bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Grass grub damage and mycorrhizal colonisation of grapevine rootstocks
Authors: Mundy D.C. , Alspach P.A. , Dufay J.
Published: October 2019

Field observations and a grower survey during 2002/2003 indicated that grass grub larvae might be responsible for the death of young grape vines In November 2003 a pot trial was established to determine whether grass grab larvae feeding caused sufficient root damage to account for observed vine deaths The experiments also evaluated whether arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF) colonisation of grape vine roots was affected by grass grub feeding Grass grub damage was found on the belowground portion of the trunk and was proportional to the numbers of grubs present However root and shoot weight and shoot length were not affected by grub density when measured two months after grubs were introduced AMF colonization varied between the four rootstocks in the trial and was higher where grass grubs had been introduced Further research is required to elucidate the causes of young vine decline in Marlborough
Leaf herbivory by clover root weevil adults how much do they eat
Authors: Gerard P.J. , Hackell D.L.
Published: October 2019

Populations of adult clover root weevil (Sitona lepidus) can inflict significant numbers of their distinctive feeding notches on the leaves of white clover (Trifolium repens) plants However it is assumed that because white clover is bred for defoliation the damage on established plants has little impact Two experiments were undertaken to quantify the daily leaf consumption levels of adult weevils and how this varied with weevil size and sex clover cultivar and previous leaf damage Overall adults consumed between 075 and 12 mg dry matter/day depending on cultivar and sex Sexual differences were observed between two contrasting clover cultivars with females consuming more Grassland Prestige and males Grasslands Kopu Clover dry matter loss through adult feeding was estimated at about 50 kg/ha from early summer until midwinter in the Waikato the period of peak adult activity
Virus surveys of lettuce crops and management of lettuce bigvein disease in New Zealand
Authors: Fletcher J.D. , France C.M. , Butler R.C.
Published: October 2019

Virus surveys of lettuce crops over the past three seasons have confirmed that a number of virus diseases can threaten production Lettuce bigvein disease (LBVD) caused by Mirafiori lettuce bigvein virus (MLBVV) usually in combination with Lettuce bigvein virus (LBVV) was the most widespread virus disease of lettuce over the survey period Other viruses present include Lettuce necrotic yellows virus (LNYV) Beet western yellows virus (BWYV) Cucumber mosaic virus (CMV) and Lettuce mosaic virus (LMV) The surveys have not detected Tomato spotted wilt virus (TSWV) or Tobacco necrosis virus (TNV) Control of Olpidium brassicae the fungal vector of LBVD is an important factor in disease management This paper outlines survey results and describes experiments using fungicides to control this disease
Dormancy of Sclerotium cepivorum sclerotia in New Zealand soils
Authors: McLean K.L , Harper G.E. , Frampton C.M. , Stewart A.
Published: October 2019

Sclerotium cepivorum sclerotia require incubation in soil to overcome constitutive dormancy a condition where the sclerotia will not germinate even when stimulated In Trial 1 artificial onion extract diallyl disulphide (DADS) was used to stimulate sclerotial germination of laboratory produced sclerotia after 1 2 and 3 month conditioning periods when incubated in two different soil types The results showed that soil type and fungal isolate did not affect dormancy and that approximately 16 33 and 21 of the sclerotia germinated after 1 2 and 3 month conditioning periods respectively In Trial 2 DADS significantly increased sclerotial germination compared with the control after 2 3 4 5 and 6 month conditioning periods Sclerotia required 6 months in soil before high rates of germination occurred (>89) when stimulated When a natural population of sclerotia (8 weeks old) (Trial 3) was exposed to DADS 51 of the population germinated compared with 21 in the control (Plt;0001)
Evaluation of selected fungal isolates for the control of Sclerotinia sclerotiorum using cabbage pot bioassays
Authors: Rabeendran N. , Jones E.E. , Moot D.J. , Stewart A.
Published: October 2019

Nine fungal isolates were assayed for their ability to reduce mycelial infection of cabbage by Sclerotinia sclerotiorum in three pot bioassays In all cases mycelial infection by S sclerotiorum was low However the mycelial inoculum converted into sclerotia which underwent carpogenic germination to produce apothecia In the first pot bioassay four fungal isolates (T hamatum LU594 LU593 and LU592 and T rossicum LU596) reduced the percentage of pots where apothecia were produced Both the number of apothecia produced per pot and the number of pots showing apothecial production were reduced by T hamatum LU593 in the second pot bioassay (by 86 and 76 respectively) In the third bioassay Coniothyrium minitans LU112 was found to completely inhibit apothecial production and T hamatum LU593 reduced both the number of pots with apothecia (by 48) and the total number of apothecia produced per pot (by 72) Both C minitans LU112 and T hamatum LU593 showed the greatest potential for controlling S sclerotiorum disease and these will be tested further in field trials
Yeast isolates to inhibit blue mould and bitter rot of apples
Authors: Boyd-Wilson K.S.H. , Glithero N. , Ma Q. , Alspach P.A. , Walter M.
Published: October 2019

