A revision of Neomegalotomus (Hemiptera: Alydidae)

We recognize two species in Neomegalotomus, N. parvus (Westwood), the type species; and N. rufipes (Westwood). The two species are redescribed from type specimens, and are keyed. We synonymize the following species with Neomegalotomus parvus: N. simplex (Westwood), N. latifascia (Berg), and N. pallescens (St?l) (all new synonymies). We synonymize N. jamaicensis (Westwood) with N. rufipes (new synonymy). The type specimens of all species hitherto placed in the genus are also redescribed, except those of N. debilis (Walker) and N. vicinus (Westwood). N. parvus occurs from México through Central America into northern Argentina and east into Venezuela and adjacent Caribbean islands. N. rufipes is widespread in the Caribbean south towards Venezuela. The two species overlap in distribution: N. parvus is found on St. Vincent and Tobago, whereas N. rufipes occurs on Grenada, which lies between those two islands.     

Assessing antixenosis of soybean entries against Piezodorus guildinii (Hemiptera: Pentatomidae)

Piezodorus guildinii (Westwood) (Hemiptera: Pentatomidae) is a major soybean (Glycine max (L.) Merrill) pest and reduces grain quality and yield worldwide. In the context of integrated pest management strategies, plant resistance stands out as an extremely valuable tool for the management of pest populations. Here, we evaluated the resistance of several soybean entries to P. guildinii using tests of attractiveness and feeding preference. We also evaluated trichome number and length as well as pod hardness to evaluate the relationships between these parameters and the resistance to stink bug. D 75-10169, PI 171451, PI 229358, PI 227687, “IAC 100,” IAC 78-2318, PI 274454, PI 274453 and “IAC 19” were less attractive and less consumed by stink bugs. D 75-10169, PI 227687 and PI 274454 received low probe numbers and a short consumption duration per probe; “IAC 100” and PI 274453 received low probe numbers; PI 171451 and PI 229358 received short probe durations; and “IAC 19” received the highest number of probes. There was no correlation between trichome density and length with the attractiveness and feeding preference of the adult insects; however, pod hardness results suggested that this morphological factor may influence the number of probes performed by the insect. PI’s entries, D 75-10169, “IAC 100” and “IAC 19” expressed antixenosis resistance and should be appropriate for use in soybean breeding programs aimed at developing entries with higher resistance to pest insects.     

Feeding preferences and related types of behaviour of Neomegalotomus parvus

Laboratory studies with Neomegalotomus parvus(Westwood) (Hemiptera: Alydidae) with one nymph per Petri dish in multiple-choice tests indicated that seeds of pigeon pea [Cajanus cajan(L.) Mills.], lablab (Dolichos lablabL.), and soybean [Glycine max(L.) Merrill] were visited before seeds of common bean (Phaseolus vulgarisL.) and rice (Oryza sativaL.). The percentage of individuals engaging in dabbing/antennation resulting in probing, and percentage probing resulting in feeding, were higher on common bean (97%) and pigeon pea (87%) seeds than on lablab (55%), soybean (50%), or rice (5%) seeds. No significant differences were found in preference (number of flanges) among pigeon pea, common bean, and lablab, and preference (insects on foods) varied throughout the assessment period (5 d). In tests using 10 nymphs per dish, pigeon pea was the preferred food (number of flanges and insects on plants) throughout the period (5 d). In no-choice tests, the average duration of a feeding session and the longest feeding session were greater on lablab and common bean than on pigeon pea, soybean, or rice seeds. The number of feeding sessions was greater on seeds of common bean, pigeon pea, and soybean than on those of lablab or rice. Laboratory tests with N. parvusadults indicated that pigeon pea seeds were located faster, followed by common bean, soybean, and rice. When pods were tested, dabbing/antennation time was shorter on pigeon pea than on soybean, and probing time was longer on soybean than on pigeon pea or common bean. On pigeon pea, 100% of the insects probed the host, while on common bean and soybean pods, and on rice panicles, these values dropped to 71.8%, 46.0%, and 10.5%, respectively. Adults showed similar feeding times on pigeon pea, common bean, and soybean pods, but did not feed on rice panicles. Electronmicroscopical analysis showed the presence of two apical lobes with 12 peg sensilla on the labial tip. Sensillum tips were stained with silver nitrate solution, indicating a permeability of the cuticle and, therefore, their function as taste receptors.     

