Life history traits of Coccophagus gossypariae (Hymenoptera: Aphelinidae), a parasitoid of invasive Eriococcus spurius (Hemiptera: Eriococcidae) in field studies

2020 ◽  
pp. 1-14
Author(s):  
Caitlin Mader ◽  
Jim Watts ◽  
Nadir Erbilgin
Keyword(s):  
Biological Control ◽  
Life History Traits ◽  
Biological Control Agent ◽  
Field Studies ◽  
Control Agent ◽  
Ulmus Americana ◽  
American Elm ◽  
Candidate Species ◽  
Biased Sex Ratio ◽  
Males And Females

Abstract Eriococcus spurius (Modeer) (Hemiptera: Eriociccidae) is a pest of American elm (Ulmus americana Linnaeus; Ulmaceae) trees in western North America, but no effective biological control agent has been reported. This study took place in Calgary, Alberta, Canada, where urban American elms have been heavily and negatively impacted by E. spurius. Although the parasitoid Coccophagus gossypariae Gahan (Hymenoptera: Aphelinidae) was recovered from an E. spurius infested American elm in Calgary, little is known about its ecology. Prior to implementing biological control, the basic ecology of a candidate species must be understood. We documented the geographic establishment, sex ratios, and parasitism rate of C. gossyparaie on its host within the study area. Coccophagus gossypariae had established at 89% of study trees sampled and accounted for 98% of the parasitoids caught. They had a female-biased sex ratio of 13.7 females per male, and both males and females developed to maturity using the host. We found evidence of a highly consistent aversion to superparasitism by females in the field. This first investigation established a baseline of information on field populations of C. gossypariae that could lead to biological control of E. spurius.

AnAlternariasp. on Leafy Spurge (Euphorbia esula)

Weed Science ◽  
1983 ◽  
Vol 31 (1) ◽  
pp. 86-88 ◽  
Author(s):  
Joseph M. Krupinsky ◽  
Russell J. Lorenz
Keyword(s):  
Biological Control ◽  
Biological Control Agent ◽  
Field Studies ◽  
Leafy Spurge ◽  
Control Agent ◽  
Euphorbia Esula ◽  
Cultural Characteristics ◽  
Representative Strain

In 1979 and 1980, isolates ofAlternariawere obtained from diseased leafy spurge (Euphorbia esulaL.) plants. The pathogenicity of anAlternariasp. towards leafy spurge was demonstrated in glasshouse and limited field studies, and theAlternariais considered to be a potential biological - control agent for leafy spurge. The pathogenicity and cultural characteristics of the fungus suggest its classification asA. tenuissimaf. sp.euphorbiae,with isolate Krupinsky 80-3547ss4 (= E. G. Simmons 35-079) as a representative strain.

scholarly journals Eiphosoma laphygmae, a classical solution for the biocontrol of the fall armyworm, Spodoptera frugiperda?

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Tabea Allen ◽  
Marc Kenis ◽  
Lindsey Norgrove
Keyword(s):  
Biological Control ◽  
Spodoptera Frugiperda ◽  
Biological Control Agent ◽  
Fall Armyworm ◽  
Farming Systems ◽  
Field Studies ◽  
Classical Biological Control ◽  
Control Agent ◽  
North East ◽  
Parasitism Rates

AbstractThe fall armyworm, Spodoptera frugiperda, an American Lepidoptera, is invasive in Africa and Asia and currently one of the most damaging cereal pests in the tropics. The ichneumonid parasitoid, Eiphosoma laphygmae, is a potential classical biological control agent. We assessed existing knowledge on biology, identified natural distributions, collated reported parasitism rates from field studies and determined which other parasitoids co-occurred. We discussed the suitability of E. laphygmae for classical biological control as well as identified limitations and knowledge gaps. We conducted a systematic literature review and had 185 hits, retaining 52 papers. Reports on the natural distribution of E. laphygmae were restricted to the American tropics, ranging from North-East Mexico to Sao Paulo State, Brazil. There were only two single and unconfirmed records of it on other hosts, suggesting that the parasitoid may be specific to S. frugiperda, but this needs confirmation. In fields where E. laphygmae occurred naturally, it was the second most important contributor to fall armyworm mortality, after the braconid Chelonus insularis. On average, E. laphygmae parasitized 4.5% of fall armyworm in field studies. The highest parasitism rates were from Costa Rica (13%) and Minas Gerais, Brazil (14.5%). However, these parasitism rates are probably largely underestimated because of likely biases in sampling and parasitism rate calculations. Eiphosoma laphygmae appeared to establish better in more diverse, weedy systems. As African farming systems often have high diversity, this may favour the establishment and parasitism of E. laphygmae if eventually introduced as a classical biological control agent.

