1,721,109 research outputs found
The MicroArt
No full textThis image shows the microstructural appearance of SAF 2205 duplex stainless steel (Beraha etching) for high-quality valves used for special environments (chemical plants, oil plants, and energy production) for critical functions, such as by-pass valves and well heads that frequently operate under extreme conditions
Preliminary report on the occurrence of cryphonectria parasitica (murrill) barr on different tree species in friuli venezia-giulia (Italy)
No full textWithin the frame of the forest phytopathological inventory of the Friuli Venezia-Giulia district, several groups of oaks (Quercus spp.) infected with the chestnut blight fungus ('Cryphonectria parasitica (Murr.) Barr) were observed. Most of the oaks were found in old chestnut orchards. Because C. parasitica can infect several tree species, the hypothesis was tested that insects boring both in chestnut and oaks may act as possible vectors of fungal spores. Several oak trees infected with C. parasitica and attacked by xylophagous insects were cut down and put into insect emergence boxes. Emerged insects were then washed and the spore load was evaluated. Scolytus intricatus (Ratz.) and Xyleborus monographus (F.) were the only bark beetle species to emerge, and both are able to attack chestnut. All insects were contaminated with several fungi. Scolytus intricatus might be an efficient vector, because its life cycle includes a maturation feeding in the crown of healthy oaks, whereas this is..
Bioecologia e distribuzione di Pityophthorus juglandis (Coleoptera: Curculionidae, Scolytinae) in Italia
No full textIn September 2013, the Walnut Twig Beetle (WTB) Pityophthorus juglandis Blackman, a species native to Mexico and
South-Western USA, was recorded for the first time in Europe in Northern Italy (Province of Vicenza). The collected adults were
found to be vector of the fungus Geosmithia morbida Kolařik (Ascomycota: Hypocreales), an extremely aggressive pathogen
inducing the Thousand Cankers Disease (TCD) on walnut species (Juglans spp.). In order to determine the geographical
distribution of the species and the main aspects of its biology, phenology and voltinism, an intensive survey of the main walnut
plantations occurring near to the first finding site was carried out in 2014. The beetles began to fly with a mean air temperature
of about 18° C (middle May) and continued until late October. Two partially overlapping generations occurred, with the second
one tooking place in late September. WTB was found in the half (14) of the 28 monitored walnut plantations. The infested sites
were spread over 4 different non-contiguous administrative provinces (Vicenza, Padova, Treviso and Mantova) belonging to two
regions (Veneto and Lombardy) of North Italy. The most distant infested plantations were about 130 km apart along a west-east
gradient, and about 70 km along a north-south gradient. In this respect, the distribution area of WTB in North Italy may be
estimated prudentially in about 4,200 km2
. All the monitored sites occurring within a radius of about 30 km around the first
infestation were found positive to WTB and TCD. Molecular analysis of the trapped specimens showed no genetic variability in
P. juglandis populations, suggesting that few individuals of WTB might be arrived in Italy through a single introduction event.
Given the quick mortality of infested walnuts and the wide distribution area, eradication strategies appear unrealistic. Further
strategies of biological control or local chemical treatments must be investigated
Always towards East: the walnut twig beetle, Pityophthorus juglandis (Coleoptera: Curculionidae, Scolytinae), reached also Europe!
No full textLife history and geographical distribution of the walnut twig beetle, Pityophthorus juglandis (Coleoptera: Scolytinae), in southern Europe
No full textLight Traps in Shipping Containers: A New Tool for the Early Detection of Insect Alien Species
Full text linkInsects are one of the most successful groups of invasive species, and the number of new introductions has been increasing in the last decades. Insect invasions are affected mainly by the increase in international trade, as most of them travel across the world inside shipping containers. The effectiveness of sticky light traps was tested for the interception of alien pests inside the containers. The tested hypotheses were that light traps have a valuable broad-spectrum attraction and their trapping performance differs between empty or loaded containers. The optimal trap density in a container was also investigated. Trapping tests were conducted on four model species: Cadra cautella Walker (Lepidoptera: Pyralidae), Drosophila melanogaster Meigen (Diptera: Drosophilidae), Sitophilus zeamais, Motschulsky and Ips typographus L. (Coleoptera: Curculionidae). Insects were released within a standard shipping container, in either empty or loaded conditions, where sticky light traps were deployed for 15 h. Traps were tested with light on (activated) or off (control). Activated traps captured more Lepidoptera and Diptera than control ones, with no differences between empty and loaded container. Instead, Coleoptera were rarely caught, probably because of their ability to escape from traps. Results show that higher trap density in the container (from 1 to 8) increases the probability of insect capture. In conclusion, positive results on C. cautella and D. melanogaster suggest a possible application of sticky light traps against some small Lepidoptera and Diptera species flying in containers and infesting seeds, grains, and fruits, while traps need improvement for application against beetles
Gravi infestazioni di Xylosandrus germanus (Blandford, 1894) (Coleoptera: Curculionidae, Scolytinae) in castagneti del Piemonte.
Full text linkThe semiochemical push-and-pull technique can reduce bark beetle damage in disturbed Norway spruce forests affected by the Vaia storm
No full textIn a 2-year field study conducted in the South-Eastern Alps following a large windthrow disturbance, we tested a large-scale use of a semiochemical push-and-pull strategy to protect susceptible Norway spruce edge trees from the European spruce bark beetle, Ips typographus (Coleoptera: Curculionidae, Scolytinae). Slot traps baited with aggregation pheromones (‘pull’) and three repellent semiochemicals (‘push’) were used in both years. In 2020, 26 windthrown areas were classified into three levels of infestation risk, and each was randomly assigned to one of three experimental protocols: eight push-and-pull sites; nine trap-only sites and nine control sites. In 2021, the trials were repeated in 22 clear-cuts of infested spruce forests, applying two protocols: 16 push–pull and 6 control sites. Fifty traps and 1500 repellent dispensers were used in 2020, and 26 traps and 1500 repellent dispensers were used in 2021. The push-and-pull technique performed well in post-windthrow conditions (2020 trials), especially at high infestation risk, with significantly lower damage to forest edges when compared with untreated sites. The use of pheromone-baited traps alone was not enough to avoid colonization of forest edges, especially in high-risk sites. When the push-and-pull protocol was applied in clear-cut areas (2021 trials), the technique was less effective and did not significantly reduce the number of infested trees along the forest edge. Possible interactions with climate conditions are also discussed
Habitat and climatic preferences drive invasions of non-native ambrosia beetles in deciduous temperate forests
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