Effect of exclusion net timing of deployment and color on Halyomorpha halys (Hemiptera: Pentatomidae) infestation in pear and apple orchards

The brown marmorated stink bug, Halyomorpha halys (Stål, 1855) (Hemiptera: Pentatomidae), is an invasive pest species native to East Asia that has become the major pest for many crops, causing serious economic damage. The occurrence of this invasive pest leads to an increase in broad-spectrum insecticides applications, often with limited results in H. halys management. Exclusion netting based on insect-proof nets is considered an environmentally friendly tactic that may potentially reduce H. halys infestation and damage. In a first experiment, during two growing seasons we investigated whether the timing of exclusion netting deployment affected season-long H. halys infestation and impact on apple and pear production. A second experiment considered the effect of netting color. Our results confirm that insect-proof nettings are effective in controlling H. halys infestations in fruit orchards, also observing an effect of timing of netting deployment on H. halys adult infestation, especially in apple orchards. Netting deployment could be delayed until the growing fruit phase on pear orchards, while on apple orchards it should be performed at flower fading phase. Brown marmorated stink bug infestation and damage were also influenced by the netting color, with black nets having higher infestation levels and fruit damage than white ones. Within an integrated pest management framework, early net deployment and the use of clear color nettings should be considered to reduce H. halys infestation and its damage in pome fruit crops

Slug monitoring and impacts on the ground beetle community in the frame of sustainable pest control in conventional and conservation agroecosystems

In conservation agriculture, slugs are considered significant pests and their monitoring is a key option in the integrated pest management framework. Together with molluscicide applications, predators such as ground beetles can offer a tool for slug control in the field. Through the evaluation of slug and ground beetle monitoring strategies, this work compared their presence in conventional and conservation agricultural plots. The invasive Deroceras invadens was the dominant slug species to occur in all sampling periods. Among Carabidae, Poecilus cupreus and Pterostichus melas were the most abundant species, and Bembidion spp., Brachinus spp., and Harpalus spp. were also common. Beer-baited pitfall traps, whatever their alcoholic content, caught more slugs and ground beetles than wooden boards used as shelters. Slugs were more abundant in conventional plots than in conservation plots, possibly due to the lower presence of natural enemies such as ground beetles. Despite possible impacts on Carabidae, beer-baited pitfall traps should be considered a useful tool for slug monitoring and for the planning of molluscicide applications. Soil management such as minimum-or no-tillage and the presence of cover crops are important elements influencing both slug and ground beetle presence, possibly playing a key role in the maintenance of natural enemy populations

An insight into the role of trissolcus mitsukurii as biological control agent of halyomorpha halys in Northeastern Italy

11noSustainable strategies such as classical or augmentative biological control are currently being evaluated for the long-term management of the alien invasive pest Halyomorpha halys (Stål) (Hemiptera: Pentatomidae). A three-year study carried out in northeastern Italy was performed to investigate the distribution and field performance of the H. halys egg parasitoid Trissolcus mitsukurii (Ashmead) (Hymenoptera: Scelionidae), in comparison with other parasitoid species. In the study area, adventive populations of T. mitsukurii were present since 2016, representing the earliest detection of this species in Europe. Trissolcus mitsukurii was the most abundant parasitoid and showed a higher “parasitoid impact” (i.e., number of parasitized eggs over the total number of field-collected eggs) compared to the other species, i.e., Anastatus bifasciatus (Geoffroy) (Hymenoptera: Eupelmidae), Trissolcus basalis (Wollaston) and Trissolcus kozlovi Rjachovskij (Hymenoptera: Scelionidae). The hyperparasitoid Acroclisoides sinicus (Huang and Liao) (Hymenoptera: Pteromalidae) was also recorded. Phylogenetic analysis of T. mitsukurii population distinguished two clades, one covering samples from Italy, Japan and China, the other from South Korea. The present study provides promising results for the biological control of a pest that is having a dramatic impact on a wide range of crops worldwide.openopenScaccini D.; Falagiarda M.; Tortorici F.; Martinez-Sanudo I.; Tirello P.; Reyes-Dominguez Y.; Gallmetzer A.; Tavella L.; Zandigiacomo P.; Duso C.; Pozzebon A.Scaccini, D.; Falagiarda, M.; Tortorici, F.; Martinez-Sanudo, I.; Tirello, P.; Reyes-Dominguez, Y.; Gallmetzer, A.; Tavella, L.; Zandigiacomo, P.; Duso, C.; Pozzebon, A

