Copitarsia Decolora Research Articles

Chemical Composition of Jatropha curcas1 Seed Extracts and Its Bioactivity Against Copitarsia decolora2 under Laboratory and Greenhouse Conditions

The main objective of the study was to identify chemical compounds of extract of acetone of shell + almond (EACA) and nut of almond (EAA) of Jatrofa curcas and evaluate bioactivity against Copitarsia decolora in laboratory and greenhouse conditions. In ingestion experiments, extracts at 250, 500, 1,000, 1,500, and 2,000 ppm were mixed into artificial diet. Checks were artificial diet mixed with a botanical insecticide Margosom® 0.3% EC (active ingredient [AI] 250 ppm, azadirachtin), and diet plus only water. EAA at 250 and 1,000 ppm inhibited larval weight and prolonged larval development of C. decolora. EAA at 500 ppm and EACA at 1,500 ppm caused most deformation in pupae and adults. As many as 50% of C. decolora larvae occurred with EAA at 500-. EAA was the most active extract in laboratory tests and later evaluated at 250, 500, and 1,000 ppm applied to cabbage plants infested with C. decolora larvae in a greenhouse. Two checks were cabbage (Brassica oleracea var. capitata) plants without extract (water only) and pyrethroid insecticide (Alfadex® AI 21.29% cypermethrin) at 500 ppm. Gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS) analysis of the acetonic extract of Jatropha curcas seed identified oleic acid as the major compound. EAA at 1,000 ppm and Alfadex were most effective at protecting cabbage plants from attack by larval C. decolora.

Copitarsia decolora Guen\xe9e (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae) females avoid larvae competition by detecting larvae damaged plants

Herbivory insects can discriminate the quality of a host plant for food or oviposition, by detecting the volatile organic compounds (VOC’s) released by the plant, however, damaged plants may release a different VOC’s profile modifying the insects’ response. We tested if the VOC’s profile from damaged plants affected the response of Copitarsia decolora as these moths oviposit preferably around undamaged host plants. We assessed the response in wind tunnel conditions of C.decolora mated females to volatiles collected by dynamic headspace from 30–40 d old cabbage undamaged plants and mechanical and larval damaged plants. Headspace volatile compounds from undamaged cabbage plants were more attractive to mated females than those from larval and mechanical damaged cabbage plants. Moths stimulated with headspace volatiles from undamaged plants performed more complete flight and ovipositor displays than those moths stimulated with headspace volatiles from damaged cabbage plants. A mixture of synthetic compounds identified from undamaged cabbages elicited similar antennal and wind tunnel responses in mated females as headspace volatiles from undamaged cabbage plants. C. decolora females may discriminate between damaged and undamaged host plants by detecting their VOC’s profiles as a strategy to avoid unsuitable plants for their offspring increasing their fitness.

Biological Activity of Trichilia americana (Meliaceae) on Copitarsia decolora Guenée (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae)

Abstract The biological activity of extracts from Trichilia americana (Sesse and Mocino) T.D. Penn. (rind), Carica papaya L., Jatropha curcas L., Ricinus communis L., and Lupinus campestris Schldl. & Cham. (seeds), at 1% and 5%, were evaluated on neonates of Copitarsia decolora Guenée in ingestion bioassays. The plants that caused the highest percentage of larval mortality were T. americana at 1% and 5%, and Carica papaya at 5% with 98% and 100% and 100%, respectively. Trichilia americana was the plant with higher toxicological properties against C. decolora. Extracts in hexane, ethyl acetate, acetone, and methanol from T. americana were then evaluated at 10, 100, 300, and 1,000 ppm also in ingestion bioassays against C. decolora. Extracts of ethyl acetate and acetone at 1,000 ppm recorded the highest percentages of larval mortality of C. decolora (90% and 55%, respectively). In addition to larval mortality, feeding on T. americana extract also decreased mean larval weight, prolonged duration of the larval stage, resulted in malformed pupae and adults, and affected adult fertility and fecundity. Finally, these extracts were evaluated in a toxicity model, for which the crustacean Artemia salina Leach was used. The ethyl acetate, acetone, and hexane extracts showed no toxicity to A. salina, while the methanol extract caused 30% mortality, which is considered to be slightly toxic. Based on the results obtained, T. americana is a species with insecticidal and insectistatic activity against C. decolora and can be considered as a potential insecticide for the management of this or other insect pests.

