Integrated Management of European Cherry Fruit Fly Rhagoletis cerasi (L.): Situation in Switzerland and Europe

Abstract: The European cherry fruit fly, Rhagoletis cerasi (L.) (Diptera: Tephritidae), is a highly destructive pest. The low tolerance for damaged fruit requires preventive insecticide treatments for a marketable crop. The phase-out of old insecticides threatens cherry production throughout the European Union (EU). Consequently, new management techniques and tools are needed. With the increasing number of dwarf tree orchards covered against rain to avoid fruit splitting, crop netting has become a viable, cost-effective method of cherry fruit fly control. Recently, a biocontrol method using the entomopathogenic fungus Beauveria bassiana has been developed for organic agriculture. However, for most situations, there is still a lack of efficient and environmentally sound insecticides to control this pest. This review summarizes the literature from over one hundred years of research on R. cerasi with focus on the biology and history of cherry fruit fly control as well as on antagonists and potential biocontrol organisms. We will present the situation of cherry fruit fly regulation in different European countries, give recommendations for cherry fruit fly control, show gaps in knowledge and identify future research opportunities

Périodes d'activité des principaux insectes entomophages indigènes de Saissetia oleae Bern. sur l'olivier, en Grèce continentale

Compte tenu de l'évolution annuelle de Saissetia oleae sur olivier, il est fait mention des périodes d'activité de ses principaux parasites: Metaphycus helvolus, Scutellista cyanea, Chilocorus bipustulatus et Exochomus quadripustulatus. L'établissement des programmes de lutte chimique contre les ravageurs de l'olivier doit être fait en conséquence. Grèc

Effect of Dietary Components on Larval Life History Characteristics in the Medfly (Ceratitis capitata: Diptera, Tephritidae)

Background: The ability to respond to heterogenous nutritional resources is an important factor in the adaptive radiation of insects such as the highly polyphagous Medfly. Here we examined the breadth of the Medfly’s capacity to respond to different developmental conditions, by experimentally altering diet components as a proxy for host quality and novelty. Methodology/Principal Findings: We tested responses of larval life history to diets containing protein and carbohydrate components found in and outside the natural host range of this species. A 40% reduction in the quantity of protein caused a significant increase in egg to adult mortality by 26.5%±6% in comparison to the standard baseline diet. Proteins and carbohydrates had differential effects on larval versus pupal development and survival. Addition of a novel protein source, casein (i.e. milk protein), to the diet increased larval mortality by 19.4%±3% and also lengthened the duration of larval development by 1.93±0.5 days in comparison to the standard diet. Alteration of dietary carbohydrate, by replacing the baseline starch with simple sugars, increased mortality specifically within the pupal stage (by 28.2%±8% and 26.2%±9% for glucose and maltose diets, respectively). Development in the presence of the novel carbohydrate lactose (milk sugar) was successful, though on this diet there was a decrease of 29.8±1.6 µg in mean pupal weight in comparison to pupae reared on the baseline diet. Conclusions: The results confirm that laboratory reared Medfly retain the ability to survive development through a wide range of fluctuations in the nutritional environment. We highlight new facets of the responses of different stages of holometabolous life histories to key dietary components. The results are relevant to colonisation scenarios and key to the biology of this highly invasive species

Rhagoletis cerasi: Oviposition reduction effects of oil products

The European cherry fruit fly, Rhagoletis cerasi (L.) (Diptera: Tephritidae), is a highly destructive pest. Methods to control it are limited and alternatives are needed.Observations of cherry fruit flies suggest that females exert much effort to penetrate cherries at color change stage (from green to yellow) for oviposition. Therefore, the question arose as to whether a physical barrier on the fruit surface could reduce oviposition. The effects of different commercial horticultural oil products on R. cerasi oviposition were evaluated in a series of laboratory, semi-field and field experiments. In the laboratory experiments, the rate of successful oviposition on fruits treated with 0.25% v/v of the rapeseed oil product Telmion was significantly reduced by 90% compared to the untreated control. In semi-field experiments, deposits of 1% of rapeseed, mineral and paraffinic oil significantly reduced oviposition for up to 3 days. Semi-field experiments indicated that the oil products lose efficacy within 3 to 6 days after application due to degradation. Although treatments with the rapeseed oil product Telmion reduced infestation rates in an on-farm field experiment, the infested fruit clearly exceeded the level of market tolerance of 2%. Further research is needed to assess whether combinations of oil products, higher application rates and different formulations might improve field efficacy

Characterization of monovarietal olive oils obtained from mills of Calabria region (Southern Italy)

