Insect pathogens as biological control agents: Back to the future.

日本には約110種の蚊が産する。その中で医学的に重要なのは, 幼虫(ボウフラ)が人里近くの水域に発生し, 雌成虫がヒトから好んで吸血する種である。西日本ではアカイエカ(南西諸島ではネッタイイエカにおきかわる), チカイエカ, コガタアカイエカ, ヒトスジシマカなどが最も重要である。これらの種は生態がことなるので, その被害に対する効果的対策もことなる。雌成虫が吸血源となる動物を発見して完了するまでの過程は複雑で, わかつていない点もある。

Biology of mosquitoes.

Exploring environmental and economic costs and benefits of a circular economy approach to the construction and demolition sector. A literature review

This manuscript presents a review of the potential and challenge of using recycled concrete aggregate (RCA) as the substitute for natural aggregate (NA) in concrete mixtures. Using RCA in concrete preserves the environment by reducing the need for opening new aggregate quarries and decreases the amount of construction waste that goes into landfill. The properties of RCA such as specific gravity, absorption, and the amount of contaminant present in it contribute to the strength and durability of concrete. The quality of RCA depends on the features of the original aggregate and the condition of the demolished concrete. Some researchers have reported that the use of RCA degrades concrete properties while others have successfully produced RCA concrete with a performance that matched normal concrete (NC). In addition to the influence of RCA to concrete properties, this paper also evaluates multiple techniques to improve the performance of RCA concrete, reported cost savings in concrete production and recommendations regarding the application of RCA in concrete.

Properties of recycled concrete aggregate and their influence in new concrete production

Entomopathogenic nematodes (EPNs) have been utilized in classical, conservation, and augmentative biological control programs. The vast majority of applied research has focused on their potential as inundatively applied augmentative biological control agents. Extensive research over the past three decades has demonstrated both their successes and failures for control of insect pests of crops, ornamental plants, trees and lawn and turf. In this paper we present highlights of their development for control of insect pests above and below ground. The target insects include those from foliar, soil surface, cryptic and subterranean habitats. Advances in mass-production and formulation technology of EPNs, the discovery of numerous efficacious isolates/strains, and the desirability of reducing pesticide usage have resulted in a surge of commercial use and development of EPNs. Commercially produced EPNs are currently in use for control of scarab larvae in lawns and turf, fungus gnats in mushroom production, invasive mole crickets in lawn and turf, black vine weevil in nursery plants, and Diaprepes root weevil in citrus in addition to other pest insects. However, demonstrated successful control of several other insects, often has not lead to capture of a significant share of the pesticide market for these pests.

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Entomopathogenic nematodes for control of insect pests above and below ground with comments on commercial production.

A critical review and assessment for usage of recycled aggregate as sustainable construction material

Combined use of the entomopathogenic nematodes (EPNs), Heterorhabditis bacteriophora Poinar (Heterorhabditidae), Steinernema feltiae Bovien, and Steinernema kraussei Steiner (Steinernematidae) and the insect-pathogenic fungus, Metarhizium anisopliae (Metsch.) Sorokin (Clavicipitaceae) was evaluated for control of third-instar black vine weevil, Otiorhynchus sulcatus Fabricius (Coleoptera: Curculionidae). Black vine weevil larvae were exposed to various concentrations of M. anisopliae and EPNs and mortality was assessed weekly or at 3-day intervals under laboratory and greenhouse conditions. The EPNs were added simultaneously, or 1 or 2 weeks after application of M. anisopliae . Throughout the experiments, the combined application of EPNs with M. anisopliae resulted in increased efficacy against black vine weevil. When the EPNs were applied 1 or 2 weeks after application of the fungus, 100% larval mortality was obtained, even when the biocontrol agents were used at reduced rates. The interactions observed suggest that EPN and M. anisopliae work together synergistically in potted Euonymus fortunei Blondy (Celastraceae) under greenhouse conditions and may provide a powerful and economically feasible approach for black vine weevil larval control.

Combined use of entomopathogenic nematodes and Metarhizium anisopliae as a new approach for black vine weevil, Otiorhynchus sulcatus , control

The potential of several entomopathogenic fungi to control soil-dwelling stages of western flower thrips, Frankliniella occidentalis Pergande (Thysanoptera: Thripidae), was evaluated in various growing media. Two Metarhizium anisopliae (Metsch) Sorokin strains, V275 and ERL700, were the most effective, causing 85-96% mortality of thrips larvae and pupae (as measured by relative adult emergence rates), 11 days after inoculation. Mortality in other M. anisopliae-treated media ranged from 51-84%; Beauveria bassiana (Balsamo) Vuillemin strains caused 54-84% mortality, and Paecilomyces fumosoroseus (Wize) 63-75% mortality. In contrast, mortality from the insecticide treatment (fipronil 1 g 1 -1 medium) was only 15-54%. Metarhizium anisopliae V275 was selected for more in-depth evaluation under greenhouse conditions. There was no significant difference in M. anisopliae efficacy in growing media whether it was applied as drench (84-93%) or premixed into the medium as dry conidia (85-92%). The use of M. anisopliae with reduced rates of either fipronil or imidacloprid did not significantly improve control. Overall, our study shows that M. anisopliae V275 is robust and offers much promise for the control of soil-dwelling stages of thrips as part of an integrated pest-management programme.

Efficacy of entomopathogenic fungi against soil‐dwelling life stages of western flower thrips, Frankliniella occidentalis, in plant‐growing media

Identification of pathogenic strains of entomopathogenic nematodes and fungi for wireworm control

Background
The recent outbreak of bluetongue virus in northern Europe has led to an urgent need to identify control measures for the Culicoides (Diptera: Ceratopogonidae) biting midges that transmit it. Following successful use of the entomopathogenic fungus Metarhizium anisopliae against larval stages of biting midge Culicoides nubeculosus Meigen, we investigated the efficacy of this strain and other fungi (Beauveria bassiana, Isaria fumosorosea and Lecanicillium longisporum) as biocontrol agents against adult C. nubeculosus in laboratory and greenhouse studies.

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M.A. Ansari

Papers

A critical review and assessment for usage of recycled aggregate as sustainable construction material

Combined use of entomopathogenic nematodes and Metarhizium anisopliae as a new approach for black vine weevil, Otiorhynchus sulcatus , control

Efficacy of entomopathogenic fungi against soil‐dwelling life stages of western flower thrips, Frankliniella occidentalis, in plant‐growing media

Identification of pathogenic strains of entomopathogenic nematodes and fungi for wireworm control

Entomopathogenic Fungus as a Biological Control for an Important Vector of Livestock Disease: The Culicoides Biting Midge