Control of root-knot nematodes using Waltheria indica producing 4-quinolone alkaloids.

BACKGROUND: Waltheria indica exhibited strong nematocidal activity against Meloidogyne incognita, a causal agent of root-knot nematode disease. This study aimed to characterize the nematocidal metabolites and to evaluate the efficacy of the formulated extract of W. indica in the biological control of M. incognita under both pot and field conditions. RESULTS: Three 4-quinolone alkaloids, 5'-methoxywaltherione A, waltherione A and waltherione C, were isolated and characterized as nematocidal metabolites. 5'-Methoxywaltherione A and waltherione A caused high mortality in juveniles of Meloidogyne arenaria, Meloidogyne hapla, M. incognita and Bursaphelenchus xylophilus, whereas waltherione C exhibited significant nematocidal activity against only root-knot nematodes. In pot experiments, application of a wettable powder-type formulation of the ethyl acetate extract of W. indica (W. indica WP20) at 26.7, 53.4 and 106.8 mg a.i. kg-1 soil significantly reduced the formation of galls and egg masses on the roots of tomato plants in a dose-dependent manner. In addition, application of 20 mg a.i. per plant W. indica WP20 effectively reduced gall formation on the roots of melon plants and population density of nematode in soil compared with untreated control under field conditions. CONCLUSION: W. indica can be used as an effective botanical nematicide in the eco-friendly control of root-knot nematode disease. © 2019 Society of Chemical Industry.

Presence of Native Prey Does Not Divert Predation on Exotic Pests by Harmonia axyridis in Its Indigenous Range.

In China, two invasive pests, Bemisia tabaci MEAM1 (Gennadius) and Frankliniella occidentalis (Pergande), often co-occur with the native pest, Aphis gossypii (Glover), on plants of Malvaceae and Cucurbitaceae. All three are preyed on by the native ladybird, Harmonia axyridis (Pallas); however, the native predator might be expected to prefer native prey to the exotic ones due to a shared evolutionary past. In order to clarify whether the presence of native prey affected the consumption of these two invasive species by the native predator, field-cage experiments were conducted. A duplex qPCR was used to simultaneously detect both non-native pests within the gut of the predator. H. axyridis readily accepted both invasive prey species, but preferred B. tabaci. With all three prey species available, H. axyridis consumption of B. tabaci was 39.3±2.2% greater than consumption of F. occidentalis. The presence of A. gossypii reduced (by 59.9% on B. tabaci, and by 60.6% on F. occidentalis), but did not stop predation on the two exotic prey when all three were present. The consumption of B. tabaci was similar whether it was alone or together with A. gossypii. However, the presence of aphids reduced predation on the invasive thrips. Thus, some invasive prey may be incorporated into the prey range of a native generalist predator even in the presence of preferred native prey.

Astrotischeria neotropicana sp. nov.-a leaf-miner on Sida, Malvaceae, currently with the broadest distribution range in the Neotropics (Lepidoptera, Tischeriidae).

This paper describes Astrotischeria neotropicana Diskus & Stonis, sp. nov. (Lepidoptera: Tischeriidae), a new leaf-miner on Sida (Malvaceae) with a broad distribution range in tropical Central & South America. The new species is currently recorded from the Amazon Basin in Peru and Ecuador to tropical lowlands in Guatemala and Belize (including the Caribbean Archipelago). The new species is illustrated with photographs of the adults, male and female genitalia, and the leaf-mines; distribution map is also provided.

Evolution of Spermophagus seed beetles (Coleoptera, Bruchinae, Amblycerini) indicates both synchronous and delayed colonizations of host plants.

