bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Factors influencing oocyte development in Mythimna convecta (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae) and their possible impact on migration in eastern Australia
Authors: McDonald Garrick , Cole Peter G.
Published: July 2009

The effects of crowding and photoperiod during rearing of Mythimna convecta (Walker) on oocyte development in adult females were measured in the laboratory and field. Most larvae reared under isolated conditions in a Light 12 h: Dark 12 h photoperiod had mature oocytes within 72–84 h of eclosion. Females were slower to mature when reared under longer daylengths. The mean oocyte width in 3–10 days old females was significantly lower for moths reared under long (Light 16 h: Dark 8 h) than equal (Light 12 h: Dark 12 h) daylengths. Crowding of larvae also prolonged the pre-reproductive period. In the laboratory, 47% of females had arrested oocyte development of 3–6 days after eclosion and, in the field during late winter/spring, 48% of females required 3–9 days to mature. Larvae were collected from late spring/summer populations and caged under high and low density conditions. All females emerging from both treatments had arrested oocyte development of at least seven days. In catches from baited moth traps run over the same period, the proportion of immature female M. convecta was lower during spring (18–30%), than in summer (60%) and, in both seasons, mating commenced before oocytes had matured, but after oocyte arrest. Long daylength appears to be only one of several contributing factors causing delays in ovarian development during summer. Delays in achieving reproductive maturity, induced by either crowding or summer conditions, may assist M. convecta to emigrate from unfavourable habitats. This is particularly relevant in the winter rainfall areas of south-eastern Australia where most food plants senesce in summer and suitable habitats are usually confined to the coast.
Sexual behaviour of Heliothis peltigera (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae)
Authors: Dunkelblum E. , Kehat M.
Published: July 2009

The sexual behaviour of Heliothis peltigera (Denis & Schiffermüller) was studied in the laboratory. Calling activity was very low during the first five hours of scotophase and then increased sharply, particularly in six-to eight-day old females. Peak activity was observed, in all ages tested, between eight and nine hours into scotophase. Calling in six-day old females was significantly higher than in two-day old females but no significant differences were detected between four-to eight-day old females. Maximal amounts of pheromone were found in the pheromone glands of five-to eight-day old females in the second half of scotophase. Male activity was monitored in a wind tunnel. There was no response to pheromone lures during the first two days, then flying activity increased sharply and maintained its high level until the eighth day. Peak activity was observed between six and eight hours into scotophase. Mating activity was very low during the first five hours of scotophase and then increased sharply, with 61.8% of the observed pairs mating between six and eight hours into scotophase. The sexual behaviour of H. peltigera was very similar to the reported behaviour of the sympatric species Helicoverpa armigera (Hübner) indicating that the reproductive separation of the two species is not affected by temporal factors, but depends mainly on the species-specific pheromone blends.
Composition and structure of Orthopteran faunas in cereal crops in Ethiopia
Authors: Habtewold Tibebu , Landin Jan
Published: July 2009

Adult grasshopper (Orthoptera: Acridoidea, Tetrigioidea Tettigonioidea) assemblages were sampled at four localities in south-eastern Shoa, around Debre Zeit, Ethiopia, between August 1986 and September 1988. Three localities were followed for the whole period but the fourth locality was followed only between August 1986 and July 1987. Samples were taken fortnightly from both black and light soil fields of tef and wheat crops, each in three replicates. The fauna consisted of twenty-nine taxa of both short- and longhorned grasshoppers, twenty-six of which are identified to species. Over 70% of the species belong to Acrididae and most of them are either pests or potential pests of cereal crops. Species richness, diversity and dominance within and between sites and seasons did not differ much during the two year period. The composition and structure of the assemblage was relatively constant. Despite fluctuation in abundance, dominant and common species remained common and rare species rare. Aiolopus longicornis Sjöstedt was most dominant. Some species are more abundant on black soil than on light soil and vice versa. The results are compared to grasshopper assemblages studied elsewhere.
Chilo aleniellus(Lepidoptera: Pyralidae), a stem borer of maize in Côte d'Ivoire
Authors: Moyal P. , Tran M.
Published: July 2009

The stem borer,Chilo aleniellus(Strand) (Lepidoptera, Pyralidae) is recorded for the first time as a pest of maize in the western part of the forest area of Côte d'lvoire. Descriptions are given of the larva (including chaetotaxy), the pupa, and adult genitalia. The geographical distribution of this species is presented, and its importance as a pest in Côte d'Ivoire is discussed.
Effects of temperature on the development and abundance of the sheep blowflyLucilia sericata(Diptera: Calliphoridae)
Authors: Wall R. , French N. , Morgan K.L.
Published: July 2009

The effects of ambient temperature on all component life cycle stages of the sheep blowflyLucilia sericataMeigen were examined under controlled conditions. The critical base temperatures and the number of day-degrees required for completion of each stage were determined. Using these data a simple simulation model was developed to evaluate temperature effects on the seasonal pattern ofL. sericataabundance. The number of flies estimated by the model to be available for capture, together with the temperature over each capture period determining adult activity levels, were able to account for77%of the variance inL. sericataabundance observed over a season.
A new parasitoid (Diptera: Phoridae) of the mango shoot borer, Chlumetia transversa (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae), in India
Authors: Disney R.H.L. , Khochare N.N. , Godase S.K.
Published: July 2009

