Mirza Abdul Qayyum

Multiple Resistances Against Formulated Organophosphates, Pyrethroids, and Newer-Chemistry Insecticides in Populations of Helicoverpa armigera (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae) from Pakistan

ABSTRACT Field populations of Helicoverpa armigera Hübner from 15 localities across the Punjab, Pakistan, were assessed by the leaf dip method for resistance against formulated organophosphates, pyrethroids, and newer insecticide groups. Resistance levels in H. armigera have been incrementally increasing for organophosphate and pyrethroid insecticides after decades of use in Pakistan. Resistance ratios (RRs) documented for organophosphates were 24- to 116-fold for profenofos and 22- to 87-fold for chlorpyrifos. For pyrethroids, RRs were 3- to 69-fold for Cypermethrin and 3- to 27-fold for deltamethrin. Resistance levels against newer chemistries were 2- to 24-fold for chlorfenapyr, 1- to 22-fold for spinosad, 1- to 20-fold for indoxacarb, 1- to 18-fold for abamectin, and 1- to 16-fold for emamectin benzoate. Resistant populations of H. armigera were mainly in the southern part of the Punjab, Pakistan. The most resistant populations were collected from Pakpattan, Multan, and Muzzafargarh. Of the nine insecticides tested, LC50 and LC90 values were lower for newer insecticide groups; resistance levels were moderate to very high against organophosphates, very low to high against pyrethroids, and very low to low against the newerchemistry insecticides. These findings suggest that the newer-chemistry insecticides with different modes of action could be included in insecticide rotations or replace the older insecticides. Supplementing the use of synthetic insecticides with safer alternatives could help to successfully lower the farmers reliance on insecticides and the incidence of resistance due to repeated use of insecticides against major insect pests.

Insecticidal Efficacy of Azadirachta indica, Nucleopolyhedrovirus and Chlorantraniliprole Singly or Combined against Field Populations fo Helicoverpa armigera Hübner (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae)

Se determino la eficacia insecticida de formulaciones de Azadirachta indica, Nucleopolihedrovirus (VPN) y el nuevo insecticida diamida antranilico (clorantraniliprol) en contra de segundo, tercero, cuarto y quinto estadios larvales de Helicoverpa armigera Hubner (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae) recogidos de diversas ubicaciones geograficas de la provincia de Punjab, Pakistan. Azadirachta indica se aplico en dosis de 5 μL L-1; VPN en dosis 2.1 x 105 POB mL-1 y clorantraniliprol fue 0,01 μL L-1 ya sea solos o en combinaciones. Los bioensayos se realizaron a 27 ± 1 °C y 65 ± 5% de humedad relativa. La mortalidad fue notablemente variada entre los tratamientos, estadios larvales y diversas poblaciones. Las combinaciones de VPN con A. indica y clorantraniliprol dio una mayor mortalidad, la fase de pupa y el efecto aditivo producido en comparacion con su aplicacion solo en todas las poblaciones de la prueba. La poblacion de Rawalpindi fue siempre susceptible, mientras que Gujranwala fue resistente. Los resultados del presente trabajo sugieren que la eficacia de VPN y A. indica pueden ser beneficiados por la presencia de clorantraniliprol contra las larvas de H. armigera.

Distribution of Helicoverpa armigera Hübner (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae) in tomato fields and its relationship to weather factors

A survey was conducted in tomato fields at different localities to assess the distribution of tomato fruitworm Helicoverpa armigera Hübner (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae) in Punjab Province, Pakistan. The effect of weather factors on its population was also investigated. Eleven tomato‐growing districts were selected and data for larval population and fruit infestation were recorded. The maximum larval population (5.2 larvae/plant) of H. armigera was recorded in Bahawalpur district with 32.6% fruit infestation. However, the minimum larval population (1.4 larvae/plant) inflicted 14.7% fruit infestation in Rawalpindi district. The temperature was positively correlated while relative humidity showed negative interaction with the larval population and fruit infestation.

Occurrence and diversity of entomopathogenic fungi in cultivated and uncultivated soils in Pakistan

The distribution of entomopathogenic fungi in various geographical areas of Punjab, Pakistan, is poorly understood. The present study was planned to explore the occurrence and diversity of entomopathogenic fungi from soils collected from cultivated and non‐cultivated habitats. The detailed survey of different habitats (crop fields, fruits, vegetables, forests) was conducted to collect soil samples and the associated fungi were isolated using Galleria bait method. Among 210 soil samples, 168 fungal isolates were recovered and identified, with 98 from forests, 32 from vegetables, 30 from field crops and 8 from fruits. The major entomopathogenic fungi recovered from these samples were Beauveria bassiana, Metarhizium anisopliae, Paecilomyces lilacinus, B. brongniartii, P. chlamydosporia and Lecanicillium attenuatum. The diversity of entomopathogenic fungi was greater in soil samples from forests compared to crop fields, vegetables and fruits, respectively. The geographical attributes (altitude, longitude, latitude) greatly influenced the occurrence of entomopathogenic fungi with the highest number of isolates found from >600 m altitude, 33°–34′N latitude, and 73°74′E longitude from soil samples. The results of the surveys clearly indicated that the entomopathogenic fungi are distributed in the soils which may be used in successful IPM programs in future.

