Maruca Vitrata Research Articles

English

The present study assessed the effectiveness of the entomopathogen fungus Beauveria bassiana in comparison with neem oil combined with the baculovirus MaviMNPV and a synthetic insecticide deltamethrin for the control of Maruca vitrata Fabricius under field conditions. The trial was conducted in six villages at Glazoue and Djakotomey, two districts in Benin. Four treatments consisting of (1) untreated control, (2) neem + MaviMNPV, (3) B. bassiana and (4) deltamethrin were arranged in a complete randomized block design with three replicates. Reproductive organs of cowpea plants were sampled for estimating population of M. vitrata. In spite of the importance between-field variations observed, bio-pesticides significantly reduced the population density of M. vitrata as well as its damage level. Similarly, grain yields were improved in sprayed cowpea compared to the untreated control, regardless of the experimental zone. In Glazoue, yields ranged from 724.06 ± 5.04 kg/ha (deltamethrin) to 933.03 ± 8.7 kg/ha (B. bassiana). In Djakotomey, 649.1±4.7, 611.07±5.1, 583.19±4.04 and 217.11±3.9 kg/ha were recorded for deltamethrin, B. bassiana, neem + baculovirus, and untreated control, respectively. The possibilities of the using bio-pesticides as efficient IPM components in cowpea are discussed. Key words: Cowpea pests, bio-pesticides, Beauveria bassiana, neem, baculovirus MaviMNPV, deltamethrin.

Novel Insecticides for the Management of Pod Borer Complex in Pigeonpea Crop

The bioefficacy of novel insecticides against pod borer complex comprising Maruca vitrata (Fabricius) and Helicoverpa armigera (Hubner) in pigeonpea was evaluated in multi location research trials during kharif 2016 to 2018. The data on efficacy of different insecticides against pod borer complex averaged at all the locations revealed that the application of chlorantraniliprole 18.5 SC @ 150 ml ha-1 followed by flubendiamide 480 SC @ 125 ml ha-1 registered significantly the lowest pest population and cumulative pod damage. These treatments registered significantly highest grain yield along with highest net returns over untreated control, thus, indicating their superiority over rest of the treatments.

Efficacy of a cry1Ab Gene for Control of Maruca vitrata (Lepidoptera: Crambidae) in Cowpea (Fabales: Fabaceae).

Cowpea [Vigna unguiculata (L) Walp.] is an important staple legume in the diet of many households in sub-Saharan Africa. Its production, however, is negatively impacted by many insect pests including bean pod borer, Maruca vitrata F., which can cause 20-80% yield loss. Several genetically engineered cowpea events that contain a cry1Ab gene from Bacillus thuringiensis (Bt) for resistance against M. vitrata were evaluated in Nigeria, Burkina Faso, and Ghana (West Africa), where cowpea is commonly grown. As part of the regulatory safety package, these efficacy data were developed and evaluated by in-country scientists. The Bt-cowpea lines were planted in confined field trials under Insect-proof netting and artificially infested with up to 500 M. vitrata larvae per plant during bud formation and flowering periods. Bt-cowpea lines provided nearly complete pod and seed protection and in most cases resulted in significantly increased seed yield over non-Bt control lines. An integrated pest management strategy that includes use of Bt-cowpea augmented with minimal insecticide treatment for protection against other insects is recommended to control pod borer to enhance cowpea production. The insect resistance management plan is based on the high-dose refuge strategy where non-Bt-cowpea and natural refuges are expected to provide M. vitrata susceptible to Cry1Ab protein. In addition, there will be a limited release of this product until a two-toxin cowpea pyramid is released. Other than South African genetically engineered crops, Bt-cowpea is the first genetically engineered food crop developed by the public sector and approved for release in sub-Saharan Africa.

