Inference of adult female dispersal from the distribution of gypsy moth egg masses in a Japanese city

1 The native range of the gypsy moth Lymantria dispar (L.) spans the temperate forests of Eurasia. Across this region, a clinal female flight polymorphism exists; gypsy moth females in eastern Asia are mostly capable of directed flight, those in western and southern Europe are largely incapable of flight and populations distributed across the centre of the distribution exhibit a range of intermediate flight behaviours. 2 Although information exists about the timing and duration of female flight from laboratory and wind tunnel studies, little or no quantitative data are available on average distances flown by Asian gypsy moth females prior to oviposition in the field. This information is critical for estimating risk of contamination at specific ports and transit terminals, as well as for predicting the spread of populations that might someday invade currently uninfested regions of the world. 3 In the present study, an extensive visual survey of gypsy moth egg masses was conducted during a walk through streets and paths in a 3.92 × 5.76 km area in Kanazawa, Japan. This area consisted of a matrix of urban, agricultural and forest land uses. The distribution of egg masses relative to distances from host forests was used to infer the magnitude of pre‐ovipositional female flight. 4 A total of 3172 egg masses was recorded from surveys conducted during the search of a path totalling 384 km. Within urban areas, egg masses were most abundant in the area <1 km from the edge of forest land. 5 These results suggest that most female gypsy moth flight is limited to the area within 1 km of host forests. They also suggest that shipping containers and other parcels located >1 km from forests are at a much lower risk of contamination with Asian gypsy moth egg masses.     

Spatial distribution of the gypsy moth [Lepidoptera: Lymantriidae] and some of its parasitoids within a forest environment

Aspects of the microhabitat distributions of the gypsy moth,Porthetria dispar (L.) (Lepidoptera: Lymantriidae), and some of its parasitoids were investigated in the field by means of sticky panels and gypsy moth egg masses exposed at different heights in trees, by egg masses exposed within forested and cleared areas, and by gypsy moth pupal collections from different heights in trees.Ooencyrtus kuwanai (Howard)(Hymenoptera: Encyrtidae), Apanteles melanoscelus Ratzeburg (Hymenoptera: Braconidae), and gypsy moths were caught most frequently on stickly panels placed in upper portions of trees. In contrast,Apanteles laeviceps Ashmead, a parasitoid of cutworms, was most often caught near the forest floor.O. kuwanai attacked equally egg masses exposed at different heights in trees, but parasitized those in a clearing less often than those within the forest prosper.Brachymeria intermedia (Nees) (Hymenoptera: Chalcididae) emerged mostly from pupae collected near the tops of trees and not at all from those collected below 5 m. The results are discussed as they relate to field sampling procedures, behavioral activities of gypsy moth and parasitoid adults, and integrated control possibilities for the gypsy moth.     

Predators ofLymantria dispar (Lep. lymantriidae) egg masses: Spatio-temporal variation of their impact during the 1988–89 pest generation in the mamora cork oak forest (Morocco)

In the Mamora cork oak forest (Morocco), oophagous predators of the gypsy mothLymantria dispar (L.) (Lepidoptera: Lymantriidae) are one of the main mortality factors influencing pest population dynamics. The predators destroy egg masses more by disrupting their cohesiveness than by predation. From 1987 to 1990, the impact of oophagous enemies significantly contributed to the collapse of a localized gypsy moth outbreak. Variation of egg mass dislocation intensity was greater between trees than among the different strata of a tree. The number of gypsy moth egg masses and egg predator attacks increased when oaks were large and unhealthy. Forest degradation probably explains why egg mass destruction rates were so high (60 to 90% of the eggs) in the infested forest. Oophagous predators find food and shelter under the dehiscent bark of unhealthy cork oaks.     

Interpopulation quality in gypsy moths with implications for success of two pupal parasitoids: Brachymeria intermedia (Nees) and Coccygomimus turionellae (L.)*

Abstract.

• 1 Gypsy moth egg masses were collected from innocuous, release and outbreak populations and reared in the laboratory on synthetic diet under identical conditions.
• 2 Outbreak population gypsy moths hatched sooner, were smaller and less fecund than innocuous or release gypsy moths, but had a higher concentration of total carbohydrates in their haemolymph.
• 3 Pupae from each population source were submitted to parasitization by two pupal parasitoids. Emerging B.intermedia, an established parasitoid of the gypsy moth associated with outbreak populations, were largest on outbreak source gypsy moths. C. turionellae, not a usual parasitoid of the gypsy moth, were largest when emerging from innocuous or release population gypsy moths. Implications for population dynamics of the gypsy moth are discussed.