Yeast isolates (44) collected from New Zealand orchards were screened for their ability to inhibit lesion development of blue mould of apples caused by Penicillium spp and bitter rot of apples caused by Colletotrichum acutatum using a detached apple assay While 28 isolates reduced blue mould lesions significantly compared to the pathogen control only four of the 44 isolates reduced bitter rot lesion development significantly These four yeast isolates also reduced the lesion development of blue mould Increasing concentrations of selected yeasts decreased lesion size in a loglinear fashion Yeasts applied before the pathogen reduced the lesion size significantly better than when applied after the pathogen The best reduction in lesion development was achieved by live yeast cells washed and applied in sterile water without any nutrient supplements Yeast cell extracts did not result in reduced lesion development
Detection of Pseudomonas syringae pv papulans in apple budwood
Authors: Vanneste J.L. , Yu J.
Published: October 2019

Pseudomonas syringae pv papulans (Psp) causes blister spot on apples an economically important disease of the cultivar Mutsu in eastern North America Neither the pathogen nor the disease has been recorded in New Zealand or Australia Since Psp can be transmitted via budwood a protocol to specifically detect Psp in apple buds has been developed It is based on the amplification by polymerase chain reaction (PCR) of part of the hrpL gene Using this protocol presence of Psp could be routinely detected in apple buds spiked with 100 cells of the pathogen This protocol was used to analyse budwoods from Hawkes Bay and Waikato and apple fruit from Waikato Hawkes Bay and Central Otago All samples were negative which is consistent with the pathogen never having been recorded in this country
Surveys for potential biocontrol agents for moth plant in New Zealand and Argentina
Authors: Waipara N.W. , Winks C.J. , Gianotti A.F. , Villamil C.B. , Villamil S.C. , Delhey R. , Kiehr M. , Traversa M.G. , Carpintero D.L.
Published: October 2019

Moth plant Araujia sericifera is an environmental weed in northern regions of New Zealand Due to its rapid spread its ability to cause substantial damage to natural ecosystems and the increasing cost of conventional control methods a biological control programme was initiated A survey of the plant in New Zealand found that damage attributed to either disease or insect herbivory was minimal with little biocontrol potential Botanical pathogen and insect surveys were subsequently initiated in the native South American range to locate and identify potential agents for classical biocontrol Potential agents associated with plant damage were collected Damage was mostly due to pathogenic attack with 90 of moth plant populations showing disease symptoms To date eight fungal pathogens have been associated with plant die back leaf necroses and a severe fruit rot At least two mosaic (virus) diseases were also found frequently associated with colonies of the aphid Aphis nerii
The effect of mulching on adult emergence of Kellys citrus thrips (Pezothrips kellyanus)
Authors: Jamieson L.E. , Stevens P.S.
Published: October 2019

Kellys citrus thrips (Pezothrips kellyanus) (KCT) is a key pest of citrus in New Zealand Many insecticides used to control KCT cause outbreaks of secondary pests or market restrictions due to chemical residues Effective control of KCT is likely to consist of integrating a variety of approaches Increasing mortality of the soildwelling pupal stages by using organic mulches to increase the biological activity in the soil is one approach A field trial compared compost/woody mulch under lemon trees with normal weedy ground cover Significantly fewer (Plt;0001) adult KCT emerged under trees with mulch (35 thrips in February) compared to trees that had not received mulch (227 thrips in February) The organic mulch beneath citrus trees increased the number predatory mites in the soil There were 58 different species of soil mites that could potentially feed on KCT pupae The physical environment of the mulch may also contribute to reduced emergence of adult thrips
Floral nectar affects longevity of the aphid parasitoid Aphidius ervi and its hyperparasitoid Dendrocerus aphidum
Authors: Araj S.A. , Wratten S.D. , A A.J. Lister , Buckley H.L.
Published: October 2019

In this study the potential consequences of making a three or fourtrophic level system more complex by adding floral resources was studied in the laboratory for a range of plant nectar sources the aphid parasitoid Aphidius ervi and its hyperparasitoid Dendrocerus aphidum Parasitoids exposed to flowering buckwheat survived 45 times longer than those in the control (water only) and 34 times longer than those provided with phacelia alyssum or coriander Hyperarasitoids provided with buckwheat survived 56 times longer than those in the control and 35 times longer than those on the other flowering plants Buckwheat phacelia alyssum and coriander can therefore enhance the fitness of A ervi without benefiting its aphid host which does not feed on nectar However the fitness of the hyperparasitoid may increase relatively more than that of the parasitoid depending on the nectar source
Insecticide practice for aphid control in potatoes
Authors: Van_Toor R.F. , Teulon D.A.J.
Published: October 2019

Insecticide use for aphid control in potatoes by mainly Canterbury growers was assessed by a New Zealandwide postal survey in 200102 and by examination of spray diaries from Canterbury (11 seed and 13 process growers) in 200304 Only 22 (16 growers) of seed and 4 (12 growers) of fresh potato growers responded to the postal survey with Canterbury growers making up 93 of the respondents Overall results indicate that most seed crops received a single seed/tuber treatment as well as approximately five foliar applications Most process crops (200304 only) were seed/tuber treated with 0 or 1 foliar applications For fresh crops (200102 only) 59 were seed/tuber treated and 14 had 2 or 6 foliar applications Seed/tuber treatments were mostly imidacloprid but also phorate Foliar applications included organophosphate carbamate synthetic pyrethroid and pyridineazomethine insecticides Insecticide use patterns are discussed in relation to the effectiveness of aphid/virus control and the risk of insecticide resistance
Predator mite application methods for biological control of twospotted mites in hops
Authors: Shaw P.W. , Wallis D.R.
Published: October 2019

