Encarsia formosa Gahan is an important endoparasitoid of the whitefly, Bemisia tabaci Gennadius. In the present study, we compared the fitness and population parameters of E. formosa when parasitizing the two most invasive and destructive whitefly species in China, the B and Q of B. tabaci. We also studied whether natal host influenced on parasitism and host-feeding capacities of E. formosa on B. tabaci B versus Q. Age–stage life table analysis indicated that E. formosa developmental duration was shorter, fecundity was higher, and longevity was greater on B. tabaci B than on Q. The life table parameters, including the intrinsic rate of increase (r), finite rate of increase (λ), net reproduction rate (R0), and the mean generation time (T), indicated that the fitness of E. formosa on B. tabaci B is higher than B. tabaci Q. We also found that the host species used to rear E. formosa affected the parasitoid’s subsequent parasitism and host feeding on B. tabaci B and Q. When E. formosa were reared on B. tabaci B, its subsequent parasitism rate on third-instar nymphs was significantly higher on B. tabaci B than on Q. These results will be useful for managing the biological control of B. tabaci in the field.
Spodoptera frugiperda (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae) is a major pest of maize worldwide. This pest colonized maize in Shizong, Qujing, Yunnan, China in 2019. To explore the temporal and spatial distribution of S. frugiperda in local fields, “W” type 5-point sampling was performed from 2020 to 2021. The spatial distribution was analyzed using the aggregation index, Iwao’s regression, and Taylor’s power law. The temporal distribution showed two peaks for both 2020 and 2021 when the density of eggs, larvae, and adults was high throughout the maize growth period. Additionally, 1st and 3rd instar larvae were higher in number during the maize seedling, jointing, and spinning stages. Fourth to 6th instar larvae were higher in number after the tasseling stage. Additionally, the spatial distribution results showed that 1st to 3rd instar larvae were aggregated, while 4th to 6th instar larvae were uniformly distributed in mountain maize fields. This study provides monitoring data for S. frugiperda and clarifies the temporal and spatial distribution characteristics for larvae in mountain maize fields. Further, it also provides guidance for investigation into population dynamics and the development of predictive models for integrated S. frugiperda management.
6 August 2022 in Journal of Integrative Agriculture