Oemona Hirta Research Articles

The use of modern computer technology to determine the possibility of acclimatization of adventitious phytophages in Ukraine during the analysis of phytosanitary risk (РRA)

The article contains information on the use of modern computer technologies to determine the possibility of acclimatization of adventitious phytophages in Ukraine during the analysis of phytosanitary risk. The use of modern computer programs Agro Atlas, MapInfo v.11.0 and Idrisi Taiga allowed in a short time to analyze the availability of fodder base (host plants) and the correspondence of ecoclimatic conditions of Ukraine, as AРR region, to the corresponding indicators of the modern range of pests and to identify potential acclimatization zones for Oemona hirta (lemon tree borer) and Thaumatotibia leucotreta (false apple moth).

Practical methodology of assessing probability of establishment of adventive plant pests

Aim. To develop practical methodology of assessing the probability of establishment of adventive pests out- side of their native range of distribution, using specialized software. Methods. International standards for pest risk analysis ISPM No. 2, ISPM No. 11, ISPM No. 21, РМ 5/1(1), РМ 5/2(2), РМ 5/3(5), РМ 5/5(1) and Agro Atlas (Afonin et al., 2008), MapInfo v.11.0 (Pitney Bowes) and Idrisi Taiga (Сlarklabs) software. Results. The presence of host-plant species range and the correspondence of ecoclimatic conditions of Ukraine (as a pest risk analysis area) to the climate indices of the current area of distribution of such pests as Oemona hirta (lemon tree borer) and Thaumatotibia leucotreta (false codling moth) were studied using specifi ed software. The potential areas of establishment of these pests in Ukraine were defi ned. Conclusions. The effi ciency and convenience of me-thods of assessing the risk of establishment of adventive plant pests using Agro Atlas, MapInfo v.11.0 and Idrisi Taiga software, were proven. It was determined that a potential area of establishment of O. hirta is the sou-thern part of Odessa region, an inconsiderable part of south-west of Mykolayiv region, south-western territory of Kherson region and almost the entire territory of the Crimean Peninsula. A potential area of establishment of T. leucotreta is an inconsiderable territory of the Black Sea coast − Tarkhankut Penin- sula and Kerch Peninsula in the Crimea.

Characterization of the proteases in the midgut of the xylophagous larvae of Oemona hirta (Coleoptera: Cerambycidae)

Abstract The protein digestive capability of the larvae of the longhorn beetle (Oemona hirta, Coleoptera: Cerambycidae, Fabricius, 1775) was investigated. This species feeds only on wood where there is a high proportion of vascular tissue. The pH of the midgut, the major digestive organ, was alkaline and protein hydrolysis was maximal at alkaline pH. Use of specific synthetic peptide substrates showed that the major protease activities were the endopeptidases, trypsin and chymotrypsin‐like activity, and the exopeptidase, leucine aminopeptidase and the pH curves corresponded to that with protein substrate. Studies using a range of serine protease inhibitors as well as specific inhibitors of metalloproteases, cysteine proteases and aspartate proteases confirmed a serine protease‐based digestive system similar to earlier reports of sapwood‐feeding Cerambycids. Control of these insect pests using protease inhibitors is discussed.

Mating Behavior of Oemona hirta (F.) (Coleoptera: Cerambycidae: Cerambycinae) in Laboratory Conditions

Oemona hirta (F.) is a New Zealand longicorn beetle. Its larvae are known to bore into wood of branches and stems of living trees and vines of over 50 species, most of which are exotic such as citrus, apple, persimmon, cherry, chestnut, almond, walnut, grape and poplar, causing serious damage (Miller, 1925; Hudson, 1934; Dumbleton, 1937; Clearwater, 1981; Spiller and Wise, 1982; Rohitha et al., 1992). Adults are flower feeders (Dye, 1950). Control of this pest is still very difficult. Knowledge of mating behavior may provide information for the future development of monitoring and control measures for the pest, and enhance our understanding of the biology and ecology of cerambycid beetles. Several attempts were made to observe mating activities of O. hirta beetles in the field but all failed (Dye, 1950; Clearwater and Muggleston, 1985; Q. Wang, unpublished data). Previous studies show that (1) caged virgin males and females and black light failed to attract any adult of either sex in the field (Clearwater and Muggleston, 1985; Q. Wang, unpublished data), (2) adults of both sexes were attracted to fermenting plant materials (Dye, 1950), and (3) females preferred wounds on trees as oviposition sites (Dye, 1950; Clearwater and Muggleston, 1985). These observations appear

Development, survival, body weight, longevity, and reproductive potential of Oemena hirta (Coleoptera: Cerambycidae) under different rearing conditions.

