Sublethal effects of a Beauveria bassiana-based mycopesticide on Dutch and Serbian populations of Encarsia formosa (Hymenoptera: Aphelinidae)

ABSTRACT

The effects of a Beauveria bassiana-based product (trade name Naturalis-L; strain ATCC 74040) on the behaviour, life history traits and population growth of one commercial Dutch strain and two local Serbian populations (Bujanovac and Negotin) of Encarsia formosa Gahan (Hymen.: Aphelinidae) were evaluated in laboratory bioassays. In a two-choice test, parasitoids from all tested populations preferred to parasitise untreated whitefly nymphs over those treated with 1, 0.5, 0.25, 0.125 and 0.0625?ml/l of the mycopesticide. The longevity of adults of population Bujanovac exposed for 48?h to residues of the mycoinsecticide applied at the LC₅₀ concentration was 1.4 days shorter than that of control wasps. Total parasitism was significantly reduced (by 17.5, 26.2 and 31.4% for the Negotin, Dutch and Bujanovac populations, respectively) compared to control, as well as adult emergence in the F₁ generation (reductions of 20.3 and 26.7%, for the Dutch and Bujanovac populations, respectively). The instantaneous rate of increase (r_i) of surviving adults was also significantly reduced by mycopesticide treatment by 6.3, 13.8 and 15.1%, for the Negotin, Bujanovac, and Dutch populations, respectively. Adult parasioids emerged from pupae treated with the LC₅₀ concentration of the mycopesticide showed slower juvenile development, longevity, parasitism, adult emergence, and r_i values, but the reduction in r_i was significant only for the Bujanovac and Dutch populations (4.2 and 8.3%, respectively). The implications of these results on integrated control of the greenhouse whitefly Trialeurodes vaporariorum Westwood (Hem.: Aleyrodidae) are discussed in terms of adjusting the timing of Naturalis-L applications and parasitoid release.     

Population growth parameters of the cabbage aphid,Brevicoryne brassicae (L.) (Hemiptera: Aphididae), exposed to sublethal doses of thiacloprid

The cabbage aphid, Brevicoryne brassicae L. (Hemiptera: Aphididae) is a major pest of cabbage in the world. In this study, the influence of thiacloprid on population growth parameters of B. brassicae using demographic toxicology by leaf spray method was determined. The LC₅₀ values and confidence limits for thiacloprid were 274.89?ppm (185.22–479.22), respectively. To evaluate the sublethal effect of this insecticide on population growth parameters of cabbage aphid, LC₂₅ and LC₁₀ concentrations of thiacloprid were used at 76.44 and 23.52?ppm, respectively. Also The LC₅₀ value of this insecticide on the life table estimates was measured. Experiments were carried out in the laboratory at 23?±?1?°C, 60?±?5% RH and 16:8 (L:D) photoperiod on cabbage seedlings, Brassica oleracea, var. capitata L. Intrinsic rates of increase (r_m) were lower in thiacloprid treatment than in controls. The mean generation time and doubling time were also lower in populations treated with insecticide than in controls. There was a considerable reduction in the average numbers of nymphs reproduced per female as compared with the control. The average longevity of female adults in the control was significantly different (p?<?0.05) from those treated with thiacloprid. According obtained results, thiacloprid is a good choice for control of the B. brassicae.     

Sub-lethal effects of tiametoxam on life table parameters of the cabbage aphid,Brevicoryne brassicae (L.) (Hemiptera: Aphididae) under laboratory conditions

