Primary Host Plant Research Articles

Fast spread of Corythucha arcuata (Say, 1832) (Hemiptera: Tingidae) in Slovakia during the period 2020–2022

Abstract This research examines the rapid spread of the oak lace bug, Corythucha arcuata (Say, 1832), in Slovakia from 2020 to 2022. A native of the Nearctic region, this pest was first detected in Europe back in 2000 and has since extended across considerable part of the continent. Monitoring efforts revealed its presence in Slovakia in 2018, with subsequent surveys showing its distribution through the southern region and a northward expansion. The pest mainly infests oak trees, and in 2022, it was seen there on as many as 87% of the plots. Out of a total of 233 locations visited in the period 2020–2022, the bug was found on 169 sites, which represents 72.5%. The study identified the pedunculate and Turkey oak as primary host-plants. The results provided a clear trend from the bugs moving further north with each passing year, covering an estimated total distance of 84.5 km over the three-year timeframe. Factors influencing its spread included passive transport via vehicles and possible wind-assisted dispersal on a local scale. The study also highlights the need for continuous monitoring and management strategies to mitigate its impact on oak ecosystems.

Impacts of assisted migration: An introduced herbivore has short‐term and long‐term effects on its native host plant population

AbstractAssisted migration consists of the introduction of a species to previously inhabited areas or to new suitable regions. Such introductions have been touted as a viable tool for conserving the earth's biodiversity. However, both the likely success of assisted migrations and the impacts on local communities are hotly debated. Empirical data on the local impacts of assisted migration are particularly lacking. We examined the short and long time‐scale effects of herbivory on Lonicera involucrata (Richards) Banks ex. Spreng (Caprifoliaceae) after an introduction of Euphydryas gillettii Barnes (Lepidoptera: Nymphalidae, Melitaeini) to Gunnison County, Colorado, USA, via an assisted migration in 1977. The plant is the primary larval host plant for the butterfly. We quantified plant seed production, plant survival, and population stage structure in two sets of observational experiments. We found that herbivory by E. gillettii increased L. involucrata reproduction on an annual time scale, independent of plant size and local microhabitat characteristics. Over the time since the butterfly's introduction, herbivory by E. gillettii resulted in a plant population structure biased toward smaller plants in the butterfly introduction and satellite sites compared with sites without the butterfly. Our results highlight the importance of studying the effects of assisted migrations on native populations at different temporal scales. As assisted migration becomes an indispensable tool for species conservation, our work adds to the understanding of the multi‐trophic impacts of assisted introductions on local populations and communities.

Assessing leaf rust resistance in Pakistani wheat landraces and its impact on grain yield

Leaf rust, caused by the fungus Puccinia triticina, is the most widespread rust disease in wheat, involving two hosts: common wheat as the primary host and specific plants like Thalictrum speciosissimum or Isopyrum fumaroides as alternate hosts. The present study investigated the crucial interplay between leaf rust resistance and grain yield in 10 Pakistani wheat landraces. By employing comprehensive assessments, including field trials and molecular analyses, the research sheds light on the resistance mechanisms within these landraces. Moreover, it examines the direct correlation between leaf rust resistance levels and the resultant grain yield, unraveling critical insights into the potential enhancement of wheat cultivars amidst the escalating challenges posed by this devastating disease. The findings hold promise for optimizing agricultural strategies, ensuring sustainable wheat production, and safeguarding global food security. The study focused on 10 bread wheat landraces, examining traits crucial for high-yielding varieties. Traits such as days to heading, days to maturity, grain filling period, flag leaf area, peduncle length, spike length, grains per spike, as well as measurements like 10-grain width, 10-grain length, and 100-grain weight were recorded. The analysis of variance (ANOVA) for these ten genotypes highlighted significant differences (P0.05 and P ≤ 0.01) across all traits.

