Management Of White Grubs Research Articles

Evaluating the role of microbial degradation and analytical methods in monitoring imidacloprid persistence for white grub management in turfgrass

Evaluating the role of microbial degradation and analytical methods in monitoring imidacloprid persistence for white grub management in turfgrass

Global species diversity, bioecology and management of white grubs in crops: a review

Global species diversity, bioecology and management of white grubs in crops: a review

Efficacy of native entomopathogenic nematodes against different white grubs in sweetpotato field in China

White grubs (Holotrichia parallela, Anomala corpulenta and Holotrichia oblita) are the main underground pests of sweetpotato in North China. The virulence of 26 entomopathogenic nematode (EPN) isolates belonging to 10 species against H. parallela, A. corpulenta and H. oblita was evaluated in the laboratory. Isolates showing greater efficacy were further tested at different concentrations, and their virulence against different developmental stages of different white grub species was also examined. Greenhouse and field experiments were conducted to identify the most effective and adaptable nematode isolates. The mortality of the white grubs was significantly affected by nematode isolates and concentrations. The tested Heterorhabditis beicherriana NCWZ1, H. bacteriophora HQ4 and H. beicherriana LJ24 caused more than 70% mortality of the insect larvae at an application rate of 60 infective juveniles (IJs)/cm2 in the laboratory. In general, the susceptibility of the first and second instar of the white grubs was overall higher than that of the third instar according to the bioassay. Holotrichia oblita were less susceptible to most of the EPNs than H. parallela and A. corpulenta. There were significant differences in susceptibility to the nematodes among the early stage and the late stage of the first instar larvae of H. oblita. The tested EPN species showed promising control efficacy in field experiments. Heterorhabditis beicherriana NCWZ1 provide the highest efficacy at an application rate of 2 × 109 IJs/ha in the second and third field experiments. Our findings indicate that native EPN have good potential for use in the integrated management of white grubs in China.

Virulence of Native Isolates of Entomopathogenic Nematodes for the Management of White Grubs

An alternative to chemical control, entomopathogenic nematodes are very effective against insect pests. Native isolates of Steinernema siamkayai, S. carpocapsae, Heterorhabditis indica, H. bacteriophora, Heterorhabditis sp. and Oscheius sp. have been evaluated for their virulence against white grubs. Under laboratory conditions, S. glaseri was more susceptible to A. communis in potato. S. glaseri@ 2.5 x10 9 IJ/ ha showed the highest grub mortality of 83.33% and 19.04% tuber damage. The same dosage of Heterorhabditis sp. in pot culture caused 18.66% tuber damage and 74.05% larval mortality. Steirnernema glaseriand Heterorhabditis sp. effectiveness against the coleopteran insect pests of Anomala communis<?i> in potato was conducted under field conditions. The maximum grub mortality with S. glaseri at 2.5 x10 9 IJ/ ha was 71.33%. With Heterorhabditis sp. at 2.5 x10 9 IJ/ ha, the yield increased by 14.14 t/ ha while tuber damage was 24.99%. However, the nematode S. glaseri and Heterorhabditis sp. has its best ability to live at the lowest temperature in the field trial, Anomala communiswas successfully managed by S. glaseri followed Heterorhabditis sp. in potato. The natural distribution of the native isolates of EPNs may be used for local insect pest management.

Integrated Community Approach for Successful Management Of White Grubs in Groundnut: Success Story

“C-shaped” white grubs or root grubs are commonly occurring, soil-inhabiting polyphagous insects and they cause economic losses in several crops. The species of white grub those are endemic to Saurashtra region of Gujarat are, Apogonia rauca, Schizonycha ruficollis and Adoretus sp. Since 2010, sporadic outbreaks of white grubs noted in Saurashtra and in severe form in the year 2016. Up to 90% of surveyed groundnut fields in Saurashtra were infested with white grub, complete crop failures were also observed at some endemic locations. Community-level integrated pest management (IPM) approaches were formulated by ICAR-Directorate of Groundnut Research, Junagadh to tackle the white grub menace during 2017 and 2018. Sensitization of farmers in the white grub-prone villages i.e., Samadhiyala and Mithapur of Mendarada (Taluka), Junagadh (District) was initiated before and during the monsoon season. Information on white grub life cycle, weak links in the life cycle, damage symptoms, management strategies and need for community approach were repeatedly emphasized through pamphlets, posters, field visits, interactive meetings, kisan-mela/ goshti and demonstration of white grub management practices. These interventions resulted in successful implementation of community-level IPM approaches for white grub management during 2017 and 2018. Since 2018, farmers witnessed reduction in per cent groundnut damage caused by white grubs post interventions made by ICAR-DGR and thus saved an estimated monetary loss of around Rs. 10,000-15,000 rupees per ha.

