Effect of Different Temperatures on the Life Table Parameters of Rhyzobius Lophanthae Blaisdell (Coleoptera: Coccinellidae)

The purple scale predator, Rhyzobius lophanthae Blaisdell (Coleoptera: Coccinellidae) is known as coccidophagous ladybird predator, and effective against scales’ insects. The present study aimed to evaluate the optimum temperature for the species to be more efficient. In this study, the life table parameters of R. lophanthae were determined on different temperatures at 4, 16, 18, 20, 22, 24, 26, 28, 30 and 32 °C and 60% RH, by calculations using RmStat-3 software according to Euler-Lotka equation. The results showed that the intrinsic rates of increase (rm) were 0.016, 0.022, 0.030, 0.052, 0.056, 0.068, 0.120, 0.142, 0.132, 0.021 females/females/day, respectively, while the net reproductive rates (R0) were 7.082, 9.514, 11.960, 50.906, 54.150, 49.525, 56.883, 80.944, 31.149, 1.882 females/females/generation, respectively. The mean generation times (T0) were 125.966, 104.602, 84.009, 75.742, 71.511, 57.568, 33.801, 30.866, 25.978, 30.759 days, respectively. Total productivity rates (GRR) were 34.865, 39.210, 48.216, 201.990, 209.469, 166.207, 177.779, 303.751, 105.751, 12.622 egg/female, respectively. The study concluded that 26-30 °C was the optimum temperature range for the efficient role of R. lophanthae under laboratory conditions. From the results, it is still needed to do more studies on the interactions of pests, predators with environmental conditions.

Data on biology and ecology of Pseudaulacaspis pentagona (Targioni Tozzetti) (Hemiptera: Diaspididae) on fruit trees in the Peloponnese

The study was conducted In Kalamata, Messinia, province of the Peloponnese, where infestations of Pseudauacaspis pentagona (Targioni Tozzetti) (Hemiptera: Diaspididae) were found on kiwi trees Actinidia deliciosa (Actinidiaceae), peach trees Prunus persica (Rosaceae) and mulberry trees Morus alba (Moraceae). Data on biology and ecology of the scale were recorded by samplings of infested branches of mulberry trees and by examining them in the laboratory, during the years 2016-2018. Pseudaulacaspis pentagona is an oviparous and amphigonic species. The fecundity of the scale fluctuated between 97 and 133 eggs per female. In the area of Kalamata it completed 3 generations per year and overwintered as mated pre-ovipositing female. The main natural enemies of P. pentagona recorded in the area of Kalamata are the coccinellid predators: Chilocorus bipustulatus (L.) and Rhyzobius lophanthae Blaisdell.

Developmental duration and predation rate of the coccidophagous coccinellid Rhyzobius lophanthae (Blaisdell) (Coleoptera: Coccinellidae) on Aspidiotus nerii Bouche

The consumption rate, survival, and developmental duration of the coccidophagous coccinellid Rhyzobius lophanthae (Blaisdell) (Coleoptera: Coccinellidae), a predator of the armored scale insect, Aspidiotus nerii Bouche (Hemiptera: Diaspididae) were studied under laboratory conditions at two temperature regimes of 25 ± 1 and 30 ± 1°C, 50–65% RH, and 16L:8D. Developmental time (egg to adult) significantly decreased with increase in the temperature. It lasted 27.5 days at 25 ± 1°C and 21.3 days at 30 ± 1°C. The development threshold of R. lophanthae immature stages was 7.823°C, while the thermal constant was 472.379 degree-days. No mortality was recorded during the incubation period. The total mortality rate amongst the larval instars was with 3.33% at 25 ± 1°C and 6.77% at 30 ± 1°C. The sex ratio male to female was 1:1.06. The consumption rate significantly increased with increasing temperatures and within the larval instars. The four larval instar consumed 24.3 and 33.5 adults of A. nerii at 25 ± 1 and 30 ± 1°C, respectively. Overall, micro-climate temperature had a significant impact on the biological parameters of R. lophanthae.

Rhyzobius lophanthae Behavior is Influenced by Cycad Plant Age, Providing Odor Samples in a Y-tube Olfactometer

The scale predator Rhyzobius lophanthae Blaisdell was introduced to Guam and Rota to control invasive Aulacaspis yasumatsui Takagi armored scale infestations on the native Cycas micronesica K.D. Hill populations. The predator demonstrated a clear preference for A. yasumatsui infesting adult plants, resulting in 100% seedling mortality due to the lack of a biocontrol of the scale on seedlings. A Y-tube olfactometer was employed to determine if scale-infested seedling leaves were less attractive to R. lophanthae than scale-infested mature tree leaves. Five paired combinations of seedling versus mature tree leaves were used. The R. lophanthae adults navigated toward scale-infested and un-infested leaves of adults and seedlings when paired with an empty chamber. However, a clear preference for adult leaves occurred when paired with seedling leaves. The results were unambiguous in charcoal-filtered air, intermediate in unfiltered air from an open laboratory, and most ambiguous when conducted with unfiltered in-situ air. The number of predators that did not make a choice was greatest for in-situ air and least for charcoal-filtered air. These results indicated that the substrate used in olfactometry influenced the results, and interpretations of charcoal-filtered air assays should be made with caution. Volatile chemical cues are involved in R. lophanthae preferring A. yasumatsui located on C. micronesica adults when infested adult and seedling leaves are present.