A chromosome-level genome assembly of the Rhus gall aphid Schlechtendalia chinensis provides insight into the endogenization of Parvovirus-like DNA sequences

The Rhus gall aphid, Schlechtendalia chinensis, feeds on its primary host plant Rhus chinensis to induce galls, which have economic importance in medicines and the food industry. Rhus gall aphids have a unique life cycle and are economically beneficial but there is huge gap in genomic information about this group of aphids. Schlechtendalia chinensis induces rich-tannin galls on its host plant and is emerging as a model organism for both commercial applications and applied research in the context of gall production by insects. Here, we generated a high-quality chromosome-level assembly for the S. chinensis genome, enabling the comparison between S. chinensis and non-galling aphids. The final genome assembly is 344.59 Mb with 91.71% of the assembled sequences anchored into 13 chromosomes. We predicted 15,013 genes, of which 14,582 (97.13%) coding genes were annotated, and 99% of the predicted genes were anchored to the 13 chromosomes. This assembly reveals the endogenization of parvovirus-related DNA sequences (PRDs) in the S. chinensis genome, which could play a role in environmental adaptations. We demonstrated the characterization and classification of cytochrome P450s in the genome assembly, which are functionally crucial for sap-feeding insects and have roles in detoxification and insecticide resistance. This genome assembly also revealed the whole genome duplication events in S. chinensis, which can be considered in comparative evolutionary analysis. Our work represents a reference genome for gall-forming aphids that could be used for comparative genomic studies between galling and non-galling aphids and provides the first insight into the endogenization of PRDs in the genome of galling aphids. It also provides novel genetic information for future research on gall-formation and insect-plant interactions.

Plant susceptibility to a shared herbivore is reduced by belowground competition with neighbors.

Spatial variation in plant community composition is an important driver of variation in susceptibility to herbivores. In close proximity, certain neighbors can attract or repel herbivores to a focal plant ("associational effects"). Neighboring plants may also compete for resources, modifying their phenotype in ways that affect susceptibility to herbivores. To test whether and how competition contributes to associational effects, we manipulated the sharing of belowground resources among plant neighbors (spotted Joe Pye weed and common boneset) that serve as alternate hosts for an herbivorous beetle. In the field, the beetle Ophraella notata laid more eggs and inflicted more damage on plants of both species that were released from belowground competition with neighbors. Competition also weakened the effects of neighbor identity during field trials, reducing associational susceptibility. When beetles were forced to choose between the two host species in cage trials, competition again reduced beetle use of Joe Pye weed as a secondary host. To test the role of plant traits related to herbivore defense and nutrition, we quantified leaf protein, specific leaf area, and trichomes, and conducted behavioral assays on leaf disks. Beetles did not distinguish between Joe Pye weed treatments at the leaf disk level, and competition did not impact specific leaf area and protein. Trichome density was higher in both species in the preferred treatment. Overall, our results suggest that belowground interactions between plants may mediate the strength of associational effects, as secondary hosts become more attractive when released from competition with primary host plants.

Plant phylogeny determines host selection and acceptance of the oligophagous leaf beetle Cassida rubiginosa.

Predicting the host range of biocontrol agents is important for the safe and effective implementation of biocontrol of weeds. In this study, we examined the phylogenetic pattern of host selection and acceptance by the biocontrol beetle, Cassida rubiginosa. The beetle was released in New Zealand for control of Cirsium arvense, its primary host plant, but has potential to attack many Cardueae (thistles and knapweeds) species. We conducted a series of no-choice and choice experiments and modelled the responses of Cassida rubiginosa in relation to phylogenetic distance from Cirsium arvense. The olfactory recognition (single odour) and preference (two odours) of the beetle showed a significant phylogenetic relationship. These relationships showed a high degree of correlation with 66.9% of the variation in olfactory recognition and 82.8% of the variation in olfactory preference explained by phylogeny. Where the beetle could contact plants, under no-choice conditions there was no phylogenetic pattern to host plant acceptance. However, under choice conditions, phylogenetic distance was a strong predictor of feeding and oviposition preference. These relationships showed a high degree of correlation, with 63.4% of the variation in feeding preference, and 89.0% of the variation in oviposition preference, explained by phylogeny. As far as we are aware, this is the first demonstration of an herbivorous insect that exhibits a phylogenetic pattern to olfactory host plant selection. Host plant utilisation by Cassida rubiginosa in New Zealand will be mostly restricted to Cirsium and Carduus species, with minimal potential for impact on other Cardueae weeds. © 2023 The Authors. Pest Management Science published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd on behalf of Society of Chemical Industry.