Oemona hirta (F.) is a New Zealand native longicorn beetle, whose larvae bore into the wood of branches and stems of living trees and vines, causing serious damage. To explore effective methods for maintaining laboratory colonies and biology of immature stages of this species we evaluated four laboratory rearing methods with both natural and artificial diets and compared biological parameters of laboratory colonies with those of field-collected insects. On an artificial diet, approximately 40% of neonate and 70% of autumn- and 11% of winter-collected larvae reached adulthood. Neonate larvae could not complete their development in cut poplar (Populus nigra variety italica Koehne) twigs; however, when twigs were standing in water >46% of neonate larvae survived to adulthood. Mean larval development time ranged from approximately150 to almost 300 d, depending on rearing methods. Mean pupal stage ranged from 15 to 19 d. Adult females were significantly heavier than males. Although adult females from field-collected twigs and reared on the artificial diet had similar mean body weight, which was significantly greater than that of other rearing colonies, the potential fecundity was the highest in the former (83.1 +/- 29.4 eggs) and the lowest in the latter (33.5 +/- 9.1 eggs). In all laboratory-reared and field-collected insects, the total number of eggs produced (eggs laid + eggs that remained in dead female body) by females was positively correlated with their body weight. When larvae fed on the artificial diet, there was no positive correlation between the number of eggs successfully laid and female body weight. However, when larvae lived on natural food, a positive correlation was found. In laboratory colonies, mean longevity of females (36 to 52 d) was slightly greater than that of males (30 to 50 d) without significant difference between sexes but in the adults from field-collected twigs, males (52 d) lived significantly longer than females (33 d). In terms of time, labor, and the number of resulting adults, collecting larvae in the field in autumn and then transferring them onto artificial diet is the most effective method for maintaining a laboratory colony.

Host preference and sex allocation of three hymenopteran parasitoid species (Ichneumonidae and Braconidae) of a longicorn pest, Oemona hirta (Fabr.) (Col., Cerambycidae)

The host preference and sex allocation of two ichneumond parasitoids, Xanthocryptus novozealandicus (Dalla Torre) and Campoplex sp., and one braconid parasitoid, Apsicolpus hudsoni Turner of the longicorn borer, Oemona hirta, were studied in New Zealand. The size of the borer larvae attacked by the parasitoids can be determined by measuring the gallery width of the borers. These parasitoids are idiobionts and their secondary sex ratio is female‐biased. Females of these species are significantly larger than males, and the females allocate the sex of offspring depending on the size of host larvae, by laying female‐producing eggs on significantly larger host larvae. Xanthocryptus novozealandicus is larger in body size and shorter in ovipositor length than Campoplex sp. and A. hudsoni, and consumes late instar larvae or prepupae in shallow galleries whereas the latter two utilize early to middle instar larvae in deep galleries. Campoplex sp. and A. hudsoni preferred host larvae in significantly larger tree twigs than X. novozealandicus.

Parasitic natural enemies of lemon tree border

In 1997 and 1998, a survey for natural enemies of the lemon tree borer, Oemona hirta (Fabricius), was conducted in the North Island of New Zealand. Citrus twigs with sign of lemon tree borer damage were collected in three locations (Gisborne, Kerikeri and Palmerston North). Two ichneumonid species [Xanthocryptus novozealandicus (Dalla Torre) and Campoplex sp.] and one braconid species (Apsicolpus hudsoni Turner) were recorded attacking larvae of lemon tree borer. X. novozealandicus attacked late instar larvae in shallow galleries and A. hudsoni and Campoplex sp. consumed early to middle instar larvae in deep galleries. Females of all three species laid female-producing eggs on larger host larvae. The overall parasitism rate for all three species was < 5% while the parasitism rate in a Gisborne orchard where no spraying had been conducted in the past five years was much higher: 29.5%, 18.2% and 6.8% for X. novozealandicus, Campoplex sp. and A. hudsoni, respectively.

Reproductive Potential and Daily Reproductive Rhythms of Oemona hirta (Coleoptera: Cerambycidae)

Reproductive potential and daily reproductive rhythms of the tree borer Oemona hirta (F.) were studied in the laboratory. Mean premating periods between emergence from hosts and mating were 3.3 ± 1.9 d (mean ± SD). Preoviposition period averaged 6.1 ± 3.4 d. On average, each female laid 51.3 ± 44.8 eggs and 31.0 ± 20.6 eggs remained in her body upon death. The mean oviposition period was 17.7 ± 9.3 d. Egg hatch rate was 59.5 ± 19.4%. Mean incubation period of eggs was 8.9 ± 1.9 d. Fecundity and longevity were significantly greater in larger females than in smaller ones. Adults were active mainly during scotophase with 66.7% of pair bonds, 72.9% of matings, 97.5% of ovipositions, and 82.2% of feedings taking place during this period. Immediately after scotophase began, feeding activity started and then quickly reached the peak between 2 and 3 h into scotophase. Reproductive activities, including pair bonding, mating, and oviposition occurred later than feeding and reached peaks between 4 and 8 h into scotophase when feeding activity decreased to minimum. Reproductive activities were significantly correlated with 1 another b t not significantly correlated with feeding activity.

An acoustic technique for recording lemon tree borer activity in the laboratory

An acoustic technique for recording lemon tree borer activity in the laboratory

Lemon tree borer damage on persimmon

Lemon tree borer damage on persimmon

Protection of pruning wounds; favoured oviposition sites for the lemon tree borer

Protection of pruning wounds; favoured oviposition sites for the lemon tree borer

Preliminary trials on the control of lemon tree borer with nematodes

Preliminary trials on the control of lemon tree borer with nematodes