     

Spatial analysis of gypsy moth populations in Sardinia using geostatistical and climate models

• 1 Spatial fluctuations of the Sardinian population of the gypsy moth Lymantria dispar (L.) (Lepidoptera: Lymantriidae) were characterized using geostatistical and climate models. Data on gypsy moth egg mass abundance recorded at 282 permanent monitoring sites from 1980 to 2004 were incorporated in a geographic information system with the vegetational, geomorphological and pedological features of the sites.
• 2 Statistical analyses revealed that the relative outbreak frequency was related to the predominant host tree, slope and elevation of the monitoring sites, whereas there was no correlation between outbreak frequency and exposure and soil type.
• 3 By using bioclimatic modelling, probability maps of gypsy moth outbreaks were generated. The model identified a probability surface with climatic conditions favourable to gypsy moth outbreaks and thus potentially subject to defoliation. The maps included 92 sites where outbreaks never occurred, suggesting that the Sardinian climate may not be a determinant factor for gypsy moth outbreaks.
• 4 The geostatistical method cokriging with outbreak frequency as a covariate was found to be the most suitable technique to estimate gypsy moth egg mass abundance. Semivariograms showed spatial correlation of egg mass abundance within the range 18.5–53 km. The results obtained were used to create regional gypsy moth distribution maps by cokriging, which demonstrated the outbreak foci and different infestation levels at each monitoring area. These results can help to delimit the treatment areas and develop rational gypsy moth management programmes.

     

Incidence and ecological relationships of pupal parasitism byBrachymeria intermedia in new Jersey populations of the gypsy moth

Pupal parasitism of the gypsy moth,Lymantria dispar (L.), was monitored in 15 study plots in New Jersey from 1978 to 1988. The predominant parasitoid was a chalcidid wasp,Brachymeria intermedia (Nees), which was found in only six plots. Parasitism was generally observed in the year of or preceding the peak numbers of gypsy moth egg masses. Parasitism exceeded 4% in only one plot. Percentage parasitism was correlated significantly with numbers of egg masses per hectare in the current season and with numbers of pupae per plot in the previous season, suggesting delayed density dependence. A multiple regression analysis found percentage parasitism to be correlated significantly with percentage infection by nuclear polyhedrosis virus, density of male host pupae, and mean minimum temperature in August and March. A canonical discriminant analysis carried out to distinguish study plots with and without the parasitoid was significant. Plots withB. intermedia had relatively higher host populations and defoliation.     

Evaluation of biological and biorational control tactics for suppression of Nantucket pine tip moth damage in Virginia pine Christmas trees

A study was performed to evaluate the potential of the egg parasitoid Trichogramma exiguum Pinto and Platner (Hymenoptera: Trichogrammatidae), the newly registered insect growth regulator (IGR) tebufenozide (Confirm), and a modified spray technique (top whorl only pesticide application) for suppression of Nantucket pine tip moth, Rhyacionia frustrana (Comstock) (Lepidoptera: Tortricidae), damage in Virginia pine, Pinus virginiana Mill., Christmas trees. Augmentative releases of T. exiguum failed to increase parasitism levels in release plots compared with controls, and significant reduction in tip moth damage did not occur. High predation levels on released T. exiguum may have contributed to the failure of parasitoid augmentations. Whole-tree and top whorl tebufenozide treatments provided significantly greater damage control than corresponding applications of acephate (Orthene), a commonly used pesticide in Christmas trees. Damage to trees receiving whole-tree chemical applications did not differ significantly from trees receiving top whorl treatments for most measurements of damage. Top whorl chemical treatments resulted in a 67% reduction in time required for application and a 70% reduction in pesticide used.     

Endogenous and exogenous factors affecting parasitism of gypsy moth egg masses by shape Ooencyrtus kuvanae

Factors affecting the orientation, reproduction, and sex ratio of the egg parasitoid Ooencyrtus kuvanae Howard were examined. Adult females were attracted to airborne volatiles from the egg mass and accessory gland of the primary host, the gypsy moth Lymantria dispar L. Visual cues also affected host selection. Background colors against which egg masses were placed affected oviposition preference. In the absence of egg masses, color variation did not affect wasp behavior. Light is required for parasitism by O. kuvanae. The age and density of both the host and parasitoid affected wasp reproduction and sex ratios. Older egg masses issued relatively fewer wasps and higher proportions of males than did young egg masses. Likewise, wasp reproduction and the proportion of females declined with wasp age. Larger egg masses produced more wasps and lower proportions of males than did smaller egg masses. The number of offspring per female, and the proportion of female offspring, were inversely related to wasp density. Implications to biological control of the gypsy moth and parasitoid ecology are discussed.     