Artificial light at night increases the nighttime feeding of monarch butterfly caterpillars without affecting host plant quality

Most research on the effects of artificial light at night (ALAN) on animal behaviour focuses on nocturnal species. In addition, there are few studies on the effects of ALAN on the feeding behaviour of herbivores or how such behavioural changes affect herbivore performance. In this study, we tested whether ALAN has direct effects on the feeding frequency and performance of the larvae of the monarch butterfly (Danaus plexippus), a species in which adults are diurnal but larvae exhibit little diel rhythm in feeding activity. We also tested for effects of ALAN on the growth, nutritional quality, or anti-herbivore defences of this herbivore's primary host plant in North America, common milkweed (Asclepias syriaca). There was no evidence that ALAN affected the growth, nutritional quality or defensive traits of the host plant. However, at night, the feeding frequency of larvae exposed to ALAN was two times higher than in larvae that were not exposed to ALAN. Despite this effect on feeding frequency, ALAN had no significant effects on larval development time (days from second instar to pupation) or pupal mass. Our study highlights that ALAN can have strong impacts on the feeding activity patterns of herbivorous insects and that these impacts are not limited to nocturnal species.

Phenology of Eri silkworm Samia ricini (Donovan) in Lower Assam and its impact on upscaling eri seed production

Aim: A phenology study on the seed cocoon rearing performance of Samia ricini (Donovan) in different seasons of Lower Assam and subsequent production of disease-free laying was undertaken. Methodology: In each season, four batches of seed cocoon rearing were conducted on eri silkworms of Borduar race (n=100 dfls) which were reared only on the castor, the primary host plant, to eliminate the variability due to different host plants. The data on different seed cocoon rearing and reproductive parameters were recorded for every rearing and pooled season-wise for comparison. Results: The highest seed cocoon yield per dfl was recorded during autumn (215.92±6.24 nos) followed by winter/spring and late monsoon seasons. During autumn, significantly higher ERR% (90.69±1.01) was observed. Grainage operations conducted on the seed cocoons of various seasons revealed ideal dfl to cocoon ratio during autumn (1:3.5) and late monsoon (1:4.2). The percentage of moth emergence was significantly high in autumn (92.27± 2.90), followed by late monsoon (89.07± 5.38). Interpretation: Results evidently indicated that late monsoon and autumn seasons spanning from September to November months can be utilized effectively for large scale eri silkworm seed production in Assam. Key words: Eri silkworm, Phenology, Reproductive performance, Samia ricini, Seed cocoon rearing

Temporal variability in foliar protein content and trypsin inhibitory levels in two host trees of tropical Tasar silkworm Antheraea mylitta, Drury

Aim: Variation in total soluble proteins and protease inhibitor levels were investigated to determine nutritional and plant defense status in different leaf types of Terminalia arjuna (Roxb.) Wight and Arn., and Schleichera oleosa (Lou.) Oken, two host tree species of the economically important, non-mulberry Tasar silkworm, A. mylitta. Methodology: Quantitative spectrophotometric assays based on diagnostic amidolytic substrates were conducted to assess serine protease inhibitor activities in young, semi-mature and mature leaf types. A microplate quantification assay for total protein estimations was used with leaf types sampled over a year. Efficacy of total trypsin inhibitor and chymotrypsin inhibitor activities detected in T. arjuna (a primary host plant) was further evaluated on gut extracts of fourth instar A. mylitta and Pieris brassicae L. (a Pierid pest of crucifers) to assess the physiological adaptation of larvae to dietary antifeedants. Molecular provenances with rbcL genes were obtained that are available as NCBI accessions #MN460810 for T. arjuna and #MT010554 for S. oleosa. Results: Intra-specific variations were evident in leaf phenology of two tree species. Generally, young leaf type of both tree species had high levels of total protein and trypsin inhibitory activities, while mature leaf type of T. arjuna had low total protein content and trypsin inhibitor levels. Mature leaf type of S. oleosa had low trypsin inhibitor levels during the months of July and August. Midgut proteases of A. mylitta and P. brassicae were significantly more susceptible (p≤0.05) to both trypsin and chymotrypsin inhibitors detected in young and semi-mature leaf types of T. arjuna than the mature leaf type. Interpretation: In this study, differential inhibition of digestive proteases in A. mylitta and P. brassicae by protease inhibitors from different leaf types of T. arjuna, suggested adaptation to dietary antifeedants. Such reports on nutritional quality, foliar antifeedants, phenology and host plant utilization are relevant for strategies to domesticate the tropical Tasar silkworm, A. mylitta. Key words: Antheraea mylitta, Protease Inhibitors, Terminalia arjuna, Total protein, Tree phenology