The efficacy of a novel air stream predator mite application method for the control of twospotted mites (TSM Tetranychus urticae) in hops was compared with a standard teaspoon release method Predator mites (Phytoseiulus persimilis) were successfully established with a single release using both application methods and TSM declined to low numbers during the monitoring period Application of predator mites with a delivery device attached to a conventional leaf blower mounted on a quad bike was equally effective and at least four times faster than hand application There was no evidence of any physical damage to mites applied with the mite blower device The potential of the air stream application method to improve the efficiency of biological control of TSM using predator mites is discussed
Evaluation of organic control methods of the bean beetle Ootheca bennigseni in East Africa
Authors: Paul U.V. , Ampofo J.K.O. , Hilbeck A. , Edwards P.
Published: October 2019

Dry beans (Phaseolus vulgaris) are a major source of dietary protein and calories for the poor in East Africa The increasingly abundant Ootheca bennigseni (Coleoptera Chrysomelidae) is a key pest that threatens bean production and jeopardizes farmers harvest Participatory research with farmers suggested the need for affordable and accessible organic pest control methods The effect of diluted cow urine and aqueous extract from vernonia (Vernonia lasiopus var iodocalyx) leaves was evaluated in three consecutive applications Researchermanaged onfarm trials showed that cow urine reduced pest abundance for at least 24 hours The aqueous vernonia extract reduced the insect abundance consistently for at least 7 days Foliar damage at the peak time of infestation was significantly reduced by vernonia but not by cow urine Future research needs to find ways to enhance and prolong the efficacy of natural substances and determine the relationship between adult abundance larval population and bean yield
Effect of climate change on Oriental fruit fly in New Zealand and the Pacific
Authors: Kriticos D.J. , Stephens A.E.A. , Leriche A.
Published: October 2019

A CLIMEX model of the Oriental fruit fly (OFF) indicates that under the reference climate (19611990) OFF could persist throughout most of the central Pacific In New Zealand it could establish throughout much of the lowlying areas of the North Island and much of New Zealand could support shortterm populations during the summer months Climate change scenarios for the 2080s indicate that in the central Pacific the change in potential distribution is relatively minor However parts of New Zealand could become substantially more climatically suitable increasing the likelihood of successful establishment of OFF after an incursion and seriously threatening the horticultural sector Should OFF become established in New Zealand it is likely to follow any expansion of the horticultural sector into the coastal areas of the eastern part of the South Island as far south as Oamaru
Pyridine compounds increase trap capture of Frankliniella occidentalis (Pergande) in a covered crop
Authors: Davidson M.M. , Butler R.C. , Winkler S. , Teulon D.A.J.
Published: October 2019

The effect of pyridine compounds on the capture of thrips was examined in an Auckland New Zealand capsicum greenhouse in 2004 Yellow sticky traps were positioned just above the crop canopy in a rectangular array with 6 traps per compound and 6 control traps 2024 m apart and left for 24 h Most thrips found on traps were Frankliniella occidentalis (>99) Fourteen times more female F occidentalis were captured on traps with methyl isonicotinate or ethyl isonicotinate than on controls Sticky traps treated with methyl 4pyridyl ketone also caught more female F occidentalis than controls (45) Sticky traps with methyl isonicotinate caught more male F occidentalis (up to 52) than controls Ethyl2chloropyridine4carboxylate and ethyl nicotinate did not increase trap catches of either sex The results demonstrated that selected pyridine compounds have the potential to improve trap capture of F occidentalis in a covered crop
Combination of two odour chemical lures does not increase thrips capture in field bioassays
Authors: Teulon D.A.J. , Nielsen M-C. , James D.E. , Winkler S. , Mclachlan A.R.G. , Perry N.B.
Published: October 2019

Used in isolation several odour chemicals are known to increase trap capture of some thrips especially flowerinhabiting species This study examined the combined use of two structurally distinct odour chemicals both known to increase thrips trap capture in isolation Field bioassays using water traps were undertaken at two sites in New Zealand to target different thrips species Water traps had (1) no odour (water) (2) panisaldehyde only (3) methyl isonicotinate only (4) panisaldehyde and methyl isonicotinate mixed together in the same vial or (5) panisaldehyde and methyl isonicotinate placed separately in adjacent vials Thrips tabaci was the most common thrips species trapped at both sites (>92) Most odour treatments increased trap capture of T tabaci compared with the controls (panisaldehyde by 18 and 7 methyl isonicotinate by 5 and 30) but treatments with the two chemicals combined did not increase trap capture above the level of methyl isonicotinate alone at both sites
Negative association between chorus cicada Amphipsalta zelandica and armillaria root disease in kiwifruit
Authors: Logan D.P. , Alspach P.A.
Published: October 2019

