either insecticide could be applied for reliable control of T. tabaci, possibly because of multiple flights of thrips into the crop or the asynchrony of flights and susceptible crop stages. In tests in a commercial field, a soil drench of imidacloprid 4 wk after transplanting reduced the number of damaged leaves in the head by 32%, whereas five sprays of acetamiprid reduced damage by 51%. Combining both insecticide regimes reduced damage by 85%, but resulted in a very costly management program. Cabbage varieties varied considerably in susceptibility with some having negligible thrips injury, regardless of being treated with an insecticide. Planting date affected susceptibility of cabbage to some degree, but not as much as other tactics. Overall, these studies indicate that increased emphasis should be placed on breeding cabbages to be resistant to T. tabaci as the foundation for its management.     

Impact of insecticides on the haemogram of Rhynocoris kumarii Ambrose and Livingstone (Hem., Reduviidae)

Abstract:  The haemogram of Rhynocoris kumarii Ambrose and Livingstone comprises prohaemocytes, plasmatocytes, granular haemocytes, cystocytes and oenocytoids. The impact of five insecticides, viz. monocrotophos, dimethoate, methylparathion, quinalphos and endosulfan on the total haemocyte count (THC) and differential haemocyte counts (DHC) was studied. All of the insecticides except endosulfan initially reduced both prohaemocytes and plasmatocytes, increased the granular haemocytes, altered the percentage of cystocytes and oenocytoids and increased the total haemocyte count (THC). On the contrary, endosulfan initially increased the prohaemocytes and plasmatocytes, decreased the granular haemocytes and also the THC. The highest impact on the DHC and THC was caused by methylparathion and monocrotophos and the least impact by endosulfan. Hence, endosulfan is considered as the safest insecticide followed by dimethoate and quinalphos among these five insecticides to use with R. kumarii .     

Clastogenic and physiological response of chromosomes to nine pesticides in the Vicia faba in vivo root tip assay system

9 common pesticides were assayed for clastogenic and physiological activity using Vicia faba as a eukaryotic, whole-organism, test system. The compounds tested included the insecticides acephate, demeton, monocrotophos, parathion-methyl, and trichlorfon; the fungicides captan and folpet; and the herbicides bromacil and simazine. The chemicals have been grouped according to relative genotoxicity (strongly positive: demeton, parathion-methyl; positive: folpet, acephate, monocrotophos, captan; weakly positive: bromacil, trichlorfon, simazine). The results were compared with those reported from other assay systems.     

Insecticidal impact on the post-embryonic development of Rhynocoris kumarii Ambrose and Livingstone (Het., Reduviidae)

The impact of sublethal concentration of five insecticides namely monocrotophos, dimethoate, methylparathion, quinalphos and endosulfan on the post-embryonic developmental characteristics such as stadial period, body weight, fecundity and longevity of Rhynocoris kumarii was studied. All of the insecticides except endosulfan increased stadial period, decreased body weight, fecundity and longevity.     

Toxicity of certain insecticides toSturmiopsis inferens,a larval parasite of sugarcane moth borers

Susceptibility of adults and puparia ofSturmiopsis inferens Tns. [Tachinidae, Diptera] to 9 commonly recommended insecticide sprays against sugarcane pests was determined. The chemicals tested as emulsifiable concentrates include lindane 0.1%, endosulfan 0.1%, monocrotophos 0.05%, quinalphos 0.05%, malathion 0.1%, dimethoate 0.1%, cypermethrin 0.01%, fenvalerate 0.01% and decamethrin 0.0014%. Lindane, malathion, dimethoate monocrotophos and quinalphos were highly toxic, while decamethrin had little harmful effect to the adults when exposed for 6 h to filter paper impregnated or sugarcane shoot bits sprayed with the chemicals. However, the insecticides had no harmful effect on the puparia and adult emergence was normal from the puparia sprayed with insecticides. In another study, susceptibility of adults to soil application of lindane EC, carbofuran G, chlorpyriphos G, Sevidol G and whorl application of lindane G, chlorpyriphos G and Sevidol G was tested in pot culture. Except for soil application of lindane EC, all other chemicals had no harmful effect to the adults in pot culture experiment. In a field trial, commonly recommended insecticides against shoot borer,Chilo infuscatellus Snell.viz., soil application of granules of lindane, carbofuran, chlorpyriphos and Sevidol and folia spray of endosulfan did not affect the parasite activity. Institute Publication No 1030.     

