Microbial Control Agents for Fungus Gnats (Diptera: Sciaridae: Lycoriella) Affecting the Production of Oyster Mushrooms, Pleurotus Spp

Total Page:16

File Type:pdf, Size:1020Kb

Microbial Control Agents for Fungus Gnats (Diptera: Sciaridae: Lycoriella) Affecting the Production of Oyster Mushrooms, Pleurotus Spp insects Article Microbial Control Agents for Fungus Gnats (Diptera: Sciaridae: Lycoriella) Affecting the Production of Oyster Mushrooms, Pleurotus spp. Valerie M. Anderson 1 , Grace F. H. Sward 1, Christopher M. Ranger 2,* , Michael E. Reding 2 and Luis Canas 1 1 Ohio Agricultural Research and Development Center, Department of Entomology, The Ohio State University, Wooster, OH 44691, USA; [email protected] (V.M.A.); [email protected] (G.F.H.S.); [email protected] (L.C.) 2 USDA-Agricultural Research Service, Horticultural Insects Research Lab, 1680 Madison Ave., Wooster, OH 44691, USA; [email protected] * Correspondence: [email protected] Simple Summary: Fungus gnat larvae and adults are challenging insect pests affecting the produc- tion of oyster mushrooms (Pleurotus spp.). The objectives of this study were to develop a container bioassay and assess the bacteria Bacillus thuringiensis var. israelensis (Bti) and entomopathogenic nematode Steinernema feltiae as microbial control agents against fungus gnats. We hypothesized that fungus gnat larvae and the subsequent emergence of adults would be reduced by incorporating Bti and S. feltiae into straw substrate used for producing oyster mushrooms. A series of bioassays were conducted using straw inoculated with Pleurotus columbinus and Pleurotus ostreatus. Fewer fungus gnats emerged from substrate treated with Bti compared to S. feltiae and distilled water. Steinernema Citation: Anderson, V.M.; Sward, feltiae was generally ineffective. Incorporating Bti and S. feltiae into the straw substrate did not appear G.F.H.; Ranger, C.M.; Reding, M.E.; to impede colonization by P. ostreatus. The current study indicates that Bti could be useful as a Canas, L. Microbial Control Agents sustainable pest management technique for producing oyster mushrooms. for Fungus Gnats (Diptera: Sciaridae: Lycoriella) Affecting the Production of Abstract: Infestations of fungus gnats (Diptera: Sciaridae) can reduce the production of oyster Oyster Mushrooms, Pleurotus spp. mushrooms (Pleurotus spp.) grown as food crops within controlled environments. The objectives of Insects 2021, 12, 786. https://doi.org/ this study were to assess the efficacy of Bacillus thuringiensis var. israelensis (Bti) and Steinernema feltiae 10.3390/insects12090786 against fungus gnat larvae. A bioassay was developed, whereby pasteurized straw was inoculated ® ® Academic Editors: Ricardo A. with Pleurotus columbinus and treated with Bti (Gnatrol ), S. feltiae (Nemashield ), or water. Fungus Ramirez and Douglas S. Richmond gnats (Lycoriella sp.) were released into each bioassay container for ovipositing onto the straw, thereby exposing the F1 larvae to treated or untreated substrate. Sticky cards within the containers entrapped Received: 10 August 2021 fungus gnats emerging from the substrate as an indicator of larval survivorship. Following three Accepted: 1 September 2021 bioassays, fewer fungus gnats emerged from straw treated with Bti compared to S. feltiae and the Published: 3 September 2021 water control. Three additional bioassays using Pleurotus ostreatus also demonstrated that fewer fungus gnats emerged from straw treated with Bti compared to S. feltiae and the untreated control. Publisher’s Note: MDPI stays neutral Steinernema feltiae was generally ineffective. Monitoring substrate weight in the bioassay containers with regard to jurisdictional claims in over time indicated that Bti and S. feltiae did not impede colonization by P. ostreatus. Incorporating published maps and institutional affil- Bti into straw substrate is a promising approach for managing fungus gnats infesting Pleurotus spp. iations. Keywords: Pleurotus ostreatus; Pleurotus columbinus; Lycoriella sp.; Bacillus thuringiensis var. israelensis; Steinernema feltiae Copyright: © 2021 by the authors. Licensee MDPI, Basel, Switzerland. This article is an open access article 1. Introduction distributed under the terms and Oyster mushrooms, Pleurotus spp., are naturally occurring throughout temperate and conditions of the Creative Commons Attribution (CC BY) license (https:// tropical regions of the world [1]. As saprophytic fungi, Pleurotus spp. facilitate wood creativecommons.org/licenses/by/ decomposition, especially dying or dead hardwoods, and are critical for breaking down 4.0/). Insects 2021, 12, 786. https://doi.org/10.3390/insects12090786 https://www.mdpi.com/journal/insects Insects 2021, 12, x FOR PEER REVIEW 2 of 13 1. Introduction Oyster mushrooms, Pleurotus spp., are naturally occurring throughout temperate and tropical regions of the world [1]. As saprophytic fungi, Pleurotus spp. facilitate wood de- composition, especially dying or dead hardwoods, and are critical for breaking down dif- ficult-to-digest components such as cellulose into useable nutrients for the environment [2]. The degradative activity of Pleurotus spp. combined with other fungi and bacteria sub- sequently benefits the soil community and facilitates the formation of fertile soil [3]. Pleurotus spp. are cultivated within controlled environments due to their flavor, me- Insects 2021, 12, 786 dicinal properties, vigorous growth, and undemanding cultivation requirements2 of 13 [4]. The U.S. ranks second to China in the production of edible mushrooms [5]. During 2019–2020, the volume of sales of the mushroom crop in the US totaled 370 million kg of crop valued difficult-to-digest components such as cellulose into useable nutrients for the environ- mentat USD [2]. The1.15 degradative billion [6]. activity Pleurotus of Pleurotus ostreatusspp. combined(Jacq. ex. with fr) otherKummer. fungi and is the bacteria second-most culti- subsequentlyvated edible benefits mushroom the soil communityin the U.S. and and facilitates worldwide the formation after of button fertile soil mushrooms, [3]. Agaricus bisporusPleurotus (Lange)spp. are Imbach. cultivated [5]. within Pleurotus controlled columbinus environments Quel. due is to an their additional flavor, medic- cultivated species inalof oyster properties, mushroom vigorous growth, [7,8]. Oyster and undemanding mushrooms cultivation are excellent requirements sources [4]. The of U.S.protein, vitamins, ranks second to China in the production of edible mushrooms [5]. During 2019–2020, the volumeminerals, of sales and of amino the mushroom acids, along crop in with the US possessing totaled 370 strong million anti-inflammatory kg of crop valued at properties [9– USD11]. 1.15Cultivating billion [6]. oysterPleurotus mushrooms ostreatus (Jacq. is ex. less fr) Kummer.expensive is the than second-most other wood-loving cultivated mushrooms ediblebecause mushroom the growing in the U.S. substrate and worldwide can be after pasteuri buttonzed mushrooms, instead Agaricusof sterilized bisporus [5]. A variety of (Lange)agricultural, Imbach. forest, [5]. Pleurotus and food-processing columbinus Quel. is anwaste additional products cultivated can be species used of as oyster substrates for oys- mushroomter mushrooms [7,8]. Oyster [12]. mushrooms The spent are mushroom excellent sources subs oftrate protein, can vitamins,serve as minerals, feed for livestock and and amino acids, along with possessing strong anti-inflammatory properties [9–11]. Culti- vatingmushroom oyster mushroomsgrowth improves is less expensive the digestibility than other wood-lovingof wheat straw mushrooms [13]. There because is also a compar- theatively growing short substrate time canfrom be pasteurizedinoculation instead to fruiting of sterilized compared [5]. A variety to other of agricultural, edible mushrooms [5]. forest,Like and food-processingother mushroom waste crops products