Showing papers in "Annals of Applied Biology in 1986"

Predator density manipulation and its effects on populations of Rhopalosiphumpadi (Horn.: Aphididae) in spring barley

Abstract: SUMMARY Experiments were carried out in 1981-83 to assess the impact of polyphagous predators (e.g. Carabidae, Staphylinidae and Araneae) on populations of cereal aphids in spring barley in Sweden. Barriers were erected around mid-field and field-edge plots at different times during the aphids' establishment phase in order to manipulate the predation pressure during the aphid pre-peak period; predators were emigrating from field boundaries. Rhopalosiphum padi was the dominant species of cereal aphid in 1981 and 1982, and was abundant in both years. Reduction of the predation pressure resulted in R. padi populations that were two to six times larger compared with those in unenclosed control plots. Aphid populations were much larger when the predation pressure was reduced earlier in June than when this was done later, in both years, since late erection of barriers excludes fewer predators because most had already entered the enclosed areas. In 1983, R. padi and Sitobion avenae were equally common but occurred in low numbers, and the effects of reducing the predation pressure were less obvious. Bembidion spp. (B. lampros and B. quadrimaculatum) and linyphiid spiders were the most abundant predators during the early establishment phase of aphid populations in each year, and significant inverse correlations were found between peak numbers of R. padi per shoot and numbers of predators from these taxa in 1981 and 1982. Similar relationships were found between total aphids and numbers of Staphylinidae, B. quadrimaculatum and Coccinella septempunctata in 1983. It was concluded that differences between the manipulated numbers of polyphagous predators caused the observed differences in peak population levels of R.padiin 1981,1982 and to a lesser extent, 1983. Apparent levels of parasitism and fungal disease were low during the pre-peak period. Aphid specific predators, abundant after the peak, were considered partly responsible for the decline of aphid populations each year. The results are compared with those from similar experiments elsewhere with S. avenae and Metopolophium dirhodum in winter wheat. Reasons why the effects of polyphagous predators are greater, and occur over a much shorter period of time in Sweden are discussed.

The dispersal and distribution of polyphagous predatory Coleoptera in cereals

Abstract: SUMMARY Observations were made on the phenology of the dispersal of polyphagous arthropod predators from their overwintering habitats in field boundaries into adjacent farmland in cereal fields in southern England from 1981 to 1984. Agonum dorsale, Bembidion lampros and Demetrias atricapillus dispersed from overwintering habitats into adjacent cereal crops by crawling. B. lampros was fully dispersed by early May and the other two species by late May. Tachyporus spp. were thought to disperse mainly by flight, T. hypnorum being fully dispersed by mid-May and T. chrysomelinus by late May. A small proportion of A. dorsale marked in field boundaries in April before dispersal began were later recaptured up to 200 m into adjacent crops later in the season. Areas of a crop, immediately adjacent to field boundaries in which high numbers of predators had overwintered, were found to have significantly (P<0.01) higher numbers of predators that disperse by walking (A. dorsale, B. lampros and D. atricapillus) moving through them towards the centres of fields. By mid-summer, the mid-crop density of D. atricapillus was correlated with its overwintering density in surrounding field boundaries the previous winter, but this was not so in the other species. Mid-crop, mid-summer densities of A. dorsale were significantly (P<0. 02) correlated with mean percentage weed cover in fields. The densities of the other species were not correlated with weed cover. Analysis of data collected over a 10-yr period on a Sussex study area in late June revealed that significantly more D. atricapillus were found in fields surrounded by hedgerows than fields surrounded by fence-post and wire boundaries.

Infection of strawberry flowers by Botrytis cinerea and its relevance to grey mould development.

