Insects

Research

15 pages, 2296 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Minor Components Play an Important Role in Interspecific Recognition of Insects: A Basis to Pheromone Based Electronic Monitoring Tools for Rice Pests

by Qing-Hua Chen, Feng Zhu, Zhihua Tian, Wan-Min Zhang, Rong Guo, Wancai Liu, Lieming Pan and Yongjun Du

Insects 2018, 9(4), 192; https://doi.org/10.3390/insects9040192 - 12 Dec 2018

Cited by 18 | Viewed by 3856

Abstract

Several lepidopteran species share the same pheromone blend consisting of (Z)-11-hexadecenal (Z11-16:Ald) and (Z)-9-hexadecenal (Z9-16:Ald) at different ratios and active doses. In rice pest Chilo suppressalis, (Z)-11-hexadecenol, (Z11-16:OH) and octadecanal (18:Ald) were identified as minor components in the pheromone gland of female [...] Read more.

Several lepidopteran species share the same pheromone blend consisting of (Z)-11-hexadecenal (Z11-16:Ald) and (Z)-9-hexadecenal (Z9-16:Ald) at different ratios and active doses. In rice pest Chilo suppressalis, (Z)-11-hexadecenol, (Z11-16:OH) and octadecanal (18:Ald) were identified as minor components in the pheromone gland of female moths, and these components were previously not considered as part of the sex pheromone of C. suppressalis. Z11-16:Ald, Z9-16:Ald and (Z)-13-octadecenal (Z13-18:Ald) frequently trapped other lepidopteran species, such as rice pests Scirpophaga incertulas and Mythimna separate, corn and vegetable pests Helicoverpa armigera in the field, suggesting a lack of specificity in the pheromone blend. Our data showed that the minor component Z11-16:OH did not have a synergistic effect on the attractiveness of the blend to C. suppressalis; however, pheromone mixtures containing Z11-16:OH failed in trapping male H. armigera moths. We confirmed the identity and specificity of the C. suppressalis sex pheromone and demonstrated that Z11-16:OH plays a key role in the reproductive isolation of C. suppressalis, M. separata, and H. armigera moths, and a similar role of Z9-18:Ald in that of S. incertulas and C. suppressalis. This phenomenon could be more widely applicable to interspecific interactions in the pheromone communication between insects, which is crucial to developing the electronic automatic counting device for automatically monitoring the pest population by pheromone trapping based on its species specificity. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Insect Monitoring and Trapping in Agricultural Systems)

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11 pages, 1766 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Breakfast Canyon Discovered in Honeybee Hive Weight Curves

by Niels Holst and William G. Meikle

Insects 2018, 9(4), 176; https://doi.org/10.3390/insects9040176 - 1 Dec 2018

Cited by 15 | Viewed by 4583

Abstract

Electronic devices to sense, store, and transmit data are undergoing rapid development, offering an ever-expanding toolbox for inventive minds. In apiculture, both researchers and practitioners have welcomed the opportunity to equip beehives with a variety of sensors to monitor hive weight, temperature, forager [...] Read more.

Electronic devices to sense, store, and transmit data are undergoing rapid development, offering an ever-expanding toolbox for inventive minds. In apiculture, both researchers and practitioners have welcomed the opportunity to equip beehives with a variety of sensors to monitor hive weight, temperature, forager traffic and more, resulting in huge amounts of accumulated data. The problem remains how to distil biological meaning out of these data. In this paper, we address the analysis of beehive weight monitored at a 15-min resolution over several months. Inspired by an overlooked, classic study on such weight curves we derive algorithms and statistical procedures to allow biological interpretation of the data. Our primary finding was that an early morning dip in the weight curve (‘Breakfast Canyon’) could be extracted from the data to provide information on bee colony performance in terms of foraging effort. We include the data sets used in this study, together with R scripts that will allow other researchers to replicate or refine our method. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Insect Monitoring and Trapping in Agricultural Systems)

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18 pages, 2629 KiB

Open AccessEditor’s ChoiceArticle

Distribution and Relative Abundance of Insect Vectors of Xylella fastidiosa in Olive Groves of the Iberian Peninsula

by Marina Morente, Daniele Cornara, María Plaza, José Manuel Durán, Carmen Capiscol, Raquel Trillo, Manuel Ruiz, Carmen Ruz, Susana Sanjuan, Jose Alberto Pereira, Aranzazu Moreno and Alberto Fereres

Insects 2018, 9(4), 175; https://doi.org/10.3390/insects9040175 - 1 Dec 2018

Cited by 83 | Viewed by 6952

Abstract

The phytosanitary emergency caused by the spread of Xylella fastidiosa in the Mediterranean has raised demands for a better understanding of the ecology of its presumed and candidate insect vectors. Here, we present the results of a two-year survey carried out in olive [...] Read more.

