Aproaerema Modicella Research Articles

Molecular and Behavioural Evidence Suggesting a Re-Examination of the Taxonomy ofAproaerema simplexella(Walker),Aproaerema modicella(Deventer) andStomopteryx subsecivellaZeller (Lepidoptera: Gelechiidae)

Since 2000, the groundnut leaf miner has increasingly become a pest of groundnut and soya bean on the African continent. The origin of the pest in Africa is uncertain. Early reports in South Africa assumed it was an invasion of Aproaerema modicella (Deventer) from the Asian continent, but subsequent mitochondrial DNA COI gene (mtDNA COI) fingerprinting matched it to Aproaerema simplexella (Walker, 1864) from Australia. Prior to this, reports in the 1950s recorded it in Africa under the name Stomopteryx subsecivella (Zeller, 1852). Furthermore, it was found that A. simplexella responded to the species-specific lure developed from the sex pheromone of A. modicella. As a result of these apparent anomalies, we examined the genetic relatedness of the above species fromAfrica, India andAustralia.mtDNACOI analysis was performedon 44 specimens collected from SouthAfrica, four from Mozambique, and three each from single locations in India and Australia. In the BOLD gene bank, 70 % of the specimens analysed matched...

Seasonal incidence and impact of weather parameters on leaf minerAproaerema modicelladeventer on groundnut in Maharashtra

Seasonal incidence and impact of weather parameters on leaf miner<i>Aproaerema modicella</i>deventer on groundnut in Maharashtra

Efficacy of different insecticides against Leaf miner (Aproaerema modicella, deventer) on Soybean

Triazophos 40 Ec and dimethoate 30 Ec recorded lowest larval population (1.4, 1.55 and 1.7/plot) after first spraying. The same trained was observed in second spraying also. However, next superior treatment was thiamethoxam 70 wS followed by phorate 10 G (before sowing) and phorate 10 G (30–35 DAS).

A Comparison of the Infestation ofAproaerema simplexella(Walker) on Groundnut and other Known Hosts forAproaerema modicella(Deventer) (Lepidoptera: Gelechiidae)

A groundnut pest occurring in South Africa and widely reported as Aproaerema modicella (Deventer) has recently been identified by mtDNA CO1 analysis as Aproaerema simplexella (Walker), a strain native to Australia. Two experiments were conducted during 2011–2012 growing season at five sites in South Africa. The first experiment examined the preference of A. simplexella between groundnut, soya bean, lucerne, pigeon pea and lablab (common known host crops for A. modicella). The second experiment examined the effect of cypermethrin on the control of the pest on soya bean and groundnut at two sites. Among the host crops tested, soya bean was the most preferred by the pest followed by groundnut at all sites. The pest was also observed on pigeon pea at all sites, but the infestation was very low. Lucerne was observed as the less preferred host for this species. No infestation was observed on lablab bean across the sites. Spraying cypermethrin in groundnut and soya bean reduced infestation in both crops to very low levels. In the unsprayed plots, the high infestation levels significantly reduced crop yields.

Induction of phenolic acids and metals in Arachis hypogaea L. plants due to feeding of three lepidopteran pests

The feeding of lepidopteran pests, Amsacta albistriga W., Aproaerema modicella D. and Spilosoma obliqua W., caused feeding stress in the Arachis hypogaea L. plants. As a common defensive response, the plant exhibited variations in the primary and secondary metabolic contents. Groundnut plant antioxidative enzymes such as peroxidase, superoxide dismutase, polyphenol oxidase, catalase and phenyl ammonia lyase exhibited alterations to confer resistance against the pest. Phenolic compounds, namely coumaric acid, chlorogenic acid, resveratrol, epicatechin, ferulic acid and caffeic acid, showed active defensive role in groundnut plant against the pest feeding through their significant presence in Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, high-performance liquid chromatography and gas chromatography studies. Changes in metal contents like iron, magnesium, zinc, potassium and calcium were also reported through atomic absorption studies, indicating their defensive role against the biotic stress caused on groundnut by the three lepidopteran pests. The present study can further assist in recognizing the importance of these specific phenolic acids and metals of groundnut in its pest management.