两种蚜茧蜂及其寄主蚜虫对大豆植株挥发性次生物质的触角电位反应

研究了下列害虫和寄生天敌种类对大豆植株中提取的某些挥发性次生化合物及其不同组合混合相的触角电位反应： 1)豆蚜Aphis craccivora Koch和麦长管蚜Macrosiphum avenae (Fabricius);2)为害大豆植株的大豆蚜Aphis glycines Matsumura和不为害大豆植株的豆蚜二者所共有的寄生天敌豆柄瘤蚜茧蜂Lysiphlebus fabarum Marshall; 3)不为害大豆植株的麦长管蚜的寄生天敌燕麦蚜茧蜂Aphidius picipes Nees。结果表明,与大豆植株相关联的大豆蚜和不相关联的豆蚜所共有的天敌——豆柄瘤蚜茧蜂,对大豆植株的挥发性次生化合物及其混合相反应敏感,而与大豆植株不相关联的豆蚜、麦长管蚜及其寄生天敌——燕麦蚜茧蜂,对大豆植株的挥发性次生化合物及其混合相反应不敏感。再次证明,植物挥发性次生化合物在害虫及其寄生天敌搜寻寄主的过程中起到重要的作用。     

Study of the pest community of velvetleaf (Abutilon theophrasti Medic.)

Velvetleaf (Abutilon theophrasti Medicus 1787) is one of the most economically threatening weed plant in Hungary. Researching biological control against it, and identifying a possible and effective biocontrol agent is an important challenge, as chemical control is difficult and expensive, and there is an increasing claim to practice slight plant protection. Entomological studies were made in several parts of the world, for evaluating the species, occuring in velvetleaf, but none of these kind of experiments were assessed in Hungary. Our observations were made in field and plastic boxes, both under open field circumstances in 2008 and 2009 by visually assessing pests, netting and damage based identifying. Meanwhile 8 pest species were identified, including (Helix pomatia Linnaeus 1758--roman snale; Trialeurodes vaporariorum (Westwood 1856)--greenhouse whitefly; Oxycarenus lavaterae (Fabricius 1787)-- lime seed bug; Pyrrhocoris apterus (Linnaeus 1758)--fire bug; Rhopalus parumpunctatus Schilling 1829--common hyaline bug; Liorhyssus hyalinus--hyaline grass bug (Fabricius 1794); Mamestra brassicae (Linnaeus 1758)--cabbage moth; Helicoverpa armigera (Hübner 1808)--corn earworm). On the whole the literature datas were enlarged with four new velvetleaf pests (roman scale, lime seed bug, common hyaline bug, cabbage moth). Considering the earlier literature and our results, Liorhyssus hyalinus may play an important role on biological management of velvetleaf. However this pest considered as polyphagous, but discovered to occur in great numbers on velvetleaf, this points to the fact that can be its main host plant and by sucking on the plant, can cause decreased germination rate. We suggest the "hyaline velvetleaf bug" name istead of "hyaline grass bug". Of course, additional experiments are needed on this pest to may use safety and effectively in the future.     

Multiparasitism of Piezodorus guildinii eggs by Telenomus podisi and Trissolcus urichi

Multiparasitism involves competition between larvae inside the host. Telenomus podisi (Ashmead) and Trissolcus urichi (Crawford) (Hymenoptera: Platygastridae) are solitary egg parasitoids of Piezodorus guildinii Westwood (Hemiptera: Pentatomidae), an important soybean pest. Egg masses partially parasitized by one species were offered to females of the other species. Both species attacked randomly unparasitized and parasitized hosts. Emergence from multiparasitized eggs was greater for T. urichi than for T. podisi, although it was lower than emergence from eggs parasitized by T. urichi alone. Emergence of each species was independent of the order in which they parasitized and of time elapsed between ovipositions. Progeny sex ratio obtained from multiparasitized and from parasitized eggs were similar for both parasitoids. Our results suggest that T. urichi is a better intrinsic competitor than T. podisi for P. guildinii eggs. In the field, however, T. podisi was the dominant species, and T. urichi could be using other pentatomid eggs as resource.     

Michajlowastasia nom. nov. for the parasitic euglenoid genus Parastasia Michajłow, 1972 (Euglenozoa: Euglenoidina: Astasiidae)

A new name, Michajlowastasia nom. nov., is introduced as a replacement name for the pre-occupied euglenoid genus name Parastasia Michaj?ow, 1972 (nec Westwood, 1841). Eighteen species-group names are referred to this new generic name.     

