Groundnut Leaf Miner Research Articles

Estimation of Yield Losses Due to Major Insect Pests of Groundnut

A field experiment was carried to estimate the yield losses due to the groundnut leaf miner Aproaerema modicella (Deventer), tobacco caterpillar Spodoptera litura (F), leafhoppers Empoasca kerri (Pruthi) and thrips Scirtothrips dorsalis (Hood). The results showed the insect pests caused a significant reduction in plant height and other yield attributing characters. They caused a mean reduction of plant height (22%), primary branches (29.1%) reduction in pods/ plant (54.6%) and (44.5) reduction of kernels/ plant. There was a higher yield in the protected plots with 2050 kg/ ha due to spray of insecticides when compared to unprotected plots with 1123 kg/ ha, with a yield increase of 82.5%.

Bio-efficacy of insecticide pre mix (Chlorpyriphos 50% + Cypermethrin 5% EC) against ground nut leaf miner in Konkan region

Bio-efficacy of insecticide pre mix (Chlorpyriphos 50% + Cypermethrin 5% EC) against ground nut leaf miner in Konkan region

Effect of Newer Insecticides against the Major Insect Pests of Groundnut

Efficacy of some newer insecticides were tested against the groundnut leaf miner Aproaerema modicella (Deventer), tobacco caterpillar Spodoptera litura (F), gram pod borer Helicoverpa armigera (Hubner) and natural enemies (coccinellids) of groundnut. Tolfenpyrad @ 2.5ml/ l was significantly superior in controlling defoliator pests. The next best treatments were tolfenpyrad @ 2ml/ l, spinetoram @ 0.5ml/l, tolfenpyrad @ 1.5ml/ l, thiamethoxam+ lambdacyhalothrin @ 0.4ml/ l. The highest incremental cost benefit ratio (ICBR) was obtained in the treatments with tolfenpyrad @ 2.5ml/ l.

Impact of Abiotic Factors on Population Dynamics of Leaf Miner, Aproaerema modicella D. and Its Natural Enemies in Groundnut

Groundnut leaf miner (Aproaerema modicella. D.) is an important leaf feeding insect in groundnut that significantly reduces the pod yield up to 50 per cent. The growth and development of this insect pest is closely associated with the abiotic weather parameters prevailing in a particular location. Due to paucity of information available on the population dynamics of groundnut leaf miner with abiotic weather factors, a study was undertaken in Erode district of Tamil Nadu during Summer, 2023. Groundnut leaf miner damages were recorded through the fixed plots survey and the adult moth activities were monitored through pheromone traps at weekly intervals. From this study it was found that, the leaf miner incidences were observed from 30 days after sowing. The highest mean leaf miner mean damage (17.84%), pheromone adult catches (58.38 nos./5 traps), coccinellid beetle population (4.70 nos./10 plants) and spider population (5.17 nos./10 plants) were observed during 9th SMW. Whereas, the rove beetle population was maximum (4.62 nos./10 plants) during 10th SMW. The correlation study revealed that the maximum temperature had positive correlation and rainfall had negative correlation with the populations of groundnut leaf miner and its natural enemies. The multiple linear regression analysis indicated that the weather parameters together had 66.00 to 95.00 per cent influence on the groundnut leaf miner and its natural enemy population. The present study clearly indicated that, the population of groundnut leaf miner and its damage levels were closely related to the abiotic weather parameters prevailed in the study area during entire crop duration. Better understanding of the weather factors resulted in better leaf miner management and more net profit for the groundnut growers.

Aproaerema modicella (groundnut leaf miner)

Aproaerema modicella (groundnut leaf miner)

Incidence of Groundnut Leafminer (GLM), Aproaerema modicella (Deventer) (Lepidoptera: Gelechiidae) and its Parasitic Fauna on Alternate Leguminous Hosts in Tamil Nadu, India

Background: The groundnut leafminer (GLM), Aproaerema modicella is an important pest of several legume crops which causes 50 to 100 per cent yield loss in India. The exploration of indigenous natural enemies is crucial to the success of every biological control strategy. Besides, alternative host plants act as a source of both herbivorous pests and their natural enemies. In this view, occurrence of GLM and their parasitic fauna on groundnut, alternate leguminous hosts viz., redgram and babchi were recorded. Methods: Survey on damage potential of GLM and their parasitic fauna were recorded on groundnut at Sivagangai and Coimbatore districts of Tamil Nadu, India during 2016 to 2018. Survey was also conducted to find the damage potential of A. modicella on alternate leguminous hosts viz., redgram, babchi and their parasitic fauna at Coimbatore district. The damage potential of A. modicella, per cent parasitization and parasitoid emergence were assessed from A. modicella infested groundnut, redgram and babchi leaves. Result: Severe incidence of A. modicella was recorded as 98.10% (2016 to 2017) and 98.45% (2017 to 2018) at Sivagangai district. The parasitization of GLM was also found higher at Sivagangai recording 46.67% in both the years which was positively related with the pest population. 13 hymenopteran parasitoids belonging to eight families were recorded. Among them, Avga choaspes Nixon recorded high per cent parasitoid emergence (20.00%). Furthermore, GLM incidence on redgram and babchi indicated the highest damage potential of 38.20 and 34.50 per cent and parasitization of 33.33 and 20.00 per cent, respectively during 2017 to 2018.

