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

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

Population Fluctuation of Rice Leaffolder, (Cnaphalocrocis medinalis) in Two Consecutive Rice Seasons

Larvae of rice leaffolder, Cnaphalocrocis medinalis attack rice crop at all three phases (from tillering until maturity stages). Their population throughout season was influenced by abiotic and biotic factors. Study on population fluctuation is important to understand the population dynamic and its factors in natural field condition. Thus, a study of population fluctuation of C. medinalis was conducted at rice field in Semanggol, Perak. Larvae were collected from 10 rice hills per plot in three 15 m x 4 m plots started on April 5, 2015 until June 7, 2015 (off season) and from October 25, 2015 until December 27, 2015 (main season). Abiotic data namely temperature, relative humidity (RH) and rainfall were obtained from Department of Meteorology Malaysia. Comparison of C. medinalis population between two seasons at different weeks was analysed using two-way ANOVA. The relationship of C. medinalis population with abiotic factors was analysed using Pearson correlation and stepwise regression. There was a significant interaction effect between season and week (F9,40=2.19; p<0.05). The highest population was recorded at week 55 day after transplanting (DAT) in main season comprised of 17% of total collection, followed by week 62 in off season (14%), week 48-main season (13%) and week 55-off season (13%). There was a positive correlation between C. medinalis population and RH in main and off season with RH was the key factor in regulating population in both seasons. Our results revealed that population of C. medinalis at different weeks was influenced by season. It is due to differences of weather condition between seasons, management practices and plant stages. The highest population recorded during reproductive phase is due to the morphology of rice plant that offers great suitability for larvae feeding and development. The abiotic factors also influenced C. medinalis population. Therefore, the abiotic factors should be considered in management of C. medinalis besides the plant stage and fertilizer effect. Future research on effect of natural enemies on C. medinalis population in field is needed in order to gain a better understanding of the factors that influence the population

Life table and demographic parameters of rice leaffolder, Cnaphalocrocis medinalis guenee (Lepidoptera: Pyralidae)

Rice leaffolder, Cnaphalocrocis medinalis is important pest species and become a major threat to rice production in many Asian countries including Malaysia. A range of 30 to 80% of rice yield losses was assessed from severely damage fields under epidemic situation in India. Cnaphalocrocis medinalis has history of outbreak in Sekinchan, Selangor in early 1980’s. Understanding the biology and factors that could be manipulated for its control are very limited. Life table and demographic parameters play important role in determining the key factors that responsible for the highest mortality within population. Therefore, the objective of our study was to construct life table and demographic parameters of C. medinalis. A survivorship and fecundity study of C. medinalis was conducted in laboratory (27.2±0.48 °C, 78.4±1.64% RH and 12:12h photoperiod) using three cohorts consisted of 102, 103 and 105 one-day old eggs. The survival and mortality of every life stage were observed and recorded daily. Nine pairs of one-day old C. medinalis adults were used in fecundity study. The laid eggs were observed daily and longevity of adults were recorded. Standard life table parameters and population age structures were calculated from daily records of survival, mortality and fecundity of each cohort. Two-sample t-test was performed in comparing of longevity between adult male and female. The highest mortality was recorded in first instar larvae (22.58%) with K-value of 0.125 indicated that this stage is the key factor in regulating C. medinalis population. A total of 32.26% individuals has successfully reached at adult stage with average sex ratio was 0.96:1.00 (Female: Male). The emergence of first female was on day 28 whilst the last female died on day 43. The earliest egg was laid on day 30 and continued until day 35 with maximum oviposition was on day 31 and 32 which constitute 57.04% of total eggs. The female lived for about 7.56±0.38 days with fecundity of 104.33±5.43 eggs. The intrinsic rate of natural increase (rm) was 0.08 per female per day with mean generation time (Tc) of 31.56 days and doubling time (DT) of 8.19days. This shows that C. medinalis population has increased and build up rapidly in short time period. Our results suggested that the control program should be done during early stage of larvae in order to suppress the C. medinalis population effectively. Life table study of C. medinalis on other local rice varieties should be conducted in determining its survivorship and reproduction on other host varieties

Determination of larval instar of Bactrocera papayae (Diptera : Tephritidae) on guava, Psidium guajava, Linn. based on morphometric characters

Morphometric characters such as length and width of the Bactrocera papayae larvae could be used to determine the larval instars at their immature stage. Observation in this study indicated that B. papayae underwent three larval instars. The duration for the first instar, second and third instar was 4,4 and 7 days respectively. There was a significant difference in the length and width within larval instars of B. papayae. After hatching, the length of the larvae was 1.04 mm and the longest could reach up to 8.32 mm while the width starts from 0.18 mm and could reach up to 2.08 mm before completing all instars during the immature stage. Means length of the larvae were 1.27 ± 0.03, 4.33 ± 0.05 and 7.84 ± 0.07 mm whilst means width were 0.23 ± 0.01, 1.04 ± 0.01 and 1.85 ± 0.03 mm for the first instar, second instar and third instar respectively. Moulting process of the larvae occurred twice between day-4 and day-5 and also between day- 8 and day-9

Distribution of the synchronous flashing beetle, Pteroptyx tener olivier (Coleoptera: lampyridae), in Malaysia.

