Biology, ecology and management of the Keurboom moth, Leto venus Cramer and the leafhopper Molopopterus sp. Jacobi in cultivated Honeybush (Cyclopia spp.)
- Authors: Mushore, Tapiwa Gift
- Date: 2021-04
- Subjects: Legumes , Legumes -- Diseases and pests , Hepialidae , Leafhoppers , Pests -- Biological control , Entomopathogenic fungi , Leafhoppers -- Biological control , Hepialidae -- Biological control , Keurboom moth (Leto venus Cramer) , Molopopterus sp. Jacobi , Honeybush (Cyclopia spp.)
- Language: English
- Type: thesis , text , Masters , MSc
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/177125 , vital:42792
- Description: Honeybush, Cyclopia spp. Vent (Fabaceae), farmers have raised pest concerns following commercial cultivation. The Keurboom moth Leto venus Cramer (Lepidoptera: Hepialidae) and the leafhopper Molopopterus sp. Jacobi (Hemiptera: Cicadellidae), are two of the major pests identified in cultivated Honeybush. Laboratory and field studies were conducted to gain an understanding of the biology of these two pests to inform future pest management solutions. Additionally, entomopathogenic fungi were isolated from Honeybush farms and screened for virulence against Molopopterus sp. as a possible management strategy. This study showed that the L. venus infestation on Honeybush was a product of four fixed effects; stem diameter, species of Cyclopia, Farm location and age of the plants. Cyclopia subternata, had the highest likelihood of infestation. Increase in age of the plants resulted in an increase in the stem diameter and therefore a higher probability of infestation. Stem diameter was also shown to be a significant predictor of infestation likelihood. Infestation severity, determined by the number of larvae per plant, was shown to be influenced by three fixed effects; stem diameter, plant species and Farm location. The results also showed that L. venus prefers to initiate penetration at, or just aboveground level. Laboratory studies showed that the leafhopper Molopopterus sp. undergoes five nymphal instars with an average egg incubation time of 20 days, development time from 1st instar to adult of 26 days and average generation time of 47 days. Laboratory experiments revealed variations in host preference by the leafhopper over a period of 15 days. Cyclopia longifolia was identified to be the most preferred species for feeding compared to the two other commonly cultivated species, C. subternata and C. maculata. The results were consistent with those obtained from the field survey which showed that leafhopper density was influenced by four fixed effects; plant species, age of the plant, Farm location and harvesting practices. There were significant differences in leafhopper density in different species with C. longifolia having the highest number of leafhoppers per plant. There were differences in leafhopper density in different farms as 57% of the sampled farms had leafhopper infestations, of these farms, Lodestone and Kurland had the highest leafhopper densities. Harvested plants were shown to have significantly higher leafhopper density than non-harvested plants. Age was also shown to influence leafhopper density, which reduced with an increase in the age of the plants. A total of 20 fungal isolates were recovered from 98 soil samples of which 70% were from Honeybush fields and 30% were from surrounding refugia. Fusarium oxysporum isolates comprised 20% of the recovered isolates, with Metarhizium anisopliae isolates making up the remainder. Laboratory bioassays against adults and nymphs of the leafhopper, Molopopterus sp., showed that F. oxysporum isolates induced 10 – 45% mortality and M. anisopliae isolates induce 30 – 80% mortality. Metarhizium anisopliae isolates J S1, KF S3, KF S11, KF S13, LS1 and LS2 were the most virulent and induced over 60% mortality in both Molopopterus sp. nymphs and adults. The results of this study showed pest preference towards different Cyclopia species. As such, they should be managed differently. Furthermore, L. venus was observed to occur in low densities, hence, it cannot be considered a major pest. However, Molopopterus sp. recorded high population densities making it a major pest in Honeybush production. Positive results indicated that some of the isolated fungal isolates have potential for control, an avenue worth investigating further. , Thesis (MSc) -- Faculty of Science, Department of Zoology and Entomology, 2021
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2021-04
- Authors: Mushore, Tapiwa Gift
- Date: 2021-04
- Subjects: Legumes , Legumes -- Diseases and pests , Hepialidae , Leafhoppers , Pests -- Biological control , Entomopathogenic fungi , Leafhoppers -- Biological control , Hepialidae -- Biological control , Keurboom moth (Leto venus Cramer) , Molopopterus sp. Jacobi , Honeybush (Cyclopia spp.)
