Effects of selected insecticides on osmotically treated entomopathogenic nematodes

Combining environmentally friendly insecticides with entomopathogenic nematodes may constitute an effective alternative to conventional chemical control of many insect pests. The objective of this laboratory study was to evaluate the effects of selected insecticides which are commonly used for pest control in vegetables in China on osmotically treated and untreated infective juveniles of Steinernema carpocapsae strain All. The insecticides azadirachtin, chlorpyrifos, cypermethrin, fipronil, imidacloprid, malathion, thiamethoxam and chlorantraniliprole-thiamethoxam had no adverse effects on nematode survival and infectivity. In contrast, bisultap, emamectin benzoate, phoxim and rotenone proved harmful to S. carpocapsae All mainly by reducing infectivity of the infective juveniles to larvae of the greater wax moth, Galleria mellonella. Osmotic induction is a promising way to induce entomopathogenic nematodes into partial anhydrobiosis and thus increase environmental stress tolerance of the nematodes as well as their shelf life after production. The present results showed that osmotic treatment did not adversely affect fitness of the nematode in terms of its susceptibility to insecticides and even increased its tolerance to chlorpyrifos and rotenone. The results of this laboratory study indicate that several of the tested insecticides can be safely combined with S. carpocapsae All within an integrated pest management approach

AN ECONOMIC EVALUATION OF SOYBEAN STINK BUG CONTROL ALTERNATIVES FOR THE SOUTHEASTERN UNITED STATES

Methyl parathion or Penncap M (an encapsulated methyl parathion) are used extensively throughout the United States for controlling stink bug pests in soybeans, Glycine Max (L.) Merrill. However, this insecticide is highly toxic to mammals, birds, and non-target arthropods, and thus is less environmentally sound than other insecticides. For environmental and human health considerations, investigating alternative insecticides for control is desired. For this investigation, research based on field experimental data from Florida, Georgia, and Louisiana during the 1988 and 1989 growing seasons were employed. Results indicate that alternative, currently available, and less toxic insecticides may reduce producer costs, increase yield, and improve soybean quality. These alternative insecticides include Scout (tralomethrin), Karate (lambda-cyhalothrin), Orthene (acephate), and Baythroid (cyfluthrin). In terms of improved profits these alternative insecticides may dominate methyl parathion or encapsulated methyl parathion.Crop Production/Industries,

\ud Detection and Monitoring of Insecticide Resistance in Malaria Vectors in Tanzania Mainland\ud

\ud Vector control is a major component of the global strategy for malaria control which aims to prevent parasite transmission mainly through interventions targeting adult Anopheline vectors. Insecticide treated nets (ITNs) and indoor residual spraying (IRS) are the cornerstone of malaria vector control programmes. These major interventions in most cases use pyrethroid insecticides which are also used for agricultural purposes. With widespread development of resistance to pyrethroid insecticides in malaria vectors raises concern over the sustainability of insecticide-based interventions for malaria control. Therefore, close monitoring of performance of the insecticides against malaria vectors is essential for early detection and\ud management of resistance. To measure pyrethroid susceptibility in populations of malaria vectors in Tanzania and to test the efficacy of LLINs/ITNs and insecticide residues on sprayed wall substrates in the IRS operation areas. In 2011 the National Institute for Medical Research (NIMR) in collaboration with National Malaria Control Programme (NMCP) conducted large scale surveillance to determine the countrywide susceptibility levels of malaria vectors to insecticides used for both public health and agricultural purposes. Anopheles gambiae Giles s.l. were collected during national surveys and samples of LLINs/ITNs in the 14 sentinel sites and houses from the IRS areas were randomly selected for bioassays to test the efficacy and insecticide residual effects on sprayed wall substrates respectively. Wild adult mosquitoes for susceptibility testing were collected by resting catches indoors. Net traps (outdoors and indoors) were set up to enhance catches. WHO Susceptibility kits were used to test for resistance status using test papers: Lambdacyhalothrin 0.05%, Deltamethrin 0.05%, Permethrin 0.75%, DDT 4%, Propoxur 0.1% and Fenitrothion 1%. The quality of the test paper was checked against a laboratory susceptible An. gambiae Kisumu strain. Knockdown effect and mortality were measured in standard WHO susceptibility tests and cone bio-efficacy tests. Whereas, con bioassays on treated walls and ITNs were conducted using the laboratory susceptible An. gambiae Kisumu strain. The results from the surveillance recorded continued susceptibility of malaria vectors to commonly used insecticides. However, there were some isolated cases of resistance and/or reduced susceptibility to pyrethroid insecticides which may not compromise the current vector control interventions in the country. Anopheles gambiae s.l. showed resistance (15-28%) to each of the pyrethroids and to DDT but not to Organophosphates (Propoxur 0.1%), and Carbamates (Fenitrothion 1%). The information obtained from this surveillance is expected to be used to guide the National Malaria Control Programme on the rational selection of insecticides for malaria vector control and for the national mitigation plans for management and containment of malaria vector resistance in the country. The current observation warrants more vigilant monitoring of the susceptibility of malaria mosquitoes to commonly used insecticides in areas found with resistance and/or reduced levels of susceptibility of malaria vectors to insecticides, particularly in areas with heavy agricultural and/or public health use of insecticides where resistance is likely to develop. The current survey covered malaria vectors only and not the non malaria vectors (nuisance) mosquitoes such as Culex. Similar monitoring of insecticide susceptibility of this non malaria vectors may be needed to ensure public motivation for sustained use of ITNs/LLINs in the country. The surveillance leading to these results received funding from PMI/USAID through RTI International with Sub Agreement Number 33300212555.\u

