Repellency of ginger oil to Bemisia argentifolii (Homoptera: Aleyrodidae) on tomato

The whitefly Bemisia argentifolii Bellows & Perring is an economically important pest of tomatoes, Lycopersicon esculentum Mill., inducing an irregular ripening disorder of fruit and transmitting plant pathogenic viruses. With the goal of investigating ginger oil as a protectant for tomato plants, we tested the effects of concentration of ginger oil and application methods on repellency to whitefly in a vertical still-air olfactometer. In choice and no-choice experiments conducted in a greenhouse, we evaluated whether ginger oil would protect tomato seedlings from whitefly settling and oviposition. Ginger oil repelled whitefly adults in the vertical olfactometer. The repellency of ginger oil was attributed to its odor, effective at the concentrations used over a distance of 1-2 mm. Tomato leaf disks dipped in ginger oil repelled whiteflies at concentrations of 0.5, 0.75, and 1%, but not at concentrations <0.5%, in a dose-response experiment conducted in the olfactometer. Repellency increased with increasing ginger oil concentration when leaf disks were dipped in ginger oil but not when ginger oil was sprayed onto the leaf disks. Higher quantities of monoterpenes and sesquiterpenes were deposited on leaf disks dipped in ginger oil than on sprayed leaf disks according to gas chromatographic quantification. In the greenhouse, both choice and no-choice tests were conducted with tomato seedlings dipped in 0.25% ginger oil solution or 2% Tween 20, as treatment and control, respectively. In the choice test, 35-42% fewer whitefly adults settled and 37% fewer eggs were laid during the 24-h exposure period on tomato plants dipped in ginger oil solution than on plants dipped in 2% Tween 20. In the no-choice test, 10.2-16.7% fewer whiteflies settled on treated plants compared with control plants but no significant differences were detected in the number of eggs laid. Higher concentrations of ginger oil could not be used without causing severe wilting of tomato leaves. Ginger oil has potential as a protectant of tomato seedlings against B. argentifolii, but issues of phytotoxicity and coverage need to be addressed.     

Influence of trichomes on attractiveness and ovipositional preference of Bemisia tabaci (Genn.) B biotype (Hemiptera: Aleyrodidae) on tomato genotypes

Brazil is one of the world's largest tomato producer, but considerable part of the production is lost due to the attack of Bemisia tabaci (Genn.) B biotype. Resistant germoplasm plants can be an important method for B. tabaci control in integrated pest management approaches. The attractiveness and ovipositional preference of B. tabaci for 17 tomato genotypes were evaluated in a free-choice test. Trials were set up in a randomized block design with ten replicates. Each replicate (one tomato plant per pot) was placed in a cage (80 x 50 x 50 cm) and infested with 1,000 adults during four days. Linear correlation tests were applied between the number of insects and eggs and number of trichomes in each tomato genotype. LA716, LA444-1 and PI134418 genotypes were the least attractive, while the 'Santa Clara' was the most attractive; PI134417 trapped the largest number of adults. LA716 genotype (4.1 eggs/leaflet and 2.1 cm2/eggs per leaflet) was the least preferred for whitefly oviposition; NAV1062, 'Fanny', LA1335, 'Santa Clara' and IAC294 were the most preferred genotypes. The glandular trichomes density was negatively correlated with whitefly's attractiveness and oviposition per leaflet and per leaf, and positively with the number of trapped insects. The non-glandular trichomes density was negatively correlated with the number of trapped insects and positively with whitefly's oviposition per cm2/leaflet andper cm2/leaf. LA716 had high antixenosis level (ovipositional nonpreference) toward B. tabaci B biotype related with type IV glandular trichome.     