- Language: English
- Type: thesis , text , Masters , MSc
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/177125 , vital:42792
- Description: Honeybush, Cyclopia spp. Vent (Fabaceae), farmers have raised pest concerns following commercial cultivation. The Keurboom moth Leto venus Cramer (Lepidoptera: Hepialidae) and the leafhopper Molopopterus sp. Jacobi (Hemiptera: Cicadellidae), are two of the major pests identified in cultivated Honeybush. Laboratory and field studies were conducted to gain an understanding of the biology of these two pests to inform future pest management solutions. Additionally, entomopathogenic fungi were isolated from Honeybush farms and screened for virulence against Molopopterus sp. as a possible management strategy. This study showed that the L. venus infestation on Honeybush was a product of four fixed effects; stem diameter, species of Cyclopia, Farm location and age of the plants. Cyclopia subternata, had the highest likelihood of infestation. Increase in age of the plants resulted in an increase in the stem diameter and therefore a higher probability of infestation. Stem diameter was also shown to be a significant predictor of infestation likelihood. Infestation severity, determined by the number of larvae per plant, was shown to be influenced by three fixed effects; stem diameter, plant species and Farm location. The results also showed that L. venus prefers to initiate penetration at, or just aboveground level. Laboratory studies showed that the leafhopper Molopopterus sp. undergoes five nymphal instars with an average egg incubation time of 20 days, development time from 1st instar to adult of 26 days and average generation time of 47 days. Laboratory experiments revealed variations in host preference by the leafhopper over a period of 15 days. Cyclopia longifolia was identified to be the most preferred species for feeding compared to the two other commonly cultivated species, C. subternata and C. maculata. The results were consistent with those obtained from the field survey which showed that leafhopper density was influenced by four fixed effects; plant species, age of the plant, Farm location and harvesting practices. There were significant differences in leafhopper density in different species with C. longifolia having the highest number of leafhoppers per plant. There were differences in leafhopper density in different farms as 57% of the sampled farms had leafhopper infestations, of these farms, Lodestone and Kurland had the highest leafhopper densities. Harvested plants were shown to have significantly higher leafhopper density than non-harvested plants. Age was also shown to influence leafhopper density, which reduced with an increase in the age of the plants. A total of 20 fungal isolates were recovered from 98 soil samples of which 70% were from Honeybush fields and 30% were from surrounding refugia. Fusarium oxysporum isolates comprised 20% of the recovered isolates, with Metarhizium anisopliae isolates making up the remainder. Laboratory bioassays against adults and nymphs of the leafhopper, Molopopterus sp., showed that F. oxysporum isolates induced 10 – 45% mortality and M. anisopliae isolates induce 30 – 80% mortality. Metarhizium anisopliae isolates J S1, KF S3, KF S11, KF S13, LS1 and LS2 were the most virulent and induced over 60% mortality in both Molopopterus sp. nymphs and adults. The results of this study showed pest preference towards different Cyclopia species. As such, they should be managed differently. Furthermore, L. venus was observed to occur in low densities, hence, it cannot be considered a major pest. However, Molopopterus sp. recorded high population densities making it a major pest in Honeybush production. Positive results indicated that some of the isolated fungal isolates have potential for control, an avenue worth investigating further. , Thesis (MSc) -- Faculty of Science, Department of Zoology and Entomology, 2021
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2021-04
Potential Synergism between Entomopathogenic Fungi and Entomopathogenic Nematodes for the control of false codling moth (Thaumatotibia leucotreta)
- Authors: Prinsloo, Samantha Lee
- Date: 2021-10
- Subjects: Cryptophlebia leucotreta , Entomopathogenic fungi , Insect nematodes , Citrus Diseases and pests , Cryptophlebia leucotreta Biological control , Pests Integrated control , Biological pest control agents
- Language: English
- Type: Masters theses , text
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/188832 , vital:44790
