Egg production across a 40-week period in the phasmid Sipyloidea sp. (Diapheromeridae) from a tropical rain forest, north Queensland, Australia

Abstract  In this study we report the results from the first long-term (40 weeks) study of stick-insect fecundity and distribution under natural conditions of which we are aware. We used the number of eggs falling into 72 × 0.5 m² traps to ask: 'Was egg production in Sipyloidea sp. uniform across the sample period'? and 'Was there evidence of host plant species preference or avoidance'? We collected a total of 213 Sipyloidea sp. eggs. The number of eggs caught per week was not uniform and an exponential decay model was the best-fit relationship between egg production and time, indicative of a steep decline from high to low (but continuous) egg production across the study period. Continuous egg production differs from other insect species in tropical areas that often show distinct seasonal differences between wet and dry seasons, timed to leaf production in host plants. The distribution of eggs within traps was aggregated, and more traps than expected from Poisson probabilities received no eggs, or six or more eggs. The concentration of eggs within particular traps was not related to the identity of canopy plant species, however. We suggest that continuous egg production in Sipyloidea sp. may be related to the wider range of plant species available as food resources for the polyphagous Sipyloidea , compared with other tropical insect species.     

悬挂高度和位置对性诱剂诱集柑桔潜叶蛾雄虫效果的影响

本文研究了红心蜜柚园和新余蜜橘园中诱捕器悬挂高度、设置距离对性诱剂诱集柑桔潜叶蛾Phyllocnistis citrella Stainton雄虫效果的影响.结果表明,诱捕器悬挂的垂直高度明显影响性诱剂对柑桔潜叶蛾雄虫诱集量,同时这个影响随着高度相对树干的水平位置变化而变化.诱捕器最佳悬挂位置是三分之二树高的树冠底部边...     

Interactions between the red imported fire ant, the citrus leafminer, and its parasitoid Ageniaspis citricola (Hymenoptera: Encyrtidae): Laboratory and field evaluations

Interactions between the red imported fire ant [Solenopsis invicta (Hymenoptera: Formicidae)], the citrus leafminer [Phyllocnistis citrella (Lepidoptera: Gracillariidae)], and the citrus leafminer endoparasitoid Ageniaspis citricola (Hymenoptera: Encyrtidae) were investigated under laboratory and field conditions in Florida. Previous studies had shown that S. invicta would selectively prey on brown citrus aphids (Toxoptera citricida) parasitized by Lipolexis oregmae and Asian citrus psyllids (Diaphorina citri) parasitized by Tamarixia radiata, which led us to question whether S. invicta would selectively prey on citrus leafminer (CLM) larvae or eggs parasitized by A. citricola. In the laboratory trial, there was no significant difference between the type of CLM larvae preyed on. However, higher predation was observed on parasitized CLM larvae reared on potted plants in a citrus grove. A subsequent citrus grove test revealed slightly, although not significantly, lower levels of parasitism by A. citricola in trees to which ants had access because predation by ants was higher. However, predation by other predators in the trees to which ants had no access resulted in no significant differences in CLM densities in the two treatments. The field data provide, for the first time, the seasonal phenology of the CLM and its parasitoid A. citricola in the Indian River region of Florida in an unsprayed grapefruit block.     

不同施肥处理对柑橘粉虱和柑橘潜叶蛾发生的影响

柑橘粉虱Dialeurodes citri Ashmead和柑橘潜叶蛾Phyllocnistis citrella Stainton是柑橘的主要害虫,为了评估施肥对其发生的影响,本研究调查了施用有机肥、化肥、复混肥(有机肥与化肥混合)的砂糖橘苗木上这两种害虫的发生危害情况。结果表明,施用有机肥的苗木上柑橘粉虱的卵和若虫数量显著低于化肥,由柑橘粉虱诱发的煤污病发病程度也显著低于化肥处理。有机肥处理柑橘粉虱成虫数量也最少,但与化肥、复混肥差异未达显著水平。另外,柑橘潜叶蛾为害情况在3种肥料处理之间则没有显著差异。说明施有机肥的砂糖橘对柑桔粉虱的吸引作用最弱,其次为复混肥,化肥最吸引柑橘粉虱。3种施肥处理对柑橘潜叶蛾的吸引作用差异不明显。     

Impact of physical characteristics of some mineral and plant oils on efficacy against selected pests