Plant growth promoting rhizobacteria (PGPR) and entomopathogenic fungus bioformulation enhance the expression of defense enzymes and pathogenesis-related proteins in groundnut plants against leafminer insect and collar rot pathogen

The bioformulation of Pseudomonas fluorescens (Pf1 and TDK1) and Beauveria bassiana (B2) strains was evaluated individually and in combinations with and without chitin for their efficacy against leafminer insect and collar rot disease and the effect of the interaction between Pseudomonas, Beauveria and groundnut leafminer insect and collar rot pathogen in the expression of defense enzymes and pathogenesis-related proteins (PR-proteins) in groundnut. Among the various bioformulations, B2 + TDK1 + Pf1 (amended with or without chitin) formulation significantly reduced the incidence of leafminer and collar rot disease when compared to untreated control. A significant increase in the enzymatic activity of phenylalanine ammonia-lyase, peroxidase, polyphenol oxidase, chitinase, β-1,3-glucanase, superoxide dismutase, catalase, lipoxygenase, and phenolics in groundnut plants treated with B2 + TDK1 + Pf1 bioformulation (amended with or without chitin) and challenge inoculated with Aproaerema modicella and Sclerotium rolfsii. Native gel electrophoresis also revealed the expression of more isoforms of pathogenesis-related proteins and other defense enzymes viz., polyphenol oxidase and superoxide dismutase in plants treated with B2 + TDK1 + Pf1 mixture challenged with A. modicella and S. rolfsii. The present study reveals that sustained and timely induction and accumulation of these defense enzymes and PR-proteins enhance the resistance in groundnut against leafminer insect and collar rot disease.

The groundnut leaf miner collected from South Africa is identified by mtDNA CO1 gene analysis as the Australian soybean moth (Aproaerema simplixella) (Walker) (Lepidoptera: Gelechiidae)

Although the leaf miner attacking groundnut in Africa is widely reported as Aproaerema modicella (Deventer), a common groundnut (Arachis hypogaea L.) and soybean (Glycine max (L.) Merr.) pest in Indo-Asian countries, a proper taxonomic identification of the pest has not been done. A detection survey of the pest was conducted on groundnut, soybean and lucerne (Medicago sativa L.), the common host crops for A. modicella, at six widely separated sites in South Africa during the 2009-2010 growing season. Sixty specimens comprising 24 larvae, 24 pupae and 12 moths of GLM (54 from groundnut; six from soybean) were collected from the six survey sites, and their mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) were sequenced and compared with those from the BOLD gene bank. Infestation by GLM was observed on groundnut and soybean, but not on lucerne. The mtDNA from all specimens of the pest, irrespective of whether they were from groundnut or soybean, matched 100% with the sequences in BOLD belonging to Aproaerema simplixella PS1, a strain also occurring in Australia, where it is a soybean pest. There was very little genetic diversity between and within the populations from the six sites, which suggested that the populations were maternally of the same origin. Key words: Arachis hypogaea L., Aproaerema modicella, Glycine max (L.) Merr., lucerne, mitochondrial DNA.

Response of Groundnut Genotypes to Leaf Miner (Aproaerema modicella Deventer) Under Field Screening

Twenty five groundnut genotypes were field screened for leaf miner and defoliator incidence. The study was conducted at Dryland Agricultural Research Station, Chettinad during Kharif 2011and Rabi 2011-12. Periodic observations on leaf miner and defoliator damage were recorded in all the genotypes. Incidence of leaf miner was increased with raise in maximum temperature and decrease in relative humidity, rainfall and leaf wetness. The field screening results revealed that less leaf miner incidence was recorded in the genotypes viz., ICGV 06424, ICGV 07220, ICGV 07222, ICGV 07240, ICGV 07245, ICGV 07247, ICGV 07268, ICGS 11 and VRI (Gn) 6 in both the seasons. To identify the resistant genotypes to leaf miner, further screening studies under in vitro conditions with the identified genotypes with less incidence of leaf miner are required.

Chitin-based bioformulation of Beauveria bassiana and Pseudomonas fluorescens for improved control of leafminer and collar rot in groundnut

The talc-based formulation of Beauveria bassiana (B2 and B4) and Pseudomonas fluorescens (TDK1 and Pf1) strains and its mixture amended with and without chitin were developed and tested for their efficacy against the leafminer insect pest ( Aproaerema modicella) and collar rot (or) seedling blight pathogen ( Sclerotium rolfsii) in groundnut under glasshouse and field conditions. Application of talc-based formulation of B2 + TDK1 + Pf1 strains mixture (amended with or without chitin) through seed, soil and foliar spray effectively reduced the incidence of leafminer and collar rot in groundnut compared to individual bioformulation and control treatments both under glasshouse and field conditions. Groundnut leaves when treated with this bioformulation mixture, altered the feeding behavior of leafminer larvae and increased larval mortality under in vitro. Further, a significant increase in growth parameters and yield were observed in groundnut plants treated with B2 + TDK1 + Pf1 compared to individual bioformulation and untreated control. Increased accumulation of chitinase enzyme was observed in groundnut plants treated with mixture of B2 + TDK1 + Pf1 against A. modicella and S. rolfsii when compared to other treatments.

