Protection of winter wheat against orange wheat blossom midge, Sitodiplosis mosellana (Géhin) (Diptera: Cecidomyiidae): efficacy of insecticides and cultivar resistance

Abstract

The study showed that, in cases of severe attack, the timely application of insecticide treatments can protect wheat against S. mosellana, and that even resistant cultivars can benefit from these treatments.

Comparative emergence phenology of the orange wheat blossom midge, Sitodiplosis mosellana (Géhin) (Diptera: Cecidomyiidae) and its parasitoids (Hymenoptera: Pteromalidae and Platygastridae) under controlled conditions

“…There have been recent outbreaks of S. mosellana, causing significant damage, in Europe, particularly in the United Kingdom (Oakley, 1994;Oakley et al, 2005), Germany (Gaafar et al, 2011) and Belgium (Chavalle et al, 2015), but also in North America (Knodel and Ganehiarachchi, 2008;Lamb et al, 1999;Olfert et al, 2009) and Asia (Miao et al, 2013). Attacks by S. mosellana can significantly reduce the yield (Chavalle et al, 2015;Olfert et al, 1985) and quality of harvested grain (Dexter et al, 1987;Miller and Halton, 1960).…”

“…Attacks by S. mosellana can significantly reduce the yield (Chavalle et al, 2015;Olfert et al, 1985) and quality of harvested grain (Dexter et al, 1987;Miller and Halton, 1960). In order to avoid such damage, S. mosellana management consists mainly of growing resistant wheat cultivars and using chemical control (Berzonsky et al, 2003;Chavalle et al, 2015;Elliott, 1988;Smith et al, 2007).…”

“…Attacks by S. mosellana can significantly reduce the yield (Chavalle et al, 2015;Olfert et al, 1985) and quality of harvested grain (Dexter et al, 1987;Miller and Halton, 1960). In order to avoid such damage, S. mosellana management consists mainly of growing resistant wheat cultivars and using chemical control (Berzonsky et al, 2003;Chavalle et al, 2015;Elliott, 1988;Smith et al, 2007). Resistant wheat cultivars are not always fully adapted to all crop conditions, and insecticide treatments need to be based on well-chosen spraying dates when adult midge emergence coincides with the susceptible growth stages of wheat (i.e., from ear emergence until the end of flowering) (Barnes, 1956;Basedow and Gillich, 1982;Ding and Lamb, 1999).…”

Field efficacy of insect pathogen, botanical, and jasmonic acid for the management of wheat midge Sitodiplosis mosellana and the impact on adult parasitoid Macroglenes penetrans populations in spring wheat

“…However, demand for alternative methods to control S. mosellana populations has been recently stimulated due to the increased risk of insecticide resistance development from the repeated/heavy use of insecticides, and the concerns associated with the environment and human health (Koureas et al ., ; Kim et al ., ). Potential alternative methods for wheat midge control include the use of resistant wheat varieties (Blake et al ., ; Chavalle et al ., ) and natural enemies such as parasitoids, for example, Macroglenes penetrans (Kirby) (Hymenoptera: Pteromalidae), Euxestonotus error (Fitch) and Platygaster tuberosula (Kieffer) (Hymenoptera: Platygastridae) (Olfert et al ., ; Shanower, ; Thompson & Reddy, ), and predators (Floate et al ., ; Holland et al ., ). Wheat midge resistant wheat varieties have been developed in many parts of the world (e.g., Canada, Europe and US) and shown great potential for suppressing S. mosellana population (Lamb et al ., ; Blake et al ., ; Chavalle et al ., ).…”

“…The Xpectro product was considered for this study since it has demonstrated some synergistic effects on control of other insect pests, for example, alfalfa weevils Hypera postica Gyllenhal (Coleoptera: Curculionidae) and wheat head armyworms Dargida diffusa Walker (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae) (Reddy et al ., ; Reddy & Antwi, ). Chlorpyrifos (Lorsban®) was included as a reference pesticide chemical because this pesticide is widely used in spring wheat by growers in Montana and other parts of world to control S. mosellana populations (Chavalle et al ., ; Stougaard et al ., ). In addition, the impact of these biopesticides on adult population levels of the parasitoid M. penetrans was examined.…”