异色瓢虫不同龄期幼虫踪迹对受孕雌虫产卵的影响

本文通过室内试验研究了异色瓢虫Harmonia axyridis (Pallas)不同龄期幼虫踪迹对受孕雌虫在猎物寄主上停留时间和产卵的影响。结果表明:受孕雌虫倾向于在猎物丰富的植株上停留。幼虫踪迹抑制了受孕异色瓢虫雌虫的停留时间,但2龄幼虫踪迹和4龄幼虫踪迹对受孕雌虫停留时间的影响差异不显著。异色瓢虫雌虫将卵产于有蚜虫的植株上,幼虫踪迹对受孕雌虫的产卵抑制作用显著,但2龄和4龄幼虫踪迹的抑制效果差异不明显。     

异色瓢虫非同胞间食卵自相残杀对成虫生殖力的影响

【目的】食卵自相残杀现象常见于瓢虫中,业已明确取食同胞卵对于初孵瓢虫至关重要,但取食非同胞卵的营养价值是否高于蚜虫仍存争议。本研究旨在明确异色瓢虫Harmonia axyridis在幼虫期除取食蚜虫外兼捕食非同胞卵是否影响其雌成虫的生殖表现。【方法】在异色瓢虫幼虫期设置3个饲喂处理,即仅饲喂禾谷缢管蚜Rhopalosiphum padi(对照)、除饲喂蚜虫外还分别给各龄幼虫饲喂少量非同胞卵(分散食卵)以及除饲喂蚜虫外仅给高龄幼虫饲喂较多非同胞卵(集中食卵)等,观察雌成虫体型大小、产卵前期、连续10 d的逐日产卵量和卵孵化率等形态和生殖特性。【结果】饲喂处理对瓢虫雌成虫体型大小无显著影响,对照、分散食卵和集中食卵3种饲喂处理下的雌成虫身体体积分别为92.30,89.73和93.98 mm~3;饲喂处理对雌成虫产卵前期也无显著影响,3种饲喂处理下雌成虫产卵前期分别为7.50,7.74和7.70 d;但饲喂处理对雌虫生殖力具有显著影响,分散食卵处理与对照无显著差异,羽化后10 d分散食卵和对照下累计产卵量分别为185和205粒,但集中食卵(88粒)比对照或分散食卵的产卵量显著降低;饲喂处理对卵孵化率无显著影响,对照、分散食卵和集中食卵3种饲喂处理下的卵孵化率分别为63.10%,72.58%和66.61%。【结论】结果说明,异色瓢虫各龄幼虫偶尔取食非同胞卵不影响其成虫的生长发育和生殖,但高龄幼虫捕食较多非同胞卵可降低其雌成虫的生殖力。     

南美斑潜蝇取食和产卵行为研究

在室内用菜豆和蚕豆作为寄主植物饲养南美斑潜蝇Liriomyzahuidobrensis (Blanchard) ,观察其取食和产卵习性 ,测量出南美斑潜蝇在这两种作物上的取食孔、取食斑、产卵孔及卵的大小。研究表明 :南美斑潜蝇主要在叶片正面取食 ,在叶片背面产卵 ;南美斑潜蝇在蚕豆和菜豆上取食斑的数量与卵粒数无相关性。     

长期冷藏对越冬代异色瓢虫繁殖及子代生长发育和捕食能力的影响

异色瓢虫被认为是一种重要的捕食性天敌,常被用来防治蚜虫、介壳虫、叶螨等害虫。为了更好地开发利用东北地区丰富的越冬代异色瓢虫自然资源,本研究调查了低温冷藏(3℃冷藏0,30,60,90,120,150 d)对吉林采集的越冬代异色瓢虫繁殖及其子代生长发育和捕食能力的影响。研究结果表明,经历90 d冷藏的瓢虫产卵量最大,明显高于冷藏60 d个体的产卵量,与冷藏120 d、150 d及未经冷藏个体的产卵量不存在明显差异;经历不同冷藏期的瓢虫与室内人工饲养种群子代具有相似发育历期(约16.0 d);而且长期冷藏也未对瓢虫子代幼期的捕食能力产生负面影响,冷藏150 d瓢虫的子代在整个幼虫阶段能捕食662.8头蚜虫,与未冷藏个体和人工饲养种群个体不存在明显差异。本研究为开发利用东北地区越冬代异色瓢虫自然资源的生物防治作用提供了理论依据。     

