Infested Plant Parts Research Articles

Identification of Some Species of the Family Coccidae that Infest Fruit Orchards in Syria

Saleh, A.T. and A.M. Basheer. 2024. Identification of Some Species of the Family Coccidae that Infest Fruit Orchards in Syria. Arab Journal of Plant Protection, 42(2): 174-183. https://doi.org/10.22268/AJPP-001224 Soft scale insects are serious plant pests, are often small and highly cryptic. These pests are economically important in agriculture. Insect samples and infested plant parts were collected during the period April to June 2016 and 2017 from three locations (Al-Sanobar, Daba, and Jaba) and then brought to the Biological Control Studies and Research Center (BCSRC). The following soft scale insects of the order Coccomorpha and family Coccidae were identified: Coccus pseudomagnoliarum Kuwana, in Al-Sanobar and Dabba in Lattakia governorate in Java orange orchards, Saissetia oleae Olivier and C. pseudomagnoliarum Kuwana in Pomelo citrus tree in Daba locality, Sphaerolecanium prunastri Fonscolombe at the third site Jaba, Quneitra governorate, in almond orchards, and to our knowledge is the first record in Syria. Identification and characterization of the soft scale insects was based on microscopic characters of adult female using slide-mounted specimens. Identification of pests is essential for the implementation of biological control programs. Keywords: Coccidae, soft scale insects, Syria

A Taxonomic Study of Some Species of Hyperparasitoids Attacking the Primary Parasitoid Microterys nietneri of the Citricola Scale Insect, Coccus pseudomagnoliarum in Syria

Saleh, A.T. and A.M. Basheer. 2023. A Taxonomic Study of Some Species of Hyperparasitoids Attacking the Primary Parasitoid Microterys nietneri of the Citricola Scale Insect, Coccus pseudomagnoliarum in Syria. Arab Journal of Plant Protection, 41(3): 292-305. https://doi.org/10.22268/AJPP-41.3.292305 The citricola scale insect, Coccus pseudomagnoliarum, (Kuwana) (Hemiptera: Coccomorpha: Coccidae) is an economically important pest that occurs on citrus trees along the Syrian coast. The samples of host insects and infested plant parts were collected from April to June during 2016 and 2017 from two locations (Al-Sanobar, Dabba) in Lattakia Province and brought to the Biological Control Studies and Research Center (BCSRC), Faculty of Agriculture, Damascus University. Based on the information gathered, Microterys nietneri (Motschulsky) (Hymenoptera: Encyrtidae) may play an important role as a biological control agent of citricola scale insect, but high hyperparasitoids levels reduced M. nietneri efficiency as a citricola scale parasitoid. The objective of this study was to describe and identify naturally occurring hyperparasitoids. The following parasitoids were identified and reported for the first time in Syria: Cheiloneurus claviger (Thomson), Pachyneuron muscarum (Linnaeus), and Marietta leopardine (Motschulsky). Microscopic images were provided to illustrate the morphological and morphometric characteristics of these species. Keywords: Hyperparasitoids, Citricola scale, Microterys, Syria

A Study on Biodiversity of Citrus Orchards at Ramganj Mandi, Kota, Rajasthan, India

Area around Ramganj Mandi in Kota district has a distinct place in citrus crop production at national and international levels. The inquiry led to the identification of the insect pests that attack citrus orchards in the Kota region. The most destructive major insect pests of a citrus crop were identified. The most widespread and significant contributor to the production of citrus crops in the citrus orchards of Ramganj Mandi is the mandarin orange (Citrus reticulata), along with other citrus crops. Identification and study of these pests were carried out with the help of experts and various reference materials. Observation and collection of insect-pest specimens were done by the sweeping method for further study with a collection of infested plant parts at the citrus orchards of Kota. In the context of the present study, it can be concluded that necessary efforts should be made and implemented to conserve the biodiversity of citrus orchards..

