Etiology of Severe Non-malaria Febrile Illness in Northern Tanzania: A Prospective Cohort Study.

The syndrome of fever is a commonly presenting complaint among persons seeking healthcare in low-resource areas, yet the public health community has not approached fever in a comprehensive manner. In many areas, malaria is over-diagnosed, and patients without malaria have poor outcomes. We prospectively studied a cohort of 870 pediatric and adult febrile admissions to two hospitals in northern Tanzania over the period of one year using conventional standard diagnostic tests to establish fever etiology. Malaria was the clinical diagnosis for 528 (60.7%), but was the actual cause of fever in only 14 (1.6%). By contrast, bacterial, mycobacterial, and fungal bloodstream infections accounted for 85 (9.8%), 14 (1.6%), and 25 (2.9%) febrile admissions, respectively. Acute bacterial zoonoses were identified among 118 (26.2%) of febrile admissions; 16 (13.6%) had brucellosis, 40 (33.9%) leptospirosis, 24 (20.3%) had Q fever, 36 (30.5%) had spotted fever group rickettsioses, and 2 (1.8%) had typhus group rickettsioses. In addition, 55 (7.9%) participants had a confirmed acute arbovirus infection, all due to chikungunya. No patient had a bacterial zoonosis or an arbovirus infection included in the admission differential diagnosis. Malaria was uncommon and over-diagnosed, whereas invasive infections were underappreciated. Bacterial zoonoses and arbovirus infections were highly prevalent yet overlooked. An integrated approach to the syndrome of fever in resource-limited areas is needed to improve patient outcomes and to rationally target disease control efforts

A new species of Misetus Wesmael, 1845 (Hymenoptera, Ichneumonidae, Ichneumoninae, Phaeogenini) from Italy, with updated key to the females of Palaearctic species

A new species, Misetus strumiai sp. n., from the island of Montecristo (Italy, Tuscany) is described and illustrated. The new species is characterized by having the clypeus with a small median tooth, metasomal tergite II almost entirely smooth and polished, and extensively red body color (except for black head). A comparative diagnosis is provided in order to distinguish the new taxon from the other known species of the genus Misetus Wesmael, 1845

Pests in the wild: life history and behaviour of Lobesia botrana on Daphne gnidium in a natural environment (Lepidoptera Tortricidae; Malvales Thymelaeaceae)

We studied the phenology of the European grapevine moth, Lobesia botrana (Den. & Schiff.), on Daphne gnidium L. in the Natural Reserve of San Rossore-Migliarino-Massaciuccoli (Pisa – Tuscany). D. gnidium is regarded by many as the original host plant of EGVM and the aim was to understand the real trophic relationships of EGVM with D. gnidium in a natural ecosystem where the grapevine is not present

Updated list of the insect parasitoids (Insecta, Hymenoptera) associated with Lobesia botrana (Denis & Schiffermüller, 1775) (Lepidoptera, Tortricidae) in Italy. 2. Hymenoptera, Ichneumonidae, Anomaloninae and Campopleginae

In this second review of the parasitoids recorded on Lobesia botrana (EGVM) in Italy, an updated list and summary of the information available on 14 taxa of Ichneumonidae belonging to the subfamilies Anomaloninae and Campopleginae are provided. For each taxon, geographic distributions, host ranges, ecological role in viticulture and/or in other crops, and taxonomy are provided and discussed. For the most interesting species, tables summarizing the parasitization rates recorded in the field on EGVM or other lepidopteran pests are given. Identification mistakes and wrong synonymies that have generated great confusion and often made geographic distributions and host ranges unreliable are highlighted. A list of four Anomaloninae and 27 Campopleginae recorded on EGVM in Europe is also provided. Among the species examined, Campoplex capitator Aubert is the only potential candidate for biological control of EGVM

Using herbivore-induced plant volatiles to attract lacewings, hoverflies and parasitoid wasps in vineyards: achievements and constraints

Plants produce volatile organic compounds (VOCs) as an adaptive response to abiotic and biotic stresses. The feeding behaviour of phytophagous arthropods can elicit the production of VOCs in the plant that can be used by predators and parasitoids to locate their prey. These VOCs have been classified as herbivore induced plant volatiles (HIPVs), which are considered highly-detectable synomones helping natural enemies to locate the host habitat. In two vineyards in Tuscany (Central Italy) we tested the attractiveness of sticky traps baited with two synthetic HIPV blends shown previously to be attractive to insect predators (Chrysopidae and Syrphidae) and parasitoids (Braconidae and Ichneumonidae). We also used Malaise traps to investigate the presence of the target insects in the studied areas. White sticky traps baited with a blend of methyl salicylate, acetic acid and 2-phenylethanol were strongly attractive to adult lacewings (Chrysopidae) of the genus Chrysoperla, but not to lacewings of the genus Pseudomallada. On the other hand, yellow sticky traps baited with a blend of geraniol and 2-phenylethanol were not attractive to Syrphidae. Both blends captured a relatively small number of Ichnemonoidea. The effective use of HIPVs to attract lacewings, hoverflies and parasitoid wasps in the field is discussed, focussing on existing constraints and possible future developments