EFFECTS OF FLEA BEETLES, PHYLLOTRETA SPP. (CHRYSOMELIDAE: COLEOPTERA), ON THE SURVIVAL, GROWTH, SEED YIELD AND QUALITY OF CANOLA, RAPE AND YELLOW MUSTARD

1984 ◽  
Vol 116 (2) ◽  
pp. 269-280 ◽  
Author(s):  
Robert J. Lamb

AbstractThe effects of damage by natural infestations of the flea beetles Phyllotreta cruciferae (Goeze) and Phyllotreta striolata (F.) on field plots of canola, rape (Brassica napus L.), and yellow mustard (Sinapis alba L.) are described. Damage occurred primarily during the first few weeks after emergence: seedling mortality was high during the first week and growth was reduced during at least the first 2 weeks. This early damage delayed plant development, caused unevenness in height and maturity, and reduced seed yield and raised the chlorophyll content of the seed.Comparison among tests and treatments showed that a later-seeded test suffered less damage, and that carbofuran-treated plots were better protected than lindane-treated plots although the latter suffered slightly lower plant mortality. Yellow mustard showed a high level of resistance to flea beetle damage in comparison to rape and canola. Small differences in susceptibility were detected among three cultivars of B. napus.

1988 ◽  
Vol 68 (1) ◽  
pp. 85-93 ◽  
Author(s):  
R. J. LAMB

A 5-yr field study to develop a method for assessing the susceptibility of crucifer seedlings to damage by the flea beetles Phyllotreta cruciferae (Goeze) and Phyllotreta striolata (F.) is described. The recommended method consisted of five replicate 5-m rows per cultivar in a randomized complete-block design. Each test was sown three times at weekly intervals, to assure that at least one test received an appropriate level of flea beetle damage. Each test was assessed 4–5 wk after seeding by counting the number of surviving seedlings in each row and by weighing the dried aboveground portion of 10 randomly selected seedlings, although the latter discriminated fewer lines. The damage caused by flea beetles varied spatially, but this source of variation was minor and did not compromise the tests. This method proved adequate for discriminating among crucifer species and agronomically similar cultivars, some of which showed consistent, significant differences in their responses to flea beettle damage.Key words: Crucifer, rapeseed, flea beetle, pest resistance


1993 ◽  
Vol 125 (4) ◽  
pp. 703-713 ◽  
Author(s):  
R.J. Lamb ◽  
P. Palaniswamy ◽  
K.A. Pivnick ◽  
M.A.H. Smith

AbstractFive cycles of single-plant and progeny-row selection in lines derived from Brassica rapa L. "Tobin" were used to identify plants with incomplete resistance to flea beetles, Phyllotreta cruciferae (Goeze). This line, called C8711, had higher survival, grew larger, and yielded more seed than Tobin when the two lines were compared in field plots at Glenlea, Manitoba, unprotected by insecticide. C8711 without insecticide yielded more seed than Tobin treated with a lindane seed dressing, but less than Tobin treated with carbofuran granules. With carbofuran, which prevents most flea beetle damage, the yield of C8711 was 35% higher than for Tobin. At Saskatoon, Saskatchewan, the differences between C8711 and Tobin were not statistically significant, although the trends were similar to those at Glenlea. C8711 was late maturing, produced small seed, and was not of canola quality. The resistance in C8711 is attributed to a low level of antixenosis, rapid growth at the cotyledon stage, and tolerance to damage during the first 3–4 weeks of growth.


1979 ◽  
Vol 111 (12) ◽  
pp. 1345-1353 ◽  
Author(s):  
H. G. Wylie

AbstractPhyllotreta cruciferae (Goeze) was usually the most abundant flea beetle on crops of Argentine rape, Brassica napus L., in Manitoba, followed in order by Phyllotreta striolata (F.) and Psylliodes punctulata Melsh. These three species and small numbers of Phyllotreta bipustulata (F.) were present on volunteer rape in the spring. A few specimens of a fifth rape-eating species, Phyllotreta robusta Lee, were trapped in April after hibernating. The three main species were recorded in all 16 localities in which samples of flea beetles on rape crops and/or volunteer rape were collected. Details of seasonal life history of each species are presented, as well as data on the abundance of the three main species throughout the year on rape crops, in overwintering habitats and on volunteer rape in spring. The relative abundance of P. cruciferae, P. striolata, and Ps. punctulata in different rape-growing areas of Manitoba is discussed.


