Identification of Delia spp. (Robineau-Desvoidy) (Diptera, Anthomyiidae) and its cruciferous hosts in Mexico

Soil pests of cruciferous crops in Mexico have been gaining importance in recent years; such is the case of Delia spp. (Robineau-Desvoidy) (Diptera, Anthomyiidae), of which, to date, there are no studies on the correct identification of associated species, as well as the range of hosts. In an integrated pest management program, it is essential to know this information to design and implement adequate phytosanitary measures. Plants infested by Delia spp. were collected in the states of Guanajuato, Puebla, and Mexico from June to November 2017 and March to December 2018 in commercial plantations of cruciferous crops (Brassica oleracea L. var. italica, botrytis and capitata), B. napus L., and Raphanus sativus L.) as well as some cruciferous weeds (R. raphanistrum L., Sisymbrium irio L., B. campestris L., Capsella bursa-pastoris L., and Lepidium virginicum L.) in the edges of these crops. The two species found in this study, Delia planipalpis (Stein) and Delia platura (Meigen), identified using male genitalia was corroborated by molecular techniques. Both species emerged from all the sampled hosts, except for C. bursa-pastoris and L. virginicum. The association of the two species in cruciferous crops and weeds, provides valuable information for the management of these insects not only in cruciferous crops but other ones that are strongly attacked by D. platura.

NATURAL CONTROL OF Helicoverpa armigera (LEPIDOPTERA: NOCTUIDAE) PUPAE IN ORGANIC AND CONVENTIONAL MAIZE CROPS

The natural biological control of soil pests is poorly studied. Notably, the control of Helicoverpa armigera in the pupae stage is unknown. To increase knowledge about the control of this pest in organic and conventional maize crop, tests were conducted to verify if the duration of pupae availability in days, the type of crop treatment (organic and conventional), the stage of crop development, and the depth of the soil significantly affect predation by natural enemies. The pupaeavailability time (days) in the soil did not affect their removal by natural enemies. However, in the fallow stage, on the surface and in the reproductive phase, the predation was higher. In organic maize, predation was 15% higher when compared to conventional maize. The rupture of the soil and the possible losses associated with beneficial fauna were the main factors responsible for higher predation during fallow, so conservationist practices usually used in organic treatment are the main reason for higher predation in this type of crop. There is a significant decrease in the control of H. armigera pests by natural enemies when maize is grown using conventional practices, what reinforces the importance of the conservation techniques used in maize crops.

NEW DATA ON ENTOMOFAUNA HARMFUL TO RAPESEED CROPS AND THE ESTABLISHMENT OF MEASURES TO PREVENT AND REDUCE ATTACKS

"Rapeseed, the first crop established in autumn, is a species that attracts a large number of pests, from emergence to the siliquae formation and seed. Decreased production due to the attack of harmful insects can vary between 30-50%, in certain years, they can completely compromise crops. This paper presents data on the entomofauna harmful to rapeseed crops and the influence of measures to prevent and combat attacks, under specific conditions in the Central area of Moldova. The results obtained between 2017 and 2020 showed that the harmful entomofauna of rapeseed was composed of 23 species of insects, classified in five systematic orders: Coleoptera, Lepidoptera, Heteroptera, Hymenoptera and Homoptera. According to the number of species and the number of specimens collected, the order Coleoptera had the maximum share of 73.9% and respectively 88.9%. Within the order Coleoptera, the most abundant species were Phyllotreta atra (41.4%), Meligethes aeneus (27.8%), Ceuthorynchus assimilis (9.6%) and Phyllotreta nemorum (7.3%). Out of the total pest entomofauna, it was found that 30% affect rapeseed crops in the period between seed germination-plant emergence-leaf rosette formation, 9.1% in budding phase, 38% in flowering and 1.8% up to 2.8% in the phenophases of siliquae formation and seed. To prevent the attacks of soil pests (P. atra, P. nemorum, Psylliodes sp., Athalia rosae) was achieved by chemical treatment of the seed with Imidacloprid, Clothianidin and Thiamethoxam. The product Lumiposa 625FS-11.4 l/t seed was experimented with good results in seed treatment. To reduce the attacks of the pests during the flowering period (M. aeneus, A. rosae, Epicometis hirta, Ceuthorynchus assimilis) three treatments were applied on vegetation as follows: Decis Mega-0.075l/ha; Biscaya-0.3 l/ha; Mavrik-0.2 l/ha. This work was carried out within ADER 4.1.5 and 2.2.1 projects."

