THE INFLUENCE OF DIFFERENT PHYTOPROTECTION SYSTEMS ON ENTOMOFAGE FAUNA IN APPLE PLANTATION

The paper presents data on the diversity of entomophagous fauna in an ecologically managed apple plantation, as well as aspects regarding the differences found in the structure of the entomophagous complex in three variants of phytoprotection technologies: "Ecological", "Biotechnical" and "Chemical standard". The study was carried out during the years 2019-2020, at the Research Institute for Fruit Growing Pitesti, in a plot aged 12 years. The evaluations were performed both in the field, visually and in the laboratory, at binocular magnifier. As a result of this study, a number of 6 species of predatory insects were identified: Chrysopa carnea, Coccinella septempunctata, Adalia decempunctata, Anthocoris sp., Phytoseiulus persimilis and Aphidoletes aphidimyza, were mainly from the Orders Mesostigmata, Coleoptera, Neuroptera, Diptera and Hemiptera.

The genome sequence of the seven-spotted ladybird, Coccinella septempunctata Linnaeus, 1758

We present a genome assembly from an individual female Coccinella septempunctata (the seven-spotted ladybird; Arthropoda; Insecta; Coleoptera; Coccinellidae). The genome sequence is 399 megabases in span. The majority (99.96%) of the assembly is scaffolded into 9 chromosomal pseudomolecules, with the X sex chromosome assembled.

Species Complex and Temporal Associations between Coccinellids and Aphids in Alfalfa Stands in Spain

Alfalfa is known to be an important reservoir harboring natural enemies. The reduction in insecticide sprayings in recent years has allowed us to study the coccinellid species complex in this crop and the relationship between these predators and aphids. Alfalfa was sampled by sweep-netting throughout its productive period in several commercial stands each year between 2010 and 2021. The numbers and species of aphids and coccinellids were recorded. Sixteen coccinellid species were found. Coccinella septempunctata and Hippodamia variegata were, by far, the most prevalent species, with the former dominating during the first and second intercuts, whereas the latter dominated from the third to the fifth intercut. Acyrthosiphon pisum and Therioaphis trifolii were the most abundant aphid species, peaking in the second and fourth intercuts, respectively. Positive correlations were found between the abundance of C. septempunctata and A. pisum at the second intercut, between H. variegata and T. trifolii at the fourth intercut, and between H. variegata and the total number of aphids in the fifth intercut. This study helps to increase the knowledge on the predator–prey relationships of this crop and allows for designing strategies of conservation biological control against aphids.

Nondetrimental impact of two concomitant entomopathogenic fungi on life history parameters of a generalist predator, Coccinella septempunctata (Coleoptera: Coccinellidae)

The non-persistent impact of biocontrol agents can be revealed for pest control when associated entomopathogenic fungi (EPFs) negatively affect the natural enemies. In this assay, impacts of Beauvaria bassiana (Balsamo) Vuillemin, and Metarhizium anisopliae (Metschnikoff) Sorokin were studied for their compatibility or side effects on life table parameters of an important generalist predator, Coccinella septempunctata L. The results indicated non-significant impacts of both EPFs on life table parameters of C. septempunctata. The development time (egg-adult) was not significantly different in control (69.79 days) and EPFs treated C. septempunctata (69.35–80.07 days). Both fungi did not induce any significant changes in the fecundity, adult pre-oviposition period (APOP), total preoviposition period (TPOP), and mean generation time (T) as compared to control treatment. Similarly, no difference in fecundity rate of C. septempunctata was observed after EPFs treatment (287.7–288.5) compared to control (290.0). The highest net reproductive rate (R0) occurred in control (87.05 offspring individual−1) and M. anisopliae (86.31 offspring individual−1) as compared to B. bassiana treated beetles (76.97 offspring individual−1). The age-specific fecundity curves indicated that the C. septempunctata had a similar fecundity rate in both EPFs treatments and control. This study demonstrates no significant side effects of B. bassiana and M. anispoliae on the performance and biology of C. septempunctata. Considering the compatibility of both EPFs with C. septempunctata, their combinations can be recommended in various integrated pest management programs.