The phytosanitary emergency caused by the spread of Xylella fastidiosa in the Mediterranean has raised demands for a better understanding of the ecology of its presumed and candidate insect vectors. Here, we present the results of a two-year survey carried out in olive groves across southern, eastern and Central Spain and northeastern Portugal. Several sampling methods were tested and compared to select the most appropriate to estimate population levels of potential vectors of X. fastidiosa. The spittlebugs Philaenus spumarius and Neophilaenus campestris (Hemiptera: Aphrophoridae) were the main species associated with olive groves. Both species were widely present on herbaceous ground vegetation within the olive groves; P. spumarius mainly associated with Asteraceae and N. campestris with Poaceae. Due to the patchy distribution of spittlebugs within the olive groves, sweep nets were the most effective and least time-consuming sampling method for the estimation of population size both in the ground cover and tree canopies. Trends in population density showed that spittlebugs can be abundant on ground vegetation but very rare on olive canopies. Spittlebugs disperse in late spring to non-cultivated hosts that act as natural reservoirs. In late fall, adults return to the olive groves for oviposition. However, olive trees may act as transient hosts for spittlebugs and high population densities of these insect vectors should be avoided in areas where X. fastidiosa is present. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Insect Monitoring and Trapping in Agricultural Systems)

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12 pages, 1901 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Development of a Diagnostic Marker for Phlebotomus papatasi to Initiate a Potential Vector Surveillance Program in North America

by Austin Merchant, Tian Yu, Jizhe Shi and Xuguo Zhou

Insects 2018, 9(4), 162; https://doi.org/10.3390/insects9040162 - 12 Nov 2018

Cited by 3 | Viewed by 2847

Abstract

Phlebotomus papatasi, an Old World sand fly species, is primarily responsible for the transmission of leishmaniasis, a highly infectious and potentially lethal disease. International travel, especially military rotations, between domestic locations and P. papatasi-prevalent regions in the Middle East poses an [...] Read more.

Phlebotomus papatasi, an Old World sand fly species, is primarily responsible for the transmission of leishmaniasis, a highly infectious and potentially lethal disease. International travel, especially military rotations, between domestic locations and P. papatasi-prevalent regions in the Middle East poses an imminent threat to the public health of US citizens. Because of its small size and cryptic morphology, identification of P. papatasi is challenging and labor-intensive. Here, we developed a ribosomal DNA-polymerase chain reaction (PCR)-based diagnostic assay that is capable of detecting P. papatasi genomic DNA from mixed samples containing multiple sand flies native to the Americas. Serial dilution of P. papatasi samples demonstrated that this diagnostic assay could detect one P. papatasi from up to 255 non-target sand flies. Due to its simplicity, sensitivity and specificity, this rapid identification tool is suited for a long-term surveillance program to screen for the presence of P. papatasi in the continental United States and to reveal geographical regions potentially vulnerable to sand fly-borne diseases. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Insect Monitoring and Trapping in Agricultural Systems)

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16 pages, 3964 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Explorative Data Analysis of Drosophila suzukii Trap Catches from a Seven-Year Monitoring Program in Southwest Germany

by Felix Briem, Anto Raja Dominic, Burkhard Golla, Christoph Hoffmann, Camilla Englert, Annette Herz and Heidrun Vogt

Insects 2018, 9(4), 125; https://doi.org/10.3390/insects9040125 - 24 Sep 2018

Cited by 43 | Viewed by 5615

Abstract

Over the last decade, Drosophila suzukii Matsumura, an invasive pest of soft-skinned fruits, gradually established itself in Europe, often resulting in significant economic losses. In 2011, when D. suzukii was first described for Germany, the Julius Kühn Institut (JKI) started a monitoring program [...] Read more.

Over the last decade, Drosophila suzukii Matsumura, an invasive pest of soft-skinned fruits, gradually established itself in Europe, often resulting in significant economic losses. In 2011, when D. suzukii was first described for Germany, the Julius Kühn Institut (JKI) started a monitoring program in southwest Germany to study the occurrence and activity of the fly. Capture data from late 2011–early 2018 from 100 traps were analyzed for the effect of weather and immediate habitat on trap captures at different times of the year. We identified five phases in the annual population development cycle of D. suzukii. We found that the mild winter of 2013/2014 helped the thorough establishment of D. suzukii in Germany. Habitat types in the immediate vicinity of the trap and local weather conditions had a strong influence on trap captures. Forest borders and hedges were found to provide adequate overwintering shelter for the flies. Trap captures in forests and hedges were generally higher than those of vineyards and orchards, even during the fruiting seasons. Summer capture rates were correlated with the number of heat days and precipitation. We also discuss briefly the limitations of using trap captures as representative of fly density in the field. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Insect Monitoring and Trapping in Agricultural Systems)