Field evaluation of the entomopathogenic fungi enriched with organic amendments against Holotrichia consanguinea Blanchard (Coleoptera: Scarabaeidae) infesting groundnut crop

BackgroundWhite grubs are highly polyphagous and most destructive soil pests inflicting damage to a groundnut crop that causes economic yield losses in commercial groundnut production in India. In this study, potential of the two entomopathogenic fungi (EPF) viz., Metarhizium anisopliae (Metchnikoff) Sorokin and Beauveria bassiana (Balsamo) Vuillemin enriched with organic amendments like neem cake, castor cake, vermicompost and poultry manure was evaluated to manage buildup of white grub population in groundnut crop.ResultsResults showed that the plot treated with soil application of vermicompost @ 1 ton/ha + M. anisopliae 1.15 WP (1 × 108 cfu/g) @ 2 kg/ha showed the least amount of plant mortality due to white grub which was at par with castor cake @ 1 ton/ha + M. anisopliae 1.15 WP (1 × 108 cfu/g) @ 2 kg/ha and neem cake @ 1 ton/ha + M. anisopliae 1.15 WP (1 × 108 cfu/g) @ 2 kg/ha which showed only 1.74, 2.00 and 2.24% plant damage, respectively. Plots treated with vermicompost @ 1 ton/ha + M. anisopliae 1.15 WP (1 × 108 cfu/g) @ 2 kg/ha had the fewest (0.19) white grubs per one meter row length. Based on highest pod yield, net realization and net gain, the treatment with soil application of vermicompost @ 1 ton/ha + M. anisopliae 1.15 WP (1 × 108 cfu/g) @ 2 kg/ha was found most effective treatments for the management of white grub in groundnut.ConclusionsResults indicated that M. anisopliae supplemented with various organic amendments, such as vermicompost, castor cake, and neem cake can be commercialized as a healthy alternative to minimize the use of synthetic pesticides in groundnut crops for white grub management.

Management of white grubs through a novel technology in Uttarakhand hills of North-West Himalayas

White grubs, a group of destructive insect pests of polyphagous nature, cause severe damage to crop plants in hill ecosystem. The grubs with subterranean habitat feed extensively on the roots and the adults defoliate the plants. A two-pronged strategy involving an efficient, light weight, eco-friendly, low cost, light-based insect trap for capturing the adults and a novel entomopathogen, Bacillus cereus strain WGPSB-2 for the management of grubs was developed. Large scale deployment of the above technology was done on community basis in 18 villages of low, mid and high-altitude areas including two experimental farms of Uttarakhand hills. Three years experimentation revealed drastic reduction in beetle population to the tune of 75.8, 78.5 and 80.5 per cent in low, mid and high-altitude villages respectively. A significant reduction of the grub population was recorded in the range of 87.8 to 95.7 per cent in three years across the different villages. As a result of reduction in grub population, per cent increase in yield of different crops was recorded from 23.8 to 187.9 per cent in different villages and experimental farms of low, mid and high altitudes. The technology is thus, capable of managing white grubs at different altitudes of hills in general and North Western Himalayas in particular.

Pot trial screening of chemical, biological and natural insecticides for the management of white grubs (Coleoptera: Scarabaeidae) during eucalypt and wattle establishment

