Combining intercropping with semiochemical releases: optimization of alternative control of Sitobion avenae in wheat crops in China

Overreliance on pesticides has large environmental and human health costs that compel researchers and farmers to seek alternative management tactics for crop pests. For insect pests, increasing crop species diversity via intercropping and using semiochemicals to alter local arthropod populations have separately proven effective at reducing pest densities. Here, we combine these two tactics in an effort to gain better control of Sitobion avenae (Fabricius) (Hemiptera: Aphididae), the English grain aphid, a major pest of cereal production worldwide. We conducted field experiments over 2 years testing the effectiveness of combining intercropping of wheat and oilseed rape with release of methyl salicylate (MeSA). We found that maximum and mean aphid densities were highest in wheat monocultures, significantly lower in intercropped plots and MeSA plots, and lowest when intercropping and MeSA release were combined by obtaining highest densities of predatory lady beetles and parasitoids rates. Importantly, grain yield and quality showed a similar pattern: they were highest for combined intercropped/MeSA plots, intermediate in plots with intercropping or MeSA alone, and lowest in control monoculture plots. Our results suggest that combining these two tactics holds significant promise for improved management of aphid populations and emphasize the need to integrate alternative pest control approaches to optimize sustainable insect pest management.     

Methyl salicylate attracts natural enemies and reduces populations of soybean aphids (Hemiptera: Aphididae) in soybean agroecosystems

Methyl salicylate, an herbivore-induced plant volatile, has been shown to attract natural enemies and affect herbivore behavior. In this study, methyl salicylate was examined for its attractiveness to natural enemies of the soybean aphid, Aphis glycines Matsumura (Hemiptera: Aphididae), and for its direct effects on soybean aphid population growth rates. Methyl salicylate lures were deployed in plots within organic soybean [Glycine max (L.) Merr.] fields. Sticky card traps adjacent to and 1.5 m from the lure measured the relative abundance of natural enemies, and soybean aphid populations were monitored within treated and untreated plots. In addition, exclusion cage studies were conducted to determine methyl salicylate's effect on soybean aphid population growth rates in the absence of natural enemies. Significantly greater numbers of syrphid flies (Diptera: Syrphidae) and green lacewings (Neuroptera: Chrysopidae) were caught on traps adjacent to the methyl salicylate lure, but no differences in abundance were found at traps 1.5 m from the lure. Furthermore, abundance of soybean aphids was significantly lower in methyl salicylate-treated plots. In exclusion cage studies, soybean aphid numbers were significantly reduced on treated soybean plants when all plants were open to natural enemies. When plants were caged, however, soybean aphid numbers and population growth rates did not differ between treated and untreated plants suggesting no effect of methyl salicylate on soybean aphid reproduction and implicating the role of natural enemies in depressing aphid populations. Although aphid populations were reduced locally around methyl salicylate lures, larger scale studies are needed to assess the technology at the whole-field scale.     

Combining E-β-farnesene and methyl salicylate release with wheat-pea intercropping enhances biological control of aphids in North China

Combining intercropping with the release of semiochemicals may strengthen biological control of aphids as a push-pull strategy that simultaneously repels aphids and attracts their natural enemies. This hypothesis was tested in the Henan Province of China in 2016 where aphids, their natural enemies and mummies were trapped and observed on crops in three treatments: wheat-pea strip intercropping solely (control), intercropping combined with the release of E-β-farnesene (EBF) and intercropping combined with the release of methyl salicylate (MeSA). Each treatment was repeated four times. The abundance of aphids throughout the growing season (9 weeks between March and May) was significantly decreased and the abundance of natural enemies and mummies were significantly increased in treatments with releases of semiochemicals compared to intercropping solely. The effect was stronger with MeSA than with EBF on the control of Rhopalosiphum padi and pea aphids as well as on the attraction of lacewings and hoverflies. Indeed, lacewings and hoverflies were on average twice more numerous in MeSA than in the other treatments. These results show that combining wheat-pea intercropping with the release of EBF or MeSA can significantly reduce aphid density and attract their natural enemies and that this effect is strengthen with MeSA when compared to EBF.     

