Bionomics and host plants of the invasive Cydia interscindana (Möschler, 1866) (Lepidoptera, Tortricidae), an emerging pest in the Carpathian Lowlands

Cydia interscindana (Möschler, 1866) has spread through several European countries in the past few years, becoming an invasive pest of ornamental trees. It was collected in Hungary for the first time in a pheromone trap set for Cydia pomonella (Linnaeus, 1758) in 2014. Here we discuss its recent distribution in Hungary based on intensive sampling between 2018 and 2020, which showed the dispersal of the pest by humans. Two formerly unknown host plants are also recorded. The damage caused by the larvae, the external morphology of the adult male, larva, pupa (described for the first time) and pupal exuviae are presented. We also analyse DNA barcodes, identifying this pest for the first time via DNA sequencing of immature stages. Introduction Cydia interscindana is native in the Mediterranean region, where it was described by Möschler in 1866 from Andalusia. It is distributed in Mediterranean countries including Portugal (Corley 2004), Spain (Férriz et al. 2006), France (Lévêque et al. 2017) and Italy (Minelli 1995). Later the species was recorded in the British Isles (Knill-Jones 2020), Belgium (De Prins 2016), Switzerland (Swisslepteam 2010), Slovakia (Pastorális et al. 2018) and Russia (Caucasus; Schurov et al. 2017). In Hungary, Cydia interscindana adults were caught by a sticky delta pheromone trap (CSALOMON RAG type) for Cydia pomonella (Linnaeus 1758) in 2014 during a study on swarming dynamics of the latter pest in Budapest. This provided the first record of the species in the Carpathian basin (Szabóky 2014; Takács and Szabóky 2015). In the Mediterranean region larvae feed on Juniperus oxycedrus (L.) (Miller 1990). In Belgium the larva was recorded on Juniperus spp. (Meert et al. 2019). J. oxycedrus is not native in Hungary, but Cupressus × leylandii A.B. Jacks. & Dallim 1926, Platycladus orientalis (L.) Franco 1949 and Chamaecyparis lawsoniana (A. Murray bis) Parl. 1864 are popular evergreens used as ornamental trees both in parks and gardens. In Hungary several pests of these plants have been recorded, all probably introduced with imported plants; in the literature, 11 Lepidoptera, nine Coleoptera and six Hemiptera species have been mentioned already (Csóka and Kovács 1999; Maráczi 2013; Bozsik et al. 2016; Schurov et al. 2017). However, until the end of the 2000s, only Scolytidae (Coleoptera) species caused serious damage (Bozsik and Szőcs 2017). In 2012, an outbreak of the formerly detected (Muskovits 2001) Lamprodila festiva (Linnaeus 1767) (Buprestidae) took place in Budapest (Németh 2012) causing serious damage on Platycladus orientalis and several ornamental gymnosperm species. This outbreak was certainly caused by introduced specimens, that had arrived with trees from the Mediterranean region where this beetle is a well-known pest (Merkl 2016), whose abundance in Hungary increases due to climatic change (Csóka et al. 2018). Based on the available data, in Hungary this beetle pest has also been blamed for all the damage caused on Cupressus, Platycladus and Chamaecyparis trees and management has been carried out only against them. In 2018, a larva of L. festiva, an unidentified caterpillar and a freshly emerged specimen of Cydia interscindana were collected simultaneously from a Leyland cypress in Székesfehérvár (Central Hungary). In that year, similar Lepidoptera larvae were found in three neighbouring villages: Velence, Sukoró and Pákozd. To identify the sampled caterpillar, DNA analysis was undertaken. Additionally, in 2019–2020 a country-wide investigation was carried out to map the distribution and abundance of C. interscindana and gather data on bionomics of this pest in the Carpathian basin.

Mating Disruption of the Olive Moth Prays oleae (Bernard) in Olive Groves Using Aerosol Dispensers

The olive moth (OM), Prays oleae (Bern.) (Lepidoptera: Yponomeutidae), is a major olive grove pest worldwide; however, until now, very few studies have investigated the effectiveness of mating disruption (MD) techniques against this pest. Experiments were carried out for two successive years (2019 and 2020) in three different olive groves in Andalucía (Southern Spain) to evaluate mating disruption’s efficacy in controlling the OM from the first to the third generation. The effectiveness of MD formulations against the three generations of OM was assessed by determining the percentage of infested olive fruits, the reduction of pheromone trap catches, and the number of affected inflorescences in both MD-treated and untreated control olive groves. The number of release points (one or two aerosol devices per ha) was also evaluated. In all years and trials, the mean number of males caught in traps placed in the MD-treated plots was significantly lower than untreated sites. Mating disruption registered a high suppression of male captures (>75%) in treated plots for two consecutive seasons. Concerning infested olive fruits, substantial reductions (about 80%) were observed in the MD plots of locations B and C, and a reduction of about 40% was detected in location A, compared to the control plot. Results showed that the installation of two aerosol devices/ha reduced fruit damage below 20% of infested olive fruits except for one site where a reduction of about 71% in the MD plot was recorded in 2019. Although few significant differences were associated with OM male catches and infested olive fruits between plots treated with one aerosol/ha and two aerosols/ha in most of the comparisons, significant differences in the number of olive inflorescences infested by P. oleae were found, suggesting a similar performance between the two tested aerosol densities. Results of two-year field trials in Andalucía demonstrated the potential of Mister P X841 aerosol devices as an effective tool for controlling the olive moth, P. oleae.

