First record of Pteromalus varians (Hymenoptera: Pteromalidae) parasitizing on Tischeria ekebladella (Lepidoptera: Tischeriidae) in Hungary

Pteromalus varians (Spinola, 1808) is fi rstly recorded from Quercus leaves, mined by the trumpet leafminer moth Tischeria ekebladella (Bjerkander, 1795) in forests near Budapest, Hungary. A total of 392 parasitoids were reared in laboratory conditions, from which 14 females and 362 males belong to P. varians. A short review on the host range of P. varians is given. Known biological relationships of Tischeria to some other pteromalids and a possible similarity between host ranges of P. varians and Pteromalus semotus are also commented. With 2 figures

Agriotes proximus and A. lineatus (Coleoptera: Elateridae): a comparative study on the pheromone composition and cytochrome c oxidase subunit I gene sequence

The presence of geranyl octanoate, previously found in pheromone gland extracts of Agriotes lineatus females, was also demonstrated in gland extracts of A. proximus females. Similar to A. lineatus, geranyl butanoate was present only in trace amounts in A. proximus female gland extracts. In air entrainment samples of female A. lineatus and A. proximus beetles, the relative ratio of geranyl butanoate and geranyl octanoate was higher than that in gland extracts. In addition, comparison of a segment of the mitochondrial cytochrome c oxidase subunit I gene of feral specimens of A. lineatus and A. proximus showed [99% similarity. Both pheromone profile and nucleotide sequence analysis delineate close relationship between the investigated taxa and postulate taxonomic revision. Further studies on sympatric populations of A. lineatus and A. proximus are underway to investigate and better understand possible processes of species diversification

Responses of Pseudovadonia livida adults to olfactory and visual cues

Pseudovadonia livida (F.) (Coleoptera Cerambycidae Lepturinae) is a widely distributed and common species across Europe. This study was undertaken to investigate some aspects of the sensory and behavioural ecology of P. livida adults in relation to flowering plants they visit. First, their electroantennogram (EAG) responses to 42 synthetic plant volatile compounds were recorded.The antennae gave the strongest EAG responses to methyl anthranilate, methyl salicylate and 2-phenylethyl alcohol. In a field trapping experiment, P. livida beetles preferred fluorescent yellow and yellow traps over white, blue and transparent traps. When we compared different chemical lures, loaded with EAG-active compounds and their blends, in fluorescent yellow traps, we found that the beetles responded stronger to the two-component blend of methyl anthranilate and 2-phenylethyl alcohol than to other lures tested. In a subsequent experiment testing different ratios of these two compounds, the highest number of P. livida adults was recorded in traps baited with a ratio of 1:1 (100 mg of each compound) of methyl anthranilate and 2-phenylethyl alcohol, followed by traps with the 10:1 ratio. Thus, 1:1 and 10:1 blends of methyl anthranilate and 2-phenylethyl alcohol in fluorescent yellow traps are suitable for detection and monitoring of P. livida

Responses of Pseudovadonia livida adults to olfactory and visual cues

Pseudovadonia livida (F.) (Coleoptera Cerambycidae Lepturinae) is a widely distributed and common species across Europe. This study was undertaken to investigate some aspects of the sensory and behavioural ecology of P. livida adults in relation to flowering plants they visit. First, their electroantennogram (EAG) responses to 42 synthetic plant volatile compounds were recorded.The antennae gave the strongest EAG responses to methyl anthranilate, methyl salicylate and 2-phenylethyl alcohol. In a field trapping experiment, P. livida beetles preferred fluorescent yellow and yellow traps over white, blue and transparent traps. When we compared different chemical lures, loaded with EAG-active compounds and their blends, in fluorescent yellow traps, we found that the beetles responded stronger to the two-component blend of methyl anthranilate and 2-phenylethyl alcohol than to other lures tested. In a subsequent experiment testing different ratios of these two compounds, the highest number of P. livida adults was recorded in traps baited with a ratio of 1:1 (100 mg of each compound) of methyl anthranilate and 2-phenylethyl alcohol, followed by traps with the 10:1 ratio. Thus, 1:1 and 10:1 blends of methyl anthranilate and 2-phenylethyl alcohol in fluorescent yellow traps are suitable for detection and monitoring of P. livida

Gregarine and Beauveria bassiana infections of the grey corn weevil, Tanymecus dilaticollis (Coleoptera: Curculionidae)

As an economically important insect pest, the adults of the grey corn weevil, Tanymecus dilaticollis (Coleoptera: Curculionidae) were investigated for presence of pathogens. In 2009 and 2011, 1069 specimens were collected from maize and sunflower crops in 6 localities in Northern Bulgaria and studied in the laboratory. As a result of this study infections caused by a septate gregarine and Beauveria bassiana were established. In 2009, the prevalence of gregarine was 29.8% and of the fungi was 26.8%. Protozoan diseases were not found in the populations of T. dilaticollis investigated in 2011 but the weevils killed by mycosis were 52.55%±7.04 from all 901 analysed adults of the grey corn weevil. Morphometrical data about the gregarine found in the weevils were presented. Some isolates of B. bassiana were obtained in pure cultures. Occurrence of pathogens in T. dilaticollis populations was discussed with the view to their role as natural regulators of pest population density. The gregarine parasite is reported for first time for T. dilaticollis

Seasonal monitoring of the latticed heath, Chiasmia clathrata (Linnaeus, 1758) (Lepidoptera: Geometridae) by pheromone traps in two regions of Bulgaria

Monitoring the seasonal flights of the Latticed heath, Chiasmia clathrata (Lepidoptera: Geometridae), was carried out using home made sticky delta traps baited with pheromone caps purchased from CSALOMON® (Plant Protection Institute, Hungary, Budapest). The monitoring was conducted in alfalfa fields in Pazardzhik and Sofia regions in Bulgaria during 2007–2009. The flight of C. clathrata at the investigated sites started at the very beginning of April and lasted until the middle-end of September. Three relatively well-defined peaks, indicating three generations, were recorded in Sofia region. Thus, the flight period and the flight of the separate generations of the pest were defined more accurately than it has been reported earlier. Pheromone baits, products of CSALOMON ® are potent and species specific tools for detecting the presence and seasonal monitoring of C. clathrata