1. |
- Bonaventure Omondi, Aman
(author)
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Phylogeographic structure of Teretrius nigrescens (Coleoptera: Histeridae) predator of the invasive post harvest pest Prostephanus truncatus (Coleoptera: Bostrichidae)
- 2011
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In: Bulletin of Entomological Research. - 0007-4853 .- 1475-2670. ; 101, s. 521-532
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- The invasive larger grain borer Prostephanus truncatus (Horn) is the most important pest of farm-stored maize in Africa. It was introduced into the continent from Mesoamerica in the late 1970s and by 2008 had spread to at least 18 countries. Classical biological control using two populations of the predator Teretrius nigrescens Lewis achieved long-term and cost effective control in warm-humid areas, but not in cool and hot-dry zones. The present study investigated the phylogenetic relationships between geographical populations of the predator. Ten populations of T. nigrescens were studied using randomly amplified polymorphic DNA polymerase chain reaction (RAPD-PCR), sequence analysis of mitochondrial Cytochrme oxydase 1 (mtCOI) gene and ribosomal internally transcribed spacers (ITS) 1, 5.8S and ITS2. The mtCOI variation revealed two clades associated with geographical regions in Central America. It also reveals a significant isolation by distance between populations and considerable genetic shifts in laboratory rearing. RAPD-PCR did not reveal any potential SCAR diagnostic markers. The ITS variation mainly involved insertions and deletions of simple sequence repeats even within individuals. This study reveals the existence of two different mitochondrial lineages of the predator, associated with the geographical origin of populations distinguishable by fixed mutations on the mtCOI gene. The populations of T. nigrescens released in Africa belonged to two different clades from Meso America, namely south (released in West Africa) and north (released in eastern Africa). However, more polymorphic markers are required to clarify the observations in demographic time scales.
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2. |
- Hamada, A. M., et al.
(author)
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Seed treatments with thiamine reduce the performance of generalist and specialist aphids on crop plants
- 2018
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In: Bulletin of entomological research. - 0007-4853 .- 1475-2670. ; 108:1, s. 84-92
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Thiamine is a vitamin that has been shown to act as a trigger to activate plant defence and reduce pathogen and nematode infection as well as aphid settling and reproduction. We have here investigated whether thiamine treatments of seeds (i.e. seed dressing) would increase plant resistance against aphids and whether this would have different effects on a generalist than on specialist aphids. Seeds of wheat, barley, oat and pea were treated with thiamine alone or in combination with the biocontrol bacteria Pseudomonas chlororaphis MA 342 (MA 342). Plants were grown in climate chambers. The effects of seed treatment on fecundity, host acceptance and life span were studied on specialist aphids bird cherry-oat aphid (Rhopalosiphum padi L.) and pea aphid (Acyrthosiphon pisum Harris) and on the generalist green peach aphid (Myzus persicae, Sulzer). Thiamine seed treatments reduced reproduction and host acceptance of all three aphid species. The number of days to reproduction, the length of the reproductive life, the fecundity and the intrinsic rate of increase were found reduced for bird cherry-oat aphid after thiamine treatment of the cereal seeds. MA 342 did not have any effect in any of the plant-aphid combinations, except a weak decrease of pea aphid reproduction on pea. The results show that there are no differential effects of either thiamine or MA 342 seed treatments on specialist and generalist aphids and suggest that seed treatments with thiamine has a potential in aphid pest management.
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3. |
- Hamback, Per A
(author)
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Density-dependent processes in leaf beetles feeding on purple loosestrife : aggregative behaviour affecting individual growth rates
- 2010
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In: Bulletin of entomological research. - 0007-4853 .- 1475-2670. ; 100:5, s. 605-611
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Aggregative responses are commonly observed in insects, including chrysomelids, affecting both individual and population growth rates. In two closely related chrysomelid beetles (Galerucella calmariensis and G. pusilla) feeding on purple loosestrife (Lythrum salicaria), recent studies suggest that male-produced pheromones may cause both inter- and intraspecific attraction. This paper further examines the causes and consequences of feeding aggregations in these species. Olfactometer studies confirm previous findings, showing cross-species attraction to damaged plants, but suggest that also damaged induced plant volatiles may be involved. In addition, the studies suggest that the cross-species attraction observed in previous studies have asymmetric effects on the two beetles. Galerucella pusilla was more attracted to damage by G. calmariensis than to damage by conspecifics. Laboratory and field data suggest that feeding aggregations in these species increase pupal mass, at least at low to intermediate larval densities. This positive feedback may have important consequences for the spatiotemporal dynamics and as a consequence on the role of the two chrysomelid beetles on biological control of purple loosestrife.