In South African forest plantations, white grubs (Scarabaeidae larvae) can contribute to high transplant mortality following re-establishment. Currently registered insecticides are considered highly hazardous and their use is restricted by the Forest Stewardship Council (FSC). Therefore, there is an immediate need to find effective alternative products for the control of white grubs. To circumvent sporadic spatial variations associated with field trials, a pot trial bioassay method was developed to screen a broad range of alternative chemical, biological and natural products for the control of Schizonycha affinis on eucalypt (Eucalyptus grandis W.Hill) and black wattle (Acacia mearnsii De Wild.) seedlings. The first pot trial screened 14 insecticide options against two white grub instar stages. Treatments included two registered chemical insecticides (deltamethrin, imidacloprid), one alternative chemical insecticide (clothianidin), two natural insecticides (azadirachtin, diatomaceous earth), and four biological insecticides (two Beauveria spp., a Bacillus and a Trichoderma sp.). In addition, potassium silicate was tested in combination with natural and biological insecticides. The most promising insecticides were re-tested against a single larval stage. Results from both trials showed that treatment with imidacloprid tablets and liquid (registered products), clothianidin and B. brongniartii were significantly better than all other products in reducing the impact of white grub damage on E. grandis and A. mearnsii seedlings. The use of pot trials with planned inoculations of the viable target pest proved useful in the initial screening of control products. The information generated in this study will contribute to the development of an alternative FSC-compliant strategy for the control of white grubs in plantation forest regeneration.

Biological control of white grubs, Holotrichia serrata (Fabricius) in sugarcane by two species of entomopathogenic fungi, Metarhizium anisopliae and Beauveria bassiana

Sugarcane is one of the important commercial crop in India and white grubs are one of the serious pests of this crop. The present study was taken up to study the efficacy of entomopathogenic fungi against Holotrichia serrata (Fabricius) in sugarcane. Laboratory bioassay studies were conducted using five strains of Metarhizium anisopliae (ICAR-NBAIR Ma-4, Ma-6, Ma-11, Ma-14a & Ma-35) and one strain of Beauveria bassiana (ICAR-NBAIR Bb-5a) on third instar grubs of H. serrata at the concentration of 1 × 108 spores/ml. M. anisopliae (ICAR-NBAIR Ma-4) strain showed 100% mortality of the grubs and the rest of the strains showed 56–80% mortality of H. serrata. Dose and time mortality studies with aqueous spore suspensions and talc formulation (2% WP) of M. anisopliae (ICAR-NBAIR Ma-4 strain) showed LC50 value of 6.67 × 104 spores/ml and 1.72 g/l andLT50 value of 122.02 h at spore dose of 1 × 108 spores/ml and 183.86 h at the dose of 5 g/l. Further field evaluation was conducted in white grub infested sugarcane during 2016–17 and 2017–18 using M. anisopliae (ICAR-NBAIR Ma-4 strain) and B. bassiana (ICAR-NBAIR Bb-5a) for management of white grubs, H. serrata in Karnataka state of India. The results showed soil applications of 250 kg of M. anisopliae, (ICAR-NBAIR Ma-4) enriched Farmyard manure per hectare two times (June & July) effectively reduced the grub population of H. serrata by 86–89% leading to reduced plant damage and increased yield (33–34%). This treatment was better than the insecticidal application in the management of sugarcane white grubs.

Role performance of farmers in result demonstrations for white grub management of sugarcane crop

Role performance of farmers in result demonstrations for white grub management of sugarcane crop

Virulence and survival of native entomopathogenic nematodes for the management of white grubs in South Africa

Entomopathogenic nematodes (EPNs) provide a potential alternative to chemical insecticides to control root-feeding pests of agricultural and forestry crops. One of the challenges in using EPNs in these environments is low post-application survival. We evaluated the survival of infective juveniles (IJs) of four EPN species (Heterorhabditis bacteriophora, H. baujardi, Steinernema sacchari and S. yirgalemense) in three different substrates for application. Survival of IJs was assessed directly by counting living IJs and indirectly by baiting with Galleria mellonella larvae. The virulence of different native and non-native EPNs against the third-instar larvae of Heteronychus licas, an important soil-insect pest of agricultural crops in South Africa, was also tested. Nematode survival was highest in a gel medium, followed by a gel-soil mixture, and lowest in soil. Survival of Steinernema species was higher than Heterorhabditis species when considering direct nematode counts, but these results were not consistent when using wax moth mortality as a proxy for survival. The South African strain of H. bacteriophora gave the highest and most rapid levels of mortality in H. licas grubs, followed by a commercially applied strain of H. bacteriophora. The results suggest that native EPNs could provide an option for soil-insect management in South Africa and provide insights into effective means of application.

