Fedai Erler

Fumigant activity of six monoterpenoids from aromatic plants in Turkey against the two stored-product pests confused flour beetle, Tribolium confusum, and Mediterranean flour moth, Ephestia kuehniella

Six major monoterpenoid constituents of essential oils from aromatic plants grown in Turkey namely, carvacrol, 1,8-cineole, menthol, γ-terpinene, terpinen-4-ol and thymol were tested for their fumigant activity against adults and eggs of the confused flour beetle, Tribolium confusum du Val and larvae and eggs of the Mediterranean flour moth, Ephestia kuehniella Zeller. Doses between 5.8–184.8 mg/l air and exposure periods of 24–96 h were used. All six constituents showed fumigant activity in varying degrees against all tested insect species and their stages. The most active constituent was carvacrol and achieved > 90 % mortality against all test insects at 46.2 mg/l air and an exposure of 24–96 h except for E. kuehniella larvae which required a higher dose, 184.8 mg/l. Although higher doses of 46.2– 184.8 mg/l were necessary, γ-terpinene also caused 99% mortality in all test insects after 26.4–57.5 h. This was followed by thymol and terpinen-4-ol which achieved the same mortality against only one insect species and stage in a dose range of 46.2–184.8 mg/l. The constituents 1,8-cineole and menthol achieved less than 99 % mortality against any insect species tested at doses and exposure periods used. The most tolerant insect stage was E. kuehniella larva and at least a dose of 184.8 mg/l air was needed for 99% mortality with the monoterpenoids tested.ZusammenfassungSechs monoterpene Hauptbestandteile essentieller öle in der Türkei vorkommender Aromapflanzen, Carvacrol, 1,8-Cineol, Menthol, γ-Terpinen, Terpinen-4-ol und Thymol, wurden hinsichtlich ihrer Begasungsmittel-Wirkung gegenüber Adulten und Eiern des Amerikanischen Reismehlkäfers (Tribolium confusum du Val) sowie Larven und Eiern der Mehlmotte (Ephestia kuehniella Zeller) in Dosierungen zwischen 5,8 und 184,8 mg/l Luft und Expositionszeiten zwischen 24 und 96 h untersucht. Alle sechs getesteten Komponenten wirkten mit unterschiedlichem Erfolg als Begasungsmittel gegenüber beiden getesteten Arten und ihren Entwicklungsstadien. Carvacrol als wirksamste Substanz erzielte bei einer Konzentration von 46,2 mg/l Luft und Einwirkzeiten von 24–96 h eine mehr als 90 %ige Mortalität bei allen untersuchten Insekten mit Ausnahme der Eier von E. kuehniella, die eine vergleichbare Mortalität erst bei einer Konzentration von 184,8 mg/l Luft zeigten. Obwohl beim μ-Terpinen höhere Dosierungen von 46,2 und 184,8 mg/l erforderlich waren, wurde mit dieser Substanz nach Einwirkzeiten von 26,4–57,5 h bei allen untersuchten Insekten eine 99 %ige Mortalität beobachtet. Thymol und Terpinen-4-ol bewirkten eine solche Mortalität in einer Dosierung von 46,2–184,8 mg/l nur bei jeweils einem Entwicklungsstadium einer der beiden untersuchten Insektenarten. 1,8-Cineol und Menthol bewirkten mit allen verwendeten Dosierungen und Einwirkzeiten Mortalitäten von weniger als 99 % bei beiden getesteten Arten. Die Larven von E. kuehniella erwiesen sich mit einer Mindestkonzentration von 184,8 mg/l Luft zur Erzielung einer 99 %igen Mortalität als das unempfindlichste der untersuchten Insektenstadien.

Natural Enemies of the Pear Psylla Cacopsylla pyri in Treated vs Untreated Pear Orchards in Antalya, Turkey

Populations of pear psylla,Cacopsylla pyri (L.) (Rhynchota: Psyllidae), and its natural enemies were sampled on pears in Antalya province during the years 2000–2002. Thirty-two species of predators and three species of parasitoids were detected to be associated withC. pyri in Antalya province. The heteropterans (especially anthocorid species) were the most abundant predator group. Among the anthocorids,Anthocoris nemoralis (Fabricius) (Heteroptera: Anthocoridae), whose population was closely related to the dynamics of the pear psylla population, was generally the principal antagonist ofC. pyri. Other species recorded during the study were the miridDeraeocoris spp., the chrysopidChrysoperla carnea L., and many coccinellid species. Although these predators are polyphagous, as are theOrius species, their populations were related to the psylla fluctuations. Among the parasitoid complex belonging to the order Hymenoptera, the encyrtidTrechnites psyllae (Ruschka) was the only primary parasitoid. Two hyperparasites,viz., Syrphophagus mamitus (Walker) andPachyneuron aphidis (Bouché) (Encyrtidae and Pteromalidae, respectively), were detected in the surveys. Also, this study revealed new information concerning the pear psylla parasitoid complex in Turkey. WhileT. psyllae andS. mamitus are new records to Turkish parasitoid fauna,C. pyri is a new host record forP. aphidis. The population development and abundance of pear psylla and its natural enemies, as well as the parasitization rates in treated and untreated pear orchards, are presented here.