Change in response of Rhopalosiphum padi spring migrants to the repellent winter host component methyl salicylate

Olfactometry showed that the response of spring migrants of the bird cherry-oat aphid, Rhopalosiphum padi (L.) (Homoptera: Aphididae), to the repellent winter host volatile methyl salicylate changes with age of the adult aphid. Between three and four days after becoming adult, and having left the winter host Prunus padus L., aphids lost their negative response to the chemical. The change in response was not associated with contact with a summer host, oats. In a settling choice bioassay, migrants avoided oats which had been exposed to volatile methyl salicylate. Aphids with removed antennal tips did not avoid the exposed plant, indicating that plant choice was influenced by cues from the plant surface. The results are discussed in relation to the use of methyl salicylate in integrated control.     

Jasmonate- and salicylate-induced defenses in wheat affect host preference and probing behavior but not performance of the grain aphid,Sitobion avenae

Jasmonate and salicylatemediated signaling pathways play significant roles in induced plant defenses, but there is no sufficient evidence for their roles in monocots against aphids. We exogenously applied methyl jasmonate （MeJA） and salicylic acid （SA） on wheat seedlings and examined biochemical responses in wheat and effects on the grain aphid, Sitobion avenae （Fab.）. Application of MeJA significantly increased levels of wheat＇s polyphenol oxidase, peroxidase and proteinase inhibitor 1, 2 and 6 days after treatment. In twochoice tests, adult aphids preferred control wheat leaves to MeJA or SA treated leaves. Electrical penetration graph （EPG） recordings of aphid probing behavior revealed that on MeJAtreated plants, the duration of aphid＇s first probe was significantly shorter and number of probes was significantly higher than those on control plants. Also total duration of probing on MeJAtreated plants was significantly shorter than on control plants. Total duration of salivation period on SAtreated plants was significantly longer, while mean phloem ingestion period was significantly shorter than on control plants. However, no significant difference in total duration of phloem sap ingestion period was observed among treatments. The EPG data suggest that MeJAdependent resistance factors might be due to feeding deterrents in mesophyll, whereas the SAmediated resistance may be phloembased. We did not observe any significant difference of MeJA and SA application on aphid development, daily fecundity, intrinsic growth rate and population growth. The results indicate that both MeJA and SAinduced defenses in wheat deterred S. avenae colonization processes and feeding behavior, but had no significant effects on its performance.     

Abundance of the rose-grain aphid,Metopolophium dirhodum,on barley in Canterbury,New Zealand, 1984–87

Abstract

Spring populations of Metopolophium dirhodum (Walker) (Hemiptera: Aphididae) on barley, at Lincoln and elsewhere in Canterbury, New Zealand, declined markedly during 1984–87. Spring suction-trap catches of M. dirhodum also declined at the same time. Numbers of immigrant M. dirhodum on young barley, and maximum aphid population density on the crop, were positively correlated with suction-trap catches of M. dirhodum during the preceding week or month, respectively. Egg numbers of the most abundant predator, Micromus tasmaniae Walker (Neuroptera: Hemerobiidae), and mummy numbers of the parasitoid, Aphidius rhopalosiphi De Stefani-Perez (Hymenoptera: Aphidiidae), increased relative to aphid numbers during the study. Entomophagous fungus-disease incidence could not be related to monthly rainfall, and the decline in aphid numbers during the study period was apparently not related to disease incidence. It is suggested that aphid population regulation by predators and parasitoids in the wider habitat of M. dirhodum could reduce the rate of immigration, and hence aphid population growth, in a given crop.     

Test of semiochemicals and a resistant wheat variety for Russian wheat aphid management in South Africa

Abstract:  Aphid behaviour-modifying semiochemicals were tested against Russian wheat aphid Diuraphis noxia in South African wheat. Volatile substances from plant essential oils, methyl salicylate, 1,8-cineole and menthol were tested in the laboratory and field in combination with the D. noxia -susceptible wheat variety Betta and the resistant variety Elands. All three substances were repellent to D. noxia in olfactometric tests. Diuraphis noxia settled less on Elands plants that had been exposed to the volatiles, whereas the effect of the volatiles on D. noxia settling on Betta was less obvious. A slow-release pellet formulation was used to apply semiochemicals in wheat in replicated plot field trials in 2004 and 2005. In 2004, semiochemicals reduced aphid populations in Elands, but led to increased aphid populations in Betta. Further, the impact of the chemicals on aphid numbers and grain quality (thousand grain weight) varied according to plant variety, indicating an interaction between semiochemicals and plant resistance/variety.     

