Foliage Insect Research Articles

Chronological association of foliage insects among specific olericulture crops i.e. mustard, beet root and kale

Olericulture crops are none woody leafy vegetables that contain high nutrients, vitamins, and iron. Foliage insects show chronological association with their specific host vegetable such as Mustard leaves beat root and kale were the main olericulture crops that were selected to estimate the prevalence and variety of foliage insects. Samples were collected by aerial nets, direct handpicking, and sweep nets and with the help of forceps. Larvae of the many insects were voracious eaters. Hymenoptera, Diptera, Lepidoptera, and Coleoptera were the major foliage insects order that directly or indirectly affect these vegetables. The result indicates that foliage insects show sequential association with their host vegetable. Maximum dominance and variety of insects were found in kale and the least abundance was recorded in Mustard leaves because mustard leaves secretes some toxins that repels the insects. Common insects among 3 of them were flea beetles.

Chronological association of foliage insects among specific olericulture crops i.e. mustard, beet root and kale

Chronological association of foliage insects among specific olericulture crops i.e. mustard, beet root and kale

Foliage pests of Marula (Sclerocarya birrea) in Malawi: susceptibility of different provenances

Knowledge of insects’ damage to Agroforestry species is prerequisite prior to promotion of domestication of the species. The study was conducted to assess foliage insect pests in 21 Sclerocarya birrea provenances. Assessment parameters included tolerance levels, tree canopy position of attack, mode of leaf defoliation and type of insect pests responsible for the damage. The results revealed that highly tolerant provenances to leaf defoliation included Kalanga, Magunde, Moamba, and Marracuene. Highly susceptible provenances comprised of Chikwawa, Rumphi, Ntcheu, Missira and Mangochi. Highly significant (P < 0.001) variations existed in tree damage basing on crown position. The top canopy was the most affected followed by the middle and bottom canopies. Leaf damage was found to be significantly (X2 = 4.989, P = 0.026) associated with fruit production, and leaf damaged trees were found to produce three times (Odds Ratio = 3.2) less fruits compared to undamaged tree leaves. The most dominate form of leaf damage was defoliation (43%), followed by skeletonizing (18%). The least leaf damage trees were 37%. Leaf defoliators comprised of two orders namely Coleoptera (beetle) and Lepidoptera (caterpillar). Ceratitis (Pterandrus) capitata (fruit flies) were the most destructive to mature fruits. Although not the primary objective of the study, Ceratitis (Pterandrus) capitata (fruit flies) was identified as the major pest of Marula fruits. Future provenance or progeny trials should be replicated across different ecological areas in order to assess genotype-by-environment interaction effects resulting from differences in leaf flushing period.

Abundance and diversity of foliage insects among different Olericulture Crops

Vegetables have essential nutrients like Vitamins, minerals, antioxidants and trace elements that play a vital role in human nourishment. Insects directly or indirectly affect these vegetables. Diversity indices provide important information about species in a community and help to understand the population structure at the given place. Diversity, evenness, dominance and richness of specific taxa considered the main factors of this indices. The results after the whole research as described in methodology showed that total 389 specimens belonging to 10 orders, 33 families and 59 species were documented from spinach fields while fenugreek pertains to 327 specimens, 9 orders, 30 families, and 55 species, whereas, total 373 specimens related to 11 orders, 34 families and 61 species were documented in case of turnip. Catocala and Drosophila genus 4.89% (N = 16) was recorded at their peak from Fenugreek, whereas from Turnip, Culex was documented with a high percentage of 4.02% (N = 15) and from Spinach, Catocala was recorded with an utmost abundance of 4.88% (N = 19). Maximum diversity, Dominance, Richness and Evenness with different values logged for Spinach and Turnip while the least number recorded for fenugreek.

