An automatic identification system for citrus greening disease (Huanglongbing) using a YOLO convolutional neural network.

Huanglongbing (HLB), or citrus greening disease, has complex and variable symptoms, making its diagnosis almost entirely reliant on subjective experience, which results in a low diagnosis efficiency. To overcome this problem, we constructed and validated a deep learning (DL)-based method for detecting citrus HLB using YOLOv5l from digital images. Three models (Yolov5l-HLB1, Yolov5l-HLB2, and Yolov5l-HLB3) were developed using images of healthy and symptomatic citrus leaves acquired under a range of imaging conditions. The micro F1-scores of the Yolov5l-HLB2 model (85.19%) recognising five HLB symptoms (blotchy mottling, "red-nose" fruits, zinc-deficiency, vein yellowing, and uniform yellowing) in the images were higher than those of the other two models. The generalisation performance of Yolov5l-HLB2 was tested using test set images acquired under two photographic conditions (conditions B and C) that were different from that of the model training set condition (condition A). The results suggested that this model performed well at recognising the five HLB symptom images acquired under both conditions B and C, and yielded a micro F1-score of 84.64% and 85.84%, respectively. In addition, the detection performance of the Yolov5l-HLB2 model was better for experienced users than for inexperienced users. The PCR-positive rate of Candidatus Liberibacter asiaticus (CLas) detection (the causative pathogen for HLB) in the samples with five HLB symptoms as classified using the Yolov5l-HLB2 model was also compared with manual classification by experts. This indicated that the model can be employed as a preliminary screening tool before the collection of field samples for subsequent PCR testing. We also developed the 'HLBdetector' app using the Yolov5l-HLB2 model, which allows farmers to complete HLB detection in seconds with only a mobile phone terminal and without expert guidance. Overall, we successfully constructed a reliable automatic HLB identification model and developed the user-friendly 'HLBdetector' app, facilitating the prevention and timely control of HLB transmission in citrus orchards.

Oviposition preference and adult performance of the whitefly predator Serangium japonicum (Coleoptera: Coccinellidae): effect of leaf microstructure associated with ladybeetle attachment ability.

BACKGROUND: The leaf surface microstructure can greatly influence predator feeding behavior. However, its effects on predator oviposition preference, which is crucial for arthropod fitness at the population level, are largely unknown. This study aimed to test leaf discs and plants of five common host plant species of Bemisia tabaci, including Chinese kale, cotton, cucumber, eggplant, and sweetpotato, to determine the oviposition preference and offspring and adult performance of the whitefly predator Serangium japonicum. Cannibalism risk, attachment force, microstructure of the abaxial leaf surface (ALS), and ladybeetle tarsal morphology were examined. RESULTS: Ladybeetle's oviposition preference had no correlation with offspring performance but positively correlated with fecundity. Further, oviposition preference to leaf discs and fecundity positively correlated with attachment force. The cannibalism risk was not significantly different between plant species. The ALS of Chinese kale and eggplant supported the smallest and the largest attachment forces, respectively. The first one had epicuticular wax crystals, whereas the latter had stellate trichomes. The ALS of cotton and sweetpotato did not bear wax crystals or long trichomes. Cucumber leaves were covered with tapered trichomes. Tenant setae on the distal second tarsomere and a pair of curved, tapered claws on the distal fourth tarsomere were the attachment structures of S. japonicum, which interacted with the plant surface structures and generated the attachment force. CONCLUSION: Plant morphological traits, associated with ladybeetle attachment force and adult performance might be key factors in ladybeetle oviposition preference, and are expected to occur in other host plant herbivore-predator systems.

Dynamics of Bemisia tabaci biotypes and insecticide resistance in Fujian province in China during 2005-2014.

