Asymmetrical intraguild predation between natural enemies of the citrus mealybug

The ability of a predator to discriminate against parasitized prey determines the extent of asymmetrical intraguild predation, which is often crucial for the outcome of biological control. Anagyrus nr. pseudococci (Girault) (Hymenoptera: Encyrtidae), a parasitoid of the citrus mealybug, Planococcus citri (Risso) (Hemiptera: Pseudococcidae), suffers from intraguild predation by coccinellids occurring in the same habitat. The level of intraguild predation on A. nr. pseudococci by Nephus includens (Kirsch) (Coleoptera: Coccinellidae) at different immature stages has been investigated with and without simultaneous offer of extraguild prey. Larvae of A. nr. pseudococci appeared to face increased intraguild predation at early developmental stages, whereas mummification provided adequate protection against the predatory coccinellid. Different predation levels on unparasitized vs. parasitized hosts at various developmental stages in choice assays indicated that N. includens preferences might be determined not solely by palatability of the prey but also by its ability to protect itself.     

Exotic wildland weeds serve as reservoirs for a newly introduced cole crop pest,Bagrada hilaris (Hemiptera: Pentatomidae)

The role of wildland weeds that serve as alternate hosts for insect pests has not been directly examined for the potential to sustain pest populations or facilitate pest outbreaks. The development of weed biological control programmes is also complicated by weed species that are closely related to economically important or native plants, especially rare or special status species. In recent surveys in southern California, USA, we found a newly introduced insect pest of cole crops, Bagrada hilaris Burmeister (Bagrada bug), feeding on Brassicaceae weeds in riparian areas adjacent to agricultural fields where cole crops are routinely grown. Insect populations grew to levels well over action thresholds and caused severe damage to populations of the invasive weed, Lepidium latifolium (perennial pepperweed). The numerical response of B. hilaris on L. latifolium and other Brassicaceae weeds in natural areas may pose a significant challenge to effectively managing pest populations in crops. However, the accidental introduction of this insect provides the opportunity to examine plant–insect interactions with important implications for development of biologically based control methods for weeds.     

我国烟粉虱主要捕食和寄生性天敌控制能力研究进展

烟粉虱Bemisia tabaci Gennadius是一种广泛分布于世界各地的多食性害虫,对我国多个省市区的农作物和观赏植物造成了严重的危害。化学杀虫剂的大量使用在杀伤天敌的同时使烟粉虱产生了不同程度的抗性,防治越来越困难;相较于化学防治,在不同地区筛选有效的天敌对烟粉虱进行生物防治是对烟粉虱进行有效控制的重要方法。我国报道的捕食性天敌共计26科109种,寄生性天敌共计2科59种。烟粉虱防治过程中由于单一的防治效果不理想,联合多个天敌资源的利用是增加对烟粉虱的生物防治效果的重要手段。本文通过对我国烟粉虱捕食性和寄生性天敌种类系统全面的整理,同时对烟粉虱优势种天敌中的单种或者多种组合利用后对烟粉虱的的控害潜能进行综述,以期为烟粉虱天敌昆虫种类的筛选和实现高效的生物防治提供科学依据。     

蜜源食物对节肢动物天敌寿命、繁殖力和控害能力的影响

大多数节肢动物天敌除了寄生或捕食寄主或猎物外,也会取食蜜源食物,特别是包括植物花蜜、花外蜜和昆虫蜜露等富含糖分的食物。这些蜜源食物对于提高寄生性和捕食性天敌的飞行和寄主搜索能力、延长寿命、提高繁殖力和增强控害能力都能发挥重要作用。本文重点介绍了农田生态系统中3类常见的非猎物性蜜源食物即植物花蜜、花外蜜和昆虫蜜露。其中,花蜜和花外蜜能够显著延长天敌寿命,提高天敌繁殖力和控害能力;蜜露的作用虽次于花蜜和花外蜜,但仍能促进某些天敌的生态功能。还进一步综述了显花植物和蜜源食物投放在生物防治中的应用,并从筛选适宜的蜜源植物、蜜源食物中糖成分作用分析和天敌对蜜源食物的搜索和定位等方向开展对蜜源食物的研究利用进行了展望。     

