1,720,998 research outputs found
Habitat and microhabitat suitability for Italian Platycerus species (Coleoptera: Lucanidae): elevation, slope aspect and deadwood features
No full textDeadwood is one of the main indicators of forest biodiversity. Stag beetle (Coleoptera: Lucanidae) larvae are saproxylic organisms specialized in living in deadwood colonized by microorganisms; these beetles are bioindicators of forest integrity and are currently under threat by habitat loss, climate change and intensive forest management. A multi-year collection of data on the habitat and microhabitat deadwood-related requirements of Platycerus caraboides (Linnaeus, 1758) and Platycerus caprea (De Geer, 1774) in northern Italian forests has shed new light on the bio-ecology of these two reclusive species. They are predominantly found at medium to high elevations on north-facing slopes. Their presence - but not their abundance - is related the plant taxon, diameter and decay stage of the deadwood, predominantly belonging to the family Fagaceae but - a new finding - also to the family Salicaceae (Salix caprea L.). Both species prefer narrow, faded, soft, very powdery, humid logs. Based on these findings, forestry management strategies should not overlook the importance of fine deadwood in managing saproxylic biodiversity in European forests
Outbreak of Nysius cymoides on second crop soybean Glycine max and proposal for Integrated Pest Management
Full text linkNew insights into the distribution and spreading of the Asian walnut moth, Garella musculana (Erschov, 1874) (Lepidoptera, Nolidae) in Europe with a focus on the Italian range
Full text linkThe Asian walnut moth, Garella musculana (Erschov, 1874) (Lepidoptera, Nolidae) is an alien pest originating from Central Asia and is now spreading in Europe, attacking walnut trees. In this study, we updated the current distribution of G. musculana, focusing on the Italian range, where it was reported for the first time in 2021. Field surveys showed an extensive distribution of G. musculana in northern Italy, particularly in the Veneto Region. In this area, the Asian walnut moth developed on English and black walnut, attacking almost exclusively tree shoots. Based on current distribution data, further investigations are required in the nearby regions as well as in those that were less surveyed. Lastly, it is imperative to conduct more studies on insect biology and the impact on walnut production
First Record of Ambrosiophilus atratus (Eichhoff, 1875) and Further Observations of Xylosandrus germanus (Blandford, 1894) (Coleoptera: Curculionidae: Scolytinae) on Grapevine, Vitis vinifera L. (Vitaceae)
No full textEvidence for the independent evolution of a rectal complex within the beetle superfamily Scarabaeoidea
No full textRectal or cryptonephridial complexes have evolved repeatedly in arthropods, including in beetles where they occur in ∼190,000 species of Cucujiformia + Bostrichoidea, and Lepidoptera where they occur in ∼160,000 species. Sections of the Malpighian/renal tubules coat the outer surface of the rectum, acting as powerful recycling systems of the gut contents, recovering water and specific solutes. There are hints that a rectal complex evolved independently within another beetle group, Scarabaeoidea. Here we report our observations of rectal complexes in Scarabaeoidea, which support this view. We did not find a rectal complex in the related group, Staphylinoidea, or in Lucanidae, a basal group of Scarabaeoidea. We did observe rectal complexes in Melolontha melolontha (Melolonthini), Pachnoda marginata and Cetonia aurata (Cetoniinae), consistent with previous reports from these groups. Intriguingly we found that rectal complexes occur in adult, but not M. melolontha larvae, and larvae but not adults within Cetoniinae, indicating dramatic pupal remodelling of these organ systems. Insights into the structure of the rectal complexes of Scarabaeoidea are compared with the well-studied rectal complexes of Cucujiformia. Finally, we discuss possible functions of the rectal complexes of beetles within Scarabaeoidea, and future approaches to address this question
Genetic variability of Halyomorpha halys (Stål) (Hemiptera: Pentatomidae) and its symbiotic bacteria ‘Candidatus Pantoea carbekii’ across native and newly colonized regions.
No full textCharacterizing damage potential of the brown marmorated stink bug in cherry orchards in Italy
No full textHalyomorpha halys (Stål) (Hemiptera: Pentatomidae), brown marmorated stink bug, is a highly polyphagous
agricultural pest and urban nuisance. Native to Asia, it was first detected in North America in 1996 and Europe in 2004.