Modeling of the immature stages of the species of Noctuidae associated with Physalis peruviana L.

Physalis peruviana L. is currently the second fruit crop more exported of Colombia; however, the pests associated with the culture have been little studied which is important considering that some Noctuidae can cause a decrease of 20% in its production. In this research, the Noctuidae species related to P. peruviana were studied in three farms of La Unión, Antioquia, Colombia. Twelve sampling units, with 30- and 45-day transplanted plants, were distributed throughout the farms and sampled biweekly from March 1st to August 29th of 2014. In the plant canopy and the planted area, immature stages were registered, and statistic models were built in order to describe their trend. The taxonomic identification of adults was made by comparing with the Noctuidae collection of Museo Entomológico Francisco Luis Gallego at Universidad Nacional de Colombia – Sede Medellín, and by using taxonomic keys. Nine Noctuidae species were found in total. Six models were built, four oviposition models for Agrotis ipsilon and Spodoptera spp., Copitarsia decolora and Heliothis subflexa, Megalographa biloba, and Peridroma saucia; a model for larvae and pupae stages was built. The oviposition model for P. saucia was the more adjusted, with a Root mean squared predictive difference (RMSPD) of 0.84. The other studied models were suitable to describe the trend of the immature stages; except for M. biloba model. This research revealed the ecological characteristics of the Noctuidae species associated with the golden berry crop that affect its productivity.

Modification of Behavioral Response inCopitarsia decolora(Lepidoptera: Noctuidae) Due to Pre-Exposure to Sex Pheromone and Host Plant Volatiles

In this study we assessed the effect of pre-exposure to host sex pheromones and plant volatiles on the response of virgin males and mated females of Copitarsia decolora (Guenee) (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae), by using glandular extracts of virgin females and host volatile extracts in bioassays conducted in a wind tunnel. Four-day-old insects, either virgin males pre-exposed to glandular extracts of the sex pheromone or mated females pre-exposed to host volatiles, were evaluated 2, 24, and 48 h after pre-exposure. In both sexes, pre-exposure and a subsequent attraction response at 2 h resulted in an inhibitory effect on the olfactory response. Recovery in the olfactory response was observed at 24 and 48 h; however, it took males a shorter activation time when compared with control insects. A brief pre-exposure of insects provoked a short-term (2 h) inhibition of the response to the olfactory stimulus. Consequently, as an integral part of strategies for the management of this pest species, the study of the ecological implications of such inhibition should be considered.

Effects of male age and mating status on response to the female sex pheromone ofCopitarsia decolora(Lepidoptera: Noctuidae)

The effects of male age and mating status on the behavioral response of Copitarsia decolora (Guenée) males to the glandular extract of the female sex pheromone were studied by conducting wind tunnel bioassays and electroantennography (EAG). To study the effect of age, 2–3, 4–5, 6–7, 8–9, 10–11 day old males were used to measure attraction in the wind tunnel. To study the effect of age on virgin male antenna depolarization, Individual males 3-, 6- and 9-days old were used. The effect of male mating status was studied with 4–6 day old males and subsequent pheromone response was measured after a period of 24 and 48 h. Both male age and mating status significantly affected male response to the female sex pheromone. In the wind tunnel, male attraction to the extract reached its maximum in males 4–7 days old and then decreased as moth age increased. The glandular extract provoked a significantly greater depolarization of the antennae of 6 day old males than in 3 and 9 day old males. In the wind tunnel, virgin males were more attracted to female extracts than mated males. Significantly greater depolarization was observed in the antennae of virgin than mated males.

Effects of Five Species of Chenopodiaceae on the Development and Reproductive Potential ofCopitarsia decolora(Lepidoptera: Noctuidae)