三种瓢虫集团内捕食卵对初龄幼虫生长发育的影响

种内和种间捕食卵现象常见于对食蚜瓢虫的研究报道中。源自亚洲、入侵北美和欧洲的异色瓢虫(Harmonia axyridis)由于卵含有生物碱而被认为可能是威胁本土瓢虫生存的原因,但该推测只有在明确异色瓢虫在原产地是否对本土瓢虫具有类似负面影响后,才能确证。通过饲喂实验,旨在明确异色瓢虫在原产地是否对本土七星瓢虫(Coccinella septempunctata)和龟纹瓢虫(Propylea japonica)具有食卵负面作用,为揭示异色瓢虫入侵机理提供依据。实验中用蚜虫(对照)和3种瓢虫卵对瓢虫初孵1龄幼虫进行饲喂处理,观察幼虫生长发育指标。对瓢虫初龄幼虫存活表现的分析结果表明:(1)龟纹瓢虫初孵幼虫取食同种卵和七星瓢虫卵后存活至2龄的比率均高于取食异色瓢虫卵的近7倍;(2)七星瓢虫幼虫取食异色瓢虫卵未存活到2龄,但取食其他瓢虫卵和蚜虫后85%以上个体存活至2龄;(3)异色瓢虫初孵幼虫取食同种和其他2种瓢虫卵后有90%以上存活至2龄。龟纹瓢虫和七星瓢虫1龄幼虫取食异种卵比同种卵后的发育历期显著延长,但异色瓢虫并未表现出差异。龟纹瓢虫和异色瓢虫1龄幼虫取食同种和异种卵后的体增重相同,但七星瓢虫取食龟纹瓢虫卵后体增重比取食同种卵减小。研究结果说明,异色瓢虫卵对七星瓢虫和龟纹瓢虫初孵幼虫的生存具有负面影响,反之不然。所以,取食异色瓢虫卵本身并非是导致北美和欧洲本土瓢虫数量减少的原因。     

亚致死剂量杀虫剂对异色瓢虫繁殖力的影响

为协调害虫的化学防治与生物防治,测定了吡虫啉、鱼藤酮、氰戊菊酯、阿维菌素、抗蚜威和印楝素6种杀虫剂亚致死剂量对异色瓢虫成虫繁殖力的影响．结果表明,各处理异色瓢虫每雌每日产卵量为40～55粒,吡虫啉接触法和饲喂法预处理及鱼藤酮和印楝素饲喂预处理后,均显著低于对照．所有处理间每雌累积产卵量差异不显著．6种药剂2种方式处理异色瓢虫后,其所产卵的孵化率均低于对照,从卵发育至蛹期的累积存活率均显著降低．吡虫啉两种方式处理和氰戊菊酯接触处理,从卵至蛹期的总发育历期显著延长,鱼藤酮两种方式处理和氰戊菊酯、阿维菌素、抗蚜威、印楝素饲喂法处理的总发育历期明显比对照缩短,而鱼藤酮和阿维菌素接触处理的与对照差异不显著．药剂直接浸渍处理异色瓢虫卵后,各处理卵的孵化率均较对照降低．氰戊菊酯处理的l龄幼虫存活率也明显较对照低,2龄至蛹期的存活率也有所下降．鱼藤酮和氰戊菊酯处理的总发育历期显著延长．这些研究结果显示,低剂量的杀虫剂对异色瓢虫繁殖力的影响很复杂,药剂的类型、作用方式、毒性高低以及给药途径等均影响到试验结果．     

