Michael Anthony Keller

The shape of the functional response curve of Dolichogenidea tasmanica (Hymenoptera: Braconidae) is affected by recent experience

Publisher: Elsevier BV

Date: 06-2016

DOI: 10.1016/J.BIOCONTROL.2015.05.004

Host discrimination by the solitary endoparasitoidDolichogenidea tasmanica(Hymenopotera: Braconidae)

Publisher: Informa UK Limited

Date: 20-10-2014

DOI: 10.1080/09583157.2014.964663

Factors affecting detectability of prey DNA in the gut contents of invertebrate predators: a polymerase chain reaction-based method

Publisher: Wiley

Date: 30-01-2008

DOI: 10.1111/J.1570-7458.2007.00657.X

Searching behaviour of Dolichogenidea tasmanica in response to susceptible instars of Epiphyas postvittana

Publisher: CSIRO Publishing

Date: 2015

DOI: 10.1071/ZO14093

Abstract: Dolichogenidea tasmanica (Hymenoptera: Braconidae) is the most commonly reared parasitoid from larval light brown apple moth (LBAM), Epiphyas postvittana (Lepidoptera: Tortricidae), feeding on grapevines in Australia. In order to evaluate the efficiency of searching behaviour of D. tasmanica, a laboratory study was undertaken to determine how this wasp responds to the susceptible stages of larval LBAM. Observations of searching behaviour were made in a wind tunnel, which allowed the wasp to express its full range of behaviour. The behaviour of D. tasmanica and susceptibility of LBAM to parasitism varies significantly among instars. The wasp most readily parasitises newly hatched larvae, but can parasitise the first three of the six instars. The first instars cause less damage and also produce less faeces and silk than later instars, so they are associated with less volatile cues that may be detected by the parasitoid. Flight initiation to an infested leaf was lower in the presence of first instars compared with second and third instars. The flight duration was shortest when females were exposed to plants infested by third instars. An analysis of the sequence and timing of searching behaviour indicated that females respond differently to each of the instars of LBAM.

Walk this way, fly that way: Goniozus jacintae attunes flight and foraging behaviour to leafroller host instar

Publisher: Wiley

Date: 20-02-2021

DOI: 10.1111/EEA.13028

Larger is Better in the Parasitoid Eretmocerus warrae (Hymenoptera: Aphelinidae)

Publisher: MDPI AG

Date: 03-01-2020

DOI: 10.3390/INSECTS11010039

Abstract: Eretmocerus warrae (Hymenoptera: Aphelinidae) is a specialist parasitoid that is used for the control of the greenhouse whitefly, Trialeurodes vaporariorum (Hemiptera: Aleyrodidae). We investigated how temperature affects the body-size, life-time oviposition, and longevity of E. warrae at different stages of life. The body-sizes of both this parasitoid and its host are influenced by temperature. Body-volume indices that reflect body-sizes fell by 47.7 % in T. vaporariorum compared with 57.6% in E. warrae when temperature increased from 20 to 32 °C. The life-time oviposition of female adults of E. warrae that grew at the immature developmental temperature of 20 °C was 86 ± 22 eggs, more than 66 ± 11 eggs at 26 °C, and 65 ± 23 eggs at 32 °C. Besides the influence on fecundity, temperature also influences the oviposition behaviour at the adult stage. More eggs were oviposited at 20 and 26 °C than at 32 °C. Higher temperatures reduced survival in the immature developmental stages and longevity in adults. Adult females lived for a maximum of 8.9 ± 1.8 days at 20 °C and laid a maximum of 97.4 ± 23.2 eggs when reared at 20 °C and maintained at 26 °C as adults. Adult body-size is positively correlated with life-time oviposition but not adult longevity. The results imply that temperature influences the nature of interactions between a parasitoid and its host. Larger wasps can live longer and parasitise more hosts, which should improve their performance as biological control agents.