- Description: False codling moth, Thaumatotibia leucotreta (Meyrick) (Lepidoptera: Tortricidae) (FCM), is a major phytosanitary pest of citrus in South Africa. Sufficient control measures for the soil-dwelling life stages of FCM have yet to be identified and owing to restrictions on the use of insecticides, non-chemical control options have been investigated including the use of entomopathogenic fungi (EPF) and entomopathogenic nematodes (EPN). Laboratory and field trials on an indigenous EPF, Metarhizium anisopliae FCM Ar 23 B3, have shown that this isolate is capable of inducing mortality in FCM soil-dwelling life stages. Other agents that have been highlighted as potential controls for soil-dwelling FCM life stages are the EPN species Steinernema yirgalemense 157-C, S. jeffreyense J194 and H. noenieputensis 158-C. This study conducted laboratory bioassays to assess the virulence of these four control agents on fifth instar FCM, in 24-well plates. These results reaffirmed the virulence of the four microbial control agents at their recommended doses of 50 IJs (EPN) and 1×107 conidia/ml (EPF) against fifth instar FCM with 80 to 96% larval mortality recorded. The EPF isolate exhibited the lowest mortality whilst S. yirgalemense induced the greatest mortality. In addition, the lethal concentration (LC) values for each isolate were determined using dose response bioassays. These values were previously unknown for all EPN species and for the EPF isolate based on the methodology used in this study. The LC50 results in order from lowest to highest EPN IJ concentration requirements were 4.38 IJs (S. yirgalemense), 4.47 IJs (S. jeffreyense) and 7.11 IJs (H. noenieputensis). The EPF isolate exhibited an LC50 of 3.42×105 conidia/ml. Lastly, research has shown that the combination of two control agents may increase control of late instar lepidopteran and coleopteran larvae, through synergistic interactions. Thus, the interactions that occurred between the combination of these EPN species with the EPF isolate were determined. This study found that when all three EPN species were combined simultaneously and sequentially with the EPF isolate M. anisopliae FCM AR 23 B3, additive interactions took place with exception of the simultaneous application of S. yirgalemense and H. noenieputensis, with the EPF and S. jeffreyense applied 24 h post EPF application. For the former, a synergistic interaction was found, whilst for the latter two, an antagonistic interaction. Although no strongly synergistic interactions were observed, additive interactions have been shown to reach a synergistic level when certain parameters are changed. Moving forward, a uniform methodology for conducting EPF/EPN interaction experiments has been suggested. It has also been recommended that due to the additive interactions observed in this study, laboratory soil-bioassays and field trials should be carried out for all three EPN species in combination with the EPF isolate. This research will inevitably facilitate the constant knowledge into management strategies for the phytosanitary pest, FCM in South African citrus. , Thesis (MSc) -- Science, Zoology and Entomology, 2021
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2021-10
- Authors: Prinsloo, Samantha Lee
- Date: 2021-10
- Subjects: Cryptophlebia leucotreta , Entomopathogenic fungi , Insect nematodes , Citrus Diseases and pests , Cryptophlebia leucotreta Biological control , Pests Integrated control , Biological pest control agents
- Language: English
- Type: Masters theses , text
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/188832 , vital:44790
- Description: False codling moth, Thaumatotibia leucotreta (Meyrick) (Lepidoptera: Tortricidae) (FCM), is a major phytosanitary pest of citrus in South Africa. Sufficient control measures for the soil-dwelling life stages of FCM have yet to be identified and owing to restrictions on the use of insecticides, non-chemical control options have been investigated including the use of entomopathogenic fungi (EPF) and entomopathogenic nematodes (EPN). Laboratory and field trials on an indigenous EPF, Metarhizium anisopliae FCM Ar 23 B3, have shown that this isolate is capable of inducing mortality in FCM soil-dwelling life stages. Other agents that have been highlighted as potential controls for soil-dwelling FCM life stages are the EPN species Steinernema yirgalemense 157-C, S. jeffreyense J194 and H. noenieputensis 158-C. This study conducted laboratory bioassays to assess the virulence of these four control agents on fifth instar FCM, in 24-well plates. These results reaffirmed the virulence of the four microbial control agents at their recommended doses of 50 IJs (EPN) and 1×107 conidia/ml (EPF) against fifth instar FCM with 80 to 96% larval mortality recorded. The EPF isolate exhibited the lowest mortality whilst S. yirgalemense induced the greatest mortality. In addition, the lethal concentration (LC) values for each isolate were determined using dose response bioassays. These values were previously unknown for all EPN species and for the EPF isolate based on the methodology used in this study. The LC50 results in order from lowest to highest EPN IJ concentration requirements were 4.38 IJs (S. yirgalemense), 4.47 IJs (S. jeffreyense) and 7.11 IJs (H. noenieputensis). The EPF isolate exhibited