Modern agriculture aims to reduce continuous applications of synthetic chemical pesticides for pest control because of issues such as pollution, loss of trade and disruption of biological control agents, potentially leading to pest outbreaks. Botanical insecticides are a good alternative to synthetic pesticides, as they have lower environmental hazard, are biodegradable and can be used shortly before harvesting. We tested the effect of essential oils (EOs) and aqueous extracts (AEs) of Chenopodiaceae plants (Dysphania ambrosioides (=Chenopodium ambrosioides), Chenopodium album, C. berlandieri subsp. nuttalliae, C. graveolens and Beta vulgaris), incorporated into the diet under lab conditions, on a widely distributed insect pest in America, the cabbage pest, Copitarsia decolora Guenée 1852 (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae). The EO of C. graveolens at 0.5% reduced the larvae and pupae weight by 30 and 15%, respectively; increased the larval period length by 17% and reduced fecundity and fertility by 80 and 85%, respectively related to the control. EOs of C. berlandieri and B. vulgaris at 0.5% increased larval and pupal period length by 22% and 38% and both reduced fecundity and fertility by 99% related to the control. None of the plant extracts tested caused immediate C. decolora mortality, but EOs reduced mean survival time and reproductive capacity of the insect. This is the first report of C. berlandieri EO effect against an insect pest. The EOs of C. graveolens, B. vulgaris and C. berlandieri have great potential as alternatives to synthetic chemicals for insect control and deserve further exploration.

Oviposition, larval preference, and larval performance in two polyphagous species: does the larva know best?

AbstractIt is expected that females preferentially oviposit on plant hosts that allow for optimal larval performance. However, this expectation contradicts empirical evidence where adults do not always choose the best host for their descendants. Recent evidence suggests that females’ host selection depends on the number of potential hosts. Females from oligophagous species seem to be able to choose an appropriate host in terms of larval performance, whereas in polyphagous species, adult oviposition preference is not related with larval performance. This suggests that larvae in polyphagous species could be taking a more active role in host selection than their mothers. Here, we evaluated the oviposition preference and the larval preference and performance of two polyphagous species of economic importance, Copitarsia decolora (Guenée) (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae: Cuculliinae) and Peridroma saucia (Hübner) (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae: Noctuinae), on eight species of cultivated plants. In laboratory and greenhouse choice assays, we tested adult preference for oviposition and larval preference at 1 and 24 h. Larval performance was measured in terms of survival to adulthood, length of larval period, and pupal weight. We found that both adult females and larvae actively choose their hosts and that the larval preference toward the hosts is related to the females’ preference in both herbivore species. However, the females and larvae did not preferentially select the host with the best larval performance, indicating that larval performance is not related to female or larval preference and that other selective pressures are influencing the choice of the host plant in these two species.

A Review of the Copitarsia decolora (Guenée) (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae) Species Complex with the Description of a New Species from Chile and Argentina.

Copitarsia gibberosa n. sp. is described from Chile and Argentina. Morphological characters are discussed to differentiate it from Copitarsia decolora (Guenée), Copitarsia incommoda (Walker), and Copitarsia corruda (Pogue & Simmons). Copitarsia corruda has its status revised based on CO1 and morphology. Copitarsia paraturbata Castillo & Angulo is a new synonym of C. incommoda based on morphology. Copitarsia uncilata Burgos & Leiva is a new synonym of C. decolora based on morphology. A review of recent literature revealed a misunderstanding of the complex of species related to C. decolora, and these papers are evaluated and species are identified. Host plant utilization is discussed between C. decolora and C. corruda. Adults and male and female genitalia are illustrated to differentiate between the species in the C. decolora species complex. Keys to male and females based on genitalic morphology are given. Distribution maps of collected specimens are provided.

Effect of Age, Body Weight and Multiple Mating on Copitarsia decolora (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae) Reproductive Potential and Longevity

Successful behavioral-based control methods rely on the accurate knowledge of the mating dynamics of the target insect. Age at first mating affects reproductive potential and the chance of multiple mating. The cabbage moth, Copitarsia decolora (Guenee) is an important pest of a number of commodities. We investigated combinations of age, body size and mating history to determine how these variables affect insect reproductive capacity. Fecundity and fertility decreased as the age of mating pairs increased, heavy and average sized females laid more eggs than light females. Female multiple mating did not enhance fecundity nor fertility potential. Furthermore, spermatophore size did not determine female re-mating behavior. However, female fecundity and fertility was related to the male mating history. Our results show that SIT is a valuable tool for controlling this pest.

