A group of clearwing moths Sesiidae (Syn.: Aegeriidae) is analyzed here with special emphasis on genetics of currant clearwing moth (Synanthedon tipuliformis, CLERCK 1759). DNA sequences of the ...longest (1544 nt) available sequence of Sesiidae genes Co1 (cytochrome oxidase subunit-1 of mitochondrial DNA, mtDNA) (mtDNA; NCBI# AJ864359.1) were analyzed after In silico data mining, and dendrogram was edited to reveal molecular diversity and genetic distances among Sesiidae species. Batesian mimicry, sexual dimorphism, and genetics and genomics of Sesiidae are indicated.
We evaluated a combination of noninsecticidal alternatives to control trunk-damaging dogwood borer, Synanthedon scitula (Harris), consisting of novel barrier technologies, used alone or in ...combination with mating disruption. Barrier formulations evaluated included fibrous barriers of nonwoven ethylene vinyl acetate (EVA) and nonfibrous barriers of rubberized paint (elastomer) used in building coatings. To examine efficacy of dogwood borer control in orchards, all barrier trials were replicated in field tests, both in combination with mating disruption and without it. Trunk inspections to determine whether mating disruption and barriers effectively reduced actual tree infestation showed pheromone disruption significantly reduced infestation compared with the untreated check, but was not as effective as trunk handgun sprays of chlorpyrifos. EVA trunk barriers were effective in preventing borer infestation compared with untreated trees. The elastomer did not differ from the check or the EVA treatment. There was no interaction between disruption and barrier treatments. Barrier field life and durability was assessed over 2 yr by comparing degradation over time due to weathering and other environmental effects including animal damage. The EVA persisted and remained more intact than the elastomer, but was in need of reapplication after 2 yr. Barriers were also screened for efficacy against voles in small-plot trials in nonorchard locations with known high vole pressure; they were tested either alone, combined with a repellent (thiram), or, in the case of the elastomer only, combined with an abrasive (sand). Only the EVA significantly lowered vole chewing damage relative to the untreated checks.
Larval grape root borer, Vitacea polistiformis (Harris) (Lepidoptera: Sesiidae), feed on roots of wild Vitis and commercially important Vitis species and rootstocks in portions of the eastern United ...States. Grape root borer pupal exuviae sampling in Virginia vineyards from 2008 to 2012 revealed that infestation levels varied substantially among 48 vineyard blocks. Data on horticultural (cultivar, rootstock, vine age, and planting area), cultural (insecticide use, ground cover,weedcontrol, and irrigation), and environmental variables (proximity to forest, soil composition, soil moisture holding capacity, pH, organic matter, bulk density, and cation exchange capacity) from each block were subjected to optimal quantification using categorical principal component analysis (CATPCA). Variables with component loading values greater than or equal to 0.70 from the CATPCA were used as predictors and pupal exuviae density as the dependent variable in binary logistic regression. A prediction model was developed by including statistically significant variables in the logistic regression. CATPCA showed that seven vineyard factors (ground cover, soil texture, soil mass moisture, soil pH, clay/sand ratio, clay/silt ratio, and sand/silt ratio) based on three selected principal components were significant for subsequent regression analysis. Binary logistic regression showed that soil mass moisture and clay/sand ratio were statistically significant factors contributing to differences in infestation among vineyard blocks. Based on these two factors, a risk prediction model for calculating the probability of grape root borer infestation in vineyards was developed and validated using receiver operating characteristic curve. Results are discussed in relation to the practical implications of a predictive, risk assessment model for grape root borer management.
