Role of spontaneous plants as a reservoir of alternative hosts for Semielacher petiolatus (Girault) and Citrostichus phyllocnistoides (Narayanan) (Hymenoptera, Eulophidae) in citrus groves

The role spontaneous plants could eventually play towards populations of two exotic parasitoids, Semielacher petiolatus (Girault) and Citrostichus phyllocnistoides (Narayanan), was investigated in five Sicilian citrus groves. Both species were obtained from two herbs typically living beneath the citrus trees in the period of scarce availability of P. citrella larvae on citrus plants, and precisely: S. petiolatus was reared from Cosmopterix pulcherimella Chambers, leafminer on Parietaria diffusa M. et K., while C. phyllocnistoides on the same species and on a Liriomyza species associated to Mercurialis annua L., these last two host records being new for the parasitoid. Vegetational diversity can then enhance survival and maintenance of populations of exotic parasitoids in citrus agroecosystem, providing them with alternative hosts. The incidence of parasitism of S. petiolatus and C. phyllocnistoides on non-target hosts was, however, so low (2.8% for S. petiolatus on C. pulcherimella, and 8.3% and 3.3% for C. phyllocnistoides on C. pulcherimella and Liriomyza sp. respectively) that a negative impact on both native leafminer and autochthonous parasitoid populations can be excluded

Revision of the European, North-African and Central Asian species of the genus Norbanus Walker 1843 (Hymenoptera: Pteromalidae).

The European, North-African and Central Asian species of the genus Norbanus Walker are revised, providing an illustrated key to males and females of all the species. Three new synonymies are proposed: Norbanus globulariae (Szele´nyi 1941) 5 Norbanus giordanii (Ferrie`re 1952), n. syn.; Norbanus meridionalis (Masi 1922) 5 Norbanus mordellidarum Dzhanokmen 1999, n. syn.; Norbanus obscurus (Masi 1922) 5 Norbanus erdoesi (Szele´nyi 1974), n. syn. Both sexes of N. guyoni are redescribed, and its type locality clarified. A new host record together with distributional data are given for nine out of ten valid species

Le comunità di fillominatori e parassitoidi della Riserva Naturale “Bosco d’Alcamo” (Sicilia)

È stata studiata la comunità di fillominatori e parassitoidi su 16 specie di piante spontanee della Riserva Naturale “Bosco d’Alcamo”. Sono state rinvenute 17 specie di Lepidoptera e 7 specie di Diptera. Da queste sono sfarfallate circa 20 specie di parassitoidi, perlopiù rappresentate da Eulophidae e Braconidae. Viene confermata la presenza in Sicilia del Gracillariidae Phyllonorycter trifasciella Haworth e dell’Eulophidae Derostenus gemmeus Westwood. Per la prima volta Sympiesis notata (Zetterstedt) e Cirrospilus viticola (Rondani) sono stati rinvenuti come parassitoidi di Emme- tia marginea (Haworth). Inoltre S. notata è stata rinvenuta anche come parassitoide di P. trifasciella. Nel complesso viene confermato il ruolo importante dei boschi naturali, soprattutto querceti, come riserva di entomofauna e di diversità biologica.Leafminer and parasitoid community of the Nature Reserve “Bosco d’Alcamo” (Sicily). The leafminer and parasitoid communities of the Nature Reserve “Bosco D’Alcamo” was studied on 16 spontaneous plants. 17 Lepidoptera and 7 Diptera species were detected. About 20 parasitoid species emerged mainly represented by Eulophidae and Braconidae. The presence in Sicily of the Gracillariidae Phyllonorycter trifasciella Haworth was confirmed, as well as that of Eulophidae Derostenus gemmeus Westwood. Sympiesis notata (Zetterstedt) and Cirrospilus viticola (Rondani) were recorded for the first time as parasitoid of Emmetia marginea (Haworth). S. notata was record- ed also as a new parasitoid of P. trifasciella. The important role of natural woods, especially oaks, as reservoir of entomofauna and biodiversity was confirmed

