scholarly journals Ooctonus vulgatus (Hymenoptera, Mymaridae), a potential biocontrol agent to reduce populations of Philaenus spumarius (Hemiptera, Aphrophoridae) the main vector of Xylella fastidiosa in Europe

PeerJ ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 8 ◽  
pp. e8591 ◽  
Author(s):  
Xavier Mesmin ◽  
Marguerite Chartois ◽  
Guénaëlle Genson ◽  
Jean-Pierre Rossi ◽  
Astrid Cruaud ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Biocontrol Agent ◽  
Xylella Fastidiosa ◽  
Parasitoid Wasp ◽  
Large Data ◽  
Mass Rearing ◽  
Data Sets ◽  
Philaenus Spumarius ◽  
Parasitism Rates ◽  
Starting Point ◽  
Potential Biocontrol Agent

As a vector of Xylella fastidiosa (Wells, 1987) in Europe, the meadow spittlebug Philaenus spumarius (Linnaeus, 1758) (Hemiptera, Aphrophoridae) is a species of major concern. Therefore, tools and agents to control this ubiquitous insect that develops and feeds on hundreds of plant species are wanted. We conducted a field survey of P. spumarius eggs in Corsica and provide a first report of Ooctonus vulgatus Haliday, 1833 (Hymenoptera, Mymaridae) as a potential biocontrol agent of P. spumarius in Europe. To allow species identification, we summarized the main characters distinguishing O. vulgatus from other European species of Ooctonus and generated COI DNA barcodes. Parasitism rates were variable in the four localities included in the survey but could reach 69% (for an average number of eggs that hatched per locality of 109). Based on the geographic occurrences of O. vulgatus obtained from the literature, we calibrated an ecological niche model to assess its potential distribution in the Holarctic. Obviously, several questions need to be addressed to determine whether O. vulgatus could become an effective biocontrol agent of P. spumarius in Europe. So far, O. vulgatus has been reared only from P. spumarius eggs, but its exact host-range should be evaluated to ensure efficiency and avoid non-target effect. The top-down impact of the parasitoid on vector populations should also be assessed on large data sets. Finally, the feasibility of mass rearing should be tested. We hope this report serves as a starting point to initiate research on this parasitoid wasp to assess whether it could contribute to reduce the spread and impact of X. fastidiosa in Europe.

scholarly journals Ooctonus vulgatus (Hymenoptera, Mymaridae), a potential biocontrol agent to reduce populations of Philaenus spumarius (Hemiptera, Aphrophoridae) the main vector of Xylella fastidiosa in Europe

2019 ◽  
Author(s):  
Xavier Mesmin ◽  
Marguerite Chartois ◽  
Guenaelle Genson ◽  
Jean-Pierre Rossi ◽  
Astrid Cruaud ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Potential Distribution ◽  
Biocontrol Agent ◽  
Field Survey ◽  
Xylella Fastidiosa ◽  
Parasitoid Wasp ◽  
Dna Barcodes ◽  
Philaenus Spumarius ◽  
Parasitism Rates ◽  
Potential Biocontrol Agent ◽  
Meadow Spittlebug

As vector of Xylella fastidiosa (Wells, 1987) in Europe, the meadow spittlebug, Philaenus spumarius (Linnaeus, 1758) (Hemiptera: Aphrophoridae) is a species of major concern. Therefore, tools and agents to control this ubiquitous insect that develops and feeds on hundreds of plant species are wanted. We conducted a field survey of P. spumarius eggs in Corsica and provide a first report of Ooctonus vulgatus Haliday, 1833 (Hymenoptera, Mymaridae) as a potential biocontrol agent of P. spumarius in Europe. To allow species identification, we summarized the main characters distinguishing O. vulgatus from other European species of Ooctonus and generated COI DNA barcodes. We also assessed parasitism rates in several sampling sites, highlighting the top-down impact of O. vulgatus on populations of P. spumarius. Based on the geographic occurrences of O. vulgatus mined in the literature, we calibrated an ecological niche model to assess its potential distribution in the Holarctic. Our results showed that O. vulgatus potential distribution overlaps that of P. spumarius. Hence, O. vulgatus appears to be a promising biocontrol agent of the meadow spittlebug in Europe and it seems advisable to conduct research on this small parasitoid wasp to assess whether it could contribute to reduce the spread and impact of X. fastidiosa in Europe.

scholarly journals Ooctonus vulgatus (Hymenoptera, Mymaridae), a potential biocontrol agent to reduce populations of Philaenus spumarius (Hemiptera, Aphrophoridae) the main vector of Xylella fastidiosa in Europe