Susceptibility of Various Stages of Trichogrammatoidea armigera Nagaraja to Some Pesticides and Effect of Residues on Survival and Parasitizing Ability

The toxicity, persistence and effect on parasitism of 10 insecticides, eight fungicides and one acaricide on Trichogrammatoidea armigera Nagaraja, an egg parasitoid of a Helicoverpa armigera (Hb), were investigated in the laboratory and under field conditions. At field recommended dosages, the fungicides oxycarboxin, copperoxychloride, streptomycin sulphate + tetracycline hydrochloride and 2‐bromo‐2‐nitropropane‐1,3‐diol and the acaricide dicofol were safe, while the insecticide phosalone and fungicide tridemorph were moderately toxic to adults. All other insecticides tested, namely dimethoate, fenitrothion, monocrotophos, phosphamidon, endosulfan, cypermethrin, decamethrin, fenvalerate and fluvalinate, and the fungicides carbendazim, methyl thiophenate and carboxin were toxic to adults. A high level of parasitism was recorded for all fungicide treatments and for dicofol and fluvalinate. The larval stage of the parasitoid was more tolerant than other stages. The residual toxicity of all fungicides, and dicofol, did not affect the ability of the parasitoid to parasitize its host, while the insecticides phosalone and fluvalinate were slightly persistent, favouring 44.7% and 49.3% parasitism after 15 days. Residues of dimethoate, decamethrin, cypermethrin, fenvalerate, monocrotophos and phosphanidon were moderately persistent, while fenitrothion and endosulfan were persistent.     

Spatiotemporal population dynamics of the banana rind thrips,Elixothrips brevisetis (Bagnall) (Thysanoptera: Thripidae)

The understanding of how environmental factors and agricultural practices affect population dynamics of insect pests is necessary for pest management. Here, we provide insight into the ecology of the banana rind thrips Elixothrips brevisetis (Bagnall) (Thysanoptera: Thripidae) by collecting and analysing a spatiotemporal database of population estimates in Martinique (West French Indies). We assessed the influence of climatic variables (which were rainfall and temperature) and biotic variables (which were banana and three weed species) on the adult thrips abundance for different components of the banana plant (sucker, mother plant and bunch) and evaluated the effect of thrips abundance and standard bunch covers on damages. The abundance of thrips on the sucker, the mother plant, and the bunch was significantly related to the abundance on neighbouring banana plants, and spatial autocorrelation indicated that E. brevisetis dispersed for only short distances. The number of thrips on the mother plant and on the bunch was positively related to the number of thrips on the sucker, suggesting that the thrips may disperse from the sucker to the mother plant and then to the bunch. The abundance of thrips on the sucker increased with sucker height and was positively correlated with the mean daily rainfall during the 17 days before sampling; the length of that period might correspond with the time required for an individual to complete its life cycle. Covered bunches had 98% fewer thrips than non‐covered bunches, and the damage caused by thrips was linearly related to the number of thrips present between the 2nd and 4th week after flowering. Finally, we found that the presence of Alocasia cucullata, Dieffenbachia seguine and Peperomia pellucida is significantly related with a decrease in thrips abundance on banana plants, suggesting the use of these weeds as potential trap plants.     

