Wing shape as a potential discriminator of morphologically similar pest taxa within theBactrocera dorsalis species complex (Diptera: Tephritidae)

Four morphologically cryptic species of the Bactrocera dorsalis fruit fly complex (B. dorsalis s.s., B. papayae, B. carambolae and B. philippinensis) are serious agricultural pests. As they are difficult to diagnose using traditional taxonomic techniques, we examined the potential for geometric morphometric analysis of wing size and shape to discriminate between them. Fifteen wing landmarks generated size and shape data for 245 specimens for subsequent comparisons among three geographically distinct samples of each species. Intraspecific wing size was significantly different within samples of B. carambolae and B. dorsalis s.s. but not within samples of B. papayae or B. philippinensis. Although B. papayae had the smallest wings (average centroid size=6.002 mm±0.061 SE) and B. dorsalis s.s. the largest (6.349 mm±0.066 SE), interspecific wing size comparisons were generally non-informative and incapable of discriminating species. Contrary to the wing size data, canonical variate analysis based on wing shape data discriminated all species with a relatively high degree of accuracy; individuals were correctly reassigned to their respective species on average 93.27% of the time. A single sample group of B. carambolae from locality ‘TN Malaysia’ was the only sample to be considerably different from its conspecific groups with regards to both wing size and wing shape. This sample was subsequently deemed to have been originally misidentified and likely represents an undescribed species. We demonstrate that geometric morphometric techniques analysing wing shape represent a promising approach for discriminating between morphologically cryptic taxa of the B. dorsalis species complex

Integrative taxonomy versus taxonomic authority without peer review: the case of the Oriental fruit fly, Bactrocera dorsalis(Tephritidae)

1. Major global horticultural and food security tephritid fruit fly pests,Bactrocera papayae(papaya fruit fly) andB. invadens(invasive fruit fly), weresynonymised withB. dorsalis(Oriental fruit fly) by Schutzeet al.(2015a) based onextensive integrative taxonomic evidence from multiple sources. This synonymy waspeer reviewed by eight independent experts.2. Drew & Romig (2016) withdrewB.papayaeandB.invadensfrom synonymy based onopinion drawn primarily from disparate geographical distribution, morphological, andhost use information. This reversal was not subjected to peer review.3. We consider the withdrawal from synonymy as invalid due to significant errors andmisrepresentations of the literature provided in the arguments of Drew & Romig (2016)that we propose would not have withstood peer scrutiny.4. This case reflects a broader issue of individual taxonomic authorities using opinionto challenge extensive evidence generated via scientific hypothesis-testing methods bydiscipline specialists.5. We recommend that taxonomic acts not subjected to peer review, especially of pestspecies, be actively discouraged by the broader scientific and regulatory community

Is there scope for community health nurses to address lifestyle risk factors? the community nursing SNAP trial

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>This paper examines the opportunity and need for lifestyle interventions for patients attending generalist community nursing services in Australia. This will help determine the scope for risk factor management within community health care by generalist community nurses (GCNs).</p> <p>Methods</p> <p>This was a quasi-experimental study conducted in four generalist community nursing services in NSW, Australia. Prior to service contacts, clients were offered a computer-assisted telephone interview to collect baseline data on socio-demographics, health conditions, smoking status, physical activity levels, alcohol consumption, height and weight, fruit and vegetable intake and 'readiness-to-change' for lifestyle risk factors.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>804 clients participated (a response rate of 34.1%). Participants had higher rates of obesity (40.5% vs 32.1%) and higher prevalence of multiple risk factors (40.4% vs 29.5%) than in the general population. Few with a SNAPW (Smoking-Nutrition-Alcohol-Physical-Activity-Weight) risk factor had received advice or referral in the previous 3 months. The proportion of clients identified as at risk and who were open to change (i.e. contemplative, in preparation or in action phase) were 65.0% for obese/overweight; 73.8% for smokers; 48.2% for individuals with high alcohol intake; 83.5% for the physically inactive and 59.0% for those with poor nutrition.</p> <p>Conclusions</p> <p>There was high prevalence of lifestyle risk factors. Although most were ready to change, few clients recalled having received any recent lifestyle advice. This suggests that there is considerable scope for intervention by GCNs. The results of this trial will shed light on how best to implement the lifestyle risk factor management in routine practice.</p

The Type I NADH Dehydrogenase of Mycobacterium tuberculosis Counters Phagosomal NOX2 Activity to Inhibit TNF-α-Mediated Host Cell Apoptosis