Abstract: SUMMARY Newly-opened strawberry flowers of several cultivars were inoculated in the glasshouse, growth chamber and field with conidia of Botrytis cinerea from cultures of seven isolates. Infection in pistils, stamens, petals, sepals and receptacles was detected by u.v. microscopy after softening fixed tissues in 1 N sodium hydroxide and staining in 0–1% aniline blue. For all isolates, cultivars and environments, conidia germinated on the stigmas and their hyphae grew into the transmitting tissue of the styles, but so slowly that they sometimes took 4–6 wk to reach the style bases. Cv. Troubadour was the only cultivar in which hyphae grew from the style into the carpel, but growth there was limited and did not progress into the receptacle. The fungus produced conidiophores and conidia on the stigmas of 15 of the 23 cultivars tested in the field but did not do so in the growth chamber or glasshouse tests. It readily colonised the anthers and connective between the anther lobes and sporulated on anthers in the field; in some cultivars it grew to the base of a few stamen filaments and into the receptacle. In the glasshouse, conidia remained ungerminated on the petals and sepals for at least 6 days, but in a moist chamber they germinated and hyphae rapidly penetrated the epidermis and colonised internal tissues of these flower parts. Results indicated that stamens may be more important than styles as a source of latent infection.

Control of cereal aphids in winter wheat by natural enemies: aphid-specific predators, parasitoids and pathogenic fungi

Abstract: SUMMARY Winter wheat fields on two farms in West Sussex were sampled in 1980 and 1981 for cereal aphids and their natural enemies. The grain aphid, Sitobion avenae was present in all 19 fields examined, but in no case did the populations increase to densities liable to cause economic damage. The observations strongly suggest that aphid population growth was stopped by aphid-specific predators, hymenopterous parasitoids and fungal pathogens. In two fields in 1980, S. avenae population densities approximately equalled five aphids per ear at flowering, the threshold at which insecticide application is recommended in the UK, but numbers were then reduced by natural enemies, mainly aphid-specific predators. In three fields in 1981, S. avenae would probably have exceeded the spray threshold had natural enemies not intervened in late May.

Restricted distribution of potato leafroll virus antigen in resistant potato genotypes and its effect on transmission of the virus by aphids

Abstract: SUMMARY Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay was used to measure the concentration of potato leafroll virus (PLRV) antigen in different parts of field-grown secondarily infected plants of three potato genotypes known to differ in resistance to infection. The antigen concentration in leaves of cv. Maris Piper (susceptible) was 10–30 times greater than that in cv. Pentland Crown or G 7445(1), a breeder's line (both resistant). Differences between genotypes in antigen concentration were smaller in petioles and tubers (5–10-fold) and in above-ground stems (about 4-fold), and were least in below-ground stems, stolons and roots (about 2-fold). PLRV antigen, detected by fluorescent antibody staining of tissue sections, was confined to phloem companion cells. In Pentland Crown, the decrease in PLRV antigen concentration in leaf mid-veins and petioles, relative to that in Maris Piper, was proportional to the decrease in number of PLRV-containing companion cells; this decrease was greater in the external phloem than in the internal phloem. The spread of PLRV infection within the phloem system seems to be impaired in the resistant genotypes. Green peach aphids (Myzuspersicae) acquired < 2800 pg PLRV/aphid when fed for 4 days on infected field-grown Maris Piper plants and < 58% of such aphids transmitted the virus to Physalis floridana test plants. In contrast, aphids fed on infected Pentland Crown plants acquired <120 pg PLRV/aphid and <3% transmitted the virus to P. floridana. The ease with which M. persicae acquired and transmitted PLRV from field-grown Maris Piper plants decreased greatly after the end of June without a proportionate drop in PLRV concentration. Spread of PLRV in potato crops should be substantially decreased by growing cultivars in which the virus multiplies to only a limited extent.

Changes in peel pigmentation during ripening of mango fruit (Mangifera indica var. Tommy Atkins)

Abstract: SUMMARY The pigments in the peel of Tommy Atkins mango were analysed at six stages during ripening at 22 oC. The loss of green colour and the development of yellow colouration was associated with an almost complete loss of chlorophyll and an increase in carotenoids. Anthocyanin content showed a slight decrease during ripening. An ultrastructural study showed plastids in green fruit with a well developed grana network system. On ripening the chloroplasts underwent extensive disorganisation which was associated with the development of large osmiophilic globules.

Effects of osmotic priming and ageing on onion seed germination.

Abstract: SUMMARY Onion seeds were osmotically primed in polyethylene glycol solution (342 g/kg water) either for 14 days before accelerated ageing at 40°C. 18% m.c. for 0, 24, 48, 72 or 96 h, or for 10, 14 or 17 days after ageing. Priming improved the rate of germination compared with non-primed seed. Priming before ageing delayed the loss of viability due to ageing, but priming after ageing had no effect on viability. Primed and dried onion seed was stored for 18 months at 10°C, 9% m.c. with no effect on viability; improvements in germination rate due to priming were maintained over the storage period. Conductivity measurements of seed leachates were not a consistently reliable indicator of germination performance.

