Larval <Emphasis Type="Italic">Cryptothelea gloverii</Emphasis> (Lepidoptera: Psycidae), an arthropod predator and herbivore on Florida citrus

The orange bagworm (OBW), Cryptothelea gloverii (Packard) (Lepidoptera: Psychidae) was previously reported feeding on citrus fruit and foliage and preying upon the camphor scale Pseudaonidia duplex (Cockerell) (Homoptera: Coccidae). In this study using laboratory assays, OBW preyed upon citrus rust mite, Phyllocoptruta oleivora (Ashmead) (Acari: Eriophyidae) and consumed eggs and adults of both P. oleivora and Panonychus citri (McGregor) (Acari: Tetranychidae), two important pest mites on Florida citrus. OBW was also observed to feed on the purple scale, Lepidosaphes beckii (Newman) (Homoptera: Diaspididae) and on a fungus (Penicillium sp.). OBW fed on orange and grapefruit leaves by starting from the border and eating part of the leaf, by chewing holes, or consuming the outer epithelium of either the axial or abaxial surface of the leaf without penetrating through the leaf. OBW was observed in orange orchards in association with fruit extensively russeted by P. oleivora feeding. Laboratory assays revealed that OBW larvae preferred to feed on oranges infested with P. oleivora rather than on clean fruits that were free of mite feeding damage. Feeding damage to citrus fruit by OBW larvae results in one to several holes being eaten into the rind or albedo, without damage to the fruit sacs.     

Contribution of predation and parasitism to mortality of citrus leafminer Phyllocnistis citrella Stainton (Lepidoptera: Gracillariidae) populations in Florida

The citrus leafminer (CLM), Phyllocnistis citrella Stainton, is native to southern Asia and regarded as an important pest in nurseries and young or top-worked citrus trees in Florida. Damage to the leaf cuticle increases susceptibility to citrus canker disease and further aids spread by increasing inoculum loads. Biological control agents are known to play an important role in regulating pest populations. We evaluated individual contributions of predation and parasitisation to cohorts of P. citrella by exclusion and by direct observation of leaf mines in the field. Predation, particularly by ants, was the largest single cause of P. citrella mortality, accounting for more than 30% of all deaths by natural enemies, and 60% of all deaths by predators. First and second instars of P. citrella were most subject to ant predation. Ageniaspis citricola was the most important parasitoid of P. citrella and caused 8.2–28.6% mortality compared to 9.6–14.7% from indigenous parasitoids. The total biotic mortality of P. citrella observed in exclusion experiments was 52–85%. These results were in basic agreement with 89% mortality, predominantly by predation, obtained by reconstructing a cohort from observations of recently mined leaves. A partial life table based on these data predicted an innate rate of increase (R_o) of 2.8 and thus an almost 3-fold increase per generation. These results indicate that, while biotic mortality takes considerable toll of P. citrella populations, the predominance of predation suggests that the parasitoid complex on this exotic pest in Florida is depauperate and would likely be improved by additional introductions.     

Cotesia orobenae (Hymenoptera: Braconidae), a Gregarious Endoparasitoid of Evergestis rimosalis (Lepidoptera: Pyralidae), and Hyperparasitoids in Virginia Brassica Crops

