Relative susceptibility of two sweetpotato varieties to storage root damage by sweetpotato flea beetle (Coleoptera: Chrysomelidae) and wireworm (Coleoptera: Elateridae)

The feeding of soil dwelling insects on storage roots is one of the most serious management issues faced by sweetpotato, Ipomoea batatas (L.) Lam. (Convolvulaceae), growers in the southern United States. Field studies were conducted to evaluate the relative susceptibility of two commonly grown sweetpotato varieties to sweetpotato flea beetle, Chaetocnema confinis Crotch (Coleoptera: Chrysomelidae), and wireworms (Coleoptera: Elateridae, various species). The incidence and severity of sweetpotato flea beetle damage was significantly lower in the variety Covington than Beauregard in two small plot replicated studies. Surveys conducted in commercial sweetpotato fields also showed significantly less sweetpotato flea beetle damage in fields planted to Covington compared with those planted to Beauregard. There was no clear evidence of varietal effect on the incidence of wireworm damage in the study. Results indicate that the severity of wireworm damage as measured by the size of feeding scars may be less in Covington than Beauregard.     

Temporal distribution of Chaetocnema pulicaria (Coleoptera: Chrysomelidae) populations in Iowa

In 1999 and 2000, yellow sticky cards and sweep net samples were used to document the occurrence of an overwintering adult generation of Chaetocnema pulicaria Melsheimer, corn flea beetle, followed by two distinct populations peaks during the growing season in Iowa Emergence of the overwintering adult generation started in mid-April and continued until early June in both years, with populations as high as 45 +/- 7.9 per 10 sweeps. Periods that ranged from 14 to 32 d were observed in 1999 and 2000 when C. pulicaria was not found following the overwintering generation. The first summer peak of C pulicaria was observed between the end of June into the middle of July, with the highest observed peak at 16.70 +/- 1.42 C. pulicaria per 10 sweeps in cornfields. The second summer peak of C pulicaria was observed between the middle into early September, with populations as high as 27.80 +/- 2.76 C. pulicaria per 10 sweeps. During the growing season, more C. pulicaria were caught on yellow sticky cards originating from soybean borders than from grass borders. There were significantly greater numbers of C. pulicaria on yellow sticky cards located in grass borders adjacent to cornfields at the end of the growing season, compared with yellow sticky cards located within cornfields, indicating the movement of C. pulicaria from the cornfield back into the grass borders at the end of the growing season. In 2000, from August to the end of the corn growing season, significantly more C. pulicaria were found in grass borders than in the cornfields. Based on this new quantitative information, planting time could be altered to avoid the emergence of the overwintering generation of C. pulicaria. In addition, knowledge concerning the seasonalities of the first and second population peaks of C pulicaria during the corn growing season could be used to recommend optimal timing for foliar-applied insecticide applications. This new knowledge concerning the seasonal dynamics of C pulicaria will help to improve management recommendations for Stewart's disease of corn, caused by the bacterium Pantoea stewartii, and that is vectored by C pulicaria.     

Endophyte isolate and host grass effects on Chaetocnema pulicaria (Coleoptera: Chrysomelidae) feeding

Endophytic fungi belonging to the genus Neotyphodium, confer resistance to infected host grasses against insect pests. The effect of host species, and endophtye species and strain, on feeding and survival of the corn flea beetle, Chaetocnema pulicaria Melsheimer (Coleoptera: Chrysomelidae) was investigated. The grass-endophyte associations included natural and artificially derived associations producing varying arrays of common endophyte-related alkaloids or alkaloid groups, peramine, lolitrem B, ergovaline, and the lolines. Preference and nonpreference tests showed that C. pulicaria feeding and survival were reduced by infection of tall fescue with the wild-type strain of N. coenophialum, the likely mechanism being antixenosis rather than antibiosis. In the preference tests, endophyte and host species effects were observed. Of the 10 different Neotyphodium strains tested in artificially derived tall fescue associations, eight strongly deterred feeding by C. pulicaria, whereas the remaining two strains had little or no effect on feeding. Infection of tall fescue with another fungal symbiont, p-endophyte, had no effect. Perennial ryegrass, Lolium perenne L., infected with six strains of endophyte, was moderately resistant to C. pulicaria compared with endophyte-free grass, but four additional strains were relatively inactive. Six Neotyphodium-meadow fescue, Festuca pratensis Huds., associations, including the wild-type N. uncinatum-meadow fescue combination, were resistant, whereas three associations were not effective. Loline alkaloids seemed to play a role in antixenosis to C. pulicaria. Effects not attributable to the lolines or any other of the alkaloids examined also were observed. This phenomenon also has been reported in tests with other insects, and indicates the presence of additional insect-active factors.     

