Abstract In both basic and applied studies, quantification of herbivory on foliage is a key metric in characterizing plant–herbivore interactions, which underpin many ecological, evolutionary agricultural processes. Current methods quantifying are slow or inaccurate. We present LeafByte, free iOS application for measuring leaf area herbivory. LeafByte can save data automatically, read record barcodes, handle light dark coloured plant tissue, be used non‐destructively. evaluate its accuracy...

Fungi in the genus Metarhizium are insect pathogens able to function other niches, including soil and plant rhizosphere habitats. In agroecosystems, cropping tillage practices influence fungal communities with unknown effects on distribution of Metarhizium, whose presence can reduce populations crop pests. We report results from a selective media survey soils sampled long-term experimental farming project mid-Atlantic region. Field plots under soybean cultivation produced higher numbers...

Abstract 1 We tested the hypothesis that providing nectar‐producing cover crops will enhance biological control of grape leafhoppers ( Erythroneura spp.) by Anagrus wasps in commercial vineyards New York, U.S.A. 2 established three between vine rows a vineyard: buckwheat Fagopyrum esculentum (Moench)), clover Trifolium repens L.) and mowed sod Dactylis glomerata L.). 3 There was no effect crop on adult 1996, whereas 1997 adults were more abundant within edge vines with compared to or sod; at...

RNA interference (RNAi)-based technologies are starting to be commercialized as a new approach for agricultural pest control. Horizontally transferred genes (HTGs), which have been into insect genomes from viruses, bacteria, fungi or plants, attractive targets RNAi-mediated HTGs often unique specific family even genus, making it unlikely that RNAi constructs targeting such will negative effects on ladybugs, lacewings and other beneficial predatory species. In this study, we sequenced the...

Laboratory bioassays of three entomopathogenic fungi (Beauveria bassiana strain GHA, Metarhizium brunneum F52, and anisopliae s.l. ESC-1) were conducted against 2nd-instar nymphs Frankliniella occidentalis. All highly virulent, with respective LC50s 193, 140, 72 conidia/mm2 treated leaf surface. Efficacy tests thrips infesting small plots Impatiens walleriana on open greenhouse benches under variable moisture conditions. Multiple spray applications fungal conidia suspended in 0.01% Silwet®...

Temperature has a profound effect on performance and behavior of egg parasitoids. Egg parasitoids are well-known alternative for the control lepidopterous pests. Selected life history parameters Trichogramma euproctidis (Girault) (Hymenoptera: Trichogrammatidae), an established parasitoid species in Khuzestan- Southwest Iran, were appraised at eight constant temperatures (22.5, 25, 27.5, 30, 32.5, 35, 37.5, 40°C) using Ephestia kuehniella Zeller (Lepidoptera: Pyralidae) eggs as host. We...

Abstract The effects of various spray application parameters on the efficacy a clay-based wettable powder formulation Beauveria bassiana strain GHA conidia against western flower thrips, Frankliniella occidentalis, were evaluated in series greenhouse tests. With aim optimizing methods to maximize biopesticide efficacy, independent experiments was conducted that varied four parameters: interval, rate, volume, and spray-program timing. Impatiens crops infested with thrips treated (1) multiple...

Developmental times and survivorship of tarnished plant bug nymphs, Lygus lineolaris (Palisot de Beauvois), longevity reproduction adult adults reared on green beans were studied at multiple constant temperatures. The developmental time for each life stage the total from egg to decreased with increasing temperature. Eggs required longest develop followed by fifth instars then first-instars. Total was shortest 32°C, requiring 18.0 ± 0.3 d 416.7 31.3 DD above 7.9°C, estimated minimum...

The size and geographic distribution of Coccinella novemnotata Herbst populations have been decreasing rapidly across North America closely following the establishment, spread, population growth invasive seven-spotted lady beetle, septempunctata L. To determine whether intraguild predation competition for prey may be partially responsible decline, we paired first-instar larvae two C. (eastern western) with at low or high aphid densities. Survival both was significantly lower when were...

The decline of Coccinella novemnotata Herbst, the ninespotted lady beetle, across North America has been attributed to introduction septempunctata L. It suggested that C. negatively impacted through a combination mechanisms. We investigated effects scramble competition and intraguild predation between groups . A novel aspect these experiments for this species was we provided beetles option cannibalize conspecifics or predate on heterospecifics (i.e. predation); thus, were able compare...

Feeding experiments with Asian longhorned beetles (Anoplophora glabripennis (Motschulsky)) in a quarantine laboratory were used to assess the effectiveness of imidacloprid reducing adult fecundity and survival. The fed twigs leaves cut between June–September 2010 from Norway maples (Acer platanoides L.) beetle-infested area Worcester, MA. Treated trees had been trunk-injected once spring under U.S. Department Agriculture–Animal Plant Health Inspection Service operational eradication program....

To determine if differences in life history parameters contribute to native species exclusion, immature development times, larval survivorship, reproductive parameters, and age-specific tables were determined for two populations (eastern United States western States) of ninespotted lady beetles (Coccinella novemnotata Herbst) one population sevenspotted septempunctata L.). Developing larvae provided an ad libitum diet pea aphids (Acyrthosiphon pisum Harris) at a constant temperature 25°C....

The effect of imidacloprid delivery method and application rate on survival adult Asian longhorned beetles, Anoplophora glabripennis (Motschulsky), was studied, along with the repeated daily ingestion reproductive capacity females. Beetles exposed repeatedly to 50 ppm died in <2-3 wk, whether dosed orally each day, or through contact exposure. given 1 μl for two, three, four, five consecutive days sooner increasing days: beetles treated 5 d all within 15 d, while 80% only 2 lived >8 wk. For...

Populations of the native ninespotted lady beetle, Coccinella novemnotata Herbst, have undergone precipitous declines in North America following establishment exotic sevenspotted septempunctata L. Recent volunteer efforts made it possible to establish colonies now-rare C. and test mechanisms contributing its decline. We evaluated relative frequencies intraguild predation cannibalism eggs between these two species. A single or adult was exposed conspecific heterospecific either presence...