scholarly journals Genetic Diversity in Invasive Populations of Argentine Stem Weevil Associated with Adaptation to Biocontrol

Insects ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 11 (7) ◽  
pp. 441 ◽  
Author(s):  
Thomas W. R. Harrop ◽  
Marissa F. Le Lec ◽  
Ruy Jauregui ◽  
Shannon E. Taylor ◽  
Sarah N. Inwood ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Genetic Diversity ◽  
Biological Control ◽  
Genetic Variation ◽  
New Zealand ◽  
Insect Pests ◽  
Rapid Evolution ◽  
Parasitoid Wasp ◽  
Control Agent ◽  
Agricultural Landscapes ◽  
Effective Population

Modified, agricultural landscapes are susceptible to damage by insect pests. Biological control of pests is typically successful once a control agent has established, but this depends on the agent’s capacity to co-evolve with the host. Theoretical studies have shown that different levels of genetic variation between the host and the control agent will lead to rapid evolution of resistance in the host. Although this has been reported in one instance, the underlying genetics have not been studied. To address this, we measured the genetic variation in New Zealand populations of the pasture pest, Argentine stem weevil (Listronotus bonariensis), which is controlled with declining effectiveness by a parasitoid wasp, Microctonus hyperodae. We constructed a draft reference genome of the weevil, collected samples from a geographical survey of 10 sites around New Zealand, and genotyped them using a modified genotyping-by-sequencing approach. New Zealand populations of Argentine stem weevil have high levels of heterozygosity and low population structure, consistent with a large effective population size and frequent gene flow. This implies that Argentine stem weevils were able to evolve more rapidly than their biocontrol agent, which reproduces asexually. These findings show that monitoring genetic diversity in biocontrol agents and their targets is critical for long-term success of biological control.

scholarly journals Unexpected parasitism of Douglas-fir seed chalcid limits biocontrol options for invasive Douglas-fir in New Zealand

2021 ◽  
Vol 74 (1) ◽  
pp. 70-77
Author(s):  
Sonia Lee ◽  
Simon V. Fowler ◽  
Claudia Lange ◽  
Lindsay A. Smith ◽  
Alison M. Evans
Keyword(s):  
Biological Control ◽  
New Zealand ◽  
Seed Production ◽  
Biocontrol Agent ◽  
Biological Control Agent ◽  
Parasitoid Wasp ◽  
Control Agent ◽  
Douglas Fir ◽  
Seed Predator ◽  
High Level

Douglas-fir seed chalcid (DFSC) Megastigmus spermotrophus, a small (3 mm long) host-specific seed-predatory wasp, was accidentally introduced into New Zealand in the 1920s. Concern over DFSC reducing Douglas-fir seed production in New Zealand led to an attempt at biocontrol in 1955 with the release, but failed establishment, of the small (2.5 mm long) parasitoid wasp, Mesopolobus spermotrophus. We investigated why DFSC causes little destruction of Douglas-fir seed in New Zealand (usually <20%) despite the apparent absence of major natural enemies. Douglas-fir seed collections from 13 New Zealand sites yielded the seed predator (DFSC) but also potential parasitoids, which were identified using morphology and partial COI DNA sequencing. DFSC destroyed only 0.15% of Douglas-fir seed. All parasitoids were identified as the pteromalid wasp, Mes. spermotrophus, the host-specific biocontrol agent released in 1955. Total parasitism was 48.5%, but levels at some sites approached 90%, with some evidence of density-dependence. The discovery of the parasitoid Mes. spermotrophus could indicate that the biocontrol agent released in 1955 did establish after all. Alternatively, Mes. spermotrophus could have arrived accidentally in more recent importations of Douglas-fir seed. The high level of parasitism of DFSC by Mes. spermotrophus is consistent with DFSC being under successful biological control in New Zealand. Suppression of DFSC populations will benefit commercial Douglas-fir seed production in New Zealand, but it also represents the likely loss of a potential biological control agent for wilding Douglas-fir.

scholarly journals Biological Control May Fail on Pests Applied with High Doses of Insecticides: Effects of Sub-Lethal Concentrations of a Pyrethroid on the Host-Searching Behavior of the Aphid Parasitoid Aphidius colemani (Hymenoptera, Braconidae) on Aphid Pests

