Wheat Bug Research Articles

Flowering areas enhance insect pollinators and biological control agents in wheat intensive agro‐ecosystems

Abstract This 4‐year study (2018–2021) aimed at investigating the effects of flowering areas inserted at the margin of soft wheat fields (Triticum aestivum L.) in comparison with spontaneous field margins. The action formed part of a multidisciplinary initiative promoted by the Barilla food company, aimed at promoting the sustainable production of soft wheat. Specific aims were to study the effects of flowering areas on (i) the abundance and species richness of insect pollinators, including wild bees, syrphids and butterflies; (ii) the levels of wheat aphid and bug infestations and (iii) the assemblages of biological control agents of aphids (coccinellids and aphid mummies as a result of parasitization). Insect surveys were carried out on 61 wheat‐growing farms located in Northern Italy. Insect pollinators were sampled on all farms, whereas wheat aphids, wheat bugs and aphid biological control agents were investigated in a sub‐sample of 20 farms. Results generally indicated a positive impact of flowering areas on multiple taxa in comparison with spontaneous field margins. The abundance of pollinators and coccinellids was significantly enhanced by the flowering areas. Aphid mummies showed an interaction between strategies and distances with more mummies at 5 m in wheat plots close to flowering areas and at 50 m in the plots close to spontaneous field margin (control). Flowering areas were validated as an important tool for promoting beneficial taxa in agro‐ecosystems. However, the successful establishment of this ecological infrastructure was suggested to rely on several factors, which included both the selection of suitable flowering plant species and the implementation of appropriate management practices.

Comparison of transglutaminase and l‐ascorbic acid additives in improving the quality of bread made from sunn pest (Eurygaster integriceps) damaged wheat

SummarySunn pest (SP) is one of the most detrimental wheat bugs in Asia and Europe. Flour milled from SP damaged wheats (SPDW) exhibits weak dough characteristics and unsatisfactory baking quality due to its high protease content. l‐ascorbic acid (l‐AA) and transglutaminase (TG) are the two different bread additives that lead to protein polymerisation via different mechanisms. This study aimed to compare the independent and combined effects of TG and l‐AA additives in improving quality of bread made from SPDW. Compared to l‐AA, TG is an additive that is much more effective for strengthening the dough. The positive effect of l‐AA was more clearly found in flours with low‐level of SPDW (LLSPDW). Bread structure and properties of LLSPDW could be restored by addition of suitable‐levels of l‐AA (75–100 mg/kg) and/or low‐level of TG (0.3%). High‐level of SPDW (HLSPDW) could be restored only by addition of suitable level of TG (≥1%). In bread‐making with HLSPDW flours, TG can be successfully used to maintain dough stability and bread attributes, however, the positive effect of l‐AA remained at very limited levels and cannot compare with the contribution of TG. The results of this study can be utilised to improve the quality of breads made with SPDW flours.

Population growth of stored product insects on wheat containing wheat bugs

In the present study we examined the effect of the presence of wheat bugs (Eurygaster spp. and Aelia spp.) on wheat on the mortality, progeny production and infestation patterns of three stored product insects, Trogoderma granarium Everts, Sitophilus oryzae (L.) and Rhyzopertha dominica (F.). The bioassays were carried out under laboratory conditions (25 ± 1 °C, 60 ± 5% relative humidity (r.h.) and continuous darkness), and 20 adults of each stored product insect species were placed in plastic vials (3 cm in diameter, 8 cm in height) with wheat that contained different numbers of wheat bugs (1, 2, 3 or 5 adults). In general, stored product insect mortality was not affected by the presence of wheat bugs, in most of the combinations examined. In most of the cases, mortality of T. granarium was higher on wheat which contained Eurygaster that wheat containing Aelia, while progeny production of S. oryzae was also affected by the presence of wheat bugs. Frass production for all combinations was similar, but greater frass production occurred by all combinations of R. dominica with Aelia. Overall, the presence of wheat bugs could affect the survival and the progeny production of both S. oryzae and R. dominica. In general, our results showed that beetle longevity and fecundity can be affected by the presence of wheat bugs that are likely to be present in stored grains after harvest.Graphical abstract

Nysius huttoni (wheat bug)

Nysius huttoni (wheat bug)

Assessment of Trap Crops for The Wheat Bug, Nysius huttoni Management: A Cage Study