Feeding damage has been described in many different horticultural and row crops. However, there are no reports in the
literature about economic damage to cherry [Prunus avium (L.) L.]. This study was conducted in the Veneto region of Italy
and the objective was to evaluate and characterize H. halys feeding injury and damage on cherry fruits. Different numbers
of stink bugs were confined to developing cherry fruits using mesh cages for one- to two-week periods. Potential injury on
cherry was then assessed by quantifying changes in the number of salivary sheaths present, weight, percent deformation,
and fungal presence on each fruit. Increasing H. halys infestation density decreased fruit weight, while increasing numbers
of salivary sheaths. Similarly, increased infestation density decreased number of marketable cherries and overall yield.
Halyomorpha halys infestations were correlated with increased number of fruits with fungal infections. These data suggest
that H. halys may exhibit a considerable damage potential for cherry production
Halyomorpha halys (Hemiptera: Pentatomidae) as the major contributor to early olive drop in northern Italy
No full textIn recent years, a new phenomenon of early olive drop is causing production losses in olive groves throughout
northern Italy. To analyze the possible causes, field and laboratory trials were performed to assess the involvement
of fungal pathogens and insect pests in this disease. External and internal symptoms of fungal infections
or insect-feeding activities were researched. Fungi present in healthy and dislodged olives were investigated.
The relationship between olives that fell and Halyomorpha halys (Stål) (Hemiptera: Pentatomidae) infestation
was assessed in a controlled infestation trial, and the effectiveness of an insecticidal strategy in reducing
early olive drop was tested in open field conditions. A comparable number of fungi, mostly endophytes, were
isolated and identified from both healthy and dislodged olives. The damage observed on dislodged olives
was primarily ascribed to pentatomids feeding activity. Six stink bugs species were found in olive canopies,
that is, the invasive H. halys, which was by far the most abundant, and Acrosternum heegeri Fieber, Nezara
viridula (Linnaeus), Palomena prasina (Linnaeus), Piezodorus lituratus (Fabricious), and Rhaphigaster nebulosa
(Poda). Halyomorpha halys caused intense fruit drop in the controlled infestation trial, and its infestation level
significantly correlated with the number of olives that fell. Native stink bugs, present in much lower population
compared to H. halys, could also partially contribute to early drop of olives. Insect proof net significantly
reduced the early olive drop disease, while insecticide applications only partially reduced the stink bugs population
density and, proportionally, early olive drop
Comparative Life History Parameters of Three Stink Bug Pest Species
No full textCalifornia pistachios are threatened by several stink bug species (Hemiptera: Pentatomidae), including the native Thyanta pallidovirens (Stal) and Chlorochroa uhleri (Stal), as well as the invasive Nezara viridula (L.). In pistachio, control tactics often target specific life stages, which makes knowledge about life histories fundamental to successful IPM programs. For that purpose, life history parameters of these stink bug species were assessed. Nymphal development and survivorship at seven constant temperatures, upper and lower development thresholds, thermal constants, adult longevity and fecundity, and life table parameters were evaluated. No species completed development at 15 degrees C or 35 degrees C. For N. viridula, egg to adult development was fastest at 30 degrees C, whereas for T. pallidovirens there was no significant difference between 27.5 and 30 degrees C and C. uhleri development was similar between 25 and 30 degrees C. Egg to adult survival was highest at 22.5 degrees C and 27.5 degrees C. The thermal requirements as degree-days (DD) to complete immature development were estimated to be 714.3, 370.4, and 434.8 for C. uhleri, T. pallidovirens, and N. viridula, respectively. For C. uhleri, life table calculations produced a value of 56.7 d for mean generation time (T-o), 24.89 for net reproductive rate (R-o) and 0.057 for the intrinsic rate of increase (r). Thyanta pallidovirens had a T-o of 39.9 d, a R-o of 81.10 and a r of 0.11. The results are discussed with respect to the improvement of IPM in California pistachios, and the information presented may contribute to the control of these pest species in other ecosystems
Distribution of the genus Platycerus Geoffroy (Coleoptera, Lucanidae) in Italy
Full text linkStag beetles are saproxylic species that are associated with deadwood in the larval stage and play an important role in forest ecosystem dynamics. In Italy, Platycerus caprea and Platycerus caraboides are two small, elusive stag beetle species, whose known distribution is often limited or referring to old records.The present contribution increases the knowledge on the Italian distribution of P. caprea and P. caraboides, adding 70% more sites when compared to previously published records. Ecological traits, especially related to the altitude-elevation distribution in Italy, are also described for these saproxylic beetles
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