Assessing the distribution of exotic egg parasitoids of Halyomorpha halys in Europe with a large-scale monitoring program

The brown marmorated stink bug Halyomorpha halys is an invasive agricultural pest with a worldwide distribution. Classical biological control has been identified as the most promising method to reduce the populations of H. halys. Adventive populations of two candidates for releases, Trissolcus japonicus and Trissolcus mitsukurii, have recently been detected in Europe. To assess their distribution and abundance, a large-scale survey was performed. From May to September 2019, a wide area covering northern Italy and parts of Switzerland was surveyed, highlighting the expanding distribution of both Tr. japonicus and Tr. mitsukurii. Within four years after their first detection in Europe, both species have rapidly spread into all types of habitats where H. halys is present, showing a wide distribution and continuous expansion. Both exotic Trissolcus showed high levels of parasitism rate towards H. halys, while parasitization of non-target species was a rare event. The generalist Anastatus bifasciatus was the predominant native parasitoid of H. halys, while the emergence of native scelionids from H. halys eggs was rarely observed. The presence of the hyperparasitoid Acroclisoides sinicus was also recorded. This study provided fundamental data that supported the development of the first inoculative release program of Tr. japonicus in Europe

On the Variability of the Length Weight Relationship for Atlantic Bluefin Tuna, Thunnus thynnus (L.)