Genome-wide identification and characterization of the chemosensory relative protein genes in Rhus gall aphid Schlechtendalia chinensis

BackgroundThe Rhus gall aphid Schlechtendalia chinensis specially uses the only species Rhus chinensis and certain moss species (Mniaceae) as its primary host plant and secondary host plants, respectively. Rhus galls are formed on the primary host by the sucking of aphids, and used in traditional medicine as well as other various areas due to their high tannin contents. Chemoreception is critical for insect behaviors such as host searching, location and identification of mates and reproductive behavior. The process of chemoreception is mediated by a series of protein gene families, including odorant-binding proteins (OBPs), chemosensory proteins (CSPs), olfactory receptors (ORs), gustatory receptors (GRs), ionotropic receptors (IRs), and sensory neuron membrane proteins (SNMPs). However, there have been no reports on the analysis of molecular components related to the chemoreception system of S. chinensis at the genome level.ResultsWe examined the genes of eight OBPs, nine CSPs, 24 ORs, 16 GRs, 22 IRs, and five SNMPs in the S. chinensis genome using homological searches, and these chemosensory genes appeared mostly on chromosome 1. Phylogenetic and gene number analysis revealed that the gene families, e.g., ORs, GRs, CSPs and SNMPs in S. chinensis, have experienced major contractions by comparing to Myzus persicae, while the two gene families OBPs and IRs had slight expansion. The current results might be related to the broader host range of M. persicae versus the specialization of S. chinensis on only a host plant. There were 28 gene pairs between genomes of S. chinensis and Acyrthosiphon pisum in the chemoreceptor gene families by collinear comparison. Ka/Ks ratios (< 1) indicated that the genes of S. chinensis were mainly affected by purification selection during evolution. We also found the lower number and expression level of chemoreception genes in S. chinensis than in other 11 aphid species, such as ORs, GRs and IRs, which play an important role in host search.ConclusionOur study firstly identified the genes of the different chemosensory protein gene families in the S. chinensis genome, and analyzed their general features and expression profile, demonstrating the importance of chemoreception in the aphid and providing new information for further functional research.

Comparative demography of a specialist and generalist fruit fly: Implications for host use and pest management

AbstractHost plants used by phytophagous insects can have significant consequences on demography parameters, overall lifetime fitness and their subsequent population dynamics. Here, we conduct a comparative demographic study between the specialist Zeugodacus cucumis (French) and generalist Bactrocera tryoni (Froggatt) (Diptera: Tephritidae) to determine whether the host plants used by these fly species play any role in their overall lifetime fitness and explains current host use patterns. These two fly species are pests within the north‐eastern region of Australia and we further aimed to use complete life‐history data to determine the population parameters and models that would help identify the sensitive life‐history stage that could be targeted for effective field management. Eggs collected from laboratory‐reared flies were inoculated into organically grown fruits of both the primary and alternate host plant cultivars of both fly species. The proportion surviving each life stage from egg through to adult and fecundity were monitored for all cohorts from the different plant cultivars. Complete stage‐base life‐tables for cohorts of each fly species developing from each fruit cultivar were constructed, and the key demographic parameters and population models were analysed using PopTools matrix model programme. Our results showed that the host used by each fly species had significant consequences on fly demographic parameters and hence their overall lifetime fitness. The generalist B. tryoni was able to compensate for the fitness loss experienced at the pre‐adult stage by having adults with higher fecundity, but this was not the case for the specialist Z. cucumis. Stage‐base population models revealed that the population growth rate of both species was highly sensitive at the adult reproductive stage, indicating that manipulating probability of survival at this life stage would effectively manage populations of these pest species. This study provides the empirical evidence of undertaking complete life history demography studies of phytophagous insects to accurately understand their lifetime fitness consequences of using a certain host, their observed host use patterns, and overall population dynamics. We suggest that any efforts to manage dacine fruit fly pest population should consider life‐history consequences of host use.