Cotesia orobenae Forbes (Hymenoptera: Braconidae) is a gregarious endoparasitoid of the cross-striped cabbageworm (Evergestis rimosalis Guenée) (Lepidoptera: Pyralidae), a minor pest of Brassica crops in Virginia. Cocoons of C. orobenae were collected, weekly, from field plots of broccoli and cabbage crops in Whitethorne, Montgomery County (VA) during 1989 and 1990. Counts were also made of the eggs and larvae of E. rimosalis to determine the pest′s seasonality. In January 1991, C. orobenae cocoons were collected from the held plots to see if C. orobenae overwinters within cocoons. In May 1993, trap plants bearing E. rimosalis larvae were placed among the field plants weekly to determine if C. orobenae adults are present and ovipositing early in the season. Field counts of E. rimosalis eggs and larvae in 1990 indicated the occurrence of three generations off. rimosalis from June to October, but parasitism of larvae on trap plants by C. orobenae in May 1993 suggested that the parasitoid is present in mid-May. C. orobenae oviposits in first through third instar E. rimosalis and the resulting larvae feed internally on the developing host, exit the fourth (last) instar host, and spin cocoons in a loose mass. Mean brood size of 118 C. orobenae field-collected cocoon masses was 9.2 ± 4.4 cocoons per mass. Out of 1085 cocoons, adult C. orobenae emerged from 77%, hyperparasitoids emerged from 7%, and nothing emerged from 16%. Females accounted for 73% of the emerging C. orobenae adults. Data from field-collected cocoons suggest that C. orobenae enter diapause in late September and overwinter in cocoons. Six pupal hyperparasitoids were recovered: Isdromas lycaenae (Howard) (Ichneumonidae); Conura (=Spilochalcis) torvina (Cresson) and Conura (=Spilochalcis) albifrons (Walsh) (Chalcididae); Hypopteromalus tabacum (Fitch), Catolaccus cyanoideus Burks, and Trichomalopsis viridescens (Walsh) (Pteromalidae).     

Comparative residual toxicities of pesticides to the predator Agistemus industani (Acari: Stigmaeidae) on citrus in Florida

Residual toxicities of registered and selected experimental pesticides used on citrus against Agistemus industani Gonzalez (Acari: Stigmaeidae) were compared. Pesticides considered highly toxic to A. industani were: abamectin 0.15 EC at 731ml/ha+FC 435-66 petroleum oil at 46.8l/ha, pyridaben 75WP at 469g/ha, ethion 4EC at 7.01l/ha+FC 435-66 petroleum oil at 46.8l/ha, propargite 6.55 EC at 3.51l/ha, chlorfenapyr 2SC at 1.46l/ha applied alone or in combination with FC 435-66 petroleum oil at 46.8l/ha, sulphur 80DF at 16.81kg/ha, dicofol 4EC at 7.01l/ha, fenbutatin oxide 50WP at 2.24kg/ha, benomyl 50WP at 2.24kg/ha, benomyl 50WP at 1.68kg/ha+ferbam 76 GF at 5.60kg/ha, ferbam 76GF at 11.21kg/ha, neem oil 90EC at 46.8l/ha, and copper hydroxide DF (40% metallic copper) at 4.48kg metallic copper/ha+FC 435-66 petroleum oil at 46.8l/ha. Pesticides that were moderately to slightly toxic included: copper sulphate 98% at 4.48kg metallic copper/ha+FC 435-66 petroleum oil at 46.8l/ha, fenbuconazole 2F at 280ml/ha+FC 435-66 petroleum oil at 46.8l/ha, FC 435-66 petroleum oil applied alone at 46.8l/ha or 23.4l/ha, and diflubenzuron 25WP at 1.40kg/ha. Pesticides that were non-toxic included: fenbuconazole 2F at 585ml/ha, malathion 57EC at 5.85l/ha, FC 435-66 petroleum oil at 46.8l/ha, carbaryl 80S at 3.36kg/ha, chlorpyrifos 4EC at 4.68l/ha, and formetanate 92SP at 1.12kg/ha. Understanding the toxic effects of field weathered pesticides against key predacious mite species is important for effective IPM. The results of this study provide a comparison of direct and indirect toxic effects of various pesticides to A. industani under field conditions.     

