Faculties & Departments

Department of Biology

Diabolo

An integrative strategy for the sustainable control of diamondback moth (Plutella xylostella) by conservation of natural enemies and application of biocontrol agents.

Objective

The major objective of this research project is to develop an Integrated Biological Pest Management System for the control of the diamondback moth (DBM) Plutella xylostella in cabbage and leaf vegetable crops in China and Indonesia. The DBM is the most important pest in crucifer plants worldwide and it has become resistant to a range of insecticides.

Funding Agency

This project is funded by the European Commission Programme " Confirming the International Role of Community Research, Research for Development (INCO-DEV)" Contract no ICA4-2001-10003

The partners are

Prof. Ann Burnell, National University of Ireland Maynooth (Co-ordinator)
Dr. Richou Han, Guangdong Entomological Institute, China
Dr. Didik Sulistyanto, The University of Jember, Indonesia
Dr. Ralf-Udo Ehlers, Christian-Albrechts-Universität zu Kiel, Germany
Group photo

Pictured at the Chung Yuk Co. farm at Congyu, Guangdong, China are, left to right, Dr. Ralf-Udo Ehlers, Dr. Richou Han, Prof. Ann Burnell & Dr. Didik Sulistyanto.

Background

The diamondback (DBM) moth Plutella xylostella is the most important pest in crucifer pests worldwide. It affects all crucifers, and without insecticide treatment the whole plant is destroyed. For recognition and diagnosis criteria forPlutella xylostella, see http://www.nysaes.cornell.edu/ent/hortcrops/english/dbm.html.

Prior to the introduction of synthetic insecticides in the late 1940’s P. xylostella larvae were not reported as major pests of brassica crops, however the widespread use of chemical insecticides caused the elimination of natural enemies of P. xylostella. This led to increased use of insecticides, resulting in the development of insecticide resistance in P. xylostella against a range of insecticides and to crop failures. The most commonly used control methods in China and Indonesia are the use of Bacillus thuringiensis (Bt) and chemical insecticides (organophosphates, carbamates and pyrethroids). Parasitoids of eggs, larvae and pupae can have a control potential of > 80% however, the indiscriminate use of insecticides has prevented the function of these parasitoids as they are highly susceptible to chemical insecticides. Their potential can only be exploited if chemical insecticides can be successfully substituted. Entomopathogenic nematodes (EPN) of the genera Steinernema and Heterorhabditis are a successful component of integrated DBM management programmes, especially for populations that are resistant to Bt.


Cabbage plants showing the damage caused by DMP caterpillars.


A DBM larvae feeding on the underside of a cabbage leaf and DBM larvae and pupae.

The Project

The major objective of this research project is the development of an Integrated Biological Pest Management (IBPM) concept for the control of P. xylostella in China and Indonesia which will be cost effective, sustainable and environmentally sound. Control of DBM and other major cabbage pests will be based on the combination of EPN against older instars and Bt and insect viruses against young instars. Due to the substitution of chemical measures a significant contribution to DBM control is expected from parasitation of eggs, larvae and pupae by beneficial insects. The performance of the biocontrol agents (BCA) will be improved through the development of novel formulation techniques, protecting viruses and EPN from UV and desiccation. Tolerance of EPN against desiccation will be enhanced through up-regulation of the trehalose synthase gene in response to desiccation stress. Trehalose protects cell membranes during environmental stress. Existing EPN banks will be screened for heat and desiccation tolerance and for identification of strains with the potential to control DBM and also other lepidopteran (Crocidolomia binotalis, Spodoptera litura, S. exigua, Agrotis ypsilon) and the coleopteran (Phyllotreta striolata) cabbage pests. Resistance of DBM to Bt will be monitored as well as the impact of egg (Trichogramma spp.) and larval parasitoids (Diadegma sp.) on DBM populations. A central activity is the field testing of appropriate IBPM strategies combining effective BCA best adapted to different climatic zones of China and Indonesia.

a field scene
The field trials of the Diabolo project in Indonesia are at Bromo Mountain, Probolinggo, East Java.

field with house
The field trials of the Diabolo project in China are at the Chung Yuk Vegetable Produce and Development Co. farm at Congyu, Guangdong, China.