Refinement of different combinations of (Brinjal Shoot and Fruit Borer) in Brinjal

BSFB (Brinjal shoot and fruit borer) Lesinoides orbonalis is the most destructive insect for brinjal production. It reduces the value of market price. The experiment comprised eight (8) treatments including one untreated plot. The treatments comprised different rational combinations of mechanical control involving collection and destruction of infested plant parts, use of sex pheromone trap in the centre of the plot and at the canopy level and judicious application of Marshal 20 EC @ 2ml per litter of water based on adult monitoring or routine spray. The treatments differed among themselves in efficacy, and treatment that comprised pheromone trap placed at the plant canopy + mechanical control + spray of Marshal 20 EC @ 2ml per litter of water 2 days interval just from the flowering was adjudged showed significantly lower fruit infestation (different fruiting stage 6.43%, 13.70%, 8.90% respectively) compared to other treatments. Among all the treatment T3 (pheromone trap placed at the plant canopy + mechanical control + spray of Marshal 20 EC @ 2ml per litter of water 2 days interval just from the flowering) was the best option. This treatment also provided the highest benefit cost ratio (2.09) among all the treatments.

Assessing potentiality of safer ways to manage citrus leaf miner and lemon butterfly

Effectiveness of two safer pest management modules was tested against the important pests of citrus namely, citrus leaf miner and lemon butterfly. Natural components like neem oil, vegetable oil, asafoetida, acetylsalicyclic acid, pheromone trap, mechanical removal of infested plant parts and a naturolyte, spinetoram were incorporated into the modules. The components worked effectively to check the build up of the pest populations and their damages and the modules showed good effectiveness against the targeted pests and sponsored good yields. The standard chemical check also registered at par yields but the safer treatments were more cost-effective and environment friendly than standard chemical check.

The occurrence of Xylosandrus compactus and its associated fungi on cacao from South Sulawesi, Indonesia: A preliminary study of an emerging threat to the cacao industry

Xylosandrus compactus is one of the significant beetle pests on perennial crops, which has become an increasing problem on cacao productivity and sustainability in South Sulawesi, Indonesia. The beetle is also known as ambrosia beetle due to the obligate association with symbiotic fungi. The beetle and infested plant parts were collected from infested Theobroma cacao in the field, then the beetles identified morphologically and the associated fungi isolated. In this study, we found that the beetles attacked all stages of cocoa growing in the field such as seedling, young trees and mature trees with visible symptoms including the appearance of round bore holes with powdery frass on the tree trunk and branches. Also, we found the beetle being distributed in three main cocoa areas in South Sulawesi. According to the beetle´s characteristic, the female has the black colour of the body (head and elytra), size 1–2 mm and the shining slope. Six types of fungi were isolated from infected plant parts and the beetle X. compactus: Fusarium-like colony (two isolates), Lasiodiplodia-like colony, Ceratocyctis-like colony and Diaporthe-like colony (two isolates). Among the fungi isolated, several fungi were known as the pathogen. The beetle and its associated fungi are responsible for the typical dieback symptoms, decline and sudden death inflicted on a number of cacao trees. The occurrence of X. compactus on cacao tree is reported for the first time from Sulawesi, Indonesia. The beetle pest infestation will become a significant threat to the future of the cacao industry in Sulawesi, Indonesia.

OCCURRENCE, DISTRIBUTION, HOST PREFERENCE AND DAMAGE SEVERITY OF RED PUMPKIN BEETLE- A Review

The red pumpkin beetle has been found to be widely distributed throughout all zoogeographic regions of the world except the Neoarctic and Neotropical regions and all over the South-East Asia, Africa, Mediterranean region towards the west and Australia in the East. It was also found to occur in Bangladesh, India, Pakistan, Afganistan, Ceylon, Burma, Indo-China, Iraq, Iran, Persia, Palestine, Greece, Turkey, Israel, South Europe, Algeria, Egypt, Cyprus and the Andaman Island. The red pumpkin beetle has been found to be abundant in April and May. The highest incidence of the red pumpkin beetle was found to appear at around 9 am. The highest incidence of red pumpkin beetle was recorded on muskmelon, which was followed by sweet gourd and cucumber at seedling, vegetative and reproductive stages of cucurbit plants. Cucurbits, sweet potato and some legumes were found to be the hosts of this beetle. Among all hosts, sweet gourd and muskmelon were found to be the most preferred hosts followed by cucumber and khira while bitter gourd, snake gourd, sponge gourd and ribbed gourd were found to be least or non-preferred hosts by the red pumpkin beetle. It was found to cause damage up to 35-75% on cotyledons at seedling stage, around 70% on leaves and 60% on flowers by making irregular holes on infested plant parts.