2019 ◽  
Author(s):  
Xavier Mesmin ◽  
Marguerite Chartois ◽  
Guenaelle Genson ◽  
Jean-Pierre Rossi ◽  
Astrid Cruaud ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Potential Distribution ◽  
Biocontrol Agent ◽  
Field Survey ◽  
Xylella Fastidiosa ◽  
Parasitoid Wasp ◽  
Dna Barcodes ◽  
Philaenus Spumarius ◽  
Parasitism Rates ◽  
Potential Biocontrol Agent ◽  
Meadow Spittlebug

As vector of Xylella fastidiosa (Wells, 1987) in Europe, the meadow spittlebug, Philaenus spumarius (Linnaeus, 1758) (Hemiptera: Aphrophoridae) is a species of major concern. Therefore, tools and agents to control this ubiquitous insect that develops and feeds on hundreds of plant species are wanted. We conducted a field survey of P. spumarius eggs in Corsica and provide a first report of Ooctonus vulgatus Haliday, 1833 (Hymenoptera, Mymaridae) as a potential biocontrol agent of P. spumarius in Europe. To allow species identification, we summarized the main characters distinguishing O. vulgatus from other European species of Ooctonus and generated COI DNA barcodes. We also assessed parasitism rates in several sampling sites, highlighting the top-down impact of O. vulgatus on populations of P. spumarius. Based on the geographic occurrences of O. vulgatus mined in the literature, we calibrated an ecological niche model to assess its potential distribution in the Holarctic. Our results showed that O. vulgatus potential distribution overlaps that of P. spumarius. Hence, O. vulgatus appears to be a promising biocontrol agent of the meadow spittlebug in Europe and it seems advisable to conduct research on this small parasitoid wasp to assess whether it could contribute to reduce the spread and impact of X. fastidiosa in Europe.

scholarly journals A Preliminary Assessment of Amblyseius andersoni (Chant) as a Potential Biocontrol Agent against Phytophagous Mites Occurring on Coniferous Plants

Insects ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 12 (8) ◽  
pp. 664
Author(s):  
Ewa Puchalska ◽  
Stanisław Kamil Zagrodzki ◽  
Marcin Kozak ◽  
Brian G. Rector ◽  
Anna Mauer
Keyword(s):  
Biocontrol Agent ◽  
Mass Rearing ◽  
Predator Population ◽  
Preliminary Assessment ◽  
Amblyseius Andersoni ◽  
Food Items ◽  
Oligonychus Ununguis ◽  
Potential Biocontrol Agent ◽  
Pine Pollen ◽  
Survival And Reproduction

Development, survival and reproduction of Ambyseius andersoni (Chant), a predatory mite widely distributed in Europe, were assessed on different food items. These included two key pests of ornamental coniferous plants, i.e., Oligonychus ununguis (Jacobi) and Pentamerismus taxi (Haller) and pollen of Pinus sylvestris L. The rationale behind these experiments was to provide a preliminary assessment of the potential of A. andersoni as a biocontrol agent of the above phytophagous arthropods and evaluate pine pollen as an alternative food source for the predator. Under laboratory conditions (23 ± 0.5 °C, 70 ± 10% RH and 16L:8D) A. andersoni was able to feed, develop and reproduce on all tested diets. The shortest development time (egg to female) was obtained when the predator fed on P. taxi (mean = 5.12 d) and the longest was on pine pollen (mean = 6.55 d). The rm value was significantly higher on both tested prey (0.166 on P. taxi and 0.160 on O. ununguis) than on pollen (0.139). Thus, we do not recommend pine pollen for mass rearing of A. andersoni; however, we conclude that pollen may provide sufficient sustenance for the predator population under field conditions when prey are absent. The potential of A. andersoni as a biocontrol agent of O. ununguis and P. taxi is discussed.

Field trials of Trichomalopsis sarcophagae (Hymenoptera: Pteromalidae) in cattle feedlots: a potential biocontrol agent of filth flies (Diptera: Muscidae)

2003 ◽  
Vol 135 (4) ◽  
pp. 599-608 ◽  
Author(s):  
K.D. Floate
Keyword(s):  
Biocontrol Agent ◽  
Natural Populations ◽  
Fold Increase ◽  
Mass Rearing ◽  
Field Trials ◽  
House Fly ◽  
Stable Fly ◽  
Large Numbers ◽  
Potential Biocontrol Agent ◽  
Paired Control