The wheat bug, Nysius huttoni, is an endemic New Zealand insect pest. Its feeding can seriously reduce crop establishment in forage A cage study was conducted in Lincoln University, New Zealand to evaluate the pest’s host preferences on four plant species. Kale plants (Brassica oleracea) were used as a potentially susceptible control and other four trap plants were tested to evaluate as potential trap-plants. These were: Lobularia maritima (alyssum), Triticum aestivum (wheat), Coriandrum sativum (coriander) and Trifolium repens (white clover). The alyssum plant was more attractive to the wheat bug. The survival rate and preferences of the wheat bug was significantly better than other four plants. The deployment of such flowering trap crops can potentially trap the wheat bug and also provide multiple ecosystem services (ES) in an agro-ecosystem. The findings can be used to develop the wheat bug management protocol and also potentially provide ecosystem services in brassica fields.

Improvement bread characteristics of high-level sunn pest (Eurygaster integriceps) damaged wheat by modification in kneading and fermentation conditions

Sunn pest (SP) is still one of the most detrimental wheat bugs in Asia and Europe. The study aimed to improve the baking quality of high-level Sunn pest damaged wheat (HLSPDW) by making appropriate changes in kneading and fermentation conditions during bread-making. For this purpose, three different; kneading time (KT; 12, 15, 18 min), dough temperature (DT; 15 ± 1, 20 ± 1, 25 ± 1 °C), yeast amount (YA; 3%, 4%, 5%) and two different fermentation time (FT; 60, 90 min) along with important bread characteristics were investigated. It was observed that 15 °C DT application; gave better results compared to other applications as, it successfully overcame the problem of gaining flat base structure and a reduced dough height caused by SP damage; moderated breads width from 11–12 to 8–9 cm, and increased breads height from 28–35 to 40–50 mm was achieved. In bread-making HLSPDW flours, kneading and fermentation conditions had significant effects on dough and bread quality. It was suggested that the shorter KT and FT, low DT and fermentation temperature must be preferred. It was found that bread can be produced with acceptable quality by making proper modifications in bread-making process. In this respect, HLSPDW can be acquired again to the economy.

THE STUDY OF QUALITY INDICATORS AND FRACTIONAL COMPOSITION OF WHEAT GRAIN PROTEIN OF SOUTHERN REGIONS OF UKRAINE

The results of studies of the quality of food and non-food grain of wheat from the southern regions of Ukraine in 2016 harvest are presented. The indicators of the quality of wheat grain were determined, the uniformity of their distribution in different classes of wheat was assessed, the content of protein fractions of the gluten complex and the molecular weights of individual protein structures were determined. It was found that the studied 13 samples of wheat grain had the following quality indicators: moisture content 9.4 ... 13.5%, bulk density 731 ... 814 g/l, protein content 10.1 ... 13.2%, gluten content 16.4 ... 25.6%, gluten quality 50 ... 110 units of the IDK device, falling number 311 ... 493 s, grain admixture 1.2 ... 10.5%, grains damaged by a wheat bug, 0.1 ... 10.1%. It was noted that the bulk density of all samples of wheat of 2 ... 6 classes exceeded the standard values in each class. In terms of protein content, 2 from 3 samples of class 5 wheat and 1 from 2 samples of 6 class exceeded the standard value of class 3 wheat (≥11.0%). The same was observed for these samples and for the gluten content (≥18%). Almost all grain samples, except for 2 samples of the 5th class and 2 samples of the 6th class, met the requirements of wheat of the 2nd class (45 ... 100 units device VDK). The falling number of all samples was high and significantly exceeded the normalized value (180 s), even for class 2 wheat. It was found that the uniformity of the distribution of individual quality indicators in different classes of wheat grain by the coefficient of variation is not the same. Such indicators of grain quality as moisture content, bulk density and protein content in different samples of the south of Ukraine in 2016 harvest fluctuated weakly (V≤10%), in terms of the amount of gluten and the falling number fluctuations were average (10% ≤V≤20%). Fluctuations in the content of grain impurities and grains damaged by the wheat bug are big (V≥20%). For the last indicator, fluctuations relative to the average are very large and exceed 120 %. This indicates that in different areas where wheat was grown, the infestation by the wheat bug was very different. It was shown that regardless of the total amount of protein determined by the Infratec FOSS express analyzer, four protein fractions of the gluten complex (albumins, globulins, gliadins and glutenins) are present in all grain classes, and the molecular weights of the protein structures of the main fractions are within small limits, which are in kDa - for albumins and globulins 20...30, gliadins 27.. 100 and glutenins 30...35. It was noted that in the varietal wheat "Chernobrova" albumins and globulins have a slightly higher molecular weight (30...40 kDa) than in non-varietal wheat.