Do primary and secondary host plants affect aphid- parasitoid interactions in fruit orchards?

The aim of this study was to investigate how the primary (PHP) and secondary host plants (SHP) in the fruit orchards affect the interactions of aphids and their parasitoids in northwest Turkey during spring and summer 2020 and 2021. In total, 67 tritrophic aphid-parasitoid-host plant interactions, including new association records for Europe and Turkey, were obtained from 16 parasitoid species from the subfamily Aphidiinae (Hymenoptera: Braconidae) reared from 25 aphid species (Hemiptera: Aphididae) on 22 PHP and SHP in the fruit orchards. Also, we evaluated the effect of the PHP and SHP on the parasitoids, aphids and their interactions. We revealed that the species richness and the values of the biodiversity indices of the parasitoids and aphids were significantly higher on the SHP than the PHP. Similarly, the aphid-parasitoid interactions on the SHP showed greater diversity than the PHP. The results of this study clearly show that the interactions of parasitoids and aphids in the fruit orchards were more diverse on the SHP compared to the PHP.

Complex host/symbiont integration of a multi-partner symbiotic system in the eusocial aphid Ceratovacuna japonica.

Some hemipteran insects rely on multiple endosymbionts for essential nutrients. However, the evolution of multi-partner symbiotic systems is not well-established. Here, we report a co-obligate symbiosis in the eusocial aphid, Ceratovacuna japonica. 16S rRNA amplicon sequencing unveiled co-infection with a novel Arsenophonus sp. symbiont and Buchnera aphidicola, a common obligate endosymbiont in aphids. Both symbionts were housed within distinct bacteriocytes and were maternally transmitted. The Buchnera and Arsenophonus symbionts had streamlined genomes of 432,286bp and 853,149bp, respectively, and exhibited metabolic complementarity in riboflavin and peptidoglycan synthesis pathways. These anatomical and genomic properties were similar to those of independently evolved multi-partner symbiotic systems, such as Buchnera-Serratia in Lachninae and Periphyllus aphids, representing remarkable parallelism. Furthermore, symbiont populations and bacteriome morphology differed between reproductive and soldier castes. Our study provides the first example of co-obligate symbiosis in Hormaphidinae and gives insight into the evolutionary genetics of this complex system.

Detoxification Gene Families at the Genome-Wide Level of Rhus Gall Aphid Schlechtendalia chinensis.

The Rhus gall aphid Schlechtendalia chinensis uses the species Rhus chinensis as its primary host plant, on which galls are produced. The galls have medicinal properties and can be used in various situations due to their high tannin content. Detoxification enzymes play significant roles in the insect lifecycle. In this study, we focused on five detoxification gene families, i.e., glutathione-S-transferase (GST), ABC transporter (ABC), Carboxylesterase (CCE), cyto-chrome P450 (CYP), and UDP-glycosyltransferase (UDP), and manually annotated 144 detoxification genes of S. chinensis using genome-wide techniques. The detoxification genes appeared mostly on chromosome 1, where a total of two pair genes were identified to show tandem duplications. There were 38 gene pairs between genomes of S. chinensis and Acyrthosiphon pisum in the detoxification gene families by collinear comparison. Ka/Ks ratios showed that detoxification genes of S. chinensis were mainly affected by purification selection during evolution. The gene expression numbers of P450s and ABCs by transcriptome sequencing data were greater, while gene expression of CCEs was the highest, suggesting they might be important in the detoxification process. Our study has firstly identified the genes of the different detoxification gene families in the S. chinensis genome, and then analyzed their general features and expression, demonstrating the importance of the detoxification genes in the aphid and providing new information for further research.