Seed beetles are a group of specialized chrysomelid beetles, which are mostly associated with plants of the legume family (Fabaceae). In the legume-feeding species, a marked trend of phylogenetic conservatism of host use has been highlighted by several molecular phylogenetics studies. Yet, little is known about the evolutionary patterns of association of species feeding outside the legume family. Here, we investigate the evolution of host use in Spermophagus, a species-rich seed beetle genus that is specialized on two non-legume host-plant groups: morning glories (Convolvulaceae) and mallows (Malvaceae: Malvoideae). Spermophagus species are widespread in the Old World, especially in the Afrotropical, Indomalaya and Palearctic regions. In this study we rely on eight gene regions to provide the first phylogenetic framework for the genus, along with reconstructions of host use evolution, estimates of divergence times and historical biogeography analyses. Like the legume-feeding species, a marked trend toward conservatism of host use is revealed, with one clade specializing on Convolvulaceae and the other on Malvoideae. Comparisons of plants' and insects' estimates of divergence times yield a contrasted pattern: on one hand a quite congruent temporal framework was recovered for morning-glories and their seed-predators; on the other hand the diversification of Spermophagus species associated with mallows apparently lagged far behind the diversification of their hosts. We hypothesize that this delayed colonization of Malvoideae can be accounted for by the respective biogeographic histories of the two groups.

Mansonia africana and Mansonia uniformis are vectors in the transmission of Wuchereria bancrofti lymphatic filariasis in Ghana.

BACKGROUND: Recent data from Ghana indicates that after seven rounds of annual mass drug administration (MDA) there is still sustained transmission albeit at low levels in certain areas where Anopheles melas, An. gambiae s.s., Mansonia and Culex species are the main biting mosquitoes. Anopheles gambiae s.l. and An. funestus are the known vectors in Ghana and a recent report indicated that An. melas could transmit at low level microfilaraemia. However, because An. melas is not found everywhere there was the need to determine whether any of the other culicine species could also be playing a role in the transmission of LF. METHODS: Indoor mosquitoes collected once a month for three months using pyrethrum spray catches in six communities within the Kommenda-Edina-Eguafo-Abirem (KEEA) District, Central Region of Ghana were morphologically identified, dissected and examined for the presence of W. bancrofti. Additionally, stored mosquito samples collected during previous years in 8 communities from the Gomoa District also in the Central Region were similarly processed. The identities of all W. bancrofti parasites found were confirmed using an established PCR method. RESULTS: A total of 825 indoor resting mosquitoes comprising of 501 Anopheles species, 239 Mansonia species, 84 Culex species and 1 Aedes species were dissected and examined for the presence of W. bancrofti. Mansonia africana had infection and infectivity rates of 2.5%. and 2.1% respectively. Anopheles gambiae s.l. had an infection rate of 0.4% and a similar infectivity rate. None of the Culex sp. and Aedes sp were found with infection. From the stored mosquitoes the infection and infectivity rates for M. africana were 7.6% (N=144) and 2.8% respectively whilst the corresponding rates for M. uniformis were 2.9% (N=244) and 0.8%. CONCLUSIONS: This is the first report of Mansonia species as vectors of lymphatic filariasis (LF) in Ghana and in West Africa since that of 1958 in Guinea. The revelation of a hitherto unrecognised vector which is possibly more efficient in transmission than the recognised ones has a profound implication for elimination of lymphatic filariasis programmes in the sub-region.

Study of the pest community of velvetleaf (Abutilon theophrasti Medic.).

Velvetleaf (Abutilon theophrasti Medicus 1787) is one of the most economically threatening weed plant in Hungary. Researching biological control against it, and identifying a possible and effective biocontrol agent is an important challenge, as chemical control is difficult and expensive, and there is an increasing claim to practice slight plant protection. Entomological studies were made in several parts of the world, for evaluating the species, occuring in velvetleaf, but none of these kind of experiments were assessed in Hungary. Our observations were made in field and plastic boxes, both under open field circumstances in 2008 and 2009 by visually assessing pests, netting and damage based identifying. Meanwhile 8 pest species were identified, including (Helix pomatia Linnaeus 1758--roman snale; Trialeurodes vaporariorum (Westwood 1856)--greenhouse whitefly; Oxycarenus lavaterae (Fabricius 1787)-- lime seed bug; Pyrrhocoris apterus (Linnaeus 1758)--fire bug; Rhopalus parumpunctatus Schilling 1829--common hyaline bug; Liorhyssus hyalinus--hyaline grass bug (Fabricius 1794); Mamestra brassicae (Linnaeus 1758)--cabbage moth; Helicoverpa armigera (Hübner 1808)--corn earworm). On the whole the literature datas were enlarged with four new velvetleaf pests (roman scale, lime seed bug, common hyaline bug, cabbage moth). Considering the earlier literature and our results, Liorhyssus hyalinus may play an important role on biological management of velvetleaf. However this pest considered as polyphagous, but discovered to occur in great numbers on velvetleaf, this points to the fact that can be its main host plant and by sucking on the plant, can cause decreased germination rate. We suggest the "hyaline velvetleaf bug" name istead of "hyaline grass bug". Of course, additional experiments are needed on this pest to may use safety and effectively in the future.

