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Research Article
Rapid Identification of the Spruce Bark Beetle Ips typographus (Linnaeus) Basing on a New Amplification and Analysis Platform
Issue:
Volume 8, Issue 3, September 2024
Pages:
60-67
Received:
23 May 2024
Accepted:
7 June 2024
Published:
8 July 2024
Abstract: Insects, one of the major disturbance agents, are regarded as a big challenge to forests. Bark beetles (Coleoptera: Curculionidae: Scolytinae) are among the most destructive pests around the world. The European spruce bark beetle I. typographus (Linnaeus) is considered the most dangerous species to mature spruce forests throughout Eurasia. In order to improve efficiency, accuracy, and operability of identification, a rapid, simple, highly sensitive and specific screening method is in urgent need. In this study, a rapid classification approach for I. typographus was established based on the enzyme-mediated duplex exponential amplification (EmDEA) amplification and analysis platform. The method development process consists of target gene selection, primer design, primer screening, and method validation. Parameter analysis demonstrated that this new method has a detection limit of 1.96×103 copies/μL, which is comparable to conventional molecular tools such as PCR. Stable repeatability and high specificity were confirmed by testing 5 samples of I. typographus and 4 related beetles. Besides, this screening protocol was easy to use, and could be completed in 30 min. With the advantage of isothermal amplification, this method could be further applied in non-laboratory scenarios such as port rapid screening and wild survey. This rapid screening method for I. typographus is believed to assist precise prediction and efficient prevention of exotic insect species.
Abstract: Insects, one of the major disturbance agents, are regarded as a big challenge to forests. Bark beetles (Coleoptera: Curculionidae: Scolytinae) are among the most destructive pests around the world. The European spruce bark beetle I. typographus (Linnaeus) is considered the most dangerous species to mature spruce forests throughout Eurasia. In order...
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Research Article
Composition of Parasitoid Wasps in Insect Pests of Rice (Rice Leaffolder, Cnaphalocrocis Medinalis Guenée)
Khem Sokheng*
,
Siek Darith,
Try Yorn,
Heng Muy Kim,
Leng Channy
Issue:
Volume 8, Issue 3, September 2024
Pages:
68-75
Received:
26 June 2024
Accepted:
29 July 2024
Published:
15 August 2024
Abstract: Biological control is one aspect of Integrated Pest Management (IPM). The method focusses on natural enemies; beneficial insects are applied for biological control of agricultural insect pests and also provide an environmentally friendly approach. For the rice pests including Rice Leaf Folder (RLF), several parasitoids tend to be natural enemies that could be used to control the pest from the egg stage to pupa. This study was conducted with two varieties of rice, namely “Sen Kra Oub” and “Sro Ngea” at Battambang Province of Cambodia. Parasitoid wasps were collected from egg to pupa stages of RLF and rice yellow stem borer by rearing method, and stored in 70% of alcohol solution before sending for identification in Vietnam’s Institute of Ecology and Biological Resources (IEBR) Laboratory. The outcomes revealed that five hymenopteran parasitic wasps of three different families were found, viz. Apanteles cypris Nixon, Bracon onukii Watanabe and Pentatermus striatus (Szepligeti) (Braconidae), Xanthopimla flavolineata Cameron (Ichneumonidae), and Telenomus rowani Gahan (Scelionidae) and being the primary parasitoids of rice leaffolder, Cnaphalocrocis medinalis Guenee; stemborer Scirpophaga incertulas Walker (Pyralidae) and black branded swift Pelopidas mathias (Hesperiidae). Parasitism was not found at the vegetative phase with Sen Kra Ob varieties but in reproductive phase. parasitism proportion was 16.66% and 28.57% to 50% in ripening phase, different from Sro Ngea variety where a proportion was found in vegetative phase 27.27%, reproductive phase at 28.57% to 40% and 28.57% to 43% in ripening phase. All the hymenopteran parasitoids were initially recorded in Cambodia, whereby all the parasitoids were potential agents for biological control for important rice insect pests. The outcome of this research suggests that the Government should invest more in the research and development for biological control in Cambodia.
Abstract: Biological control is one aspect of Integrated Pest Management (IPM). The method focusses on natural enemies; beneficial insects are applied for biological control of agricultural insect pests and also provide an environmentally friendly approach. For the rice pests including Rice Leaf Folder (RLF), several parasitoids tend to be natural enemies th...