Impact of chemical elicitor applications on greenhouse tomato plants and population growth of the green peach aphid, Myzus persicae

Recent advances in the understanding of plant signaling pathways have opened the way for using elicitor‐induced plant resistance as a tactic for protecting plants against arthropod pests. Four common elicitors of induced responses in tomato, Lycopersicon esculentum Mill. (Solanaceae), were evaluated with regard to phytotoxicity, induction of plant defensive proteins, and effects on population growth and fecundity of a common pest, the green peach aphid, Myzus persicae (Sulzer) (Homoptera: Aphididae). Ethephon and methyl jasmonate (MJ) treatments caused varying degrees of phytotoxicity. Ethephon caused pronounced changes in plant growth form and severe, dose‐dependent negative impacts on plant growth and flowering. Effects with MJ were milder, but still caused temporary inhibition of development, leading to smaller plants and delayed flowering. The commercial elicitors benzothiadiazole (BTH) and harpin did not cause detectable phytotoxicity. The highest doses of ethephon and MJ significantly increased leaf peroxidase (POD) levels but only MJ treatments significantly increased polyphenol oxidase (PPO) levels. BTH and harpin had no detectable effects on POD and PPO. Populations of green peach aphids grew significantly more slowly on plants treated with BTH or MJ than on control plants or plants treated with harpin or ethephon. Slowed aphid population growth on BTH‐treated plants was due to significant reductions in aphid fecundity, although this was independent of changes in time to onset of reproduction or time to death. Aphid fecundity was also reduced on MJ‐treated plants relative to controls, but this difference was not statistically significant, suggesting that other mechanisms are involved in slowing aphid population growth on MJ‐treated plants. Growth of aphid populations on plants treated with a MJ–BTH mixture was reduced almost as much as with treatments of MJ alone, suggesting that antagonism between JA‐dependant and SA‐dependent plant signaling pathways is only mild with regard to induced defenses against aphids.     

Aphid Acceptance of Barley Exposed to Volatile Phytochemicals Differs Between Plants Exposed in Daylight and Darkness

It is well known that volatile cues from damaged plants may induce resistance in neighboring plants. Much less is known about the effects of volatile interaction between undamaged plants. In this study, barley plants, Hordeum vulgare cv. Kara, were exposed to volatiles from undamaged plants of barley cv. Alva or thistle Cirsium vulgare, and to the volatile phytochemicals, methyl salicylate or methyl jasmonate. Exposures were made either during natural daylight or darkness. Acceptance of exposed plants by the aphid Rhopalosiphum padi was assessed, as well as the expression of putative marker genes for the different treatments. Aphid acceptance of plants exposed to either barley or C. vulgare was significantly reduced, and an effect of the volatiles from undamaged plants was confirmed by the induction of pathogenesis-related protein, PR1a in exposed plants. However the effect on aphid acceptance was seen only when plants were exposed during darkness, whereas PR1a was induced only after treatment during daylight. Aphid acceptance of plants exposed to either methyl salicylate or methyl jasmonate was significantly reduced, but only when plants were exposed to the chemicals during daylight. AOS2 (allene oxide synthase) was induced by methyl jasmonate and BCI-4 (barley chemical inducible gene-4) by methyl salicylate in both daylight and darkness. It is concluded that (a) the effects on aphids of exposing barley to volatile phytochemicals was influenced by the presence or absence of light and (b) the response of barley to methyl salicylate/methyl jasmonate and to volatiles from undamaged plants differed at the gene and herbivore level.Key Words: methyl jasmonate, methyl salicylate, allelobiosis, barley, PR1, allene oxide synthase, Rhopalosiphum padi, light     