三种捕食性瓢虫成虫对卵的种内自残及其集团内捕食作用

捕食性瓢虫是农田生态系中一类重要的天敌昆虫,种内自残和集团内捕食现象在捕食性瓢虫中普遍存在。本研究在室内通过选择性和非选择性试验比较分析了异色瓢虫、七星瓢虫及龟纹瓢虫成虫对卵的种内自残和集团内捕食作用以及卵表面的化学物质对集团内捕食作用的影响。结果表明:在非选择性试验中,3种捕食性瓢虫成虫对卵表现出相似的取食现象,即对龟纹瓢虫卵取食最多,其次为七星瓢虫卵,对异色瓢虫卵取食相对较少;在选择性试验中,七星瓢虫和龟纹瓢虫较偏好取食同种卵,对异色瓢虫卵取食均较少;而异色瓢虫喜欢取食异种卵,对同种卵取食相对较少。3种瓢虫卵经正己烷漂洗后,异色瓢虫、七星瓢虫和龟纹瓢虫成虫却未对卵表现出取食偏好性。本研究可为捕食性瓢虫组合释放与协调利用、田间集团内捕食作用评定及其在生物防治中的应用提供理论依据。     

多次交配对异色瓢虫雌虫寿命及适合度的影响

异色瓢虫Harmonia axyridis(Coleoptera:Coccinellidae)为多次交配型昆虫,通过设计不同的交配次数,观察并记录不同交配组的雌虫产卵量、卯孵化率及成虫寿命等参数,探究多次交配对异色瓢虫雌虫适合度的影响.结果 表明多次交配对雌性异色瓢虫成虫的寿命有显著影响(P<0.05),交配次数越多雌性瓢虫的寿命越短;单次交配组在交配后第一周的产卵量明显低于多次交配组,为55.00±17.90枚,而4次、7次、14次交配组产卵量分别为102.29±11.97枚、93.60±13.09枚和93.36±14.95枚;多次交配可以提高异色瓢虫卵的孵化率,多次交配组卵的孵化率明显高于单次交配组,其中7次交配组最高(88.71%±0.29%),多次交配对异色瓢虫雌虫有直接利益,多次交配可以提高雌性异色瓢虫的适合度.     

异色瓢虫幼虫对卵的种内自残和种间捕食

自残现象的发生在异色瓢虫Harmonia axyridis中很是常见,为明确自残行为对其存活和生长发育的影响,在非选择性条件下我们对异色瓢虫幼虫对非姊妹卵的种内自残和对七星瓢虫Coccinella septempunctata卵的种间捕食进行了研究。结果表明,异色瓢虫取食同种卵和异种卵均可完成生长发育,与取食蚜虫相比：①其从卵到成虫及蛹期的发育历期明显缩短（P<0.05）,其中1龄幼虫发育历期缩短非常明显（P<0.01）;②自然条件下高死亡率的1龄幼虫的存活率明显提高（P<0.05）;③2-4龄幼虫、蛹和成虫的体重变轻（P<0.05）,且体长在4龄幼虫间也表现出显著差异（P<0.05）。这表明异色瓢虫种内自残和种间捕食对其在食物恶劣条件下延续种群至关重要,但对种群的繁衍却不是最理想的途径。     