Nuevo foco de infección de Oxyspirura mansoni en gallos de pelea de municipios del estado Zulia Venezuela / New focal infection of Oxyspirura mansoni in gamecock of Municipalities of Zulia state Venezuela

El propósito de esta investigación fue determinar la existencia de un foco de infección de Oxispirurosis cuyo agente etiológico es un nematodo Thelazzidae: Oxyspirura mansoni (Cobbold, 1879). Este nematodo es responsable de la filariosis ocular de las aves. Este estudio se refiere a gallos de pelea ubicados en los siguientes municipios: Maracaibo, San Francisco, Mara y Jesús Enrique Lossada del estado Zulia. Venezuela. Estos parásitos están localizados debajo de la membrana nictitante de los ojos ocasionando absoluta ceguera. En el presente estudio el muestreo fue tomado de gallos de pelea de cuatro Municipios para un total de 630 aves. En una gallera del municipio Maracaibo, sector La Rotaria, 50,77 por ciento de los animales evaluados resultaron positivos. Los parásitos fueron extraídos directamente de los ojos después de haberles colocado una gota de ivermectina solución oftálmica (1 por ciento), mientras que otra gallera ubicada en el sector Delicias, 20 por ciento de las muestras de las aves estuvieron positivas; en una gallera del sector Lacteos San José, los animales estaban negativos; en el municipio San Francisco y en el sector Los Cortijos, 32 por ciento de las aves resultaron positivas. En el municipio Jesús Enrique Lossada las aves muestreadas resultaron negativas y en el municipio Mara, sector Los Lirios, 35 muestras resultaron negativas. Fueron colectadas numerosas cucarachas en las jaulas de los gallos infectados, identificadas y clasificadas: en el Orden: Dictyoptera, Suborden: Blattaria, Familia Blattidae, especie: Picnoscelus surinamensis, designada hospedador intermediario, la disección demostró larvas del nematodo Oxyspirura mansoni en la cavidad general. En las galleras negativas no estuvieron presentes los insectos. Se concluye que la cucaracha colectada en las galleras es la misma especie (Picnoscelus surinamensis) asociada con la enfermedad del primer trabajo reportado, pero las lesiones de las aves fueron relativamente moderadas.

The purpose of this research was to determine the existence of the source of an Oxispirurosis infection which ethiological agent is a nematode known as Thelaziidae: Oxyspirura mansoni (Cobbold, 1869). This nematode is responsible of ocular filariosis of birds. This study is related with gamecock birds located in the following Municipalities: Maracaibo, San Francisco, Jesus Enrique Lossada and Mara of Zulia State, Venezuela. These parasites are located under the nictitante membrane of the eye causing an absolute blindness. In the present study samples were taken from cocpits of four Municipalities of Zulia State with a total of 630 gamecock birds sampled. In Maracaibo, La Rotaria sector, 50.77 percent of evaluated animals were positive. The parasites were directly extracted from the eyes after treatment with an ivermectine ophthalmic solution (1 percent). In other cockpits located in Las Delicias sector, 20 percent of sampled birds were positive. In the San Francisco Municipality, Los Cortijos sector, 32 percent of sampled birds were positive, while in the second cockpit Lacteos San Jose the animals were negative. In the Jesús Enrique Lossada Municipality, all sampled birds resulted negative; in the Mara Municipality, Los Lirios sector, all 35 samples were negative. Were found in the cages of the gamecock birds that were positive, many cockroachs were identify and classified (Dictyoptera, Blattaria, Blattidae, specie: Picnoscelus surinamensis).This cockroach has been designated as the intermediary host. Larvae of nematode Oxyspirura mansoni were found in the general cavity of the cockroach. In the negative cockpits, the cockroachs were not present. It was concluded that the same cockroach species (Picnoscelus surinamensis) is associated with the disease as in previous work, but the degree of the lesions was relatively moderated.