A new microbial consortia containing entomopathogenic fungus, Beauveria bassiana and plant growth promoting rhizobacteria, Pseudomonas fluorescens for simultaneous management of leafminers and collar rot disease in groundnut

The virulence of 20 isolates of Beauveria bassiana (Balsamo) Vuillemin to larvae of the leafminer, Aproaerema modicella, was tested in the laboratory. Leafminer larvae were sprayed with a standard concentration of 1×108 condia/mL of each B. bassiana isolate. All the B. bassiana isolates tested were pathogenic to A. modicella and the mortality varied between 16.7 and 68.9%. Beauveria bassiana isolate B2 was found to be the most virulent followed by isolate B4 which resulted in 59% mortality. Beauveria isolate B2 was selected for dose–response mortality studies with four different doses (1×102, 1×104, 1×106 and 1×108 conidia/mL). Among the various doses tested, 1×108 conidia/mL produced the highest mortality (70.7%). In addition, morphogenesis of the insect pest in all stages, larval, pupal and adult was greatly affected due to fungal infection. Further, B. bassiana isolate B2 and two Pseudomonas fluorescens strains, TDK1 and Pf1 were tested alone and in combination for suppression of groundnut leafminer and collar rot disease and promotion of plant growth and yield both under glasshouse and field conditions. The mixture of B. bassiana and P. fluorescens strains significantly reduced the leafminer and collar rot disease incidences when applied as talc-based formulation through seed, soil and foliar application under glasshouse and field conditions.

Infestation of groundnut by the groundnut leafminer, Aproaerema modicella (Deventer) (Lepidoptera: Gelechiidae) and rates of parasitization of this pest in South Africa

The groundnut leafminer (GLM), Aproaerema modicella (Deventer) (Lepidoptera: Gelechiidae), is an important pest of groundnut in India and some parts of Africa. This is the first study examining the levels of infestation and rates of parasitization of this pest on groundnut in South Africa. A general survey was done of GLM parasitoids at several sites in the groundnut production areas together with a 2-year study of GLM infestation and parasitism levels at the Tshiombo irrigation scheme. GLM larvae or pupae on infested groundnut leaves were collected and held for emergence of moths or parasitoids. Nine species of parasitic Hymenoptera parasitized GLM immatures, which was low in comparison to the large number of parasitoids known to attack the pest in Asia, the origin of the pest. Hypomicrogaster sp. (Braconidae) and Baryscapus sp. (Eulophidae) were recorded for the first time on GLM. Larval parasitization rates ranged between 3.7 and 54.2% and pupal parasitization rates ranged between 4.8 and 43.7%. Mean infestation levels of GLM (larvae and pupae) were between 1.2 and 1.9 (SE ±0.6) per plant during 2006 and 1.0 and 26.9 (SE ±2.8) per plant during 2007. In the second year of the study, the economic threshold for this pest, between 2 and 10 larvae per plant, was surpassed indicating that GLM is an important economic pest on groundnut in South Africa.

Prospects for the biological control of the groundnut leaf miner, Aproaerema modicella , in Africa.

Abstract The groundnut leaf miner, Aproaerema modicella , is a pest of groundnut and soyabean in South and Southeast Asia that has recently invaded Africa. It was first found in Uganda in 1998 and is now recorded in Mozambique, Malawi, Democratic Republic of Congo and South Africa. In all African countries where A. modicella has been found, the pest has reached outbreak densities and severe yield losses have been observed on groundnut. In this paper, we review the natural enemies of A. modicella in Asia and evaluate their potential for biological control in Africa. The main natural enemies of A. modicella in Asia are parasitoids. Over 30 primary parasitoid species have been recorded with mean parasitism rates fluctuating between 20% and 50% and peak parasitism reaching 53-91%. The most often cited parasitoids belong to the genera Goniozus (Hym.: Bethylidae), Apanteles , Bracon , Chelonus and Avga (Hym.: Braconidae), Brachymeria (Hym.: Chalcididae), and Stenomesius , Sympiesis and Tetrastichus (Hym.: Eulophidae). Predators and pathogens have been poorly studied. A. modicella is a promising target for classical biological control using natural enemies from Asia. Damage levels are, on average, higher in Africa than in Asia, where parasitoids, and possibly predators and pathogens, probably play an important role in the natural control of the pest. However, surveys are needed in Asia to better study natural enemies of A. modicella before selecting the most suitable agents. Until now, most studies on natural enemies were carried out in India, where A. modicella is considered a serious pest. New surveys should focus on other regions, where the moth causes little damage and very little is known on its natural enemy complex.