Influence of salicylaldehyde and methyl salicylate on post-landing behaviour of Frankliniella occidentalis Pergande

This study investigates behavioural responses of adult western flower thrips (Frankliniella occidentalis Pergande; Thysan., Thripidae) females to direct contact with repellent phenylpropanoid plant compounds (salicylaldehyde and methyl salicylate) applied on bean and cucumber leaves. The residence time of F. occidentalis females until take off was significantly shorter on bean or cucumber leaf discs treated with salicylaldehyde at 1% concentration compared with control leaf discs. A methyl salicylate (1%) treatment of cucumber resulted in shorter time periods until thrips took off the treated leaf discs compared with the control leaf discs. In a choice experiment thrips avoided to settle on a 1% salicylaldehyde treatment of bean and cucumber leaf discs for a maximum of 3 h, on a 1% methyl salicylate treatment for a 5‐h period. Within a 24‐h period neither the egg‐laying nor the feeding activity of F. occidentalis was affected after salicylaldehyde application (0.1%, 1%) on bean or cucumber. In contrast, methyl salicylate (1%) applied on bean and cucumber significantly prevented thrips females from oviposition and reduced the percentage of damaged area caused by their feeding activity for 24 h. As olfactory repellent plant volatiles applied on crop plants may elicit diverse post‐landing responses of F. occidentalis, short‐ and long‐term effects should be considered when evaluating the factual applicability of secondary plant compounds in a successful thrips management strategy.     

A mechanistic model based analysis of cotton aphid population dynamics data

1 A 2‐year field study was conducted to generate data on seasonal abundance patterns of cotton aphids Aphis gossypii Glover and to develop a mechanistic model based on cumulative population size. The treatments consisted of three irrigation levels (Low, Medium and High) with 65%, 75% and 85% evapotranspiration replacement and three nitrogen fertility treatments (blanket‐rate‐N, variable‐rate‐N and no nitrogen). 2 A nonlinear regression equation, the analytical solution of a cumulative size mechanistic model, was fitted to each of the 27 individual data sets collected in 2003 and in 2004. The size and time of the peak, the cumulative aphid density, and the birth and death rates were estimated for each population, and each of these five variables was analyzed as a response variable in the analysis of variance. 3 For 2003 (a dry year), the Water (irrigation) main effect was found to be significant for the time of peak, the death rate and the cumulative density. The lower aphid death rate at low water levels might be due to the water stress in plants. 4 For 2004 (a year with moderate precipitation), the Nitrogen main effect was significant for both the birth and death rates. As nitrogen applications were increased, the decrease in both the aphid birth and death rates translates into a decrease in crowding and an increase in aphid survival. 5 The fact that treatment effects may be manifested through birth and death rate parameters in the new mechanistic model opens up new avenues for analyzing population size data of this kind.     

Can polyphagous predators control the bird cherry-oat aphid (Rhopalosiphum padi) in spring cereals?: A simulation study

Predation by two carabid species,Bembidion lampros (Herbst.) andPterostichus cupreus L., on the cereal aphid,Rhopalsiphum padi L., was described using a discrete event simulation model. The results were incorporated into an aphid population growth model. The aphid model was run using actual temperatures,R. padi emigration rates, field densities and distributions from three years with distinctly different aphid population levels. Predation was incorporated at different time periods. Predation during the arrival of emigrants and establishment of aphid populations had approximately the same effect as predation over the entire aphid period, whereas predation during the 20 days prior to peak had very little effect on resulting peak populations. We conclude that a) yearly levels ofR. padi infestation are mainly determined by the volume and intensity of emigrants; b) peak levels are sensitive to changes in predator density; and c) in some cases an outbreak ofR. padi may be prevented by the action of spring active polyphagous predators alone.     