Abundance and diversity of foliage insects among different Olericulture Crops

Abundance and diversity of foliage insects among different Olericulture Crops

Diversity and Abundance of Foliage Insect Communities in Bitter Ground Field with Regard to Diurnal Rhythms within Faisalabad, Pakistan

Biodiversity is the variability of life on earth that boosts up the ecosystem productivity. Diversity and abundance are the key components that are beneficial for the present and future researchers to control many problems being faced by harmful insects and to promote beneficial insect population for ecosystem sustainability. Therefore, the present study was designed to find out the “Diversity and abundance of foliage insect communities in Bitter gourd field” under the ecological conditions of District Faisalabad. After completing the whole research trials as per methodology, total 211 specimens were collected belonging to 9 orders, 38 families, 63 genera and 73 species in morning and total 213 specimens were collected belonging to 8 orders, 42 families, 58 genera and 65 species in evening. So, keeping in view the importance of these aspects, calculations were made as per Shannon Diversity Index. In bitter gourd fields, maximum diversity was recorded as (1.0533) for evening, while least was recorded (1.0528) for morning and, maximum diversity (H′max) was recorded (2.3284) for evening and least (2.3243) for morning. Maximum evenness was (0.0229) for evening and least (0.0227) for morning while maximum dominance was (1.0229) for evening and least (1.0227) for morning. The maximum value for richness was recorded as (17.1230) for evening while least value (17.0443) for morning.

Diversity of foliage insects around different canal territories: A case study of Dingroo and Kamal Pur canal, Faisalabad, Pakistan

Diversity of foliage insects around different canal territories: A case study of Dingroo and Kamal Pur canal, Faisalabad, Pakistan

Diversity of foliage insects around different canal territories: A case study of Dingroo and Kamal Pur canal, Faisalabad, Pakistan

Diversity Indices are key components to draw the natural lines regarding taxa composition pertaining to any managed or unmanaged landscaping. They consist of diversity, evenness, dominance and richness of inhabiting taxa in that area. This study was carried out to check the diversity among species of class insecta near Kamal Pur canal and Dingroo canal of District Faisalabad, Punjab, Pakistan. Total 117 specimens were collected belonging to 7 orders, 17 families, 22 genera and 27 species from Dingroo canal while total 140 specimens were collected belonging to 7 orders, 23 families, 29 genera and 32 species from Kamal Pur canal. So, keeping in view the importance of these aspects, calculations were made as per Shannon Diversity Index and SPDIVERS.BAS software. Diversity was recorded maximum in Kamal Pur canal (1.0350) while least diversity was recorded for Dingroo canal (1.0293). Diversity maximum (H′ max) was recorded highest for Kamal Pur (2.1461), While least diversity maximum (H′ max) was recorded for Dingroo canal (2.0682). Evenness was recorded maximum for Kamal Pur (0.0163) while least was recorded for Dingroo canal (0.0141). Dominance (D) was recorded maximum for Kamal Pur canal (1.0163) While least recorded for Dingroo canal (1.0141). The value for richness was recorded maximum in Kamal Pur canal (9.8868) whereas least was recorded for Dingroo canal (9.1769). From Dingroo canal, relative abundance recorded maximum for genus Empis 19.66% (N = 23). From Kamal Pur canal, Apis was recorded as an extraordinary genus with relative abundance of 12.14% (N = 17).

A review of castor-derived products used in crop and seed protection

Castor-derived products are currently used for protecting agricultural crops and seeds from devastating damages of pests and diseases. Extracts (1–10%) of leaf or seed in water or chemical solvents, and crude oil (3–5%) extracted from seed were found effective as sprays against foliage insect pests. Populations of the root-knot nematodes were significantly reduced when de-oiled seed cake was incorporated into soil at 1000 kg/ha, especially after mixing it with bio-inoculants such as, a fungus (Poecilomyces lilacinus) or a bacterium (Pasteuria penetrans). Castor proved as a potential synergist when mixed with other plant products or chemical pesticides and exhibited different modes of actions but with comparatively limited insecticidal properties. In less developed and developing countries, the common use of oil is for treating stored cereals and pulses at 5–10 ml/kg seed. In both field and greenhouse experiments, pest mortality and other biological parameters were dose-dependent. This review discusses different uses of castor products to foresee possibility of replacing or at least reducing use of toxic chemicals in crop and seed protection.