Intraguild predation among plant pests: western flower thrips larvae feed on whitefly crawlers

Omnivores obtain resources from more than one trophic level, and choose their food based on quantity and quality of these resources. For example, omnivores may switch to feeding on plants when prey are scarce. Larvae of the western flower thrips Frankiniella occidentalis Pergande (Thysanoptera: Thripidae) are an example of omnivores that become predatory when the quality of their host plant is low. Western flower thrips larvae usually feed on leaf tissue and on plant pollen, but may also attack eggs of predatory mites, their natural enemies, and eggs of the two-spotted spider mite Tetranychus urticae Koch (Acari: Tetranychidae), one of their competitors. Here, we present evidence that western flower thrips larvae prey on Trialeurodes vaporariorum Westwood (Hemiptera: Aleyrodidae), another competitor for plant tissue. We tested this on two host plant species, cucumber (Cucumis sativa L.), considered a host plant of high quality for western flower thrips, and sweet pepper (Capsicum annuum L.), a relatively poor quality host. We found that western flower thrips killed and fed especially on whitefly crawlers and that the incidence of feeding did not depend on host-plant species. The developmental rate and oviposition rate of western flower thrips was higher on a diet of cucumber leaves with whitefly crawlers than on cucumber leaves without whitefly crawlers, suggesting that thrips do not just kill whiteflies to reduce competition, but utilize whitefly crawlers as food.     

Feeding Experience of Bemisia tabaci (Hemiptera: Aleyrodidae) Affects Their Performance on Different Host Plants

The sweetpotato whitefly, Bemisia tabaci biotype B is extremely polyphagous with >600 species of host plants. We hypothesized that previous experience of the whitefly on a given host plant affects their host selection and performance on the plants without previous experience. We investigated the host selection for feeding and oviposition of adults and development and survival of immatures of three host-plant-experienced populations of B. tabaci, namely Bemisia-eggplant, Bemisia-tomato and Bemisia-cucumber, on their experienced host plant and each of the three other plant species (eggplant, tomato, cucumber and pepper) without previous experience. We found that the influence of previous experience of the whiteflies varied among the populations. All populations refused pepper for feeding and oviposition, whereas the Bemisia-cucumber and the Bemisia-eggplant strongly preferred cucumber. Bemisia-tomato did not show strong preference to any of the three host palnts. Development time from egg to adult eclosion varied among the populations, being shortest on eggplant, longest on pepper, and intermediate on tomato and cucumber except for the Bemisia-cucumber developed similarly on tomato and pepper. The survivorship from egg to adult eclosion of all populations was highest on eggplant (80-98%), lowest on pepper (0-20%), and intermediate on tomato and cucumber. In conclusion, the effects of previous experience of whiteflies on host selection for feeding and oviposition, development, and survivorship varied depending on host plants, and host plants play a stronger role than previous experience. Preference of feeding and oviposition by adults may not accurately reflect host suitability of immatures. These results provided important information for understanding whitefly population dynamics and dispersal among different crop systems.     

Factors that affect the selection of tomato leaflets by two whiteflies,Trialeurodes vaporariorum and Bemisia tabaci (Homoptera: Aleyrodidae)

In Japan, although greenhouse whitefly, Trialeurodes vaporariorum (Westwood), and sweet potato whitefly, Bemisia tabaci (Gennadius), co-occur on tomato plants under greenhouse conditions, the two whiteflies are distributed differently with regard to leaf position. To elucidate the factors that determine the leaf position of these whiteflies, we investigated traits for leaflets collected from three positions on tomato plants. Furthermore, we examined leaflet selection by and fertility of the two whiteflies under choice and non-choice conditions. In addition, the effect on whitefly behavior of volatile compounds released from leaflets was evaluated by use of a Y-tube olfactometer test. Nitrogen and carbon content were highest for upper leaflets. In choice tests, more T. vaporariorum and B. tabaci adults selected upper and middle leaflets, respectively. Similarly, they oviposited more eggs on upper and middle leaflets. In non-choice tests, T. vaporariorum oviposited more eggs on upper leaflets, but B. tabaci oviposited equally on each leaflet. In Y-tube olfactometer tests, more T. vaporariorum adults moved to upper leaflets whereas more B. tabaci adults moved to middle leaflets. These results suggest that different leaflet selection by adults of these two whiteflies is likely to be associated with the different volatile compounds emitted by tomato leaflets at each position.     

