THE EFFECT OF CERTAIN PREDATORS ON THE NUMBERS OF CABBAGE ROOT FLY (ERIOISCHIA BRASSICAE (BOUCHÉ)) AND ON THE SUBSEQUENT DAMAGE CAUSED BY THE PEST

To determine the importance of beetle predators on the natural control of cabbage root fly, experiments were carried out in 1958 and 1959 using various types of barriers to obtain different levels of beetle populations on cauliflower plots. A barrier of DDT-treated straw, placed in the soil around some plots, decreased the numbers of beetles within them and allowed a greater number of eggs and larvae of cabbage root fly to survive than on the untreated plots, resulting in a greater crop damage. Another type of barrier allowed the beetles to enter plots but made it difficult for them to leave. On these, fewer cabbage root-fly eggs and larvae survived and the crop damage was much less than on the plots surrounded by straw barriers. Where plants were treated with insecticide the root-fly population was reduced to a minimum and crop yields were considerably increased. The insecticide, however, caused a reduction in the numbers of predatory beetles.     

Behavioural responses to dimethyl disulphide by Aleochara bilineata and Aleochara bipustulata

Adult Aleochara bipustulata L. and Aleochara bilineata Gyllenhal (Coleoptera: Staphylinidae) are predatory on immature stages of cabbage root fly Delia radicum (L.) (Diptera: Anthomyiidae). Larvae of the two Aleochara are parasitoids of D. radicum pupae. Female Aleochara lay eggs near D. radicum puparia; the newly‐hatched Aleochara larvae enter puparia and consume the contents. Delia radicum‐infested roots of brassicas give off dimethyl disulphide (DMDS). In the field, DMDS attracts adult Aleochara to pitfall traps but does not enhance the biological control of D. radicum. In the present study, we investigate the behavioural responses of the Aleochara to DMDS in still air, as well as in moving air in a Y‐tube olfactometer, and also investigate the influence of DMDS on host selection. In larvae of both Aleochara species, DMDS induces a restricted‐area search in still air, resulting in elevated frequencies of attack of D. radicum puparia close to a source of DMDS. In the olfactometer, newly‐emerged virgin adults of both sexes of both Aleochara species choose alternatives to DMDS, older recently‐mated females are attracted to DMDS, and older males and older mate‐deprived females show no preference. Mating status of males determines the switch of their response to DMDS from avoidance to indifference. We conclude that DMDS is an important cue for host‐finding, although other cues are involved in mate‐finding. We discuss the implications for use of DMDS to enhance D. radicum mortality and for parasitism of nontarget species if A. bipustulata is introduced to Canada for biological control of D. radicum.     

Impact of flowering buckwheat on Lepidopteran cabbage pests and their parasitoids at two spatial scales

We assessed the potential of annual buckwheat, Fagopyrum esculentum Moench, to lead to improved parasitism of lepidopteran cabbage pests over four years. Pest, parasitism, and hyperparasitism rates were monitored in replicated cabbage plots (12 × 20 m) with or without 3 m wide buckwheat borders from 2000 to 2003. Floral borders did not significantly increase egg, larval, or pupal densities of cabbage looper, Trichoplusia ni (Hübner), imported cabbageworm, Pieris rapae (L.), or diamondback moth, Plutella xylostella (L.). Buckwheat increased parasitism rates by Voria ruralis (Fallen) on T. ni larvae and Cotesia rubecula (Marshall) on P. rapaelarvae over four years. Parasitism by Diadegma insulare (Cresson) on P. xylostella larvae was higher in buckwheat than control plots in the first year, and parasitism by Euplectrus plathypenae (Howard) on T. ni larvae was lower in buckwheat than control plots in the second year. The hyperparasitoid Conura side (Walker) attacked D. insulare all four years, but buckwheat did not affect hyperparasitism rates. The effect of spatial scale on pest densities and parasitism in 2001 was evaluated by comparing plots separated at least 67 m (nearby) versus 800 m apart (isolated). T. ni pupae and P. rapae eggs and pupae were more abundant in plots in closer proximity, whereas P. xylostella densities did not vary by the spatial separation of plots. Tachinids and Pteromalus puparum (L.) attacked more P. rapae in nearby plots. E. plathypenae responded to the treatment × scale interaction, parasitizing more in control than buckwheat when plots were isolated but not when plots were nearby.     