Armillaria root disease is a serious fungal disease of kiwifruit that can ultimately end in the death of infected vines One commerciallyavailable treatment for infected vines is to inject compost teas into subsoil with compressed air Compost teas are applied to improve soil and hence plant health and their use is based on the generalisation that healthy plants have fewer pests Accordingly there is a suggestion that healthy kiwifruit vines free of armillaria root disease support fewer cicadas Exuviae of the dominant cicada species in kiwifruit Amphipsalta zelandica (Boisduval) were counted and symptoms of armillaria root disease scored for 300 contiguous vines in a commerciallymanaged block of kiwifruit More A zelandica exuviae were found on healthy vines than on vines with symptoms of armillaria root disease and in this instance the generalisation that healthy plants have fewer pests was not true
European earwigs Forficula auricularia and predation of scale insects in organic and conventionally managed kiwifruit
Authors: Maher B.J. , Logan D.P.
Published: October 2019

European earwigs Forficula auricularia L are potentially important natural enemies of armoured scale insects in commercial kiwifruit orchards Earwigs are sensitive to broadspectrum insecticides and diazinon residues can kill earwigs for up to 17 nights after spraying Eight paired organic and conventional Kiwigreen orchard blocks were surveyed in the summer of 2006/07 to estimate the number of earwigs present In each block 25 shelter traps were placed in the vine canopy for 1 month Fewer earwigs were recorded in conventional blocks than in organic blocks (P0018) A sample of 800 leaves was taken from each of the blocks in March to record predation of scale insects by earwigs There was no clear evidence that scale insects on leaves were predated by earwigs This was attributed to the low level of mature scale insects the preferred stage for predation by earwigs
The incidence of storage rots after postharvest apple washing
Authors: Scheper R.W.A. , Rogers D.J. , Walker J.T.S. , Manning M.A. , Wood P.N.
Published: October 2019

The effect of four postharvest apple washing treatments and two unwashed treatments on fruit surface microflora and the development of storage rots in punctured and uninjured fruit were assessed A significantly higher incidence of storage rot was observed in punctured apples (1635) than in uninjured apples (13) after washing in water with high fungal populations (P
Fungicide timing for control of summer rots of apples
Authors: Everett K.R. , Timudo-Torrevilla O.E. , Taylor J.T. , Yu J.
Published: October 2019

Control of preharvest summer rot in cv Royal Gala apple in the Waikato district during the 2006/2007 growing season was evaluated There were six treatments and an unsprayed control Three treatments investigated the effect of timing by applying tolyfluanid mancozeb captan and copper sequentially at 1014 day intervals in October and early November (spring) November and December (early summer) or January and February (late summer) The fourth treatment was two applications of carbendazim in early October (flowering) and there were two biological control treatments Bacillus subtilis QST713 and Serratia marcescens HR42 applied at 1014 day intervals from flowering (October) to harvest (February) Compared with the unsprayed treatment the most effective control was achieved by fungicide applications during either November/December or January/February Due to large variation in the data differences were not statistically significant but mean lesion diameter at final assessment for these treatments was 29 and 35 of controls respectively The other treatments did not control rots
Control of gorse (Ulex europaeus) in dryland pasture converted from Pinus radiata forest
Authors: Edwards G.R. , Tozer K.N. , Maxwell T.M.R. , Marshall A.J.
Published: October 2019

The effect of crop sequence pasture species mixture and nitrogen fertiliser on gorse establishment was monitored over 23 months in land converted from pine forest to a dryland sheep pasture There were fewer gorse plants in plots sown initially into the forage crop triticale and then into grasslegume pasture than plots sown directly into grass or grasslegume pasture Once the triticale was grazed undersowing grasslegume pasture beneath rape to establish clover rich pastures suppressed gorse more than sowing grasslegume pasture directly There was no effect of nitrogen fertiliser applied at 150 kg N/ha/year on gorse plant density or cover Appropriate management tools to control gorse in forest to pasture conversions include a combination of crop sequences where forage crops are followed by pasture and the establishment of pasture legume rich herbage This type of pasture is preferred by livestock and results in high grazing intensity of gorse seedlings growing in the pasture
Crop rotation with brassicas reduces Phytophthora populations in potato soil
Authors: Cheah L.-H. , Marsh A.T. , Hedderley D. , Falloon R.E.
Published: October 2019

A longterm trial (5 years) is being conducted at a commercial property on land that has a history of high incidence and severity of soilborne diseases Five rotational crops (potato pasture brassica cereal and squash) are being tested for their effects on pathogen inoculum Soil applications of metalaxyl fungicide are used as a standard treatment for comparison Soil samples are taken before and after each crop rotation cycle and plated on agar media for microbial enumeration to study the changes in fungal pathogen populations After three growing seasons rotational treatment of potato and cereal BQ Mulch (Brassica crop) reduced the level of Phytophthora and other (unidentified) fungi compared with the same rotation without BQ Mulch Metalaxyl has had no effect on the soil levels of Phytophthora and Pythium spp
The efficacy of various bait products against the grey field slug Deroceras reticulatum
Authors: Howlett S.A. , Wilson D.J. , Miller K.T.
Published: October 2019

The grey field slug Deroceras reticulatum is one of the most dominant slug pests in temperate climates In mild moist conditions populations can rapidly reach economically damaging levels Largescale control relies heavily on the use of molluscicide baits The active ingredients in molluscicides are often in themselves repellent to slugs and must be formulated with other more palatable substances to ensure sufficient ingestion A study was undertaken to compare the efficacy of four bait products at various time intervals after application to bare soil Slug morbidity following bait application 48 h prior to exposure was significantly higher for methiocarb products while metaldehyde products experienced reduced efficacy after the same time period
Predation of citrus red mite (Panonychus citri) by Stethorus sp and Agistemus longisetus
Authors: Jamieson L.E. , Chhagan A. , Charles J.G.
Published: October 2019