日本刀角瓢虫对不同番茄品种的产卵选择性及其影响因素

【目的】明确日本刀角瓢虫Serangium japonicum对叶毛密度和类型不同的番茄Lycopersiconesculentum品种的产卵选择性。【方法】以4个番茄品种(砧木101、闽粉樱1号、砧木301和以色列超级金刚)作为日本刀角瓢虫的寄主植物,观察番茄叶片背面超微结构,统计叶片背面叶毛类型及密度;用叶蝶法和植株法测定日本刀角瓢虫雌成虫在带烟粉虱Bemisia tabaci卵的4个番茄品种上的产卵量占比;并测定日本刀角瓢虫在这4个番茄品种叶片上的子代及成虫表现(生长发育、繁殖和捕食能力)以及对叶片的附着力,雌成虫对4个番茄品种健康叶片和受烟粉虱为害叶片的气味选择以及4个番茄品种叶碟和植株上日本刀角瓢虫卵被同类捕食的风险。【结果】4个番茄品种叶片背面叶毛类型均具有非腺毛和腺毛,其中,非腺毛有Ⅱ, Ⅲ和Ⅴ型,腺毛有Ⅰ, Ⅳ Ⅵ和Ⅶ型,且均以Ⅴ型非腺毛密度最高。以色列超级金刚叶片背面的叶毛密度显著低于其他3个供试番茄品种。日本刀角瓢虫偏好在以色列超级金刚上产卵,在以色列超级金刚、砧木101和闽粉樱1号上的繁殖力(165~223.92粒/雌)显著高于在砧木301上的(2809粒/雌)。日本刀角瓢虫子代由卵发育至成虫的历期在闽粉樱1号上最短(15.73 d),在砧木101上最长(23.00 d)。日本刀角瓢虫在4个番茄品种上的产卵选择性与子代表现及亲代表现无显著相关性,而与日本刀角瓢虫卵的被捕食风险存在显著正相关关系。日本刀角瓢虫在4个番茄品种上的产卵选择性与日本刀角瓢虫对番茄叶片的附着力及番茄叶片上各类型叶毛密度均无显著相关性。番茄的7种叶毛类型其叶毛密度在4个番茄品种上都存在显著差异,除番茄Ⅰ型腺毛密度与日本刀角瓢虫的繁殖力(30 d内单雌产卵量)存在显著负相关关系外,其他6种类型的叶毛密度与日本刀角瓢虫子代表现及亲代表现均无显著相关性。日本刀角瓢虫雌成虫对4个番茄品种的气味无明显偏好。日本刀角瓢虫卵在4个番茄品种叶蝶和植株上的被捕食比例差异显著。【结论】日本刀角瓢虫雌成虫偏好在叶毛密度低的番茄品种叶片上产卵,番茄腺毛对日本刀角瓢虫成虫生命活动影响显著。     

Oviposition by Mamestra brassicae (L.) (Lep., Noctuidae) in relation to age, time of day and host plant

The age at which females begin to lay, the daily pattern of oviposition, the influence of host-plant material on egg-laying as well as the host preference of Mamestra brassicae L. (Lep., Noctuidae) were investigated under laboratory conditions. The females began to oviposit during the third, fourth and fifth scotophase after emergence. A great variability in daily female fecundity was observed. The highest level of oviposition occurred during the fifth day. Females oviposited during the whole scotophase, but maximal oviposition occurred during the second hour. The females without host-plant material laid fewer eggs than females with host-plant material (cabbage leaves Brassica oleracea var. capitata ). In two-choice tests, the females preferred to oviposit on cabbage rather than chrysanthemum, but there was no difference in the mean number of eggs laid on cabbage and tomato. There were significantly greater mean numbers of total eggs deposited on tomato than on chrysanthemum.     

Diamondback moth oviposition: effects of host plant and herbivory

The oviposition behaviour of Plutella xylostella L. (Lepidoptera: Plutellidae) on Chinese cabbage (Brassica rapa L. Pekinensis, cv. Wombok), canola (Brassica napus L. cv. Thunder TT), and cabbage (Brassica oleracea L. Capitata, cv. sugarloaf) (Brassicaceae) was studied in the laboratory. In no‐choice experiments moths laid most eggs on the stems and lower three leaves of cabbage plants, the lower three leaves of canola plants, but on the upper three leaves of Chinese cabbage plants. The effects of conspecific herbivore damage to foliage could be replicated by mechanical damage. When foliage was damaged, injured cabbage and canola plants were preferred for oviposition over intact conspecifics, whereas injured Chinese cabbage plants were less preferred than intact conspecifics. However, when root tissue was damaged, intact cabbage and canola plants were preferred over injured conspecifics, whereas moths did not discriminate between root‐damaged and intact Chinese cabbage plants. Injury to upper leaves significantly affected the intra‐plant distribution of eggs. In cabbage and canola plants, injury to leaf 6 significantly increased the number of eggs laid on this leaf, resulting in a significant decrease in the number of eggs laid on the lower foliage/stem of plants, whereas in Chinese cabbage plants it significantly decreased the number of eggs laid on leaf 6. Following oviposition on intact plants, neonate larvae established the vast majority of feeding sites on leaves 5–8 in all three host plants, indicating that larvae moved a considerable distance from preferred oviposition sites in cabbage and canola plants. The growth rate of neonates fed on leaf‐6 tissue was significantly greater than that of those fed on leaf‐1 tissue; >90% of larvae completed development when fed exclusively on leaf‐6 tissue but no larvae completed development when fed exclusively on leaf‐1 tissue. The study demonstrates the complex and unpredictable interactions between P. xylostella and its host plants and provides a basis from which we can begin to understand observed distributions of the pest in Brassica crops.     