Laboratory and field tests of predation on the cereal leaf beetle,Oulema melanopus (Coleoptera: Chrysomelidae)

The cereal leaf beetle (CLB), Oulema melanopus (L.) (Coleoptera: Chrysomelidae), is an invasive pest in North America recently reported in the Canadian Prairies. We performed a series of laboratory assays to identify potential predators and a field study to quantify predation of CLB eggs. In no-choice Petri dish assays, ground beetles (Carabidae), rove beetles (Staphylinidae), and several common lady beetle species (Coccinellidae) were the most consistent predators of eggs and larvae. Nabis spp. (Hemiptera: Nabidae) and wolf spiders (Araneae: Lycosidae) consumed many larvae, but did not consume eggs. Hippodamia spp., Coccinella septempunctata (L.) (Coleoptera: Coccinellidae), and Pterostichus melanarius (Illiger) (Coleoptera: Carabidae) also fed on CLB eggs on potted plants when an alternative food source was available, Sitobion avenae (Fabricius) (Hemiptera: Aphididae). In our field study, we found an average of 24.5% of sentinel eggs disappeared over a 24?h period, likely due to predation. Our results suggest that generalist predators can play an important role in the biological control of CLB, and warrant further study.     

Chemosterilization of the cabbage root fly under field conditions

Removing hedgerow feeding sites from within 40, 80 or 160 m of cauliflower plots, failed to reduce populations of the cabbage root fly (Erioischia brassicae (Bouché)). Oviposition on the plots was unchanged but the efficiency of yellow water-traps was improved. Traps along-side cleared hedgerows caught more gravid than non-gravid females. In cages, 94% of the eggs laid were sterile when both sterilant baits containing tepa [tris-(i-aziridinyl) phosphine oxide] and hedgerow flowers were present. In the field, maximum egg-sterility rarely exceeded 30% when sterilant was present when natural sterility averaged 8%. Chemosterilization was an inadequate control since sufficient eggs and larvae survived to produce root-damage indices of 49 % in contrast to 2 % on insecticide-treated plants. Most eggs were sterile when chemosterilant baits were placed 0.75 m apart and bait was most effective when placed around the crop during the pre-oviposition period and through the crop at the time of maximum oviposition. Increasing the concentration of tepa failed to increase the effectiveness of the bait but a higher proportion of the eggs laid were sterile on large than on small plots. When chemosterilant treatments were stopped, egg-fertility gradually reverted to the natural level. Protracted immigration, an innate tendency for females to disperse, reductions in the competitiveness of sterile males, and the failure of males to re-disperse once sterilized, appeared to be the main factors limiting the levels of sterility in root-fly populations exposed to tepa-baited lures in the field.     

Phenology of Parasetigena silvestris (Diptera: Tachinidae), gypsy moth (Lymantria dispar) (Lepidoptera: Lymantriidae) larval parasitoid and its efficiency for parasitisation

Parasetigena silvestris is a univoltine, solitary, larval endoparasitoid which lays its eggs on the surface of gypsy moth larvae. Field collection of the host larvae (2nd through 5th instar) from an artificially established gypsy moth population were made to compare stage specific parasitism between larvae without and with P. silvestris tachinid eggs. The tachinid oviposition rate detected was highest in second instar larvae, and then decreased as larvae developed toward full maturity. The opposite was true for tachinid parasitoid emergence which had no emergence from second through third host instar larvae. Fourth instar gypsy moth larvae, however, experienced significantly higher parasitism by P. silvestris in the larvae with eggs than those without the eggs. The braconid wasp Cotesia melanoscelus caused significantly higher parasitism in early instar larvae with P. silvestris eggs than in those without the eggs. The tachinid prefers to lay more eggs on parasitised larvae by the braconid even though the braconid is a superior competitor to the fly during multiparasitism. Factors influencing parasitism rates by P. silvestris such as host-parasitoid synchronisation and the multiparasitism interaction with C. melanoscelus are discussed.     

