Innovative wood treatments with hybrid inorganic-organic polymers and a proposal for drywood termites standard testing protocol

Introduction: Wood is a renewable resource widely used as a structural material and for a variety of artefacts, thanks to its particularly advantageous mechanical properties and aesthetic characteristics. However, due to its organic nature, it is subjected to physical and biological deterioration. A novel treatment based on polyamidoamines (PAAs) functionalized with siloxanes was developed and patented. PAAs were synthesized by nucleophile addition of ethanolamine (EtA) and/or 3-aminopropytriethoxysilane (APTES) to N,N’-methyl-bis-acrylamide (MBA). Considering the technology and products for wood protection in EU and USA, the existing standard norms to test effectiveness against termites are exclusively focused on subterranean species (Rhinotermitidae). Due to great differences in bio-ethology, they are not suitable for drywood termites (Kalotermitidae), that are increasingly indicated as serious wood pests. Methods: The present work tested the efficacy of three PAAs formulations (named A, B, C) as wood preservatives, using the standard EN 118 for the subterranean Reticulitermes lucifugus and a purposely developed protocol for the drywood termite Kalotermes flavicollis. Results/Conclusion: All PAAs formulations were characterized by ESI-MS, NMR, FTIR. Our bioassays used the EN 118 protocol, and all formulations were effective in preserving wood against R. lucifugus, resulting in negligible wood consumption and significantly higher mortality than controls. Regarding K. flavicollis, all formulations resulted in a significant reduction of wood damage and formulation B was the most effective at increasing termite mortality. Overall, PAAs treatments look promising as innovative wood preservatives against termites, with low effective concentration, low environmental impact and good fixation qualities into the wood

Contributo dei pipistrelli al controllo della cimice asiatica.

La cimice asiatica si sta diffondendo rapidamente in Italia causando danni consistenti alle colture. I pipistrelli possono rivelarsi efficienti predatori di questo insetto alieno, in grado anche di individuarne precocemente la presenza sul territorio (chirosorveglianza

La cimice “diabolica”, minaccia per l’agricoltura.

The Asian brown marmorated stink bug Halyomorpha halys is extremely invasive and in 2015 began to cause significant damage to crops in Emilia-Romagna. The University of Modena and Reggio Emilia is searching sustainable strategies for the management in the field

About the presence of termites in Florence

This work highlights the problem of the presence of the termites Reticulitermes lucifugus and Kalotermes flavicollis, detected in an area of the historic center of Florence (Italy). Pest management was immediately undertaken by a specific monitoring program to determine the status of the infestation, identifying the critical elements and their potential impact on the structures involved, as well as outlining the necessary control measures. Analyzing the area, several colonies of both termite species were detected, some located within the wooden flooring of a gym and some others outdoor, in tree stumps and in necrosated roots at the base of some trees. Two episodes of collapsed tall trees were also reported. Termites were detected also in other areas of the city of Florence, such as the Cascine park and the Boboli garden, where many trees were clearly infested by K. flavicollis. This work allowed to realize that problems with termite infestations could be higher than expected, by seriously threatening the historical and artistic heritage of the city and by causing trees weakening in public areas, thus also threatening the people safety. Taking into account these findings, we suggest to extend the termite survey to the entire city and to establish a working group, with multidisciplinary competences, able to develop a proper prevention and control program aimed at the protection of cultural heritage and management of tree health in public parks

Effect of chestnut tannins on the root-knot nematode Meloidogyne javanica

Among the natural products extracted from plants, tanninshave been reported to possess antihelmintic propertiesespecially for gastrointestinal nematodes in ruminants.Also, they are toxic to a wide range of fungi, bacteria andyeasts. Therefore, an in vitro and a glasshouse pot experimentswere undertaken to evaluate the effect of chestnuttannins on the control of the root-knot nematode Meloidogynejavanica. In the in vitro experiment, different tanninconcentrations in a geometric scale (from 0.32 to 20.48g/l), were tested for their effect on hatching of the nematode,whereas in the pot experiment, 100, 250 and 450g/m2 of tannins in aqueous solutions, were used in pots attransplant or at transplant and two weeks later for theireffect on nematode control. In both experiments treatmentswere compared to untreated and fenamiphos-treated controls.In vitro a nematostatic effect of tannins was observed,whereas in the pot experiment a significant reductionof eggs and juveniles/g root, total population densityand reproduction rates of the nematode were recorded. Theanatomical changes induced by M. javanica in tomatoroots treated with tannins did not differ from those producedby this and other Meloidogyne species on varioushosts reported earlier

Comparison between different trap types for Drosophila suzukii in cherry orchards

In 2013 an experiment was carried out to compare six types of similar size traps baited with the same food attractant (“DroskiDrink”), differing for their shape and the number of entry holes. Four of the traps are already/will be soon available on the market, two of them being marketed specifically for SWD (“Drosotrap new®” and “Drosotrap®” by BIOBEST), and two being marketed for other pests (“Taptrap®” and “Vasotrap®” by Roberto Carello). The other two traps were specifically designed and hand-made on purpose (Kartell red and Bot). The trial was performed in a cherry orchard in Vignola (Modena Province, Northern Italy), area of IGP cherries; traps were placed according to a completely randomized block design and their position was changed weekly. The number of captured Drosophila suzukii (SWD) and that of other insect taxa was recorded weekly. After the first year, results show that the traps with the best performance in terms of early season captures and total number of SWD catches were “Drosotrap new” and “Bot”. However, the low selectivity towards other insect types and the uneasiness of use suggest the need of further research to improve the efficacy of these traps

Nematicidal effect of chestnut tannin solutions on the potato cyst nematode Globodera rostochiensis (Woll.) Barhens

Recently, tannins have been reported for their nematicidal activity against the root-knot nematode Meloidogyne javanica both in vitro and in pot experiments in addition to a biocidal effect on a wide range of fungi, bacteria and yeasts. However, no information is available on the effect of these polyphenols on plant parasitic cyst nematodes. Therefore, an in vitro and a pot experiments on potato were undertaken to investigate the nematicidal activity of tannin aqueous solutions at different concentrations on the potato cyst nematode Globodera rostochiensis. In the in vitro experiment different tannin concentrations in a geometric scale (from 0.32 to 20.48 g/l) were tested for their effect on the egg hatch of the nematode. All tested tannin concentrations were effective to reduce egg viability from 56 to 87%, in comparison to the untreated control. In the pot experiment, tannins, as aqueous solutions at rates of 100, 250 and 450 g/m2, were applied to soil at two different application times (at sowing and at sowing and two weeks later). All tested doses were effective to reduce the number of cyst/100 g soil, eggs and juveniles/g soil and reproduction rate in comparison to untreated control. The number of eggs and juveniles/cyst was not influenced by the different applied rates of tannins