Journal of Applied Entomology最新文献

Advancements in agricultural production have seen the rapid adoption of protected cropping systems globally. Such systems have been optimized for plant growth and efficiency, with little understanding of the potential impacts to key insect pollinators. Here, we investigate the effect of bird netting and polythene rain covers on the health and performance of honey bees (Apis mellifera L.) during the pollination of sweet cherry crops. Over two consecutive seasons, 12 full-strength colonies were equipped with tagged bees and radio frequency identification (RFID) systems. The colonies were equally divided between open control, bird netted and polythene (semi-permanent VOEN in 2019 and retractable Cravo in 2020) groups. Over 1300 individual bees were monitored for the duration of the commercial pollination period to determine behavioural parameters such as foraging commencement age, number and duration of trips and overall survival. Bees began foraging within the optimum age range (mean 15.7–24.1 days) under all covering types, with little indication of prolonged stress or increased mortality during the short season. Polythene covers (VOEN & Cravo) were found to significantly increase the total time needed for bees to orientate successfully. Once orientated, bees placed under covers conducted up to 155% more foraging trips, with a longer cumulative duration. Covering type was found to significantly impact the amount and type of pollen collected, with the most restrictive system (VOEN) yielding the highest proportion of cherry pollen. Overall, we found little evidence to suggest that the tested protective covers have a detrimental impact to honey bee foraging in cherry crops.

The research conducted so far on the chemical mechanisms of trees' defence against foliophages has not uncovered the chemical compounds biosynthesized by plants that are essential for these mechanisms. The objective of this study was to identify a chemical indicator for the presence of the pine beauty moth in Pinus sylvestris stands. Fresh needled shoots were collected from the crowns of pine trees in stands where the pine beauty moth tends to occur in large numbers, as well as from control stands. Total phenolic contents, total flavonoids contents, total chlorophyll content, terpene compounds, phenolic compound concentration, LMWOAs, sugar content, and colour analysis were conducted. Chlorophyll content, the presence of Panolis flammea in forest stands, and the colour of pine needles were discovered to be related. Variable L* correlated positively with the concentrations of chlorophyll a and b. In pine needles that were not attacked by the pine beauty moth, significantly higher concentrations of 4-hydroxybenzoic acid, salicylic acid, chlorogenic acid, syringic acid, quercitin, and rutin were found, with the first compound having the most significant effect (4-hydroxybenzoic acid). Based on the study results, the connected compounds in pine needles make them susceptible to insect attack. In addition, insect repellent programmes were mentioned.

Rodents are important hosts for ectoparasites, such as fleas, ticks, and mites, which means they are also important intermediate hosts for many zoonotic diseases. As anthropogenic environments bring humans and rodents into closer contact, an understanding of host–ectoparasite ecology is essential to predict and manage disease spillover risks. We aimed to understand how disturbances in vegetation cover affect rodent ectoparasite diversity, prevalence, spatial segregation, host (i.e., sex, genus, size, and habitat domain), and environmental (i.e., vegetation structure, forest cover, and rainfall) variables in the state of Michoacan, Mexico. We investigated these relationships by trapping rodents in five paired disturbed (reduced vegetation cover and regular human activities) and undisturbed (no reduction in vegetation cover) sites in the summer and autumn of 2022. From 110 trapped rodents, we collected 138 ectoparasites on 38 individuals. We found no difference in rodent diversity, ectoparasite diversity, or ectoparasite prevalence between disturbed and undisturbed sites. However, arboreal and male rodents had a higher probability of carrying ectoparasites than ground-dwelling and female rodents. Rodents with ectoparasites were not spatially clustered; rather, they were randomly distributed across trapping grids. We also identified two rodent genera (Rattus and Sigmodon) that carry ectoparasites of medical importance and that are in close contact with humans. Our results highlight the necessity of constant monitoring of rodents, ectoparasites, and their associated transmittable diseases. Assessing these interactions and how they are affected by anthropogenic disturbance could better inform management decisions and support the need for rodent conservation programmes in the area.

