scholarly journals Egg masses as training aids for spotted lanternfly Lycorma delicatula detection dogs

PLoS ONE ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 16 (5) ◽  
pp. e0250945
Author(s):  
Jennifer L. Essler ◽  
Sarah A. Kane ◽  
Amanda Collins ◽  
Kaley Ryder ◽  
Annemarie DeAngelo ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Invasive Species ◽  
Sensitivity And Specificity ◽  
Leaf Photosynthesis ◽  
Severe Damage ◽  
Egg Masses ◽  
Sooty Mold ◽  
Training Aids ◽  
Mold Fungus ◽  
Lycorma Delicatula ◽  
Specific Odor

The spotted lanternfly (Lycorma delicatula) is an invasive species first detected in 2014. The insect feeds on plants causing severe damage in vineyards such as the occurrence of sooty mold fungus that impairs leaf photosynthesis. Currently, there is extensive research on how to track and ultimately prevent the spread of this species. It lays eggs that persist through the winter, while the adults die out, which presents a unique opportunity to enter infested or suspected infested areas to begin quarantine and management of the spread while the species is dormant. Detection dogs may be a tool that can be used to search out the spotted lanternfly egg masses during this overwintering period, however it is not known whether dogs can detect any specific odor from the spotted lanternfly eggs. Moreover, as the eggs are only available during certain times of the year, and hatch based on temperature, finding training aids for the dogs could prove difficult. In this study, we investigated whether three detection dogs could learn the odor from dead spotted lanternfly egg masses and if so, whether that would allow them to recognize live spotted lanternfly egg masses. We found that dogs could be trained to find dead spotted lanternfly egg masses, and could learn to ignore relevant controls, with high levels of sensitivity and specificity (up to 94.6% and 92.8%, respectively). Further, we found that after the training, dogs could find live spotted lanternfly egg masses without additional training and returned to previous levels of sensitivity and specificity within a few sessions. Coded videos of training and testing sessions showed that dogs spent more time at the egg masses than at controls, as expected from training. These results suggest that dead spotted lanternfly egg masses could be a useful training aid for spotted lanternfly detection dogs.

scholarly journals Implementing Mass Rearing of Trissolcus japonicus (Hymenoptera: Scelionidae) on Cold-Stored Host Eggs

Insects ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 12 (9) ◽  
pp. 840
Author(s):  
Barbara Bittau ◽  
Maria Luisa Dindo ◽  
Giovanni Burgio ◽  
Giuseppino Sabbatini-Peverieri ◽  
Kim Alan Hoelmer ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Mass Rearing ◽  
Classical Biological Control ◽  
Egg Parasitoid ◽  
Egg Mass ◽  
Severe Damage ◽  
Progeny Production ◽  
Asian Origin ◽  
Egg Masses ◽  
Trissolcus Japonicus ◽  
Promising Solution

Halyomorpha halys (Stål) (Hemiptera: Pentatomidae), a pest of Asian origin, has been causing severe damage to Italian agriculture. The application of classical biological control by the release of Trissolcus japonicus (Ashmead) (Hymenoptera: Scelionidae), an exotic egg parasitoid, appears to be one promising solution. In Italy, releases of T. japonicus in the field were authorized in 2020. In this study, some parameters that could influence the rearing of T. japonicus in insectaries were investigated. A significantly higher production of progeny was observed on host eggs stored at 6 °C (86.5%) compared to −24 °C (48.8%) for up to two months prior to exposure to parasitism. There were no significant differences in progeny production from single females in a vial provided with only one egg mass (83.2%) or 10 females inside a cage with 6 egg masses (83.9%). The exposure of parasitoids to refrigerated (6 °C) egg masses of H. halys for 72 h led to a significantly higher production of progeny (62.1%) compared to shorter exposures for 48 (44.0%) or 24 h (37.1%). A decline in production of progeny by the same female was detected between the first (62.1%) and the second parasitization (41.3%). Adult parasitoids stored at 16 °C for up to 90 days had an 87.1% survival rate, but a significant decrease in progeny production was detected. These parameters could be adjusted when rearing T. japonicus for specific aims such as the production of individuals for field release or colony maintenance.

scholarly journals A high-quality genome assembly from a single, field-collected spotted lanternfly (Lycorma delicatula) using the PacBio Sequel II system

GigaScience ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 8 (10) ◽  
Author(s):  
Sarah B Kingan ◽  
Julie Urban ◽  
Christine C Lambert ◽  
Primo Baybayan ◽  
Anna K Childers ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Invasive Species ◽  
Genome Assembly ◽  
De Novo ◽  
Fragment Size ◽  
High Quality ◽  
De Novo Genome Assembly ◽  
Lycorma Delicatula ◽  
Long Read ◽  
Genome Assemblies ◽  
High Quality Genome

