Impact of Biochar on Douglas-Fir Tussock Moth (Orgyia pseudotsugata Lepidoptera: Erebidae) Larvae Reared on Synthetic Die

The use of biochar as a soil amendment in forest ecosystems can be beneficial in the restoration of degraded soils. Forest insects such as the Douglas-fir tussock moth, Orgyia pseudotsugata (McDonnough) (Lepidoptera: Erebidae), may be exposed to biochar when the material is applied. Two experiments were conducted using biochar either (1) applied to the surface of the diet at three rates (0, 5, and 10 mg) or (2) incorporated into synthetic diet at four rates (0, 10, 20, and 40% volume/volume). The objective of both experiments was to determine if biochar on the surface or incorporated into a synthetic diet affected development and survival of O. pseudotsugata larvae. In both experiments, there was a significant decrease in estimated time to larval mortality in all biochar treatments compared to untreated controls. In the surface-applied biochar experiment, there was a significant difference in larval weight gain at day 12 between the control and 10 mg biochar treatments. In the experiment with biochar incorporated into the diet, mean larval weight at day 12 was highest in the low (10%) biochar treatment compared to all other treatments, although weight gain was only significantly different between the low- and high-concentration (40%) biochar treatments. Our results suggest that larvae, feeding on a low amount of biochar in the synthetic diet, may respond by engaging in compensatory feeding behavior. Fewer surviving larvae in the biochar treatment groups may contribute to the lack of significance found in the comparison of weight gain at day 24 in each experiment.

Management of Needle-Eating Caterpillars Associated with Pinus massoniana and P. merkusii in Vietnam

Pine tussock moth (Dasychira axutha Collenette (Lymantriidae)) and masson pine caterpillar (Dendrolimus punctatus Walker (Lasiocampidae)) cause serious damage to Pinus massoniana and P. merkusii plantations in Vietnam. An integrated pest management (IPM) program is required to control these pests. Therefore, this study was undertaken to identify damage thresholds and to evaluate control options for implementing IPM in the Northeast and North Central regions of Vietnam. Three damage thresholds were considered: <25%, 25–50% and >50% loss of leaf area. Control options were manual collection of eggs and pupae and the use of light traps and biological agents. An initial IPM model was developed for each pest and these gave control efficacies of 82.4% (Da. axutha on P. massoniana) and 77.8% (De. punctatus on P. merkusii). Six extended IPM models were undertaken by forest companies giving pest control efficacies of 79.2–85.9%. The collection of pine resin provides an important source of income to local communities and the resin yield in the IPM models increased by 20.9–22.7% compared to untreated control plots. The IPM protocols would help in developing policies that promote a more sustainable management of forest pests in Vietnam, thus reducing dependence on the use of insecticides of environmental and public health concerns.

Electrophysiological and Behavioral Responses of Dasychira baibarana (Lepidoptera: Lymantriidae) to Tea Plant Volatiles

Tea black tussock moth, Dasychira baibarana (Matsumura) (Lepidoptera: Lymantriidae), is a devastating pest species of the tea plant in China. Here, we evaluated the responses of D. baibarana to tea plant volatiles using gas chromatography coupled electroantennographic detection (GC–EAD), eleclectroantennography (EAG), and a Y-tube olfactometer. In total, 11 of 18 analyzed compounds elicited GC–EAD responses from test insects. GC–EAD bio-active compounds were further investigated using EAG and behavioral responses. In the EAG analysis, male moths had significantly greater responses to four compounds [(Z)-3-hexenyl butyrate, (Z)-3-hexen-1-ol, ocimene and benzyl alcohol] than female moths. For females, maximum EAG amplitudes, were recorded in response to linalool, (Z)-3-hexenyl hexanoate and (Z)-jasmone. In EAG and behavioral bio-assays, the responses of both sexes were dose independent. In behavioral bio-assays male moths responding significantly to (Z)-3-hexen-1-ol, ocimene, (Z)-3-hexenyl butyrate, linalool, benzyl alcohol, and (Z)-jasmone at various concentrations. For females, significant behavioral responses were observed to (Z)-3-hexenyl hexanoate, followed by (Z)-jasmone, linalool, ocimene, and benzyl alcohol. However, neither sex was sensitive to 4 of the 11 tested compounds, phenyethyl alcohol, phenylacetonitrile, (E)-nerolidol, and indole. The present results showed that tea plant volatiles influenced the behavior of D. baibarana moths, which will greatly contribute in developing eco-friendly control strategies for D. baibarana, through the application of a blend of compounds that showed significant EAG and behavioral responses or a blend combined with female-produced sex pheromones.

A prickly situation: an attempted Caterpillar ingestion - case report

Background Foreign body ingestion is a common problem in pediatrics. Each foreign body can present its’ own unique challenges during removal, and we present the management of an ingested Spotted Tussock Moth (Lophocampa maculata), more commonly known as a caterpillar. Case presentation An 18-month-old boy presented to the emergency department with difficulty handling secretions and odynophagia. It was reported he had placed a caterpillar in his mouth and then spat it out. On examination, hundreds of miniscule filaments (setae) were seen embedded in his lips and tongue. Our service was consulted out of concern for airway involvement. The patient was taken to the operating room where a direct laryngoscopy under general anesthesia with spontaneous ventilation was performed to confirm the setae were confined to the anterior tongue and lips. Once we were satisfied the airway was stable, the airway was secured, and we then began to remove the setae. The initial method used was to use Adson-Brown forceps to remove the setae, however this proved difficult and time-consuming given the volume of setae and how thin the setae were. Ultimately, a more effective technique was developed: a 4 × 4 AMD-RITMES® gauze was applied to the mucosa in order to dry up any secretions and then a piece of pink, waterproof BSN medical® tape was applied to the mucosa. After 3 s of contact it was removed. This technique was then repeated and was used to remove the vast majority of the setae. Conclusion To our knowledge, we have described the first technique to remove the caterpillar setae from the oral cavity mucosa in a fast, safe and efficient manner.

Review of the genus Daplasa Moore (Lepidoptera, Erebidae, Lymantriinae) from China, with description of new species

The tussock moth genus Daplasa Moore, 1879 is reviewed from China. Hitherto four species are recognized, where one new species, D. nivisala sp. n., is described and one new combination D. melanoma (Collenette, 1938) comb. n. is proposed. Adults and their genital structures are provided, together with a key to the species of Daplasa with the occurrence in China.