1993 ◽  
Vol 125 (5) ◽  
pp. 903-912 ◽  
Author(s):  
P. Palaniswamy ◽  
R.J. Lamb

AbstractLaboratory experiments were conducted to determine the effect of wounding the cotyledons of Sinapis alba L. cv. Ochre, Brassica napus L. cv. Westar, B. rapa L. cv. Tobin, and C8711, a selection from Tobin, on subsequent feeding damage by the flea beetle, Phyllotreta cruciferae (Goeze). Cotyledons of 7-day-old seedlings were wounded either by puncturing them with needles (mechanical wounding) or by exposing them to flea beetles. One, 2, or 9 days following wounding, the wounded and unwounded seedlings were exposed to flea beetles and the feeding damage was estimated as a measure of antixenosis. Mechanical wounding of one of the cotyledons with 96 needle punctures induced a significant reduction in the damage of the unwounded cotyledons of S. alba, 1 or 2 days following wounding. True leaves of the wounded seedlings also showed consistently less damage than unwounded controls, 9 days following wounding. In S. alba, all three levels of mechanical wounding (i.e. 6, 24, or 96 punctures per cotyledon) reduced subsequent flea beetle damage to a similar extent. Wrapping a cotyledon of S. alba with a plastic film produced an effect similar to wounding it with needles. As with mechanical wounding, flea beetle wounding also reduced subsequent flea beetle damage in S. alba. Other plant species (B. napus and B. rapa) tested showed no measurable induced effects on subsequent feeding damage.


1998 ◽  
Vol 130 (2) ◽  
pp. 235-240 ◽  
Author(s):  
Palaniswamy Pachagounder ◽  
Robert J. Lamb ◽  
Robert P. Bodnaryk

AbstractFeeding damage by the crucifer flea beetle, Phyllotreta cruciferae (Goeze), was assessed on 51 accessions of false flax, Camelina sativa L., and compared with damage to seven other crucifer species. Three experiments were conducted on seedlings in laboratory arenas infested with field-collected beetles. Feeding damage was estimated visually at daily intervals for up to 7 days. Natural infestation of false flax and other crucifers was observed in the field. Flea beetles fed little (0–10% consumption) on cotyledons or true leaves of any of the false flax accessions, and fed more (59–100% consumption) on the other crucifers. Flea beetles were observed sitting on false flax in the field, sometimes in high numbers, but they did not feed. In the laboratory, beetles eventually fed on cotyledons and leaves and once feeding was initiated, it tended to continue. Resistance in false flax may result from the absence of cues that initiate feeding, rather than a feeding deterrent. The high level of resistance in false flax would likely be economically beneficial if this species is developed as an oilseed crop. False flax could also be useful experimentally for identifying the cues that attract flea beetles to plants and stimulate their feeding.


1977 ◽  
Vol 109 (1) ◽  
pp. 21-32 ◽  
Author(s):  
L. Burgess

AbstractAdults of five species of flea beetles were found attacking rape crops (Brassica napusL. andBrassica campestrisL.) in the Canadian prairie provinces from 1971 to 1974.Phyllotreta cruciferae(Goeze) was the most abundant and serious pest, followed in order byPsylliodes punctulataMelsh. andPhyllotreta striolata(F.) (=vittata(F.)), whilePhyllotreta albionica(Lec.) andPhyllotreta robustaLec. were present only occasionally. The fourPhyllotretaspecies confined their feeding largely to cruciferous plants, butPsyl.punctulatahad a broader host range. All of the five species overwintered as adults, usually in leaf litter or turf beneath hedges, poplar groves, or fencerows, or sometimes in the soil in fields, and all became active with the arrival of warm sunny weather in the spring, withPsyl.punctulatausually being the first to appear. All appeared to have but one generation per year, with mating and egg laying occurring in the spring, the larvae inhabiting the soil and feeding on host-plant roots, and the new generation of adults emerging from pupae in the soil in late July and in August. The overwintered adults usually died in late June or early July, so there was a period in July when adult flea beetles were scarce. The most serious damage to rape crops by flea beetles was caused by overwintered adults attacking seedling crops in the spring; movement of these beetles into crops took the form of a creeping infestation moving from plant to plant into the field from nearby volunteer rape of cruciferous weed feeding grounds, or a more rapid and even infestation of a whole field with flight probably being the major method of movement. Flea beetles fed most actively when the weather was sunny, warm, and dry; cool damp weather reduced the intensity of attack and aided plant growth. Shade, such as exists in a healthy stand of rape beyond the pre-bloom stage, also inhibited attack. Occasionally, late-maturing rape crops were damaged in late summer by new generation adult flea beetles, particularlyP.cruciferae, feeding on the green epidermis of the stems, leaves, and pods.A field key for separating the five flea beetle species attacking rape crops in the Canadian prairie provinces is given.