Pheromone Trap for MonitoringCopitarsia decolora(Lepidoptera: Noctuidae) Activity in Cruciferous Crops in Mexico

Copitarsia decolora (Guenée) is an important pest of several crops such in Mexico, Central and South America. In addition, this species is a regulatory concern in the USA. In this work, we investigated the influence of trap design, trap height, and trap color on pheromone trap catches of C. decolora males in cruciferous crops. Additionally, we investigated the seasonal dynamics of C. decolara for 3 yr. The water-trap captured a significantly higher number of males compared to the jug trap and the Scentry® Heliothis trap. There were no significant differences between in the number of males captured by traps positioned at 0.5, 1, and 1.5 m above ground level. There was also no an interaction between trap design and trap height. Green water-traps captured more males than red water-traps, however, the catches of red water-traps were intermediate and not significantly different from those captured by yellow, blue, and brown water-traps. A total of 6,978 C. decolora males were captured during the 3 yr of trapping. The overall distribution of trap captures over the season was unimodal, with a distinctive peak in trap catches occurring between Mar and Apr.

Efficiency of different egg parasitoids and increased floral diversity for the biological control of noctuid pests

Augmentative biological control of insects is a tool of Integrated Pest Management programs. In many agroecosystems, biological control is exercised largely by parasitoids, and it is found that the presence of food resources, as provided by flowering plants, can have a positive effect on survival, search ability and parasitism rate of parasitoid species. In Colombia, a recently established export crop, the cape gooseberry, is under continuous attack by a Lepidopteran species complex in the family Noctuidae. Our first objective was to test the longevity and parasitism rates of three species of egg parasitoids in the genus Trichogramma (Trichogramma atopovirilia Oatman & Platner, Trichogramma exiguum Pinto & Platner, and Trichogramma pretiosum Riley) for Spodoptera frugiperda Smith and Copitarsia decolora Gueené. Our results suggest that T. atopovirilia and T. pretiosum could be promising parasitoids for the control of S. frugiperda and C. decolora, with a percentage parasitism of between 30% and 60%, respectively. For our second objective, we selected T. atopovirilia as a model species to evaluate the effect of the presence of flowering plants on the longevity and parasitism rate in both, no choice and multiple choice experiments, under laboratory and field conditions. Our results consistently showed that the presence of red clover (Trifolium pratense L.) can increase the longevity and parasitism rate of T. atopovirilia, suggesting that providing food resources to parasitoids in cape gooseberry fields should be part of a habitat diversification strategy to control noctuid pests.

Larval Description of Copitarsia incommoda (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae)

Abstract The last instar of Copitarsia incommoda (Walker) is described for the first time. Specimens in this study were reared from quinoa (Chenopodium quinoa Willd., Chenopodiaceae), Bolivia, La Paz, 4 km S Viacha, Quipaquipani, 3,880 m. The larva of Copitarsia incommoda is compared with larvae of Copitarsia decolora (Guenée) and Copitarsia corruda Pogue and Simmons.

Copitarsia uncilata Burgos & Leiva sp. nov. de Cuculliinae para Colombia y México (Lepidoptera, Noctuidae)

Se describe e ilustran los adultos y genitalia de macho y hembra de Copitarsia uncilata Burgos & Leiva sp. nov., que se distribuye en Colombia y México. La nueva especie se caracteriza por poseer un uncus ancho apicalmente espatulado con una diminuta proyección dorsal bulbosa, digitus de corte apical ampliamente cóncavo y una ampulla con ápice recurvado que sobresale de la valva, externamente es similar a Copitarsia decolora (Guenée).

La polilla Copitarsia decolora: revisión del complejo de especies con base en la morfología genital masculina y de los huevos (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae)

Copitarsia decolora is a widely distributed polyphagous species with a large number of nominal changes due to phenotypic plasticity. We reviewed 14 males from Mexico, Colombia, Venezuela, Peru and Chile and the literature produced between 2003 and 2008. An analysis of the clasper complex of C. decolora male genitalia was performed by standard dissection. Scanning electron microscope (SEM) photographs of eggs structures were used as taxonomic characters. The genus Copitarsia comprises 23 species. C. corruda is considered a synonym of C. decolora.

A New Pest Species of <I>Copitarsia</I> (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae) from the Neotropical Region Feeding on <I>Asparagus</I> and Cut Flowers

The egg, first and last instars, and adult of Copitarsia corruda, n. sp. from Mexico, Colombia, Ecuador, and Peru are described and illustrated. Larval host plant genera include Asparagus (Liliaceae) (Mexico, Colombia, and Ecuador), Iris (Iridaceae) (Ecuador), Ammi (Apiaceae) (Ecuador), Lysimachia (Primulaceae) (Colombia), Callistephus (Asteraceae) (Colombia), and Aster (Asteraceae) (Colombia). The larva of Copitarsia decolora (Guenee) is described and illustrated. In addition to genitalic and larval characters, mitochondrial gene cytochrome oxidase I (COI) was analyzed to differentiate C. corruda from Copitarsia decolora (Guenee), and to examine geographic and host plant differences between the two species.