an LC50 of 3.42×105 conidia/ml. Lastly, research has shown that the combination of two control agents may increase control of late instar lepidopteran and coleopteran larvae, through synergistic interactions. Thus, the interactions that occurred between the combination of these EPN species with the EPF isolate were determined. This study found that when all three EPN species were combined simultaneously and sequentially with the EPF isolate M. anisopliae FCM AR 23 B3, additive interactions took place with exception of the simultaneous application of S. yirgalemense and H. noenieputensis, with the EPF and S. jeffreyense applied 24 h post EPF application. For the former, a synergistic interaction was found, whilst for the latter two, an antagonistic interaction. Although no strongly synergistic interactions were observed, additive interactions have been shown to reach a synergistic level when certain parameters are changed. Moving forward, a uniform methodology for conducting EPF/EPN interaction experiments has been suggested. It has also been recommended that due to the additive interactions observed in this study, laboratory soil-bioassays and field trials should be carried out for all three EPN species in combination with the EPF isolate. This research will inevitably facilitate the constant knowledge into management strategies for the phytosanitary pest, FCM in South African citrus. , Thesis (MSc) -- Science, Zoology and Entomology, 2021
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2021-10
Thaumatotibia leucotreta (Meyrick) (Lepidoptera: Tortricidae) population ecology in citrus orchards: the influence of orchard age
- Authors: Albertyn, Sonnica
- Date: 2018
- Subjects: Cryptophlebia leucotreta , Population biology , Insect populations , Orchards , Insect nematodes , Entomopathogenic fungi
- Language: English
- Type: text , Thesis , Doctoral , PhD
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/62615 , vital:28213
- Description: Anecdotal reports in the South African citrus industry claim higher populations of false codling moth (FCM), Thaumatotibia (Cryptophlebia) leucotreta (Meyr) (Lepidoptera: Tortricidae), in orchards during the first three to five harvesting years of citrus planted in virgin soil, after which, FCM numbers seem to decrease and remain consistent. Various laboratory studies and field surveys were conducted to determine if, and why juvenile orchards (four to eight years old) experience higher FCM infestation than mature orchards (nine years and older). In laboratory trials, Washington Navel oranges and Nova Mandarins from juvenile trees were shown to be significantly more susceptible to FCM damage and significantly more attractive for oviposition in both choice and no-choice trials, than fruit from mature trees. Although fruit from juvenile Cambria Navel trees were significantly more attractive than mature orchards for oviposition, they were not more susceptible to FCM damage. In contrast, fruit from juvenile and mature Midnight Valencia orchards were equally attractive for oviposition, but fruit from juvenile trees were significantly more susceptible to FCM damage than fruit from mature trees. Artificial diets were augmented with powder from fruit from juvenile or mature Washington Navel orchards at 5%, 10%, 15% or 30%. Higher larval survival of 76%, 63%, 50% and 34%, respectively, was recorded on diets containing fruit powder from the juvenile trees than on diets containing fruit powder from the mature trees, at 69%, 57%, 44% and 27% larval survival, respectively. Bioassays were conducted to determine if differences in plant chemistry between fruit from juvenile and mature trees will have an impact on the susceptibility FCM to entomopathogenic nematodes (EPN), entomopathogenic fungi (EPF) and Cryptophlebia leucotreta granulovirus (CrleGV). No significant differences in the susceptibility of larvae reared on diets containing 15% fruit powder from juvenile and mature trees to EPN and EPF were recorded. Mortality of neonate larvae was significantly lower when placed on diets containing 15% fruit powder from mature trees (45% mortality) than diets containing 15% fruit powder from juvenile trees (61% mortality), after larvae ingested the lowest virus concentration tested, being 2 x104 OBs/ml. Data collected from field surveys showed significantly lower egg parasitism, virus infection of larvae and EPF occurrence in juvenile orchards than mature orchards. Egg parasitism was between 11% and 54% higher in mature orchards than juvenile orchards, with the exception of Mandarins during 2015, where egg parasitism was slightly higher in juvenile orchards, but not significantly so. A significantly higher proportion of larvae retrieved from mature orchards (7% of larvae) were infected with CrleGV than larvae retrieved from juvenile orchards (4% of larvae). A significantly higher occurrence of EPF was recorded in non-bearing and mature