Assessment of Diversity Indices and DNA Barcoding of Parasitic Fauna Associated with Groundnut Leafminer (GLM), Aproaerema modicella Deventer (Lepidoptera: Gelechiidae)

Background: Parasitoid wasps have received a great share of heed in the biological control of pests. However, they are often difficult to identify because of their small body size and profound diversity. In this view, biodiversity indices of parasitic fauna was reckoned and proper identification of those biocontrol agents were done through morphological and molecular technique such as DNA barcoding.Methods: Biodiversity indices of parasitoid of Groundnut Leafminer (GLM), Aproaerema modicella Deventer were reckoned for three agroclimatic zones viz., Irrigated Eastern zone (IE), Rainfed zone (R) and Irrigated Western zone (IW) of Tamil Nadu. Biodiversity indices viz., Relative density, Simpson’s Index, Shannon-Wiener Index, Pielou’s Evenness Index, Margalef Index and Beta diversity were assessed for the parasitic fauna associated with GLM. Apart from this, morphological characterization of prominent parasitoids were done with the help of available literatures and taxonomic experts. The molecular characterization of parasitoids were done using mitochondrial Cytochrome Oxidase I (mtCOI).Result: The relative density of parasitoid families and species indicated the dominance of braconidae and Chelonus blackburni Cameron. Among the agroclimatic zones, rainfed zone had higher species diversity, richness and evenness. In addition, the morphological and molecular confirmation revealed that the parasitoids associated with A. modicella as Temelucha spp., Stenomesius japonicus, Bracon hebetor, Sympiesis dolichogaster, Chelonus blackburni and Avga choaspes. The amplified sequences were submitted to NCBI database and accession numbers were obtained.

English

English

Screening of groundnut genotypes against groundnut leaf miner, Aproaerema modicella (Deventer)

Groundnut leaf miner is an oligophagous pest that feeds on leguminous host plants and also on groundnut both in rainy and post rainy season in India and the yield losses can reach up to 76 per cent (Anonymous, 1986) [2]. An experiment was conducted to study the incidence of this pest by screening different groundnut genotypes. Based on the incidence of this pest genotypes TCGS-894 and TCGS-1097 were ranked as highly resistant, ASK-2013-1 was ranked as moderately resistant and Narayani, K-1563, K-4 and Dharani were ranked as susceptible towards their reaction to groundnut leaf miner.

Potential for yield loss reduction and profitability assessment of pesticide control of groundnut leaf miner among soybean genotypes

Groundnut leaf miner (GLM) is currently a threat to soybean production in Uganda due to the great yield losses as a result of the severe damage it causes on leaves leading to reduced photosynthetic area. GLM is a fairly new pest on soybean in Uganda, having initially been observed in soybean fields in 2011 in eastern Uganda. The objective of this study was to determine the yield loss caused by the groundnut leaf miner and effectiveness and profitability of commonly used pesticides for the control of the groundnut leaf miner (Aproaerema modicella Deventer) (GLM), when tested with popular soybean (Glycine max) genotypes grown in Uganda. In a split plot RCBD design, pesticide protection (treated vs. untreated) formed the main plots; and six commercial soybean varieties (Maksoy 1N, 2N, 3N, 4N, 5N; and Namsoy 4M) as subplots. The study was done in two locations in eastern Uganda (Iki Iki District Agricultural Training and Information Centre (Iki Iki DATIC) and National Semi-Arid Resources Research Institute, Serere (NaSARRI) with two planting rounds at Iki Iki. These sites were chosen because they are hot spots for GLM. GLM severity and soybean yield were significantly affected by the pesticide protection. Overall, percentage grain yield losses caused by GLM on the different soybean varieties ranged from 37.3% to 65.7% and the highest loss was displayed by Maksoy 5N. Grain yield loss recorded at Iki Iki DATIC (53.1%) was remarkably higher than that recorded at the NaSARRI (49.1%). Economic analysis showed marginal returns to be dependent on location, with the Iki Iki DATIC having 0.6 and NaSARRI 1.1. This study has shown that the groundnut leaf miner, a recently emergent pest of soybean is becoming a big threat to soybean production and that chemical control alone may not be economical in managing the pest.Key words: Aproaerema modicella, Glycine max, marginal returns, Uganda

