L'impatto di insetti esotici invasivi negli agro-ecosistemi

Le introduzioni accidentali di insetti esotici nei sistemi agricoli e forestali, nonché sulle piante ornamentali anche in ambito urbano, sono aumentate in maniera rilevante in tutto il mondo negli ultimi tre decenni, spesso con gravi conseguenze economiche e ambientali nelle aree recentemente invase. Verranno qui presentati alcuni aspetti di fitofagi di recente o recentissima introduzione in Sicilia. In particolare, saranno prese in esame le strategie di controllo sostenibile di Drosophila suzukii (Moscerino dei piccoli frutti), specie polifaga che attacca frutti a buccia sottile, e l'ancora più polifaga Halyomorpha halys (Cimice asiatica)

Bioactivity of Different Chemotypes of Oregano Essential Oil against the Blowfly Calliphora vomitoria Vector of Foodborne Pathogens

Blowflies play a substantial role as vectors of microorganisms, including human pathogens. The control of these insect pests is an important aspect of the prevention of foodborne diseases, which represent a significant public health threat worldwide. Among aromatic plants, spices essential oils (EOs) are the most suitable to protect food from insect pests. In this study, we determined the chemical composition of three oregano EOs and assessed their toxicity and deterrence to oviposition against the blowfly Calliphora vomitoria L. The chemical analyses showed that the EOs belonged to three chemotypes: one with a prevalence of carvacrol, the carvacrol chemotype (CC; carvacrol, 81.5%), and two with a prevalence of thymol, the thymol/p-cymene and thymol/-terpinene chemotypes(TCC and TTC; thymol, 43.8, and 36.7%, respectively). The bioassays showed that although all the three EOs chemotypes are able to exert a toxic activity against C. vomitoria adults (LD50 from 0.14 to 0.31 L insect1) and eggs (LC50 from 0.008 to 0.038 L cm2) as well as deter the oviposition (Oviposition Activity Index, OAI, from 0.40 0.04 to 0.87 0.02), the bioactivity of oregano EOs significantly varies among the chemotypes, with the thymol-rich EOs (TCC and TTC) overall demonstrating more effectiveness than the carvacrol-rich (CC) EO

Detection and monitoring of Drosophila suzukii in raspberry and cherry orchards with volatile organic compounds in the USA and Europe

Spotted wing drosophila (SWD) causes significant economic loss in fruit crops to growers worldwide. There is immediate need for efficacious and selective monitoring tools that can detect infestations early. Previously, volatile organic compounds derived from apple were studied and a quinary chemical component blend (QB) was identified as the key SWD attractant in a blueberry orchard in the United States. This study’s aim was to determine whether previously observed QB efficacy, selectivity, and early detection levels could be attained within raspberry and cherry fields in the USA and Europe. Results demonstrated that sticky trap baited QB dispenser provided earlier SWD detection potential than the usually adopted apple cider vinegar (ACV) trap. The number of SWD captured/trap by QB baited trapping systems was significantly lower than that of the ACV trap. However, percent SWD/trap of QB baited traps was same within cherry. Lower non-target capture will save farmer/grower’s labor and time allocated to traps installation and drosophila species identification. Within the USA, SWD selectivity of QB baited liquid traps was consistently greater than sticky trap in raspberry field, suggesting that the QB dispenser can be an alternative to the standard ACV lure and that trap design could improve selectivity further.info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio

Silica‐Microencapsulated Orange Oil for Sustainable Pest Control

An ultralow amount of sub-micron spherical SiO2 particles encapsulating 7 wt% crude orange oil (SiliOrange) suspended in water shows surprisingly high insecticidal activity against the cotton leafworm Spodoptera littoralis, and significantly reduces the progeny of cotton aphid Aphis gossypii under laboratory testing conditions. Considering the ease of reproducible preparation of the material and the biocompatible nature of both silica and orange essential oil, these results may open the route to sustainable pest control using new biopesticide water-based formulations based on sol-gel microencapsulated orange oil