The ladybird Stethorus sp and the predatory mite Agistemus longisetus are the most abundant natural enemies found with high populations of citrus red mite (CRM) (Panonychus citri) To enable the continued use of pesticides that may be toxic to one or both of these predators knowledge of their roles in regulating CRM populations is required In laboratory bioassays both natural enemies alone and in combination reduced the number of eggs and immature CRM However A longisetus alone did not reduce the number of CRM adults as effectively as Stethorus sp alone or in combination In a glasshouse trial predation by a combination of Stethorus sp and A longisetus reduced CRM populations faster than predation by Stethorus sp alone Stethorus sp is the more effective of the two common CRM natural enemies at reducing high populations of CRM but the combined predation of the two predators may be complementary in highly dispersed populations where there are a large number of leaves with few eggs
Biocontrol of pests in apples under integrated fruit production
Authors: Shaw P.W. , Wallis D.R.
Published: October 2019

The biological control of some key orchard pests achieved within an Integrated Fruit Production (IFP) apple block was assessed Insecticide sprays were used to manipulate the numbers of natural enemies Treatments included applications of the broadspectrum insecticide carbaryl a selective insecticide programme (IFP) and a control (no insecticides) Plots treated with carbaryl became heavily infested with woolly apple aphid and European red mite However carbaryl sprays did not completely prevent lacewings ladybirds and the woolly apple aphid parasitoid Aphelinus mali subsequently moving into the plots in response to the high host populations Numbers of some natural enemies were reduced in the carbaryl treatment and the trees were damaged by mites and woolly apple aphids The selective and noinsecticide programmes did not disrupt natural enemies and pest levels in trees and fruit were similar and acceptable
Effect of photoperiod on development and reproduction in Tasmanian lacewing Micromus tasmaniae (Walker) (Neuroptera Hemerobiidae)
Authors: Yadav A. , He X.Z. , Wang Q.
Published: October 2019

Tasmanian lacewing Micromus tasmaniae (Walker) is an important predator of many aphid species This study investigated the effect of four photoperiods on predation development and oviposition of M tasmaniae in the laboratory at 21 1C and 60 RH Results indicated that no individuals entered diapause at either immature or adult stage At each photoperiod late instar larvae consumed significantly more aphids than early instar larvae (P
Application of fungicides during leaf fall to control apple scab (Venturia inaequalis) in the following season
Authors: Beresford R.M. , Wood P.N. , Shaw P.W. , Taylor T.J.
Published: October 2019

Leaf fall applications of fungicides to reduce scab in apple orchards were investigated to reduce reliance on summer fungicides that can cause trace chemical residues on harvested fruit Two applications of fungicides including captan tolyfluanid myclobutanil and urea were made at 1020 and 5060 leaf fall in four orchard trials in Nelson and Hawkes Bay using the cultivars Royal Gala Braeburn Fuji and Sciros/Pacific Rosetrade; Trial orchards received standard spring and summer fungicide programmes that complied with Integrated Fruit Production and were monitored for leaf and fruit scab in December and at harvest Significant reductions in leaf or fruit scab occurred in three out of five comparisons involving different sites years and cultivars suggesting that autumn applications can reduce scab in the following season Captan and tolyfluanid appeared most useful for autumn application Myclobutanil should not be used because of the fungicide resistance risk Results with urea were variable
Efficacy of plant volatiles for postharvest control of western flower thrips in fresh produce
Authors: Van_Epenhuijsen C.W. , Somerfield K.G. , Hedderley D.
Published: October 2019

Insect infestation of fresh produce exported from New Zealand is an ongoing issue for exporters Seventeen lowhazard volatile compounds were screened for their potential as fumigants for controlling adults nymphs and eggs of western flower thrips (WFT) Frankliniella occidentalis (Pergande) WFT infested chrysanthemum flowers were exposed to volatiles in glass jars with circulation fans Higher mortality was achieved for adults than for nymphs/eggs Mortality after the 6 h exposure was greater than after the 2 h exposure Compounds that had good efficacy against WFT included 2propyn1ol diallyl sulphide (the main compound of garlic oils) 2methyl(E)butenal and ethyl acetate Of these 2propyn1ol caused significant phytotoxicity at the concentrations tested The other three were tolerated by the plant material and are worth further investigation
Production of Botryosphaeria species conidia using grapevine green shoots
Authors: Amponsah N.T. , Jones E.E. , Ridgway H.J. , Jaspers M.V.
Published: October 2019