grown can bein usedcontrolled as substrates environments, for oyster mush- producers of oyster roomsmushrooms [12]. The are spent challenged mushroom substrateby dipteran can serve pests, as feed including for livestock sciari andd mushroomflies (Diptera: Sciaridae) growth improves the digestibility of wheat straw [13]. There is also a comparatively short time(Figure from inoculation1), phorid to flies fruiting (Diptera: compared Phoridae), to other edible and mushrooms cecid flies [5]. (Diptera: Cecidomyiidae) [14,15].Like otherYields mushroom of oyster crops mu grownshrooms in controlled are reduced environments, by fly producers larvae feeding of oyster on developing mushroomsmushroom are primordia challenged by[16]. dipteran Larval pests, and including adult fungus sciarid flies gnats (Diptera: can Sciaridae)also spread mushroom (Figuregreen1 ),mold phorid disease, flies (Diptera: Trichoderma Phoridae), spp., and cecidby way flies (Diptera:of carrying Cecidomyiidae) spores on [ 14their,15]. bodies [17–19]. YieldsFurthermore, of oyster mushrooms dead fungus are reduced gnats tend by fly to larvae adhere feeding to onoyster developing mushrooms mushroom as a contaminant primordia [16]. Larval and adult fungus gnats can also spread mushroom green mold disease,increasingTrichoderma processingspp., by time way by ofcarrying producers spores prior on their to shipment. bodies [17– 19Conventional]. Furthermore, insecticides are deadused fungus on a global gnats tendscale to for adhere controlling to oyster dipteran mushrooms pests as aof contaminant oyster mushrooms increasing [15]. However, processingapplications time of by producerssynthetic priorinsecticides to shipment. can Conventional reduce yields insecticides by damaging are used onmushroom a sporo- globalphores, scale lead for controlling to insecticide dipteran resistance pests of oyster development, mushrooms [15 and].
Recommended publications
  • Metabolites from Nematophagous Fungi and Nematicidal Natural Products from Fungi As an Alternative for Biological Control
    Appl Microbiol Biotechnol (2016) 100:3799–3812 DOI 10.1007/s00253-015-7233-6 MINI-REVIEW Metabolites from nematophagous fungi and nematicidal natural products from fungi as an alternative for biological control. Part I: metabolites from nematophagous ascomycetes Thomas Degenkolb1 & Andreas Vilcinskas1,2 Received: 4 October 2015 /Revised: 29 November 2015 /Accepted: 2 December 2015 /Published online: 29 December 2015 # The Author(s) 2015. This article is published with open access at Springerlink.com Abstract Plant-parasitic nematodes are estimated to cause Keywords Phytoparasitic nematodes . Nematicides . global annual losses of more than US$ 100 billion. The num- Oligosporon-type antibiotics . Nematophagous fungi . ber of registered nematicides has declined substantially over Secondary metabolites . Biocontrol the last 25 years due to concerns about their non-specific mechanisms of action and hence their potential toxicity and likelihood to cause environmental damage. Environmentally Introduction beneficial and inexpensive alternatives to chemicals, which do not affect vertebrates, crops, and other non-target organisms, Nematodes as economically important crop pests are therefore urgently required. Nematophagous fungi are nat- ural antagonists of nematode parasites, and these offer an eco- Among more than 26,000 known species of nematodes, 8000 physiological source of novel biocontrol strategies. In this first are parasites of vertebrates (Hugot et al. 2001), whereas 4100 section of a two-part review article, we discuss 83 nematicidal are parasites of plants, mostly soil-borne root pathogens and non-nematicidal primary and secondary metabolites (Nicol et al. 2011). Approximately 100 species in this latter found in nematophagous ascomycetes. Some of these sub- group are considered economically important phytoparasites stances exhibit nematicidal activities, namely oligosporon, of crops.