Current status of the management of fall webworm,Hyphantria cunea: Towards the integrated pest management development

The fall‐webworm (FWW), Hyphantria cunea, is a highly polyphagous insect pest that is native to North America and distributed in different countries around the world. To manage this insect pest, various control methods have been independently evaluated in the invaded areas. Some of the control methods have been limited to the laboratory and need further study to verify their effectiveness in the field. On the other hand, currently, integrated pest management (IPM) has become a promising ecofriendly insect pest management option to reduce the adverse effect of insecticides on the environment. The development of an IPM for an insect pest must combine different management options in a compatible and applicable manner. In the native areas of the insect pests, there are some recommended management options. However, to date, there is no IPM for the management of the FWW in the newly invaded areas. Therefore, to develop an IPM for this insect pest, compilation of effective management option information is the first step. Thus, believing in the contribution of an IPM to the established management strategies, the chemical, biological, natural enemy, sex pheromone, and molecular studies regarding this insect were reviewed and potential future research areas were delineated in this review study. Therefore, using the currently existing management options, IPM development for this insect pest should be the subject of future research in the newly invaded areas.     

Effects of carotenoid sequestration on a caterpillar's cryptic coloration and susceptibility to predation

Carotenoids are used for many functions by animals, including combining with other pigments to produce aposematic and cryptic coloration. Carotenoids in combination with blue pigments are responsible for green coloration in many caterpillars, and thus carotenoid sequestration may reduce their contrast against a green foliage background. We tested the hypothesis that carotenoid sequestration reduces contrast and enhances survival by rearing Trichoplusia ni Hübner (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae) on Brassica oleracea L. var. Acephala (Brassicaceae) leaves and exposing them to predators. We found that carotenoids derived from the host plant are partially excreted, along with chlorophyll, but also sequestered in hemolymph. Larvae that were given plants that provided carotenoids showed less contrast against their host plants within 1 day compared to larvae that were not provided with carotenoids. Last, both short‐term field observations and laboratory trials of larvae caged with predatory Podisus maculiventris Say (Hemiptera: Pentatomidae) nymphs showed that survival of carotenoid‐sequestering larvae was higher compared to larvae that did not sequester. These results suggest that carotenoid sequestration may be an important adaptive strategy that reduces susceptibility to natural enemies that hunt by sight. Further research that examines the mechanisms by which carotenoids are absorbed and modified will lend insights into the evolution of carotenoids functioning as passive defensive compounds.     

斜纹夜蛾天敌作用的评价

通过组建斜纹夜蛾第4代和第8代自然种群生命表,运用排除作用控制指数分析了生物因子对斜纹夜蛾种群的自然控制作用。结果表明,低龄(1～3龄)幼虫的捕食性天敌是影响斜纹夜蛾种群数量动态的重要因子。对第4代和第8代种群的排除作用控制指数分别为13.904和12.946.如果没有捕食性天敌的作用,下代种群数量将分别增长到当代的15.1206和74.678倍。病原微生物是影响第4代斜纹夜蛾种群数量的另一重要因子,其排除作用控制指数为2.4726.     

植物-害虫-天敌互作机制研究前沿

植物-害虫-天敌之间的三级营养互作关系是当今进化生态学和化学生态学研究领域的前沿课题,也是寻找害虫可持续控制途径的重要基础。自2006年以来,我国昆虫学家在973项目《重大农业害虫猖獗危害的机制及可持续控制》的支持下,围绕害虫、植物、天敌协同进化机理的关键科学问题,以棉花-害虫-天敌、水稻-害虫-天敌和蔬菜-害虫-天敌系统为研究对象开展研究,发现OsHI-LOX参与虫害诱导的水稻茉莉酸(JA)信号途径合成,并通过水稻对二化螟和褐飞虱不同抗性作用的调控;寄主植物烟草受到棉铃虫和烟青虫危害后将被诱导产生化学防御作用,但它们的作用不同;绿叶挥发物(3Z)-hexen-ol是寄生蜂天敌定位寄主的最关键化合物,植物-害虫-天敌之间的互作关系受到光周期和CO2浓度升高而改变;植物对害虫直接的防御和通过寄生蜂对害虫的间接防御存在"权衡"关系;转基因棉花种植加重了盲椿象灾变。这些研究成果在Science,New Phytology,Plant Journal,Plant,Cell and Environment等刊物上发表论文150余篇,极大地提高了我国在作物-害虫-天敌三者之间关系的研究水平。     

