1,721,159 research outputs found
Could Europe Apply a Suitable Control Method for the Small Hive Beetle (Coleoptera: Nitidulidae)?
No full textThe European bee, Apis mellifera L. (Hymenoptera: Apidae), is a fundamental resource for the pollination of a great variety of botanical species used by humans for sustenance. Over the last few decades, bee colonies have become vulnerable to a new pest that has advanced beyond its native sub-Saharan territory: the small hive beetle, Aethina tumida Murray (Coleoptera: Nitidulidae). This currently presents a pressing problem in the United States and Australia, but it has also been recorded in Portugal and Italy and it is likely to spread in the rest of Europe too. This study represents a systematic review, based on EFSA guidelines, of the various control treatments for small hive beetles in order to identify the most effective methods as well as, those with no effects on bee colonies. The results show that the bulk of these studies were performed in the United States and that a number of treatments are suitable for the control of A. tumida, though some have negative effects on bees while others have low effectiveness or are ineffective. The best results are those with the entomopathogenic nematodes of the genus Steinernema and Heterorhabditis, but also with formic acid or diatomaceous earth. Various products containing insecticides have been effective, for example, Perizin (Bayer), GardStar (Y-Tex), CheckMite+ strips (Bayer), but Apithor (Apithor ) cannot be used in Europe because it contains Fipronil, which has been banned since 2013. Some common products like bleach and detergent have also been effective
Potential impact of genetically modified Lepidoptera-resistant Brassica napus in biodiversity hotspots: Sicily as a theoretical model
No full textThe general increase of the cultivation and trade of Bt transgenic plants resistant to Lepidoptera pests raises concerns regarding the conservation of animal and plant biodiversity. Demand for biofuels has increased the cultivation and importation of oilseed rape (Brassica napus L.), including transgenic lines. In environmental risk assessments (ERAs) for its potential future cultivation as well as for food and feed uses, the impact on wild Brassicaeae relatives and on non-target Lepidoptera should be assessed. Here we consider the potential exposure of butterflies as results of possible cultivation or naturalization of spilled seed in Sicily (Italy). Diurnal Lepidoptera, which are pollinators, can be exposed directly to the insecticidal proteins as larvae (mainly of Pieridae) through the host and through the pollen that can deposit on other host plants. Adults can be exposed via pollen and nectar. The flight periods of butterflies were recorded, and they were found to overlap for about 90% of the flowering period of B. napus for the majority of the species. In addition, B. napus has a high potential to hybridise with endemic taxa belonging to the B. oleracea group. This could lead to an exposure of non-target Lepidoptera if introgression of the Bt gene into a wild population happens. A rank of the risk for butterflies and wild relatives of oilseed rape is given. We conclude that, in environmental risk assessments, attention should be paid to plant-insect interaction especially in a biodiversity hotspot such as Sicily
Nematode Communities in Soils of the Same Volcanic Origin across a Gradient of Naturalization: From Intensive Agriculture to Forest
Full text linkNematodes play a key role in ecological environments. Biotic indices based on soil nematode community are effectively used for assessing soil health status. This work represents the opportunity to investigate three different management practices continuously maintained for 40 or more decades on soils with the same geological origin. This unique feature allows us to reduce variables and link biotic with abiotic factors. Therefore, the nematode communities of three neighboring volcanic soils under different managements were examined. The maximum values in soil biodiversity were found in the forest environment in which all the trophic groups were detected and well balanced. Instead, in permanent grassing and carnation crop greenhouse (CG), biodiversity indices progressively decreased with the intensification of agricultural practices. Furthermore, CG showed a stronger dominance of a specific plant-parasitic nematode identified as Heterodera daverti. Nematode indicators demonstrated that changes in the nematode community gradually varied from anthropic to natural environments whereas soil properties were feebly correlated to nematode community indicators. In conclusion, we demonstrated that biodiversity and ecological indices applied to the soil nematode community are effective at detecting alterations due to anthropogenic impact. Nematodes seem to be susceptible to perceiving the soil dynamics
I Nematodi nei diversi ecosistemi
