Effectiveness of Cordyceps sp. and Beauveria Bassiana Against Large Cabbage-heart Caterpillar, Crocidolomia Pavonana Fabricius (Lepidoptera: Crambidae)

Crocidolomia pavonana Fabr. (Lepidoptera: Crambidae) is a major pest on various cabbage crops in Indonesia. Various insecticides have been used to control this insect pest including several entomopathogenic fungi, and this cabbage caterpillar has become resistant to various insecticides. In order to develop insecticides from entomopathogenic fungi, species or varieties from natural area such as forest are needed. A bioassays of Cordyceps sp. and Beauveria bassiana has been carried out in the laboratory. Inoculum of Cordyceps sp. obtained from the Dipterocarpaceae forest in South Kalimantan, Indonesia recovered from dead ants by the mycelium of Cordyceps sp. Four concentration of Cordyceps sp. and Beauveria bassiana inoculum and tween80 as a control were tested against 3rd instar larvae of C. pavonana with five replications. Field efficacy trial was carried out in a screen house (8 x 12 M2) using Chinese cabbage plants (Brassica juncea) aged 28 days after sowing, with a spacing of 0.4 M between rows. Three formulation of Cordyceps sp. and tween80 as a control were used with 6 replications. The result of the bioassays in the laboratory showed that Cordyceps sp. with concentration of 1 x 107 conidia mL-1 was able to give 100% mortality od C. pavonana larvae, while B. bassiana with the same concentration caused morality of C. pavonana larvae of 98.33%, although statistically not significantly different. The results of probit analysis also showed that LC90 Cordyceps sp. against cabbage caterpillar larvae was 1.57 x 106 conidia mL-1, while B. bassiana required a concentration of 2.6 x 106 conidia mL-1 to reach the LC90 value. The results of filed trial showed that the formulation of Cordyceps sp. 1 x 107 conidia mL-1 using palm oil cooking oil was able to give an average mortality of 86.7%, and significantly higher (P<0.05) than the other treatment. The results of this study indicate that the inoculum of Cordyceps sp. from Dipterocarpaceae forest is very promising to be developed as an insecticide to control C. pavonana in cabbage

A Review of the Biology, Ecology, and Management of the South American Locust, Schistocerca cancellata (Serville, 1838), and Future Prospects

In the first half of the twentieth century, the South American Locust (SAL), Schistocerca cancellata (Serville, 1838), was a major pest of agriculture in Argentina, Bolivia, Paraguay, Uruguay, and Brazil. From 1954–2014, a preventive management program appeared to limit SAL populations, with only small- to moderate-scale treatments required, limited to outbreak areas in northwest Argentina. However, the lack of major locust outbreaks led to a gradual reduction in resources, and in 2015, the sudden appearance of swarms marked the beginning of a substantial upsurge, with many swarms reported initially in Argentina in 2015, followed by expansion into neighboring countries over the next few years. The upsurge required a rapid allocation of resources for management of SAL and a detailed examination of the improvements needed for the successful management of this species. This paper provides a review of SAL biology, management history, and perspectives on navigating a plague period after a 60-year recession.

Within-Plant Distribution of Two-Spotted Spider Mites, Tetranychus urticae Koch (Acari: Tetranychidae), on Strawberries: Decision of an Optimal Sampling Unit

It is known that two-spotted spider mite (Tetranychus urticae), a major pest of strawberry, is difficult to manage. This study was conducted to determine the optimal sampling unit to increase management efficiency of T. urticae in strawberries. The sampling unit was determined by characterizing within-strawberry distribution of T. urticae and by comparing coefficient of variation (CV) and correlation coefficient (r2) among potential sampling units. There was a significant (p < 0.05) difference in densities within a strawberry according to the leaf age. However, there was no significant difference in its density within a trifoliate leaf. More T. urticae were found on young-fully-opened (moderately old) leaves than on young and old ones. Moreover, these leaves had lower CV and r2 values than others. More specifically, optimal sampling units of T. urticae were fifth, fifth or sixth, and sixth oldest leaves for motiles (immatures and adults), all stages (motiles and eggs), and eggs, respectively. The required sampling number should be determined depending on the density. However, for management purposes, one and two leaflets would be acceptable for eggs and motiles, respectively. By using this small number of suitable sampling unit, the sampling and management for T. urticae in strawberries could be more efficient than before.