入侵害虫甘薯凹胫跳甲的鉴定及线粒体基因组分析

【目的】基于形态学鉴定和分子生物学技术确认甘薯凹胫跳甲Chaetocnema confinis是否入侵中国大陆,测定甘薯凹胫跳甲线粒体基因组序列,分析基因组结构及其系统发育关系。【方法】应用显微镜观察从广东不同地点采集的甘薯凹胫跳甲成虫的形态特征,并扩增cox1基因DNA序列进行分子鉴定;利用Illumina MiSeq测序平台对甘薯凹胫跳甲线粒体基因组进行测序、拼装、注释和特征分析;基于亲缘关系相近种属的线粒体基因组序列进行共线性分析和构建系统发育树,分析基因重排和系统发育关系。【结果】形态和分子鉴定结果表明大陆甘薯上发现的跳甲为甘薯凹胫跳甲。甘薯凹胫跳甲线粒体基因组序列大小为15 685 bp,包括有13个蛋白质编码基因、2个rRNA基因、22个tRNA基因和1个非编码控制区;这37个基因之间排列紧凑,间隔总长度101 bp,排列顺序与模式昆虫Drosophila yakuba线粒体基因排列顺序相同。甘薯凹胫跳甲线粒体基因组A+T含量为77.3%,具有明显的AT偏向性。13个蛋白质编码基因的起始密码子均为ATN。在22个tRNA基因中除trnS1的DHU臂缺失,trnD, trnG, trnN和trnT的二级结构中缺少TψC环外,其余17个都能形成典型的三叶草式二级结构,另trnK的反密码子突变为UUU,trnS1的反密码子突变为UCU。甘薯凹胫跳甲的控制区片段长度仅有60 bp,是目前已报道的昆虫线粒体基因组中最短的控制区。基于线粒体基因组的系统发育分析表明,甘薯凹胫跳甲与跳甲亚科(Alticinae)黄曲条跳甲Phyllotreta striolata亲缘关系最近。【结论】甘薯凹胫跳甲已经入侵到中国大陆。本研究获得了甘薯凹胫跳甲的线粒体基因组序列,为防控甘薯凹胫跳甲和分析叶甲科(Chrysomelidae)各种属间的系统发育关系奠定了基础。     

Impact of planting date on sunflower beetle (Coleoptera: Chrysomelidae) infestation,damage, and parasitism in cultivated sunflower

The sunflower beetle, Zygogramma exclamationis (F.), is the major defoliating pest of sunflower (Helianthus annuus L.). Planting date was evaluated as a potential management tool in a variety of production regions throughout North Dakota from 1997 to 1999, for its impact on sunflower beetle population density of both adults and larvae, defoliation caused by both feeding stages, seed yield, oil content, and larval parasitism in cultivated sunflower. Results from this 3-yr study revealed that sunflower beetle adult and larval populations decreased as planting date was delayed. Delayed planting also reduced defoliation from adult and larval feeding, which is consistent with the lower numbers of the beetles present in the later seeded plots. Even a planting delay of only 1 wk was sufficient to significantly reduce feeding damage to the sunflower plant. Yield reduction caused by leaf destruction of the sunflower beetle adults and larvae was clearly evident in the first year of the study. The other component of sunflower yield, oil content, did not appear to be influenced by beetle feeding. The tachinid parasitoid, Myiopharus macellus (Rheinhard), appeared to be a significant mortality factor of sunflower beetle larvae at most locations regardless of the dates of planting, and was able to attack and parasitize the beetle at various larval densities. The results of this investigation showed the potential of delayed planting date as an effective integrated pest management tactic to reduce sunflower beetle adults, larvae, and their resulting defoliation. In addition, altering planting dates was compatible with biological control of the beetle, because delaying the planting date did not reduce the effectiveness of the parasitic fly, M. macellus, which attacks the sunflower beetle larvae.     