Identification of Semiochemicals from Cowpea, Vigna unguiculata, for Low-input Management of the Legume Pod Borer, Maruca vitrata

Cowpea, Vigna unguiculata L. Walp. (Fabaceae), is one of the most important food legumes grown on the African continent, as it provides an affordable source of dietary protein. Yields of cowpea are significantly reduced through damage by legume pod-borer, Maruca vitrata (Lepidoptera: Crambidae), caterpillars to flowers, tender leaves and pods. Semiochemical-based strategies are considered as environmentally benign and affordable for pest management, particularly on smallholder farms. In this study, we investigated the importance of cowpea flower volatiles as host location cues for egg-laying M. vitrata, and herbivore-induced plant volatiles (HIPVs) as M. vitrata repellents and natural enemy (Apanteles taragamae and Phanerotoma syleptae parasitoid) attractants. In oviposition choice assays, M. vitrata laid more eggs on flowering cowpea plants than non-flowering plants. Coupled gas chromatography-electrophysiology (GC-EAG) analysis using the antennae of female M. vitrata and an extract of flower volatiles collected by dynamic headspace collection revealed the presence of five EAG-active components that were identified by coupled GC-mass spectrometry (GC-MS) analysis as benzaldehyde, benzyl alcohol, acetophenone, a vinylbenzaldehyde isomer and (E)-cinnamaldehyde. A synthetic blend of the identified compounds, prepared using 3-vinylbenzaldehyde, induced M. vitrata to lay as many eggs on non-flowering cowpea as on flowering plants. The moths also preferred laying eggs on intact plants compared to M. vitrata-infested plants. As the emission of EAG-active floral compounds was determined to be lower in the headspace of infested cowpea flowers, the role of HIPVs emitted by M. vitrata-damaged leaves was also investigated. Of the compounds induced by larval damage, (E)-DMNT, indole, n-hexyl acetate, 1-octen-3-ol and linalool were shown by GC-EAG to possess electrophysiological activity. A synthetic blend of the EAG-active compounds, using racemic 1-octen-3-ol and linalool, significantly reduced egg numbers on flowering cowpea. Larval and egg parasitoids, i.e. A. taragamae and Ph. syleptae, respectively, of M. vitrata both preferred the Y-tube olfactometer arm treated with synthetic (E)-DMNT, whereas preference for racemic linalool and (E)-nerolidol was dose-dependent in A. taragamae. Our results provide the platform for the development of future semiochemical-based pest management strategies against M. vitrata on smallholder farms in West Africa.

Effectiveness of some insecticides on spotted pod borer, Maruca vitrata geyer (Lepidoptera: Pyralidae) in greengram

Effectiveness of some insecticides on spotted pod borer, Maruca vitrata geyer (Lepidoptera: Pyralidae) in greengram

Radiation biology of a serious tropical pigeon pea pest, Maruca vitrata (Fabricius) (Lepidoptera: Crambidae) and potential of radiation mediated ‘inherited (F1) sterility technique’ for the pest suppression

Purpose: The impact of gamma radiation on the reproductive biology of the spotted pod borer, Maruca vitrata (Fabr.) (Lepidoptera: Crambidae) was ascertained to explore the potential of the radio-genetic ‘Inherited (F1) Sterility’ technique (modified Sterile Insect technique) to control this serious pigeonpea pest in India.Materials and methods: Radio-biological investigations involved dose–response studies, at a range of 100–250 Gy, with respect to radiation induced adverse effects on reproductive behavior in substerilized parent (P1) moths, inheritance of sterility and associated metamorphic disruption in F1 progeny. The reproductive competence of P1 male moths and their F1 progeny was evaluated by ascertaining the survival, mating success, sperm transfer and amphimixis of gametes from irradiated male parents and their F1 progeny. Daily ovipositional and egg fertility profile were evaluated as crucial parameters for simulation modeling for this radio-genetic technique.Results: Radiation-induced check in insemination rate and sterility in P1 and F1 generation had a positive correlation with gamma dose. The metamorphic adverse effects in F1 progeny of substerilized P1 males were influenced by P1 irradiation. A higher dose of 200 Gy that resulted in 21.1% fertility in parent cross (P1♂x N♀) could form only 14.4% F1 adults that were all malformed. A gamma dose of 150 Gy (administered to P1 males) could be considered as a suitable dose for F1 sterility, that induced 57.4% control of reproduction in parent generation, followed by 72–85% control of reproduction in F1 progeny involved in three crosses -F1♂xN♀, N♂xF1♀, F1♂xF1♀. Daily fertility profile of the eggs laid indicated a marked reduction on 4th day onwards during the ovipositional span in P1 and F1 generation. High degree of mating competitiveness value (CV) was noticed for 150 Gy irradiated male P1 moths (0.78–0.93), and their F1 male progeny (0.70–0.89), released in different sex ratios in the field cages having untreated moths. Reduced relative damage to the pigeon pea plants by the released F1 progeny in the field cages was observed in comparison to control.Conclusion: The present study indicated the potential use of a dose of 150 Gy to apply the ‘F1 sterility’ technique for parabiological suppression of the pigeon pea pod borer. The present findings and reproductive performance of the irradiated moths in F2 generation along with other compatible biorational pest control tactics (that are in progress), might help in formulating an effective integrated pest management module, including the F1 sterility technique as an integral component.

