Saddle Gall Midge Research Articles

Genetic Insight Into the Insect Resistance in Bread Wheat Exploiting the Untapped Natural Diversity.

Climate change is an undeniable threat to sustainable wheat production in the future as an increased temperature will significantly increase grain loss due to the increased number of generations per season of multivoltine species that are detrimental to plants. Among insects, orange wheat blossom midge (OWBM), yellow wheat blossom midge (YWBM), saddle gall midge (SGM), thrips, and frit fly (FF) are important wheat pests in the European environments, which can be managed by the development of resistant cultivars. This involves the identification, confirmation, and incorporation of insect resistance sources into new high-yielding cultivars. We used two diverse and unrelated wheat [winter wheat (WW) and spring wheat (SW)] panels to associate single-nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) markers with the mentioned pests using the tools of association mapping. All in all, a total of 645 and 123 significant associations were detected in WW and SW, respectively, which were confined to 246 quantitative trait loci. Many candidate genes were identified using the BLAST analysis of the sequences of associated SNPs. Some of them are involved in controlling the physical structures of plants such as stomatal immunity and closure, cuticular wax in leaf blade, whereas others are involved in the production of certain enzymes in response to biotic and abiotic stresses. To our knowledge, this is the first detailed investigation that deals with YWBM, SGM, thrips, and FF resistance genetics using the natural variation in wheat. The reported germplasm is also readily available to breeders across the world that can make rational decisions to breed for the pest resilience of their interest by including the resistant genotypes being reported.

Parasitism rates and parasitoid complexes of the wheat midges, Sitodiplosis mosellana, Contarinia tritici and Haplodiplosis marginata

Three species of cecidomyiid midges (Diptera: Cecidomyiidae), whose larvae overwinter in the soil, can cause significant yield losses on wheat in Europe: the orange wheat blossom midge, Sitodiplosis mosellana (Gehin), the yellow wheat blossom midge, Contarinia tritici (Kirby), and the saddle gall midge, Haplodiplosis marginata (von Roser). The biological control of wheat midges by their parasitoids can contribute to reduce the midge populations. Soil samples were collected in several fields in Belgium in 2012–2014 in order to characterize the parasitism rates and parasitoid complexes in overwintering larvae. The parasitism rates varied greatly between the sampled fields: 3–100, 0–100 and 2% for S. mosellana, H. marginata and C. tritici, respectively. The parasitism rate was not related to the larval density of wheat midge. The three wheat midges have totally distinct parasitoid complexes in Belgium. Eight species (Hymenoptera: Pteromalidae and Platygastridae) were found as parasitoid of S. mosellana: Macroglenes penetrans (Kirby), Amblypasis tritici (Walker), Euxestonotus error (Fitch), Euxestonutus sp. Fouts, Leptacis sp. Foerster, Platygaster gracilipes (Huggert), Platygaster nisus Walker, and Platygaster tuberosula (Kieffer). According to their abundance, M. penetrans, E. error and P. tuberosula appeared as the main parasitoids of S. mosellana in Belgium. For the two other wheat midges, only one species of the family Platygastridae was found for each midge: Platygaster equestris (Spittler) for H. marginata and Synopeas myles (Walker) for C. tritici.

Factors affecting trap catch in pheromone‐based monitoring of saddle gall midge Haplodiplosis marginata (Diptera: Cecidomyiidae)

The saddle gall midge, Haplodiplosis marginata (von Roser) (Diptera: Cecidomyiidae), is a pest of cereal crops in Europe. Outbreaks are difficult to predict and effective monitoring tools are required to ensure the effectiveness of pest management options. The female sex pheromone (R)-2-nonyl butyrate provides the basis of a highly effective lure for this insect. Here, we demonstrate how the success of this lure can be influenced by parameters such as trap location, lure age, and interference between traps fitted with these lures. A pheromone lure containing (R)-2-nonyl butyrate attracted male midges for at least 9 weeks under field conditions. Pheromone-baited traps performed best when situated away from field margins and below the height of the crop. Interference between nearby traps was evident at distances <20 m. The results presented here offer new insights into the behavioural responses of male H. marginata to the female sex pheromone and provide practical recommendations for the use of H. marginata pheromone traps in the field. © 2017 Society of Chemical Industry.