Jusoh, Wan Faridah Akmal, Hashim, Nor Rasidah, Adam, Nur Azura (2013): Distribution of the Synchronous Flashing Beetle,Pteroptyx tener Olivier (Coleoptera: Lampyridae), in Malaysia. The Coleopterists Bulletin 67 (4): 604-605, DOI: 10.1649/0010-065x-67.4.604, URL: http://dx.doi.org/10.1649/0010-065x-67.4.60

Comparison of different methods to control fruit fly Acanthiophilus helianthi Rossi (Diptera: Tephritidae) in Iran

Problem statement: The safflower fly is one of the most important insect pests of safflower in Iran. Losses caused by larval feeding on receptacle tissue or seeds leads to disrupted plant activities, reduction in flower buds and ultimately, to decreased quality and quantity of crop. Approach: To evaluate the efficiency of different methods of fruit fly control on Safflower, a field experiment was carried out at the Agricultural Research Station in Gachsaran, Iran in 2009. 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. Results: Damage percentage and harvest/ha varied significantly in various control methods. Integrated Management and insecticide control indicated best results with harvest potential of 1850 and 1723kg/ha with a least damage of 5% and 8% respectively. The minimum harvest (1103 kg/ha) and the most damage (39.4%) were recorded in plants where no treatment was applied. Bait trap method produced a harvest of 1405 kg/ha along with a damage of 20%. Conclusion: The results indicate the integrated management was significantly more successful compored to other methods

Flight intensity of two species of stingless bees Heterotrigona itama and Geniotrigona thoracica and its relationships with temperature, light intensity and relative humidity

Information on flight intensity of stingless bees is important in pollinator management programs. However, the flight intensity of local stingless bees especially for Heterotrigona itama and Geniotrigona thoracica is poorly known. Investigations into the pattern of activity of various species of meliponinae, in different parts of the world, reveal a lot of variations. Hence, this study was designated to determine the effect of daytime and climatic factors on the flight of stingless bees. This study was conducted at Orchad 10, Universiti Putra Malaysia, Serdang, Selangor and the flight intensity of bees was determined by counting the numbers of bees leaving and returning to their nest for ten minutes observations. Counting was done in six colonies which had similar strength. It was done five times per day at 8.00 am, 10.00 am, 12.00 pm, 2.00 pm and 4.00 pm for six days. The peak number of bees that exited and returned was recorded around 8.00 am to 10.00 am for both species. The number of Geniotrigona thoracica exited from the entrance had a positive correlated to air temperature, relative humidity and light intensity. Meanwhile for Heterotrigona itama, their flight activities were affected by temperature and light intensity. Hence it is advisable to save stingless bees by not applying insecticide to crops at times of day when their flight intensity is highest

Population fluctuations of brown plant hopper Nilaparvata lugens and white backed plant hoper Sogatella furcifera on rice

Population fluctuation of Brown Plant Hopper (BPH) and White Backed Plant Hopper (WBPH) were studied in Myanmar for two seasons (rainy and summer). Experiments was conducted on a 5 ha rainfed unsprayed field and done in 5 experimental units with an area of 100x100 m. BPH and WBPH were counted from 30 rice hills out of 2000 hills randomly. Relative humidity, temperature, rainfall were also recorded. Population fluctuation study revealed that BPH population was high at 64 and 74 days after transplanting (in Mid September 2007) associated with heavy rainfall, high temperature and high humidity. The BPH population was lowest (in mid week October 2007) suggesting that low rainfall and low humidity were at least partially responsible for the decrease population of BPH. The WBPH was being passed thorough the same weather regime as BPH. When the rainfall decreased or trend to stop the population began to build up reach its peak. This trend of population fluctuation is not directly related with rainfall, but rainfall could be in influencing the physiology of rice plant. This can be seen in the correlation and regression analysis. The fluctuation of plant hopper were correlated with temperature and showed higher correlation with rainfall patterns during the first cropping season. Second cropping season coincide with dry season, there was no rainfall and hopper population was observed to be correlated to temperature and relative humidity. Thus temperature, rainfall and relative humidity were observed to influence plant hopper population during the two different rice growing seasons