Forewarning of incidence of Spodoptera litura (Tobacco caterpillar) in soybean and cotton using statistical and synoptic approach

A study on the effect of weather parameters on the the population dynamics of Spodoptera litura (S.litura) in soybean and cotton during kharif season using six years pest data (pheromone trap catches) at Niphad and Rahuri in Maharashtra showed that rainfall two weeks prior, Tmax and Tmin during the week of incidence signifiantly contributed towards the occurrence of S.litura in soybean. Maximum temperature and morning humidity during the week and one week prior were found to be favourable for the incidence of S. litura in cotton. Temperature (maximum: 26-27°C & minimum: 21-22°C), morning relative humidity (above 90%) and rainfall during one week prior were found to be congenial weather parameters for the outbreak of the pest in soybean. Similarly, maximum temperature around 32-33°C, minimum temperature around 22-23°C, morning relative humidity around 90 per cent, sunshine hours about 4 hrs day-1 and rainfall during the previous 2 weeks favoured heavy incidence of S.litura in cotton crop during flowering to boll formation stages. It is also shown how the incidence of S.litura in soybean and cotton can be predicted well in advance using the observed relationship of the pest with weather parameters as well as weather forecast.

Constraints and Suggestions of the Cotton Growers in Vidharba for Adoption of Improved Integrated Management Practices of Pink Bollworm

The pink bollworm (PBW) is an insect known for being a pest in cotton farming. In Maharashtra cotton growers are set to lose nearly 13 % of their output due to pink bollworm attacks on the standing crop in major production regions of the state. The impact of PBW attack has been felt the most in regions of vidarbha where cotton is cultivated as the main cash crop. Present study was conducted in six districts of Vidarbha region in Maharashtra considering the maximum area under cotton cultivation namely Buldana, Akola, Amravati, Yavatmal Wardha and Nagpur. A sample of 300 cotton growers were randomly selected from twelve taluka (two taluka from each district).The major constraints faced by cotton growers were non availability of labourers and high wage rate for undertaking the manual work of handpicking of larvae destruction of affected fruiting bodies and removal of rosette flower (95.00 %), non availability of biofungicides Beauveria bassiana at nearby market (90.33%), non availability of good quality pheromone trap & good quality pheromone lure (89.00%). In case of suggestions expressed by cotton growers overcome constraints were availability of biofungicides Beauveria bassiana should made available at subsidized rate nearby market, followed by availability of recommended insecticides should made available at subsidized rate in nearby market (94.33%), the government should made available good quality pheromone trap and lure used for pink bollworm at village level (93.00%), credit facilities should be increased and process should also easy and quick (87.33%).

Chickpea Yield Improvement through Front Line Demonstrations in Rajsamand District, India

The study was carried out during rabi season of 2015-16, 2016-17 and 2017-18 in 6 villages across 3 blocks (Rajsamand, Railmagra and Amet) of Rajsamand district. In all 225 front line demonstrations on chickpea crop were carried out in an area of 90.0 ha with the active participation of farmers with the objective to demonstrate the latest technology of chickpea production potential, technological gap, extension gap, technology index and economic benefit of improved technologies consisting suitable varieties GNG 1581, integrated nutrient management (20:40:0 NPK kg/ha + Rhizobium + PSB @ 20 g/kg seed) and integrated pest management (deep ploughing + seed treatment with Trichoderma viridae @ 6 g/kg seed +pheromone trap @ 10/ha + spray of Quinalphos @ 1.2 l/ha with 600 litres of water) at Rajsamand, Railmagra and Amet blocks of Rajsamand district during 2015-16 to 2017-18. The results revealed that FLD recorded higher yield as compared to farmers’ practices over the years of study. The improved technologies recorded average yield of 18.94 q ha-1 which was 27.97 per cent higher than that obtained with farmer’s practices of 14.81 q ha-1. In spite of increase in yield of chickpea, technological gap, extension gap and technology index existed which was 4.06, 4.13 q ha-1 and 17.67 per cent, respectively. The extension gap can be bridged by popularizing package of practices where in stress need to be laid on improved variety, use of proper seed rate, balanced nutrient application and proper plant protection measures. Improved technologies gave higher net return of Rs. 67727 ha-1 with benefit cost ratio 4.88 as compared to local check (Rs. 50487 ha-1, benefit cost ratio 4.22).

