Complete Genome Analysis of a Novel Picorna-Like Virus From a Ladybird Beetle, Cheilomenes Sexmaculata

The ladybird beetle Cheilomenes sexmaculata (family Coccinellidae, order Coleoptera), is a common insect predator of agricultural pests. In this study, the full genome sequence of a novel picorna-like virus, temporarily named “Cheilomenes sexmaculata picorna-like virus 1” (CSPLV1), was identified from C. sexmaculata. The full-length sequence of CSPLV1 was 11,384 nucleotide (nt) in length (excluding the polyA tail) with one predicted open reading frame (ORF) encoding 3727 amino acids, a 13 nt 5' untranslated region (UTR) and a 187 nt 3' UTR. The ORF of CSPLV1 consisted of four distinct domains including an RNA virus helicase domain (3029-3319 nt), a peptidase domain (5555-6121 nt), an RNA-dependent RNA polymerase domain (7154-8101 nt) and a picorna-like coat protein domain (8606-9283nt). Phylogenetic analysis based on the conserved RdRP sequence showed that CSPLV1, together with Wuhan house centipede virus 3, Hypera postica associated virus 1 and Diabrotica undecimpunctata virus 1, formed as an unclassified group which is closely related to the clade Solinviviridae. To the best of our knowledge, CSPLV1 is the first picorna-like virus revealed in C. sexmaculata.

Study of The Effect of Hot Water Extract of Some Plants on The Alfalfa Weevil Hypera Postica (Gyllenhal, 1813) (Coleoptera: Curculionidae)

The research was conducted in the laboratory of insects in the Faculty of Agriculture/the University of Muthanna about studying the effect of Hot water extract of the pomegranate peels, eucalyptus leaves and basil leaves in different stages (egg, larva, pupa and adult) for Alfalfa Weevil Hypera postica. The results showed that the pomegranate peel extract superiority the percentage of mortality in all the stages used in the experiment over the other plant extracts mentioned above, followed by eucalyptus leaf extract and then basil leaf extract, The results showed that the pomegranate peel extract was effective in controlling the larval stage of the insect, especially st and 2nd larvae instars in addition to the adult stage, the highest percentage of mortality in the larval stage of the insect at the first larval age was (60.0, 46.6 and 26.7%) For all extracts respectively at 1.5 mg/ml after 5 days of treatment. In the pupae stage the highest percentage of mortality was (16.7, 10.0 and 03.3%) at the concentration of 1.5 mg/ml For all extracts respectively. while the effectiveness was very weak in controlling of the eggs and pupa of insect and all extracts. where the highest percentage of mortality in the eggs was at 1.5 mg/ml. It was (20.0, 10.0 and 03.3%) respectively after 7 days of treatment. While The highest mortality rate in adult was (53.3, 40.0 and 16.7%) At 1.5mg/ml for all extracts respectively compared with control treatment (00.0%) for all the insect stages. The plant extracts used in the experiment at a concentration of 0.5 mg/ml did not show any effect on the rates of insect death after a day of treatment and for all stages that reaching (00.0%).

Biological Effect of Different Concentrations of Bacillus Thurngensis Isolated From The Soils of Sawa Lake, Al Muthanna Governorate on The of Hypera postica at Different Time Periods

This study conduct in Al-Muthanna governorate to assess five concentrations of Bacillus thurngensisagonist Hyperapostica. The results showed the presence of Bacillus thurngensisin all the studied sites of Lake Sawa in Muthanna Governorate, and the rates of its presence were close to the same sites, and the rate of its presence in those sites was 35%, and its highest rate was recorded in the north and east of the lake, as it reached 40% and the lowest amounted to 30% in the two sites south and west site. The results of the study showed that five concentrations were taken from bacterial isolates of B. thuringiensisdiffered in the rates of killing larvae, pupae and adults of the insect Hyperapostica in vitro, Where the concentrate 1.7 × 103 spore/ml was characterized by a higher killing ratecompared to the four studied concentrations, the killing rates were (75.750, 71.080, 69.79, 64,361, 49.117 and 42,060)% for the first larval instar, the second larval instar, the third larval instar, the fourth larval instar, and the pupae, respectively, and the lowest killing rate recorded 6.873% at concentration 0.64 × 107after 24 hours of treatment.