No full textIn questo ottavo capitolo si descrivono le diverse comunità di nematodi nei differenti ecosistemi e come il loro studio possa indicare lo stato di conservazione e qualità dell'ecosistema stesso. Si riportano anche differenti esempi del loro impiego quali bioindicator
Innovazioni, sfide e opportunità nella protezione delle piante in un'ottica di bioeconomia
No full textLa protezione delle piante da avversità biotiche ed abiotiche assume una importanza
crescente a fronte della crescita della popolazione globale e della sensibilità del consumatore
alla presenza di residui di agrofarmaci. I consumatori sono sempre più esigenti sulla qualità dei
prodotti ortofrutticoli, che devono essere liberi anche da piccole imperfezioni, e nel contempo
la grande distribuzione impone agli agricoltori limiti massimi di residui dei diversi agrofarmaci
ben più bassi rispetto al limite di legge. Prioritari sono anche la tutela della biodiversità ed il
mantenimento degli equilibri naturali. Pertanto, occorre mettere a punto strategie di protezione
da patogeni e fitofagi ad impatto ambientale sempre più limitato, ricorrendo ove possibile
all’uso di mezzi biologici, a sostanze naturali e ad altri approcci sostenibili, in grado di
preservare la biodiversità e allo stesso tempo la qualità delle produzioni, senza lasciare residui
di agrofarmaci sulle colture trattate. La relazione tratterà quattro casi studio con importanti
riflessi sulla bioeconomia, relativi a Xylella fastidiosa, contaminazione da micotossine, insetti
e nematodi fitofagi e utili, evidenziandone le criticità, i danni alle colture e gli effetti su equilibri
biologici e biodiversità.The protection of plants from biotic and abiotic stress is becoming increasingly important in view of global
population growth and consumer sensitivity to the presence of pesticide residues. Consumers are becoming
increasingly demanding on the quality of fruit and vegetables, which must be free of even minor imperfections,
and at the same time, retailers impose on farmers maximum residue limits for the different pesticides that are much
lower than the legal threshold. The protection of biodiversity and the maintenance of natural balances are also
priorities. Therefore, it is necessary to set up strategies for protection from pathogens and pests with increasingly
limited environmental impact, using biological means, natural substances and possibly other sustainable
approaches, able of preserving both biodiversity and the quality of production, without leaving pesticide residues
on treated crops. The report will deal with four case studies with relevant effects on bioeconomy, relating to Xylella
fastidiosa, mycotoxin contamination, harmful and beneficial insects and nematodes, highlighting their critical
points, damages on the crop and effects on biological equilibria and biodiversity
Limiti, esigenze di ricerca e prospettive future nell’impiego degli agenti di controllo biologico dei fitonematodi
No full textI nematodi fitoparassiti sono causa di perdite di produzione del 12,3% equivalenti a 157 bilioni di dollari. In questo capitolo verranno analizzati alcuni dei possibili sviluppi e limiti dei metodi di controllo biologico utilizzati nei confronti dei nematodi fitoparassiti. Inoltre, verranno delineati brevemente alcu- ni potenziali strumenti di controllo offerti dalle nuove scoperte e tecnologie messe a disposizione negli ultimi anni dal mondo della ricerca. Le possibilità di controllo, che al momento hanno raggiunto delle performance molto interessanti, sono rivol- te principalmente all’impiego dei funghi filamentosi del genere Trichoderma spp. che, con oltre il 60% dei p.c. registrati nel mondo (Meher, et. al., 2021), rappre- sentano gli agenti di bio-controllo di maggiore successo nell’agricoltura mondiale. In linea generale, i limiti di tali strategie vanno ricercati non nelle possibilità di controllo, che sono concrete ed efficaci anche perché molti agenti biologici svolgono tra le varie azioni (attivazione dei meccanismi di difesa delle piante, bio-stimolazione, etc.) una difesa globale delle colture (nematodi, insetti, funghi, acari), bensì nella loro applicazione che dovrebbe essere effettuata nei momenti opportuni e nei terreni appropriati. In altre parole, l’agente biologico da impiegare a difesa della coltura dovrebbe essere applicato esclusivamente nei terreni che presentano le condizioni favorevoli alla sua riproduzione (temperatura del terreno, pH, ecc.). Pertanto, se un microrganismo necessita di temperature elevate per il suo sviluppo non deve essere impiegato durante una stagione fredda o non andrebbe inoculato un acidofilo in un terreno alcalino e viceversa. Il limite principale è rappresentato dalla quasi impossibilità di conoscere l’insieme dei componenti della biosfera tellurica. In questo caso può verificarsi che se nel terreno, come accade nei terreni soppressivi, è presente un antagonista naturale, l’agente di bio- controllo non ha possibilità di successo. Ad esempio, se un terreno ospita Aphelenchus avenae, che ha l’importante ruolo di deterrente di un fungo fitopatogeno, la sua presenza può limitare e/o annullare l’insediamento del fungo utile. Questo ed altre variabili sono molto probabilmente la motivazione che talvolta vanifica i risultati degli interventi biologici rendendo spesso le risposte contrastanti. Di seguito si delineeranno altri potenziali limiti ed alcuni dei possibili aspetti potenzialmente migliorabili nonché alcune delle opportunità che si aprono all’orizzonte
