1,721,038 research outputs found
A New Gall Midge Species of Asphondylia (Diptera: Cecidomyiidae) Inducing Flower Galls on Clinopodium nepeta (Lamiaceae) from Europe, Its Phenology, and Associated Fungi
No full textA new gall midge, Asphondylia nepetae sp. n. Viggiani (Diptera: Cecidomyiidae), causing flower gall on Clinopodium nepeta (L.) Kuntze (Lamiaceae), is described from Europe. The morphological characteristics of adult, larvae, and pupa are described and illustrated. Molecular approach (by sequencing 28S-D2, ITS2, and COI) confirmed that A. nepetae is a distinct species. The development of the gall is always associated with the presence of the fungus Botryosphaeria dothidea (Moug.: Fr.) Ces. and De Not. (Botryosphaeriales: Botryosphaeriaceae). The new species can complete several generations per year, on the flowers of the same host plant and its adults emerge from late spring to autumn. Pupae overwinter inside peculiar flower galls in a state of quiescence. The impact of the pest is highly variable with a percentage of flowers infested that ranged between 3 and 57.5% in the sampled years. Insect mortality was, at least in part, due to parasitoids that attack the young stages of the midge. Among them, the dominant species was Sigmophora brevicornis (Panzer) (Chalcidoidea: Eulophidae). © The Author(s) 2018
Characterization, distribution, biology and impact on Italian walnut orchards of the invasive North-American leafminer Coptodisca lucifluella (Lepidoptera: Heliozelidae)
No full textThe leafminer Coptodisca sp. (Lepidoptera: Heliozelidae), recently recorded for the first time in Europe on Italian black and common walnut trees, is shown to be the North-American Coptodisca lucifluella (Clemens) based on morphological (forewing pattern) and molecular (cytochrome oxidase c subunit I sequence) evidence. The phylogenetic relatedness of three species feeding on Juglandaceae suggests that C. lucifluella has likely shifted, within the same host plant family, from its original North-American hosts Carya spp. to Juglans spp. Over the few years since its detection, it has established in many regions in Italy and has become a widespread and dominant invasive species. The leafminer completes three to four generations per year, with the first adults emerging in April-May and mature larvae of the last generation starting hibernation in September-October. Although a high larval mortality was recorded in field observations (up to 74%), the impact of the pest was substantial with all leaves infested at the end of the last generation in all 3 years tested. The distribution of the leafminer in the canopy was homogeneous. The species is redescribed and illustrated, a lectotype is designated and a new synonymy is established. Copyright © 2015 Cambridge University Press
When exotic biocontrol agents travel without passport: First record of Quadrastichus mendeli, parasitoid of the blue-gum chalcid Leptocybe invasa, in Italy
No full textThe larval parasitoid Quadrastichus mendeli (Hymenoptera: Eulophidae: Tetrastichinae), a highly effective parasitoid of the invasive blue-gum chalcid Leptocybe invasa (Tetrastichinae) was discovered to have been accidentally introduced to Italy, where it was never released. Over the last three years, Q. mendeli has become widespread in central and southern Italy, determining in some places the almost complete disappearance of the gall wasp pest. We genetically characterized the parasitoid, confirmed its placement within the genus Quadrastichus by phylogenetic analysis, and evaluated the percentage of parasitisation at three localities. We provide other examples of parasitoids that crossed country boundaries without being released, ignoring long and expensive risk assessment aimed at limiting the importation and release of exotic natural enemies. © 2016, Universita degli Studi di Bologna, Department of Agroenvironmental Sciences and Technologies. All rights reserved
High power microwave applications of Phoenix canariensis palms for red palm weevil pest control
No full textRhynchophorus ferrugineus Oliv, known as the red palm weevil (RPW), has recently quickly spread in the Mediterranean Basin and United States infesting and destroying an increasing number of species of Phoenix canariensis palms. Of the various techniques suggested for treating the palms, high power microwave applications could be an attractive and eco-compatible solution. © 2015 International Union of Radio Science (URSI)
Biology and monitoring of Dryocosmus kuriphilus on Castanea sativa in Southern Italy