Integrated management tactics for Frankliniella thrips (Thysanoptera: Thripidae) in field-grown pepper

In a 2-yr study, the impacts of different plastic soil mulches, insecticides, and predator releases on Frankliniella thrips and their natural enemies were investigated in field-grown peppers. Ultraviolet light (UV)-reflective mulch significantly reduced early season abundance of adult thrips compared with standard black plastic mulch. This difference diminished as the growing seasons progressed. Late season abundance of thrips larvae was higher in UV reflective mulch compared with black mulch plots. The abundance of the predator Orius insidiosus (Say) was significantly lower in UV-reflective mulch compared with black mulch treatments. Infection of plants with tomato spotted wilt virus, a pathogen vectored by Frankliniella occidentalis (Pergande), was <6%. In the year with the higher disease incidence (2000), UV-reflective mulch plots had significantly less disease (1.9%) compared with black mulch plots (4.4%). Yield was significantly higher in UV-reflective mulch (24,529 kg/ha) compared with black mulch (15,315 kg/ha) during this year. Effects of insecticides varied with species of thrips. Spinosad reduced abundance of F. occidentalis, but not Frankliniella tritici. In contrast, esfenvalerate and acephate reduced numbers of F. tritici and Frankliniella bispinosa, but resulted in higher populations of F. occidentalis. Spinosad was the least disruptive insecticide to populations of O. insidiosus. Releases of O. insidiosus and Geocoris punctipes (Say) reduced populations of thrips immediately after releases; naturally occurring predators probably provided late season control of thrips. Our results suggest that UV-reflective mulch, combined with early season applications of spinosad, can effectively reduce abundance of thrips in field-grown pepper.     

Effects of long-term exposure to low levels of organophosphorous pesticides and their mixture on altered antioxidative defense mechanisms and lipid peroxidation in rat liver

Organophosphorous pesticides, commonly used in agriculture for achieving better quality products, are toxic substances that have harmful effects on human health. Recent research on pesticides, especially pesticide mixtures, has shown that they are one of the key environmental health issues. The aim of the present study was to investigate whether dichlorvos, acephate, dimethoate and phorate, either used separately or in combination, can induce oxidative damage in rat livers. The levels of superoxide dismutase, glutathione peroxidase, catalase and lipid peroxidation products (malondialdehyde) were used as criteria. Low, middle and high doses of pesticides in drinking water were continuously administered orally to rats ad libitum for 24 weeks. Results show that the antioxidative defense mechanisms and lipid peroxidation in the rat livers display different responses, depending on the pesticide treatments and doses. The parameters for acephate, dichlorvos, phorate and dimethoate in the low-dose group, and the corresponding low-dose co-treated group were not altered. The oxidative damage in rat livers showed different responses with increasing pesticide dose according to the different pesticide treatments. The combination group of dichlorvos, acephate, dimethoate and phorate displayed different responses compared with the single pesticide-treated group. However, these responses did not constitute the sum of the response produced by each pesticide in the liver.     

Stage-specific control of grape berry moth, Endopiza viteana (Clemens) (Lepidoptera: Tortricidae), by selective and broad-spectrum insecticides

The insect growth regulators (IGRs) tebufenozide and methoxyfenozide and the broad-spectrum insecticides azinphosmethyl, carbaryl, and fenpropathrin were compared for their activity against adult, egg, and larval stages of the grape berry moth, Endopiza viteana (Clemens) (Lepidoptera: Tortricidae), under laboratory and vineyard conditions. Adult mortality was not affected by exposure to field-equivalent rates of tebufenozide or methoxyfenozide on grape clusters, whereas all the broad-spectrum compounds significantly reduced adult survival, compared with the untreated controls. Surviving adult moths laid significantly more eggs on berries treated with the IGRs than on berries treated with any of the broad-spectrum insecticides. Survival of these eggs through to late larval and pupal stages was significantly lower on methoxyfenozide-treated grapes than on untreated grapes, and no pupae were found when grapes were treated with azinphosmethyl or fenpropathrin. Neither of the growth regulator insecticides limited egg eclosion or larval development by E. viteana when insecticides were applied before egg laying, whereas broad-spectrum insecticides were effective against both eggs and neonates at this timing. When applied after egg eclosion, all insecticide treatments significantly reduced survival of grape berry moth larvae. Under vineyard conditions, berries with 1-d-old residues of tebufenozide or methoxyfenozide received more E. viteana eggs than berries treated with broad-spectrum compounds. After aging for 7 or 14 d, no significant effects on E. viteana survival were detected among treatments. Whereas broad-spectrum insecticides provide control of multiple life stages of E. viteana, integration of tebufenozide or methoxyfenozide into vineyard management programs for control of this pest will be most successful if applications are timed for egg hatch.     