AbstractThe qualitative characteristics of four monovarietal olive oils produced in Calabria region (Southern Italy) were evaluated. The aim of this work was to evidence the differences on chemical parameters due to variety and to growing environment. Results demonstrated a large variability in qualitative indexes according to the variety. Most of the Grossa di Gerace oils sampled in Ionian Southern coast revealed a high total acidity (percentage upper 0.8% of oleic acid). Fatty acid composition showed some varietal characters: in Grossa di Gerace oils possessed a low content of oleic acid and many Carolea oils showed a heptadecenoic acid level higher than 0.3% as European Rules requires for the extra virgin olive oil category. Carolea cultivar is widely grown in different sites of Calabria and so it is influenced by the different climatic conditions: the obtained oils strongly differed according to the production area

Adaptation to divergent larval diets in the medfly, Ceratitis capitata

Variation in diet can influence the timing of major life history events and can drive population diversification and ultimately speciation. Proximate responses of life histories to diet have been well studied. However, there are scant experimental data on how organisms adapt to divergent diets over the longer term. We focused on this omission by testing the responses of a global pest, the Mediterranean fruitfly, to divergent selection on larval diets of different nutritional profiles. Tests conducted before and after 30 generations of nutritional selection revealed a complex interplay between the effects of novel larval dietary conditions on both plastic and evolved responses. There were proximate-only responses to the larval diet in adult male courtship and the frequency of copulation. Males on higher calorie larval diets consistently engaged in more bouts of energetic courtship. In contrast, following selection, larval development time and egg to adult survival showed evidence of evolved divergence between diet regimes. Adult body size showed evidence for adaptation, with flies being significantly heavier when reared on their ‘own’ diet. The results show the multifaceted responses of individuals to dietary selection and are important in understanding the extreme generalism exhibited by the medfly

Phenols and antioxidant activity of apple, quince, pomegranate, bitter orange and almond-leaved pear methanolic extracts

Τα φρούτα είναι πολύτιμες πηγές φυσικών φαινολικών αντιοξειδωτικών, που είναι γνωστό ότι έχουν ωφέλιμες ιδιότητες για την υγεία. Κάποια φρούτα με σπάνια κατανάλωση (γκόρτσι) στην Ελληνική επαρχία και φλοιοί που επεξεργάζονται για παραδοσιακά γλυκίσματα (νεράντζι, κυδώνι), καθώς επίσης κάποιοι άγριοι τύποι (άγριο ρόδι και αχλάδι) ερευνήθηκαν σε σχέση με το περιεχόμενο τους σε φαινόλες και την ενδεχόμενη αντιοξειδωτική δραστηριότητα των μεθανολικών εκχυλισμάτων και συγκρίθηκαν με γνωστούς καρπούς (μήλο, ρόδι). Οι ολικές φαινολικές τιμές της σάρκας και του φλοιού του καρπού υπολογίστηκαν με αντιδραστήριο Folin- Ciocolteu μετά την εκχύλιση με αιθυλικό οξικό άλας και n- προπανόλη σε δείγματα που υποβλήθηκαν υδρόλυση με οξύ και σε μη υδρολυμένα, ενώ οι τιμές των αντιοξειδωτικών δραστηριοτήτων των μεθανολικών εκχυλισμάτων υπολογίστηκαν με τη μέθοδο DPPH. Οι αποκτηθείσες τιμές ΟΦ (ολικών φαινολών) και της αντιοξειδωτικής δραστηριότητας συγκρίθηκαν με τις αντίστοιχες τιμές του πράσινου μήλου, του κόκκινου μήλου και του ροδιοFruits are valuable sources of natural phenolic antioxidants , which are known to have beneficial health promoting properties. Some rarely consumed fruits ( almondleaved pear) in the Greek province and peels processed to traditional homemade pastries (bitter orange, quince) as well as some wild types (wild pomegranate and wild pear) where investigated in relation to their phenol content and antioxidant activity potential of the methanolic extracts and compared to well known fruits (apple, pomegranate). Total phenols (TP) values of fruit flesh and peel where estimated by the Folin-Ciocalteu reagent after extraction with ethyl acetate and n-propanol in acid hydrolyzed and non hydrolyzed samples, while antioxidant activities values of methanolic extracts where estimated by the DPPH method. The obtained TP and antioxidant activity values where compared to the corresponding values of green apple, red apple and pomegranate

Determination of host status of citrus fruits against the Mediterranean fruit fly, Ceratitis capitata (Wiedemann) (Diptera: Tephritidae)

The Mediterranean fruit fly (Medfly), Ceratitis capitata (Wiedemann) is a pest of citrus in parts of Western Australia. Three citrus cultivars: Valencia oranges, Eureka lemons and Imperial mandarins, as well as non-citrus control fruits, were examined for attractiveness and suitability to Medfly in the field and in the laboratory using choice and no-choice experiments. Oranges were more susceptible to Medfly than mandarins and lemons. Punctures in the skin had a significant impact on the degree of infestation in both citrus and non-citrus control fruit. Artificial infestation and larval survivorship were used to investigate the suitability of each cultivar to Medfly under laboratory conditions. Oranges and mandarins were suitable for the development of Medfly, but lemons were a poor host. When each cultivar was in season, field cage trials demonstrated that infestation occurred in oranges and mandarins but not in lemons

