A new diet for reproduction of two predaceous mitesAmblyseius gossipi andAgistemus exsertus [Acari: Phytoseiidae,stigmaeidae]

Laboratory studies revealed that the acarid mite,Tyrophagus casei Oudemans is an adequate diet for development and reproduction of the stigmaeid mite,Agistemus exsertus Gonzalez. A combination of pollen grains of castor beanRicinus communis L. andT. casei is a sufficient plant-animal diet for the development and reproduction of the phytoseiid mite,Amblyseius gossipi Elbadry. When the later predator was restricted to such animal prey it developed to the adult stage, but females failed to lay eggs.      

Biology ofMicroplitis mediator [Hym.: Braconidae] a gregarious endoparasite ofAgrotis segetum [Lep.: Noctuidae]

Microplitis mediator (Haliday) a gregarious endoparasite was recorded for the first time fromAgrotis segetum (Schiff) in Ankara, Turkey. The female parasites found their hosts by responding to the faeces of the caterpillars. An average, females laid 15.5±1.6 eggs in the bodies of their hosts. The newly laid eggs were elongated, oval in shape and 0.23±0.004 mm long and 0.07 mm wide. They hatched in 5, 4 and 3 days at 20±2°C, 25±2°C and 30±2°C respectively when maintained at 60–70% R.H. and 14∶10 light∶dark regime. At the same temperatures, the larval stage lasted for 24.9±0.6, 18.2±0.4 and 17.1±0.5 days respectively. The prepupal stage was completed in 2 days at 25±2°C, whereas the prepupal and pupal (cocoon) stage lasted 10.9±0.2, 7.0±0.1 and 6.2±0.1 days respectively at the temperatures mentioned above. The adults started mating and feeding shortly after emergence. Female parasites started laying after one day, 7–11 hours and 5–7 hours at the temperatures stated above. At these temperatures females lived for 10.8±0.2, 5.4±0.1, 4.6±0.1 days and laid on average 556, 484 and 363 eggs respectively, whereas the males survived 10.5±0.3, 4.7±0.1 and 4.4±0.1 days respectively.      

Matriphagy in the hump earwig, Anechura harmandi (Dermaptera: Forficulidae), increases the survival rates of the offspring

Females of the hump earwig, Anechura harmandi, are completely consumed by their offspring at the end of their care (matriphagy). The effect of this matriphagy was assessed by manipulative experiments. Matriphagy led to a delay in the dispersal of the nymphs and an increase in their survival rate. The same results were obtained when mothers were removed and the nymphs were given sufficient food. Females separated from their offspring after larval hatching failed to produce a second clutch, and three-quarters of them did not develop their ovaries. These results suggest that the survival of nymphs and their stay in the nest are dependent on food availability and that A. harmandi females are strictly semelparous.     

Biology and host plant range of the soft scale,Steatococcus new species [Hem.: Margarodidae] for the biological control of the weedCryptostegia grandiflora [Asclepiadaceae]

The soft scale,Steatococcus new species, occurs onCryptostegia grandiflora R. Br. in Madagascar. Studies on its biology and host plant range showed colonies could survive for up to 6 months on some genera in theApocynaceae and indefinitely on many genera in the familyAsclepiadaceae. The species was therefore rejected as a biological control agent forC. grandiflora, a serious weed in northern Queensland, Australia.      

Biology ofPhanerotoma hendecasisella [Hym: Braconidae] a parasitoid ofDiaphania indica [Lep.: Pyralidae]

Studies were conducted on the solitary egg-larval endoparasitoidPhanerotoma hendecasisella Cam. [Hymenoptera: Braconidae] to determine its biology onDiaphania indica (Saunders) [Lepidoptera: Pyralidae]. Larvae pass through 3 stages as determined by the shape and size of the mandibles. Mean developmental period from egg to adult was 26.51 days at 26.06 °C and 73.88% RH. There is no preoviposition period. The sex ratio was 1∶1.12 (male/female). Mean adult longevity was not different for ♂♂ and ♀♀.      

Host recognition by the gypsy moth [Lymantria dispar] [Lep.: Lymantriidae] hyperparasite,Eurytoma appendigaster [Hym.: Eurytomidae] of cocoons ofCotesia melanoscela [Hym.: Braconidae]

Artificial and modified natural hosts were exposed to females of the gypsy moth [Lymantria dispar (L.)] hyperparasite,Eurytoma appendigaster (Swederus), to investigate its host recognition behavior on the primary host, which are cocooned larvae of the gypsy moth parasite,Cotesia melanoscela (Ratzeburg). Material(s) which caused drilling behavior by the hyperparasite on host cocoons were extracted with both polar and non-polar solvents. However, cocoons washed with large volumes of solvent still caused substantial drilling activities by females, suggesting that additional cues may be important. Results suggest that host recognition in this hyperparasite involves a variety of host characteristics.      