浙江省丽水地区厚朴害虫名录（续）

本名录报道浙江省丽水地区中药材树种厚朴上的害虫114种,其中为害程度以“ ”号表示：“ ”轻徽,“ ”中度．“ ”严重．同时列出23种寄主害虫的天敌90余种．这些天敌系饲养或观察采集所得。     

Performance of Piezodorus guildinii on four species of Indigofera legumes

Piezodorus guildinii (Westwood) (Heteroptera: Pentatomidae), a major pest of soybean in South America, feeds on alternative legume hosts, and four species of Indigofera were tested. Nymphal survival was 88% on I. endecaphylla Jacq. (IE), 15% on I. suffruticosa Mill. (IS), 70% on I. hirsuta L. (IH) and 40% on I. truxilliensis H.B.K. (IT). From stadia 2 through 5, fastest development (22 days) occurred on IE and IT, and the slowest (29 days) on IS. Fresh body weight at emergence was higher for nymphs fed on IE and IT. Adult survival of P. guildinii after 40 days, was greater than 70% on IT and IE, and less than 20% on IS. Females oviposited on all Indigofera species, but <30% were observed to lay eggs on IS. Body weight gain during the first week was greater for adults feeding on IE and IH. Insects lost weight on IS; at the end of day 15 no differences in percent change in body weight, among the food plants tested, were observed. Field surveys conducted on IT and IS, the two most abundant species in northern Paraná, indicated a greater number of nymphs, adults, and egg masses on the former host. On both hosts P. guildinii was more abundant during April/May, after soybean harvest, suggesting movement of the populations from soybean to Indigofera.     

大豆田节肢动物群落优势种群时间生态位及营养关系分析

【目的】阐明大豆田节肢动物群落时间生态位及营养关系,为大豆害虫生态调控手段的实施提供坚实的理论依据。【方法】以大豆田节肢动物群落为研究对象,通过两年的田间系统调查分析。【结果】统计得到种类220余种,物种可分为天敌、害虫和中性昆虫3个类群,以天敌物种丰富度最高;害虫中以烟蓟马Thrips tabaci(0.36902)和大豆蚜Aphis glycines(0.13122)优势度最高,且有着较高的生态位重叠指数(0.8163),蚜小蜂Aphytis sp.和大草蛉Chrysopa septempunctata对害虫的时间生态位重叠指数很高,其他天敌如异色瓢虫Harmonia axyridis、龟纹瓢虫Propylaea japonica、黑带食蚜蝇Zyistrophe balteata和黑食蚜盲蝽Deraeocoris punctulatus等对害虫的重叠指数居中;大豆田中各类群构成错综复杂的食物网结构。【结论】综合考虑天敌的种群数量,确定捕食性天敌是控制害虫种群数量的有效天敌。研究可知不能单纯从时间生态位的重叠指数的高低来判断天敌的控制能力。     

Pest species diversity enhances control of spider mites and whiteflies by a generalist phytoseiid predator

To test the hypothesis that pest species diversity enhances biological pest control with generalist predators, we studied the dynamics of three major pest species on greenhouse cucumber: Western flower thrips, Frankliniella occidentalis (Pergande), greenhouse whitefly, Trialeurodes vaporariorum (Westwood), and two-spotted spider mites, Tetranychus urticae Koch in combination with the predator species Amblyseius swirskii Athias-Henriot. When spider mites infested plants prior to predator release, predatory mites were not capable of controlling spider mite populations in the absence of other pest species. A laboratory experiment showed that predators were hindered by the webbing of spider mites. In a greenhouse experiment, spider mite leaf damage was lower in the presence of thrips and predators than in the presence of whiteflies and predators, but damage was lowest in the presence of thrips, whiteflies and predators. Whitefly control was also improved in the presence of thrips. The lower levels of spider mite leaf damage probably resulted from (1) a strong numerical response of the predator (up to 50 times higher densities) when a second and third pest species were present in addition to spider mites, and (2) from A. swirskii attacking mobile spider mite stages outside or near the edges of the spider mite webbing. Interactions of spider mites with thrips and whiteflies might also result in suppression of spider mites. However, when predators were released prior to spider mite infestations in the absence of other pest species, but with pollen as food for the predators, we found increased suppression of spider mites with increased numbers of predators released, confirming the role of predators in spider mite control. Thus, our study provides evidence that diversity of pest species can enhance biological control through increased predator densities.     