Efficiency of tiametoxam was determined on population growth parameters of cabbage aphid, Brevicoryne brassicae L. (Hemiptera: Aphididae) using demographic toxicology by leaf spray method. At first, bioassay was performed. The LC₅₀ values and confidence limits for thiamethoxam were 169.05?ppm (92.61–342.51). To evaluate, the sub-lethal effect of this insecticide on population growth parameters of cabbage aphid, LC₂₅ and LC₁₀ concentrations of tiametoxam were used at 58.8 and 22.05?ppm, respectively. Also, the LC₅₀ value of insecticide on the life table estimates was measured. Experiments were carried out in the laboratory at 23?±?1?°C, 60?±?5% RH and 16:8 (L:D) photoperiod on cabbage seedlings, Brassica oleracea, var. capitata L. Net fecundity rate decreased in insecticide-treated populations. Intrinsic rates of increase (r_m) were lower in tiametoxam treatment than in controls. There was a relative increase in intrinsic death rates of treated populations. The mean generation time and doubling time were also lower in population treated with insecticide than the control. There was a considerable reduction in the average numbers of nymphs reproduced per female as compared with the control. The average longevity of female adults in the control was significantly different (p?<?0.05) from those treated with thiamethoxam.     

Sweetpotato whitefly resistance to insecticides in Hawaii: Intra-island variation is related to insecticide use

Susceptibility to acephate, methomyl, and permethrin was determined with laboratory bioassays of field-collected adults from 15 populations of the B biotype of sweetpotato whitefly,Bemisia tabaci (Gennadius) (Homoptera:Aleyrodidae), from Hawaii. Comparisons at the LC₅₀ showed up to 24-fold resistance to acephate, 18-fold resistance to methomyl, and 4-fold resistance to permethrin. Analysis of variance showed significant intra-island variation in susceptibility to each insecticide, but no significant variation among islands. Insecticide use varied from 4 to 103 insecticide sprays per site per season. Acephate and methomyl were used more often than permethrin. The frequency of application and LC₅₀ for each insecticide were positively correlated across sites. These results suggest that local variation in insecticide use was a primary cause of variation in susceptibility. If local insecticide use is a key determinant of resistance, as our results suggest, growers can retard resistance development locally by reducing their own insecticide use.     

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.     

Insecticide resistance monitoring in whitefly (Bemisia tabaci) (Hemiptera: Aleyrodidae) in Oman

The sweet potato whitefly, Bemisia tabaci Gennadius, is an important insect pest of many crops including vegetables through direct feeding damage and as a vector of several plant viruses. Intensive use of insecticides has led to the development of insecticide resistance in global B. tabaci populations. This study was conducted to establish susceptibility levels to deltamethrin, thiamethoxam and pyriproxyfen in seven geographically different populations of B. tabaci MEAM1 adults in Oman. All B. tabaci populations showed very low to low level of resistance (2.1–12.3 fold) to deltamethrin. All B. tabaci populations showed no resistance to very low level of resistance to thiamethoxam (2.2–6.2 fold) and pyriproxyfen (2.4–3.5 fold). A likelihood analysis showed the possibility for control failure in two populations (Barka and Salalah) to deltamethrin, however, no possible failure was detected in all populations for thiamethoxam and pyriproxyfen. An insecticide resistance dynamics study in one population (SQU-1) showed a loss in susceptibility to deltamethrin with increase in the LC₅₀ value from 25.1 mg L⁻¹ to 84.5 mg L⁻¹ between 2017 and 2019 resulting in 5.3 fold increase in RF. The study results determined that several B. tabaci populations are at the initial stages of resistance development to deltamethrin and cross-resistance with thiamethoxam and pyriproxyfen. Vegetable farmers in Oman, the Barka and Salalah regions in particular, should be cautious in the repeated use of one class of insecticide alone.     

Low parasitism by Diaeretiella rapae (Hym.: Braconidae) of Lipaphis pseudobrassicae (Hemip.: Aphididae): pre- or post-ovipositional host resistance?