Pest categorisation of Conotrachelus nenuphar

The EFSA Panel on Plant Health performed a pest categorisation of Conotrachelus nenuphar (Herbst) (Coleoptera: Curculionidae), for the EU. C. nenuphar is a well-defined species, recognised as a serious pest of stone and pome fruit in the USA and Canada where it also feeds on a range of other hosts including soft fruit (e.g. Ribes, Fragaria) and wild plants (e.g. Crataegus). Adults, which are not good flyers, feed on tender twigs, flower buds and leaves. Females oviposit into host fruit; if oviposition occurs in young fruit, the fruit usually falls prematurely reducing yield; oviposition in older fruit causes surface blemishes and the fruit distorts as it develops reducing marketability. Larvae develop within host fruit but exit to pupate in soil. Adults overwinter in leaf litter. C. nenuphar is not known to occur in the EU and is listed in Annex IAI of Council Directive 2000/29/EC. Fruit infested shortly before harvest and soil with leaf litter accompanying plants for planting could potentially provide a pathway into the EU. Considering the climatic similarities between North America and Europe, and that hosts occur widely within the EU, C. nenuphar has potential to establish within the EU. There could be one or two generations per year, as in North America. Impacts could be expected, e.g. in Prunus spp. and apples. Phytosanitary measures are available to reduce the likelihood of introduction of C. nenuphar. All of the criteria assessed by EFSA for consideration as a potential Union quarantine pest are met. C. nenuphar does not meet the criteria of occurring in the EU nor plants for planting being the principal means of spread. Hence it does not satisfy all of the criteria that are within the remit of EFSA to assess for it to be regarded as a Union regulated non-quarantine pest (RNQP)

Pest categorisation of Sternochetus mangiferae

The European Commission requested EFSA to conduct a pest categorisation of Sternochetus mangiferae (Coleoptera: Curculionidae), a monophagous pest weevil whose larvae exclusively feed on mango seeds, whereas adults feed on mango foliage. S. mangiferae is a species with reliable methods available for identification. It is regulated in the EU by Council Directive 2000/29/EC where it is listed in Annex IIB as a harmful organism whose introduction into EU Protected Zones (PZ) (Alentejo, Algarve and Madeira in Portugal, and Granada and Malaga in Spain) is banned. S. mangiferae is native to South East Asia and has spread to other mango-growing areas in Africa, South America and Oceania, causing significant damage. Larvae of S. mangiferae have been detected several times in mango fruit imported into the EU. In 2013, an outbreak was declared in one PZ in Spain. Official measures taken achieved eradication, which was officially declared in January 2018. The EFSA Plant Health Panel concludes that S. mangiferae could establish again and spread in the mango-growing areas of southern EU. Considering the criteria within the remit of EFSA to assess the status as a potential Union quarantine pest (QP), as a potential protected zone quarantine pest (PZQP) or as a potential regulated non-quarantine pest (RNQP), S. mangiferae meets with no uncertainties the criteria for consideration as a potential Union QP, as it is absent from the EU, potential pathways for entry exist, and its establishment would cause an economic impact. The criterion of the pest being present in the EU, which is a prerequisite for RNQP and PZ QP, is not met

Pest categorisation of Acrobasis pirivorella

The European Commission requested EFSA to conduct a pest categorisation of Acrobasis pirivorella (Lepidoptera: Pyralidae), a monophagous moth whose larvae exclusively feed on developing buds, flowers, and fruits of cultivated and wild Pyrus spp. A. pirivorella is a species with reliable methods available for identification. A. pirivorella occurs in north-east Asia only, causing significant damage in cultivated pears. It is regulated in the EU by Council Directive 2000/29/EC where it is listed in Annex IIAI. Within this regulation, plants for planting of Pyrus spp. is a closed pathway. This species has never been reported by Europhyt. Fruits and cut branches of Pyrus spp. are open pathways. Biotic and abiotic conditions are conducive for establishment and spread of A. pirivorella in the EU. Were A. pirivorella to establish, impact on pear production is expected. Considering the criteria within the remit of EFSA to assess its regulatory plant health status, A. pirivorella meets the criteria for consideration as a potential Union quarantine pest (it is absent from the EU, potential pathways exist and its establishment would cause an economic impact). Given that A. pirivorella is not known to occur in the EU, it fails to meet some of the criteria required for regulated non-quarantine pest (RNQP) status

