Leopard Moth Research Articles

Efficacy of two entomopathogenic nematodes Heterorhabditis bacteriophora and Steinernema carpocapsae for control of the leopard moth borer Zeuzera pyrina (Lepidoptera: Cossidae) larvae under laboratory conditions

The biological traits of the entomopathogenic nematodes (EPNs), Steinernema carpocapsae and Heterorhabditis bacteriophora, against the larvae of the leopard moth, Zeuzera pyrina were evaluated in the laboratory. The traits included pathogenicity, penetration potential as well as foraging behaviour. Plate assays were performed using a range of EPN concentrations (5, 10, 20, 50 and 100 infective juveniles (IJs) per larva). The LC50 values for S. carpocapsae and H. bacteriophora were 6.4 and 8.4 IJs larva−1 after 72 h. Both EPN species caused high mortality in branch experiments. Significantly higher mortality rates occurred in the larger larvae after exposure to S. carpocapsae. Both EPN species successfully penetrated the Z. pyrina larvae as well as larvae of Galleria mellonella L. (Lepidoptera: Galleridae).The proportional response of H. bacteriophora to host-associated cues was strongly higher than S. carpocapsae in Petri dishes containing agar 1, 12 and 24 h after EPN application. These results highlight the efficiency of EPNs for the control of Z. pyrina larvae. However, due to the cryptic habitat of Z. pyrina larvae in their galleries in the trees, field trails need to be conducted to further evaluate this potential.

Giant Woolly Bear (larva), Giant or Great Leopard Moth (adult) Hypercompe scribonia (Stoll 1790) (Lepidoptera: Erebidae: Arctiinae)

The giant leopard moth is our largest eastern tiger moth. It was formerly in the family Arctiidae, which now composes the subfamily Arctiinae in the family Erebidae. Giant leopard moths are nocturnal. Males are commonly attracted to lights at night. Sometimes dozens of males come to bright lights set out in good habitat. This 6-page fact sheet was written by Donald W. Hall and published by the UF Department of Entomology and Nematology, August 2014.
 EENY599/IN1043: Giant Woolly Bear (larva), Giant or Great Leopard Moth (adult) Hypercompe scribonia (Stoll 1790) (Lepidoptera: Erebidae: Arctiinae) (ufl.edu)

Population dynamics and economic losses caused by Zeuzera pyrina, a cryptic wood‐borer moth, in an olive orchard in Egypt

Abstract The leopard moth Zeuzera pyrina L. (ZP) is an invasive pest from Europe of increasing significance in North Africa, in particular for olive cultivation. We followed the temporal dynamics by combined light/pheromone trapping over a 10‐year period (2002–2011) in a 240‐ha olive farm in Northern Egypt. The ZP had an annual cycle with one or two peak flights, from late April until October. Time series analysis showed a 2‐year cycle of trap catch. This cycle is likely related to the ‘on/off’ bearing pattern of the olive, where years of high and low yield are observed to alternate. Larval damage in both ‘on’ and ‘off’ years in the infested trees gave fruit yield losses of 37–42%. The loss was estimated to 2.1–4.8 t/ha among susceptible varieties. The relative losses were the same during on and off years. Infestation of four susceptible and five resistant olive cultivars in different cropping systems varied within and between adjacent plots. The results suggest less infestation by intercropping of resistant varieties, which could assist in ZP management. Both temporal and spatial dynamics strongly influence population dynamics and the dynamics are related to variation in the moth host plant.

