Autocontamination trap with entomopathogenic fungi: a possible strategy in the control of Rhynchophorus ferrugineus (Olivier) (Coleoptera Curculionidae)

An experimental autocontamination trap was devised to infect Rhynchophorus ferrugineus (Olivier), the Red Palm Weevil, adults with entomopathogenic fungi. The aim was to develop an autocontamination device to support integrated R. ferrugineus control programs. In laboratory bioassays, the delivery system successfully attracted, infected and released weevil adults after they contacted cereal substrata inoculated with indigenous strains of Beauveria bassiana (Balsamo- Crivelli) Vuillemin and Metarhizium anisopliae (Metchnikoff) Sorokin. Tests carried out with the experimental traps showed that M. anisopliae was the more virulent pathogen, causing 75% cumulative mortality in adults, while B. bassiana gave a 45% cumulative mortality. Infectivity of M. anisopliae was not affected by different cereal substrata, i.e. wheat and rice, since curculionid cumulative mortality (95%) and treatment efficiency (95% Abbott) were very high on both of them and Red Palm Weevil LT50 was reached within the same time (15 days). Conidial persistence and germinability of M. anisopliae grown on the rice substratum were examined in field conditions inside traps located in sunny and shady positions in spring, summer and autumn. The results showed that the traps preserved fungal inoculum stability longer in spring and summer than in autumn. No significant difference in M. anisopliae conidial persistence was found between sunny and shady traps during the various seasons

Metarhizium anisopliae biopesticides and fungus isolates: control efficacy against Rhynchophorus ferrugineus (Olivier) (Coleoptera Dryophthoridae) on different contamination substrata.

The lack of biological insecticides based on Metarhizium anisopliae (Metsch.) Sorokin registered in Italy for the control of the Red Palm Weevil (RPW), Rhynchophorus ferrugineus (Olivier), prompted studies to evaluate the efficacy of two commercial products, Met52® and BioStormTM and of their fungal isolates, M. anisopliae (Man52) and (ManBS) respectively, against the adults. The virulence of the M. anisopliae strains (Man52) and (ManBS) was compared with that of an indigenous M. anisopliae (Man08/I05) strain obtained from R. ferrugineus specimens collected in the wild and that showed to be very virulent against the RPW in previous studies. In both tests the sublethal effects of the treatments on female reproductive potential were examined in relation to the infective substratum. Laboratory results indicated that the commercial formulations mixed directly into the soil were not active in transmitting the infection to RPW adults and in reducing female fecundity and fertility. Diversely the fungal M. anisopliae (ManBS), (Man52) and (Man08/I05) strains inoculated on a rice substratum caused over 80% mortality of the phytophagous. In particular, M. anisopliae (ManBS) and the M. anisopliae (Man08/I05) produced the highest mortality (100%), with LT50 e LT90 reached in 3 and 6 days respectively. M. anisopliae (Met52) strain instead led to 85% mortality of RPW specimens in 28-days but it took longer to reach LT50 (6 days) and LT90 (12 days). The reproductive potential of females infected with the fungal strains was also significantly reduced with respect to the control. This study indicates the possibility of using also M. anisopliae strains in use against other insects of agricultural importance, for the control of R. ferrugineus although their effectiveness is conditioned by the formulations and/or methods employed against the RPW

Effects of a clove oil extract on eggs and second-stage juveniles of Meloidogyne incognita (Kofoid et White, 1919) Chitwood, 1949

Trials were carried out in vitro to evaluate the action against Meloidogyne incognita (Kofoid et White) Chitwood of the clove oil extract ABT-EU04® (Xeda International S. A.), whose active principle is derived from buds of Syzygium aromaticum (L.) Merrill et Perry. Three aqueous concentrations of the product (0.125%, 0.25% and 0.50%) were tested on M. incognita unsegmented and embryonated eggs and on second-stage juveniles, both free and included in the egg masses. The experiment, run twice, was carried out in small glass containers in the dark at a constant temperature of 25°C. The data from the two tests were statistically analysed. The clove oil extract stopped the embryogenesis of eggs and showed a complete nematicidal action against second-stage juveniles both free and of the egg masses. These properties make this product an interesting tool for a novel control strategy in nematode pest management