Pest categorisation of Aleurocanthus spp

The Panel on Plant Health performed a pest categorisation of Aleurocanthus spp., a well-de fi ned insect genus of the white fl y family Aleyrodidae (Arthropoda: Hemiptera). Dif fi culties within the taxonomy of the genus give doubt about the ability to accurately identify some members to species level. Nevertheless, the genus is thought to currently include about ninety species mainly reported from tropical and subtropical areas. The genus is listed in Council Directive 2000/29/EC and is regulated on Citrus, Fortunella and Poncirus . Several Aleurocanthu s species are highly polyphagous; Aleurocanthu s spiniferus has hosts in 38 plant families; Aleurocanthu s woglumi has more than 300 hosts including Pyrus , Rosa and Vitis vinifera as well as Citrus . A. spiniferus is present in the EU in restricted areas of Italy and Greece, where it is under of fi cial control. No other Aleurocanthus spp. are known to occur in the EU. Host plants for planting, excluding seeds, and cut fl owers or branches are the main pathways for entry. Outside of the EU, the genus can be found in regions that have climate types which also occur within the EU, suggesting establishment is possible. Aleurocanthus spp. can be signi fi cant pests of crops that are also grown in the EU. Phytosanitary measures are available to reduce the likelihood of entry into the EU, e.g. sourcing host plants for planting from pest free areas. As a genus Aleurocanthus does satisfy all the criteria that are within the remit of EFSA to assess and required by risk managers to give it consideration as a Union quarantine pest. Aleurocanthus does not meet all of the criteria to allow it consideration by risk managers as a Union regulated non-quarantine pest (RNQP). Speci fi cally, Aleurocanthus is not widespread in the EU

Pest categorisation of Exomala orientalis

The EFSA Panel on Plant Health performed a pest categorisation of Exomala orientalis (Coleoptera: Rutelidae) (Oriental beetle) for the EU. Larvae feed on the roots of a variety of hosts including most grasses and many vegetable crops. Maize, pineapples, sugarcane are among the main host plants. Larvae are particularly damaging to turfgrass and golf courses. The adults feed on flowers and other soft plant tissues (e.g. Alcea rosea, Dahlia, Iris, Phlox and Rosa). Eggs are laid in the soil. Larvae feed on host roots and overwinter in the soil. Adults emerge from pupae in the soil in May-June and are present for about 2 months. E. orientalis usually completes its life cycle in 1 year although individuals can spend two winters as larvae. Commission Implementing Regulation (EU) 2019/2072 (Annex IIA) regulates E. orientalis. The legislation also regulates the import of soil attached to plants for planting from third countries; therefore, entry of E. orientalis eggs, larvae and pupae is prevented. E. orientalis is native to Japan or the Philippine islands. It is also found in East Asia and India, Hawaii and northeastern USA. It is assumed to have reached USA via infested nursery stock. Plants for planting (excluding seeds) and cut flowers provide potential pathways for entry into the EU. E. orientalis has been intercepted only once in the EU, on Ilex crenata bonsai. Climatic conditions and the availability of host plants provide conditions to support establishment in the EU. Impacts on maize, grassland and turfgrass would be possible. There is uncertainty on the extent of the impact on host plants which are widely commercially grown (e.g. maize) Phytosanitary measures are available to reduce the likelihood of entry. E. orientalis satisfies the criteria that are within the remit of EFSA to assess for it to be regarded as a potential Union quarantine pest. Of the criteria that are within the remit of EFSA to assess for it to be regarded as a potential Union regulated non-quarantine pest, E. orientalis does not meet the criterion of occurring in the EU