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Research Article
Effect of the Botanical Insecticides on Amegilla Friese, 1897 (Hymenoptera: Apidae) Foraging on the Cowpea Flowers in Dang (Adamaoua, North-Cameroon)
Taimanga,
Moise Adamou,
Georges Tchindebe,
Moukhtar Mohammadou,
Ousmana Youssoufa,
Boris Fouelifack-Nintidem,
Alice Virginie Tchiaze Ifoue,
Andrea Sarah Kenne Toukem,
Odette Massah Dabole,
Oumarou Abdoul Aziz,
Abraham Tchoubou-Sale,
Sedrick Junior Tsekane,
Daniel Kosini,
Pharaon Auguste Mbianda,
Martin Kenne*
Issue:
Volume 8, Issue 3, September 2024
Pages:
76-101
Received:
13 July 2024
Accepted:
5 August 2024
Published:
27 August 2024
Abstract: Synthetic pesticides present risks of pollution of the environment, humans and livestock and the alternative proposed today is to use botanical extracts in the fields against crop pests. But in North Cameroon, little information exists concerning the effect of these extracts on useful pollinating insects in general and no information exists in particular on foragers of the genus Amegilla Friese, 1897 (Apidae: Apinae: Anthophorini). The frequency and foraging activities of Amegilla, on newly blooming flowers of Vigna unguiculata (L.) Walp., 1843 (Fabales: Fabaceae) were recorded during five consecutive days in 2021 and 2022 planting campaigns. Plants were divided into untreated plots and plots treated using the synthetic insecticide Parastar (l p.c..ha-1) or 10%, 20% and 30% aqueous leaf extracts of Calotropis procera (Aiton) Aiton, 1811 (Gentianales: Apocynaceae), Eucalyptus camaldulensis Dehnh., 1832 (Myrtales: Myrtaceae) and Tithonia diversifolia (Hemsley) Gray, 1883 (Asterales: Asteraceae) respectively. Among 8,987 insects collected (48.9% in 2021), Amegila calens Le Peletier. 1841 with stockier foragers (2021 campaign: 2.2% of the total collection, entomophily FA. calens=4.5%; 2022 campaign: 0.7%, FA. calens=1.3%; pooled campaigns: 2.9%, FA. calens=2.9%) and Amegilla sp. with slender foragers (2021: 3.8%, FAmegilla sp.=7.7%; 2022: no data) were recorded. Foragers started activity from 6 a.m. and stopped foraging before noon, with a peak of activity in 8 to 9 a.m. time slot for A. calens and 10 to 11 a.m. time slot for Amegilla sp.. During the five consecutive days from the first blooming day of the flowers, 598 visits (89.8% in 2021 and 10.2% in 2022) were recorded with a peak of visits during the 3rd day and then declined until it stopped during the 5th day. Treatments including the synthetic insecticide (which was the most repellent to the wild bees), did not significantly reduce the frequency of visits. But 20% aqueous extract of Ca. procera showed a significant increased of the mean duration of visits of the bees, compare to the results recorded in Parastar-treated plots. Therefore, the tested extracts, especially 20% aqueous leaves extract of Ca. procera may be recommended to control field insect pests and for preservation of foraging activities of Amegilla genus.
Abstract: Synthetic pesticides present risks of pollution of the environment, humans and livestock and the alternative proposed today is to use botanical extracts in the fields against crop pests. But in North Cameroon, little information exists concerning the effect of these extracts on useful pollinating insects in general and no information exists in part...
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Research Article
Enzyme-Mediated Duplex Exponential Amplification: A New Platform for Rapid Screening of Hylurgus ligniperda
Issue:
Volume 8, Issue 3, September 2024
Pages:
102-108
Received:
23 July 2024
Accepted:
12 August 2024
Published:
27 August 2024
Abstract: As the world's second largest timber importer, wood demand in China has been growing extremely rapidly, leading to an increase of 163% from 2009 to 2018. The plant quarantine pest H. ligniperda Fabricius, 1787 is an invasive species frequently intercepted at ports. H. ligniperda causes damage mainly to pine and spruce. To improve the efficiency of on-site inspection and the efficacy of early detection, tight quarantine in ports, time-effective identification, and a national surveillance program for high-risk invasive bark beetles are in urgent need. In this study, a simple, fast and accurate classification method for H. ligniperda is established based on the enzyme-mediated duplex exponential amplification (EmDEA) technique. Partial region from inhibitor of apoptosis 2 (IAP2) gene was selected as the target and 6 primer/probe combinations were designed. Through selection, the combination of 3-HY-F3, 3-HY-R2 and 3-HY-RNA5 was chosen as the final primer-probe set, as it showed the lowest Ct with highest final fluorescence signal. Method validation and specificity test using 6 other beetle species living on coniferous wood showed that this method is result reliable and specific. Through parameter analysis with positive plasmid, the detection limit was calculated to be 13.6 copies/μL (9×10-7 ng DNA/ reaction), much higher than conventional molecular methods such as PCR. The whole process including isothermal amplification, data analysis, and result output can be finished in 30 min, which is highly time-effective. Besides, the operation is simple and little training is needed for non-professionals. The application prospects of this rapid screening system include customs screening in ports, wild survey in non-lab situations and early warning system development. The new analysis platform EmDEA, can also be implemented in rapid detection and identification of other forestry pests.
Abstract: As the world's second largest timber importer, wood demand in China has been growing extremely rapidly, leading to an increase of 163% from 2009 to 2018. The plant quarantine pest H. ligniperda Fabricius, 1787 is an invasive species frequently intercepted at ports. H. ligniperda causes damage mainly to pine and spruce. To improve the efficiency of ...
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