Predicting the potential geographical distribution of parasitic natural enemies of the Dubas bug (Ommatissus lybicus de Bergevin) using geographic information systems

The Dubas bug (Ommatissus lybicus de Bergevin) is a pest species whose entire life cycle occurs on date palms, Phoenix dactylifera L, causing serious damage and reducing date palm growth and yield. Pseudoligosita babylonica Viggiani, Aprostocetus nr. Beatus, and Bocchus hyalinus Olmi are very important parasitic natural enemies of Ommatissus lybicus in northern Oman. In this study, random farms were selected to (a) model the link between occurrences of the Pseudoligosita babylonica, Aprostocetus nr beatus, and Bocchus hyalinus (dependent variables) with environmental, climatological, and Dubas bug infestation levels (the independent variables), and (b) produce distribution and predictive maps of these natural enemies in northern Oman. The multiple R² values showed the model explained 63%, 89%, and 94% of the presence of P. babylonica, A. nr beatus, and Bocchus hyalinus, respectively. However, the distribution of each species appears to be influenced by distinct and geographically associated climatological and environmental factors, as well as habitat characteristics. This study reveals that spatial analysis and modeling can be highly useful for studying the distribution, the presence or absence of Dubas bugs, and their natural enemies. It is anticipated to help contribute to the reduction in the extent and costs of aerial and ground insecticidal spraying needed in date palm plantations.     

斜纹夜蛾天敌作用的评价

通过组建斜纹夜蛾第４代和第８代自然种群生命表,运用排除作用控制指数分析了生物因子对斜纹夜蛾种群的自然控制作用．结果表明,低龄（１～３龄）幼虫的捕食性天敌是影响斜纹夜蛾种群数量动态的重要因子．对第４代和第８代种群的排除作用控制指数分别为１３．９０４和１２．９４６．如果没有捕食性天敌的作用,下代种群数量将分别增长到当代的１５．１２０６和７４．６７８倍．病原微生物是影响第４代斜纹夜蛾种群数量的另一重要因子,其排除作用控制指数为２．４７２６．     

播种时间对棉田害虫和天敌种群的影响

通过对3种不同时间播种的棉田内害虫、天敌系统调查,分析和比较了播种时间对棉田害虫、天敌种群和群落的影响。结果表明,播种期推后,可减轻或避免第二代棉铃虫的为害,加重第三代和第四代棉铃虫的为害;但不同播种日期对不同时期的棉蚜影响不同,苗蚜以迟播棉田内种群数量最高,伏蚜则以夏播棉田内种群数量最高。播种期的推后,不利于棉田捕食性瓢虫、蝽类、蜘蛛和寄生性天敌种群增长。棉田害虫和天敌群落多样性指数也随播种期的推后而下降．因此．应针对不同时间播种的棉田开展相应的害虫生态管理。     

Toxicity of insecticidal soaps to the Asian citrus psyllid and two of its natural enemies

The Asian citrus psyllid (ACP), Diaphorina citri Kuwayama (Hemiptera: Psyllidae), is an important pest of citrus because it transmits plant pathogens responsible for a serious disease of citrus known as huanglongbing. Conventional insecticides are frequently used to manage ACP. Insecticidal soaps (hereafter ‘soaps’) are an insect control option labelled for commercial use as well as for use by homeowners and organic growers. Soaps have been shown to be toxic to some insect pests and therefore might be an alternative to conventional pesticides for control of ACP, but the efficacy of soaps against ACP was largely unknown. Our objective was to test whether different concentrations of two insecticidal soaps, M‐Pede and Safer Insecticidal Soap Concentrate, caused mortality of ACP adults, nymphs and eggs. In addition, we tested whether these soaps were toxic to two natural enemies of ACP, adults of the lady beetle Cycloneda sanguinea (L.) (Coleoptera: Coccinellidae) and the parasitoid Tamarixia radiata (Waterston) (Hymenoptera: Eulophidae). Direct sprays of M‐Pede or Safer Insecticidal Soap were acutely toxic to ACP adults (regardless of gender) and nymphs when applied in solutions of 0.8–2% in water. Insecticidal soaps were non‐toxic to eggs at rates of up to 2%. Residues of soap were less toxic to adult ACP than direct sprays, even when applied at concentrations of up to 4%. M‐Pede or Safer soap at high concentrations (for example, 2% v/v in water) may be an effective alternative to conventional pesticides to manage adult and nymphal ACP, although multiple applications may be needed if a target population includes eggs. A 2% concentration of either soap applied as a direct spray was non‐toxic to adult C. sanguinea but acutely toxic to adult T. radiata. Soaps therefore may be compatible with biological control of ACP by adult coccinellids but not the parasitoid T. radiata.     

