scholarly journals Performance of Bracon brevicornis (Wesmael) on two Spodoptera species and application as potential biocontrol agent against fall armyworm

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Enakshi Ghosh ◽  
Richa Varshney ◽  
Radhika Venkatesan
Keyword(s):  
Pest Management ◽  
Cellular Immunity ◽  
Spodoptera Litura ◽  
Biocontrol Agent ◽  
Insect Pests ◽  
Adult Emergence ◽  
Invasive Pest ◽  
List Type ◽  
Potential Biocontrol Agent ◽  
Choice Assay

AbstractSuccessful pest management using parasitoids requires careful evaluation of host-parasitoid interactions. Here, we report the performance of larval ecto-parasitoid wasp, Bracon brevicornis (Wesmael) on important agricultural pests, Spodoptera litura (Fabricius) and S. frugiperda (J.E. Smith). Biology of B. brevicornis was studied on different host instars under laboratory and cage setup. In no-choice assay, the parasitoid development was highest on fifth instar S. litura larvae as the wasp laid ∼253 eggs with 62% hatching, 76% pupae formation and 78% adult emergence. Similarly, these parameters were highest on fifth instar S. frugiperda larvae (293 eggs, 57% hatching, 80% pupae formation, 70% adult emergence). In two-choice assay, B. brevicornis preferred fourth or fifth over third instar larvae of both hosts. Successful parasitism depends on host paralysis and suppression of host immunity. B. brevicornis interaction downregulated cellular immunity of both hosts as shown by reduced hemocyte viability and spreading. The percent parasitism rate of B. brevicornis was unaltered in the presence of host plant, Zea mays in cage study. 76 and 84% parasitism was observed on fifth instar larvae of S. litura and S. frugiperda, respectively. We evaluated the performance of B. brevicornis as a biocontrol agent on S. frugiperda in maize field. Our results show 54% average reduction in infestation after release of B. brevicornis. Taken together, we report the performance of B. brevicornis on important insect pests for the first time in laboratory and field conditions. Our findings indicate that B. brevicornis is a promising candidate for integrated pest management.Key messagesWe have evaluated the instar preference and performance of B. brevicornis as a potential biocontrol agent for two serious pests, Spodoptera litura and S. frugiperda.Fifth instar larva was most suitable for B. brevicornis development irrespective of the host species. B. brevicornis attack induced permanent paralysis and down-regulated cellular immunity of both hosts.Our field experiment confirmed B. brevicornis as a promising parasitoid for controlling S. frugiperda, a highly invasive pest of growing concern.

scholarly journals Mortality of various lepidopteran larvae infected by New Zealand Zoophthora radicans isolates from different hosts

2003 ◽  
Vol 56 ◽  
pp. 174-179
Author(s):  
M. Walter ◽  
F.J.L. Stavely ◽  
R.B. Chapman ◽  
J.K. Pell ◽  
T.R. Glare ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
New Zealand ◽  
Biocontrol Agent ◽  
Insect Pests ◽  
Diamondback Moth ◽  
Resting Spore ◽  
Lepidopteran Larvae ◽  
Potential Biocontrol Agent ◽  
Wide Range ◽  
Zoophthora Radicans ◽  
Lightbrown Apple Moth

Zoophthora radicans an entomophthoralean fungus is a potential biocontrol agent for a wide range of insect pests The mortality of six insect species inoculated with twelve Z radicans isolates from different hosts found in New Zealand was evaluated using a bioassay Zoophthora radicans isolates originating from the host being tested were generally but not always more effective than isolates originating from other species For example lightbrown apple moth (LBAM) was highly susceptible to isolates Z2 and Z6 from leafrollers (96 and 89 mortality respectively) but was not susceptible to any isolates from diamondback moth (DBM) (mortality lt;5 Plt;0001) DBM was highly susceptible to all isolates from DBM (gt;96 mortality) but only moderately susceptible to leafroller isolates (lt;66 Plt;0001) Although resting spore production was low overall some isolates produced more resting spores in certain hosts such as Z2 and Z6 in LBAM (Plt;0001) and Z8 and Z5 in DBM (Plt;005)

scholarly journals A cascade of destabilizations: combining Wolbachia and Allee effects to eradicate insect pests

2016 ◽  
Author(s):  
Julie C. Blackwood ◽  
Roger Vargas ◽  
Xavier Fauvergue
Keyword(s):  
Pest Management ◽  
Allee Effect ◽  
Mating Disruption ◽  
Insect Pests ◽  
Control Strategies ◽  
Insect Pest ◽  
Host Population ◽  
Marginal Effect ◽  
List Type ◽  
Allee Effects

