Host-age preference of Theocolax elegans (Westwood) (Hymenoptera: Pteromalidae), a larval parasitoid of the lesser grain borer, Rhyzopertha dominica (Fabricius) (Coleoptera: Bostrichidae) and the cowpea weevil, Callosobruchus maculatus

The pteromalids (Hymenoptera: Pteromalidae) Anisopteromalus calandrae (Howard), Dinarmus basalis (Rondani), Lariophagus distinguendus (Förster), Pteromalus cerealellae (Ashmead) and Theocolax elegans (Westwood) are solitary larval ectoparasitoids used to suppress several species of stored-product insects that infest storage grains. We investigated host-age preference of T. elegans using no-choice laboratory experiments. Lesser grain borer, Rhyzopertha dominica (Fabricius) (Coleoptera: Bostrichidae) larvae (9, 11, 13, 15, 17, 19, 21 and 23 days-old) in wheat grain kernel and cowpea weevil, Callosobruchus maculatus (Fabricius) (Coleoptera: Chrysomelidae) larvae (5–19 days-old) in cowpea beans were exposed to neonate T. elegans mated females to lay their eggs for two days. Our results showed that the highest number of parasitoids emerged from 23 days-old R. dominica larvae. The numbers of parasitoids emerged from 19, 21 and 23 days-old R. dominica larvae were statistically significantly different in experiments (F-test, 0.05). Progeny of T. elegans reared from R. dominica and C. maculatus larvae were either fully-winged (macropterous), short-winged (brachypterous) or wingless (apterous). Female T. elegans were rarely host-feeding on C. maculatus larvae. Theocolax elegans progeny were emerging from 14 days-old C. maculatus larvae only. We discussed insectary mass production of T. elegans for biological control.The pteromalids (Hymenoptera: Pteromalidae) Anisopteromalus calandrae (Howard), Dinarmus basalis (Rondani), Lariophagus distinguendus (Förster), Pteromalus cerealellae (Ashmead) and Theocolax elegans (Westwood) are solitary larval ectoparasitoids used to suppress several species of stored-product insects that infest storage grains. We investigated host-age preference of T. elegans using no-choice laboratory experiments. Lesser grain borer, Rhyzopertha dominica (Fabricius) (Coleoptera: Bostrichidae) larvae (9, 11, 13, 15, 17, 19, 21 and 23 days-old) in wheat grain kernel and cowpea weevil, Callosobruchus maculatus (Fabricius) (Coleoptera: Chrysomelidae) larvae (5–19 days-old) in cowpea beans were exposed to neonate T. elegans mated females to lay their eggs for two days. Our results showed that the highest number of parasitoids emerged from 23 days-old R. dominica larvae. The numbers of parasitoids emerged from 19, 21 and 23 days-old R. dominica larvae were statistically significantly different in experiments (F-test, 0.05). Progeny of T. elegans reared from R. dominica and C. maculatus larvae were either fully-winged (macropterous), short-winged (brachypterous) or wingless (apterous). Female T. elegans were rarely host-feeding on C. maculatus larvae. Theocolax elegans progeny were emerging from 14 days-old C. maculatus larvae only. We discussed insectary mass production of T. elegans for biological control

External morphology of antennal sensilla of Trichogramma australicum girault (Hymenoptera: Trichogrammatidae)

External morphology of antennal sensilla on female and male Trichogramma australicum (Hymenoptera: Trichogrammatidae) was examined using scanning electron microscopy. Antennae show strong sexual dimorphism in structure and types of sensilla. The female antenna displays 14 types of sensilla: basiconic capitate peg sensilla (types 1 and 2), campaniform sensilla, chaetica sensilla (types 1-3), coeloconic sensilla, falcate sensilla, placoid sensilla (types 1 and 2), styloconic sensilla and trichoid sensilla (types 1- 3). The male antenna displays 12 types of sensilla: basiconic capitate peg sensilla (type 2), campaniform sensilla, chaetica sensilla (types 1-5), coeloconic sensilla, placoid sensilla (type 1), and trichoid sensilla (types 3-5). Falcate and styloconic sensilla occur only on the female antenna. Both sensilla probably are associated with host examination, host discrimination and oviposition behaviour. Male antennal trichoid sensilla types 4 and 5 are probably associated with courtship behaviour, because these types occur only on the male. We propose the term 'falcate sensilla' for a unique female antennal sensilla; the number of falcate sensilla may be used for identification of Trichogramma spp. In addition, we report the presence of placoid sensilla type 2 and difference in structure of coeloconic sensilla in T. australicum. Variation in structure and position of antennal sensilla are discussed

