Suitability of different fluorescent powders for mass‐marking the Chrysomelid, Diabrotica virgifera virgifera LeConte

Abstract

The Western Corn Rootworm, Diabrotica virgifera virgifera LeConte (Col., Chrysomelidae), is an invasive alien pest of maize, Zea mays, in Europe. The suitability of 14 fluorescent powders for mass-marking the adults was studied in laboratory and in field cages. The visual discrimination between remaining spots of each colour on the beetles was investigated under ultraviolet (UV) light, as well as their retention time and the influences of those colours on the beetle survival and flight take-off response. The two best recognizable orange colours (i.e. of Radiant Colour and of Fiesta Colours Swada) were proposed for field experiments in first priority, followed by an orange and a yellow (both Magruder Colour), another yellow (Fiesta) and a pink (Radiant), as all did not affect beetle survival and flight take-off response and were recognizable under UV light for at least 10 days in the field. In contrast, the colours yellow and green (Radiant), red and blue (Magruder), yellow (Ciba Geigy) and pink (Fiesta) were unsuitable, because they either quickly disappeared from the beetles or adversely affected beetle survival or flight take-off response. For mass releases with differently marked beetles, only the use of a single orange colour together with a single yellow colour or the use of a pink colour together with a yellow colour can be used since few spots can clearly be discriminated from each other under UV light.

Efficiency of pheromone traps for monitoring Diabrotica virgifera virgifera LeConte

“…Marking also allowed recaptured D. v. virgifera beetles to be distinguished from other native D. v. virgifera co‐captured in the trap. Colours (yellow, green, blue, orange) were dry fluorescent powders not soluble in fat or water (Toepfer et al. , 2005).…”

“…Diabrotica v. virgifera beetles were released about 1 h later, directly from the bottle. Captured D. v. virgifera were checked below a UV lamp in a dark room for colour residues (Toepfer et al. , 2005).…”

Flight and crawling activities of Diabrotica virgifera virgifera (Coleoptera: Chrysomelidae) in relation to morphometric traits

“…Flight activity of young adults (6‐day‐old) and mature adults (30‐day‐old) (as in Naranjo, 1991) was assessed by measuring the flight take‐off response and the proportion of adults flying (as described by Duan et al, 1998; Toepfer et al, 2005). The flight stands used consisted of a wooden pin (h: 40 mm, dia.…”

“…Many researchers have studied the flight activity and dispersal behaviour of D. v. virgifera (e.g. Witkowski et al, 1975; Coats et al, 1986; Naranjo, 1990a,b; Levine and Oloumi‐Sadeghi 1996;Mabry et al, 2004; Toepfer et al, 2005; Spencer et al, 2005). Interest in this topic is likely due to the fact that knowledge on D. v. virgifera ’s dispersal ability is necessary to predict local abundance and spatial distribution when developing effective management strategies (Naranjo and Sawyer, 1989; Naranjo, 1990a; French et al, 2004).…”

Evaluating the efficacy of two insect detection methods with Riptortus pedestris (Hemiptera: Alydidae): portable harmonic radar system and fluorescent marking system

“…However, to our knowledge, this was the first case of increased mobility upon marking. Often times, the researchers only evaluate the flight response of the target insects when testing the feasibility of the marker because it is the main method of dispersal for flying insects . Nevertheless, as our study shows, diverse aspects of insect mobility need to be considered with regards to how they may affect the dispersal.…”