The whitefly Bemisia tabaci (Gennadius) is an important agricultural insect pest worldwide. The B and Q biotypes are the two most predominant and devastating biotypes prevalent across China. However, there are few studies regarding the occurrence of the Q biotype in Fujian Province, China, where high insecticide resistance has been reported in the B biotype. Differences in some biological characteristics between the B and Q biotypes, especially insecticide resistance, are considered to affect the outcome of their competition. Extensive surveys in Fujian revealed that the B biotype was predominant during 2005-2014, whereas the Q biotype was first detected in some locations in 2013 and widely detected throughout the province in 2014. Resistance to neonicotinoids (that have been used for more than 10 years) exhibited fluctuations in open fields, but showed a continual increasing trend in protected areas. Resistance to lambda-cyhalothrin, chlorpyrifos, and abamectin exhibited a declining trend. Resistance to novel insecticides, such as nitenpyram, pymetrozine, sulfoxaflor, and cyantraniliprole, in 2014 was generally below a moderate level. A decline in insecticide resistance in the B biotype and the rapid buildup of protected crops under global temperature increase may have promoted the establishment of the Q biotype in Fujian.

Lethal and sublethal effects of thiamethoxam on the whitefly predator Serangium japonicum (Coleoptera: Coccinellidae) through different exposure routes.

Given expectations for a booming usage of thiamethoxam and increasing availability of the promising biological agent Serangium japonicum for the control of Bemisia tabaci in China, an evaluation of their compatibility is crucial for integrated pest management (IPM). This study examined the lethal and sublethal effects of thiamethoxam on S. japonicum through three exposure routes. An acute toxicity bioassay showed that LC50 values of thiamethoxam for S. japonicum through residue contact, egg-dip, and systemic treatment were 6.65, 4.37, and 2.43 mg AI L(-1), respectively. The prey consumption of S. japonicum given different densities of B. tabaci eggs under control, discontinuous, egg-dip and systemic exposure scenarios showed a good fit to a Type II functional response. Predation of S. japonicum was most affected under systemic exposure, followed by egg-dip, and discontinuous, which was only slightly affected. In all cases tested, however, predators recovered their predation capacity rapidly, either after 24h of exposure or 24h after the end of exposure. Thiamethoxam was highly toxic to S. japonicum regardless of exposure routes. Sublethal effects of thiamethoxam applied systemically or foliar both impaired the biological control of S. japonicum on B. tabaci. Therefore, thiamethoxam should be used with caution in IPM of B. tabaci.

[Biological activity of capsaicin and its effects on development and fecundity in Bemisia tabaci (Gennadius) (Hemiptera: Aleyrodidae)].

Biological activity of capsaicin and its effects on development and fecundity in Bemisia tabaci were tested in the laboratory. The results showed that capsaicin induced direct mortality in different developmental stages of B. tabaci, and the mortality of whiteflies were significantly dosage-dependent. The toxicity of capsaicin to different developmental stages of B. tabaci by either leaf-dip or egg/larval-dip bioassays (the LC50 for adult, egg and nymph were 3525.79, 1603.29 and 1526.27 mg x L(-1), respectively) was higher than that by systemic bioassay (the LC50 for adult, egg and nymph were 5360.04, 2359.19 and 5897.43 mg x L(-1), respectively), and toxicity of capsaicin to eggs was higher than to adults in both bioassay methods. 2000 and 4000 mg x L(-1) concentrations of capsaicin had strong antifeedant effect on B. tabaci, as exemplified by reduced honeydew excretion of adults feeding on leaves treated with capsaicin compared with untreated leaf discs. Capsaicin also had strong oviposition deterrence against B. tabaci, with 94. 2% of selective oviposition deterrence rate and 83. 0% of nonselective oviposition deterrence rate when exposed to 4000 mg x L(-1) concentration for 24 h. We did not find effect on development time of B. tabaci eggs and nymphs, and on molting rate of adults when exposed to capsaicin at 500, 1000 and 2000 mg x L(-1) concentrations, however, exposure to 4000 mg x L(-1) concentration of capsaicin significantly affected development time of B. tabaci nymphs and molting rate of adults. Exposure to capsaicin also significantly reduced fecundity of B. tabaci adults, and this reduction was significantly dosage-dependent.

[Development of insecticide resistance and its effect factors in field population of Bemisia tabaci in Fujian Province, East China].

