Tetraneura (Tetraneurella) nigriabdominalis (Hemiptera: Aphidoidea) – a species extending its range in Europe, and morphological comparison with Tetraneura (Tetraneura) ulmi

The paper presents the first records of Tetraneura (Tetraneurella) nigriabdominalis (Sasaki, 1899) (Eriosomatinae, Eriosomatini) from Poland, an alien species that has been expanding its range northward, which is presumably connected with climate warming. Secondary hosts of this aphid are different plant species from the family Poaceae, including Zea L. Considering the steady increase in maize cultivation area in Europe, the species can become a potential threat to this cereal. We present the morphological characteristics of winged morphs developing in galls on trees from the genus Ulmus L. Those characteristics enable to distinguish this species from Tetraneura (Tetraneura) ulmi (Linnaeus, 1758), which dominates on elms in northwestern Europe. The data on the distribution of T. (T.) nigriabdominalis in Europe are also provided

Brachycorynella asparagi (Mordv.) Induced—Oxidative Stress and Antioxidative Defenses of Asparagus officinalis L.

The aim of this study was to investigate whether and to what extent oxidative stress is induced in leaves of one- and two-month-old plants of Asparagus officinalis L. cv. Argenteuil infested by Brachycorynella asparagi (Mordvilko) at a varied population size. The pest B. asparagi has been described as the most damaging species feeding on asparagus. Analyses using electron paramagnetic resonance (EPR) demonstrated generally higher concentrations of semiquinone radicals with g-values of 2.0045 ± 0.0005 and 2.0026 ± 0.0005 in Asparagus officinalis (A. officinalis) leaves after Brachycorynella asparagi (B. asparagi) infestation than in the control. Observations of leaves under a confocal microscope showed a post-infestation enhanced generation of the superoxide anion radical (O2•−) and hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) in comparison to the control. Strong fluctuations in Mn2+ ion levels detected by EPR spectroscopy versus time were detected in leaves infested by aphids, which may indicate the involvement of these ions in the control of O2•− production. An enhanced superoxide dismutase activity is an important element in leaf defense against oxidative stress. Visible symptoms were found in aphid-infested A. officinalis. Damage to leaves of one- and two-month-old A. officinalis plants by the aphid B. asparagi was dependent on the intensity, duration of infestation and plant age

Population Development of Alien Gall-Forming Aphid Tetraneura nigriabdominalis on Ulmus minor and Ulmus glabra

Tetraneura (Tetraneurella) nigriabdominalis (Sasaki, 1899) is a holocyclic and heteroecious species widely distributed throughout the world. Its primary hosts are various elm species, on which it forms galls. The results of this study complement those of previous research on the development of T. nigriabdominalis on primary hosts. Our research was conducted on two elm species, Ulmus minor and Ulmus glabra, at three locations and for three successive seasons between 2017 and 2019. Fundatrices hatched between 27 April and 12 May. The first galls were observed 6–8 days after the hatching date of the fundatrices. On average, there were 1–7.5 galls on one leaf. The highest abundances of T. nigriabdominalis galls were found in the medial and basal parts of the leaf blades. The fundatrices matured within 12–21 days after hatching and produced nymphs within 2–3 weeks. The fecundity of the fundatrices was influenced by the temperature in April, the size of the laminae, and the size of the galls. The females developing on U. glabra were more fecund (2–58 nymphs), whereas those developing on U. minor produced 1–29 nymphs. The winged migrants of the second generation appeared between late May and late June, when the first cracks on the galls were also observed. The entire development of two aphid generations on the primary host was temperature-dependent and lasted from four to almost six weeks. Our results show that U. glabra and U. minor are suitable hosts for T. nigriabdominalis. The development of aphids proceeded similarly on both tree species. Temperature, especially in April, significantly influenced the duration of individual developmental phases and the fecundity of fundatrices

Population Development of Alien Gall-Forming Aphid <i>Tetraneura nigriabdominalis</i> on <i>Ulmus minor</i> and <i>Ulmus glabra</i>