Influences of fertilization on Aphis gossypii and insecticide usage

Abstract: Fertilization levels for ornamental crops may influence pest population dynamics, crop quality, and pest management strategy. We examined the effect of fertilization on population growth and within‐plant distribution of melon or cotton aphid, Aphis gossypii Glover, on potted chrysanthemum, Dendranthema grandiflora (Tzvelev). In terms of pest management implications, we also investigated the effect of fertilization on the number of insecticide applications needed to control A. gossypii on potted chrysanthemum. Population growth rate of A. gossypii increased with fertilization levels from 0 to 38 ppm N and reached a plateau from 38 to 488 ppm N. Increased fertilization beyond 38 ppm N, 10% of the commercial standard, did not result in higher aphid number. Aphids responded to nutrient availability of plants by distributing themselves in areas with higher level of nitrogen. More aphids were found in the apical and middle strata of the plants than the basal stratum, which had the lowest nitrogen content. Leaf nitrogen content increased with increased fertilization level and was consistently higher in the apical and middle strata than the basal stratum. Increased fertilization from 0 to 375 ppm N did not result in higher number of insecticide applications. All three insecticides (bifenthrin, kinoprene or pymetrozine) were effective in keeping the aphid infestation below a pre‐determined level, five aphids per plant, but pymetrozine required the least number of applications. For chrysanthemum, a fast‐growing crop and heavy utilizer of nitrogen, increased fertilization shortened the time to flowering, which would allow growers to harvest their crop sooner and reduce the time for aphid population growth. Reduction in time to harvest could result in significant reduction of insecticide usage by reducing the time for aphid population growth. As a result, high fertilization together with minimal runoff may be a useful tactic to an integrated pest management (IPM) programme for managing A. gossypii on potted chrysanthemums.     

The effects of nitrogen and fungicide on cereal aphid population development and the consequences for the aphid-yield relationship in winter wheat

In a field trial, done over two seasons, nitrogen and fungicide inputs to winter wheat were varied to obtain a range of yields to study the effects on aphid population development and the aphid-yield loss relationship. In the first year, the maximum density of Metopolophium dirhodum and total aphid index were significantly higher in the plots receiving the largest amount of nitrogen but there were few other consistent effects on aphid population development. In the second year there were no significant effects of either nitrogen or fungicide on aphid population development. Mean yields were high in 1987 and 1988 (7.0 and 8.5 t/ha respectively) with less than a 2 t/ha range in either year. There were no significant effects of aphids on yield in the first year but in the second, aphids caused a significant reduction. Damage per aphid unit did not change with increase in yield. The use of this approach in determining pest-yield loss relationships is discussed.     

Infection with an insect virus affects olfactory behaviour and interactions with host plant and natural enemies in an aphid

Aphid ecology and population dynamics are affected by a series of factors including behavioural responses to ecologically relevant chemical cues, capacity for population growth, and interactions with host plants and natural enemies. Using the aphid Rhopalosiphum padi (L.) (Homoptera: Aphididae), we showed that these factors were affected by infection with Rhopalosiphum padi virus (RhPV). Uninfected aphids were attracted to odour of uninfected aphids on the host plant, an aggregation mechanism. However, infected aphids were not attracted, and neither infected nor uninfected aphids were attracted to infected aphids on the plant. Infected aphids did not respond to methyl salicylate, a cue denoting host suitability. Infected aphids were more behaviourally sensitive to aphid alarm pheromone, and left the host plant more readily in response to it. RhPV reduced the lifespan and population growth rate of the aphid. The predacious ladybird, Coccinella septempunctata (L.) (Coleoptera: Coccinellidae), consumed more infected aphids than uninfected aphids in a 24‐h period, and the aphid parasitoid Aphidius ervi Haliday (Hymenoptera: Aphidiidae) attacked more infected than uninfected aphids. However, the proportion of mummies formed was lower with infected aphids. The results represent further evidence that associated organisms can affect the behaviour and ecology of their aphid hosts.     