Major pest species in Papua New Guinea.

This chapter provides information on the occurrence, distribution and host plants of major fruit fly species in Papua New Guinea, including Bactrocera bryoniae, B. frauenfeldi, B. musae, B. neohumeralis, B. papayae, B. trivialis, B. umbrosa, B. cucurbitae and B. decipiens.

The fruit fly fauna (Diptera: Tephritideae: Dacinae) of Papua New Guinea, Indonesian Papua, Associated Islands and Bougainville

The species within the Tribe Dacini from Papua New Guinea, Indonesian Papua (West Papua, Central Papua, Papua), associated islands and Bougainville are recorded. In all, 296 species are recorded including 65 new species described herein. The new species are treated under two genera, Bactrocera Macquart (eight subgenera) and Dacus Fabricius (three subgenera). The following new species are described and illustrated: Bactrocera (Bactrocera) atriscuta, B. (B.) bisianumu, B. (B.) bogiae, B. (B.) bubiae, B. (B.) bukaensis, B. (B.) caccabata, B. (B.) centraliae, B (B.) dysoxyli, B. (B.) expandosa, B. (B.) fumica, B. (B.) gabensiae, B. (B.) kaiauiae, B. (B.) kauiae, B. (B.) keravatiae, B. (B.) kokodiae, B. (B.) kunvawaensis, B. (B.) labubulu, B. (B.) laensis, B. (B.) manusiae, B. (B.) meraiensis, B. (B.) monostriata, B. (B.) neoabdonigella, B. (B.) neoaeroginosa, B. (B.) ohuiae, B. (B.) paraendiandrae, B. (B.) paraochracea, B. (B.) pometiae, B. (B.) raunsepnaensis, B. (B.) rounaensis, B (B.) rutilana, B. (B.) saramandiae, B. (B.) sari, B. (B.) sylvania, B. (B.) tikelingiae, B. (B.) trivirgulata, B. (B.) waidoriae, B. (B.) yayamiae, Bactrocera (Bulladacus) curiosa, Bactrocera (Calodacus) insolita, Bactrocera (Hemizeugodacus) neoaglaiae, B. (H.) wilhelmiae, Bactrocera (Neozeugodacus) leblanci, Bactrocera (Semicallantra) cerberae, B. (S.) malasaitiae, Bactrocera (Tetradacus) arbuscula, B. (T.) novotnyi, B. (T.) procera, Bactrocera (Zeugodacus) aiyurae, B. (Z.) anglimpiae, B. (Z.) bainingsiae, B. (Z.) madangiae, B. (Z.) magiae, B. (Z.) mitparingii, B. (Z.) oiyaripensis, B. (Z.) parasepikae, B. (Z.) rufoscutella, B. (Z.) xanthovelata, Dacus (Callantra) nigrolobus, D. (Mellesis) alatifuscatus, Dacus (Neodacus) asteriscus, D. (N.) bimaculosus, D. (N.) curvabilis, D. (N.) kreeriae, D. (N.) lalokiae and D. (N.) neosignatifrons. Females of B. (Bactrocera) daruensis Drew, B. (Bactrocera) nigella (Drew) and B. (Bactrocera) thistletoni Drew are described and a revised description of B. (Bactrocera) torresiae Huxham & Hancock is presented. Bactrocera (Bactrocera) denigrata (Drew) is withdrawn from synonymy with B. longicornis Macquart, and a full description of B. longicornis is presented from a study of the holotype and 27 newly collected specimens. New geographical distribution, host plant and male lure records are presented for some species. The major pest species that occur in the geographical region covered by this publication are reviewed and their biosecurity risks to other regional countries discussed. The land mass of Papua New Guinea and Indonesian Papua contains a richer fauna than any other from South-east Asia to the eastern Pacific, presumably resulting from speciation in the rich rainforest ecosystem. Differences of opinion on the status of some species in the Bactrocera dorsalis complex and on the supraspecific classification within the genus Bactrocera are evident in the literature. We have acknowledged and discussed these differences and, as authors, have presented conclusions based on our own research data.