While the aphid Lipaphis pseudobrassicae (Davis) (Hemip.: Aphididae: Macrosiphini) is considered one of the preferred hosts of Diaeretiella rapae (McIntosh) (Hym.: Braconidae: Aphidiinae) in several parts of the world, field surveys in Uberlandia (Brazil) found parasitism of this aphid to not exceed 10%. This study sought to determine the cause of this low parasitism, as well as the effects of parasitism on the intrinsic growth rate of the aphid population. We evaluated parasitism, percentage emergence, developmental time, longevity, number of attacks and number of parasitoid larvae in L. pseudobrassicae and compared these to the same characteristics in Brevicoryne brassicae (L.) and Myzus persicae (Sulzer). The lowest percentage of parasitism was found in L. pseudobrassicae, followed by M. persicae and B. brassicae. The ratio between the number of parasitoid larvae and the number of ovipositions in L. pseudobrassicae ranged from 0.02 to 0.03, while, in B. brassicae, it was between 0.41 and 0.44 and, in M. persicae, between 0.62 and 0.80, indicating high mortality rates of early stages of D. rapae in L. pseudobrassicae. Parasitism by D. rapae reduced the r_m of L. pseudobrassicae. The r_m for parasitised aphids was only 63% of that for unparasitised aphids. However, no hosts died before reaching adulthood, and 83% of parasitised aphids were still able to reproduce. As a result, the r_m of the aphid was positive, resulting in population growth of L. pseudobrassicae, even among individuals parasitised during the second instar. Our results indicate the existence of L. pseudobrassicae genotypes that are completely resistant to D. rapae.     

Sublethal effects of pyriproxyfen,a juvenile hormone analogue,on Plutella xylostella (Lepidoptera: Plutellidae): life table study

The sublethal effects of pyriproxyfen (PYR, a juvenile hormone analogue) were investigated for two consecutive generations on life-history parameters, such as developmental time, pupal weight, fecundity, fertility and longevity of the diamondback moth, Plutella xylostella (L.) (Lepidoptera: Plutellidae). After topical application bioassay of third instar larvae, the LC₂₅ and LC₅₀ values (as sublethal doses) were determined to be 1.49 and 2.01 μg/μl, respectively. The results showed that the egg incubation period, larval and pupal duration times and oviposition period were increased in treated groups compared with the control (treated with distilled water). Pupal weight, adult longevity, fecundity and fertility were significantly reduced in the treatment groups compared with the control. Using the age-stage, two-sex life table analysis, we found that the intrinsic rate of increase (r), finite rate of increase (λ), gross reproduction rate (GRR) and net reproductive rate (R ₀) significantly decreased while the mean generation time (T) and doubling time (DT) increased in two treatment groups compared with the control. In addition, administration of PYR induced morphogenetic abnormalities including untanned pupae, larval–pupal intermediates and various defective adults. The LC₅₀ value was more effective on all of the above biological characteristics than the LC₂₅ for both generations, although parents were more affected than the offspring. In general, our results revealed that PYR was highly effective against P. xylostella in the laboratory both directly (causing mortality) and indirectly (disruption of normal growth and development). We conclude that PYR is an excellent candidate for suppressing populations of P. xylostella through its sublethal effects.     

Time-dose-mortality modelling and virulence indices for six strains of Verticillium lecanii against sweetpotato whitefly, Bemisia tabaci (Gennadius)

Bioassays of six strains of Verticillium lecanii (Zimmermann) Viégas were conducted with the sweet potato whitefly, Bemisia tabaci. For inoculation, batches of third‐instar whitefly nymphs on sweetpotato seedlings were immersed in conidial suspensions of five dosages at concentrations from 10³ to 10⁷ conidia/ml. Each dosage was used to inoculate 150–250 nymphs. The nymphs were maintained at 25°C, under 95% RH, photo phase of 16 : 8 (L : D) and observed daily for mortality. The resulting data were analysed over 8 days by a complementary log‐log (CLL) time‐dose‐mortality model, based on the Hosmer–Lemeshow test, analysing the time‐dose trends for five concentrations of six strains of V. lecanii simultaneously. The parameters from the model were used to estimate the virulence indices (the values of LC₅₀) of six strains against B. tabaci. Based on the time‐dose‐mortality relationships fitted and the virulence indices, the virulence of the six strains of V. lecanii for B. tabai was compared. Results indicated that the strain Vl6063 imported from Canada and the domestic strains V3450 and Vp28 derived from B. tabaci and a scale insect, respectively, were more virulent than the others with LC₅₀ values of 2.57 × 10⁵, 6.03 × 10⁵ and 6.03 × 10⁵, respectively.     

