Matthew A. Ciomperlik

INTERSPECIFIC COMPETITION AMONG INSECT PARASITOIDS: FIELD EXPERIMENTS WITH WHITEFLIES AS HOSTS IN COTTON

Manipulative field experiments assessing the importance of interspecific competition on the dynamics of parasitoid populations and the impact of multiple parasitoids on host populations are virtually absent from the ecological literature. We report findings from such experiments assessing competitive interactions among three species of parasitoids (Hymenoptera: Aphelinidae) of the silverleaf whitefly Bemisia argentifolii Bellows & Perring (Homoptera: Aleyrodidae), a pestiferous species of worldwide importance. The parasitoids used in the study (Encarsia pergandiella Howard, Eretmocerus mundus Mercet, and Encarsia formosa Gahan) encompass the range of life histories found within Aphelinidae, and they exhibit a high degree of niche overlap. The objectives of our studies were (1) to investigate the occurrence of interspecific competition among the whitefly parasitoids, (2) to quantify shifts in resource utilization patterns as influenced by experimental manipulations of the parasitoid assemblage, and (3) to ...

A COMPARISON OF TRAPS AND STEM TAP SAMPLING FOR MONITORING ADULT ASIAN CITRUS PSYLLID (HEMIPTERA: PSYLLIDAE) IN CITRUS

Abstract Studies were conducted at 2 different field sites to compare yellow sticky card traps, blue sticky card traps, Multi-Lure traps, and CC traps (red, blue, black, white, yellow, and dark green bases) for monitoring adult Asian citrus psyllid, Diaphorina citri Kuwayama, in citrus. The Multi-Lure and CC traps were charged with either ethylene glycol or a dichlorvos kill strip to kill psyllids entering the trap. We also investigated a stem tapping method for monitoring adult D. citri. Yellow sticky card traps captured significantly more adults than blue sticky card traps over a 4-week period in one study but not the other. Over all sample weeks, each of these traps captured significantly greater numbers of adults than any of the other traps. Yellow and blue sticky traps were equally effective in detecting the presence of adults in trees given the infestation levels present at the 2 study sites. The CC and Multi-Lure traps captured so few adult psyllids and provided such poor detection of trees infested by adults that they appeared to have no value for monitoring D. citri. Tap sampling was easy to conduct and provided relatively good detection of trees infested by adults given the infestation levels present at the 2 groves. An advantage to stem tap sampling over sticky trap sampling is that tap sampling provides information on the presence and relative abundance of adult D. citri during a single visit to a block of trees while sticky trap sampling requires 2 visits. Research to develop standard protocols for sticky trap and stem tap sampling for adult D. citri in citrus would be advantageous.

Development of Parasitoid inoculated Seedling Transplants for Augmentative Biological Control of Silverleaf Whitefly (Homoptera: Aleyrodidae)

Methods are presented for producing banker plants, transplants that are used for augmentation of Eretmocerus parasitoids for biological control of Bemisia argentifolii in cucurbit crops. Preference tests were conducted with B. argentifolii and its parasitoid Eretmocerus hayati for ten cantaloupe varieties to determine their suitability for use as banker plants. Bemisia argentifolii showed a significant preference for the varieties Copa de Oro and Mission, whereas, E. hayati showed the greatest preference for Copa de Oro, Mission and Primo. The impact of imidacloprid on the development of parasitoid immatures on banker plants was evaluated. Thirteen days after release of E. hayati, banker plants treated with imidacloprid produced equivalent numbers of parasitoids as did control plants. Field trials, incorporating the use of banker plants and imidacloprid, were conducted for two seasons in spring cantaloupes and one season in fall watermelons. Numbers of parasitoid progeny produced per cantaloupe banker plant were approximately 94.6 and 102.1 in two trials during the Spring of 1997 and 1998. Field release rates per acre in cantaloupe were estimated to be 68,946 and 29,970 for the 1997 and 1998 trials, with banker plants incorporated with regular transplants at a ratio of 1:10 and 1:30 respectively. In the watermelon trial, the mean number of parasitoid progeny produced per banker plant was determined to be 94.6, with an estimated 4156 released per acre with a ratio of 1:30 banker to regular transplants. Banker plants were shown to be a reliable method for field delivery of Eretmocerus parasitoids in transplanted and direct seeded cantaloupe or watermelon crops. The methods used to produce parasitoid inoculated banker plants are discussed.