Comparative study on the Rearing performance of muga silkworm (Antheraea assamensis Helfer) on two primary host plants Som (Persea bombycina Kost) and Soalu (Litsea monopetala Roxb) in differentrearing seasons

Muga, (Antherea assamensis, Helfer) is a polyphagous multivoltine insect. (Chakravorty et al., 2004) Due to outdoor rearing the muga larvae are subject to different biotic factors and abiotic stress. The seasonal differences in the environmental components considerably affect the genotypic expression in the form phenotypic output of silkworm such as cocoon weight, pupal weight, shell weight and shell ratio. An attempt has been made on two primary host plants viz. Som and Soalu to investigate their comparative performance on rearing in study area on different rearing seasons. Results indicated highest Shell weight and Shell Ratio(SR %) when fed on Som plant (T1) where as Larval weight, Pupal weight is highest when fed on Soalu (T2) plant and the results also reveals lowest performance in Soalu to Som fed batch (T3). This study also reveals that Kotia (V1) season showing best rearing performance followed by Jethua (V2), Bhodia (V3) and Chotua (V4). This study was conducted continually three years in the same area and showing same trend. T-1 and V1 showed the best commercial characters of Antherea assamensis, Helfer when silkworm larvae were feed with Som leaves. Therefore, it is suggested that Som leaves can be used in rearing for higher yield of muga silk. If there is a shortage of Som leaves during commercial rearing, then Chawki rearing can be done in Soalu plants and then transferred to Som plant for late age rearing.

The Effect of Wind Speed on Male Potato Aphid, Macrosiphum euphorbiae, Responses to Primary Host Plant Volatiles and Female Sex Pheromone.

Simple SummaryWe demonstrate that male potato aphids respond more to a combination of volatiles from the host plant on which the species overwinters and the female sex pheromone than to the host plant alone. In both cases, the level of response declines as wind speed increases, but the higher attraction to the combined odour sources is maintained. These findings are discussed within the context of mate location by male aphids, which are insects that have little control over flight direction.In fall, alate males of the potato aphid, Macrosiphum euphorbiae (Thomas), migrate from their summer (secondary) host plants, such as potatoes, to primary host plants, such as roses, where they mate with wingless oviparae who produce the overwintering egg stage. Males are weak fliers and generally walk towards a pheromone source under windy conditions, so we tested the hypothesis that upwind walking behaviour in response to wind velocity would be affected by the volatile cues present. We compared male responses to the odour of a rugosa rose cutting alone and to the combination of host plant volatiles and the female sex pheromone under a range of wind speeds in a laboratory walking bioassay. The proportion of males responding decreased as the wind speed increased, but at all wind velocities, the responses to the combined odours were higher than to the host plant alone. However, at any given wind velocity, the speed at which responding aphids moved was not influenced by the odour source. These findings support the idea that host plant volatiles serve as long-distance cues for males and that the female sex pheromone is used once on the host plant.

Effective Diversified Uses of Tapioca (Manihot esculenta Crantz.) and Borkesseru (Ailanthus excelsa Roxb.): The Promising Secondary Host Plants of Eri Silkworm

Eri culture is an age old traditional activity associated with the socio-economic life of the rural population of the country. Eri silkworm (Samia ricini Donovan) is a multivoltine silkworm which is polyphagous in nature. It feeds on number of primary, secondary and tertiary host plants. Tapioca (Manihot esculenta Crantz.) and borkesseru (Ailanthus excelsa Roxb.) are regarded as the secondary host plants of eri silkworm and these plants species have enormous potentialities due to having certain properties for utilization in multiple purposes. Besides utilization as a host plant for silkworm rearing, the various parts of the plants can be exploited commercially. The plant parts can be used for human consumption, industrial as well as medicinal purposes. Moreover, they can also be utilized as a fodder, pesticides, fuel etc. Huge potentialities of product diversification of these plants will give a new dimension to eri industry. Hence, popularization of diversified uses of tapioca and borkesseru is very necessary to uplift the rural economy of the country. This review mainly focuses on the importance of tapioca and borkesseru not only as host plants of eri silkworm but also its utility in numerous purposes.