Importation,colonization and establishment ofAnagyrus indicus [Hym.: Encyrtidae] onNipaecoccus viridis [Hom.: Pseudococcidae] in Jordan

Anagyrus indicus Shafeeet al. was collected on the island of Guam and released in the Jordan River Valley of Jordan in order to regulateNipaecoccus viridis (Newstead) on citrus.A. indicus was originally released in February 1984 and became colonized by April of the same year. It also dispersed by natural means up to 61 km following the original release and colonized that same year on infestedZizyphus sp. By spring of 1985 it became the dominant parasitoid attackingN. viridis. Another parasitoid,Anagyrus kamali Moursi, was collected in Jordan in June of 1985 for the first time. This latter parasitoid apparently moved into the Jordan River Valley by means of natural dispersal from a neighboring country. Infestations ofN. viridis have been greatly reduced in areas whereA. indicus became established. This paper reports the results of research only. Mention of a proprietary product does not constitute an endorsement for its use by USDA.     

A leaf feeding moth,Euclasta whalleyi [Lep.: Pyralidae] for the biological control ofCryptostegia grandiflora [Asclepiadaceae] in Queensland,Australia

In Madagascar, the leaf feeding Pyralid,Euclasta whalleyi Popescu-Gorj & Constantinescu, occurs onCryptostegia grandiflora R. Br. and other genera in the subfamilyPeriplocoideae of the familyAsclepiadaceae. Studies on its biology and host plant specificity have shown it is restricted to this subfamily. The Australian native,Gymnanthera nitida R. Br., also belongs to this sub-family and is host to an Australian native moth,Euclasta maceratalis Lederer. Despite the likelihood ofE. whalleyi feeding onG. nitida and competing withE. maceratalis, the moth was approved for release in Australia in October 1987. During 1988 over 22,000 larvae were released; field establishment is not yet proven.      

Predation byIridomyrmex humilis [Hym.: Formicidae] on eggs ofChrysoperla carnea [Neu.: Chrysopidae] released for inundative control ofIllinoia liriodendri [Hom.: Aphididae] infestingLiriodendron tulipifera

In an effort to suppress the tuliptree aphidIllinoia liriodendri (Monell), approximately 2,000 eggs ofChrysoperla carnea (Stephens) from a commercial insectary were released 4 times on each of 8 tuliptreesLiriodendron tulipifera L. in Berkeley, California, during the spring of 1984. On trees foraged by the Argentine antIridomyrmex humilis (Mayr), 98% of the eggs ofC. carnea were removed from the egg release tapes by the ants. A total of about 1,250 larvae per tree eclosed from the 8,000 eggs released on each tree without ants. Fifty percent of the larvae that did eclose died due to cannibalism or entrapment in the sticky egg release tapes and approximately 625 first instar larvae on each tree were free to forage for aphids. Inundative lacewing releases ofC. carnea did not suppress populations ofI. liriodendri due to ant predation, the low viability of commercial eggs (0–73% eclosion),

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Résumé Dans le but de limiter les populations du puceron du tulipierIllinoia liriodendri (Monell), 4 lachers d'environ 2.000 œufs de provenance commerciale deChrysoperla carnea (Stephens) ont été réalisés au cours du printemps 1984 sur 8 tulipiersLiriodendron tulipifera L., à Berkeley en Californie. cannibalism by emerged larvae, and inadequate release technology. Sur les arbres visités par la fourmi d'ArgentineIridomyrmex humilis (Mayr), 98% des œufs deC. carnea ont été enlevés du support artificiel par les fourmis. Sur les arbres exempts de fourmis, la mortalité de 50% des larves est due au cannibalisme ou à leur engluement sur le support de lacher. A partir de 8.000 œufs déposés sur chaque arbre sans fourmi, on aboutit à environ 625 larves de 1^er stade susceptibles de rechercher des pucerons. Les lachers inondatifs deC. carnea n'ont pas limité les populations d'I. liriodendri. Les raisons en sont: la consommation par les fourmis, une faible viabilité de la plus grande partie des œufs commercialisés (0–73% d'éclosions), une technique inadaptée pour le lacher des œufs et le cannibalisme par les larves elles-mêmes deC. carnea.