Tripartite Interactions of Barley Yellow Dwarf Virus, Sitobion avenae and Wheat Varieties

Publisher: Public Library of Science (PLoS)

Date: 03-09-2014

DOI: 10.1371/JOURNAL.PONE.0106639

Interspecific competition between two generalist parasitoids that attack the leafrollerEpiphyas postvittana(Lepidoptera: Tortricidae)

Publisher: Cambridge University Press (CUP)

Date: 09-01-2015

DOI: 10.1017/S0007485314000923

Abstract: Two generalist parasitoids, Dolichogenidea tasmanica (Cameron) (Hymenoptera: Braconidae) and Therophilus unimaculatus (Turner) (Hymenoptera: Braconidae) attack early instars of tortricid moths, including the light brown apple moth, Epiphyas postvittana (Walker) (Lepidoptera: Tortricidae). The two parasitoids co-exist in natural habitats, while D. tasmanica is dominant in vineyards, whereas T. unimaculatus occurs mainly in adjacent native vegetation. This difference suggests possible competition between the two species, mediated by habitat. Here, we report on the extent of interspecific differences in host discrimination and the outcome of interspecific competition between the two parasitoids. The parasitoids did not show different behavioural responses to un-parasitized hosts or those that were parasitized by the other species. Larvae of D. tasmanica out-competed those of T. unimaculatus , irrespective of the order or interval between attacks by the two species. The host larvae that were attacked by two parasitoids died more frequently before a parasitoid completed its larval development than those that were attacked by a single parasitoid. Dissection of host larvae parasitized by both species indicated that first instars of D. tasmanica attacked and killed larval T. unimaculatus .

The Resistance and Correlation Analysis to Three Species of Cereal Aphids (Hemiptera: Aphididae) on 10 Wheat Varieties or Lines

Publisher: Oxford University Press (OUP)

Date: 08-2013

DOI: 10.1603/EC13071

Abstract: Winter wheat resistance is an efficient and environmentally friendly means to controlling aphids. By using principal component analysis and correlation analysis, we evaluated the resistance of 10 winter wheat varieties or lines from three countries to the following three aphid species: Sitobion avenae, Rhopalosiphum padi, and Schizaphis graminum. The data show that Batis was susceptible to Si. avenae and R. padi, but had adverse effect on the development of Sc. graminum Astron was advantageous to WG and r(m) of Si. avenae and R. padi, but not to Sc. graminum Amigo was resistant to Sc. graminum and R. padi, but susceptible to Si. avenae 98-10-35 was resistant to Si. avenae and R. padi, but not to Sc. graminum 98-10-30 was adverse to growth and fecundity of Si. avenae, but better for Sc. graminum and R. padi Xiaoyan22 was susceptible to Sc. graminum, but not to R. padi Ww2730 were resistant to Si. avenae, but susceptible to Sc. graminum 186tm was susceptible to R. padi, but caused high mortality for Si. avenae and Sc. graminum. Correlation analysis suggests the wheat varieties or lines that were resistant to Si. avenae were always resistant to R. padi, but susceptible to Sc. graminum. However, the overall similarities in resistance classifications were not because of the same phenotypic characters of the wheat varieties or lines. We conclude that the wheat varieties or lines had specific different resistances to the three aphid species, and the resistant traits (antibiosis) can be defined at two or more hierarchical levels. There was even a stronger "trade-off" for the comparison of Si. avenae versus Sc. graminum and R. padi versus Sc. graminum.

Ecology of diamondback moth in Australian canola: landscape perspectives and the implications for management

Publisher: CSIRO Publishing

Date: 2008

DOI: 10.1071/EA07413

Abstract: The ecology of diamondback moth (DBM), Plutella xylsotella L. (Lepidoptera: Plutellidae), and records of its frequent, but sporadic, population outbreaks in the canola agroecosystems of southern and western Australia are reviewed. The migratory capacity of DBM, possible maintenance of pest populations on brassicaceous weeds and forage crops, resistance to commonly used pyrethroid insecticides, a lack of effective natural enemies (due to disruption by insecticides and difficulties associated with colonising the vast areas of canola crops) and suitable climatic conditions during critical phases of the crop cycle are all likely to contribute to the observed pest outbreaks. A greater understanding of the ecology of DBM in the canola landscape is fundamental to improving its management in the crop but relevant long-term DBM abundance data are currently lacking. Five critical research issues are identified: (i) improved understanding of the factors which determine regional movement patterns of diamondback in canola-growing areas (ii) the development and implementation of flexible insecticide resistance management strategies (iii) better understanding of canola crop colonisation by natural enemies of DBM and their population dynamics under current and alternative insecticide application strategies (iv) greater appreciation of the interactions between DBM and its crop and weedy host plants and (v) the development of validated simulation models to aid in the forecasting of possible DBM outbreaks. Each issue represents a significant challenge but all must be addressed if the development of a sustainable integrated strategy for the management of DBM in Australian canola is to become a reality.