The capacity of infected cells to undergo apoptosis upon insult with a pathogen is an ancient innate immune defense mechanism. Consequently, the ability of persisting, intracellular pathogens such as the human pathogen Mycobacterium tuberculosis (Mtb) to inhibit infection-induced apoptosis of macrophages is important for virulence. The nuoG gene of Mtb, which encodes the NuoG subunit of the type I NADH dehydrogenase, NDH-1, is important in Mtb-mediated inhibition of host macrophage apoptosis, but the molecular mechanism of this host pathogen interaction remains elusive. Here we show that the apoptogenic phenotype of MtbΔnuoG was significantly reduced in human macrophages treated with caspase-3 and -8 inhibitors, TNF-α-neutralizing antibodies, and also after infection of murine TNF−/− macrophages. Interestingly, incubation of macrophages with inhibitors of reactive oxygen species (ROS) reduced not only the apoptosis induced by the nuoG mutant, but also its capacity to increase macrophage TNF-α secretion. The MtbΔnuoG phagosomes showed increased ROS levels compared to Mtb phagosomes in primary murine and human alveolar macrophages. The increase in MtbΔnuoG induced ROS and apoptosis was abolished in NOX-2 deficient (gp91−/−) macrophages. These results suggest that Mtb, via a NuoG-dependent mechanism, can neutralize NOX2-derived ROS in order to inhibit TNF-α-mediated host cell apoptosis. Consistently, an Mtb mutant deficient in secreted catalase induced increases in phagosomal ROS and host cell apoptosis, both of which were dependent upon macrophage NOX-2 activity. In conclusion, these results serendipitously reveal a novel connection between NOX2 activity, phagosomal ROS, and TNF-α signaling during infection-induced apoptosis in macrophages. Furthermore, our study reveals a novel function of NOX2 activity in innate immunity beyond the initial respiratory burst, which is the sensing of persistent intracellular pathogens and subsequent induction of host cell apoptosis as a second line of defense

Fall armyworm identification

Video factsheet 11mins

Effect of Body Size, Age, and Premating Experience on Male Mating Success in Bactrocera tryoni (Diptera: Tephritidae)

Variation in male body size, age, and prior sexual experience may all influence male mating success in tephritid fruit flies. Bactrocera tryoni (Froggatt) is an Australian pest tephritid for which the sterile insect technique (SIT) is being actively pursued, and for which information on what makes males more competitive is urgently needed. Pair-wise competitive mating trials were run using laboratory-reared flies in walk-in field cages, evaluating young, large, and virgin B. tryoni males against old, small, and nonvirgin males, respectively. Analysis of male sexual competitiveness indices revealed that young and large males obtained significantly more copulations compared to old and small males; there was no significant difference between virgin and nonvirgin males in obtaining mates. While SIT programs will always release young males, the results do show that rearing programs which focus on producing larger males, rather than greater numbers of smaller males, will produce more sexually competitive males. After release, virgin SIT males will not be at a competitive disadvantage with sexually experienced males based on prior mating experience

Queensland state insect collections- changes, challenges and staying ahead

The Queensland Museum Insect collection (QM) and the Queensland Primary Industries Insect Collection (QDPC) have undergone significant changes over the last 50 years with major amalgamations forming two of Australia’s most important and largest insect collections. In this paper we outline the history of the two collections, the staff who manage them and the specimens they hold. We discuss the differences and similarities between the collections, how they are accessed, used and managed. We also discuss what has changed in the management of those collections and how this will impact our future. This paper is a snapshot of the current state of the QM and QDPC, whilst reflecting on some of what has changed over the last five decades as we look towards the future

Next generation national fruit fly diagnostics and handbook

As for most insects, traditional fruit fly taxonomy has relied primarily on morphological characters to discriminate, define, and describe new species; however, this has failed to resolve some of the most important pest groups, especially those belonging to species complexes. As demonstrated by earlier work on the Oriental fruit fly (Bactrocera dorsalis) complex, integrated approaches are critical for resolving within-species variation and defining between-species boundaries for challenging groups. We describe how the PBCRC ‘dorsalis project’ is now being applied across a broader range of species using the integrative taxonomic approach. Here we update on fundamental systematics research and the development of new potential molecular markers to improve on current diagnostic tools. We also link these molecular tools with physical specimens, documenting the range of morphological variation so as to greatly improve on available resources used to diagnose fruit flies in the field as part of surveillance programmes or at border interceptions. We emphasise the need for wide taxon and geographic coverage to ensure within-species variation is captured and not confounded by between-species variation. Additional to better understanding the fundamental evolutionary relationships among the Bactrocera, tangible outputs will be produced including operationally validated diagnostic resources that will be made available through a variety of platforms