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Final Report
For 2009/2012
Project Leader Information
Programme Leader Project Leader
Title, initials, surname MS. R. Carstens Dr. KA Achiano
Affiliation ARC Infruitec/Nietvoorbij ARC Infruitec/Nietvoorbij
If selected other Other Other
Present Position Acting-Manager: Plant Protection
Senior Researcher
Address ARC Infruitec-Nietvoorbij Private Bag X5026 Stellenbosch 7599
ARC Infruitec-Nietvoorbij Private Bag X5026 Stellenbosch 7599
Tel. / Cell no. (021) 809 3002 (021)8093466
Fax (021) 809 3584 (021)8093023
E-mail CarstensR@ arc.agric.za [email protected]
Project title Study to determine occurrence and impact of Asian ladybird, Harmonia axyridis (Pallas), in Western Cape winelands.
Project number 230072
Subcommittees
Fruitgro Science Winetech
Choose an item.
Plant Protection
Fruit kind(s) Wine
Start date (dd/mm/yyyy) 01 April 2009
End date (dd/mm/yyyy) 31 March 2012
Progress report 2
230072 KA Achiano ARC Infruitec-Nietvoorbij
Give a summary of the project to date in no more than 250 words
Objectives1. Determine the distribution of Harmonia axyridis (Pallas) (HA) in the western Cape winelands.2. Determine the possible effect of HA on population of local natural enemies especially predatory ladybirds.3. Determine whether indigenous parasitoids that attack local predatory ladybirds also attack HA.4. Determine whether grains sown as winter cover crops play a significant role in attracting HA to vineyards.
Methodology Four vineyards (about 3 ha each) were selected from Nietvoorbij, Glen Helderberg, Backsberg and La Motte. The HA, other coccinellids and parasitoids were assessed by placing one yellow sticky trap Agribiol (200x 100 mm) per hectare at the centre of each trial site and in adjacent surrounding vegetation. The inspection of the traps was done fortnightly. A non-destructive method of visual inspection of cover crops, vines and adjacent surrounding vegetation was also used for monitoring. The number of every species obtained for yellow sticky traps and visual inspections were combined for analysis.
Conclusions1.Considering the flight behaviour of HA from the vines in December, they appear not to pose any risk to wine farmers as most grapes are harvested from January.2. HA as an exotic insect does have a debilitating effect on the population of indigenous coccinellids. HA was only found in South Africa in 2002 (Stals & Prinsloo, 2007) yet their numbers are significantly higher than that of the indigenous coccinellids.
RecommendationWork must be done to determine why Harmonia axyridis is so successful in the South African ecosystem.
Progress report 3
230072 KA Achiano ARC Infruitec-Nietvoorbij
Progress Report
The polymorphic harlequin ladybird, Harmonia axyridis (Pallas) (HA) preys voraciously on a
diversity of pestiferous aphids. HA will also attack soft-bodied arthropods when aphids are in
short supply and thus will feed on other beneficial insect species such as eggs of the ladybird,
Exochomus flavipes which preys on vine mealybugs. Many vineyards in the Western Cape
Province plant various grains as winter cover crops which are attacked by aphids. The aphids
in turn might attract HA into the vineyards. Furthermore, the presence of crushed HA in
processed wine could render it unpalatable. The tainted wine and the unacceptable taste
associated with HA could cause millions of Rands in losses to the wine industry in the Western
Cape Province as had happened in Canada and USA. This study was to determine:
(i) The distribution of HA in the Western Cape winelands,
(ii) The possible effect of HA on populations of local natural enemies particularly predatory
ladybirds,
(iii) Whether indigenous parasitoids that attack local predatory ladybirds also attack HA,
(iv) Whether grains sown as winter cover crops play a significant role in attracting HA to
vineyards.
Four vineyards (± 3 ha each) were selected as trial sites. These were at Nietvoorbij (33º91´S;
18º85´E; altitude 149 m), Glen Helderberg (34º03´S; 18º42´E; altitude 100 m), Backsberg
(33º83´S; 18º91´E; altitude 242 m), and La Motte (33º83´S; 18º61´E; altitude 248 m). The H.