    [Show full text]
  • Stable Structural Color Patterns Displayed on Transparent Insect Wings
    Stable structural color patterns displayed on transparent insect wings Ekaterina Shevtsovaa,1, Christer Hanssona,b,1, Daniel H. Janzenc,1, and Jostein Kjærandsend,1 aDepartment of Biology, Lund University, Sölvegatan 35, SE-22362 Lund, Sweden; bScientific Associate of the Entomology Department, Natural History Museum, London SW7 5BD, United Kingdom; cDepartment of Biology, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA 19104-6018; and dDepartment of Biology, Museum of Zoology, Lund University, Helgonavägen 3, SE-22362 Lund, Sweden Contributed by Daniel H. Janzen, November 24, 2010 (sent for review October 5, 2010) Color patterns play central roles in the behavior of insects, and are and F). In laboratory conditions most wings are studied against a important traits for taxonomic studies. Here we report striking and white background (Fig. 1 G, H, and J), or the wings are embedded stable structural color patterns—wing interference patterns (WIPs) in a medium with a refractive index close to that of chitin (e.g., —in the transparent wings of small Hymenoptera and Diptera, ref. 19). In both cases the color reflections will be faint or in- patterns that have been largely overlooked by biologists. These ex- visible. tremely thin wings reflect vivid color patterns caused by thin film Insects are an exceedingly diverse and ancient group and interference. The visibility of these patterns is affected by the way their signal-receiver architecture of thin membranous wings the insects display their wings against various backgrounds with and color vision was apparently in place before their huge radia- different light properties. The specific color sequence displayed tion (20–22). The evolution of functional wings (Pterygota) that lacks pure red and matches the color vision of most insects, strongly can be freely operated in multidirections (Neoptera), coupled suggesting that the biological significance of WIPs lies in visual with small body size, has long been viewed as associated with their signaling.
    [Show full text]
  • Conspecific Pollen on Insects Visiting Female Flowers of Phoradendron Juniperinum (Viscaceae) in Western Arizona
    Western North American Naturalist Volume 77 Number 4 Article 7 1-16-2017 Conspecific pollen on insects visiting emalef flowers of Phoradendron juniperinum (Viscaceae) in western Arizona William D. Wiesenborn [email protected] Follow this and additional works at: https://scholarsarchive.byu.edu/wnan Recommended Citation Wiesenborn, William D. (2017) "Conspecific pollen on insects visiting emalef flowers of Phoradendron juniperinum (Viscaceae) in western Arizona," Western North American Naturalist: Vol. 77 : No. 4 , Article 7. Available at: https://scholarsarchive.byu.edu/wnan/vol77/iss4/7 This Article is brought to you for free and open access by the Western North American Naturalist Publications at BYU ScholarsArchive. It has been accepted for inclusion in Western North American Naturalist by an authorized editor of BYU ScholarsArchive. For more information, please contact [email protected], [email protected]. Western North American Naturalist 77(4), © 2017, pp. 478–486 CONSPECIFIC POLLEN ON INSECTS VISITING FEMALE FLOWERS OF PHORADENDRON JUNIPERINUM (VISCACEAE) IN WESTERN ARIZONA William D. Wiesenborn1 ABSTRACT.—Phoradendron juniperinum (Viscaceae) is a dioecious, parasitic plant of juniper trees ( Juniperus [Cupressaceae]) that occurs from eastern California to New Mexico and into northern Mexico. The species produces minute, spherical flowers during early summer. Dioecious flowering requires pollinating insects to carry pollen from male to female plants. I investigated the pollination of P. juniperinum parasitizing Juniperus osteosperma trees in the Cerbat Mountains in western Arizona during June–July 2016. I examined pollen from male flowers, aspirated insects from female flowers, counted conspecific pollen grains on insects, and estimated floral constancy from proportions of conspecific pollen in pollen loads.
    [Show full text]
  • INSECTS of MICRONESIA Diptera: Bibionidae and Scatopsidae 1
    INSECTS OF MICRONESIA Diptera: Bibionidae and Scatopsidae 1 By D. ELMO HARDY UNIVERSITY OF HAWAII AGRICULTURAL EXPERIMENT STATION The United States Office of Naval Research, the Pacific Science Board (National Research Council), the National Science Foundation, and Bishop Museum have made the Micronesian Insect Survey possible. Field research was aided by a contract between the Office of Naval Research, Department of the Navy, and the National Academy of Sciences, NR 160-175. Also I am greatly indebted to Dr. Edwin F. Cook for the kind assistance he has given me in working out the Scatopsidae. The drawings were made by Marian S. Adachi, University of Hawaii. The following symbols indicate the Museums in which specimens are stored: US (United States National Museum), CM (Chicago Natural History Museum), and BISHOP (Bernice P. Bishop Museum). FAMILY BIBIONIDAE Previously Bibionidae have been unrecorded from either Micronesia or Polynesia. Numerous species occur in all of the fringe areas of the Pacific but have been completely lacking in that part of Oceania inside a line from New Zealand, through New Caledonia, the New Hebrides, New Guinea, the Philippine Islands, Formosa, and Japan. A single species of Plecia is repre­ sented in the collection from the Palau Islands. It shows affinity with Plecia from Indonesia, and it is most probable that it originally came from there. Genus Plecia Wiedemann Plecia Wiedemann, 1828, Aussereur. Zweifl. Ins. 1: 72. Rhinoplecia Bellardi, 1859, Saggio Ditterol. Messicana 1: 16. Penthera Philippi, 1865, Zool.-bot. Ges. Wien, Verh. 15: 639. 1 Published with the approval of the Director of the University of Hawaii Agricultural Experiment Station as Technical Paper 363.