Comparison of methods for deploying female gypsy moths to evaluate mating disruption treatments

1 Mating disruption is the primary tactic used to reduce rates of gypsy moth population spread in the United States Department of Agriculture’s Slow‐the‐Spread of the gypsy moth programme (STS). Because STS targets very low‐density gypsy moth populations within which it is extremely difficult to collect females or egg masses, mating success in native populations cannot be determined. Therefore, the evaluation of mating disruption treatments in field experiments such as those designed to test new formulations and application methods requires deploying and recovering laboratory‐reared female moths to determine mating success. 2 Five methods of deploying females were evaluated for cost, rates of female and egg mass recovery, and female mating success. The deployment methods tested were: modified delta trap, square barrier, single and double trunk bands, and tethered females. 3 Deployment of tethered females had the highest cost and mating success rate, but it did not yield the highest rates of female and egg mass recovery. Deployment of females in delta traps produced the lowest cost and mating success rate, but yielded the highest recovery rate. Neither of these deployment methods is recommended because of unacceptably high cost (tethered female) or low mating success (delta trap). 4 There were no significant differences in cost or mating success among the other three deployment methods. 5 The differences among the square barrier, single trunk band, and double trunk band methods in cost, female and egg mass recovery, and mating success are too small to recommend any one over the others.     

Lepidoptera‐specific insecticide used to suppress gypsy moth outbreaks may benefit non‐target forest Lepidoptera

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Effects of SPLAT® GM sprayable pheromone formulation on gypsy moth mating success

Several integrated pest management programs rely on the use of mating disruption tactics to control insect pests. Some programs specifically target non‐native species, such as the gypsy moth, Lymantria dispar (L.) (Lepidoptera: Lymantriidae). We evaluated SPLAT^® GM, a new sprayable formulation of the gypsy moth sex pheromone disparlure, for its ability to disrupt gypsy moth mating. The study was conducted in 2006, 2007, and 2008 in forested areas in Virginia, USA. Mating success of gypsy moth females was reduced by >99% and male moth catches in pheromone‐baited traps by >90%, in plots treated with SPLAT^® GM at dosages ranging from 15 to 75 g of active ingredient (a.i.) ha^?1. Dosage‐response tests conducted in 2008 indicated that SPLAT^® GM applied at a dosage of 7.5 g a.i. ha^?1 was as effective as a 15 g a.i. ha^?1 dosage.     

Population quality,dispersal and numerical change in the gypsy moth,Lymantria dispar (L.)

Summary First instars from small and large gypsy moth eggs differ significantly in their head capsule width, weight, hatching time and the length of thoracic setae. Pupal weight and the developmental period of immature stages of the gypsy moth originating from small or large eggs do not differ significantly. The mean number of eggs per mass produced by females originating from small eggs is greater than that of females from large eggs although not statistically significant. Highly significant differences in mean egg size of egg masses of each type of female were also observed. The relationship between egg size and dispersal strategies are discussed.Paper No. 2229 Massachusetts Agricultural Experiment Station. University of Massachusetts at Amherst. This research supported (in part) from Experiment Station Project No. 355     

Effectiveness of gypsy moth mating disruption from aerial applications of plastic laminate flakes with and without a sticking agent

1 The plastic laminate flake formulation, Disparlure II, is currently the only gypsy moth mating disruption product available for aerial application. The elimination of a sticking agent from the formulation would reduce costs, simplify application, and make it possible to apply the product without specialized equipment. 2 A test was conducted in wooded plots in Virginia during 1997 and 1998 to determine whether a sticking agent is necessary. Treatment effectiveness was assessed from the rates of male moth capture in pheromone‐baited traps and mating success of both laboratory‐reared and wild females. 3 Male moth capture was reduced 75.6 and 92.9% in plots treated with flakes without and with a sticking agent, respectively. The percentage of mated females that produced egg masses with more than 5% fertile eggs was reduced by 86.3 and 99.5% in plots treated with flakes without and with a sticking agent, respectively. 4 Moth capture and mating success of laboratory‐reared females did not differ significantly between plots treated with flakes with and without a sticking agent. However, the consistently greater reduction in mating success in both years provides strong evidence that mating disruption is less effective when flakes are applied without a sticking agent. The proportion of wild egg masses collected in 1998 with more than 5% fertile eggs was significantly higher under the no‐sticking agent treatment. 5 In special situations where the use of a sticking agent may be problematic, such as in residential areas, the data indicate that a high level of mating disruption is likely to occur even without the use of a sticking agent.     