Dieldrin-resistant cabbage root fly in England

The existence of dieldrin resistance in Erioischia brassicae has been investigated in the main areas in England and Wales where brassicas are grown for human consumption. Dieldrin-susceptible and dieldrin-resistant flies were collected and bred as separate strains in the laboratory. In toxicity tests adult flies were treated with topically applied doses of insecticide in microdrops of cellosolve, and larvae were dipped in solutions of insecticide in 70% acetone and 30% water. Adults of the laboratory resistant strain showed a high level of resistance to dieldrin and aldrin and a lower level of resistance to γ-BHC. There was no cross-resistance with chlorfenvinphos or diazinon. Larvae of the resistant strain were shown to be resistant to dieldrin. Dieldrin resistance has been found in four areas in southern England, but not in a fifth major area, and resistant flies did not increase as rapidly in some areas as others. Sufficient migration of flies appeared to take place to produce similar percentages of resistant flies over areas of several square miles, but considerable differences were found in fly populations about 10 miles apart. It is suggested that the speed of development of insecticide resistance is affected by the proportion of brassica crops which are treated in an area, the amounts of insecticide applied to individual crops, and hence the insecticidal pressure applied to the E. brassicae population.     

The side-effects of pesticides used in integrated production of peaches in Brazil on the egg parasitoid Trichogramma cacoeciae Marchal (Hym., Trichogrammatidae)

Abstract: The side‐effects of six pesticides used on peaches in Brazil were tested on the hymenopteran egg parasitoid Trichogramma cacoeciae using four laboratory tests: (a) adult parasitoid exposure to fresh pesticide residue on glass plates (worse case); (b) direct spray of host eggs enclosing the parasitoid egg, larvae or pupae (less‐exposed life stages); (c) exposure of adults to pesticide residues on plant leaves at different intervals after application (persistence); (d) Dose–response pesticide exposures of adults on glass plates. Two dose rates were used: (1) The highest recommended field dosage (FD) and (2) the predicted initial environmental concentrations (PIEC). The results showed that the preparations greatly differed in their initial toxicity and persistence. The insecticide Valient^® (methoxyphenozide) and the fungicide Venturol^® (dodine) were considered harmless to T. cacoeciae adults as they fell into the class 1 category according to the guidelines of the International Organization for Biological Control (IOBC) when parasitoids were directly exposed to chemical residues. The insecticide/acaricide Assist^® (mineral oil) was slightly harmful at the rate of PIEC 0.4 (40% of FD) and moderately harmful at FD. Pesticides in the categories harmless and moderately harmful can be considered for use in integrated pest management (IPM). The fungicide/acaricide Kumulus DF^® (sulphur) and the insecticides Dipterex^® 500 (triclorfon) and Lebaycid^® 500 (fenthion) were harmful at both concentrations. In the persistence test, Assist^® was short lived and therefore may in special cases (i.e. reduced direct contact) be considered for use in IPM, but Kumulus^® DF, Dipterex^® 500 and Lebaycid^® 500 constantly reduced parasitism between 77 and 100% and were rated as persistent (more than 30 days). The direct spray of parasitized host eggs at intervals after parasitism showed that Assist^® and Kumulus^® DF were harmless to the parasitoid egg, larvae and pupae within the host eggs. Dipterex^® 500 was slightly harmful when sprayed one day after parasitism (parasitoid egg) and moderately harmful to the other two stages (larvae and pupae). Lebaycid^® 500 was harmful to the parasitoid egg and larvae and moderately harmful to the pupae. The dose–response test showed that Kumulus^® DF and Dipterex^® 500 were toxic to T. cacoeciae. Kumulus^® DF was harmful from 1 PIEC 0.4 to 0.125 PIEC 0.4 dosages and was slightly harmful with 0.0625 PIEC 0.4 dosage. Dipterex^® 500 was harmful to T. cacoeciae in all the dosages tested.     