Larvicidal activity of novaluron, a chitin synthesis inhibitor, against the housefly, Musca domestica

Abstract A chitin synthesis inhibitor, novaluron, was evaluated under laboratory conditions for its larvicidal activity against a field population of the housefly, Musca domestica L. (Diptera: Muscidae), by feeding and dipping methods. The concentrations used were 1, 2.5, 5, 10 and 20 mg a.i./kg in both methods. The product caused >80% larval mortality at 10 and 20 mg a.i./kg. Of the two methods, feeding was more effective for larvicidal activity at doses above 2.5 mg a.i./kg. After 72 hours, the LC50 and LC90 values were 1.66 and 8.25 mg a.i./kg, respectively, with the feeding method; and 2.72 and 17.88 mg a.i./kg, respectively, using the dipping method. The results showed that the product provided good control of housefly larvae and would greatly reduce adult emergence.

Control of the mushroom phorid fly, Megaselia halterata (Wood), with plant extracts

BACKGROUND The most serious insect pest problems affecting the cultivation of mushroom [Agaricus bisporus (Lange) Imbach] in Turkey are mushroom flies (sciarids, cecids and phorids). Mushroom phorid fly, Megaselia halterata (Wood), is the most common insect pest species during April-October. The aim of this study was to evaluate the potential for eight botanical materials (two commercial neem-based products and six hot-water plant extracts) to control M. halterata populations in three successive growing periods. RESULTS Treatment efficacy was evaluated by assessing adult emergence and sporophore damage rates compared with that of a standard insecticide, chlorpyrifos-ethyl (positive control). All plant extracts caused significant reductions in the mean number of emerging adults and sporophore damage rates compared with the water-treated control (negative control). Reduction in adult emergence in both neem treatments, Neemazal and Greeneem oil, was greater than that in the positive control. While Neemazal and Origanum onites L. extract had significantly lower sporophore damage rates than the positive control, there were no significant differences between the chlorpyrifos-ethyl, Greeneem oil and Pimpinella anisum L. extract treatments. CONCLUSION The results suggest that both neem products and hot-water extracts of O. onites and P. anisum may be potential alternatives to conventional pesticides for the control of mushroom phorid fly.

Oviposition deterrency and deterrent stability of some oily substances against the pear psyllaCacopsylla pyri

Oviposition deterrents have the potential to prevent insect infestations in agroecosystems. In the present study, the level and duration of this behavioral effect was evaluated against pear psylla,Cacopsylla pyri (L.) (Hemiptera: Psyllidae), a serious pest of pears in Turkey. The activity of four oily substances — cotton seed oil, fish-liver oil, neem oil and summer oil — was tested against winterform and summerform females of the pest in laboratory and field experiments, in order to determine their oviposition deterrency and stability as deterrents. In the laboratory assays, the initial (3 days after treatments) deterrency of all test materials was 100%. While decreases in initial deterrency started after 1 week for neem oil and after 2 weeks for cotton seed oil, fish-liver oil and summer oil exhibited 100% deterrent activity against winterforms, but not summerforms during the 3-week test period. The last two also exhibited strong oviposition deterrent activity for both forms ofC. pyri females in field trials. A significant reduction in the total number of eggs laid was observed in the field plots. Data showed that summer oil and fish-liver oil are the most promising oviposition deterrents against pear psylla females.

Survey of insect growth regulator (IGR) resistance in house flies (Musca domestica L.) from southwestern Turkey.

ABSTRACT: Insect growth regulators (IGRs) are currently the fastest-growing class of insecticides, and in Turkey these products represent a new approach to pest control. In recent years, several IGRs were also registered for the control of the house fly, Musca domestica L. (Diptera: Muscidae), in Turkey. A field survey was conducted in the summers of 2006 and 2007 to evaluate resistance to some agriculturally and medically used IGRs on house flies from livestock farms and garbage dumps in the greenhouse production areas (Merkez, Kumluca, Manavgat, and Serik) of Antalya province (Southwestern Turkey). The results of larval feeding assay with technical diflubenzuron, methoprene, novaluron, pyripoxyfen, and triflumuron indicate that low levels (RF< 10-fold) of resistance to the IGRs exist in the house fly populations from Antalya province. Exceptions, however, were two populations, Guzoren and Toptas, from the Kumluca area which showed moderate resistance to diflubenzuron with 11.8-fold in 2006 and 13.2-fold in 2007, respectively. We found substantial variation in susceptibility of field-collected house fly populations from year to year and from product to product. We generally observed an increase in resistance at many localities sampled from 2006 to 2007. The implications of these results to the future use of IGRs for house fly control are discussed. It will be critically important to continue monitoring efforts so that appropriate steps can be taken if resistance levels start to increase.