Rapid identification of the Asian gypsy moth and its related species based on mitochondrial DNA

The gypsy moth—Lymantria dispar (Linnaeus)—is a worldwide forest defoliator and is of two types: the European gypsy moth and the Asian gypsy moth. Because of multiple invasions of the Asian gypsy moth, the North American Plant Protection Organization officially approved Regional Standards for Phytosanitary Measures No. 33. Accordingly, special quarantine measures have been implemented for 30 special focused ports in the epidemic areas of the Asian gypsy moth, including China, which has imposed great inconvenience on export trade. The Asian gypsy moth and its related species (i.e., Lymantria monocha and Lymantria xylina) intercepted at ports are usually at different life stages, making their identification difficult. Furthermore, Port quarantine requires speedy clearance. As such, it is difficult to identify the Asian gypsy moth and its related species only by their morphological characteristics in a speedy measure. Therefore, this study aimed to use molecular biology technology to rapidly identify the Asian gypsy moth and its related species based on the consistency of mitochondrial DNA in different life stages. We designed 10 pairs of specific primers from different fragments of the Asian gypsy moth and its related species, and their detection sensitivity met the need for rapid identification. In addition, we determined the optimal polymerase chain reaction amplification temperature of the 10 pairs of specific primers, including three pairs of specific primers for the Asian gypsy moth (L. dispar asiatic), four pairs of specific primers for the nun moth (L. monocha), and three pairs of specific primers for the casuarina moth (L. xylina). In conclusion, using our designed primers, direct rapid identification of the Asian gypsy moth and its related species is possible, and this advancement can help improve export trade in China.     

FORECASTING GYPSY MOTH DEFOLIATION WITH A GEOGRAPHICAL INFORMATION SYSTEM

Abstract In this study, we developed a series of logistic regression models for forecasting gypsy moth defoliation. The models were parameterized by using data collected over a small scaled 100m× 100m gridarea; the independent variables included egg mass density, male moth trap, previous year defoliation, and distance to the nearest cell which was defoliated in the previous year. We simulated the decision-making by using these models; this method essentially simulated the application of current gypsy moth management decision-making. The results indicated that these models can be more reliably applied to actual management decision.     

挥发性信息化合物对玉米螟赤眼蜂寄主选择行为的影响

在实验室条件下,利用“Y”型嗅觉仪测定了源于寄主亚洲玉米螟Ostrinia furnacalis (Guenée) 鳞片、卵表以及不同生理阶段的雌蛾附腺的不同浓度的提取物对玉米螟赤眼蜂Trichogramma ostriniae Pang et Chen寄主选择行为的影响,并对其引诱作用大小进行了比较。结果表明： 亚洲玉米螟鳞片的正己烷提取物在0.5 mg/mL和 1 mg/mL浓度时对玉米螟赤眼蜂有明显的引诱作用; 寄主卵的正己烷提取物在5块卵/mL和10块卵/mL浓度时对玉米螟赤眼蜂有显著的引诱作用,而在40块卵/mL浓度时对玉米螟赤眼蜂有极显著的驱避作用; 玉米螟赤眼蜂对亚洲玉米螟交配未产卵和产卵后前期的雌蛾附腺提取液有反应,而对处女蛾和产卵后期的附腺提取液没反应。卵表提取物和附腺提取物比鳞片提取液对赤眼蜂引诱作用强,两者对赤眼蜂的引诱作用没有明显差异。     

Effects of the 3M™ MEC Sprayable Pheromone® formulation on gypsy moth mating success