Methods for producing large numbers of conidia were developed to allow investigation of the pathogenicity of five Botryosphaeria species (B lutea B australis B obtusa B parva and B stevensii) previously isolated from symptomatic grapevines Pycnidium formation of all five species was low on five mycological media tested Further any pycnidia produced on the media contained few conidia An alternative method was developed whereby grapevine green shoots were infected with Botryosphaeria species the lesions air dried and then induced to sporulate under moist conditions Botryosphaeria australis B lutea and B stevensii produced abundant pycnidia oozing conidia within 36 h The air dried stem pieces could still produce pycnidia that oozed conidia after 3 months of storage at room temperature Botryosphaeria parva produced few pycnidia that did not release any conidia Botryosphaeria obtusa lesions were small and restricted to the inoculation point with only a few pycnidia and conidia being produced
Impact of mycorrhizal colonisation on grapevine establishment in Cylindrocarpon infested soil
Authors: Bleach C.M. , Cope R.J. , Jones E.E. , Ridgway H.J. , Jaspers M.V.
Published: October 2019

The effects of arbuscular mycorrhizae (AM) Glomus mosseae and Acaulospora laevis on growth of six grape rootstock varieties and their infection by Cylindrocarpon species were investigated in a greenhouse experiment that challenged the mycorrhizal plants with a mixed inoculum of Cylindrocarpon spp Both species of AM had beneficial effects (P005) but greater root dry weights in Auckland (214; P005) G mosseae clearly has potential for improving health and growth of young grapevine plants
Development of a speciesspecific probe for detection of Serratia entomophila in soil
Authors: Hurst M.R.H. , Young S.D. , O'Callaghan M.
Published: October 2019

Strains of the bacteria Serratia entomophila and S proteamaculans cause amber disease in the grass grub Costelytra zealandica (Coleoptera Scarabaeidae) an important pasture pest in New Zealand Strains of both Serratia species occur naturally in New Zealand pasture soils Serratia entomophila has been developed as a commercial biological control agent bioshield The persistence of the applied strain in soil is currently measured by enumeration of bacterial colonies on Serratiaselective agar and subsequent biochemical tests are carried out to differentiate between the two Serratia species on the basis of their ability to utilise itaconate as a sole carbon source A speciesspecific DNA probe has been developed as an alternative to these laborious biochemical tests Tests against a range of Serratia species in colony dot blots showed the probe could be used to differentiate between S entomophila and S protemaculans recovered from treated soil when assessing persistence of bioshield inoculum and efficacy of the product in the field
Biocontrol a possibile option to control manuka beetle (Pyronota spp) causing pasture damage on dairy farms on the West Coast
Authors: Townsend R.J. , Jackson T.A.
Published: October 2019

Manuka beetle (Pyronota spp Bois Coleoptera Scarabaeidae) has often been reported causing pasture damage frequently in areas close to bush margins Larvae feed on the roots of pasture species producing damage that is often attributed to grass grub (Costelytra zealandica) During 200607 significant pasture damage was observed in dairy pastures established on flipped developments on sandy soils near Cape Foulwind and on hump and hollow developments near Bell Hill north of Lake Brunner Sampling revealed damage was caused by high populations of manuka beetle larvae; no grass grubs were found in either region The common manuka beetle Pyronota festiva was identified from both areas and a second Pyronota species (P edwardsi or P setosa) was found only on the sandy soils at Cape Foulwind A pathogen survey of Pyronota larvae from both regions showed very low levels of infection by bacterial and protozoan pathogens but did reveal moderate infection by the fungi Metarhizium and Beauveria in 3rd instar larvae A laboratory bioassay at 15C showed late third instar Pyronota spp larvae were susceptible to infection by Metarhizium anisopliae and Beauveria bassiana spores mixed into soil Further work will evaluate a promising local Beauveria brongniartii isolate as a biocontrol option against this emerging pest
Pupation depth of Microctonus spp
Authors: Ferguson C.M. , Phillips C.B. , Barton D.M. , McNeill M.R. , Townsend H.I. , Vattala H.D.
Published: October 2019

Microctonus aethiopoides and M hyperodae are introduced biocontrol agents for exotic weevil pests in New Zealand Understanding how environmental factors affect their phenologies is integral to defining their impact on target and nontarget hosts To study where in the soil profile these parasitoids pupate parasitised weevils were caged either above intact soil cores containing vegetation and litter from pasture and lucerne or above crumbled bare soil After parasitoids had emerged from their hosts and pupated the substrates were searched to locate pupation sites With handsorting/ flotation 3 of 17 M hyperodae pupae were found in the top 10 mm of soil cores and 1 each at 1015 2025 3540 and 4550 mm A further 10 were at indeterminate depths within 030 mm Intact cores were searched by microscope (64X) and 28 of 32 M hyperodae and 6 of 7 M aethiopoides were found in surface litter The others were in cracks to 25 mm Initial observations with crumbled soil showed pupation had occurred but pupation depth was often undeterminable Microscopic searching revealed two M hyperodae and one M aethiopoides barely covered by soil Pupation of both parasitoid species apparently occurs at or close to the soil surface suggesting that pupal survival and development could be strongly influenced by weather
Herbicide deposition on weeds from weed wipers
Authors: Moyo C. , Harrington K.C. , Kemp P.D. , Eerens J.P.J.
Published: October 2019