Impact of planting dates and insecticide strategies for managing crucifer flea beetles (Coleoptera: Chrysomelidae) in spring-planted canola

Integration of cultural practices, such as planting date with insecticide-based strategies, was investigated to determine best management strategy for flea beetles (Phyllotreta spp.) (Coleoptera: Chrysomelidae) in canola (Brassica napus L.). We studied the effect of two spring planting dates of B. napus and different insecticide-based management strategies on the feeding injury caused by fleabeetles in North Dakota during 2002-2003. Adult beetle peak emergence usually coincided with the emergence of the early planted canola, and this resulted in greater feeding injury in the early planted canola than later planted canola. Use of late-planted canola may have limited potential for cultural control of flea beetle, because late-planted canola is at risk for yield loss due to heat stress during flowering. Flea beetle injury ratings declined when 1) the high rate of insecticide seed treatment plus a foliar insecticide applied 21 d after planting was used, 2) the high rate of insecticide seed treatment only was used, or 3) two foliar insecticide sprays were applied. These insecticide strategies provided better protection than the low rates of insecticide seed treatments or a single foliar spray, especially in areas with moderate-to-high flea beetle populations. The foliar spray on top of the seed treatment controlled later-emerging flea beetles as the seed treatment residual was diminishing and the crop became vulnerable to feeding injury. The best insecticide strategy for management of flea beetle was the high rate of insecticide seed treatment plus a foliar insecticide applied at 21 d after planting, regardless of planting date.     

Trap height and orientation of yellow sticky traps affect capture of Chaetocnema pulicaria (Coleoptera: Chrysomelidae)

Field studies were conducted in Iowa during 2001 and 2002 to determine the optimal sampling height and orientation for using yellow sticky cards to monitor populations of Chaetocnema pulicaria Melsheimer, the vector of the bacterial pathogen Pantoea stewartii subsp, stewartii, the causal organism of Stewart's disease of corn, Zea mays L.. Sticky cards were placed at five different heights (0.15, 0.30, 0.45, 0.60, and 0.90 m) and three orientations (horizontal, vertical, and 30 degree angle) at three locations (Ames, Crawfordsville, and Sutherland) in 2001 and two locations (Crawfordsville and Johnston) in 2002. No statistical differences were observed among the placement combinations for individual sampling periods or for the total number of C. pulicaria captured in 2001. In 2002, the 0.30 m and vertical cards captured significantly (1.1-35 times) more C. pulicaria than any other placement combination during sampling throughout August at both Crawfordsville and Johnston. Also, the cumulative number of C. pulicaria captured by the 0.30 m and vertical cards was significantly higher than all other placement combinations. This information is important in the development of sampling protocols to aid growers in making management decisions. These management decisions include where and when to apply foliar insecticides during the corn growing season to control C. pulicaria populations, thereby reducing the risk for Stewart's disease of corn.     