Yield losses caused by potato cyst nematodes: a review of the current position in Britain and prospects for improvements

Abstract: SUMMARY Studies of the yield losses caused by potato cyst nematodes (PCN) in Britain are reviewed. The main conclusions either drawn from or supported by the literature, are:- 1) The models/equations used to relate yield losses to pre-planting densities of PCN are not entirely satisfactory. 2) There is considerable variation between sites in the damage caused by PCN and hence the yield response to nematicide treatment cannot be reliably predicted. 3) Oximecarbamate nematicides, if well applied and if other damaging pests are absent, will prevent most of the loss at infested sites but do not increase yields at most uninfested sites. 4) PCN decreases yields by reducing the effectiveness of the root system, and hence leaf area duration and the amount of light intercepted by the crop canopy: in some circumstances PCN may also decrease the efficiency of assimilation. 5) Several factors interact either to increase or to decrease the damage caused by PCN; some of the more important are soil type, interactions with micro-organisms, differences in husbandry, differences between cultivars in their tolerance of damage, the weather and differences in yield potential between sites. 6) Both the yield losses caused by Globodera pallida and the amounts of nematicide used may be decreased by planting tolerant and partially resistant cultivars. New results are used to show that yield losses may be decreased by applying extra fertiliser and that low rates of nematicides may be adequate to prevent damage to tolerant cultivars. Further research may lead to an improved basis for advice relating to the control of PCN and the damage it causes.

The susceptibility of barley cultivars to barley yellow mosaic virus (BaYMV) and its fungal vector, Polymyxa graminis

Abstract: SUMMARY In glasshouse experiments, barley seedlings were inoculated with barley yellow mosaic virus (BaYMV) either mechanically or by using zoospores or cystosori of a viruliferous isolate of the vector, Polymyxa graminis, maintained on barley in sand culture. Experiments using mechanical inoculation showed that seedlings became more resistant with age. Consistent cultivar differences were obtained: cvs Maris Otter and Halcyon were very susceptible and cv. Athene seemed immune. Symptoms developed more rapidly at 23 than at 17 or 11 oC. After vector inoculation, symptoms developed more slowly than after mechanical inoculation but cultivar ranking was similar. Cultivars did not differ in susceptibility to the vector, as measured by zoospore production on their roots. Spring barley cultivars supported the growth of the vector which remained viruliferous and some showed symptoms although, in the field, symptoms do not appear on spring-sown crops.

Effects of hydroxamic acids on the resistance of wheat to the aphid Sitobion avenae

Abstract: SUMMARY Resistance to the aphid Sitobion avenae F. was assessed on six wheat cultivars of known concentrations of total hydroxamic acids. A range of values for intrinsic rate of increase (rm) were obtained, 96% of the variation in which was explained by acid concentrations. Of the components of rm, age-specific fecundity was the most significant factor contributing to resistance.

The effects of nitrogen application on growth and nitrogen distribution within the potato canopy

Abstract: SUMMARY The effect of applying nitrogen (N) fertiliser on the growth and distribution of N within the potato canopy was studied in 1983 and 1984. In both years N was applied either in excess of that required to produce maximum tuber yields, or not at all. The large application of N changed the pattern of canopy growth - stimulating growth of leaves at the top of the stem, particularly lateral branches, for longer during the season, and accelerating the death of (shaded) leaves at the base of the canopy. The pattern of canopy senescence was, therefore, changed from a synchronous to a progressive type. Application of nitrogen fertiliser at supra-optimal rates increased the N contents of leaves, stems and tubers. The extra N in the leaves of these plants was present as reduced N in all leaf positions, and as nitrate (NO-3) in the lowermost leaves. In addition, substantial quantities of NO-3 were also stored in the stems. Part of this extra N in the canopy was redistributed during subsequent growth, especially to the lateral branches as crop N uptake slowed towards the end of the season. In addition, substantial quantities of N were also potentially available for redistribution to the growing tubers. There was little redistribution of N from the leaves of N-deficient plants. It is suggested that redistribution of N in the canopy of N-replete plants allowed the growth of lateral branches towards the end of the season, thereby maintaining photosynthetically active leaves for longer than N-deficient plants.