Mechanisms and Diversity of Resistance to Insect Pests in Wild Relatives of Groundnut

The levels of resistance to insect pests in cultivated groundnut (Arachis hypogaea) germplasm are quite low, and therefore, we screened 30 accessions of Arachis spp. and 12 derived lines for resistance to insect pests under field and greenhouse conditions. Accessions belonging to Arachis cardenasii, Arachis duranensis, Arachis kempff-mercadoi, Arachis monticola, Arachis stenosperma, Arachis paraguariensis, Arachis pusilla, and Arachis triseminata showed multiple resistance to the leaf miner Aproaerema modicella, Helicoverpa armigera, Empoasca kerri, and to rust, Puccnia arachidis Speg., and late leaf spot, Cercosporidium personatum (Berk. et Curt.). Arachis cardenasii (ICG 8216), Arachis ipaensis (ICG 8206), A. paraguariensis (ICG 8130), and Arachis appressipila (ICG 8946) showed resistance to leaf feeding and antibiosis to Spodoptera litura under no-choice conditions. Six lines, derived from wild relatives, showed resistance to H. armigera and S. litura, and/or leaf miner. Plant morphological characteristics such as main stem thickness, hypanthium length, leaflet shape and length, leaf hairiness, standard petal length and petal markings, basal leaflet width, main stem thickness and hairiness, stipule adnation length and width, and peg length showed significant correlation and/or regression coefficients with damage by H. armigera, S. litura, and leafhoppers, and these traits can possibly be used as markers to select for resistance to these insect pests. Principal component analysis placed the Arachis spp. accessions into five groups, and these differences can be exploited to diversify resistance to the target insect pests in groundnut.

Mechanisms and diversity of resistance to insect pests in wild relatives of groundnut.

The levels of resistance to insect pests in cultivated groundnut (Arachis hypogaea) germplasm are quite low, and therefore, we screened 30 accessions of Arachis spp. and 12 derived lines for resistance to insect pests under field and greenhouse conditions. Accessions belonging to Arachis cardenasii, Arachis duranensis, Arachis kempff-mercadoi, Arachis monticola, Arachis stenosperma, Arachis paraguariensis, Arachis pusilla, and Arachis triseminata showed multiple resistance to the leaf miner Aproaerema modicella, Helicoverpa armigera, Empoasca kerri, and to rust, Puccnia arachidis Speg., and late leaf spot, Cercosporidium personatum (Berk. et Curt.). Arachis cardenasii (ICG 8216), Arachis ipaensis (ICG 8206), A. paraguariensis (ICG 8130), and Arachis appressipila (ICG 8946) showed resistance to leaf feeding and antibiosis to Spodoptera litura under no-choice conditions. Six lines, derived from wild relatives, showed resistance to H. armigera and S. litura, and/or leaf miner. Plant morphological characteristics such as main stem thickness, hypanthium length, leaflet shape and length, leaf hairiness, standard petal length and petal markings, basal leaflet width, main stem thickness and hairiness, stipule adnation length and width, and peg length showed significant correlation and/or regression coefficients with damage by H. armigera, S. litura, and leafhoppers, and these traits can possibly be used as markers to select for resistance to these insect pests. Principal component analysis placed the Arachis spp. accessions into five groups, and these differences can be exploited to diversify resistance to the target insect pests in groundnut.

First report of groundnut leafminer, Aproaerema modicella (Deventer) (Lepidoptera: Gelechiidae) on groundnut, soybean and lucerne in South Africa

The groundnut leafminer, Aproaerema modicella is an important pest of groundnut and soybean in South and South-East Asia. It has also been reported from Uganda, Malawi and Mozambique. During 2000, it was first noticed on groundnut in South Africa. Since then it has spread over the entire groundnut production area of the Free State, Northern Cape, North West and Mpumalanga provinces. Reduction in yield was observed under conditions of severe infestations. During 2001 A. modicella was also observed on soybean in Mpumalanga and lucerne in the Northern Cape province, respectively.