Herbivorous arthropods can induce their host to form structures where they shelter during unfavourable periods. The boll weevil, Anthonomus grandis grandis Boheman (Coleoptera: Curculionidae), can spend the off-season inside cotton plant structures, known as dry bolls, protected from pesticides, natural enemies and heat and desiccation on the soil surface, thereby increasing its survival and preserving its reproductive capacity. However, the relationship between the boll weevil and dry boll formation is not fully understood and requires further study. The formation and external and internal characteristics of dry bolls on cotton plants infested with different densities of boll weevils, and the emergence and survival of this insect from these structures, were evaluated. Compared with non-infested control plants, plants infested with boll weevil formed almost twice as many dry bolls, which were 2.3 times heavier and with a diameter 1.7 times larger than those on non-infested plants. Boll weevil infestation reduces the number of bolls and commercial mass of fibre + seeds, reducing productivity and increasing cotton harvest contaminants. However, dry bolls on non-infested plants demonstrate that other factors are involved in their formation.

Leatherjackets (Tipula spp.) are soil-dwelling pests associated with agriculture. Land management decisions made at farm scale can have subsequent effects on their populations. Between 1980 and 2020, surveys were conducted across Scotland to collect field histories and larval population data from grassland farms. To assess the impact of management and bioclimatic factors on leatherjacket occurrence over time, this study investigated data from fields continuously sampled between 2009 and 2018. We utilized a Generalized Linear Mixed-Effect Model on a dataset of 61 fields on 19 farms. Results indicated three significant factors affecting larval populations; field size, grazing type and application of insecticides or herbicides (referred to collectively as pesticides). Larval populations were significantly lower in fields that were larger in size and under sheep grazing, compared to no grazing. Pesticide application also caused a significant reduction in larval populations. Management variables were amalgamated to create a Management Intensity Index, revealing significantly increased larval populations under low-management systems. These results, coupled with significant effects of bioclimatic variables, pinpoint predictive signals for high infestations and potential routes for control strategies.

Click beetle larvae have been observed to cause crop damage in various regions worldwide; however, accurate prediction of plant damage is hindered by their subterranean life cycle and the associated challenges in sampling. Melanotus senilis, a beetle belonging to the subfamily Elaterinae (tribe Melanotini) within the family Elateridae, is a destructive agricultural pest that harms maize, hops, and ginger. Our study presents novel evidence indicating the attraction of M. senilis larvae to Citrus natsudaidai (Japanese name “Natsumikan” or “Natsudaidai”). Through a field experiment involving different citrus fruits, namely natsumikan, oranges, and grapefruits, we found that C. natsudaidai attracted the highest number of M. senilis larvae. Furthermore, in a separate experiment in which C. natsudaidai and potatoes were placed in the field, C. natsudaidai significantly outperformed potatoes in attracting M. senilis larvae. These findings suggest that C. natsudaidai fruit placed on the soil surface attracts M. senilis larvae. C. natsudaidai fruits used in this study were sourced from those that remained unharvested until August. Therefore, it is possible that the C. natsudaidai fruits used for comparison were more mature than the citrus fruits used in this study. It is possible that the ripening of C. natsudaidai may have led to changes in CO₂ and ethylene emissions, potentially attracting a greater number of M. senilis larvae. Further research is required to explore these aspects in detail.

Plants have developed chemical defence strategies which can either be triggered in response to herbivory or by the exogenous application of phytohormones, such as methyl jasmonate (MeJa). Tuta absoluta is the main pest associated with tomatoes worldwide. However, studies on the impact of plant hormones on this system are still scarce. This study aimed to evaluate the chemotactic responses and oviposition of T. absoluta towards tomato plants induced by MeJa and herbivory injuries. We conducted dual-choice olfactometry bioassays evaluating the response of virgin T. absoluta males and females exposed to plants with conspecifics (eggs and caterpillars) and sprayed with MeJa (0.5 mM) at 24, 48, 72 and 96 h after the treatments. We also evaluated the oviposition preference of mated T. absoluta with the chance of choosing plants exposed to water, herbivory and three phytohormone concentrations (0.1, 0.5 and 2.5 mM). The males were mostly responsive to plants with conspecifics, while the females preferred intact plants over those sprayed with MeJa and with the presence of eggs. Furthermore, plants with MeJa (0.5 and 2.5 mM) and injured by conspecifics had less oviposition by T. absoluta. The results show that spraying MeJa on tomato plants is a potential tool for managing and controlling the tomato moth.

