2,219 research outputs found
Does brood presence affect exploratory behaviour in Reticulitermes lucifugus (Isoptera, Rhinotermitidae)?
No full textLittle is known about the division of labour during searching for food in the order Isoptera. Moreover, the cryptic lifestyle of subterranean termites such as Reticulitermes spp.(Isoptera, Rhinotermitidae), makes behavioural studies particularly difficult to perform. Nevertheless, studies on foraging patterns in R. santonensis, showed that workers are the caste involved in food searching (Reinhard et al. 1997). A previous investigation on the exploratory behaviour of R. lucifugus was performed in laboratory conditions, collecting behavioural data by individual marking and scan-sampling techniques (Pedroni and Maistrello 2007), and allowed to describe the searching patterns of termites in presence or absence of food sources and to identify the existence of scout termites, which were recognized as the largest and oldest workers. The present study aimed at investigating whether and how the presence of brood in the experimental groups could affect the exploratory behaviour of the workers and was performed in laboratory, comparing groups composed by workers only and mixed groups, with both workers and larvae. Results showed that, when larvae were present, it took a longer time to scout workers to reach the food source for the first time. Moreover, when a food source is available, after the scouts have located it, both “mixed” and “workers only” groups are observed to gradually shift to the food source from the original nest area, however, in groups with larvae, this moving takes a longer time. In absence of food in both “mixed” and “workers only” groups, the majority of termites remained in the nest area, whereas a few scout workers continued to explore the apparatus. From these observations it emerged that brood presence lead to a delay both in starting exploratory behaviour and in organizing the response to food detection
Innovative wood treatments with hybrid inorganic-organic polymers and a proposal for drywood termites standard testing protocol
No full textIntroduction: Wood is a renewable resource widely used as a structural material and for a variety of artefacts, thanks to its particularly advantageous mechanical properties and aesthetic characteristics. However, due to its organic nature, it is subjected to physical and biological deterioration. A novel treatment based on polyamidoamines (PAAs) functionalized with siloxanes was developed and patented. PAAs were synthesized by nucleophile addition of ethanolamine (EtA) and/or 3-aminopropytriethoxysilane (APTES) to N,N’-methyl-bis-acrylamide (MBA). Considering the technology and products for wood protection in EU and USA, the existing standard norms to test effectiveness against termites are exclusively focused on subterranean species (Rhinotermitidae). Due to great differences in bio-ethology, they are not suitable for drywood termites (Kalotermitidae), that are increasingly indicated as serious wood pests.
Methods: The present work tested the efficacy of three PAAs formulations (named A, B, C) as wood preservatives, using the standard EN 118 for the subterranean Reticulitermes lucifugus and a purposely developed protocol for the drywood termite Kalotermes flavicollis.
Results/Conclusion: All PAAs formulations were characterized by ESI-MS, NMR, FTIR. Our bioassays used the EN 118 protocol, and all formulations were effective in preserving wood against R. lucifugus, resulting in negligible wood consumption and significantly higher mortality than controls. Regarding K. flavicollis, all formulations resulted in a significant reduction of wood damage and formulation B was the most effective at increasing termite mortality. Overall, PAAs treatments look promising as innovative wood preservatives against termites, with low effective concentration, low environmental impact and good fixation qualities into the wood
Termites and standards norms in wood protection: a proposal targeting drywood termites
No full textAbstract A standard is a technical document approved by a recognized certification body at national or international level, which defines and unifies the characteristics and specifications of a process, product or service, to ensure quality and safe, reliable performances in respect to environment. The use of international standards allows to remove barriers to world trade and their importance is particularly recognized in the field of wood technology, to guarantee that preservatives are effective in protecting wood from biotic degradation agents, such as termites. In the European Union, USA, Australia, Japan the existing standard norms to test efficacy against termites are exclusively related to subterranean species (Rhinotermitidae). Due to the great differences in biological features, these standards are not suitable for drywood termites (Kalotermitidae), that, on the other hand, are increasingly indicated as serious wood pests, worldwide. This chapter aims at filling this gap by: outlining the differences in biology, ecology and behaviour of the two types of termites and their importance as invasive pests; describing the importance and features of standard norms; reviewing the available standards for wood protection against termites. Finally, a proposal for a standard protocol is presented, specifically developed to determine the efficacy of preventive wood treatments on drywood termites
Ricordi di un entomologo
No full textSe si eccettuano api e formiche – che ammiriamo per la loro operosità e organizzazione, ma teniamo comunque alla larga – gli insetti, questi esseri con cui da sempre condividiamo il pianeta, restano per noi degli estranei, il più delle volte fastidiosi e ripugnanti. Eppure, per cambiare il nostro sguardo su di loro, basterebbe aprire a caso una pagina dei Ricordi di Fabre.