FUNGAL SPECIES ASSOCIATED WITH A SEVERE DECLINE OF OLIVE IN SOUTHERN ITALY

A severe olive decline of unknown aetiology is currently under investigation in Apulia, (southern Italy). The decline affects mainly aged trees (100 years or older) growing in the Gallipoli bay, on an area extending about 10.000 ha located on the western coast of the Salento peninsula. The disease is characterized by a rapid dieback of shoots, twigs and branches followed by death of the entire tree. Leaf tips and margins turn dark yellow to brown, a condition that spreads inward, eventually leading to desiccation. Symptoms progress in severity from older to younger leaves. Desiccated leaves and mummified drupes remain attached to the shoots. Trunks, branches and twigs viewed in cross section show more or less extensive discolorations of the vascular elements, as reported earlier by Carlucci et al. (2008), plus sapwood and vascular cambium. Numerous galleries of the leopard moth, Zeuzera pyrina and bark beetles occurr on the trunks, branches and twigs of affected plants. Isolations from discolored sapwood made on different growing media allowed the recovery of a number of fungi, Phaeoacremonium spp. in particular, which were identified based on morphometric characters and sequencing of ITS and β-tubulin gene regions (Mostert et al., 2006). P. parasiticum was the most frequent species, followed by P. rubrigenun, P. aleophilum, P. alvesi,. Fungi belonging to the genus Phaemoniella were also found. This is the first report of P. parasiticum and P. alvesii on olive in Italy. The role of these fungal species, alone or in combination with other plant pathogens, in determining the symptoms observed on olive trees is currently under investigation.

Synthesis of allylic trifluoromethyl ketones and their activity as inhibitors of the sex pheromone of the leopard moth, Zeuzera pyrina L. (Lepidoptera: Cossidae)

Trifluoromethyl ketones (TFMKs), structurally related to the pheromones, are good inhibitors of pheromone communication in insects. To determine their activity on Zeuzera pyrina L. (Lepidoptera: Cossidae), a polyphagous pest, the authors have prepared two diunsaturated TFMK analogues of the major (3) and the minor (4) pheromone components, and two monounsaturated ones (5, 6). Their biological activity in electroantennogram (EAG), wind tunnel and field tests is presented. The synthetic strategy to obtain the allylic TFMKs 3 and 5 is based on the reactions of diene 10 and 1-octadecene with trifluoroacetaldehyde ethyl hemiacetal, followed by Dess-Martin oxidation of the resulting homoallylic trifluoromethyl alcohols. In EAG, topical application of analogues 3 and 4 on male antennae significantly reduced the pheromone response. In the wind tunnel, compound 4 reduced the number of contacts with the pheromone source. In the field, traps baited with mixtures of pheromone and inhibitors captured significantly fewer males than the pheromone alone. An efficient synthesis of allylic TFMKs is reported, with good overall yield, regiospecificity and diastereoselectivity. These compounds are good inhibitors of the pheromone in electrophysiology, wind tunnel and field tests. The results show the importance of two unsaturations at positions 2 and 13 of the trifluoroacyl group in the structure of the analogues, the latter being critical for inhibitory activity.

Suppression of Leopard Moth (Lepidoptera: Cossidae) Populations in Olive Trees in Egypt Through Mating Disruption

The leopard moth, Zeuzera pyrina (L.) (Lepidoptera: Cossidae), is a damaging pest for many fruit trees (e.g., apple [Malus spp.], pear [Pyrus spp.] peach [Prunus spp.], and olive [Olea]). Recently, it caused serious yield losses in newly established olive orchards in Egypt, including the death of young trees. Chemical and biological control have shown limited efficiency against this pest. Field tests were conducted in 2005 and 2006 to evaluate mating disruption (MD) for the control of the leopard moth, on heavily infested, densely planted olive plots (336 trees per ha). The binary blend of the pheromone components (E,Z)-2,13-octadecenyl acetate and (E,Z)-3,13-octadecenyl acetate (95:5) was dispensed from polyethylene vials. Efficacy was measured considering reduction of catches in pheromone traps, reduction of active galleries of leopard moth per tree and fruit yield in the pheromone-treated plots (MD) compared with control plots (CO). Male captures in MD plots were reduced by 89.3% in 2005 and 82.9% in 2006, during a trapping period of 14 and 13 wk, respectively. Application of MD over two consecutive years progressively reduced the number of active galleries per tree in the third year where no sex pheromone was applied. In all years, larval galleries outnumbered moth captures. Fruit yield from trees where sex pheromone had been applied in 2005 and 2006 increased significantly in 2006 (98.8 +/- 2.9 kg per tree) and 2007 (23 +/- 1.3 kg per tree) compared with control ones (61.0 +/- 3.9 and 10.0 +/- 0.6 kg per tree, respectively). Mating disruption shows promising for suppressing leopard moth infestation in olives.

