Fátima Gonçalves

Towards sustainable control of Lepidopterous pests in olive cultivation

Current olive growing practices range from the traditional Mediterranean olive grove to intensively managed olive plantations. Insecticides against major olive pests, like the olive moth (Prays oleae, Lep.: Yponomeutidae) and the jasmine moth, (Palpita unionalis, Lep.: Pyralidae) are still applied frequently. The European Union-funded international research project TRIPHELIO is aimed at the development of economically feasible and sustainable insecticide-free control methods for key Lepidopterous pests of olive. Main research activities focus on (1) the use of pheromones for mating disruption and improved monitoring of target pests, (2) habitat management strategies to enhance the activity of natural enemies in the olive grove, and (3) the use of inundative releases of mass-reared egg parasitoids of the genus Trichogramma. Moreover, tools for successful integration of the methods developed into an integrated pest management (IPM) strategy for olive pests were explored by optimising techniques for surveillance as well as considering potential side-effects of common pesticides on beneficial organisms. An intense exchange of scientific information and technology between European and North African countries was undertaken to create solutions for a wide range of olive growing regions. Key results and recommendations for further essential steps towards practical implementation are presented in this publication.ZusammenfassungTraditionelle, extensiv bearbeitete Olivenhaine, aber auch moderne Intensiv-Plantagen mit künstlicher Bewässerung und hohem Einsatz von Düngern bzw. chemischen Pflanzenschutzmitteln kennzeichnen die derzeitigen verschiedenen Anbauformen der Olive im Mittelmeerraum. Schadlepidopteren wie die Olivenmotte (Prays oleae, Lep.: Yponomeutidae) und die Jasminmotte (Palpita unionalis, Lep.: Pyralidae) werden durch regelmässigen Insektizideinsatz bekämpft. Das von der EU geförderte internationale Forschungsprojekt TRIPHELIO zielte auf die Entwicklung insektizidfreier Alternativmethoden durch (1) die Optimierung der pheromongestützten Überwachung und Verwirrtechnik, (2) der Anwendung von Habitatmanagement-Strategien zur Förderung natürlicher Gegenspieler, und (3) dem Einsatz von Trichogramma-Schlupfwespen. Zusätzlich wurden Module für eine optimale Anwendung biotechnischer und biologischer Methoden bezüglich der Phänologie der Schadinsekten und möglicher Nebenwirkungen von Pestiziden erarbeitet. Die intensive Kooperation zwischen Wissenschaftlern und Praktikern aus mehreren Ländern Europas und Nordafrikas erlaubte den Entwurf möglicher Lösungsansätze für verschiedene Anbaubedingungen und klimatische Regionen des Mittelmeerraumes. Die wichtigsten Ergebnisse und Ausblicke für eine zukünftige praktische Umsetzung werden in dieser Veröffentlichung beschrieben.

Evaluation of native plant flower characteristics for conservation biological control of Prays oleae.

Several studies have shown that manipulating flowering weeds within an agroecosystem can have an important role in pest control by natural enemies, by providing them nectar and pollen, which are significant sources of nutrition for adults. The aim of this study was to assess if the olive moth, Prays oleae (Bernard, 1788) (Lepidoptera: Praydidae), and five of its main natural enemies, the parasitoid species Chelonus elaeaphilus Silvestri (Hymenoptera: Braconidae), Apanteles xanthostigma (Haliday) (Hymenoptera: Braconidae), Ageniaspis fuscicollis (Dalman) (Hymenoptera: Encyrtidae) and Elasmus flabellatus (Fonscolombe) (Hymenoptera: Eulophidae), as well as the predator Chrysoperla carnea (Stephens) (Neuroptera: Chrysopidae), can theoretically access the nectar from 21 flowering weeds that naturally occur in olive groves. Thus, the architecture of the flowers as well as the mouthpart structure and/or the head and thorax width of the pest and its enemies were analyzed. The results suggested that all beneficial insects were able to reach nectar of the plant species from Apiaceae family, i.e. Conopodium majus (Gouan) Loret, Daucus carota L. and Foeniculum vulgare Mill., as well as Asparagus acutifolius L., Echium plantagineum L., Capsella bursa-pastoris (L.) Medik., Raphanus raphanistrum L., Lonicera hispanica Boiss. et Reut., Silene gallica L., Spergula arvensis L., Hypericum perforatum L., Calamintha baetica Boiss. et Reut, Malva neglecta Wallr. and Linaria saxatilis (L.) Chaz. P. oleae was not able to access nectar from five plant species, namely: Andryala integrifolia L., Chondrilla juncea L., Dittrichia viscosa (L.) Greuter, Sonchus asper (L.) Hill and Lavandula stoechas L.