Host-plant species modifies the diet of an omnivore feeding on three trophic levels

The diet choice of omnivores feeding on two adjacent trophic levels (either plants and herbivores or herbivores and predators) has been studied extensively. However, omnivores usually feed on more than two trophic levels, and this diet choice and its consequences for population dynamics have hardly been studied. We report how host-plant quality affects the diet choice of western flower thrips feeding on three trophic levels: plants (cucumber or sweet pepper), eggs of spider mites and eggs of a predatory mite that attacks spider mites. Spider mites feed on the same host plants as thrips and produce a web that hampers predator mobility. To assess the indirect effects of spider mites on predation by thrips, the thrips were offered spider-mite eggs and predatory-mite eggs on cucumber or sweet pepper leaf discs that were either clean, damaged by spider mites but without spider-mite web, or damaged and webbed. We show that, overall, thrips consumed more eggs on sweet pepper, a plant of low quality, than on cucumber, a high quality host plant. On damaged and webbed leaf discs (mimicking the natural situation), thrips killed more predator eggs than spider-mite eggs on sweet pepper, but they killed equal numbers of eggs of each species on cucumber. This is because web hampered predation on spider-mite eggs by thrips on sweet pepper, but not on cucumber, whereas it did not affect predation on predatory-mite eggs. We used the data obtained to parameterize a model of the local dynamics of this system. The model predicts that total predation by the omnivore has little effects on population dynamics, whereas differential attack of predator eggs and spider-mite eggs by the omnivore has large effects on the dynamics of both mite species on the two host plants.     

Risk to non-target plants from Charidotis auroguttata (Chrysomelidae: Coleoptera), a potential biocontrol agent for cat’s claw creeper Macfadyena unguis-cati (Bignoniaceae) in Australia

The potential of the leaf beetle Charidotis auroguttata as a biocontrol agent for cat’s claw creeper Macfadyena unguis-cati (Bignoniaceae), an environmental weed in Australia, and risk to non-target plants was evaluated under quarantine conditions. In no-choice tests, C. auroguttata adults and larvae fed on many plant species across different families, but egg to adult development occurred only on the target weed. However, when neonate larvae from the target weed were transferred onto Myoporum boninense australe (Myoporaceae), a non-target native plant, 11.7% completed development, as compared to 95% of larvae that completed development on the target weed. Larval development on this non-target species also took twice as long as on the target weed. No larvae completed development on other test plants. In choice tests, leaf area consumption by adults and larvae was significantly more on the target weed than on other plants, and oviposition occurred only on the target weed. In the no-choice demography trials, adults laid eggs from the second week after emergence on the target weed, with an average of 0.286 eggs/female/day, resulting in an 18-fold increase in the adult population over 16 weeks. On My. boninense australe adult survival remained high, but oviposition commenced only from the 10th week after emergence with an average of 0.023 eggs/female/day, and none of the eggs developed into adults. In the choice demography trials, oviposition on the target weed was evident from the fourth week onwards, while on the non-target plant oviposition commenced only from the 14th week. Only 10% of total adults and 11.3% of total eggs were found on the non-target plant, and none of these eggs developed into adults. Although the biocontrol agent can ‘spill-over’ from the target weed to the non-target native plant and cause adult feeding damage, the non-target plant could not sustain a viable insect population on its own. This agent was not approved for field release in Australia due to perceived risk to non-target species.     

