Effectiveness of different control measures against western corn rootworm larvae Diabrotica virgifera virgifera LeConte, 1868

<p>The Western Corn Rootworm (WCR), <em>Diabrotica virgifera virgifera</em> LeConte, 1868, [Coleoptera, Chrysomelidae], whose larvae cause damage to maize roots, is an important economic insect pest in America and Europe. Its larvae are usually controlled by granular soil insecticides or insecticide-treated seeds. Biological control options, such as entomopathogenic nematodes (EPN) have played an important role as an alternative for synthetic chemical insecticides. Therefore, for the WCR larvae control we compared the effectiveness of inundative biological control on the basis of EPN <em>Heterorhabditis bacteriophora</em> Poinar, 1976 (Rhabditida: Heterorhabditidae); (commercial product Dianem^®) and the conventional insecticides Force 1.5 g (active substance tefluthrin) from the group of synthetic pyrethriods and Sonido (active substance thiacloprid) from the group of neonicotinoids. Field experiments were carried out at geographically different locations under different population pressure of the insect pest in a), Bučečovci (Prlekija; Eastern Slovenia) and b), Šmartno (Gorenjska: northern Slovenia). The differences between the treatments were very similar at both locations; although the population of WCR in Gorenjska was approximately 5-fold lower than in Prlekija. The highest number of WCR beetles was caught in the negative control, followed by the product Sonido, Force and Dianem^®, in decreasing order. Statistical analysis showed that only in the treatment where EPN were used, significantly less WCR was caught than in the control. The results of the WCR larvae control in maize using <em>Heterorhabditis bacteriophora</em> are comparable to published literature. However, the weather conditions in the 2016 trial were very favorable for the development and survival of EPN in the soil.</p>

Effect of Plant Characteristics and Within-Plant Distribution of Prey on Colonization Efficiency ofCryptolaemus montrouzieri(Coleoptera: Coccinellidae) Adults

Cryptolaemus montrouzieri(Coleoptera: Coccinellidae) has been widely used in classical and inundative biological control of mealybugs, including the long-tailed mealybug,Pseudococcus longispinus(Hemiptera: Pseudococcidae). This study was conducted to investigate colonization and establishment efficiency ofC. montrouzierito manageP. longispinuson three different ornamental plant species (Ficus elastica, Lilium longiflorum, andDieffenbachia seguine). Within-plant distribution pattern ofP. longispinusand the colonization ecology of adultC. montrouzieriwere investigated. Significantly moreP. longispinuswere found on the upper parts of the plants regardless of plant species, andC. montrouzieriadults discoveredP. longispinussignificantly faster when they were released on the top of the plants than on the bottom. Choice tests revealed thatC. montrouzieriadults preferred smallerP. longispinusnymphs. The implications for utilization ofC. montrouzierifor biological control of mealybugs on various ornamental plants are discussed.

Chondrostereum purpureum as an inundative biological control agent for invasive woody weeds in New Zealand

Chondrostereum purpureum is a basidiomycete fungus that is being investigated as an inundative biological control agent for invasive woody weeds This study was conducted to assess the susceptibility of seven species of weeds to C purpureum The species that were inoculated in this trial were broom (Cytisus scoparius) gorse (Ulex europeaus) buddleia (Buddleja davidii) Himalayan honeysuckle (Leycesteria formosa) hawthorne (Crataegus monogyna) poplar (Populus trichocarpa) and willow (Salix matsudana) Two isolates of C purpureum and a control were used and were each replicated 12 times All plants were potted and the trial took place under nursery conditions Mortality and canker size were measured 6 months after inoculation Data were analysed using SAS The highest mortality (50) was recorded for broom with one isolate but very little mortality was observed across the other species A highly significant weed by isolate interaction was observed with regards to lesion length with weed species susceptibility varying with respect to one of the C purpureum isolates Hawthorn and willow had greater lesion lengths after inoculation with the same isolate that had caused mortality in broom The results from this trial are being used to direct a larger field trial

Contrasting research approaches to managing mistletoes in commercial forests and wooded pasturesThis minireview is one of a collection of papers based on a presentation from the Stem and Shoot Fungal Pathogens and Parasitic Plants: the Values of Biological Diversity session of the XXII International Union of Forestry Research Organization World Congress meeting held in Brisbane, Queensland, Australia, in 2005.

Many mistletoe species are pests in agricultural and forest ecosystems throughout the world. Mistletoes are unusual “weeds” as they are generally endemic to areas where they achieve pest status and, therefore, classical biological control and broad-scale herbicidal control are usually impractical. In North American coniferous forests, dwarf mistletoe ( Arceuthobium spp.) infection results in major commercial losses and poses a public liability in recreation settings. Hyperparasitic fungi have potential as biological control agents of dwarf mistletoe, including species which attack shoots, berries, and the endophytic systems of dwarf mistletoe. Development of an inundative biological control strategy will be useful in situations where traditional silvicultural control is impractical or undesirable. In southern Australia, farm eucalypts are often attacked and killed by mistletoes ( Amyema spp.) in grazed landscapes where tree decline and biodiversity loss are major forms of land degradation. Although long-term strategies to achieve a balance between mistletoe and host abundance are promoted, many graziers want short-term options to treat severely infected trees. Recent research has revisited the efficiency and efficacy of silvicultural treatments and selective herbicides in appropriate situations. The results of recent research on these diverse management strategies in North America and Australia are summarized.

Assessing the potential for biological control of Buddleja davidii with the fungus Chondrostereum purpureum

Buddleja davidii is a perennial woody shrub that is highly invasive in many parts of the world including New Zealand This study was conducted to assess the potential for inundative biological control of this weed using Chondrostereum purpureum a wound invasive basidiomycete The fungus has been registered for woody weed control in Canada and the Netherlands and is present throughout New Zealand Mature B davidii shrubs planted at the Scion campus Rotorua were cut 30 cm from the ground and the cut surface of the stems was immediately inoculated with C purpureumcolonised malt extract agar (MEA) and sealed with Parafilm There were four replicate shrubs for each of three isolates and the control (inoculation with sterile MEA) One year following inoculation no fruiting bodies of C purpureum have been observed on the treated B davidii Although the inoculated stems appear dead most replicates have extensive epicormic shoot development and are forming coppices