    [Show full text]
  • Volume 2, Chapter 12-19: Terrestrial Insects: Holometabola-Diptera
    Glime, J. M. 2017. Terrestrial Insects: Holometabola – Diptera Nematocera 2. In: Glime, J. M. Bryophyte Ecology. Volume 2. 12-19-1 Interactions. Ebook sponsored by Michigan Technological University and the International Association of Bryologists. eBook last updated 19 July 2020 and available at <http://digitalcommons.mtu.edu/bryophyte-ecology2/>. CHAPTER 12-19 TERRESTRIAL INSECTS: HOLOMETABOLA – DIPTERA NEMATOCERA 2 TABLE OF CONTENTS Cecidomyiidae – Gall Midges ........................................................................................................................ 12-19-2 Mycetophilidae – Fungus Gnats ..................................................................................................................... 12-19-3 Sciaridae – Dark-winged Fungus Gnats ......................................................................................................... 12-19-4 Ceratopogonidae – Biting Midges .................................................................................................................. 12-19-6 Chironomidae – Midges ................................................................................................................................. 12-19-9 Belgica .................................................................................................................................................. 12-19-14 Culicidae – Mosquitoes ................................................................................................................................ 12-19-15 Simuliidae – Blackflies
    [Show full text]
  • Diptera) Diversity in a Patch of Costa Rican Cloud Forest: Why Inventory Is a Vital Science
    Zootaxa 4402 (1): 053–090 ISSN 1175-5326 (print edition) http://www.mapress.com/j/zt/ Article ZOOTAXA Copyright © 2018 Magnolia Press ISSN 1175-5334 (online edition) https://doi.org/10.11646/zootaxa.4402.1.3 http://zoobank.org/urn:lsid:zoobank.org:pub:C2FAF702-664B-4E21-B4AE-404F85210A12 Remarkable fly (Diptera) diversity in a patch of Costa Rican cloud forest: Why inventory is a vital science ART BORKENT1, BRIAN V. BROWN2, PETER H. ADLER3, DALTON DE SOUZA AMORIM4, KEVIN BARBER5, DANIEL BICKEL6, STEPHANIE BOUCHER7, SCOTT E. BROOKS8, JOHN BURGER9, Z.L. BURINGTON10, RENATO S. CAPELLARI11, DANIEL N.R. COSTA12, JEFFREY M. CUMMING8, GREG CURLER13, CARL W. DICK14, J.H. EPLER15, ERIC FISHER16, STEPHEN D. GAIMARI17, JON GELHAUS18, DAVID A. GRIMALDI19, JOHN HASH20, MARTIN HAUSER17, HEIKKI HIPPA21, SERGIO IBÁÑEZ- BERNAL22, MATHIAS JASCHHOF23, ELENA P. KAMENEVA24, PETER H. KERR17, VALERY KORNEYEV24, CHESLAVO A. KORYTKOWSKI†, GIAR-ANN KUNG2, GUNNAR MIKALSEN KVIFTE25, OWEN LONSDALE26, STEPHEN A. MARSHALL27, WAYNE N. MATHIS28, VERNER MICHELSEN29, STEFAN NAGLIS30, ALLEN L. NORRBOM31, STEVEN PAIERO27, THOMAS PAPE32, ALESSANDRE PEREIRA- COLAVITE33, MARC POLLET34, SABRINA ROCHEFORT7, ALESSANDRA RUNG17, JUSTIN B. RUNYON35, JADE SAVAGE36, VERA C. SILVA37, BRADLEY J. SINCLAIR38, JEFFREY H. SKEVINGTON8, JOHN O. STIREMAN III10, JOHN SWANN39, PEKKA VILKAMAA40, TERRY WHEELER††, TERRY WHITWORTH41, MARIA WONG2, D. MONTY WOOD8, NORMAN WOODLEY42, TIFFANY YAU27, THOMAS J. ZAVORTINK43 & MANUEL A. ZUMBADO44 †—deceased. Formerly with the Universidad de Panama ††—deceased. Formerly at McGill University, Canada 1. Research Associate, Royal British Columbia Museum and the American Museum of Natural History, 691-8th Ave. SE, Salmon Arm, BC, V1E 2C2, Canada. Email: [email protected] 2.
