Effects of sulfur on Trichogramma egg parasitoids in vineyards: measuring toxic effects and establishing release windows

2000 ◽  
Vol 40 (8) ◽  
pp. 1165 ◽  
Author(s):  
L. J. Thomson ◽  
D. C. Glenn ◽  
A. A. Hoffmann
Keyword(s):  
Biological Control Agent ◽  
Field Studies ◽  
Control Agent ◽  
Epiphyas Postvittana ◽  
Immature Stages ◽  
Lepidopteran Pests ◽  
Eastern Australia ◽  
Potential Impact ◽  
Lightbrown Apple Moth ◽  
The Impact

Trichogramma parasitoids are a commonly released biological control agent against Lepidopteran pests. In vineyards in south-eastern Australia, Trichogramma carverae is released to control lightbrown apple moth (Epiphyas postvittana), a pest of grapevines. Sulfur is also sprayed on the vines to control powdery mildew and mites. Our experiments aimed to assess the potential impact of sulfur use on released and resident Trichogramma species (T. carverae, T. funiculatum) and to devise a protocol to maximise the potential of Trichogramma and optimally integrate the use of chemicals with biocontrol. Laboratory and field studies indicate that sulfur is harmful to adults and to immature stages contained within hosts where it increases mortality and reduces fitness of the emerged wasps. Persistence trials showed that release of Trichogramma 6 days after sulfur spraying will reduce the effects on released organisms. To reduce the impact on resident Trichogramma, other chemicals will need to be used.

scholarly journals Eucalyptus variegated beetle: genetic diversity of New Zealand and Australian collections

2018 ◽  
Vol 71 ◽  
pp. 352
Author(s):  
Aymee S.R. Lewis ◽  
Toni M. Withers ◽  
Helen F. Nahrung ◽  
Rebecca L. McDougal ◽  
Chris A.M. Reid ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
New Zealand ◽  
Biological Control Agent ◽  
Control Agent ◽  
Forestry Sector ◽  
Eastern Australia ◽  
Plantation Species ◽  
C Subunit ◽  
Cluster 2 ◽  
Paropsisterna Agricola ◽  
Selection Of

Paropsisterna variicollis, the eucalyptus variegated beetle, was first detected in New Zealand in 2016. It threatens a growing eucalyptus forestry sector through larvae and adults causing significant defoliation to important plantation species. This work aimed to clarify the identification and origin of the New Zealand incursion to inform selection of suitable biological control agent(s). Australian and New Zealand specimens from the Paropsisterna obovata-variicollis-cloelia species complex were analysed by PCR and sequencing of two genetic loci, cytochrome c subunit I (COI) and cytochrome b (Cyt b). Molecular analysis of both genetic regions showed three major clusters of diversity. Cluster 1, proposed as Paropsisterna variicollis, had maximum 1.3% genetic variation and was collected from New Zealand, Western Australia and from geographically diverse locations in eastern Australia. Taxonomic results identified distinctive phenotypes of other closely related beetle species, assisting in proposing Cluster 2 as Paropsisterna near decolorata and Cluster 3 as Paropsisterna agricola. Molecular results were compared to morphological structures on adult beetles.

scholarly journals Biological Control of the Weedy Plant (Rumex crispus) at the Seedling Growth Stage by the Green Dock Beetle (Gastrophysa viridula)

2019 ◽  
Vol 28 (1) ◽  
pp. 21-31
Author(s):  
Khalid S. Alshallash Khalid S. Alshallash
Keyword(s):  
Biological Control ◽  
Seedling Growth ◽  
Growth Stage ◽  
Biological Control Agent ◽  
Dry Weight ◽  
Control Agent ◽  
Growth Stages ◽  
Rumex Crispus ◽  
Shoot Number ◽  
The Impact