Effects of ten naturally occurring sugars on the reproductive success of the green lacewing, Chrysoperla carnea

The longevity and reproduction of Chrysoperla carnea (Stephens) (Neuroptera: Chrysopidae) when fed on ten naturally occurring sugars and on an artificial diet composed by honey and pollen (1:1) were evaluated. The effect of these diets differed between sexes. However insects of both sexes lived longer when fed on fructose than on sucrose, melezitose or raffinose. None of the females oviposited when offered raffinose, galactose or mannose. Moreover, lifetime fecundity of females fed on trehalose was not different from the artificial diet. The intrinsic rate of natural increase did not differ between trehalose, maltose, melibiose, fructose, glucose and artificial diet, being significantly lower for individuals fed on melezitose and sucrose. The importance of these results for the selection of natural sugar sources that enhance C. carnea effectiveness as a biological control agent against crop pests is discussed.

Natural mortality of immature stages of Bactrocera oleae (Diptera: Tephritidae) in traditional olive groves from north-eastern Portugal

Abstract From 2006 to 2008, we studied the natural mortality of olive fly, Bactrocera oleae (Rossi), eggs and larvae as collected in fruit on the tree, in two to five ‘traditional’ olive groves of Trás-os-Montes (north-eastern Portugal), per year. We also studied the fate of 2044 puparia that were buried in the soil from November to May for two seasons, by using exclusion cages to estimate predation. Mortality of eggs inside the fruit was estimated as between 5.4±2.4 and 16.6±6.1%, and as 10.7±2.1 and 100.0% for young larvae. Similarly, the estimated mortality of mature larvae was between 0 and 66.7±33.3%. The highest mortality levels for young larvae could reach 100% during August, and 47.4% during the first fortnight of December, coincident with high temperatures in summer or low temperatures at the end of autumn and early winter. Mortality (winter disappearance) of puparia was estimated at up to 98.5% of the population. Predation of eggs was low, at 0.6±0.3 to 6.3±4.0% in 2006, 0 to 4.1±1.1% in 2007, and 0 to 3.6±3.6% in 2008. Parasitism was insignificant during the study, and only one parasitoid was identified, the eulophid Pnigalio agraules (Walker). We also surveyed entomopathogenic fungi associated with the insect in 12 olive groves, and evaluated three of the latter against larvae, puparia, and adult B. oleae in the laboratory. Of the 15 fungal species identified from immature stages, three were considered to be entomopathogenic (i.e. Cordyceps bassiana, Penicillium corylophilum and Mucor hiemalis). We observed up to 20.0±3.2% and 94.0±2.5% mortality of larvae and puparia, respectively when treated with P. corylophilum and up to 32.5±11.1% of adults when treated with M. hiemalis.

Insect-associated fungi from naturally mycosed vine mealybug Planococcus ficus (Signoret) (Hemiptera: Pseudococcidae)

ABSTRACT Vine mealybug, Planococcus ficus, is a major pest of grapevine, which is present in at least 39 countries. According to American Vineyard Foundation, P. ficus is in the top ranks among major insect-pests of grapevine. It is the ‘top priority concerns’ by grape growers and a ‘threat to the sustainability of wine industry’ demanding a ‘high priority research’. In Douro vineyards, it is considered as an occasional insect-pest; however, its importance is increasing in some localities. The present study investigates the occurrences of P. ficus-associated fungi. Vine mealybugs were observed in two of the four surveyed farms. Out of the 183 collected mealybugs, 58 were dead of which 25 had symptoms of mycosis and 13 were parasitised. Subculturing cadavers and subsequent pathogenicity test yielded 22 entomopathogenic fungi (EPF) including yeasts. The yeast Meyerozyma (=Pichia) guilliermondii, and the EPF Sarocladium kiliense and Purpureocillium lilacinum were the most abundant, i.e. representing 18.18% (N = 4), 13.64% (N = 3) and 13.64% (N = 3) of the isolates, respectively. Considering biological affinities, fungal families Nectriaceae and Microascaceae had the most similar count-data profiles. To our knowledge, this work reports the first isolations of EPF from vine mealybug worldwide; and Pseudocosmospora rogersonii in Europe and as EPF worldwide. The mortality rate originated by mycoses on P. ficus was significantly higher than by its parasitoids, suggesting that fungi as P. ficus biocontrol agents are relatively more important than considered before. Overall, this report provides new insights into the development of mycoinsecticides and conservation biocontrol strategies for P. ficus pest management.

