Estimating economic benefits of biological control of Ambrosia artemisiifolia by Ophraella communa in southeastern France

The North American common ragweed, Ambrosia artemisiifolia, which produces highly allergenic pollen, is invasive in different parts of the world, including Europe. In 2013, common ragweed in northern Italy was found attacked by another accidentally introduced species, the North American leaf beetle Ophraella communa, which is used for biological control of common ragweed in China. Since the establishment of O. communa, ragweed pollen concentrations in northern Italy have significantly dropped. Here we set out to estimate the potential economic benefits of establishment of O. communa in the Rhône-Alpes region in south-eastern France, where detailed data on the economic impact of common ragweed are available. Extrapolating from the change in airborne ragweed pollen concentrations in the Milan area, we estimated that establishment of O. communa in the Rhône-Alpes region will reduce the number of days with ragweed pollen concentrations at which sensitive people express symptoms by 50% and the medical costs due to common ragweed by 5.2–6.8 M € annually. Our findings suggest that investments of public funds are justified to conduct a complete assessment of the potential risks and benefits associated with the accidental establishment of O. communa in Europe

Look but do not touch: the occurrence of venomous species across Lepidoptera

peer reviewedLepidoptera can cause several health issues in humans and domestic animals due to their setae, which are defensive adaptations that protect them from predators. The diversity of venomous Lepidoptera has been explored in several reviews starting from the first comprehensive attempt in 1984 by Kawamoto and Kumada (KK) who compiled a list of 228 species based on previous reviews; however, KK did not cite the original publications for listed species. In this review we validated and updated the KK table. The updated list of venomous Lepidoptera includes 5 superfamilies, 14 families, 208 genera, and 576 species, representing a two-fold increase for genera and 2.9-fold for species with respect to KK. The total number of species in the genera including at least one venomous species, which we argue is likely closer to the true number of venomous species, is 7 times higher (3,620). GBIF (Global Biodiversity Information Facility) occurrences for venomous species are 1–4 orders of magnitude higher than those of confamilial non-venomous species. The presence of venomous structures is independent of the relatedness of the clades or geographic region; venom is produced by many species of Zygaenoidea, Lasiocampoidea and Bombycoidea but only by some specialized groups in Papilionoidea and Noctuoidea. There are likely to be multiple evolutionary origins of venom within Lepidoptera, but the exact number is difficult to estimate. The knowledge gap between medical and natural history fields needs to be addressed with novel approaches to study ecology and toxicology. This review offers health practitioners a tool to better understand the origin of the reactions observed and to improve the identification of the causal agents

COVID-19 symptoms at hospital admission vary with age and sex: results from the ISARIC prospective multinational observational study

Background: The ISARIC prospective multinational observational study is the largest cohort of hospitalized patients with COVID-19. We present relationships of age, sex, and nationality to presenting symptoms. Methods: International, prospective observational study of 60 109 hospitalized symptomatic patients with laboratory-confirmed COVID-19 recruited from 43 countries between 30 January and 3 August 2020. Logistic regression was performed to evaluate relationships of age and sex to published COVID-19 case definitions and the most commonly reported symptoms. Results: ‘Typical’ symptoms of fever (69%), cough (68%) and shortness of breath (66%) were the most commonly reported. 92% of patients experienced at least one of these. Prevalence of typical symptoms was greatest in 30- to 60-year-olds (respectively 80, 79, 69%; at least one 95%). They were reported less frequently in children (≤ 18 years: 69, 48, 23; 85%), older adults (≥ 70 years: 61, 62, 65; 90%), and women (66, 66, 64; 90%; vs. men 71, 70, 67; 93%, each P < 0.001). The most common atypical presentations under 60 years of age were nausea and vomiting and abdominal pain, and over 60 years was confusion. Regression models showed significant differences in symptoms with sex, age and country. Interpretation: This international collaboration has allowed us to report reliable symptom data from the largest cohort of patients admitted to hospital with COVID-19. Adults over 60 and children admitted to hospital with COVID-19 are less likely to present with typical symptoms. Nausea and vomiting are common atypical presentations under 30 years. Confusion is a frequent atypical presentation of COVID-19 in adults over 60 years. Women are less likely to experience typical symptoms than men

