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Effect of cabbage cultivars with varying levels of resistance to aphids on the performance of the parasitoid, Aphidius colemani (Hymenoptera: Braconidae).

The effect of aphid resistance in plant cultivars on parasitism of Myzus persicae (Sulzer) and Brevicoryne brassicae (Linnaeus) by Aphidius colemani Viereck was investigated under laboratory conditions using three cultivars of common cabbage, Brassica oleracea var. capitata. Significantly greater aphid populations were found on cv. Derby Day (green-leaved, susceptible to both aphid species), regardless of the presence or absence of parasitoids, compared with cv. Minicole (green-leaved, partially resistant with antibiosis factors for B. brassicae) or cv. Ruby Ball (red-leaved, partially resistant with antixenosis factors for B. brassicae). Minicole had the greatest proportion of parasitized aphids and Derby Day the least. A significantly lower percentage of emerged parasitoids were recorded on Minicole for both aphid species compared with Derby Day and Ruby Ball. The implication of the results are discussed in relation to the integrated control of aphids.

Animals↗

Basic biology and small-scale rearing of Celatoria compressa(Diptera: Tachinidae), a parasitoid of Diabrotica virgifera virgifera (Coleoptera: Chrysomelidae).

The tachinid Celatoria compressa Wulp has been evaluated as a candidate biological control agent for the western corn rootworm, Diabrotica virgifera virgiferaLeConte, in Europe, where it is an invasive alien pest of maize. Special emphasis has been placed on understanding aspects of the parasitoid basic biology and on developing a rearing technique for a small-scale production of C. compressapuparia. The age of C. compressa adults was found to be the most crucial factor in achieving mating. Only newly emerged, 1-h-old females, mated successfully with 2- to 5-day-old males, achieving a success rate of 74%. After mating, a prelarviposition period of 4 days occurred. The 5-day-old C. compressa females inserted their eggs containing fully-developed first instars directly into adults of D. v. virgifera. Total larval and pupal developmental time, including a pre-larviposition period of 4 days, was 29 days under quarantine laboratory conditions (25 degrees C daytime, 15 degrees C at night, L:D 14:10, 50% +/- 10% r.h). Females of C. compressa were capable of producing on average 30 puparia throughout a female's mean larviposition period of 15 days. A large number of host attacks by C. compressa were unsuccessful, resulting in a mean larviposition success rate of 24% per female. Parasitoid females appear to have difficulties inserting the egg through the intersegmental sutures or membranes around leg openings of the host adults. Although the small-scale rearing technique of C. compressa presented is both time and labour intensive, C. compressa has been reared successfully for at least 20 successive generations without shifting the 1 male : 1 female sex ratio using a non-diapause strain of D. v. virgifera.

Age Factors↗

Development of morphogenetic agents in insect control.

Chemicals which interfere with the growth and development of insects (morphogenetic agents) have been receiving major attention as potential means of selective insect control. Major advances in this field resulted from the identification of Juvenile Hormones -1, -2, and -3, and the discovery that various terpenoid and sesquiterpenoid derivatives were more potent morphogenetic agents than the three known Juvenile Hormones. Several highly active compounds have emerged from these research programs. Their field performance, problems, and prospects in selective insect control are considered here.

Animals↗

Infectivity and pathogenicity of Ascogregarina culicis (Eugregarinida: Lecudinidae) to Aedes aegypti (Diptera: Culicidae).

The susceptibility of three strains of Aedes aegypti (L.) to four strains of Ascogregarina culicis were studied under laboratory conditions. The parasite was found to be pathogenic to the mosquito; although pathogenicity varied among geographical strains of A. culicis and susceptibility varied among geographical strains of Ae. aegypti. In addition to affecting the survival of the mosquito larvae, infection with the parasite was found to shorten larval development time. Selected strains of A. culicis may be useful as a biological control agent against Ae. aegypti.

Aedes↗

Juvenile turtles for mosquito control in water storage tanks.

Juvenile turtles, Trachemys scripta, provided highly effective control of mosquito larvae in cement tanks (pilas) where water was stored for household cleaning. When single turtles were introduced to tanks with histories of high mosquito production, nearly all turtles remained in good health and no mosquito larvae survived to the pupal stage. Families welcome turtles in their water storage containers in Honduras. Humane conditions for turtles can be assured by providing small quantities of table scraps to supplement their diet and by placing a small floating platform in the tank for basking. Although turtles can serve as alternate hosts for Salmonella, available evidence suggests that turtles in tanks should not be a source of human infection. Further confirmation that there is no Salmonella hazard should precede routine use of turtles for mosquito control.