2007 ◽  
Vol 87 (2) ◽  
pp. 385-393 ◽  
Author(s):  
R. H. Elliott ◽  
L. W. Mann ◽  
O. O. Olfert

A 3-yr study was conducted on three synthetic Brassica rapa L. cultivars to determine the effects of seed size and seed weight on seedling establishment, seedling growth and susceptibility to feeding damage by flea beetles, Phyllotreta spp. (Coleoptera: Chrysomelidae). Seed lots of AC Boreal, Fairview and Hysyn 110 were sieved to obtain small, medium and large seeds (1.4–1.6, 1.6–1.8 and 1.8–2.0 mm, respectively). In the laboratory, seedlings grown from large seeds had the largest cotyledons, highest shoot dry weight and highest biomass. Shoot weights increased as seed size increased. Sized seeds of the three cultivars were grown in the field without insecticides in 1998–2000. Seedlings of small seeds had the highest flea beetle damage and poorest seedling establishment. Shoot dry weight and biomass 14–35 d after planting increased as seed size and seed weight increased. Compared with small seeds, large seeds improved shoot dry weight, biomass and seed yield by 13–43, 25–57 and 12%, respectively. Results indicated that seedlings of medium and large seeds are more vigorous and tolerant to flea beetle damage than seedlings of small seeds. Tolerance was due to a higher initial seedling weight rather than higher relative growth rate. Shoot dry weights, biomass and yield of the three cultivars were more strongly correlated with 1000-seed weight than with seed diameter. Key words: Canola, flea beetles, seed size, seedling vigour, tolerance, seed weight


1984 ◽  
Vol 116 (4) ◽  
pp. 653-656 ◽  
Author(s):  
L. Burgess

AbstractMean catches of Phyllotreta striolata (F.) in allyl isothiocyanate baited traps decreased southwards from the boreal forest and northern parkland to the central parkland of Saskatchewan, while the opposite was true for Phyllotreta cruciferae (Goeze). Similar trends in the relative numbers of the two species were evident in sweep net catches in canola crops.


1985 ◽  
Vol 117 (5) ◽  
pp. 541-545 ◽  
Author(s):  
H.G. Wylie

AbstractMicroctonus vittatae Mues. oviposit in the hemolymph of flea beetles, Phyllotreta striolata (F.) and Phyllotreta cruciferae (Goeze), by inserting the ovipositor into the host's mouth and occasionally, membranous areas between body segments. Some of the eggs are transported in the hemolymph posteriorly from the head to the thorax or abdomen, and some laid in the thorax are carried into the abdomen, but eggs hatch in all 3 body regions of the hosts. First-instar larvae that eclose in the head and thorax disperse into the abdomen where they develop. Egg and larval dispersal into the abdomen increase the probability that the parasite has adequate space for development.


2005 ◽  
Vol 85 (1) ◽  
pp. 225-235 ◽  
Author(s):  
Rebecca H. Hallett ◽  
Heather Ray ◽  
Jennifer Holowachuk ◽  
Juliana J. Soroka ◽  
Margaret Y. Gruber

A bioassay arena and a laboratory screening protocol were developed for assessing lines of Arabidopsis thaliana L. (Heynh.) for feeding damage by the adult crucifer flea beetle, Phyllotreta cruciferae (Goeze). The arena consists of a 96-well microtitre plate with a modified top to contain flea beetles and allow ventilation. Eight lines of A. thaliana, arranged in an 8 × 8 Latin square design, were screened simultaneously in each arena using 50 starved flea beetles. Two cotyledons and the first pair of true leaves per plant were rated visually under a dissecting microscope using a visual damage rating scale. The protocol was used to screen 29 wild ecotypes, eight mutant lines and a single transgenic line of A. thaliana. Discrimination between both cotyledon and leaf tissue was apparent for young beetles that were both non-reproductive or reproductive, but not for old reproductive beetles. Differences were observed between Asian and European ecotypes of A. thaliana, suggesting that geographic origin may play a role in susceptibility of Arabidopsis ecotypes to flea beetle feeding. The transparent testa regulatory gene mutants (lines 82, 111, 164) were most susceptible to flea beetle feeding, possibly indicating a role for anthocyanins and/or flavonoids in governing flea beetle susceptibility. Significant variation in damage levels indicates that expression of flea beetle resistance in the A rabidopsis genome is plastic, and that potential exists to use the wide array of publicly available Arabidopsis germplasm as tools in the transfer of resistance to agronomically important host plants. Key words: Seedling bioassay, Arabidopsis thaliana, wild ecotypes and mutants, crucifer flea beetle, Phyllotreta cruciferae, host plant resistance


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