Potential Use of Trichogramma pintoi as a Biocontrol Agent Against Heortia vitessoides (Lepidoptera: Pyralidae)

2019 ◽  
Vol 113 (2) ◽  
pp. 654-659
Author(s):  
Zhen Yan ◽  
Jian-Jun Yue ◽  
Chun-Yong Yang
Keyword(s):  
Functional Response ◽  
Biological Control Agent ◽  
Natural Populations ◽  
Reproductive Potential ◽  
Adult Life ◽  
Control Agent ◽  
Average Lifetime ◽  
Male Adult ◽  
Potential Capacity ◽  
Lepidoptera Pyralidae

Abstract Heortia vitessoides Moore is the most serious insect defoliator of Aquilaria sinensis (Lour.) Gilg, an endangered and economically important plant that produces highly prized agarwood. Samples from recently identified indigenous natural populations of Trichogramma pintoi Voegele were collected from H. vitessoides eggs in A. sinensis forests in Yunnan Province, China. To assess the potential capacity of this parasitoid for use as a biological control agent, its functional response, female reproductive potential, and male insemination capacity were investigated in this study. Females successfully parasitized 1- to 4-d-old eggs of H. vitessoides but failed to parasitize 5- to 8-d-old eggs. The parasitoid exhibited a Holling type II functional response, and the estimated maximum numbers of 1- to 4-d-old H. vitessoides eggs parasitized by a single T. pintoi female were 38.1, 29.8, 26.0, and 22.2 eggs over a 24-h period, respectively. Additionally, the parasitoid’s average lifetime fecundity was 89.8 ± 2.5 eggs, of which 66.26% were laid within the first 2 d. The average number of total females that mated with a male in his lifetime (4.70 ± 0.13 d) was 10.4, and the average number of total daughters of a male was 292.1. On day 1 of male adult life, the greatest number of females were inseminated by males, and the most daughters were produced; however, the number of copulations and insemination ability decreased rapidly with male age. These results suggest that T. pintoi is a promising candidate for inundative release against H. vitessoides in China, and these findings will guide efforts in achieving mass production of this parasitoid.

Functional response in coccinellid beetles (Coleoptera: Coccinellidae) is modified by prey-density experience

2022 ◽  
Vol 154 ◽  
Author(s):  
Desh Deepak Chaudhary ◽  
Bhupendra Kumar ◽  
Geetanjali Mishra ◽  
Omkar
Keyword(s):  
Functional Response ◽  
Prey Density ◽  
Biological Control Agent ◽  
Handling Time ◽  
Control Agent ◽  
Type Ii ◽  
Response Curves ◽  
Late Instar ◽  
Rearing Density ◽  
Type Ii Functional Response

Abstract In the present study, we assessed functional response curves of two generalist coccinellid beetles (Coleoptera: Coccinellidae), specifically Menochilus sexmaculatus and Propylea dissecta, using fluctuating densities of aphid prey as a stimulus. In what may be the first such study, we investigated how the prey density experienced during the early larval development of these two predatory beetle species shaped the functional response curves of the late instar–larval and adult stages. The predators were switched from their rearing prey-density environments of scarce, optimal, or abundant prey to five testing density environments of extremely scarce, scarce, suboptimal, optimal, or abundant prey. The individuals of M. sexmaculatus that were reared on either scarce- and optimal- or abundant-prey densities exhibited type II functional response curves as both larvae and adults. However, individuals of P. dissecta that were reared on scarce- and abundant-prey densities displayed modified type II functional response curves as larvae and type II functional response curves as adults. In contrast, individuals of P. dissecta reared on the optimal-prey density displayed type II functional response curves as larvae and modified type II functional response curves as adults. The fourth-instar larvae and adult females of M. sexmaculatus and P. dissecta also exhibited highest prey consumption (T/Th) and shortest prey-handling time (Th) on the scarce-prey rearing density. Thus, under fluctuating-prey conditions, M. sexmaculatus is a better biological control agent of aphids than P. dissecta is.