Potential resistance of crape myrtle cultivars to flea beetle (Coleoptera: Chrysomelidae) and Japanese beetle (Coleoptera: Scarabaeidae) damage

Field and laboratory studies were conducted to identify potential resistance among crape myrtles, Lagerstroemia spp., to Japanese beetle, Popillia japonica Newman and to flea beetles, Altica spp. Damage ratings revealed variation among cultivars in susceptibility to beetle feeding. Cultivars with Lagerstroemia fauriei Koehne in their parentage exhibited the least amount of damage in choice and no-choice experiments, with few exceptions. The data indicate that both beetle species cause more feeding damage on certain cultivars of Lagerstroemia indica L., such as 'Country Red', 'Twilight', and 'Carolina Beauty' than interspecific cultivars with L. fauriei in their parentage, such as 'Natchez', 'Tonto', and 'Muskogee'. When comparing the effect of parentage on all of the major pests of crape myrtle, L. faurei confers resistance to all pests except crape myrtle aphid. No correlation was found between leaf toughness, leaf color, and leaf nutrients in estimating flea beetle cultivar preference. With this information, growers can more effectively target scouting measures to the most susceptible cultivars. and breeders can select plants that will require the fewest chemical inputs.     

Effect of temperature on the demography of Galerucella birmanica (Coleoptera: Chrysomelidae)

Studies on the effect of temperature on the development of the water chestnut beetle, Galerucella birmanica Jacoby were carried out in the laboratory at seven different temperatures: 16 °C, 19 °C, 22 °C, 25 °C, 28 °C, 31 °C and 34 °C. The developmental time decreased with increase in temperature. The developmental time at 16 °C, 19 °C, 22 °C, 25 °C, 28 °C, 31 °C and 34 °C was 96.60, 80.68, 58.96, 43.48, 35.03, 30.08 and 28.02 days for the period from egg hatching to adult emergence, respectively. The developmental threshold estimated for a generation by linear regression was 10.36 °C. The fecundity per female at 22 °C, 25 °C, 28 °C, 31 °C and 34 °C was 102.3, 134.5, 141.2, 130.1 and 116.2 eggs, respectively. Oviposition period ranged from 15.6 days at 22 °C to 8.6 days at 34 °C. Hatchability of eggs was highest at 31 °C with 76.9% and lowest at 34 °C with 57.1%. The highest generation survival rate was 65.3% at 31 °C, and the intrinsic rate of natural increase ( r _m) for G. birmanica was the highest at 34 °C.     

A revision of the South African Chaetocnema gahani speciesgroup,with descriptions of four new flea beetle species (Coleoptera: Chrysomelidae)

The Chaetocnema gahani species-group from Southern Africa is herein analyzed and revised. It includes C. gahani Jacoby 1897, C. brincki (Bechyné 1959), C. capeneri n. sp., C. danielssoni n. sp., C. sudafricana n. sp., and C. tuckeri n. sp. A key to all the species is presented. Line drawings of male and female genitalia and scanning electron micrographs of six diagnostic morphological characters are also included, along with ecological and zoogeographical data. Finally, discriminant analyses using the six morphological characters supports the close affinity of the six species within the C. gahani group.     

Notes on Asiatic Eumolpinae (Coleoptera,Chrysomelidae)

Entomological Review - Glyptoscelis sinica sp. n. is described from Hunan, China. A new synonym of the genus group name is Lepina Baly, 1863 = Demotinella Jacoby, 1908, syn. n.; the new synonyms of...     

Revision of the Chaetocnema picipes species-group (Coleoptera,Chrysomelidae, Galerucinae,Alticini) in China,with descriptions of three new species

The Chinese Chaetocnema picipes species-group is revised. It contains 5 species including 3 new species: C. cheni sp. n., C. constricta sp. n. and C. kingpinensis sp. n. The lectotype of C. fortecostata is designated. A key to all known species of this group from China and the illustrations of habitus and genitalia are provided. A distribution map of species is given.     

Sampling Rhyparida nitida Clark (Coleoptera: Chrysomelidae) and symptoms of their damage on sugarcane

Sampling statistics were determined for larvae, pupae and adults of the chrysomelid Rhyparida nitida associated with sugarcane in Australia and for symptoms of their damage. Iwao's patchiness regression was inappropriate for modelling the mean–variance relationships of the insect counts. Taylor's power law was used to model these data and relationships were developed for counts of small, medium and large larvae, all larvae combined, pupae and adults. The mean–variance relationships of counts of live shoots and shoots killed by larvae of R. nitida were modelled using Iwao's patchiness regression; Taylor's power law was not appropriate to either data set. Relationships to determine sample sizes for fixed levels of precision and fixed-precision-level stop lines for sequential sampling of the different stages and live and dead shoots were also developed. Neither the ln(x + 1) transformation nor the Healy and Taylor transformation consistently standardised the mean–variance relationships of insect counts and the appropriate transformation should be selected on a case-by-case basis. Counts of both live and dead shoots were adequately transformed by the Iwao and Kuno transformation.     