Integrated management protocol for New Zealand endemic wheat bug (Nysius huttoni) in forage brassicas

Wheat bug, Nysius huttoni, is considered as an economic pest of forage Brassicas and many other cultivated crops, such as wheat, kale, and vegetables in New Zealand. Insecticides- as seed coatings and sprays are frequently used to manage this pest, but a high proportion of these insecticidal compounds enter the soil and leads to pesticide resistance, and they may impact beneficial arthropods and soil microorganisms, creating an adverse effect on ecosystem services (ES). In this paper, we discuss a technology, that we have developed to trap , for example, wheat bug away from kale seedlings, and integrating these in less susceptible kale cultivars that can potentially reduce over-reliance on orthodox pesticides on brassicas. Laboratory studies were conducted to screen the suitable trap crop among nine other plants (alyssum, wheat, phacelia, buckwheat, coriander, white clover, alfalfa, and kale) mainly by considering growth stages (vegetative and flowering), and select less susceptible kale cultivars among six other (Kestrel, Gruner, Sovereign, Regal, Corka and Colear). Alyssum (Lobularia maritima) and wheat (Triticum aestivum) were the most favoured potential trap plants for the wheat bug in a laboraotry study. Flowering stage of alyssum is the most susceptible growth stage by the bug damage. Kestrel and Coleor are the most popular kale cultivars used as forage brassicas in New Zealand, but they are the most susceptible to the wheat bug. Corka and Regal were the least susceptible cultivars. The integration of trap cropping technology by using alyssum as the trap crop, preferably depolying flowering stage, along with sowing less susceptible kale cultivars such as Corka and Regal in main fields have been suggested to protect brassica seedlings from bug damage.

DIGESTIVE HYDROLASES OF WHEAT BUGS: PROPERTIES, SIGNIFICANCE AND POSSIBLE WAYS TO LIMIT THEIR ACTIVITY

Digestive hydrolases are the key elements of trophic links in ecosystems. The systems of digestive hydrolases of phytophagous insects have been established during their long-term co-evolution with plants. This is also true for herbivorous bugs, including a dangerous pest of wheat, the Sunn bug (also known as the Sunn pest). Proteases are the main economically significant damage factor of representatives of the genus Eurygaster and other bugs harmful to the wheat grain. Proteases disrupt the structure of gluten and seriously impair the baking qualities of flour. α-Amylases provide assimilation of starch, the main source of energy for these insects. The data on digestive α-amylases and proteases of the Sunn pest remain fragmentary. Little is known regarding the enzymes involved in bugs’ feeding by the vegetative parts of cereals. There are many ways to strengthen gluten damaged by bugs, though not all of them are safe. Proteinaceous inhibitors of proteases and other hydrolases are considered as promising elements to develop safe for health and ecofriendly means to control wheat bugs and reduce their damage to the grain quality. The reduced sensitivity of the Sunn pest proteases to protein inhibitors can be overcome by constructing novel inhibitors based on their known forms, as well as by involving other highly specific approaches, including the use of antibodies to active enzyme centers or RNA interference. The bugs’ proteases themselves can be used in the diagnosis of grain damage, in food technologies and in medicine.

Evaluation of potential trap plant species for the wheat bug Nysius huttoni (Hemiptera: Lygaeidae) in forage brassicas

Abstract The wheat bug Nysius huttoni is a major pest of brassica seedlings. Management of this insect currently relies on seed treatment with neonicotinoids and spraying with chlorpyrifos and pyrethroid insecticides. These practices can generate severe external costs, including human health, the environment and biodiversity. Trap cropping is one alternative option to protect brassica seedlings from N. huttoni. Trap crop species evaluated in field cage experiments were: alyssum (Lobularia maritima L. Desvauxcv. Benthamii White), wheat (Triticum aestivum L. cv. Morph), coriander (Coriandrum sativum L. cv. Santo) and clover (Trifolium repens L. cv. Nomad). These were compared with kale (Brassica oleracea L. cv. Kestrel). In open‐field experiments, alyssum (L maritima), wheat (T. aestivum) and a mixture of alyssum (L. maritima) and wheat (T. aestivum) were used. All of these were compared to kale (B. oleracea). Alyssum and wheat were the most favoured potential trap plants for N. huttoni. Results indicated that two treatments: alyssum (used as a single trap crop) or ‘alyssum plus wheat’ (a multiple trap crop), may be useful in brassica fields to protect the seedlings from N. huttoni damage. Such a trap cropping protocol potentially reduces pesticide use in forage brassicas and can also deliver multiple ecosystem services such as biological control of insect pests.