Host-size preference of the parasitoidAnisopteromalus calandrae [Hym: Pteromalidae] onSitophilus zeamais (Col.: Curculionidae) larvae with a uniform age distribution

First generationAnisopteromalus calandrae (Howard) collected from commercial stored maize in South Carolina were exposed to a mixture of all sizes of immatureSitophilus zeamais Motschulsky, representative of a uniform age distribution, in shelled maize. Eighty-seven percent of parasitism is expected on larvae with tunnel diameters of 0.9 to 1.8 mm and 6% on prepupae and pupae, given this host-size distribution. Preference was greatest for large host larvae (1.6 mm diameter), intermediate for other larvae in the range 0.9 to 1.8 mm, and least for pupae and small larvae. Host-stage preference is discussed with respect to Chesson's (1983) parameters for preference, α_i, probability of parasitism, P_i, and electivity index, ?_i.     

Studies on an overwintering population of the mushroom phorid Megaselia halterata (Diptera: Phoridae) parasitized by Howardula husseyi (Nematoda: Allantonematidae)

An overwintering population of the mushroom phorid fly Megaselia halterata parasitized by Howardula husseyi was studied in an attempt to explain the winter decline in incidence of parasitism that has been observed in flies from mushroom farms. Fly larvae from eggs hatching in November developed into pupae in December and flies emerged in May. No selective mortality of parasitized specimens of larvae, pupae, or flies was observed. Dead parasites were found in only 10% of parasitized flies. The incidence of parasitism in the emerging flies (50%) was five times that of their parental generation and although parasitism significantly delayed fly emergence the delay was only 2–3 days. There was no evidence of winter decline in parasitism; instead there was strong evidence that parasitism enhanced phorid survival through the winter.     

Poinsettia (Euphorbia pulcherrima Willd Ex Koltz) Cultivar-Mediated Differences in Performance of Five Natural Enemies of Bemisia argentifolii Bellows and Perring, n. sp. (Homoptera: Aleyrodidae)

Laboratory evaluations of five natural enemies of the silverleaf whitefly, Bemisia argentifolii Bellows and Perring, n. sp., were conducted to determine their potential as biological control agents in greenhouse poinsettia ranges. Adult longevity, prey consumption or host feeding and parasitism rates, and parasitoid emergence were measured for one predator, Delphastus pusillus LeConte, and four parasitoids, Encarsia formosa Gahan, Encarsia luteola Howard, Encarsia pergandiella Howard, and Encarsia transvena (Timberlake), as possible indicators of efficacy. Characterization of each parameter was performed on two poinsettia cultivars: the first, ′Annette Hegg Brilliant Diamond,′ has trichome densities on the leaf undersurfaces approximately 15% less than the trichome densities on the leaf undersurfaces of the second cultivar, ′Lilo.′ Adult longevity varied significantly between natural enemies (ranging from an average high of 85.2 days for female D. pusillus feeding on B. argentifolii nymphs to an average low of 2.8 days for the Canada colony of E. formosa), but not between cultivar. Prey consumption and oviposition by D. pusillus varied between prey type (nymphs consumed > eggs consumed) and poinsettia cultivar (′Annette Hegg Brilliant Diamond′ > ′Lilo′). Host feeding, parasitism and total number of B. argentifolii nymphs killed varied significantly among Encarsia spp., but no single wasp performed better than the rest across all three parameters. Host feeding, parasitism, and total number of nymphs killed were greater on ′Annette Hegg Brilliant Diamond′ than on ′Lilo′ and this difference was consistent among the four parasitoid species. Among parasitoid species differences in percentage emergence were consistent between the two poinsettia cultivars with emergence from parasitized nymphs on ′Lilo′ being greater than emergence on ′Annette Hegg Brilliant Diamond.′ Results from these evaluations suggest that the probability of achieving successful augmentative biological central will be greater on poinsettia cultivars with fewer trichomes. In addition, achieving biological control is likely to be difficult with releases of E. transvena, but a greater chance for success may be possible through releases of D. pusillus when whitefly densities are high or through releases of E. formosa (Beltsville colony) or mated E. pergandiella independent of whitefly densities.     