Spotted-wing drosophila (SWD), Drosophila suzukii (Matsumura, 1931) (Diptera: Drosophilidae) cause yield losses and important economic impacts in fruits with thin epicarp. In the present study, the combination of powdered sulphur and predators/parasitoids for the control of SWD was analysed. First, the interaction of powered sulphur with Anthocoris nemoralis (Hemiptera: Anthocoridae) on infested strawberry fruits and Trichropia drosophilae (Hymenoptera: Diapriidae) on SWD pupae was evaluated. Second, exposure of predators/parasitoids to strawberry leaves with powdered sulphur was also assessed. Additionally, sublethal effects of powdered sulphur on T. drosophilae parasitism were examined. The results show powdered sulphur did not interfere with the activity of A. nemoralis and caused a significant reduction in fruit infestation. In contrast, sulphur affected the activity of T. drosophilae, reducing parasitism when the two agents were combined. Direct exposure to powdered sulphur did not cause significant mortality of A. nemoralis and T. drosophilae. Finally, previous exposure to sulphur did not affect T. drosophilae in terms of parasitism rates and sex ratio. Based on the results obtained herein, sulphur and T. drosophilae impacts on different stages of SWD when they are applied separately. However, the effects of sulphur on T. drosophilae should be taken into account in combination control strategies of SWD.

Fruit fly pestiferous species within the genus Anastrepha Schiner (Diptera: Tephritidae) affect fruit growing in northeastern Mexico, particularly citrus and mango production. Little is known about the population fluctuation of these pests in protected natural areas adjacent to agricultural environments. This study aimed to compare and analyse the temporal profiles of adult populations of Anastrepha pest species inhabiting agricultural zones and a protected natural area. Six years of adult capture data of Anastrepha ludens (Loew), A. obliqua (Macquart), A. striata Schiner and A. serpentina (Wiedemann) were compared and analysed between commercial orchards and fruit tree areas located in the buffer zone of the biosphere reserve “El Cielo”. The analyses were carried out for each of two triennial periods (2008–2010 and 2019–2021). Temporal patterns of the pest populations were characterized, and generalized linear mixed models were used for data analysis. All locations registered the four species, although Anastrepha ludens and A. obliqua represented the highest number of adult captures. Populations of pest species of Anastrepha showed similar fluctuation patterns throughout the year regardless of the location. However, significant differences in the population size were noted between the “El Cielo” reserve and commercial areas. The “El Cielo” reserve and its surroundings captured the highest population levels of the four species. Persistent populations of A. striata and A. serpentina were related to the area under ecological protection. The “El Cielo” reserve is a shelter for the pest species of Anastrepha, which are mainly linked to backyard hosts. We discuss the importance of these findings in the context of an Area-Wide Integrated Pest Management approach and of studying fruit flies' quarantine pests in Mexico's neotropical limits. Practical implications in designing specific phytosanitary measures to suppress or control pest populations are addressed.

Bionomics of an insect and metabolic flux of the host plant are important tools to decipher the status of plant resistance against insect species. This study illuminates vital information on aphid-induced levels of phytochemicals in the siliquae of Brassica juncea cultivars and their effect on host selection and population growth parameters of Lipaphis erysimi. The current study unveiled that the siliquae preference, intrinsic rate of increase (r), finite rate of increase (λ), gross reproductive rate (GRR) and net reproductive rate (R₀) were significantly lower on Pusa Mustard 27, DRMR 150-35, RLC 3, NRCHB 101, Pusa Mustard 26 and Pusa Mustard 25. However, the mean generation time (T) and doubling time (DT) of L. erysimi were significantly longer (p < 0.001) in these genotypes. These cultivars were also found with elevated levels of aphid-induced phytochemicals and their associated enzymes, except in a few cases. Total antioxidants, ferric ion reducing antioxidant power, chlorophyll A, total chlorophyll, ascorbate oxidase (AO), catalase, phenylalanine ammonia lyase (PAL) and myrosinase were found to contribute 49.18–85.30% variation for siliquae preference and bionomics of L. erysimi on the test B. juncea cultivars. The study revealed that phenols, antioxidants, chlorophyll A, chlorophyll B, total carotenoids, AO, ascorbate peroxidase, PAL, tyrosine ammonia lyase and myrosinase had significant and negative direct consequences on the siliquae preference and bionomics, thus can be exploited as biochemical markers to identify sources of resistance against L. erysimi. Furthermore, DRMR 150-35, NRCHB 101, RLC 3, Pusa mustard 26, RH 749 and Pusa Mustard 27 were found with greater aphid-induced defence phytochemicals and detrimental effects on the host selection and bionomics of L. erysimi, thus can be deployed in Brassica improvement program.