The effect of barley yellow dwarf virus on the amino acid composition of spring wheat

Abstract: SUMMARY Leaf extracts of barley yellow dwarf virus-infected and healthy spring wheat (cv. Highbury) plants at three growth stages were analysed by gas liquid chromatog-raphy to determine their free amino acid content. Eleven free amino acids were identified. Virus infection increased the total amino acid content of sampled leaves at each growth stage but more so at the later stages. Alanine and glutamine were consistently present in greater amounts in infected than in healthy leaves at all three growth stages.

Studies on melon necrotic spot virus disease of cucumber and on the control of the fungus vector (Olpidium radicale)

Abstract: SUMMARY Melon necrotic leaf spot virus (MNSV) caused a major outbreak of a leaf necrosis disease of hydroponically-grown cucumber plants at Humberside in 1983. The virus had c. 33 nm diam. particles which reacted serologically with MNSV antiserum of Dutch or American origin. Virus particles, which contained a single polypeptide (mol. wt 45 × 103) and a presumed RNA species (mol. wt 1.5 × 106), had a sedimentation coefficient (s20.w) of 134 S and a buoyant density in caesium chloride of 1.35 g/cm3. The virus was mechanically transmissible, confined to species of Cucurbitaceae, transmitted by zoospores of Olpidium radicale and retained in the resting spores of the fungus. MNSV is thus both water-borne and soil-borne. O. radicale zoospores were killed in <5 min in suspensions containing 20 μg/ml of the surfactant Agral (alkyl phenol ethylene oxide). The disease did not reappear in 1984 when the cucumber crops were fed with nutrients containing 20μg/ml Agral.

Beet necrotic yellow vein virus: different isolates are serologically similar but differ in RNA composition.

Abstract: SUMMARY Twelve isolates of beet necrotic yellow vein virus, agent of rhizomania in sugar beet, have been obtained from five European countries and the USA. The isolates were cloned and multiplied in the local lesion host Chenopodium quinoa. By ELISA, a close serological relationship was observed among all the isolates. The isolates differed, however, in the number of viral RNA species present (2, 3 or 4) and in the lengths of RNAs 3 and 4, the two smallest RNAs. A comparison of the symptoms induced by the different isolates in C. quinoa revealed a correlation between the presence of a full-length RNA 3 (about 1850 nucleotides) and the appearance of severe chlorotic local lesions.

The phylloplane microflora of ripening wheat and effect of late fungicide applications.

Abstract: SUMMARY Flag leaves and ears of spring wheat cv. Timmo (in 1980) and winter wheat cv. Maris Huntsman in 1981 and 1982 were colonised by a variety of micro-organisms whose numbers increased rapidly between anthesis and harvest. The predominant mycoflora were yeasts, yeast-like fungi and filamentous fungi which included Cladosporium spp., Verticillium lecanii, Alternaria alternata, Fusarium spp. and Epicoccum nigrum. Although similar species were isolated, their relative abundance on flag leaves and ears differed. The fungicide captafol was most effective as a protectant and significantly decreased populations of fungi on flag leaves and ears for 6 and 4 wk respectively, compared to untreated controls. Benomyl and Delsene M (carbendazim + maneb) were the most effective of the systemic sprays and formulations. In general, fungicides affected populations of yeasts, yeast-like fungi and Cladosporium spp. most while Alternaria was tolerant of all treatments. Yields of winter wheat were increased in two seasons by an average 0–2 t ha-1 (2–4%) following a single late fungicide treatment at G.S. 50 or 60 and 0–41 t ha-1 (5-1%) when this was combined with an early spray against foliar diseases (G.S. 38–40). Individual treatments increased yield by up to 12% with little difference between applications at G.S. 50 or 60. The yield benefit came mainly from increased 1000-grain weights. Germination of the treated grain was increased only slightly.