Mineral oils have been historically favoured over plant oils for insect pest control in horticultural crops because of their greater efficacy. Recently the increased pressure for environmentally sustainable pest management strategies has renewed interest in the use of plant oils and also in the reasons for differences in efficacy between plant and mineral oils. Efficacy of canola and mineral oils were compared for two modes of action: asphyxia in control of Saissetia oleae on olives and as an oviposition deterrent in control of Phyllocnistis citrella on lemons. On olives both canola and mineral oil treatments significantly reduced the number of black scale in comparison to the control but mineral oil reduced the number of black scale significantly more than canola oil. When oils were applied to lemons as a preventative spray, concentrations of canola oil above 0.5% significantly reduced the number of P. citrella mines per leaf compared to the control and there were no significant differences between any concentration above 0.5% canola oil and 0.5% mineral oil. Canola oil applied at a concentration of 0.5% was significantly less effective than mineral oil applied at the same concentration. Efficacy of canola oil was found to be lower than that of mineral oil in all experiments, but the higher efficacy of mineral oil was more pronounced in suffocation of S. oleae than in deterrence of P. citrella oviposition. Our results indicate that even though canola oil has very different molecular structures than mineral oils the resulting physical characteristics of canola oil, primarily high boiling point and viscosity, may contribute to their lower efficacy against arthropod pests. However, low phytotoxicity of canola oil indicates that the chemical structure of molecules contained in canola oil had much more influence on processes on the plant surface than the physical characteristics of the oil.     

Factors influencing adult female oviposition in the citrus leafminer Phyllocnistis citrella

1 The citrus leafminer (CLM) Phyllocnistis citrella Stainton (Lepidoptera: Gracillariidae) is a serious pest in most citrus‐growing regions of the world. The influence of leaf length, citrus species or variety, leaf colour tone and temperature on CLM oviposition was studied from field observations and laboratory experiments. The spatial distribution of eggs on leaves was also examined. Field data were obtained from 1100 samples collected in eastern Spain for 7 years. 2 Significant differences in oviposition rate were found among citrus species in ‘no choice’ laboratory experiments. This tendency was not apparent in the field due to the confounding effect of such factors as the intensity of new flushes and adult CLM abundance. Leaf colour tone and air temperature in the range studied (18–27°C) had no effect on CLM egg‐laying. 3 The distribution of eggs among leaves was random for population densities lower than four eggs per leaf, but became strongly aggregated above this, when not all eggs could survive and complete development. 4 The CLM developmental stage found on leaves depended on the leaf length, and most of the egg‐laying occurred only on leaves that were 10–25 mm long. These leaves had the highest CLM stages in the field and thus give the best estimate of CLM oviposition.     

Toxicity of pesticides to the citrus leafminer and its parasitoid Ageniaspis citricola evaluated to assess their suitability for an IPM program in citrus nurseries

The relative toxicity of pesticides to Phyllocnistis citrella and its parasitoid Ageniaspis citricola was compared by several bioassay methods. A clip-cage bioassay measured survival of adults exposed to fresh residues at 0.25-times (0.25×), 0.5×, 1×, and 2× the lowest recommended rate of each pesticide, a water control (0×), and 24- and 48-h aged residues of oil at 1.5% (1×) rate. A one-species cylinder bioassay determined the effects of pesticides on immature stages of the citrus leafminer after treating young citrus trees with the same rates of pesticides (except for avermectin, tested at 0×, 0.01×, 0.025×, 0.05×, 0.1×, and 0.25× rates). A sublethal rate of petroleum oil (0.4%) was added as an adjuvant in some treatments. The effect of pesticides on immature stages of A. citricola was determined with a two-species cylinder bioassay after treating young citrus trees with the same rates as above. An index of IPM compatibility was developed based on the efficacy of the pesticide as a control agent of the leafminer (or other pests) and its selectivity to the parasitoid at the lowest recommended field rate (0.25× the field rate for avermectin). Azadirachtin (Neemix) + oil, diflubenzuron (Micromite) + oil, fenoxycarb (Eclipse) + oil, and oil alone (FC 435-66) were classified as IPM-compatible insecticides. Sprays of azadirachtin (Align) + oil, neem oil (Neemgard), and drenched imidacloprid (Admire) were ranked as a semi-compatible insecticides. The fungicide copper hydroxide (Kocide 101) and a fish oil-based foliar fertilizer (Zapata HFE) were considered compatible. Avermectin (Agri-Mek) + oil, ethion (Ethion), and imidacloprid (Provado) applied as a spray were IPM-incompatible insecticides. These products should be tested under field conditions to confirm these ratings.     