Toxicity and dissipation of soil insecticides applied in the management of arecanut white grub, Leucopholis burmeisteri Brenk. (Coleoptera: Scarabaeidae)

White grubs, Leucopholis spp. are subterranean pests of arecanut grown in South India. Grub infestation leads to yellowing, stem tapering, and crown size and yield reduction. Use of chemical insecticide to mage the white grubs gives varying degree of success. Hence an attempt was made to screen newer and safer insecticides. Imidacloprid (LC50 at 120 h = 16.849 ppm on III instar larvae), chlorpyriphos (LC50 = 14.242) and bifenthrin (LC50 = 12.797 ppm) were identified as effective insecticides. Evaluation of these insecticide in the field over two year period indicated the following efficacy in reducing larval population: chlorpyriphos @ 4 kg a.i/ha (83.31%) > bifenthrin @ 4 kg a.i./ha (82.83%) > imidacloprid @ 0.24 kg a.i./ha (75.84%) > bifenthrin @ 2 kg a.i./ ha (74.26%) > chlorpyriphos @ 2 kg a.i./ha (69.15%) > chlorpyriphos @ 1 kg a.i./ha (61.79%) > imidacloprid @ 0.12 kg a.i./ha (56.54%) > bifenthrin @ 1 kg a.i./ha (54.34%) > imidacloprid @ 0.06 kg a.i./ha (41.47%). Bifenthrin in soil persisted for a longer period than chlorpyriphos. On the day of application, 59.46 ppm bifenthrin residue was recovered from soil. On 10th day, it was 7.29 ppm which decreased to 2.59 ppm on 30th day and was beyond detection limit on 65th day. Chlorpyriphos exhibited a rapid degradation in the initial stage; 27.46 ppm residue on the day of application, which further reduced to 0.964 ppm on 10th day, and was below the detection limit on the 30th day. Growth of Trichoderma harzianum was not affected by bifenthrin even up to 40 ppm concentration. However, chlorpyriphos affected the growth of Trichoderma at higher than 5 ppm dose. Similarly, imidacloprid inhibited the colony growth from 2 ppm onwards. Having high lipophylic property and contact toxicity, bifenthrin would be an ideal alternative insecticide to chlorpyriphos for the management of white grubs in palm garden, which is safe and long persisting.

Field Evaluation of Entomopathogenic Fungi against White Grub, <I>Holotrichia consanguinea</I> Blanch in Sugarcane

Field experiments were conducted on sugarcane for white grub management using two entomopathogenic fungi i.e., Beauveria bassiana and Metarhizium anisopliae in Andhra Pradesh during 2013-14. Among the treatments imposed at the time of planting, M. anisopliae @ 5×10 13 spores ha -1 mixed with farm yard manure (FYM) was found effective followed by B. bassiana @ 5×10 13 spores ha -1 applied in FYM enriched field and registered 93.6 % and 88.09 % decrease in white grub damage and 77.22 % and 74.08 % decrease in white grub population. The highest cane yield was recorded when M. anisopliae @ 5x1013 spores ha -1 (81.44 t ha -1 ) applied with FYM followed by B. bassiana @ 5×10 13 spores ha -1 (76.6 t ha -1 ) with FYM . Similar trend was observed by imposing treatments at one month after planting i.e., after the onset of monsoon in the month of july. M. anisopliae @ 5×10 13 spores ha -1 (79.73 t ha -1 ) recorded highest cane yield followed by B. bassiana @ 5×10 13 spores ha -1 (76.45 t ha -1 ) when applied with FYM at one month after planting. However, highest percent yield increase was recorded in M. anisopliae @ 5x10 13 spores ha -1 (71.56 %) applied with FYM at the time of planting.