烟草害虫天敌及其自然控制作用

介绍了云南省烟草主要害虫天敌资源和天敌昆虫的自然控制作用。在云南省烟田内 ,控制烟草害虫发生的生物因子大致可归纳为寄生性和捕食性两大类。充分发挥自然因素的生态调控作用 ,对保护利用天敌、维护烟田生态平衡、提高害虫综合治理效果、保护生态环境都有重要意义     

两种杀虫剂对稻田捕食性天敌集团捕食功能的影响

将稻田各类捕食性天敌作为一集团,运用功能法评价了甲胺磷和杀虫双对该集团捕食功能的影响,由于各类捕食性天敌对杀虫剂敏感性的不同,甲胺磷和杀虫双造成的各类天敌的死亡率和残存天敌个体的捕食功能减退率均不同。实验表明,隐翅虫类和狼蛛类对甲胺磷较为敏感,而对杀虫双,肖蛸类最为敏感。杀虫双对隐翅虫类的致死作用及捕食功能影响较小。就集团的捕食功能而言,甲胺磷影响明显大于杀虫双,但在总的功能减退率组分中,甲胺磷致     

Australian native flowering plants enhance the longevity of three parasitoids of brassica pests

Floral resources from native plants that are adapted to the local environment could be more advantageous than the use of nonnative plants. In Australia, there is a dearth of information on the benefits of native plants to natural enemies and their selectivity against pests. Accordingly, we examined the longevity of the parasitoids Diaeretiella rapae (McIntosh) and Cotesia glomerata (L.) (both Hymenoptera: Braconidae), and Diadegma semiclausum (Hellen) (Hymenoptera: Ichneumonidae) exposed to flowering shoots from Australian native plants which was compared with the nonnative buckwheat (Fagopyrum esculentum), often used in conservation biological control. Longevity of parasitoids was significantly enhanced by the Australian natives Westringia fruticosa, Mentha satureioides, Callistemon citrinus, Leptospermum cv. ‘Rudolph’, Grevillea cv. ‘Bronze Rambler’, Myoporum parvifolium, Lotus australis, and nonnative F. esculentum. The highest mean survival by native plant species was 3.4× higher for D. rapae with Leptospermum sp. and 4.3× higher for D. semiclausum with M. parvifolium. For C. glomerata, Grevillea sp. increased longevity by 6.9× compared with water only. Longevity of Plutella xylostella (L.) (Lepidoptera: Plutellidae), a major crop pest, was enhanced by all plants against which it was screened except Acacia baileyana, a species that had no effect on parasitoid longevity. Several Australian native plant species that benefit parasitoids were identified. None of the plant species provided a selective benefit to the parasitoid D. semiclausum compared with its host P. xylostella; however, the benefit of M. parvifolium and Grevillea sp. on the longevity of D. semiclausum was relatively higher compared with the pest. These results suggest the need for field studies to determine whether native Australian plants increase P. xylostella impact in nearby brassica crops.     