Natural enemy composition rather than richness determines pest suppression

Natural enemy (NE) biodiversity is thought to play an important role in agricultural pest suppression. However, the relative importance of the number of NE species (species richness), versus the particular combinations of species (species composition), in determining aphid suppression and ultimately crop yields, remains poorly understood. We tested the effects of NE richness and composition on pea aphids Acyrthosiphon pisum (Harris) and broad bean plants Vicia faba (Linn.). We used the larvae of two predator species, the ladybird Adalia bipunctata (Linn.) and the green lacewing Chrysopa carnea (Stephens), and the parasitic wasp Aphidius ervi (Haliday) as enemies. NEs generally reduced aphid density but did not increase final plant biomass, despite a significant negative correlation between aphid density and plant biomass. Among NE treatments, species richness had an inconsistent effect on aphid density. The composition of NEs within richness levels also affected final aphid density: the ladybird was a key species among the treatments in controlling aphid density and was especially effective in combination with the parasitoid. This ladybird/parasitoid combination also appeared to drive the higher level of suppression observed at the two, relative to three, species richness levels. Although these three species of aphid NEs are commonly used in aphid control, this is the first study, to our knowledge, that simultaneously examined these three species and highlighted the composition effect between the A. bipunctata and A. ervi. In conclusion, increasing NE species richness had an inconsistent effect on aphid density. Meanwhile, the presence of a key species (the ladybird) and its combination with a parasitoid was an important determinant of aphid biological control.     

Erratum

Abstract: Fertilization levels for ornamental crops may influence pest population dynamics, crop quality, and pest management strategy. We examined the effect of fertilization on population growth and within‐plant distribution of melon or cotton aphid, Aphis gossypii Glover, on potted chrysanthemum, Dendranthema grandiflora (Tzvelev). In terms of pest management implications, we also investigated the effect of fertilization on the number of insecticide applications needed to control A. gossypii on potted chrysanthemum. Population growth rate of A. gossypii increased with fertilization levels from 0 to 38 ppm N and reached a plateau from 38 to 488 ppm N. Increased fertilization beyond 38 ppm N, 10% of the commercial standard, did not result in higher aphid number. Aphids responded to nutrient availability of plants by distributing themselves in areas with higher level of nitrogen. More aphids were found in the apical and middle strata of the plants than the basal stratum, which had the lowest nitrogen content. Leaf nitrogen content increased with increased fertilization level and was consistently higher in the apical and middle strata than the basal stratum. Increased fertilization from 0 to 375 ppm N did not result in higher number of insecticide applications. All three insecticides (bifenthrin, kinoprene or pymetrozine) were effective in keeping the aphid infestation below a pre‐determined level, five aphids per plant, but pymetrozine required the least number of applications. For chrysanthemum, a fast‐growing crop and heavy utilizer of nitrogen, increased fertilization shortened the time to flowering, which would allow growers to harvest their crop sooner and reduce the time for aphid population growth. Reduction in time to harvest could result in significant reduction of insecticide usage by reducing the time for aphid population growth. As a result, high fertilization together with minimal runoff may be a useful tactic to an integrated pest management (IPM) programme for managing A. gossypii on potted chrysanthemums.     

The influence of nitrogen fertiliser on the population development of the cereal aphids Sitobion avenae (F.) and Metopolophium dirhodum (Wlk.) on field grown winter wheat

The effect of nitrogen fertiliser on populations of the cereal aphids Sitobion avenae and Metopolophium dirhodum on winter wheat was investigated in a three year field experiment. Naturally occurring aphid populations were monitored on three nitrogen treatments; none, nitrogen application using Canopy Management guidelines (130–210 kg ha^-1) and conventional practice (190 kg ha^-1). Inoculations of laboratory reared S. avenae were used to enhance field populations on half the plots. Natural populations of M. dirhodum remained below the current UK spray threshold level of two-thirds of shoots infested at the start of flowering, or five aphids per shoot in all years, whilst populations of S. avenae exceeded the threshold in all years. The response of the two species to nitrogen differed. Significantly higher populations of M. dirhodum were recorded in both treatments which received nitrogen in all years, whilst the response of S. avenae varied between years. In 1994 and 1995 when environmental conditions favoured aphid development, higher populations were recorded in the two treatments which received nitrogen. In 1993 when high rainfall created unfavourable conditions, higher populations were recorded in the plots receiving no nitrogen. Differences in peak density and cumulative aphid index of S. avenae resulted from differences in the rate of population increase between ear emergence and peak density on the different treatments. Populations prior to ear emergence were higher in the plots which received nitrogen but the differences were not statistically significant. There was no evidence of a difference in the timing of population decline in the different treatments. In 1993 higher levels of infection by entomopathogenic fungi were observed in all treatments. Significantly higher levels of infection were recorded in the treatments receiving nitrogen, which may have accounted for the lower S. avenae populations recorded. It is possible that the larger canopies recorded in these treatments produced conditions which favoured infection by fungi, thereby limiting aphid population growth. The results indicate that application of nitrogen increases natural populations of M. dirhodum, and under favourable conditions, populations of S. avenae. However, in suboptimal climatic conditions, the application of nitrogen fertiliser can lead to lower populations of 5. avenae. The data also suggest that there is no consistent difference between a conventional and Canopy Managed approach to nitrogen fertiliser use in terms of the risk of infestation by cereal aphids.     

