Degradation on wood by insects and the effects on furniture production

In the tropics, biodegradation of wood progresses rapidly due to the biologically favourable temperatures and humidity conditions all year round. The population growth rate of insects is high and they reproduce throughout the year. To understand the degradation caused by insects on wood and how it can affect furniture production, the nature of the particular insect attack and the characteristic forms of damage must be understood. In this paper, the characteristic habits of major insect pests, particularly ambrosia beetles, powderpost beetles and termites are described. The diagnostic signs of infestation and how the different forms of damage affect furniture production are discussed. Precautionary as well as remedial measures are also described

Larval development of the bamboo borer (Dinoderus minutus Fabricius) using individual rearing method

Detailed information on larval development of the powder-post beetle, Dinoderus minutus, was investigated using individual rearing method under laboratory conditions at 27±2°C and 75±5% relative humidity. Five classes of head capsules were recorded, indicating five moults from first instar to prepupa. The mean larval duration recorded was 52.8±0.31 days with 8.04±0.12 days for the first instar larva, followed by 9.74±0.20 days, 13.10±0.17 days, 16.20±0.15 days and 5.72±0.13 days, for the second to fifth instar larvae, respectively. The longest instar stage was the fourth instar, with a development time ranging from 14 to 18 days and the shortest was the fifth instar ranging from 4 to 6 days. The highest growth ratio of larva by body weight was 2.70, which was observed between the first and second instars. This indicated that the maximum feeding rate of the larva occurred between these instar stages. The highest growth ratio, with respect to head capsule and larval length, was 1.35 and 1.34 between the fourth and fifth instar

World distribution of Minthea rugicollis (Coleoptera : Lyctidae)

The distribution of Minthea rugicollis worldwide is presented based on a compilation of literature records of population establishments and also from the world collection of M. rugicollis at the Natural History Museum, London. The distribution map derived indicates the limits of distribution for M. rugicollis to be 40° north and south of the Equator, with maximum distribution within 20° north and south. The present compiled records of occurrence of established populations as well as reports on repeated accidental introductions strongly suggest M. rugicollis is not capable of establishing populations under outdoor temperate conditions

Pests of safflower (Carthamus tinctorious l.) and their natural enemies in Gachsara, Iran.

The safflower fly, Acanthiophilus helianthi Rossi, 1794 (Diptera: Tephritidae) is one of the most important pests of safflower in Iran. Losses caused by larval feeding leads to disrupted plant activities, reduction in flower buds, and, ultimately, to decreased quality and quantity of crop. An investigation was made from March 2008 to August 2009 in Gachsaran and Yasooj to record the pest status of safflower and their natural enemies. A total of twenty arthropods were recorded as pests of safflower. Out of 25 farms surveyed, only seven had the incidence of pest attack. Among the pests, Safflower fly and Silver ‐ Y‐ moth were found to cause considerable damage to the safflower plants, while others were not at economic levels. Among the natural enemies, parasitoids like Bracon hebetor, Bracon luteator, Colotrechnus viridis, Antistrophoplex conthurnatus, Microdontomenus annulatus, Ormyrus orientalis, Eurytoma acroptilae, Pronotalia carlinarum, Pteromalus sp. and Isocolus tinctorious were found to be associated with the pests of safflower

World Distribution of Heterobostrycus aequalis Waterhouse (Coleoptera: Bostrychidae).

Heterobostrychus aequalis is a major pest of seasoned hardwood. It attacks many timber and wood from other plant species and caused damage to a broad range of wood products. Their attacks are confined to starch-rich sapwood and often unsuspected until the emergence hole and frass is produced. The repeated introduction of this pest into new areas indicates that it is poorly inspected and ignored. In some cases, this species succeed in establishing its population in the wild. Hence, by providing the world wide distribution of this pest could be the pioneer step in developing better prevention, monitoring, quarantine and control programmes. From the review, it was found that H. aequalis distribute dominantly in tropical and sub-tropical areas. It is widely distributed in Asia, particularly Southeast Asia to Oceania, some parts of Africa, Central America and Caribbean region. The distribution map derived indicates the limits of distribution for H. aequalis to be 40° north and south of the equator. The recent reports and records showed that this pest is potentially becoming a high-risk pest and can establish its population whenever the condition is favourable

Efficacy of Various Insecticides on Safflower fly, Acanthiophilus helianthi Rossi (Diptera: Tephritidae) in Kohgiloyeh and Boyerahmad Province (Iran).

