Patrick A. Logan

Distribution and new host records of a race of Chrysomelobia labidomerae Eickwort (Acari: Tarsonemina; podapolipidae) attacking the Colorado potato beetle in Mexico

ABSTRACT Distribution and host data are given for a race of Chrysomelobia labidomerae Eickwort, an ectoparasite of the Colorado potato beetle, Leptinotarsa decemlineata (Say), and some closely related species.

Host specificity tests of Chrysomelobia labidomerae, a mite parasitic on the Colorado potato beetle

Abstract The parasitic mite, Chrysomelobia labidomerae Eickwort, appears to be limited to coleopterous hosts in the tribe Zygogrammini of the subfamily Chrysomelinae. The mite was originally described as a parasite of adult Labidomera clivicollis (Kirby) in New York. We found it in Mexico parasitizing 4 additional species in the tribe Zygogrammini: Leptinotarsa decemlineata (Say), Leptinotarsa undecemlineata Stahl., Leptinotarsa signaticollis Stahl., and Leptinotarsa cacica Stahl. Experimentally, we found many species to be unsuitable hosts for a Mexican race of the mite including the honey bee, Apis mellifera (L.); coccinellids: Hippodamia convergens Guerin-Meneville, Coleomegilla maculata (DeGeer), Coccinella septempunctata L., and the Mexican bean beetle, Epilachna varivestis Mulsant; carabids: Harpalus pennsylvanicus DeGeer, and Clivinia impressifrons LeConte; the cerambycid, Tetraopes tetrophthalmus (Forster); and the chrysomelid, Lema trilineata L. Larvae of L. decemlineata were also found to be uns...

Population dynamics of Chrysomelobia labidomerae Eickwort, a parasite of the Colorado potato beetle

Abstract The population dynamics of Chrysomelobia labidomerae Eickwort, a podapolipid parasite of the Colorado potato bettle (CPB), Leptinotarsa decemlineata (Say) in Mexico; and the milkweed leaf beetle (MLB), Labidomera clivicollis (Kirby) in the U.S. and Canada; was studied in the laboratory and in field cages in Rhode Island. Optimal development and survival occurred at 30° C with a generation time of 14.2 days. Mites collected from the MLB host in R.I. developed more slowly and had poorer survival on the CPB than mites originally collected from the CPB. Dispersal of C. labidomerae (primarily preoviposition females) occurred during beetle copulation and was dependent upon beetle age and temperature. C. labidomerae could survive the winter in Rhode Island.

Behavior of Chrysomelobia labidomerae Eickwort parasitizing the Colorado potato beetle

Abstract Investigations on niche selection, migration, and oviposition behavior were conducted with Chrysomelobia labidomerae Eickwort parasitizing the Colorado potato beetle, Leptinotarsa decemlineata (Say). These findings were compared with those of Baker and Eickwart for the behavior of C. labidomerae on the milkweed leaf beetle, Labidomera clivicollis (Kirby). The most consistent difference is that adult female mites of the milkweed leaf beetle race are found on the exterior surface of C. labidomerae more often than the Colorado potato beetle mite race. Observations on individual mites throughout their development revealed a regular pattern of migration from one stage-specific niche to the next. The routes of migration are illustrated for each developmental stage. Studies on oviposition behavior provided no evidence for a diel periodicity in egg laying. The niche occupied by eggs is a result of a “rolling” behavior by adult female mites.

Impact of the parasite, Chrysomelobia labidomerae Eickwort, on the Colorado potato beetle

ABSTRACT Laboratory and field studies were conducted at the University of Rhode Island and in Cuernavaca, Mexico to determine the impact of parasitism by Chrysomelobia labidomerae Eickwort on the Colorado potato beetle, Leptinotarsa decemlineata (Say). Mite infestation significantly reduced longevity of adult Colorado potato beetles in the laboratory (an average of 40% over all treatment combinations). Longevity shortened with increasing initial mite inoculation density. Temperature did not affect this relationship, but the source of the mite population can affect the level of mortality in infested beetles. Beetles in field cages in Rhode Island, U.S.A. did not die from mite infestation and there was no reduction in beetle fecundity or overwintering success. Experiments in Mexico showed that mite infested beetles initiated flight less often than non-infested beetles and flew shorter as mite density increased.

Field Bioassay of Pheromone Lures and Trap Designs for Monitoring Adult Corn Earworm (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae) in Sweet Corn in Southern New England

Four commercial pheromones attractive to Helicoverpa zea (Boddie) were used as baits in four insect traps to attract moths in fresh market sweet corn. Moth catches were monitored for 10 wk in nine sites in Connecticut, Massachusetts, and Rhode Island. Zealure attracted twice as many moths as Scentrys corn earworm lure and nine times as many as Pherocons corn earworm lure. Consep Membranes Biolure attracted few moths. Hartstack traps caught three times more moths than Heliothis net traps and 15 times more than Multi-pher or International Pheromone Systems traps. Results suggest the need for reference standards in management programs that use pheromones to monitor corn earworm populations.