喷施吲哚-3-乙酸 (IAA) 对番茄及其上B型烟粉虱的影响

【目的】不同植物生长调节物质对植食性昆虫产卵、发育、取食等常有促进或抑制作用,进而影响植物与昆虫的互作关系。本研究旨在阐明常用的植物生长调节剂吲哚-3-乙酸对B型烟粉虱Bemisia tabaci (Gennadius)的影响,进而探索防治烟粉虱环境友好的方法,同时期望获得更加优质的烟粉虱用作替代寄主饲养寄生蜂。【方法】对番茄 Solanum lycopersicum L.植株外源喷施吲哚-3-乙酸(IAA),检测其生理生化的响应;记录B型烟粉虱存活率、产卵量并测量解毒酶等指标。【结果】喷施IAA后番茄叶片含水量略有上升,叶面积增大,叶绿素含量增加,过氧化物酶(POD)活性降低,多酚氧化酶(PPO)活性升高,超氧化物歧化酶(SOD)活性变化不显著(P＞0.05)。喷施IAA后番茄上B型烟粉虱成虫存活率高于对照组,其中50 mg/L IAA番茄上B型烟粉虱成虫存活率和总产卵量最高,250 mg/L IAA存活率最低;喷施IAA 120 h后烟粉虱总产卵量升高;碱性磷酸酶(AKP)、超氧化物歧化酶(SOD)活性较对照升高。【结论】喷施不同浓度的IAA溶液后,番茄植株的生理生化水平发生不同程度的改变,烟粉虱成虫的存活状况、产卵量以及体内解毒活性也会产生不同程度的改变。适宜剂量的IAA处理能够使烟粉虱的生存表现更加优异,从而为饲养寄生蜂提供优质的替代寄主。     

Management of root-knot nematode (Meloidogyne spp.) on sweet pepper (Capsicum annuum L.) with moringa (Moringa oleifera Lam.) leaf powder

A major constraint facing sweet pepper production is infestation by nematodes leading to reduced yields. Field studies were conducted during the 2012 cropping season at the Experimental Farms of the University for Development Studies, Nyankpala, Northern region, Ghana, to determine efficacy of various levels of moringa leaf powder for the control of root-knot nematodes in sweet pepper (Capsicum annuum L.) in the savanna ecology of Ghana. Treatments consisted of three levels of moringa leaf powder (40, 60 and 80?g/L) per plot and 0?g/L (control). The experiment was laid out in a randomised complete block design with each treatment replicated four times. The infestations of root-knot nematodes were significantly lower in the moringa leaf powder-treated plots than the control. Although significant differences were not observed in all the parameters evaluated among the moringa leaf powder treatments, sweet pepper plants treated with 80?g/L of moringa leaf powder per plot recorded the highest mean value of plant height, number of leaves, number of fruits per plant, fruit weight per plant total yield per plot and the thickest plant girth. Similarly, the sweet pepper plants treated with 80?g/L of moringa leaf powder had the lowest infection index (root gall) and nematode population. Application of moringa leaf powder at 40, 60 and 80?g/L increased sweet pepper yield and decreased nematode population confirming their potential in management of root-knot nematodes.     

Ovipositional deterrent in the sweet pepper, Capsicum annuum, at the mature stage against Liriomyza trifolii (Burgess)

Liriomyza trifolii (Burgess), the American serpentine leafminer fly, is well known as a serious pest throughout the world. This insect attack over 21 different plant families including solanaceae plants. The mature sweet pepper, Capsicum annuum (Solanaceae), however, shows resistance to this leafminer fly. This resistance is based on the ovipositional deterrent in the sweet pepper leaf against the fly species. Based on bioassay-guided fractionation, luteolin 7-O-beta-D-apiofuranosyl-(1-->2)-beta-D-glucopyranoside was isolated and identified as the ovipositional deterrent against this insect species. This compound completely deterred L. trifolii females from laying their eggs on a host plant leaf treated at 4.90 microg/cm2.     