Age-Dependent Functional and Numerical Responses of Neoseiulus cucumeris (Acari: Phytoseiidae) on Two-Spotted Spider Mite (Acari: Tetranychidae)

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sajjad Dalir ◽  
Hamidreza Hajiqanbar ◽  
Yaghoub Fathipour ◽  
Mostafa Khanamani
Keyword(s):  
Functional Response ◽  
Middle Ages ◽  
Spider Mite ◽  
Biological Control Agent ◽  
Handling Time ◽  
Control Agent ◽  
Neoseiulus Cucumeris ◽  
Predation Capacity ◽  
Two Spotted Spider Mite ◽  
Tetranychus Urticae Koch

Abstract The age-specific functional and numerical responses of Neoseiulus cucumeris Oudemans (Mesostigmata: Phytoseiidae) on eggs of the two-spotted spider mite, Tetranychus urticae Koch (Prostigmata: Tetranychidae), were assessed in the laboratory using bean leaf discs. Densities of 2, 4, 8, 16, 32, 64, and 128 prey were provided to 4- (protonymph), 6- (deutonymph), 8-, 13-, 18-, 23-, 28-, 33-, and 40-d-old N. cucumeris individuals. The functional response of 28- and 40-d-old N. cucumeris fitted type II, whereas the other ages displayed a type III functional response. The longest handling time observed at the age of 4 d was 0.515 h, whereas the shortest handling time and highest value of maximum attack rate (T/Th) were associated with the age of the 28-d-old treatment (0.261 h and 91.95 prey/d, respectively). The numerical response of N. cucumeris showed a significant increase with increasing prey density, but its rate gradually decreased at higher densities. Therefore, the efficiency of conversion of ingested food was relatively higher at low two-spotted spider mite densities, whereas it was reduced at high two-spotted spider mite densities. The stronger functional response and predation capacity of N. cucumeris on two-spotted spider mite eggs indicated the high potential of this predatory mite as an effective biological control agent against two-spotted spider mite especially at its early and middle ages and also when higher prey densities are present.

The functional and numerical responses ofTrissolcus basalis(Hymenoptera: Platygastridae) parasitizingNezara viridula(Hemiptera: Pentatomidae) eggs in the field

2013 ◽  
Vol 103 (4) ◽  
pp. 441-450 ◽  
Author(s):  
G.G. Liljesthröm ◽  
M.F. Cingolani ◽  
J.E. Rabinovich
Keyword(s):  
Functional Response ◽  
Attack Rate ◽  
Sex Allocation ◽  
Biological Control Agent ◽  
Theoretical Models ◽  
Control Agent ◽  
Trissolcus Basalis ◽  
Main Host ◽  
Absolute Density ◽  
Parasitoid Population

AbstractTrissolcus basalishas been used as a biological control agent of its main host,Nezara viridula, in many countries. However, estimations of its functional and numerical responses in the field are lacking. We estimated the density ofN. viridulaeggs, the proportion of parasitizedN. viridulaeggs, and the number ofT. basalisadults/trap in the field. We transformed relative parasitoid density to an absolute density, and estimated the parasitoid's attack rate,a, and the mutual interference parameter,m, in two ways: following Arditi & Akçakaya (1990) and using the Holling–Hassell–Varley model with two iterative techniques. The attack rate estimated by both methods werea=1.097 anda=0.767, respectively. Parametermvaried less between methods:m=0.563 andm=0.586, respectively, and when used to calculate the number of parasitizedN. viridulaeggs per m2, differences with the observed values were not significant. The numerical response ofT. basaliswas affected by the sex allocation of their progeny and the proportion of adult parasitoids trapped decreased with field parasitoid population density. Theoretical models show that 0<m<1 is a stabilizing factor and previous re-analysis of field data showed a meanmvalue of 0.8. The Holling–Hassell–Varley model leads to a flexible description of the functional response allowing to predict acceptable weekly host parasitism. The pre-imaginal parasitoid survival and the change in sex ratio as a function of parasitoid density adequately describe the numerical functional response of the parasitoid.