Chlorpyrifos spraying of no-tillage corn during tasselling and its effect on damage by Helicoverpa zea (Lep., Noctuidae) and on its natural enemies

Abstract:  Corn plants were twice sprayed at 3-day intervals during tasselling to evaluate the effect of chlorpyrifos on ear damage by H . zea and also on the populations of the natural enemies associated with this moth. The abundance of H . zea eggs and larvae and of predators on the whole plant, the egg parasitism by Trichogramma pretiosum Riley and the percentage of injured ears were sampled weekly. Chlorpyrifos did not show any significant effect on population levels and on ear damage by H . zea . Natural parasitism of eggs ranged from 52 to 75% and did not differ between treated and untreated plots; furthermore, the percentage of non viable eggs and adult emergence were not influenced by insecticide application. Among the predators found in the plots, Doru luteipes was not affected by spraying, whereas the abundance of Orius sp. decreased 21 days after insecticide application. The frequency of the ant Pheidole sp. was not affected by chlorpyrifos; however, foraging activity of Crematogaster sp. on treated plots was rapidly reduced and remained low during the following 2 weeks. The small number of damaged ears suggests that the insecticide did not affect the efficiency of the natural enemies of H . zea .     

Host-plant effects on Parasyrphus melanderi (Diptera: Syrphidae) feeding on a willow leaf beetle Chrysomela aeneicollis (Coleoptera: Chrysomelidae)

Abstract.

• 1 Generalist predators are repelled by chrysomelid (Chrysomela spp., Phratora vitellinue L.) larval defensive secretions that are obtained from salicin in their host plants. But little is known about the effect of these secretions on specialist predators.
• 2 In this study, we describe the feeding behaviour of a fly, Parasyrphus melanderi Curran (Diptera: Syrphidae), which feeds on Chrysomela aeneicollis Schaeffer (Coleoptera: Chrysomelidae). Parasyrphus melanderi lays its eggs on C.aeneicollis egg clutches, and its larvae consume C.aeneicollis eggs and larvae.
• 3 Chrysomela aeneicollis hatching rates were significantly lower (20%) on clutches with fly eggs than on clutches without them (40%). Half of the clutches with one fly egg had survival rates below 5%, and when two fly eggs were present (four clutches), the entire clutch was consumed.
• 4 In nature, P.melanderi eggs were 3 times more abundant on a salicylaterich willow species S.orestera Schneider, than on the medium-salicylate S.geyeriana Anderss. (1.8 v 0.6 eggs per clutch). On 18% of the S.orestera clones, all the beetle clutches contained fly eggs. In laboratory-choice tests, P.melanderi larvae fed equally rapidly on C.aeneicollis larvae that were chemically defended (feeding on S.orestera) as on larvae that produced no secretion (feeding on the salicylate-poor S.lutea Nutt.). This predator does not appear to be deterred by C.aeneicollis's defensive secretion. We discuss the implications of specialist predators on determining host suitability to herbivorous insects.

     

Leaf surface preference in the cabbage worm,Pieris rapae crucivora,and parasitism by the gregarious parasitoid Cotesia glomerata

Leaf surface preference of the cabbage worm, Pieris rapae crucivora Boisduval (Lepidoptera: Pieridae), for cabbage, Brassica oleracea L. var. capitata (Brassicaceae), and parasitism by the parasitoid Cotesia glomerata (L.) (Hymenoptera: Braconidae) were investigated experimentally in the laboratory. Female butterflies did not discriminate between the adaxial and abaxial surfaces of cabbage leaves when laying eggs on a vertically placed leaf. Larvae also did not discriminate between the adaxial and abaxial surfaces throughout their larval life. However, second and third instars preferred the lower surface of horizontally placed leaves to the upper surface, irrespective of whether they had hatched on the upper or lower side; other instars showed no preference for the lower surface. Parasitism rates of first and second instars on the upper surface were higher than those of larvae on the lower surface. Egg distribution on leaf surfaces and the leaf surface preference by young larvae are discussed in terms of avoidance of parasitism by the parasitoid C. glomerata.     