EFFECT OF INTERCROPPING ON THE INCIDENCE OF GROUNDNUT LEAF MINER, Aproaerema modicella DEVENTER (GELECHIIDAE : LEPIDOPTERA)

A field experiment was conducted to study the effect of various intercrops on the incidence of groundnut leaf miner, Aproaerema modicella Deventer, at Gandhi Krishi Vignana Kendra (GKVK), University of Agricultural Sciences (UAS). Bangalore during 1994 kharif season. The study indicated that the incidence of leaf miner was reduced and pod yield was increased under intercropping combinations compared to monocropping of groundnut. The lesser leaf miner incidence and higher groundnut pod yield was recorded in groundnut + sorghum, groundnut + maize and groundnut + cowpea intercropping systems.

Application of Pheromones for Crop Pest Management in the Indian Sub-Continent

The Natural Resources Institute has worked in the Indian sub-continent to utilise insect pheromones for the control of a wide range of insect crop pests. The pheromones of more than 20 insect pests have been identified and the behaviourally active components of 14 fully optimised. In addition four components of the pheromone of black-headed coconut caterpillar, Opisina arenosella, were identified using insects from Sri Lanka but high catches in unbaited traps have hampered field work. Putative pheromone components of Maruca vitrata, Leucinodes orbonalis, Hellula undalis, Xylotrechus quadripes and Rhynchophorus ferrugineus have been identified and are under active investigation. The female sex pheromone of the groundnut leafminer, Aproaerema modicella, has recently been identified and found to be highly attractive to male moths at very low doses suggesting it could be useful for population surveillance or control by mass trapping. However, despite extensive scientific investigation, the optimised pheromone of Helicoverpa armigera remains of uncertain value for use in population surveillance and control. A controlled-release formulation suitable for protecting a wide range of lepidopteran pheromones was developed and evaluated in large scale trials on cotton and rice pests in Pakistan and India, respectively. In Pakistan season-long control of the cotton pests, Pectinophora gossypiella, Earias insulana and E. vittella, was achieved by mating disruption with a saving of up to five applications of insecticide. While in India season-long control of the yellow stem borer, Scirpophaga incertulas, on rice was found to be as effective as the insecticide regimes currently used by smallholders. The prospects for commercialising pheromones for control of crop pests are being actively studied through farmer participatory field trials designed to identify the social and economic constraints of smallholder farmers who make up much of the farming community in the Indian sub-continent.

Short and Stereoselective Syntheses of Pheromone Components of Aproaerema Modicella

Efficient syntheses of pheromone components of Aproaerema modicella starting from a common intermediate 7-octyn-1-ol is described.

Impact of the groundnut leafminer, Aproaerema modicella (Deventer) (Lepidoptera: Gelechiidae) on growth and yield of two groundnut cultivars

AbstractThe impact of larval defoliation by Aproaerema modicella (Deventer) on the growth, development and yield of two groundnut cultivars (Kadiri 3 and NC Ac 17090) was studied under a naturally occurring, high density infestation. Defoliation by leaf-mining larvae did not increase plant mortality in either cultivar. In both cultivars, leaf and stem production were significantly lower in untreated plots than in the treated plots. Unsprayed plants of both cultivars produced fewer flowers, pegs, and pods per plant compared to plants of the same cultivar protected with monocrotophos. Fruit growth rates, however, were marginally higher in control plots than in treated plots. Pod yields were 35 and 44% lower, and haulm yields 25 and 20% lower, in Kadiri 3 and NC Ac 17090, respectively in untreated control plots compared to plots treated with insecticide. A linear relationship between leafminer density and pod and haulm yields was observed, and differences between cultivars were not significant.

Effect of temperature on development rates, fecundity &amp; longevity of the groundnut leaf miner, Aproaerema modicella (Lepidoptera: Gelechiidae), in India

AbstractThreshold temperatures, growth rates and physiological development times were calculated for the egg, larval and pupal stages of the groundnut leaf-miner, Aproaerema modicella (Deventer), a key pest of groundnut (Arachis hypogaea) and soyabean (Glycine max) in India. The life cycle of Aproaerema modicella required 660 degree-days (DD) above threshold temperatures (12.4°C for eggs, 11.3° for larvae and 14.7° for pupae). A function fitted to the adult longevity and fecundity data describes the effect of temperature and female age on fecundity. Egg production was greatest at 30°C and declined at lower and higher temperatures. Head capsule width measurements indicated that five larval instars are typical in India. The results obtained are discussed in the context of earlier work.