New Records of Two Nasutitermitinae Termites (Isoptera: Termitidae) from Hill Evergreen Forest on Khao Kitchakut National Park in Thailand

ABSTRACT Two new unidentified species of termites genera of Subfamily Nasutitermitinae (Isoptera: Termitidae), Hospitalitermes sp. and Bulbitermes sp. collected from Khao Kitchakut National Park in Thailand are reported. The taxonomic status of these unidentified termites species has not been completely resolved. Soldier bodies, head capsules, pronotum, antennae, and nasus are illustrated for undescribed Hospitalitermes sp. and Bulbitermes sp. Alate and worker of Hospitalitermes sp. are also shown. Morphologically, the arboreal nests of Hospitalitermes sp. is provided

Combined Neem oil 6 per cent w/w and Eucalyptus oil 16 per cent w/w lotion for treating head lice: in vitro and in vivo efficacy studies

Aim: To test a combined neem oil 6% w/w and eucalyptus oil 16% w/w lotion for the whole-of-life cycle treatment of human head lice (Pediculus humanus var. capitis) infestation. Method: Preliminary formulations of dilutions of neem and eucalyptus oils in isopropanol were tested for pediculicidal and ovicidal efficacies against Pediculus humanus var. capitis. This trial informed the development of a stable formulation consisting of neem oil 6% w/w and eucalyptus oil 16% w/w in a hydrophobic carrier (mixture of lanolin and silicones), which was also tested in vitro for pediculicidal and ovicidal efficacies against Pediculus humanus var. capitis. The lotion was then tested in vivo (clinical study) in volunteer Thai female students. At the conclusion of the in vivo study, participants and their parents/guardians completed a questionnaire pertaining to their perceptions and acceptance of the treatment. Results: Initial in vitro testing demonstrated pediculicidal and ovicidal efficacies of 96% and 100%, respectively. The clinical study involving 45 volunteer Thai female students aged 7 to 12 years, with 2 applications of the lotion on the scalp and hair 1 week apart, showed significant in vivo activity. Pediculicidal efficacies of 93% and 97% and ovicidal efficacies of 80% and 100% were measured 2 days after the first and second application of the lotion. Participants and their parents/ guardians indicated strong acceptance of the formulation. Conclusion: The combined neem oil 6% w/w and eucalyptus oil 16% w/w lotion demonstrated high pediculicidal and ovicidal efficacy for Pediculus humanus var. capitis infestation

Is a mango just a mango? Testing within-fruit oviposition site choice and larval performance of a highly polyphagous fruit fly

For fruit flies, fully ripe fruit is preferred for adult oviposition and is superior for offspring performance over unripe or ripening fruit. Because not all parts of a single fruit ripen simultaneously, the opportunity exists for adult fruit flies to selectively choose riper parts of a fruit for oviposition and such selection, if it occurs, could positively influence offspring performance. Such fine scale host variation is rarely considered in fruit fly ecology, however, especially for polyphagous species which are, by definition, considered to be generalist host users. Here we study the adult oviposition preference/larval performance relationship of the Oriental fruit fly, Bactrocera dorsalis (Hendel) (Diptera: Tephritidae), a highly polyphagous pest species, at the “within-fruit” level to see if such a host use pattern occurs. We recorded the number of oviposition attempts that female flies made into three fruit portions (top, middle and bottom), and larval behavior and development within different fruit portions for ripening (color change) and fully-ripe mango, Mangifera indica L. (Anacardiaceae). Results indicate that female B. dorsalis do not oviposit uniformly across a mango fruit, but lay most often in the top (i.e., stalk end) of fruit and least in the bottom portion, regardless of ripening stage. There was no evidence of larval feeding site preference or performance (development time, pupal weight, percent pupation) being influenced by fruit portion, within or across the fruit ripening stages. There was, however, a very significant effect on adult emergence rate from pupae, with adult emergence rate from pupae from the bottom of ripening mango being approximately only 50% of the adult emergence rate from the top of ripening fruit, or from both the top and bottom of fully-ripe fruit. Differences in mechanical (firmness) and chemical (total soluble solids, titratable acidity, total non-structural carbohydrates) traits between different fruit portions were correlated with adult fruit utilisation. Our results support a positive adult preference/offspring performance relationship at within-fruit level for B. dorsalis. The fine level of host discrimination exhibited by B. dorsalis is at odds with the general perception that, as a polyphagous herbivore, the fly should show very little discrimination in its host use behavior

