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The production of the Korla fragrant pear is significant, but the optimal harvesting time is short; therefore, the reasonable use of mechanical arms for harvesting is conducive to promoting the sustainable development of the fragrant pear industry. The efficiency of a robot arm when picking fragrant pears is not only determined by the successful extraction of fragrant pears in a complex environment, but the picking sequence of fragrant pears also directly affects the efficiency of the robot arm. In order to simulate an orchard-picking scenario, this paper built three fragrant pear tree models indoors. The number of fragrant pears on the fragrant pear trees was 5, 10, and 20. Three sets of experiments were designed for comparison with real-world conditions. The main steps were as follows: calibrate the three-dimensional coordinates of each fragrant pear on the fragrant pear trees; determine the end position of the robotic arm at each picking point; find the inverse solution for each group; transform the solutions into matrix form using the rated power of each joint as the weight, and identify the minimum value, which is the angle of each joint in the robotic arm when picking the fragrant pear; use the intelligent socket to find the average energy consumption and average time consumed for picking each group of fragrant pears; and determine the loss ratio of the robotic arm based on the amount of rotation in each joint during picking. The experimental results show that the multiple weighting method reduced the energy consumption by 10.627%, 16.072%, and 24.417%, and the time consumption by 11.988%, 14.428%, and 22.561%, respectively, relative to the hybrid ant colony–particle swarm optimization algorithm, which proves the rationality of the fragrant pear picking order delineated using the multiple weighting method. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

One new species of Fibuloides Kuznetzov, 1997 (Lepidoptera, Tortricidae, Olethreutinae) is described, Fibuloides matsugumi Nasu, n. sp., and second species, Fibuloides vaneeae (Pinkaew, 2005), is newly recorded from Japan. The adults and genitalia are illustrated. F. matsugumi was reared from the parasitic plant Taxillus kaempferi (Loranthaceae), and the host-plant of F. vaneeae, Lithocarpus glaber (Fagaceae), is reported for the first time. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Apis mellifera pomonella is one of two subspecies that represent the eastern limits of honey bee (Apis mellifera) distribution, and it is important to understand its biogeography and evolution. Despite this, A. m. pomonella was not investigated after its discovery 20 years ago. In particular, it is not known if it was hybridized or not with exotic subspecies introduced by beekeepers. In this study, we analysed the variation in honey bee forewing shape in Kazakhstan. Bees were collected from apiaries, where the origin of the queens was not controlled by beekeepers; they formed a group called "local bees", and apiaries where queens declared as either A. m. carnica or A. m. mellifera were obtained from queen breeders. The two later groups were called "exotic bees". We showed that local bees are still distinct from exotic ones. However, some samples showed signs of introgression with exotic subspecies from lineage C. In terms of wing shape, the local bees were most similar to lineage O. We concluded that the local bees most likely represented A. m. pomonella. We provided wing images and identification data, which can help to identify A. m. pomonella and protect it in the future. It is interesting that the nearby honey bee population sourced from China, which is not separated by any clear barrier to gene flow, belonged to lineage M. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of SHILAP Revista de Lepidopterologia is the property of Sociedad Hispano-Luso-Americana de Lepidopterologia and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

The study was conducted during the period 2018-2021 at the Institute of Agriculture, Kyustendil. The aim was the evaluation of 11 apple cultivars for their productivity and sensitivity to codling moth. The trees are grafted on MM 106 rootstock and are planted at a distance of 4.5 × 2.5 m. The trees were in a period of full bearing and were grown using standard technology. In the cultivars studied, the average yield per tree ranged from 18.1 kg (Siyana) to 33.4 kg (Rosana), fruit weight ranged from 111 g (Rosana) to 185 g (Ginger Gold), fruit flesh firmness – from 7.4 kg/cm² (Oregon Spur) to 10.4 kg/cm² (Teser T 219). No preference of the codling moth for one or another cultivar was established. The percentage of damages ranged from 3.2% (Rosana in 2018) to 18.6% (Braeburn in 2020). In years with a low yield, these damages were significant – from 18.5% (Gold Milenium in 2021) to 64.4% (Teser T219 in 2019). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Arab Journal of Plant Protection is the property of Arab Society for Plant Protection and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

The research relevance on Codling moth peculiarities is predefined by it being a main threat to apple culture. The sensitivity of apple cultivars that have been planted so far and continue to be planted to this pest diverges in different cultivars. The research aims to determine the main elements of Cydia Pomonella control using sex pheromones and environmentally friendly insecticides. To achieve the goal, an experiment was conducted in the village of Dvoran in the Korcha region on three apple cultivars: Golden Delicious, Star King, and Granny Smith. On the trees of these varieties, traps with sex pheromones were used and environmentally friendly insecticides were utilised. The study found that using sex pheromone traps to monitor Cydia Pomonella is simple and less expensive for apple growers. The Spinosad medicine is the most effective in terms of protection against the pest, the second being Indoxacarb. Golden Delicious and Granny Smith cultivars had the lowest level of pest infestation, while the Star King cultivar was the most affected by Cydia Pomonella. It has also been established that apple fruits do not contain toxic residues, and the ecosystem remains clean. Additionally, the use of sex pheromones can be part of an integrated pest management approach that combines different control methods to sustainably manage pest populations in gardens. The practical significance of the obtained results is that they provide apple growers with a safe and effective method of controlling Cydia pomonella populations in their orchards. In addition, the scientific basis for the use of sex pheromones as a method of pest control can contribute to the implementation of sustainable control methods in apple production

A two-year field study was carried out to evaluate the efficacy of mass-trapping of the codling moth, Cydia pomonella (L.) (Lepidoptera: Tortricidae), using newly designed light trap in reducing fruit damage in apple orchards. In both years (2020 and 2021), experiments were conducted in two apple orchards, one of which was located in Antalya (Elmalı) province and the other was located in Isparta (Senirkent) province (southwestern part of Turkey). For each of the two years, the study orchards were divided into two equal parts (plots), separating from each other by a guard row; in one of them (termed 'light trap plot'), newly designed light trap was tested and the traps were placed 30 m apart from each other along the outer rows of the plot just above the plant canopy (≈4 m from the ground), using galvanized metal poles. In the other plot (termed 'conventional plot'), conventional control system, based heavily relied on the use of synthetic insecticides, was applied for comparison. In weekly trap checks in the light trap plot of each orchard, total number of adult C. pomonella caught in each trap was recorded. The effectiveness of mass-trapping in reducing fruit damage was evaluated by comparing the percentages of weekly infestation in apple fruits (examining 100 randomly selected fruits on the trees) and the percentages of damaged fruits at harvest in both plots of each orchard. The results demonstrated that mass-trapping of adult C. pomonella using newly designed light trap was effective in reducing fruit damage in both years. Considering the yearly averages, in both 2020 and 2021 significantly lower fruit damages were observed in the light trap plot of the orchards in both Antalya (9.6 and 7.8%) and Isparta (8.8 and 7.3%) than in their conventional plots (10.2 and 9.4% in Antalya, 7.5 and 9.1% in Isparta, respectively). Mass-trapping adult C. pomonella using newly designed light trap seems to be an effective tool for the integrated pest management (IPM) of C. pomonella in apple orchards. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Korla fragrant pear (Pyrus sinkiangensis Yü) depends on cross‐pollination by honeybees (Apis mellifera) but may suffer from low honeybee visitation.We assessed whether honeybee abundance and visitation frequency are enhanced by using synthetic Nasonov gland pheromone (NGP), which is naturally produced by worker bees to stimulate the aggregation of bees to food resources or nesting sites.The response of honeybees to synthetic NGP was firstly assessed using Y‐tube olfactometer tests in the laboratory, and subsequently in the field, by placing NGP lures on Korla fragrant pear trees in orchards with and without beehives. Honeybee abundance was assessed using coloured pan traps while honeybee visits were assessed by visual observations on pear flowers.Y‐tube olfactometer tests showed a significant preference of honeybees for NGP. In pear orchards with beehives, honeybee abundance was 2.5‐fold higher on trees with NGP lures than on trees without NGP, and 2.2‐fold higher in orchards in which all trees contained NGP lures than in orchards without NGP lures. Such positive effects were not observed in orchards without beehives.Flower visitation by honeybees was significantly higher in trees with NGP lures than without NGP lures, irrespective of the presence (5.7‐fold higher) or absence of beehives (27.6‐fold higher).In mixed pear‐apricot orchards, honeybee abundance was higher in pear trees with NGP lures than without lures.Our results show that NGP lures attract honeybees to flowering pear trees in monoculture pear and mixed pear‐apricot orchards, and that this effect is greatest in orchards with beehives. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Baculovirology has been studied on the African continent for the development of insect virus-based biopesticides and, to a much lesser extent, vaccine production and delivery, since the 1960s. In this review, we focus only on baculoviruses as biopesticides for agricultural pests in Africa. At least 11 species of baculovirus have been discovered or studied on the African continent, some with several distinct isolates, with the objective in most cases being the development of a biopesticide. These include the nucleopolyhedroviruses of Helicoverpa armigera, Cryptophlebia peltastica, Spodoptera exempta, Spodoptera frugiperda, Spodoptera littoralis, and Maruca vitrata, as well as the granuloviruses of Cydia pomonella, Plutella xylostella, Thaumatotibia (Cryptophlebia) leucotreta, Choristoneura occidentalis, and Phthorimaea operculella. Eleven different baculovirus-based biopesticides are recorded as being registered and commercially available on the African continent. Baculoviruses are recorded to have been isolated, researched, utilised in field trials, and/or commercially deployed as biopesticides in at least 13 different African countries. Baculovirus research is ongoing in Africa, and researchers are confident that further novel species and isolates will be discovered, to the benefit of environmentally responsible agricultural pest management, not only in Africa but also elsewhere. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper outlines the shift to forwardlooking biological methods of pest control to address environmental concerns arising from chemical use. Biological control relies on the balance of species interactions, which can be disrupted by agrotechnical practices or excess chemicals. Pheromones and hormones regulate insect behaviour without toxic effects, contributing to selectivity. Biological control research includes various strategies such as faunal composition studies and pheromone traps targeting specific pests. Pheromone traps, which use speciesspecific compounds, effectively reduce insect populations while maintaining ecological balance. Recognising pest flight patterns helps both biological and non-biological strategies for optimal interventions. This study evaluates the efficacy of pheromone traps for Cydia pomonella L. through mass male reception, revealing correlations between flight frequency and temperature. Inclement weather delayed pest flight in 2023, while pheromone control substantially reduced attacks, maintaining crop health. This research highlights the success of pheromone traps as a sustainable pest management tool. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Simple Summary: The codling moth, Cydia pomonella (L.), is an invasive agricultural pest species of pome fruits and walnuts that has developed resistance to many insecticides. Alternative eco-friendly approaches are warranted to reduce the dependence on insecticides for the sustainable management of C. pomonella. The sterile insect technique (SIT) is an autocidal strategy of control that is being trialed in experiments against various pests and that could reduce the risk of the development of insecticide resistance. In our previous study, we found that 366 Gy X-ray irradiation can effectively make the C. pomonella male sterile. In this study, we report on the investigation of the effect of X-ray irradiation on the fitness and adaptability of sterile insects, as well as the first pilot release of sterile male adults of C. pomonella in orchards in China. Results show that 366 Gy of X-ray irradiation significantly shortened the lifespan of the sterile male moths, reduced the mating competitiveness of males, and resulted in males being sterile in the orchards. The codling moth, Cydia pomonella (L.), is an invasive agricultural pest of pome fruits and walnuts in China that threatens the apple industry in the Loess Plateau and Bohai Bay; it has developed resistance to many insecticides. Sterile insect technique (SIT) combined with area-wide integrated pest management (AW-IPM) can reduce the risk of resistance to insecticides and effectively control some insect pest species. Our previous laboratory experiment found that irradiation with 366 Gy of X-ray caused the males of the codling moth to become sterile. However, the sterility and adaptability of males after being irradiated with 366 Gy X-ray in the field are still unclear. In this study, we investigated the effect of X-ray irradiation on the fitness of male adults that emerged from pupae irradiated with 366 Gy to explore their adaptability and mating competitiveness, and to examine the effect of releasing sterile male insects in orchards in northeast China on the fruit infestation rate of the Nanguo pear. The results showed that 366 Gy of X-ray irradiation significantly reduced the mating competitiveness of males and the hatching rate of the eggs laid by females pairing with sterile males. Meanwhile, the lifespan of the sterile male moths was significantly shorter than that of the normal ones in the field. A pilot test showed that the release twice of sterile male moths in the orchards had no significant effect on the fruit infestation rate. Our field experiments provide a scientific basis for the further optimization of the SIT technology program for controlling C. pomonella. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This research paper presents the results of a field trial performed in the eight-year orchard with the apple cultivar (Malus doestica): 'Fuji', 'William's Pride' and 'Pink Lady', on the rootstock M9. The experiment as a randomized block system included 18 apple trees (9 for each cultivar). Each plant was monitored and examined some bio-morphological parameters. At the same time monitoring and examining some abiotic factors (frozen, drought, hail wind) and biotic factors (pests, diseases, birds) through agrologic stations and sampling. By the results obtained we found that: abiotic factors we have identified drought damage caused by high temperatures and radiation, lack of rainfall and wind, while from biotic factors damage is caused by diseases, pests and birds. According to apple cultivars, the 'Fuji' cultivar suffered the greatest damage to productivity from two factors, abiotic (49.74% failure to achieve optimal fruit mass and 17% superficial burning of fruits) and biotic (56.24% birds, 9.93 scab and 4.33 others). 'Pink Lady' is damaged from biotic factor (43.17% failure to achieve optimal fruit mass and 36% superficial burning of fruits, 3.64% Cracking of fruits, and 1.64% fruit fall) whereas from biotic factors damage (19.2% birds, 23.8% scab, 10.07% codling moth and 4.8% apple sawfly). While 'William's Pride' has suffered the least damage (36.68% failure to achieve optimal fruit mass and 4.66% other physical damage) and biotic factor (12.4% fruit rot, 9.4% powdery mildew, 5.4% birds, 29% codling moth, 2.7% apple sawfly). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Codling moth, Cydia pomonella L., is a major pest of pome fruits and walnuts worldwide. Screening the susceptibility of apple varieties to C. pomonella infestation is an important step to develop a sustainable management program against this pest. Therefore, the present study aimed to explore potential correlations between pest damage and several physical (firmness, weight, and diameter), chemical (pH, SSC, and TA), and biochemical (polyphenols) fruit properties collected from two sites with distinctively twelve and seven commercial apple varieties. The study was conducted in two distinct Moroccan regions to highlight whether the traits influencing the insect's preference could be similar for different varieties under contrasted climates. In both regions, results revealed that the pest damage varied significantly across apple varieties as well as between observation dates. The late and medium maturing varieties had similar damage patterns and were heavily attacked compared to early maturing ones. The preferred varieties were Galaxy Gala, Obro Gala, Golden Smoothee, Black Staymen, and Idared, while the least preferred ones were Anna, Dorsett, and Stark Delicious. Some physical and chemical fruit properties seemed to be associated with the insect behavior, in particular, firmness and pH were positively correlated to pest damage. Moreover, the research suggested that infestations might be influenced by diameter, weight, and polyphenol content of fruits. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Seven new species of endemic leaf-roller moths are described from the Hawaiian Islands: Eccoptocera hinanohomaunasp. nov. (O'ahu), Eccoptocera ohiaha, sp. nov. (O'ahu), Pararrhaptica kaiona, sp. nov. (O'ahu), Pararrhaptica pilikuanani, sp. nov. (Kaua'i), Spheterista huakunana, sp. nov. (O'ahu), Spheterista hiwakakahi, sp. nov. (Kaua'i), and Spheterista hakeaiki, sp. nov. (O'ahu). With the possible exception of S. hakeaiki, all species appear to be single-island endemics. In addition, Pararrhaptica pycnomias (Meyrick), syn. nov. (O'ahu), is treated as a junior synonym of Pararrhaptica notocosma (Meyrick) (O'ahu), Macraesthetica Meyrick is transferred from Eucosmini to Olethreutini, and Macraesthetica semicinereana (Swezey), comb. nov. (Hawai'i), is transferred from Nuritamburia Koçak & Kemal. A conservation status is proposed for each of the newly described species. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Biological control may benefit from the behavioral manipulation of natural enemies using volatile organic compounds (VOCs). Among these, herbivore-induced plant volatiles (HIPVs) provide potential tools for attracting or retaining predators and parasitoids of insect pests. This work aimed to characterize the VOCs emitted by pear plants in response to attack by Cacopsylla bidens (Hemiptera: Psyllidae), a major pest in pear orchards, to compare these with VOCs induced by a leaf chewing insect, Argyrotaenia sphaleropa (Lepidoptera: Tortricidae), and to evaluate the behavioral response of Chrysoperla externa (Neuroptera: Chrysopidae) to HIPVs from pear plants damaged by either herbivore. The results demonstrated that plants damaged by the pear psylla emitted VOC blends with increased amounts of aliphatic aldehydes. Leafroller damage resulted in increased amounts of benzeneacetonitrile, (E)-4,8-dimethylnona-1,3,7-triene, β-ocimene and caryophyllene. In olfactometer bioassays, larvae of C. externa were attracted to herbivore-damaged plants when contrasted with undamaged plants. When plant odors from psylla-damaged were contrasted with those of leafroller-damaged plants, C.externa preferred the former, also showing shorter response lag-times and higher response rates when psylla-damaged plants were present. Our results suggest that pear plants respond to herbivory by modifying their volatile profile, and that psylla-induced volatiles may be used as prey-specific chemical cues by chrysopid larvae. Our study is the first to report HIPVs in pear plants attacked by C. bidens, as well as the attraction of C. externa to psyllid-induced volatiles. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Simple Summary: The study aimed to understand the differences in predation of insect pests between managed apple orchards and surrounding habitats. The researchers used mealworm (Tenebrio molitor) pupae as a proxy for coddling moth (Cydia pomonella) pupae and placed them in 42 stations within the orchard and 42 stations in a Eucalyptus stand. Half of the stations were covered with nets to prevent bird predation, while the other half were accessible to birds and insects. The researchers recorded the predation of the pupae and analyzed the videos to determine which species were responsible for the predation. They found that in net-free stations, the predation rate inside the orchard was higher than in the Eucalyptus stand, and the video analysis confirmed that birds were responsible for most of the predation. In netted stations, the predation rate was higher in the Eucalyptus trees, and most of these predations were carried out by ants. The results suggest that the orchard environment negatively affects insect activity as the distance into the orchard increases, specifically predatory ants and that bird predation of insect pests inside the orchard may be more intense than in the surrounding unmanaged habitat. This study highlights the importance of considering the impact of insecticides on the activity of beneficial insect predators in agriculture and suggests that birds may play an important role in controlling insect populations in the orchard. Preserving ecosystem services, such as natural enemies that can provide pest control, can positively impact crops without compromising agricultural yield. Even though controlling pests by natural enemies has been suggested to reduce pests in agriculture, growers continue using conventional pesticides that kill beneficial predators. Here we studied whether the predation of avian and insect-beneficial predators varies in an apple orchard with conventional insecticide use compared to a bordering tree stand without insecticides. We studied the predation rates of mealworm pupae as a proxy to coddling moth pupae at 42 stations in both an apple orchard and a Eucalyptus stand at three distances (0 m, 50 m, and 100 m) from the border. Half of the stations were netted to prevent bird predation but were accessible to insects. The other half were non-netted and accessible to birds. We conducted six trials, each lasting two weeks, during which we recorded the predation of 504 stations with 5040 pupae. To validate which species predated the pupae, we added video cameras that took RGB videos during the day and IR videos at night in 45 stations and found that in net-free stations, birds preyed in 94.1% of stations in the orchard and 81.8% in the Eucalyptus stand. However, ants predated 70% of the pupae in stations with nets in the orchards and 100% in stations in the Eucalyptus strands. In addition, we found a significant rise in predation by birds as the distance into the orchard increased. Conversely, insect predation declined within the orchard but escalated in the adjacent unmanaged area. These findings suggest that the orchard's environment negatively affects beneficial insect activity, specifically predatory ants. This study demonstrates that birds can play an essential role in predating insect pests inside the orchard. In addition, we believe that the decreased predation of ants within the orchard was due to intense insecticide use. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Quince (Cydonia oblonga Miller) is one of the common hosts of the codling moth, Cydia pomonella L. Knowledge of the chemical ecology of codling moth is based on its behaviour against apples and pears but not quince. Here, we present a laboratory study on olfactometry and oviposition behavior preference of mated females and neonate larvae of codling moth against four quince cultivars. Oviposition of mated females was evaluated on dual‐choice test, whereas olfactometry response was evaluated in a Y‐tube olfactometer. Neonate larvae were evaluated in a dual‐choice test between pieces of fruit of quince cultivars in pairwise comparisons. In the Y‐tube olfactometer assay, mated females always responded positively to the fruit‐scented arm to quince fruit volatiles. Smyrna and Champion cultivars showed significant differences in the time that mated females spent in the fruit‐scented arm. In the oviposition assay, all pairwise comparisons showed significant differences in the number of the eggs laid, with Smyrna and Champion being the cultivars most preferred. No significant differences were detected in dual choice of neonate larvae. All comparisons elicited the behaviour of contacting the fruit source. Based on the potential emission of recognized kairomones and the results found here, cultivars Smyrna and Champion are suggested as cultivars most susceptible to codling moth infestation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Arab Journal of Plant Protection is the property of Arab Society for Plant Protection and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Copyright of Arab Journal of Plant Protection is the property of Arab Society for Plant Protection and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

The false codling moth (FCM), Thaumatotibia leucotreta (Meyrick), is believed to have originated from Ethiopia and sub-Saharan Africa. Currently, this pest has extensively spread and is found in most parts of Africa, with records in approximately 40 countries in over 100 host plant species. Despite Thaumatotibia leucotreta being the leading cause of interceptions of Capsicum and cut flowers exported by Kenya to the European Union, information on abundance and damage levels inflicted on capsicum is limited. The objective of the study was to assess the abundance and damage levels of T. leucotreta on capsicum in the selected counties in Lower Eastern Kenya (Kitui, Machakos, and Makueni counties). Higher T. leucotreta larval density per farm was recorded in Kitui County compared to other counties. In farms with capsicum only (not intercropped with other crops), the mean number of FCM larvae was relatively higher in Kitui. Farming practices such as the use of uncertified seeds and seedlings and the excessive use of pesticides may be the major contributors to high larval incidence in Kitui County. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The codling moth, Cydia pomonella, is a major pest of apple and pear orchards. However, with intensive use of pesticide, an increasing number of resistances has been reported. Detoxification is one of the main mechanisms involved in resistance in Lepidoptera, and there is still much to discover about the molecular mechanisms underlying it. This study was conducted to decipher the molecular mechanisms involved in the insecticide resistance of C. pomonella and to identify genetic markers associated with resistance upon exposure to several pesticides. To that aim, an experimental evolution was carried out from a wild population resistant to several active substances. We generated three lines by combining genetic crosses and experimental selection using chlorantraniliprole, deltamethrin and spinosad. High throughput RNA-sequencing (RNA-seq) was performed on the three lines to verify whether similar mechanisms were involved in pesticide resistance across lines and to assess the role of detoxification and other mechanisms in resistance. In total, we found 592 mutations and 157 differentially expressed genes. Of the candidate genes identified as involved in resistance, a very limited number were shared between lines. We found in total 20 genes belonging to already known candidate genes, with 2 of them known to be involved in C. pomonella resistance (CYP4C1 and CYP6B2) and identified several genes that have never been linked with resistance before (mainly associated with odorant perception and stress). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The utilization of insect pest pathogens as biocontrol agents can serve as an effective alternative to chemical pesticides. However, pests can develop resistance to these pathogens, similar to resistance observed with chemicals. Identifying the genetic bases of resistance is a crucial step in comprehending the co-evolution mechanisms between insect hosts and their pathogens, thereby enhancing the durability of these biocontrol methods. Cydia pomonella, a major pest of apple and pear trees found across all continents, can be effectively controlled in commercial orchards through the use of the granulovirus, CpGV. However, since 2005, resistance to the CpGV-M isolate has been reported in Europe, leading to significant challenges in managing C. pomonella in organic orchards. Studies conducted on CPGV-M resistance have revealed that viral replication is blocked in resistant phenotypes, and resistance is linked to a major gene located on the Z sex chromosome. Nevertheless, this major gene appears to be insufficient in explaining resistance to CPGV-M, as other forms of resistance involving autosomal genes have been identified subsequently. The objective of this study was to gain insights into the genetic architecture of C. pomonella resistance to CpGV-M by conducting a genome-wide association study using newly generated whole-genome resequencing data from pools of individuals (Pool-Seq) sampled from 13 susceptible and resistant populations across four regions in France and Italy. Through this analysis, eight candidate regions were identified, including one located on the Z sex chromosome. These eight regions encompass a total of 27 lncRNAs (long non-coding RNAs) and 40 genes, of which three are known to be involved in insects immune pathways. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The codling moth Cydia pomonella is the major pest of apple orchards worldwide. Chemical insecticides are commonly used against pests; however, increased number of resistance cases highlights the urgent need for alternative control methods. Plant-derived essential oils are promising alternatives to chemical insecticides. Although they show great efficacies under laboratory conditions, their efficacy are lower in the field; requiring their formulation. Methyl-eugenol (ME) is a plant essential oil with insecticidal activity; however, knowledge on the efficacy of formulated forms and mode of action of ME is limited. Here, we developed two formulations of ME, an emulsion oil in water (EW) and an emulsifiable concentrate (EC). Bioassays on neonate larvae revealed a limited efficacy of non-formulated ME with the highest mortality of 34.1% at 15% concentration at 120 h after the application. The mortality caused by EW formulation without ME led to a maximum of 10% mortality, while the mortality caused by EW formulation with ME varied between 26.7 and 100% for the lowest and highest concentrations, respectively. As the EC formulation without ME led to 90% mortality, no further bioassay on the EC formulation of ME was conducted. EW formulation of ME showed strong contact toxicity against C. pomonella larvae after 120 h of application (LC50 = 40.5 µL/cm2). Since ME is known to inhibit acetylcholinesterase, the relative expression levels of AChE-1 and AChE-2 genes were examined in ME-exposed surviving larvae upon its plain application. Only AChE-1 was upregulated with a five-fold increase 24 h after treatment, which might be the reason for the survival of the larvae. Overall, the EW formulation of ME has great potential against codling moth. Further studies under field conditions will be helpful to use this essential oil in integrated pest management programs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The demand for high-quality apples remains strong throughout the year, as they are one of the top three most popular fruits globally. However, the apple industry faces challenges in monitoring and managing postharvest losses due to invasive pests during long-term storage. In this study, the effect of codling moth (CM) (Cydia pomonella [Linnaeus, 1758]), one of the most detrimental pests of apples, on the quality of the fruit was investigated under different storage conditions. Specifically, Gala apples were evaluated for their qualities such as firmness, pH, moisture content (MC), and soluble solids content (SSC). Near-infrared hyperspectral imaging (HSI) was implemented to build machine learning models for predicting the quality attributes of this apple during a 20-week storage using partial least squares regression (PLSR) and support vector regression (SVR) methods. Data were pre-processed using Savitzky–Golay smoothing filter and standard normal variate (SNV) followed by removing outliers by Monte Carlo sampling method. Functional analysis of variance (FANOVA) was used to interpret the variance in the spectra with respect to the infestation effect. FANOVA results showed that the effects of infestation on the near infrared (NIR) spectra were significant at p < 0.05. Initial results showed that the quality prediction models for the apples during cold storage at three different temperatures (0 °C, 4 °C, and 10 °C) were very high with a maximum correlation coefficient of prediction (Rp) of 0.92 for SSC, 0.95 for firmness, 0.97 for pH, and 0.91 for MC. Furthermore, the competitive adaptive reweighted sampling (CARS) method was employed to extract effective wavelengths to develop multispectral models for fast real-time prediction of the quality characteristics of apples. Model analysis showed that the multispectral models had better performance than the corresponding full wavelengths HSI models. The results of this study can help in developing non-destructive monitoring and evaluation systems for apple quality under different storage conditions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Deep neural networks (DNNs) have recently been applied in many areas of agriculture, including pest monitoring. The codling moth is the most damaging apple pest, and the currently available methods for its monitoring are outdated and time-consuming. Therefore, the aim of this study was to develop an automatic monitoring system for codling moth based on DNNs. The system consists of a smart trap and an analytical model. The smart trap enables data processing on-site and does not send the whole image to the user but only the detection results. Therefore, it does not consume much energy and is suitable for rural areas. For model development, a dataset of 430 sticky pad photos of codling moth was collected in three apple orchards. The photos were labelled, resulting in 8142 annotations of codling moths, 5458 of other insects, and 8177 of other objects. The results were statistically evaluated using the confusion matrix, and the developed model showed an accuracy > of 99% in detecting codling moths. This developed system contributes to automatic pest monitoring and sustainable apple production. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Goniozus legneri Gordh (Hymenoptera: Bethylidae) is a larval ectoparasitoid of lepidopterans, with a worldwide history as a biocontrol agent of various agricultural pests. By means of extensive monitoring, this wasp was found in four distant districts of Mendoza province parasitizing three lepidopteran pests: Lobesia botrana (Den. et Shiff.) in grapevine, Ectomyelois ceratoniae (Zeller) in walnut and "espinillo" (Vachellia caven (Molina) Seigler et Ebinger) and Cydia pomonella (L.) in walnut. To corroborate the parasitoid species identification and to analyze its population viability in this region, studies of male genitalia and sexual crossings between wild and laboratory-reared wasps were conducted. Further, we report for the first time the natural host-parasitoid interaction of L. botrana with this parasitoid in vineyards from Argentina. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The present study aimed to evaluate the pomological and phenological traits, as well as yield potential and incidence of external defects of some local ('Bilecik', 'Maraş 12', 'Maraş 18', 'Şebin', 'Şen 1') and foreign ('Chandler', 'Fernette', 'Fernor', 'Howard', 'Pedro', 'Serr') walnut cultivars grown in Bursa (north-west in Turkey) conditions between 2014 and 2020. The first leafing was observed in Maraş 12, Serr, Şebin, and Maraş 18 cultivars, while Fernette and Fernor were the last leafing cultivars. The female blooming period of the cultivars was recorded to be the longest in Maraş 18 (15 days) and Şebin (16 days) and that was the shortest in Bilecik and Serr (10 days). The male blooming period was recorded as the longest in Chandler, Fernette, Bilecik, and Şebin (16-18 days) and that was the shortest in Maraş 12 and Serr (10 days). The average yield per tree of cultivars ranged between 1.87 kg (Şebin) and 14.21 kg (Pedro). Walnut blight was observed on average in 15.85%, sunburn in 10.21%, codling moth in 5.11%, anthracnose in 3.23%, and bird damage in 2.35% of the fruits. The healthy nut percentage ranged from 40.06% (Şen 1) to 76.50% (Chandler). The nut weight of cultivars was between 9.91 g (Maraş 12) and 16.27 g (Şen 1). Kernel percentage varied from 36.31% (Şen 1) to 53.56% (Maraş 12). The principal component analysis conducted to distinguish the cultivars suggests that the most important factors could be reduced to five components. The results showed that Maraş 12, Chandler, Fernor, and Howard were suitable cultivars for commercial cultivation in Bursa conditions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

BACKGROUND: The evolution of insect resistance to pesticides poses a continuing threat to sustainable pest management. While much is known about the molecular mechanisms that confer resistance in model insects and few agricultural pests, far less is known about fruit pests. Field‐evolved resistance to synthetic insecticides such as lambda‐cyhalothrin has been widely documented in Cydia pomonella, a major invasive pest of pome fruit worldwide, and the increased production of cytochrome P450 monooxygenases (P450s) has been linked to resistance in field‐evolved resistant populations. However, the underlying molecular mechanisms of P450‐mediated insecticide resistance remain largely unknown. RESULTS: Here we found that functional redundancy and preference of metabolism by P450s genes in the CYP9A subfamily confer resistance to lambda‐cyhalothrin in Cydia pomonella. A total of four CYP9A genes, including CYP9A61, CYP9A120, CYP9A121, and CYP9A122, were identified from Cydia pomonella. Among these, CYP9A120, CYP9A121, and CYP9A122 were predominantly expressed in the midgut of larvae. The expression levels of these P450 genes were significantly induced by a lethal dose that would kill 10% (LD10) of lambda‐cyhalothrin and were overexpressed in a field‐evolved lambda‐cyhalothrin resistant population. Knockdown of CYP9A120 and CYP9A121 by RNA‐mediated interference (RNAi) increased the susceptibility of larvae to lambda‐cyhalothrin. In vitro assays demonstrated that recombinant P450s expressed in Sf9 cells can metabolize lambda‐cyhalothrin, but with functional redundancy and divergence through regioselectivity of metabolism. CYP9A121 preferred to convert lambda‐cyhalothrin to 2′‐hydroxy‐lambda‐cyhalothrin, whereas CYP9A122 only generated 4′‐hydroxy metabolite of lambda‐cyhalothrin. Although possesses a relatively low metabolic capability, CYP9A120 balanced catalytic competence to generate both 2′‐ and 4′‐metabolites. CONCLUSION: Collectively, these results reveal that metabolic functional redundancy of three members of the CYP9A subfamily leads to P450‐mediated lambda‐cyhalothrin resistance in Cydia pomonella, thus representing a potential adaptive evolutionary strategy during its worldwide expansion. © 2022 Society of Chemical Industry. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Codling moth (CM) is a major apple pest. Current manual method of detection is not very effective. The development of nondestructive monitoring and detection methods has the potential to reduce postharvest losses from CM infestation. Previous work from our group demonstrated the effectiveness of hyperspectral imaging (HSI) and acoustic methods as suitable techniques for nondestructive CM infestation detection and classification in apples. However, both have limitations that can be addressed by the strengths of the other. For example, acoustic methods are incapable of detecting external CM symptoms but can determine internal pest activities and morphological damage, whereas HSI is only capable of detecting the changes and damage to apple surfaces and up to a few mm inward; it cannot detect live CM activity in apples. This study investigated the possibility of sensor data fusion from HSI and acoustic signals to improve the detection of CM infestation in apples. The time and frequency domain acoustic features were combined with the spectral features obtained from the HSI, and various classification models were applied. The results showed that sensor data fusion using selected combined features (mid-level) from the sensor data and three apple varieties gave a high classification rate in terms of performance and reduced the model complexity with an accuracy up to 94% using the AdaBoost classifier, when only six acoustic and six HSI features were applied. This result affirms that the sensor fusion technique can improve CM infestation detection in pome fruits such as apples. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The false codling moth (FCM; Thaumatotibia leucotreta, Meyrick; Lepidoptera: Tortricidae) is a highly polyphagous, major agricultural pest indigenous to sub-Saharan Africa. With growing international trade, there is an increasing concern about introducing this pest into other countries. In South Africa, FCM poses a risk to multiple crops, and is currently suppressed through a combination of chemical, microbial, cultural, augmentative biological control, and the sterile insect technique. Compared with other lepidopteran agricultural pests, such as codling moth Cydia pomonella, genetic and other-omic resources for FCM have not been as well developed and/or not made publicly available to date. The need to develop genomic resources to address questions around insecticide resistance, chemosensory capabilities, and ultimately, develop novel control methods (e.g. gene editing) of this pest is highlighted. In this study, an adult male was sequenced using long-read PacBio Sequel II reads and Illumina NextSeq short reads and assembled using a hybrid assembly pipeline and Pilon error correction. Using the chromosome-level genome assembly of Cy. pomonella, we performed comparative analysis, arranged FCM scaffolds to chromosomes, and investigated genetic variation related to insecticide resistance and chemosensory capabilities. This work provides a platform upon which to build future genomic research on this economically important agricultural pest. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The systematic and long-term use of pesticides in fruit plantations leads to the formation of resistant pest populations. The purpose of this work was to evaluate the effectiveness of the use of entomophages and acariphages for the protection of apple orchards. Against the dominant pest Cydia pomonella (Linnaeus), Habrobracon hebetor (Say) was used, which was caught in the Krasnodar Territory using cassettes with caterpillars attractive to H. hebetor. To determine the most genetically high-quality population, an RAPD analysis was carried out from three Russian (Krasnodar, Stavropol, and Belgorod) and one Kazakh (Shymkent) populations of H. hebetor, which revealed a high level of DNA polymorphism and genetic diversity in the studied geographical populations of the cities of Krasnodar and Stavropol. The efficiency of the captured Krasnodar population of H. hebetor against C. pomonella was about 75%. To regulate the number of aphids Aphis pomi De Geer and Tetraneura caerulescens (Pass.), breeding reserves of the aphidophages Harmonia axyridis Pallas, Leis dimidiata Fabr., Cycloneda sangvinea L., and Aphidius colemani Vier. were established. The biological efficiency of the developed technique was 82.8–88.6%. The release of the acariphages Amblyseius andersoni (Chant) and Metaseiulus occidentalis (Nesb.) on the apple tree showed effectiveness from 80 to 90% against Tetranychus urticae Koch and Panonychus ulmi (Koch). To study the possibility of simultaneous use of entomophages and insecticides, experiments were carried out to study the sensitivity of H. hebetor and H. axiridis to insecticides. When H. hebetor cocoons were treated with Insegar® and Atabron®, the ectoparasitoid emergence values were 98.4% and 100%, respectively. The survival of adult H. axiridis treated with Madex twin®, Atabron®, and Koragen® on the fifth day was 97.3%, 89.6%, and 81.9%, respectively. Based on the data obtained, it can be argued that it is possible to create favorable conditions for entomophages, which effectively regulate pest numbers in apple orchards. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Codling moth is being reported in other countries of the world. It is a destructive and direct pest on apples and other fruit crops. The pathway for the occurrence of codling moth in the isolated belt of Baramulla is a cause of concern, and there is a need to contain this insect pest in other fruit-growing areas of Kashmir Valley. Here, we report a codling moth attacking apple and pear plants in the incursion belt.The fruit damage on apple in the belt was recorded more than 10% on delicious varieties. The codling moth was monitored and identified by using species-specific sex pheromone. The morphological and molecular tools were used to identify the codling moth. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In insects, the chemical senses influence most vital behaviors, including mate seeking and egg laying; these sensory modalities are predominantly governed by odorant receptors (ORs), ionotropic receptors (IRs), and gustatory receptors (GRs). The codling moth, Cydia pomonella, is a global pest of apple, pear, and walnut, and semiochemically based management strategies limit the economic impacts of this species. The previous report of expression of a candidate pheromone-responsive OR in female codling moth ovipositor and pheromone glands raises further questions about the chemosensory capacity of these organs. With an RNA-sequencing approach, we examined chemoreceptors’ expression in the female codling moth abdomen tip, sampling tissues from mated and unmated females and pupae. We report 37 ORs, 22 GRs, and 18 IRs expressed in our transcriptome showing overlap with receptors expressed in adult antennae as well as non-antennal candidate receptors. A quantitative PCR approach was also taken to assess the effect of mating on OR expression in adult female moths, revealing a few genes to be upregulated or downregulating after mating. These results provide a better understanding of the chemosensory role of codling moth female abdomen tip organs in female-specific behaviors. Future research will determine the function of specific receptors to augment current semiochemical-based strategies for codling moth management.