Efficient Mass-Trapping Method As an Alternative Tactic for Suppressing Populations of Leopard Moth (Lepidoptera: Cossidae)

Abstract The leopard moth, Zeuzera pyrina (L.) (Lepidoptera: Cossidae), is a xylophagous species that has become a serious pest in the olive (Olea spp.) orchards in Egypt. Both chemical and biological control have scored poorly against this pest and additional methods are needed. A simple, but efficient UV-light-pheromone sticky trap (“Hegazi model”) was devised for leopard moth mass trapping. Activity of leopard moth and efficiency of pheromone-baited, light, and pheromone and light traps were evaluated. The combination of light and sex pheromone was optimally attractive to leopard moth populations in olive orchards. A comparison between light traps baited with sex pheromone in mass-trapping method and conventional controls (insecticidal and physical removal of larvae) in heavily infested plots was carried out between 2002 and 2005. Leopard moths have long flight period, starting in mid-May and lasting until early November. Females of leopard moths were rarely trapped, but all had eggs. In mass-trapping plot, the seasonal captures and active galleries diminished from one year to the next, which may indicate the effectiveness of the method. From May 2003 to October 2005 greater reduction in total counts of active galleries was observed in mass-trapping plot compared with those recorded in the control field, in which chemical sprays and manual killing were performed. Yield from trees in mass-trapping field was significantly increased in comparison to control trees. The study strongly recommends the use of mass-trapping method instead of pesticides against the leopard moths, not only to control them but also to mass trap and monitor other lepidopterous pests of olive trees.

Luta biotécnica contra as principais pragas da nogueira

The concerns and difficulties felt by the farmers to control the main pests of walnut, the codling moth (Cydia pomonella L.) and the leopard moth (Zeuzera pyrina L.), together with the growing concern about food quality, increased the interest on and the development of, new control methods that constitute real alternatives to the systematic use, often irrational, of pesticides. The biotechnical control, namely the technique of mating disruption, appears as a viable alternative, since effective biological or cultural methods for the control of these pests are not available at this moment. This control method reduces gradually the population of the pests, doesn't cause deposit residues on the fruits, doesn't induce resistance and doesn't disturb the beneficial fauna, facilitating the protection of the crop against secondary pests as mites [Panony chus ulmi (Koch)] and aphids [Panaphis juglandis Goeze, Chromaphis juglandicola (Kaltenbach)]. In this work, some results obtained with the use of the mating disruption method during the years 2002 to 2004 will be presented and discussed. These results point towards a high effectiveness of the method, mainly in the control of the leopard moth. However, concerning relatively to the codling moth, the infestation levels observed along the three years were relatively low. The decrease of the population levels of both pests along the three years was evident. The infestation levels were always lower in the plots under mating disruption than in the control plots. This decrease was noticed along the three years of experiments.

MATING DISRUPTION AND ATTRACT-AND-KILL AS REDUCED-RISK STRATEGIES FOR CONTROL OF GRAPE ROOT BORER VITACEA POLISTIFORMIS (LEPIDOPTERA: SESIIDAE) IN FLORIDA VINEYARDS

Mating disruption and attract-and-kill (A&K) gels were evaluated for control of grape root borer (GRB), Vitacea polistiformis Harris (Lepidoptera:Sessidae), in Florida grape (Vitis sp.) vineyards. For mating disruption, pheromone twist-ties with leopard moth, Zeuzera pyrina L. (Lepidoptera: Cossidae), pheromone were placed in vines at a rate of 635 per ha. Attract-and-kill (A&K) gels containing the GRB pheromone and a pyrethrin (botanical insecticide) were applied to vine trunks at a rate of 112.5 g per hectare. These treatments were compared with chlorpyrifos (Lorsban), an organophosphate insecticide, and an untreated control in a randomized complete block design. Two wing-style sticky traps with GRB pheromone were placed in each treatment to monitor male moth activity and determine levels of trap shutdown. Complete trap shutdown occurred in the twist-tie sections for both 2003 and 2004 suggesting disruption of mating. Traps placed in the A&K and the pheromone twist-tie sections caught significantly fewer GRB than the Lorsban treatments in 2003. In 2004, significantly fewer moths were caught in the pheromone twist-tie and Lorsban treatments than the A&K and untreated controls. The differences between 2003 and 2004 for A&K treatments were due to the use of the incorrect pheromone blend in the 2004 batch of A&K. Whereas the differences in Lorsban treatments between both years may be related to residual activity of the pesticide. The economics of adopting A&K and mating disruption with twist-ties containing leopard moth pheromone is discussed. Both A&K and mating disruption with the leopard moth pheromone show promise as reduced-risk control tactics to be used in a GRB integrated pest management program and warrant further study.