Revision of the Chinese species of the genus Coenochilus Schaum (Coleoptera,Scarabaeidae, Cetoniinae)

Summary

The Chinese species of the genus Coenochilus Schaum, 1841 are revised, including a new species, C. pilosus n. sp. described from southern China (also from Vietnam and Laos). The lectotype for Coenochilus uncinatipes Moser, 1915 is designated, and this name is recognized as a junior synonym of C. bifoveolatus Fairmaire, 1888. Previously published synonymy of Coenochilus apicalis Westwood, 1873 and C. armiger Westwood, 1873 is confirmed based on the examination of type specimens. The neotype of C. tonkinensis Moser, 1910 is designated, and C. clinteroceroides Jákl, 2015 is synonymized with this species. Coenochilus tonkinensis is newly recorded from China, while Chinese records of C. nitidus Arrow, 1910 are verified as misidentification of C. striatus Westwood, 1873, thus C. nitidus is removed from the Chinese fauna. Diagnoses and illustrations are provided for all five Chinese species. A key to Chinese species and new distribution records are also presented.??     

气候变暖对寒地大豆作物两种害虫发生的影响

【目的】研究温度上升对中国寒地大豆作物上植食性害虫种群发生及种间关系的影响,有利于做好田间多种害虫发生的长期预测预报。【方法】本研究在人工气候箱内模拟气候变暖,调查了低温和高温对大豆蚜Aphis glycines(Matsumura)及朱砂叶螨Tetranychus cinnabarinus(Boisduval)种群在大豆植株上的发生及二者种间关系的影响;并用"叶子圆片法"测试了两种害虫在不同大豆品种上共同发生时的相互作用影响。【结果】低温有利于大豆蚜种群发展,高温有利于朱砂叶螨的种群发生;在高温下,两种害虫的种间竞争系数下降,即环境容纳量会增大。另外,在现有的气温条件下,两种害虫在大豆上的发生关系是"偏利共存",易于共同发生的,特别是大豆蚜更易于成灾,尤其是一些感虫性比较高的当地主栽大豆品种,即不同大豆品种的抗虫性有显著差异。【结论】这些情况表明:当前寒地大豆作物上不甚严重的几种害虫在未来有较高的成灾风险,需要准备一些防控预案,譬如,选育一些抗虫性较高而又适宜本地栽种的大豆品种。     

我国大陆一新入侵种:七角星蜡蚧(半翅目:蚧总科:蚧科)

七角星蜡蚧Ceroplastes stellifera(Westwood)是一种多食、热带广布害虫,2007年被列入《中华人民共和国进境植物检疫性有害生物名录》中。该虫在我国以前仅记录于台湾省,2013年10月下旬,发现该虫在云南省西双版纳地区危害鹅掌柴(Schefflera octophylla)和芒果(Mangifera indica),为我国大陆的新入侵害虫。本文介绍了其形态特征、地理分布、寄主植物、经济重要性等。     

Naturally occurring egg parasitoids of the genus Trichogramma (Hymenoptera: Trichogrammatidae) in a pomegranate orchard in Tunisia

Four Trichogramma species were found in a pomegranate orchard in Gabès, an arid region of Tunisia, from parasitized eggs of Ectomyelois ceratoniae Zeller (Lepidoptera: Pyralidae), an economically important insect pest. Identification based on assessment of male genitalia and internal transcribed spacer 2 ( ITS 2) sequences showed that they were T. bourarachae Pintureau and Babault, 1988, T. oleae Voegelé and Pointel, 1979, T. cacoeciae Marchal, 1927 and T. evanescens Westwood, 1833. Trichogramma evanescens is reported for the first time in Tunisia. Trichogramma cacoeciae was the largely dominant species in the analyzed samples, whereas T. bourarachae was present in a minor portion of 1.38%. The implications of these results for attempts at controlling E. ceratoniae are discussed.     