Effects of planting dates on boll weevils (Coleoptera: Curculionidae) and cotton fruit in the subtropics

The effects of planting dates 2-3-wk apart on boll weevil, Anthonomus grandis grandis Boheman (Coleoptera: Curculionidae), field-level populations, and feeding and oviposition damage to cotton, Gossypium hirsutum L., squares and bolls, were studied during 2002 and 2003 in the Lower Rio Grande Valley of Texas. Squares were 44-56% more abundant in some later planted treatments than in the earlier planted treatments, but mean cumulative numbers of oviposition- and feeding-damaged squares were 2.7 - 4.8-fold greater in some later planted treatments than in earlier treatments. Increased square production in later planted cotton was offset by boll weevil infestations that occurred when squares are most vulnerable and contribute most toward the pest's reproduction. Early planting avoided boll weevil population buildups in the field when large squares were abundant. Lint yields in 2002 did not differ significantly between the planting date treatments, but in 2003, mean yield in the middle treatment was 23% greater than in the early and late-planted treatments. Insecticide sprays in the earliest planted treatment of each year, based on the 10% damaged squares threshold, were >33% and >43% fewer than in the corresponding middle and latest planting treatments, respectively. Delayed planting, relative to the onset of favorable cotton-growing weather, at the field level, even when not applied uniformly on an areawide scale, is more cost-effective than planting too early or too late.     

温度对马铃薯甲虫生长发育的影响

为了进一步明确温度对马铃薯甲虫Leptinotarsa decemlineata (Say)生长发育的影响, 在恒温条件, 研究了温度对马铃薯甲虫实验种群生长发育的影响。结果表明：温度对马铃薯甲虫各虫态的发育历期、存活率及种群的繁殖力有显著的影响。发育历期随温度的升高而缩短, 发育速率与温度呈显著的正相关。马铃薯甲虫世代存活率由大到小的顺序为27℃＞23℃＞19℃＞31℃＞15℃。27℃时成虫的产卵量最高, 单雌平均卵量为729.7粒;其次为23℃, 单雌平均卵量为639.2粒。并测得马铃薯甲虫卵、1龄幼虫、2龄幼虫、3龄幼虫、4龄幼虫、幼虫期、蛹期及全世代的发育起点温度分别为9.14, 10.50, 8.17, 10.28, 9.04, 9.59, 10.23和10.90℃, 有效积温分别为73.26, 43.22, 39.23, 34.05, 161.97, 273.02, 100.38和542.58日·度。据此认为温度对马铃薯甲虫实验种群的生长发育、存活和繁殖影响明显。     

广西叶甲亚科昆虫种类记述(鞘翅目:叶甲科)

记述中国科学院动物研究所 1 998～ 2 0 0 0年对广西十万大山及大瑶山地区考察所采获叶甲亚科并该所标本馆馆藏叶甲亚科标本及文献记载 ,共 2 0属 35种 ,其中包括1中国新记录属 Pseudolina Jacoby、1新种 Gonioctena( Brachyphytodecta) oculata sp.nov.、2中国新记录种 Pseudolina indica Jacoby,Paropsides bouveri Chen。模式标本保存在中国科学院动物研究所。     

The biology, ecology, and harmfulness of the flea-beetle Chaetocnema aridula Gill (Coleoptera, Chrysomelidae) in the forest-steppe of the middle Volga Area