Role ofDiadegma semiclausum(Hymenoptera: Ichneumonidae) in controllingPlutella xylostella(Lepidoptera: Plutellidae): Cage exclusion experiments and direct observation

Publisher: Informa UK Limited

Date: 09-2004

DOI: 10.1080/09583150410001682304

The combined foraging of a parasitoid and a predatory bug enhances mortality of Plutella xylostella larvae

Publisher: Wiley

Date: 27-06-2022

DOI: 10.1111/EEA.13206

Abstract: Interactions between biocontrol agents of crop pests can lead to neutral, detrimental, or improved outcomes for pest control. We investigated the existence and the nature of the additive interactions between a parasitoid, Diadegma semiclausum (Hellén) (Hymenoptera: Ichneumonidae), and two hemipteran predators, Oechalia schellenbergii Guérin‐Méneville (Pentatomidae) and Nabis kinbergii Reuter (Nabidae), of the diamondback moth (DBM), Plutella xylostella (L.) (Lepidoptera: Plutellidae), under laboratory conditions. In the presence of the parasitoid, both O. schellenbergii and N. kinbergii increased predation by 56 and 66%, respectively. The escape response of the prey to avoid being parasitized (moving backwards and sometimes spinning down from the leaf on a silk thread, becoming less cryptic to the predators), may be at the basis of the enhanced predation by these predatory bugs however, further studies are necessary to test this hypothesis. As the predators did not preferentially consume either parasitised or unparasitised larvae, coincidental intraguild predation should not affect this positive outcome in relation to DBM suppression. The findings highlight the potential utility of combining these natural enemies and may have important implications for the management of DBM in brassica crops in Australia and other multi‐species systems.

Odor Sensor Requirements for an Insect Inspired Plume Tracking Mobile Robot

Publisher: IEEE

Date: 2006

DOI: 10.1109/ROBIO.2006.340328

Foraging behaviour of a blue banded bee,Amegilla chlorocyaneain greenhouses: implications for use as tomato pollinators

Publisher: Springer Science and Business Media LLC

Date: 2007

DOI: 10.1051/APIDO:2006060

Pre-feeding of a glycolipid binding protein LEC-8 from Caenorhabditis elegans revealed enhanced tolerance to Cry1Ac toxin in Helicoverpa armigera

Publisher: Elsevier BV

Date: 2012

DOI: 10.1016/J.RINIM.2012.05.002

Comparing Insect-Inspired Chemical Plume Tracking Algorithms Using a Mobile Robot

Publisher: Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE)

Date: 04-2008

DOI: 10.1109/TRO.2007.912090

Chemical and Sensory Comparison of Tomatoes Pollinated by Bees and by a Pollination Wand

Publisher: Oxford University Press (OUP)

Date: 08-2010

DOI: 10.1603/EC09393

Abstract: Tomato flowers (Solanum lycopersicum L.) in greenhouses require assisted pollination. Compared with pollination using a vibration wand, pollination by buzz pollinating bees results in improved seed set and consequently, higher fruit weight. We investigated whether there are further chemical and sensory differences between bee- and wand-pollinated cherry tomatoes, Solanum lycopersicum variety Conchita. The pollination method did not result in significant differences in concentration of soluble solids and titratable acidity. However, the concentration of soluble solids was significantly positively correlated with seed number. We suggest that an increase in the amount of soluble solids in the locular area, due to increased seed numbers, is counteracted by the effects of seed numbers on the growth of the walls, which occurs through cell elongation. In the sensory part of this study, a large, untrained panel significantly preferred bee-pollinated over wand-pollinated tomatoes and classified bee-pollinated tomatoes as having more depth of flavor than wand-pollinated tomatoes. Thus, bee-pollinated tomatoes taste better than wand-pollinated tomatoes, and it is likely that the sensory differences between the two groups of tomatoes are mediated through effects of pollination treatment on seed numbers. Future chemical and sensory studies of fresh tomatoes should take into account the effects of seed numbers and their possible effect on the distribution of chemical compounds within tomatoes.

Functional response and predation of Nabis kinbergii (Hemiptera: Nabidae) to Plutella xylostella (Lepidoptera: Plutellidae)

Publisher: Wiley

Date: 08-2005

DOI: 10.1111/J.1005-295X.2005.00034.X

Which species of Tortricidae leafrollers are key insect pests in South Australian vineyards?