Potential for integrating eleven agricultural insecticides with the predatory bug Pristhesancus plagipennis (Hemiptera: Reduviidae)

A problem for growers attempting to implement integrated pest management programs is the lack of information regarding the compatibility of insecticides with natural enemies. To provide information about this problem, we evaluated the acute and residual effects of 11 commonly used insecticides on nymphs of Pristhesancus plagipennis (Walker) under both laboratory and field conditions. For each insecticide, the length of time that weathering residues caused > 50% mortality was evaluated and compared against the LC50 (acute-toxicity) divided by the recommended field rate. Plots thus combined the acute and residual toxicity of each insecticide. Results suggested that carbaryl, esfenvalerate, endosulfan, and deltamethrin had low residual and acute toxicity to P. plagipennis, whereas chlorpyrifos, methomyl, and monocrotophos were highly toxic at low concentrations and left persistent harmful residues. Cypermethrin, methidathion, malathion, and dimethoate were moderately toxic. The potential use of these insecticides to supplement the control activity of P. plagipennis is discussed.     

酶标板法监测棉蚜乙酰胆碱酯酶对杀虫剂的不敏感性

用酶标板法测定了不同浓度有机磷和氨基甲酸酯杀虫剂在反应不同时间内对棉蚜Aphis gossypii乙酰胆碱酯酶(AChE)的抑制作用。结果表明有机磷杀虫剂甲基1605,辛硫磷,久效磷,氧乐果和乙酰甲胺磷对棉蚜AChE均无明显的抑制作用。当用0.01 mol/L灭多威与酶及底物反应1 h对北京棉蚜(敏感)种群AChE的抑制率可达82.4%,与反应2 h 89.4%仅差7%。因此以0.01 mol/L灭多威反应1 h测定棉蚜AChE对它的敏感性是合理的。通过测定北京地区寄主为鼠李和棉花以及山东高密寄主为棉花的棉蚜种群中个体AChE活性的分布和灭多威对其抑制的分布,表明3个棉蚜种群中AChE个体频率的分布差异不大,而灭多威对三个种群个体AChE的抑制率小于30%的个体分别为2.4%、16%和29%。抑制率大于70%的个体分别为72%、33%和1%,与生物测定结果一致。因此,用酶标板法测定棉蚜个体AChE对氨基甲酸酯的不敏感性频率可作为棉蚜对氨基甲酸酯抗性的监测技术,为棉蚜化学防治提供依据。     

Botanical insecticides in controlling Kelly's citrus thrips (Thysanoptera: Thripidae) on organic grapefruits