Confronto tra la nematofauna delle monoculture di mais e quella dei sistemi erbacei
No full textGli studi sugli effetti dell'agricoltura sulla biodiversità del suolo sono diventati molto importanti, al fine di proteggere la salute dell'ambiente e migliorare la qualità dell'agricoltura. Le comunità di nematodi hanno dimostrato di offrire un potente strumento ecologico per valutare gli effetti delle pratiche agricole sul suolo. La ricerca è stata condotta in una monocoltura di mais (della durata di 20 anni) e in un ecosistema erbaceo seminaturale, dominato da Festuca spp. e Trifolium spp.. Ciascun sistema è stato sottoposto a due diverse pratiche di gestione delle colture (input alto (H) e basso (L)). L'obiettivo era quindi quello di studiare gli effetti di due diversi ecosistemi e diverse pratiche agricole sul suolo, utilizzando i nematodi come bioindicatori. Il confronto è stato effettuato sulla composizione generale, la struttura trofica e la biodiversità della nematofauna raccolta in tutti i sistemi. Una maggiore abbondanza di nematodi è stata registrata nella monocoltura di mais ad alto input (336 individui/100 g di suolo) mentre quella più bassa è stata trovata nel basso input dei prati (33 individui/100 g di suolo). Complessivamente, 20 famiglie e 32 generi abitavano tutti i sistemi, e il numero dei generi e la composizione erano piuttosto differenti. In tutti i sistemi i batteriofagi erano il gruppo trofico più abbondante, variando tra il 97% nell'alto input della monocoltura e il 76% nel basso input dei prati. I fungivori e i fitofagi erano più abbondanti nei prati che nelle monocolture. Gli onnivori sono stati trovati in entrambi gli input di mais in una percentuale molto bassa (<5%). La minor biodiversità è stata riscontrata nell'alto input della monocoltura. Diversi generi infatti sono stati rinvenuti solo nelle praterie come Tylenchorhynchus e diversi predatori. Ciò indica che le monocolture hanno un impatto negativo sulla composizione dell'ecosistema e sulla successione ecologica della nematofauna, come indicato anche dall'indice di maturità. Inoltre, la biodiversità e gli indici ecologici hanno mostrato una rete alimentare del suolo non arricchita e non strutturata e un ecosistema povero per la monocoltura. I dati confermano ancora una volta che le monocolture riducono la biodiversità naturale della fauna del suolo.The studies of the effects of agriculture on biodiversity have become very important, in order to protect environment health and to improve agriculture quality. Nematode communities have proved to offer a potent ecological tool for assessing the effects of agricultural practices on soil environment. The research was carried out in a 20-years maize monoculture and in a semi-natural grass ecosystem, dominated by Festuca spp. and Trifolium spp.. Each system was submitted to two different crops management practices (inputs high
(H) and low (L)). Thus the aim was to study the effects of two different ecosystems and different agricultural practices on soil, using nematodes as bioindicators. Comparison was done on general composition, trophic structure and biodiversity of the nematofauna collected in all systems. Higher nematode abundance was recorded in the high input maize monoculture (336 individuals/100 g soil) while the lower one was found in the low input of the grassland (33 individuals/100 g soil). Altogether, 20 families and 32 genera inhabited all the systems, and the number of genera and the composition were rather different. All across the systems bacterial feeders were the most abundant trophic group, ranging between 97% in the high input of monoculture and 76% in the low input of the grassland. Fungal feeders and phytophagous were more abundant in the grassland than in the monoculture. The lower biodiversity was recorded in the H input of monocolture. Several genera were recorded only in the grasslands, such as Tylenchorhynchus, and several predators. This indicate that the monoculture have a negative impact on the ecosystem composition and ecological nematofauna succession, as indicated also by Maturity Index. Moreover, the biodiversity and ecological indices showed a non-enriched and non-structured soil food web and a poor ecosystem for the monocolture. Whereas, in both inputs of the grassland all the indices suggested that the communities were well structured and well spread over the genera and less disturbed. Data confirm again that monocolture decrease the natural biodiversity of the soil fauna
E se il punteruolo affamasse Steinernema carpocapsae?