SummaryThe management of insect pests has long been dominated by the use of chemical insecticides, with the aim of instantaneously killing enough individuals to limit their damage. To minimize unwanted consequences, environmentally-friendly approaches have been proposed that utilize biological control and take advantage of intrinsic demographic processes to reduce pest populations.We address the feasibility of a novel pest management strategy based on the release of insects infected with Wolbachia, which causes cytoplasmic incompatibilities in its host population, into a population with a pre-existing Allee effect. We hypothesize that the transient decline in population size caused by a successful invasion of Wolbachia can bring the population below its Allee threshold and, consequently, trigger extinction.We develop a stochastic population model that accounts for Wolbachia-induced cytoplasmic incompatibilities in addition to an Allee effect arising from mating failures at low population densities. Using our model, we identify conditions under which cytoplasmic incompatibilities and Allee effects successfully interact to drive insect pest populations toward extinction. Based on our results, we delineate control strategies based on introductions of Wolbachia-infected insects.We extend this analysis to evaluate control strategies that implement successive introductions of two incompatible Wolbachia strains. Additionally, we consider methods that combine Wolbachia invasion with mating disruption tactics to enhance the pre-existing Allee effect.We demonstrate that Wolbachia-induced cytoplasmic incompatibility and the Allee effect act independently from one another: the Allee effect does not modify the Wolbachia-invasion threshold, and cytoplasmic incompatibilities only have a marginal effect on the Allee threshold. However, the interaction of these two processes can drive even large populations to extinction. The success of this method can be amplified by the introduction of multiple Wolbachia cytotypes as well as the addition of mating disruption.Our study extends the existing literature by proposing the use of Wolbachia introductions to capitalize on pre-existing Allee effects and consequently eradicate insect pests. More generally, it highlights the importance of transient dynamics, and the relevance of manipulating a cascade of destabilizatons for pest management.

scholarly journals Protease inhibitors: recent advancement in its usage as a potential biocontrol agent for insect pest management

2018 ◽  
Vol 27 (2) ◽  
pp. 186-201 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sujata Singh ◽  
Archana Singh ◽  
Sumit Kumar ◽  
Pooja Mittal ◽  
Indrakant K. Singh
Keyword(s):  
Pest Management ◽  
Protease Inhibitors ◽  
Biocontrol Agent ◽  
Insect Pest ◽  
Insect Pest Management ◽  
Potential Biocontrol Agent ◽  
Recent Advancement

scholarly journals Short communication: Laboratory approach to the use of sulphur and kaolin as preventive control against Drosophila suzukii

2016 ◽  
Vol 14 (2) ◽  
pp. e10SC01 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sergio Pérez-Guerrero ◽  
José M. Molina
Keyword(s):  
Adult Emergence ◽  
Lethal Effect ◽  
Adult Mortality ◽  
Alternative Methods ◽  
Invasive Pest ◽  
Economic Losses ◽  
Drosophila Suzukii ◽  
Wide Range ◽  
Preventive Method ◽  
Choice Assay

Drosophila suzukii (Matsumura, 1931) is an invasive pest from South East Asia that was detected for the first time in Southern Europe in 2008. This species can damage a wide range of soft-skinned fruits crops affecting ripening fruits and causing important economic losses. Since the exclusive use of chemical insecticides for controlling D. suzukii may prompt the appearance of resistance and environmental pollution, alternative methods compatible with sustainable management are required. In this study, commercial formulations of powdered sulphur and kaolin were tested as a preventive method applied to blueberry fruits under laboratory conditions. In no-choice assay, powdered sulphur had a significant effect on oviposition and adult emergency with reductions of 76% and 77%, respectively. In addition, sulphur displayed a significant toxicity on males and lethal effect with over 40% adult mortality seven days after exposure. The choice assay confirmed and improved the powdered sulphur effects, with reductions of 98% and 96% in oviposition and adult emergence, respectively. In contrast, kaolin produced no significant reduction in infestation and adult mortality during no-choice and choice assays. These outcomes suggest that preventive use of powdered sulphur could be considered for sustainable control of D. suzukii in some berry crops.

