Detection of barley- and wheat-specific forms of Wheat dwarf virus in their vector Psammotettix alienus by duplex PCR assay

Wheat dwarf virus (WDV) has been one of the most common viruses on cereal crops in Poland in the last years. This single stranded DNA virus is transmitted by the leafhopper spec, Psammotettix alienus (Dahlb.) in a persistent manner. It induces yellowing and streaking of leaves, dwarfing or even death of infected plants. The presence of barley- and wheat-specific forms of WDV (WDV-B and WDV-W) and their vector were previously reported in the country, however the literature data did not include any information on the infectivity of the vector in Poland. A duplex polymerase chain reaction (PCR) procedure was developed and optimized for simultaneous detection and differentiation of both forms in the vector. Two sets of primers amplify 734 bp and 483 bp specific fragments for WDV-W and WDV-B, respectively. The results were verified by a sequencing method. The studies were carried out on insect samples collected in autumn from four different locations in Greater Poland. The results confirmed the presence of WDV-W in the tested samples. They also suggested the concomitant of both forms of the virus in the vector. Additional studies to determine virus-vector relationships should be undertaken

The first record of a potential pest Orientus ishidae (Matsumura, 1902) (Hemiptera: Cicadellidae) in Poland

This study provides the first data on the occurrence of the mosaic leafh opper Orientus ishidae (Matsumura, 1902) (Hemiptera: Cicadellidae) in Poland. This species is native to Southeast Asia, adventive in Europe and feeds on cultivated plants. Orientus ishidae is a well-known carrier of Grapevine fl avescence doree phytoplasma which causes the grapevine yellows disease. Symptoms of phytoplasma diseases of grapevine include deformations, leaf chlorosis and withering of plants. Th e appearance of this species in Poland might be caused by observed climate variations and insuffi cient plant health controls in the international trade of plants

Nesting biology of Mimumesa littoralis (Bondroit, 1934) (Hymenoptera: Crabronidae) in Poland

The biology of Mimumesa littoralis was studied on sandy soil (Sierakowo) and wasteland with hard substrate (Kowalewo Pomorskie) in northern Poland. The study presents information on the bionomics of the rare digger wasp Mimumesa littoralis (Bondroit,1934). Females of Mimumesa littoralis nested both on sandy soil and wasteland with hard substrate. Their nests consisted of 2-3 cells. One cell contained up to 11 prey items belonging to species from five genera: Megadelphax spp., Dicranotropis hamata, Javesella spp., Laodelphax striatella, Javesella pellucida (Hemiptera: Delphacidae), and Streptanus sp. (Hemiptera: Cicadellidae), which had not been previously reported in the literature. The frequency with which the female brought prey to the nest varied from 12 to 21 min. In addition, the kleptoparasite Senotainia conica (Diptera: Sarcophagidae) was found in the nest. Adult individuals were observed feeding on the flowers of Pimpinella sp