Comparative mitochondrial genomes of the Rhus gall aphid Kaburagia rhusicola subspecies with variable gall shapes

Rhus gall aphids (Hemiptera: Aphididae: Eriosomatinae) stimulate the formation of galls on their primary host plants (sumacs: Rhus spp., Anacardiaceae). The shapes of galls are often used as an extended phenotype to identify the aphid species and subspecies. We collected four Rhus galls with conspicuously different shapes formed by Kaburagia rhusicola aphids, whose sequences of the complete mitochondrial genomes (mitogenomes) were obtained by high-throughput sequencing. Each mitogenome was assembled into a circular molecule containing 13 protein-coding genes, two rRNAs, 22 tRNAs and one control region. All the protein-coding genes had a typical ATN initiation codon and TAA termination codon except for cox1 and nad4, which had a single T as stop codon. All the tRNAs could be folded as a typical clover-leaf secondary structure, except for trnS1 lacking a dihydrouridine (DHU) arm. The relative synonymous codon usage and ratio of nonsynonymous to synonymous substitution rates showed that the four K. rhusicola samples were highly similar to the subspecies K. r. ovogallis. The phylogenetic analyses grouped these samples with K. r. ovogallis in a clade sister to K. r. rhusicola. All these molecular analyses demonstrated that our current samples represented one subspecies of Kaburagia rhusicola, i.e., K. r. ovogallis, and the gall shape was variable even at the subspecies level in Kaburagia gall aphids.

Interactions of aphids (Hemiptera: Aphididae) with their primary and secondary host plants in orchards in Çanakkale Province, Turkey

This study aimed to reveal the interactions of aphids with their primary hosts (pome and stone fruit trees) and secondary hosts (herbaceous plants) in and around orchards in the Çanakkale Province in northwestern Turkey between April-September from 2020 to 2021. Thirty-eight aphid species belonging to 18 genera from two subfamilies, Aphidinae and Calaphidinae, of Aphididae in the order Hemiptera were identified on 53 host plants. Also, 92 aphid-primary-secondary host plant interactions, including several new host plant records for some aphid species in Turkey were revealed in the orchards. Of these hosts, Ballota sp. (Lamiaceae), Carduus pycnocephalus L. (Asteraceae), Conyza sp. (Asteraceae), Diplotaxis sp. (Brassicaceae), Echium plantagineum L. (Boraginaceae), Galium sp. (Rubiaceae), Geranium columbinum L. (Geraniaceae), Papaver rhoeas L. (Papaveraceae), Ranunculus muricatus L. (Ranunculaceae) and Scandix pecten-veneris L. (Apiaceae) are determined as new host plants for some aphids in Turkey. It is believed that the new data on the interactions of aphids with their primary and secondary hosts in orchards will support both a better understanding of the biology of fruit pest aphids and the development of new strategies for the control of aphid pests.

EFFECT OF INM PRACTICES ON THE MORPHOLOGICAL, PHYSIOLOGICAL AND BIOCHEMICAL PARAMETER OF ARJUN LEAF PRIMARY HOST PLANT OF Antheraea mylitta D.

The present study was conducted to investigate the effect of Integrated Nutrient Management practices on the different parameter of Arjun leaf the primary host plant of Antheraea mylitta D. Eleven different combination with three replication were laid out in Randomized Complete Block Design at the field of Research Extension Centre, Kapistha. The obtained results showed that morphological, Physiological and Biochemical parameter of Arjun leaf showed significant difference. The Arjun leaf length was recorded highest in K11 (17cm) was on par with K9 (17cm). Highest leaf breadth was recorded in K10 (6.2cm) was applied with 75%RDF+Poultry manure+ AB+PSB. Leaf weight was recorded highest in K7 (2.84g), lowest in K1(1.21g). Number of leaves was recorded highest in K6 (1816) over the control. The leaf yield was recorded highest in K11 (3735). Leaves dry matter production was highest in K8 (469.56g) over the control. Relative water content was highest in K5 (87.3%). The initial Electrical Conductivity was recorded highest in K9 (0.037dSm-1) and after 10 min EC was found to highest in K9 (0.111dSm-1). The Chlorophyll ’a’ was recorded highest in K9 (3.39), Chl’b’(2.36)and total chlorophyll in K9(5.75) was recorded highest. The result were found significant due to effect of INM practices which provided the nutrients element needed by plants.