Megaselia chlumetiae Disney sp. n. is described from India. Its larva parasitizes larvae of Chlumetia transversa (Walker), a pest of Mangifera indica. Eggs are laid on the integument of the host larva. Newly emerged fly larva enter the host and develop by consuming the host's internal tissues. Pupariation normally takes place within the host's empty skin.
Insecticidal control of Melanterius servulus (Coleoptera: Curculionidae), a potential biocontrol agent of Paraserianthes lophantha (Leguminosae), in commercial seed orchards of black wattle, Acacia mearnsii(Leguminosae)
Authors: Donnelly D. , Calitz F.J. , Van Aarde I.M.R.
Published: July 2009

A seed-feeding weevil, Melanterius servulus Pascoe, is considered suitable for release against the weed Paraserianthes lophantha. However, host specificity tests have indicated that M. servulus may also develop on the seeds of Acacia mearnsii (black wattle), which is both a weed and a crop plant in South Africa. Seed orchards, which supply the black wattle industry, may therefore need to be protected. The aim of this study was to determine whether the two pyrethroid insecticides presently used in wattle plantations against the wattle bagworm (Kotochalia junodi Heylaerts (Lepidoptera: Psychidae)) are effective against M. servulus. Since M. servulus has not yet been released in South Africa, field trials were not possible, and evidence that black wattle seed orchards can be protected from M. servulus was obtained indirectly, in two stages. Firstly, field trials showed that the two insecticides effectively protect the weed Acacia longifolia from a closely related weevil, Melanterius ventralis Lea, which has already been established as a biocontrol agent. Secondly, quarantine laboratory trials demonstrated that M. ventralis and M. servulus showed similar avoidance responses and similar levels of mortality when exposed to the insecticides. All the evidence indicates that the chemical protection of A. mearnsii seed orchards from M. servulus is possible.
The effect of temperature and humidity on development and longevity of Amblyomma triguttatum triguttatum (Acarina: Ixodidae)
Authors: Guglielmone A.A.
Published: July 2009

The development and longevity of Amblyomma triguttatum triguttatum Koch were studied at temperatures of 15, 20, 25, 30, 35 and 40°C, and humidities with water staturation deficits of 2–3, 8–9 and 16–17 mm Hg. No stage developed at 40°C and the engorged larva was the only stage able to develop at 15°C. The rate of development was inversely related to temperature, with the exception of the pre-oviposition period of the engorged female which was longer at 35°C than at 30°C. The egg was the most vulnerable stage to high saturation deficit (low humidity) but some did survive in constant conditions of 16–17 mm Hg, showing an adaptation to harsh environments; A. t. triguttatum survives in a semi-desert habitat. The longevity of the unfed stages increased from the larvae, nymphs to adults. The longevity decreased with increase of temperature and decrease of humidity with the exception of adults maintained at 30°C and 16–17 mm Hg, which had a longer viability to the same saturation deficit at 20°C (50% mortality) and 25°C (50% and 100% mortality).
The cuticular hydrocarbons of Phlebotomus argentipes (Diptera: Phlebotominae) from field populations in northern India and Sri Lanka, and their change with laboratory colonization
Authors: Kamhawi S. , Lane R. P. , Cameron M. , Phillips A. , Milligan P. , Molyneux D. H.
Published: July 2009

The cuticular hydrocarbon profiles of wild caught, male Phlebotomus argentipes Annandale & Brunetti from Kandy, Sri Lanka, and Calcutta, India, were significantly different. Using discriminant functions based on three peaks from a gas-liquid chromatogram, 89% of specimens were correctly allocated to their parent sample. These results correlate with previously reported morpho-metric differences in this species from different parts of its range. Following laboratory colonization of the Kandy strain, the cuticular hydrocarbon profiles showed a progressive change, so that wild-caught and F5 generations could be completely distinguished by discriminant function anaysis, with the F1 and F 2 as intermediates.
The effect of insecticide treatment and injection of sodium chloride and sucrose solutions on the water-salt homeostasis of lepidopterous larvae
Authors: Natochin Yu.V. , Parnova R.G. , Sundukov O.V. , Shakhmatova E.I.
Published: July 2009

The osmolality and ion concentrations in the haemolymph and the body of lepidopterous larvae were studied under different experimental conditions. It was shown that the haemolymph osmolality of Aglais urticae (Linnaeus) larvae returned to normal three hours after the injection of 0.4 M sucrose or 0.4 M sodium chloride, despite the fact that in the latter case, the level of sodium was very high (to 53.1 mM vs 4.5 mM in control). The injection of 0.2 M or 0.4 M sodium chloride did not induce significant changes in the concentration of ions, other than sodium, in haemolymph. Treatment of Mamestra brassicae (Linnaeus) larvae with insecticides (DDVP, lindane, decis) led to a fast loss of body weight (up to 30%). This was due to dehydration, which was accompanied by a significant decrease of potassium content in body tissue, but not in the haemolymph. Study of the haemolymph parameters of Lepidoptera and insects taken from their natural environment indicates that the lowest values of variation coefficient related to osmolality and to the concentration of the dominant cation of the haemolymph (sodium, potassium or magnesium). These data suggest effective regulation of osmolality and ion concentration in the insect haemolymph.
Taxonomic notes on some dacine (Diptera: Tephritidae) fruit flies associated with citrus, olives and cucurbits
Authors: White Ian M. , Wang Xing-jian
Published: July 2009