Ocorrência de Planococcus minor Maskell (Hemiptera: Pseudococcidae) em algodoeiro no Nordeste do Brasil / Occurrence of Planococcus minor Maskell (Hemiptera: Pseudococcidae) in cotton fields of Northeast Region of Brazil

A cochonilha Planococcus minor (Maskell) é uma praga importante de mais de 250 culturas pertencentes a cerca de 80 famílias. Entre as plantas hospedeiras, várias espécies de Malvaceae são atacadas, incluindo o gênero Gossypium. Durante as safras de 2005 e 2006 constatou-se o ataque de P. minor em lavouras de algodão localizadas no semi-árido nordestino do Brasil. A constatação foi feita em diferentes localidades, onde altas densidades populacionais da cochonilha chegaram a ocasionar mortalidade de plantas. Esse inseto não é citado como praga do algodoeiro em nenhuma região onde se cultiva o algodoeiro no Brasil, apesar de constar na lista de Pragas e Doenças Globais. Conseqüentemente, não existem estudos sobre essa cochonilha como praga do algodoeiro o que torna o seu manejo difícil no momento.

The mealybug Planococcus minor Maskell is a significant pest of more than 250 cultivated plants belonging to at least 80 families. Among the host plants several Malvaceae species are attacked, including the genera Gossypium. In 2005 and 2006 the mealybug P. minor was observed infesting cotton fields in the arid area of northeast region of Brazil. The occurrence was registered in high densities and in several farms resulting in mortality of plants in some cases. This species is not cited as a cotton pest in any region of Brazil where cotton grows, although it is enlisted in the Global Pest and Disease Database. Hence, there is a lack of studies what makes this pest of great deal to control.

[Biological parameters and damage by Macrosoma tipulata Hübner (Lepidoptera: Hedylidae), in cupuaçu tree [Theobroma grandiflorum (Wild ex Spreng Schum)] in Amazonas, Brazil]. / Parâmetros biológicos e injúrias de Macrosoma tipulata Hübner (Lepidoptera: Hedylidae), em cupuaçuzeiro [Theobroma grandiflorum (Wild ex Spreng Schum)] no Amazonas.

Biological aspects of the caterpillar Macrosoma tipulata Hübner and its damage to young leaves of Theobroma grandiflorum (Wild ex Spreng Schum) were studied under laboratory conditions of 24.5 +/- 0.7 masculineC, UR 61.6 +/- 9.1% and 12h photophase. The larval stage presented five instars with a total duration of 15.9 +/- 4.31 days, and survival of 98%. The pupal period stage was 7.0 +/- 0.56 days for males and 6.9 +/- 0.56 days for females, with 99% survival for both sex. The pupal mean length was 18.9 +/- 0.89 mm for males and 19.1 +/- 1.13 mm for females. The mean longevity of the adult was 10.3 +/- 2.25 days. The vertical distribution of damage was relatively uniform, with a tendency of greater defoliation in the middle of the treetop, but without significant difference among the three positions.