MONITORING AND CONTROL OF THE PEST TUTA ABSOLUTA (MEYRICK) IN TOMATO CROPS UNDER HIGH PLASTIC TUNNELS

Tuta absoluta – tomato leafminer (Meyrick) (Lepidoptera: Gelechiidae) is a major pest of tomato crops in protected areas, which attacks both foliage and fruit, in all phases of plant growth. Its invasion has led to yield and quality decrease, increased costs to control and high dependence on chemical insecticides. With pheromone traps it is possible to monitor and reduce the density of the pest population. The experience was established in 2020, at a farmer in Dobreni village (Giurgiu county). In the first and second crop cycle, the population of the pest Tuta absoluta was monitored, by placing Delta pheromone traps in tomato crops. The Sahmat F1 tomato hybrid was planted in both crop cycles. Pest monitoring was performed weekly, by changing the adhesive plates with pheromones from Delta traps, on the dates: 03.06, 10.06, 17.06, 24.06, 01.07, 08.07, 15.07, 22.07 in the first cycle of crop and on the dates: 29.07, 05.08, 12.08, 19.08, 02.09 , 09.09, 16.09, 23.09 in the second cycle. The appearance and evolution of the attack were recorded in the both crop cycles and its influence on production was established.

Standard Methods for Dissection of Varroa destructor Females

Varroa destructor (Anderson and Trueman) is known as a major pest of Apis mellifera L, especially in the Northern Hemisphere where its effects can be deleterious. As an obligate parasite, this mite relies entirely on its host to reproduce and complete its cycle. Studies focusing on isolated organs are needed to better comprehend this organism. To conduct such targeted molecular or physiological studies, the dissection of V. destructor mites is crucial as it allows the extraction of specific organs. Here, we propose a technical article showing detailed steps of females V. destructor dissection, illustrated with pictures and videos. These illustrated guidelines will represent a helpful tool to go further in V. destructor research.

Adventive Gryon aetherium Talamas (Hymenoptera, Scelionidae) associated with eggs of Bagrada hilaris (Burmeister) (Hemiptera, Pentatomidae) in the USA

Bagrada bug, Bagrada hilaris (Burmeister) (Hemiptera, Pentatomidae), has become a major pest of cole crops (cabbage, broccoli, cauliflower, kale) in California since its arrival in 2008. In this study we documented parasitism of B. hilaris eggs at a highly infested site in northern California by deploying sentinel B. hilaris eggs and collecting naturally-laid B. hilaris eggs in the soil. Two parasitoids, Gryon aetherium Talamas (Hymenoptera, Scelionidae) and Ooencyrtus californicus Girault (Hymenoptera, Encyrtidae), emerged from sentinel eggs, but only G. aetherium was documented attacking eggs in the soil. Gryon aetherium is currently being assessed as a classical biological control agent for B. hilaris in California, and mating experiments showed that crosses between G. aetherium from Pakistan and California yielded viable female offspring. This report marks the first known record of G. aetherium in the USA, and further work should be conducted to assess the potential of this parasitoid for biological control of B. hilaris.

A Comprehensive Review of the Coffee Leaf Miner Leucoptera coffeella (Lepidoptera: Lyonetiidae)—A Major Pest for the Coffee Crop in Brazil and Others Neotropical Countries

The coffee leaf miner (CLM) Leucoptera coffeella moth is a major threat to coffee production. Insect damage is related to the feeding behavior of the larvae on the leaf. During the immature life stages, the insect feeds in the mesophyll triggering necrosis and causing loss of photosynthetic capacity, defoliation and significant yield loss to coffee crops. Chemical control is used to support the coffee production chain, though market requirements move toward conscious consumption claiming for more sustainable methods. In this overview, we discuss aspects about the CLM concerning biology, history, geographical distribution, economic impacts, and the most relevant control strategies in progress. Insights to develop an integrated approach for a safer and eco-friendly control of the CLM are discussed here, including bio-extracts, nanotechnology, pheromones, and tolerant cultivars.