Native parasitoids associated with Tuta absoluta in the tomato production areas of the Spanish Mediterranean Coast

The tomato borer Tuta absoluta (Meyrick) (Lepidoptera: Gelechiidae) is an invasive pest that produces significant damage to tomato crops in the Mediterranean area. Although several species of predatory bugs are successfully being used for biological control of the pest, little is known about the parasitoids that are able to exploit T. absoluta as a host. With the aim of better understanding parasitoid species richness of T. absoluta along the Mediterranean Spanish Coast, we conducted an extensive survey to determine distribution, host plants and habitats where parasitoids are present. Our results indicated that egg parasitoids are naturally scarce but that the species richness of larval/pupal parasitoids is high and includes 20 different species. Seven of these had not been previously reported as T. absoluta parasitoids. The most frequent parasitoid species recovered were Necremnus sp. nr. artynes (Walker), Stenomesius cf. japonicus (Ashmead) and Neochrysocharis formosa (Westwood) (Hymenoptera: Eulophidae).     

Economic Thresholds in Soybean-Integrated Pest Management: Old Concepts, Current Adoption, and Adequacy

Increasing global demands for food underline the need for higher crop yields. The relatively low costs of the most commonly used insecticides in combination with increasing soybean market prices led growers and technical advisors to debate the adequacy of recommended economic thresholds (ETs). The adoption of ETs and pest sampling has diminished in Brazil, leading to excessive pesticide use on soybean. The reduced efficacy of natural biological control, faster pest resurgence, and environment contamination are among the side-effects of pesticide abuse. To address these problems and maximize agricultural production, pest control programs must be guided by a proper integrated pest management (IPM) approach, including the ET concept. Therefore, the most appropriate time to initiate insecticide spraying in soybean is indicated by the available ETs which are supported by experiments over the last 40 years in different edapho-climatic conditions and regions with distinct soybean cultivars. Published scientific data indicate that preventive insecticide use is an expensive and harmful use of chemicals that increases the negative impact of pesticides in agroecosystems. However, the established ETs are for a limited number of species (key pests), and they only address the use of chemicals. There is a lack of information regarding secondary pests and other control strategies in addition to insecticides. It is clear then that much progress is still needed to improve ETs for pest management decisions. Nevertheless, using the current ETs provides a basis for reducing the use of chemicals in agriculture without reducing yields and overall production, thereby improving sustainability.     

不同间作枣园害虫的群落结构与动态

对5种不同间作枣园的害虫群落结构特征进行了研究,结果表明,在不同的间作枣园中,害虫的科、种与个体数是各不相同的,其多样性、均匀度和Berger-Parker指数也有明显差异(p<0.05)。间作牧草或保留杂草的枣园,害虫的科与种以及多样性和均匀度明显(p<0.05)大于间作小麦、大豆和单作枣园,而个体数和Berger-Parker指数则显著(p<0.05)小于单作枣园。枣园害虫个体数的时序动态随季节交替而有明显(p<0.05)的变化,4~8月份害虫的个体数明显(p<0.05)大于3月份、9~10月份。在枣园间作作物、牧草或者适当保留一定数量的杂草,不仅能够充分有效地利用枣园的空间和自然资源,而且增加了生物的多样性,改善了枣园的生态环境,同时提高了有害生物相互制约的能力和枣园单位面积的纯收入。     

Seasonal population dynamics of the greenhouse whitefly Trialeurodes vaporariorum (Homoptera: Aleyrodidae) on strawberries in Southern California

The greenhouse whitefly, Trialeurodes vaporariorum (Westwood), has recently become a major insect pest of strawberries in Southern California. The population dynamics of this pest were monitored over 2 yr in six commercial strawberry fields near the coastal communities of Oxnard and Ventura under two crop-production regimes, summer- and fall-planted strawberries. Adult whitefly numbers generally peaked during the February through May period for fall-planted strawberries and during the October through November period for summer-planted strawberries. Population densities varied greatly among fields within each regime and the differences were likely caused by surrounding alternate host crops.     

The affinities of Loboscelidia Westwood (Hymenoptera: Chrysididae, Loboscelidiinae)

Abstract. The structure of the abdomen of males and females of Loboscelidia Westwood has been examined in order to establish the probable relationships of the family-group taxon based on Loboscelida. The abdomens are described, figured and compared with those of possible sister-groups. Other aspects of morphology and life-history are discussed or summarized. In conclusion,. the Loboscelidiinae is placed as a subfamily of Chrysididae closely related to the Amiseginae. Loboscelidia is shown to be noticeably sexually dimorphic. Scelidoloba Maa & Yoshimoto is newly synonymized with Loboscelidia , and a replacement name is proposed for an included species.