Parâmetros biológicos e injúrias de Macrosoma tipulata Hübner (Lepidoptera: Hedylidae), em cupuaçuzeiro [Theobroma grandiflorum (Wild ex Spreng Schum)] no Amazonas / Biological parameters and damage by Macrosoma tipulata Hübner (Lepidoptera: Hedylidae), in cupuaçu tree [Theobroma grandiflorum (Wild ex Spreng Schum)] in Amazonas, Brazil

Foram estudados os aspectos biológicos e as injúrias da lagarta-do-cupuaçu Macrosoma tipulata Hübner em folhas jovens de plantas de cupuaçu Theobroma grandiflorum (Willd ex Spreng) Schum em laboratório, a 24,5 ± 0,7°C, UR 61,6 ± 9,1 por cento e fotofase de 12h. A fase larval apresentou cinco estádios com duração total de 15,9 ± 4,31 dias e viabilidade de 98 por cento. A duração do período de pupa foi de 7,0 ± 0,56 dias para macho e 6,9 ± 0,56 dias para fêmeas com viabilidade de 99 por cento para ambos os sexos. O comprimento médio da pupa foi de 18,9 ± 0,89 mm para machos e 19,1 ± 1,13 mm para fêmeas. A longevidade média dos adultos foi de 10,3 ± 2,25 dias. A distribuição vertical das injúrias foi relativamente uniforme, com tendência de maior desfolha na região mediana da copa das árvores, porém sem diferença entre as três posições.

Biological aspects of the caterpillar Macrosoma tipulata Hübner and its damage to young leaves of Theobroma grandiflorum (Wild ex Spreng Schum) were studied under laboratory conditions of 24.5 ± 0.7°C, UR 61.6 ± 9.1 percent and 12h photophase. The larval stage presented five instars with a total duration of 15.9 ± 4.31 days, and survival of 98 percent. The pupal period stage was 7.0 ± 0.56 days for males and 6.9 ± 0.56 days for females, with 99 percent survival for both sex. The pupal mean length was 18.9 ± 0.89 mm for males and 19.1 ± 1.13 mm for females. The mean longevity of the adult was 10.3 ± 2.25 days. The vertical distribution of damage was relatively uniform, with a tendency of greater defoliation in the middle of the treetop, but without significant difference among the three positions.

Intraspecific variation in zucchini yellow mosaic virus transmission by Myzus persicae and the impact of aphid host plant.

Three isofemale lines of Myzus persicae (Sulzer), two lines collected from and reared on a brassicaceous host, and one line collected from and reared on a malvaceous host, were evaluated for their efficiency of transmitting Zucchini yellow mosaic virus (family Potyviridae, genus Potyvirus, ZYMV). In the first experiment, the transmission efficiencies of two clones from Brassicaceae (B1 and B2) were 52.0 and 60.8%, respectively, and these transmissions were not significantly different. In a second experiment, the transmission efficiencies of the clone on Malvaceae (M1) and clone B2 were significantly different at 35.6 and 55.7%, respectively. Further experiments evaluated host-related mechanisms that may have contributed to the differential transmissions observed between clones M1 and B2. Studies on short-term feeding showed that aphids continuously reared on okra, Abelmoschus esculentus (L.) Moench (malvaceous host), and those that were reared on okra and allowed a 24-h preacquisition feeding period on mustard, Brassica juncea (L.) Czern (brassicaceous host), had significantly lower transmission than aphids continuously maintained on mustard. Aphids reared on mustard and allowed a 24-h preacquisition feeding period on okra had intermediate transmission efficiency. In long-term host association studies, we found that aphids reared on mustard had significantly higher transmission efficiency than those reared on okra, and aphids reared first on okra and then switched to mustard had a transmission efficiency that was intermediate and not significantly different from the other two treatments. Our study reveals the existence of intraspecific variation in the transmission of ZYMV by M. persicae, and it suggests that to accurately assess the transmission capability of ZYMV by this species, multiple clones should be examined. Furthermore, the host plant on which the aphid is reared as well as the host plant on which it feeds just before virus acquisition contribute to ZYMV transmission efficiency of M. persicae.

Morphological discrimination of Aphis gossypii (Hemiptera: Aphididae) populations feeding on Compositae.