Following extensive review, a model of the Atlantic bluefin tuna (ABFT), Thunnus thynnus (L.), length–weight relationship for the eastern Atlantic and Mediterranean (RW = 0.0000188 SFL3.01247; Ec 1) is presented on the basis of samples of ABFT spawners, with an average value of index K = 2.03 ± 0.15SD, collected by the Atlantic traps of Portugal and Spain in the Strait of Gibraltar (1963; 1996–1998; 2000–2012), and a set of samples of juvenile fishes from ICCAT–GBYP (n = 707). The resulting model (Ec 1), together with the model used for the eastern stock assessment (RW = 0.000019607 SFL3.0092; Ec 2) and a recently adopted by ICCAT Standing Committee on Research and Statistics (SCRS) (RW = 0.0000315551 SFL2.898454; EAST) are analyzed in using a bi-variant sample [SFL (cm), RW (kg)] of 474 pairs of data with the aim of validating them and establishing which model(s) best fit the reality represented by the sample and, therefore, will have the greatest descriptive and predictive power. The result of the analysis indicates that the model EAST clearly underestimates the weight of spawning ABFT and that model Ec 2 overestimates it slightly, being model Ec 1 that best explains the data of the sample. The result of the classical statistical analysis is confirmed by means of the quantile regression technique, selecting the quantiles 5, 25, 50, 75, and 95%. Other fisheries and biological indicators also conclude that the model EAST gradually underestimates the weight of ABFT spawners (of 2–3 m) by 9–12.5 %, and does not meet the criterion that for RW = 725 kg (Wmax), SFL = 319.93 ± 11.3 cm (Lmax).Cort, JL.; Estruch Fuster, VD.; Neves Dos Santos, M.; Di Natale, A.; Abid, N.; De La Serna, JM. (2015). On the Variability of the Length Weight Relationship for Atlantic Bluefin Tuna, Thunnus thynnus (L.). Reviews in Fisheries Science & Aquaculture. 23(1):23-38. doi:10.1080/23308249.2015.1008625S2338231Aguado-Giménez, F., & García-García, B. (2005). Changes in some morphometric relationships in Atlantic bluefin tuna (Thunnus thynnus thynnus Linnaeus, 1758) as a result of fattening process. Aquaculture, 249(1-4), 303-309. doi:10.1016/j.aquaculture.2005.04.064Block, B. A., Teo, S. L. H., Walli, A., Boustany, A., Stokesbury, M. J. W., Farwell, C. J., … Williams, T. D. (2005). Electronic tagging and population structure of Atlantic bluefin tuna. Nature, 434(7037), 1121-1127. doi:10.1038/nature03463Chapman, E. W., Jørgensen, C., & Lutcavage, M. E. (2011). Atlantic bluefin tuna (Thunnus thynnus): a state-dependent energy allocation model for growth, maturation, and reproductive investment. Canadian Journal of Fisheries and Aquatic Sciences, 68(11), 1934-1951. doi:10.1139/f2011-109Cort, J. L., Arregui, I., Estruch, V. D., & Deguara, S. (2014). Validation of the Growth Equation Applicable to the Eastern Atlantic Bluefin Tuna,Thunnus thynnus(L.), UsingLmax, Tag-Recapture, and First Dorsal Spine Analysis. Reviews in Fisheries Science & Aquaculture, 22(3), 239-255. doi:10.1080/23308249.2014.931173Cort, J. L., Deguara, S., Galaz, T., Mèlich, B., Artetxe, I., Arregi, I., … Idrissi, M. (2013). Determination ofLmaxfor Atlantic Bluefin Tuna,Thunnus thynnus(L.), from Meta-Analysis of Published and Available Biometric Data. Reviews in Fisheries Science, 21(2), 181-212. doi:10.1080/10641262.2013.793284Fraser, K.Possessed. World Record Holder for Bluefin Tuna. Kingstown, Nova Scotia: T & S Office Essentials and printing, 243 pp. (2008).Fromentin, J.-M., & Powers, J. E. (2005). Atlantic bluefin tuna: population dynamics, ecology, fisheries and management. Fish and Fisheries, 6(4), 281-306. doi:10.1111/j.1467-2979.2005.00197.xHattour, A.Contribution a l’étude des Scombridés de Tunisie. Université de Tunis. Faculté des Sciences, 168 pp. (1979).Karakulak, S., Oray, I., Corriero, A., Deflorio, M., Santamaria, N., Desantis, S., & De Metrio, G. (2004). Evidence of a spawning area for the bluefin tuna (Thunnus thynnus L.) in the eastern Mediterranean. Journal of Applied Ichthyology, 20(4), 318-320. doi:10.1111/j.1439-0426.2004.00561.xKoenker, R., & Bassett, G. (1978). Regression Quantiles. Econometrica, 46(1), 33. doi:10.2307/1913643Koenker, R. (2005). Quantile Regression. doi:10.1017/cbo9780511754098Milatou, N., & Megalofonou, P. (2014). Age structure and growth of bluefin tuna (Thunnus thynnus, L.) in the capture-based aquaculture in the Mediterranean Sea. Aquaculture, 424-425, 35-44. doi:10.1016/j.aquaculture.2013.12.037Perçin, F., & Akyol, O. (2009). Lengthâ weight and lengthâ length relationships of the bluefin tuna,Thunnus thynnusL., in the Turkish part of the eastern Mediterranean Sea. Journal of Applied Ichthyology, 25(6), 782-784. doi:10.1111/j.1439-0426.2009.01288.xPercin, F., & Akyol, O. (2010). Some Morphometric Relationships in Fattened Bluefin Tuna, Thunnus thynnus L., from the Turkish Aegean Sea. Journal of Animal and Veterinary Advances, 9(11), 1684-1688. doi:10.3923/javaa.2010.1684.1688Rooker, J. R., Alvarado Bremer, J. R., Block, B. A., Dewar, H., de Metrio, G., Corriero, A., … Secor, D. H. (2007). Life History and Stock Structure of Atlantic Bluefin Tuna (Thunnus thynnus). Reviews in Fisheries Science, 15(4), 265-310. doi:10.1080/10641260701484135Sinovcic, G., Franicevic, M., Zorica, B., & Cikes-Kec, V. (2004). Length-weight and length-length relationships for 10 pelagic fish species from the Adriatic Sea (Croatia). Journal of Applied Ichthyology, 20(2), 156-158. doi:10.1046/j.1439-0426.2003.00519.xTičina, V., Grubišić, L., Šegvić Bubić, T., & Katavić, I. (2011). Biometric characteristics of small Atlantic bluefin tuna (Thunnus thynnus, Linnaeus, 1758) of Mediterranean Sea origin. Journal of Applied Ichthyology, 27(4), 971-976. doi:10.1111/j.1439-0426.2011.01752.

