Population dynamics of Lithocolletis ringoniella, its parasitoids,and the control of this pest in extensively managed orchards
Author of the article:DU Ling-Jun;HANG Cui-Cui;ZHANG Yi-Yi; ZHOU Hao;GU Song-Dong;TAN Xiu-Mei;WAN Fang-Hao;ZHOU Hong-Xue
Author's Workplace: College of Botanical Medicine, Qingdao Agricultural University, Key Laboratory of Integrated Plant Disease and Pest Control, China-Australia Joint Institute of Agricultural and Environmental Health, Qingdao 266109, China; 2. Agricultural Genomics Institute at Shenzhen, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Shenzhen 518120, China
Key Words: Lithocolletis ringoniella; dynamics; parasitoid; parasitic rate
Abstract:[Objectives] To clarify the population dynamics of Lithocolletis ringoniella and its control by parasitoids in extensively managed orchards, thereby providing a theoretical basis for the biological control of this pest. [Methods] A systematic field survey combined with laboratory dissection of specimens was conducted in extensively managed orchards in the Fushan District of Yantai in 2017-2018. [Results] Adult L. ringoniella reached peak abundance from mid-May to mid-June whereas larvae had two dynamics peaks at the end of May and in mid-late June. The leaf damage rate increased significantly after mid-June and defoliation was common in early July. Five species of parasitic wasps were found; Sympiesis soriceicornis, Apanteles theivorae, Ageniaspis testaceipes, Sympiesis foerst, and Cirrospilus ogimae. There were two parasitic peaks from the end of May to the beginning of June and at the end of July. Before the end of June, the parasitism rate of S. soriceicornis and A. theivorae, which were then the dominant species of parasitic wasps, reached 33.69% and 29.48%, respectively. After July, A. testaceipes became the dominant parasitic wasp with an average parasitism rate of 38.54% and a maximum rate of 71.72%. [Conclusion] The natural parasitism rate of parasitoids on L. ringoniella is high and the dominant parasitoid species differ in different periods. Protection of the parasitoids of L. ringoniella should be prioritized as an effective way of controlling this pest.