Genotypic Variation and Potential Mechanisms of Resistance against Multiple Insect Herbivores in Cranberries.

Plant genotypes often exhibit varying resistance levels to herbivores. However, the impact of this genotypic variation on resistance against multiple herbivores remains poorly understood, especially in crops undergoing recent process of domestication. To address this gap, we studied the magnitude and mechanism of resistance in 12 cranberry (Vaccinium macrocarpon) genotypes to three leaf-chewing herbivores - Sparganothis fruitworm (Sparganothis sulfureana), spotted fireworm (Choristoneura parallela), and spongy moth (Lymantria dispar) - along a domestication gradient (native 'wild' genotypes, 'early hybrid' genotypes, and 'modern hybrid' genotypes).

A theoretical framework to improve the adoption of green Integrated Pest Management tactics.

Sustainable agriculture relies on implementing effective, eco-friendly crop protection strategies. However, the adoption of these green tactics by growers is limited by their high costs resulting from the insufficient integration of various components of Integrated Pest Management (IPM). In response, we propose a framework within IPM termed Multi-Dimensional Management of Multiple Pests (3MP).

The abundance and diversity of fruit flies and their parasitoids change with elevation in guava orchards in a tropical Andean forest of Peru, independent of seasonality.

Lower elevations are generally thought to contain a greater abundance and diversity of insect communities and their natural enemies than higher elevations. It is less clear, however, how changes in seasons influence this pattern. We conducted a 2-year study (2013‒2014) in guava orchards located in a tropical Andean forest of Peru to investigate differences in fruit flies (Diptera: Tephritidae) and their parasitoid communities at two elevations and over two seasons.

Transcriptome analysis identifies genes related to the waxy coating on blueberry fruit in two northern-adapted rabbiteye breeding populations.

Background: Blueberry is of high economic value. Most blueberry varieties selected for the fresh market have an appealing light blue coating or "bloom" on the fruit due to the presence of a visible heavy epicuticular wax layer. This waxy layer also serves as natural defense against fruit desiccation and deterioration.

Differential Susceptibility of Wild and Cultivated Blueberries to an Invasive Frugivorous Pest.

Highbush blueberry is a crop native to the northeast USA that has been domesticated for about 100 years. This study compared the susceptibility of wild and domesticated/cultivated highbush blueberries to an invasive frugivorous pest, the spotted wing drosophila (Drosophila suzukii). We hypothesized that: 1) cultivated fruits are preferred by D.

Advances in the Chemical Ecology of the Spotted Wing Drosophila (Drosophila suzukii) and its Applications.

Significant progress has been made in understanding the cues involved in the host and mate seeking behaviors of spotted wing drosophila, Drosophila suzukii (Matsumura). This insect pest has been discovered in many fruit growing regions around the world since 2008. Unlike closely related Drosophila species, D.

Behavioral and Antennal Responses of Drosophila suzukii (Diptera: Drosophilidae) to Volatiles From Fruit Extracts.

Native to Southeast Asia, the spotted wing drosophila, Drosophila suzukii Matsumura (Diptera: Drosophilidae), has become a serious pest of soft-skinned fruit crops since its introduction into North America and Europe in 2008. Current monitoring strategies use baits based on fermentation products; however, to date, no fruit-based volatile blends attractive to this fly have been identified. This is particularly important because females are able to cut into the epicarp of ripening fruit for oviposition.