Aclees Cf. Sp. Foveatus (Coleoptera Curculionidae), an exotic pest of ficus carica in Italy : a sustainable approach to defence based on aluminosilicate minerals as host plant masking solids

The exceptionally frequent entries of alien pest are a major source of concern for the farmers who have to protect their crops from unknown insects, often without natural enemies in the new areas. A new pest belonging to the Molytinae family (Coleoptera: Curculionidae), tribe Hylobiini, reported as Aclees sp. cf. foveatus Voss, was recently introduced in Italy. The species is responsible for severe damages in many Italian fig nurseries and orchards, particularly in the Italian Central Northern regions, i.e. Tuscany, Ligury and Latium. Currently, no active ingredients are registered against this insect on fig crops. An innovative and eco-friendly approach for controlling this exotic weevil infestation was investigated, by using montmorillonite-based clays, either in their native state or containing copper(II) species, and clinoptilolite zeolites, in order to check the perception of the adults\u2019 weevil towards the different solid materials and, subsequently, to evaluate the capability of these innovative products to act as masking agent with respect to the host plant and/or as repellent upon contact. The formulations containing copper(II)-exchanged clay and clinoptilolite zeolite showed preliminary promising results in terms of efficacy and environmental sustainability

Invasioni biologiche di insetti fitofagi e ricadute sul paesaggio italiano: due casi esemplari provocati da Rhynchophorus Ferrugineus e da Matsucoccus Feytaudi

The analysis of the relationship between food and health in a context of innovation, safety and welfare is carried out considering the view of agri-food economists. Relationships and meanings are addressed defining by the scope of observation and choices. We adopt a qualitative and quantitative analysis of the scientific contributions of Italian economists (publications, conferences, etc.) in this field. In particular we have examined the contributions published in some of the main Italian journals and the conferences organized in Italy and in Europe from the major scientific societies. We propose a classification that is consistent with the analysis and is in the span of time 2000/2007. The classification adopted for the analysis of the contributions of research exploits similar research carried out at the international level. By reading these studies we were able to process and define a model to interpret findings of the previous literature. An analysis of database information is useful to study: the type of investigation (case study, bibliographic, sectorial, generic, etc.) the branches of more diffused research (field production, retail, consumption, etc.), the types of adopted methodologies (quantitative, qualitative, etc.), the involvement among research groups (universities, public and private institutions, involvement of foreign researchers, etc.), the beneficiaries of research (pure research, policy makers, businesses, etc.). The results will be expressed on the basis of different approaches, tools and considering the possible exogenous variables affecting reality. The analysis will allow to identify the areas of research which involve the relationship between food and health and in which agri-food economists are more involved. In addition, we can describe the most promising areas of research which should be undertaken or strengthened. Attention will be placed also in highlighting the link between research and production in the broadest sense, to gather information about the level of its appropriateness

Susceptibility of olive fruit fly, Bactrocera oleae (Diptera: Tephritidae) pupae to entomopathogenic nematodes

The olive fruit fly Bactrocera oleae is one of the most serious and economically damaging insects worldwide, affecting the quality and quantity of both olive oil and table olives. Laboratory bioassays were conducted for the first time to evaluate the susceptibility of B. oleae pupae to two entomopathogenic nematodes (EPN) species, Steinernema carpocapsae and Heterorhabditis bacteriophora. The nematodes tested caused pupal mortality of 62.5% and 40.6%, respectively. The most noteworthy result was obtained with S. carpocapsae which was able to infect 21.9% of the emerged adults. Since this tephritid fly spent several months in the soil as pupa, the use of EPNs could be a promising method to control this pest

I programmi di eradicazione di Anoplophora chinensis e A. glabripennis in Italia

Anoplophora chinensis and Anoplophora glabripennis are two longhorn beetles native of the Far East (mainly from China and Japan) and invasive to Europe and North America. They develop in a number of broadleaf plants extremely different in age and size: from potted plants and bonsais to old and monumental plants of forest, urban, fruit and ornamental trees and shrubs. The wood-boring larvae feed in phloem and xylem of infested plants, causing disruption of vascular tissues and structural weakness, and leading to plant death. Both species are considered worldwide as serious pests and they were accidentally introduced in many North American and European countries, including Italy. Severe phytosanitary regulations were disposed to prevent further introductions and insect spread, and eradication protocols were carried out to remove the invading populations. Recent infestations of both species were found in north and central Italy. Chipping or burning infested plants, also including roots in the case of A. chinensis, are set up for the pest eradication. Eradication programs also include a specific survey, phytosanitary restrictions for movements of host-plants from the quarantine areas, and a citizen science program based on citizen\u2019s information and public awareness

A new strategy of environmentally safe control of chestnut tortricid moths

Insect pest damage represents the mean restricting factor for the chestnut (Castanea sativa Mill.) fruit production in Italy and in Europe. Especially tortricid moth species are constantly very noxious because their larvae feed on developing nuts, thus causing important harvest losses. Although the early chestnut moth (Pammene fasciana L.) attack results only in an early drop of fruits at the beginning of the development, more serious damages are produced by the intermediate and the late chestnut moths, Cydia fagiglandana (Zell.) and C. splendana (Hb.), respectively. Larvae penetrate the nuts and develop into them, digging a tunnel and eating the endosperm. Usually damaged fruits fall during the summer, but in some cases they may complete the ripening and can be harvested as part of the crop. The chemical control of C. fagiglandana and C. splendana is not advisable to preserve the naturalness of the final product and the safety of the chestnut grove. Moreover, the endophytic development of the larvae, the large size of the trees and the characteristics of the Italian chestnut orchards make difficult and not economically advantageous the use of pesticides. Previous studies conducted on the use of tortricid sex attractants showed a potential control ability on both species. On this basis a novel, low impact control method can be achieved by combining the classical mating disruption approach to the use of a new kind of dispenser. A canister housed in a plastic cabinet, called “puffer”, repeatedly sprays proper pheromone doses on a 12- or 24- hour schedule. Puffers, produced by Suterra®, are strategically located in the chestnut orchards, hung on tree branches at heights of 6-8m, in number of 2.5 per ha. Besides the low impact for the environment, this approach shows many advantages since it is very easy to apply and, when optimised, also cheap. Therefore, a large scale trial was initiated to test the efficacy of this approach in three Italian regions: Trentino (north-eastern Italy), Tuscany (central Italy) and Campania (southern Italy). In each region, 19 puffers were located in chestnut orchard areas of about 8ha. Traps (pagoda type), baited with specific pheromones, were installed at heights of 2-4m inside and outside the treated area to verify the effectiveness of the puffers. For each species, 3 traps were placed in the central part of the treated area and 3 traps in the untreated plot and used as control. The traps were checked weekly, removing and counting adults. At the harvest time, fruit damage was also evaluated in treated and untreated areas. First data suggest that the “puffer approach” is quite easy to apply and feasible. Even if such methods need pluriannual trials to be evaluated, preliminary results are encouraging and suggest good perspectives to obtain a complete biotechnical control of Cydia spp