In the forest-steppe of Samara Province, Chaetocnema aridula Gill. dominates among all the species of Chaetocnema Steph. found in cereal crops. The species develops mainly on winter wheat, and, to a lesser extent, on spring wheat and barley. In autumn, adult beetles aggregate on millet for pre-hibernation feeding. The highest population density of Ch. aridula was observed in the humid and warm 1997 and the lowest one, in the extremely dry 1998. In late April-the first third of May, adults begin oviposition after wintering. Larvae appear in winter and spring wheat in mid-May and in late May-early June, respectively. Larvae pupate in winter wheat, beginning from mid-June; in spring crops, pupation begins in mid-June. Adults of a new generation emerge between the middle of June and the middle of July. In spring crops, development of Ch. aridula finishes 2–3 weeks later than in winter crops. Larvae penetrate shoots in the upper soil level in the tillering zone. 50–80% of wheat and barley plants are damaged by larvae. In damaged plants, the number of shoots increases by 1.2–5.8 times, and the number of productive shoots decreases to 17–68%. In plants damaged by flea-beetles, harvest losses constitute 62–90% and 5–20% in winter and spring wheat crops, respectively, and the total harvest loss constitutes 0.3–3.9 and 1–15%, respectively.     

Susceptibility of six Lilium to damage by the lily beetle, Lilioceris lilii (Coleoptera; Chrysomelidae)

The lily beetle ( Lilioceris lilii, Chrysomelidae) feeds on Lilium, Fritillaria and Cardiocrinum plants and is a serious pest in gardens and amenity plantings in parts of Northern Europe and North America. Previous studies have indicated that within the beetle's host range there is variation in susceptibility, although thorough field investigation is lacking. Therefore a 3-year field trial was carried out to assess the susceptibility of six different Lilium to the beetle. The trial was laid out over two replicate blocks, with each block divided into a six by six grid, giving 36 plots; each plot contained nine Lilium of the same type. Lily types were allocated to plots within a block according to a quasi-complete Latin square. The plots were assessed weekly during the growing season over 3 years for plant damage and presence of the beetle. For each plot a damage index for each year was calculated as the average damage score per scoring visit. As beetle presence was low in the first year the damage index, mean adult, larval and egg presence over the final 2 years were analysed using ANOVA. The results indicate that there are significant differences in beetle occurrence and damage on the different Lilium in the trial, however there is also an interaction between damage index and year. The species L. regale and L. 'Golden Joy' gave consistently lower damage index/occurrence means than the hybrids L. 'Tiber', L. 'Brindisi', L. 'Conca d'Or' and L. 'Eliganzer'. We suggest that future host susceptibility trials should use a standard lily such as L. regale against which others can be compared, should take measurements of both beetle occurrence and damage and be carried out over several years to get reliable results. As there are differences in susceptibility of lilies there is a possibility to use lilies more prone to attack; this could be as trap plants for the beetle.     

Effects of row spacing and plant density on corn rootworm (Coleoptera: Chrysomelidae) emergence and damage potential to corn

Planting corn, Zea mays L., in row spacings less than the conventional width of 76 cm has been shown to increase grain yields. This study was conducted to determine if row spacing and plant density affected corn rootworm, Diabrotica virgifera virgifera LeConte and D. barberi Smith & Lawrence, adult emergence, larval injury to the roots, and plant tolerance to injury. Field experiments were conducted at Ames and Nashua, IA, in 1998, 1999, and 2000. Treatments were row spacings of 38 and 76 cm, and plant populations of 64,500 and 79,600 plants per hectare. Adult emergence was 31% greater in 38 cm compared with 76-cm rows. However, root injury was not significantly different between row spacings or plant populations. Row spacing alone did not significantly influence tolerance to injury, measured as root size and the amount of root regrowth. However, at one environment where precipitation was low, plants in 38-cm rows produced 25% more regrowth compared with plants in 76-cm rows. Root dry weight and regrowth were suppressed by 16 and 32%, respectively, at the high plant population. Although lodging was 51% lower in the 38-cm rows compared with the 76-cm rows, grain yields were not significantly different between row spacings. Reducing the row spacing of field corn from 76-38 cm should not increase the potential for injury from corn rootworm larvae.