Native Mediterranean plants as potential food sources for natural enemies of insect pests in olive groves

The diversity of native non-crop (weed) vegetation in agricultural landscapes can provide arthropod natural enemies with food sources and shelter, thus improving natural pest control and reducing dependence on chemical pesticides. Moreover, native plants to a region are uniquely positioned to provide cultural ecosystem services such as wild food and wild medicinal plants, as well as aesthetics values. The Mediterranean Basin is one of the world’s richest places in terms of plant diversity. Olive cultivation is the basic tree cultivation in the Mediterranean and dominates its rural landscape. The olive grove ecosystem, whose flora presents a notable resemblance to the flora of Mediterranean type ecosystems, is home to a myriad of species of insects, spiders and other arthropods. This includes over one hundred phytophagous species, plus an uncounted number of entomophagous that help to reduce phytophagous populations. Here we present data on flowering plant species from the ground cover of olive groves, store information on characteristics of plant species namely physiognomic type and flowering period, geographic information and some statistical values on olive groves study area and records in the flora of visitor arthropods and cultural ecosystem services. The data include information on 36 olive groves, 100 flora species (taxa), of which 86 native in Portugal, 5 endemic to Iberian Peninsula and 4 endemic to Portugal Continental, and present also a summary of the records of visitor arthropods in these flora (i.e. 2 classes, 6 orders and 12 families).

The use of trap captures to forecast infestation by the olive fly, Bactrocera oleae (Rossi) (Diptera: Tephritidae), in traditional olive groves in north-eastern Portugal

A study was carried out during a three-year period (2006 to 2008) in traditional olive groves in the Terra Quente region of north-eastern Portugal to evaluate the potential of two commercially available traps for predicting infestations by olive fly, Bactrocera oleae (Rossi). We used yellow sticky traps baited with pheromone, and McPhail traps baited with diammonium phosphate. The results show that the variation in infestation is explained by captures of adults in both traps. Thus, even if infestation has changed significantly between years as well as groves and olive tree varieties, captures obtained by both types of trap can be valuable indicators of fruit infestation in Terra Quente, and probably in other regions that have a continental Mediterranean climate. The information obtained can enable growers and consultants to time treatments, and so avoid the use of more labour-intensive visual sampling methods.

Evaluating potential sugar food sources from the olive grove agroecosystems for Prays oleae parasitoid Chelonus elaeaphilus

ABSTRACT Chelonus elaeaphilus Silvestri (Hymenoptera: Braconidae) is a host-specific parasitoid of the olive moth, Prays oleae (Bernard), that can cause parasitism rates of up to 80% in Mediterranean olive groves. A laboratory study was carried out to assess the potential of sugars provided by wild plant species in olive grove agroecosystem to enhance the fitness of C. elaeaphilus. Insects were reared in a climate-controlled chamber at 25 ± 2°C, 60 ± 5% relative humidity (RH) with a photoperiod of 16:8 (L:D) h. Five naturally occurring wild plant nectar sugars (sucrose, fructose, glucose, maltose and mannose) were tested for their effect on insect longevity. The nectar sugar content of sucrose, fructose and glucose in 12 selected olive grove agroecosystem plant species was analysed and categorised on the basis of sugar ratios. Female insect longevity was increased when they were fed on both sucrose and glucose compared to either maltose or fructose, suggesting that sucrose-dominant nectars would benefit this parasitoid. Sucrose was predominant in the nectar of five of the studied plant species (Silene gallica, Borago officinalis, Echium plantagineum, Lavandula stoechas and Lonicera hispânica). The results are discussed in terms of potential enhancement of the biological control of P. oleae.

Entwicklung nachhaltiger Pflanzenschutzstrategien zur Bekämpfung von Schadschmetterlingen im Olivenanbau