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11 pages, 755 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Monitoring Nutrient Status of Brown Marmorated Stink Bug Adults and Nymphs on Summer Holly

by Victoria P. Skillman, Nik G. Wiman and Jana C. Lee

Insects 2018, 9(3), 120; https://doi.org/10.3390/insects9030120 - 17 Sep 2018

Cited by 6 | Viewed by 3837

Abstract

Halyomorpha halys (Stål), or brown marmorated stink bug (BMSB), has become a major pest and nuisance for both agricultural growers and homeowners since its arrival in North America and Europe. The nutritional ecology of BMSB is important for understanding its life history and [...] Read more.

Halyomorpha halys (Stål), or brown marmorated stink bug (BMSB), has become a major pest and nuisance for both agricultural growers and homeowners since its arrival in North America and Europe. The nutritional ecology of BMSB is important for understanding its life history and rearing requirements. However, little is known about the nutritional status of wild populations, especially in the U.S. This research monitored the nutrient status of nymphal and adult BMSB collected from English holly in western Oregon. We measured their weight, nutrient index (weight/(prothorax × width)³), lipid, glycogen and sugar levels and egg load from May–September/October. First, glycogen and sugar levels of adults were often lowest sometime in June-August with a general increase by September. Meanwhile, their lipid levels varied without a discernible trend. Second, adult females had few eggs in May, with the highest egg load in June and July, and no eggs by September. Lastly, first and second nymphal instars were found in June, and fourth and fifth instars in September. Because nothing is known about the nutrient levels of nymphs, the reported values from this survey can assist future research on physiological responses of BMSB to treatments or environmental impacts in the field. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Insect Monitoring and Trapping in Agricultural Systems)

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13 pages, 2235 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Aggregation Site Choice by Gregarious Nymphs of the Desert Locust, Schistocerca gregaria, in the Sahara Desert of Mauritania

by Koutaro Ould Maeno and Mohamed Abdallahi Ould Babah Ebbe

Insects 2018, 9(3), 99; https://doi.org/10.3390/insects9030099 - 13 Aug 2018

Cited by 16 | Viewed by 4878

Abstract

Animals often aggregate at certain sites during vulnerable periods such as night-roosting as an anti-predatory strategy. Some migratory gregarious animals must regularly find new night-roosting sites, but how they synchronously choose such sites is poorly understood. We examined how gregarious nymphs of the [...] Read more.

Animals often aggregate at certain sites during vulnerable periods such as night-roosting as an anti-predatory strategy. Some migratory gregarious animals must regularly find new night-roosting sites, but how they synchronously choose such sites is poorly understood. We examined how gregarious nymphs of the desert locust, Schistocerca gregaria Forskål (Orthoptera: Acrididae), aggregate at certain plants for night-roosting in the Sahara Desert. Migratory bands of last instar nymphs climbed trees around dusk and roosted there overnight. A spatial autocorrelation analysis of plants indicated that the larger locust groups formed at the larger plants within the local plant community. Other large groups were not formed near the large tree, but smaller groups were patchily distributed. Plant height was the primary cue used by migratory bands to choose night-roosting plants. A nearest-neighbor distance analysis showed that single conspicuous large trees with scattered smaller plants were distributed locally. This plant community structure and negative geotactic ascending behavior of gregarious nymphs may force them to concentrate at the landmark plant from all directions and afar. This plant-size-dependent roosting site choice may contribute for developing artificial trapping systems for locusts and inciting to a new environment-friendly night control approach. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Insect Monitoring and Trapping in Agricultural Systems)

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8 pages, 554 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Wasp Size and Prey Load in Cerceris fumipennis (Hymenoptera, Crabronidae): Implications for Biosurveillance of Pest Buprestidae

by Christine A. Nalepa and Whitney G. Swink

Insects 2018, 9(3), 86; https://doi.org/10.3390/insects9030086 - 19 Jul 2018

Cited by 4 | Viewed by 4310

Abstract

The relationship between predator and prey size was studied in the buprestid hunting wasp Cerceris fumipennis Say in eight widely distributed nesting aggregations in North Carolina, USA. Initial work indicated a significant linear relationship between wasp head width and wasp wet weight; thus, [...] Read more.