Effectiveness of Botanical Insecticides for the Management of Legume Pod Borer, Maruca vitrata F. in Yard Long Bean

A research was conducted in the field of the Department of Entomology, Bangladesh Agricultural University (BAU), Mymensingh during rabi season 2016-17 to evaluate the efficacy of some botanicals viz. BioNeem plus, Mahogany oil, Karanja oil, Castor oil, Tobacco leaf extract, Urmoi fruit extract and Garlic clove extract and Nitro 505EC as positive control along with an untreated control for the management of legume pod borer, Maruca vitrata F. The experiment was designed as randomized complete block design with three replications of each treatment. The botanicals were evaluated based on the effectiveness on percentage reduction of flower and pod and increase of yield and pod yield. Among the botanical insecticides BioNeem plus (Azadirachtin) 1% @ 1.0 ml/L at 7 days intervals on the yard long bean showed the best performance in respect of reduction of flower and pod damage of 59.94 and 66.10 percent, respectively with significantly higher pod yield of 51.91 percent. Moderate efficacy was found from the Mahogany oil and Karanja oil @ 4 ml/L of water in case of flower (45.47 & 36.65%, respectively) and pod damage (50.36 & 41.27%, respectively) and yield increase (31.57 & 31.05%, respectively). It was also mentioned that BioNeem plus was better in different studied parameters than the chemical insecticides Nitro 505EC. The highest BCR was calculated from the BioNeem plus (1.39). Therefore, BioNeem plus might be used to successfully manage bean pod borer singly or in IPM packages. Key words: Yard long bean, legume pod borer, Maruca vitrata, Azadirachtin

Insect pests of black gram in rice based farming

This study was conducted during August to November in 2016 and 2017 to record the insect pests that attack black gram grown in a sequential farming at rice nursery located in the village Dehar Kuriha under Hajo revenue circle of Assam. Thirteen insect species under Lepidoptera, Coleoptera, Orthoptera and Hemiptera were identified, with more than 50% belonging to the Hemiptera. Incidence and damage of Omiodes indicata, Maruca testulalis and Apion clavipes were found high. The highest mean density (227.2/plot and 231.11/plot) and relative density (21.8% and 22.2%) was found in Apion clavipes. Most of the insect pests made their appearance in the 39th standard week of the crop growth.

Effectiveness of insect growth regulators for management of legume pod borer, Maruca vitrata F. in yard long bean

Effectiveness of insect growth regulators for management of legume pod borer, Maruca vitrata F. in yard long bean

