scholarly journals Biological anomalies in the sugarcane leafhopper, Pyrilla perpusilla (Walker) due to parasitism by Fulgoraecia melanoleuca (Fletcher) (Lepidoptera: Epipyropidae)

2021 ◽  
Vol 31 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Tarun Sharma ◽  
P. S. Shera
Keyword(s):  
Biological Control ◽  
Biological Control Agent ◽  
Control Program ◽  
Mass Rearing ◽  
Control Agent ◽  
Nymphal Stage ◽  
Effective Strategies ◽  
Epiricania Melanoleuca ◽  
Pyrilla Perpusilla ◽  
Augmentative Releases

Abstract Background Fulgoraecia melanoleuca (Fletcher) (Lepidoptera: Epipyropidae) (= Epipyrops or Epiricania melanoleuca) is an important koinobiont nymphal and adult ectoparasitoid of sugarcane leafhopper, Pyrilla perpusilla (Walker) (Hemiptera: Lophopidae). The study aimed to evaluate whether and to what extent this parasitoid effects the fitness of immature (five nymphal stages) and adult (♂ and ♀) stages of its host P. perpusilla. Results The nymphal mortality was significantly more in the younger nymphs, and it decreased as the host aged. The exposure of the first stage host nymphs to the parasitoid resulted in 100% mortality. However, the nymphal mortality rates in second, third, fourth and fifth nymphal stage were 94.0, 75.0, 38.0 and 41.0%, respectively. Furthermore, the longevity of surviving nymphs was prolonged significantly in the later stages. None of the parasitized first to fourth stage nymphs survived as normal adult. In case of the parasitized fifth nymphal stage, 18.0% adults were normal; however, their longevity was comparatively shorter than their un-parasitized counter parts. When male and female adults of leafhopper were offered to the parasitoid, significant differences were found in mortality of parasitized and un-parasitized adults for both sexes. Further, parasitoid-induced prolongation in the longevity of the surviving parasitized adults was also observed. Conclusions Overall, the parasitoid F. melanoleuca had detrimental effects on host fitness and thus played a significant role as a biological control agent in suppressing the sugarcane leafhopper population. This study will clarify host-parasitoid relationship, developing mass rearing protocol under laboratory conditions and implementing effective strategies for augmentative releases of parasitoids in biological control program against P. perpusilla in sugarcane ecosystem.

Biological traits and the complex of parasitoids of the elm pest Orchestes steppensis (Coleoptera: Curculionidae) in Xinjiang, China

2017 ◽  
Vol 108 (1) ◽  
pp. 48-57 ◽  
Author(s):  
Q. Li ◽  
S.V. Triapitsyn ◽  
C. Wang ◽  
W. Zhong ◽  
H.-Y. Hu
Keyword(s):  
Biological Control ◽  
Invasive Species ◽  
Natural Enemies ◽  
Biological Control Agent ◽  
Control Program ◽  
Classical Biological Control ◽  
Field Investigation ◽  
Control Agent ◽  
Current Control ◽  
Biological Traits

AbstractThe flee-weevil Orchestes steppensis Korotyaev (Coleoptera: Curculionidae) is a steppe eastern Palaearctic species, notable as a serious pest of elms (Ulmus spp., Ulmaceae), by feeding on the leaves (adults) or mining them heavily (larvae), especially of Ulmus pumila L. in Xinjiang, China. We have corrected the previous misidentifications of this weevil in China as O. alni (L.) or O. mutabilis Boheman and demonstrated that it is likely to be an invasive species in Xinjiang. Prior to this study, natural enemies of O. steppensis were unknown in Xinjiang. Resulting from field investigation and rearing in the laboratory during 2013–2016, seven parasitoid species were found to be primary and solitary, attacking larval and pupal stages of the host weevil. Pteromalus sp. 2 is the dominant species and also is the most competitive among the seven parasitoids, which could considered to be a perspective biological control agent of O. steppensis. Yet, the current control of this pest by the local natural enemies in Xinjiang is still currently inefficient, even though in 2016 parasitism was about 36% on U. pumila in Urumqi, so the potential for a classical biological control program against it needs to be further investigated, including an assessment of its parasitoids and other natural enemies in the native range of O. steppensis. The presented information on the natural enemies of this weevil can be also important for a potential classical biological control program against it in North America (Canada and USA), where it is a highly damaging and rapidly spreading invasive species.

scholarly journals Classical Biological Control of Tropical Soda Apple with Gratiana boliviana

EDIS ◽  
2013 ◽  
Vol 2013 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Rodrigo Diaz ◽  
Julio Medal ◽  
Kenneth Hibbard ◽  
Amy Roda ◽  
A. Fox ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Biological Control ◽  
South Carolina ◽  
Biological Control Agent ◽  
Control Program ◽  
Classical Biological Control ◽  
Control Agent ◽  
Conservation Areas ◽  
Tropical Soda Apple ◽  
Negative Impacts ◽  
Stocking Rates