印度查谟地区甜橙上柑桔潜叶蛾为害动态及其与重要气候因子的关系(英文)

本研究旨在揭示印度查谟柑桔潜叶蛾Phyllocnistis citrella Stainton为害甜橙Citrus sinensis的季节性变化,以及降雨量、相对湿度和温度等重要的气候因子对其种群的影响。本文对不同季节印度查谟的一个甜橙园里的柑桔潜叶蛾丰度进行了调查, 从2005年3月到2008年2月每两周调查一次。柑桔潜叶蛾在一年内有3个为害高峰,分别是4月中旬、7月中旬和9月中旬,这与甜橙新营养梢的生长期相吻合。相关分析表明,上午和下午的相对湿度和平均相对湿度与柑桔潜叶蛾的数量呈负相关;然而,平均降雨量、最高气温、最低气温和平均气温与柑桔潜叶蛾的数量呈正相关。降雨量和温度与柑桔潜叶蛾为害程度呈显著正相关。总之,柑桔潜叶蛾的数量不能简单地通过观察某一特殊地区的相对湿度来预测,而降雨量和温度在影响虫害方面均起着重要的作用。     

Indigenous Natural Enemies Associated with Phyllocnistis citrella (Lepidoptera: Gracillariidae) in Eastern Spain

The incidence of generalist indigenous natural enemies of the citrus leafminer (CLM), Phyllocnistis citrella Stainton (Lepidoptera; Gracillariidae), was monitored during three growing seasons at two different orchards located in the major citrus-growing area of Spain. Composition of the parasitoid complex changed during the study period. However, the eulophids Cirrospilus near lyncus Walker and Pnigalio pectinicornis L. were consistently the predominant species. Despite the varying composition of the parasitoid complex, oviposition, host feeding, and predatory preferences of the natural enemies of the CLM clearly centered on third instar larvae. Incidence of beneficial fauna increased as the season progressed, reaching maximal values up to 70% of susceptible leafminers (mature larvae) at the end of the summer. Parasitism was significantly related to relative host density. However, predation showed no relationship to host availability but did so to flushing in one of the orchards. Incidence of indigenous natural enemies of the CLM should not be ignored when planning any introduction of exotic parasitoids, and their conservation should be taken into account when planning any citrus IPM strategy.     

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.     

Comparative life history and parasitism of a new colour morph of the walnut aphid in California

1 The walnut aphid Chromaphis juglandicola is a yellow aphid. In 2003, however, a white colour morph was discovered in the Sacramento Valley of California. The colour dimorphism occurs between clone lines and, when white morphs are present, they occur in mixed colour morph colonies on the underside of walnut leaves. 2 Laboratory experiments were undertaken to evaluate the thermal requirements for development, adult longevity and progeny production of the two colour morphs. Host instar preference of Trioxys pallidus, a parasitoid responsible for the successful biological control of the walnut aphid in California, was examined separately for each colour morph, and host colour preference was investigated for the preferred instar. 3 No differences in thermal requirements for development, adult size or mean longevity were detected between yellow and white colour morphs. A small difference in early reproduction was detected: white colour morphs produced more progeny on each of the two first days of adult reproduction than yellow colour morphs. 4 Trioxys pallidus showed a slight preference for the fourth instar of the yellow morph over the second‐ and third‐, but equal preference for second, third and fourth instars of the white morph. When offered equal numbers of fourth instars of the two colour morphs, T. pallidus did not show any colour preference. 5 The differences in early aphid reproduction and host instar preference by T. pallidus were combined in a stage‐structured matrix model. Model analysis showed a greater potential for population growth of the white morph over the yellow morph, with early reproduction having a greater influence than host instar preference.     

Effects of host stages and temperature on population parameters of Oomyzus sokolowskii, a larval-pupal parasitoid of Plutella xylostella