Ecological data of Lepidosaphes gloverii (Hemiptera: Diaspididae) in Greece

In June 2001 the scale Lepidosaphes gloverii (Packard) (Hemiptera: Diaspididae) was found on orange trees in Peloponnesus, Gastouni area, (Southwestern Greece). From the day it was first recorded until August 2003 observations on orange trees were held both in field and laboratory, concerning the biology and ecology of this scale. L. gloνerii infests mainly the upper surface of the leaves and the fruits and less the shoots of the tree. During the period April to August 2002 the scale completed 3 overlapping generations. Female fecundity ranged between 32 and 57 eggs. Chilocorus bipustulatus (L.) (Coleoptera: Coccinellidae) and Rhyzobius lophanthae Blaisdell (Coleoptera: Coccinellidae) predators were found to feed upon this scale. In Ju1y 2002 a mass release of those predators took place on infested orange trees. To assess the action of these predators, observations were conducted in both field (by shaking the branches of the trees and counting the number of the predators) and laboratory (by counting the predated scales found on leaves). The release of predators contributed to the decrease of infestation density of trees. C. bipustulatus developed significantly higher populations than R. lophanthae.

The study of oleander scale (Aspidiotus nerii Bche) and the way of diluting its entomophages in Azerbaijan

Scales (Hemiptera, Diaspididae) are the dangerous crop and park-ornamental plant pests. They reproduce very quickly and cause great harm to plants, sometimes even lead to their complete destruction. Scales suck juices from plants, cause premature drying, dying and falling off leaves, dry branches, deformation of leaves, fruits and shoots, reducing annual growth of plants. Therefore the fight with these pests is rather topical in the agriculture. In this connection in this work the analysis of bioecological peculiarities of oleander scale on the territory of Azerbaijan, and also the detection of species content of parasites and predators, which regulate their number is conducted. We will mark that oleander scales in the wild there are the entomophages are vermin and predators that reduce their quantity. For realization of biological fight against people we studied the bioenvironmental features of wreckers, and also educed specific composition of vermin and predators that regulate their quantity. In a biological fight against these wreckers, one of basic questions is study of specific composition of these entomophages. The faunistic material on entomophages of this pest was collected from different biocenosis; the researched works were conducted in the laboratory and field conditions in Azerbaijan. The advanced and research studies that we conducted gave an opportunity to educe entomophages oleander scale that inflicts an enormous damage to the agricultural cultures and park-decorative plants. The method of breeding of effective types of entomophages is studied in laboratory terms. Firstly the biology of oleander scale on Apsheron peninsula and in Guba Khachmazskii area was studied. The results of long-term studies showed that oleander scale, having distributed on Apsheron peninsula, on olive trees gives 3 generations. Only adult female animals and maggots of I and II age spend winter. Awakening of the scales on olives takes place in March-April. In II and III decade of April the male animals begin their flight. In Guba Khachmazskii area the biology of this scale, dwelling on oleander bush was studied. On this plant the scale gives 3 generations. Young female animals, and also maggots of I and II age winter. As a result of the works conducted the following entomophages of oleander scale were detected: predator Rhyzobius lophanthae Blaisd, Chilocorus bipustulatus L., Chilocorus renupustulatus L; parasites: Aphytis chilensis Howаrd, Aspidiotiphagus citrinus Graw, Encarsia aurantii (Howard). The habitat of Rhyzobius lophanthae is Australia. At the end of the last century of this predatory beetle left to California, from there left to Italy and in other Mediterranean countries. In 1947 by chance was left to Georgia (Abkhazia). Maybe these useful predators in Azerbaijan were from Georgia. For diluting the entomophages from the local indigenous fauna the potato tubers were used, on which firstly the oleander scales, and then road-beetles Rhyzobius lophanthae, Chilocorus bipustulatus reproduced themselves. In the laboratory conditions the methods of diluting of these Coccinellidae was developed. Thus, firstly the way of diluting parasites of oleander scale was studied and developed – Aphytis chilensis Howard, Aspidiotiphagus citrinus Graw и Encarsia antantii (Howard). It was detected that predatory entomophage-chilocor in the natural conditions is ineffective, as their maggots and chrysalises are affected by other local parasites. In the laboratory conditions this beetle produce itself very well on the potato tubers, infected by oleander scale. However, we should note that among entomophage parasites Aphytis chilensis plays the huge role in destruction of scales. In dependence on the weather conditions this macrophage in the nature can give 3–4 generations. Also it was proved that beetle Rhyzobius lophanthae in the biological fight can be applied against all round scales. This predator is effective entomophage of oleander, olive scale, black pine-leaf scale, white peach scale, European fruit scale and cactus scale. In connection with this, Rhyzobius lophanthae can be applied in the biological fight against oleander scale and presently is irreplaceable and perspective entomophage.