Contributions of climate,plant phenology and natural enemies to the seasonal variation of aphids on cabbage

Brevicoryne brassicae (L), Lipaphis erysimi (Kalt) and Myzus persicae (Sultzer) (Homoptera: Aphididae) form the aphid complex that causes great losses in Brassicaceae in tropical and subtropical regions. Knowledge of their population dynamics is important for the development of integrated pest management programmes. This study aimed to investigate the effects of cabbage phenology, climatic factors and natural enemies populations on the dynamics of these organisms, and the factors regulating their predators’ occurrence. The densities of aphids and their natural enemies and the climate were monitored for two years in 16 cabbage crops. The highest densities of the aphids occurred during periods of relative humidity (RH) drop, a condition that affects them positively. Regarding the predators, the factors affecting their abundance varied but RH was positively related to most of them. This study provides relevant insights into the factors that regulate the aphids in cabbage and for the decision‐making process of control of these severe pests.     

Diversity and impact of herbivorous insects on Brazilian peppertree in Florida prior to release of exotic biological control agents

Brazilian peppertree, Schinus terebinthifolia Raddi (Anacardiaceae), is a South American plant that is highly invasive in Florida. The impact of insect herbivores on the performance of Brazilian peppertree was evaluated at two locations in Florida using an insecticide exclusion method. Although 38 species of insect herbivores were collected on the invasive tree, there were no differences in growth or reproductive output of insecticide protected and unprotected trees, providing evidence that insect feeding had no measurable impact on tree performance. The majority of insects collected on Brazilian peppertree were generalists, and several were serious agricultural pests.     

福州郊区小菜蛾天敌种类调查

1994－1999年对福州郊区小菜蛾的天敌种类进行了调查,发现寄生性天敌6种,捕食性天敌18种。并对最为常见的菜蛾绒茧蜂Cotesia plutellae与小菜蛾幼虫的田间消长动态进行了系统观察。     

Increasing host age does not have the expected negative effects on the fitness parameters of an egg parasitoid

Host age is an important determinant of host acceptance and suitability for egg parasitoids. As host embryonic development advances, the quality of resources available to the parasitoid offspring typically declines, usually resulting in reduced acceptance levels by foraging females and lower offspring fitness. We examined the ability of the parasitoid Telenomus podisi Ashmead (Hymenoptera: Scelionidae) to parasitize and develop in Podisus maculiventris (Say) (Hemiptera: Pentatomidae) eggs of different ages. In laboratory experiments, we measured the effect of host age (6, 24, 48, 72, 96, or 120 h old) on parasitism rate and offspring fitness parameters such as survival, development time, sex ratio, and size. Contrary to our expectations, parasitism rate did not differ between host age treatments, nor did sex ratio allocation, offspring size, or the fecundity of newly emerged female offspring. However, parasitoid offspring had a longer development time with increasing host age. This trend was stronger for males than for females, which we suggest could reduce the degree of protandry among offspring emerging from older host eggs, thus increasing the rate of virginity upon leaving the emergence patch and resulting in more frequent off‐patch mating by female offspring in nature. Overall, our results suggest that all stages of P. maculiventris embryonic development are suitable for acceptance and development of T. podisi. Unlike most species of egg parasitoids, T. podisi has evolved mechanisms to utilize host resources, regardless of host developmental stage, with relatively minor fitness consequences.     

Effects of agroecosystem diversification on natural enemies of soybean herbivores

This study evaluated the effects of agroecosystem diversification through no-tillage and strip intercropping on the abundance of natural enemies of soybean (Glycine max Merrill) herbivores. Twenty-four plots (289 m² each) were arranged in a randomized complete block design for a 3 by 2 factorial experiment. Factors were cropping systems (corn monoculture, soybean monoculture, and strip intercropping of corn and soybean) and tillage systems (no-tillage and conventional tillage). Natural enemies were sampled during 1988, 1989 and 1990 by sweep net, suction net (D-Vac), pitfall traps and quadrat samples. Analyses of variance indicated that of 15 taxa analyzed, most foliage-inhabiting natural enemies were significantly more abundant in intercropping than in monoculture plots, whereas soil-inhabiting natural enemies had higher numbers in no-tillage plots than conventional tillage plots. Therefore, the results support the theory of greater abundance of natural enemies in more complex agroecosystems. Better environmental conditions in diversified treatments was the possible reason for these results. Corn in intercropping plots provided shade, reduced wind speed, alternate food, and possibly higher humidity and lower temperatures for soybean natural enemies. A similar effect was likely cuased by the stubble and weeds, in no-tillage plots.