Weed wipers available in New Zealand vary in their mechanisms for delivering herbicide The objective of this experiment was to measure clopyralid output from three weed wipers using a standardised methodology The herbicide output for the Eliminator Rotowiper and Weedswiper was investigated at different speeds of application The herbicide was applied to artificial weeds covered in plastic sleeves folded at the base to collect drips while the three wipers were driven over the artificial weeds The sleeves were then removed and washed with water The resultant solution was then analysed for clopyralid using a spectrophotometer and a predetermined calibration equation The experiment showed there was no relationship between the speed at which wipers were pulled and their herbicide output The Eliminator and Rotowiper had on average twice the output of the Weedswiper although their output was more variable than that of the Weedswiper Because of the variability in output in some wipers the concentration rates to be used in each wiper need to be high enough to compensate for occasional low quantities being wiped on weeds
Estimating the fate of seeds in a Nassella trichotoma population
Authors: Lusk C.S. , Lamoureaux S.L. , Hurrell G.A. , Bourd?t G.W.
Published: October 2019

A previouslydeveloped model for a nassella tussock (Nassella trichotoma) population suggests that 97 of the seeds produced do not enter the soil seed bank To determine the extent to which seeds are lost from the soil surface an experiment was conducted over 1 year at three sites in North Canterbury pastures In January 2007 soil cores with intact pasture in opentopped containers were buried to ground level at each of the sites Three treatments (no seed 25 awned or 25 deawned seeds scattered onto the core surface) were applied The number of intact seeds recovered by monthly exhumation of cores declined linearly and at an average rate of 48 over the year Assuming the model is correct this rate of loss implies that only 5 of the seeds produced reach the soil surface and that 95 are therefore lost before deposition through wind dispersal or through predispersal predation
Diel asynchrony in reproductive behaviour of Diaeretiella rapae (MIntosh) (Hymenoptera Aphidiidae)
Authors: Kant R. , Sandanayaka W.R.M.
Published: October 2019

Diaeretiella rapae is an important parasitoid of cabbage aphid Diel variation in emergence mating and oviposition of D rapae was studied in the laboratory to understand the biology and behaviour of the parasitoid The emergence of the parasitoid was recorded hourly in two bioassay rooms set up at 22 2C with 16 h photoperiod from 08002400 hours or from 18001000 hours Greatest emergence was found during the early photophase The parasitoids that emerged during the scotophase did not mate until the following photophase Unmated females that emerged during the scotophase had a lower incidence of host attack and oviposition during the dark However the parasitoids became active and had a greater incidence of mating and oviposition when they were brought into the light even during the scotophase This research suggests that light triggers parasitoid activity and that the parasitoids lose their reproductive fitness if they emerge in the scotophase
Nontarget species selection for host range testing of Cotesia urabae
Authors: Berndt L.A. , Withers T.M. , Mansfield S. , Hoare R.J.B.
Published: October 2019

Classical biological control is being attempted for Uraba lugens (Lepidoptera Noctuidae Nolinae) an Australian eucalypt pest established in New Zealand The Australian solitary larval endoparasitoid Cotesia urabae (Hymenoptera Braconidae) is the most promising agent under investigation A nontarget species list was compiled for host range testing The endemic species Celama parvitis is the sole New Zealand representative of the Nolinae and was highest priority The next most closely related subfamily is the Arctiinae of which New Zealand has four endemic species (Metacrias huttoni M erichrysa M strategica and Nyctemera annulata) and one introduced biological control agent (Tyria jacobaeae) The merits of including other more distantly related members of the Noctuidae and unrelated Lepidoptera filling a similar niche are discussed
Patterns of adult emergence and mating in Micromus tasmaniae (Walker) (Neuroptera Hemerobiidae)
Authors: Yadav A. , He X.Z. , Wang Q.
Published: October 2019

The Tasmanian lacewing Micromus tasmaniae Walker is an important predator of a number of economically important pests such as aphids This study was to investigate the patterns of adult emergence sexual maturation and mating of M tasmaniae in the laboratory at 211C 60 RH and 168 h (lightdark) Results indicate that adult emergence peaked 3 h before the scotophase began There was no significant difference in emergence patterns between males and females (P>005) The sexual maturation period of males and females was 47825 h and 65131 h after emergence respectively and this difference was significant (P
Twophase openfield test to confirm host range of a biocontrol agent Cleopus japonicus
Authors: Watson M.C. , Withers T.M. , Hill R.L.
Published: October 2019

The buddleia leaf weevil Cleopus japonicus was released in New Zealand in 2006 as a biological control agent for the weed Buddleja davidii A twophase openfield design was used to confirm laboratory host range and examine nontarget impacts in the field This was the first field trial undertaken in New Zealand and included six nontarget plant species Feeding and dispersal of the agent on the test species and B davidii were compared Cleopus japonicus strongly preferred B davidii Larvae were recorded on Verbascum virgatum and Scrophularia auriculata during the choice stage of the trial Killing the B davidii plants in the second phase resulted in adults feeding on the two exotic species V virgatum and S auriculata Minor exploratory feeding was recorded on the natives Hebe speciosa and Myoporum laetum These results confirm that laboratory tests conducted to assess the safety of this agent for release in New Zealand accurately predicted field host range
Use of geographic information systems and satellite data for assessing climatic risk of establishment of plant pathogens
Authors: Kim K.S. , Beresford R.M.
Published: October 2019