PCR-based gut content analysis to identify arthropod predators of Haplodiplosis marginata

Saddle gall midge (Haplodiplosis marginata) is a cereal pest exhibiting sporadic outbreaks for which chemical control options are limited. Integrated Pest Management programs may offer a means of suppressing H. marginata outbreaks, reducing pesticide input. Many IPM programs benefit from the natural population suppression inflicted through predation and parasitism. The larval stage of H. marginata overwinters in the soil and may be preyed upon by ground-dwelling arthropods, however the natural enemies of H. marginata remain unrecognized. A PCR-based assay for detecting H. marginata in the guts of predators was designed using novel species-specific primers. Feeding trials involving H. marginata larvae showed a detectability half-life of 31.07 h post-feeding in Nebria brevicollis. The guts of field-caught Carabidae were screened for H. marginata DNA. Four species: Poecilus versicolor, Nebria brevicollis, Harpalus rufipes and Loricera pilicornis were identified as natural enemies of H. marginata for the first time. A higher proportion of positive results were obtained at the end of H. marginata emergence (July) compared to the beginning (May). The importance of understanding trophic interactions in the management of H. marginata is discussed in addition to the potential uses for the newly designed assay and primers.

Degree-day based phenological forecasting model of saddle gall midge (Haplodiplosis marginata) (Diptera: Cecidomyiidae) emergence

Outbreaks of saddle gall midge (Haplodiplosis marginata) affecting wheat and other cereals are difficult to anticipate and may not be identified until damage has occurred. Earlier work on this pest has shown that degree day models can be used to predict H. marginata emergence based on soil temperatures. Here, we show how the availability of regular long-term trapping data can be used to update and improve upon this earlier model by predicting the progression of emergence. The emergence of adult H. marginata at three sites in the UK was monitored over two flight seasons using pheromone traps. The data confirmed the presence of multiple peaks in emergence over several weeks. Rainfall events followed by an accumulation of 512DD (±9.11DD) above 0 °C could be used to predict peaks with greater accuracy than degree day accumulations alone. Cumulative percentage emergence as a function of degree day accumulations was best described by a probit model. The probit model predicted H. marginata emergence at other sites and years to within 4 days. Application of these models will enable growers to forecast peaks in emergence, make informed assessments of crop risk and time application of chemical controls appropriately and only where required.

Development and optimisation of a sex pheromone lure for monitoring populations of saddle gall midge, Haplodiplosis marginata

AbstractSaddle gall midge, Haplodiplosis marginata (von Roser) (Diptera: Cecidomyiidae), is a sporadic pest of cereals in Northern and Central Europe and is of increasing importance in the UK. Recently, the major component of the sex pheromone produced by adult female H. marginata was reported to be 2‐nonyl butyrate. The importance of absolute configuration on attractiveness, the effects on trap catches of the addition of minor pheromone components, dispenser type, and pheromone loading are described in the development of an optimised pheromone lure with which to trap H. marginata males. In analyses of volatiles collected from virgin female H. marginata by gas chromatography (GC) coupled with electroantennographic recording (EAG) from the antenna of a male H. marginata, two EAG responses were observed. Analyses by coupled GC‐mass spectrometry (MS) indicated these were due to 2‐nonyl butyrate and a trace amount (1%) of 2‐heptyl butyrate. A similar trace amount of 2‐nonanol was detected in GC‐MS analyses but this compound did not elicit an EAG response when the synthetic compound was tested, whereas the other two compounds did. These three compounds were not observed in collections of volatiles made from male H. marginata. The 2‐nonyl butyrate was shown to be the (R)‐enantiomer. In field trapping tests (R)‐2‐nonyl butyrate was at least 10× more attractive to male H. marginata than the racemic compound, and the (S)‐enantiomer was unattractive. Addition of the potential minor components individually or together at the naturally occurring ratios did not increase or reduce the attractiveness of the lure. Polyethylene vials and rubber septa were equally effective as pheromone dispensers, lasting for at least 5 weeks in the field in the UK, although laboratory tests indicated release from the former was more uniform and more likely to last longer in the field. Increasing loading of pheromone in the dispenser increased attractiveness. Traps baited with polyethylene vials containing 0.5 mg of (R)‐2‐nonyl butyrate are recommended for monitoring H. marginata and these are far more sensitive than water or sticky traps currently used for monitoring this pest.

