Unravelling the synergistic interaction of and newly recorded, with (Ellis.) Cif., inciting onion purple blotch.

Onion purple blotch is the most indispensable foliar disease of crop and has become a major concern for farmers and research fraternity. An attempt to investigate the role of injury in parasitism by indicated that disease incidence and severity enhance considerably with injury. Thrips injured plants inoculated with presented 100% incidence and 52-72% severity while mechanically injured plants inoculated with showed 60-70% incidence and 28-34% severity.

Functional response of Franklinothrips vespiformis (Thysanoptera: Aeolothripidae) to eggs and nymphs of Bemisia tabaci (Hemiptera: Aleyrodidae).

The Middle East Asia Minor 1 biotype of Bemisia tabaci Gennadius (Hemiptera: Aleyrodidae) is a greenhouse and field crop pest of global significance. The objective of this study was to assess the potential of the generalist predatory thrips, Franklinothrips vespiformis Crawford (Thysanoptera: Aeolothripidae), as a biological control agent for B. tabaci.

Distribution of Scirtothrips dorsalis (Thysanoptera: Thripidae) cryptic species complex in the United States and reproductive host assessment of its dominant member.

Chilli thrips, Scirtothrips dorsalis Hood, is a cryptic species complex of at least 9 species, 2 of which (South Asia 1 and East Asia 1) have been confirmed damaging >50 plant taxa in the United States. To develop a knowledge-based management program for this pest in the United States, the objectives of the study were to (i) survey for S. dorsalis species complex in the suspected regions and (ii) assess the reproductive hosts of the predominant member available.

Parasitoid-mediated horizontal transmission of between whiteflies.

Intracellular bacterial endosymbionts of arthropods are mainly transmitted vertically from mother to offspring, but phylogenetically distant insect hosts often harbor identical endosymbionts, indicating that horizontal transmission from one species to another occurs in nature. Here, we investigated the parasitoid -mediated horizontal transmission of the endosymbiont between different populations of whitefly MEAM1. was successfully transmitted from the positive MEAM1 nymphs ( ) into and retained at least for 48 h in adults.

Parasitoid vectors a plant pathogen, potentially diminishing the benefits it confers as a biological control agent.

Huanglongbing (HLB) is a destructive disease of citrus primarily transmitted by the Asian citrus psyllid (ACP). Biocontrol of ACP is an environmentally sustainable alternative to chemicals. However, the risk of parasitoid rational application in ACP biocontrol has never been evaluated.

Taxonomic and identification review of adventive Targioni Tozzetti (Hemiptera, Coccomorpha, Diaspididae) of the United States.

This work provides general descriptions, illustrations, molecular diagnostic data, taxonomic keys, slide mounting recommendations, and Florida distribution records for Targioni Tozzetti species occurring in the USA. Species treated are Ferris, (Targioni Tozzetti), Kuwana, Maskell, Cockerell & Robinson, Green, and Green. New descriptions of second-instar males and females of all seven species in addition to first-instar nymphs and adult females of and are presented.

Comparison of the phytoseiid mites Amblyseius swirskii and Amblydromalus limonicus for biological control of chilli thrips, Scirtothrips dorsalis (Thysanoptera: Thripidae).

The chilli thrips, Scirtothrips dorsalis Hood, is a recently established pest in the USA and poses a serious risk to many economically important ornamental and food crops. In this study the biological control potential of the phytoseiid mites Amblydromalus limonicus (Garman and McGregor) and Amblyseius swirskii (Athias-Henriot) was compared by examining their predation and oviposition rates when fed different developmental stages of S. dorsalis.

Compatibility of the Predatory Beetle, with an Entomopathogenic Fungus, for Biocontrol of Invasive Pepper Whitefly, in Florida.

(formerly known as ) Back (Hemiptera: Aleyrodidae), commonly known as pepper or solanum whitefly, is a new emerging whitefly pest of several horticultural crops in the United States. During the preliminary survey for pepper whitefly infestation in Florida, a whitefly-specific predatory beetle Horn (Coleoptera: Coccinellidae) was observed associated with this pest in the natural ecosystem. The current study was undertaken to determine the efficacy of this naturally occurring predator, , and an entomopathogenic fungus, (formerly known as ) () (Wize) (Hypocreales: Cordycipitaceae), alone or in combination, under controlled laboratory conditions.

An Ecological Assessment of Applications Compared to a Neonicotinoid Treatment for Regulating Invasive Ficus Whitefly.