Publisher: Informa UK Limited

Date: 03-07-2018

DOI: 10.1080/03721426.2018.1510656

An empirical model of the sympatric coexistence of two strains of the endoparasitoid wasp Venturia canescens

Publisher: Wiley

Date: 15-02-2006

DOI: 10.1002/ARCH.20112

Abstract: Recent research has demonstrated that a laboratory culture of the asexual solitary endoparasitoid wasp Venturia canescens Grav. (Hymenoptera: Ichneumonidae) contains two genetically and phenotypically distinct lines, coexisting on their host the flour moth Ephestia kuehniella Zeller (Lepidoptera: Pyralidae). The basis to the coexistence of the two lines appears to be differences in their reproductive success under single parasitism and superparasitism. Furthermore, examination of field-derived wasps from several locations has shown that the phenotypes displayed by the laboratory colonies also co-occur in field populations. Historically, the impossibility of showing that two species do not occupy separate niches has precluded any demonstration of sympatric coexistence in the field. Here we present the results of an iterative model that uses a range of experimental life history data to predict the stable composition of a mixed population of two lines displaying the laboratory phenotypes under different rates of superparasitism. The model predicts that sympatric coexistence of the two lines is possible when the overall rate of superparasitism is between 4 and 12% or greater. These values are within the rates reported for other solitary endoparasitoid wasp species in the field, and so demonstrate that the sympatric coexistence under natural conditions of two species that display the phenotypes observed in the laboratory lines is, in principle, possible.

Host Plants Affect the Foraging Success of Two Parasitoids that Attack Light Brown Apple Moth Epiphyas postvittana (Walker) (Lepidoptera: Tortricidae)

Publisher: Public Library of Science (PLoS)

Date: 20-04-2015

DOI: 10.1371/JOURNAL.PONE.0124773

Patch Time Allocation by the Parasitoid Diadegma semiclausum (Hymenoptera: Ichneumonidae). II. Effects of Host Density and Distribution

Publisher: Springer Science and Business Media LLC

Date: 03-2005

DOI: 10.1007/S10905-005-0473-Z

Mutual interference in Dolichogenidea tasmanica (Cameron) (Hymenoptera: Braconidae) when foraging for patchily-distributed light brown apple moth

Publisher: Elsevier BV

Date: 07-2015

DOI: 10.1016/J.BIOCONTROL.2015.01.004

Analysing the diets of invertebrate predators using terminal restriction fragments

Publisher: Springer Science and Business Media LLC

Date: 11-12-2011

DOI: 10.1007/S10340-011-0406-X

Host selection of Dolichogenidea tasmanica: implications for conservation biological control of light brown apple moth

Publisher: Informa UK Limited

Date: 03-01-2020

DOI: 10.1080/09583157.2019.1709620

Host stage preference ofDolichogenidea tasmanica(Cameron, 1912) (Hymenoptera: Braconidae), a parasitoid ofEpiphyas postvittana(Walker, 1863) (Lepidoptera: Tortricidae)

Publisher: Wiley

Date: 15-10-2014

DOI: 10.1111/AEN.12130

Molecular identification of wolf spiders (Araneae: Lycosidae) by multiplex polymerase chain reaction

Publisher: Elsevier BV

Date: 2007

DOI: 10.1016/J.BIOCONTROL.2006.10.007

Effectiveness of Insect-Inspired Chemical Plume-Tracking Algorithms in a Shifting Wind Field

Publisher: Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE)

Date: 02-2008

DOI: 10.1109/TRO.2007.913985

United States Department Of Agriculture

Location: United States of America

View Organisation

North Carolina State University

Location: United States of America

View Organisation

University Of Adelaide

Location: Australia

View Organisation

University Of Delaware

Location: United States of America

View Organisation

University Of Florida

Location: United States of America

View Organisation

Discovery Projects - Grant ID: DP0665560

Start Date: 2006

End Date: 12-2009

Amount: $230,000.00

Funder: Australian Research Council

Linkage Projects - Grant ID: LP0348690

Start Date: 12-2003

End Date: 12-2006

Amount: $225,000.00

Funder: Australian Research Council

Discovery Projects - Grant ID: DP0881071

Start Date: 2008

End Date: 12-2013

Amount: $255,000.00

Funder: Australian Research Council

Linkage Projects - Grant ID: LP0775207

Start Date: 01-2007

End Date: 12-2009

Amount: $270,000.00

Funder: Australian Research Council

Special Research Initiatives - Grant ID: SR0354908

Start Date: 2004

End Date: 12-2004

Amount: $10,000.00

Funder: Australian Research Council