No full textRhynchophorus ferrugineus (Olivier 1790) (Coleoptera: Curculionidae), phytophagus of palms, has been used as a model to deepen the knowledge of the host-entomopathogen relationship. The effects of Steinernema carpocapsae (Nematoda: Steinernematidae) on the growth and immunoactivity of R. ferrugineus larvae were compared with another model insect Galleria mellonella L. (Lepidoptera: Pyralidae). Although S. carpocapsae had a negative effect on the weight and mortality of R. ferrugineus, it was not able to replicate in the hemolymph with the same rates found for the moth. In vivo and in vitro effects of S. carpocapsae on the phagocytic responsesof the hemocytes of R. ferrugineus and G. mellonella were also different in some respects, although in both cases S. carpocapsae was not encapsulated by the hemocytes. To compare the defensive capabilities of the humoral and cellular immune system of R. ferrugineus and G. mellonella, in particular against the Gram negative bacterium Xenorhabdus nematophila (Enterobacteraceae), known symbiont of S. carpocapsae, the minimum inhibitory concentration by hemolymph and hemocyte lysate was measured, which inhibits bacterial growth and colony forming units per milliliter (CFU / ml) of X. nematophila in the different hemolymphs. It was found that the number of CFU / ml of X. nematophila was a thousand times greater in G. mellonella than in the red palm weevil. This data may suggest reduced quantities of the entomapathogenicbacterium for the reproduction of the nematode, and therefore a reduced proliferation of S. carpocapsae in R. ferrugineus
Less Known Is More Feared—A Survey of Children’s Knowledge of and Attitudes towards Honeybees
Full text linkSimple Summary: Children can play a key role in biodiversity conservation as they pass knowledge on to their families who, in turn, can further disseminate it, and as children will be future citizens. This research focused on the relationship between the knowledge and perception of honeybees, which provide essential ecosystem services, in 12-14-year-old children. A survey was conducted with 231 students in Palermo (Sicily, Italy) for which they were given a questionnaire to assess their perception and knowledge of honeybees. The results indicate that the students have a good understanding of the role of honeybees in nature but lack a clear idea of their interactions with the environment. The study also reveals that children feel a certain fear of honeybees but still have respect for them. Interestingly, the average score for ecological knowledge surpassed the average score for perception, indicating that the subjects had a more positive education about honeybees than actual perception. The global decline in the number of pollinators has elicited considerable public attention. To the general public, honeybees are considered to be the primary pollinators. Also, a decline in managed honeybee stocks is alarming and could lead to declining pollination services and reduced ecosystem biodiversity, although the Apis mellifera is the least likely pollinator species on the planet to be at risk of extinction. A less-than-complete understanding of honeybees and their ecology may hinder their conservation. Ascertaining the public's level of knowledge about, and perception of, a problem can help in solving it. This research focused mainly on honeybees because people are unlikely to be able to recognize the different species of Apoidea. Schools are ideal places for understanding the basic knowledge and attitudes regarding this insect. We aimed to understand the perception and knowledge of 12-14-year-old children towards honeybees as well as to verify the existence of a correlation between knowledge level and positive perception. Secondary school students can play a key role in the conservation of biodiversity as they are carriers of knowledge in families and will be future citizens. To this end, 231 students were given a 26-item questionnaire related to their perception and knowledge of honeybees. Results indicate that the students have a good understanding of the role that bees play in nature but do not have a completely clear idea of this insect's interactions with the environment. Results also show that the children feel a certain fear of honeybees, although they respect them. The average score of the ecological branch test exceeded the average score of the perceptual one, indicating that the subjects had a more positive education than perception
Biologia, Ecologia e dinamica dei nematodi.
No full textIn questo settimo capitolo si fornisco in modo didattico ed esaustivo i maggiori elementi per la comprensione della biologia e dell'ecologia dei nematod
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