甜菜夜蛾对不同寄主植物的产卵和取食选择

为了探讨甜菜夜蛾Spodoptera exigua对不同寄主植物的产卵选择及成虫产卵选择与幼虫取食选择间的关联度, 本研究选取玉米、豇豆、甘蓝、黄瓜、棉花、辣椒和番茄7种植物进行了选择性和非选择性实验研究, 并采用Y型嗅觉仪测定了成虫对其中3种寄主植物及其挥发物抽提物的趋性。结果表明：在田间非选择性实验中, 甜菜夜蛾在不同寄主植物上的落卵量依次为：玉米>辣椒>棉花>黄瓜、豇豆、番茄>甘蓝。Y型嗅觉仪的行为测定表明, 雌成虫对玉米及其挥发物抽提物的趋性最强, 黄瓜次之, 对甘蓝的趋性最弱, 这与雌虫的产卵选择性一致。不同龄期甜菜夜蛾幼虫对寄主植物的取食选择性有所不同, 且随观测时间的延长有所改变;低龄幼虫对豇豆、玉米和黄瓜的选择性较强, 对甘蓝、番茄、辣椒和棉花的取食选择性则较弱, 高龄幼虫对辣椒也具有较强的选择性;5龄幼虫对寄主植物的选择性不如低龄幼虫明显。结果显示, 甜菜夜蛾对不同寄主植物的产卵选择性显著不同, 植物抽提物在雌成虫的产卵选择中具有重要作用, 甜菜夜蛾对寄主植物的产卵选择性和幼虫取食选择性并不一致。     

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.     

Effect of nitrogen on resistance of sweet potato to sweetpotato weevil (Coleoptera: Curculionidae) and on storage root chemistry.

The effects of nitrogen fertilizer on sweet potato, Ipomoea batatas (L.) Poir., resistance to the sweetpotato weevil, Cylas formicarius elegantulus (Summers), was studied. Adult weevil feeding and oviposition preference, larval survival, and pupal weight were used as measures of sweet potato resistance. Sweet potato resin glycosides and caffeic acid concentrations in the periderm tissue of storage roots also were measured. Sweet potato genotypes (Beauregard, Excel, W-244, W-250, and Sumor) with varying levels of resistance to sweetpotato weevil were grown in the field under three nitrogen regimes (0, 45, and 135 kg N/ha). Harvested storage roots were evaluated in the laboratory for feeding and oviposition activity of sweetpotato weevil female adults under no-choice and choice test conditions. Larval survival rate and pupal weight were determined by rearing the insects individually on storage root sections. Nitrogen level had a significant effect on the number of eggs deposited, but not on the number of feeding punctures. Sweetpotato weevils laid fewer eggs on plants with the highest level of nitrogen. Nitrogen levels did not significantly affect larval survival and pupal weight. Genotype had a significant effect on feeding, oviposition, and larval survival. Beauregard had higher levels of feeding, oviposition, and larval survival compared with the other genotypes. No interaction effects between nitrogen and genotype were significant. Resin glycosides and caffeic acid concentrations were significantly different among genotypes and between years. Nitrogen levels significantly affected the concentrations of caffeic acid in 1997.     

寄主植物对B型烟粉虱选择行为和生物学参数的影响

通过培养皿内自由扩散观察和生物学观察,对黄瓜、茄子、辣椒、棉花和甘薯上B型烟粉虱的寄主选择性和生物学参数进行了研究.结果表明：B型烟粉虱成虫向寄主植物叶片自由扩散的初始阶段（2 h）,各寄主植物叶片上虫量的差异不大,在随后的4～48 h内黄瓜叶片上的虫量不断增加,茄子、棉花和甘薯叶片上的虫量相对稳定,而辣椒叶片上的虫量却不断下降,说明B型烟粉虱对黄瓜的选择性最强、对辣椒的选择性最弱,且饥饿和吡虫啉预处理均不影响B型烟粉虱的寄主选择性;取食不同寄主植物烟粉虱成虫的蜜露分泌量差异显著,从高到低依次为黄瓜、甘薯、棉花、茄子、辣椒;黄瓜、茄子、甘薯、棉花上烟粉虱成虫的寿命显著长于辣椒,其平均单雌产卵量(分别为224.33粒、182.33粒、191.73粒和172.60粒)也均显著高于辣椒(47.83粒);各寄主植物上烟粉虱卵的孵化率和发育历期差异均不显著;烟粉虱若虫在黄瓜、茄子、甘薯和棉花上的发育历期分别为10.60 d、11.96 d、11.11 d和13.20 d,死亡率分别为5.21%、27.78%、17.24%和37.11%,在辣椒上不能完成正常发育.     