Survey of Major Insect Pests, Uses of Management Practices and Other Related Information of Sugarcane (<i>Saccharum officinarum</i> L.) Growers of the Northern Region of Bangladesh

Kantajir sugarcane Farm is the largest farm that situated a Kharol thana, Dinajprur, Bangladesh. There are 140.08 hectares (346 acres) of land. Farmers of the adjacent locality received leased of that land and cultivate sugarcane. Data collected from those farmers (5o farmers) during 01.01.12 to 31.03.12 from Sunderbon union of that Thana. Farmers informed that stem borer (Chilo tumidicostalis), early shoot borer (Chilo infuscatellus), top shoot borer (Scirpophaga incertulus), root borer (Emmalocera depressela), termite (Odontotermies obsesus), mealy bug (Sacchariccous sacchari) and scale insect (Melanapis glomerata) were major pest, respectively; even after application of insecticides (Furadan 5G). Moreover, 77.27% farmers informed that they used only Furadan 5G for the control of all type of stem borers; 54.54% farmers informed that they used losburn for control of termite. But removal of stem borer infested plant parts and killing of early shoot borer larvae by removal of soil was followed 21% farmers. In addition, the highest 77.27% farmers were acknowledged that those received information from the ‘Sugarcane development assistance’ followed by ‘Center in charge (13.63%). Additionally, 814.82% farmers said that they cultivated Isd 37 sugarcane variety followed by Isd-21 (40.91% farmers), and Isd 26 (27.27% farmers). Furthermore, 63.63% farmers informed that those cultivated chili Capsicum annuum as relay crops followed by potato Solanum tuberosum 54.54% (farmers), tomato Solanum lycopersicum 18.18% (farmers) and cucumber Cucumis sativus 13.63% (farmers). Moreover, farmers obtained every inputs such as sugarcane set (seeds), fertilizer and insecticide as loan and those loans were paid during the selling of sugarcane to the mill of Shetabgonj (Dinajpur, Bangladesh). In addition, those farmers claimed that they suffered various problems for sugarcane cultivation such as lack of marketing facilities (late purchase of sugarcane by the sugarcane mill, when it reduced its weight due do dry) and stem borer insect infestation.

Skuteczność nowych preparatów w ochronie astra chińskiego przed mikozami

Field experiments were carried out in 2010 and 2011 on three dwarf cultivars of China-aster: Duszek, Skrzat and Srebrzysta Gwiazdka. The following biological plant protection products were applied: Polyversum WP (Pythium oligandrum), Trifender WP (Trichoderma asperellum) and biotechnical product HF-Mycol (fennel oil – 23.08%) and Prev-B2 (D-limonene – 4.2%, boron – 2.1%). Fungicide Amistar 250 SC (azoxystrobin 250 g/l) was used as a standard, and unprotected plants were untreated control. Health conditions of leaves, stems and inflorescences were studied during the vegetation season. Collected data included number of wilting and dying plants. Mycological analyzes were also carried out on infested plant parts. Amistar 250 SC and Polyversum WP used preventively in protection of aster wilt showed the highest effectiveness. They also limited the decay of whole plants. Products Amistar 250 SC and Prev-B2 efficiently inhibited the development of dieback of entire inflorescences. Prophylactic spraying with Amistar 250 SC, Prev-B2 and Polyversum WP effectively limited the occurrence of lesions on the leaves and shoots in comparison with plants from control treatment. Doświadczenia polowe przeprowadzono w latach 2010 i 2011 na 3 odmianach karłowych astra chińskiego: Duszek, Skrzat i Srebrzysta Gwiazdka. Zastosowano preparaty biologiczne: Polyversum WP (Pythium oligandrum) i Trifender WP (Trichoderma asperellum) oraz preparaty biotechniczne: HF-Mycol (olejek fenkułowy – 23,08%) i Prev-B2 (olejek pomarańczowy – 4,2%, bor – 2,1%). Jako standardowy fungicyd użyto Amistar 250 SC (azoksystrobina 250 g/l). Kontrolę stanowiły rośliny niechronione. Podczas wegetacji oceniano zdrowotność liści, pędów oraz kwiatostanów. Odnotowano ilość więdnących i zamierających roślin. Przeprowadzono także analizy mikologiczne porażonych części roślin. Najskuteczniejszymi preparatami w ochronie astra przed pasożytniczym więdnięciem okazały się zastosowane profilaktycznie: Amistar 250 SC oraz Polyversum WP, które równocześnie ograniczały zamieranie całych roślin. Preparaty Amistar 250 SC oraz Prev-B2 skutecznie hamowały rozwój zamierania całych kwiatostanów. Profilaktyczne opryskiwania środkami Amistar 250 SC, Pev-B2 i Polyversum WP skutecznie ograniczały występowanie zmian chorobowych zarówno na liściach, jak i pędach w porównaniu z roślinami z kombinacji kontrolnej.