Eco-friendly management of pod borer complex in pigeon pea

An experiment was conducted during Kharif, 2016 and 2017 at the Regional Research and Technology Transfer Station, Bhawanipatna to find out suitable eco-friendly management practices of pod borer complex in pigeon pea. The trial was laid out in randomized block design with three replications taking thirteen treatments. Experimental results showed that the lowest mean population of spotted pod borer larvae (0.02/plant) was recorded in the treatment Bt @ 1 kg/ha + Flubendiamide 480 SC @ 200 ml/ha followed by Ozoneem @ 1.5 lit./ha + Flubendiamide 480 SC @ 200 ml/ha with 0.06/plant and Bt @ 1 kg/ha + Spinosad 45 SC @ 200 ml/ha with 0.07/plant as compared to the control (3.03/plant). Two times spraying of Ozoneem @ 1.5 lit./ha + Flubendiamide 480 SC @ 200 ml/ha recorded the lowest mean larval population (0.02/plant) of H. armigera followed by Bt @ 1 kg/ha + Flubendiamide 480 SC @ 200 ml/ha with 0.04/plant, Bt @ 1 kg/ha + Spinosad 45 SC @ 200 ml/ha with 0.07/plant and Bt @ 1 kg/ha + Emamectin Benzoate 5 SG @ 200 g/ha with 0.09/plant compared to the untreated control (3.22 larvae/plant). Lowest spiny pod borer population was reported in Bt @ 1 kg/ha + Flubendiamide 480 SC @ 200 ml/ha and Bt @ 1 kg/ha + Spinosad 45 SC @ 200 ml/ha (0.02 larvae/plant) compared to control (1.50 larvae/plant). Highest grain yield (14.6 q/ha) was recorded in Bt @ 1 kg/ha + Flubendiamide 480 SC @ 200 ml/ha followed by Ozoneem @ 1.5 lit./ha + Flubendiamide 480 SC @ 200 ml/ha with 14.2 q/ha. Bt @ 1 kg/ha + Flubendiamide 480 SC @ 200 ml/ha recorded the highest B: C ratio (2.19) followed by Ozoneem @ 1.5 lit./ha + Flubendiamide 480 SC @ 200 ml/ha (2.17).

Bioefficacy of coragen 20sc (chlorantraniliprole 18.5 % sc w/w) against the major lepidopteran arthropod complex in green gram (Vigna radiata)

Results of field experiments to evaluate the bio-efficacy of Coragen 20SC (chlorantraniliprole 18.5 % SC, w/w) in comparison with emamectin benzoate 5 per cent SG and spinosad 45SC against the lepidopteran pest complex in green gram are reported. Seven treatments namely coragen 20SC @ 75, 100, 125 and 150mL ha−1, emamectin benzoate 5 per cent SG @ 200mL ha−1, spinosad 45SC @ 160mL ha−1 and an untreated control were given. Coragen 20SC @ 150mL ha−1 was most efficient for the management of lepidopteran pest infestation alongwith the concomitant crop health improvement and yield enhancement. It recorded minimum Spodoptera litura, Helicoverpa armigera, and Maruca testulalis larval mean populations with maximum reduction over control followed by coragen 20 SC @ 125mL ha−1. At 150mL ha−1 it achieved the maximum yield (0.76 and 0.78 t ha−1 during the rabi and summer seasons respectively and the incremental cost benefit ratio (1.38 and 1.52 in the rabi and summer seasons respectively of green gram. Coragen 20SC @ 150mL ha−1 was better than the other treatments but coragen 20SC @ 125mL ha−1 could be recommended for safe and economic use in green gram for an effective control of lepidopteron pests.

Comparative management of Maruca vitrata (geyer) in pigeonpea with Bacillus thuringiensis, cultural practices and chemical pesticides

Comparative management of Maruca vitrata (geyer) in pigeonpea with Bacillus thuringiensis, cultural practices and chemical pesticides

Bioefficacy of certain novel insecticides and some biopesticides for managing bean pod borer, Maruca Vitrata Geyer

Bioefficacy of certain novel insecticides and some biopesticides for managing bean pod borer, Maruca Vitrata Geyer

Survival and life table parameters of soybean pod borer Maruca vitrata (Geyer) (Lepidoptera: Crambidae) on leguminous crop cultivars

AbstractThe soybean pod borer, Maruca vitrata is one of the key insect pests of tropical legumes. It damages tender leaf axils, flower buds, flowers and pods by webbing and boring clusters of flowers and pods. In this study, we investigated the survival and life table parameters of M. vitrata on several leguminous crops; soybean (cvs. Daewon, Poongsannamool and Socheongja), azuki bean (cv. Hongeon), mung bean (cv. Sanpo), and cowpea (cv. Jangchae), compared to artificial diet to assess the antibiosis resistance to M. vitrata. The life‐variables of M. vitrata were significantly affected by the tested legume cultivars. None of the larvae fed cowpea cultivar Jangchae survived. The azuki bean cultivar Hongeon and mung bean cultivar Sanpo were found susceptible to M. vitrata, whereas cowpea cultivar Jangchae and soybean cultivar Daewon showed antibiosis resistance to M. vitrata. Further studies should examine the chemicals associated with leguminous crop cultivars and its mechanism to develop a control method against M. vitrata.