A review of the biology, ecology and control of saddle gall midge,Haplodiplosis marginata(Diptera: Cecidomyiidae) with a focus on phenological forecasting

Saddle gall midge Haplodiplosis marginata (Diptera: Cecidomyiidae) is a pest of cereals across Europe. The occasional nature of this pest has resulted in limited and sporadic research activity. There remain important gaps in knowledge due either to a genuine lack of research or to previous research being difficult to access. These knowledge gaps make the development of effective control options difficult. Here, we review the existing literature in an attempt to consolidate the information on H. marginata from research which spans several decades and encompasses many different countries. The current distribution and pest status of this insect are updated, along with the methods of cultural and chemical control available to growers. The biology and life history of the insect are described in detail and the ecological processes governing them are discussed. A forecasting model is presented which allows the emergence of this pest in the UK to be predicted from degree day data, and the potential application of this model in management decisions is discussed. Finally, the areas in most need of further research are identified, along with suggestions of how this information can be used to help develop effective and sustainable management solutions for this pest.

A pheromone trap monitoring system for the saddle gall midge, Haplodiplosis marginata (von Roser) (Diptera: Cecidomyiidae)

Outbreaks of saddle gall midge, Haplodiplosis marginata (von Roser) (Diptera: Cecidomyiidae) have been reported in Belgium and other European countries since 2010. Because of the sporadic nature of this pest, which can sometimes be very harmful to cereal crops, an effective monitoring tool is required, both to determine the optimal timing for insecticide applications, and to understand the enigmatic population dynamics of this insect. Following the recent identification of the major sex pheromone component of the saddle gall midge, non-2-yl butanoate, a slow-release dispenser was developed using rubber septa. The release rates of 5 mg and 10 mg-loaded dispensers were initially measured under laboratory conditions, and their effectiveness in terms of pheromone loading and use duration was assessed in the field. The experiments showed that sticky traps baited with 5 mg pheromone-loaded rubber dispensers, renewed every 6 weeks, are suitable for accurately monitoring male H. marginata flights.

Targeted control of the saddle gall midge, Haplodiplosis marginata (von Roser) (Diptera: Cecidomyiidae), and the benefits of good control of this pest to winter wheat yield.

Since 2010 there has been a resurgence of the saddle gall midge, Haplodiplosis marginata (von Roser), in Belgium and several other European countries, with this pest sometimes causing severe damage in cereals. In 2012 and 2013, field trials were conducted in heavily infested fields to assess its impact on winter wheat crops and to determine efficient ways of dealing with severe infestations. Crop exposure to H. marginata varied with the different protection methods tried. These methods included 1-4 successive applications of lambda-cyhalothrin. Yield losses were significant, reaching 6% in 2012 and as high as 15% in 2013, and these losses were linearly related to the number of galls on stems. The trials showed that insecticide applications needed to be synchronised with H. marginata flight peaks and to target the egg hatching period. They also revealed that insecticides applied to coincide with the first flight could, in humid conditions, also reach the larvae close to the soil surface, prior to their pupation.