Oomyzus sokolowskii is alarval-pupal parasitoid of diamondback moth, Plutella xylostella. In a host stage preference test, the parasitoid parasitised all larval and pupal stages, but exhibited a strong preference for larvaeover prepupae or pupae, and did not show a preference among the larval instars. At 25°C, the developmental time, number and sex ratio of offspring per host pupa, and successful parasitism did not differ significantly among parasitoids reared from host larvae of different instars, indicating similar host suitability between larvae of different instars. Mean developmental times from egg to adult at 20, 22.5, 25, 30, 32.5, and 35°C were 26.5,21.0, 16.0, 12.7, 11.9 and 13.4 days, respectively. The favourable temperature range for development, survival, and reproduction of the parasitoid was 20--30°C. However, wasps that developed and emerged at a favourable temperature could parasitise effectively at 32--35°C for 24 hours. Life-fertility table studies at 20, 25, and 30°C showed that each female wasp on average parasitised 3.1, 13.2, 6.8 larvae of diamondback moth and produced 20.5, 92.1, 50.4 offspring, respectively, during her lifetime. The highest intrinsic rate of natural increase (r _m) of 0.263 female/day was reached at 30°C as a result of the short mean generation time at this temperature compared to that at 20 and 25°C, suggesting that the parasitoid had the highest potential for population growth at relatively high temperatures. This revised version was published online in July 2006 with corrections to the Cover Date.     

The role of plant chemical cues in determining host preference in the generalist aphid parasitoid Aphidius colemani

The host preference behaviour of the generalist aphid parasitoid Aphidius colemaniwas investigated using a Y-tube olfactometer. Female A. colemanishowed a preference for the host-plant complex on which they had been reared, even though the same aphid host was involved, demonstrating a host plant preference. This preference was not evident when the parasitoids were dissected from their mummies prior to adult emergence. Host plant preference exhibited during host selection appeared to be induced by chemical cues encountered on the mummy case at the time of emergence, but preferences could be changed by subsequent foraging experiences. It is concluded that plant chemical cues play a major role in determining initial preferences through a process of emergence conditioning but that learning processes, involving cues encountered during oviposition in or contact with the host, can modify these initial preferences.     

合成性信息素对柑桔潜叶蛾的田间引诱作用

目前柑桔潜叶蛾的防治主要依赖化学农药, 而且生产中缺少有效测报技术。为此, 我们于2009年6月30日至10月6日在浙江宁波通过有机合成柑桔潜叶蛾Phyllocnistis citrella（鳞翅目, 细蛾科）的3种性信息素化合物顺7, 顺11, 反13-十六碳三烯醛、顺7, 顺11-十六碳二烯醛和顺7-十六碳烯醛, 配制成不同浓度比例的混合物, 进行田间试验比较其引诱活性。结果表明, 单一的顺7, 顺11, 反13-十六碳三烯醛对柑桔潜叶蛾雄蛾就可以显示较强的引诱作用, 而顺7, 顺11-十六碳二烯醛单一成分没有引诱活性, 顺7, 顺11, 反13-十六碳三烯醛与顺7, 顺11-十六碳二烯醛的二元混合物30∶1~3∶1之间活性较强, 而在30∶1的质量比例时诱虫量最高。含顺7-十六碳烯醛的三元混合物, 当顺7, 顺11, 反13-十六碳三烯醛∶顺7, 顺11-十六碳二烯醛∶顺7-十六碳烯醛三者比例为100∶10∶3时有显著增效作用。剂量与诱捕活性试验显示每枚诱芯1 mg顺7, 顺11, 反13-十六碳三烯醛的剂量引诱作用最强, 随浓度降低, 引诱作用下降。诱捕器在0.8~1.5 m之间的不同悬挂高度对诱捕数量无显著影响。结果说明, 顺7, 顺11, 反13-十六碳三烯醛、顺7, 顺11-十六碳二烯醛和顺7-十六碳烯醛组成的三元混合物诱芯可以作为柑桔潜叶蛾的诱杀技术并应用于其生物防治和预测测报。     

Does mother really know best? Oviposition preference reduces reproductive performance in the generalist parasitoid Aphidius ervi

The reproductive success of female parasitoids is dependent on their ability to accurately assess the suitability of a host for larval development. For generalist parasitoids, which utilize a broad range of species and instars as hosts, a set of assessment criteria determines whether a host is accepted or rejected. The suitability of a host, however, can only be imperfectly assessed by the female parasitoid, which can result in the selection of lesser quality hosts for oviposition. In this study we explored the disparity between host quality and host preference using the generalist koinobiotic parasitoid Aphidius ervi Haliday (Hymenoptera: Aphidiidae) and the host Aulacorthum solani (Harris) (Homoptera: Aphididae), the foxglove aphid. The second instar hosts produced the highest level of reproductive success, while third and fourth instars resulted in a substantially reduced reproductive performance. When given a choice of host instars, parasitoids preferred the older hosts for oviposition disregarding their reduced suitability for larval development. Results are discussed in context of mechanisms involved in A. ervi host selection and biases in the criteria used to assess hosts that may arise when parasitoids transfer host species between generations.