The taxonomic identity and synonymy of four serious fruit fly pests, one of olives in Europe, and three Oriental species, two associated with citrus fruits and one with cucurbit fruits and vegetable, is clarified.PolistomimetesEnderlein is a new synonym ofTetradacusMiyake, which was originally described as a subgenus ofDacus, but is newly placed as a subgenus ofBactrocera. HeterodaculusHardy is removed from synonymy withPolistomimetes. Mellesis citriChen is a new synonym ofB. minax(Enderlein);D. cheniChao is a new synonym ofB. tsuneonis(Miyake); andD. nubilusHendel is replaced in synonymy withB. tau(Walker).Callantra splendidaPerkins andD. discipennisWalker are transferred to the genusBactroceraMacquart. The limits of the subgeneraB. (Daculus) andB. (Tetradacus) are discussed; it is concluded that oviscape form separates those subgenera.B. (Daculus) includes the olive fly,B. oleae(Gmelin) andB. (Tetradacus) includes the Oriental citrus flies,B. minax(Enderlein) andB. tsuneonis(Miyake), plus three other species. It is also concluded that the presence or absence of anterior supra-alar setae and prescutellar acrostichal seatae should not be used in the diagnosis ofBactrocerasubgenera. A lectotype ofPolistomimetes minaxEnderlein is designated.
PCR based monitoring of specific Drosophila (Diptera: Drosophilidae) cyclodiene resistance alleles in the presence and absence of selection
Authors: Aronstein K. , Ode P. , ffrench-Constant R.H.
Published: July 2009

Cyclodiene insecticide resistance persists in field populations of Drosophila spp. at a frequency of approximately 1% (0.01), despite the withdrawal of most cyclodiene type insecticides except endosulfan. However, we have previously documented that resistance-associated amino acid replacements in the gene Rdl, a γ-aminobutyric acid receptor, can significantly affect several channel functions of the integral chloride ionophore. We were therefore interested in investigating if different resistance-associated replacements confer significant fitness disadvantages and whether the use of endosulfan could be maintaining selection for cyclodiene resistance in the field. Using PCR amplification of specific alleles (PASA) within 3000 individual flies, we report that neither the alanine302 > serine (allele 1) replacement in Drosophila melanogaster Meigen nor the alanine302 > serine (allele 1) or alanine302 > glycine (allele 2) replacements in D. simulans Sturtevant showed any reduction in frequency in cage experiments run for one year in the laboratory in the absence of selection. Further, repeated applications of endosulfan selected significantly for cyclodiene resistance in the field. Thus the apparent absence of fitness cost, combined with the continued use of endosulfan, may maintain cyclodiene resistance at this relatively high frequency in field populations.
Density independent feeding success of malaria vectors (Diptera: Culicidae) in Tanzania
Authors: Charlwood J.D. , Smith T. , Kihonda J. , Heiz B. , Billingsley P.F. , Takken W.
Published: July 2009

The possibility of density dependent feeding success in the African malaria vectors Anopheles gambiae Giles (sensu lato) and A. funestus Giles was investigated by examining the gonotrophic status of mosquitoes from 423 collections made in a Tanzanian village. Up to 500 mosquitoes were caught in any single 35 minute indoor resting collection. Estimates of the total numbers of mosquitoes resting were made by removal sampling. These indicated that the efficiency of resting collections decreased with increasing mosquito population. Of 1904 mosquito blood meals tested by ELISA, 95% were of human origin. There was no decrease in the proportion of mosquitoes fully fed at high population densities and the only demonstrable avoiding action by hosts in response to high densities of mosquitoes was the increased use of bednets during the wet season. The late biting cycle of these mosquitoes precludes many other density-dependent host defence mechanisms because the hosts are asleep at the time of attack. African malaria vectors have evolved with man and perhaps their evasion of density-dependent host responses has reinforced their preference for human blood.
The rise and fall of Anopheles arabiensis (Diptera: Culicidae) in a Tanzanian village
Authors: Charlwood J.D. , Kihonda J. , Sama S. , Billingsley P.F. , Hadji H. , Verhave J.P. , Lyimo E. , Luttikhuizen P.C. , Smith T.
Published: July 2009

The continual recruitment of new individuals makes it difficult to study both the survival of multivoltine mosquitoes, and the size of the infectious reservoir in narural populations of malaria vectors. During long-term surveillance of a population of Anopheles gambiae Giles sensu lato in a Tanzanian village by daily light trapping, a temporary dry spell resulted in the cessation of recruitment for a period of 33 days, and a decline in numbers of A. arabiensis Patton caught from over 2000 to less than 10 in a sentinel house. Traps placed elsewhere in the village indicated similar proportionate declines although numbers caught varied according to location. A survival rate of 83% per day was estimated from the rate of population decline. Survival was unrelated to the size of the mosquitoes. The infectious reservoir (the chance of a mosquito acquiring an infection) was estimated to be 2% per feed. The exploitation of fortuitous events which temporarily eliminate a single stage in the life cycle has general applicability in the study of the bionomics of multivoltine insects.
The effects of ivermectin in ingested cow-dung on the mortality and oviposition of the dung fly Neomyia cornicina (Diptera: Muscidae)
Authors: Gover Jane , Strong Les
Published: July 2009

Adults of the dung fly Neomyia cornicina (Fabricius) (Diptera: Muscidae) were allowed to feed on cattle dung containing known quantities of ivermectin for a single period of 24 hours. The concentrations required to kill 50% and 95% of the population, within one week of feeding, were calculated to be 0.139 and 0.393 μg/g (wet weight), respectively. Ingested ivermectin was found to reduce significantly the proportion of females ovipositing and delay significantly the onset of first oviposition. For those females which did oviposit, there was no effect of ivermectin ingestion on the number of eggs laid, but the eggs of females fed dung containing ivermectin at 0.15 μg/g showed a significant reduction in percentage egg hatch.
The ovariole structure of Anopheles gambiae (Diptera: Culicidae) and its use in determining physiological age
Authors: Hoc T.Q. , Wilkes T.J.
Published: July 2009