ABSTRACT Background A high-quality reference genome is an essential tool for applied and basic research on arthropods. Long-read sequencing technologies may be used to generate more complete and contiguous genome assemblies than alternate technologies; however, long-read methods have historically had greater input DNA requirements and higher costs than next-generation sequencing, which are barriers to their use on many samples. Here, we present a 2.3 Gb de novo genome assembly of a field-collected adult female spotted lanternfly (Lycorma delicatula) using a single Pacific Biosciences SMRT Cell. The spotted lanternfly is an invasive species recently discovered in the northeastern United States that threatens to damage economically important crop plants in the region. Results The DNA from 1 individual was used to make 1 standard, size-selected library with an average DNA fragment size of ∼20 kb. The library was run on 1 Sequel II SMRT Cell 8M, generating a total of 132 Gb of long-read sequences, of which 82 Gb were from unique library molecules, representing ∼36× coverage of the genome. The assembly had high contiguity (contig N50 length = 1.5 Mb), completeness, and sequence level accuracy as estimated by conserved gene set analysis (96.8% of conserved genes both complete and without frame shift errors). Furthermore, it was possible to segregate more than half of the diploid genome into the 2 separate haplotypes. The assembly also recovered 2 microbial symbiont genomes known to be associated with L. delicatula, each microbial genome being assembled into a single contig. Conclusions We demonstrate that field-collected arthropods can be used for the rapid generation of high-quality genome assemblies, an attractive approach for projects on emerging invasive species, disease vectors, or conservation efforts of endangered species.

Discovery of an egg parasitoid of Lycorma delicatula (Hemiptera: Fulgoridae) an invasive species in South Korea

2011 ◽  
Vol 14 (2) ◽  
pp. 213-215 ◽  
Author(s):  
Il-Kwon Kim ◽  
Sang-Hyun Koh ◽  
Jung-Su Lee ◽  
Won Il Choi ◽  
Sang-Chul Shin
Keyword(s):  
Invasive Species ◽  
South Korea ◽  
Egg Parasitoid ◽  
Lycorma Delicatula

scholarly journals Performance and host association of spotted lanternfly (Lycorma delicatula) among common woody ornamentals

2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Osariyekemwen Uyi ◽  
Joseph A. Keller ◽  
Emelie Swackhamer ◽  
Kelli Hoover
Keyword(s):  
Egg Mass ◽  
Broad Host Range ◽  
Insect Performance ◽  
Offspring Performance ◽  
Egg Masses ◽  
Tree Of Heaven ◽  
Range Tree ◽  
Lycorma Delicatula ◽  
The Difference ◽  
Salix Babylonica

AbstractLycorma delicatula (spotted lanternfly) has a broad host range with a strong preference for the invasive host plant from its native range, tree of heaven (Ailanthus altissima); it had long been speculated that L. delicatula could not develop or reproduce without access to tree of heaven. In 2019, we found that this assumption was incorrect, but fitness was reduced in the absence of A. altissima in that the number of egg masses laid was dramatically fewer for insects reared on suitable non-A. altissima host plants that had recently been established. We hypothesized that longer established, larger trees (of the same species) would improve the fitness of L. delicatula in the absence of tree of heaven. In spring 2020, we examined insect performance with and without access to A. altissima by tracking development, survival, host tree association and oviposition in large enclosures with trees planted two years prior to the study. Each enclosure included one each of Juglans nigra, Salix babylonica and Acer saccharinum along with either one A. altissima or one Betula nigra; these trees had twice the diameter of the same trees the previous year. We reared nymphs with and without access to A. altissima, released them into the corresponding large enclosures as third instars, and monitored them from early July 2020 through November 2020. We also determined whether lack of access to A. altissima by parents of L. delicatula have any fitness effects on offspring performance. To ensure adequate adult populations for comparing fecundity between treatments, third instars were released into the multi-tree enclosures due to high mortality in earlier instars that occurred in a similar study in 2019. Insect survival was higher and development faster with access to A. altissima. Third and fourth instar nymphs were most frequently observed on A. altissima when it was present, while adults were equally associated with A. saccharinum and A. altissima. In the absence of A. altissima, nymphs were most frequently found on S. babylonica, while adults were most often on A. saccharinum. Females with access to A. altissima deposited nearly 7-fold more egg masses than those without access to A. altissima, which is consistent with the difference in egg mass numbers between the two treatments the previous year; thus, our hypothesis was rejected. The offspring of parents that had been reared without access to A. altissima showed similar survival and development time from egg to adult as offspring from parents that never had access to A. altissima. These findings suggest that managers need to be aware that even in the absence of A. altissima in the landscape, several hardwood host trees can be utilized by L. delicatula to develop and reproduce, but fitness without A. altissima is likely to still be reduced.

