Investigations on Tuta absoluta (Lepidoptera: Gelechiidae): larval infestation on the tomato cultivated in open field and evaluation of five essential oils against larvae in laboratory

Abstract The tomato miner Tuta absoluta Meyrick (Lepidoptera: Gelechiidae) is a Neotropical species, which cause serious damages to tomato in spread areas. It appeared in 2008 in Italy, where it seriously threatened tomato production both in greenhouse and open field cultivations. In this work a study on infestation by this leafminer on leaves was conducted in an organic cultivation of tomato (Lycopersicon esculentum Mill.) "Pizzutello" variety in Sicily (Italy), and the insecticidal activity of 5 essential oils (EOs) on T. absoluta was evaluated in laboratory. EOs of basil, cypress, laurel, peppermint and Spanish oregano were used against 3rd- and 4th-instar larvae to assess contact effects and, only for oregano and laurel, inhalation effects. Results showed that the infestation in field had a variable trend showing peaks in two periods, in the months of July and October. Larvae of T. absoluta developed on leaves for most of the growing season of tomato showing a peak of 1.5 larva per leaf in the first part of July decreasing in the subsequent months. Results on the use of essential oils against the leafminer showed a good larvicidal effects confirming their use as potential alternative for pest control. Basil, cypress and laurel oils showed major contact efficacy. Inhalation effects of the oils of oregano and laurel increased with increasing their doses with a positive correlation. Oregano oil was effective at lower doses than laurel

Bibliography of Sequential Sampling Plans in Insect Pest Management Based on Wald\u27s Sequential Probability Ratio Test

This paper contains 65 references dealing with the development of sequential sampling plans in insect pest management based on Wald\u27s Sequential Probability Ratio Test (SPRT), 25 in forest entomology and 40 in agriculture entomology. The insect(s) sampled, whether the decision procedure was based on one or two SPRTs, and the mathematical distribution and probabilities of Type I and Type II errors used to develop the SPRTs are also given for each sequential sampling plan

John Robert Eyer: Entomological Work in Pennsylvania and Lists of Publications

(excerpt) John Robert Eyer died at Carlsbad, New Mexico, on January 30, 1976. J. G. Watts and W. A. Iselin (1976), his former colleagues in the Department of Botany and Entomology at New Mexico State University, Las Cruces, wrote an obituary and quite naturally focused on Eyer\u27s work at the University\u27s Agricultural Experiment Station. Since Dr. Eyer\u27s first positions in entomology were in Pennsylvania, we have prepared this biographical sketch to preserve the record of his early accomplishments

Spanish Entomology: Past and Present

Excerpt: The history of pure entomology in Spain begins during the Eighteenth Century and continues until today with emphasis upon systematics. The reasons for this are several, but chief among them must be mentioned the extraordinary richness and diversity of the Iberian entomological fauna. This peninsula was a landbridge that in earlier geological times linked Europe and Africa. It is highly zoned and stratified, and supports a variety of faunal elements including European, Mediterranean, African, Atlantic and indigenous. This rich fauna, together with a paucity of skilled entomologists, has resulted in insufficient study of Iberian insects. Except for the Orthoptera, and possibly one or two other groups, our insect fauna is still in the alpha taxonomic status, with the consequence that it is generally not feasible to carry out the comparative anatomical, ecological, physiological, or behavioral studies that can be accomplished in countries with either a better-known fauna or with a poorer one

Curculionidae and Chrysomelidae Found in Aquatic Habitats in Wisconsin

(excerpt) We became interested in aquatic weevils (Curculionidae) and leaf beetles (Chryso- melidae) during the Aquatic Entomology Course at the University of Wisconsin, in the spring of 1971. Many collections, taken from a variety of aquatic habitats in Wisconsin, contained weevils and leaf beetles. Most of the species were not fully treated in the keys found in aquatic entomology texts. We thought it would be useful to compile keys from the literature and present what is known of the distribution of these insects in Wisconsin. Nine species of weevils have been found in aquatic habitats in Wisconsin, representing seven genera, all belonging to the subtribe Hydronomi, and twenty-five species of leaf beetles, representing five genera in three subfamilies

Arthur J. Yates (1882-1961) and His Collection of Lepidoptera

The fine collection of Michigan Lepidoptera assembled by the late Arthur J. Yates has recently been donated by his wife, Mrs. Ethel K. Yates, to the Entomology Museum of Michigan State University

Corn soil insects research, 1986: Insecticide evaluations

"11/86/400."Judy A. Grundler, Entomology Senior Research Specialist; Armon J. Keaster, Professor of Entomology. Department of Entomology, University of Missouri--Columbia.Corn rootworm -- Cutworm -- Wireworm -- Appendix

Plant Health and the Science of Pests and Diseases

The health/disease duality has developed alongside human history either as a struggle for survival or as a challenge of the human being to effectively get to know himself. To speak about pests and diseases of plants may not be as exciting as when speaking of human beings; however, entomology and phytopathology hold methodological similarities to conventional medicine, which, thus, allow for correlations among them. After all, plant protection and human medical science are based under common epistemological principles of modern scientific thought. Hence, the goal of this essay is to disclose certain disagreements of the disciplines of phytopathology and entomology with agroecological based science; yet, giving way to a discussion according to ecological principles. This is a theoretical essay, based on bibliographical research and on the direct experience of the authors with family farmers in the South of Brazil during the last 20 years

Melanderia. Vol. I. 1969. R.D. Akre, Editor; C.A. Johansen, Associate Editor. Irregualr publication of the Washington State Entomological Society, Department of Entomology, Washington State University, Pullman, Washington 99163, 35 pp. Free to members of WSES and major institutions.

Excerpt: The dolichopodid fly Melanderia mandibulata Aldrich was named in honor of its discoverer, A.L. Melander, who was prominent in Northwestern entomology during the first quarter of this century. In its name, this new journal also honors the memory of Dr. Melander