A study of the age-dependent changes in the ovarioles and the age structure of a population of adult females of Anopheles gambiae in the Amani hills of north-eastern Tanzania was undertaken using the ovarian oil injection technique. The greatest difficulties encountered in accurately determining the age of members of this species are due to small size and the low parity diagnostic index of the ovary, which decreased in successive gonotrophic cycles and could drop to zero even in the first cycles. Additional information can be obtained from basal bodies, groups of six to eight cells in the calyx wall enclosed by the end of the ovariolar sheath. The possibility exists of their use for age grading of mosquitoes. The mean age of the population during the study, which was carried out in the rainy season, was rather low. The oldest were individuals that had completed four ovipositions. Among the mosquitoes infected with sporozoites were females that had completed between ≥2 and ≥4 ovipositions.
Development and survival of Erigonidium graminicolum (Sundevall) (Araneae: Linyphiidae: Erigoninae) at constant temperatures
Authors: Li Daiqin
Published: July 2009

Development and survival of an erigonine spider, Erigonidium graminicolum (Sundevall) (Araneae: Linyphiidae), were studied at seven constant temperatures ranging from 15°C to 35°C. Plotting development rates (reciprocal of mean times for development) and survival rates (expressed as percentages) against the different constant temperatures indicated that E. graminicolum is well adapted to low temperatures, but sensitive to high temperatures. Juvenile development occurred over a wide range of constant temperatures, but the survival rate was low at the upper and lower extremes. All eggs died before hatching at the highest tested temperature (35°C). There were statistically significant differences between males and females in juvenile and pre-imaginal development times. Juvenile development time decreased as temperature was raised to 32°C, but increased at 35°C. The mean duration of pre-imaginal development (egg to adult) varied from 94.4 d at 15°C to 23.8 d at 32°C. Considering development rate and survival, the most favourable temperature range appeared to be 15–32°C. For all life stages, graphs obtained by plotting the reciprocal of development times against temperature could be described by the six-parameter rate function of Wang et al. (1982). Temperature-independent distributions of normalized development times were approximated by a cumulative Weibull function. Frequency distributions of development times changed with temperature; they were almost uniform at 15–20°C, more symmetrical at 25–28°C, and somewhat skewed to the right at 30–32°C. The sum of effective temperatures (SET), and lower development threshold (LOT), were established for all life stages of E. graminicolum. Survivorship curves varied with temperature and, on average, were Type III.
Taxonomy of AfricanEurystylus(Heteroptera: Miridae), with a review of their status as pests of sorghum
Authors: Stonedahl Gary M.
Published: July 2009

The African species ofEurystylusare revised and their status as pests of important agricultural crops is reviewed. A key is provided for the 12 recognized species, one of which,E. lestoni, is described as new. A diagnosis and description are provided for each species, as well as illustrations of diagnostic taxonomic characters and information on host-plant associations and distribution. Lectotype designations are made for eight nominal species ofEurystylusand two species are removed from the genus. The following new synonymies are established:E. annulipes(Poppius)=E. annulipes impunctatus(Poppius),syn. n.;E. bellevoyei(Reuter)=E. parvulus(Reuter),syn. n.,E. occidentalsWagner,syn. n.,E. gallouedeciVilliers,syn. n.andE. argenticepsOdhiambo,syn. n.;E. lineaticollisPoppius=E. pallidiventrisPoppius,syn. n.andE. mutabilisBergoth,syn. n.;E. oldiPoppius=E. kivuensisSchouteden,syn. n.,E. risbeciSchouteden,syn. n.,E. phaiopterusOdhiambo,syn. n.,E. immaculatusOdhiambo,syn. n.andE. bilqisLinnavuori & Al-Safadi,syn. n.Two species are removed from the genusEurystylus(E. sobrius(Walker)=Plesiocapsus sobrius(Walker),comb. n.and E.sericeus(Walker)=Proboscidocoris sericeus(Walker),comb. n.) and one species,E. rufocunealisPoppius, is assigned the status ofnomen dubium.
Control of the yellow stem borer, Scirpophaga incertulas by mating disruption with a PVC resin formulation of the sex pheromone of Chilo suppressalis (Lepidoptera: Pyralidae) in India
Authors: Cork A. , Basu S.K.
Published: July 2009

A commercially-available, hand-applied PVC resin formulation of the sex pheromone of the striped rice stem borer, Chilo suppressalis (Walker) was used to control the yellow stem borer, Scirpophaga incertulas (Walker), in a 20 ha mating disruption trial in West Bengal, India, in 1992. Indirect measures of mating disruption were used to compare the pheromone-treated plot with an untreated control plot and a farmers' practice plot where a conventional pesticide control regime was practised. The results showed that the level of ‘white head’ damage in the pheromone-treated plot was significantly lower than that recorded in other treatment plots and that the relative percentage of the larvae of the two major stem borer species, S. incertulas and Chilo polychrysa (Meyrick) found in the region changed from 88% S. incertulas in the farmers' practice plot to 65% in the pheromone-treated plot. The yields of grain and straw recorded in the pheromone-treated plot were significantly higher than in the untreated control plot but not significantly different from those recorded in the farmers' practice plot.
Attractiveness of black rhinoceros (Diceros bicornis) to tsetse flies (Glossinaspp.) (Diptera: Glossinidae) and other biting flies
Authors: Mihok S. , Moloo S.K. , Oden'y J.O. , Brett R.A. , Rakwar J.G. , Munyoki E. , Kiilu J. , Kyorku C.A.
Published: July 2009