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4. |
- Karlsson, Miriam Frida
(author)
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Effect of fruit and host fly species on the associative learning by Fopius arisanus
- 2019
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In: Bulletin of Entomological Research. - 0007-4853 .- 1475-2670. ; 109, s. 649-658
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Parasitoids, released in augmentative biological control programmes, which display a rapid host-location capacity, have a higher likelihood of successfully controlling target pest species. By learning to associate sensory cues to a suitable oviposition site, might parasitoids used as biological control agents, locate hosts more rapidly, and perhaps increase the efficacity of e.g. Tephritidae fruit fly management. We studied associative learning of Fopius arisanus (Hymenoptera: Braconidae) and tested its range of learning in natural and conditional hosts and host fruits, i.e. Bactrocera dorsalis, Zeugodacus cucurbitae, Ceratitis capitata and Ceratitis cosyra (Diptera: Tephritidae) and on fruits (papaya, tomato, banana). Naive female F. arisanus were compared with experienced wasps, which had been offered infested and non-infested fruit, and been allowed to oviposit. Preferences for olfactory cues from infested fruits were thereafter assessed in a two-choice olfactometer. Naive and trained parasitoids preference differed in general and non-responders to infested fruits were higher among naive parasitoids. The trained wasps preferred the fruit infested in the training more than the control fruit, for all combination, except when C. cosyra infested the fruits, hence avoidance behavioural response was observed towards the odour of the infested fruit. Fopius arisanus was capable of behaviourally respond to the learned information, e.g. associative odour learning was achieved, yet limited depending on interaction level, fruit fly and fruit combination. To create F. arisanus preference of an associated odour, it might hence be needed to ensure oviposition in perceived suitable host and host fruit, for the parasitoid learning to become favourable in a biological control setup.
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5. |
- Lundkvist, Elisabeth, et al.
(author)
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Diving beetles (Dytiscidae) as predators of mosquito larvae (Culicidae) in field experiments and in laboratory tests of prey preference
- 2003
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In: Bulletin of entomological research. - 0007-4853 .- 1475-2670. ; 93:3, s. 219-226
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Field experiments were performed in artificial ponds to evaluate how the density of predatory diving beetles (Dytiscidae) would affect the population levels of mosquito larvae (Culicidae). Mosquitoes colonizing the ponds were predominantly species of the genus Culex. In 2000, most of the dytiscids colonizing the ponds were small (Hydroporus spp.), and these predators had no impact on the size of larval mosquito populations, not even in ponds with added dytiscids. In 2001, larger beetles (Ilybius, Rhantus, and Agabus spp.) were more common, and there were significantly fewer mosquito larvae in ponds with the highest numbers of dytiscids. There was a negative correlation between numbers of diving beetles in the ponds and the mean body length of mosquito larvae. In neither year could dytiscid densities be maintained above a certain level owing to emigration. In laboratory tests, there were marked differences between three common dytiscid species in regard to preferences for Daphnia and Culex species as prey: Colymbetes paykulli Erichson chose mosquito larvae more often, whereas both Ilybius ater (De Geer) and I. fuliginosus (Fabricius) preferred Daphnia spp. All of the tested dytiscids consumed large numbers of prey. Since some dytiscid species can efficiently decrease populations of mosquito larvae, they are probably important in the natural control of these dipterans.
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6. |
- Lundström, Jan O., et al.
