Occurrence of Some Flea Beetle Pests of Parkland Rapeseed Crops in Open Prairie and Forest in Saskatchewan (Coleoptera: Chrysomelidae)

Abstract

Can. Ent. 114: 617-622 (1982) Tethered gypsy moth larvae, Lymantria dispar (L.) (Lepidoptera: Lymantriidae), vlaced in various tree microhabitats were most heavilv varasitized b~ Compsilura < .concinnata (Meigen) (Diptera: Tachinidae) near the ground especially on leaves.In laboratory experiments, hosts were parasitized primarily between 6:00 AM and 6:00 PM (E.S.T.), with little parasitism at night. These data suggest that in the field, this tachinid will most efficiently attack young gypsy moth caterpillars, as instars 1 to 3 are the only ones consistently on or near foliage during daylight. C . concinnata females successfully parasitized young hosts, but larval development on 2nd instars was twice as long as that on 4th instars. Thus, only one generation of parasitoids on gypsy moths is likely per year. Results indicate that methods for improving the effectiveness of this parasitoid should emphasize increasing adult numbers early in the season.

Flea beetle (Coleoptera: Chrysomelidae) species in canola (Brassicaceae) on the northern Great Plains of North America

“…This increase may have occurred concomitantly with the frequency and amount of rapeseed/canola grown in the region (Hartman 2012; Barthet 2015). Similar to our results from the Peace Lowland and those of Burgess (1982, 1984) and Burgess and Spurr (1984) from the northern boreal forest, the current study found P. striolata to be the principal flea beetle in the Boreal Transition Ecoregion. Burgess (1982) predicted that P. striolata could achieve pest status if rapeseed production was extended northward into the boreal forest zone, and short rotation of crops, as is currently practiced (Harker et al .…”

“…Populations in south central Manitoba had similar compositions, while Interlake populations had P. cruciferae numbers in the 50–70% range, with P. striolata comprising most of the remainder (Wylie 1979). Over time, P. striolata became more abundant than in the past (Burgess 1981), especially in the northern portion of the Aspen Parkland (Burgess 1982, 1984; Burgess and Spurr 1984; Wylie et al . 1984), although Burgess (1981) observed a concomitant rise in P. cruciferae numbers across Saskatchewan by 1979, suggesting that numbers of both species were increasing in the province.…”

“…There are two principal flea beetle species in Canadian canola fields. Crucifer flea beetle Phyllotreta cruciferae (Goeze) is most frequently found in the southern Canadian prairie regions, while striped flea beetle Phyllotreta striolata (Fabricius) was traditionally found in greatest numbers along the northern parkland of the prairies and in the Peace River Region of Alberta (Burgess 1977(Burgess , 1982Wylie 1979). Hop flea beetle, Psylliodes punctulata Melsheimer, occurs in low numbers in canola across the prairies, while several other Phyllotreta Chevrolat species are found in prairie canola in minor proportions (Burgess 1977;Wylie 1979).…”

Entomopathogenicity of Beauveria bassiana toward flea beetles, Phyllotreta cruciferae Goeze (Col., Chrysomelidae)

“…This crucifer F L B species as well as the striped FLB, P. striolata (Fab.) have been reported as most common and prevalent insect pests in western Canada (ELLIOTT, 1992;BURGESS, 1982;LAMB and TURNOCK, 1982). The adult beetles feed voraciously not only the leaves but also the seed pods of canola, mustard and several other species of cruciferous plants.…”

“….,There is limited control of this pest by using cultural practices and various biological agents (BURGESS, 1982;WYLIE, 1984;HAZZARD and FERRO, 1991). The growers are applying chemical insecticides by spray, seed treatment, or in-furrow granules thus treating the pathogens or insect pest of seedlings (ELLIOTT, 1992).…”