Effect of fungicide application on activity of Neozygites fresenii (Entomophthorales: Neozygitacaea) and cotton aphid (Homoptera: Aphididae) suppression

The development of resistance in aphid populations highlights the importance of biological control as a pest management tactic. Four treatments were evaluated to determine the effects of pesticides on the population dynamics of Aphis gossypii Glover and Neozygites fresenii (Nowakowski) Batko: (1) weekly applications of the insecticide imidacloprid (Provado 1.6 F); (2) weekly applications of the fungicide chlorothalonil (Bravo 720); (3) applications of imidacloprid (Provado 1.6 F) when aphid densities exceeded 30 aphids per leaf, and (4) untreated control. Differences in aphid density among the four treatments were shown only to be significant during the 1997 growing season; however, aphid densities were greater in the chlorothalonil treatment than in the other treatments during each growing season. Percentage of N. fresenii-killed aphids was most often highest in the chlorothalonil treatment as well. The fungal epizootic caused by N. fresenii was delayed approximately 1 wk in the chlorothalonil treatment when compared with the other treatments. This delay allowed the aphids to temporarily escape suppression by the fungus and to continue to increase in density until the density-dependent effects of the epizootic overwhelmed the aphid population. N. fresenii also appeared to persist in the system when imidacloprid was in use and does appear responsible for initial aphid reductions. Treatment did not appear to have a large influence on yield outcome. Yield was variable from year to year and from location to location.     

Efficacy of aqueous and oil formulations of a specific Metarhizium anisopliae isolate against Aphis craccivora Koch, 1854 (Hemiptera: Aphididae) under field conditions

Cowpea (Vigna unguiculata) production is constrained by biotic and abiotic factors, among which Cowpea aphid (Aphis craccivora) is ranked a key insect pest that severely limits its potential for provision of food and nutritional security to millions of people in sub‐Saharan Africa. The use of entomopathogenic fungi for A. craccivora management has been recently demonstrated at laboratory and field levels as alternative to synthetic insecticides, but with low adoption in Africa. This study assessed the efficacy of aqueous and oil formulations of Metarhizium anisopliae ICIPE 62 against A. craccivora under field conditions. Metarhizium anisopliae formulations and a commonly used insecticide Duduthrin^® were applied using knapsack sprayers with target output of 350 L/ha. Data on aphid infestation levels were collected weekly. ICIPE 62 efficacy in inducing mortality was also assessed 24 hr post‐treatment coupled with mycosis test. Further, leaf and grain yields were determined. After six weeks post‐treatment in the wet season, there was no significant reduction in aphid density in fungus‐treated plots compared to control and Duduthrin^®‐treated plots. However, in the dry season six weeks after applying the treatments, oil formulation spray resulted low aphid density compared to control and Duduthrin^®‐treated plots. ICIPE 62 formulations did not negatively affect the natural enemies’ population. Leaf yield from the various treatments did not differ significantly in the wet season, but the two fungal formulations recorded higher yields in dry season compared to other treatments. Grain yields in wet and dry seasons were lower in control and Duduthrin^®‐treated plots compared to both ICIPE 62 formulations. This study showed that both M. anisopliae ICIPE 62 formulations are effective in suppressing A. craccivora population under field conditions without adverse effects on its beneficial insects. The study also revealed that efficacy of fungal‐based biopesticides is highly dependent on environmental conditions.