Toxicity of essential oils extracted from Origanum onites L. and Citrus aurentium L. against the pine processionary moth, Thaumetopoea wilkinsoni Tams.

The pine processionary moth (PPM), Thaumetopoea wilkinsoni Tams. (Lepidoptera: Thaumetopoeidae), is an important forest pest in the Mediterranean area, additionally urticating hairs of the caterpillars of this species cause strong allergic reactions on skin of humans and animals. In the present study, essential oils extracted from aerial parts of Origanum onites L. and fruit peels of Citrus aurentium L. were tested at three doses (0.1, 0.5 and 1%) against 4th and 5th instar larvae of the pest. The results showed that the activities were concentration dependent. The LD50 and LD90 values were 0.288 and 0.926% for O. onites, 0.530 and 2.306% for C. aurentium, respectively.

A Survey (1992–1996) of natural enemies of diaspididae species in Antalya, Turkey

Natural enemies associated with armoured scale insects were surveyed in Antalya province during the years 1992-1996. The surveys yielded 16 species of predators and 11 species of parasitoids associated with 11 species of scale insects. One predator species—Lestodiplosisaonidiellae Harris, one hyperparasite species—Ablerusperspeciosus Girault, and one parasitoid species—Coccophagoidesmoeris (Walker), are recorded for the first time in Turkey. Three coleopterans, namely,Chilocorus bipustulatus (Linnaeus),Cybocephalus fodori- minor Endrödy-Younga andRhyzobius lophanthae (Blaisdell), were found to be the most common predators and to be associated with the diverse species of diaspidids in Antalya and are known so also in other parts of Turkey. Among the parasitoids found,Aphytis chrysomphali (Mercet) andAphytis melinus DeBach are known to be relatively important onAonidiella aurantii (Maskell),Aphytis maculicornis (Masi) onParlatoria oleae (Colvée),Aphytis mytilaspidis (LeBaron) onLepidosaphes ulmi (Linnaeus), andEncarsia berlesei (Howard) onPseudaulacaspis pentagona (Targioni Tozzetti), in Antalya and/or other parts of Turkey.

Laboratory and field evaluations of some botanical pesticides against the cedar leaf moth, Acleris undulana.

The cedar leaf moth (CLM), Acleris undulana Walsingham, has recently become an important pest in the cedar forests in southwestern Turkey. Control has focussed on the use of synthetic chemical pesticides, with little research having been conducted on alternative control methods. In this study, four botanical pesticides (two commercial neem products, Neemazal-T/S® and Greeneem® oil, and two hot water plant extracts, Origanum onites L. and Pimpinella anisum L.) were evaluated for their effects against young (first–second) and older (third–fifth) instar larvae of CLM under laboratory and field conditions. The results of larval dip bioassay in the laboratory showed that all the botanical pesticides tested had significant larvicidal activity against both young and older instars of CLM compared to the water-treated control. Of the botanical pesticides tested, Neemazal was the most larvicidal botanical, causing mortalities ranging from 84 to 100%, the least effective was the P. anisum extract, but at high concentrations this extract still caused significant mortality. Results from field trials also revealed that the botanical pesticides had larvicidal activity against CLM. Neemazal was the most larvicidal botanical, followed by Greeneem oil then by O. onites and finally by P. anisum. Our overall results suggest that all the botanical pesticides tested are promising as larvicides against CLM, and may provide an alternative control method that is more compatible with Integrated Pest Management programs than the use of synthetic chemical pesticides.

Evaluation of some selective insecticides and their combinations with summer oil for the control of the pear psyllaCacopsylla pyri

A field trial was carried out to evaluate the efficacy of several selective insecticides for the control of pear psyllaCacopsylla pyri (L.) (Hemiptera: Psyllidae) in two successive years. Three insect growth regulators (IGRs) — diflubenzuron, pyriproxyfen and teflubenzuron, and an amin-hydrazine derivative — amitraz, were evaluated singly and in combination with summer oil (1%). All insecticides were applied at recommended label rates in both years. When compared with the untreated control, all insecticides alone and their combinations with summer oil, except for pyriproxyfen alone, provided control of young (1st and 2nd instars) nymphs. However, combined applications of these insecticides and summer oil were more effective than either insecticide alone for controlling the egg and young nymph stages of the pest. The products were less effective against older (3rd–5th instars) nymphs, even in combination with summer oil, and failed to suppress the population of older nymphs. Adding oil to sprays also delayed oviposition by winterform and summerform females. With the exception of oil with amitraz, combinations of insecticides with summer oil did not cause any phytotoxicity during the study.