scholarly journals A maximalist approach to the systematics of a biological control agent: Gryon aetherium Talamas, sp. nov. (Hymenoptera, Scelionidae)

2021 ◽  
Vol 87 ◽  
pp. 323-480 ◽  
Author(s):  
Elijah J. Talamas ◽  
Jonathan S. Bremer ◽  
Matthew R. Moore ◽  
Marie-Claude Bon ◽  
Zachary Lahey ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Biological Control ◽  
North America ◽  
Molecular Analysis ◽  
Biological Control Agent ◽  
Field Studies ◽  
Morphological Characters ◽  
Control Agent

A morphological and molecular analysis of Gryon Haliday (Platygastroidea, Scelionidae) was conducted to provide a taxonomic and phylogenetic context for a species under evaluation as a biological control agent of Bagrada hilaris (Burmeister) (Hemiptera, Pentatomidae). Our analysis revealed that Gryon is polyphyletic and that the biological control agent is not G. gonikopalense, a name that was tentatively applied to this species in 2019. We here describe this species as new, Gryon aetherium Talamas sp. nov., and resurrect the generic name Hadronotus Förster. Morphological characters that delimit our concepts of Gryon and Hadronotus are presented. Based on morphological characters and multilocus phylogenies, we determined that five presently valid scelionid genera belong within Gryon. In total, 15 species are transferred into Gryon from these genera, 215 species are transferred from Gryon to Hadronotus, and 6 species are transferred from Gryon to Dyscritobaeus Perkins. Specimens collected during field studies in California and reevaluation of specimens determined as G. myrmecophilum in Mexico reveal that G. aetherium is adventive in North America.

scholarly journals Comparison of the behaviour of a transformed hygromycin resistant strain of Trichoderma atroviride (M1057hygR) with the wildtype strain (M1057)

2004 ◽  
Vol 57 ◽  
pp. 72-76 ◽  
Author(s):  
K.L. McLean ◽  
S.L. Dodd ◽  
B.E. Sleight ◽  
R.A. Hill ◽  
A. Stewart
Keyword(s):  
Biological Control ◽  
Biological Control Agent ◽  
Field Studies ◽  
Control Agent ◽  
White Rot ◽  
Trichoderma Atroviride ◽  
Wildtype Strain ◽  
Sclerotium Cepivorum ◽  
Significant Difference ◽  
Rhizosphere Competence

The biocontrol isolate Trichoderma atroviride M1057 and a transformed hygromycin resistant biotype (M1057hygR) were compared using biological control rhizosphere competence and antibiosis studies to determine whether the transformed biotype performed in a similar manner to the wildtype strain In an onion growth chamber trial using soil naturally infested with the onion white rot pathogen Sclerotium cepivorum there was no significant difference (P>005) in the level of disease control given by the two T atroviride strains Similarly populations of T atroviride M1057 and M1057hygR were equivalent (P>005) in the rhizosphere of onion seedlings There was no significant difference (P>005) between the mycelial growth rates of S cepivorum when grown on agar amended with culture filtrate of T atroviride M1057 and M1057hygR Thus T atroviride M1057hygR has similar biological attributes to the wildtype isolate and can be used in future field studies looking at the population ecology of the biological control agent

Biological Control Studies on Yellow Nutsedge with Bactra verutana Zeller

Weed Science ◽  
1970 ◽  
Vol 18 (3) ◽  
pp. 393-395 ◽  
Author(s):  
P. E. Keeley ◽  
R. J. Thullen ◽  
J. H. Miller
Keyword(s):  
Biological Control ◽  
Biological Control Agent ◽  
Field Studies ◽  
Control Agent ◽  
Research Station ◽  
Cyperus Esculentus ◽  
Insect Infestation ◽  
Field Surveys ◽  
Yellow Nutsedge