Seasonal changes of resistance to fenvalerate and cypermethrin in the larval parasitoid Cotesia plutellae （Hymenoptera： Braconidae）

The seasonal changes of insecticide resistance and stability in hymenopteran Cotesia plutellae, collected from Jianxin, Fuzhou-City, and Shangjie, Minhou-County, Fujian, China, were assessed by using a dry residual film method. The resistance to two insecticides in the field populations of C. plutellae was not stable under insecticide-free conditions in the insectarium. Compared with susceptible F11 progeny of C. plutellae in the insectarium, the resistance ratios （RR） in F0 parents were 18.4 for fenvalerate and 11.4 for cypermethrin based on LC50 at 9 hours, and 32.8 for fenvalerate and 28.5 for cypermethrin based on LC50 at 24 hours when the parasitoids were left in contact with the insecticides for 1 hour and mortalities were recorded at 9 and 24 hours, respectively. However, the RR in a field population of C. plutellae were 9.2 for fenvalerate and 12.7 for cypermethrin, if the parasitoids were left in contact with the insecticides for 24 hours. The resistances to the two pyrethroids in other field populations collected from Jianxin and Shangjie from November 2000 and July 2004 were also determined. Significant seasonal variations of resistance to the two insecticides in the field populations of C. plutellae were found. The RR were 3.0-18.4 for fenvalerate and 4.8-20.6 for cypermethrin in Jianxin populations from November 2000 to April 2002 based on LC50 at 9 h, and 2.3-13.6 for fenvalerate and 3.6-16.0 for cypermethrin in Shangjie populations from May 2002 to July 2004 based on LC50 at 24 hours. The resistance levels were high in spring and autumn and decreased sharply in summer. In addition, significant recovery from the knocked-down caused by the insecticides was found in the F0 and field populations of C. plutellae which were resistant to fenvalerate and cypermethrin if the parasitoids were left in contact with the pyrethroids for 1 hour. However, no recovery was found in susceptible F11 progeny.     

Bioecological characteristics of Bassus tumidulus (Nees) (Hym., Braconidae), a parasitoid of the poplar twig borer, Gypsonoma aceriana (Dup.) (Lep., Tortricidae) in Bulgaria

Main aspects of biology and ecology of Bassus tumidulus (Nees), a parasitoid of Gypsonoma aceriana (Dup.), were studied during the period 1989–2000. Poplar tender shoots with G. aceriana larvae were collected at four localities in Bulgaria (Sofia, Svoge, Vardim and Pazardzhik) and examined in laboratory conditions. B. tumidulus was recovered in the Sofia and Svoge localities. It is a solitary internal parasitoid that attacks young larvae of G. aceriana (first–second instars) and kills host pre‐pupae. It develops two generations and overwinters as a larva in the host. Adult emergence of both overwintering and summer generation of B. tumidulus coincides with adult emergence of the host. In 1997, the first generation emergence of B. tumidulus was in relatively good synchrony with the first larval population of G. aceriana. However, the second generation B. tumidulus was not very well synchronized with the life cycle of G. aceriana because adult parasitoids appeared mostly in the beginning of the host larval population. The average mortality of G. aceriana, caused by this parasitoid in 1997 in Sofia, was 15.7 and 23.3% for the overwintering and summer generation, respectively. The highest level of parasitism by B. tumidulus, observed in individual study, was 61.5%, occurring during the summer generation in 1997.     

