Response ofMatsucoccus thunbergianae males to synthetic sex pheromone and its utilization for monitoring the spread of infestation
Attraction of (2E,4E,6R,10R)-4,6,10,12-tetramethyl-2,4-tridecadien-7-one [1; (6R,10R)-matsuone] and its antipode [2; (6S,10S)-matsuone] toMatsucoccus thunbergianae males was studied in the laboratory and in the field. They showed stronger response to1. In laboratory bioassays, the threshold concentrations for male attraction with1 and2 were 16 fg and 150 pg, respectively. In the field, during the first two days after traps were set, traps baited with 50 µg of1 on rubber septa or filter paper rolls caught more males than control traps. Between the sixth day and the tenth day after traps were set, in a daily trap catch experiment, the traps with 50 µg of1 on filter paper rolls caught more males than control traps on one day only, whereas those on rubber septa were always effective. The shape of the traps did not affect male catches. Males were caught on pheromone traps in locations where no scales were found by the customary detecting procedures.
Trials to control Matsucoccus josephi (Homoptera: Margarodidae) with fenoxycarb.
The effects of fenoxycarb, an insect growth regulator, on Matsucoccus josephi Bodenheimer & Harpaz, were studied on 3-yr-old artificially infested seedlings of Pinus Halepensis Mill. and P. Vrutia Ten. in greenhouses, and on naturally infested 10-yr-old P. halepensis stands. The treatments arrested the development of first and second instars before moulting, reduced the rate of crawler settlement, and caused 98% mortality when sprayed on settled 2-wk-old larvae. Marked mortality (87%) of female larvae was recorded when 0.5% fenoxycarb was applied at the time male third instars began to leave the plant for pupation. In greenhouse trials, treated seedlings survived, whereas untreated seedlings were killed or severely damaged by the scale. Aerial and ground spray applications in field trials reduced the scale population during the first year after treatment compared with a sharp population increase in the control trees. Results indicate that fenoxycarb may serve as an efficient population management agent of M. josephi by preventing the development of acute injury to P. halepensis stands and could be used to control outbreaks by other Matsucoccus spp.
Development of polyamide curable modified epoxy novolac resins with improved adhesion and chemical resistance
Purpose – To prepare modified epoxy resins from resorcinol, cresol and phenol for improved adhesion and chemical resistance. To evaluate the properties of such modified epoxy resins.Design/methodology/approach – Epoxy novolac resins (ENRs) were synthesised by condensing epichlorohydrin with novolacs based on different types of substituted phenols for improving adhesion and chemical resistance. Various compositions were made by incorporating different proportions of polyamide resin. The chemical and adhesive strengths of the conventional epoxy and the modified epoxy resins were characterised.Findings – The modified ENR using substituted phenols showed significant enhancement of chemical and adhesive strengths over the conventional DGEBA resin. The modified ENR had an increased number of glycidyl groups (thus increased functionality) of resin, which was responsible for improved chemical and adhesive strengths over the conventional DGEBA resin.Research limitations/implications – The EPN resins used in the pr...