RESEARCH OF QUANTITATIVE AND QUALITATIVE CHARACTERISTICS OF GLUTEN OF WHEAT GRAINS DAMAGED BY THE WHEAT BUG

Favorable weather and climate conditions for growing grain are also favorable for the livelihoods and reproduction of pests of grain stocks, and especially for wheat bug (Eurygaster integriceps Put.). Grain damaged by this pest loses its genetically incorporated properties, negative changes occur in the quantity and quality of gluten. Due to the ingestion of bug’s saliva with its special enzymes into the grain, the baking properties of the flour from such grain deteriorate – the dough becomes liquid, sticky, it loses elasticity. Thus, the issue of further effective use of grain damaged by the shield bugis very urgent. This requires information on the dependence of the quantitative and qualitative characteristics of gluten on the content of grains damaged by the wheat bug. The aim of the study was to establish patterns of change in the quantity and quality of gluten depending on the content of grains damaged by the wheat bug, which will increase the efficiency of the formation of batches for further use in the food industry. To achieve this goal, a number of tasks were solved: during the grain harvesting periods of 2015–2018, at the enterprises of the industry, wheat samples were taken with the content damaged by the wheat bug in the range of 0.5...5.0 %, the quantity and quality were determined in them gluten, trends in the quantity and quality of gluten have been established depending on the content of damaged grains and their comparison with published data. The object of the study was the gluten complex of wheat, with various contents of grains damaged by the wheat bug. The subject of research was the quantity and quality of gluten in samples of soft wheat of grades 2–3 of the 2015– 2018 crop samples with various grains damaged by a wheat bug selected at enterprises in the Odessa region. Based on the results of determining the quantity and quality of gluten in samples of the 2015–2018 crop and the available literature data on the quantity and quality of gluten in grain 2005– 2007, a crop with the content of grain damaged by the wheat bug was shown to be 5.0 %, that between the amount of gluten and the content in the grain mass of the grains damaged by the wheat bug, there are no regularities.Existing fluctuations in the amount of gluten are reliably associated with different origins of grain samples grown under different agrotechnological conditions, different protein contents, varietal characteristics of grain and other factors. The regularities of changes in the quality of gluten depending on the content of grain damaged by a wheat bug have been established – with an increase in the content of damaged grains, according to a linear law, the gluten quality index determined on the VDK device also increases. It was also established that the intensity of changes in the quality of gluten significantly depends on the content of grains damaged by the wheat bug; there was a slight increase in the quality index of gluten with the content of damaged grains up to 2.0 %, and its rapid growth with the content of damaged grains from 2.0 % to 5,0 % It is shown that in the studied wheat samples with the content of grains damaged by the wheat bug up to 2.5...2.7 %, the VDK indicator belongs to the 2nd group of gluten quality – satisfactory weak and wheat belongs to 1–3 grades in this indicator. With a further increase in the content of grains damaged the wheat bug, the index of VDK increases and gluten passes to the 3rd group – unsatisfactory weak, and the batch of wheat belongs to the 4th class.

Preferences of the wheat bug (<i>Nysius huttoni</i>) for particular growth stages of the potential trap crop, alyssum (<i>Lobularia maritima</i>)

The New Zealand endemic wheat bug, Nysius huttoni (Hemiptera: Lygaeidae), is a pest of brassica seedlings. However, it has a wide host range comprising almost all cultivated brassicas, cereals and many other cultivated crops, as well as weeds. The brassica alyssum (Lobularia maritima) is a potential trap crop of N. huttoni, having the potential to keep the bugs away from seedlings. Laboratory no-choice and choice tests evaluated the relative preference of N. huttoni for two major growth stages of alyssum – vegetative and flowering. In both bioassays, N. huttoni adults settled significantly more promptly on the flowering than on the vegetative stage. The same preference was evident for adult numbers settling. Survival was higher on the flowering (38%) than on the vegetative stage (28%), although this was not significant. The implications of these findings are important in the design of trap cropping protocols for N. huttoni management. Flowering alyssum in brassica fields can also potentially improve pest biological control and provide other ecosystem services that can contribute to mitigating diminished ecosystem functions in agriculture.