The Ecology and Control of Potato Whitegrubs of India

Whitegrubs are the most destructive and troublesome soil insects, impeding potato production especially in hilly states of India. In hills, the potatoes are grown during the summer season as a rain-fed crop under long-day conditions on sloppy lands with light and loose-textured soils. There are nearly 20 species of whitegrubs which attack potato in different parts of India. The most widely distributed and destructive species in India are Brahmina coriacea, Holotrichia longipennis, Anomala dimidiata, Melolontha indica, Lepidiota mansueta and Holotrichia serrata. H. serrata is found throughout Karnataka, Maharashtra, Tamil Nadu, Andhra Pradesh, Bihar and Uttar Pradesh, whereas B. coriacea and H. longipennis are restricted to the northern parts of India. The economic importance of chaffers is primarily due to feeding activity of the third instar grubs. The infected tubers have scooped out holes or half-eaten tubers which are rendered unfit for marketing. The damage to potato tubers has been reported to vary from 8.5 to 75.0% especially in hilly regions of the country. In India, the biology of B. coriacea, H. longipennis, A. dimidiata, Anomala lineatopennis and H. serrata has been studied and all species complete a life cycle in 1 year. Some species like M. indica and L. mansueta are expected to require 2–3 years to complete their development. The whitegrubs are polyphagous, and no single method of control provides permanent solution for the whitegrub problem. Hand collection of adults at the time of emergence has been practised as a measure of control. The beetles can be conveniently killed by spraying the host trees with some potent contact insecticides when consistent beetle emergence is there. Soil application of chlorpyriphos 20EC at 2.5 kg a.i./ha and phorate 10G at 3.0 kg a.i./ha has been reported effective against whitegrubs. Applying the preventive insecticide around the third week in June will have the insecticide in place when eggs begin to hatch. The cultural practices to be followed in the integrated management of whitegrubs include repeated ploughing, hoeing and forking to expose the grubs and fall/spring ploughing to expose the pupae and hibernating adults.

Synergism of Entomopathogenic Nematode and Imidacloprid: A Curative Tool to Coconut white Grub,Leucopholis coniophora(Coloeptera: Melolonthinae)

Insecticide imidacloprid and entomopathogenic nematode (EPN), Heterorhabditis indica alone and in combinations of imidacloprid and EPN were evaluated against early and late 3rd instars of coconut white grub, Leucopholis 3rd coniophora. Field collected instars white grubs were placed in pots with sweet potato treated with imidacloprid, the EPN, or both. In all nematode-imidacloprid combinations, both early and late 3rd instars grub mortality was significantly higher than in the H. indica alone and imidacloprid alone treatments. Combinations of imidacloprid and nematodes had a strong synergistic effect on mortality at different concentrations of imidacloprid. Nematodes were admixed with various concentrations of imidacloprid ranging from 0.04 to 1.25% could not significantly affect the survival of infective juveniles resulting in only a negligible mortality (3.5%). Results revealed that different imidacloprid concentrations, exposure time and interaction between imidacloprid and exposure time not affected nematodes mortality in bioassay. Combinations of imidacloprid and entomopathogenic nematodes may provide a powerful and economically feasible curative control in white grub management in coconut.

Deployment of Noval Technologies for The Management of White Grubs in Lower Hills of NW Himalyan Region

White grubs, a group of destructive insect pests of polyphagous nature, cause severe damage to crop plants in hill ecosystem. The grubs with subterranean habitat feed extensively on the roots and the adults defoliate the plants. A two pronged strategies involving an efficient, light weight, eco-friendly, low cost, light based insect trap for capturing the adults and a novel entomo-pathogen, Bacillus cereus strain WGPSB-2 for the management of grubs were developed. Large scale deployment of the above technologies were done on community basis in 5 locations including 4 villages and one experimental farm of Krishi Vigyan Kendra, Uttarkashi district of Uttarakhand. Three years experimentations revealed drastic reduction in beetle population to the tune of 75.8% in low, altitude villages. A significant reduction of the grub population was recorded from 74.11% to 85.17% in three years across the different villages. As a result of reduction in grub population, per cent increase in yield of different crops was recorded from 39.0% to 59.2% in different villages and experimental farm of low hills. The technology is thus, capable of managing white grubs at different altitudes of hills in general and North Western Himalayas in particular.

FIELD EVALUATION OF METARHIZIUM ANISOPLIAE (METSCHNIKOFF) SOROKIN AGAINST HOLOTRICHIA SERRATA (BLANCH) IN SUGARCANE

ABSTRACT Field experiments were conducted on sugarcane for white grub management using Metarhizium anisopliae (Metschnikoff) Sorokin at Agricultural College and Research Institute, Madurai District and Kuchanoor village in Theni District during 2010-2011. Application of M. anisopliae against sugarcane white grub Holotrichia serrata (Blanch) at 4 x1 09 conidia ha-1 was found effective next to chlorpyriphos and registered 92% reduction in grub population on 60th DAT. The highest cane yield was recorded when chlorpyriphos was applied @ 3lit ha1 (110.5t ha-1), followed by M. anisopliae @ 4x109 conidia ha-1 (100.6t ha-1). However, incremental benefit cost ratio (IBCR) was high with higher doses of M. anisopliae (7.58) followed by drenching of chlorpyriphos (6.09).