Seasonal population dynamics, thermal tolerance, and damage assessment of the invasive pest Brown Marmorated Stink Bug, Halyomorpha halys

The brown marmorated stink bug, Halyomorpha halys, is an invasive pest species native from East Asia and introduced into the USA, Europe, and South America. This pest can feed on more than 170 plant species among orchards, vegetables, row crops, and ornamentals, and it causes damage on crops and nuisance to the human population due to its overwintering behavior. In the present work we studied the invasion pattern of the pest, its impact on grapevine and the effect of abiotic (low and high temperatures) and biotic (natural enemies) factors that can influence the population dynamics. The genetic structure of H. halys and of its primary symbiont, ‘Candidatus Pantoea carbekii’, were studied to elucidate the pathways of expansion of the pest across the invaded area. Some populations from north-eastern Italy showed the highest values of genetic diversity, and possible multiple introductions from different countries are suggested considering the affinity with symbiont haplotypes. Seasonal dynamics of H. halys in multi-cultivar vineyards and the damage on grape clusters were also studied, showing a higher H. halys abundance on red-berry cultivars than on white ones, on varieties ripening late in the season and on the border of the vineyards. Halyomorpha halys infestations caused damage on berries, showing a different cultivar and plant phenological stages susceptibility, and that damage was relevant only with high infestations, not commonly found in vineyards. Botrytis cinerea occurrence was correlated to H. halys presence, and this represents the main issue related to H. halys effect on the grapevine and should be considered in the definition of integrated pest management strategies on this crop. From the studies on lethal temperature exposures, exiting diapause adults were more sensitive to low- and high-temperature exposures than entering ones, and insects with a low nutritional status showed higher mortality levels after low-temperature exposures. Following low-temperature exposures, an increase in longevity and a reduction of fecundity of entering diapause H. halys females were also detected. The results showed that low temperatures in winter and spring can have an impact on the survival rate and population development of H. halys. Moreover, the mortality-curves obtained from high-temperature exposures can be used for the definition of cost-effective heat treatments aimed at the H. halys control. Finally, H. halys egg parasitoids complex was also studied, and the presence of Trissolcus mitsukurii, a species previously found in Asia, was recorded. This parasitoid shows a high impact on host eggs. By studying the genetic variability of the parasitoid population, the relation between Italian samples and Japanese and Chinese ones was detected. The study performed on the egg parasitoid complex of H. halys in northern Italy provides promising results for the control of the pest, and further studies are needed to assess the host range of T. mitsukurii in Europe and the factors influencing its distribution.La cimice asiatica, Halyomorpha halys, è una specie invasiva nativa dell’Asia orientale, introdotta in USA, Europa e Sud America. Questo insetto dannoso si sviluppa a carico di più di 170 specie vegetali tra cui diverse colture frutticole, orticole, estensive e piante ornamentali. È in grado di causare danni alle colture e provocare fastidio alla popolazione umana quando si sposta nelle abitazioni per svernare. Nella presente tesi sono stati considerati alcuni aspetti relativi ai processi di invasione, all’impatto del fitofago sulla vite e agli effetti di fattori abiotici (alte e basse temperature) e biotici (controllo biologico) che possono influenzare la dinamica di popolazione di H. halys. Lo studio della struttura genetica dell’insetto associata a quella del suo simbionte primario, ‘Candidatus Pantoea carbekii’, ha permesso di chiarire le vie di invasione della cimice asiatica. Alcune popolazioni del nord-est d’Italia hanno mostrato la più alta variabilità genetica, suggerendo eventi di colonizzazione multipli da aree diverse. Nello studio delle dinamiche di popolazione stagionali di H. halys in vigneti multi-varietali è emersa una maggiore presenza dell’insetto su alcune cultivar a bacca rossa rispetto a quelle a bacca bianca, così come sono stati osservati livelli più elevati d’infestazione nelle zone di margine dei vigneti rispetto al centro. In studi specifici è emerso come le infestazioni di H. halys possano causare danni alle bacche, anche se è stata evidenziata una diversa suscettibilità varietale. Danni diretti sono rilevanti solo nel caso di elevati livelli d’infestazione, difficilmente osservabili in vigneto. Tuttavia è emersa una associazione tra l’incidenza di danni da Botrytis cinerea e la presenza di H. halys. Questo aspetto rappresenta la problematica principale dovuta alla cimice asiatica su vite e deve essere tenuta in considerazione nella definizione delle strategie di difesa. Gli studi sulle esposizioni a basse e alte temperature hanno dimostrato che gli individui a fine svernamento sono più sensibili alle alte e alle basse temperature rispetto a quelli che iniziano lo svernamento. Tra i primi, la mortalità degli insetti con livelli nutrizionali più bassi è stata maggiore in seguito alle esposizioni a basse temperature. Queste ultime hanno anche causato un aumento della longevità e una riduzione della fertilità nelle femmine svernanti. Lo studio evidenzia come l’esposizione a basse temperature possa influenzare il tasso di sopravvivenza e le dinamiche di popolazione di H. halys. Inoltre, le curve di mortalità derivate dallo studio sulle alte temperature possono essere impiegate per definire trattamenti termici per il controllo di H. halys. Infine, tra i parassitoidi oofagi di H. halys è stato ritrovato in nord Italia la specie asiatica Trissolcus mitsukurii, che ha mostrato un importane impatto sulle uova dell’ospite. Grazie a dei marcatori molecolari è emerso come gli individui del parassitoide raccolti in Italia siano affini ai campioni raccolti in Giappone e Cina. Lo studio sul complesso di ooparassitoidi naturali di H. halys in nord Italia fornisce risultati promettenti sul controllo del fitofago, ma ulteriori indagini saranno necessarie per valutare l’insieme di possibili altri ospiti del parassitoide in Europa, così come i fattori che ne influenzano la distribuzione

