Neoseiulus bicaudus (Wainstein) is a natural enemy of spider mite and thrip and also a potential biocontrol agent for Tetranychus turkestani (Tetranychidae). Tyrophagus putrescentiae (Schrank) is an important alternative prey of N. bicaudus for mass rearing. We aimed to determine whether previous long-term feeding history, rearing on alternative prey versus target prey affected the performance of N. bicaudus. Therefore, the prey preference and functional response of predatory mites were compared between three strains: N. bicaudus fed on T. turkestani (TTS); N. bicaudus fed on T. putrescentiae (TPS); and N. bicaudus re-adapted from T. putrescentiae to T. turkestani (TPRS). When fed with the target prey, the preference rate and consumption of the TPS strain were significantly lower than the TTS strain. In addition, after 3-day-re-adaptation, the predatory mites (TPRS) increased their preference rate and consumption to target prey. The results suggested that re-adaptation before release could improve the ability of N. bicaudus to control its target prey.
The predatory mite, Neoseiulus bicaudus (Wainstein), is a potential biological control agent against spider mites and thrips. The objective of this experiment was to compare the effects of three diets on the life table of N. bicaudus. The three diets were 1) Tetranychus turkestani (Ugarov & Nikolskii) (Acari: Tetranychidae), the natural prey of N. bicaudus; 2) Tyrophagus putrescentiae (Schrank) (Acari: Acaridae), an alternative prey; and 3) artificial diet primarily consisting of decapsulated shrimp cysts, egg yolk, and honey. The computer simulation was used to project the population growth of N. bicaudus fed on different diets. The preadult developmental time (3.83 d) of N. bicaudus was shortest, and the intrinsic rate of increase (r = 0.2782 d−1) and the net reproductive rate (R0 = 18.98 offspring) were highest when reared on the alternative prey Ty. putrescentiae. The total development time (7.37 d) was longest, and the population parameters were the lowest (r = −0.0081 d−1, R0 = 0.85 offspring) when N. bicaudus was reared on artificial diet. The population projection showed that the population of N. bicaudus reared on Ty. putrescentiae could increase fast. Our results showed that the Ty. putrescentiae was the most suitable prey for mass rearing of N. bicaudus. The artificial diet could not support the N. bicaudus population and needs to be improved.
Osthole, the dominant bioactive constituent in Cnidium monnieri, has been shown to exhibit acute insecticidal activities. However, its detailed toxicity, antifeedant and oviposition preference effects against agricultural pests has not been fully understood, which has greatly hindered its practical applications. This study is designed to investigate the contact toxicity, antifeedant activity and oviposition preference of osthole against three agricultural pests (T. urticae, M. persicae and B. dorsalis) to evaluate its potential agricultural applications. Our results showed that Cnidium monnieri (L.) Cusson (CMC) have a high osthole content of 11.4 mg/g. Osthole exhibited a comparable level of acute toxicity against T. urticae to four other coumarins found in CMC. Osthole demonstrated significant insecticidal activity against first instar nymphs and adults of T. urticae and M. persicae in a dose-dependent manner, but not against B. dorsalis adults. Osthole exposure reduced the fecundity and prolonged the developmental time of T. urticae and M. persicae. Leaf choice bioassays revealed potent antifeedant activity in T. urticae. Furthermore, female B. dorsalis showed a distinct preference for laying eggs in mango juice with 0.02 mg/mL osthole at 48 hours, a preference which persisted at 96 hours. These results provide valuable insights into the toxicity, repellent activity, and attractant activity of osthole, thereby contributing to its expanded use in pest control.
Osthole, the dominant bioactive constituent in Cnidium monnieri, has been shown to exhibit acute insecticidal activities. However, its detailed toxicity, antifeedant and oviposition preference effects against agricultural pests has not been fully understood, which has greatly hindered its practical applications. This study is designed to investigate the contact toxicity, antifeedant activity and oviposition preference of osthole against three agricultural pests (Tetranychus urticae, Myzus persicae and Bactrocera dorsalis) to evaluate its potential agricultural applications. Our results showed that Cnidium monnieri (L.) Cusson (CMC) have a high osthole content of 11.4 mg/g. Osthole exhibited a comparable level of acute toxicity against T. urticae to four other coumarins found in CMC. Osthole demonstrated significant insecticidal activity against first instar nymphs and adults of T. urticae and M. persicae in a dose-dependent manner, but not against B. dorsalis adults. Osthole exposure reduced the fecundity and prolonged the developmental time of T. urticae and M. persicae. Leaf choice bioassays revealed potent antifeedant activity in T. urticae. Furthermore, female B. dorsalis showed a distinct preference for laying eggs in mango juice with 0.02 mg/mL osthole at 48 hours, a preference which persisted at 96 hours. These results provide valuable insights into the toxicity, repellent activity, and attractant activity of osthole, thereby contributing to its expanded use in pest control.
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