Comparative impacts of white grub (Coleoptera: Scarabaeidae) control products on the abundance of non-target soil-active arthropods in turfgrass

A study was conducted over 3 years on an experimental home lawn to detect, measure and contrast the effects of white grub (Coleoptera: Scarabaeidae) control products on the abundance of soil-active arthropods. Both short-term effects (those caused by a single application) and cumulative effects (those attributed to repeated yearly applications) were evaluated for five different control regimes: trichlorfon, imidacloprid, halofenozide, entomopathogenic nematodes and elemental sulfur. Treatments were applied to replicated plots (10 m×10 m) from 2000 to 2002. Invertebrates were sampled monthly from July to October in 2001 and 2002 by extracting soil cores in modified Tullgren funnels. All 293,868 captures were identified to class (arthropods) and order (hexapods). Overall extraction rate was 37,772 individuals/m2 of turf and associated topsoil. The ten most abundant taxa were analyzed in more detail to compare impacts across treatments. A consistent short-term effect due to individual applications was not detected. But when data were examined across both seasons, a significant cumulative effect of treatment was detected for total hexapods, Collembola, Thysanoptera and Coleoptera adults, but not oribatid mites, non-oribatid mites, Hymenoptera, Hemiptera, Coleoptera larvae or Diptera. Contrary to predictions, only imidacloprid – a systemic neonicotinoid applied early in the life cycle to target neonate white grubs – had a discernible impact on non-target abundance. Relative to the untreated check, it suppressed the abundance of those broad taxonomic groups by 54–62%. The implications of these results are discussed with respect to their functional relevance and to the role of neonicotinoids for white grub management in turfgrass.

Isolation and toxicity evaluation of bacterial entomopathogens against phytophagous white grubs (Coleoptera: Scarabaeidae) in Indian Himalayan hills

The north-western Indian Himalayan hill region contains around 40 phytophagous species of white grub (Coleoptera: Scarabaeidae). Anomala dimidiata and Holotrichia seticollis are the predominant species. Under natural conditions, up to one-fifth of the population of the grubs was found to exhibit symptoms of bacterial infection. Therefore, we attempted to isolate and characterize the most potent bacterium for the management of white grubs. Of 27 bacterial isolates tested against A. dimidiata, WGPSB-2 was found to be highly toxic. Based on morphology, physiology, biochemistry and sequencing of the 16S rRNA gene, the isolate WGPSB-2 was identified as Bacillus cereus. A dose determination bioassay indicated that first instar grubs of A. dimidiata and H. seticollis were more susceptible than second instars. Although the LT90 values for second instar grubs exceeded 8 weeks, the grubs stopped feeding after ingestion of spores, mostly after the third week. In outdoor microplots, a dose of 1.7 × 1010 spores/m2 applied to the root zone was found to be potentially satisfactory for control of the pests. Bacillus cereus isolate WGPSB-2 appears to be a potentially effective bacterial pathogen for the management of white grubs.

Field Efficacy of Beauveria bassiana (Bals.) Vuill. and Metarhizium anisopliae (Metsch.) Sorok. against White Grubs in Assam

In the present study, efforts were made to explore the possibility of using Beauveria bassiana and Metarhizium anisopliae aione or in combination with different insecticides for the management of white grubs in green gram. B. bassiana formulation applied @ 5×10 13 conidia ml −1 in combination with imidacloprid 200SL at 48g a.i. ha −1 was found to be effective exhibiting lowest plant mortality (1.66%) and lowest grub population (1.60/pit), which resulted in highest yield of 6,83q ha −1 . Likewise M. anisopliae when applied @ 5×10 13 conidia ml −1 in combination with imidacloprid 200SL at 48g a.i. ha -1 resulted in lowest plant mortality (2.28%) and grub population (1.12/pit) and highest yield of 6.79q ha -1 .