Life table and predatory efficiency of Stethorus gilvifrons (Coleoptera: Coccinellidae), an important predator of the red spider mite, Oligonychus coffeae (Acari: Tetranychidae), infesting tea

The ladybird beetle, Stethorus gilvifrons, is a major predator of the red spider mite, Oligonychus coffeae, infesting tea. Biology, life table and predatory efficiency of S. gilvifrons were studied under laboratory conditions. Its average developmental period from egg to adult emergence was 19.2 days. After a mean pre-oviposition period of 5.3 days, each female laid an average of 149.3 eggs. Adult females lived for 117.3 days and males for 41.5 days. The life table of the beetle was characterized by an intrinsic rate of increase (r) of 0.066 day⁻¹, net reproductive rate (R ₀) of 72.2 eggs/female, gross reproduction rate (Σm _x ) of 82.3 eggs/female, generation time (T) of 64.9 days, doubling time of 10.5 days and finite rate of increase (λ) of 1.07 day⁻¹. Population dynamics of S. gilvifrons and its prey, O. coffeae, was monitored by sampling 25 tea leaves from each experimental block grown under the prevailing field conditions. Populations of S. gilvifrons reached a peak during January to March and had low incidence during June to November. Peaks in the populations of S. gilvifrons coincided with the abundance of O. coffeae in tea fields. Weather factors such as low temperature, high humidity and heavy rainfall adversely affected the populations of S. gilvifrons. The predatory efficiency of S. gilvifrons increased during the growth of larval instars. An adult female consumed 205.0 eggs, 92.2 larvae, 81.8 nymphs and 52.4 adult mites per day.     

中国新发现外来入侵害虫——南美番茄潜叶蛾(鳞翅目:麦蛾科)

2017年8月,在新疆维吾尔自治区伊犁哈萨克自治州露地鲜食番茄上发现一种鳞翅目害虫,以幼虫潜食叶肉、蛀食果实,经鉴定为南美番茄潜叶蛾。该害虫原产南美洲的秘鲁,2006年入侵欧洲的西班牙,截至2017年5月,已在南美洲、欧洲、非洲、中美洲和亚洲的80多个国家和地区发生,严重危害鲜食番茄、加工番茄和樱桃番茄/圣女果,产量损失最高可达80%～100%。本文提供了南美番茄潜叶蛾的危害情况及主要形态鉴定特征,提出了防范其进一步扩散危害的措施建议以及今后应开展的主要研究方向,包括植物检疫、发生分布调查、生物学生态学特性研究、天敌资源挖掘利用等,以为积极应对南美番茄潜叶蛾对我国农业生产安全的威胁提供参考。     

Larval hemocytes in Noctuidae (Insecta: Lepidoptera)

An attempt was made to relate certain physical characteristics of hemocytes and the taxonomy or ecophysiology of species in one family of insects. Composition of the hemocyte complex and features of the cell types varied widely among larvae of 85 species sampled from the family Noctuidae (Lepidoptera). The complex ranged from a basic one of 4 functioning types, the plasmatocytes, granulocytes, spherulocytes and oenocytoids, to ones that also included extreme variants of the plasmatocyte line. Except for the granolocytes, each type had features of size, form and structure that could vary also with species. Some species can be identified by these characters, but there is no apparent relationship of the characters to species biology and little to present taxonomic arrangements.     

A diagnostic multiplex polymerase chain reaction method to identify Japanese internal apple-feeding Lepidopteran pests: Grapholita molesta, Grapholita dimorpha (Lepidoptera: Tortricidae), and Carposina sasakii (Lepidoptera: Carposinidae)

We present a multiplex polymerase chain reaction method to differentiate between three Japanese internal apple-feeding pests: the oriental fruit moth, Grapholita molesta (Busck), Grapholita dimorpha Komai, and the peach fruit moth, Carposina sasakii Matsumura. A 1,342-bp fragment of mitochondrial cytochrome oxidase subunit I (COI) was sequenced in each species. The three species showed consistent and diagnostic differences in the region of the COI gene, from which three species-specific forward primers were designed. The forward primers along with one universal reverse primer were used to selectively amplify DNA from specimens of diverse geographic origin for each corresponding target species. This method enabled easy, immediate, and accurate identification of internal feeding Lepidoptera in apples and other fruits.     