Freeze tolerance and cryoprotection in caterpillars of the giant leopard moth ( Ecpantheria scribonia Lepidoptera: Arctiidae)

1. The giant leopard moth ( Ecpantheria scribonia) caterpillars were collected during October in Pennsylvania (USA) in order to measure indicators of cold hardiness. 2. The supercooling point rose 2–4 °C with cold acclimation (3 °C) but this change missed statistical significance ( P = 0.0653 ). Hemolymph osmolality and glycerol also rose over 50% and 4.5×, respectively. 3. All caterpillars initially survived freezing at −3 °C for 5 days but just under 30% survived to adulthood. 4. Ecpantheria scribonia may have a lower level of cold hardiness than other arctiid moth caterpillars (e.g. Pyrrharctia isabella), reflecting interspecific latitudinal distribution patterns.

A Convergent and Highly Efficient Synthesis of (E,Z)-2,13-Octadecadienyl Acetate and (E,Z)-3,13-Octadecadienyl Acetate, Components of the Sex Pheromone of the Leopard Moth Zeuzera pyrina, through Sulfones

A new, convergent synthesis of (E,Z)-2,13-octadecadienyl acetate (1) and (E,Z)-3,13-octadecadienyl acetate (2), the two key components of the leopard moth Zeuzera pyrina, from 2-chloromethyltetrahydrofuran in good overall yields and stereomeric purity is reported. The synthesis of both components utilizes the common intermediate sulfone 12 as a convenient building block to be coupled with iodoacetylenic derivatives 9 or 17 in the key step.

Identification of a minor component of the sex pheromone of the leopard moth (Zeuzera pyrina L.; Lepidoptera, Cossidae) by capillary gas chromatography

Sex pheromones of Lepidoptera are multicomponent blends produced by virgin females. Although the major component of this blend is sometimes sufficient to attract males when used alone and at high doses, behavioral studies have shown the importance of minor components in improving field catches [ 11. The female sex pheromone of the leopard moth Zeuzera pyrina L. has been reported (21 as a three-component mixture: (E,Z)2,13-octadecadien-l-o1 acetate (major compound), (Z)-13-octadecen-1-01 acetate, and (Z,E)-2,13-octadecadien-l-ol acetate 131. Neither (E,Z)-2, 13alone, nor various mixtures of the corresponding isomers, nor a blend of identified compounds were found to be significantly attractive for the males (21. As traces of minor compounds have been shown to increase capture of males in some Sesiidae species that share the same type of molecules (41, we reinvestigated the composition of the leopard moth sex pheromone in order to detect other positional isomers of octadecadien1-01 acetates and thus to produce a more efficient sex attractant. This note reports our investigations to identify a minor isomer of octadecadien-1-01 acetate using a highly polar capillary column.

Study of female sex pheromone of leopard moth,Zeuzera pyrina L. Isolation and identification of three components

Three compounds have been identified in the abdominal tip extracts from the female leopard moth,Zeuzera pyrina L. Gas-liquid chromatography and mass spectroscopy data showed that (E, Z)-2, 13-octadecadien-1-ol acetate was the main component and that (Z)-13-octadecen-1-ol acetate and octadecan-1-ol acetate were secondary components. The electroanten-nographic responses of maleZ. pyrina to nanogram amounts of all four 2, 13-octadecadien-1-ol acetate isomers indicated that theE, Z isomer had the maximum activity. A strong EAG response was also recorded for (Z)-7-do-decen-1-ol acetate, which was not detected in the female extracts.

Efficacy of Entomogenous Nematodes, Steinernema Spp., Against Clearwing Moths, Synanthedon Spp., in North Italian Apple Orchards

The most mobile strains of steinemema feltiae Filip. (I95, I100) obtained from soil samples were multiplied on Galleria mellonella L. larvae and the juveniles of these strains, those of the All D strain and those of Australian S. bibionis Bov. (T335) were applied in autumn and spring against treeboring larvae of the clearwing moth Synanthedon myopaeformis Brkh., in North Italian apple-orchards. Rates of infection of the clearwing moth larvae ranged from 74% to 94%. Another clearwing species (S. typhiaeformis Brkh.) proved to be less susceptible to entomogenous nematodes even under ideal laboratory conditions. Besides having potential for use in control programmes in apple orchards against S. myopaeformis, the nematodes were also found to be effective against the Leopard moth (Zeuzera pyrina L. (Lepidopt; Cossidae)). Factors which may influence the performance of nematodes against S. myopaeformis and S. tyPhiaeformis are discussed.