Avis sur l'efficacité des méthodes visant à la destruction de végétaux contaminés par le virus de la sharka en verger de Prunus: Avis de l’Anses Rapport d’expertise collective

Citation suggérée:Anses. (2021). Avis sur l’efficacité des méthodes visant à la destruction de végétaux contaminés par le virus de la sharka en verger de Prunus (saisine 2019-SA-0048). Maisons-Alfort : Anses, 66 pDepuis le 9 juillet 2021, la lutte obligatoire contre le virus Plum pox virus (PPV), agent causal de la maladie de la sharka, est encadrée par l’arrêté paru à cette date et abrogeant celui du 17 mars 2011 modifié ayant servi de cadre aux travaux d’expertise réalisés. Toutefois, les principes de lutte restant similaires entre les deux arrêtés, cette évolution ne remet en cause ni l’objet de la saisine, ni les résultats de ces travaux. La surveillance des espèces de Prunus sensibles (abricotiers, pêchers, pruniers) est définie en fonction d’un zonage, ainsi que les mesures d’assainissement à réaliser suite à la détection d’arbres infectés. Lorsqu’un arbre porteur du virus est détecté, la réglementation oblige à procéder à sa destruction. Le propriétaire a alors le choix de réaliser sous 10 jours, une coupe associée à une dévitalisation de l’arbre ou de procéder à son arrachage. Si le propriétaire choisit la coupe/dévitalisation de l’arbre, la souche restante doit être arrachée avant le 31 octobre de l’année en cours. En pratique, la majorité des arboriculteurs procèdent en cours de saison à la coupe et à la dévitalisation des arbres concernés puis à l’arrachage des souches en automne avant le 31 octobre.L’expérience remontée par les services déconcentrés de la DGAl indique que, dans certains cas, la mesure d’arrachage seule serait moins efficace qu’une coupe/dévitalisation suivie à l’automne de l’arrachage de la souche. En effet, suite à l’arrachage, des rejets peuvent par exemple être observés sur pruniers américano-japonais. Par ailleurs, suite à une coupe/dévitalisation correctement réalisée, l’arrachage des souches mortes peut également être problématique pour les exploitations (conduite culturale, matériel, climat, sol, irrigation) alors que leur présence n’est plus contaminante puisque l’arbre est détruit. A contrario, une coupe/dévitalisation mal réalisée peut permettre la reprise végétative et la production de repousses qui sont alors des sources potentielles de contaminations

Une chrysomèle contre l'ambroisie, est-ce réaliste ?

National audienceContext - Despite intensive management practices carried out by stakeholders, common ragweed control is presently not sufficient to limit the spread of this annual invasive plant. Ali classical methods (mowing, chemical weeding, etc.) are limited in terms of efficiency. ln order to achieve a better management in the different habitats occupied by the plant, it is necessary to design innovative methods that could increase contra efficiency. The recent accidental introduction of a ragweed natural enemy in ltalia raises the question of the use of biological control agents. Could the regulation by a new phytophagous insect be considered as an integrated way of management in order to reduce the negative effects of common ragweed?Contexte - La gestion de l'ambroisie à feuilles d'armoise, malgré les efforts des gestionnaires, n'est actuellement pas assez efficace pour limiter l'extension géographique de cette plante envahissante annuelle. Les méthodes classiques (fauche, désherbage chimique...) montrent des limites en terme d'efficacité. Des méthodes innovantes qui permettraient un complément d'efficacité sont souhaitables pour couvrir tous les milieux occupés par l'espèce. Examen - L'introduction accidentelle récente en Italie d'Ophraella communa, ennemi naturel de l'ambroisie, pose la question de son usage en lutte biologique. Nous examinons ici si cet insecte phytophage est un outil de lutte durable et raisonnable pour limiter les effets négatifs de l'ambroisie