Animals↗

Predicting variability in biological control of a plant-pathogen system using stochastic models.

A stochastic model for the dynamics of a plant-pathogen interaction is developed and fitted to observations of the fungal pathogen Rhizoctonia solani (Kühn) in radish (Raphanus sativus L.), in both the presence and absence of the antagonistic fungus Trichoderma viride (Pers ex Gray). The model incorporates parameters for primary and secondary infection mechanisms and for characterizing the time-varying susceptibility of the host population. A parameter likelihood is developed and used to fit the model to data from microcosm experiments. It is shown that the stochastic model accounts well for observed variability both within and between treatments. Moreover, it enables us to describe the time evolution of the probability distribution for the variability among replicate epidemics in terms of the underlying epidemiological parameters for primary and secondary infection and decay in susceptibility. Consideration of profile likelihoods for each parameter provides strong evidence that T. viride mainly affects primary infection. By using the stochastic model to study the dependence of the probability distribution of disease levels on the primary infection rate we are therefore able to predict the effectiveness of a widely used biological control agent.

Models, Biological↗

Effects of trehalose on stress tolerance and biocontrol efficacy of Cryptococcus laurentii.

AIMS: To investigate the effects of internal trehalose on viability and biocontrol efficacy of antagonistic yeast Cryptococcus laurentii under stresses of low temperature (LT), controlled atmosphere (CA) and freeze drying. METHODS AND RESULTS: The content of trehalose in C. laurentii was increased by culturing the yeast in trehalose-containing medium. Compared with yeast cells with low trehalose level, the yeast cells with high level of internal trehalose not only obtained higher viability, but also showed higher population and better biocontrol efficacy against Penicillium expansum on apple fruit both at 1 degrees C and in CA condition (5% O(2), 5% CO(2), 1 degrees C). After freeze drying, survival of the yeast with high trehalose level was markedly increased when stored at 25 degrees C for 0, 15 and 30 days. Meanwhile, high integrity of plasma membrane was detected in the freeze-dried yeast with high trehalose level by propidium iodide staining. CONCLUSIONS: Induced accumulation of internal trehalose could improve viability and biocontrol efficacy of C. laurentii under stresses of LT and CA. Moreover, survival of the yeast was also increased as internal trehalose accumulation after freeze drying, and one of the reasons might be that trehalose gave an effective protection to plasma membrane. SIGNIFICANCE AND IMPACT OF THE STUDY: The results of this experiment show a promising way to improve the biocontrol performance of antagonistic yeasts under the commercial conditions.

Atmosphere↗

Nontarget effects--the Achilles' heel of biological control? Retrospective analyses to reduce risk associated with biocontrol introductions.

Controversy exists over ecological risks in classical biological control. We reviewed 10 projects with quantitative data on nontarget effects. Ten patterns emerged: (a) Relatives of the pest are most likely to be attacked; (b) host-specificity testing defines physiological host range, but not ecological range; (c) prediction of ecological consequences requires population data; (d) level of impact varied, often in relation to environmental conditions; (e) information on magnitude of nontarget impact is sparse; (f) attack on rare native species can accelerate their decline; (g) nontarget effects can be indirect; (h) agents disperse from agroecosystems; (i) whole assemblages of species can be perturbed; and (j) no evidence on adaptation is available in these cases. The review leads to six recommendations: Avoid using generalists or adventive species; expand host-specificity testing; incorporate more ecological information; consider ecological risk in target selection; prioritize agents; and pursue genetic data on adaptation. We conclude that retrospective analyses suggest clear ways to further increase future safety of biocontrol.

Animals↗

Biological control program against simuliids in the State of São Paulo, Brazil.

In Brazil, the use of biological vector-control methods has been largely confined to experimental research, with little or no application of such techniques by public institutions responsible for implementing control programs. The notable exceptions have been the black fly control program carried out by the Health Secretariat in the State of São Paulo. Since the 1980s, São Paulo's "Superintendência de Controle de Endemias" has been conducting studies on the viability of using Bacillus thuringiensis (H-14) for simuliid control, and the results have been so encouraging that the agency has now incorporated this method into its Simuliid Control Program.