Prey stage preference and functional and numerical responses of Neoseiulus barkeri Hughes (Acari: Phytoseiidae) to eggs of Raoiella indica Hirst (Acari: Tenuipalpidae)

2020 ◽  
Vol 25 (6) ◽  
pp. 1147-1157
Author(s):  
Rosenya Michely Cintra Filgueiras ◽  
Jairo De Almeida Mendes ◽  
Francisco Wesller Batista Da Silva ◽  
Eduardo Pereira De Sousa Neto ◽  
José Wagner Da Silva Melo
Keyword(s):  
Functional Response ◽  
Prey Density ◽  
Prey Availability ◽  
Biological Control Agent ◽  
Predatory Mite ◽  
Control Agent ◽  
Control Measures ◽  
Neoseiulus Barkeri ◽  
Raoiella Indica ◽  
Prey Stage Preference

Raoiella indica Hirst (Acari: Tenuipalpidae) is a polyphagous pest widely dispersed worldwide and a particular threat to crops from the Arecaceae family. Control measures are still being evaluated in recently invaded countries. A possible control strategy for this pest is the use of predatory mites. A recent study has suggested Neoseiulus barkeri Hughes (Acari: Phytoseiidae) as a potential biological control agent of R. indica. In the present study we determined the prey stage preference of N. barkeri when offered different stages of R. indica besides its functional response and numerical over its prey stage preferred. The predatory mite N. barkeri showed a marked preference for eggs over other stages of the prey. The regression analysis indicated that the predatory mite N. barkeri exhibited a Type II functional response. The prey density needed to start the oviposition was 10 R. indica eggs. The number of eggs laid by N. barkeri females increased with an increase in the prey density and tended to stabilize when prey availability was greater than 80 R. indica eggs, with average oviposition of 2 eggs/female. Our study suggests that N. barkeri shows potential to reduce populations of R. indica, especially at low prey densities. However, further studies are needed to investigate whether R. indica supports the development of immature stages of N. barkeri.

Biological Control of Diffuse Knapweed (Centaurea diffusa) and Spotted Knapweed (C. maculosa)

Weed Science ◽  
1982 ◽  
Vol 30 (1) ◽  
pp. 76-82 ◽  
Author(s):  
Donald M. Maddox
Keyword(s):  
Biological Control ◽  
Biological Control Agent ◽  
Reproductive Potential ◽  
Control Agent ◽  
Flower Head ◽  
Spotted Knapweed ◽  
Centaurea Diffusa ◽  
Weedy Species ◽  
Diffuse Knapweed ◽  
Number Of Seeds

Diffuse knapweed (Centaurea diffusa Lam.) and spotted knapweed (C. maculosa Lam.) presently infest approximately 1.5 million ha of pasture and rangeland in Washington, Montana, Idaho, Oregon, and California. The serious losses caused on lands where returns from herbicidal control are marginal or less prompted the testing and introduction of two strains of a seed-head fly (Urophora affinis Frlfld.) as a biological-control agent in these states. Over 27 000 flies were released in about equal numbers on both weeds during the years 1974 to 1977 and in 1979 and 1980. The fly became established in all states where it was released. The adult was found to disperse over 76 m from release point from 1974 to 1976, and to reduce the number of seeds per flower head in sampled heads by 80% in northern Washington and over 64% at the Heppner, Oregon site. A newly released moth (Metzneria paucipunctella Zell.) and a root-boring beetle (Spbenoptera jugoslavica Obenb.) are expected to cause additional pressure on these plants. The reproductive potential of the knapweeds is such that more natural enemies will be needed to provide enough stress to reduce these weedy species to an acceptable level.

Studies on the biology of Aphidius sonchi Marshall (Hymenoptera: Aphidiidae), a parasite of the sowthistle aphid, Hyperomyzus lactucae (L.) (Hemiptera: Aphididae)

1985 ◽  
Vol 75 (2) ◽  
pp. 199-208 ◽  
Author(s):  
Liu Shu-Sheng ◽  
Mary Carver
Keyword(s):  
Adult Stage ◽  
Virus Disease ◽  
Biological Control Agent ◽  
Adult Life ◽  
Control Agent ◽  
Macrosiphum Euphorbiae ◽  
Principal Vector ◽  
Adult Females ◽  
Hymenopterous Parasite ◽  
Males And Females