Dispersal strategies of Aceria guerreronis (Acari: Eriophyidae), a coconut pest

The dispersal of plant-feeding mites can occur involuntarily, through transportation of infested plant parts, or voluntarily, by walking to new plant parts or to suitable spots where biotic (phoresis) or abiotic (wind, agricultural tools, etc.) factors carry them over long distances. Elucidating the dispersal mechanisms of the coconut mite, Aceria guerreronis Keifer, is important for understanding the process of colonization of new fruits of a same or different plants, essential for the improvement of control strategies of this serious coconut pest. Thus, the objective of this work was to investigate the voluntary dispersal mechanisms of this mite. The hypothesis that the coconut mite disperses by walking, phoresis or wind were tested. The coconut mite was shown to be able to walk short distances between fruits of the same bunch or between bunches of the same plant. Phoresis on insects of the orders Hymenoptera (Apidae), Coleoptera (Curculionidae) and Lepidoptera (Phycitidae) was evaluated in the laboratory and in the field. Although in the laboratory mites were shown to be able to climb onto honeybees, field investigations failed to show these insects as important carriers of the pest, corroborating findings of previous works; however, both laboratory and field investigations suggested the curculionid Parisoschoenus obesulus Casey to be able to transport the coconut mite between plants. Similarly, laboratory and field investigations suggested wind to be important in the dispersal of the coconut mite between plants.

Olfactory response of predatory mites to vegetative and reproductive parts of coconut palm infested by Aceria guerreronis

The phytophagous mite Aceria guerreronis Keifer is an important pest of coconut worldwide. A promising method of control for this pest is the use of predatory mites. Neoseiulus baraki (Athias-Henriot) and Proctolaelaps bickleyi Bram are predatory mites found in association with A. guerreronis in the field. To understand how these predators respond to olfactory cues from A. guerreronis and its host plant, the foraging behavior of the predatory mites was investigated in a Y-tube olfactometer and on T-shaped arenas. The predators were subjected to choose in an olfactometer: (1) isolated parts (leaflet, spikelet or fruit) of infested coconut plant or clean air stream; (2) isolated parts of non-infested or infested coconut plant; and (3) two different plant parts previously shown to be attractive. Using T-shaped arenas the predators were offered all possible binary combinations of discs of coconut fruit epidermis infested with A. guerreronis, non-infested discs or coconut pollen. The results showed that both predators were preferred (the volatile cues from) the infested plant parts over clean air. When subjected to odours from different infested or non-infested plant parts, predators preferred the infested parts. Among the infested plant parts, the spikelets induced the greatest attraction to predators. On the arenas, both predators preferred discs of coconut fruits infested with A. guerreronis over every other alternative. The results show that both predators are able to locate A. guerreronis by olfactory stimuli. Foraging strategies and implications for biological control are discussed.

Perception of Chromatic Cues During Host Location by the Pupal ParasitoidPimpla turionellae(L.) (Hymenoptera: Ichneumonidae)

Chromatic and achromatic plant cues are expected to be particularly important for parasitoids of endophytic pupal hosts, because these stages do not feed and therefore avoid volatile emission caused by plant tissue damage. Endophytic feeding can cause discoloration or desiccation, leading to changes in color and/or brightness of infested plant parts that may be visually detected by parasitoids. The role of color cues in the host-finding behavior of parasitoids is poorly understood, and the visual system of most parasitoid species has not yet been investigated. We studied color discrimination ability and innate color preferences in the pupal parasitoid Pimpla turionellae (L.) (Hymenoptera: Ichneumonidae) during location of concealed hosts. Responses to combinations of yellow and blue bands of different reflectance intensities were investigated on cylindrical models of plant stems. The parasitoid’s reaction to these chromatic cues was evaluated by scoring the number of ovipositor insertions into the colored bands. Female parasitoids discriminated blue from yellow irrespective of total reflectance and inserted their ovipositors significantly more often into the blue area. True color vision is demonstrated for the examined species, and responses to chromatic cues are discussed in relation to their importance for host location in parasitoids. Results of this study and of our previous work suggest that P. turionellae uses contrasts (chromatic or achromatic) rather than specific color characteristics in visual host location.