The relationship between predator and prey size was studied in the buprestid hunting wasp Cerceris fumipennis Say in eight widely distributed nesting aggregations in North Carolina, USA. Initial work indicated a significant linear relationship between wasp head width and wasp wet weight; thus, head width was used to estimate wasp body mass in subsequent studies. Prey loads of hunting females was studied by measuring the head width of the wasp, then identifying and weighing the prey item brought back to the nest. There was significant variation in wasp size among nesting aggregations; the average estimated wasp body mass in one site was double that in another. Prey weight varied with wasp weight, but larger wasps had a slight tendency to carry proportionally larger prey. Beetles captured by large wasps (≥120 mg) were significantly more variable in weight than those taken by small wasps (<80 mg). All but the smallest wasps could carry more than their own body weight. Prey loads ranged from 4.8–150.2% of wasp weight. Evidence suggests that small wasps bring back more of the economically important buprestid genus Agrilus and thus would be most efficient in biosurveillance for pest buprestids. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Insect Monitoring and Trapping in Agricultural Systems)

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17 pages, 2830 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Monitoring and Biosurveillance Tools for the Brown Marmorated Stink Bug, Halyomorpha halys (Stål) (Hemiptera: Pentatomidae)

by Angelita L. Acebes-Doria, William R. Morrison III, Brent D. Short, Kevin B. Rice, Hayley G. Bush, Thomas P. Kuhar, Catherine Duthie and Tracy C. Leskey

Insects 2018, 9(3), 82; https://doi.org/10.3390/insects9030082 - 8 Jul 2018

Cited by 38 | Viewed by 7071

Abstract

Halyomorpha halys (Stål) (Hemiptera: Pentatomidae) is an invasive pest of numerous agricultural crops with an increasing global distribution. Finding simple and reliable monitoring tools for H. halys agricultural and surveillance programs is imperative. In 2016, we compared standard pyramid traps to clear sticky [...] Read more.

Halyomorpha halys (Stål) (Hemiptera: Pentatomidae) is an invasive pest of numerous agricultural crops with an increasing global distribution. Finding simple and reliable monitoring tools for H. halys agricultural and surveillance programs is imperative. In 2016, we compared standard pyramid traps to clear sticky cards attached atop wooden stakes and evaluated two commercially formulated lures (Trécé and AgBio) with low and high rates of the H. halys aggregation pheromone (PHER) and pheromone synergist (MDT) at 12 sites (low: 5 mg PHER + 50 mg MDT; high: 20 mg PHER + 200 mg MDT). In 2017, we reevaluated lure efficacy using only the clear sticky traps at six locations. Sites were classified as having low, moderate, or high relative population densities of H. halys in 2016, and as very low or low densities of H. halys in 2017. Although clear sticky traps captured fewer adults and nymphs than pyramid traps, their captures were generally correlated at all population levels indicating that clear sticky traps can reliably monitor H. halys presence and relative abundance regardless of relative population density. During both years, adult and nymphal captures were significantly greater in traps baited with Trécé lures than with AgBio lures. Captures were greater in traps baited with high loading rate lures for each lure type, and with the exception of traps baited with AgBio lures at high relative density sites in 2016, H. halys captures in traps with low and high loading rates of each lure type were correlated for both years. Comparison of yellow and clear sticky cards indicated they performed equally, but yellow cards captured more nontargets. In summary, clear sticky traps attached atop wooden posts and baited with H. halys pheromone and pheromone synergist lures are an effective option for this pest monitoring and detection. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Insect Monitoring and Trapping in Agricultural Systems)

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11 pages, 2109 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Pheromone-Trap Monitoring System for Pea Leaf Weevil, Sitona lineatus: Effects of Trap Type, Lure Type and Trap Placement within Fields

by Gadi V. P. Reddy, Govinda Shrestha, Debra A. Miller and A. Cameron Oehlschlager

Insects 2018, 9(3), 75; https://doi.org/10.3390/insects9030075 - 27 Jun 2018

Cited by 13 | Viewed by 5629

Abstract

The pea leaf weevil, Sitona lineatus, is an important pest of field peas and faba beans worldwide. Present sampling techniques that rely on detection of adult feeding damage are labor intensive, time consuming and require repeated sampling. Semiochemical-based pest monitoring systems could [...] Read more.

The pea leaf weevil, Sitona lineatus, is an important pest of field peas and faba beans worldwide. Present sampling techniques that rely on detection of adult feeding damage are labor intensive, time consuming and require repeated sampling. Semiochemical-based pest monitoring systems could improve pea leaf weevil management. This study, which was conducted in the Golden Triangle region of Montana, tested several factors that potentially might affect capture rates of pheromone-baited traps, including trap and lure type and trap placement. Pheromone-baited pitfall and ramp traps caught significantly more adults than ground or delta traps, in all study areas. Pitfall traps baited with gray rubber septa captured significantly more adults than traps baited with membrane formulations or controls in both pea and lentil fields. In addition, pheromone-baited pitfall traps positioned in the southern part of pea fields captured relatively higher numbers of adults than those placed in northern parts of fields, although this difference was not significant. These findings can be used to improve adult weevil monitoring and should be taken into consideration when developing an integrated pest management program. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Insect Monitoring and Trapping in Agricultural Systems)