axyridis, other coccinellids and parasitoid numbers were assessed by placing one yellow sticky
trap Agribiol® (200 mm x 100 mm) per hectare in each of the trial sites at a height of 1.0 m
(measured with a tape) and in adjacent surrounding vegetation. A second assessment of the
parasitoids was made by using yellow delta traps™ (110 mm x 200 mm x 280 mm) containing a
white sticky pad with male P. ficus pheromone lures, also at a density of one per hectare. The
yellow delta traps were also placed at a height of 1.0 m. The yellow delta traps and yellow
sticky traps were placed 30 m apart on the same row in the centre of each hectare. All traps
were placed in the centre of the vineyard to avoid potential edge effect. The inspection of the
traps was done fortnightly for yellow delta traps and monthly for yellow sticky traps. A non-
destructive method of visual inspection of cover crops, vines and adjacent surrounding
vegetation was also used to monitor HA and other coccinellids. The monitoring was done from
September 2009 to March 2012. At every inspection the yellow sticky traps and removable
sticky inserts of the delta traps were removed and replaced with new ones. The old ones were
taken to the laboratory and inspected under a stereo microscope. The species were identified
and counted. The number of every species obtained for yellow delta trap, visual inspection and
1. Problem identification and objectives Shortly state the problem being addressed and the ultimate aim of the project.
State the objectives for the current year and for the following year.
2. Amended workplan materials and methods Give the proposed workplan for continuation if changes are proposed to the original workplan
Progress report 4
230072 KA Achiano ARC Infruitec-Nietvoorbij
yellow sticky pads were combined for analysis. The female mealybugs were monitored by
systematically sampling each trial site from stems, lateral branches and leaves. Samples were
taken from 100 different vines evenly distributed throughout each of the trial sites.
Data Analyses
The average monthly temperature, rainfall, total number of female mealybugs and total number
of H. axyridis, were plotted against time. The total percentage of coccenellid species collected
at each farm and the Pearson correlation of independent variables temperature and rainfall, and
dependent variable H. axyridis was calculated. In addition, the regression relationship between
average number of parasitoids per month and total average number of H. axyridis per month for
three seasons were also calculated.
The numbers of female mealybugs were initially low at all four farms from September, but
increased between October and January. Thereafter they continued to decrease till the end of the
season (Fig. 1). These low number counts may be due to managerial practices such as
application of chemicals earlier in the season. Some minor peaks occurred between October and
January at all four farms (Fig. 1). The very low numbers at the end of the season could be
attributed to farmers taking measures to reduce female mealybug infestation just before harvest
(Fig. 1).
The exotic Harmonia axyridis made up the highest percentage of coccinellids (65.84 %) collected
at La Motte. This was followed by Hippodamia variegata (44.09 %) at Nietvoorbij and the
indigenous coccinellids Cheilomenes lunata (24.87 %) at Backsberg, Exochomus flavipes (3.11 %)
3. Performance chart, results, and discussion Referring to the objectives state results obtained to date and list any current benefits to the industry. Include a short
discussion if applicable to your results. Please limit this discussion to essential information
Milestones (Significant event or stage in a project) Achievements Date
1. Monitor populations of VMB and its
parasitoid complex.
Female mealybug and parasitoid
populations on four farms were
monitored.
September 2009-March 2012
2. Monitor HA on cover crops, vines and
adjacent surroundings
HA populations on four farms
were monitored.
September 2009-March 2012
3. Monitor natural enemies of HA in the trial
areas.
Natural enemies of HA on four
farms were monitored.
September 2009-March 2012
4. Obtain meteorological data for trial areas. Meteorological data for the four
trial areas were obtained from
ARC.
September 2009-March 2012
Progress report 5
230072 KA Achiano ARC Infruitec-Nietvoorbij
(attacks female mealybug) at La Motte and Micraspis sp. (0.37 %) in descending order (Table 1).
All the species mentioned above feed on ahpids, thus at low densities of prey, especially H.
axyridis may engage in intra-guild predation. The intra-guild predation and other factors such as
good searching ability, high reproductive rate of HA and a possible two generations per year could
account for the apparent displacement of indigenous coccinellids by the exotic H. axyridis at
Backsberg and La Motte (Table 1; Figs. 2 & 3). The primary mealybug parasitoids encountered at
the four farms from October to February were mainly encyrtids: Leptomastix dactylopii,
Coccidoxenoides perminutus and Anagyrus sp.