Clepsis peritana (Clemens, 1860) (Lep.: Tortricidae) is reported as a new species for Britain from Staffordshire. The adult is illustrated in colour. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article documents the discovery and rearing of a Cnephasia incertana larva found in Saxifraga granulata in Hertfordshire, revealing that the leaf mining continued post-winter with distinctive mining patterns. Topics discussed include the identification of the Cnephasia incertana through rearing and dissection, the unusual post-hibernation mining behavior, and the encouragement for sharing leaf mine observations online.

The codling moth Cydia pomonella is a major pest of global significance impacting pome fruits and walnuts. It threatens the apple industry in the Loess Plateau and Bohai Bay in China. Sterile insect technique (SIT) could overcome the limitations set by environmentally compatible area-wide integrated pest management (AW-IPM) approaches such as mating disruption and attract-kill that are difficult to suppress in a high-density pest population, as well as the development of insecticide resistance. In this study, we investigated the effects of X-ray irradiation (183, 366, 549 Gy) on the fecundity and fertility of a laboratory strain of C. pomonella , using a newly developed irradiator, to evaluate the possibility of X-rays as a replacement for Cobalt60 (60Co- γ) and the expanded future role of this approach in codling moth control. Results show that the 8th-day is the optimal age for irradiation of male pupae. The fecundity decreased significantly as the dosage of radiation increased. The mating ratio and mating number were not influenced. However, treated females were sub-sterile at a radiation dose of 183 Gy (20.93%), and were almost 100% sterile at a radiation dose of 366 Gy or higher. Although exposure to a radiation dose of 366 Gy resulted in a significant reduction in the mating competitiveness of male moths, our radiation biology results suggest that this new generation of X-ray irradiator has potential applications in SIT programs for future codling moth control. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Simple Summary: Ants are widespread across terrestrial ecosystems, including agroecosystems, where they take part in several important processes. They often can act as predators of a wide range of insect pests in agricultural fields, which should be considered by management programs, and can sometimes be actively exploited to promote sustainable biological control strategies. In a recent experiment conducted in Europe, pear trees visited by larger numbers of ants suffered fewer attacks to their fruits by the codling moth, a small lepidopteran, which is a significant economic pest worldwide, especially in apple, pear, and walnut orchards. However, the exact form of the interaction between the ants and codling moths remained unclear. While ants were already known to prey upon mature larvae or pupae in the soil, this new evidence suggested they could also control the eggs or newly hatched larvae that had not yet attacked the fruits, which are the two stages whose removal would directly prevent fruit damage. We conducted laboratory experiments to determine whether two common European ants could prey upon these stages. Our results suggest that these ants are effectively able to kill newly hatched larvae, while the eggs do not appear directly vulnerable to predation. Further investigation under field conditions would be needed to assess whether ants may also interfere with the oviposition by adult moths. The predatory ability of ants (Hymenoptera, Formicidae) against insect pests can offer an important service to agricultural activities and may sometimes be directly exploited in biological control strategies. The codling moth Cydia pomonella (Lepidoptera, Tortricidae) is a major agricultural pest of fruit orchards, whose biological control is complicated by the fact that the larvae spend most of their life protected within the fruits they damage. In a recent experiment in Europe, pear trees in which ant activity was artificially increased by the addition of sugary liquid dispensers (artificial nectaries) suffered less damage caused by the larvae to their fruits. While some ants were already known to prey upon the mature larvae or pupae of C. pomonella in the soil, prevention of fruit damage would require predation upon eggs or newly hatched larvae, which have not yet excavated into the fruits. We verified whether two different Mediterranean ants frequently observed in fruit orchards, Crematogaster scutellaris and Tapinoma magnum, were able to prey upon C. pomonella eggs and larvae in laboratory conditions. Our experiments demonstrated that both species similarly attacked and killed young C. pomonella larvae. On the other hand, the eggs mostly attracted the attention of T. magnum but were never damaged. Further field assessments are required to understand whether ants may also interfere with oviposition by adults or whether larger ant species, although generally rarer in orchards, may also prey upon eggs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Apple growers have pursued the use of exclusion netting to reduce pesticide inputs and maintain control of codling moth.It is uncertain if these nets provide a physical or behavioural behaviour, and if they prevent codling moth establishment.To address this, we conducted field trials testing the ability of commercial netting to exclude codling moth using small (3 trees) and large (48 trees) cages. Experiments were conducted to evaluate both the permeability by releasing marked sterile moths either inside or outside the small cages, and the establishment of wild codling moth in the large cages.Results from the small cage study showed that netting reduced codling moth movement out of the netted plots, but virtually prevented codling moth dispersal into the plots. Codling moth capture inside the large cage plots was significantly less than in uncaged plots, but no differences were found in codling moth damage at harvest.These results indicate that the netting is physically permeable to codling moth adults; however, it acts as a behavioural barrier to moth immigration. These outcomes agree with existing literature that net enclosures can provide a non‐insecticidal tool to improve codling moth management, although it may not be a stand‐alone technique. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The codling moth, Cydia pomonella L. (Tortricidae), is a major pest of apples, potentially causing annual losses exceeding USD62 billion globally. Growers have limited options for combatting the codling moth. Sprays with azinphos-methyl have been banned in the European Union, Turkey, and the USA. To be effective, Bacillus thuringiensis or Carpocapsa pomonella must be ingested in large quantities, and the fruit is damaged before the larvae die. Mating disruption or an attract-and-kill strategy does not resolve problems caused by the migration of moths from adjacent areas or insecticide resistance. Discouraging neonates from burrowing into the fruit with feeding deterrents or repellents of plant origin may become a new strategy. This paper presents a list of twenty-three plants and six secondary metabolites preventing apple infestation by codling moth neonates. Some of these plant extracts or oils (Alium sativum, Tanacetum vulgare, Atremisia arborescens, Ginkgo biloba) showed deterrence exceeding 95% in comparison to controls. The prospects of codling moth control with botanicals are discussed, and further studies on these substances are suggested. In conclusion, the author states that twenty-nine plant-originated materials have great potential in organic apple protection. Future studies should concentrate on formulating these botanicals and identifying their molecular targets. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Simple Summary: The sterile insect technique/inherited sterility (SIT/IS) has been successfully implemented to suppress or eradicate pestiferous species of Lepidoptera. The SIT/IS involves the release of mass-reared and gamma-irradiated moths (partially sterile males and fully sterile females) to achieve matings with wild moths. The success of any SIT/IS project depends, inter alia, on the overflooding ratio of released sterile moths to wild moths and the efficiency of male-only versus bi-sex releases of irradiated moths. The current laboratory study aims to understand the efficacy of overflooding ratios and the use of male-only releases compared with bi-sex releases for SIT/IS against the European grapevine moth, Lobesia botrana (Denis and Schiffermüller). This laboratory study explored the concept of whether irradiated male-only releases are more or equally efficient as releases of both irradiated males and females in the context of using the sterile insect technique/inherited sterility (SIT/IS) for the management of the European grapevine moth Lobesia botrana. The current study examined the mating competitiveness of 150-Gy-treated L. botrana male and female moths or 150-Gy-treated male moths only, with untreated moths in laboratory cages. Our results showed that the release of both sexes significantly increased the competitiveness value (C) and the biological efficiency index (BE) as compared with male-only release, and this was independent of the male to untreated male ratio. Moreover, a single release of 150-Gy-treated and untreated males and females at a 1:1:10:10 ratio (untreated male:untreated female: treated male:treated female) significantly reduced egg hatch, and the number of first-generation offspring (F1) was small. The emergence of F2-moths per untreated F1 male and female moth was low, but these undesired fertile moths should be eliminated in order to achieve effective control. The results presented herein provide useful information on the impact of 150-Gy-treated male-only, versus releases of both treated males and females on untreated moths, which is essential to managing L. botrana populations with SIT/IS. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The study was conducted in south-eastern Poland, in three apple orchards where integrated pest management was applied, and in one ecological orchard and in their surroundings. In total, 1,677 individuals of Syrphidae belonging to 37 species, 21 genera, and two subfamilies were collected in the yellow traps. The most numerous were zoophagous syrphids - they constituted 94.5% of all the collected specimens and about 70% of the noted species. Among them, one species - Episyrphus balteatus (Deg.) - was the eudominant in the orchards and their surroundings. Comparing the occurrence of Syrphidae in the three IPM apple orchards and in their surroundings, it can be stated that more syrphids were caught in the boundary vegetation than within the orchards, whereas on the ecological site, more hoverflies were collected within the apple orchard than on the neigbouring plants. In most cases, in the orchard under IPM the syrphid species abundant in the surroundings of the orchards also appeared in great numbers in the orchards themselves, which indicated their movement from the boundaries into the orchards. The study has shown that the surroundings of orchards with species-rich, flowering plants positively influenced the species richness and the abundance of hoverflies occurring in the orchards. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Codling moth (CM) (Cydia pomonella L.) is the most destructive pest for apples, causing large economic losses when not properly mitigated. Efficient detection methods can limit the spread of this pest in the apple supply chain. Non-destructive methods have several advantages over the current methods in that they can be applied to every apple (or a much larger sample) thereby reducing the possibility of missed detection. This paper examines the feasibility of acoustic impulse response methods for detecting CM larvae-infested apples. Experiments were performed on control and artificially infested apples from three different cultivars. Signals were recorded with a contact sensor, and 21 signal features were proposed and extracted to characterise relevant properties of the response. The 21 features were evaluated with 11 machine leaning algorithms to determine if the features or their subsets contained information that could reliability determine if an apple was/is infested. Classification test results using a 10-fold cross-validation indicated accuracy rates between 80% and 92% for Fuji apples, between 92% and 99% for Gala apples, and 63% and 97% for Granny Smith apples. The impulse response required between 60 and 80 ms for each apple (not counting setup/transition time). These results from this study suggest that active impulse response classification can potentially improve the detection of post-harvest apple CM infestation detection along the supply chain. • Acoustic impulse response signals were investigated for detection of codling moth in apples. • Ultrasonic sound from solenoid tapping were attenuated differently based on apple quality. • Ensemble methods were the better classifiers for differentiating signals from apples. • Classification rates for Gala were the best ranging between 0.92 and 0.99. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Simple Summary: The codling moth, Cydia pomonella (L.) (Lepidoptera: Tortricidae), is a key pest in apple production. Controlling C. pomonella infestations with insecticides can be challenging, as it requires excessive insecticide use during the growing season. A survey of entomopathogenic nematodes (EPNs) and their endosymbionts (ESs) in apple production orchards of Kayseri Province, one of the main apple production areas of Türkiye, was conducted to develop an alternative control strategy to chemicals. Both EPNs and ESs have been studied for their potential control of C. pomonella larvae. The results demonstrate that EPNs and their ESs can reduce larval infestations of C. pomonella. The codling moth, Cydia pomonella (L.) (Lepidoptera: Tortricidae), is one of the major pests in pome fruit production worldwide. Heavy treatment of the larvae of C. pomonella with insecticides triggered the development of resistance to many groups of insecticides. In addition, the increasing concern about the adverse effects of synthetic insecticides on human health and the environment has led to the development of sustainable and eco-friendly control practices for C. pomonella. The entomopathogenic nematodes (EPNs) (Steinernema and Heterorhabditis spp.) and their endosymbionts (Xenorhabdus and Photorhabdus spp.) represent a newly emerging approach to controlling a wide range of insect pests. In the present study, field surveys were conducted in apple orchards to isolate and identify EPNs and their endosymbionts and evaluate their insecticidal efficacy on the larvae of C. pomonella. EPNs were isolated from 12 of 100 soil samples (12%). Seven samples were identified as Steinernema feltiae (Filipjev, 1934) (Rhabditida: Steinernematidae), whereas five samples were assigned to Heterorhabditis bacteriophora (Poinar, 1976) (Rhabditida: Heterorhabditidae). The pathogenicity of the EPN species/isolates was screened on the last instar larvae of G. mellonella. The two most pathogenic isolates from each EPN species were tested against fifth instar larvae of C. pomonella under controlled conditions. The maximum mortality (100%) was achieved by all EPN species/isolates at a concentration of 100 IJs/larva 96 h after treatment. The endosymbionts of selected H. bacteriophora and S. feltiae species were identified as Photorhabdus luminescens subsp. kayaii and Xenorhabdus bovienii, respectively. The mortality rates ranged between 25 and 62% when the fifth larval instar larvae of C. pomonella were exposed to the treatment of cell-free supernatants of symbiotic bacteria. In essence, the present survey indicated that EPNs and their symbiotic bacteria have good potential for biological control of C. pomonella. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Sex pheromone baited monitoring traps are a critical tool for integrated pest management decisions against many insects, particularly codling moths (Cydia pomonella L.). The addition of cameras for remote monitoring has the potential to enhance the usefulness of these important tools. However, changes in trap design could potentially alter plume structure and trapping efficiency of these new traps. Here we look at several trap configurations designed to optimize the capture of codling moths in traps equipped with cameras. We found that, in both wind tunnel and field trials, camera equipped triangle traps and camera equipped rectangle traps (both V1 and V2) caught codling moths equivalent to a standard 'delta' style trap. While catch was unaffected, altering our rectangular trap opening from 4 to 8 cm (V1 and V2, respectively) decreased frequency of moths contacting the front of trap and increased the frequency of moths flying directly into the trap. We show that these novel camera equipped semiochemical-baited traps catch equivalent to the industry standard white delta trap. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

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