Insecticidal action of Bauhinia monandra leaf lectin (BmoLL) against Anagasta kuehniella (Lepidoptera: Pyralidae), Zabrotes subfasciatus and Callosobruchus maculatus (Coleoptera: Bruchidae)

Bruchid beetle larvae cause major losses in grain legume crops throughout the world. Some bruchid species, such as the cowpea weevil (Callosobruchus maculatus) and the Mexican bean weevil (Zabrotes subfasciatus), are pests that damage stored seeds. The Mediterranean flour moth (Anagasta kuehniella) is of major economic importance as a flour and grain feeder; it is often a severe pest in flour mills. Plant lectins have been implicated as antibiosis factors against insects. Bauhinia monandra leaf lectin (BmoLL) was tested for anti-insect activity against C. maculatus, Z. subfasciatus and A. kuehniella larvae. BmoLL produced ca. 50% mortality to Z. subfaciatus and C. maculatus when incorporated into an artificial diet at a level of 0.5% and 0.3% (w/w), respectively. BmooLL up to 1% did not significantly decrease the survival of A. kuehniella larvae, but produced a decrease of 40% in weight. Affinity chromatography showed that BmoLL bound to midgut proteins of the insect C. maculatus. 33 kDa subunit BmoLL was not digested by midgut preparations of these bruchids. BmoLL-fed C. maculatus larvae increased the digestion of potato starch by 25% compared with the control. The transformation of the genes coding for this lectin could be useful in the development of insect resistance in important agricultural crops.     

Amblyseius bibens (Acarina: Phytoseiidae), a predator of spider mites (Tetranychidae) in Madagascar

Field observation indicated thatA. bibens is an important predator of severalTetranychus-species in parts of Madagascar. Its dependence on water for drinking was demonstrated; this feature limits its presence to more humid biotopes. Its importance in the irrigated areas of the dry southwest is stressed.A. bibens proved capable of eradicating.T. urticae on potted bean plants. Predation and oviposition of the predator were tested with various densities of adult femaleT. urticae. At the lowest densities tested, predation was limited by the availability of the prey, which also resulted in a lower oviposition rate at these densities. At more moderate densities (of around 32 prey/7 cm²) an increase in prey egg consumption made up for a decrease in adult prey consumption, indicating that spider mite eggs are suitable food for this predator. At high densities eggs were ignored and adult prey were killed and at highest densities more were killed than were actually needed for food. The effect of alternate feeding on eggs and an interference stimulation component are claimed to explain the unusual functional response curve ofA. bibens. The results imply that, under natural conditions,A. bibens feeds primarily on spider mite eggs, but shifts towards adult prey consumption with increasing prey densities.

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Résumé Des observations dans la nature montrent queA. bibens est un important prédateur de plusieurs espèces deTetranychidae dans certains secteurs à Madagascar. Son importance dans les zones irriguées du sud-ouest aride est mise en évidence, ce qui résulte des besoins pour cette espèce d'eau alimentaire, ce facteur limitant sa présence aux biotopes les plus humides. A. bibens se montre capable d'éliminerT. urticae sur les cultures de pois. Le taux de prédation et d'oviposition du prédateur ont été testés en rapport aux diverses densités de la proie,T. urticae. Aux densités les plus faibles la prédation est limitée par la disponibilité en proies, ce qui entraine également une réduction de la fécondité. Pour des densités moyennes (de l'ordre de 32 proies/7 cm²) on observe une consommation préférentielle des ufs deTetranychidae et une moindre consommation des adultes. Pour des densités élevées, par contre, les ufs sont délaissés et ce sont les adultes qui sont consommés, enfin par des densités encore plus fortes, le prédateur détruit plus de proies adultes qu'il n'en peut consommer.L'effet d'une, alimentation de substitution sur les ufs de la proie et l'interférence d'un facteur stimulant sont envisagés comme éléments explicatifs de la réponse inhabituelle d'A. bibens. Cela implique que dans les conditions naturellesA. bibens se nourrit en premier lieu sur les ufs deTetranychidae, mais transfert sa préférence sur les proies adultes quand la densité de ces derniers s'accroît.