DEVELOPING AND EVALUATING TRAPS FOR MONITORING SCIRTOTHRIPS DORSALIS (THYSANOPTERA: THRIPIDAE)

Abstract Scirtothrips dorsalis (Hood) (Thysanoptera: Thripidae) is a recently identified invasive pest to the Caribbean and poses a significant threat to agriculture and trade in the region. Methods are needed to detect the presence and to monitor populations of this pest so that it can be effectively managed. Three different CC trap base colors (blue, yellow, and white) with or without dichlorvos as a killing agent, and a newly developed and named the Blue-D trap were studied in Taiwan and St. Vincent for attraction and capture of S. dorsalis. In lemons in Taiwan, mean numbers of S. dorsalis caught in Blue-D traps were greater compared with dichlorvos cube modified CC traps. In St. Vincent chili pepper plantings, the Blue-D traps caught more Thrips palmi (Karny), Frankliniella sp., and Microcephalothrips abdominalis (Crawford) than dichlorvos cube modified CC traps. More Frankliniella intonsa (Trybom), Megalurothrips usitatus (Bagnall), T. palmi, Frankliniella sp., and M. abdominalis were caught in blue and white base CC traps than yellow base CC traps. Average captures per CC trap per week were 0.07 and 0.02-0.09 S. dorsalis in Taiwan and St. Vincent, respectively. There were no differences in S. dorsalis captures in white, blue, or yellow base CC traps. The average weekly S. dorsalis catch for yellow sticky card traps was 19.8. CC traps can be used for detection of S. dorsali and collecting intact S. dorsalis for taxonomic and genetic determinations when a few of the species are found in a large commercial production area. Yellow sticky traps can be used for monitoring S. dorsalis populations. A combination detecting system of visual observation, yellow sticky traps, and CC traps may be an effective S. dorsalis population detecting and monitoring system.

Establishment of the Armored Scale, Rhizaspidiotus donacis 1, a Biological Control Agent of Arundo donax

Author(s) :John A. Goolsby, Alan A. Kirk, Patrick J. Moran, Alex E. Racelis, John J. Adamczyk, Elena Cortes, M. Angeles Marcos Garcia, Maricela Martinez Jimenez, Kenneth R. Summy, Matthew A. Ciomperlik and Don P. A. Sands Source: Southwestern Entomologist, 36(3):373-374. 2011. Published By: Society of Southwestern Entomologists DOI: 10.3958/059.036.0314 URL: http://www.bioone.org/doi/full/10.3958/059.036.0314

Climatological Potential for Scirtothrips Dorsalis (Thysanoptera: Thripidae) Establishment in the United States

Abstract Scirtothrips dorsalis is a serious exotic pest that has recently become established in the continental United States. It is of major concern to regulatory agencies because it has a wide host range and high reproductive potential. A weather-based mapping tool, NAPPFAST, was used to predict potential establishment of S. dorsalis in North America. The analysis was based on a degree-day model and cold temperature survival of S. dorsalis. The results demonstrated that S. dorsalis could potentially produce up to 18 generations and was likely to survive in the southern and western coastal plains of the United States. It is concluded that S. dorsalis is likely to be a serious economic pest in the southern United States. Additional maps and information are available at the web site (http://www.nappfast.org).

EVALUATION OF SERANGIUM PARCESETOSUM (COLEOPTERA: COCCINELLIDAE) FOR BIOLOGICAL CONTROL OF SILVERLEAF WHITEFLY, BEMISIA ARGENTIFOLII (HOMOPTERA: ALEYRODIDAE), ON POINSETTIA

Control of silverleaf whitefly (Bemisia argentifolii Bellows & Perring) on greenhouse poinsettia with biological agents has been unreliable. Serangium parcesetosum Sicard, a coccinellid predator, appears to have great potential for silverleaf whitefly control. In our study, dynamic changes in B. argentifolii populations on caged poinsettia in response to S. parcesetosum were monitored. Silverleaf whiteflies were introduced to caged poinsettias at 1 or 10 adults per plant and 6 weeks later S. parcesetosum were introduced at 0, 2 or 4 adults per plant. Within 2 weeks of Serangium release whitefly mortality increased dramatically, and for the ensuing 10 weeks whitefly levels remained at or near those observed at time of predator release. Beetle larvae were observed 2 to 10 weeks after Serangium release when prey was initially high but not when prey was initially low. Thus, whitefly control was primarily due to prolonged survival and continuous feeding of individual beetles. Our data suggest that Serangium may work well in a multiple species biological control program for whiteflies on poinsettia. However, further study is needed on multiple species interactions within the host (pest/plant) species, and on release management strategies.