(author)
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High species richness of Chironomidae (Diptera) in temporary flooded wetlands associated with high species turn-over rates
- 2010
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In: Bulletin of entomological research. - 0007-4853 .- 1475-2670. ; 100:4, s. 433-444
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Species richness and species turn-over of Chironomidae was studied in irregularly flooded wetlands of the River Dalalven flood-plains in central Sweden. The chironomid fauna, sampled with emergence traps in six wetlands over six summers, contained as much as 135 species, and the cumulative species curves indicated that the regional species pool contain several more species. Recurrent irregular floods may have induced this high chironomid species richness and the high species turn-over in the temporary wetlands, as the dominance between terrestrial and aquatic species shifted between years. Half of the wetlands were treated with Bacillus thuringiensis var. israelensis (Bti) against larvae of the floodwater mosquito Aedes sticticus. These treatments had no significant effect on chironomid species richness, but there was a higher species turn-over between years of primarily low abundance species in the treated wetlands. The cumulative number of species was also higher in the Bti-treated experimental wetlands than in the untreated reference wetlands. Thus, Bti treatment against mosquito larvae seemed to have only small effects on chironomid species richness but seemed to increase the colonisation-extinction dynamics.
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7. |
- Lundström, Jan O., et al.
(author)
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Production of wetland Chironomidae (Diptera) and the effects of using Bacillus thuringiensis israelensis for mosquito control
- 2010
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In: Bulletin of entomological research. - Cambridge : Cambridge University Press. - 0007-4853 .- 1475-2670. ; 100:1, s. 117-125
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Massive mosquito nuisance problems, caused by the flood-water mosquito Aedes sticticus, occur after floods in the flood plains of the River Dalalven, central Sweden. Since 2002, the biological mosquito larvicide Bacillus thuringiensis var. israelensis (Bti) has been used to control these mosquitoes. Here, we report results from the first six years of monitoring Chironomidae, the most Susceptible non-target organisms, in three wetlands with Bti-treatment against mosquitoes and in three wetlands without treatment. Emergence traps were used for continuous insect sampling from May to September each year, 2002-2007, and were emptied once a week. A total of 21,394 chironomids of 135 species were collected, and the Subfamily Orthocladiinae dominated the fauna followed by Chironominae and Tanypodinae. The annual chironomid production in the wetlands was low, with ail average of 1.91.7 individuals per m(2) and 42 g ash-free dry weight per m(2) We found no reduced production of chironomids at neither family, nor subfamily level, in Bti-treated as compared to untreated wetlands. This is the first long-term follow-up study of the possible effects of Bti-based mosquito larval control oil chironomid species production. In the short-term view, one species had higher production in treated areas. In the long-term view, four species had higher and one species had lower production in treated areas. We conclude that the B3ti-based control of floodwater mosquitoes does not cause and, major direct negative effects on chironomid production, and therefore does not seem to induce any risk for indirect negative effects on birds, bats or any other predators feeding on chironomids.
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8. |
- Majeed, Shahid, et al.
(author)
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Enantiomeric selectivity in behavioural and electrophysiological responses of Aedes aegypti and Culex quinquefasciatus mosquitoes
- 2011
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In: Bulletin of Entomological Research. - 0007-4853 .- 1475-2670. ; 101, s. 541-550
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- 1-Octen-3-ol is a kairomone for many haematophagous insects including mosquitoes. Numerous studies have examined the effects of racemic 1-octen-3-ol; however, few studies have investigated the role of individual enantiomers in relation to mosquito attraction. In the present study, we investigated the behavioural and electrophysiological responses of two mosquito species, Aedes aegypti and Culex quinquefasciatus, to individual enantiomers and mixtures of 1-octen-3-ol, employing a laboratory Y-tube olfactometer and single sensillum recordings. The olfactory receptor neurons of both Ae. aegypti and Cx. quinquefasciatus had a significantly higher response to the (R)-1-octen-3-ol enantiomer compared to the (S)-1-octen-3-ol enantiomer at 10(-9) g mu l(-1) to 10(-6) g mu l(-1). Behaviourally, Ae. aegypti was more responsive to the (R)-1-octen-3-ol enantiomer, showing an increase in flight activity and relative attraction compared to Cx. quinquefasciatus. The (R)-1-octen-3-ol enantiomer caused an increase in activation for Cx. quinquefasciatus. However, the most notable effect was from an (R: S)-1-octen-3-ol mixture (84: 16) that caused significantly more mosquitoes to sustain their flight and reach the capture chambers (demonstrated by a reduced non-sustained flight activity), suggesting that it may have a behaviourally excitatory effect. For Cx. quinquefasciatus, a reduced relative attraction response was also observed for all treatments containing the (R)-1-octen-3-ol enantiomer, either on its own or as part of a mixture, but not with the (S)-1-octen-3-ol enantiomer. This is the first time enantiomeric selectivity has been shown for Ae. aegypti using electrophysiology in vivo. The implications of these results for exploitation in mosquito traps are discussed.