RECENT ADVANCES IN VETERINARY ENTOMOLOGY1

The advances during the last 15 years in our knowledge of the biology and control of arthropod pests of livestock and vectors of animal disease agents exceed those made in any similar period in past history. Before 1942 we relied mainly on rotenone, pyrethrum, the thiocyanates, and the arseni­cals for control of lice, ticks, mites, biting flies, and cattle grubs. While ef­fective against some pests under certain conditions, these materials were not practical for wide-scale use and did not meet the public demand for better insecticides. Today we have highly effective and low-cost insecticides such as DDT, lindane, TDE, toxaphene, methoxychlor, chlordane, and syner­gized pyrethrum for control of livestock insects. Their use has saved the live­ stock grower many millions of dollars annually and has benefited the con­ sumer by making more and better animal products available. Of almost equal importance to the development of the new insecticides are the contributions made to our knowledge of the biology and habits of several livestock insects and their transmission of agents of animal diseases. Many new ideas and approaches to studies on insect biology and control have been developed during the last few years. A good example of this is the unique method for the control of screw-worms by release of sterilized male flies over an area. The sterile males mate with the native females, but the eggs are infertile and thus reduce the numbers of screw-worms. Another ex­ ample of new trends is the promising research with insecticides that can be given internally to livestock for destruction of external pests. These studies will be discussed in detail in the following pages. Although great progress has been made in the use of insecticides, two disturbing factors have arisen to cause worry as to the future efficiency of chemical means of control. The first is the increasing and widespread de­velopment of resistance of insects to insecticides, particularly to the chlo­rinated hydrocarbons. House flies have developed such a high degree of re­sistance to DDT and related materials that satisfactory control is impossible in most areas. Organic phosphorus insecticides have so far performed in a creditable manner in controlling house flies, but there are indications that these chemicals may eventually fail. As yet no reports on resistance of horn flies, horse flies, deer flies, stable flies, sheep keds, or lice of livestock have appeared

Evaluation of the susceptibility of the pea aphid, Acyrthosiphon pisum, to a selection of novel biorational insecticides using an artificial diet

An improved technique was developed to assay the toxicity of insecticides against aphids using an artificial diet. The susceptibility of the pea aphid Acyrthosiphon pisum (Harris) (Hemiptera: Aphidoidea) was determined for a selection of novel biorational insecticides, each representing a novel mode of action. Flonicamid, a novel systemic insecticide with selective activity as feeding blocker against sucking insects, showed high toxicity against first-instar A. pisum nymphs with an LC50 of 20.4 mu g/ml after 24 h, and of 0.24 mu g/ml after 72 h. The toxicity was compared with another feeding blocker, pymetrozine, and the neonicotinoid, imidacloprid. In addition, four insect growth regulators were tested. The chitin synthesis inhibitor flufenoxuron, the juvenile hormone analogue pyriproxyfen, and the azadirachtin compound Neem Azal-T/S showed strong effects and reduced the aphid population by 50% after 3 days of treatment at a concentration of 7-9 mu g/ml. The ecdysone agonist tested, halofenozide, was less potent. In conclusion, the improved aphid feeding apparatus can be useful as a miniature screening device for insecticides against different aphid pests. The present study demonstrated rapid and strong toxicity of flonicamid, and other biorational insecticides towards A. pisum

Lemon essential oil; the organic insect repellent

Commercial insecticides are widely used in most sectors of the agricultural production to avoid or reduce losses by insects and hence it can improve the production as well as the quality of the product produced. In some ways, it can also improve the value of food and also its safety. Insecticides can be considered as an economic, labour-saving and efficient tool of insect management in agricultural production [1]

The Impact of Integrated Pest Management Technology on Insecticide Use in Soybean Farming in Java, Indonesia: Two Models of Demand for Insecticides

This study aims to estimate the demand for insecticides in soybean farms in Java, Indonesia, and to analyze the impact of the integrated pest management (IPM) technology on insecticide use. It uses aggregate cross-section time series data during the period 1990-1998, when the IPM technology was disseminated in Indonesia. By using recursive and simultaneous equation models, it estimates the impact of the IPM technology on the demand for insecticides. The study finds that the IPM technology has reduced significantly the use of insecticides in soybean farming.

Efficacy of different insecticides against the woolly apple aphid (Eriosoma lanigerum)

Questions: Efficacy of different Insecticides against the woolly apple aphid (Eriosoma lanigerum