Biology and development ofAcrolepiopsis assectella(Lepidoptera: Acrolepiidae) in eastern Ontario

Abstract

Leek moth, Acrolepiopsis assectella, recently became established in the Ottawa Valley, where it significantly damages garlic, leek, and onion (Allium L., Liliaceae) crops. At a threshold of 7 °C, populations in eastern Ontario require 444.6 day-degrees to develop from egg to adult. Pheromone-trap data identify spring, early-summer, and late-summer flight periods of overwintered 1st- and 2nd-generation adults, respectively. Depending on ambient temperatures, the life cycle takes 3–6 weeks in the field, with three generations possible. Management strategies such as application of reduced-risk foliar insecticides and use of row covers require precise timing to target appropriate life-cycle stages. Implementation windows can be determined by incorporating pheromone-trap data and ambient air temperature into a life-cycle development model. A proposed integrated pest management program will involve the use of pesticides, mechanical barriers, and classical biological control.

Diadromus pulchellusin North America: field release against leek moth and new characters to distinguish it fromDiadromus subtilicornis, a native diamondback moth parasitoid

“…assectella cultures were maintained on leek, Allium porrum L. (Alliaceae), in controlled conditions, at 22928C, 16L:8D as described by Mason et al (2010). D. pulchellus imported from the Seelander region in Switzerland were held in BugDorm-44545F cages (MegaView Science Co. Ltd., Taichung, Taiwan) with a 20% sucrose solution under the same conditions as A. assectella.…”

“…crops in eastern Canada (Mason, Appleby, Juneja, Allen, and Landry 2010). First reported in 1993 in the Ottawa area (Landry 2007), this invasive alien species, of European origin, is expanding its range and has the potential to disperse throughout eastern North America (Mason, Weiss, Olfert, and Landry 2011).…”

Potential impact of the native hyperparasitoidConura albifrons(Hymenoptera: Chalcididae) on the exotic biological control agentDiadromus pulchellus(Hymenoptera: Ichneumonidae)

“…Because leek moth feeding damage can cause heavy economic losses and may result in trade restrictions on commercial crops (Jenner, Kuhlmann, Mason, & Cappuccino, 2010), reducing its abundance and controlling its spread are high priority. Several parasitoids, including Conura albifrons (Walker) (Hymenoptera: Chalcididae), were reared from leek moth although overall parasitism was very low (Mason, Appleby, Juneja, Allen, & Landry, 2010). As part of a comprehensive integrated pest management (IPM) approach, a solitary pupal parasitoid, Diadromus pulchellus (Wesmael) (Hymenoptera: Ichneumonidae), the most effective parasitoid of leek moth in Europe, was released in and around Ottawa, Ontario, Canada, beginning in spring 2010 (Mason, Jenner, Brauner, Kuhlmann, & Cappuccino, 2013).…”

A Molecular Phylogeny for Yponomeutoidea (Insecta, Lepidoptera, Ditrysia) and Its Implications for Classification, Biogeography and the Evolution of Host Plant Use

“…For example, the diamondback moth ( Plutella xylostella : Plutellidae) is regarded as the most destructive insect pest of cruciferous vegetables, annually causing about a billion US dollars in economic loss [6]. Another notorious pest, the leek moth ( Acrolepiopsis assectella : Glyphipterigidae), has caused damage to upwards of 70% of leeks and 40–50% of onions in some regions of Europe [7]. Communal larvae of some species sometimes extensively damage local vegetation or even broader landscapes.…”