scholarly journals Understanding the Causes and Genetic Effects of Thelytoky in the Aphelinidae: A Key to Improving Biological Control

1992 ◽  
Author(s):  
Richard Roush ◽  
David Rosen
Keyword(s):  
Electron Microscopy ◽  
Biological Control ◽  
Insect Pests ◽  
Strong Association ◽  
Classical Biological Control ◽  
Scale Insect ◽  
Female Offspring ◽  
Follicle Cells ◽  
Biological Control Agents ◽  
Micro Organisms

Helytoky is a type of parthenogenesis whereby females produce only female offspring without the involvement of males, even where males are occasionally produced. In the last few years, strong circumstantial evidence has implied that thelytoky can be caused by micro-organisms called Wolbachia in at least some species of wasps. The thelytoky can be "cured" by treatment with antibiotics. Further Wolbachia-like organisms can be found in microscopic examinations and genetically identified through their DNA. The aphelinid wasps, and especially species in the genus Aphytis, are among the most important of all classical biological control agents. Aphytis species are critical in the biological control of scale insect pests in commercial orchards and ornamental plantings. About 30% of Aphytis species are thelytikous, of which we were able to study three in detail. In all three, thelytoky was curable by treatment with antibiotics and Wolbachia were identified morphologically and through their DNA. In contrast, Wolbachia were not detectable in biparental species of Aphytis. Studies of Wolbachia gene sequences obtained from Aphytis showed that they were most closely related to those from a very distantly related wasp, Muscidifurax uniraptor, strongly implying that the Wolbachia can be horizontally transferred. As revealed by electron microscopy, the Wolbachia show a strong association with the nurse and follicle cells of the female wasps.

scholarly journals Biological control of pastoral pests using Acremonium spp. endophytes

1994 ◽  
pp. 33-38 ◽  
Author(s):  
R.A. Prestidge ◽  
A.J. Popay ◽  
O.J-P Ball
Keyword(s):  
Biological Control ◽  
Insect Pests ◽  
Classical Biological Control ◽  
Pest Species ◽  
Biological Control Agents ◽  
Insect Feeding ◽  
Low Concentrations ◽  
Costelytra Zealandica ◽  
Listronotus Bonariensis

Although the role of the endophytic fungus Acremonium lolii in protecting the host plant from attack by insect pests, particularly Argentine stem weevil (Listronotus bonariensis), is often described in terms of plant resistance, it is a case of classical biological control. Endophytes in commercially available perennial ryegrass cultivars are acting as biological control agents against at least four pest species in New Zealand. Generally, endophyte adversely affects insect stages that feed on the above-ground parts of the plant, particularly those stages that feed near the base of the plant. It is apparent from insect feeding tests that there is no one universal anti-insect metabolite that will adversely affect all pest populations. It is therefore likely that an endophytelgrass combination that produces a cocktail of metabolites at low concentrations may be more useful than a combination that produces a very narrow suite of metabolites. Keywords: Acremonium spp., Listronotus bonariensis, Heteronychus arator, Costelytra zealandica, Wiseana spp., biological control, endophyte

Yellow Brazilian Pepper-tree Leaf Galler (suggested common name) Calophya latiforceps Burckhardt (Insecta: Hemiptera: Calophyidae: Calophyinae)

EDIS ◽  
2017 ◽  
Vol 2017 (6) ◽  
Author(s):  
James P. Cuda ◽  
Patricia Prade ◽  
Carey R. Minteer-Killian
Keyword(s):  
Biological Control ◽  
North America ◽  
Natural Enemies ◽  
Host Plants ◽  
Classical Biological Control ◽  
Biological Control Agents ◽  
Pepper Tree ◽  
Brazilian Pepper ◽  
Close Relatives ◽  
Tree Leaf

In the late 1970s, Brazilian peppertree, Schinus terebinthifolia Raddi (Sapindales: Anacardiaceae), was targeted for classical biological control in Florida because its invasive properties (see Host Plants) are consistent with escape from natural enemies (Williams 1954), and there are no native Schinus spp. in North America. The lack of native close relatives should minimize the risk of damage to non-target plants from introduced biological control agents (Pemberton 2000). [...]

Releases of biological control agents of insect pests on Easter Island (Pacific Ocean)

Entomophaga ◽  
1995 ◽  
Vol 40 (3-4) ◽  
pp. 427-440 ◽  
Author(s):  
S. R. Ripa ◽  
P. S. Rojas ◽  
G. Velasco
Keyword(s):  
Biological Control ◽  
Pacific Ocean ◽  
Insect Pests ◽  
Easter Island ◽  
Biological Control Agents

scholarly journals Current levels of suppression of waterhyacinth in Florida USA by classical biological control agents

2014 ◽  
Vol 71 ◽  
pp. 65-69 ◽  
Author(s):  
Philip W. Tipping ◽  
Melissa R. Martin ◽  
Eileen N. Pokorny ◽  
Kayla R. Nimmo ◽  
Danyelle L. Fitzgerald ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Biological Control ◽  
Classical Biological Control ◽  
Biological Control Agents

Using lower trophic level factors to predict outcomes in classical biological control of insect pests

2005 ◽  
Vol 6 (6) ◽  
pp. 571-584 ◽  
Author(s):  
Paul Gross ◽  
Bradford A. Hawkins ◽  
Howard V. Cornell ◽  
Balakrishna Hosmane
Keyword(s):  
Biological Control ◽  
Trophic Level ◽  
Insect Pests ◽  
Classical Biological Control ◽  
Lower Trophic Level

Parasitoids as biological control agents – a fundamental approach

Parasitology ◽  
1982 ◽  
Vol 84 (4) ◽  
pp. 241-268 ◽  
Author(s):  
J. K. Waage ◽  
M. P. Hassell
Keyword(s):  
Biological Control ◽  
Foraging Behaviour ◽  
Insect Pests ◽  
Basic Research ◽  
Larval Survival ◽  
Biological Control Agents ◽  
Inundative Release ◽  
Control Factors ◽  
The Stability ◽  
Parasitoid Foraging

SUMMARYThis review begins with a description of the parasitoid life-style and the ecological and evolutionary factors which generate the remarkable diversity of insect parasitoids. We then describe the various ways that parasitoids have been used in the biological control of insect pests, and survey their success to date. The use of parasitoids remains largely an art, aided by past experience of success and failure. A more fundamental approach, involving basic research and theory, has not as yet contributed significantly to practical biological control. We explore the potential for such a science of parasitoid use and review basic research on parasitoid ecology and evolution which is of particular relevance to biological control. Mathematical models are used to identify and examine those parasitoid and host attributes which lead to successful biological control. Factors such as parasitoid foraging behaviour, fecundity, larval survival and sex ratio are shown to be important in influencing the depression of host populations and/or the stability of host–parasitoid interactions after depression. Multiple release is discussed and a model for inundative release of parasitoids is explored.

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