Abstract: The development of insecticide resistance in field populations of Bemisia tabaci from different regions of Fujian Province, China were monitored with adult leaf-dipping bioassay. Compared with bioassay data of 2005, all field populations tested in 2009 still had high levels of resistance to the lambda-cyhalothrin, fenpropathrin and chlorpyrifos, low levels of resistance to methomyl, and no resistance to abamectin. However, resistance to the neonicotinoids imidacloprid and thiamethoxam had increased from moderate levels (23 folds and 25 folds, respectively) in 2005 to high levels (103 folds and 228 folds, respectively) in 2009 in Zhangzhou population, and low levels (1.5-3.3 folds and 1.7-5.5 folds, respectively) in 2005 to moderate levels (23-33 folds and 29-49 folds, respectively) in 2009 for other populations. The biotype of eight B. tabaci populations collected from different regions and hosts were determined according to the mitochondria cytochrome oxidase I (mtCO I ) sequence, and two different biotypes (B-biotype and indigenous whitefly) were detected. The samples collected from geographical regions and hosts showed a prevalence of the B-biotype, and indigenous whitefly (unknown biotype) existed only in croton of Zhangzhou. Host plants and temperature had limited effects on insecticide development in B. tabaci, while extensive and high frequent use of neonicotinoids could be the most important factors responsible for rapid development of insecticide resistance in field populations of B-biotype B. tabaci.

[Effects of host plants on selection behavior and biological parameters of Bemisia tabaci Gennadius biotype B].

Based on the observation of free diffusion in petri dish and biology, the selection behavior and biological parameters of Bemisia tabaci Gennadius biotype B on host plants cucumber, eggplant, pepper, cotton, and sweet potato were investigated. No difference was observed in the individual number of B. tabaci on the five host plant leaves during the early period of free diffusion (within 2 h), but changes were found within the following periods (4-48 h), i.e., the B. tabaci individuals increased on cucumber, decreased on pepper, and were relatively stable on eggplant, cotton, and sweet potato, which indicated that there were significant differences in the selectivity of B. tabaci on the five host plants, with the highest selectivity to cucumber and the lowest selectivity to pepper. Pretreatment by starvation and imidacloprid did not affect the selectivity of B. tabaci. There were significant differences on the honeydew excretion of female B. tabaci adults on the host plants, which was in the order of cucumber > sweet potato > cotton > eggplant > pepper. The average longevity of B. tabaci adults on cucumber, eggplant, sweet potato, and cotton was significantly longer than that on pepper, and the total number of eggs laid per female on cucumber, eggplant, sweet potato, and cotton (224.33, 182.33, 191.73, and 172.60 respectively) was significantly larger than that on pepper (only 47.83). No significant differences were observed in the hatching rate and development period of the eggs on the five host plants. The development period of nymphs on cucumber, eggplant, sweet potato, and cotton was 10.60 d, 11.96 d, 11.11 d, and 13.20 d, and the mortality was 5.21%, 27.78%, 17.24%, and 37.11%, respectively. The nymphs failed to develop normally on pepper.

[Insecticide resistance of Bemisia tabaci field populations].

Resistance to 13 insecticides in field populations of Bemisia tabaci from six regions (Fuzhou, Zhangzhou, Longyan, Sanming, Nanping, Ningde) of Fujian Province, China was monitored by adult leaf-dipping bioassay. Compared with the susceptible SUD-S strain, all the six field populations exhibited high levels of resistance to lambda-cyhalothrin (838.38-2460.52 fold), fenpropathrin (244.64-834.29 fold), cypermethrin (116.02-266.35 fold), deltamethrin (81.75-124.18 fold), acephate (425.18-875.56 fold) and chlorpyrifos (54.53-78.43 fold), moderate levels of resistance to dimethoate (14.16-17.66 fold), low to moderate levels of resistance to dichlorvos (6.23-11.25 fold) and low levels of resistance to methomyl (4.07-5.66 fold), respectively. Among these six field-collected populations, only Zhangzhou population had moderate resistance to imidacloprid, acetamiprid and thiamethoxam (23.08 fold, 10.32 fold and 24.60 fold, respectively). All field strains tested displayed no resistance to abamectin.