The total number of H. axyridis collected from vine/cover crops was initially high, peaking between
October and December when aphids were found on the cover crops and thereafter decreasing
drastically (Figs. 2 & 3). The numbers of H. axyridis collected from the surrounding vegetation on
the other hand were at the outset low, but increased slightly in tandem with the numbers found on
the vine/cover crops (Figs. 2 & 3). The decrease of H. axyridis on the vine/cover crops and
increase on the surrounding vegetation coincided with an increase in temperature and a decrease
in rainfall, respectively (Figs. 2 & 3). The Pearson correlation of temperature and rainfall was -
0.629 and 0.720 respectively (at P = 0.05) (Table 2). This suggests that the immigration and
emigration of H. axyridis between the vines/cover crops and surrounding vegetation could depend
on temperature and rainfall. The movement of HA onto the vines in September from the
surrounding vegetation coincides with high rainfall and relatively low temperature in the previous
four months (Figs. 2 & 3). The exodus of HA in December from the vines into the surrounding
vegetation in turn coincides with low rainfall and very high temperatures (Figs. 2 & 3). The
movement between the two sites may also depend on the availability of food sources, such as
aphids. It is also possible that the chemicals used to control the mealybug population could have
had a negative impact on the HA numbers (Figs. 2 & 3).
The total numbers of H. axyridis were negatively correlated with the numbers of mealybug
parasitoids at all the four trial sites (Fig. 4). This negative impact on parasitoids may be due to H.
axyridis sustaining itself on parasitized mealybugs in the absence of aphids. It will further impact
negatively on the ability of resident parasitoids to control mealybug infestations of vines. No
indigenous parasitoids were found to attack H. axyridis.
Conclusion
1. Considering the flight behaviour of HA from the vines in December, they appear not to pose
any risk to wine farmers as most grapes are harvested from January.
2. HA as an exotic insect does have a debilitating effect on the population of indigenous
coccinellids. HA was only found in South Africa in 2002 (Stals & Prinsloo, 2007) yet their
numbers are significantly higher than that of the indigenous coccenellids.
Progress report 6
230072 KA Achiano ARC Infruitec-Nietvoorbij
Recommendation
Work must be done to determine why HA is so successful in the South African ecosystem and how
to combat it. HA has the ability to displace coccenellids like Exochomus flavipes which attacks and
controls vine mealybug.
4.4.4.4. Accumulated outputsAccumulated outputsAccumulated outputsAccumulated outputs Indicate the year actioned.
Technology developed Technology developed Technology developed Technology developed
None Human resources developed/trainedHuman resources developed/trainedHuman resources developed/trainedHuman resources developed/trained Indicate the number and level (e.g. MSc, PhD, post doc) of students/support personnel that were trained as well as their cost to industry through this project. Add in more lines if necessary.
Research staff and industry advisors/consultants trained to identify harlequin beetles.
Student level (BSc, MSc, PhD, Post doc) Cost to project (R)
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
Patents Patents Patents Patents
None PublicationsPublicationsPublicationsPublications (popular, press releases, semi-scientific, scientific)
At least one scientific and one popular publication - 2013 Presentations/papers deliveredPresentations/papers deliveredPresentations/papers deliveredPresentations/papers delivered
Presented a paper at WINETECH Grapevine IX Virus Workshop 29 May 2011. Title: Population study of Harmonia axyridis (Coleoptera: Coccinellidae) on vines in the Western Cape Province, South Africa.
Reference STALS, R. & PRINSLOO, G. 2007. Discovery of an alien invasive, predatory insect in South
Africa: the multicoloured Asian ladybird beetle, Harmonia axyridis (Pallas)
(Coleoptera:Coccinellidae). South African Journal of Science 103: 123–126.
Progress report 7
230072 KA Achiano ARC Infruitec-Nietvoorbij
Table 1. Total percentage of coccenellid species collected at each farm.
Species
Farm H. axyridis H. variegata E. flavipes C. lunata Micraspi s sp.
0.00 c
Nietvoorbij 47.39 b 44.09 b 0.11 c 8.18 c 0.23 c
Backsberg 63.08 a 10.00 c 2.05 c 24.87 c
0.37 c
La Motte 65.84 a 21.74 bc 3.11 c 9.32 c 0.00 c
Glen Helderberg 37.80 c 46.33 b 1.83 c 13.67 c
Variables
Independent Dependent Pearson correlation Significance difference (P < 0.05)
Temperature (0C) H. axyridis -0.629 0.004
Rainfall (mm) H. axyridis 0.720 0.002
Letters in the same row are not significantly different at P = 0.05
Table 2. Pearson correlation of independent variables temperature, rainfall and dependent variable
H. axyridis from all trial sites combined.
Progress report 8
230072 KA Achiano ARC Infruitec-Nietvoorbij
0
2
4
6
8
10
12
Se
pte
mb
er
Oct
ob
er
No
ve
mb
er
De
cem
be
r
Jan
ua
ry
Fe
bru
ary
Ma
rch
Ap
ril
Ma
y
Jun
e
July
Au
gu
stMe
an
nu
mb
er
of
fem
ale
me
aly
bu
gs/
mo
nth
/plo
t
Backsberg Glen Helderberg La Motte Nietvoorbij
Fig. 1. The average number of female mealybugs per month per plot at four farms from September
2009 to March 2012.