Diamondback moth egg susceptibility to rainfall: effects of host plant and oviposition behavior

Oviposition patterns of the diamondback moth (DBM), Plutella xylostella L. (Lepidoptera: Plutellidae), differ between common cabbage (Brassica oleracea L. var. capitata) and Chinese cabbage (Brassica rapa L. var. pekinensis) (Brassicaceae) host plants. This study shows that the moth prefers to oviposit on adaxial rather than abaxial leaf surfaces and petioles of both host plants. More eggs were laid in leaf veins than on leaf laminas of both host plants, especially in Chinese cabbage, where 94.6% of eggs were laid in veins. On Chinese cabbage, very few eggs were laid in clusters (≥2 eggs), whereas on common cabbage approximately 30% of eggs were laid in groups of 2 or more eggs. Removal of wax from common cabbage leaves dramatically increased the number of eggs laid singly on the leaf lamina of treated plants, suggesting that leaf waxes affect how eggs are distributed by ovipositing DBM. Eggs were most susceptible to removal by rainfall from the plant surface immediately (<1 h) after oviposition and when close to hatching (>72h old) whereas they were least susceptible 24 h after oviposition. Eggs laid on common cabbage plants were more susceptible to simulated rainfall than eggs laid on Chinese cabbage plants. On common cabbage plants, egg susceptibility to rainfall on different plant parts ranked adaxial leaf surfaces>petioles = abaxial leaf surfaces>stem, but there was no difference in egg susceptibility to rainfall on the various plant parts of Chinese cabbage. Furthermore, on common cabbage plants, eggs laid on both adaxial and abaxial leaf surfaces were afforded significant protection from the effects of rainfall by leaves higher in the plant canopy. On common cabbage plants, oviposition patterns reduce the potential impact of rainfall on eggs, possibly reducing the effect of this important abiotic mortality factor in the field.     

Egg and larval load assessment and its influence on oviposition behaviour of the leaf beetle Galerucella nymphaeae

The oviposition behaviour of the water-lily beetle Galerucella nymphaeae was examined. This species is a specialist herbivore on the floating leaves of nymphaeids Nymphaeaceae and especially on the yellow water-lily, Nuphar lutea. Females lay their eggs in clutches on the leaves, and after hatching, the larvae feed on the leaves. The quality of the leaves decreases quickly after the larvae hatch, and eventually the leaves will sink below the water surface, whereupon the eggs, 1st-instar larvae and pupae are killed by drowning. The influence of conspecific eggs, larvae and feeding tracks on the oviposition preferences of the beetles was tested. Females were allowed to choose between fresh leaves and leaves with conspecific eggs and larvae as well as between leaves with larvae and leaves with feeding tracks but no larvae. An attempt was also made to determine whether eggs and larvae affect the oviposition rate of females when they are not given the opportunity to oviposit on untouched leaves. The results indicate that females tended to avoid leaves with conspecific larvae or to exhibit a decreased oviposition rate on such leaves. Females also avoided conspecific eggs, although the oviposition rate was not influenced by the presence of conspecific eggs. When females were allowed to choose between leaves with larvae and leaves with feeding tracks, possible discrimination against leaves with larvae just fails to reach the 5% level.     

Temporal changes in olfactory and oviposition responses of the diamondback moth to herbivore‐induced host plants