Fitness parameters of Plutella xylostella (L.) (Lepidoptera; Plutellidae) at four constant temperatures by using age-stage, two-sex life tables

Different temperature zones have significant impact on the population dynamics of Plutella xylostella. Effective management of P. xylostella requires the knowledge of temperature tolerance by different life stages. In the current study, fitness parameters of diamondback moth were reported by using age-stage, two-sex life table traits at four constant temperatures (15, 20, 25 and 30 °C). The life cycle of P. xylostella was significantly longer at 15 °C. The 20 °C level of temperature was found optimal for fecundity, gross reproductive rate (51.74 offspring) and net reproductive rate (44.35 offspring per individual). The adult pre-oviposition period was statistically at par at all four level of temperatures. However, the survival was maximum at 20 °C as compared to other three temperature ranges. Based on the current study, it was concluded that temperature has a great role in population build-up of P. xylostella and effective management tactics should be applied to prevent significant damage to cabbage and other cruciferous crops when the temperature in the field is near 20 °C.

Resistance to commonly used insecticides and phosphine fumigant in red palm weevil, Rhynchophorus ferrugineus (Olivier) in Pakistan

The red palm weevil Rhynchophorus ferrugineus (Olivier) is an important pest of date palms in many regions of the world. This paper reports the first survey of insecticide resistance in field populations of R. ferrugineus in Pakistan which were collected from seven date palm growing areas across Punjab and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KPK) provinces, Pakistan. The resistance was assessed by the diet incorporation method against the formulated commonly used chemical insecticides profenophos, imidacloprid, chlorpyrifos, cypermethrin, deltamethrin, spinosad, lambda-cyhalothrin and a fumigant phosphine. Elevated levels of resistance were recorded for cypermethrin, deltamethrin and phosphine after a long history of insecticide use in Pakistan. Resistance Ratios (RRs) were 63- to 79-fold for phosphine, 16- to 74-fold for cypermethrin, 13- to 58-fold for deltamethrin, 2.6- to 44-fold for profenophos, 3- to 24-fold for chlorpyrifos, 2- to 12-fold for lambda-cyhalothrin and 1- to 10-fold for spinosad compared to a susceptible control line. Resistant R. ferrugineus populations were mainly found in southern Punjab and to some extent in KPK. The populations from Bahawalpur, Vehari, Layyah and Dera Ghazi Khan were most resistant to chemical insecticides, while all populations exhibited high levels of resistance to phosphine. Of the eight agents tested, lower LC50 and LC90 values were recorded for spinosad and lambda-cyhalothrin. These results suggest that spinosad and lambda-cyhalothrin exhibit unique modes of action and given their better environmental profile, these two insecticides could be used in insecticide rotation or assist in phasing out the use of older insecticides. A changed pattern of both insecticides can be used sensibly be recommended without evidence of dose rates and frequencies used.

Lepidopterous Pests: Biology, Ecology, and Management

Abstract Many lepidopterans are among the diverse arthropod pests that attack tomato crop. Some of these lepidopterans are more problematic and widespread than others. This chapter concerns nine of the particularly problematic lepidopterans on tomatoes. Because of their assorted bionomics, some species are more damaging in certain regions. These lepidopterans attack tomato foliage, stems, immature and ripe fruits, and they all have hosts other than tomato. As with other tomato pests, several approaches are available to manage these pests, including plant resistance, biological control, sanitation, trapping, mating disruption, use of scouting and thresholds before making insecticide treatments, and selection of narrow spectrum insecticides that minimally impact natural enemies. Growers are advised to use an integrative approach that utilizes as many of these strategies as possible.

Virulence of entomopathogenic fungi Beauveria bassiana and Metarhizium anisopliae against red palm weevil, Rhynchophorus ferrugineus (Olivier): Virulence of fungi against red palm weevil

Nineteen different isolates of the entomopathogenic fungi Beauveria bassiana sensu lato (s.l.) and Metarhizium anisopliae s.l. (Ascomycota: Hypocreales), recovered from different soil samples (field crops, fruit orchards, vegetable fields and forests) and insect cadavers were tested against Rhynchophorus ferrugineus (Olivier) (Coleoptera: Curculionidae) at two different spore concentrations (1 × 107 and 1 × 108 conidia mL−1). Three isolates of B. bassiana and two of M. anisopliae gave >88 % larval and >75 % adult mortality of R. ferrugineus on their highest dose rate respectively. More sporulating cadavers (mycosis) resulted from a high dose rate compared to low dose on both life stages of R. ferrugineus. The current study confirmed the lethal action of B. bassiana and M. anisopliae isolates with mortality levels usually directly proportional to the conidial concentration. This study further confirmed that the isolates recovered from R. ferrugineus dead cadavers gave more mortality compared to the other sources. In the virulence assay two isolates of B. bassiana caused the highest percentage of both larval and adult mortality at all exposure intervals which suggest that they may be the most promising for use in sustainable management programs aimed at microbial control in date palm orchards.