A pilot study was conducted on a weeping fig, shrub hedge in a Florida urban landscape to determine the efficacy of a fungal biopesticide, PFR-97™ which contains blastospores of , and a neonicotinoid treatment (Admire Pro™) applied against the invasive ficus whitefly pest, (Singh). Post treatment, an ecological assessment of the study was conducted by observing the impact of the fungal biopesticide and neonicotinoid treatment on natural enemies, e.g.

Lethal and Sublethal Effects of Three Microbial Biocontrol Agents on and Its Natural Predator .

Entomopathogenic microbes such as nucleopolyhedrovirus (SpltNPV), , and are biological agents used for the control of multiple arthropod pests. The objective of this study was to assess their effects on the biological parameters of (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae) larvae, and its natural reduviid predator (Hemiptera: Reduviidae) under laboratory conditions. Results suggested that reduced the food consumption index, relative growth rate, approximate digestibility, the efficiency of conversion of ingested food, and the efficiency of conversion of digested food of third instar larvae compared to prey infected with and SpltNPV.

Assessing Compatibility of Isaria fumosorosea and Buprofezin for Mitigation of Aleurodicus rugioperculatus (Hemiptera: Aleyrodidae): An Invasive Pest in the Florida Landscape.

Rugose spiraling whitefly (RSW), Aleurodicus rugioperculatus Martin (Hemiptera: Aleyrodidae) is a new invasive whitefly pest in the Florida landscape, known to feed on a wide range of plants including palms, woody ornamentals, shrubs, and fruits. With the objective to find an alternative to neonicotinoid insecticides, and develop an ecofriendly management program for RSW, in the current study we evaluated the efficacy of a biopesticide containing the entomopathogenic fungi, Isaria fumosorosea Wize (Hypocreales: Clavicipitaceae), and an insect growth regulator buprofezin applied alone and in combination under laboratory and field conditions. Before assessing the two products, their compatibility was studied at six different concentrations of buprofezin.

Compatibility and Efficacy of Isaria fumosorosea with Horticultural Oils for Mitigation of the Asian Citrus Psyllid, Diaphorina citri (Hemiptera: Liviidae).

Horticultural oils are an important component of integrated management programs of several phytophagous arthropods and pathogens affecting fruit, ornamentals and vegetables in greenhouse and field production systems. Although effective against the target pest, their incompatibility with biological control agents can compromise efforts to develop eco-friendly management programs for important agricultural pests. In this study, we assessed the in vitro effect of selected refined petroleum oils used in citrus and other horticultural crops with a biopesticide containing the entomopathogenic fungi, (PFR-97) under laboratory conditions.

Unexpected High Intragenomic Variation in Two of Three Major Pest Thrips Species Does Not Affect Ribosomal Internal Transcribed Spacer 2 (ITS2) Utility for Thrips Identification.

The mitochondrial cytochrome oxidase I gene () and the ribosomal internal transcribed spacer 2 region (ITS2) are among the most widely used molecular markers for insect taxonomic characterization. Three economically important species of thrips, , , and were selected to examine the extent of intragenomic variation within these two marker regions in the family Thripidae, and determine if this variation would affect the utility of markers in thrips molecular diagnostics. For each species, intragenomic (within individual) variation and intergenomic (among individuals) variation was assessed by cloning and sequencing PCR-amplified copies.

Mass rearing and augmentative biological control evaluation of Rhynocoris fuscipes (Hemiptera: Reduviidae) against multiple pests of cotton.

Background: Rhynocoris fuscipes (Fab.) (Hemiptera: Reduviidae) is a generalist predator of cotton pests and is commonly found inhabiting cotton-growing regions in southern India. With the goal of integrating this predator in standard management practices used against cotton pests on a commercial scale, (1) we developed a protocol for adult group rearing of this predator inside micro-environmental cages (MECs), and (2) we evaluated the biocontrol potential of mass-produced predators against cotton pests under potted and field conditions.

Susceptibility of Bemisia tabaci MEAM1 (Hemiptera: Aleyrodidae) to Imidacloprid, Thiamethoxam, Dinotefuran and Flupyradifurone in South Florida.

Populations of MEAM1 were established from nineteen locations in south Florida, primarily from commercial tomato fields, and were tested using a cotton leaf petiole systemic uptake method for susceptibility to the nicotinic acetylcholine agonist insecticides imidacloprid, thiamethoxam, dinotefuran and flupyradifurone. Eleven populations produced LCs for one or more chemicals that were not significantly different from the susceptible laboratory colony based on overlapping fiducial limits, indicating some degree of susceptibility. LCs more than a 100-fold the laboratory colony were measured in at least one population for each material tested, indicating tolerance.

