Journal of Applied Entomology

Almeida, Tiago Tognolli; Roel, Antonia Railda; Oliveira, Carina Elisei; Rocha, Bruno Fines; Dias, Angélica Maria Penteado Martins

2023 Journal of Applied Entomology

doi: 10.1111/jen.13186

One of the major problems in orchards is the presence of Tephritidae fly maggots, especially in Mirtaceae species. Various biological control tools include the use of Hymenoptera parasitoids, which naturally control fly populations. However, identification of the host species of parasitoids is challenging, because only the puparium remains after the parasitoid hatches. Therefore, the aim of this work was to determine the host species of Hymenoptera parasitoids, through the puparium. Host species were identified by amplification and sequencing of cytochrome C oxidase subunit I (COI) of mitochondrial DNA. The results of the present study show that COI DNA sequencing was able to reliably identify host pupae to the genus level, allowing the identification of the Anastrepha genus in this study. This suggests that this method can be used to identify agriculturally relevant hosts through its puparium remains, since this genus has already been described as a pest of Campomanesia adamantium. Knowledge of the species that cause damage to crop is extremely important to study the biological and ecological aspects of these pests and their control. In this way, our results suggest that this method can be used to identify economically relevant host pupal species since the genus identified in this study has already been described as a pest of C. adamantium.

Zhou, Jia; Chen, Li‐Lin; Zhu, Yu‐Tong; Siemann, Evan; Wan, Nian‐Feng

2023 Journal of Applied Entomology

doi: 10.1111/jen.13185

Sunflowers (Helianthus annuus) are potential trap crops to attract the yellow peach moth (Conogethes punctiferalis) in orchards but the volatile compounds released from sunflowers and their effects on C. punctiferalis behaviour are not clear. Here we used solid phase micro‐extraction to collect volatiles released from flower disks of sunflowers, identified them by gas chromatography–mass spectrometry, and examined the attractiveness of some of the compounds to mated female adult C. punctiferalis moths in Y‐tube olfactometer choice tests. We detected nine volatile compounds (α‐Pinene, β‐Phellandrene, Camphene, β‐Pinene, 3‐Carene, D‐Limonene, Eucalyptol, γ‐Terpinen, and Valencene) with consistently large peak areas for α‐Pinene and β‐Phellandrene. Among tested volatiles, both α‐Pinene and β‐Phellandrene were attractive to C. punctiferalis in olfactometer tests but this was only significant for higher concentrations of β‐Phellandrene. This suggests that β‐Phellandrene may promote C. punctiferalis oviposition on sunflower disks. This study provides insights into volatile chemical mediated responses of insect herbivores to trap crops.

Zhao, Jinyu; Ma, Li; Song, Chengfei; Xue, Zengsheng; Zheng, Ruirui; Yan, Xizhong; Hao, Chi

2023 Journal of Applied Entomology

doi: 10.1111/jen.13181

The Tuta absoluta (Meyrick) (Lepidoptera: Gelechiidae) originated in South America and is a major pest of the economically critical solanaceous crops. It is devastating to tomatoes, attacking mainly the leaves, stems, flowers and fruits of tomato plants, and can cause up to 100% damage. T. absoluta invaded China in 2017 and expanded rapidly, severely impacting the tomato industry. To illustrate the detailed potential distribution of T. absoluta in China, we used CLIMEX and MaxEnt models to predict the potential distribution of this pest using historical and future climate data. CLIMEX predicts a wider potential distribution area for T. absoluta in China than MaxEnt, which suggests that most of China is suitable for its distribution, except for the Tarim Basin in southern Xinjiang, western Inner Mongolia and northwestern Gansu. Both models accurately predicted the known distribution of T. absoluta in the provinces of Yunnan and Guangxi, and the predictions by both models suggest the total distribution range of T. absoluta in China is to increase slightly with future changes in climate temperature. These predictions will help understand the influence of climate change on the potential distribution of T. absoluta in China and thus provide a theoretical foundation for developing early monitoring, quarantine and control strategies.

McCracken, Andrew W.; Niazy, Nurah; Turi, Samu; Arya, Vijeth; Kempraj, Vivek; Morimoto, Juliano

2023 Journal of Applied Entomology

doi: 10.1111/jen.13184

Agriculture remains a major source of subsistence for local communities in India. However, agricultural yield can be strongly affected by agricultural pest outbreaks. This can result in economic losses for small‐scale farmers who already experience socio‐economic challenges, such as lack of appropriate infrastructure and subsides. Sophisticated pest management techniques (e.g. sterile insect technique) are less accessible to small farmers in developing countries, and therefore, alternative cost‐effective approaches for pest management are needed. Here, we report our findings of a 3‐year field trial (2018–2020) in India, which was designed to test for the potential effectiveness of a novel, slow‐release formulation protein‐based trap, compared to standard Cuelure traps against melon flies Bactrocera cucurbitae (Diptera: Tephritidae). Protein‐bait traps can attract flies from both sexes (as opposed to male‐only, chemical traps), bearing the potential to have a greater long‐term impact on pest populations by decreasing future reproductive potential of trapped individuals. We found that, despite uneven sampling efforts, Cuelure had overall higher trapping performance, while protein‐bait traps, despite trapping at lower efficiency, were equally effective for trapping males and females. Simulations with our field data revealed that protein‐bait traps can have an ‘inclusive’ advantage by trapping females and thereby preventing future individuals. Overall, our study highlights the potential benefits of using this alternative trapping technique to supplement pest management in developing countries.