Geographic information systems (GIS) have been used for geospatial data management and analysis map production and spatial modelling They also have the potential to incorporate climate and satellite data that could provide a spatial perspective on risk of establishment of plant pathogens In the present case study the climatic suitability for establishment of dwarf bunt a disease that can cause market access restrictions on wheat or other grass hosts in New Zealand was analysed using a GIS approach Establishment risk for dwarf bunt in New Zealand was found to be very low GIS was found to be a more versatile tool for modelling potential geographic distribution of organisms than conventional climate matching tools such as CLIMEX
Surveillance for weevils and cobweb spiders at high risk sites around Christchurch New Zealand
Authors: McNeill M.R. , Vink C.J. , Phillips C.B.
Published: October 2019

Most arthropod traps available for biosecurity surveillance are either generic and incur problems with large bycatches or are targeted at one or a few species and have limited application Traps designed to be of intermediate specificity were tested at three high risk sites in Christchurch Traps with and without attractants targeting weevils (Curculionidae) and two trap types targeting cobweb spiders (Theridiidae) were evaluated The weevil traps captured nine weevil species from six genera including the first detection of Sitona lepidus in the South Island Significantly more weevils were captured in the traps with attractants The spider traps captured spiders in the families Theridiidae Linyphiidae and Agelenidae including the first detection of Nesticodes rufipes (Theridiidae) in the South Island For all traps bycatches were small and readily processed and included a cricket Gryllodes sigillatus that is not established in New Zealand Traps of intermediate specificity have potential for operational use in high risk site surveillance
Bactericera cockerelli incursion dispersal and current distribution on vegetable crops in New Zealand
Authors: Teulon D.A.J. , Workman P.J. , Thomas K.L. , Nielsen M-C.
Published: October 2019

The tomato potato psyllid (Bactericera cockerelli (Sulc)) probably invaded New Zealand in the summer of 200506 The first authenticated records from May to June 2006 indicated that it was widely distributed in the Auckland area with a further record from Taupo so that no attempt was made to eradicate it By April 2009 records indicated that it had spread throughout much of New Zealand Its spread within New Zealand is likely to be from a combination of natural and human mediated dispersal The psyllid and the liberibacter it transmits will provide a serious challenge to the ongoing development of Integrated Pest Management in greenhouse crops (especially tomato and capsicum) outdoor tomatoes and potatoes The economic impact of this insect and disease in the 4 years it has been in New Zealand has been in millions of dollars in terms of increased management costs crop losses and loss of export markets
Laboratory studies to determine the efficacy of selected insecticides on tomato/potato psyllid
Authors: Berry N.A. , Walker M.K. , Butler R.C.
Published: October 2019

Tomato/potato psyllid (Bactericera cockerelli) was first recorded in New Zealand in 2006 and is now a significant pest of solanaceous crops in both glasshouses and fields Given the potential impact of this insect and its associated pathogen(s) on crop yields immediate control options are required Thirteen insecticides were selected for testing In laboratory bioassays insecticides were applied at recommended field rates as a spray (12 chemicals) or a seedling drench (1 chemical) The recorded mortality of tomato/potato psyllid nymphs 48 h after spraying with dichlorvos lambdacyhalothrin methomyl taufluvalinate methamidophos and abamectin was 98100 After 168 h applications of azadirachtin spiromesifen abamectin spirotetramat and thiacloprid gave 82100 mortality while buprofezin pymetrozine and imidacloprid drench gave 3653 mortality of nymphs Further tests are required to confirm the efficacy under cropping conditions
Diversity and seasonal fluctuation of thrips species on yellow tree lupin (Lupinus arboreus)
Authors: He S. , Nielsen M-C. , Fagan L.L.
Published: October 2019

Yellow tree lupin (Lupinus arboreus) an abundant weed in New Zealand is host to several economically important thrips species The diversity and relative abundance of thrips found on yellow tree lupin were measured weekly via handcollections over the 2008/09 summer at two locations in Canterbury separated by 8 km From the 1540 thrips that were collected and slidemounted eight thrips species were identified The most abundant species was New Zealand flower thrips (Thrips obscuratus) followed by onion thrips (Thrips tabaci) the lupin strain of western flower thrips (Frankliniella occidentalis) Thrips vulgatissimus Thrips australis Limothrips cerealium Chirothrips manicatus and Tenothrips frici The largest variation in relative abundance occurred in early December with onion thrips dominant at Killinchy and western 64258;ower thrips dominant at Rakaia In late December at Rakaia the dominant species shifted to New Zealand 64258;ower thrips This indicates considerable spatial and temporal variation in relative abundance of thrips species
Options for reducing the number of chorus cicada Amphipsalta zelandica (Boisduval) in kiwifruit orchards
Authors: Logan D.P. , Maher B.J.
Published: October 2019

Chorus cicadas are regarded as a potential constraint to the productivity of kiwifruit orchards in New Zealand However limited research has been conducted on their management In this study the efficacy of insecticides and cultural methods to reduce numbers of cicadas in kiwifruit was determined Chlorpyrifos and thiamethoxam applied to eggnests did not reduce cicada hatch Soil application of thiamethoxam and pymetrozine at 800 g ai/ha did not reduce numbers of cicada nymphs in soil or emerging from soil to moult to adults Hoeing to a depth of 10 cm and application of a groundcover effectively reduced numbers of emerged cicada nymphs by 4050 Failure of insecticide treatments may be related to dry soil conditions and further trials of insecticides may be warranted Biological and cultural options such as the development of a biopesticide should also be considered as a more sustainable option to insecticides