The main objective of this study was to assess the susceptibility of the black cutworm (Agrotis ipsilon) to the biopesticide spinosad and to a commercial formulation (GHA strain) of the entomopathogenic fungus, Beauveria bassiana. Secondly, we quantified the effects of sublethal doses of spinosad on a number of A. ipsilon fitness parameters, and interactions resulting from simultaneous applications of sub-lethal doses of spinosad and B. bassiana. Under laboratory conditions, A. ipsilon third instar larvae were highly susceptible to spinosad, with an estimated LC 50 of 50 ppm. The entomopathogenic fungus, B. bassiana had a lower efficacy with an estimated LC 50 of 7 )107 spores mL (1 . Topical applications of 5, 7.5 and 10 ppm of spinosad on third instar larvae reduced larval size and increased time to pupation and to emergence. However, pupal and adult weights were not significantly different between treated and control individuals. Additivity was observed from most spinosadÁB. bassiana combinations tested, thus indicating compatibility between products. We concluded that spinosad is a promising tool for controlling black cutworm larvae alone or in combination with other products.
The virulence of ten indigenous and two commercial isolates of entomopathogenic nematodes against the black cutworm, Agrotis ipsilon, was assessed under laboratory conditions. When comparing commercial isolates, Steinernema carpocapsae exhibited higher virulence than S. feltiae. One indigenous isolate of S. carpocapsae (6Sc) provided similar or higher virulence than the commercial isolate against black cutworm larvae. An indigenous strain of S. kraussei demonstrated low virulence in our study.
A survey of entomopathogenic nematodes from 38 golf courses was conducted in different climatic areas of Ontario and Québec provinces, Canada, during autumn 2002 and 2003. Soil samples were collected on golf course greens, fairways and roughs. Entomopathogenic nematodes were isolated from soil using wax moth (Galleria mellonella) and carrot weevil (Listronotus oregonensis) larvae as bait. Of the 436 samples (218 sites), 11 contained entomopathogenic nematodes for this study. All entomopathogenic nematode-positive samples were isolated from roughs. Isolates were characterised using DNA satellite probes and 28S rDNA sequence data. Both methods confirmed the identities of nematode isolates as Steinernema carpocapsae, S. feltiae and S. kraussei.
A survey of European crane fly occurrence was performed in 2002 on 18 golf courses from different climatic regions of Quebec, Canada. At each golf course, the scouting was done weekly from early May to mid-October on three greens and three fairways using a grid and a golf course hole cutter, respectively. The European crane fly (Tipula paludosa), a major turfgrass insect pest, was identified on two golf courses in the Quebec City area. This is the first record of this species in Quebec. These European crane fly larvae were observed from mid-May to the end of August, and adults were detected from late August to mid-September. The European crane fly was found to be a pest on the two golf courses and insecticide applications were used to control the large populations of this insect.Une étude pour vérifier la présence de la tipule européenne a été réalisée en 2002 sur 18 terrains de golf de différentes régions climatiques du Québec, Canada. Sur chacun des terrains de golf, le dépistage a été fait hebdomadairement du début mai à la mi-octobre sur trois verts et trois allées à l’aide respectivement d’un quadrat et d’un perce-trou de golf. La présence de la tipule européenne (Tipula paludosa), un important insecte ravageur du gazon, a été rapportée sur deux terrains de golf de la région de Québec. Il s’agit d’une première mention de cet insecte au Québec. Des larves de la tipule européenne ont été observées de la mi-mai à la fin d’août et des adultes ont été détectés de la fin août à la mi-septembre. La tipule européenne s’est avérée nuisible sur les deux terrains de golf et des insecticides ont été appliqués afin de lutter contre les populations importantes de cet insecte
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