English

Groundnut leaf miner (GLM) [Aproaerema modicella (Deventer)] is a serious problem for soybean cultivation in Uganda causing yield losses of up to 100%. The use of soybean [Glycine max (L.) Merr.] cultivars resistant to GLM attack is an important strategy in the integrated pest management program. The aim of this study was to determine the environment × genotype interaction influence on the soybean resistance traits to GLM attack. Eighteen soybean genotypes were evaluated for resistance to GLM attack. The experiment was set up using randomized complete block design replicated three times under natural pest infestation in Budaka (Eastern) and Arua (Northern) districts in Uganda. Data were subjected to analysis of variance, Pearson’s phenotypic correlation and cluster analysis. Highly significant (p < 0.001) differences among the genotypes were recorded for all the studied traits, except the number of pupae per plant which was significant (p < 0.05). GLM incidence and severity had significant negative correlations with rainfall and relative humidity. However, there were significant positive correlations between minimum temperature and GLM incidence as well as severity for most of the genotypes. Soybean genotypes VI046160 and VI046167 could be used as parents in breeding for resistance to GLM pest. Areas with high rainfall and humidity would be recommended for soybean production to minimize infestation by GLM. Key words: Grain yield, Gelechiidae, incidence, Lepidoptera, natural infestation, severity, weather parameters.

Combining ability and heritability of soybean resistance to groundnut leaf miner

Groundnut leaf miner (GLM) (Aproaerema modicella) (Deventer) is one of the most destructive pests of soybean and groundnuts. In this study, the mode of inheritance, general combining ability (GCA), specific combining ability (SCA) effects, maternal effects of resistance to GLM and grain yield ha−1 were determined. Thirteen soybean parental genotypes and 81 F2 populations were evaluated for resistance to GLM in a 5 × 19 alpha lattice diallel design with two replications under natural GLM infestation in northern (Arua) and eastern (Iki-iki) Uganda during September to December 2016 rainy season. Highly significant differences were observed among parental genotypes and F2 populations for GLM incidence, severity, and grain yield. The estimates of GCA effects were significant for GLM incidence and severity scores but not for the number of larvae per plant and grain yield ha−1. SCA effects were non-significant for all the studied traits, suggesting that GCA effects were the major component responsible for soybean resistance to GLM with additive gene effects being more important for these traits. Baker’s ratio ranged from 0.44-1.0 for most of resistant traits except number of larvae per plant and grain yield ha−1. The results indicated also that cultivars Maksoy1 N, PI615437, PI578457A and NIIGC4.1-2 were good combiners against GLM incidence and severity. Parent PI615437 was a good combiner for grain yield and Maksoy1 N × PI615437 was a superior cross for grain yield and against GLM incidence. There were no maternal effects for the inheritance of resistance to GLM. The study provides a basis for understanding patterns of inheritance of soybean resistance to groundnut leaf miner for an efficient breeding program.

Seasonal monitoring of the flight activity and the incidence of the groundnut leaf minerAproaerema modicella(Lepidoptera: Gelechiidae) at five sites in South Africa

The groundnut leaf miner, Aproaerema modicella (Deventer), invaded the African continent in 1998 and is devastating leaf miner pest of groundnut (Arachis hypogaea L.). There is limited information on this pest's ecology to facilitate the management strategies, and thus a study on its ecology was conducted at five sites in South Africa for two years. We monitored A. modicella flight activity using pheromone traps and larval infestation on various commercial (groundnut, soya bean (Glycine maxima L.), lucerne (Medicago sativa L.) and pigeon pea (Cajanus cajan L.)) and wild hosts in order to understand its dispersal and the role of alternative hosts in the carryover of A. modicella populations from one season to another. The data was correlated with site specific climatic data (rainfall, temperature and humidity). At all locations, groundnut leaf miner moths were caught in traps before crop planting. Though low in numbers, groundnut leaf miner moths were caught during winter at all locations other than Brits. Infestations on pigeon pea and lucerne were observed in March and April 2012. A significant negative association between temperature and A. modicella moth catches was observed at Nelspruit, while Vaalharts had a significant positive association between humidity and A. modicella moth catches. There was no significant correlation between any of the recorded environmental factors and moth catches at Manguzi and Brits. Monitoring A. modicella in the current study provided some useful ecological information regarding the pest which assisted in establishing the pest's peak and off-peak periods. This information should be useful in determining control strategies such as pesticide application schedules.

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...

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.

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.

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.