During translocations of black rhinoceros (Diceros bicornisLinnaeus) in Kenya, we studied the relationships between the rhinoceros and biting flies. In trapping experiments, rhinoceros waste products (urine or dung) were substituted for known attractants such as cow urine, l-octen-3-ol or acetone. Catches ofGlossina pallidipesAusten,Glossina longipennisCorti,Stomoxysspp., andHaematopotaspp. were not affected by these substitutions. NG2G and Vavoua traps sited near captive animals caught similar numbers and kinds of flies as traps set without animals. Any minor attractive properties of rhinoceros odours were probably due to the presence of known attractants such as 4-cresol and 3-n-propylphenol, which were confirmed to be present through gas chromatography—mass spectroscopy. In feeding trials with laboratory-reared tsetse,Glossina brevipalpisNewstead andGlossina morsitanscentralis Machado fed well on immobilized animals, whereasG. longipennisfed reluctantly. Catches ofG. brevipalpiswere doubled in one trapping experiment when rhinoceros urine was used as odour bait.Philolichespp.,Haematopotaspp. and other Tabanidae fed on captive rhinoceroses. Many species of Stomoxyinae were associated with rhinoceroses. Of these, the most frequent association was withRhinomusca dutoitiZumpt, a species found previously only in South Africa.Rhinomusca dutoitiwas found in two highland rhinoceros sanctuaries, Nairobi National Park and Solio Ranch Game Reserve.
Parasitism of the castor whitefly, Trialeurodes ricini (Homoptera: Aleyrodidae) by Encarsia formosa (Hymenoptera: Aphelinidae): bionomics in relation to temperature
Authors: Shishehbor Parviz , Brennan Paddy A.
Published: July 2009

Selected life history characteristics of Encarsia formosa Gahan parasitizing the castor whitefly, Trialeurodes ricini (Misra) were studied at three constant temperatures (20, 25 and 30°C). Egg-to-adult developmental time decreased from 32 days at 20°C to 13 days at 30°C. An average of 241 day-degrees was required to complete development above the lower threshold temperature (12°C). Juvenile mortality was 34, 40 and 47% at 20, 25 and 30°C, respectively. Mean longevity of E. formosa ranged from 7.7 days at 20°C, to 2.6 days at 30°C. Mean total fecundity ranged from 18 to 36 eggs/female. Intrinsic rate of increase (rm) increased with temperature from 0.065/day at 20°C to 0.169/day at 30°C. Generation times decreased from 37 to 14.5 days with increasing temperature.
A new species of Sympiesis (Hymenoptera: Eulophidae) parasitic on the teak defoliator Hyblaea puera (Lepidoptera: Hyblaeidae) in India
Authors: Surekha K. , LaSalle J. , Sudheendrakumar V.V. , Murphy S.T.
Published: July 2009

Sympiesis hyblaeae Surekha sp. n. is described from Kerala, India. This species, which is a solitary endoparasitoid of first and second instar larvae, is a potential biological control agent of the teak defoliator Hyblaea puera (Cramer).
Ampicillin, tetracycline and urea as protozoicides for symbionts of Reticulitermes flavipes and R. virginicus (Isoptera: Rhinotermitidae)
Authors: Waller Deborah Ann
Published: July 2009

The development of palatable baits for the suppresion of pest termites relies on combining phagostimulants with slow-acting toxicants that termite foragers carry back to the colony and distribute to nest-mates. In the present study the palatability and toxic effects of three compounds, ampicillin, tetracycline and urea to the subterranean termites Reticulitermes flavipes (Kollar) and R. virginicus (Banks) were investigated. 1.0% solutions (w/v) of ampicillin and tetracycline applied to filter paper were unpalatable to termites in choice tests, and these concentrations depressed termite feeding, survivorship, individual biomass, and numbers of gut protozoa in no-choice tests. In contrast, urea solutions of 0.1%, 1.0% and 5.0% (w/v) were palatable to termites in choice tests, but 5.0% urea solutions depressed termite survivorship and protozoan numbers in no-choice tests. Addition of urea to tetra- cycline solutions resulted in increased palatability and decreased termite survivorship over tetracycline administered alone. The toxic effects in combination with its palatability to Reticulitermes spp. indicate that urea may be a promising candidate for termite control programmes.
Forecasting the severity of seasonal outbreaks of African armyworm, Spodoptera exempta (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae) in kenya from the previous year's rainfall
Authors: Haggis M.J.
Published: July 2009

Rainfall records for 23 years at 21 selected stations in Kenya were summarized and compared with the numbers of outbreaks of armyworm Spodoptera exempta (Walker) reported in the following season. The numbers of outbreaks were found to be negatively correlated with the rainfall of the 6–8 months preceding the start of the season. Stations in south-eastern Kenya, including the coastal belt which harbours the most extensive off-season source populations of S. exempta, were identified as key stations for forecasting whether to anticipate local or countrywide armyworm outbreaks next season. A scheme is suggested that would enable a provisional forecast to be made as soon as the long rains (April–May) rainfall records were available, and confirmed or revised subsequently in the light of the June–October rainfall at stations in south-eastern Kenya.
A method for the rapid recognition of nulliparous and parous females of haematophagous Diptera
Authors: Hoc T.Q.
Published: July 2009