In four glasshouse experiments, the effectiveness of the adult green dock beetle Gastrophysa viridula (Coleoptera: Chrysomelidae), at the effective number of applied individuals, for use as a biological control agent of curled dock, Rumex crispus (Polygonaceae) were studied. The feeding of the beetle was investigated at four different numbers of beetle (0, 1, 2, 3) and at four seedling growth stages of the plant, defined by the average of leaf area per plant (1-1.22 , 2-4.45, 3-11.56, and 4-71.52 cm2/plant). Grazing by one, two or three dock beetles did not result in a significant reduction in dock dry weight or shoot numbers at the youngest growth stage. However, both at later seedling growth stages were significantly affected (P ? 0.0001), at any beetles number. The increase of beetle numbers caused nonsignificant increased effect, in some trials, confirming the impact of a single beetle. Three months after beetle grazing, dock seedlings of first, second and third growth stages were not able to regrow, however, some plants at the 4th growth stage, re-emerged. This suggested that the highest effect of beetle's feeding occurs on the early seedling stages. Statistical analysis showed a positive correlation (0.77) between dry weight and shoot number at all the four seedling growth stages, thus confirming the impact of the beetle on both the dry weight and shoot numbers. Combining beetle grazing with other control methods at older dock seedling stages could, therefore, provide better suppression

Rostropria, a new genus of Opisthognathous Diapriine wasp from Australia, and notes on the genus Neurogalesus (Hymenoptera : Proctotrupoidea : Diapriidae)

1989 ◽  
Vol 3 (5) ◽  
pp. 523 ◽  
Author(s):  
JW Early ◽  
ID Naumann
Keyword(s):  
Biological Control ◽  
New Species ◽  
Sugar Cane ◽  
New Genus ◽  
Biological Control Agent ◽  
Control Agent ◽  
Eastern Australia

Rostropria, gen. nov., comprising six new species (casta, garbo, gondola, inopicida, simplex and spiniventris) from eastern Australia, is most closely related to Neurogalesus Kieffer. The palpal formula is variable within Rostropria. R. inopicida is a parasite of the sugarcane soldier fly, Inopus rubriceps (Macquart) (Stratiomyidae), and a potential biological control agent for this pest of pastures and sugar cane. Euhoplopria Dodd is synonymised with Neurogalesus and the three described species (E. carinatifrons Dodd, E. lativentris Dodd, E. emargipennis Dodd) are transferred to Neurogalesus.

Corrigendum to: The impact of rabbit haemorrhagic disease on wild rabbit (Oryctolagus cuniculus) populations in Queensland

2004 ◽  
Vol 31 (6) ◽  
pp. 651
Author(s):  
G. Story ◽  
J. Scanlan ◽  
R. Palmer ◽  
D. Berman
Keyword(s):  
Biological Control Agent ◽  
South Australia ◽  
Control Agent ◽  
Wild Rabbit ◽  
Isolated Populations ◽  
Rabbit Haemorrhagic Disease ◽  
Northern Edge ◽  
The Mean ◽  
Haemorrhagic Disease ◽  
The Impact

Rabbit haemorrhagic disease virus (RHDV) escaped from quarantine facilities on Wardang Island in September 1995 and spread through South Australia to Queensland by December 1995. To determine the impact of this biological control agent on wild rabbit populations in Queensland, shot sample and spotlight count data were collected at six sites. RHDV spread across Queensland from the south-west to the east at a rate of at least 91 km month–1 between October 1995 and October 1996. The initial impact on rabbit density appeared highly variable, with an increase of 81% (255 ± 79 (s.e.) to 385 ± 73 rabbits km–2) at one site and a decrease of 83% (129 ± 27 to 22 ± 18 rabbits km–2) at another during the first outbreak. However, after 30 months of RHDV activity, counts were at least 90% below counts conducted before RHDV arrived. Using a population model to account for environmental conditions, the mean suppression of rabbit density caused by rabbit haemorrhagic disease (RHD) was estimated to be 74% (ranging from 43% to 94% between sites). No outbreaks were observed when the density of susceptible rabbits was lower than 12 km–2. Where rabbit density remains low for long periods RHDV may not persist. This is perhaps most likely to occur in the isolated populations towards the northern edge of the range of rabbits in Australia. RHDV may have to be reintroduced into these populations. Further south in areas more suitable for rabbits, RHDV is more likely to persist, resulting in a high density of immune rabbits. In such areas conventional control techniques may be more important to enhance the influence of RHD.

scholarly journals Impact Assessment of Biological Control-Based Integrated Pest Management in Rice and Maize in the Greater Mekong Subregion