Rearing of the leopard moth,Zeuzera Pyrina L., on an improved diet

Larvae of the wood borerZeuzera pyrina L. were reared on a practical diet based on soybean — milk powder — yeast as the nutrient source, and sugar-beet pulp as a binder. This diet improved the yield of adults from neonates and increased the number of matings, compared with an agar — pear-bark diet. The larva-to-adult period on the experimental diets was 3–4 months, which is one-third the period within the tree. Mass rearing of this insect for biological control programs is discussed.

Zeuzera pyrina . [Distribution map

Abstract A new distribution map is provided for Zeuzera pyrina (L.) (Lep., Cossidae) (Leopard Moth). Host Plants: Orchard trees, figs ( Ficus ), olives, willow. Information is given on the geographical distribution in EUROPE (excl. USSR), Austria, Belgium, Britain, Bulgaria, Czechoslovakia, Denmark, France, Germany, Greece, Italy, Malta, Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Rumania, Sicily, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, Yugoslavia, ASIA (excl. USSR), Afghanistan, Cyprus, Iran, Iraq, Israel, Japan, Jordan, Korea, Lebanon, Saudi Arabia, Syria, Turkey, USSR, AFRICA, Algeria, Egypt, Libya, Morocco, Tunisia, NORTH AMERICA, U.S.A.

The rearing and some bionomics of the leopard moth,Zeuzera pyrina L., on an artificial medium

Un milieu de base pour l'elevage des larves deZeuzera pyrina L. a ete mis au point. Cinq generations successives furent obtenues sur ce milieu. De ces generations, les quatres dernieres furent elevees en ajoutant un filtrat d'ecorce de poirier au milieu, au cours de la derniere partie du developpement larvaire. Ce filtrat qui semble etre necessaire pour la fertilite et l'eclosion des œufs, peut etre remplace par un filtrat d'ecorce de pommier. Sur ces milieux, le cycle de developpement fut beaucoup plus court que dans la nature: quatre mois au lieu d'un an. Des methodes d'elevage et plusieurs details biologiques qui se sont reveles au cours de ce travail sont egalement decrits.

Studies on the Oriental Leopard Moth, Zeuzera leuconotum BUTLER, and its Control (Part 2)

Studies on the Oriental Leopard Moth, Zeuzera leuconotum BUTLER, and its Control (Part 2)

Studies on the Oriental Leopard Moth, Zeuzera Leuconotum BUTLER and Control (Part 1)

Some observations of Oriental leopard moth, Zeuzera leuconotum BUTLER and its control tests were carried out. The results are summarized as follows :1) The insect occurred once a year and overwintered as young larval stage and the adult emerged from early in September to early in October.2) Just after the end of adult emergence, three repeated sprayings of EPN (0.056%, 200 l./a.) at intervals of 7-10 days were effective for controlling the insect.3) Shallow pruning at 1-2 cm. above the third plucking level of hush surface in the above mentioned period, espalier training in late in October to early in November, and collar pruning just after the first cropping destroyed the insect about 6000, 40^5000, about 8090 respectively.4) Varietal differences were observed in the insect damage of tea plant.

A Successor to the Puss Moth

IT is common knowledge that the De Havilland Aircraft Company's new product, the Leopard Moth, is designed to replace the Puss Moth. In view of the reputation of this aeroplane for pleasant flying qualities this was not an easy task, but all the experience of 3½ years' intensive operation of Puss Moths all over the world has been concentrated upon the design of the Leopard Moth with the object of retaining its good features and at the same time effecting a general all‐round improvement. An example of this is afforded by the maximum speed of 140 m.p.h., which is an increase of 8 m.p.h. compared with that of the Puss Moth with Gipsy Major engine. This is duo entirely to aerodynamic refinements attained in spite of the fact that the fuselage is 4 in. wider—an achievement which will be appreciated by all those who know the Puss Moth, and more particularly by owners who have tried to “clean it up,”