CREA Journals (Consiglio per la ricerca in agricoltura e l’analisi dell’economia agraria)
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PARTHENOLECANIUM CORNI (BOUCHÉ) (HEMIPTERA COCCIDAE) IN VINEYARDS IN PORTUGAL: MORPHOLOGY, SEASONAL DEVELOPMENT, LIFE CYCLE AND REPRODUCTION
Get PDFDue to the type of damage associated with scale insects of genus Parthenolecanium sp. (Hemiptera Coccidae) on vineyards and the increase of its importance, these pests have been studied in central region of Portugal. We addressed the following objectives: i) identification and morphological characterization of soft scales occur in vineyards and the parasitoids associated; ii) seasonal development and life cycle; iii) reproduction. The examined scale were identified as Parthenolecanium corni (Bouché, 1844), despite the existence of some morphological differences and fertility levels recorded in the two regions studied. Coccophagus lycimnia (Walker, 1839) (Hymenoptera Aphelinidae) and Metaphycus dispar (Mercet, 1925) (Hymenoptera Encyrtidae) parasitize the studied P. corni. Based on laboratory and field bioassays, some aspects of morphology as well the seasonal development, life cycle and reproduction are presented
THE ARMORED SCALE INSECTS (HEMIPTERA DIASPIDIDAE) OF ALABAMA, USA
Get PDFA continuing survey of the armored scale insects of Alabama has resulted in recording 113 species in 47 genera, among the tribes Aspidiotini, Diaspidini, and Odonaspidini. Alabama now ranks second among states in the southeastern United States in number of species of armored scales, trailing only Florida with its 150+ species. Comments on some of the more notable diaspidids, not previously collected in Alabama, are made along with notes on their hosts and distribution in the State
DESCRIPTION OF ENDOTHENIA APOTOMISANA SP. N. AND CYDIA PELIONAE SP. N. FROM PELION MOUNTAINS, GREECE (LEPIDOPTERA TORTRICIDAE)
Get PDFIn the present work Endothenia apotomisana sp. n. (Tortricidae Olethreutinae Olethreutini) and Cydia pelionae sp. n. (Tortricidae Olethreutinae Grapholitini) are described as new to science, according to available literature (MEYRICK, 1912; KUZNETSOV, 1962, 1989; RAZOWSKI, 2003; AARVIK, 2013).The Lepidoptera Tortricidae from Greece have received only sporadic attention by both local and foreign lepidopterists with publications referring to one or few entities (for example AARVIK and KARSHOLT , 1993; TREMATERRA and KARSHOLT , 1996; TREMATERRA and AARVIK, 1998; BASSI, 2014; HUEMER, 2016), while lacking summary works that consider the Hellenic fauna as a whole (GOZMANY, 2012).Our materials were collected on the Pelion Mountains (Magnisia, Greece) in the para-Mediterranean broad-leaved deciduous trees zone (Quercetalia pubescentis); this zone includes Oak forests (Quercus frainetto) and Chestnut forests (Castanea sativa)
Concept to Practice of Geospatial-Information Tools to Assist Forest Management and Planning under Precision Forestry Framework: a review
Get PDFPrecision forestry is a new direction for better forest management. Precision forestry employs information technology and analytical tools to support economic, environmental and sustainable decision; the use of geospatial information tools enables highly repeatable measurements, actions and processes to manage and harvest forest stands, simultaneously allowing information linkages between production and wood supply chain, including resource managers and environmental community. In this report, we reviewed the most recent advances in the use of geospatial information technologies in forestry, and discussed their potential opportunities and challenges towards forest management and planning in the framework of precision forestry
THE SECOND INSTAR OF BREVENNIA PULVERARIA (NEWSTEAD, 1892) (HEMIPTERA COCCOMORPHA PSEUDOCOCCIDAE) WITH NOTES ON THE TAXONOMIC AFFINITIES OF THE SPECIES
Get PDFThe second instar of Brevennia pulveraria is described and illustrated. The characteristic features common to both the adult female and second-instar nymph are presented. The characters of immature instars may be useful for identification to species level. Notes on the taxonomic affinity of B. pulveraria are presented
EVALUATION OF SHEEP GRAZING EFFECTS ON NEMATODE COMMUNITY, INSECT INFESTATION AND SOIL FERTILITY IN SWEET CHESTNUT ORCHARDS: A CASE OF STUDY
Get PDFIn sweet chestnut cultivation, important ecosystem in Europe, the moderate sheep grazing practice may have some beneficial effects in organic farming. Its impact, on soil fertility, soil nematode community and level of fruit infested by tortricids and curculionids was evaluated in a case of study in Tuscany (Central Italy). An organic farm with sheep grazing system (SG) based on long-term field application was compared with an adjacent organic farm with poultry manure system (PM). In both managements, no treatment to control pests and diseases was applied and 0.19 kg /plant of nitrogen were distributed. SG increased twice the amount of organic C, total N and available P than PM. Moreover, the salinity effect of uric acid significantly increased the pH values in SG (from 5.0 to 6.2). The greatest accumulation of organic matter under SG provided stability in nematode community structure and the plant parasitic nematodes decreased. The analysis on the nematodes emerged from Galleria mellonella larvae, revealed that the abundance of native entomopathogenic nematodes was low and not effective to control insect pests. The sheep demonstrated to be the effective predators of tortricid and weevil larvae and in November, the total infestation was significantly lower in SG (34.3%) than PM (54.3%)
SCALE INSECTS (HEMIPTERA COCCOIDEA) ON MULBERRY TREES IN TURKEY