For field trials EPN will be produced in vitro and production costs will be calculated. These data will be used for a cost-benefit analysis of the biological control concept. The project includes technology transfer through farmer field schools in order to facilitate the introduction of a proven IBPM into field practice at an early stage.

a field

Preparation for spraying with EPN and BT against P

Preparation for spraying with EPN and BT against P. xylostella and Crocidolomia binotalis at Bromo Mountain, East Java.

Field application of EPN and BT with a 15 litre knapsack sprayer at Bromo Mountain, East Java.

Flowchart

Project objectives targeting on the development of Integrated Biological Pest Managment (IBPM) against Diamondback moth (DBM) with Entomopathogenic Nemtodes (EPN), Bacillus thurigiensis (B.t.) and other Biological Control Agents (BCA).

The specific scientific and technological objectives of this project are

to identify strains of EPN with enhanced virulence against DBM and other ancillary insect pests of brassica crops
to select the most virulent subspecies of Bt for use against Chinese and Indonesian populations of DBM
to test a range of entomopathogenic viruses for their toxicity to DBM
to test available Trichogramma species from the strain bank of Partner 2 (GEI, CN) for their potential to control eggs of DBM
to test a variety of formulation products, additives and pest feeding stimulants
to develop a strain of the EPN Steinernema carpocapsae with increased desiccation tolerance
to estimate mass-production costs of EPN in order to compare capital-intensive liquid culture technology with labour-intensive production technology on solid media.
to study the impact of EPN on naturally occurring parasitoids of DBM
to field test selected biocontrol agents (singly and in combination) and novel formulations for their control potential against DB
to carry out a cost-benefit analysis and socio-economic feasibility study of the integrated biological control concept for DBM
to prepare technical pamphlets and media resources on the practical applications of integrated biological control for DBM in cabbage
to initiate training of teachers, extension service personnel and farmers in the biocontrol strategies developed within this project.

Pictured are the members of the Indonesian Diabolo team with their project leader Dr. Didik Sulistyanto.

group photo

Pictured are the members of the Chinese Diabolo project with their project leader Dr. Richu Han and the project leaders from Ireland, Germany and Indonesia at the first Project management meeting which was held at the Guangdong Entomological Institute China in March 2002.

members of the Indonesian Diabolo project with their project leader Dr. Didik Sulistyanto

Pictured are the members of the Indonesian Diabolo project with their project leader Dr. Didik Sulistyanto and the project leaders from China, Ireland and Germany at the third Project management meeting which was held at the University of Jember, Indonesia in April 2004.

Biological control of DMB using polymer-formulated Steinernema carpocapsae and Bacillus thuringiensis, Turex ® in cabbage fields in East Java.

team photo

The Indonesian Diabolo team counting DBM and Crocidolomia larvae during the field trials.

Treated and Control Cabbages


Healthy cabbage plants from the treatment with biocontrol agents. Plants were treated weekly, alternating sprays of 80,000 S. carpocapsae per plant with sprays of 0.1 g Turex ® per plant. Untreated cabbage plant showing damage caused by DBM larvae and Crocidolomia caterpillars (the caterpillar in the picture is Crocidolomia).

Healthy cabbage plants from the treatment with biocontrol agents. Plants were treated weekly, alternating sprays of 80,000 S. carpocapsae per plant with sprays of 0.1 g Turex ® per plant. Untreated cabbage plant showing damage caused by DBM larvae and Crocidolomia caterpillars (the caterpillar in the picture is Crocidolomia).

Farmer Field School in Probolinggo, East Java, Indonesia.

Field lecture

Participants at a farmer field school held in Probolinggo on 06 April 2004.

Fiels school farm

The farmers also visited the field trial site where they saw cabbage plots treated with biocontrol agents and could compare these treatments with the untreated control plots.

Links:

Click here for a powerpoint presentation on the control of cabbage insect pests in China using biological control agents and chemical insecticides

Last edited: Monday, 03-Nov-2008 14:38:56 GMT

Biology Department , NUI Maynooth
Tel: +353-1-708 3843 | Fax: +353-1-708 3845| Email: terry.roche@nuim.ie

National University of Ireland, Maynooth