Interaction of vesicular-arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi and root knot nematode on cultivars of tomato and white clover susceptible to Meloidogyne hapla

Abstract: SUMMARY The interactive effects of vesicular-arbuscular mycorrhizal (VAM) fungi and root-knot nematode (Meloidogyne hapla) were studied on nematode-susceptible cultivars of tomato (cv. Scoresby) and white clover (cv. Huia) at four levels of applied phosphate. The relative merits of simultaneous inoculation with mycorrhizal fungi and nematodes and of inoculation with mycorrhizal fungi prior to nematode inoculation were evaluated. Mycorrhizal plants were more resistant than non-mycorrhizal plants to root-knot nematode at all phosphate levels and growth benefits were generally greater in plants preinfected with mycorrhizal fungi. Nematode numbers increased with increasing levels of applied phosphate. In mycorrhizal root systems, nematode numbers increased in the lower phosphate soils; at higher phosphate levels nematode numbers were either unaffected or reduced. The numbers of juveniles and adults per gram of root were always lower in mycorrhizal treatments. Mycorrhizal root length remained unaffected by nematode inoculation. Mycorrhizal inoculation thus increased the plants' resistance to infection by M. hapla. This was probably due to some alteration in the physiology of the root system but was not entirely a result of better host nutrition and improved phosphorus uptake by mycorrhizal plants.

Spectral reflectance of healthy and diseased watermelon leaves

Abstract: SUMMARY Significant differences in reflectances were found between healthy and diseased watermelon leaves in the 500–640 nm visible region and 740–900 nm near infrared regions of the electromagnetic spectrum. Spectrophotometric reflectance measurements were made to determine differences between healthy and diseased watermelon (Citrullus vulgaris) leaves over the 500–2700 nm wave length interval. Plants with Fusarium wilt, downy mildew (Pseudoperonospora), and watermelon mosaic were observed during the growing season. Early symptoms of the diseases had significantly greater reflectance values than the advanced stages of the diseases. A ratio of two wavelength bands, 500–640 nm and 660–900 nm gave an accurate index for determining stages of disease, both early and advanced. There were greater differences in reflectance between all three diseases and healthy leaves in both early and advanced stages in the 900–1400 nm, 1500–1900 nm, and 2000–2400 nm middle infra-red wavelengths of the electromagnetic spectrum than in the visible 450–740 nm range. All three diseases had significant differences in the 700–900 nm near-infra-red range.

Host specificity of the rust Phragmidium violaceum, a potential biological control agent of European blackberry.

Abstract: SUMMARY The host specificity of the rust fungus Phragmidium violaceum, a potential biological control agent of European blackberry (Rubus fruticosus) was studied by inoculating a mixture of 15 isolates of the rust on 108 plants of importance to the Australasian region. A scale of infection types was developed based on the results of microscopic and macroscopic observations of the reaction of host and non-host plants to the rust. The results showed that P. violaceum has a limited host range in the genus Rubus. The rust was able to reproduce on 17 taxa of Rubus previously unrecorded as hosts, including Australasian species of Rubus subgenera Dalibarda and Lampobatus. All other taxa attacked were species of Rubus subgenus Eubatus and the majority were hybrid cultivars containing European blackberry species.

Introducing Erynia neoaphidis into a field population of Aphis fabae: form of the inoculum and effect of irrigation

Abstract: SUMMARY The effect of treating field populations of Aphis fabae on spring-sown field beans with different preparations of the entomogenous fungus Erynia neoaphidis, with and without irrigation of the crop, was examined at Rothamsted in 1979. The fungus applied on 21 June as the triturated cadavers of fungus-killed aphids established infection in the host population as effectively as by distributing living laboratory-infected aphids. Although the introduced fungus, together with other species present naturally, killed more than 70% of aphids in late July, it failed to multiply fast enough to protect the crop adequately. An application of an homogenate of the fungus grown on agar plates failed to establish infection. From 25 June to 28 July there was little rain and irrigation greatly increased the proportion of aphids killed by E. neoaphidis during late July confirming that the spread of this fungus can be limited by dry conditions.

The association of Pythium spp. with cavity spot and root dieback of carrots

Abstract: SUMMARY The possibility of an association between cavity spot and root dieback of carrots has been demonstrated, along with control of both disorders by soil sterilisation with methyl bromide or seed and soil treatment with metalaxyl. When carrots were grown in sterilised soil into which five Pythium spp. were introduced individually, cavity spot occurred and the Pythium spp. were re-isolated from cavities. The relatively slow growing Pythium violae gave the highest percentage of carrots with cavities. In a laboratory test a range of Pythium spp. produced cavities on carrots previously grown in sterilised soil, and with one exception were re-isolated from those cavities.