Records of asilidae and muscidae (Diptera) as predators of Platycerus caraboides and Platycerus caprea (Coleoptera Lucanidae) larvae in deadwood in northern Italy

The present paper reports cases of predation on two Italian species of stag beetles, Platycerus caprea and Platycerus caraboides, by saproxylic Diptera of which preys were seldom reported or unknown in the literature. Resulting from eight years of collections in many sites in northern Italy, the robber flies Laphria meridionalis and Choerades sp. eclosed in rearing boxes of P. caraboides, and the muscid fly Phaonia palpata emerged from deadwood inhabited by both Platycerus species. These Diptera developed in deadwood of broadleaves species, where they were uncommon predators of Platycerus immature stages. Predator-prey interactions between Asilidae and Muscidae larvae and Platycerus improve the knowledge on the community of these species with hidden habits in the saproxylic scene

Realizzazione e gestione di siti di nidificazione per i pronubi selvatici del Parco Monte Barro: il Progetto BarroBugBox

Il Progetto BarroBugBox \ue8 stato avviato nel 2013 con l\u2019intento di salvaguardare e promuovere le comunit\ue0 di pronubi selvatici presenti nel Parco Regionale del Monte Barro e nell\u2019omonimo Parco Naturale, rispettivamente SIC e ZPS, in Provincia di Lecco. Sono state quindi realizzate e posizionate, in zone ritenute idonee all\u2019interno del Parco, due tipologie di strutture artificiali, denominate BugBox e BugTube, atte a fornire siti idonei alla nidificazione dei pronubi selvatici. Le BugBox sono costituite da strutture lignee recanti vani contenenti differenti tipologie di materiale (legni forati, canne di bamb\uf9, cannucce di palude, strobili e mattoni forati), mentre le BugTube sono realizzate con sezioni di tubo in polipropilene contenenti unicamente cannucce di palude. L\u2019installazione \ue8 stata seguita da controlli periodici necessari sia per il monitoraggio delle eventuali colonizzazioni che per la manutenzione delle strutture. Nel corso del progetto sono state inoltre sviluppate e applicate buone pratiche necessarie per una gestione efficiente delle strutture, ad esempio in caso di forti infestazioni da parte di Imenotteri Formicidi. Gi\ue0 dopo alcuni mesi dal posizionamento, tra gli Artropodi rinvenuti si sono riscontrate nidificazioni di pronubi selvatici quali Imenotteri Apoidei Megachilidi del genere Osmia, nonch\ue9 di altri Apoidei impollinatori, tutti in aumento negli ultimi controlli. Al terzo anno dall\u2019avvio del progetto si nota una buona efficienza di colonizzazione delle strutture, anche grazie alle soluzioni adottate per la gestione delle stesse. Data la possibilit\ue0 di realizzazione senza eccessivo impegno di costi, materiali e personale, i progetti per la tutela degli impollinatori selvatici mediante l\u2019impiego di BugBox e BugTube meritano di essere considerati in diversi ambienti, sia naturali che sub-urbani o urbani