Evaluation of a banker plant system for biological control of Bemisia tabaci (Hemiptera: Aleyrodidae) on tomato,using two aphelinid parasitoids under field-cage conditions

ABSTRACT

This study evaluated the potential of two aphelinid parasitoids, Encarsia sophia (Girault & Dodd) and Eretmocerus hayati (Zolnerowich & Rose) to control the sweetpotato whitefly Bemisia tabaci, (Gennadius) using a banker plant system over two consecutive years. The parasitism rates of both parasitoids on a tomato (Solanum lycopersicum L.) crop were determined using melon, Cucumis melo L. (Cucurbitaceae) and castor bean, Ricinus communis L. (Euphorbiaceae), as banker plants, respectively. The emergence rates of Er. hayati and En. sophia parasitoids from parasitised whiteflies on both banker plants exceeded 90% and 85%, respectively, which is 17–20 percentage points higher than that on the pupal card under field cage conditions. Parasitism (%) on banker plants was significantly higher for both parasitoids in the third week after release as compared to adult releases in the first year, reaching 15.2?±?1.3 and 24.0?±?1.4% for En. sophia and Er. hayati, respectively. However, no significant difference in parasitism (%) was observed between banker plant and pupal card release treatments in the second year. The combined release of the two parasitoids during the second year clearly showed a continuous increase in parasitism, which was higher than parasitism in the single parasitoid-release treatments by the 4th week after release. Whitefly populations were significantly lower in all parasitoid-release treatments than in the no-release control by 4–6 weeks into the study period in the second year, while no other significant differences were observed between treatments in either year. This study found that both banker plants efficiently supported populations of both parasitoids and improved their emergence compared to the pupal card.     

Incidence of resistance to neonicotinoid insecticides in greenhouse populations of the whitefly, Trialeurodes vaporariorum (Hemiptera: Aleyrodidae) from Greece

The greenhouse whitefly, Trialeurodes vaporariorum Westwood, is an important pest of field and greenhouse crops of horticultural and ornamental plants. In integrated pest management programs its control is mainly based on the release of biological control agents and application of chemical insecticides. Neonicotinoids are relatively new chemicals currently applied for the chemical control of T. vaporariorum. However, cases of development of insecticide resistance to neonicotinoids have already been reported. The state of resistance to neonicotinoid insecticides for populations of the greenhouse whitefly in Greece is currently unknown. The objective of our study was to screen a number of whitefly populations for resistance to the neonicotinoids imidacloprid and thiacloprid. Seven whitefly populations were collected from tomato greenhouse crops from different areas of central and northern Greece. LC₅₀ values were estimated for all populations following the method proposed by the Insecticide Resistance Action Committee (IRAC). The development of resistance to both neonicotinoids was confirmed for all tested populations with resistance ratios ranging from 1.5 to 4.4-fold and from 1.4 to 12.2-fold for imidacloprid and thiacloprid, respectively. We discuss our results with regard to the development of neonicotinoid resistance in T. vaporariorum populations and its implications for whitefly control.     

Effects of host stage on the development of the facultative autoparasitoid Encarsia tricolor (Hymenoptera: Aphelinidae)

Encarsia tricolor is a facultative autoparasitoid of the glasshouse whitefly, Trialeurodes vaporariorum, with a potential in biological control. The rate of development, number of mature oocytes at emergence, number of ovarioles and size of the emerged adults were studied. Five nymphal instars (N1, N2, N3, N4, and pharate adult) of T. vaporariorum were used as hosts for the females. Female larvae and pupae of E. tricolor and Encarsia formosa were used as hosts for the males. Females developed faster when the egg was laid on N3 (18.0 days from egg to adult) and slower on N1 (22.3 days). Females were bigger when developing from N1 and N3 than from N4 and pharate adult. On emergence the mean number of mature oocytes was always small (0.8–2.6). Males developed faster and were smaller than females, and developed faster and were larger on larvae of E. formosa.     