Entomopathogenicity of Beauveria bassiana (Bals.) Vuill. and Metarhizium anisopliae (Metsch.) Sorokin isolated from different sources in the control of Rhynchophorus ferrugineus (Olivier) (Coleoptera Curculionidae)

The entomopathogenicity of an indigenous Beauveria bassiana strain isolated from soil and of B. bassiana and Metarhizium anisopliae strains isolated in Italy from naturally infected Rhynchophorus ferrugineus (RPW) adults, was tested against larvae and adults of RPW in laboratory bioassays. The individuals were infected via direct contact on sporulated mycelia grown on Sabouraud Dextrose Agar or on wheat substrata. M. anisopliae obtained from R. ferrugineus showed the highest efficacy against RPW larvae and adults particularly against individuals contaminated on sporulated wheat, which showed values of cumulative larval mortality of 100% and adult mortality of 90%; LT50 was obtained in 13.1 days in both larvae and adults. B. bassiana strain isolated from soil recorded a lower cumulative mortality on larvae (13%) and adults (13%) treated on inoculated Sabouraud Dextrose Agar. B. bassiana strain isolated from RPW showed cumulative mortality values higher than 50% against larvae treated on inoculated wheat (55%) and Sabouraud Dextrose Agar (53%); LT50 was obtained in 15 days and 21.8.days respectively. Results are discussed with regard to the potential employment of the virulent indigenous strain of M. anisopliae for microbiological control of R. ferrugineus as part of an integrated pest management program

Psychotic spectrum symptoms across the lifespan are related to lifetime suicidality among 147 patients with bipolar I or major depressive disorder

BACKGROUND: Conflicting evidence exists about the relationship between psychotic symptoms and suicidality in mood disorders. We aimed to investigate the lifetime suicidality and its relationship with dimensions of the psychotic spectrum over the lifespan among subjects with bipolar I (BD I) or major depressive disorder (MDD). METHODS: 147 Consecutive out- and inpatients with BD I or MDD presenting for treatment at 11 Italian Departments of Psychiatry were administered the Structured Clinical Interview for DSM-IV Axis I Disorders, the Structured Clinical Interview for the Psychotic Spectrum (SCI-PSY, lifetime version) and the Mood Spectrum Self-Report (MOODS-SR, lifetime version). RESULTS: Subjects with psychotic features did not differ from those without for MOODS-SR suicidality score. Controlling for age, gender and diagnosis (MDD/BD I), the SCI-PSY total score (p = .007) and Paranoid (p = .042), Schizoid (p = .007) and Interpersonal Sensitivity (p < .001) domain scores independently predicted lifetime MOODS-SR suicidality score in the overall sample. CONCLUSIONS: Psychotic features, as evaluated upon the presence of delusions or hallucinations, are not associated with suicidality among subjects with BD I or MDD. However, more subtle dimensions of the psychotic spectrum, such as Interpersonal Sensitivity, Paranoid and Schizoid symptoms, show a significant relationship with lifetime suicidality. Our findings highlight the potential usefulness of a spectrum approach in the assessment of psychotic symptoms and suicide risk among subjects with BD I or MDD

Biological Notes and Distribution in Southern Europe of Aclees taiwanensis Kono, 1933 (Coleoptera: Curculionidae): A New Pest of the Fig Tree