orchards, with 40% and 37% occurrence respectively, than in juvenile orchards, with 25% occurrence recorded. EPF occurrence in juvenile orchards increased significantly by 16% to 32% from the first to the third year of sampling. In contrast to results recorded in laboratory trials, similar or higher pest pressure in juvenile orchards than mature orchards did not always result in significantly higher levels of FCM damage under field conditions. FCM damage in juvenile orchards may have been lower than expected, as greater extremes of temperature and lower humidity were recorded in juvenile orchards, which would increase larval mortality. Results of this study showed that juvenile and mature orchards are significantly different and should be managed differently.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2018
- Authors: Albertyn, Sonnica
- Date: 2018
- Subjects: Cryptophlebia leucotreta , Population biology , Insect populations , Orchards , Insect nematodes , Entomopathogenic fungi
- Language: English
- Type: text , Thesis , Doctoral , PhD
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/62615 , vital:28213
- Description: Anecdotal reports in the South African citrus industry claim higher populations of false codling moth (FCM), Thaumatotibia (Cryptophlebia) leucotreta (Meyr) (Lepidoptera: Tortricidae), in orchards during the first three to five harvesting years of citrus planted in virgin soil, after which, FCM numbers seem to decrease and remain consistent. Various laboratory studies and field surveys were conducted to determine if, and why juvenile orchards (four to eight years old) experience higher FCM infestation than mature orchards (nine years and older). In laboratory trials, Washington Navel oranges and Nova Mandarins from juvenile trees were shown to be significantly more susceptible to FCM damage and significantly more attractive for oviposition in both choice and no-choice trials, than fruit from mature trees. Although fruit from juvenile Cambria Navel trees were significantly more attractive than mature orchards for oviposition, they were not more susceptible to FCM damage. In contrast, fruit from juvenile and mature Midnight Valencia orchards were equally attractive for oviposition, but fruit from juvenile trees were significantly more susceptible to FCM damage than fruit from mature trees. Artificial diets were augmented with powder from fruit from juvenile or mature Washington Navel orchards at 5%, 10%, 15% or 30%. Higher larval survival of 76%, 63%, 50% and 34%, respectively, was recorded on diets containing fruit powder from the juvenile trees than on diets containing fruit powder from the mature trees, at 69%, 57%, 44% and 27% larval survival, respectively. Bioassays were conducted to determine if differences in plant chemistry between fruit from juvenile and mature trees will have an impact on the susceptibility FCM to entomopathogenic nematodes (EPN), entomopathogenic fungi (EPF) and Cryptophlebia leucotreta granulovirus (CrleGV). No significant differences in the susceptibility of larvae reared on diets containing 15% fruit powder from juvenile and mature trees to EPN and EPF were recorded. Mortality of neonate larvae was significantly lower when placed on diets containing 15% fruit powder from mature trees (45% mortality) than diets containing 15% fruit powder from juvenile trees (61% mortality), after larvae ingested the lowest virus concentration tested, being 2 x104 OBs/ml. Data collected from field surveys showed significantly lower egg parasitism, virus infection of larvae and EPF occurrence in juvenile orchards than mature orchards. Egg parasitism was between 11% and 54% higher in mature orchards than juvenile orchards, with the exception of Mandarins during 2015, where egg parasitism was slightly higher in juvenile orchards, but not significantly so. A significantly higher proportion of larvae retrieved from mature orchards (7% of larvae) were infected with CrleGV than larvae retrieved from juvenile orchards (4% of larvae). A significantly higher occurrence of EPF was recorded in non-bearing and mature orchards, with 40% and 37% occurrence respectively, than in juvenile orchards, with 25% occurrence recorded. EPF occurrence in juvenile orchards increased significantly by 16% to 32% from the first to the third year of sampling. In contrast to results recorded in laboratory trials, similar or higher pest pressure in juvenile orchards than mature orchards did not always result in significantly higher levels of FCM damage under field conditions. FCM damage in juvenile orchards may have been lower than expected, as greater extremes of temperature and lower humidity were recorded in juvenile orchards, which would increase larval mortality. Results of this study showed that juvenile and mature orchards are significantly different and should be managed differently.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2018
- «
- ‹
- 1
- ›
- »