Ecotoxicological effect of insecticides on Ooencyrtus nezarae (Hymenoptera: Encyrtidae) reared from refrigerated and unrefrigerated Riptortus pedestris (Hemiptera: Alydidae) host

Due to increased field occurrence of Riptortus pedestris (Fabricius) (Hemiptera: Alydidae) on various crops including soybean, persimmon and apple in recent years in Korea, demand for insecticide applications to control the stink bug has increased. Acute toxicity of eight pesticides on Ooencyrtus nezarae Ishii (Hymenoptera: Encyrtidae), a major egg parasitoid of R. pedestris, was compared in the laboratory. Fenitrothion, spinosad, cyfluthrin, etofenprox and carbosulfan caused 100% mortality of O. nezarae within 24 hours by topical application or exposure to residue. Fenitrothion was also highly toxic to the parasitoid when ingested orally. In a previous study, release of refrigerated inviable eggs of R. pedestris was found to increase field parasitism; therefore, we evaluated the sublethal effect of fenitrothion when O. nezarae parasitised refrigerated or unrefrigerated host eggs. Although parasitism rates on both kinds of eggs significantly decreased when O. nezarae were provided with host eggs sprayed with fenitrothion, no difference in parasitism rate, adult emergence, sex ratio, development time and longevity of O. nezarae was found between the refrigerated or unrefrigerated host eggs when the insecticide was treated either before or after oviposition. There was no significant sublethal effect when parasitised host eggs were treated with the insecticide. From these results, all the insecticides tested showed high, acute toxicity against O. nezarae with relatively lower sublethal effects. Refrigeration of host eggs did not affect the susceptibility of O. nezarae to insecticides.     

Predators and parasites of temporary row crop pests: Agents of irreplaceable mortality or scavengers acting prior to other mortality factors?

A study was conducted with the cabbage looper,Trichoplusia ni (Hübner), to determine: 1) whether naturally occurring entomophagous arthropods impart irreplaceable mortality to the cabbage looper in celery, and 2) whether entomophagous arthropods are present to impart such mortality toT. ni eggs and 1st instar larvae when the crop is sensitive to the pest. Predator evaluation involved 1) insecticidal + cage exclusion, 2) insecticidal exclusion alone, 3) D-vac removal of predators, and 4) sticky barrier exclusion. In all the exclusion regimes survival of eggs and larvae was higher than in the unexcluded control. Analysis of life table data was consistent with the hypothesis that some mortality of eggs due to parasitism byTrichogramma and of medium-larvae by other hymenopterous parasites was not replaceable by other mortality factors. The time of appearance of the first marketable petiole was correlated with both the height of the tallest petiole and the number of petioles on the plant. Peak densities ofTrichogramma and important predators occurred before the first marketable petiole appeared and declined to low levels as harvest approached.     

Field evaluation of the combined deterrent and attractive effects of dimethyl disulfide on Delia radicum and its natural enemies

Delia radicum (L. 1758) is a major pest of cabbage crops in northern Europe. Due to more constraining laws relating to insecticide use, new strategies to control this pest are urgently needed. Manipulating insect behavior through infochemicals is a promising approach. The recent identification of dimethyl disulfide (DMDS) as a compound that both attracts the main predators of D. radicum and inhibits oviposition by the fly gives a challenging opportunity to develop such strategy. The aim of the present study was to confirm such potential of DMDS, in the field. Through the 8 weeks of the first egg laying peak of the fly we assessed, the potential of artificially increasing the levels of this molecule in the close vicinity of broccoli plants to 1/attract predators, 2/stimulate predatory activity and 3/limit damage done by the fly. Despite a lower number of D. radicum eggs as food resource, DMDS effectively increased predator catches in treated plots (119 Aleochara bilineata (Gyllenhal, 1810) caught in treated plot, while only 21 in control plots). However, damages done by the fly were of the same magnitude order in treated plots than in control ones. Number of D. radicum larvae and pupae recovered in plant roots were similar, despite the important decrease in eggs laid. This result, together with the observation that the numbers of eggs predated in artificial patches were lowered in the presence of the molecule, seems to indicate that increasing DMDS amounts disturbed the foraging activity of the fly predators. Consequences of these findings for the future of DMDS use in crop protection against D. radicum are discussed.     