Susceptibility of kale cultivars to the wheat bug, Nysius huttoni (Hemiptera: Lygaeidae) in New Zealand

ABSTRACT Seedlings of kale cultivars in New Zealand are highly susceptible to direct feeding by the wheat bug Nysius huttoni (Hemiptera: Lygaeidae), an endemic insect pest. Two assays (choice and no-choice) were conducted to compare the relative susceptibility of seedlings of the six most popular kale cultivars in New Zealand (Kestrel, Gruner, Sovereign, Regal, Corka and Coleor). The earliest occurrence of feeding damage in the choice assay was on cv. Kestrel, significantly earlier than on Corka and Gruner. In the no-choice assay, significantly more wheat bugs were found on Kestrel than on Corka. Damage to Kestrel occurred significantly earlier than on all the other cultivars except Corka. Reduction in plant dry weight was significantly higher on Coleor and Kestrel. These results are important for developing integrated pest management protocols for kale pests.

Biology and Management of the New Zealand Endemic Wheat Bug, Nysius huttoni (Hemiptera: Lygaeidae)

Abstract The wheat bug, Nysius huttoni White, mainly reported as a pest of wheat and forage brassicas, is native to New Zealand. This pest has been accidentally introduced into The Netherland and Belgium during apple exports from New Zealand. The bug population is abundant in open sparse vegetations and hot-dry habitats, and feeds on dropping seeds. It damages wheat grains during milk-ripe stage by piercing through the glumes into the developing grains that can reduce gluten protein and reduce baking quality. Bugs also suck phloem fluid from seedlings, which can reduce plant establishment in forage brassicas. Early scouting and field monitoring are suggested before making pest management decisions. Seed treatment with neonicotinoids, permethrin, and chlorpyrifos spray in the standing crops are chemical methods of management in New Zealand. These conventional synthetic pesticides have nontarget effects on human health, the environment, and biodiversity. However, preventive measures such as the use of less-susceptible cultivars, and using potential trap crops is other important pest management options. Alyssum (Lobularia maritima L. Desv. Brassicales: Brassicaceae) and wheat (Triticum aestivum L. Poales: Poaceae) are two potential trap crops of wheat bug. Kale (Brassica oleracea L.) cultivars, such as Corka and Regal, and wheat (Triticum aestivum) cultivars, such as Batten, Domino, and Oroua, are less-susceptible cultivars. Understanding the biology and ecology of the pest, and utilizing preventative pest management measures such as the use of trap crops and less-susceptible cultivars, and integrating these with ‘soft’ chemicals make a suitable integrated pest management strategy for this pest.

Susceptibility of kale cultivars to the wheat bug, Nysius huttoni (Hemiptera: Lygaeidae) in New Zealand

Seedlings of kale cultivars are highly susceptible to direct feeding by the wheat bug Nysius huttoni (Hemiptera: Lygaeidae), an endemic New Zealand insect pest. Damage from this pest leads to reduced plant establishment so is currently managed by prophylactic use of pesticides. Encouraging farmers to use less susceptible kale cultivars can reduce pesticide costs and improve the environment. A series of choice and no-choice tests was conducted in a controlled-temperature room to evaluate the relative susceptibility of seedlings of the six most widely grown kale cultivars in New Zealand (Gruner, Kestrel, Regal, Colear, Corka, and Sovereign). Bugs settled most readily on Kestrel in both sets of tests, although mean settlement times did not differ significantly among cultivars. However, feeding damage on Kestrel occurred significantly earlier than on Corka or Gruner. These results indicate that Kestrel is the cultivar most susceptible to wheat bugs and that pesticide use could be reduced if less susceptible cultivars were more widely grown in New Zealand. These results also provide important information for developing integrated-management protocols for brassica pests.

Phenotypic monitoring of intraspecific structure of Eurygaster spp. populations in various agrobiocenoses

The purpose of the research was to study the phenotypic diversity of the populations of wheat bugs Eurygaster spp. in different soil and climatic conditions of Russia and changes in the intraspecific structure of their local populations under the influence of anthropogenic factors. Based on the methods of phenogenetics, an analysis and comparative study of the intraspecific structure of local populations of bugs in various agrobiocenoses of the Central Black Earth, North Caucasus and West Siberian Federal districts of the Russian Federation. Significant differences in the phenotypes of bug populations are revealed, which are manifested in a change in the ratio of occurrence frequencies of individual morphotypes. It was found that changes in the frequency of morphotypes of imagoes in populations of wheat bugs in this or other direction are associated with an intensive effect of grain crops of anthropogenic factors on agrobiocenoses. It is shown that such varieties of wheat as Grom, Chernozem 115, Skipetr, Nemchinovskaya 57 and Altajskaya 325 can induce diversification processes in local populations of wheat bugs. Phenogenetic monitoring of the structure of local populations of bugs from different agrobiocenoses showed a gradual change in their phenotypes toward typical parameters of the southern-steppe Eurasian ecotype.