烟粉虱成虫对黄瓜叶龄的喜好性及与后代发育适合度间的关系

在室内采用笼罩和发育测定方法,研究了烟粉虱成虫对黄瓜叶龄的喜好性及其与后代生长发育、存活之间的关系,同时调查了叶毛密度与成虫喜好性之间的相关关系。结果表明(1)烟粉虱成虫比较喜欢在黄瓜植株的中部叶片取食和产卵。(2)叶龄对烟粉虱的存活率没有显著影响,对烟粉虱的发育历期只在卵期和若虫四龄期表现出显著影响,对其他龄期或整个世代均没有显著影响。(3)叶毛密度随着叶龄的增大而顺次显著减小;在接虫初始阶段,烟粉虱成虫的叶片选择性与叶毛密度成显著负相关关系,但72h后具有中等叶毛密度的叶片上的成虫数量和着卵量均显著高于叶毛密度较大或较小的叶片。研究结果对培育抗烟粉虱的黄瓜品种和改进烟粉虱的防治措施具有一定指导意义。     

Ovipositional deterrent on mature stage of sweet pepper, Capsicum annuum, against Liriomyza trifolii (Burgess)

Liriomyza trifolii (Burgess), the American serpentine leafminer fly, is a well-known serious pest in the world. This insect species attacks plants of more than 21 families including Solanaceae plants. A sweet pepper, Capsicum annuum (Solanaceae), on mature stage, however, shows resistance to this leafminer fly. This resistance is based on the ovipositional deterrent in the sweet pepper leaf against the fly species. Based on the bioassay guided fractionation, phytol [(2E)-3,7,11,15-tetramethyl-2-hexadecen-1-ol] was isolated and identified as an ovipositional deterrent against this insect species. The yield of this compound was 815 microg/g fresh leaf of C. annuum. This compound completely deterred the females from laying their eggs on host plant leaves treated at 35.2 microg/cm2.     

Oviposition on host plants by a tropical forest grasshopper (Microtylopteryx hebardi: Acrididae)

Abstract. 1. The tropical forest grasshopper Microtylopteryx hebardi Rehn (Orthoptera, Acrididae, Ommatolampinae) oviposits inside leaves or stems of its host plants. This is the first known instance of oviposition inside living plant tissue (rather than in the ground, on top of leaves, or in detritus) for a tropical forest acridid.
2. In understorey secondary forest at La Selva, Costa Rica, M.hebardi females fed on fifteen species of host plants, but oviposited in only four of these.
3. In laboratory choice tests, females showed selectivity for oviposition host plants similar to that inferred from field observations.
4. Plant volume was a better predictor of the number of eggs laid per stem than variables that indicated leaf or stem characteristics of individual plants.
5. Unlike the ovipositor of acridids laying eggs in the ground, that of M.hebardi is equipped with toothed, sclerotized edges, probably used to bore into plant tissue.
6. Endophytic oviposition in M.hebardi may be related to finding host plants in a habitat that is complex, heterogeneous, and rich in plant species.     

Plant extracts as an alternative to control Leucoptera coffeella (Guérin-Mèneville) (Lepidoptera: Lyonetiidae)

We evaluated the effects of crude extracts from the plantain Plantago lanceolata and the bitter gourd Momordica charantia on the oviposition preference and development of the coffee leaf miner Leucoptera coffeella Guérin-Mèneville & Perrottet under laboratory and/or greenhouse conditions. The ovicidal effects of these extracts were also studied in a greenhouse. Plantago lanceolata and M. charantia extracts also underwent fractionation directed by oviposition tests with the coffee leaf miner. The extracts of both plants reduced L. coffeella oviposition and egg hatching, apparently as a result of action of plant metabolites on the embryo. Adults originating from eggs treated with the extracts exhibited similar survival rates, but a higher female/male ratio. Fecundity was reduced for females obtained from eggs treated with the M. charantia extract. Partial chemical analysis indicated that both extracts produced polar fractions that reduced the oviposition of L. coffeella on coffee leaves under laboratory conditions. The extracts of P. lanceolata and M. charantia have potential for use in the development of new products to control the coffee leaf miner.     