Determinants of assemblage size for the parasitoids of Cecidomyiidae (Diptera).

The parasitoids known to attack 191 phytophagous species of gall midges (Cecidomyiidae) were used to examine factors influencing parasitoid assemblage size. The number of parasitoid species a midge species supports was tested against nine variables describing geographical, biological and ecological attributes of hosts. The apparency of midge larvae was found to have the greatest influence on parasitoid assemblage size; highly visible species support more parasitoids than less visible ones. Pupation site and midge voltinism also significantly affect associated parasitoids, at least for highly apparent hosts. Biogeographic region, host-plant architecture and the plant parts infested were found to be of secondary importance. The surface texture of infested plant parts, the number of midge larvae occupying galls and the diversity of plant tissues infested have minimal apparent effects on parasitoid richness. Parasitoid assemblage size and total parasitism rates were also found to be positively correlated for 73 galling and nongalling midge species, and gallers typically suffer higher levels of parasitism than non-gallers. Using these data to test the "enemy hypothesis", which proposes that the galling habit has evolved to escape attack from parasitoids, we conclude that parasitoid pressure cannot account for the presence of galls in the Cecidomyiidae.

Mite-Induced Bud Gall in Globemallow

At the Nevada Test Site an abnormality was observed in branch tips and young leaves of a globemallow, Sphaeralcea grossulariaefolia (Hook. and Am.) Rydb. In infested plant parts, terminal internodes are shortened, and the dwarfed leaves are crumpled, forming conspicuous bud galls. The windborne mite which causes the gall is identified as the crumple or bud mite, Acalitus sphaeralceae Keifer (Eriophyidae). Within the terminal plant growth, the female lays eggs and feeds on embryonic tissues, injecting saliva and aspirating the liquefied plant material. Subsequently the leaf grows into the crumpled condition, providing crevices which the immature and adult mites inhabit and producing enlarged nurse cells upon which both young and adults feed. Leaves become modified predomi- nantly by folding over, enclosing these surface parasites which do not enter the mesophyll. In leaves involved in gall formation the mesophyll, normally closely packed palisade, develops as loosely arranged spongy tissue. Considered an invading weed species, the perennial Sphaeralcea grossulariaefolia is common at sites of mechanical soil disturbance. Within the Nevada Proving Ground, it grows primarily along road- sides, in bladed areas and peripheral to atomic ground zeros. In 1957, a terminal stem and leaf distortion was observed only in the vicinity of a balloon shot test area, Hood Ground Zero 9. Balloon shot sites were the most highly irradiated areas within the Nevada Test Site (Shields et al., 1963). In 1958, the abnormal condition was found in a number of mallow plants in the vicinity of a tower ground zero approximately five miles from the Hood shot area. In affected plants, crumpled dwarf leaves form terminal clusters which persist after the abscission of normal leaves (Fig. 1). In July, 1959, more than 250 Sphaeralcea were marked by numbered stakes at three ground zeros and along roadsides in Yucca Flat. The abnormality was present in approximately half of this number. In April, 1960, only one of the 38 surviving marked plants was affected. By late July, only nine plants remained, all nor- mal. These were largely along drainage lines, suggesting that two successive drought years contributed to the population decrease.

Sap Beetle (Coleoptera: Nitidulidae) Management in Strawberries

Sap beetles (Coleoptera: Nitidulidae) are conspicuous arthropods that feed on flowers, fruits, sap, fungi, stored products, decaying and fermenting plant tissues from diverse trees and crops, including strawberries. Sap beetles work in association with yeasts and other fungi causing the fermentation of infested plant parts (Fig. 1). They also are known to transport a variety of microorganisms that cause plant diseases; a few species can behave as predators of various ornamental pests (Dowd, 1991; Dowd and Weber, 1991). Sap beetles are often considered minor pests; however, their main impact is due to the contamination of products caused by adults and larvae. This document is HS993, one of a series of the Horticultural Sciences Department, Florida Cooperative Extension Service, Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences, University of Florida. Publication date: October 2004.
 HS993/HS234: Sap Beetle (Coleoptera: Nitidulidae) Management in Strawberries (ufl.edu)