Host plant selection by the wheat bug <i>Nysius huttoni</i> (Hemiptera: Lygaeidae) on a range of potential trap plant species


 
 
 Nysius huttoni is an endemic New Zealand insect pest. Its feeding can seriously reduce crop establishment in forage brassicas. A series of choice, no-choice and paired-choice tests were conducted in a controlled- temperature room to evaluate the pest’s host preferences on seedlings of eight plant species: Lobularia maritima (alyssum), Triticum aestivum (wheat), Phacelia tanacetifolia (phacelia), Fagopyrum esculentum (buckwheat), Coriandrum sativum (coriander), Trifolium repens (white clover) and Medicago sativa (alfalfa), and Brassica oleracea (kale) as a potentially susceptible control. In choice tests, wheat was the most preferred followed by alyssum, buckwheat and phacelia, all being signi cantly more favoured than kale. Survival rate of wheat bugs over 120 h was: on phacelia (71.0%), clover (69.0%), alyssum (48.0%) and wheat (47%), which were all signi cantly higher than on kale seedlings. Alyssum and wheat were more susceptible to N. huttoni feeding damage than were other tested plants. High survival rates were recorded in paired choice tests on kale and alyssum (78.3%) compared with the other paired choice tests. The implications of these ndings are important for developing ecological management strategies in, or around, forage brassica elds.
 
 

Determination of wheat bug (Eurygaster spp.) damage in durum wheat (Triticum durum L.) by electrophoresis and rapid visco analyser

The degradation effects of wheat bug protease(s) on glutenin proteins of durum wheat cultivars were investigated by electrophoresis and modified rapid visco analyser (RVA) test. Glutenin patterns of the bug damaged durum wheats changed substantially due to bug protease(s). Although high molecular weight glutenin subunits (HMW-GS) of three cultivars (Ege, Svevo, and Zenith) disappeared after 60 min of incubation, the HMW-GS of other two cultivars (Diyarbakir and Firat) were still visible even after the longest incubation period at medium damage level. It shows that there was an intercultivar variation in susceptibility to hydrolysis by bug proteolytic enzymes. Low molecular weight glutenin subunits of all cultivars decreased substantially after 30 min of incubation. The RVA curves indicated a clear reduction in viscosity in semolina samples with both medium and high damage levels as compared to their respective undamaged (control) samples. There were significant correlations (p < 0.001) between bug damage level and viscosities at 3 min (r = −0.765), at 4.5 min (r = −0.549) and at 10 min (r = −0.835), breakdown value (r = −0.534) and decay rate (r = 0.600). Consequently, hydrolysis rate of wheat bug protease(s) can be determined by modified RVA technique without much more chemicals, procedures and expensive equipments.

Ефективність сучасних фунгіцидів проти жовтої іржі (PUCCINIA STRIIFORMIS WEST. F. SP. TRITICI ERIKSS. ET HENN) на озимій пшениці у Південному степу України

Ефективність сучасних фунгіцидів проти жовтої іржі (PUCCINIA STRIIFORMIS WEST. F. SP. TRITICI ERIKSS. ET HENN) на озимій пшениці у Південному степу України

An arid house for a xerophilic bug &lt;i&gt;Nysius huttoni&lt;/i&gt;

With sensors and microprocessors becoming more affordable all the time it is now possible to build inexpensive environmental regulators for small insect colony boxes We designed and built a humidity regulator for xerophilic (dryloving) Nysius bugs Poorly ventilated insect rearing boxes can have an overly elevated humidity that can promote unwanted fungal growth especially if there is live plant material involved Air conditioned laboratories can have very low ambient humidity but the ideal humidity for an insect colony may be intermediate Direct and accurate measurement and control of humidity is now possible electronically using sensors and a fan to pump dry air into a humid space in a controlled fashion to regulate the humidity The potential exits for different sensors to be used to monitor different environmental variables and to trigger equipment to respond when an environmental threshold is reached Environmental control methods can be simple or elaborate depending on the colony requirements and budget A clock and memory card can be added to the microprocessor to record sensor data and event triggers This method has been successfully used to rear the wheat bug Nysius huttoni