     

Mass rearing of Spalgis epius (Lepidoptera: Lycaenidae), a potential predator of mealybugs (Hemiptera: Pseudococcidae)

Spalgis epius (Lepidoptera: Lycaenidae) has been recorded as a potential predator of various species of mealybug crop pests worldwide. We describe the mass rearing of S. epius, as no information on this topic is available. Outdoor nylon tent cages of different dimensions were provided to achieve mating and oviposition as S. epius adults did not mate in the laboratory cages. Adults mated only in the tent cage (6×6×10 m) placed over a native tree (9 m height). The presence of a tree canopy inside the cage is essential to achieve courtship and mating. Gravid females of S. epius deposited eggs on the mealybug-infested pumpkins inside the different sized nylon cages with or without a bush/tree. Spalgis epius eggs were maintained on mealybug-infested pumpkins in the laboratory and developmental stages of the predator were reared. Adults fed on various diets laid significantly higher number of eggs than those of starved individuals. Spalgis epius with a life cycle completed in 21.2 days and 55.7 larvae, could be reared on a single mealybug-infested pumpkin.     

The feeding behaviour of Pharoscymnus numidicus (Coccinellidae), predator of the date palm scale Parlatoria blanchardi

The searching capacity of Pharoscymnus numidicus, determined by criteria of mobility and survival rates, increases with age of larvae. The searching pattern is of a random nature; the predator does not orientate toward its prey, and the direction of its movement is influenced by physical factors such as light. The ability to feed on alternative foods increases the predator's chance to survive under natural food scarcity conditions. In this respect, its cannibalistic behavior is of particular importance for survival. The feeding capacity is dependent on instar, sex, history of larvae in relation to amounts of food previously consumed, atmospheric temperature, and population density of the host insect.

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Résumé La capacité de Ph. numidicus de trouver la proie, determinée par la mobilité et le degré de survie, s'améliore avec l'âge des larves. Les mouvements de recherche sont de nature aléatoire; le prédateur ne possède pas le pouvoir de percevoir la proie, et les directions de son mouvement sont déterminées par des facteurs physiques, comme la lumière. La possibilité de se nourrir sur des aliments non-spécifiques augmente les chances de survie dans les conditions d'une pénurie de nourriture naturelle. De ce point de vue le cannibalisme possède une importance particulière pour la survie. La capacité de se nourrir dépend du stade, du sexe, de la nourriture précédente, de la température atmosphérique et de la densité de population de l'insecte-hôte.

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Contribution from the National and University Institute of Agriculture Bet Dagan, Israel. 1967 Series; No. 1200-E.     

Effect of Temperature on the Life History of Cirrospilus sp. near lyncus (Hymenoptera: Eulophidae), a Parasitoid of Phyllocnistis citrella (Lepidoptera: Gracillariidae)

The effect of four constant temperatures on the life history of Cirrospilus sp. near lyncus was examined in the laboratory. This species is one of the most abundant generalist indigenous parasitoids of the citrus leafminer, Phyllocnistis citrella Stainton, in Spain. Adult lifespan of C. sp. near lyncus decreased from 50.2 to 9.1 days as temperatures increased from 15 to 30°C, respectively. Both gross fecundity and host-feeding were highest at 20°C (170.48 eggs and 32.33 hosts). Oviposition rates were optimal at higher temperatures (5.22 eggs per day at 25°C and 4.79 eggs per day at 30°C) and were dependent on female age. In contrast, host-feeding rates for a given temperature did not depend on age. Generation time decreased with increasing temperatures from 68.05 days at 15°C to 12.19 days at 30°C. Net reproduction peaked at 20°C (68.86 viable females per female). Intrinsic rate of increase doubled from 15°C (0.059 females per female per day) to 20°C (0.127 females per female per day) and almost doubled again from 20 to 30°C (0.210 females per female per day). Given these parameters, C. sp. near lyncus could perform optimally in the area occupied by P. citrella in the Mediterranean region.     