Comparative Functional and Numeric Response of Two Coccinellids (Coccinella septempunctata and Cheilomenes sexmaculata) Preying Cowpea Aphid (Aphis craccivora)

Background: The cowpea aphid, Aphis craccivora Koch (Hemiptera: Aphididae), a plant lice known to commonly attack plants that causes loss by sucking sap from phloem and act as vector for viruses. The aphidophagous coccinellids are efficient in controlling the pestiferous population of aphids. The two coccinellid Coccinella septempunctata and Cheilomenes sexmaculata are efficient in predation of cowpea aphid, Aphis craccivora in southern Rajasthan. The present study determined the response of prey consumption at different prey densities. Methods: To compute the functional and numeric response of the lady bird beetle on cowpea aphid, experiment was conducted in vitro by using cowpea potted plant in caged conditions at Department of Entomology, Rajasthan College of Agriculture during 2019-20. The cowpea pea plants were sown in small pots and were placed in aluminium insect cages having 15 cm × 15 cm × 15 cm size. The predatory potential of coccinellid grubs and adults were evaluated at six different prey densities (aphids per arena): 25, 50, 75, 100, 125, 150 and 200 with 5 replications. Result: The grub and adults of C. septempunctata consumed more prey as compared to C. sexmaculata. Both the coccinellid showed Type II functional response when functional curve was plotted. The linear regression method suggested that C. septempunctata required less time to act upon prey as compared to C. sexmaculata. The C. septempunctata also showed more numeric response in terms of ECI [conversion efficiency of prey consumption (ECI) into biomass (egg)] at different prey densities. The fecundity in both the cases increased with the increased prey densities that eventually decreased after reaching the maximum egg laying capacity at prey density of 125 aphids. In all the cases it was found that consumption rate of predaceous beetle increased with increasing aphid population.

Documentation of the Major Insect Pest of Cabbage and Their Associated Natural Enemies in Bihar, North-eastern India

The present investigation was conducted at farm of ICAR-Research Centre for Eastern Region (ICAR-RCER), Patna, Bihar during 2020-21.Geographically, ICAR-RCER, Patna is located at 25o35`30`` N latitude, 85o05`03`` E longitude, at an altitude 52m above mean sea level. The climate of the region is warm and temperate which is characterized by extremes of the temperature both during summer and winter. During summer, temperature may rise as high as 390C and in winter it may fall as low as 2-30C.The total annual average rain fall is 1130mm. This region provides a safe long growing season for most of the crops. Diamond back moth was found to be the most serious insect pest of cabbage. The infestation appeared during first week of January (SMW1) at vegetative stage and remained present up to the harvesting of the crop i.e. 11th SMW. Among the natural enemies, two species of coccinellids (Coccinella septempunctata, C. transversalis), one larval parasitoid (Cotesia plutellae) and one Syrphid fly (Toxomerus geminatus) and one unidentified spider was observed during crop period.

EVALUATION OF CHRYSOPERLA CARNEA COMPLEX AND COCCINELLID PREDATORS AS BIOCONTROL AGENTS OF RICANIA SPECULUM (WALKER, 1851) (HEMIPTERA RICANIIDAE)

Ricania speculum is an alien insect feeding on several host plants belonging to several families, including important vegetables, crops, ornamental plants, wild plants as well as trees. For the first time, recently, Chrysoperla sp. and coccinellid beetles have been observed preying on this species in the field on Citrus sp. and Laurus nobilis plants. The main purposes of this work were to evaluate the possible predation capability of these groups of insects and determine their prey preference in laboratory trials. In the choice trials, R. speculum nymphs were paired in a confined space and exposed for 24h to single predators: Ch. carnea complex and to the coccinellids Cryptolaemus montrouzieri, Adalia bipunctata, Coccinella septempunctata, and Propylea quatuordecimpunctata. Specimens of Aphis rumicis, an aphid frequently found on her baceous plants, were used as a control prey. In the cage trials, a single Ch. carnea complex second-instar larva was placed into a jar containing a tomato plant with ten R. speculum nymphs. In the choice trials, a high mortality percentage of both preys was observed with the Ch. carnea complex, while in those with Coccinellids only high A. rumicis mortality was reported. In the cage trials, 13% mortality of R. speculm was recorded after 24h while after 72h and 168h prey mortalities reached 18% and 25%, respectively. The results of the study showed that larvae of the Ch. carnea complex could be potential predators of R. speculum, while coccinellids do not seem promising predators of this alien species.