Insect Pest Management in Stored Products

2020 ◽  
Vol 31 (1) ◽  
pp. 24-35 ◽  
Author(s):  
Somiahnadar Rajendran
Keyword(s):  
Pest Management ◽  
Insect Pests ◽  
Insect Pest ◽  
Control Measures ◽  
Stored Products ◽  
Insect Pest Management ◽  
Insect Infestation ◽  
Combination Treatments ◽  
Agricultural Produce ◽  
Food Commodities

Insects are a common problem in stored produce. The author describes the extent of the problem and approaches to countering it. Stored products of agricultural and animal origin, whether edible or non-edible, are favourite food for insect pests. Durable agricultural produce comprising dry raw and processed commodities and perishables (fresh produce) are vulnerable to insect pests at various stages from production till end-use. Similarly, different animal products and museum objects are infested mainly by dermestids. Insect pests proliferate due to favourable storage conditions, temperature and humidity and availability of food in abundance. In addition to their presence in food commodities, insects occur in storages (warehouses, silos) and processing facilities (flour mills, feed mills). Insect infestation is also a serious issue in processed products and packed commodities. The extent of loss in stored products due to insects varies between countries depending on favourable climatic conditions, and pest control measures adopted. In stored food commodities, insect infestation causes loss in quantity, changes in nutritional quality, altered chemical composition, off-odours, changes in end-use products, dissemination of toxigenic microorganisms and associated health implications. The insects contribute to contaminants such as silk threads, body fragments, hastisetae, excreta and chemical secretions. Insect activity in stored products increases the moisture content favouring the growth of moulds that produce mycotoxins (e.g., aflatoxin in stored peanuts). Hide beetle, Dermestes maculatus infesting silkworm cocoons has been reported to act as a carrier of microsporidian parasite Nosema bombycis that causes pebrine disease in silkworms. In dried fish, insect infestation leads to higher bacterial count and uric acid levels. Insects cause damage in hides and skins affecting their subsequent use for making leather products. The trend in stored product insect pest management is skewing in favour of pest prevention, monitoring, housekeeping and finally control. Hermetic storage system can be supplemented with CO2 or phosphine application to achieve quicker results. Pest detection and monitoring has gained significance as an important tool in insect pest management. Pheromone traps originally intended for detection of infestations have been advanced as a mating disruption device ensuing pest suppression in storage premises and processing facilities; pheromones also have to undergo registration protocols similar to conventional insecticides in some countries. Control measures involve reduced chemical pesticide use and more non-chemical inputs such as heat, cold/freezing and desiccants. Furthermore, there is an expanding organic market where physical and biological agents play a key role. The management options for insect control depend on the necessity or severity of pest incidence. Generally, nonchemical treatments, except heat, require more treatment time or investment in expensive equipment or fail to achieve 100% insect mortality. Despite insect resistance, environmental issues and residue problems, chemical control is inevitable and continues to be the most effective and rapid control method. There are limited options with respect to alternative fumigants and the alternatives have constraints as regards environmental and health concerns, cost, and other logistics. For fumigation of fresh agricultural produce, new formulations of ethyl formate and phosphine are commercially applied replacing methyl bromide. Resistance management is now another component of stored product pest management. In recent times, fumigation techniques have improved taking into consideration possible insect resistance. Insect control deploying nanoparticles, alone or as carriers for other control agents, is an emerging area with promising results. As there is no single compound with all the desired qualities, a necessity has arisen to adopt multiple approaches. Cocktail applications or combination treatments (IGRs plus organophosphorus insecticides, diatomaceous earth plus contact insecticides, nanoparticles plus insecticides/pathogens/phytocompounds and conventional fumigants plus CO2; vacuum plus fumigant) have been proved to be more effective. The future of store product insect pest management is deployment of multiple approaches and/or combination treatments to achieve the goal quickly and effectively.

What habitat does spiny snout mite occupy in Tasmania

2015 ◽  
Vol 68 ◽  
pp. 446-446
Author(s):  
D.J. Wilson ◽  
P.J. Gerard
Keyword(s):  
New Zealand ◽  
Sand Dune ◽  
Biocontrol Agent ◽  
Predatory Mites ◽  
Mite Species ◽  
Predatory Mite ◽  
Habitat Specificity ◽  
Nontarget Organisms ◽  
Flea Control ◽  
Potential Biocontrol Agent

Spiny snout mite (Neomolgus capillatus) is a potential biocontrol agent for clover flea (Sminthurus viridis) a white clover pest on dairy farms in warmer and wetter parts of New Zealand In the 1990s this mite was introduced from Brittany France into Tasmania for clover flea control Results during the release programme were highly promising and subsequent anecdotal farmer reports indicate widespread decreases in damage As N capillatus is a predatory mite and already known to attack nontarget organisms habitat specificity will determine whether it could be introduced into New Zealand without risk to native insects To assess this pastures on nine of the original Tasmanian release farms and adjacent nontarget habitats ranging from bush wetlands eucalypt stands to sand dune country were sampled in April 2014 Litter samples were collected heat extracted and mite species identified Neomolgus capillatus was found at effective densities in pastures that had good clover cover Where present it displaced Bdellodes spp mites that are ineffective against clover flea No N capillatus were found in the nontarget habitats all of which lacked clover and contained other predatory mites including Bdellodes spp Therefore the preference by N capillatus for lush pastures makes it an excellent prospect for introduction as a biocontrol agent into clover flea prone regions of New Zealand

scholarly journals Effect of gallic acid on the larvae of Spodoptera litura and its parasitoid Bracon hebetor