Nitrogenous ovipositional deterrents in the leaves of sweet pepper (Capsicum annuum) at the mature stage against the leafminer, Liriomyza trifolii (Burgess)

Mature leaves of the sweet pepper, Capsicum annuum, exhibited resistance against the American serpentine leafminer, Liriomyza trifolii (Burgess), Agromyzidae. Based on bioassay-guided fractionation, three compounds, namely 4-aminobutanoic acid, (2S,4R)-4-hydroxy-1-methyl-2-pyrrolidine carboxylic acid and 4-amino-1-beta-D-ribofuranosyl-2(1H)-pyrimidinone, were isolated from the leaves of sweet pepper. These compounds had significant oviposition deterrence towards adult flies of L. trifolii from laying their eggs on host plant leaves treated at 3.70, 16.60 and 6.45 microg/cm(2), respectively.     

Multitrophic interactions of the silverleaf whitefly,host plants,competing herbivores,and phytopathogens

Our laboratory found that silverleaf whitefly (SLW; Bemisia argentifolii Bellows & Perring) feeding alters host plant physiology and chemistry. The SLW induces a number of host plant defenses, including pathogenesis-related (PR) protein accumulation (e.g., chitinases, beta-1,3-glucanases, peroxidases, chitosanases, etc.). Induction of the PR proteins by SLW feeding occurs in various plant species and varieties. The extent and type of induction is dependent on a number of factors that include host plant growing conditions, the length of time the host plant is exposed to SLW feeding, the plant variety, and SLW population densities. The appearance of PR proteins correlates well with reduced infestations of conspecific insect herbivore competitors. Greenhouse and field experiments in which herbivore competitors (cabbage looper, Trichoplusia ni; leaf miner, Liromyza trifolii) were placed on plants previously exposed to SLW feeding demonstrated behavioral differences (oviposition, feeding preferences) and reduced survival rates and development times of these insects. The interaction was asymmetrical, i.e., SLW infestations of plants previously exposed to leaf miners had little or no effect on SLW behavior (oviposition). Induction of plant-defensive proteins by SLW feeding was both local (at the feeding site) and systemic (uninfested leaves distant to the feeding site). There are interactions between diseases such as tomato mottle virus (ToMoV; a geminivirus) and the host plant and SLW. PR proteins were induced in tomato plants infected with ToMoV much as they were via non-viruliferous SLW feeding. The presence of ToMoV in tomato plants significantly increased the number of eggs produced by SLW females. Experiments using tomato plants, powdery mildew (PM), and tobacco mosaic virus (TMV) show that whitefly infestations can affect plant pathogen relationships but the effects vary among pathogen types. Enzyme analyses prior to pathogen inoculation showed that whitefly treatment significantly increased the activities of foliar chitinase and peroxidase. Evaluation of pathogen growth 3 weeks after inoculation showed that whitefly feeding significantly reduced the incidence of PM. However, TMV levels evaluated by ELISA were not significantly affected by whitefly feeding. Six weeks after inoculation with pathogens, the chitinase and peroxidase activities were still elevated in plants initially fed on by whiteflies but continuing pathogen infection had no effect on these enzymes. The possibility that geminivirus infection and/or SLW infestations isolate the host plant for the selected reproduction of the virus and the insect is discussed. Multitrophic cascade effects may contribute to the successful eruptive appearance of SLW on various crops, ranking them as a major pest. They may explain the general observation that when SLW infest a host plant there are few if any competing insect herbivores and pathogens found in the host. However, the results indicate that certain SLW-virus relationships could be mutualistic.