Quest’opera immensa, che ha aperto la strada a un nuovo modo di intendere lo studio del mondo animale (sino allora relegato dietro le quinte di un museo di storia naturale), è attraversata da una felicità narrativa difficilmente eguagliabile in una trattazione scientifica, e ancora oggi resta uno di quei rari libri che riescono a trasmettere a qualsiasi lettore la passione verso l’oggetto di cui parlano. Perché Fabre era prima di tutto uno scrittore, e nella sua prosa ogni esemplare delle infinite specie da lui osservate – descritto con millimetrica precisione nel corpo e nell’agire – può trasformarsi nel protagonista di un racconto di avventura, a tratti esilarante, che non svela il suo disegno sino alla fine. «Interrogare l’insetto», investigando le ragioni apparentemente insondabili del suo comportamento, è stata la missione della vita di Fabre. E sempre, al cuore di una visione del mondo che ben poco concede al caso (le teorie di Darwin non lo turbarono, mentre Darwin dichiarò la sua ammirazione per lui), rimane l’istinto: questo dono «perfetto fin dall’origine», che detta la misura delle cose
Biocontrol as a key element for the sustainable management of the Brown Marmorated Stink Bug.
No full textBiologia e diffusione di Halyomorpha halys, l’autostoppista invasivo che sconvolge la difesa integrata
No full textBiology and spread of Halyomorpha halys, the invasive hitchhiker that disrupts integrated pest management
Halyomorpha halys is an invasive fast-spreading pest of global importance native to East Asia, currently reported in the United States, Canada, Chile and Europe. Its bioecological features favour the human-assisted worldwide spread as a hitchhiker on inanimate objects by any means of transport and make its management in the field very difficult. H. halys causes severe damage to many crops and in Northern Italy it quickly became key-pest of fruit orchards, resulting in an increase in the number of treatments with broad spectrum insecticides, seriously disrupting previous IPM programs. The great success of this invasive species seem to be related to: i) the wide range of suitable host plants, both cultivated and spontaneous; ii) the great mobility of all instars; iii) the very high growth rate potential (in Northern Italy, R0 = 24.04 and 5.44 for the overwintering and summer generation, respectively); iv) the scarcity and very low efficacy of the native biocontrol agents; iv) the strong association with human beings, especially during the overwintering period, that, beside making it a household nuisance pest, highly facilitates the diffusion through traveling people and goods
Termites (Chapter XVI).
No full textDescription of termite biology and ecology, impact of termites for ecosystem service
Trasmissione sociale di preferenze alimentari nel topo (Mus domesticus): osservazioni su popolazioni selvatiche allevate in cattività
No full textTrasmissione sociale di preferenze alimentari nel topo (Mus domesticus): osservazioni su popolazioni selvatiche allevate in cattivita
Ricordi di un entomologo. Vol. 2
No full text«Voi sezionate gli animali e io li studio vivi. Voi ne fate un oggetto che ispira orrore e pietà, mentre io li faccio amare. Voi lavorate in laboratori di torture, io conduco le mie indagini sotto l’azzurro del cielo, al canto delle cicale. Voi sottoponete la cellula e il protoplasma ai reagenti, io studio l’istinto nelle sue espressioni più alte. Voi scrutate la morte, io osservo la vita. Ma vorrei dire di più: come i cinghiali hanno intorbidato la limpida acqua delle fonti, la storia naturale, questo meraviglioso studio delle prime età, a forza di perfezionamenti è diventata cosa odiosa e respingente. E se scrivo per gli scienziati e per i filosofi, che un giorno tenteranno di gettare luce sull’arduo problema dell’istinto, scrivo anche e soprattutto per i giovani, ai quali vorrei tanto far amare questa storia naturale, che voi invece riuscite solo a fare odiare»
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