Studies were conducted on and in the vicinity of the U. S. Cotton Research Station at Shafter, California, to evaluate the prevalence of the insect Bactra verutana Zeller (Olethreutidae) and its potential for injury to yellow nutsedge (Cyperus esculentus L.). Field surveys during August 1966, and August and October 1967 revealed many infested yellow nutsedge plants. Other field studies indicated that the insect may significantly suppress the growth of yellow nutsedge, providing that the insect infestation is early, sufficiently severe, and present on both parent and subsequently emerging vegetative plants. Greenhouse studies further revealed that severely infested plants may survive to produce numerous vegetative plants and tubers. While Bactra verutana Zeller damaged yellow nutsedge plants late in the season, the absence of early infestation limited its usefulness as a biological control agent.

scholarly journals Life history parameters and predation capacities of Nesidiocoris volucer: a new biological control agent for tomato crop

2022 ◽  
pp. 1-9
Author(s):  
Lucie Marquereau ◽  
Jean-Sébastien Cottineau ◽  
Olivier Fontaine ◽  
Frédéric Chiroleu ◽  
Bernard Reynaud ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Biological Control ◽  
Life History ◽  
Life History Traits ◽  
Biocontrol Agent ◽  
Insect Pests ◽  
Biological Control Agent ◽  
Control Agent ◽  
Tomato Crop ◽  
Tropical Areas ◽  
Plant Injury

Abstract Whiteflies are one of the major pests of tomato under greenhouses, and their control partly relies on biocontrol strategies. Among those biocontrol agents, parasitoids or predators are widely used. However, the introduction of a biocontrol agent in a new area is not trivial. For that reason, we investigated the use of a tropical native mirid, Nesidiocoris volucer (Hemiptera: Miridae), for the biological control of whiteflies among other insect pests on tomato crops under greenhouses in the subtropical island of La Réunion, France. Nesidiocoris volucer life history traits and plant injury were examined. Nymphs developed and survived between 15 and 30°C and required on average 49.41 days at 15°C and on average 10.50 days at 30°C to develop (nymph survival >94%). At 25°C, each female produced on average 65 eggs. Nesidiocoris volucer was able to feed on several prey species, but performed better on whiteflies than on spider mites or thrips. No N. volucer feeding injury was observed on tomato. Nesidiocoris volucer has also been found in tropical countries of Africa, and we believe that the data presented on this natural enemy could be of great importance for the biocontrol of whiteflies in tropical areas.

scholarly journals FUNCTIONAL RESPONSE OF HABROBRACON HEBETOR SAY (HYM.: BRACONIDAE) TO MEDITERRANEAN FLOUR MOTH (ANAGASTA KUEHNIELLA ZELLER), IN RESPONSE TO PESTICIDES

2013 ◽  
Vol 53 (4) ◽  
pp. 399-403 ◽  
Author(s):  
Vahid Mahdavi ◽  
Moosa Saber
Keyword(s):  
Biological Control ◽  
Functional Response ◽  
Biological Control Agent ◽  
Host Density ◽  
Field Studies ◽  
Control Agent ◽  
Habrobracon Hebetor ◽  
Young Females ◽  
Anagasta Kuehniella ◽  
Chemical Material

Abstract The functional response is a behavioral phenomena defined as the relation between the parasitized host per each parasitoid and host density. This phenomenon can be useful in assessing parasitoid efficiency for the biological control of the host. Parasitoid wasps are most important insects and they play a significant role in the natural control of pests via their parasitism activities. In this study, the effects of diazinon and malathion were evaluated on the functional response of Habrobracon hebetor Say to different densities of last instar larvae of Anagasta kuehniella Zeller. Young adult females (< 24 h old) of the parasitoid were exposed to LC30 values of pesticides. Host densities of 2, 4, 8, 16, 32, and 64 were offered, to treated young females for 24 h in 10 cm Petri dishes. At this point, the parasitism data were recorded. The experiments were conducted in eight replications. The functional response was type Ш in the control and insecticide treatments. Searching efficiency in the control, diazinon and malathion-treated wasps were 0.008±0.002, 0.003±0.002, and 0.004±0.002 h-1, handling times were 1.38±0.1, 7.95±0.91, and 6.4±0.81 h, respectively. Diazinon and malathion had the highest and the lowest effect on searching efficiency of H. hebetor, respectively. After conducting advanced field studies, it was found that malathion may be used as a compatible chemical material with biological control agent in IPM programs.

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