Temporal changes in the pre‐ and post‐alighting responses of mated female diamondback moth, Plutella xylostella L. (Lepidoptera: Plutellidae), to two species of Brassica (Brassicaceae) host plants induced by larval feeding were studied using olfactometer and oviposition assays. Females displayed strong olfactory and oviposition preferences for herbivore‐induced common cabbage (Brassica oleracea var. capitata L. cv. sugarloaf) plants over intact plants; these preferences decreased with time and disappeared by the 7th day after induction. In herbivore‐induced common cabbage plants, eggs were clustered near feeding damage on the younger leaves (leaves 5–7), whereas in intact plants, eggs were clustered on the stem and lower leaves (leaves 1–4) . However, as the time interval between larval feeding and oviposition increased, more eggs were laid on the lower leaves of induced plants. This demonstrates a change in egg distribution from the pattern associated with induced plants to that associated with intact plants. In contrast, females displayed strong olfactory and oviposition preferences for intact Chinese cabbage [Brassica rapa ssp. pekinensis (Lour.) Hanelt cv. Wombok] plants over induced plants; these preferences decreased with time and disappeared by the 5th day after induction. More eggs were laid on the upper leaves (leaves 4–6) than on the lower leaves (leaves 1–3) of intact Chinese cabbage plants at first, but the distribution changed over time until there were no significant differences in the egg count between upper and lower leaves by the 4th day post induction. For both host plant species, pre‐alighting responses of moths were reliable indicators of post‐alighting responses on the first 2 days post induction. The results suggest that temporal changes in a plant's profile (chemical or otherwise) following herbivory may influence attractiveness to an insect herbivore and be accompanied by changes in olfactory and oviposition preferences.     

Oviposition behavior of the cabbage root fly,Delia radicum (L.), influenced by host plant extracts

An ethanolic extract of cabbage leaves (Brassica oleraceavar. capitata,Golden Acre)and derived fractions were tested on natural and surrogate leaves in order to study the oviposition behavior of the cabbage root fly Delia radicum(Diptera: Anthomyiidae). On surrogate plastic leaves coated with a thin layer of paraffin wax and treated with 0.1 gram leaf equivalent (gle) of an ethanolic raw cabbage extract, the females displayed the same sequence of behavioral patterns as on a natural host plant. The quantified oviposition behavior correlated well with the actual number of eggs laid. The extract-treated surrogate leaves received at least as many eggs as natural leaves with a similar surface area. Previous exposure to surrogate or natural leaves seemed not to induce a specific preference. The three fractions (hexane, butanol, and water) of the raw extract stimulated the oviposition behavior. This was taken as evidence for the presence of a multicomponent mixture or a chemical pattern in the cabbage leaves stimulating oviposition. At the tested concentration each fraction alone could stimulate in some individuals the complete behavior. No effect of volatile components of the raw extract could be detected. This is thought to be due to the extraction procedure, which limits the production of attractive, volatile compounds, such as isothiocyanates.     

Role of foliar chemistry versus leaf-tip morphology in egg-batch placement by Chrysophtharta bimaculata (Olivier) (Coleoptera: Chrysomelidae)

Abstract The Tasmanian eucalyptus leaf beetle, Chrysophtharta bimaculata (Olivier) (Chrysomelidae: Paropsini), deposits batches of eggs on the leaf surfaces of its Eucalyptus hosts. Using a primary host of the beetle, Eucalyptus regnans , the aim of the present study was to examine whether oviposition site discrimination was occurring at the level of the individual leaf and what, if any, chemical attributes were involved in site selection. From field surveys, it was found that 55−65% of egg batches were laid in the leaf-tip zone, despite this zone representing only 5.6% of the total leaf-surface area. Chemical analyses of expanding leaves showed that the concentrations of three essential oil components and three surface waxes varied significantly between the leaf tip and remainder of the leaf. However, on plastic mimic leaves with uniform, non-foliar chemistry, eggs were still preferentially laid near 'leaf' tips. Hence, leaf essential oils and surface waxes need not be involved in oviposition site choice. Observations of ovipositing beetles showed that they wrapped their tarsi around the leaf margin, suggesting that the ability to grasp the edges of a leaf may explain the oviposition pattern observed.     

Feeding damage by larvae of the mustard leaf beetle deters conspecific females from oviposition and feeding