Based on the fact that in haematophagous Diptera, the basal bodies, groups of six to nine specialized epithelial cells in the calyx wall within the ovariolar sheath, become granular after ovulation, a method for rapidly determining parity of the females has been developed. After supravitally staining intact ovaries with fresh neutral red solution in physiological saline (1:3000–1:5000) for one to three minutes, granular basal bodies in parous females can be clearly recognized under a stereo-microscope or a compound microscope with a raised condensor. The advantages of the method are its speed, accuracy and simplicity.
Aphicidal activity of imidacloprid against a tobacco feeding strain of Myzus persicae (Homoptera: Aphididae) from Japan closely related to Myzus nicotianae and highly resistant to carbamates and organophosphates
Authors: Nauen Ralf , Strobel Jürgen , Tietjen Klaus , Otsu Yuichi , Erdelen Christoph , Elbert Alfred
Published: July 2009

We investigated the resistance potential of a red-coloured Japanese strain (JR) of a tobacco feeding form of Myzus persicae (Sulzer) of the M. persicae species complex closely related to the tobacco aphid Myzus nicotianae Blackman. Bioassays were performed with a range of insecticides, imidacloprid, nicotine and cartap, thought to act on nicotinic acetylcholine receptors in vivo, as well as with two conventional insecticides, pirimicarb and oxydemeton-methyl, acting on acetylchol-inesterase (AChE). Compared to a susceptible strain, JR showed high resistance to pirimicarb and oxydemeton-methyl, but was far less resistant to nicotine, cartap and imidacloprid. Imidacloprid was, among the insecticides tested, the most active compound in contact and ingestion bioassays. Compared to the susceptible strain, JR showed four-to seven-fold resistance to imidacloprid depending on the type of bioassay. Resistance factors for other insecticides tested in an oral ingestion bioassay were: cartap five-fold, nicotine nine-fold, oxydemeton-methyl 107-fold and pirimicarb > 385-fold. JR showed high carboxylesterase activity. Polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis indicated esterase FE4 as the major carboxylesterase. As for most M. persicae strains and some Greek strains of M. nicotianae, JR was monomorphic for glutamate oxalacetate transaminase. Studies with pirimicarb showed a marked insensitivity of AChE to inhibition by this chemical, whilst such insensitivity could not be detected with the organophosphate insecticide oxydemeton-methyl. Receptor binding assays with [3H]-imidacloprid in aphid homogenates revealed I50-values of 0.4 to 0.8 nM and no statistical difference between the JR and susceptible strain.
Chaetorellia australis(Diptera: Tephritidae) for biological control of yellow starthistle,Centaurea solstitialis(Compositae), in the western USA: establishment and seed destruction
Authors: Turner C.E. , Piper G.L. , Coombs E.M.
Published: July 2009

Yellow starthistle (Centaurea solstitialisLinnaeus) (Compositae), native to Eurasia and the Mediterranean Basin, is a spiny and poisonous, naturalized, invasive weed of grasslands and other environments in the western USA.Chaetorellia australisHering is a trivoltine natural enemy of yellow starthistle whose larvae feed on developing seeds within capitula. Following host-specificity studies in Greece and the USA,C. australiswas first introduced from Greece into the USA in 1988 for the biological control of yellow starthistle. Field samples of yellow starthistle capitula revealed that 10.3% (four years after initial release) and 18.0% (three years after initial release) of capitula at Colfax, Washington, and Merlin, Oregon, respectively, were infested by ≥ 1C. australis(mature larvae or empty puparia). Both sites also contained naturalized, weedy populations of,Centaurea cyanus, a second host-plant ofChaetorellia australis. The fly was also recovered fromCentaurea cyanuscapitula two years after its release at Kendrick, Idaho. The potential importance of the presence ofC. cyanusforChaetorellia australisand biological control of yellow starthistle is discussed. At the Colfax site, all infested yellow starthistle capitula contained 1C. australis, while at the Merlin site 28.8% of infested capitula contained > 1C. australis, with a mean of 1.36C. australisper infested capitulum. A preliminary seed destruction impact study at the Merlin site showed that there was a 83.4% reduction in seeds per capitulum infested by ≥ 1C. australis, and the presence of > 1C. australisresulted in a 95.4% reduction in seeds per infested capitulum.
Response of adult New Zealand flower thrips,Thrips obscuratus(Thysanoptera: Thripidae) to high carbon dioxide and low oxygen atmospheres at various temperatures
Authors: Carpenter Alan , Wright Sandy , Lash Phillip
Published: July 2009

Mortality responses of adult New Zealand flower thrips,Thrips obscuratus(Crawford) to controlled atmospheres were assessed. Temperature (0–48°C) and time (1–24 h) had major effects on mortality. There were approximately two-fold increases in thrips mortality between atmospheres with 40 and 60% CO2, when there was 0 or 2% O2present in treatments of 0°C for 4 h and 24 h; 12°C for all exposure times; 24°C for 1 h. Thrips mortality was significantly greater when there was no O2in the test atmosphere, than when there was 0.25, 8 or 12 or 20% O2. The results show that there are a variety of ways produce infested with New Zealand flower thrips could be treated with controlled atmospheres to achieve high mortality. These data can be used as the basis of potential quarantine treatments depending on the produce being exported.
A revision of the Indo-Australian species ofStenobracon(Hymenoptera: Braconidae) parasitoids of lepidopterous stem borers of graminaceous crops
Authors: Jamil M. , Chishti K. , Quicke Donald L.J.
Published: July 2009