Mortality to the Giant African Snail, Lissachatina fulica (Gastropoda: Achatinidae), and Non-Target Snails using Select Molluscicides

ABSTRACT Laboratory bioassays and caged field trials were conducted to compare the acute toxicities of molluscicide formulations on the neonate, juvenile, and adult development stages of giant African snail (GAS) Lissachatina fulica (Bowdich 1822) and 3 non-target snail species in Barbados. Nine commercially available molluscicides, diatomaceous earth, and a kaolin clay product (Surround WP) were evaluated. High levels of mortality to neonate GAS were seen in all the laboratory molluscicide bioassays except for Surround and diatomaceous earth. The highest mortality rates to neonate GAS were observed from Durham granules and Slugfest treatments tested during field trials. Deadline, Durham granules, Metarex, and Orcal pellets caused the highest rates of mortality to juvenile GAS in our field trials. For adult GAS several molluscicides including Blitzem, Deadline, Durham Granules, Mesurol 75W, Metarex, Orcal pellet, and Slugfest caused greater than 95 % mortality in laboratory bioassays. Field trials showed that Durham granules and Slugfest yielded the highest mortality rates. Sluggo pellet, touted as an environmentally safe molluscicide, did not cause high rates of mortality to juvenile and adult GAS in our field trials, but did cause higher rates of mortality to neonate GAS than the control. The majority of the molluscicides tested in our trials were equally or more lethal to 3 non-target snail species than GAS. Our results identify several effective commercially available molluscicides that can be used to control incipient populations of GAS. However, our results show that the potential impact on non-target snail species during control or eradication programs may be considerable, causing substantial mortality regardless of what brand, active ingredient, or formulation is used.

Biological Control Using the Ectoparasitoid, Tamarixia radiata, against the Asian Citrus Psyllid, Diaphorina citri, in the Lower Rio Grande Valley of Texas

Abstract. Tamarixia radiata Waterston (Hymenoptera: Eulophidae), a biological control agent of the Asian citrus psyllid, Diaphorina citri Kuwayama (Hemiptera: Liviidae), is being used as a tool to help reduce psyllids in urban environments in citrus-growing areas of Texas. The USDA APHIS PPQ S&T CPHST Mission Laboratory developed methods to produce large numbers of the beneficial insects for biological control of Asian citrus psyllids. Releases were made in citrus trees where plant tissue that tested positive for Huanglongbing or citrus greening disease was detected. Before release of T. radiata in 2010, 43 immature psyllids per flush were found in citrus in residential areas. After biological control releases, the abundance of pysllids gradually decreased. In 2016, only 3.8 immature psyllids were found per flush, a reduction of 91.2% of the psyllid population.

Indigenous Parasitoids of Bemisia in the USA and Potential for Non-Target Impacts of Exotic Parasitoid Introductions

Surveys to document the presence and species composition of native natural enemies were conducted prior to the introduction of non-indigenous agents against sweetpotato whitefly, Bemisia tabaci biotype B, in the USA. Agricultural officials surveyed for the presence and natural enemies of B. tabaci in eight southeastern states, and researchers in Florida, Puerto Rico, South Carolina, Mississippi, Texas, and California conducted separate surveys of regional crops and other whitefly infested plants. General survey procedures in each area were similar and involved the periodic collection of Bemisia-infested foliage from a wide range of crops, weeds, ornamentals, and other native plants. In California deserts, surveys also included other whitefly species on host plants sharing habitats with host plants of B. tabaci. The greatest diversity of native parasitoid species attacking B. tabaci was reported in Florida, due perhaps to the diversity of invasive whitefly species established in Florida. Only two or three parasitoid species were responsible for the majority of parasitism of B. tabaci within any given region of the USA. The predominant species attacking B. tabaci prior to the introduction of new Palearctic parasitoid species were Eretmocerus tejanus (in Texas), Eretmocerus eremicus (Arizona and California), Eretmocerus sp. (undescribed, southeast USA), Encarsia pergandiella/Enc. tabacivora (southeastern USA and Texas), and Encarsia luteola (southwestern USA). Trialeurodes abutiloneus was the only other whitefly species regularly found on the same herbaceous, annual host plants utilized by B. tabaci, and it is a natural reservoir for many of the indigenous parasitoids that attack B. tabaci in much of the southern USA. Parasitoids reared from other whitefly species found on native desert vegetation were not the same species as those occurring on 1 USDA-ARS, Beneficial Insects Introduction Research Unit, 501 South Chapel Street, Newark, DE 19713-3814 2 University of Florida, Institute of Food & Agricultural Sciences, Gulf Coast Research & Education Center, 14625 CR 672, Wimauma, FL 33598 3 USDA-APHIS-PPQ, Center for Plant Health Science and Technology Laboratory, 22675 N. Moorefield Rd, Edinburg, TX 78451-9398 J. Gould et al. (eds.), Classical Biological Control of Bemisia tabaci in the United States. 307