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13 pages, 2504 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Research on Vegetable Pest Warning System Based on Multidimensional Big Data

by Changzhen Zhang, Jiahao Cai, Deqin Xiao, Yaowen Ye and Mohammad Chehelamirani

Insects 2018, 9(2), 66; https://doi.org/10.3390/insects9020066 - 13 Jun 2018

Cited by 12 | Viewed by 4647

Abstract

Pest early warning technology is part of the prerequisite for the timely and effective control of pest outbreaks. Traditional pest warning system with artificial mathematical statistics, radar, and remote sensing has some deficiency in many aspects, such as higher cost, weakness of accuracy, [...] Read more.

Pest early warning technology is part of the prerequisite for the timely and effective control of pest outbreaks. Traditional pest warning system with artificial mathematical statistics, radar, and remote sensing has some deficiency in many aspects, such as higher cost, weakness of accuracy, low efficiency, and so on. In this study, Pest image data was collected and information about four major vegetable pests (Bemisia tabaci (Gennadius), Phyllotreta striolata (Fabricius), Plutella xylostella (Linnaeus), and Frankliniella occidentalis (Pergande) (Thysanoptera, Thripidae)) in southern China was extracted. A multi-sensor network system was constructed to collect small-scale environmental data on vegetable production sites. The key factors affecting the distribution of pests were discovered by multi-dimensional information, such as soil, environment, eco-climate, and meteorology of vegetable fields, and finally, the vegetable pest warning system that is based on multidimensional big data (VPWS-MBD) was implemented. Pest and environmental data from Guangzhou Dongsheng Bio-Park were collected from June 2017 to February 2018. The number of pests is classified as level I (0–56), level II (57–131), level III (132–299), and level IV (above 300) by K-Means algorithm. The Pearson correlation coefficient and the grey relational analysis algorithm were used to calculate the five key influence factors of rainfall, soil temperature, air temperature, leaf surface humidity, and soil moisture. Finally, Back Propagation (BP) Neural Network was used for classification prediction. The result shows: I-level warning accuracy was 96.14%, recall rate was 97.56%; II-level pest warning accuracy was 95.34%, the recall rate was 96.45%; III-level pest warning accuracy of 100%, the recall rate was 96.28%; IV-level pest warning accuracy of 100%, recall rate was 100%. It proves that the early warning system can effectively predict vegetable pests and achieve the early warning of vegetable pest’s requirements, with high availability. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Insect Monitoring and Trapping in Agricultural Systems)

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23 pages, 5058 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Towards the Development of a More Accurate Monitoring Procedure for Invertebrate Populations, in the Presence of an Unknown Spatial Pattern of Population Distribution in the Field

by Natalia B. Petrovskaya, Emily Forbes, Sergei V. Petrovskii and Keith F. A. Walters

Insects 2018, 9(1), 29; https://doi.org/10.3390/insects9010029 - 27 Feb 2018

Cited by 9 | Viewed by 4352

Abstract

Studies addressing many ecological problems require accurate evaluation of the total population size. In this paper, we revisit a sampling procedure used for the evaluation of the abundance of an invertebrate population from assessment data collected on a spatial grid of sampling locations. [...] Read more.

Studies addressing many ecological problems require accurate evaluation of the total population size. In this paper, we revisit a sampling procedure used for the evaluation of the abundance of an invertebrate population from assessment data collected on a spatial grid of sampling locations. We first discuss how insufficient information about the spatial population density obtained on a coarse sampling grid may affect the accuracy of an evaluation of total population size. Such information deficit in field data can arise because of inadequate spatial resolution of the population distribution (spatially variable population density) when coarse grids are used, which is especially true when a strongly heterogeneous spatial population density is sampled. We then argue that the average trap count (the quantity routinely used to quantify abundance), if obtained from a sampling grid that is too coarse, is a random variable because of the uncertainty in sampling spatial data. Finally, we show that a probabilistic approach similar to bootstrapping techniques can be an efficient tool to quantify the uncertainty in the evaluation procedure in the presence of a spatial pattern reflecting a patchy distribution of invertebrates within the sampling grid. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Insect Monitoring and Trapping in Agricultural Systems)

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7 pages, 1297 KiB

Open AccessFeature PaperArticle

Black Border Increases Stomoxys calcitrans Catch on White Sticky Traps

by Archie K. Murchie, Carol E. Hall, Alan W. Gordon and Sam Clawson

Insects 2018, 9(1), 13; https://doi.org/10.3390/insects9010013 - 2 Feb 2018

Cited by 7 | Viewed by 5057

Abstract

Stable fly, Stomoxys calcitrans, is a biting fly that can cause severe irritation to livestock resulting in reduced productivity. The most common method of monitoring S. calcitrans is through the use of sticky traps and many designs have been developed using different [...] Read more.