Monitorizarea sezonieră a dăunătorului Heliothis armigera Hbn. la diferite culturi agricole prin aplicarea capcanelor feromonale

In this article there are presented the results throughout the vegetation period in sunflower and soybean crops with the help of pheromone traps where the development of three generations of H. armi-gera pest was detected. It was demonstrated that in the sunflower crop were attracted on average about 119.0 males/trap while soybean had an average of about 217 males to a pheromone trap.

Confirmation of Oryctes rhinoceros nudivirus infections in G-haplotype coconut rhinoceros beetles (Oryctes rhinoceros) from Palauan PCR-positive populations

Coconut rhinoceros beetle (CRB), Oryctes rhinoceros, is a pest of palm trees in the Pacific. Recently, a remarkable degree of palm damage reported in Guam, Hawaii, Papua New Guinea and Solomon Islands has been associated with a particular haplotype (clade I), known as “CRB-G”. In the Palau Archipelago, both CRB-G and another haplotype (clade IV) belonging to the CRB-S cluster coexist in the field. In this study, more than 75% of pheromone trap-captured adults of both haplotypes were Oryctes rhinoceros nudivirus (OrNV)-positive by PCR. No significant difference in OrNV prevalence between the haplotypes was detected. In PCR-positive CRB-G tissue specimens from Palau, viral particles were observed by electron microscopy. Hemocoel injection of CRB larvae with crude virus homogenates from these tissues resulted in viral infection and mortality. OrNV isolated from Palauan-sourced CRB was designated as OrNV-Palau1. Both OrNV-Palau1 and OrNV-X2B, a CRB biological control isolate released in the Pacific, were propagated using the FRI-AnCu-35 cell line for production of inoculum. However, the OrNV-Palau1 isolate exhibited lower viral production levels and longer larval survival times compared to OrNV-X2B in O. rhinoceros larvae. Full genome sequences of the OrNV-Palau1 and -X2B isolates were determined and found to be closely related to each other. Altogether these results suggest CRB adults in Palau are infected with a less virulent virus, which may affect the nature and extent of OrNV-induced pathology in Palauan populations of CRB.

Financial Security of Farmers through Homestead Vegetable Production in Barishal District, Bangladesh

Homestead farming is always ignored though it is a boundless promising area for economic sustainability. Therefore, the present study was undertaken to determine the present status of the homestead vegetable production and also to ascertain the socio-economic condition of the local farmers of the Barishal District. The influence of different types of socio-economic factors on the economic security of the farmers through homestead vegetable production was also investigated through this study. Following proportionate random sampling technique, a total number of 180 farmers were sampled from three villages of Babuganj Upazila of Barishal of Bangladesh and were interviewed through a predesigned questionnaire. The findings of the study revealed that half of farmers were more than 50 years old, of whom 89% were educated either primary to more than SSC level and had an average family annual income of USD 1967.9. The family size of the respondents indicated that 80% of the farmers had small to medium (4-6 members) family size. The findings also indicated that, on an average, the farmers had 1.25 acre of total land and 0.17 acre of homestead vegetable land in which they spent about 3 hours of time in a day to perform homestead vegetable production. Out of all the farmers, 30% of them didn’t receive any training on any agriculture related issues and 30% of them didn’t receive any training on homestead vegetable gardening related issues. The farmers of the study area practiced some technologies in homestead vegetable production, like, balanced fertilizer use, and pheromone trap. The farmers produced different types of vegetables in their homestead areas and among them green papaya, brinjal and tomato were the dominant. The results of the study also revealed that the farmers earned about USD 50 per year from homestead vegetable gardening which helped them to upsurge some sorts of financial safety and improve nutritional status of their families. In addition, out of nine attributes, two attributes, namely, family size and vegetable land ownership had significant influence on the financial security through homestead vegetable gardening.

Assessment of the Attraction Range of Sex Pheromone Traps to Agriotes (Coleoptera, Elateridae) Male Click Beetles in South-Eastern Europe

The attraction range of YATLORf pheromone traps to adults of four species of Agriotes (A. brevis, A. sordidus, A. litigiosus, and A. ustulatus) was studied to provide additional information about the most harmful Agriotes species in Europe. Male click beetles were marked and released at different distances from a pheromone trap. The recapture rate was calculated and analyzed using analysis of variance. The recapture rate was significantly affected by distance, species, and wind direction. The recapture rate decreased as distance increased. The majority of beetles were caught from short distances (up to 10 m) within the first five days. A. brevis, a mainly crawling species, showed the lowest recapture rate. The wind direction affected the recovery rate, with a significantly lower number of beetles moving downwind from the release points. Maximum sampling ranges and effective sampling areas were calculated. The obtained estimations were low (53 to 86 m and 509 to 2602 m2, respectively) for all the considered Agriotes species, suggesting that they were unsuitable for use as mass trapping instruments to disrupt mating. However, it seems possible to use the traps not only as monitoring tools, but also as attract-and-kill strategies for most beetle populations.