The phytosanitary status of sunflower crops оf north-eastern Forest-Steppe of Ukraine

The high economic efficiency of sunflower growing contributed to a sharp increase in the sunflower planting acreage in Sumy region. The increase of cultivated areas under sunflower resulted in an oversaturation of crop rotations with this crop. The study of the phytosanitary status of sunflower crops was carried out in the basic farms of the phytosanitary security department of the Main Office of State Consumer Service (Derzhprodsluzhba) in Sumy region. The research methodology was commonly accepted. The main pests of sunflower crops were grey beet weevil (Tanymecus palliates Fabr.), larvae of common click beetle (Agriotes sputator L.), darkling beetle (Opatrum sabulosum L.), larvae of the western may beetle (Melolontha melolontha L.), leafcurl plum aphid (Brachycaudus helichrysi Kalt). The sunflower seedlings were damaged grey beet weevil, darkling beetle. The most widespread soil pests were the larvae of the western may beetle and larvae of common click beetle. Leafcurl plum aphid populated sunflower crops with 6‒8 pairs of true leaves. It continued to spread across the field during the inflorescence stage and the stage of initial blossom. The highest pest colonization was observed at the edge of the field in 2015, 2017 and accounted for 16 % of the plants. In the middle of the field, the aphid colonization was lower than at the edge. During the years of research, the economic threshold of sunflower pest harmfulness was exceeded only in some years. Sunflower damage by grey weevil beet, larvae of common click beetle, darkling beetle, larvae of the western may beetle was weak, and their number was insignificant. The increase of sunflower acreage did not lead to a significant growth of pest number, the exceeding of economic threshold of their harmfulness.

Nematode resistance: A useful tool for root-knot nematode (RKN) management in tomato.

Tomatoes are a major commodity in Florida, with an estimated production value of $453 million. Among the many pests and diseases that affect tomatoes, nematodes are one of the major problems. Since the ban on methyl bromide, these ubiquitous soil pests have become much more difficult to manage. This 5-page fact sheet written by Homan Regmi and Johan Desaeger and published by the UF/IFAS Entomology and Nematology Department discusses the use of nematode-resistant tomato cultivars as a tool to help manage root-knot nematodes in Florida. http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/in1250

Compatibility between entomopathogenic nematodes and crop protection products used in maize seed treatment

Chemical insecticides are widely used to control soil pests but not always effective. Entomopathogenic nematodes (NEPs) are found in the soil and depend on host insects to complete their life cycle, and therefore have the potential to control soil pests. Thus, we aimed to investigate the possible joint use of these control methods by assessing the compatibility of two nematodes (Heterorhabditis amazonensis GL and Heterorhabditis amazonensis MC01) with five crop protection products used for maize seed treatment (Maxim®, Cruiser 350 FS®, Fortenza 600 FS®, Avicta 500 FS®, and Amulet®), as well as one neem-based product (NeenMax®). The experimental design was completely randomized with five replicates, six treatments, and one control, in which only distilled water was added to nematode suspension. Each replicate consisted of a test tube containing 1 mL suspension with 2,000 infective juveniles (IJs) and 1 mL of diluted product, following the manufacturer's recommendation. The evaluated parameters were viability, infectivity on Tenebrio molitor larvae and IJs production after exposure to products. Both nematodes were compatible with NeenMax® and Fortenza 600 FS® since they did not differ from the control and were classified as innocuous. Cruiser 350 FS ® was also compatible with the nematodes since the effect value of the product was lower than 30%. Amulet® was classified as slightly noxious, reducing H. amazonensis MC01 and H. amazonensis GL infectivity by 17.5% and 28.5%, and production by 18.2% and 22.3%, respectively. Despite not having reduced viability, Avicta 500 FS® and Maxim® were considered harmful. This is because Avicta 500 FS® and Maxim® reduced productivity by 70.0% and 72.5% and production by 66.1% and 65.4% for H. amazonensis MC01, respectively. For H. amazonensis MC01, both Avicta 500 FS® and Maxim® reduced infectivity by 76.19%, and production by 63.7% and 62.3%, respectively.

Performance of Coffea arabica L. In Changing Climate of North Sumatra of Indonesia

The performance of Arabica coffee (Coffea arabica L.) depends on the climate, soil, pests, and elevation. Information on the performance of Arabica coffee growing in the changing climate of North Sumatra has not been available so far. To provide such information, 28 genotypes were studied. The nested design used three factors. Seven climate zones, two locations in each climate zone, and two coffee farms (genotype, G) in each location were selected. The research showed that the genotypes were highly significantly different (α = 0.01). G5, G6, and G20 produced the heaviest hundred beans. G13, G19, and G25 suffered the least coffee berry borer infestation (CBBI). The length of rainy season became the most important factor (r2 = 0.54). The CBBI (y, %) correlated significantly and negatively with the elevation (x, m) with the equation of y = 46.4 – 0.025x. The climate zones showed a significant difference (α = 0.05). The genotypes produced heavy beans also in two wet months of the rainy season and one dry month. The temperature (x, °C) was the most important factor affecting CBBI (r2 = 0.65) with the equation of y = –338.2 + 15.5x. The soil pH correlated significantly and positively with beans weight and bean width.