AbstractA field study was performed in southern Alberta, Canada, to assess the native wasp, Trichomalopsis sarcophagae (Gahan), as a potential biocontrol agent for house fly, Musca domestica L., and stable fly, Stomoxys calcitrans (L.). The wasp was readily reared in large numbers, which allowed for the cumulative release of an estimated 4.63 million wasps into three commercial feedlots during the 2-year study. Each of several releases predictably and repeatedly enhanced parasitism of sentinel house fly pupae, whereas parasitism remained low in three paired control feedlots where wasps were not released. Releases every 2nd week had a disproportionately greater effect than releases every 2nd month. In 1998, 1.2 million wasps were released into treatment feedlots resulting in the recovery of 3 952 T. sarcophagae from 31 500 sentinel pupae (0.13 wasps/pupa). In 1999, 3.43 million wasps were released into treatment feedlots, with the recovery of 37 763 wasps from 47 720 sentinel pupae (0.79 wasps/pupa). Hence, a 2.8-fold increase in the number of wasps released in 1999 resulted in a 6.1-fold increase in the recovery of wasps. This result supports industry recommendations of regular, repeated releases of wasps every 2nd or 4th week versus one or infrequent releases throughout the summer. There was no evidence that releases augmented overwintering populations of the wasp in subsequent years. These results provide proof-of-concept for the mass-rearing and release of T. sarcophagae as an inundative biocontrol agent for the control of pest flies in cattle confinements. Further studies will be required to assess the effect of T. sarcophagae releases on natural populations of pest flies.

Validation of a methodology for rearingSpalangia cameroni(Hymenoptera: Pteromalidae) onCeratitis capitata(Diptera: Tephritidae)

2014 ◽  
Vol 146 (6) ◽  
pp. 676-683 ◽  
Author(s):  
J. Tormos ◽  
B. Sabater-Muñoz ◽  
J.D. Asís ◽  
F. Beitia
Keyword(s):  
Sex Ratio ◽  
Ceratitis Capitata ◽  
Biocontrol Agent ◽  
Sex Ratios ◽  
Mass Rearing ◽  
Laboratory Rearing ◽  
Pupal Parasitoid ◽  
Mass Rear ◽  
Laboratory Colony ◽  
Potential Biocontrol Agent

AbstractSpalangia cameroniPerkins (Hymenoptera: Pteromalidae) is a pupal parasitoid of the Medfly,Ceratitis capitata(Wiedmann) (Diptera: Tephritidae), one of the principal pests of Spanish agriculture.Spalangia cameroniis a potential biocontrol agent for this pest if methods can be developed to mass-rear it effectively onC. capitata. Here, we report on the use of freeze-killed pupae ofC. capitatato maintain a laboratory colony ofS. cameroni, with a view to setting up a mass-rearing protocol. Realised fecundity, adult progeny, sex ratio, and superparasitism level were the principal parameters analysed. No significant differences were found in respect of these parameters between living or freeze-killed Medfly pupae used as hosts, although sex ratios showed a bias towards females in the case of freeze-killed pupae. Freeze-killed pupae were concluded to present the best option for the laboratory-rearing ofS. cameroni, on account of ease of rearing, and avoidance of the emergence of Medfly adults.

Re-adaptation from alternative prey to target prey increased predation of predator on target mite

2019 ◽  
Vol 24 (3) ◽  
pp. 467 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jie Su ◽  
An-Di Zhu ◽  
Guo-Dong Han ◽  
Fang Dong ◽  
Jing Chen ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Natural Enemy ◽  
Spider Mite ◽  
Biocontrol Agent ◽  
Mass Rearing ◽  
Predatory Mites ◽  
Alternative Prey ◽  
Tyrophagus Putrescentiae ◽  
Potential Biocontrol Agent ◽  
Tetranychus Turkestani

Neoseiulus bicaudus (Wainstein) is a natural enemy of spider mite and thrip and also a potential biocontrol agent for Tetranychus turkestani (Tetranychidae). Tyrophagus putrescentiae (Schrank) is an important alternative prey of N. bicaudus for mass rearing. We aimed to determine whether previous long-term feeding history, rearing on alternative prey versus target prey affected the performance of N. bicaudus. Therefore, the prey preference and functional response of predatory mites were compared between three strains: N. bicaudus fed on T. turkestani (TTS); N. bicaudus fed on T. putrescentiae (TPS); and N. bicaudus re-adapted from T. putrescentiae to T. turkestani (TPRS). When fed with the target prey, the preference rate and consumption of the TPS strain were significantly lower than the TTS strain. In addition, after 3-day-re-adaptation, the predatory mites (TPRS) increased their preference rate and consumption to target prey. The results suggested that re-adaptation before release could improve the ability of N. bicaudus to control its target prey.

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