No full text1 The cynipid gall wasp Dryocosmus kuriphilus Yasumatsu (Hymenoptera: Cynipidae) is an invasive wasp in Europe and is one of the major pests of chestnuts worldwide. An investigation of this cynipid was started in Campania, Southern Italy, in 2008, with the aim of providing guidelines for its sustainable control. 2 The number of larvae/gall increased in the second year of colonization relative to the first one but thereafter decreased in the third year of colonization, whereas the volume of the galls after the initial increase in the second year of colonization became stable. Adult emergence generally peaked between the middle of June and July. 3 The only reliable method for assessing the presence of the pest at its earliest stage was through dissecting the buds because oviposition scars on the buds tended to disappear during the winter. 4 Yellow traps were shown to be an effective method for assessing the emergence of cynipid adults and could potentially be used to time chemical applications in those cases in which this control method is feasible. 5 No correlation was recorded between the relative durations of the final stages (pupae, pharate adults and emergence). 6 Possible control strategies for this invasive pest are discussed. © 2012 The Royal Entomological Society
Seasonal occurrence and adaptation of the exotic Glycaspis brimblecombei Moore (Hemiptera: Aphalaridae) in Italy
No full textAlien insects usually adapt their phenology and their needs to the environment into which they are introduced. During 2010, the red gum lerp psyllid, Glycaspis brimblecombei, was accidentally introduced into Italy, becoming an invasive pest of Eucalyptus L'Hér. Eucalypts are very common in Italy as ornamental and forest species. The seasonal adaptation of the psyllid was studied at three field sites. G. brimblecombei showed a seasonal population dynamic, suggesting that many generations occur during the year and the species overwinters in all stages without diapause. The population size in the new area of colonization is affected by low winter temperatures, but also by high temperatures in the absence of rainfall. In Lazio, the specific parasitoid Psyllaephagus bliteus was collected for the first time. © 2013 Taylor & Francis
Tomato below ground-above ground interactions: Trichoderma longibrachiatum affects the performance of macrosiphum euphorbiae and its natural antagonists
No full textBelow ground and above ground plant-insect-microorganism interactions are complex and regulate most of the developmental responses of important crop plants such as tomato. We investigated the influence of root colonization by a nonmycorrhizal plant-growth-promoting fungus on direct and indirect defenses of tomato plant against aphids. The multitrophic system included the plant Solanum lycopersicum ('San Marzano nano'), the root-associated biocontrol fungus Trichoderma longibrachiatum strain MK1, the aphid Macrosiphum euphorbiae (a tomato pest), the aphid parasitoid Aphidius ervi, and the aphid predator Macrolophus pygmaeus. Laboratory bioassays were performed to assess the effect of T. longibrachiatum MK1, interacting with the tomato plant, on quantity and quality of volatile organic compounds (VOC) released by tomato plant, aphid development and reproduction, parasitoid behavior, and predator behavior and development. When compared with the uncolonized controls, plants whose roots were colonized by T. longibrachiatum MK1 showed quantitative differences in the release of specific VOC, better aphid population growth indices, a higher attractiveness toward the aphid parasitoid and the aphid predator, and a quicker development of aphid predator. These findings support the development of novel strategies of integrated control of aphid pests. The species-specific or strain-specific characteristics of these below ground-above ground interactions remain to be assessed. © 2013 The American Phytopathological Society
Notizie preliminari sulla presenza di Arthrocnodax vitis Rubsaamen (Diptera: Cecidomyiidae), predatore di Calomerus vitis (Pagenstecher) (Acarina: Eriophyoidea)
No full textCecidomidi associati a foglie di lentisco (Pistacia lentiscus L.) infestate da Aceria stefanii (Nalepa) (Acarina: Eriophyoidea)
No full textPreliminary notes on the gall midges (Diptera: Cecidomyiidae) associated with the olive fly, Bactrocera oleae (Gmelin) (Diptera: Tephritidae)
No full textSeveral species of gall midges associated with the olive fruit fly have been identifie
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