Spatial density‐dependent parasitism and specificity in the robber fly Mallophora ruficauda (Diptera: Asilidae)

The density‐dependence in parasitism by the robber fly Mallophora ruficauda (Diptera: Asilidae) on scarab beetle larvae (Coleoptera: Scarabaeidae) populations was studied in the present research. Mallophora ruficauda is a pestiferous species common in the open grasslands of the Pampas region of South America. Adults are predators of insects and larvae are solitary parasitoids of third instar larvae of several species of scarab beetle (Coleoptera: Scarabaeidae). In contrast with most studied host‐parasitoid interactions, host searching by M. ruficauda is carried out by both larvae and adults. Typically, robber fly females lay eggs on tall grasses from where larvae drop to the ground, and attack hosts which are buried in the soil. We carried out our study at two spatial scales close to 14 apiaries located in the provinces of Buenos Aires and Entre Ríos (Argentina). We found that parasitism is density‐independent at the larger spatial scale and inversely density‐dependent at the smaller one. We also found that M. ruficauda selects Cyclocephala signaticollis among several scarab beetle species. Specificity is observed both at large and small spatial scales. We discuss the implications of both host specificity and host searching behaviour on the observed parasitism patterns.     

Influence of a bimodal emergence strategy of a Dipteran host on life-history traits of its main parasitoids

Abstract. 1. Among a great diversity of other strategies, insects have evolved polymodal emergence patterns that can increase survival in the face of annual variations in environmental conditions. Delia radicum L. (Diptera: Anthomyiidae) is a polyvoltine pest that attacks several cultivated cruciferous species. At the time of emergence, most populations show a polymodal emergence of type A (i.e. all individuals that enter diapause in the same year terminate diapause the following growing season, and exhibit a bimodal emergence curve). This results in the occurrence of two sympatric phenotypes, early and late, which differ by the timing of adult emergence in both diapausing and non‐diapausing generations. 2. In Brittany, D. radicum pupae can be heavily parasitised by three parasitoids, Aleochara bilineata Gyll. (Coleoptera: Staphylinidae), Aleochara bipustulata L., and Trybliographa rapae (Hymenoptera: Eucoilidae). As in all parasitoids species, the successful development of both Aleochara species and T. rapae larvae depends mainly on the amount and quality of the food provided by the host. 3. The relationship between early and late host phenotype and (i) the parasitism efficiency, (ii) emergence patterns, and (iii) host selection behaviour were investigated for the three parasitoid species. 4. Depending on parasitoid species and their different parasitism and development mode, the results reveal that host phenotype can influence (i) survival and development time in T. rapae, and (ii) survival in Aleochara species. Aleochara larvae did not appear to discriminate between early and late host pupae on the basis of phenotype, but rather selected them according to their developmental stage. Furthermore, it was discovered that the same phenological strategy occurred in T. rapae and in D. radicum. However, for D. radicum the results indicate that such a strategy has a cost as the longer development time of late host pupae results in a longer period of time favourable for parasitism.     

Trap cropping to control Delia radicum populations in cruciferous crops: first results and future applications

This study evaluates the efficacy of a new approach to the control of Delia radicum populations. We suggest associating the primary crop with a trap crop that is expected to be more attractive to D. radicum females and to attract and sustain their natural enemies such as Aleochara bilineata and A. bipustulata. Various cruciferous species were compared in terms of their preference for adult D. radicum females, and performance, as estimated by larval survival. Laboratory results were complemented by field experiments in which the selected trap crops were associated with broccoli plants. The following results were obtained. Of the six different cruciferous plant species tested, Delia radicum females showed a strong preference for Chinese cabbage, with turnip also being attractive. Following the laboratory results, turnip was chosen as a trap crop because it was easier to cultivate and presented good preference and performance. In the field experiments, Aleochara adults were present in higher numbers in plots associated with turnips than in pure broccoli plots. The presence of Aleochara adults in plots with turnips improved plant protection; as fewer broccoli plants were attacked, the attacked plants were less severely damaged, and more D. radicum pupae were parasitised than in pure broccoli plots. Delia radicum females did not lay fewer eggs on broccoli plants associated with turnips. Moreover, protection and parasitism were more effective in the rows closest to the central row of turnips, suggesting that Aleochara adults limit their activity to its immediate vicinity.     

