ABSTRACT
The reproduction of aphids depends to a great extent on their host plants, an integration that impacts on the successful expansion of overwintering populations. Therefore, a survey was conducted to evaluate the globally distributed Capsella bursa-pastoris as an overwintering host of economically important aphid species, their parasitoids and hyperparasitoids in the southern and western regions of Turkey from November to March in 2006 to 2013. During this survey, 395 samples of C. bursa-pastoris were collected with 25 aphid species recorded. Among aphids that feed on this host, Myzus persicae, Aphis gossypii, Rhopalosiphum padi, Aphis fabae, Aphis craccivora, Lipaphis erysimi, and Brevicoryne brassicae were the most frequently recorded. In total, 10,761 individual parasitoids were identified. Binodoxys angelicae, Aphidius colemani, Aphidius matricariae, Diaeretiella rapae, Ephedrus persicae, and Lysiphlebus confusus were the most abundant aphidiines that emerged from the aphids collected from C. bursa-pastoris. Alloxysta spp. (Hymenoptera: Cynipoidea), Chalcidoidea (unidentified at genus level), and Dendrocerus spp. (Hymenoptera: Ceraphronoidea) were identified as hyperparasitoids on the parasitoids. These findings indicate that C. bursa-pastoris is a key non-agricultural plant that significantly contributes to the overwintering of numerous aphids and their parasitoids, which should be given serious consideration when biological control strategies are designed.
ABSTRACT
Lysiphlebus confusus Tremblay and Eady, L. fabarum (Marshall), and L. testaceipes (Cresson) (Hymenoptera: Braconidae: Aphidiinae) are important biological control agents for aphids. To select the appropriate biological control agent for a target pest, an understanding of the demographic parameters is essential. Therefore, a study was conducted to determine the effect of five temperatures, 12, 17, 22, 27, and 32°C, at 60% RH and 5.0 Lux photoperiod of 16:8 (L:D) h, on the parasitism rate, development, and fecundity of these three parasitoids of Aphis gossypii Glover (Hemiptera: Aphididae). Only L. fabarum parasitized at 12°C and the rate was low. None of the parasitoids was able to develop at 32°C. Lysiphlebus testaceipes had the shortest developmental period at the other temperatures. Lysiphlebus confusus and L. fabarum had similar developmental times at 22 and 27°C, with L. confusus completing its development faster at 17°C. The mortality rate of the three parasitoids varied between 3 and 20% at 17, 22, and 27°C, except for L. testaceipes which had about 53% mortality at 27°C. Lysiphlebus testaceipes had the highest net reproductive rate at all temperatures for the 2.5 and 97.5% bootstrap CIs. Lysiphlebus fabarum had the highest intrinsic rate of increase at 22°C and L. testaceipes had the highest at the other temperatures. The best temperatures for fecundity were 17 and 22°C for L. testaceipes and 22°C for the other species. Lysiphlebus testaceipes appeared to be the most suited biological control agent for A. gossypii in southern Turkey, but its intolerance to high temperature could prove problematic for its establishment and persistence in this region.
Subject(s)
Aphids , Hymenoptera , Wasps , Animals , Demography , Reproduction , TurkeyABSTRACT
The aphids, aphid parasitoids, and hyperparasitoids found in citrus orchards, the parasitoids' and hyperparasitoids' seasonal abundance, and the plant-aphid-parasitoid relationships in Hatay, Osmaniye, Adana, and Mersin provinces of the east Mediterranean region of Turkey are presented in the present 2-yr study. Aphidius colemani Viereck, Binodoxys angelicae (Haliday), and Lysiphlebus confusus Tremblay and Eady (Hymenoptera: Braconidae: Aphidiinae) were encountered as the most common parasitoids among 10 identified aphidiine and aphelinid taxa on different citrus species. Hyperparasitoids belonging to the genera Alloxysta, Phaenoglyphis, Asaphes, Pachyneuron, Syrphophagus, and Dendrocerus are reported for the first time emerging from aphids feeding on citrus in Turkey. Among them, Asaphes spp., Pachyneuron spp., and Syrphophagus spp. were recorded as the most common ones. Citrus reticulata Blanco and Citrus limon (L.) Burm. fil. were recorded as main hosts for the aphid parasitoids and their hyperparasitoids.
Subject(s)
Hemiptera/parasitology , Host-Parasite Interactions , Wasps/physiology , Animals , Biodiversity , Citrus , Seasons , TurkeyABSTRACT
Accidental or intentional ingestion of carbofuran can produce a life-threatening syndrome that requires prompt diagnosis and treatment. This paper investigates unintentional carbofuran poisoning in farm workers. Thirteen patients were admitted to the emergency department with carbofuran poisoning between January 2002 and August 2004 (2 female, 11 male). The patients had been poisoned while mixing the liquid form of carbofuran with seeds. Their hands were red on admission. Complaints most commonly reported by the patients on admission were nausea, vomiting, headache, weakness, dizziness and blurred vision. The most commonly observed signs were tachycardia, tachypnea, salivation, miosis, elevated blood pressure, and fasciculation. Three patients were agitated and one was lethargic on admission. We reviewed the patients' medical charts retrospectively, as well as the demographic data, intoxication route, clinical and laboratory presentations, and outcomes. We made the diagnosis according to a compatible exposure history and clinical findings. The most commonly observed laboratory finding was hyperglycemia, which was found in 6 patients. Serum pseudocholinesterase level was low in only one patient. All the patients were cured and discharged from the hospital in good physical condition. Rapid onset, mild illness and quick recovery are typical characteristics of acute occupational carbofuran poisoning. We conclude that public health efforts should educate farm workers about the dangers of pesticide application so that its threat can be diminished.
