Novel insight into lepidopteran phylogenetics from the mitochondrial genome of the apple fruit moth of the family Argyresthiidae.

Background: The order Lepidoptera has an abundance of species, including both agriculturally beneficial and detrimental insects. Molecular data has been used to investigate the phylogenetic relationships of major subdivisions in Lepidoptera, which has enhanced our understanding of the evolutionary relationships at the family and superfamily levels. However, the phylogenetic placement of many superfamilies and/or families in this order is still unknown.

Large-scale genetic admixture suggests high dispersal in an insect pest, the apple fruit moth.

Knowledge about population genetic structure and dispersal capabilities is important for the development of targeted management strategies for agricultural pest species. The apple fruit moth, Argyresthia conjugella (Lepidoptera, Yponomeutidae), is a pre-dispersal seed predator. Larvae feed on rowanberries (Sorbus aucuparia), and when rowanberry seed production is low (i.

Attraction of Chrysotropia ciliata (Neuroptera, Chrysopidae) Males to P-Anisaldehyde, a Compound with Presumed Pheromone Function.

In a field-trapping experiment with plant volatiles, we observed notably high attraction of green lacewing (Chrysotropia ciliata) males to the compound p-anisaldehyde. Based on this finding, we initiated the present study to elucidate this phenomenon and to investigate the chemical ecology of C. ciliata.

A Wind Tunnel for Odor Mediated Insect Behavioural Assays.

Olfaction is the most important sensory mechanism by which many insects interact with their environment and a wind tunnel is an excellent tool to study insect chemical ecology. Insects can locate point sources in a three-dimensional environment through the sensory interaction and sophisticated behavior. The quantification of this behavior is a key element in the development of new tools for pest control and decision support.

Monitoring of the Apple Fruit Moth: Detection of Genetic Variation and Structure Applying a Novel Multiplex Set of 19 STR Markers.

The apple fruit moth (Lepidoptera, Yponomeutidae) is a seed predator of rowan () and is distributed in Europe and Asia. In Fennoscandia (Finland, Norway and Sweden), rowan fruit production is low every 2-4 years, and apple () functions as an alternative host, resulting in economic loss in apple crops in inter-mast years. We have used Illumina MiSeq sequencing to identify a set of 19 novel tetra-nucleotide short tandem repeats (STRs) in .

The Ratio between Field Attractive and Background Volatiles Encodes Host-Plant Recognition in a Specialist Moth.

Volatiles emitted by plants convey an array of information through different trophic levels. Animals such as host-seeking herbivores encounter plumes with filaments from both host and non-host plants. While studies showed a behavioral effect of non-host plants on herbivore host location, less information is available on how a searching insect herbivore perceives and flies upwind to a host-plant odor plume within a background of non-host volatiles.

Fatal attraction: Male spider mites prefer females killed by the mite-pathogenic fungus Neozygites floridana.

Exploring prospective mates can be risky. Males of the spider mite Tetranychus urticae approach and guard immobile (quiescent) female nymphs to increase their chances of fathering offspring, this being a first-male sperm priority species. We investigated the behaviour of male T.

Attraction of pea moth Cydia nigricana to pea flower volatiles.

The pea moth Cydia nigricana causes major crop losses in pea (Pisum sativum) production. We investigated attraction of C. nigricana females to synthetic pea flower volatiles in a wind tunnel and in the field.

Efficient mass trapping: catching the pest, Calliphora vicina, (Diptera, Calliphoridae), of Norwegian stockfish production.

Attracting high numbers of adult females, extensive trapping prior to damage, and a pest species with a predominantly univoltine lifecycle, are important factors contributing to the success of mass-trapping programs. We conducted a mass-trapping experiment over 4 years, using yellow sticky traps and odor-baited funnel traps for control of the blowfly Calliphora vicina in stockfish production areas in Loften, Norway. Blowfly-related damage to fish in five mass-trapping sites was compared with damage at five control sites.

Optimization of a phenylacetaldehyde-based attractant for common green lacewings (Chrysoperla carnea s.l.).

In field trapping tests, the catch of Chrysoperla carnea sensu lato (Neuroptera: Chrysopidae) increased when acetic acid was added to lures with phenylacetaldehyde. The addition of methyl salicylate to the binary mixture of phenylacetaldehyde plus acetic acid increased catches even further. The ternary blend proved to be more attractive than beta-caryophyllene, 2-phenylethanol, or 3-methyl eugenol (compounds previously described as attractants for chrysopids) on their own, and no influence on catches was recorded when these compounds were added as fourth components to the ternary blend.