Stable fly, Stomoxys calcitrans, is a biting fly that can cause severe irritation to livestock resulting in reduced productivity. The most common method of monitoring S. calcitrans is through the use of sticky traps and many designs have been developed using different colours and materials such as alsynite fibreglass and polypropylene sheeting. Laboratory experiments and some field experimentation have demonstrated that colour contrast can attract S. calcitrans. However, this response has not been fully utilised in trap design. To test that simple colour contrast could increase trap efficacy, white sticky traps were mounted on three differently coloured backgrounds (white, yellow, and black) and positioned at five sites on a mixed livestock farm. White sticky traps on a black background caught significantly more S. calcitrans than the yellow or white backgrounds. An incidental result was that Pollenia sp. were caught in greater numbers on the yellow framed traps. The reasons for S. calcitrans attraction to black–white contrast are most likely due to conspicuousness in the environment although the extent to which flies are using this feature as a host-location cue or a perching site are unknown. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Insect Monitoring and Trapping in Agricultural Systems)

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9 pages, 1035 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Monitoring the Attack Incidences and Damage Caused by the Almond Bark Beetle, Scolytus amygdali, in Almond Orchards

by Asma Zeiri, Muhammad Z. Ahmed, Andrew G. S. Cuthbertson, Mohamed Braham and Mohamed Braham

Insects 2018, 9(1), 1; https://doi.org/10.3390/insects9010001 - 1 Jan 2018

Cited by 3 | Viewed by 3867

Abstract

The almond bark beetle, Scolytus amygdali Geurin-Meneville, is responsible for significant loss of fruit production in almond orchards throughout the world. Here, we studied the damage and the incidences of S. amygdali attack on two different scales: (1) at the level of a [...] Read more.

The almond bark beetle, Scolytus amygdali Geurin-Meneville, is responsible for significant loss of fruit production in almond orchards throughout the world. Here, we studied the damage and the incidences of S. amygdali attack on two different scales: (1) at the level of a single tree; and (2) in an entire orchard. Our results revealed no differences in attack level among four orientations (east, west, south and north sides) for the whole tree. However, the bark that was facing west side in the direction of the prevailing wind was found to be the most suitable for females to initiate attack in Stratum S2. Attack distribution remains the same among different strata (strata is vertical divisions of the tree from the ground to the uppermost twigs with ~40 cm intervals). More than 50% of attack was observed in the trunk of the tree and upper strata. However, multiplication rate (number of emerged adults/maternal gallery) varies significantly between strata. In addition, we studied attack intensity (holes produced by beetle per tree) comparing it to tree morphology (flowers, leaves and circumferences) and gum deposit. Our results revealed a positive correlation between attack intensity and gum deposits, and a negative correlation between attack intensity and tree morphology. This revealed that gum on the tree was an indicator for attack intensity. A positive correlation between attack intensity and the circumference of the tree revealed that older trees were more susceptible to S. amygdali attack. These results, while preliminary, aim to help in the monitoring of S. amygdali populations before deciding to apply any control measures. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Insect Monitoring and Trapping in Agricultural Systems)

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839 KiB

Open AccessFeature PaperArticle

Trap Nesting Wasps and Bees in Agriculture: A Comparison of Sown Wildflower and Fallow Plots in Florida

by Joshua W. Campbell, Cherice Smithers, Allyn Irvin, Chase B. Kimmel, Cory Stanley-Stahr, Jaret C. Daniels and James D. Ellis

Insects 2017, 8(4), 107; https://doi.org/10.3390/insects8040107 - 10 Oct 2017

Cited by 18 | Viewed by 6444

Abstract

Wildflower strip plantings in intensive agricultural systems have become a widespread tool for promoting pollination services and biological conservation because of their use by wasps and bees. Many of the trap-nesting wasps are important predators of common crop pests, and cavity-nesting bees that [...] Read more.