Animals↗

Effects of diflubenzuron on growth and glutathione in mosquito fish (Gambusia affinis).

Although some biological control agents and related biorational approaches are available for mosquito control, insecticides remain the principal control method. In addition, the secondary affects of conventional insecticides in environment has led to the discovery of more target-specific chemical such as insect growth regulators. Dimilin (25% WP), the common name of diflubenzuron, prevent molting by interfering with chitin synthesis in several insect orders. This study evaluate toxicity of this insecticide on a larvivorous non-target species, Gambusia affinis (Cyprinodontiformes: Poeciliidae). Dimilin, applied for 24 h at a concentration of 78 ng/l, corresponding to the LD90 against the fourth instar larvae of Culex pipiens (Diptera: Culicidae) was first tested on growth and development of 7-day old juvenile mosquitofish during 45 days following treatment. Results showed that dimilin caused significant (p < 0.01) reduction in both length and weight of juveniles from days 30 following treatment, compared to controls. In a second series of experiments, designated for measurements of glutathione (GSH), adults of G. affinis were exposed continuously to a concentration of 78 ng/l for 30 days. Treatment resulted in a significant reduction in the amount of glutathione in mosquitofish bodies starting day 15 during treatment, compared to controls.

Animals↗

An integrated control of Pythium root rot of greenhouse tomato.

Pythium root rot caused by Pythium aphanidermatum is one of the most important diseases of greenhouse tomatoes. Hydroponic culture exacerbates the problem. Both nutrient film technique (NFT) and recirculating growing systems pose a challenge in the control of this disease, because the pathogen, especially the zoospores, can spread easily in the recirculating solution to the whole growing system. Fortunately, hydroponically grown plants are easier to manipulate than soil grown plants, proper manipulation of root environments can lead to excellent disease control. This paper reports the development of an effective integrated control measure for pythium root rot of tomato by integrating pH, bioagent, and ultra-violet irradiation in a specific manner. This integrated control consists of three operations: a) before transplanting, the UV system is connected to sterilize the recirculating solution using 100 mJcm-2; b) after transplanting, the nutrient solution is delivered at pH 5.0 regime for five weeks followed by adjusting pH to 5.8 to 6.2 regime for one week; and c) bacterial bioagent, such as Pseudomonas is introduced into the root zone at 100 mL per plant at 10(8) bacteria mL-1 or added to the nutrient solution to arrive at 10(6) bacteria mL-1 in the solution. This report also discusses the advantages and limitations of this measure in the control of pythium root rot.

Environment, Controlled↗

How Dutch drinking water production is affected by the use of herbicides on pavements.

About forty per cent of drinking water in The Netherlands is produced from surface water. Dutch water companies, that have to rely on this source, are dealing with major water quality problems due to the use of herbicides on pavements. Voluntary measures and bans have had only limited effect on the reduction of emissions of herbicides that runoff from pavements into surface water in The Netherlands. The effects on the production of drinking water from surface water should play a role in the authorisation of pesticides. Stricter regulations, including mandatory emission reduction measures and certification, are necessary. The enforcement of existing Dutch surface water pollution laws should solve part of the problem. Due to the international nature of most of the surface water used for drinking water supply, it is necessary that other countries take measures as well. European legislation brings a solution closer if implemented well and seriously enforced. The threat of strict legislation keeps pressure on the transition towards decreasing the dependence on chemicals for weed control on pavements.

Cities↗

Influence of Bacillus thuringiensis var. israelensis on oviposition of Aedes albopictus (Skuse).

The effect of Bacillus thuringiensis var israelensis (B.t.i.) on the oviposition behavior of Aedes albopictus was evaluated in the field and laboratory in Clemson, SC, U.S.A. In the field, water taken from containers in which mosquito larvae were reared (conditioned water) was placed in 16 containers. Eight containers received 50 jld of B.t.i., and eight with water only were kept as controls. In the laboratory, field-collected females of Ae. albopictus were placed in rearing chambers and provided two containers for oviposition, one with 50 microl of B.t.i and one a control with water only. Eight cage experiments were conducted, five using filtered tap water and three with conditioned water. In the field over the 13 trials, more eggs were laid in the containers with B.t.i. although no significant difference was found in the number of eggs between the treatment and controls over 72 h. In the laboratory, more eggs were laid in the containers with B.t.i. versus the controls. The containers had filtered tap water and B.t.i. had significantly more eggs laid in them compared to the controls.

Aedes↗