Insects ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 10 (8) ◽  
pp. 226 ◽  
Author(s):  
Dirk Babendreier ◽  
Min Wan ◽  
Rui Tang ◽  
Rui Gu ◽  
Justice Tambo ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Biological Control ◽  
Integrated Pest Management ◽  
Pest Management ◽  
Smallholder Farmers ◽  
Biological Control Agent ◽  
Control Agent ◽  
Target Area ◽  
Positive Effects ◽  
The Difference ◽  
The Impact

The impact and sustainability of two interventions that have been formulated to introduce integrated pest management (IPM) into rice and maize crops in Southwestern China, Laos, and Myanmar between 2011 and 2016, and were assessed at the end of 2017. From 22 Trichogramma rearing facilities established during the interventions, 11 were still producing substantial quantities of biocontrol agents 1.5 years after project support had ended, while seven had stopped operations completely, and four were doing stock rearing only. Through the implementation of biological control-based IPM, slightly higher yields were achieved in maize and rice (4–10%), when compared to control farmers, but the difference was not statistically significant. However, the use of pesticides nearly halved when farmers started using Trichogramma egg-cards as a biological control agent. Support from either public or private institutions was found to be important for ensuring the sustainability of Trichogramma rearing facilities. Many of the suggested IPM measures were not adopted by smallholder farmers, indicating that the positive impacts of the interventions mostly resulted from the application of Trichogramma biological control agents. The following assessment suggests that further promotion of IPM adoption among farmers is needed to upscale the already positive effects of interventions that facilitate reductions in synthetic pesticide use, and the effects on sustainable agricultural production of rice and maize in the target area more generally.

scholarly journals Effects of cold storage on the biological characteristics of Microplitis prodeniae (Hymenoptera: Braconidae)

2017 ◽  
Vol 107 (4) ◽  
pp. 506-512 ◽  
Author(s):  
Z. Yan ◽  
J.J. Yue ◽  
C. Bai ◽  
Z.Q. Peng ◽  
C.H. Zhang
Keyword(s):  
Cold Storage ◽  
Biological Control Agent ◽  
Cold Treatment ◽  
Adult Emergence ◽  
Control Agent ◽  
Oviposition Period ◽  
Emergence Period ◽  
Field Release ◽  
Lepidopteran Pests ◽  
Female Longevity

AbstractThe endoparasitoid Microplitis prodeniae Rao and Chandry is an important potential augmentative biological control agent for lepidopteran pests of vegetables and tobacco. However, cold storage of pupae is required to ensure that sufficient parasitoids are available when they are needed in the field. In this study, pupae were maintained at 0, 4 or 10°C for 5–50 days after which the adults were evaluated for emergence, pre-emergence period, sex ratio, female longevity, oviposition period, and fecundity. Cold storage did not affect the pre-emergence period or proportion of females; however, there was a significant reduction in emergence, female longevity, oviposition period, and fecundity with increased exposure to cold. The pre-emergence period was approximately 5 days, and approximately 50% of the emergent parasitoids were females. A cold storage regime of 10 days at 10°C had no effect on the parasitoids and adult emergence was greater than 50% even after 20 days at 10°C. There was no carryover of the cold treatment from parental to F1 and F2 generations. Thus, M. prodeniae can be stockpiled for field release by exposing the pupae to a cold regime and subsequently holding them for adult emergence at 28°C.

AnAlternariasp. on Leafy Spurge (Euphorbia esula)

Weed Science ◽  
1983 ◽  
Vol 31 (1) ◽  
pp. 86-88 ◽  
Author(s):  
Joseph M. Krupinsky ◽  
Russell J. Lorenz
Keyword(s):  
Biological Control ◽  
Biological Control Agent ◽  
Field Studies ◽  
Leafy Spurge ◽  
Control Agent ◽  
Euphorbia Esula ◽  
Cultural Characteristics ◽  
Representative Strain