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9. |
- Menkis, Audrius
(author)
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The great spruce bark beetle (Dendroctonus micans Kug.) (Coleoptera: Scolytidae) in Lithuania: occurrence, phenology, morphology and communities of associated fungi
- 2017
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In: Bulletin of Entomological Research. - 0007-4853 .- 1475-2670. ; 107, s. 431-438
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- We studied the occurrence, morphology and phenology of Dendroctonus micans in Lithuania and the fungi associated with the beetle at different developmental stages. The occurrence of D. micans was assessed in 19 seed orchards (at least 40 years old) of Picea abies (L. Karst.) situated in different parts of the country. Bark beetle phenology was studied in two sites: a seed orchard of P. abies and a plantation of Picea pungens (Engelm.). D. micans morphology was assessed under the dissection microscope using individuals at different developmental stages that were sampled during phenology observations. Communities of fungi associated with D. micans were studied using both fungal culturing methods and direct high-throughput sequencing from D. micans. Results showed that the incidence D. micans was relatively rare and D. micans was mainly detected in central and eastern Lithuania. The life cycle included the following stages: adult, egg, I-V developmental stage larvae and pupa. However, development of D. micans was quicker and its nests larger under the bark of P. pungens than of P. abies, indicating the effect of the host species. Fungal culturing and direct high-throughput sequencing revealed that D. micans associated fungi communities were species rich and dominated by yeasts from a class Saccharomycetes. In total, 319 fungal taxa were sequenced, among which Peterozyma toletana (37.5% of all fungal sequences), Yamadazyma scolyti (30.0%) and Kuraishia capsulate (17.7%) were the most common. Plant pathogens and blue stain fungi were also detected suggesting their potentially negative effects to both tree health and timber quality.
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10. |
- Ninkovic, Velemir
(author)
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Behavioural responses of Tribolium castaneum (Herbst) to different types of uninfested and infested feed
- 2020
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In: Bulletin of Entomological Research. - 0007-4853 .- 1475-2670. ; 110, s. 550-557
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Tribolium castaneumis one of the most economically important insects that damages stored products. The effects of several infested or uninfested raw feed materials (wheat bran, coarse wheat meal, corn feed flour), feed products (compound feed for pigs and for laying hens) and flour mixed with brewer's yeast on the food-searching behaviour ofT. castaneumadults were studied in a total of 48 combinations. Preference and olfactometer tests revealed that all the tested uninfested and intraspecific infested substrates were significantly more attractive toT. castaneumthan the control (represented by part of an arena or olfactometer arm without substrate). We determined that all infested substrates were 2-9 times more attractive than uninfested in the preference test, while in the olfactometer test, they were 3-8 times more attractive. In comparing the attractiveness of the infested and uninfested substrates, in both tests wheat bran was found to be the most attractive substrate toT. castaneumadults and coarse wheat meal the least. The results of the present study contribute to our knowledge of how raw feed materials and products influence the behaviour ofT. castaneumand their susceptibility to infestation, and indicate the possible utilization of wheat bran in monitoring processes ofT. castaneumin pest management programmes.
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