Feeding and oviposition preferences of Monochamus galloprovincialis on its main hosts Pinus sylvestris and Pinus pinaster

Θεωρώντας τον ρόλο του Monochamus galloprovincialis κλειδί στην εξάπλωση του νηματώδη του πεύκου στην Ευρώπη, η διαλεύκανση του εύρους των ξενιστών και των προτιμήσεων του Μ. galloprovincialis σε αυτούς είναι πρωτεύουσας σημασίας για την προστασία του δάσους. Συγκριτικές μελέτες σε συνθήκες εργαστηρίου διεξήχθησαν με σκοπό την διευκρίνηση των διατροφικών και ωοθετικών προτιμήσεων των ενηλίκων αυτού του εντόμου καθώς και της ανάπτυξης των προνυμφών του στα P. sylvestris και P. pinaster. Η διατροφή και η ωοτοκία βρέθηκαν στατιστικά πιο σημαντικές στο P. sylvestris αλλά καμία διαφορά δεν βρέθηκε στην επιβίωση των προνυμφών στα δύο είδη πεύκου. Οι προνύμφες έφτασαν στην 4η ηλικία νωρίτερα στο P. sylvestris από ότι στο P. pinaster. Τα αποτελέσματα της παρούσης μελέτης ισχυροποιούν τις υποψίες για μια γρήγορη μελλοντική εξάπλωση του νηματώδη σε ολόκληρη την Ευρώπη.Considering the key role of Monochamus galloprovincialis (Olivier) (Coleoptera: Cerambycidae) in the dispersion of the pine wood nematode, Bursaphelenchus xylophilus (Steiner & Bührer) Nickle (Nematoda: Aphelenchoidea), in Europe, defining the host spectrum and preference of M. galloprovincialis is of primary importance for forest management. Therefore, comparative studies under laboratory conditions were performed in order to define the feeding and oviposition preferences of M. galloprovincialis adults as well as the larval development on Pinus sylvestris and Pinus pinaster. Both nutrition and oviposition were significantly higher on P. sylvestris. However, no difference was found when comparing larval survival on the two Pinus species even though larvae attended the fourth instar earlier when reared on P. sylvestris than on P. pinaster. The results of this study reinforce the suspicions of a future rapid propagation of the nematode, by M. galloprovincialis, into the Pine forests all over Europe

Feeding and oviposition preferences of Monochamus galloprovincialis on its main hosts Pinus sylvestris and Pinus pinaster

Θεωρώντας τον ρόλο του Monochamus galloprovincialis κλειδί στην εξάπλωση του νηματώδη του πεύκου στην Ευρώπη, η διαλεύκανση του εύρους των ξενιστών και των προτιμήσεων του Μ. galloprovincialis σε αυτούς είναι πρωτεύουσας σημασίας για την προστασία του δάσους. Συγκριτικές μελέτες σε συνθήκες εργαστηρίου διεξήχθησαν με σκοπό την διευκρίνηση των διατροφικών και ωοθετικών προτιμήσεων των ενηλίκων αυτού του εντόμου καθώς και της ανάπτυξης των προνυμφών του στα P. sylvestris και P. pinaster. Η διατροφή και η ωοτοκία βρέθηκαν στατιστικά πιο σημαντικές στο P. sylvestris αλλά καμία διαφορά δεν βρέθηκε στην επιβίωση των προνυμφών στα δύο είδη πεύκου. Οι προνύμφες έφτασαν στην 4η ηλικία νωρίτερα στο P. sylvestris από ότι στο P. pinaster. Τα αποτελέσματα της παρούσης μελέτης ισχυροποιούν τις υποψίες για μια γρήγορη μελλοντική εξάπλωση του νηματώδη σε ολόκληρη την Ευρώπη.Considering the key role of Monochamus galloprovincialis (Olivier) (Coleoptera: Cerambycidae) in the dispersion of the pine wood nematode, Bursaphelenchus xylophilus (Steiner & Bührer) Nickle (Nematoda: Aphelenchoidea), in Europe, defining the host spectrum and preference of M. galloprovincialis is of primary importance for forest management. Therefore, comparative studies under laboratory conditions were performed in order to define the feeding and oviposition preferences of M. galloprovincialis adults as well as the larval development on Pinus sylvestris and Pinus pinaster. Both nutrition and oviposition were significantly higher on P. sylvestris. However, no difference was found when comparing larval survival on the two Pinus species even though larvae attended the fourth instar earlier when reared on P. sylvestris than on P. pinaster. The results of this study reinforce the suspicions of a future rapid propagation of the nematode, by M. galloprovincialis, into the Pine forests all over Europe

Cross-Attraction between an Exotic and a Native Pine Bark Beetle: A Novel Invasion Mechanism?