The study was conducted during 2000, 2001, 2003 and 2004 in forested areas in Virginia, USA to evaluate the 3M™ MEC-GM Sprayable Pheromone® formulation of the gypsy moth sex pheromone, disparlure, for its ability to disrupt mating in gypsy moth, Lymantria dispar (Lep.: Lymantriidae). Both mating success of gypsy moth females and male moth catches in pheromone-baited traps were significantly reduced in plots treated with the 3M™ MEC-GM formulation at dosages ranging from 15 to 75 g of active ingredient/ha. However, the 3M™ MEC-GM formulation reduced trap catch to a lesser extent than did the currently registered Hercon Disrupt® II plastic flakes used as a positive control and applied at similar or lower dosages. Furthermore, the effectiveness of the 3M™ sprayable formulation declined through time, so that by the end of the male flight season, male moth catches in traps were significantly higher than in plots treated with Hercon plastic flakes. Based on the reported results, 3M™ MEC-GM Sprayable Pheromone® formulation was never integrated into the operational treatment projects of USDA Forest Service Cooperative Slow-the-Spread of the Gypsy Moth management programme.     

Analysis of factors affecting bird predation on gypsy moth egg masses by using Holling’s disc-equation

1. Birds’ predation on gypsy moth egg masses deposited on tree trunks was quantitatively evaluated in a birch forest at Bibai, Hokkaido during the four winter seasons from 1974 to 1978.
2. Holling's disc-equation could be successfully applied to describe the relationship between the total egg consumption by birds and the density of egg masses. A rapid method for fitting the disc-equation to observed data was proposed based on the study byShinozaki andKira (1961).
3. Appreciable amounts of predation were observed only during the period when the depth of snow cover on the ground exceeded 1 m, while the egg masses deposited on lower parts of tree trunk below 1 m level suffered from only slight predation. It was therefore presumed that deep snow cover made the predator birds to change their feeding place from ground vegetation to tree trunks.
4. The duration of the period with snow accumulation deeper than 1 m was introduced into the disc-equation as an additional parameter. The values calculated by the resultant formulation agreed with the observed values in respective years satisfactorily.
5. There were circumstantial evidences that the great tit, Parus major, was one of the important predators concerned.

     

Gypsy moth invasion in North America: A simulation study of the spatial pattern and the rate of spread

Gypsy moth is regarded as one of the top most harmful invasive species. Its invasion in the northeastern US has led to widespread forest defoliation, wildlife disruption and even a change in biogeochemical conditions over the area of 10⁶ km². Spread of gypsy moth has a few distinct features such as a patchy spatial distribution of the gypsy moth population, which is largely uncorrelated to the environmental heterogeneity, and a high variability (almost over an order of magnitude) in the spread rates. These features are usually explained by human-assisted dispersal, e.g. when masses of gypsy moth eggs are inadvertently transported by cars and vehicles. This theory, however, somewhat disagrees with the existence of the strong Allee effect that tends to wipe out small new colonies. In this paper, we suggest an alternative explanation that the patchy structure can result from the interplay between two natural factors such as wind dispersal and viral infection. In order to check this hypothesis, we describe the gypsy moth spread with a diffusive SI model and study its properties by means of extensive computer simulations. Interestingly, in a certain parameter range our model shows formation of spatial patterns that are qualitatively similar to those observed in the field. To find out the relevant parameter range, we make a careful review of available literature sources. For biologically meaningful parameter values, we then show that the rates of gypsy moth spread predicted by our model are in good agreement with the lower band of the rates observed in nature.     

Extensive gypsy moth defoliation in Southern New England characterized using Landsat satellite observations

Southern New England is currently experiencing the first major gypsy moth (Lymantria dispar) defoliation event in nearly 30 years. Using a novel approach based on time series of Landsat satellite observations, we generated consistent maps of gypsy moth defoliation for 2015 (first year of the outbreak), 2016 (second year of outbreak), and 2017 (third year of outbreak). Our mapped results demonstrate that the defoliation event continued through the 2017 growing season. Moreover, the affected area more than doubled in extent each year and expanded radially to encompass 4386 km² of forested area in Rhode Island, eastern Connecticut, and central Massachusetts. The current gypsy moth outbreak is believed to be the result of a series of unusually dry springs in 2014, 2015, and 2016, which suppressed Entomophaga maimaiga, a fungal mortality agent that has historically reduced gypsy moth impacts in this region. The continuation and marked expansion of the outbreak in 2017 despite average spring rainfall suggests that caterpillars were active early in the growing season, and mortality from the fungus likely peaked after significant defoliation had already occurred. Our Landsat time series approach represents an important new source of data on spatial and temporal patterns in gypsy moth defoliation, and continued satellite-based monitoring will be essential for tracking the progress of this and other gypsy moth outbreaks.