Kelly's citrus thrips, Pezothrips kellyanus (Bagnall) (Thysanoptera: Thripidae) was first recorded in Cyprus in 1996 and became an economic citrus pest. In Cyprus, Kelly's citrus thrips larvae cause feeding damage mainly on immature lemon and grapefruit fruits. Use of botanical insecticides is considered an alternative tool compared with synthetic chemicals, in offering solutions for healthy and sustainable citrus production. During 2008-2010, the efficacy of the botanical insecticides azadirachtin (Neemex 0.3%W/W and Oikos 10 EC), garlic extract (Alsa), and pyrethrins (Vioryl 5%SC) was evaluated in field trials against Kelly's citrus thrips larval stage I and II aiming at controlling the pest's population and damage to organic grapefruit fruits. In each of the trial years treatments with pyrethrins and azadirachtin (Neemex 0.3%W/W) were the most effective against Kelly's citrus thrips compared with the untreated control (for 2008: P < 0.018; for 2009: P < 0.000; for 2010: P < 0.008). In 2008, the mean number of damaged fruits in treatments with pyrethrins and Neemex was 9.6 (19.2%) and 9.7 (19.5%) respectively, compared with 12.2 (24.3%) in the untreated control. In 2009, the mean number of damaged fruits in treatment with pyrethrins was 3.7 (7.3%) and 3.9 (7.8%) in treatment with Neemex compared with 8.6 (17.3%) in the untreated control, while in 2010 the mean damaged fruits in these treatments was recorded at 18.7 (37.5%) and 19.6 (39.2), respectively, compared with 29.6 fruits (59.2%) in the control. Oikos 10 EC showed significant effect only in 2009 and 2010. In these years, the mean number of damaged fruits was recorded at 5.5 and 21.2 compared with 8.6 and 29.6 fruits in the untreated control, respectively. Garlic extract showed the lowest effect from all the botanicals used compared with the untreated control.     

Impact of whole-canopy and systemic insecticidal treatments on Callirhytis cornigera (Hymenoptera: Cynipidae) and associated parasitoids on pin oak

The gall wasp Callirhytis cornigera (Osten Sacken) is a cynipid with alternating generations that produce large, woody stem galls and tiny blister-like leaf galls on pin oak, Quercus palustris Muenchhausen, in the United States. We tested 3 approaches to control the leaf-galling generation, and determined their impact on associated parasitoids and effectiveness in reducing numbers of new stem galls. First, trees were sprayed with bifenthrin or chlorpyrifos in late March to kill females emerging from stem galls before they oviposited into buds. Second, concentrated solutions of abamectin, imidacloprid, or bidrin were injected from pressurized containers into tree sapwood to control larvae developing in young leaf galls. Finally, systemic insecticides (acephate, abamectin, dimethoate, or imidacloprid) were sprayed at early leaf expansion (2 May) or to young, expanded leaves (17 May) to target larvae in leaf galls. Parasitoids, mostly eulophids, accounted for approximately 70% mortality of leaf-galling C. cornigera larvae on untreated trees. Whole-canopy sprays during C. cornigera emergence from stem galls reduced overall numbers of galled leaves and leaf galls. Trunk injections of bidrin or abamectin resulted in significant mortality of gall inhabitants, including parasitoids. However, neither of the aforementioned approaches significantly reduced numbers of new stem galls. Sprays of abamectin, dimethoate, or imidacloprid applied on 2 May caused high mortality of all gall inhabitants. There was no net benefit, however, because parasitism caused a similar reduction in C. cornigera survival on unsprayed shoots. Sprays applied later in leaf expansion had little impact on gall inhabitants. Of the treatments tested, bifenthrin sprays at bud break provided the greatest reduction in new leaf galls, whereas bidrin injections provided the greatest reduction in gall wasps emerging from galled leaves. This study suggests that gall wasp outbreaks are unlikely to be controlled by a single treatment, regardless of application method.     

Incidence of thrips and tomato spotted wilt Tospovirus in fluecured tobacco protected from early season insect pest infestations