Herbivorous insects may be informed about the presence of competitors on the same host plant by a variety of cues. These cues can derive from either the competitor itself or the damaged plant. In the mustard leaf beetle Phaedon cochleariae (Coleoptera, Chrysomelidae), adults are known to be deterred from feeding and oviposition by the exocrine glandular secretion of conspecific co-occurring larvae. We hypothesised that the exocrine larval secretion released by feeding larvae may adsorb to the surface of Chinese cabbage leaves, and thus, convey the information about their former or actual presence. Further experiments tested the influence of leaves damaged by conspecific larvae, mechanically damaged leaves, larval frass and regurgitant on the oviposition and feeding behaviour of P. cochleariae. Finally, the effect of previous conspecific herbivory on larval development and larval host selection was assessed. Our results show that (epi)chrysomelidial, the major component of the exocrine secretion from P. cochleariae larvae, was detectable by GC-MS in surface extracts from leaves upon which larvae had fed. However, leaves exposed to volatiles of the larval secretion were not avoided by female P. cochleariae for feeding or oviposition. Thus, we conclude that secretion volatiles did not adsorb in sufficient amounts on the leaf surface to display deterrent activity towards adults. By contrast, gravid females avoided to feed and lay their eggs on leaves damaged by second-instar larvae for three days when compared to undamaged leaves. Mechanical damage of leaves and treatment of artificially damaged leaves with larval frass or regurgitant did not affect oviposition and feeding of P. cochleariae. Since no adverse effects of previous herbivory on larval development were detected, we suggest that female P. cochleariae avoid Chinese cabbage leaves damaged by feeding larvae for other reasons than escape from competition or avoidance of direct negative effects that result from consuming induced plant material.     

Host suitability of various stored food products for the cigarette beetle, <Emphasis Type="Italic">Lasioderma serricorne</Emphasis> (Coleoptera: Anobiidae)

We investigated the attraction to, and ovipositional activity and egg-to-adult survival rate on, 11 stored products of Lasioderma serricorne (F.). These products included polished rice, unpolished rice, wheat flour, corn flour, cocoa powder, roasted coffee beans, green tea leaves, black tea leaves, soybean flour, flue-cured tobacco leaves, and dried small sardines. Tobacco, cocoa, soybean flour, black tea, and wheat flour significantly attracted the beetles. Corn flour, green tea, and coffee tended to attract the beetles. Ovipositional activity of beetle was higher on the food materials than on nonfood materials. The highest ovipositional activity was observed on coffee, followed by cocoa. Ovipositional activity on black tea, unpolished rice, and green tea was also relatively high. Methanol extracts of coffee beans showed oviposition-stimulatory activity. Therefore, the high ovipositional activity observed on coffee beans could be attributed to oviposition stimulants contained in the beans. In the egg-to-adult survival test, all eggs laid on polished rice or tobacco leaves developed successfully into adults, whereas none of the eggs laid on black tea, green tea, or coffee beans developed into adults. These findings suggest that suitability as an attractive target, suitability as an oviposition site, and suitability as larval food are not always compatible.     

Repellency of a kaolin particle film,Surround, and a mineral oil,Sunspray oil,to silverleaf whitefly (Homoptera: Aleyrodidae) on melon in the laboratory

Surround, a kaolin-based particle film formulation, and Sunspray oil, a mineral oil, were evaluated alone or in combination in choice and no-choice laboratory assays on melon leaves for repellency to adults of the silverleaf whitefly, Bemisia argentifolii Bellows & Perring. In no-choice tests, the number of adults and eggs on leaves did not significantly differ among the three treatments and the water control when materials were applied to either the tipper or lower leaf surface. Significantly fewer adults and eggs were found on treated leaves compared with water when materials were applied to both leaf surfaces. Application of Surround did not affect the oviposition pattern, with 80.2-88.5% eggs oviposited on lower surface. However, whiteflies oviposited more eggs (53.1-63.8%) on the upper compared with the lower surface when Sunspray oil or Surround + Sunspray oil was applied on the lower leaf surface and both leaf surfaces. When whiteflies were allowed to choose among leaves treated with different materials on the same leaf surface(s), significantly fewer adults and eggs were found on treated leaves compared with water-treated leaves, and more adults and eggs were found on leaves when the materials were applied to tipper versus lower or both surfaces. Leaves treated with materials on both leaf surfaces had fewer whiteflies compared with leaves treated on the upper or lower surface. When whiteflies were allowed to choose among leaves treated with materials versus water-treated leaves in a 6:3 or an 8:1 ratio, significantly fewer adults and eggs were found on leaves treated with treatment materials compared with water, regardless of which leaf surface(s) were treated. No significant synergistic or additive effect was detected in Surround + Sunspray oil compared with either material used separately.