Identification of 1-methyloctyl butanoate as the major sex pheromone component from females of the saddle gall midge, Haplodiplosis marginata (Diptera: Cecidomyiidae)

The saddle gall midge, Haplodiplosis marginata (von Roser) (Diptera: Cecidomyiidae), has undergone a resurgence recently as a pest of cereals in Belgium and other European countries. An effective monitoring tool of saddle gall midge flights is needed to understand the enigmatic population dynamics of this pest, and to design an integrated management strategy. Therefore, volatile compounds emitted by females (alkan-2-ols and alk-2-yl butanoates) were identified, and the chirality of the emitted esters was determined to be the R absolute configuration. In field-trapping experiments, racemic non-2-yl butanoate attracted substantial numbers of H. marginata males. Thus, this compound will be useful in baited traps for monitoring seasonal flight patterns, and improving integrated management of the saddle gall midge in agricultural systems.

Unusual occurrence of cocoons in population of Haplodiplosis marginata (Diptera: Cecidomyiidae) in Belgium.

The saddle gall midge, Haplodiplosis marginata (von Roser) (Diptera: Cecidomyiidae), is a phytophagous species that develops in saddle-shaped galls on stems of wheat Triticum vulgare , barley Hordeum sativum , rye Secale cereale , and some other species of Poaceae. Only one generation develops per year. Full-grown larvae leave galls and drop onto the soil where they remain up to the springtime of the following year. Larvae do not usually spin cocoons. However, formation of cocoons by larvae was observed in populations developing in western Europe: in England in 1954, in the Netherlands in the 1960s, and in Belgium in 2011. On the basis of our analysis, a part of the larval population forms cocoons as protection against unfavorable weather conditions, especially drought.

Identification of proteases from leaf beetle (Oulema spp.) by selective protease inhibitorsIdentyfikacja proteaz skrzypionek (Oulema spp.) za pomocą selektywnych inhibitorów proteaz

Summary The aim of the study was the identification of gut proteases of leaf beetle Oulema spp. Leaf beetles like aphids or saddle gall midge belong to main cereal pests in Poland. Two species of leaf beetles are common in Poland: cereal leaf beetle (Oulema melanopus, Linnaeus 1758) and grey leaf beetle (Oulema gallaeciana, Heydel 1870). The larvae of both species damage the assimilation surface of plant leaves. Leaf beetles were collected from the fields. The larvae of leaf beetles were immobilized on ice and then homogenized. For identification of different gut proteases polyacrylamide gel separation (in-gel protease assay condition) and selective inhibitors E-64 (trans-epoxysuccinyl-L-leucylamido(4-guanidino)butane) for cysteine protease and PMSF (Phenylmethylsulfonyl fluoride) for serine protease were used. Two kind of proteases: serine and cysteine were identified in guts of leaf beetles. This aspect is very important because insects utilize proteases to digest plant material and to gain exogenous amino acids.

Studies of recent outbreaks of saddle gall midge

Studies of recent outbreaks of saddle gall midge

Observations on Saddle Gall Midge (Haplodiplosis equestris (Wagn.)) in Eastern England

SUMMARYData comparing the amount of infestation in eastern England on wheat, barley and oats by saddle gall midge are given for the years from 1967 to 1972. The level of infestation decreased in 1971 and 1972. The changes in the numbers of overwintering larvae in several fields, with their cropping, are recorded. In 1971 and 1972 the first adult was trapped on 18 and 19 May respectively; the peak flights occurred on 31 May 1971 and on 11 June 1972. It was not possible to obtain an overall relationship between the amount of galling and yield. It is suggested that the individual effects of the many factors which can affect yield can only be assessed from detailed experiments.In a small‐scale trial in 1972, a fenitrothion spray applied in June prevented galling of barley.

Results of a Three Year Survey of Saddle Gall Midge (Haplodiplosis equestris (Wagn.)) on Spring Barley

SUMMARYThe results of a three year survey of the incidence of saddle gall midge, Haplodiplosis equestris (Wagn.), on barley crops in the eastern counties of England are given. The total percentage of fields with galling was 47 per cent in 1967, 39 per cent in 1968 and 60 per cent in 1969. The differences between the years may be related to weather conditions. No correlation between the amount of galling and the yield of grain was established. It is suggested that the level of infestation may be related to soil type. Outside the eastern counties the percentage of infested cereal fields is smaller.