Conventional resistance of experimental maize lines to corn earworm (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae), fall armyworm (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae), southwestern corn borer (Lepidoptera: Crambidae), and sugarcane borer (Lepidoptera: Crambidae)

Plant resistance is a useful component of integrated pest management for several insects that are economically damaging to maize, Zea mays L. In this study, 15 experimental lines of maize derived from a backcross breeding program were evaluated for resistance to corn earworm, Helicoverpa zea (Boddie); fall armyworm, Spodoptera frugiperda (J. E. Smith); southwestern corn borer, Diatraea grandiosella Dyar; and sugarcane borer, Diatraea saccharalis (F.). Experimental line 100-R-3 was resistant in the field to leaf feeding by fall armyworm and line 116-B-10 was resistant in the field to leaf feeding by fall armyworm and leaf and stalk feeding by southwestern corn borer. When corn earworm larvae were fed field harvested silks from experimental line 81-9-B in the laboratory, their pupal weights were significantly lower than the pupal weights of larvae that were fed silks from the resistant control, Zapalote Chico. Maysin levels lower than those commonly associated with corn earworm resistance were present in the resistant experimental line, 107-8-7, indicating a new basis confers resistance to corn earworm in this line. These resistant experimental lines will provide plant breeders with new sources of resistance to lepidopterous insects for the development of improved maize breeding populations.     

Trace Element Studies on Tinospora cordifolia (Menispermaceae), Ocimum sanctum (Lamiaceae), Moringa oleifera (Moringaceae), and Phyllanthus niruri (Euphorbiaceae) Using PIXE

Traditionally, Tinospora cordifolia (Willd.) Hook. F. & Thomson (Menispermaceae), Ocimum sanctum L. (Lamiaceae), Moringa oleifera Lam. (Moringaceae), and Phyllanthus niruri L. (Euphorbiaceae) are some of the commonly used medicinal plants in India for curing ailments ranging from common cold, skin diseases, and dental infections to major disorders like diabetes, hypertension, jaundice, rheumatism, etc. To understand and correlate their medicinal use, trace element studies on the aqueous extract of these medicinal plants have been carried out using particle-induced X-ray emission technique. A 2-MeV proton beam was used to identify and characterize major and minor elements namely Cl, K, Ca, Ti, Cr, Mn, Fe, Co, Ni, Cu, Zn, Br, and Sr in them. Results have revealed that these elements are present in varying concentrations in the selected plants. Notable results include very high concentrations of Cl, K, and Ca in all the leaf samples, appreciable levels of Mn in all plants, high Zn content in T. cordifolia, and the aqueous extract of Moringa leaves compared to others and relative higher concentrations of Cr in all the plants.     

No evidence for an interactive effect of herbivore and predator diversity on herbivore abundance in the experimental mesocosms of Douglass et al. (2008)

Douglass et al. ( Ecol. Lett. , 11 , 2008, 1) concluded that grazer diversity and predator diversity have an interactive effect on herbivore abundance in experimental marine mesocosms. Re-analysis of their data fails to support this conclusion, which was apparently based on a statistical miscalculation.     

Studies of the impact ofEuseius species (Acari: Phytoseiidae) on citrus mites using predator exclusion and predator release experiments