A rain tower and wind tunnel for studying the dispersal of plant pathogens by rain and wind

Abstract: SUMMARY The rain tower/wind tunnel complex at Rothamsted consists of a rain tower (height 11 m, cross-section 1 m2) linked to the upwind end of a wind tunnel (length 12 m, cross-section 1 m2), which may be operated in either an open or a closed configuration. At the top of the rain tower, water drops with diameters of 2.5 to 5 mm are produced by a drop generator, which can be fitted with different nozzles. Simulated rain with a drop diameter of 1 to 3 mm is produced at a rate of 8 to 12 mm h-1 by a rain generator with an area of 52 × 67 cm. The rain tower may be operated in conjunction with the wind tunnel in an open configuration. The windspeed can be decreased from a maximum of 8 m s-1 by decreasing the speed of the fan. The wind tunnel has its own internal lighting. When the wind tunnel is in a closed configuration, temperature and humidity can be controlled in the range 12 oC (62–80% r.h.) to 35 oC (22–50% r.h.). Data presented illustrate the use of this rain tower/wind tunnel complex to study dispersal of plant pathogen spores by rain-splash or wind.

The effect of sciarid larvae (Lycoriella auripila) on cropping of the cultivated mushroom (Agaricus bisporus).

Abstract: SUMMARY Significant linear relationships between the mean number of sciarid, Lycoriella auripila, larvae/125 g-sample of casing and yield, numbers of mushrooms and weight/mushroom were demonstrated at all stages of a mushroom crop. Negative relationships were obtained for yield throughout the cropping period. There was no injury threshold for this pest, although an economic threshold of one larva/sample was deduced. Loss in yield was mostly due to the destruction of mushroom primordia and presumed interruption of nutrient supply to the developing sporophores. Numbers of mushrooms were severely reduced in the first, second and third flushes, more so than yield, although a large increase in numbers was demonstrated in the fourth flush. The size of mushroom was inversely related to numbers, although the increases in size in the first three flushes were insufficient to compensate for the reduction in numbers. A reduction in size was evident in the fourth flush.

Genetic studies on resistance to clubroot in Brassica napus

Abstract: SUMMARY Ten lines of Brassica napus have been tested against four Scandinavian races of clubroot (Plasmodiophora brassicae). The host-parasite interaction is mainly differential. The genetics of resistance in the host have been investigated. Several major dominant genes have been localised and their distribution in the cultivars is discussed.

The combined use of mineral oils and pyrethroids to control plant viruses transmitted non- and semi-persistently by Myzus persicae

Abstract: SUMMARY A mixture of the pyrethroid WL85871 (an enriched form of cypermethrin) and the mineral oil SC811 intoxicated adult apterae of an insecticide-susceptible clone of the peach-potato aphid Myzus persicae at a similar rate to a treatment containing only WL85871, but the mixture killed more. Mixtures of WL85871 andSC811 also gave better control of both acquisition and inoculation by M. persicae of the non-persistent potato virus Y (PVY) than either component alone. A mixture of the pyrethroids deltamethrin, cypermethrin and PP321 with SC811, or a mixture of WL85871 with the mineral oil Bayol 52 also decreased acquisition of PVY, and a mixture of WL85871 with SC811 decreased acquisition of another non-persistently transmitted virus, beet mosaic virus. Control with mixtures was generally better than that provided by each component applied separately. When testing acquisition or inoculation of the semi-persistent beet yellows virus, fewest plants were infected in treatments incorporating both WL85871 and SC811.

Russeting of apples caused by apple rust mite Aculus schlechtendali (Acarina: Eriophyidae).

Abstract: SUMMARY Significant correlations were found between the numbers of apple rust mites Aculus schlechtendali feeding on fruitlets shortly after the blossom period and the amounts of russet on the calyx-end and cheek of apples at harvest. Stalk-end russet was not usually affected. Fruits from clusters or trees on which rust mite numbers had been reduced with an acaricide pre-blossom had less calyx-end and cheek russet than apples from untreated comparisons. Histological studies showed that feeding by mites on flower receptacles/fruitlets in May and June damaged epidermal cells, resulting in russet formation.