The genusStenobraconSzépligeti which contains species of economic importance for biological control of lepidopterous borers of sugarcane, rice and other graminaceous crops in Asia, is revised. Principal components analysis was employed to help delineate species. Six species, distributed from Pakistan to Australia, are recognized.Stenobracon brevis, S. clarusandS. malensisare described as new andStenobracon nicevillei(Bingham),S. deesae(Cameron) andS. oculatusSzépligeti are redescribed. Illustrated keys for males and females are provided.Phanaulax levituberculatusCameron is a new junior subjective synonym ofS. nicevilleiandS. trifasciatusSzépligeti is a new junior subjective synonym ofS. oculatus. Elphea flavomaculataCameron is synonymized withIschnobracon (Bracon) laboriosusCameron (comb. n). Host records are summarized.
Introduction and establishment of baculovirus for the control of rhinoceros beetle Oryctes rhinoceros (Coleoptera: Scarabaeidae) in the Andaman Islands (India)
Authors: Jacob T.K.
Published: July 2009

The Kerala isolate of Oryctes baculovirus (OBV-KI) was introduced into the Andaman Islands in May 1987 for the population suppression of Oryctes rhinoceros (Linnaeus). The virus was released initially at four locations along the island chain. In all the places of virus release, damage to coconut palms was reduced by about 90% within 43 months of release. At one place of virus release, Sipighat, the adult beetle population in the field was reduced by 80% within 18 months and by 96% by the end of 55th month of release. Sixty per cent of the adult beetle population in the field showed symptoms of infection 30 months after virus release. The decline in the numbers of breeding sites at Viper Island and Sipighat were 100% and 98% respectively at the end of 43 months of virus release. The rate of spread of the virus in the field was estimated to be about 1 km/month. The beetle population remained at low levels after the establishment of the virus in these islands.
The unusual occurrence of savanna members of the Simulium damnosum species complex (Diptera: Simuliidae) in southern Sierra Leone in 1988
Authors: Thomson M.C. , Davies J.B. , Post R.J. , Bockarie M.J. , Beech-Garwood P.A. , Kandeh J.
Published: July 2009

All available identifications of sibling species of the Simulium damnosum complex in southern Sierra Leone for the years 1983–1987 have been analysed for any evidence that they might provide on whether the appearance of S. sirbanum in this area in 1988 is indicative of a gradual southerly extension of range, or a unique occurrence. No evidence was found to suggest a long-term immigration trend over the five years prior to 1988, and the latter of the two possibilities is the more likely. No meteorological or other factors are known that might account for the sudden appearance of S. sirbanum in southern Sierra Leone in 1988, but the possible causes of such immigration into forested parts of West Africa and their epidemiological implications for human onchocerciasis in the region are briefly discussed.
Factors affecting the response ofLongitarsus jacobaeae(Coleoptera: Chrysomelidae) to upwind plant odours
Authors: Zhang Zhi-Qiang , McEvoy Peter B.
Published: July 2009

Factors (developmental state, starvation time, host local density and host distance from insects) affecting the response of the ragwort flea beetle,Longitarsus jacobaeae(Waterhouse), to upwind plants of tansy ragwort,Senecio jacobaeae(Compositae), were examined in a wind tunnel. There was seasonal variation in beetle response to host odours. Individuals collected during spring and early summer (6 May to 14 July 1993) showed directed movement toward the upwind plants. However, individuals collected in mid-summer (23 July 1993) showed no significant response to upwind host plants and walked randomly in the wind tunnel. Individuals collected during late summer to autumn (4 August to 23 October 1994) once again showed response to upwind plants, whereas those collected in winter (January 1994) walked randomly in the wind tunnel. The absence of beetle response to plant odours coincided with potential summer aestivation and winter ‘hibernation’. For spring and early summer beetles that responded to plant odours, the strength of the response did not change significantly with the number of plants (1, 2, 4 or 6) presented upwind in the tunnel nor with the starvation time (2, 6, 10, 12, 24 or 36 h) of the tested beetles, and these patterns were consistent for male and female beetles. Individuals responded to plants from a distance of 60 and 300 cm. The speed of movement, similar for males and females, increased slightly asL. jacobaeaeoriented more directly toward host plants.
Effects of supplementary carbohydrate feeding on fecundity and life-length in Leptoconops becquaerti (Kieff.)
Authors: Linley J. R.
Published: July 2009

Laboratory experiments carried out in Jamaica in 1963 showed that the number of eggs matured by blood-fed females of Leptoconops becquaerti (Kieff.) was only slightly increased when they were allowed access to a source of dilute honey during the subsequent period of egg maturation. A majority of the females imbibed some honey, and over half took large amounts; survival was better in groups given honey than in those not. The amount of fluid in the crop of field-collected females indicated that more than half had fed on nectar. In the laboratory, field-collected females took on average more than their own weight of blood.
Studies on age and trypanosome infection rate in females of Glossina pallidipes Aust., G. palpalis fuscipes Newst. and G. brevipalpis Newst. in Uganda
Authors: Harley J. M. B.
Published: July 2009

During 1964–65, 1,646 newly emerged females of Glossina pallidipes Aust., 1,898 of G. palpalis fuscipes Newst. and 2,528 of G. brevipalpis Newst. were marked and released in an area on the north-eastern shore of Lake Victoria in Uganda so that, by examination of those subsequently recaptured, the relation between physiological and calendar age could be determined. In the light of the results, records of physiological age and trypanosome infections in large numbers of wild-caught females of the same three species caught in the same area in 1962–63 were examined, together with published observation on the animals on which they fed, and the effects of age and food-animals on the incidence of infections were investigated.