On two Italian Gall Midges (Diptera Cecidomyiidae) and their parasitoids

Some biological data on Cystiphora sonchi (Bremi) and Asphondylia trabuti Marchal in Italy are reported. C. sonchi, previously known only for N Italy, is also recorded for S Italy, Sardinia and Sicily. It induces galls on the leaves of Sonchus spp. (Compositae) all the year around, except for the second half of July and August. The number of galls per leaf was higher in summer (11.6) than in winter (7.4). Overall 5-6 generations per year were observed, with a maximum number of individuals in spring-summer. Larvae often merge in the same gall, pupating inside it and emerging from the lower leaf surface; in winter they can leave galls and pupate outside them. On the whole 426 C. sonchi and 381 parasitoids were reared; 359 were Aprostocetus microscopicus (Rondani) (Hymenoptera Eulophidae) and 22 Synopeas larides (Walker) (Hymenoptera Platygasteridae); the latter has not been previously quoted for Italy. A. trabuti, previously known as phytophagous on fruits of Solanum tuberosum L., is here recorded for the first time in Italy and as phytophagous of S. nigrum L. Larvae live gregariously, developing and pupating inside fruits between May and December. They emerge in about two weeks, their number peaking in spring; at least 5 generations per year were observed. On the whole 100 A. trabuti and 91 parasitoids were reared; 88 were Eurytoma dentata Mayr (Hymenoptera Eurytomidae), previously unrecorded as parasitoids of this gall midge, and 3 were unidentified Pteromalidae. Key words: Cystiphora sonchi, Asphondylia trabuti, Sonchus spp., Solanum nigrum.SU DUE SPECIE ITALIANE DI CECIDOMIDI GALLIGENI E SUI LORO PARASSITOIDI Si riportano alcuni dati biologici su Cystiphora sonchi (Bremi) ed Asphondylia trabuti Marchal (Diptera Cecidomyiidae) in Italia. C. sonchi era nota solo per le regioni settentrionali e viene riportata ora anche per l’Italia meridionale, la Sardegna e la Sicilia; essa induce galle sulle foglie delle specie del gen. Sonchus (Compositae) durante tutto l’anno divenendo rara nel periodo metà luglio-agosto. Il numero di galle estive per foglia (11,6) è risultato più alto di quelle inver- nali (7,4). In totale sono state osservate 5-6 generazioni per anno con un picco numerico in pri- mavera-estate. Le larve spesso confluiscono nella stessa galla e vi si impupano, sfarfallando dalla pagina inferiore; in inverno alcune larve abbandonano le galle e si impupano aldifuori di esse. In totale sono stati allevati 426 C. sonchi e 381 parassitoidi, 359 dei quali sono risultati Aprostocetus microscopicus (Rondani) (Hymenoptera Eulophidae), 22 Synopeas larides (Walker) (Hymenoptera Platygasteridae). Quest’ultima specie viene segnalata per la prima volta in Italia. Asphondylia trabuti, nota già come fitofago dei frutti di Solanum tuberosum, viene riportata per la prima volta in Italia e su Solanum nigrum; le larve sono gregarie, si sviluppano tra maggio e dicembre con un picco in primavera e si impupano all’interno dei frutti, completando il ciclo in circa due settimane. Sono state osservate almeno 5 generazioni per anno. In totale sono stati ottenuti 100 A. trabuti e 91 parassitoidi, 88 dei quali sono risultati Eurytoma dentata Mayr (Hymenoptera Eurytomidae), riportata per la prima volta come suo parassitoide, e 3 Pteromalidae. Parole chiave: Cystiphora sonchi, Asphondylia trabuti, Sonchus spp., Solanum nigrum.

Parasitoids (Hymenoptera) of leaf-spinning moths (Lepidoptera) feeding on Vaccinium uliginosum L. along an ecological gradient in central European peat bogs

Parasitoids of leaf-spinning Lepidoptera associated with two isolated central European peat bogs were investigated. Five families of parasitoid Hymenoptera (Braconidae, Ichneumonidae, Eulophidae, Pteromalidae and Encyrtidae) were recorded. Three categories were recognised: (1) primary parasitoids, (2) facultative hyperparasitoids and (3) obligatory hyperparasitoids. Ten species of Braconidae, five species and seven marked morphospecies among Ichneumonidae, and three species of Chalcidoidea were identified. Despite of some niche-specific (but less host-specific) parasitoids, all these hymenopterans are likely to be generalists and none of them were confirmed to be habitat and/or host specialists. Unlike their eurytopic (opportunistic tyrphoneutral) parasitoids, the Lepidoptera hosts associated with peat bogs are partially highly stenotopic (tyrphobionts and tyrphophiles). The occurrence of parasitoids compared to their potential hosts was structured along an ecological (mesoclimatic) gradient, so most parasitoids were recorded from margins while stenotopic (narrow habitat adaptation) moths were mostly distributed near the centre of the bog habitat

Skull Metastasis From Uterine Leiomyosarcoma, a Rare Presentation for a Rare Tumor: A Case Report and Review of the Literature