    [Show full text]
  • The Effect of Ambient Temperature on Larvae of Scatopsciara Cunicularius (Diptera: Sciaridae) Feeding on the Thallose Liverwort Marchantia Polymorpha
    EUROPEAN JOURNAL OF ENTOMOLOGYENTOMOLOGY ISSN (online): 1802-8829 Eur. J. Entomol. 113: 259–264, 2016 http://www.eje.cz doi: 10.14411/eje.2016.030 ORIGINAL ARTICLE The effect of ambient temperature on larvae of Scatopsciara cunicularius (Diptera: Sciaridae) feeding on the thallose liverwort Marchantia polymorpha WEERACHON SAWANGPROH 1, JOHAN EKROOS 2 and NILS CRONBERG 1 1 Biodiversity, Department of Biology, Ecology Building, Lund University, 223 62 Lund, Sweden; e-mails: [email protected], [email protected] 2 Centre for Environmental and Climate Research, Lund University, Box 117, 221 00 Lund, Sweden; e-mail: [email protected] Key words. Diptera, Sciaridae, Scatopsciara cunicularius, gnat larva, sciarid fl y, biological control, Marchantia polymorpha Abstract. Herbivory on liverworts is rarely reported. We studied the effects of feeding by larvae of the sciarid fl y Scatopsciara cunicularius on the growth of the thalloid liverwort Marchantia polymorpha at two different constant temperatures, 12°C and 22°C. Larvae reared at the lower temperature fed slower and over a longer period of time, which resulted in more damage and a greater reduction in the growth of the liverwort than that caused by those reared at the higher temperature. The reduction in growth of the liverwort was positively density-dependent in terms of number of larvae at both temperatures. These results indicate that the larvae of S. cunicularius are likely to be an effective means of controlling M. polymorpha, which is a common weed in plant nurser- ies and greenhouse cultures. INTRODUCTION Sadof, 2010). Larval stages have different feeding prefer- Somewhat unexpectedly, we recently observed dipter- ences.
    [Show full text]
  • Bibliography
    Bibliography Abella, S. R. 2010. Disturbance and plant succession in the Mojave and Sonoran Deserts of the American Southwest. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health 7:1248—1284. Abella, S. R., D. J. Craig, L. P. Chiquoine, K. A. Prengaman, S. M. Schmid, and T. M. Embrey. 2011. Relationships of native desert plants with red brome (Bromus rubens): Toward identifying invasion-reducing species. Invasive Plant Science and Management 4:115—124. Abella, S. R., N. A. Fisichelli, S. M. Schmid, T. M. Embrey, D. L. Hughson, and J. Cipra. 2015. Status and management of non-native plant invasion in three of the largest national parks in the United States. Nature Conservation 10:71—94. Available: https://doi.org/10.3897/natureconservation.10.4407 Abella, S. R., A. A. Suazo, C. M. Norman, and A. C. Newton. 2013. Treatment alternatives and timing affect seeds of African mustard (Brassica tournefortii), an invasive forb in American Southwest arid lands. Invasive Plant Science and Management 6:559—567. Available: https://doi.org/10.1614/IPSM-D-13-00022.1 Abrahamson, I. 2014. Arctostaphylos manzanita. U.S. Department of Agriculture, Forest Service, Rocky Mountain Research Station, Fire Sciences Laboratory, Fire Effects Information System (Online). plants/shrub/arcman/all.html Ackerman, T. L. 1979. Germination and survival of perennial plant species in the Mojave Desert. The Southwestern Naturalist 24:399—408. Adams, A. W. 1975. A brief history of juniper and shrub populations in southern Oregon. Report No. 6. Oregon State Wildlife Commission, Corvallis, OR. Adams, L. 1962. Planting depths for seeds of three species of Ceanothus.