2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Abhay Punia ◽  
Nalini Singh Chauhan ◽  
Drishtant Singh ◽  
Anup Kumar Kesavan ◽  
Sanehdeep Kaur ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Gallic Acid ◽  
Spodoptera Litura ◽  
Negative Impact ◽  
Larval Mortality ◽  
Adult Emergence ◽  
Egg Hatching ◽  
Bracon Hebetor ◽  
Total Hemocyte Count ◽  
Glutathione S Transferases ◽  
Immense Potential

AbstractThe antibiosis effect of gallic acid on Spodoptera litura F. (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae) and its parasitoid evaluated by feeding six days old larvae on artificial diet incorporated with different concentrations (5 ppm, 25 ppm, 125 ppm, 625 ppm, 3125 ppm) of the phenolic compound revealed higher concentration (LC50) of gallic acid had a negative impact on the survival and physiology of S. litura and its parasitoid Bracon hebetor (Say) (Hymenoptera:Braconidae). The mortality of S. litura larvae was increased whereas adult emergence declined with increasing concentration of gallic acid. The developmental period was delayed significantly and all the nutritional indices were reduced significantly with increase in concentration. Higher concentration (LC50) of gallic acid adversely affected egg hatching, larval mortality, adult emergence and total development period of B. hebetor. At lower concentration (LC30) the effect on B. hebetor adults and larvae was non-significant with respect to control. Gene expression for the enzymes viz., Superoxide dismutase, Glutathione peroxidase, Peroxidase, Esterases and Glutathione S transferases increased while the total hemocyte count of S. litura larvae decreased with treatment. Our findings suggest that gallic acid even at lower concentration (LC30) can impair the growth of S. litura larvae without causing any significant harm to its parasitoid B. hebetor and has immense potential to be used as biopesticides.

scholarly journals Toxicity and Biological Effects of Beauveria brongniartii Fe0 Nanoparticles against Spodoptera litura (Fabricius)

Insects ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 11 (12) ◽  
pp. 895
Author(s):  
Jing Xu ◽  
Kaihui Zhang ◽  
Andrew G. S. Cuthbertson ◽  
Cailian Du ◽  
Shaukat Ali
Keyword(s):  
Spodoptera Litura ◽  
Insect Pests ◽  
Growth Parameters ◽  
Uv Spectroscopy ◽  
Biological Effects ◽  
Fungal Treatment ◽  
Beauveria Brongniartii ◽  
Sem Images ◽  
X Ray ◽  
Infection Period

Nanotechnology has clear potential in the development of innovative insecticidal products for the biorational management of major insect pests. Metal-based nanoparticles of different microbial pest control agents have been effective against several pests. Synthesis of Beauveria brongniartii based Fe0 nanoparticles (Fe0NPs) and their bio-efficacy against Spodoptera litura was observed during this study. Beauveria brongniartii conidia were coated with Fe0NPs and characterized by applying a selection of different analytical techniques. Ultraviolet (UV) spectroscopy showed the characteristic band of surface plasmon at 430 nm; Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) images showed spherical shaped nanoparticles with a size ranging between 0.41 to 0.80 µm; Energy-dispersive X-ray (EDX) spectral analysis revealed characteristic Fe peaks at 6.5 and 7.1 Kev; the X-ray diffractogram showed three strong peaks at 2θ values of 45.72°, 64.47°, and 84.05°. The bioassay studies demonstrated that mortality of 2nd instar S. litura larvae following Fe0NPs treatment increased with increasing concentrations of Fe0NPs at different time intervals. The median lethal concentration (LC50) values of Fe0NPs against S. litura after seven days of fungal treatment was 59 ppm, whereas median survival time (LT50) values for 200 and 500 ppm concentrations of Fe0NPs against S. litura seven days post-treatment were 5.1 and 2.29 days, respectively. Beauveria brongniartii-Fe0NPs caused significant reductions in feeding and growth parameters (relative growth rate, relative consumption rate, and efficiency of conversion of ingested food) of S. litura. Beauveria brongniartii Fe0NPs induced reduction in glutathione-S-transferase activities throughout the infection period whereas activities of antioxidant enzymes decreased during later periods of infection. These findings suggest that B. brongniartii Fe0NPs can potentially be used in biorational S. litura management programs.

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