Fluctuación poblacional y parasitismo de larvas de Capitarsia decolora Guenée, Plutella xylostella L. y Trichoplusia ni Hübner (Lepidoptera) en Brassica oleracea L.

La fluctuación poblacional y los porcentajes de parasitismo se determinaron para larvas de Copitarsia decolora (Guenée), Plutella xylostella L. y Trichoplusia ni Hübner, asociadas con Brassica oleracea L. en tres variedades, col, coliflor y brócoli, durante abril de 2004 a abril de 2005, en Acatzingo, Puebla, México. Se realizaron muestreos al azar cada 14 días en 10 plantas por variedad; las larvas totales fueron contabilizadas, colectadas y mantenidas en una cámara de cría a 27º C ± 1º C y 75% ± 5% de humedad relativa para el desarrollo de los parasitoides. La población de las plagas fue más abundante durante la formación de la cabeza en col y formación de la pella en brócoli y coliflor. La mayor densidad se observó en col, con valores de 1.3, 12.3 y 2.4 larvas por planta, para C. decolora, P. xylostella y T. ni, respectivamente; sin embargo no se registraron individuos de C. decolora en brócoli. Se identificó a Diadegma insulare Cresson (Hymenoptera: Ichneumonidae), como endoparasitoide solitario de larvas de P. xylostella, y a Voria ruralis Fállen (Diptera: Tachinidae) como endoparasitoide de larvas de T. ni. En promedio, el parasitismo por D. insulare fue 46.78% y por V. ruralis sólo del 0.7%. La densidad poblacional y el parasitismo fueron afectados negativamente por la aplicación de insecticidas en los cultivos de brócoli, col y coliflor.

<I>Copitarsia decolora</I> (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae) Larvae Escaping from Discarded Asparagus: Data in Support of a Pathway Risk Analysis

This research was undertaken to gather data in support of an assessment of the likelihood that Copitarsia decolora (Guenée) (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae), a pest of asparagus, Asparagus officinalis L., and other crops, could escape from the pathway followed by asparagus from the field to the consumer. Asparagus that is destroyed by cooking and consumption, being run through a trash compactor or garbage disposal, or being buried in a landfill probably cannot support development of C. decolora larvae. Much asparagus is discarded in dumpsters, however, and the time between disposal and removal to the landfill provides an opportunity for C. decolora to escape into the environment. Results of this study indicate that C. decolora cannot survive to the pupal stage on rotten asparagus, and survival on dried asparagus is low. However, larvae can survive at least 1 wk on both types of deteriorating asparagus held at 23.5 degrees C. In field trials, a small percentage of C. decolora larvae crawled out of a dumpster filled with asparagus after 1 wk.

Copitarsia decolora (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae) Larvae Escaping from Discarded Asparagus: Data in Support of a Pathway Risk Analysis

Copitarsia decolora (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae) Larvae Escaping from Discarded Asparagus: Data in Support of a Pathway Risk Analysis

Identification of the Sex Pheromone of Copitarsia decolora (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae)

Chemical and electrophysiological analyses and field trials were used to identify the female sex pheromone of Copitarsia decolora (Guenée) (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae). Coupled gas chromatographic-electroantennographic detection (GC-EAD) analysis of the female gland extract showed the presence of two EAD-active peaks, which were identified by GC-mass spectrometric (MS) analysis as (Z)-9-tetradecenyl acetate (Z9–14:Ac) and (Z)-9-tetradecenol (Z9–14:OH). The field evaluation of the EAD-active compounds indicated that traps baited with either Z9–14:Ac or Z9–14:OH caught few males. In contrast, traps baited with the binary blend of both components caught significantly more males than traps baited with the single compounds. Captures in traps baited with a mixture of Z9–14:Ac and Z9–14:OH at 4:1, 10:1, and 100:1 ratios were not significantly different from the catches in traps baited with virgin females. Few males were captured in traps baited with a blend of Z9–14:Ac and Z9–14:OH at 1:4, 1:10, and 1:100 ratios.