Fig. 2. The relationship between the total mean temperature and total mean H. axyridis
numbers/month/plot from September 2009 to March 2012 at all four farms.
Progress report 9
230072 KA Achiano ARC Infruitec-Nietvoorbij
Fig. 4. The correlation of total number of H. axyridis vs. total parasitoids collected at each farm from
September 2009 to March 2012.
Fig. 3. The relationship between the total mean rainfall and total mean H. axyridis numbers/month/plot
from September 2009 to March 2012 at all four farms.
Progress report 10
230072 KA Achiano ARC Infruitec-Nietvoorbij
5. Budget for the following year: (YEAR)
CFPACFPACFPACFPA DeciduousDeciduousDeciduousDeciduous DFTSDFTSDFTSDFTS WinetechWinetechWinetechWinetech THRIPTHRIPTHRIPTHRIP ARCARCARCARC TOTALTOTALTOTALTOTAL
FUNDING REQUIRED FOR FOLLOWING YEAR: TOTAL
OverheadsOverheadsOverheadsOverheads (only if part of project cost)
Personnel costsPersonnel costsPersonnel costsPersonnel costs
BursariesBursariesBursariesBursaries
Running costsRunning costsRunning costsRunning costs
Local travel and accommodationLocal travel and accommodationLocal travel and accommodationLocal travel and accommodation
Local conferences Local conferences Local conferences Local conferences (only specify separately for THIRP purposes)
Equipment (capital itemsEquipment (capital itemsEquipment (capital itemsEquipment (capital items*) *) *) *) [List capital items HERE][List capital items HERE][List capital items HERE][List capital items HERE]
OtherOtherOtherOther
* Industries will only fund capital items under exceptional circumstances
6. Total estimated budget for project6. Total estimated budget for project6. Total estimated budget for project6. Total estimated budget for project (insert actual cost when available)
YearYearYearYear CFPACFPACFPACFPA DeciduousDeciduousDeciduousDeciduous DFTSDFTSDFTSDFTS WinetechWinetechWinetechWinetech THRIPTHRIPTHRIPTHRIP ARCARCARCARC TOTALTOTALTOTALTOTAL
Total cost in real terms for year 1Total cost in real terms for year 1Total cost in real terms for year 1Total cost in real terms for year 1 2009/10 165 911 172 683 338 594
Total cost in real terms for year 2Total cost in real terms for year 2Total cost in real terms for year 2Total cost in real terms for year 2 2010/11 178 684 185 977 364 661
Total cost in real terms for year 3Total cost in real terms for year 3Total cost in real terms for year 3Total cost in real terms for year 3 2011/12 189 660 197 401 387 061
Total cost in real terms for year 4Total cost in real terms for year 4Total cost in real terms for year 4Total cost in real terms for year 4
Total cost in real terms for year 5Total cost in real terms for year 5Total cost in real terms for year 5Total cost in real terms for year 5
TOTAL 534 255 556 061 1 090 316
230072 KA Achiano ARC Infruitec-Nietvoorbij
EVALUATION BY INDUSTRYEVALUATION BY INDUSTRYEVALUATION BY INDUSTRYEVALUATION BY INDUSTRY This section is for office use only
Project number:Project number:Project number:Project number: 230072
Project name:Project name:Project name:Project name: Study to determine occurrence and impact of Asian ladybird,
Harmonia axyridis (Pallas), in Western Cape winelands. Name of Subcommittee*:Name of Subcommittee*:Name of Subcommittee*:Name of Subcommittee*:
Comments on project:Comments on project:Comments on project:Comments on project:
Committee’s recommendation:Committee’s recommendation:Committee’s recommendation:Committee’s recommendation:
• Accepted.
• Accepted provisionally if the subcommittee’s comments are also addressed.
Resubmit this progress report by ________________
• Unacceptable. Must resubmit progress report.
Chairperson: _____________________ Date: __________________
*SUBCOMMITTEES: Winetech Viticulture: Cultivation; Soil Science; Plant Biotechnology; Plant Protection; Plant Improvement Oenology: Vinification Technology; Bottling, Packaging & Distribution; Environmental Impact; Brandy and
Distilling; Microbiology Technology Transfer Training
Deciduous Fruit Industry Advisory committees:Production Technical Advisory Committee, etc. Peer Work Groups (PWG’s): Breeding & Evaluation, Entomology, Horticulture, Pathology, Post-Harvest, Soil Science