The entomofauna on the leaves of two forest species, Fagus sylvatica and Corylus avelana, in Menoikio Mountain of Serres

The insect species composition and their abundance were investigated on the leaves of beech (Fagus sylvatica, Fagaceae) and hazel trees (Corylus avelana, Betulaceae) in the mixed forest located in Menoikio Mountain of Serres. For that purpose from April to June 2011 leaves were collected from the two forest species at weekly intervals and the insects found were reared in the laboratory under outdoor conditions and checked every day till their pupation and adult emergence. A total of 27 insect species was recorded. These insects belonged to seven orders. Fifteen Coleoptera species, 4 Hemiptera species, 3 of Lepidoptera species, 2 of Hymenoptera species and 1 species to the orders Diptera, Neuroptera, and Ephemeroptera were found. The results disclose that the number of insect species found on leaves of hazel trees was fewer than the insect species on beech trees. On hazel trees the population of Lymantria dispar (Lepidoptera: Lymantriidae) was much higher than in beech trees. The species of Coleoptera collected from hazel trees were Phyllobius pyri (Coleoptera: Curculionidae), Rhynchaenus populi (Coleoptera: Curculionidae) and Agiotes acuminatus (Coleoptera: Elateridae). In beech trees the insect species found more frequently were Rhynchaenus fagi (Coleoptera: Curculionidae), Phyllobius pyri (Coleoptera: Curculionidae) and Anobium punctatum (Coleoptera: Anobiidae). The largest population of insects was observed at the end of spring, because the life cycle of the foliage insects were synchronized with leaf- flushing of the foliage.

Population Density of Foliage Insect Pest on Jujube, Ziziphus mauritiana Lam. Ecosystem

Jujube, Ziziphus mauritiana L. is the King of arid zone fruits, due to its adaptations to tolerate the biotic and abiotic stresses. However, the occurrence of insect pest is the major threat to reduce the quality and quantity of fruits. The current studies are the first comprehensive evidence on the population density of foliage insect pests evaluated on two different varieties, Golden Gola (susceptible) and White Kherol (resistance) at farmer’s field Tando Qaiser, District Hyderabad during 2007 and 2008. A total of 13 different insect pests which were categorized as major (Ancylis sativa, Euproctis fraterna and Adoretus pallens), minor (Scirtothrips dorsalis, Amrasca biguttula biguttula, Myllocerus discolor, Achaea janata, Agrotis biconica and Aphis gossypii) and occasional (Oxycareous hyalinipennis, Dichromorpha viridis, Tarucus balkanicus and Orgyia postica) based on overall population of two years. The mean population percentage of insect pests indicates the highest percentage for E. fraterna followed by A. pallens, A. biguttula biguttula, M. discolor and S. dorsalis on White Kherol, whereas, Golden Gola was severely infested and showed maximum percentage with A. sativa followed by E. fraterna, S. dorsalis, A. pallens and A. biguttula biguttula. It is concluded that A. sativa, E. fraterna and A. pallens are serious insect pests of jujube. Pest monitoring with direct count and light trap can help to determine the ETL that is most important for the management of various insect pests including these major and minor pest. The present study will hopefully be helpful for management of foliage insect pests of jujube..

