The functional significance of E-b-Farnesene: Does it influence the populations of aphid natural enemies in the fields?

in Biological Control (2012)

Aphids cause much damage to Chinese cabbage in northern China. Over reliance on pesticides have large environmental and human health costs that compel researchers to seek alternative management tactics ... [more ▼]

Aphids cause much damage to Chinese cabbage in northern China. Over reliance on pesticides have large environmental and human health costs that compel researchers to seek alternative management tactics for aphid control. The component of aphid alarm pheromone, E-b-Farnesene (EbF), extracted from Matricaria chamomilla L., which attracts natural enemies in the laboratory, may have significant implications for the design of cabbage aphid control strategies. The purpose of this paper is to understand the effects of EbF on natural enemies to cabbage aphid control in Chinese cabbage fields. Ladybeetles on Chinese cabbage leaves in EbF released plots and Aphidiidae in EbF released yellow traps were significantly higher than those of in controls. No significant differences were detected in the interactions of different treatments and the two years for all natural enemies. More important, lower aphid densities were found in EbF released plots. Our results suggested that the EbF extracted from M. chamomilla L. could attract natural enemies to reduce cabbage aphids in the Chinese cabbage fields. [less ▲]

An introduction device for the aphidophagous hoverfly Episyrphus balteatus (De Geer) (Diptera: Syrphidae)

in Biological Control (2010), 54(3), 181-188

Augmentative biocontrol constitutes a safe option to reduce pest populations through the enhancement of natural enemies’ activity. In this context, the aphidophagous syrphid Episyrphus baltetaus (De Geer ... [more ▼]

Augmentative biocontrol constitutes a safe option to reduce pest populations through the enhancement of natural enemies’ activity. In this context, the aphidophagous syrphid Episyrphus baltetaus (De Geer) (Diptera: Syrphidae) is a promising candidate for aphid biological control: larvae of this syrphid attack and consume a wide range of aphid species and are found on many vegetable crops. Because natural populations of beneficial insects are not always sufficient to regulate the pest infestations, this work has focused on the conception of a biological control device containing syrphid eggs which ones can easily be introduced in fields or greenhouses. Using semiochemicals [E-(β)-farnesene, R-(+)-limonene and (Z)-3-hexenol], honeydews and “artificial honeydews” (10% or 30% aqueous solutions of sucrose, fructose and glucose), the syrphid oviposition was artificially induced on an inert surface. Specifically, E-(β)-farnesene and concentrated mono-sugars (30%) were identified as the most efficient ovipositional stimulants. To test and validate the biological control device described above, laboratory and field experiments were performed: a plastic lamella covered with syrphid eggs was suspended on aphid infested plants in order to measure the efficiency of the device. The results obtained were promising since populations of 500 aphids were eliminated in ten days when 15 syrphid eggs were introduced. The use of such a biological control device could certainly contribute to the biological control to reduce the aphid infestations. [less ▲]

Enhancement of the biocontrol agent Candida Oleophila (strain O) survival and control efficiency under extreme conditions of water activity and relative humidity

in Biological Control (2009), 51(3), 403-408

Characterization of an Exo-B-1,3-Glucanase Produced by Pichia anomala Strain K, Antagonist of Botrytis cinerea on Apples

in Biological Control (1997), 88(4), 335-343