This dataset is the result of a study to assess the effect of the RNA-based biocontrol candidate for Colorado Potato Beetle on a selection of beneficial species Aphidius colemani, Orius laevigatus, Typhlodromus pyri.
The treatment object for this experiment was the bushbean plant (Phaseolus vulgaris). Each bushbean plant was reduced to 1 leaf. 6 bushbean plants at a time were then sprayed with compound solution of 1x, 2x and 4x the field rate and left to dry. Plants were treated in a spray application box where the nozzle moves 1 time horizontally over the plants and left to dry; 1 hour later the bushbean plants were returned to a greenhouse chamber at 20°C and 60 % relative humidity.
The bioassays were setup and rated using Syngenta’s standard bioassay screening procedures, although this was not a GLP experiment.
Aphidius colemani Set Up
The same day plastic dishes were prepared with 5 ml of water agar 1 %. A leaf disc was punched from each bushbean plant with a 5 cm diameter and stuck upper side up in the plastic dish. Each plastic dish was closed using a lid with a 0.5 cm diameter hole.
5 Aphidius colemani adults were added to each plastic dish. The plastic dishes were then covered up with a cotton filter soaked with a 20 % sucrose solution.
The plastic dishes were incubated for 2 and 4 days in a climate chamber at 21°C and 75 % RH, upper side down. 2 and 4 days after infestation the living and dead Aphidius colemaniwere counted.
Orius laevigatus Set Up
The same day plastic dishes were prepared with FLUON 100 % and 5 ml of water agar 1 %. A leaf disc was punched from each bushbean plant with a 5cm diameter each and stuck upper side up in the plastic dish, using insect glue around the border of each leaf disc. Some Ephestia kuehniella eggs and a paper triangle were added to each disc.
5 Orius laevigatus adults were added to each plastic dish. The plastic dishes were then covered up with a cotton filter and a lid with three holes of 0.5 cm diameter.
The plastic dishes were incubated for 2 and 4 days in a climate chamber at 25°C and 75 % RH, upper side up. 2 and 4 days after infestation the living and dead Orius laevigatus were counted.
Typhlodromus pyri Set Up
The same day plastic dishes were prepared with a 5 cm diameter cotton pad and 9ml of water. A leaf disc was punched from each bushbean plant with a 3.5 cm diameter and stuck upper side up in the plastic dish, using insect glue around the border of each leaf disc.
Using forceps, a small piece of cotton wool was pulled through these leaf discs. 10Typhlodromus pyri protonymphs were added to each plastic dish and some apple pollen. The plastic dishes were then covered up with a cotton filter and a lid with three holes of 0.5 cm diameter.
The plastic dishes were incubated for 3 and 7 days in a climate chamber at 27°C and 40 % relative humidity, upper side up. 3 and 7 days after infestation the living and dead Typhlodromus pyri were counted.