Safflower fly (Acanthiophilus helianthi Rossi) is one of the main limiting factors to expand the production area of the crop in several countries. Since use of selective insecticides is one of the most important methods for pest management, we evaluated the efficacy of six insecticides against A. helianthi infesting safflower. Field studies were conducted at the farm of Agriculture Research Station Gachsaran, in 2008-2009, to determine the effects of six different insecticides on the damage and incidence of A. helianthi on safflower variety ‘Sina’. After first spray overall mean population larvae of A. helianthi inside flower heads was 3.83, 4.95, 5.79, 6.86, 7.67, 8.31 per 10 flower head on Endosulfan 35EC, Chlorpyriphos 20 EC, Monochrotophos 28 EC, Deltamethrin 2.8 EC, Malathion 56 EC, and Supracide 40 EC treated plants respectively, while on control plants the population larvae was 12.59. Similarly, after the second spray of each of the same insecticides the population larvae of A. helianthi was 4.69, 6.25, 7.63, 8.43, 9.37 and 10.75 respectively. Where in controls there were 17.20 larvae of safflower capsule fly. Percent decrease of population of larvae safflower capsule fly in comparison to control after the first spray was highest in Endosulfan 35 EC (74.22) followed by Chlorpyriphos 20 EC (64.93), Monochrotophos 28 EC (56.09), Deltamethrin 2.8 EC (49.63),Malathion 56 EC (40.96) and Supracide 40 EC (37.76). After the second spray percent decrease over control recorded was highest in Endosulfan 35 EC (85.56), followed by Chlorpyriphos 20 EC (73.10), Monochrotophos 28 EC (65.96), Deltamethrin 2.8 EC (62.81), Malathion 56 EC (54.54) and Supracide 40 EC (47.64)

Study of some biological aspects and development of integrated pest management program for the safflower fly, Acanthiophilus helianthi Rossi (Diptera: Tephritidae) in Iran

Acanthiophilus helianthi Rossi (Diptera: Tephritidae) is a pest of safflower and managing it because of its fecundity and concealed larval habitat is a challenge. Potential components of an integrated pest management program for A. helianthi were investigated at the Gachsaran Agricultural Research Station, in southern Iran from November 2008 to July 2009. For the life cycle studies, the infected flower heads were collected from an experimental field plot and were developed from egg to adult under laboratory conditions. The results showed that the first adults emerged gradually in mid April 2009. Female A.helianthi had a pre-oviposition period of 5.8 ± 1.0 days and the average fecundity was 27 ± 3.2 eggs. The eggs were laid in the bracts of flower heads singly or in clusters of 3-18. The Incubation period was 3.8 ± 0.6 days under field conditions and 3.4 ± 0.6 days under cage conditions. Three larval instars occurred, and the larval phase was 7-10 days. Males emerged earlier than females, but the longevity of the adult females (12 ± 3.0) was significantly greater than that of males (8 ± 1.0). Analysis of aggregated male and female sampling data showed that the gender ratio was 1:1.28. To evaluate the efficiency of different methods of fruit fly control on safflower, a field experiment was carried out. Five diverse methods, insecticides, baiting, cultural, Integrated Management and no treatment were assessed on weight of one thousand seeds, percentage of oil, percentage seed damage and harvest/ha. Integrated Management and insecticide control indicated best results with harvest potential of 1850 and 1723 kg/ha with a least damage of 5 and 8%, respectively. Since use of selective insecticides is one of the most important methods for pest management, the efficacy of six insecticides against A. helianthi infesting safflower were evaluated. Among the treatments Endosulfan 35% EC at 0.03% proved more effective followed by Chlorpyriphos and Monochrotophos

