Interference of ants (Hymenoptera: Formicidae) with biological control of the vine mealybug Planococcus ficus (Signoret) (Hemiptera: Pseudococcidae)

Mgocheki, Nyembezi; Addison, Pia

doi:10.1016/j.biocontrol.2009.02.001

Cited by 67 publications

(79 citation statements)

References 27 publications

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“…Mealybugs and ants are known to have a mutualistic symbiosis, whereby the ants obtain carbohydrate-rich honeydew from the mealybug, while in return providing it with protection, sanitation and transport (Mgocheki & Addison, 2009). Thus, ants potentially can increase mealybug pest problems by interfering with the augmentative and natural biological control, through assisting in their dispersal, or through decreasing the EPN efficacy by means of scavenging on EPN-infected insect cadavers (Phillips & Sherk, 1991;Baur et al, 1998;Daane et al, 2008).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Prospects for Using Entomopathogenic Nematodes to Control the Vine Mealybug, Planococcus ficus, in South African Vineyards

Vieux

Malan

2015

SAJEV

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In South Africa, the most common method of mealybug control has been the use of chemical insecticides. Entomopathogenic nematodes (EPNs) of the of the families Heterorhabditidae and Steinernematidae potentially can be used within an integrated pest management scheme to control Planococcus ficus, the vine mealybug, which occurs on all parts of grapevine, including the roots. When Steinernema yirgalemense was applied to the soil of two vineyards with P. ficus, contained in pierced Eppendorf tubes, buried at a depth of 15 cm in the soil, mortalities of up to 50% were obtained after 48 h. The persistence of S. yirgalemense, measured using codling moth larval mortality was found to be zero in one vineyard, while in the other it was 70%, 12 weeks after application. Tests were conducted to establish the production of scavenger deterrent factors by H. zealandica and S. yirgalemense. Of the cadavers that were presented six days after nematode infection, 49% of the H. zealandica-and 60% of the S. yirgalemense-infected cadavers were left intact. Olfactometry tests indicated a significant difference concerning the number of S. yirgalemense infective juveniles (IJs) that were attracted to damaged Vitis vinifera roots and P. ficus, indicating active movement of the IJs and the attractive ability of organic compounds produced by the roots. This study shows that EPNs, and specifically S. yirgalemense, have promising potential as biological control agents for the control of P. ficus soil populations, and investigates some influential factors affecting EPNs as biocontrol agents in the agro-ecosystem.

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Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Prospects for Using Entomopathogenic Nematodes to Control the Vine Mealybug, Planococcus ficus, in South African Vineyards

Vieux

Malan

2015

SAJEV

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“…This relationship is one in which ants obtain carbohydrate-rich honeydew from the mealybug, providing it with protection, transport and sanitation in exchange (Mgocheki & Addison, 2009). Thus, ants are able to exacerbate mealybug pest problems by disrupting processes of augmentative and natural biological control and by aiding in their dispersal (Phillips & Sherk, 1991;Daane et al, 2008).…”

Section: Relationships With Antsmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…In the presence of ants, mealybugs are able to consume larger quantities of plant sap than they otherwise would. Moreover, some ant species, such as the cocktail ant Crematogaster peringueyi (Emery), actually construct a shelter over P ficus in order to provide it with protection (Franco et aL, 2009;Mgocheki & Addison, 2009). The mutualistic relationship concerned has been shown to significantly reduce the efficacy of the biological control of P ficus (Addison, 2002).…”

Section: Relationships With Antsmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…The most prevalent enemies of P ficus in South Africa include Hymenopteran parasites such as C. perminutus (which is commercially produced and available for augmentative release), Anagyrus pseudococci (Girault) and Leptomastix daciylopii (Howard), and predatory Coccinellid beetles such as Nephus bineavatus (Mulsant), N. quadrivittatus (Mulsant) and N. angustus (Casey) (Wakgari & Giliomee, 2003;Walton & Pringle, 2004a, 2004bHoim, 2008;Mgocheki & Addison, 2009). Unfortunately, parasitoids can only attack mealybugs when they are found on exposed locations, thus they are unable to reach P ficus when it is underground or hiding beneath bark or in deep crevices (Holm, 2008).…”

Section: Biological Controlmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Unfortunately, parasitoids can only attack mealybugs when they are found on exposed locations, thus they are unable to reach P ficus when it is underground or hiding beneath bark or in deep crevices (Holm, 2008). To exacerbate the problem, ants interfere with parasitism and reduce parasitoid numbers by directly killing individuals (Mgocheki & Addison, 2009). Biological control has been the primary alternative to chemical pesticide, and is considered one of the cornerstones of integrated pest management (1PM) schemes (Gaugler et al, 1997;Koppenhöfer et al, 2000).…”

Section: Biological Controlmentioning

confidence: 99%

See 2 more Smart Citations

An Overview of the Vine Mealybug (Planococcus ficus) in South African Vineyards and the Use of Entomopathogenic Nematodes as Potential Biocontrol Agent

Vieux

Malan

2016

SAJEV

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The vine mealybug, Planococcus ficus (Hemiptera: Pseudococcidae), which is the dominant mealybug species in South Africa, is a severe wine and table grape pest and disease vector. Their increasing resistance to chemical pesticides and cryptic lifestyles have led to the search for new control methods. Entomopathogenic nematodes (EPNs) belonging to the famifies Heterorhabditidae and Steinernematidae are deadly insect pathogens. This paper gives valuable background information on F ficus and EPNs, while paying particular attention to the potential use of South African EPN species as biocontrol agents against F ficus.

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Association between ants (Hymenoptera: Formicidae) and the vine mealybug (Hemiptera: Pseudococcidae) in table‐grape vineyards in Eastern Spain

Beltrà

Navarro-Campos

Calabuig

et al. 2017

Pest Management Science

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Interference of ants (Hymenoptera: Formicidae) with biological control of the vine mealybug Planococcus ficus (Signoret) (Hemiptera: Pseudococcidae)

Cited by 67 publications

References 27 publications

Prospects for Using Entomopathogenic Nematodes to Control the Vine Mealybug, Planococcus ficus, in South African Vineyards

Prospects for Using Entomopathogenic Nematodes to Control the Vine Mealybug, Planococcus ficus, in South African Vineyards

An Overview of the Vine Mealybug (Planococcus ficus) in South African Vineyards and the Use of Entomopathogenic Nematodes as Potential Biocontrol Agent

Association between ants (Hymenoptera: Formicidae) and the vine mealybug (Hemiptera: Pseudococcidae) in table‐grape vineyards in Eastern Spain

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