Parámetros de calidad de aceites de oliva de las variedades de aceitunas griegas Koroneiki y Megaritiki con hueso y deshuesadas con diferente grado de maduración

Virgin olive oil is a natural functional food and its beneficial role in health as an integral ingredient of the Mediterranean diet is universally recognized. The effects of olive pitting, degree of ripeness and variety (Greek varieties Koroneiki and Megaritiki) were investigated on the physicochemical characteristics, antioxidant constituent contents and capacity and on the fatty acid profile of olive oil. Ripeness resulted in a decrease (P < 0.05) in phenolic and tocopherol contents and the unsaturated/saturated and C18:1ω-9/C18:2ω-6 fatty acid ratios. The pitting technique resulted in a significant increase in phenolic and tocopherol contents, in most cases, without significantly affecting the fatty acid profile and sums. Olive oils from the Koroneiki variety showed significantly higher (P < 0.05) monounsaturated/polyunsaturated fatty acid ratios, which are particularly important for the stability of the oil against oxidation. It was concluded that olive oil from pitted olives maintains a high content in bioactive compounds and a high level of antioxidant activity.El aceite de oliva virgen es un alimento funcional natural cuyo papel como ingrediente esencial de la dieta mediterránea, con propiedades beneficiosas para la salud, ha sido reconocido universalmente. Se ha estudiado el efecto del deshuesado de las aceitunas, grado de maduración y variedad (variedades griegas Koroneiki y Megaritiki) sobre las características físico-químicas, perfil de ácidos grasos y capacidad de los componentes antioxidantes de los aceites de oliva. La maduración ocasionó una disminución (P < 0,05) del contenido de fenoles y tocoferoles y de la relación de ácidos insaturados/ saturados así como de la relación de los ácidos C18:1ω-9/C18:2ω6. El deshuesado incrementa significativamente el contenido fenólico y de tocoferoles, sin afectar significativamente, en la mayoría de los casos, al perfil y cantidad de ácidos grasos. Los aceites de oliva de la variedad Koroneiki mostraron relaciones de ácidos grasos monoinsaturados/poliinsaturados significativamente mayores (p < 0,05) que son particularmente importantes para la estabilidad del aceite frente a la oxidación. En conclusión, el aceite de oliva deshuesado mantiene un alto contenido de compuestos bioactivos y un alto nivel de actividad antioxidante

Quality parameters of olive oil from stoned and nonstoned Koroneiki and Megaritiki Greek olive varieties at different maturity levels

Virgin olive oil is a natural functional food and its beneficial role in health as an integral ingredient of the Mediterranean diet is universally recognized. The effects of olive pitting, degree of ripeness and variety (Greek varieties Koroneiki and Megaritiki) were investigated on the physicochemical characteristics, antioxidant constituent contents and capacity and on the fatty acid profile of olive oil. Ripeness resulted in a decrease (<em>P</em> < 0.05) in phenolic and tocopherol contents and the unsaturated/saturated and C18:1ω-9/C18:2ω-6 fatty acid ratios. The pitting technique resulted in a significant increase in phenolic and tocopherol contents, in most cases, without significantly affecting the fatty acid profile and sums. Olive oils from the Koroneiki variety showed significantly higher (<em>P</em> < 0.05) monounsaturated/polyunsaturated fatty acid ratios, which are particularly important for the stability of the oil against oxidation. It was concluded that olive oil from pitted olives maintains a high content in bioactive compounds and a high level of antioxidant activity.<br><br>El aceite de oliva virgen es un alimento funcional natural cuyo papel como ingrediente esencial de la dieta mediterránea, con propiedades beneficiosas para la salud, ha sido reconocido universalmente. Se ha estudiado el efecto del deshuesado de las aceitunas, grado de maduración y variedad (variedades griegas Koroneiki y Megaritiki) sobre las características físico-químicas, perfil de ácidos grasos y capacidad de los componentes antioxidantes de los aceites de oliva. La maduración ocasionó una disminución (P < 0,05) del contenido de fenoles y tocoferoles y de la relación de ácidos insaturados/ saturados así como de la relación de los ácidos C18:1ω-9/C18:2ω6. El deshuesado incrementa significativamente el contenido fenólico y de tocoferoles, sin afectar significativamente, en la mayoría de los casos, al perfil y cantidad de ácidos grasos. Los aceites de oliva de la variedad Koroneiki mostraron relaciones de ácidos grasos monoinsaturados/poliinsaturados significativamente mayores (p < 0,05) que son particularmente importantes para la estabilidad del aceite frente a la oxidación. En conclusión, el aceite de oliva deshuesado mantiene un alto contenido de compuestos bioactivos y un alto nivel de actividad antioxidante