English

&nbsp; Cotton is the chief fibre crop of global importance. It plays a significant role in the national economy. Cotton crop is vulnerable to a number of insect species, especially to the larvae of lepidopteron pests. 60% insecticides sprayed on cotton are meant to control the damage caused by bollworm complex. Transgenic technology has become a popular option for the development of bollworm resistant cotton.Spodoptera litura&nbsp;is one of the notorious emerging pests in cotton. Introduction ofcry1EC&nbsp;gene into commercial variety have very significant importance.&nbsp;This research work was carried out to transform chimeric &delta;-endotoxin&nbsp;Cry1EC&nbsp;into cotton.&nbsp;The tobacco cutworm (Spodoptera litura) is a polyphagous foliage insect which is susceptible to the chimeric &delta;-endotoxin&nbsp;Cry1EC.&nbsp;Six month-old highly friable embryogenic calli derived from cotyledonary explants of Coker 310 were used for transformation&nbsp;using&nbsp;Agrobacterium&nbsp;tumefaciens strain LBA4404 harboring plasmid pBI101.1 carrying the marker gene neomycin phosphotransferase II (npt II) and a synthetic&nbsp;cry 1EC&nbsp;gene under a constitutive 35 S promoter.&nbsp;Agrobacterium&nbsp;treatedcalli were selected on MS medium containing,&nbsp;50 mg/L kanamycin, 500 mg/L cefotaxime, 30 g/L maltose and 0.4% phytagel. Embryos developed on kanamycin resistant calli were maintained on the same medium till somatic embryos matured. The cotyledonary stage embryos (3 to 5 mm size) were germinated on MS basal slat with 0.1 mg/L GA3 + 1.0 mg/L IAA, 30 g/L sucrose and solidified with 0.4% phytagel. The regenerated putative transgenic plants were&nbsp;hardened and transferred to the transgenic green house. Transgenic plants were confirmed by polymerase chain reaction (PCR) amplification of 800 bp npt II fragment, and&nbsp;578 bp amplification ofcry1Ec&nbsp;gene. Transgenic plant with single copy insertion of&nbsp;cry1EC&nbsp;was selected in T0&nbsp;by southern blot hybridization. Insect bioassay using&nbsp;Spodoptera litura&nbsp;larvae of first instar stages on T0&nbsp;plants showed 70% mortality.&nbsp;Not much data has been published on the toxicity of the endotoxins to&nbsp;S. litura, which is a common pest in warm and humid climates. Efforts are aimed at recovering more efficient transgenic plants through efficient transformation system and developing high resistant transgenic cotton against&nbsp;S. litura&nbsp;and will paved a way for promising future in cotton production. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; Key words:&nbsp;Agrobacterium&nbsp;transformation,&nbsp;cry 1EC, molecular analysis, insect bioassay.

Expression of δ‐endotoxin Cry1EC from an inducible promoter confers insect protection in peanut (Arachis hypogaea L.) plants

Spodoptera litura (F.) is a polyphagous foliage insect and a major pest on peanut (Arachis hypogaea L.). Constitutive expression of δ-endotoxin Cry1EC gives protection against S. litura, as reported earlier. In this study, insect bites and salicylic acid induced high-level expression of Cry1EC was achieved in peanut. In order to achieve this, the expression of pathogenesis responsive promoter PR-1a was enhanced by placing it downstream of the CaMV35S promoter in the pCAMBIA 1300 backbone. The resultant promoter CaMV35S(r)PR-1a expressed a high level of insecticidal δ-endotoxin Cry1EC. The Gus expression under the control of CaMV35S(r)PR-1a served as a convenient marker for evaluation of promoter response to different treatments. Transgenic events that showed a very low level of uninduced expression and no expression in seeds were selected. The Cry1EC expression in leaves increased nearly eightfold in the selected event, following induction by salicylic acid. Both the salicylic-acid-treated and the S. litura-bitten leaves showed the highest expression after 2 days. Leaves from salicylic-acid-induced transgenic plants caused 100% mortality of S. litura at all stages of larval development. The results suggest that high expression of inducible promoters provides a good strategy for the development of safer transgenic food and feed crops.

Expression of a synthetic cry1EC gene for resistance against Spodoptera litura in transgenic peanut (Arachis hypogaea L.)

The tobacco cutworm (Spodoptera litura) is a polyphagous foliage insect and a major pest on peanut (Arachis hypogaea L.). S. litura is susceptible to the chimeric delta-endotoxin Cry1EC reported earlier. De-embryonated cotyledon explants of peanut were transformed using Agrobacterium tumefaciens strain EHA101 harboring a synthetic cry1EC gene driven by the CaMV 35S promoter. Transgenic plants of peanut with a single copy insertion of cry1EC were selected in the T(0) generation by Southern blot hybridization. Real-time PCR, Western blot and ELISA analysis indicated that expression of the cry1EC gene was higher in single copy T(1) plants. Immunoassay showed expression of Cry1EC up to 0.13% of total soluble protein in T(1) plants. Leaf feeding bioassay on highly expressing transgenic lines showed 100% killing of larvae at the 2(nd) instar stage of S. litura. This is the first report of transgenic peanut plants with resistance to S. litura.