Aphis gossypii Glover is a polyphagous aphid pest with a worldwide distribution. However, there is evidence that on a global scale the name A. gossypii is being applied to a number of forms with different life cycles and/or host-plant associations. Morphometric variation of A. gossypii samples from crops and non-cultivated plants in many parts of the world was examined, to determine whether this variation is correlated with the hosts from which the aphids originated. Samples of A. gossypii were collected from Cucurbitaceae and Malvaceae in Europe, and from Compositae in various parts of the world. Morphometric data for 13 parameters measured from 97 clonal lineages (728 specimens) and 27 field-collected samples (313 specimens) were analysed by a series of canonical variates analyses, using the field sample/clonal lineage as grouping factor. Clonal lineages were reared on a common host in controlled conditions to standardize the effect of host and environment on morphology. The analyses provided a clear morphometric separation of the aphids originating from Compositae and those collected on Cucurbitaceae and Malvaceae, regardless of the geographical origin of the aphids and the host plant on which they were reared. This indicates that within A. gossypii there are two widely distributed host races or subspecies with different plant family associations. The taxonomic implications are discussed.

Mosquito development and biological control in a macrophyte-based wastewater treatment plant.

A one-year study of the proliferation of mosquito in a Pistia stratiotes-based waste stabilization ponds in Cameroon revealed that Mansonia and Culex were the main breeding genera with about 55% and 42% of the total imagoes respectively. Though the ponds represent a favorable breeding ground for mosquitoes, only 0.02% of captured imagoes was Anopheles gambiae, suggesting that this wastewater treatment plant does not significantly contribute to the development of the malaria vector in the area. Gambusia sp. introduced to control mosquito population in the ponds acclimatized relatively well in most of the ponds (B3-B7) and their feeding rate without any diet ranged from 15.0 to 50.2 larvae/day for a single fish.

Scaling up from local competition to regional coexistence across two scales of spatial heterogeneity: insect larvae in the fruits of Apeiba membranacea.

Species that live in patchy and ephemeral habitats can compete strongly for resources within patches at a small scale. The ramifications of these interactions for population dynamics and coexistence at regional scales will depend on the intraspecific and interspecific distributions of individuals among patches. Spatial heterogeneity due to independent aggregation of competitors among patchy habitats is an important mechanism maintaining species diversity. I describe regional patterns of aggregation for four species of insect larvae in the fruits of Apeiba membranacea, a Neotropical rainforest tree. This aggregation results from variation in densities at a small scale (among the fruits under a single tree), compounded by significant variation among trees in both mean densities and degrees of aggregation. Both the degrees of aggregation and mean densities are statistically independent within and across species at both spatial scales. I evaluate the regional consequences of these spatial patterns by using maximum likelihood methods to parameterize a model that includes both explicit measures of the strength of competition and spatial variation at both within- and among-tree spatial scales. Despite strong competitive interactions among these species, during 2 years the observed spatial variation at both scales combined was sufficient to explain the coexistence of these species, although other coexistence mechanisms may also operate simultaneously. The observed spatial variation at small spatial scales may not be sufficient for coexistence, indicating the importance of considering multiple sources of spatial heterogeneity when scaling up from experiments that investigate local interactions to regional patterns of coexistence.

Decline of brugian filariasis in Cherthala taluk, Alappuzha district, Kerala.

A total of 4492 persons from 5 panchayats and 1 town were investigated from the Brugia malayi most endemic taluk of Cherthala, Alappuzha district of Kerala state. The urban area in Cherthala taluk only revealed mf carriers; mf rate was 0.13%. Rural areas in Cherthala taluk were free from infection. Microfilaria rate had declined by 99.5% and disease rate by 90.7% in Cherthala compared to 1934 prevalence. Shedding of sheath by B. malayi microfilariae was recorded for the first time in India. The youngest person with microfilaria and disease manifestation was 4 1/2 and 9 years respectively. All the 3 major vectors, Mansonia annulifera, Ma.uniformis and Culex quinquefasciatus were prevalent throughout. Complete disappearance of brugian filariasis from this taluk is a distinct possibility. The reasons for the drastic decline are discussed.