Wildflower strip plantings in intensive agricultural systems have become a widespread tool for promoting pollination services and biological conservation because of their use by wasps and bees. Many of the trap-nesting wasps are important predators of common crop pests, and cavity-nesting bees that utilize trap-nests are important pollinators for native plants and many crops. The impact of wildflower strips on the nesting frequency of trap-nesting wasps or bees within localized areas has not been thoroughly investigated. Trap-nests made of bamboo reeds (Bambusa sp.) were placed adjacent to eight 0.1 ha wildflower plots and paired fallow areas (control plots) to determine if wildflower strips encourage the nesting of wasps and bees. From August 2014 to November 2015, occupied reeds were gathered and adults were collected as they emerged from the trap-nests. Treatment (wildflower or fallow plots) did not impact the number of occupied reeds or species richness of trap-nesting wasps using the occupied reeds. The wasps Pachodynerus erynnis, Euodynerus megaera, Parancistrocerus pedestris, and Isodontia spp. were the most common trap-nesting species collected. Less than 2% of the occupied reeds contained bees, and all were from the genus Megachile. The nesting wasp and bee species demonstrated preferences for reeds with certain inside diameters (IDs). The narrow range of ID preferences exhibited by each bee/wasp may provide opportunities to take advantage of their natural histories for biological control and/or pollination purposes. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Insect Monitoring and Trapping in Agricultural Systems)

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3468 KiB

Open AccessFeature PaperCommunication

The Spread of Helicoverpa armigera (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae) and Coexistence with Helicoverpa zea in Southeastern Brazil

by Fábio A. Pinto, Marcos V. V. Mattos, Farley W. S. Silva, Silma L. Rocha and Simon L. Elliot

Insects 2017, 8(3), 87; https://doi.org/10.3390/insects8030087 - 4 Sep 2017

Cited by 20 | Viewed by 6129

Abstract

Helicoverpa armigera, one of the world’s most destructive crop pests, was first documented in Brazil in 2013. Within a few months, this polyphagous insect had spread over the Northeast and Central-West of Brazil, causing great agricultural losses. With several reports of populations [...] Read more.

Helicoverpa armigera, one of the world’s most destructive crop pests, was first documented in Brazil in 2013. Within a few months, this polyphagous insect had spread over the Northeast and Central-West of Brazil, causing great agricultural losses. With several reports of populations resistant to pesticides and Bt crops around the world, there is great concern about the spread of this pest in Brazil. There is confusion about the actual distribution of this species due to the high morphological similarity with the native corn earworm Helicoverpa zea, which may also coexist with H. armigera in the field. Our aims here were (i) to confirm its presence in the State of Minas Gerais, one of the most important agricultural regions in the country; and (ii) to assess the co-occurrence of this pest with the congeneric corn earworm H. zea. Using molecular screening, we confirmed the presence of H. armigera in Bt-crops of soybean and cotton, and non-Bt-crops of soybean, cotton and maize. Mixed infestations of H. armigera with H. zea were found in non-Bt maize (Viçosa, Southeastern Minas Gerais). These results highlight the need for adequate control strategies for H. armigera in Brazil, to deal with its polyphagous feeding habits, high dispersal capacity and possible risks of hybridization with congeneric species. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Insect Monitoring and Trapping in Agricultural Systems)

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Review

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27 pages, 1927 KiB

Open AccessReview

A Review of Sampling and Monitoring Methods for Beneficial Arthropods in Agroecosystems

by Kenneth W. McCravy

Insects 2018, 9(4), 170; https://doi.org/10.3390/insects9040170 - 23 Nov 2018

Cited by 98 | Viewed by 25475

Abstract

Beneficial arthropods provide many important ecosystem services. In agroecosystems, pollination and control of crop pests provide benefits worth billions of dollars annually. Effective sampling and monitoring of these beneficial arthropods is essential for ensuring their short- and long-term viability and effectiveness. There are [...] Read more.

Beneficial arthropods provide many important ecosystem services. In agroecosystems, pollination and control of crop pests provide benefits worth billions of dollars annually. Effective sampling and monitoring of these beneficial arthropods is essential for ensuring their short- and long-term viability and effectiveness. There are numerous methods available for sampling beneficial arthropods in a variety of habitats, and these methods can vary in efficiency and effectiveness. In this paper I review active and passive sampling methods for non-Apis bees and arthropod natural enemies of agricultural pests, including methods for sampling flying insects, arthropods on vegetation and in soil and litter environments, and estimation of predation and parasitism rates. Sample sizes, lethal sampling, and the potential usefulness of bycatch are also discussed. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Insect Monitoring and Trapping in Agricultural Systems)

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13 pages, 579 KiB

Open AccessReview

Two Decades of Invasive Western Corn Rootworm Population Monitoring in Croatia

by Martina Mrganić, Renata Bažok, Katarina M. Mikac, Hugo A. Benítez and Darija Lemic

Insects 2018, 9(4), 160; https://doi.org/10.3390/insects9040160 - 10 Nov 2018

Cited by 8 | Viewed by 3896

Abstract

Western corn rootworm (WCR) is the worst pest of maize in the United States, and since its spread through Europe, WCR is now recognized as the most serious pest affecting maize production. After the beetle’s first detection in Serbia in 1992, neighboring countries [...] Read more.