Agriculture ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (6) ◽  
pp. 539
Author(s):  
Armando Alfaro-Tapia ◽  
Jeniffer K. Alvarez-Baca ◽  
Eduardo Fuentes-Contreras ◽  
Christian C. Figueroa
Keyword(s):  
Biological Control ◽  
Natural Enemies ◽  
Insect Pests ◽  
Oviposition Behavior ◽  
Rapid Evolution ◽  
Parasitoid Wasp ◽  
Host Searching ◽  
Aphid Parasitoid ◽  
Aphidius Colemani ◽  
Lethal Doses

The use of synthetic insecticides may cause failures in the biological control of insect pests due to undesired side effects on natural enemies and the rapid evolution of insecticide resistance in agroecosystems. Residues of neurotoxic insecticides can interfere with the recognition of chemical cues used by natural enemies to find pests. We investigated the effects of sub-lethal concentrations of the pyrethroid lambda-cyhalothrin on the interaction between the aphid parasitoid wasp Aphidius colemani and the peach potato aphid Myzus persicae. We studied changes in host-searching and oviposition behavior through laboratory bioassays when susceptible and kdr-resistant aphids are offered to parasitoid females, evaluating the effect of applying insecticides on the interacting species. The patch residence time, exploration, oviposition, and grooming were significantly disturbed when the parasitoids were offered resistant aphids sprayed with sub-lethal doses, but not when the parasitoids were offered susceptible M. persicae exposed to sub-lethal doses. We discuss how the effects of insecticides on parasitism behavior may result in failures of biological control if natural enemy populations are not adequately managed, particularly for the management of insecticide-resistant pest populations. Efforts to introduce biological control in integrated pest management (IPM) programs are also discussed.

scholarly journals Importation to New Zealand quarantine of a candidate biological control agent of clover root weevil

2001 ◽  
Vol 54 ◽  
pp. 147-151 ◽  
Author(s):  
S.L. Goldson ◽  
C. Phillips ◽  
M.M. McNeill ◽  
J.R Proffitt ◽  
R.P. Cane
Keyword(s):  
Genetic Diversity ◽  
Biological Control ◽  
New Zealand ◽  
Biological Control Agent ◽  
Genetic Material ◽  
Control Agent ◽  
Biological Control Agents ◽  
Sitona Lepidus ◽  
Clover Root ◽  
Microctonus Aethiopoides

Several candidate biological control agents of Sitona lepidus have been identified since a search commenced in 1997 Interestingly Microctonus aethiopoides from Europe is a much more effective parasitoid of S lepidus than the M aethiopoides ecotype already established in New Zealand To assess further the suitability of the European M aethiopoides for biological control of S lepidus 1599 infected S lepidus were shipped to New Zealand quarantine during late 2000 These yielded 267 parasitoid pupae from which 204 adult parasitoids were reared This material was obtained from a wide geographical range in Europe and has been used to establish cultures in New Zealand quarantine based on genetic material from France England Norway Finland Romania Ireland Scotland Italy and Wales This contribution presents an overview of the work associated with the importation of the parasitoids and the effort now being made to maintain genetic diversity Planned research is also discussed

scholarly journals Land-Use Effect on Olive Groves Pest Prays oleae and on Its Potential Biocontrol Agent Chrysoperla carnea

Insects ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 12 (1) ◽  
pp. 46
Author(s):  
João Frederico Alves ◽  
Sara Mendes ◽  
António Alves da Silva ◽  
José Paulo Sousa ◽  
Daniel Paredes
Keyword(s):  
Biological Control ◽  
Land Use ◽  
Biological Control Agent ◽  
Control Agent ◽  
Agricultural Landscapes ◽  
Chrysoperla Carnea ◽  
Land Uses ◽  
Prays Oleae ◽  
Potential Biocontrol Agent ◽  
Olive Groves

Olive growing has been intensified through the simplification of agricultural landscapes. In order to rethink the environmental drawbacks of these practices, conservation biological control techniques have been examined. In this work, Prays oleae and its natural enemy Chrysoperla carnea were monitored to account for the effects of the amount and diversity of different land-uses. We found that C. carnea showed an attraction to areas with high abundances of P. oleae but this predator did not display any affection by the different land-uses. Inversely, P. oleae abundance was lower in diverse landscapes and higher in simplified ones. Importantly, higher abundances of C. carnea were related to lower infestation levels of P. oleae in the late part of the season. These results corroborate the attraction of C. carnea to the olive moth, highlighting the potential of C. carnea as a biological control agent of this pest, assert that the promotion of land-use diversity can reduce P. oleae and confirm that landscapes dominated by olive groves can promote this pest. The present study aims at contributing to the discussion about the management of agricultural ecosystems by providing farmers with sustainable alternatives that do not have harmful effects on the environment and public health.