In 1979 and 1980, isolates ofAlternariawere obtained from diseased leafy spurge (Euphorbia esulaL.) plants. The pathogenicity of anAlternariasp. towards leafy spurge was demonstrated in glasshouse and limited field studies, and theAlternariais considered to be a potential biological - control agent for leafy spurge. The pathogenicity and cultural characteristics of the fungus suggest its classification asA. tenuissimaf. sp.euphorbiae,with isolate Krupinsky 80-3547ss4 (= E. G. Simmons 35-079) as a representative strain.

scholarly journals A Conceptual Model to Describe the Decline of European Blackberry (Rubus anglocandicans), A Weed of National Significance in Australia

Plant Disease ◽  
2014 ◽  
Vol 98 (5) ◽  
pp. 580-589 ◽  
Author(s):  
S. Aghighi ◽  
L. Fontanini ◽  
P. B. Yeoh ◽  
G. E. St. J. Hardy ◽  
T. I. Burgess ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Biological Control ◽  
Biological Control Agent ◽  
Control Program ◽  
Global Scale ◽  
Control Agent ◽  
Cultural Control ◽  
Potential Threat ◽  
Plant Populations ◽  
National Significance ◽  
The Impact

Human activities have had an adverse impact on ecosystems on a global scale and have caused an unprecedented redispersal of organisms, with both plants and pathogens moving from their regions of origin to other parts of the world. Invasive plants are a potential threat to ecosystems globally, and their management costs tens of billions of dollars per annum. Rubus anglocandicans (European blackberry) is a serious invasive species in Australia. Herbicide and cultural control methods are generally inefficient or require multiple applications. Therefore, a biological control program using stem and leaf rust strains is the main option in Australia. However, biological control using rusts has been patchy, as host factors, climate, and weather can alter the impact of the rust at different locations. In 2007, Yeoh and Fontanini noticed that blackberry plants on the banks of the Donnelly and Warren rivers in the southwest of Western Australia were dying in areas that were being regularly monitored for the impact of rust as a biological control agent. The symptoms on blackberry became known as the disease “blackberry decline”. Continuous and intensive investigations are required to discover the different biotic and abiotic components associated with specific declines in plant populations. The only agent so far introduced to Australia for the biological control of blackberry is the rust Phragmidium violaceum.

Population dynamics and foraging behaviour of Diaeretus leucopterus (Hymenoptera: Braconidae), and its potential for the biological control of pine damaging Eulachnus spp. (Homoptera: Aphididae)

1996 ◽  
Vol 86 (4) ◽  
pp. 397-405 ◽  
Author(s):  
S.T. Murphy ◽  
W. Völkl
Keyword(s):  
Biological Control ◽  
Foraging Behaviour ◽  
Biological Control Agent ◽  
Host Density ◽  
Scientific Basis ◽  
Control Agent ◽  
Foraging Activity ◽  
Parasitism Rates ◽  
The Mean ◽  
The Impact

AbstractThe Palaearctic pine aphids, Eulachnus agilis (Kaltenbach) and Eulachnus rileyi (Williams) have both been introduced into other continents where they have been reported causing damage to economically important pines. In Euorpe, they are attacked by the specialist parasitoid Diaeretus leucopterus (Haliday) which has been suggested as a possible biological control agent. Here we report on several aspects of the ecology of the parasitoid, conducted on E. agilis in Germany in 1993–94, to provide a more scientific basis for judging its potential for use in biological control. Parasitism of all instars in the field rarely exceeded 10% and was independent of host density. A high percentage of parasitized aphids were hyperparasitized. Measurements of the impact over 16 weeks in a greenhouse-release experiment showed that parasitism rates increased from 2 to 19% but were insufficient to suppress the aphid population below a damaging level. There was evidence of a density-dependent response. Studies on foraging behaviour showed that female parasitoids searched pines by quite extensive walks. There was no relationship between the number of aphids per tree and number of ovipositions, and the mean number of ovipositions per female per tree was 2.5 ± 0.4 eggs. The majority (55.1%) of encountered aphids did not respond to the parasitoids. However, female parasitoids attacked a much higher proportion of aphids that did respond but oviposition success on this group was poor. The number of aphid-infested needles on seedlings increased significantly owing to the parasitoid's foraging activity. On the basis of these results, it is suggested that D. leucopterus is only likely to be of benefit in biological control if used in conjunction with other complementary natural enemies.

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