Synonymization of key pest species within the Bactrocera dorsalis species complex (Diptera: Tephritidae): taxonomic changes based on a review of 20 years of integrative morphological, molecular, cytogenetic, behavioural and chemoecological data

Bactrocera papayae Drew & Hancock, Bactrocera philippinensis Drew & Hancock, Bactrocera carambolae Drew & Hancock, and Bactrocera invadens Drew, Tsuruta & White are four horticultural pest tephritid fruit fly species that are highly similar, morphologically and genetically, to the destructive pest, the Oriental fruit fly, Bactrocera dorsalis (Hendel) (Diptera: Tephritidae). This similarity has rendered the discovery of reliable diagnostic characters problematic, which, in view of the economic importance of these taxa and the international trade implications, has resulted in ongoing difficulties for many areas of plant protection and food security. Consequently, a major international collaborative and integrated multidisciplinary research effort was initiated in 2009 to build upon existing literature with the specific aim of resolving biological species limits among B. papayae, B. philippinensis, B. carambolae, B.\ua0invadens and B.\ua0dorsalis to overcome constraints to pest management and international trade. Bactrocera philippinensis has recently been synonymized with B. papayae as a result of this initiative and this review corroborates that finding; however, the other names remain in use. While consistent characters have been found to reliably distinguish B. carambolae from B. dorsalis, B. invadens and B. papayae, no such characters have been found to differentiate the latter three putative species. We conclude that B. carambolae is a valid species and that the remaining taxa, B. dorsalis, B. invadens and B. papayae, represent the same species. Thus, we consider B. dorsalis (Hendel) as the senior synonym of B.\ua0papayae Drew and Hancock syn.n. and B. invadens Drew, Tsuruta & White syn.n. A redescription of B. dorsalis is provided. Given the agricultural importance of B. dorsalis, this taxonomic decision will have significant global plant biosecurity implications, affecting pest management, quarantine, international trade, postharvest treatment and basic research. Throughout the paper, we emphasize the value of independent and multidisciplinary tools in delimiting species, particularly in complicated cases involving morphologically cryptic taxa

Synonymization of key pest species within the Bactrocera dorsalis species complex (Diptera: Tephritidae): taxonomic changes based on a review of 20 years of integrative morphological, molecular, cytogenetic, behavioural and chemoecological data

Bactrocera papayae Drew & Hancock, Bactrocera philippinensis Drew & Hancock, Bactrocera carambolae Drew & Hancock, and Bactrocera invadens Drew, Tsuruta & White are four horticultural pest tephritid fruit fly species that are highly similar, morphologically and genetically, to the destructive pest, the Oriental fruit fly, Bactrocera dorsalis (Hendel) (Diptera: Tephritidae). This similarity has rendered the discovery of reliable diagnostic characters problematic, which, in view of the economic importance of these taxa and the international trade implications, has resulted in ongoing difficulties for many areas of plant protection and food security. Consequently, a major international collaborative and integrated multidisciplinary research effort was initiated in 2009 to build upon existing literature with the specific aim of resolving biological species limits among B. papayae, B. philippinensis, B. carambolae, B. invadens and B. dorsalis to overcome constraints to pest management and international trade. Bactrocera philippinensis has recently been synonymized with B. papayae as a result of this initiative and this review corroborates that finding; however, the other names remain in use. While consistent characters have been found to reliably distinguish B. carambolae from B. dorsalis, B. invadens and B. papayae, no such characters have been found to differentiate the latter three putative species. We conclude that B. carambolae is a valid species and that the remaining taxa, B. dorsalis, B. invadens and B. papayae, represent the same species. Thus, we consider B. dorsalis (Hendel) as the senior synonym of B. papayae Drew and Hancock syn.n. and B. invadens Drew, Tsuruta & White syn.n. A redescription of B. dorsalis is provided. Given the agricultural importance of B. dorsalis, this taxonomic decision will have significant global plant biosecurity implications, affecting pest management, quarantine, international trade, postharvest treatment and basic research. Throughout the paper, we emphasize the value of independent and multidisciplinary tools in delimiting species, particularly in complicated cases involving morphologically cryptic taxa