     

Suitability ofScapteriscus moles crickets [Ort.: Gryllotalpidae] as hosts ofEuphasiopteryx depleta [Dipt.: Tachinidae]

Euphasiopteryx depleta (Wied) flies successfully developed in the mole cricketsScapteriscus borellii Giglio-Tos andScapteriscus vicinus Scudder, as well as in the short-tailed cricket,Anurogryllus sp., after artificially placing larvae under their pronota. Using this technique, no relation was found between the number of larvae placed on each cricket and the resulting number of puparia obtained from the cricket. In all cases, the number of flies emerging from the puparia was small, with females failing to mature reproductively. AsE. depleta has been reared from field collectedScapteriscus spp., the exact reasons for lack of maturation remain unknown.Anurogryllus sp. can be considered a probable alternate host forE. depleta.      

Intrinsic competition between the gregarious parasite,Cotesia glomeratus and the solitary parasite.Cotesia rubecula [Hymenoptera: Braconidae] for their host.Artogeia rapae [Lepidoptera: Pieridae]

The solitary endoparasite,Cotesia rubecula, was superior to the gregarious endoparasite,Cotesia glomeratus, in tests of intrinsic competition for their hostArtogeia rapae. When an egg ofC. rubecula was oviposited in the host prior to those ofC. glomeratus, C. rubecula always won the ensuing competition. When an egg ofC. rubecula was laid in the same host within 48 h after oviposition byC. glomeratus, C. rubecula was successful in more than 90% of the interactions. Even when the egg ofC. rubecula was oviposited in the same host 72 to 96 h after oviposition byC. glomeratus, C. rubecula won the competition approximately 33% of the time. The implications of intrinsic competition are discussed in relation to the establishment ofC. rubecula in an ecosystem containingA. rapae andC. glomeratus.      

Biology ofCryptolaemus montrouzieri Mulsant [Coccinellidae: Coleoptera] in relation with temperature

The effect of temperature on the developmental duration ofCryptolaemus montrouzieri Mulsant was quantified by deriving a regression equation for each developmental stage as well as the total life cycle. While the duration of life stages was shorter during summer and longer during winter, the optimum constant temperature for maximal development was found to be 30°C. The adult longevity was extended when reared at 20°C than at 30°C and ambient temperature. The longevity of adults was longer when maintained on grape mealybugMaconellicoccus hirsutus (Green) than on honey and when maintained at 20°C. The fecundity of the predator was higher at 30°C than at 20°C. Eventhough the adults could survive at 10°C, the productive capacity was impaired.      

Laboratory rearing ofAnaphes sordidatus [Hym.: Mymaridae] on carrot weevil eggs [Col.: Curculionidae]

A technique for rearingAnaphes sordidatus (Girault) on eggs of laboratory-reared carrot weevil,Listronotus oregonensis (Le Conte), is described. Individual rearing was possible by using polyethylene embedding capsules that enabled easy manipulation of parasitized carrot weevil eggs for use in subsequent experimental procedures. The technique described resulted in 65% parasitization of carrot weevil eggs and 90 mn per day were sufficient to obtainca. 200 parasites daily.      

Investigations on the parasitism ofOtiorrhynchus salicicola andO. Sulcatus [Col.: Curculionidae] byHeterorhabditis sp. [Nematoda]

Experiments were conducted to study the efficacy of the insect parasitic nematodeHeterorhabditis sp. (HW79) as a biological control agent ofOtiorrhynchus salicicola. This weevil species is reported as a pest of ornamental plants in Switzerland and Italy. Dipping plastic boxes containing heavily infested cuttings of laurel (Prunus laurocerasus) in a nematode suspension resulted in approximately 100% parasitisation of full-grown larvae, pupae and non-emerged young adults. The average dose resulting from dipping varied between 56,000 and 62,000 nematodes per liter soil. This experiment was run under natural outdoor conditions. In a further outdoor experiment, pottedLigustrum plants were inoculated with eggs ofO. salicicola and later 20,000 infective juvenile nematodes per liter soil were added to the soil surface. The resulting weevil mortality in the treated pots was 78%. In seven greenhouse tests using the same nematode dose in pots with horticultural soil to which weevil larvae had been added, weevil mortality varied between 76% and 100%, the arithmetic average being 90%. These results indicate that Heterorhabditid nematodes may provide an effective means of controllingO. salicicola. In an other experiment usingO. sulcatus larvae, the influence of application time on nematode efficacy was investigated. When nematodes were added a few days before weevil larvae had hatched from the eggs, no parasitic effect was obtained. Nematode applications done shortly after larval hatching however, resulted in complete weevil control. These results are of significance in timing nematode applications in practice.      