Stagonospora atriplicis. [Descriptions of Fungi and Bacteria].

2005 ◽  
Author(s):  
T. V. Andrianova
Keyword(s):  
South Africa ◽  
Biological Control ◽  
Czech Republic ◽  
New Zealand ◽  
Geographical Distribution ◽  
Biological Control Agent ◽  
Control Agent ◽  
Allenrolfea Occidentalis ◽  
Syzygium Guineense

Abstract A description is provided for Stagonospora atriplicis, a potential biological control agent of Atriplex and Chenopodium weeds. Information is included on the disease caused by the organism, its transmission, geographical distribution (Kenya, South Africa, Zimbabwe, Canada, USA, Colombia, Cyprus, Georgia, Kyrgyzstan, Russia, Australia, New Zealand, Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, Czech Republic, Estonia, France, Germany, UK, Hungary, Italy, Latvia, Romania, Sweden, Ukraine and Hawaii) and hosts (Allenrolfea occidentalis, Atriplex spp., Chenopodium spp. and Syzygium guineense).

scholarly journals First Report of Phragmidium violaceum Infecting Himalaya and Evergreen Blackberries in North America

2005 ◽  
Vol 6 (1) ◽  
pp. 25 ◽  
Author(s):  
N. Osterbauer ◽  
A. Trippe ◽  
K. French ◽  
T. Butler ◽  
M. C. Aime ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
South Africa ◽  
Biological Control ◽  
New Zealand ◽  
North America ◽  
Biological Control Agent ◽  
Control Agent ◽  
First Report ◽  
Official Report

Phragmidium violaceum occurs on several species of Rubus, including R. armeniacus, R. fruticosus agg., and R. laciniatus, in Europe, South Africa, Iran, and Iraq, and has been introduced as a biological control agent for invasive blackberries in Australia, New Zealand, and Chile. To our knowledge, this is the first official report of P. violaceum infecting Himalaya and evergreen blackberries in North America. Accepted for publication 16 September 2005. Published 23 September 2005.

scholarly journals Evaluation of cellulose substrates treated with Metarhizium anisopliae (Metschnikoff) Sorokin as a biological control agent against the termite Microcerotermes diversus Silvestri (Isoptera: Termitidae)

2011 ◽  
Vol 43 (2) ◽  
pp. 269
Author(s):  
Behzad Habibpour ◽  
Amir Cheraghi ◽  
Mohammad Saeed Mossadegh
Keyword(s):  
Biological Control ◽  
Metarhizium Anisopliae ◽  
Insect Pests ◽  
Biological Control Agent ◽  
Control Agent ◽  
Cellulose Substrates ◽  
Virulent Strains ◽  
Sustainable Protection ◽  
Chemical Pesticides

This article is the first report on the promising effect of an entomopathogenic fungus, <em>Metarhizium anisopliae</em> (Metschnikoff) Sorokin to control populations of <em>Microcerotermes diversus </em>Silvestri. Biological control is an alternative to the long-term usage of chemical pesticides.<em> M. anisopliae</em>, the causal agent of green muscardine disease of insects, is an important fungus in biological control of insect pests. Bait systems can eliminate entire colonies of subterranean termites. Baiting reduces adverse environmental impacts caused by organochlorine and organophosphate pesticides in the control of termites and creates sustainable protection of buildings against their invasion. Treated-sawdust bait was applied by two methods: a) combination of treated sawdust and untreated filter paper, and b) combination of treated sawdust and untreated sawdust. When combinations of treated sawdust and untreated sawdust were used, LC50 and LC90 were 8.4&times;106 and 3.9&times;107 (spore/ml), respectively. With the use of improved bait formula and more virulent strains, we hope to achieve better control of termite colonies and enable pathogens to become a useful element in the Integrated Pest Management system.

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