Tropical soda apple is a prickly shrub native to South America. First reported in Glades Co., Florida in 1988, it later spread to Georgia, Alabama, Louisiana, Texas, Mississippi, Tennessee, North Carolina, and South Carolina. It is a major problem in pastures and conservation areas. Negative impacts of tropical soda apple include reduction of cattle stocking rates, competition with native plants, and the costs associated with its control. Dense thickets of the weed also can disrupt the movement of wildlife. This 4-page fact sheet provides a summary of the major steps of the successful biological control program against tropical soda apple in Florida. The article covers the importance of the weed, identification and biology of the biological control agent, rearing and release efforts, establishment and impact, and efforts to communicate the outcomes of the program to stakeholders. Written by R. Diaz, J. Medal, K. Hibbard, A. Roda, A. Fox, S. Hight, P. Stansly, B. Sellers, J. Cuda and W. A. Overholt, and published by the UF Department of Entomology and Nematology, November 2012. http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/in971

Optimizing Nesidiocoris tenuis (Hemiptera: Miridae) as a biological control agent: mathematical models for predicting its development as a function of temperature

2015 ◽  
Vol 106 (2) ◽  
pp. 215-224 ◽  
Author(s):  
Héctor Martínez-García ◽  
Luis R Román-Fernández ◽  
María G Sáenz-Romo ◽  
Ignacio Pérez-Moreno ◽  
Vicente S Marco-Mancebón
Keyword(s):  
Biological Control ◽  
Mathematical Models ◽  
Biological Control Agent ◽  
Developmental Rate ◽  
Mass Rearing ◽  
Developmental Time ◽  
Control Agent ◽  
Developmental Models ◽  
Type Iii ◽  
Nesidiocoris Tenuis

AbstractFor optimal application of Nesidiocoris tenuis as a biological control agent, adequate field management and programmed mass rearing are essential. Mathematical models are useful tools for predicting the temperature-dependent developmental rate of the predator. In this study, the linear model and nonlinear models Logan type III, Lactin and Brière were estimated at constant temperatures and validated at alternating temperatures and under field conditions. N. tenuis achieved complete development from egg to adult at constant temperatures between 15 and 35°C with high survivorship (>80%) in the range 18–32°C. The total developmental time decreased from a maximum at 15°C (76.74 d) to a minimum at 33°C (12.67 d) and after that, increased to 35°C (13.98 d). Linear and nonlinear developmental models all had high accuracy (Ra2 >0.86). The maximum developmental rate was obtained between 31.9°C (Logan type III and Brière model for N1) and 35.6°C (for the egg stage in the Brière model). Optimal survival and the highest developmental rate fell within the range 27–30°C. The field validation revealed that the Logan type III and Lactin models offered the best predictions (95.0 and 94.5%, respectively). The data obtained on developmental time and mortality at different temperatures are useful for mass rearing this predator, and the developmental models are valuable for using N. tenuis as a biological control agent.

Mass Rearing of the Stem-Galling Wasp Tetramesa romana, a Biological Control Agent of the Invasive Weed Arundo donax

2014 ◽  
pp. 163-201 ◽  
Author(s):  
Patrick J. Moran ◽  
John A. Goolsby ◽  
Alexis E. Racelis ◽  
Allen C. Cohen ◽  
Matthew A. Ciomperlik ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Biological Control ◽  
Biological Control Agent ◽  
Mass Rearing ◽  
Control Agent ◽  
Arundo Donax ◽  
Invasive Weed

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.

scholarly journals Advancements in Mass Rearing the Air Potato Beetle Lilioceris cheni

Insects ◽  
2022 ◽  
Vol 13 (1) ◽  
pp. 65
Author(s):  
Emily C. Kraus ◽  
Rosemary Murray ◽  
Cassandra Kelm ◽  
Ryan Poffenberger ◽  
Eric Rohrig ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Biological Control ◽  
Biological Control Agent ◽  
Mass Rearing ◽  
Control Agent ◽  
Egg Laying ◽  
Potato Vine ◽  
Potato Beetle ◽  
Production And Distribution ◽  
Consumer Services ◽  
Distribution Studies

The air potato beetle, Lilioceris cheni Gressitt and Kimoto (Coleoptera:Chrysomelidae), is a successful biological control agent of the air potato vine, Dioscorea bulbifera L. (Dioscoreales: Dioscoreaceae), in the southern United States. Lilioceris cheni is currently being mass-reared by the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services Division of Plant Industry (FDACS-DPI) for biological control releases and research. The facility rears and releases over 50,000 adult beetles annually at approximately 1000 different locations. In addition to data on beetle production and distribution, studies on alternative larval and adult diets are described. Adults fed bulbils as the sole food source had reduced life spans compared with beetles given fresh air potato leaves. Adults survived without air potato leaves or bulbils for several days to two weeks depending on availability of leaves at emergence. Larvae did not survive on a modified artificial Colorado potato beetle diet containing fresh air potato vine leaves. Adults survived while consuming artificial diet but ceased oviposition. They, however, resumed egg laying less than one week after being returned to a diet of fresh air potato vine leaves.

Sign in / Sign up

Export Citation Format

Share Document