Uterine leiomyosarcoma (uLMS) is a rare and aggressive malignancy with poor clinical outcomes. Even when localized, uLMS is associated with high rates of local and distant recurrences that are usually fatal. Common sites of recurrence are lung, liver, pelvic lymph nodes, and vertebral and long bones, though atypical patterns of recurrence have been described. Among them, intracranial recurrence appears as a rare finding, almost exceptional in skull and dura. We describe the case of a solitary skull metastasis from uLMS in a 39-year-old woman, which represents the third reported case of skull recurrence in literature. After multidisciplinary discussion, the patient underwent surgery and received adjuvant radiotherapy. After 4 months, she is currently alive, without evidence of extracranial disease. This case highlights the importance of suspecting and recognizing atypical and extremely rare metastasis to this region. We encourage the need for large case series in order to provide further information about cranial recurrences of uLMS taking into account the paucity of data currently available in literature and the frequently unpredictable behavior of this rare and highly lethal disease

Imported arboviral infections in Italy, July 2014-October 2015: A National Reference Laboratory report

BACKGROUND: Imported cases of infections due to Dengue (DENV) and Chikungunya (CHIKV) viruses and, more recently, Zika virus (ZIKV) are commonly reported among travelers returning from endemic regions. In areas where potentially competent vectors are present, the risk of autochthonous transmission of these vector-borne pathogens is relatively high. Laboratory surveillance is crucial to rapidly detect imported cases in order to reduce the risk of transmission. This study describes the laboratory activity performed by the National Reference Laboratory for Arboviruses (NRLA) at the Italian National Institute of Health in the period from July 2014 to October 2015. METHODS: Samples from 180 patients visited/hospitalized with a suspected DENV/CHIKV/ZIKV infection were sent to the NRLA from several Italian Hospitals and from Regional Reference Laboratories for Arboviruses, in agreement with the National Plan on human surveillance of vector-borne diseases. Both serological (ELISA IgM test and Plaque Reduction Neutralization Test-PRNT) and molecular assays (Real Time PCR tests, RT-PCR plus nested PCR and sequencing of positive samples) were performed. RESULTS: DENV infection was the most frequently diagnosed (80 confirmed/probable cases), and all four genotypes were detected. However, an increase in imported CHIKV cases (41 confirmed/probable cases) was observed, along with the detection of the first ZIKV cases (4 confirmed cases), as a consequence of the recent spread of both CHIKV and ZIKV in the Americas. CONCLUSIONS: Main diagnostic issues highlighted in our study are sensitivity limitations of molecular tests, and the importance of PRNT to confirm serological results for differential diagnosis of Arboviruses. The continuous evaluation of diagnostic strategy, and the implementation of laboratories networks involved in surveillance activities is essential to ensure correct diagnosis, and to improve the preparedness for a rapid and proper identification of viral threats

Retrospective Investigation of an Influenza A/H1N1pdm Outbreak in an Italian Military Ship Cruising in the Mediterranean Sea, May-September 2009

BACKGROUND: Clinical surveillance may have underestimated the real extent of the spread of the new strain of influenza A/H1N1, which surfaced in April 2009 originating the first influenza pandemic of the 21(st) century. Here we report a serological investigation on an influenza A/H1N1pdm outbreak in an Italian military ship while cruising in the Mediterranean Sea (May 24-September 6, 2009). METHODS: The contemporary presence of HAI and CF antibodies was used to retrospectively estimate the extent of influenza A/H1N1pdm spread across the crew members (median age: 29 years). FINDINGS: During the cruise, 2 crew members fulfilled the surveillance case definition for influenza, but only one was laboratory confirmed by influenza A/H1N1pdm-specific RT-PCR; 52 reported acute respiratory illness (ARI) episodes, and 183 reported no ARI episodes. Overall, among the 211 crew member for whom a valid serological result was available, 39.3% tested seropositive for influenza A/H1N1pdm. The proportion of seropositives was significantly associated with more crowded living quarters and tended to be higher in those aged <40 and in those reporting ARI or suspected/confirmed influenza A/H1N1pdm compared to the asymptomatic individuals. No association was found with previous seasonal influenza vaccination. CONCLUSIONS: These findings underline the risk for rapid spread of novel strains of influenza A in confined environment, such as military ships, where crowding, rigorous working environment, physiologic stress occur. The high proportion of asymptomatic infections in this ship-borne outbreak supports the concept that serological surveillance in such semi-closed communities is essential to appreciate the real extent of influenza A/H1N1pdm spread and can constitute, since the early stage of a pandemic, an useful model to predict the public health impact of pandemic influenza and to establish proportionate and effective countermeasures

Dark sectors 2016 Workshop: community report

This report, based on the Dark Sectors workshop at SLAC in April 2016, summarizes the scientific importance of searches for dark sector dark matter and forces at masses beneath the weak-scale, the status of this broad international field, the important milestones motivating future exploration, and promising experimental opportunities to reach these milestones over the next 5-10 years