Physiological age was determined by examination of the reproductive system and was expresses as the exact or approximate number of ovulations that had taken place. Infections with Trypanosoma were classified as brucei-type, vivax-type or congolense-type, and the last two as mature (infective) or immature, according to the sites in which trypanosomes were found in the flies. All brucei-type infections were regarded as mature.

The relation between physiological and calender age indicated that the length of the ovulation cycle was 11 days in G. pallidipes, 11 1/2 in G. brevipalpis and about 15 in G. palpalis fuscipes, but from other evidence that the last figure should have been about 11 days it is considered that ovulation was retarded in the released females of G. palpalis fuscipes.

The incidence of mature vivax- and congolense- type infections rose with age in all three species, beginning for the most part when flies were about a fortnight old. Brucei-type infections were rare and were found only in flies more than about 35 days old; nearly all flies with such infections also had one or both of the other types. The incidence of immature vivax-type infections rose with age up to about 25 days and then levelled off, which suggests that all eventually became mature. Immature congolense-type infections were rare.

G. pallidipes had the highest total infection rate and G. brevipalpis the lowest. The percentage of order flies in the samples was, however, greater in the later than in G. palpalis fuscipes, which suggests that age is not the sole factor determining infection rate. Food-animals appeared to influence it, since the infection rates of the three species were proportional to the percentages of meals obtained from Bovids.

The age at which females were inseminated was lowest in G. palpalis fuscipes, greatest in G. pallidipes and intermediate in G. brevipalpis. Abnormal ovulation cycles were rare in wild-caught flies, and few females that from their age should have been pregnant were found with an empty uterus.
The effect of environment and host type on the rate of digestion in the tsetse fly Glossina morsitans Westw
Authors: Langley P. A.
Published: July 2009

The rate of digestion, as reflected in the rate of excretion, on a blood-meal was measured in males of Glossina morsitans Westw. (subsp. orientalis Vanderplank) under identical conditions of temperature and relative humidity but varuing conditions of other factors. The rates of excretion in non-teneral males captured after feeding on bait-oxen in two different habitants were identical and were significantly higher than those of non-teneral field-collected males fed on guineapig in the laboratory. The latter excreated the meal more rapidly than non-teneral males that emerged and were fed on guinea-pig in the labortory. That the variations were not due differences in blood type was shown by feeding teneral laboratory-emerged males on different hosts; the rates of excretion of meals from different mammals did not significantly one from another. Teneral laboratory-emerged flies excreted more rapidly when fed on reptilian or avian blood than when fed on mammalian. The lower rate of excertion in laboratory explanations in terms of a metabolic uncoupliing and pre-feeding behaviour are described.
Development of a changed response in Lucilia cuprina (Wied.) to organophosphorus insecticides in New South Wales
Authors: Shanahan G. J.
Published: July 2009

Since 1956, samples of Lucilia cuprina (Wied.) from many parts of New South Wales have been tested annually for signs of resistance to organophosphours insecticides, which are used there to prevent fly-strike in sheep. For tests, 0.1 μg. diazinon per fly was applied topically; this discriminating dose was twice that required to kill 100 per cent. of susceptible flies. In 1965, some of the flies in a sample from Dubbo, in central-western N.S.W., survived the discriminating dose. Sensitivity tests of the progeny of the survivors (DB strain) and of a normal susceptible strain revealed that the LC50 of the DB strain was about three times that of the normal one. Further tests established that a roughly similar change in sensitivity had ocurred to other diethoxy (dichlofenthion, fenthion-ethyl, bromophos-ethyl, parathion) and to dimethoxy (fenchlorphos, parathion-menthyl, bromophos) organophosphors compounds. The change was therefore non-specific and, since it was also small, is regarded as an example of tolerance rather than of resistance.

Subsequent field surveys in 1965–66 showed that tolerance of L. cuprina to diazinon was widespread in N.S.W. The possibility that resistant strains will be selected out by continued use of organophosphorus insecticides is discussed.
On the duration of larval and nymphal quiescence in male and female Ixodid ticks
Authors: Feldman-Muhsam B. , Muhsam H. V.
Published: July 2009

Differences between sexes in the duration of larval and nymphal quiescence in Ixodid ticks were investigated in Israel in the laboratory. In H. dromedarii Koch the larval quiescence of the male was, on average about 4 hours longer than that of the female, but in Rhipicephalus sanguineus (Latr.) no significant difference was found. In five species a statistically significant difference in the length of nymphal quiescence was found between males and females; in three of them, R. sanguineus, R. secundus Fel.-Muh. and H. dromedarii, that of the male exceeded that of the female by 1/2 to 1 1/2 days and in the other two, H. marginatum Koch and H. excavatum Koch, the opposite was found, the difference being 1·3 and 3·7 days, respectively.
A new Phycitine species associated with Sorghum cultivars in East Africa (Lepidoptera, Pyralidae)
Authors: Bradley J. D.
Published: July 2009

A Phycitine Pyralid associated with Sorghum cultivars (Kaffir corn, dura or Indian millet) in Uganda, Tanzania and Sudan, and also known from one example from Northern Nigeria, is described as new and is named Salebria mesozonella sp.n. Illustrations are given of the adults and genitalia of both sexes.