Early establishment of the phytoseiid mite Amblyseius swirskii (Acari: Phytoseiidae) on pepper seedlings in a Predator-in-First approach.

The establishment of biocontrol agents is critical for success of biological control strategies. Predator-in-First (PIF) is a prophylactic control strategy that aims to establish predators before the appearance of pests in an agro-ecosystem. PIF uses the ability of generalist phytoseiid mites to survive, develop and reproduce on pollen and thus establish in the absence of prey.

ESTIMATING BACTERIAL DIVERSITY IN (THYSANOPTERA: THRIPIDAE) VIA NEXT GENERATION SEQUENCING.

The last 2 decades have produced a better understanding of insect-microbial associations and yielded some important opportunities for insect control. However, most of our knowledge comes from model systems. Thrips (Thysanoptera: Thripidae) have been understudied despite their global importance as invasive species, plant pests and disease vectors.

Chemical class rotations for control of Bemisia tabaci (Hemiptera: Aleyrodidae) on poinsettia and their effect on cryptic species population composition.

Background: Bemisia tabaci, a polyphagous insect with over 900 host plants, is an effective vector of more than 100 plant viruses. Being highly fecund, B. tabaci has the potential to develop insecticide resistance rapidly, as demonstrated by reports of use failures with MEAM1 and MED cryptic species (commonly known as biotypes B and Q respectively).

The bacterial communities in plant phloem-sap-feeding insects.

The resident microbiota of animals represents an important contribution to the global microbial diversity, but it is poorly known in many animals. This study investigated the bacterial diversity in plant phloem-sap-feeding whiteflies, aphids and psyllids by pyrosequencing bacterial 16S rRNA gene amplicons. After correction for sequencing error, just 3-7 bacterial operational taxonomic units were recovered from each insect sample sequenced to sufficient depth for saturation of rarefaction curves.

Functional responses and prey-stage preferences of a predatory gall midge and two predacious mites with twospotted spider mites, Tetranychus urticae, as host.

The twospotted spider mite, Tetranychus urticae Koch (Acari: Tetranychidae), is an important pest of vegetables and other economically important crops. This study evaluated the functional responses and prey-stage preferences of three species of predators, a predatory gall midge, Feltiella acarisuga (Vallot) (Diptera: Cecidomyiidae), and two predatory mite species, Neoseiulus californicus (McGregor) (Acari: Phytoseiidae) and Amblyseius swirskii (AnthiasHenriot), with T. urticae as the host, under laboratory conditions.

Population genetics of invasive Bemisia tabaci (Hemiptera: Aleyrodidae) cryptic species in the United States based on microsatellite markers.

The Bemisia tabaci (Gennadius) (Hemiptera: Aleyrodidae) cryptic species complex of whiteflies contains two species, MEAM1 and MED, that are highly invasive in supportive climates the world over. In the United States, MEAM1 occurs both in the field and in the greenhouse, but MED is only found in the greenhouse. To make inferences about the population structure of both species, and the origin and recent spread of MED within the United States, 987 MEAM1 whiteflies and 340 MED whiteflies were genotyped at six and seven microsatellite loci, respectively, for population genetic analyses.

Evolution and homoplasy at the Bem6 microsatellite locus in three sweetpotato whitefly (Bemisia tabaci) cryptic species.

Background: The evolution of individual microsatellite loci is often complex and homoplasy is common but often goes undetected. Sequencing alleles at a microsatellite locus can provide a more complete picture of the common evolutionary mechanisms occurring at that locus and can reveal cases of homoplasy. Within species homoplasy can lead to an underestimate of differentiation among populations and among species homoplasy can produce a misleading interpretation regarding shared alleles and hybridization.

Distribution of Bemisia tabaci (Hemiptera: Aleyrodidae) biotypes in North America after the Q invasion.

After the 2004 discovery of the Bemisia tabaci (Gennadius) (Hemiptera Aleyrodidae) Q biotype in the United States, there was a vital need to determine the geographical and host distribution as well as its interaction with the resident B biotype because of its innate ability to rapidly develop high-level insecticide resistance that persists in the absence of exposure. As part of a coordinated country-wide effort, an extensive survey of B. tabaci biotypes was conducted in North America, with the cooperation of growers, industry, local, state, and federal agencies, to monitor the introduction and distribution of the Q biotype.