To create plots with differential levels ofEuseius, malathion sprays, highly toxic to phytoseiids but of low toxicity to citrus red mite,Panonychus citri (CRM), and citrus thrips,Scirtothrips citri, were applied to blocks of Valencia oranges for three seasons (1984, 1985 and 1986) and Eureka lemons for one season (1985). Releases ofEuseius spp. were made in plots within the treated blocks. In 1984, CRM populations were highest in the treated/no release plot, lowest in the untreated and intermediate in the treated/Euseius stipulatus-release plot. In 1985, CRM populations were high in all plots in the oranges (including theE. tularensis release) except theE. stipulatus-release plot, and in all plots in the lemons except the untreated.Euseius releases in the lemons had no effect, apparently because they were followed by very hot weather. In 1986, CRM was very low in all plots.Euseius stipulatus became the dominant phytoseiid species even in theE. tularensis-release plots after a few weeks, indicating that this species colonized more readily and spread to other trees more rapidly than didE. tularensis. The results support the hypothesis thatE. stipulatus is an important mortality factor contributing to CRM control at low levels.Euseius stipulatus also may have a negative impact on the citrus rust mite,Phyllocoptruta oleivora. Citrus thrips populations were low during the entire study period and did not differ significantly between plots.     

Artificial diet and rearing methods for Thanasimus dubius (Coleoptera: Cleridae), a predator of bark beetles (Coleoptera: Scolytidae)

Clerid beetles are common natural enemies of bark beetles, and could potentially be used as biological control agents if they could be reared in sufficient numbers. We developed an artificial diet devoid of insect components for rearing Thanasimus dubius (Fabricius), a clerid that attacks several economically important bark beetles in eastern North America. We reared larvae of this predator using the artificial diet, and then used either natural or factitious prey to feed the adults so produced. Two different methods of presenting the diet were also examined. We then compared the performance of T. dubius reared on the artificial diet with newly-emerged wild individuals collected from the field. Our results suggest that adult predators reared on the diet are near in quality to wild ones, and high R₀ values can be obtained. No difference in prey preference was found between wild and diet-reared individuals after five generations in the laboratory. Sufficient numbers of predators could be generated using these techniques to permit limited field trials of augmentative biological control.     

A semi-synthetic diet for rearing Dipha aphidivora (Lepidoptera: Pyralidae), a promising predator of woolly aphid in sugarcane

Dipha aphidivora (Meyrick), a lepidopteran predator of sugarcane woolly aphid (SWA) Ceratovacuna lanigera Zehntner was successfully reared for three successive generations, for the first time on a freeze-dried beef liver-based larval semi-synthetic diet. We compared biological parameters viz., larval survival, adult weight, pre-and oviposition period, fertility, fecundity and female longevity of D. aphidivora reared on the semi-synthetic diet with the predators reared on SWA. Development time of larvae reared from first instar to pupation was 20.6 days on the semi-synthetic diet and 12 days on SWA, while survival of the larvae to adults was 61.8 and 91.8% on larval semi-synthetic diet and SWA, respectively. Fecundity recorded from semi-synthetic diet (41 eggs/female) was significantly less than those produced on SWA (58 eggs/female). However, fertility and longevity of the predators reared on SWA and semi-synthetic diet did not differ significantly. The study revealed the possibility of rearing D. aphidivora larvae using synthetic diet.     

Agroecological transition increases arthropod diversity and decreases herbivore abundance on field margins

1. In peri-urban areas, many farmers are transitioning from conventional agriculture to agroecological practices to reduce pesticide input and preserving ecosystem services such as natural pest control. Field margins represent a stable habitat for arthropods, but community structure depends on many factors, including management type and vegetation features.
2. We studied the effects of agroecological transitions and vegetation features on arthropods of horticultural field margins, focusing on three feeding guilds (herbivores, predators and parasitoids). We sampled arthropods using the beat-sheet method in five conventional fields and five under agroecological transition. We also measured vegetation height, richness, flower abundance and plant cover.
3. Our results showed that arthropod diversity was higher in agroecological fields whereas herbivore abundance was lower, with a consistent pattern across most taxonomic orders. Vegetation features displayed multiple effects among functional and taxonomic groups. Herbivores did not respond to most vegetation variables whereas predators correlated with several, with similar trends among orders.
4. We conclude that agroecological transitions and field margins with high vegetation richness and floral resources influence arthropod communities with potential benefits regarding pest regulation. These practices might be more effective if considered alongside other methods that enhance biodiversity and if they are consistent at a landscape scale.