Lepidopteran larvae damage to the branches of cultivated kiwifruit is a serious problem in the southwest part of Ehime Prefecture, Japan. We reared these larvae using seedlings of kiwifruit, and ...found that this species was a clearwing moth, Nokona feralis（Leech）. After emergence, the 1st instar larvae bored into the current shoots from the base of the petiole, and almost all of the leaves near the positions where the larvae bored were withered. Larvae moved to 30–40 mm diameter branches and bored into them, and expelled a large amount of frass from the site the larvae attacked. The puparia were observed mainly on 20–50 mm diameter branches. One to five eggs were laid, mainly on the petiole base. Ovipositions by females were observed until the middle of October. Eggs overwintered and then larvae hatched the next April. The hatching rate was 30.4% and 39.2% of eggs were attacked by a parasitoid wasp. Males were captured by pheromone traps from early September to the middle of October, and a peak of male capture was observed from late September to early October. Of 28 pheromone traps placed across Ehime Prefecture, only 4 traps in the southwest region（Ainan Town, Uwajima City, and Yawatahama City）captured males. To suppress larval attack, some insecticides were carried out in the season of larval hatch. Cypermethrin, methidathion（DMTP）, and cartap effectively prevented the larval attack to kiwifruit.
Grape root borer, Vitacea polistiformis (Harris) (Lepidoptera: Sesiidae) is a potentially destructive pest of grape vines, Vitis spp. in the eastern United States. After feeding on grape roots for ...approximately 2 yr in Virginia, larvae pupate beneath the soil surface around the vine base. Adults emerge during July and August, leaving empty pupal exuviae on or protruding from the soil. Weekly collections of pupal exuviae from an approximately 1-m-diameter weed-free zone around the base of a grid of sample vines in Virginia vineyards were conducted in July and August, 2008-2012, and their distribution was characterized using both nonspatial (dispersion) and spatial techniques. Taylor's power law showed a significant aggregation of pupal exuviae, based on data from 19 vineyard blocks. Combined use of geostatistical and Spatial Analysis by Distance IndicEs methods indicated evidence of an aggregated pupal exuviae distribution pattern in seven of the nine blocks used for those analyses. Grape root borer pupal exuviae exhibited spatial dependency within a mean distance of 8.8 m, based on the range values of best-fitted variograms. Interpolated and clustering index-based infestation distribution maps were developed to show the spatial pattern of the insect within the vineyard blocks. The temporal distribution of pupal exuviae showed that the majority of moths emerged during the 3-wk period spanning the third week of July and the first week of August. The spatial distribution of grape root borer pupal exuviae was used in combination with temporal moth emergence patterns to develop a quantitative and efficient sampling scheme to assess infestations.
Grape root borer, Vitacea polistiformis (Harris), is an oligophagous and potentially destructive pest of grape in commercial vineyards throughout much of the eastern United States. Larvae feed on ...vine roots, although little is known about their below-ground interactions with host plants. The behavioral response of groups of grape root borer neonates to stimuli from host and nonhost roots was evaluated in single and paired stimuli bioassays in which stimuli were presented in opposing wells attached to the bottom of petri dish arenas. Stimulus sources included root pieces and root headspace volatiles from 3309 and 420-A grape rootstocks (host) and apple (nonhost) and ethanol-based extracts of 3309 and 420-A roots. In single stimulus assays, signiFIcantly more larvae were recovered from wells containing grape roots, apple roots, grape extracts, and grape root volatiles than from control wells, but there was no significant response to volatiles collected from the headspace of apple roots. In paired stimuli assays, significantly more larvae were recovered from wells containing grape than apple roots. There was no difference in larval distribution between wells when 420-A and 3309 roots were presented simultaneously, although a significantly greater response to 3309 than 420-A root extract was recorded.Whensoil was added to the assays, significantly more larvae were recovered from wells containing grape roots than from those containing only soil, but this response was not detected in assays using buried apple roots. These results are discussed in relation to the plant-insect interactions between grape root borer larvae and their Vitaceae hosts.
We catalogue 165 species in 81 genera representing six families of Cossoidea present in India. Sesiidae is the most dominant family in India, consisting 89 species in 38 genera, followed by Cossidae ...with 47 species in 28 genera, Brachodidae with 13 species in six genera, Metarbelidae with 12 species in seven genera, Ratardidae with three species in single genus and the Dudgeoneidae is known by single species. A comprehensive data on the species diversity of all the families of Indian Cossoidea, with information on type species, type locality, synonyms, clarifications, and distribution in different parts of India and Globe, are provided.
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