scholarly journals Sheathnema indicum gen. et sp. nov. a new sooty mold fungus from northern Western Ghats, India

2014 ◽  
Vol 6 (12) ◽  
pp. 6549-6555 ◽  
Author(s):  
Rashmi Dubey ◽  
Neelima Azhamchalil Moonnambeth
Keyword(s):  
Western Ghats ◽  
Sooty Mold ◽  
Mold Fungus

scholarly journals Exploratory Survey of Spotted Lanternfly (Hemiptera: Fulgoridae) and Its Natural Enemies in China

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Bei Xin ◽  
Yan-long Zhang ◽  
Xiao-yi Wang ◽  
Liang-ming Cao ◽  
Kim A Hoelmer ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Natural Enemies ◽  
Host Plants ◽  
Egg Parasitoid ◽  
Shaanxi Province ◽  
Western China ◽  
Beijing City ◽  
Egg Masses ◽  
Parasitism Rates ◽  
Lycorma Delicatula ◽  
Biocontrol Program

Abstract An invasive population of spotted lanternfly (SLF), Lycorma delicatula White, was first noted in North America in Pennsylvania in 2014, and by September 2020 populations had spread to six additional states. To develop a biocontrol program to aid in the management of the pest, exploratory surveys for SLF natural enemies in its native range were carried out in 27 provinces and other administrative regions of China from 2015 to 2019. Naturally laid egg masses were collected and sentinel SLF egg masses were deployed to attract egg parasitoids, and yellow sticky traps were used to collect SLF nymphs to discover and determine the parasitism rates of nymphal parasitoids. Results show that SLF is widely distributed in China (22 provinces and regions) and that the population densities in northeast China are higher than in southern and western China. An egg parasitoid, Anastatus orientalis Yang (Hymenoptera: Eupelmidae), and a nymphal parasitoid, Dryinus sinicus Olmi (Hymenoptera: Dryinidae), were collected. Anastatus orientalis was reared from SLF eggs in seven provinces in China with parasitoid emergence rates ranging from 4.0 to 15.5% (or 17.6 to 37.3% if including only egg masses that had at least some parasitism). There were significant differences in parasitoid emergence rates between sites associated with factors including habitat and host plants. Dryinus sinicus was discovered in eight cities across six provinces. The percentage of SLF nymphs parasitized by D. sinicus were 31.1, 23.3, and 0% in Tai’an, Shandong Province, Beijing City, and Yan’an, Shaanxi Province, respectively. These two parasitoids are promising natural enemies that are being considered as potential biocontrol agents of invasive populations of SLF.

scholarly journals Comparison of the Hatch of Newly Laid Lycorma delicatula (Hemiptera: Fulgoridae) Eggs From the United States After Exposure to Different Temperatures and Durations of Low Temperature

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Melody A Keena ◽  
Anne L Nielsen
Keyword(s):  
Low Temperature ◽  
Abiotic Factors ◽  
Developmental Rate ◽  
The United States ◽  
Predictive Distribution ◽  
Temperature Threshold ◽  
Egg Hatch ◽  
Egg Masses ◽  
Lycorma Delicatula ◽  
Diapause Development

Abstract Comparisons were made of the effects of temperature and duration of low temperature on hatch of newly laid egg masses of the invasive spotted lanternfly, Lycorma delicatula (White). Egg masses were collected in mid-October 2019 and estimated to be less than 14 d old. There was a significant positive nonlinear relationship between temperature and developmental rate (1/d) for eggs held at constant temperatures. The lower threshold for egg development was estimated as 7.39°C. Eggs held at constant 10, 15, and 20°C were estimated to require 635, 715, and 849 DD7.39, respectively, to develop. Egg hatch was variable, egg hatch rates were highest (58.4%) when held at a constant 15°C, though high rates (52.7%) were also obtained when eggs were held for 84 d at 10°C, then moved to 25°C. Almost all eggs enter diapause since very few eggs were able hatch when moved to 25°C after 7 d of chill at either 5 or 10°C. Chilling at 5 or 10°C increased percentage egg hatch as the duration in chill increased up to ~100 d and eggs held at 10°C were able to complete some or all the post-diapause development before being moved to 25°C. All egg masses were held at constant 16:8 (L:D) photoperiod and 65%RH. Our data suggest that temperature is the driving factor for diapause termination in spotted lanternfly, but other abiotic factors should be investigated. These identified developmental temperature threshold and degree day requirements for egg hatch will improve predictive distribution and phenological models.

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