Field evaluation of insect resistance in a wild tomato and its effects on insect parasitoids

Populations ofHelicoverpa (=Heliothis) zea (Boddie),Heliothis virescens (F.),Manduca sexta (L.) andM. quinquemaculata (Haw.) and their egg and larval parasitoids were sampled in field plots of the: insect-resistant wild tomato,Lycopersicon hirsutum f. glabratum C. H. Mull, accession PI 134417; susceptible commercial tomato cultivar ‘Better Boy’; F₁ hybrid; and selected, moderately resistant backcross genotype. Densities ofH. zea andH. virescens eggs and small larvae were higher on resistant genotypes than on susceptible genotypes, but densities of large larvae were similar on all genotypes. Densities ofManduca spp. larvae were too low to permit similar analyses of the effects of plant genotype. Rates of egg parasitism byTrichogramma spp. andTelenomus sphingis (Ashmead) were reduced on insect-resistant genotypes. Rates of parasitism by the larval parasitoidsCampoletis sonorensis (Cameron) andCotesia congregata (Say) were reduced on resistant genotypes. No consistent effects on parasitism rates byCotesia marginiventris (Cresson) were observed and parasitism rates byCardiochiles nigriceps Viereck were unaffected.     

Target-oriented dissemination of Beauveria bassiana conidia by the predators,Harmonia axyridis (Coleoptera: Coccinellidae) and Chrysoperla carnea (Neuroptera: Chrysopidae) for biocontrol of Myzus persicae

Dissemination of microbial biocontrol agents via predators may have advantages for safe spore dispersal to targeted pests with the added benefit of predation. A laboratory study was conducted to test the target-oriented dissemination of conidia of Beauveria bassiana using larvae of both the multicoloured Asian lady beetle (Harmonia axyridis) and common green lacewing (Chrysoperla carnea) for control of aphids. Maximum dry conidial attachment occurred within approximately 7 min after exposure. After release of the treated predators on leaves of Chinese cabbage, within 12 hours lacewing larvae dispersed 89% of the attached conidia while Asian lady beetles dispersed 93%. Both predators dispersed conidia up to 2.4 m from the release site. Leaf disk bioassays were conducted to compare two application methods; the dissemination of conidia of B. bassiana by predators and the direct application of conidial suspensions. Mortality in sprayed aphids was 91±2.1% compared to 88±2.1 and 84±4.2%, respectively, when conidia were disseminated by lacewings and lady beetles. Predation was not affected in treated lacewing larvae whereas there was a 20% reduction in predation by lady beetle larvae. It appears that B. bassiana can be effectively delivered using certain insect predators.     

Can cruciferous agroecosystems grown under variable conditions influence biological control of Plutella xylostella (Lepidoptera: Plutellidae)?

Determining the most efficacious method for the release of parasitoids is challenging, depending on the crop area to be covered and the environmental conditions created by the agroecosystem. Release of the parasitoid Oomyzus sokolowskii (Kurdjumov) and the effect of crucifers cropping systems were investigated in relation to diamondback moth (DBM), Plutella xylostella (L.) control. First, we investigated the dispersal ability of O. sokolowskii. Kale plants were infested with 20, 25, 30 and 35 DBM larvae each, at distances of 0, 8, 16, and 24 m, from a central release point in the field. Second, the effect of a multiple host plant system composed of cabbage, broccoli and Napa cabbage on the parasitism capacity of O. sokolowskii was investigated. Lastly, the parasitism capacity of O. sokolowskii and the colonization rate of DBM were investigated comparing cropping systems composed of either a monoculture of cabbage, or three different intercropping systems: cabbage and green onion, cabbage and cilantro, and cabbage, green onion and cilantro. For all experiments, selected plants were infested with sentinel DBM larvae and caged with mesh that allowed parasitoids to search inside the cages while reducing the impact of opportunists on DBM larvae. Results showed that parasitoids were able to disperse and parasitize P. xylostella at similar rates throughout a field of kale up to 24 m from the release point. Intercropping of cabbages with other crop plants did not negatively affect parasitism rates of O. sokolowskii, which makes it promising for DBM biological control; however it did not interfere with cabbage colonization by DBM.