Foliage insect diversity in dry eucalypt forests in eastern Tasmania

Species numbers and composition of the insect fauna occurring on trees and shrubs were studied in dry eucalypt forests in eastern Tasmania over nine years. In all, 1164 named and putative species representing 17 orders and 157 families were collected. The bulk of the species belonged to the orders Coleoptera (28%), Hymenoptera (25%), Hemiptera (18%), Lepidoptera (14%) and Diptera (10%). Of the species collected, 388 -- about one-third -- were identified at least to genus or species level. These included 21 named species not previously listed in the Tasmanian insect fauna and 90 undescribed species. A list of 22 host plants for 171 insect species was compiled from records of 132 insect species observed feeding during the study and from previous records ofinsect/host plant associations for 39 insect species found on the study plots. Most insects were feeding on eucalypts (127 insect species) and acacias (38 species). The most widely distributed and commonly collected species were several well-known pests of eucalypts: Gonipterus scutellatus (Coleoptera: Curculionidae), Uraba lugens (Lepidoptera: N octuidae), Amorbus obscuricornis (Hemiptera: Coreidae), Chaetophyes compacta (Hemiptera: Machaerotidae) and Eriococcus coriaceous(Hemiptera: Eriococcidae). Host plants supporting the richest insect fauna were Eucalyptus amygdalina (74 species), E. obliqua (64), E. viminalis (46), Acacia dealbata (35), E. dalrympleana (33), E. sieberi (31), E. delegatensis (30), E. pulchella (24) and E. globulus (19). The broad-striped ghost moth, Fraus latistria Walker (Lepidoptera: Hepialidae), was collected during the study. This species is classified as 'rare' on the list of Tasmania's threatened fauna and the collection established a new locality record.

Insect predation and seasonal seedfall of the Japanese beech, Fagus crenata Blume, in northern Japan

AbstractThe relationship between seasonal changes in seedfall pattern of the Japanese beech, Fagus crenata, and insect damage to the trees is discussed. Twenty‐six lepidopteran species and one dipteran species were found during a 7‐year study. Insect damage was classified into two categories: feeding by seed insects and feeding by foliage insects. The latter was speculated to occur by chance. Twenty‐three lepidopteran species were identified as foliage feeders and, except for Venusia phasma, their densities were small. There were four seed insects: three Lepidoptera and one Diptera. Because Pseudopammene fagivora was the most abundant in all study plots, this seemed to be the most important insect species related to the seed survival of the Japanese beech. Insect damage was observed early in the season from the time of flowering until mid‐June, except that by two seed insects, P. fagivora and an unidentified lepidopteran of the family Gelechiidae. Most of the seeds infested by insects fell by the end of July. Seedfall throughout the season should be investigated in order to fully understand the interaction between seed production and insect infestation.

Acephate Effect on Dryland and Irrigated Cowpeas When Applied for Thrips (Thysanoptera: Thripidae) and Corn Earworm (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae) Control

Cowpeas grown under dry conditions had significantly higher yield increases following acephate insecticide application at or just before first bloom compared with those receiving other treatments. Yield responses to acephate were lower in fields with abundant moisture or irrigation than in dry fields. Acephate applications for thrips, Frankliniella fusca (Hinds), F. tritici (Fitch), and Neohydatothrips variabilis (Beach) (= Sericothrips variabilis [Beach]), control during early seedling stages resulted in less foliage insect damage. However, acephate applications to seedling stages did not result in yield increases. Corn earworm, Helicoverpa zea (Boddie), had little impact on yield in fields where earworms were monitored.