Acquisition and transmission of corn stunt spiroplasma by its leafhopper vector Dalbulus maidis

Abstract: SUMMARY As the acquisition access period of Dalbulus maidis on infected maize increased from 15 min to 7 days, the incubation period of corn stunt spiroplasma (CSS) in the insect decreased from 27 days to 8 days and the final proportion of transmitting insects increased from 5% to 100%. After 7 days access the median incubation period (IPsO) was 14.3 days (IP50 females = 12.9 days: IP50 males =16.8 days), while the proportion of transmitting insects increased from 4. 3% (9 days after the start of acquisition access) to a maximum of 93% (after 22 days), before decreasing. Females started transmitting significantly earlier and a greater proportion transmitted each day than males, until day 22 when both sexes transmitted equally. Of the insects which transmitted CSS, 29% did so continuously until death; 66% failed to transmit during the last 1–3 days, and 5% transmitted intermittently towards the end of their life. During daily transfer, females were more likely to infect plants consecutively (up to 25) than males, and females infected the higher proportion of test plants. As the transmission access period was increased from 1 h to 72 h, the proportion of transmitting insects increased from 22.5% to 97.3% and the incubation period in maize decreased.

Short-term forecasting of peak population density of the grain aphid (Sitobion avenae) on wheat.

Abstract: SUMMARY The trends in population density of Sitobion avenae in wheat fields were analysed for a total of 32 sites over the period 1975 to 1983 in eastern England and the Netherlands. The peak population density on each field was positively correlated with the population densities at the end of ear emergence, mid-anthesis and the end of anthesis. It was also positively correlated with the observed rates of increase of the aphids on the crop immediately before these stages. Both parameters were incorporated in multiple regressions to forecast peak population density, and data from a further nine populations monitored in 1984 was used to validate the model. The accuracy of these forecasts, based on two counts on the crop, increased from ear emergence to the end of anthesis, the forecast at mid-anthesis of peak density being much more accurate than any other published method.

The collection and selection in Europe of isolates of Phragmidium violaceum (Uredinales) pathogenic to species of European blackberry naturalised in Australia.

Abstract: SUMMARY Phragmidium violaceum is a rust fungus with potential for the biological control of European blackberry (Rubus fruticosus) in Australia. The collection, selection, purification and multiplication in Europe of isolates of the rust is described. Species of European blackberry naturalised in Australia showed different levels of susceptibility when inoculated with a pool of 15 isolates highly pathogenic to Rubus procerus. Selection of individual isolates on the four most widespread blackberry species showed that only two of the isolates would be required to obtain the best attack on these four species.

Longevity, fecundity, change in degree of gravidity and lipid content with adult age, and lipid utilisation during tethered flight of alates of the corn leaf aphid, Rhopalosiphum maidis

Abstract: SUMMARY The longevity, daily fecundity, degree of gravidity and lipid content of alates of varied ages, and lipid utilisation during sustained tethered flight of the corn leaf aphid, Rhopalosiphum maidis, were studied. Alates had a mean longevity of 9.7 days and a mean fecundity of 14.9 nymphs. A significant increase in the lipid content of alates before emerging as adults was observed. Newly emerged and half-day-old alates had more lipid reserve and embryos than 1-, 2-, 4-, 8-, and 16-day-old specimens. The lipid content of alates decreased significantly with age. The alates' degree of gravidity and lipid content had a low but significant correlation. Half- to 1-day-old alates flew readily and could fly for much longer durations than 2- and 4-day-old. Eight-day-old alates were not capable of flight. R. maidis utilised lipid during prolonged tethered flight. Our data suggest that there is a threshold point when alates cease utilising stored lipid as the energy source and start utilising non-lipid sources as flight fuel energy.

The capture efficiency of the Dietrick vacuum insect net for aphids on grasses and cereals

Abstract: SUMMARY The capture efficiency of the Dietrick vacuum insect net (D-vac) for cereal aphids on grasses and cereals was investigated in the field and laboratory Capture efficiency varied between different aphid species and instars and different plant species, age and density Numerous other factors probably also affect its capture efficiency Despite this variability, the D-vac is suitable for determining population structure of aphids and for detecting alatae It may also remain the only method to obtain some quantitative measurements of populations of insects at low densities