Effects of host age on the performance of >Diadromus collaris, a pupal parasitoid of >Plutella xylostella

The ichneumonid >Diadromus collaris(Gravenhorst) (Hymenoptera: Ichneumonidae) is amajor solitary, pupal endoparasitoid of thediamondback moth, >Plutella xylostella(Linnaeus) (Lepidoptera: Plutellidae).Experiments to examine parasitism of the hostpupae of different ages by the parasitoid wereconducted in the laboratory. >Diadromuscollaris preferred host pupae that were in thefirst half of their pupal development. Survivalfrom larva to adult, and size and parasitizingcapacity of the resultant female adultsdecreased dramatically as host pupal ageincreased. When ovipositions were made intohost pupae that were in the last quarter oftheir development, all parasitoids died beforeadult emergence. The performance of >D.collaris, as affected by host pupal age,agrees with the simple diet theory thatpredicts female wasps should select hosts ofhigher nutritional quality for oviposition.     

Realized heritability of resistance to dicrotophos in greenhouse whitefly

Realized heritability (h ²) of resistance to dicrotophos in greenhouse whitefly,Trialeurodes vaporariorum Westwood, was estimated from a laboratory selection experiment. Five generations of selection increased the LC₅₀ approximately 13-fold. Estimatedh ² of resistance to dicrotophos was 0.40 when calculated with the method of Tabashnik (1992) and 0.35 with the method of Tanaka & Noppun (1989). These results suggest that 35 to 40% of the total phenotypic variation in resistance was caused by additive genetic variation. For thirteen previously reported estimates ofh ² of insecticide resistance in other insect pests, the mean was 0.29. The relatively highh ² of dicrotophos resistance forT. vaporariorum is consistent with rapid resistance development in field populations.     

Biological Control ofBemisia argentifolii(Homoptera: Aleyrodidae) on Poinsettia with Inundative Releases ofEncarsia formosa(Hymenoptera: Aphelinidae): Are Higher Release Rates Necessarily Better?

The effectiveness of inundative releases of the parasitoidEncarsia formosafor control ofBemisia argentifoliion poinsettia was determined in replicated experimental greenhouses. We evaluated two release rates ofE. formosa:a low release rate (1 wasp/plant/week, released in two greenhouses, in spring 1995) and a high release rate (3 wasps/plant/week, released in two greenhouses, in fall 1993), each over a 14-week growing season. Each release trial had one or two control greenhouses in whichB. argentifoliideveloped on poinsettia in the absence ofE. formosa.Life-tables were constructed forB. argentifoliiin the presence and absence ofE. formosaby using a photographic technique to follow cohorts of whiteflies on poinsettia leaves. Weekly population counts of the whitefly were also made. In the absence ofE. formosa,egg to adult survivorship ofB. argentifoliion poinsettia was 75–81%. At the low release rate, egg to survivorship ofB. argentifoliiwas 5% and parasitism was 13%. At the high release rate, egg to adult survivorship forB. argentifoliiwas 8% and parasitism was 23%. The net reproductive rates (R₀) forB. argentifoliipopulations in the absence ofE. formosaranged from 18.01–26.12, indicating a rapidly increasing population. Net reproductive rates for whitefly populations subject to wasp releases were 1.54 for the low release rate greenhouses and 2.11 for the high release rate greenhouses, indicating substantially reducedB. argentifoliipopulation growth. The low release rate provided better control ofB. argentifoliithan the high release rate. This difference was attributed to higher levels of mortality of whiteflies at the low release rate in the first 5–6 weeks of the growing period. We suggest that mutual interference may also have affected observed levels of mortality and parasitism.