AbstractThe hymenopterous parasite, Aphidius sonchi Marshall, has been introduced into Australia as a biological control agent of the sowthistle aphid, Hyperomyzus lactucae (L.), the principal vector of lettuce necrotic yellows virus disease. Some aspects of its biology were studied in the laboratory. Females reared at 22°C contained a mean ± s.e. of 179·4 ± 10·26 eggs on emergence, and more eggs were formed during adult life. Unmated females produced male progeny only; mated females produced progeny of both sexes. At 22°C, both males and females mated within 12 h of emergence. Virgin females could mate successfully after having commenced oviposition and switch to producing progeny of both sexes. At 20°C, both virgin and mated females started oviposition within 7 h of emergence. The female oviposited in all nymphal instars and both apterous and alate adults of the host. Only one egg was laid per insertion of the ovipositor. Superparasitization was common, but only one parasite per aphid survived to the adult stage. Females at 22°C and LD 12:12 oviposited during both the photophase and the scotophase; the proportion of eggs laid in the scotophase was correlated with the availability of hosts. Adult females lived longer in the absence of hosts than in their presence and lived longer than males, and those supplied with water and honey lived longer than those without. Facultative diapause occurred. The integumental coloration of adults varied according to the temperature during their immature stages. Females of A. sonchi oviposited readily in Macrosiphum euphorbiae (Thomas), but their progeny did not develop beyond the egg stage. A. sonchi was parasitized by Alloxysta ancylocera (Cameron), Pachyneuron aphidis (Bouché) and Dendrocerus carpenteri (Curtis) in the field.

Age-specific functional response and predation rate of Amblyseius swirskii (Phytoseiidae) on two-spotted spider mite

2017 ◽  
Vol 22 (2) ◽  
pp. 159 ◽  
Author(s):  
Yaghoub Fathipour ◽  
Maryam Karimi ◽  
Azadeh Farazmand ◽  
Ali Asghar Talebi
Keyword(s):  
Functional Response ◽  
Spider Mite ◽  
Biological Control Agent ◽  
Handling Time ◽  
Predation Rate ◽  
Control Agent ◽  
Type Ii ◽  
Amblyseius Swirskii ◽  
Two Spotted Spider Mite ◽  
Tetranychus Urticae Koch

The lifetime functional response and predation rate of Amblyseius swirskii Athias-Henriot on eggs of the two-spotted spider mite, Tetranychus urticae Koch were determined under laboratory conditions using cucumber leaf discs. Densities of 2, 4, 8, 16, 32, 64 and 128 prey were offered to 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 12, 17, 22 and 27-day-old A. swirskii individuals. Based on the logistic regression, the functional response of twelve-day-old A. swirskii was type III, while the other ages showed type II. The Rogers model was used to estimate searching efficiency (a) and handling time (Th). The longest handling time (1.387±0.315 h) was observed in the protonymphal stage, while the shortest handling time and highest maximum attack rate (T/Th) were estimated at the age of seven-days (0.396±0.057 h and 60.67 prey/day, respectively). In the functional response experiments, results of the highest prey density used (128 eggs) showed that the highest number of prey consumed by A. swirskii individuals aged twelve and seventeen-days old (35.6 and 43.1 eggs, respectively). It is concluded that A. swirskii could be an efficient biological control agent of T. urticae at the middle-age of its life and at higher prey densities. 

Mortality and life-tables of Cactoblastis cactorum (Berg) (Lepidoptera: Pyralidae) compared on two host-plant species

1989 ◽  
Vol 79 (1) ◽  
pp. 7-18 ◽  
Author(s):  
Hamish G. Robertson ◽  
J. H. Hoffmann
Keyword(s):  
Host Plant ◽  
Biological Control Agent ◽  
Larval Mortality ◽  
Adult Mortality ◽  
Control Agent ◽  
Life Tables ◽  
Related Factors ◽  
Cactoblastis Cactorum ◽  
Summer Generation ◽  
Lepidoptera Pyralidae

AbstractThe performance of Cactoblastis cactorum (Berg) as a biological control agent of the cactus weeds Opuntia ficus-indica and O. aurantiaca was assessed by compiling life-tables for each host-plant, in both a summer and a winter generation, at a site in South Africa. Egg predation, mostly by ants, ranged from 54 to 74% and was significantly higher on O. aurantiaca than on O. ficus-indica. Larval mortality on O. aurantiaca was high during the summer generation (65%), possibly because of dehydration of cladodes. Survival on O. aurantiaca was 55 and 60% of that on O. ficus-indica in the summer and winter generations, respectively. Adult mortality, calculated from the life-tables, was 45 and 84% in the summer and winter generations, respectively. The most important components of mortality were natural enemies in the summer generation and weather-related factors in the winter generation. Host-plant-related mortality was not as great as was formerly supposed.

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