Host specificity and biology ofLioplacis elliptica [Col.: Chrysomelidae] introduced into Australia for the biological control ofBaccharis halimifolia [Compositae]

The nocturnal foliage feeding ChrysomelidLioplacis elliptica Stal occurs onBaccharis gaudichaudiana DC. in Brazil. Studies of its biology and host plant specificity showed it was restricted tobaccharis spp. It was introduced into Australia for the control ofB. halimifolia L. in 1976 and first released in 1977. Field colonies persisted for up to 3 years after which no further evidence of survival was found.      

Fruit infesting tephritids [Dipt.: Tephritidae] and associated parasitoids in Chiapas,Mexico

A total of 1,302 parasitoids representing 8 species and 4 families were recovered from 9,818 fruit fly host fruits sampled. The most common parasitoid species wasDiachasmimorpha longicaudata (Ashmead). Average percent parasitism ranged between 0.44 and 29.23%. Parasitoid emergence data indicate thatAnastrepha ludens (Loew),A. obliqua (Sein),A. serpentina (Wiedeman),A. striata (Schiner) andToxotrypana curvicauda (Gerstaecker) were subject to parasitism. We provide information on the population fluctuation ofAnastrepha ludens, A. obliqua, A. serpentina, A. distincta (Greene),A. striata, A. fraterculus (Wiedeman),A. chiclayae (Greene),A. montei (Costa Lima),A. leptozona (Hendel) andA. tripunctata (Wulp).Anastrepha ludens andA. obliqua were the most common species, representing 95.3% of all fruit fly species caught in McPhail traps.      

On the feeding habits ofRhynchopsilopa [Dip.: Ephydridae]

Further evidence for the myrmecophagous habits of adultRhynchopsilopa flies is supplied. The genus probably evolved in association with ants of the genusCrematogaster. The feeding behaviour ofR. nitidissima Hendel on workers ofCrematogaster is described. Choice experiments show an absolute preference forCrematogaster over 3 other and genera. The mouth parts ofR. nitidissima are briefly described.

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Résumé Un témoignage supplémentaire des habitudes myrmécophages des adultes de DiptèresRhynchopsilopa est fourni. Le genre a probablement évolué en association avec les fourmis du genreCrematogaster. Le comportement alimentaire deR. nitidissima sur les ouvrières deCrematogaster est décrit. Les choix expérimentaux montrent la préférence absolue pour le genreCrematogaster à l'exclusion des 3 autres genres de fourmis. Les pièces buccales deR. nitidissima sont brièvement décrites.

     

Arthropods and nematodes co-occurring with the eastern larch beetle,Dendroctonus simplex [Col.: Scolytidae], in Newfoundland

Fifty-four species of insects, 5 of spiders, 5 of mites, 1 harvestman and 1 nematode co-occurred with the eastern larch beetle,Dendroctonus simplex LeConte, on tamarack,Larix laricina (Du Roi) K. Koch, at 2 localities in Newfoundland. The most abundant predators were the flyMedetera gaspensis Bickel and the beetleRhizophagus dimidiatus Mannerheim and the most abundant parasitoids were the HymenopteraSpathius canadensis Ashmead,Rhopalicus tutela (Walker) andRoptrocerus xylophagorum (Ratzburg).D. simplex is recorded as a new host for 9 predator and 3 parasitoid species.      

Host-specificity and biology ofMetallactus patagonicus [Col.: Chrysomelidae] introduced into Australia for the biological control ofBaccharis halimifolia [Compositae]

Biology and host-specificity of the foliage-feeding chrysomelidMetallactus patagonicus Suffrian were studied in Brazil to determine its suitability for introduction into Australia to control the shrubBaccharis halimifolia L. Multiple-choice host preference testing of plants related toBaccharis and of desirable plants from a range of plant families, showed thatM. patagonicus was restricted toBaccharis spp. It was released in Australia in 1975, but did not establish.      

Introduction and establishment ofTrioxys pallidus [Hym.: Aphidiidae] in Oregon,U.S.A. for control of filbert aphidMyzocallis coryli [Hom.: Aphididae]

Hazelnut orchards in Spain, France, and Italy were searched for parasitoids of the filbert aphid,Myzocallis coryli (Goetze). A biotype ofTrioxys pallidus Haliday was found to parasitize the aphid throughout western Europe. Wasps were imported, quarantined, mass-reared, and released in Oregon orchards. The wasp successfully attacked and completed its development on Oregon populations of the filbert aphid. A greenhouse culture of the parasitoid was maintained continuously for over 50 generations, and approximately 30,000 adult wasps were released in western Oregon. Overwintering survival has been documented in at least 12 different locations. In 3 commercial hazelnut orchards, the parasitoids proved capable of reducing aphid population peaks by 33–48%.