Get PDFIn Turkey commonly cultivated mulberry species are Morus alba L., M. nigra L., and M. rubra L (Moraceae). Mulberry fruits are widely consumed freshly or as traditional products such as mulberry molasses and mulberry dried fruit pulp. Mulberry leaves are used for sericulture. In this study, scale pests of mulberry trees were investigated mainly in Ankara and some other regions in Turkey. Eight scale insect species namely Ceroplastes japonicus Green, C. rusci (L.), Neopulvinaria innumerabilis (Rathvon), Parthenolecanium corni (Bouché) (Coccidae), Pseudaulacaspis pentagona Targioni-Tozzetti (Diaspididae), Phenacoccus aceris (Signoret), Planococcus ficus (Signoret) and Pseudococcus comstocki (Kuwana) (Pseudococcidae) were found on the Morus spp. P. pentagona was the most common and important pest species of the mulberry trees in research area. Populations of C.japonicus, N. innumerabilis, and P.comstocki are found at very high levels in some local gardens
PHYLOGENETIC RELATIONSHIPS OF ENTOMOPATHOGENIC NEMATODES AND THEIR BACTERIAL SYMBIONTS FROM COASTAL AREAS IN LEBANON
Get PDFEntomopathogenic nematodes (EPNs) are parasites of soil-dwelling insects that occur in natural and agricultural soils around the world. The current study focuses on the unexplored coastal zone of Lebanon where soil samples were taken in different sites chosen randomly along the coast like beaches, agricultural and herbaceous fields. In total, 350 soil samples were collected, mainly from the southern part of the country. An integrated approach, combining both traditional (morphological) and molecular methods, was used to characterize entomopathogenic nematode species encountered. Two named-species are added to the EPNs catalog in Lebanon from 4 samples out of the total 350 samples isolated: Heterorhabditis indica, reported for the first time in the country (samples AYAB6 and BRA20) and Steinernema feltiae (samples ANFA5 and EDA1). Furthermore, one undescribed potential entomopathogenic nematode belonging to Oscheius genus was recovered. The symbiotic bacteria from S. feltiae and H. indica were also molecularly identified through the use of five gene fragments recA, gyrB, dnaN, gltX and infB. Phylogenetic relationships of entomopathogenic nematodes and their symbiotic bacteria were inferred by using maximum-likelihood analysis. Soil studies were subsequently carried out in order to assess a possible relationship between soil parameters and their effects on EPNs. Results indicate that sandy texture and moisture are key factors for the presence and survival of EPNs in the soil in Lebanon
Tree root system imaging using Ground Penetrating Radar
Get PDFEvaluating tree roots systems without compromise their environment with destructive and laborious methods, is of crucial importance for preserving plant resources. Ground Penetrating Radar (GPR) technology applied to root and forest ecology studies is a key active remote sensing technology, based on the use of electromagnetic waves, providing unique, non-invasive resources to sample root biomass and spatial distribution. This paper reviews the use of GPR techniques, as near surface sensor radar scanning technology using a ground-coupled single-offset antenna configuration, to yield accurate tree roots system information. Based on the analysis of both geometric and general characteristics of underground soil layers, the GPR can be used as a rapid and high-spatial resolution tool for the analysis of roots distribution, morphology, orientation, and the occupied soil volume. Finally, this paper will show the opportunity of applying modern technologies of remote detection of active sensors in terms of application of radar technology to tree root systems
SEARCHING FOR NATIVE EGG-PARASITOIDS OF THE INVASIVE ALIEN SPECIES HALYOMORPHA HALYS STÅL (HETEROPTERA PENTATOMIDAE) IN SOUTHERN EUROPE
Get PDFHalyomorpha halys is an invasive species, originating from East Asia, which was accidentally introduced in some areas of North America and Europe, where severe damages to different vegetable crops and fruit plants were recorded. Several studies in different countries focused on the possibility to apply biological control by means of egg- parasitoids. The main egg-parasitoids in the original area are unfortunately non-specific and thus the application of classical biological control is questionable. On the other hand, the possibility of using augmentative biological control by native egg-parasitoids able to exploit the new host is an interesting possibility in both Europe and the USA. In a preliminary assay, frozen egg masses of H. halys were exposed in the field in Central Italy. Results showed that some eggs were exploited by parasitoids belonging to the species Anastatus bifasciatus and Ooencyrtus telenomicida. Therefore, different native egg-parasitoids species widespread in Europe were tested in the laboratory in order to explore their ability to parasitize H. halys eggs. To this end, no-choice tests were carried out in climatic chambers (26°C, 70%RH, 16:8 L:D) in order to evaluate the parasitization potential of females collected in the wild. Conducted tests pointed out that A. bifasciatus and especially O. telenomicida may be potential candidates for the biological control of H. halys. In particular, O. telenomicida was able to parasitize the 35.56% of the exposed host eggs in the lab tests. New adults successfully emerged from the 22.92% of the eggs, and on the whole, this egg-parasitoid caused a significant hatching reduction of the H. halys eggs (more than 70%). Conversely, Telenomus chloropus and Ooencyrtus pityocampae were less promising species as biocontrol agents of this agricultural pest. Preliminary trials in pear orchards consisting of field releases of laboratory-reared specimens of O. telenomicida, one of the potential candidates for biological control, showed that this parasitoid is actually able to discover egg masses of H. halys (sentinel frozen egg masses) and to successfully parasitize them