Ficus carica L. is one of the earliest cultivated fruit trees, and figs are a typical fruit of the Mediterranean diet and traditional medicine as well. In recent years, a new pest, the black weevil Aclees taiwanensis Kono, 1933 (Coleoptera: Curculionidae) native to Asia, has been recorded in France and Italy. Aclees taiwanensis causes the rapid death of the fig tree by its larvae that dig alimentation galleries in the trunk and surface roots, compromising the phloem flux. In Italy, from 2005, the year of the first detection of A. taiwanensis, the fig production has nearly halved, decreasing from 20.09 t to 10.65 t. To date, no specific EU regulation has been applied to prevent the A. taiwanensis spread, and we can reasonably expect a rapid diffusion of this pest all over the Mediterranean area. To avoid the loss of the Mediterranean fig orchards, effective strategies to detect and control the black weevil are required. Such strategies need a detailed knowledge of A. taiwanensis distribution, biology, and physiology. This paper updates the known distribution of this species in Southern Europe, using a citizen science approach, and describes, under laboratory and field conditions, its main biological traits

Assessment of blood and productive parameters in mid-lactation dairy cows fed different diets: replacement of corn silage with triticale silage

Corn crops require large amounts of resources that affect the environmental sustainability of dairy cow farming systems. The aim of the study was thus to investigate the effects of the replacement of corn silage (CS) with triticale silage (TS) by evaluating blood and productive parameters. The study lasted 7&nbsp;weeks and involved two groups of 20 Italian Holstein Friesian dairy cows that were homogeneous in terms of parity ( 3±1.5 ), days in milk (DIM) ( 150±85.0 ), and daily milk production ( 26±4.6  kg). Chemical analysis of feeds was carried out weekly. Dry-matter intake was estimated daily. At the beginning and end of the trial, haematological, metabolic, and immunological parameters were analysed. At the same, time body weight and body condition score were measured. Milk characteristics were also analysed weekly. Statistical analysis was performed by ANOVA on data of the second sampling, and a non-parametric test was performed to analyse BCS. Regarding the haematological parameters in the two groups, only lymphocyte values were not in the normal range (2.86 and 2.50×109  L for CS and TS, respectively). Metabolic parameters were in the normal range except for blood ureic nitrogen (BUN; 13.65 and 14.04  mgdL-1 ), non-esterified fatty acids (NEFAs; 21.40 and 31.93  µmolL-1 ), and Cl (91.99 and 93.50  mmolL-1 ). Hair cortisol was low (0.94 and 0.91  pgmg-1 ), indicating the absence of stress signs, as confirmed by the results of other immunological parameters (serum lysozyme (SL), bactericidal activity (SBA), haptoglobin (HP), and oxygen free radicals (OFRs)). Statistical differences were not found either for haematological or biochemical parameters. The total replacement of CS with TS did not affect milk yield and composition. In conclusion, the replacement of CS by TS did not give rise to significant modifications in the parameters investigated and did not alter the health status of the animals, thus suggesting the feasibility of its introduction into the diet of mid-lactation dairy cows

ACLEESCF. SP. FOVEATUS(COLEOPTERA CURCULIONIDAE), AN EXOTIC PESTOF FICUS CARICAIN ITALY: A SUSTAINABLE APPROACH TO DEFENCE BASEDON ALUMINOSILICATE MINERALS AS HOST PLANT MASKING SOLIDS

The exceptionally frequent entries of alien pest are a major source of concern for the farmers who haveto protect their crops from unknown insects, often without natural enemies in the new areas. A new pestbelonging to the Molytinae family (Coleoptera: Curculionidae), tribe Hylobiini, reported as Acleessp. cf.foveatusVoss, was recently introduced in Italy. The species is responsible for severe damages in many Italianfig nurseries and orchards, particularly in the Italian Central Northern regions, i.e. Tuscany, Ligury andLatium. Currently, no active ingredients are registered against this insect on fig crops. An innovative and eco-friendly approach for controlling this exotic weevil infestation was investigated, by using montmorillonite-based clays, either in their native state or containing copper(II) species, and clinoptilolite zeolites, in order tocheck the perception of the adults’ weevil towards the different solid materials and, subsequently, to evaluatethe capability of these innovative products to act as masking agent with respect to the host plant and/or asrepellent upon contact. The formulations containing copper(II)-exchanged clay and clinoptilolite zeoliteshowed preliminary promising results in terms of efficacy and environmental sustainability