Pathogenicity of Beauveria bassiana against the tiger moth Atteva sciodoxa (Lepidoptera: Yponomeutidae)

Seven isolates of Beauveria bassiona were screened for pathogenicity and infectivity at a concentration of 5x107 conidia mL-1 against Attevo sciodoxa at 27±2°C and 75±5% relative humidity with 12 h photoperiod. Based on screening results, isolates Bba-Pp and FS-11 were further bioassayed at 1 x 106, 5x106 and 1x107 conidia mL-1. All the isolates were found to be pathogenic. However, the infectivity varied significantly among the isolates. The earliest mortality was recorded three days after inoculation, The most virulent isolate, Bba-Pp, caused 100% mortality with a median infective time (ET50) of 3.6 days on day seven following inoculation while FS-11 caused 83,3% mortality with an ET50 value of 4.1 days, Bba-S13 was the least infective isolate with 24.9% mortality and 15.3 days of median effective time. Mycelia appeared on 24 to 48 h old cadavers, The highest level of sporulation on two-week old cadavers was 150.6x105 Bba-Pp conidia mg -1 cadaver while the lowest was 12.23x105 Bba-S13 conidia. The median effective concentration (EC50) of Bba-Pp was 9.89x105 conidia mL-1 while that of FS-11 was 3.85x106 conidia mL-1. The ET50 values 1x106 1x107 conidia mL-1 of Bba-Pp ranged between 7.0 and 4.4 days, respectively, while that of FS-11 were 10.3 and 5.8 days. A strong negative correlation was found between inoculum concentrations and food consumption (R2 = -0.99). The infection by Bba-Pp and FS-11I resulted in 55.8 to 72.5% reduction in food consumption by A. sciodoxa compared to the controls

Effects of defoliation from an outbreak of the teak skeletoniser, Paliga damastesalis walker (Lepidoptera: Crambidae), on the growth of teak, Tectona grandis L.

The effects of defoliation by the teak skeletoniser Paliga damastesalis Walker (Lepidoptera: Crambidae) on a six-month old stand of teak Tectona grandis L. was evaluated on the subsequent year-long growth in the field. Defoliation did not exceed 10%. It had a transient negative effect on post-defoliation height increment and new leaf production of up to two and three months of growth. However, defoliation severity significantly affected collar diameter increment up to the seventh month. A peak in the mean monthly growth increments for new leaf production occurred in April, followed by collar diameter increment in June and height in July. In addition, a peak in one of these three growth parameters also corresponded with a trough in the other or both of the other parameters; as such, the height increment peaked with a concomitant trough in collar diameter increment a month later. As for the remaining period of the dry season after July, new leaf production remained at a constant low level, while increments for both the height and collar diameter were found to decrease. Tree recovery appeared rapid with regard to these growth parameters, thus the impact of defoliation was generally and relatively negligible on the growth parameters measured

Life table and demographic parameters of the tiger moth, Atteva sciodoxa Meyrick (Lepidoptera: Yponomeutidae) fed on Eurycoma longifolia Jack.

Age-specific life and fertility tables of the tiger moth, Atteva sciodoxa Meyrick were constructed under controlled environmental conditions. The highest apparent mortality (qx), real mortality (RM) and indispensable mortality (IM) values were recorded in the 1st instar larvae whilst the lowest in the fifth instar larvae. The longest lifespan of female moth was 19 days with 50% natural mortality (NM50) on day 15 and that of male was 16 days with NM50 on day 11. The mean number of eggs female-1 was 106.2 and oviposition period was 13.3 days. Values for the net reproductive rate (RO), mean generation time (TC), intrinsic rate of increase (rc), innate capacity of increase (rm), finite rate of increase (λ) and doubling time (DT) were 42.03 female offsprings female-1, 11.41 days, 0.33 day-1, 0.37 day-1, 1.39 female offsprings female-1 day-1 and 2.12 days, respectively