Spatial Density and Movement of the<i>Lygus</i>spp. Parasitoid<i>Peristenus relictus</i>(Hymenoptera: Braconidae) in Organic Strawberries With Alfalfa Trap Crops

Nieto

Entomologia Exp Applicata

et al. 2019

Self Cite

Alfalfa, Medicago sativa L. (Fabaceae), is a highly preferred host plant of Lygus spp. (Hemiptera: Miridae). As such, intercropping alfalfa trap-crops in strawberry production can serve as a sink for both Lygus (primarily Lygus hesperus Knight) and its natural enemies. Here we investigated the population dynamics and dispersal characteristics of the generalist predator complex in strawberry fields with alfalfa trap-crops spaced 50 rows (62 m) apart. Predator abundance was determined by counting six focal taxa collected from strawberry and alfalfa. The data revealed that Orius spp. (Hemiptera: Anthocoridae) were the numerically dominant predator taxa, comprising 84% of the focal predator population. In general, the population densities obtained for the various taxa throughout this agroecosystem were unexpectedly uniform. Predator movement from a central alfalfa trap-crop row was determined using a protein mark-capture procedure. Most protein-marked predator specimens were collected less than 2 m from the centrally marked alfalfa row, indicating that the trap-crop often produces a predator sink. Results suggest that alfalfa is a useful cultural (trap-cropping) and a biological (refuge for natural enemies) control tactic for managing Lygus spp. in strawberries.

Section: Discussionsupporting

confidence: 61%

Section: Protein Mark Detectionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Predator demographics and dispersal in alfalfa trap‐cropped strawberry

Nieto

Entomologia Exp Applicata

et al. 2019

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“…The backpack sprayer used here and by Swezey et al. () proved to be very effective at evenly distributing the protein treatments throughout the alfalfa canopy. Others have reported satisfactory results in protein marking efficiency in other types of crops using tractor‐mounted boom and nozzles (Horton et al.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 78%

“…; Swezey et al. ). However, marking efficiency data published to date also suggest that certain insects acquire and retain externally applied proteins more readily than others (Jones et al.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 97%

Development of a standardized protein immunomarking protocol for insect mark–capture dispersal research

Naranjo

et al. 2014

J Applied Entomology

A field study was conducted to test the marking efficiency of broadcast spray applications of protein marks on stationary (represented by cadavers) and free‐roaming lady beetles Hippodamia convergens Guérin‐Méneville that were strategically placed in blooming alfalfa plots. The marks tested included three different concentrations of egg albumin from chicken egg white, casein from bovine milk and trypsin inhibitor from soy milk. The cadaver and free‐roaming beetle treatments served to measure the acquisition and retention of each protein treatment regime by direct contact with the spray solution and by residual contact with protein‐marked residue on alfalfa, respectively. In addition, the vertical distribution of marking efficacy was determined by sampling alfalfa plant tissue and beetle cadavers that were located on the upper and lower portion of the plant canopy. The data indicated that the backpack spray apparatus was very effective at uniformly administering the various protein marks, regardless of the concentration, throughout the entire plant canopy. Also, the free‐roaming beetles readily self‐marked by contact exposure to protein‐treated plants. We also identified concentrations of each protein type that will mark about 90% of the resident beetle population. Moreover, if a mark–capture‐type study only requires two unique protein marks, we determined that concentrations of 25% for egg white and 100% for bovine milk could be used to mark 98% of the population. Our results provide a significant step towards standardizing protein immunomarking protocols for insect mark–capture dispersal research. In addition, we identify several areas of research that are needed to further standardize the protein mark–capture procedure.

“…Horton et al 34 used an electric spray device mounted on an all-terrain vehicle to pinpoint applications of egg whites to insects occupying cover crops embedded in a pear orchard ( Figure 3F). Similarly, Swezey et al 5,35 used a backpack sprayer to apply precise applications of chicken egg whites to rows of an alfalfa trap crop (a preferred host plant) embedded in an organically grown strawberry field to mark a pest and its natural enemies ( Figure 3G). The results from that research showed that the pest and natural enemies were retained by the alfalfa trap crop and rarely dispersed into the highly valued strawberries.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Administering and Detecting Protein Marks on Arthropods for Dispersal Research

2016

JoVE

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Monitoring arthropod movement is often required to better understand associated population dynamics, dispersal patterns, host plant preferences, and other ecological interactions. Arthropods are usually tracked in nature by tagging them with a unique mark and then recollecting them over time and space to determine their dispersal capabilities. In addition to actual physical tags, such as colored dust or paint, various types of proteins have proven very effective for marking arthropods for ecological research. Proteins can be administered internally and/ or externally. The proteins can then be detected on recaptured arthropods with a protein-specific enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). Here we describe protocols for externally and internally tagging arthropods with protein. Two simple experimental examples are demonstrated: (1) an internal protein mark introduced to an insect by providing a protein-enriched diet and (2) an external protein mark topically applied to an insect using a medical nebulizer. We then relate a step-by-step guide of the sandwich and indirect ELISA methods used to detect protein marks on the insects. In this demonstration, various aspects of the acquisition and detection of protein markers on arthropods for mark-releaserecapture, mark-capture, and self-mark-capture types of research are discussed, along with the various ways that the immunomarking procedure has been adapted to suit a wide variety of research objectives. Video LinkThe video component of this article can be found at