Effects of Maruca vitrata multi-nucleopolyhedrovirus and neem oil, Azadirachta indica Juss on the eggs of the cowpea pod borer, Maruca vitrata Fabricius (Lepidoptera: Crambidae)

Cowpea, Vigna unguiculata (L.) Walp., is the most cultivated and consumed legume in West Africa and is typically attacked by several insect pests, including Maruca vitrata, leading to reduced yields. This study assessed under laboratory conditions the efficacy of neem oil and M. vitrata multi-nucleopolyhedrovirus (MaviMNPV) against M. vitrata eggs as alternatives to second generation pesticides. Hatching and mortality rates after biopesticide application of neem oil, MaviMNPV, and the two in combination reduced the egg viability by 89%, 84% and 91%, respectively. Moreover, the combination of MaviMNPV and neem oil induced 100% mortality among the hatched larvae, compared to 60% and 100% alone, respectively. Implications for using these biopesticides are discussed within an integrated pest management (IPM) context.

Insect pest incidence in pigeon pea (Cajanus cajan L. Millsp) in Bundelkhand region of Uttar Pradesh, India

season, 2019. A category of insect was recorded on four sucking and six solid feeder insect. The population of Jassid, cowbug and leaf webber were recorded from 32nd SW to 50th SW where population rang was 0.33±0.58-6.67±2.31, 0.67±0.19-3.00±0.33 and 1.33±0.58-9.33±0.58 insect/week, respectively. The maximum population of pod bug (10.67±1.53 bug/plant/week), green bug (5.00±1.0053 bug/plant/week), spotted pod borer (8.67±0.58 larvae/plant/week), blister beetle (2.67±1.15 adults/plant/week), pod fly (5.00±1.00 larvae/plant/week), pod borer (8.33±0.58 larvae/plant/week) and plum moth (4.33±0.58 larvae/plant/week) were recorded from 10th, 44th, 48th, 44th, 45th, 49th and 49th SW, respectively.

Alteration of insulin signaling to control insect pest by using transformed bacteria expressing dsRNA.

Insulin/insulin-like growth factor signaling (IIS) is known to mediate larval growth and adult reproduction in the legume pod borer, Maruca vitrata (Lepidoptera: Crambidae). Four IIS components (InR, FOXO, Akt, and TOR) play crucial roles in the IIS pathway. RNA interference (RNAi) against any of these four IIS component genes was effective in suppressing each target mRNA level by either hemocoelic injection or oral administration using gene-specific double-stranded RNAs (dsRNAs). These RNAi treatments interfered with larval growth, leading to small pupae or significant larval mortality. For massive production of dsRNA, transformed bacteria expressing dsRNAs of these four IIS components were prepared with L4440 expression vector and HT115 strain of Escherichia coli. The transformed bacteria killed the larvae in a dose-dependent manner by feeding administration. An ultra-sonication pretreatment was performed to impair bacterial membrane and increase dsRNA release from the bacteria in insect intestine. This pretreatment increased the insecticidal activity of these recombinant bacteria. To further increase dsRNA toxicity, its mixture with Bacillus thuringiensis (Bt) was prepared and showed significant increase of Bt insecticidal activity in the laboratory. The bacterial mixture also showed a high control efficacy (83.3%) in an adzuki bean (Vigna angularis) field infested by M. vitrata. Furthermore, such a dsRNA effect was specific for M. vitrata, but not for non-target insects. The bacteria expressing dsRNA specific to IIS components can be used to develop dsRNA insecticide. © 2019 Society of Chemical Industry.