Tetraneura (Tetraneurella) nigriabdominalis (Sasaki, 1899) is a holocyclic and heteroecious species widely distributed throughout the world. Its primary hosts are various elm species, on which it forms galls. The results of this study complement those of previous research on the development of T. nigriabdominalis on primary hosts. Our research was conducted on two elm species, Ulmus minor and Ulmus glabra, at three locations and for three successive seasons between 2017 and 2019. Fundatrices hatched between 27 April and 12 May. The first galls were observed 6–8 days after the hatching date of the fundatrices. On average, there were 1–7.5 galls on one leaf. The highest abundances of T. nigriabdominalis galls were found in the medial and basal parts of the leaf blades. The fundatrices matured within 12–21 days after hatching and produced nymphs within 2–3 weeks. The fecundity of the fundatrices was influenced by the temperature in April, the size of the laminae, and the size of the galls. The females developing on U. glabra were more fecund (2–58 nymphs), whereas those developing on U. minor produced 1–29 nymphs. The winged migrants of the second generation appeared between late May and late June, when the first cracks on the galls were also observed. The entire development of two aphid generations on the primary host was temperature-dependent and lasted from four to almost six weeks. Our results show that U. glabra and U. minor are suitable hosts for T. nigriabdominalis. The development of aphids proceeded similarly on both tree species. Temperature, especially in April, significantly influenced the duration of individual developmental phases and the fecundity of fundatrices

The Evaluation of Factors Determining the Health Condition of Acer Platanoides and Tilia Cordata Plantings in Selected Sites of Urban Greenery in Poznań, Poland

Heavily urbanised areas are not a favourable habitat for plant growth and development. On the other hand, urbanised areas can be a favourable habitat for harmful fauna. Tin our study, those trees growing along the roadside were more heavily infested by pests than trees growing in parks. Three orders of insects, mites and lugs were identified on the Norway maple. The dominant insect species was Periphyllus aceris. On small-leaved lime four insect orders (the dominant species was and Eucallipterus tiliae) and mites were found. An overall visual inspection confirmed that of maple and lime growing in city parks were in better condition than those growing by roads

Brachycorynella asparagi (Mordv.) Induced—Oxidative Stress and Antioxidative Defenses of Asparagus officinalis L.

The aim of this study was to investigate whether and to what extent oxidative stress is induced in leaves of one- and two-month-old plants of Asparagus officinalis L. cv. Argenteuil infested by Brachycorynella asparagi (Mordvilko) at a varied population size. The pest B. asparagi has been described as the most damaging species feeding on asparagus. Analyses using electron paramagnetic resonance (EPR) demonstrated generally higher concentrations of semiquinone radicals with g-values of 2.0045 ± 0.0005 and 2.0026 ± 0.0005 in Asparagus officinalis (A. officinalis) leaves after Brachycorynella asparagi (B. asparagi) infestation than in the control. Observations of leaves under a confocal microscope showed a post-infestation enhanced generation of the superoxide anion radical (O2•−) and hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) in comparison to the control. Strong fluctuations in Mn2+ ion levels detected by EPR spectroscopy versus time were detected in leaves infested by aphids, which may indicate the involvement of these ions in the control of O2•− production. An enhanced superoxide dismutase activity is an important element in leaf defense against oxidative stress. Visible symptoms were found in aphid-infested A. officinalis. Damage to leaves of one- and two-month-old A. officinalis plants by the aphid B. asparagi was dependent on the intensity, duration of infestation and plant age

The Effectiveness of Catching Aphids (Hemiptera: Sternorrhyncha: Aphidinea) in Moericke and Light Traps

The studies were conducted in an urban greenery area of Poznań, Poland to compare the effectiveness of Moericke colour traps and light traps used to catch aphids. The combined methods yielded 61 aphid species from the area. The light trap caught 51 species, while 44 species were caught using the Moericke trap. Over 4,000 specimens were collected with each method separately