Aside from the ecological impacts, invasive species fascinate ecologists because of the unique opportunities that invasives offer in the study of community ecology. Some hypotheses have been proposed to illustrate the mechanisms that allow exotics to become invasive. However, positive interactions between exotic and native insects are rarely utilized to explain invasiveness of pests.Here, we present information on a recently formed association between a native and an exotic bark beetle on their shared host, Pinus tabuliformis, in China. In field examinations, we found that 35-40% of P. tabuliformis attacked by an exotic bark beetle, Dendroctonus valens, were also attacked by a native pine bark beetle, Hylastes parallelus. In the laboratory, we found that the antennal and walking responses of H. parallelus to host- and beetle-produced compounds were similar to those of the exotic D. valens in China. In addition, D. valens was attracted to volatiles produced by the native H. parallelus.We report, for the first time, facilitation between an exotic and a native bark beetle seems to involve overlap in the use of host attractants and pheromones, which is cross-attraction. The concept of this interspecific facilitation could be explored as a novel invasive mechanism which helps explain invasiveness of not only exotic bark beetles but also other introduced pests in principle. The results reported here also have particularly important implications for risk assessments and management strategies for invasive species

Insects as Stem Engineers: Interactions Mediated by the Twig-Girdler Oncideres albomarginata chamela Enhance Arthropod Diversity

Background: Ecosystem engineering may influence community structure and biodiversity by controlling the availability of resources and/or habitats used by other organisms. Insect herbivores may act as ecosystem engineers but there is still poor understanding of the role of these insects structuring arthropod communities. Methodology/Principal Findings: We evaluated the effect of ecosystem engineering by the stem-borer Oncideres albomarginata chamela on the arthropod community of a tropical dry forest for three consecutive years. The results showed that ecosystem engineering by O. albomarginata chamela had strong positive effects on the colonization, abundance, species richness and composition of the associated arthropod community, and it occurred mainly through the creation of a habitat with high availability of oviposition sites for secondary colonizers. These effects cascade upward to higher trophic levels. Overall, ecosystem engineering by O. albomarginata chamela was responsible for nearly 95 % of the abundance of secondary colonizers and 82 % of the species richness. Conclusions/Significance: Our results suggest that ecosystem engineering by O. albomarginata chamela is a keystone process structuring an arthropod community composed by xylovores, predators and parasitoids. This study is the first to empirically demonstrate the effect of the ecosystem engineering by stem-boring insects on important attributes o

An update on molecular cat allergens: Fel d 1 and what else? Chapter 1: Fel d 1, the major cat allergen

Background: Cats are the major source of indoor inhalant allergens after house dust mites. The global incidence of cat allergies is rising sharply, posing a major public health problem. Ten cat allergens have been identified. The major allergen responsible for symptoms is Fel d 1, a secretoglobin and not a lipocalin, making the cat a special case among mammals. Main body: Given its clinical predominance, it is essential to have a good knowledge of this allergenic fraction, including its basic structure, to understand the new exciting diagnostic and therapeutic applications currently in development. The recent arrival of the component-resolved diagnosis, which uses molecular allergens, represents a unique opportunity to improve our understanding of the disease. Recombinant Fel d 1 is now available for in vitro diagnosis by the anti-Fel d 1 specific IgE assay. The first part of the review will seek to describe the recent advances related to Fel d 1 in terms of positive diagnosis and assessment of disease severity. In daily practice, anti-Fel d 1 IgE tend to replace those directed against the overall extract but is this attitude justified? We will look at the most recent arguments to try to answer this question. In parallel, a second revolution is taking place thanks to molecular engineering, which has allowed the development of various forms of recombinant Fel d 1 and which seeks to modify the immunomodulatory properties of the molecule and thus the clinical history of the disease via various modalities of anti-Fel d 1-specific immunotherapy. We will endeavor to give a clear and practical overview of all these trends

Les perturbations induites par

L’étude histologique du tube digestif des Ips sexdentatus parasités par Parasitorhabditis ipsophila montre une destruction importante des microvillosités et une vacuolisation des cellules de l’épithélium intestinal, dans la partie terminale du mésentéron. Aucun dégât n’est observé dans l’intestin postérieur ou lors de faibles contaminations. Parallèlement, l’étude biochimique indique une diminution de la quantité de protéines dans le bol alimentaire des insectes parasités, en même temps qu’une augmentation dans la paroi intestinale. Les dégâts semblent essentiellement mécaniques et expliquent les perturbations observées précédemment au niveau des populations. La contradiction apparente entre l’importance des dégâts au niveau de l’épithélium intestinal et les faibles conséquences du parasitisme pour les populations hôtes peut s’expliquer par la localisation préférentielle des nématodes dans la partie terminale du mésentéron et la partie proximale de l’intestin postérieur