Western corn rootworm (WCR) is the worst pest of maize in the United States, and since its spread through Europe, WCR is now recognized as the most serious pest affecting maize production. After the beetle’s first detection in Serbia in 1992, neighboring countries such as Croatia have established a national monitoring program. For more than two decades WCR adult population abundance and variability was monitored. With traditional density monitoring, more recent genetic monitoring, and the newest morphometric monitoring of WCR populations, Croatia possesses a great deal of knowledge about the beetle’s invasion process over time and space. Croatia’s position in Europe is unique as no other European nation has demonstrated such a detailed and complete understanding of an invasive insect. The combined use of traditional monitoring (attractant cards), which can be effectively used to predict population abundance, and modern monitoring procedures, such as population genetics and geometric morphometrics, has been effectively used to estimate inter- and intra-population variation. The combined application of traditional and modern monitoring techniques will enable more efficient control and management of WCR across Europe. This review summarizes the research on WCR in Croatia from when it was first detected in 1992 until 2018. An outline of future research needs is provided. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Insect Monitoring and Trapping in Agricultural Systems)

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16 pages, 580 KiB

Open AccessReview

Application of Trap Cropping as Companion Plants for the Management of Agricultural Pests: A Review

by Shovon Chandra Sarkar, Endong Wang, Shengyong Wu and Zhongren Lei

Insects 2018, 9(4), 128; https://doi.org/10.3390/insects9040128 - 25 Sep 2018

Cited by 48 | Viewed by 14619

Abstract

Companion planting is a well-known strategy to manage insect pests and support a natural enemy population through vegetative diversification. Trap cropping is one such type of special companion planting strategy that is traditionally used for insect pest management through vegetative diversification used to [...] Read more.

Companion planting is a well-known strategy to manage insect pests and support a natural enemy population through vegetative diversification. Trap cropping is one such type of special companion planting strategy that is traditionally used for insect pest management through vegetative diversification used to attract insect pests away from the main crops during a critical time period by providing them an alternative preferred choice. Trap crops not only attract the insects for feeding and oviposition, but also act as a sink for any pathogen that may be a vector. Considerable research has been conducted on different trap crops as companion plant species to develop improved pest management strategies. Despite this, little consensus exists regarding optimal trap cropping systems for diverse pest management situations. An advantage of trap cropping over an artificially released natural enemy-based biological control could be an attractive remedy for natural enemies in cropping systems. Besides, many trap crop species can conserve natural enemies. This secondary effect of attracting natural enemies may be an advantage compared to the conventional means of pest control. However, this additional consideration requires a more knowledge-intensive background to designing an effective trap cropping system. We have provided information based on different trap crops as companion plant, their functions and an updated list of trap cropping applications to attract insect pests and natural enemies that should be proven as helpful in future trap cropping endeavors. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Insect Monitoring and Trapping in Agricultural Systems)

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Other

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21 pages, 376 KiB

Open AccessPerspective

Aspects, Including Pitfalls, of Temporal Sampling of Flying Insects, with Special Reference to Aphids

by Hugh D. Loxdale

Insects 2018, 9(4), 153; https://doi.org/10.3390/insects9040153 - 1 Nov 2018

Cited by 6 | Viewed by 3946

Abstract

Since the advent and widespread use of high-resolution molecular markers in the late 1970s, it is now well established that natural populations of insects are not necessarily homogeneous genetically and show variations at different spatial scales due to a variety of reasons, including [...] Read more.

Since the advent and widespread use of high-resolution molecular markers in the late 1970s, it is now well established that natural populations of insects are not necessarily homogeneous genetically and show variations at different spatial scales due to a variety of reasons, including hybridization/introgression events. In a similar vein, populations of insects are not necessarily homogenous in time, either over the course of seasons or even within a single season. This of course has profound consequences for surveys examining, for whatever reason/s, the temporal population patterns of insects, especially flying insects as mostly discussed here. In the present article, the topics covered include climate and climate change; changes in ecological niches due to changes in available hosts, i.e., essentially, adaptation events; hybridization influencing behaviour–host shifts; infection by pathogens and parasites/parasitoids; habituation to light, sound and pheromone lures; chromosomal/genetic changes affecting physiology and behaviour; and insecticide resistance. If such phenomena—i.e., aspects and pitfalls—are not considered during spatio-temporal study programmes, which is even more true in the light of the recent discovery of morphologically similar/identical cryptic species, then the conclusions drawn in terms of the efforts to combat pest insects or conserve rare and endangered species may be in error and hence end in failure. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Insect Monitoring and Trapping in Agricultural Systems)

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