Current olive growing practices range from the traditional Mediterranean olive grove to intensively managed olive plantations. Insecticides against major olive pests, like the olive moth (Prays oleae, Lep.: Yponomeutidae) and the jasmine moth, (Palpita unionalis, Lep.: Pyralidae) are still applied frequently. The European Union-funded international research project TRIPHELIO is aimed at the development of economically feasible and sustainable insecticide-free control methods for key Lepidopterous pests of olive. Main research activities focus on (1) the use of pheromones for mating disruption and improved monitoring of target pests, (2) habitat management strategies to enhance the activity of natural enemies in the olive grove, and (3) the use of inundative releases of mass-reared egg parasitoids of the genus Trichogramma. Moreover, tools for successful integration of the methods developed into an integrated pest management (IPM) strategy for olive pests were explored by optimising techniques for surveillance as well as considering potential side-effects of common pesticides on beneficial organisms. An intense exchange of scientific information and technology between European and North African countries was undertaken to create solutions for a wide range of olive growing regions. Key results and recommendations for further essential steps towards practical implementation are presented in this publication.ZusammenfassungTraditionelle, extensiv bearbeitete Olivenhaine, aber auch moderne Intensiv-Plantagen mit künstlicher Bewässerung und hohem Einsatz von Düngern bzw. chemischen Pflanzenschutzmitteln kennzeichnen die derzeitigen verschiedenen Anbauformen der Olive im Mittelmeerraum. Schadlepidopteren wie die Olivenmotte (Prays oleae, Lep.: Yponomeutidae) und die Jasminmotte (Palpita unionalis, Lep.: Pyralidae) werden durch regelmässigen Insektizideinsatz bekämpft. Das von der EU geförderte internationale Forschungsprojekt TRIPHELIO zielte auf die Entwicklung insektizidfreier Alternativmethoden durch (1) die Optimierung der pheromongestützten Überwachung und Verwirrtechnik, (2) der Anwendung von Habitatmanagement-Strategien zur Förderung natürlicher Gegenspieler, und (3) dem Einsatz von Trichogramma-Schlupfwespen. Zusätzlich wurden Module für eine optimale Anwendung biotechnischer und biologischer Methoden bezüglich der Phänologie der Schadinsekten und möglicher Nebenwirkungen von Pestiziden erarbeitet. Die intensive Kooperation zwischen Wissenschaftlern und Praktikern aus mehreren Ländern Europas und Nordafrikas erlaubte den Entwurf möglicher Lösungsansätze für verschiedene Anbaubedingungen und klimatische Regionen des Mittelmeerraumes. Die wichtigsten Ergebnisse und Ausblicke für eine zukünftige praktische Umsetzung werden in dieser Veröffentlichung beschrieben.

Towards sustainable control of Lepidopterous pests in olive cultivation@@@Entwicklung nachhaltiger Pflanzenschutzstrategien zur Bekämpfung von Schadschmetterlingen im Olivenanbau

Current olive growing practices range from the traditional Mediterranean olive grove to intensively managed olive plantations. Insecticides against major olive pests, like the olive moth (Prays oleae, Lep.: Yponomeutidae) and the jasmine moth, (Palpita unionalis, Lep.: Pyralidae) are still applied frequently. The European Union-funded international research project TRIPHELIO is aimed at the development of economically feasible and sustainable insecticide-free control methods for key Lepidopterous pests of olive. Main research activities focus on (1) the use of pheromones for mating disruption and improved monitoring of target pests, (2) habitat management strategies to enhance the activity of natural enemies in the olive grove, and (3) the use of inundative releases of mass-reared egg parasitoids of the genus Trichogramma. Moreover, tools for successful integration of the methods developed into an integrated pest management (IPM) strategy for olive pests were explored by optimising techniques for surveillance as well as considering potential side-effects of common pesticides on beneficial organisms. An intense exchange of scientific information and technology between European and North African countries was undertaken to create solutions for a wide range of olive growing regions. Key results and recommendations for further essential steps towards practical implementation are presented in this publication.ZusammenfassungTraditionelle, extensiv bearbeitete Olivenhaine, aber auch moderne Intensiv-Plantagen mit künstlicher Bewässerung und hohem Einsatz von Düngern bzw. chemischen Pflanzenschutzmitteln kennzeichnen die derzeitigen verschiedenen Anbauformen der Olive im Mittelmeerraum. Schadlepidopteren wie die Olivenmotte (Prays oleae, Lep.: Yponomeutidae) und die Jasminmotte (Palpita unionalis, Lep.: Pyralidae) werden durch regelmässigen Insektizideinsatz bekämpft. Das von der EU geförderte internationale Forschungsprojekt TRIPHELIO zielte auf die Entwicklung insektizidfreier Alternativmethoden durch (1) die Optimierung der pheromongestützten Überwachung und Verwirrtechnik, (2) der Anwendung von Habitatmanagement-Strategien zur Förderung natürlicher Gegenspieler, und (3) dem Einsatz von Trichogramma-Schlupfwespen. Zusätzlich wurden Module für eine optimale Anwendung biotechnischer und biologischer Methoden bezüglich der Phänologie der Schadinsekten und möglicher Nebenwirkungen von Pestiziden erarbeitet. Die intensive Kooperation zwischen Wissenschaftlern und Praktikern aus mehreren Ländern Europas und Nordafrikas erlaubte den Entwurf möglicher Lösungsansätze für verschiedene Anbaubedingungen und klimatische Regionen des Mittelmeerraumes. Die wichtigsten Ergebnisse und Ausblicke für eine zukünftige praktische Umsetzung werden in dieser Veröffentlichung beschrieben.