Efficacy of some native entomopathogenic nematodes against the alfalfa weevil, Hypera postica (Gyllenhal) (Coleoptera: Curculionidae), and the lucerne beetle, Gonioctena fornicata (Brüggemann) (Coleoptera: Chrysomelidae), adults under laboratory conditions

Background Entomopathogenic nematodes (EPNs) have more important role in biological control of economic insect pests. The effect of native EPNs on adults of the lucerne beetle, Gonioctena fornicata (Brüggemann, 1873) (Coleoptera: Chrysomelidae), and the alfalfa weevil, Hypera postica (Gyllenhal, 1813) (Coleoptera: Curculionidae), which are important alfalfa pests in Turkey and around the world, was investigated. Results Dose-mortality assays were carried out with 5 isolates [Steinernema carpocapsae (Weiser, 1955) (Nematoda: Steinernematidae) (Black sea isolate), S. feltiae Filipjev, 1934 (isolate 09-31), Heterorhabditis bacteriophora Poinar, 1976 (Nematoda: Heterorhabditidae) (isolate 09-43), H. bacteriophora Tokat-Songut, and S. carpocapsae Tokat-Ulas] using doses of 500, 1000, and 2000 IJs ml−1 under the laboratory conditions. Studies showed that all isolates had an effect 90% and more at 2000 IJs ml−1 and at the end of 112 h [except, H. bacteriophora (isolate 09-43) and H. bacteriophora Tokat-Songut isolates against H. postica]. In addition, LT30, LT50, and LT90 values at 1000 IJs ml−1 were determined. Conclusions According to the results, G. fornicata adults were susceptible to all isolates tested in the study and H. postica adults were susceptible to the isolates S. carpocapsae (Black sea isolate), S. feltiae (isolate 09-31), and S. carpocapsae Tokat-Ulas. This is the first study conducted in Turkey for the virulence of EPNs against G. fornicata and H. postica.

Characterisation of the Viral Community Associated with the Alfalfa Weevil (Hypera postica) and Its Host Plant, Alfalfa (Medicago sativa)

Advances in viral metagenomics have paved the way of virus discovery by making the exploration of viruses in any ecosystem possible. Applied to agroecosystems, such an approach opens new possibilities to explore how viruses circulate between insects and plants, which may help to optimise their management. It could also lead to identifying novel entomopathogenic viral resources potentially suitable for biocontrol strategies. We sampled the larvae of a natural population of alfalfa weevils (Hypera postica), a major herbivorous pest feeding on legumes, and its host plant alfalfa (Medicago sativa). Insect and plant samples were collected from a crop field and an adjacent meadow. We characterised the diversity and abundance of viruses associated with weevils and alfalfa, and described nine putative new virus species, including four associated with alfalfa and five with weevils. In addition, we found that trophic accumulation may result in a higher diversity of plant viruses in phytophagous pests compared to host plants.

Effects of Temperature and Relative Humidity on the Embryonic Development of Hypera postica Gyllenhal (Col.: Curculionidae)

The combined effect of the temperature and relative humidity on the survival and development time of the eggs of Spanish populations of the weevil Hypera postica, a key pest of alfalfa around the world, was evaluated under laboratory conditions. The experimental temperatures ranged from 8 to 36 °C, in 4 °C increments. Three relative humidity ranges were defined: high, medium, and low. Eggs of the alfalfa weevil successfully developed until larval emergence at all of the 24 conditions tested. However, the temperature and relative humidity affected the survival of the eggs. The egg developmental time decreased as the temperature increased from 8 to 32 °C, and the longest time was recorded at a low relative humidity (RH). The relationship between the development rate and temperature fit well to the lineal model for relative humidity. The minimum development threshold (T0) and the thermal requirement for egg development (K) ranged between 3 and 4 °C and 209 and 246 degree-days, respectively. According to these values and the occurrence of eggs and larvae (in winter) and adults (in autumn) in field samplings, the period of oviposition was determined. The results of the study contribute to better understanding the annual cycle and phenology of H. postica in the Iberian Peninsula and southern Europe.