PELATIHAN PENGOLAHAN DAUN MIMBA SEBAGAI PESTISDA PEMBASMI TANAMAN DAN PEMASARAN PADA PRODUK PESTISIDA DAUN MIMBA

Pest resistance to insecticides is a global phenomenon that is felt by all stakeholders (Stakeholders) especially farmers both in developed countries and in developing countries such as Indonesia. Mimba, Azadirachta indica is one of the effective and relatively safe plant insecticides in the environment. Neem plants contain azadirachtin compounds, salanin, meliantriol, lead, and nimbidine which influence the biological activity of pest insects. Azadirachtin can interfere with insect growth, acting as a decrease in appetite and sterilizers. Salanin works as an appetite-lowering agent and pests meliantriol as a repellent. Some seeds can be used to control whitefly (Bemisia tabaci), armyworm (Spodoptera litura), and pod borer, Maruca testulalis in legumes.

Deletion mutant of sPLA2 using CRISPR/Cas9 exhibits immunosuppression, developmental retardation, and failure of oocyte development in legume pod borer, Maruca vitrata

Phospholipase A2 (PLA2) catalyzes release of free fatty acids linked to phospholipids at sn-2 position. Some of these released free fatty acids are used to synthesize eicosanoids that mediate various physiological processes in insects. Although a large number of PLA2s form a superfamily consisting of at least 16 groups, few PLA2s have been identified and characterized in insects. Furthermore, physiological functions of insect PLA2s remain unclear. Clustered regularly interspaced short parlindromic repeats/CRISPR-associated protein 9 (CRISPR/Cas9) has been a useful research tool to validate gene function. This study identified and characterized a secretory PLA2 (sPLA2) from legume pod borer, Maruca vitrata (Lepidoptera: Crambidae), and validated its physiological functions using CRISPR/Cas9. An open reading frame of M. vitrata sPLA2 (Mv-sPLA2) encoding 192 amino acids contained signal peptide, calcium-binding domain, and catalytic site. Phylogenetic analysis indicated that Mv-sPLA2 was related to other Group III sPLA2s. Mv-sPLA2 was expressed in both larval and adult stages. It was inducible by immune challenge. RNA interference (RNAi) of Mv-sPLA2 significantly suppressed cellular immunity and impaired larval development. Furthermore, RNAi treatment in female adults prevented oocyte development. These physiological alterations were also observed in a mutant line of M. vitrata with Mv-sPLA2 deleted by using CRISPR/Cas9. Mv-sPLA2 was not detected in the mutant line from western blot analysis. Addition of an eicosanoid, PGE2, significantly rescued oocyte development of females of the mutant line. These results suggest that Mv-sPLA2 plays crucial role in immune, developmental, and reproductive processes of M. vitrata.

Current advances and future directions in genetic enhancement of a climate resilient food legume crop, cowpea (Vigna unguiculata L. Walp.)

Cowpea (Vigna unguiculata (L.) Walp.) is a warm-season legume crop which is widely grown by resource-poor small and marginal farmers of Sub-Saharan Africa, Asia, Central and South America for food and nutrition security, income generation and soil fertility improvement. Its productivity in its traditionally growing areas is constrained by a wide range of biotic (parasitic weeds, insect pests, viruses, fungal and bacterial pathogens, nematodes and aphids) and abiotic (drought, high temperature, salinity, low phosphorus) stresses. Cowpea’s genomic resources are limited and do not contain resistance sources for some of the stresses especially the most damaging insect pests and viruses. Widening its gene pool through interspecific hybridization including with wild relatives has met with limited success and this has encouraged adoption of genetic transformation leading to transfer of transgenes for resistance to Maruca pod borer, and bruchids, viruses, root-knot nematodes, herbicides and salt and drought stresses but only recently pod borer resistant Bt cowpea is released for commercial cultivation in Nigeria. The current cowpea gene transfer approaches are still inefficient, genotype and explant (tissue) dependent, and introduced mostly a single gene at a time. The recent progress in genomics, transcriptomics and small RNA studies has led to the identification of novel genes for various agronomic traits. The improvement in gene transfer and regeneration system would overcome the bottlenecks in production of transgenic- and gene-edited cowpea plants resilient to emerging pests, pathogens and abiotic stresses with better nutritional quality. The present review discusses the current advances in cowpea genomics, transcriptomics and development of transgenic plants for various desirable attributes and highlights the future directions for improvement in its yield and quality.