    [Show full text]
  • ARTHROPODA Subphylum Hexapoda Protura, Springtails, Diplura, and Insects
    NINE Phylum ARTHROPODA SUBPHYLUM HEXAPODA Protura, springtails, Diplura, and insects ROD P. MACFARLANE, PETER A. MADDISON, IAN G. ANDREW, JOCELYN A. BERRY, PETER M. JOHNS, ROBERT J. B. HOARE, MARIE-CLAUDE LARIVIÈRE, PENELOPE GREENSLADE, ROSA C. HENDERSON, COURTenaY N. SMITHERS, RicarDO L. PALMA, JOHN B. WARD, ROBERT L. C. PILGRIM, DaVID R. TOWNS, IAN McLELLAN, DAVID A. J. TEULON, TERRY R. HITCHINGS, VICTOR F. EASTOP, NICHOLAS A. MARTIN, MURRAY J. FLETCHER, MARLON A. W. STUFKENS, PAMELA J. DALE, Daniel BURCKHARDT, THOMAS R. BUCKLEY, STEVEN A. TREWICK defining feature of the Hexapoda, as the name suggests, is six legs. Also, the body comprises a head, thorax, and abdomen. The number A of abdominal segments varies, however; there are only six in the Collembola (springtails), 9–12 in the Protura, and 10 in the Diplura, whereas in all other hexapods there are strictly 11. Insects are now regarded as comprising only those hexapods with 11 abdominal segments. Whereas crustaceans are the dominant group of arthropods in the sea, hexapods prevail on land, in numbers and biomass. Altogether, the Hexapoda constitutes the most diverse group of animals – the estimated number of described species worldwide is just over 900,000, with the beetles (order Coleoptera) comprising more than a third of these. Today, the Hexapoda is considered to contain four classes – the Insecta, and the Protura, Collembola, and Diplura. The latter three classes were formerly allied with the insect orders Archaeognatha (jumping bristletails) and Thysanura (silverfish) as the insect subclass Apterygota (‘wingless’). The Apterygota is now regarded as an artificial assemblage (Bitsch & Bitsch 2000).
    [Show full text]
  • Bradysia Difformis Frey and Bradysia Ocellaris (Comstock): Two
    SYSTEMATICS Bradysia difformis Frey and Bradysia ocellaris (Comstock): Two Additional Neotropical Species of Black Fungus Gnats (Diptera: Sciaridae) of Economic Importance: A Redescription and Review 1 2 FRANK MENZEL, JANE E. SMITH, AND NELSON B. COLAUTO Deutsches Entomologisches Institut, ZALF e.V., PF 100238, D-16202 Eberswalde, Germany Ann. Entomol. Soc. Am. 96(4): 448Ð457 (2003) ABSTRACT The Þrst records for Brazil of two sciarid species, Bradysia difformis Frey, 1948 [ϭ paupera (Tuomikoski, 1960)] and Bradysia ocellaris (Comstock, 1882) [ϭ tritici (Coquillett, 1895)] (Diptera, Sciaridae) are presented. These are the Þrst records of these species for the Neotropical region. Males and females of both species are fully described and illustrated. Information is given about synonymy and the location of the type material. Bradysia agrestis Sasakawa, 1978 is a new synonym of Bradysia difformis. Information about the zoogeographic distribution and habitats, of Bradysia difformis and Bradysia ocellaris is provided. KEY WORDS Diptera, sciaridae, Bradysia difformis Frey, Bradysia ocellaris (Comstock), descrip- tions, new synonym, new records, mushroom pests THE DIPTEROUS FAMILY SCIARIDAE (Black Fungus Gnats) signiÞcant losses in crop production (Menzel and is found on every continent and is characterized by its Mohrig 2000). high number of species and individuals. According to Some species belonging to Bradysia Winnertz, a species inventory by Menzel and Mohrig (2000), 1867 s. l. [species group of the Bradysia amoena (Win- Ͼ1,700 valid species have been described in the world. nertz, 1867) species group], and Lycoriella Frey, 1948 Despite their ecological importance, these micro- s. str. are common pests in mushroom cultures and in Diptera have largely been neglected because of their glasshouses (Binns 1976; Menzel and Mohrig 2000; small body size (1Ð7 mm), their often cryptic mode of White et al.