Use of Scattered Resources in Rain Forest of Humid Tropical Lowlands

Well developed, complex rain forests of humid tropical lowlands (RFHTL) do not seem to support large populations of animals compared with other types of forest. Recent studies of terrestrial and understory species of tropical and subtropical forests indicate that the resources available to animals of RFHTL are generally scattered and uncommon. On the forest floor only ants and termites, among insects, are consistently common; they are utilized as food by a variety of specialized ground insectivores. Terrestrial herbivores that eat large fallen fruit are also generally scarce as are the often specialized insectivores that seek typically uncommon understory foliage insects. The low densities and high degrees of specialization that accommodate animal species to resources of RFHTL may be ultimately due to a combination of relatively low net primary production of undisturbed mature rain forest and the rapid rate of microbial decomposition of forest litter. -from Authors

Transport of the insecticides chlorpyrifos, chlorfenvinphos, carbofuran, carbosulfan, and furathiocarb from soil into the foliage of cauliflower and Brussels sprouts plants grown in the field

In several field assays made in different locations in 1988 and 1989, cauliflower and Brussels sprouts plants were treated some days after plantation by pouring onto soil around the stem of the plant one of the insecticides chlorpyrifos, chlorfenvinphos, carbofuran, carbosulfan, or furathiocarb, for protection against the root fly. During plant growth, each of the insecticides (and their soil metabolites) was transported from soil into the plant foliage, where it could give—during a certain period of time—a secondary plant protection against the foliage insects. The foliage concentrations of the non systemic chlorpyrifos and chlorfenvinphos were equal or greater than 1 mg/kg fresh weight during a period of about 44 days after soil treatment in Brussels sprouts crops, and 35 days in cauliflower crops. Comparison of 1988 and 1989 however showed that these periods of time changed according to the weather conditions, especially rainfall. These periods of time were greater when the insecticide soil concentrations were greater—and thus when the rates of insecticide soil metabolism were smaller— and when the rainfall were greater—water transporting the insecticides from soil to the foliage. Similar relationships were observed with the systemic insecticides carbofuran, carbosulfan and furathiocarb; the weights per plant of insecticide compounds transported from soil into the foliage however were greater with these systemic insecticides than they were with the non systemic chlorpyrifos and chlorfenvinphos. The extreme values observed for the periods of time of insecticide foliage concentrations equal or greater than 1 mg/kg fresh weight thus were: 1. in cauliflower crops: 21 to 36 days for chlorpyrifos, and 23 to 39 days for chlorpyrifos + oxon; 24 to 37 days for chlorfenvinphos; 20 to 48 days for carbofuran; 2. in Brussels sprouts crops: 43 to 49 days for chlorpyrifos; 47 to 53 days for chlorpyrifos + oxon; 41 to 45 days for chlorfenvinphos; between 2 to 3 months for carbofuran, carbofuran + carbosulfan, and carbofuran + furathiocarb in the fields treated respectively with either carbofuran, carbosulfan, or furathiocarb. Moreover, in the spring and summer cauliflower crops made on fields onto which continuous cauliflower crops—with their soil insecticide treatments—had been made since a greater number of years (greater soil “history”), the insecticide compounds soil and foliage concentrations generally were lower.

Control of Collard Pests, 1988:

Abstract ‘Vates’ collards were direct seeded in 4-row plots 20 ft long on 13 Jul. Plants were spaced 2 inches apart in the row with 36 inches between the rows. The treatments were arranged in a randomized complete block design with 4 replications, and each sprayed row was buffered by an unspraved guard row. The soil was a Norfolk A loamy sand. All spray treatments were mixed in 0.5 liter of water to which 0.01% of a liquid detergent was added as a spreader and applied with a trombone type garden sprayer calibrated to deliver 30 gal/acre. The Autographa californica nuclear polyhedrosis virus (NPV) was applied in an unencapsulated formulation and several encapsulated formulations with different sunscreen materials to determine the effectiveness of these materials in protecting the virus from the ultraviolet and visible light just above the UV region. The NPVs do not infect ICW so that damage to plants in rows treated with virus was from ICW and CL. All rows were treated with their respective applications on 16 and 23 Aug. On 23 Aug 50 second-instar CL were released on each of the test rows. On 7 and 14 Sep the foliage injury ratings and insect counts were taken. Foliage ratings ranged from 1 to 5 and were indexed as follows; 1, 0-3% damage (odd holes in leaves); 2, 4-10% damage (few leaves with holes); 3, 11-25% damage (moderate number of leaves with holes); 4, 26-50% damage (most leaves with holes); and 5, 51-100% damage (crown damage, all leaves with holes, or both).