The relative impacts of early season thrips exclusion (cages) and thrips suppression (pesticides) on tomato spotted wilt (family Bunyaviridae, genus Tospovirus, TSW) Tospovirus infection in flue-cured tobacco, Nicotiana tobaccum L., were examined in field trials in 2001-2004. There were fewer TSW symptomatic plants when plants were covered by exclusion cages for 6 wk than when they were uncaged or caged for 2 or 4 wk after transplanting. Plant height, leaves per plant, and total leaf weight per plant were lower in TSW symptomatic plants compared with nonsymptomatic plants for the uncaged plus 2- and 4-wk caged duration treatments but not different when caged 6 wk. Weekly acephate (Orthene) foliar sprays for 2 or 4 wk after transplanting reduced thrips populations for up to 5 wk after transplanting, whereas the 6-wk sprays had lower thrips populations for up to 8 wk. TSW was lower in both the 4- and 6-wk acephate treatments than in the untreated. A tray drench application of imidacloprid (Admire) reduced thrips populations in early season plus lowered the percentage of TSW compared with no tray drench treatment. The tobacco thrips, Frankliniella fusca (Hinds), was the predominate thrips species on tobacco foliage, and 1.9-4.9% tested positive for nonstructural TSW protein. The imidacloprid tray drench treatment and 6-wk acephate foliar sprays had lower densities of the tobacco-adapted form of Myzus persicae (Sulzer). Suppressing early season thrips populations with foliar acephate or imidacloprid tray drench are management option that can effectively reduce the incidence of TSW in flue-cured tobacco plus suppress aphids.     

Stink bug Agonoscelis spp. (Heteroptera: Pentatomidae) – An emerging threat for seed production in alfalfa crop (Medicago sativa L.) and their successful management

Fodder crops play an important role in sustainable agriculture as they provide feed for animals, which is ultimately converted to human food. Alfalfa is one of the most important fodder crops having high nutritive value for livestock. However, seed production of alfalfa crop is seriously affected by several factors and the highest reduction in seed yield is caused by stink bug infestation. The current study evaluated different insecticides to control stink bugs during 2016–17. The efficacy of ten insecticides, i.e., acephate, dimethoate, malathion, chlorpyriphos, bifenthrin, lambdacyhalothrin, deltamethrin, acetamiprid, imidacloprid and carbosulfan was tested on Agonoscelis spp. (Heteroptera Pentatomidae). The mortality of stink bug was recorded at one, three, five, seven, ten and fifteen days after insecticide application. Similarly, the population of pollinators was recorded before and one, three and five days after the application of insecticides. It was observed that acetamiprid (81.14%) and acephate (80.65%) caused the highest mortality of stink bug and proved most effective. Insecticides application decreased the pollinators’ population one day after spray; however, it was rehabilitated three days after insecticide application. Insecticide application increased seed yield from 28.05 kg/acre (during last four year without chemical control) to 116 kg/acre in 2016–17 (with chemical control). It is concluded that acetamiprid and acephate can be successfully used in integrated management program of increasing alfalfa seed production.     

Role of insecticides in reducing thrips injury to plants and incidence of tomato spotted wilt virus in Virginia market-type peanut

Tomato spotted wilt virus (family Bunyaviridae, genus Tospovirus, TSWV), transmitted by many thrips species, is a devastating pathogen of peanut, Arachis hypogaea L. TSWV has become a serious problem in the Virginia/Carolina peanut-growing region of the United States. During 2002, TSWV was present in 47% of the North Carolina hectarage and caused a 5% yield reduction in Virginia. Factors influencing levels of TSWV in runner market-type peanut cultivars, which are primarily grown in Alabama, Flordia, Georgia, and Texas, have been integrated into an advisory to help those peanut growers reduce losses. An advisory based on the southeast runner market-type version is currently under development for virginia market-type peanut cultivars that are grown primarily in the Virginia/ Carolina region. A version based on preliminary field experiments was released in 2003. One factor used in both advisories relates to insecticide use to reduce the vector populations and disease incidence. This research elucidated the influence of insecticides on thrips populations, thrips plant injury, incidence of TSWV, and pod yield in virginia market-type peanut. Eight field trials from 2003 to 2005 were conducted at two locations. In-furrow application of aldicarb and phorate resulted in significant levels of thrips control, significant reductions in thrips injury to seedlings, reduced incidence of TSWV, and significant increases in pod yield. Foliar application of acephate after aldicarb or phorate applied in the seed furrow further reduced thrips plant injury and incidence of TSWV and improved yield. These findings will be used to improve the current virginia market-type TSWV advisory.