FruiTemp: Design, Implementation and Analysis for an Open-Source Temperature Logger Applied to Fruit Fly Host Experimentation

FruiTemp is an open-source prototype developed to study the response of endophytic insect species such as fruit flies (Diptera: Tephrtidae) to variable temperature conditions including the controlled laboratory and fluctuating field settings. The system is a three-channel temperature sensor that consists of two precision thermistors that measure the temperature in the core and the surface of a fruit on a tree and a Harsh Environment thermistor that measures the air temperature surrounding the host at a rate of one measurement per 15 min. The sample rate can be adjusted according to the researcher’s needs. The system was successfully tested in field and laboratory experimental conditions using apples as the fruit model. The measurements on apples on trees lasted five consecutive days and produced a range of reliable data. After assessing statistical agreement and precision, the results revealed a differential bias of 0.331 °C and a proportional bias of a magnitude of 0.982. This work promotes open-source implementations allowing inexpensive solutions aiding experimentation procedures by significantly lowering operating costs

Toxic and hormetic-like effects of three components of citrus essential oils on adult Mediterranean fruit flies (Ceratitis capitata).

Plant essential oils (EOs) and a wide range of their individual components are involved in a variety of biological interactions with insect pests including stimulatory, deterrent, toxic and even hormetic effects. Both the beneficial and toxic properties of citrus EOs on the Mediterranean fruit fly (medfly) have been experimentally evidenced over the last years. However, no information is available regarding the toxic or beneficial effects of the major components of citrus EOs via contact with the adults of the Mediterranean fruit fly. In the present study, we explored the toxicity of limonene, linalool and α-pinene (3 of the main compounds of citrus EOs) against adult medflies and identified the effects of sub-lethal doses of limonene on fitness traits in a relaxed [full diet (yeast and sugar)] and in a stressful (sugar only) feeding environment. Our results demonstrate that all three compounds inferred high toxicity to adult medflies regardless of the diet, with males being more sensitive than females. Sub-lethal doses of limonene (LD20) enhanced the lifespan of adult medflies when they were deprived of protein. Fecundity was positively affected when females were exposed to limonene sub-lethal doses. Therefore, limonene, a major constituent of citrus EOs, induces high mortality at increased doses and positive effects on life history traits of medfly adults through contact at low sub-lethal doses. A hormetic-like effect of limonene to adult medflies and its possible underlying mechanisms are discussed

Development and Field Testing of a Spatial Decision Support System to Control Populations of the European Cherry Fruit Fly, Rhagoletis cerasi, in Commercial Orchards

The European cherry fruit fly, Rhagoletis cerasi (Diptera: Tephritidae), is a key pest for the cherry production industry in Europe and west Asia that has recently invaded North America. Insecticide applications are frequently employed to control this devastating pest, often without considering its population trends. We developed a novel decision support system (DSS), and field tested it in commercial sweet cherry orchards in central Greece. The DSS includes two algorithms that predict the timing of adult activity in the wild and support pest management decisions, based on R. cerasi population trends and pesticide properties, respectively. Preparatory monitoring of the testing area during 2014, using adult traps, revealed high population densities of R. cerasi in non-managed sweet cherry orchards and low densities in commercial ones. Implementation of the DSS during 2015 resulted in low R. cerasi adult population densities and zero fruit infestation rates in commercial cherry orchards. Similar population and infestation rates were recorded in conventionally treated plots that received on average two insecticide applications compared to the one-half that the DSS treated plots received. Simultaneously, high population densities and fruit infestation rates were recorded in non-managed cherry orchards. Apparently, the implementation of the simple DSS we developed reduces the cost of R. cerasi management and minimizes the chemical footprint on both the harvested fruit and the environment

Modelování komponent a uzlů robotů

Import 20/04/2006Prezenční výpůjčkaVŠB - Technická univerzita Ostrava. Fakulta strojní. Katedra (354) robototechnik

Box plots depicting fecundity distributions of females fed with either S or YS that were exposed to acetone (control) and to limonene LD₂₀.

<p>Different letters indicate significant differences among female cohorts (Bonferroni adjustment, P < 0.001 in all cases)</p

Mean lifespan and percentiles of medflies subjected to acetone (control) and to sub-lethal dose LD₂₀ of limonene.

<p>Mean lifespan and percentiles of medflies subjected to acetone (control) and to sub-lethal dose LD₂₀ of limonene.</p

LD₅₀ and LD₉₀ values for three monoterpenes (limonene, α-pinene and linalool) topically applied to male and female medflies fed with yeast and sugar (YS) or with sugar only (S).

<p>LD₅₀ and LD₉₀ values for three monoterpenes (limonene, α-pinene and linalool) topically applied to male and female medflies fed with yeast and sugar (YS) or with sugar only (S).</p

Effect of temperature on development, growth and feeding of Coccinella septempunctata and Hippodamia convergens reared on the tobacco aphid, Myzus persicae nicotianae

Preimaginal development, mortality, aphid consumption rate, and size and weight upon reaching the adult stage of the aphidophagous coccinellids Hippodamia convergens Guerin-Meneville and Coccinella septempunctata L. collected from Karditsa, central Greece, were examined at four constant temperatures ( 14, 17, 20 and 23 degrees C) and L16: D8. The coccinellids fed on the tobacco aphid, Myzus persicae nicotianae Blackman. Egg, larval and pupal mortality was highest at 14 degrees C reaching 85.0, 73.8 and 29.4% in H. convergens and 49.3, 75.4 and 58.8% in C. septempunctata, respectively. Total preimaginal development ranged from 57.2 to 70.4 days at 14 degrees C, and to 16.9 and 22.1 days at 23 degrees C in H. convergens and C. septempunctata, respectively. Heavier and larger adults of H. convergens were obtained at 17 and 20 degrees C. In C. septempunctata temperature did not affect adult weight while the lowest size was observed at 14 and 17 degrees C. Day-degrees requirements for preimaginal development in H. corvengens were 212.9 above a developmental threshold of 11.0 degrees C. The corresponding values for C. septempunctata were 281.5 and 10.7 degrees C. In H. convergens total and daily aphid consumption ranged from 46.8 aphids at 14 degrees C to 85.0 aphids at 23 degrees C and from 1.5 aphids at 14 degrees C to 9.2 aphids at 23 degrees C, respectively. The corresponding values for C. septempunctata were 112.0 and 2.7 at 14 degrees C and 157.7 and 12.4 at 23 degrees C. The results show the high potential of both predators as biological control agents against the tobacco aphid. The knowledge obtained could be essential for their appropriate use and for the improvement of mass rearing systems