    [Show full text]
  • Nematodes As Biocontrol Agents This Page Intentionally Left Blank Nematodes As Biocontrol Agents
    Nematodes as Biocontrol Agents This page intentionally left blank Nematodes as Biocontrol Agents Edited by Parwinder S. Grewal Department of Entomology Ohio State University, Wooster, Ohio USA Ralf-Udo Ehlers Department of Biotechnology and Biological Control Institute for Phytopathology Christian-Albrechts-University Kiel, Raisdorf Germany David I. Shapiro-Ilan United States Department of Agriculture Agriculture Research Service Southeastern Fruit and Tree Nut Research Laboratory, Byron, Georgia USA CABI Publishing CABI Publishing is a division of CAB International CABI Publishing CABI Publishing CAB International 875 Massachusetts Avenue Wallingford 7th Floor Oxfordshire OX10 8DE Cambridge, MA 02139 UK USA Tel: þ44 (0)1491 832111 Tel: þ1 617 395 4056 Fax: þ44 (0)1491 833508 Fax: þ1 617 354 6875 E-mail: [email protected] E-mail: [email protected] Web site: www.cabi-publishing.org ßCAB International 2005. All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced in any form or by any means, electronically, mech- anically, by photocopying, recording or otherwise, without the prior permission of the copyright owners. A catalogue record for this book is available from the British Library, London, UK. Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data Nematodes as biocontrol agents / edited by Parwinder S. Grewal, Ralf- Udo Ehlers, David I. Shapiro-Ilan. p. cm. Includes bibliographical references and index. ISBN 0-85199-017-7 (alk. paper) 1. Nematoda as biological pest control agents. I. Grewal, Parwinder S. II. Ehlers, Ralf-Udo. III. Shaprio-Ilan, David I. SB976.N46N46 2005 632’.96–dc22 2004030022 ISBN 0 85199 0177 Typeset by SPI Publisher Services, Pondicherry, India Printed and bound in the UK by Biddles Ltd., King’s Lynn This volume is dedicated to Dr Harry K.
    [Show full text]
  • Biology and Morphometry of Megaselia Halterata, an Important Insect Pest of Mushrooms
    Bulletin of Insectology 65 (1): 1-8, 2012 ISSN 1721-8861 Biology and morphometry of Megaselia halterata, an important insect pest of mushrooms 1 2 3 Mariusz LEWANDOWSKI , Marcin KOZAK , Agnieszka SZNYK-BASAŁYGA 1Department of Applied Entomology, Warsaw University of Life Sciences - SGGW, Warsaw, Poland 2Department of Quantitative Methods in Economy, Faculty of Economics University of Information Technology and Management in Rzeszow, Rzeszow, Poland 3Department of Zoology, Chair of Biology of the Animal Enviroment, Warsaw University of Life Sciences - SGGW, Warsaw, Poland Abstract This paper aims to provide insights into knowledge on morphology, biology and development of Megaselia halterata (Wood), one of the most common insect pests of mushroom houses. We focus on such traits as body length and weight and width of pseu- docephalon, and show how these traits differ in subsequent development stages as well as across time. The development time of a generation, from egg to adult, lasted 16-19 days at 24 °C; for larval stage this time lasted 12-14 days. Mean weight of particular stages ranged from 0.003 mg for eggs up to 0.492 mg for pupae, while mean length from 0.35 mm for eggs to 2.73 mm for 3rd instar larvae. During larval development, mean body weight increased about 48 times and mean body length three times. Measurements of pseudocephalon of larvae showed that between the successive instars it increased approxi- mately 1.4 times. Using the statistical technique inverse prediction, we develop formulae for estimation of larvae development time based on mean body weight and length of larvae found in a sample taken from a mushroom house, on which basis one can decide whether the infection occurred in the mushroom house or during compost production.
    [Show full text]