Two Pests Overlap: Drosophila suzukii (Diptera: Drosophilidae) Use of Fruit Exposed to Halyomorpha halys (Hemiptera: Pentatomidae)

Drosophila suzukii (Matsumura) (Diptera: Drosophilidae) and brown marmorated stink bug, Halyomorpha halys (Stål) (Hemiptera: Pentatomidae), are global economic pests that may co-occur on small fruits. We investigated whether fruit recently exposed to H. halys affected subsequent host use by D. suzukii. Laboratory no-choice and choice tests presented D. suzukii with H. halys-fed and unfed raspberries and blueberries immediately or 3 d after H. halys feeding. Resulting D. suzukii eggs, or larvae and pupae, were counted. The number of D. suzukii immatures among fed and unfed fruit was not significantly different in lab studies. There was no relationship between the intensity of H. halys feeding, as estimated by the number of stylet sheaths, and D. suzukii oviposition on blueberry. Lastly, field studies compared D. suzukii infestation between H. halys-fed and unfed raspberries. Raspberries were previously exposed to H. halys for 3 d or simultaneously exposed to both pests for 7 d. Natural infestation by D. suzukii in the field was similar among raspberries previously or simultaneously exposed to H. halys compared to control fruit

Evaluation of the TruNarc Handheld Narcotics Analyzer as a Pre-Analysis Screening Device for the Orange County Crime Lab

Forensic analysis of suspected narcotics is often dangerous as the substances’ composition is unknown. Many techniques for drug identification require handling of the substance outside of its packaging, which can expose the analyst to potentially harmful chemicals. The TruNarc Handheld Narcotics Analyzer is a portable Raman spectroscopy device that is non-destructive of evidence and can be used to screen drugs through simple packaging to minimize the risk of exposure. The Orange County Crime Lab (OCCL) is testing the limits of this device to determine if it can be used to screen new evidence within the Seized Drugs Lab. The OCCL has used this device on over 85 pieces of individual casework, which were then confirmed using gas chromatography and mass spectrometry (GC/MS). Methamphetamine, cocaine, and fentanyl in various forms such as powders, crystalline substances, and tablets, are all drugs we are optimistic that the TruNarc will be able to accurately identify in casework. We found that the three drugs of interest could be identified in most cases where substances were light in color, in powder or crystalline form, and in translucent plastic packaging. However, mixtures and tablets were difficult for the TruNarc to accurately identify. Further testing will be done to determine the lower limits of detection for drugs of interest before making a decision on implementing the device as a pre-analysis screening method in the laboratory and field settings

A 23 kDa membrane glycoprotein bearing NeuNAcα2-3Galβ1-3GalNAc O-linked carbohydrate chains acts as a receptor for Streptococcus sanguis OMZ 9 on human buccal epithelial cells

Streptococcus sanguis colonizes several human oral surfaces, including both hard and soft tissues. Large salivary mucin like glycoproteins bearing sialic acid residues are known to bind various S.sanguis strains. However, the molecular basis for the adhesion of S.sanguis to human buccal epithelial cells (HBEC) has not been established. The present study shows that S.sanguis OMZ 9 binds to exfoliated HBEC in a sialic acid-sensitive manner. The desialylation of such cells invariably abolhhes adhesion of S.sanguis OMZ 9 to the cell surface. A soluble glycopeptide bearing short sialylated O-linked carbohydrate chains behaves as a potent inhibitor of the attachment of S.sanguis OMZ 9 to exfoliated HBEC. The resialylation of desialylated HBEC with CMP-sialic acid and Galβ1,3GalNAc α2,3-sialyltransferase specific for O-glycans restores the receptor function for S.sanguis OMZ 9, whereas a similar cell resialylation with the Galβ1,4GlcNAc α2,6-sialyltmnsferase specific for N-glycans is without effect. Finally, ceinyl-sialic acid as a substrate yeilds exfoliated HBFC bearing flurescence as the catalyst. The latter finding demonstrates that this 23kDa cell surface glycoprotein bears NeuNAcα2-3Galβ1-3GalNAc O-linked sugar chains, a carbohydrate sequence which is recongnized by S.sanguis OMZ 9 on exfoliated HBEC. In similar experiments carried out with a buccal carcinoma cell line termed SqCC/Y1 S.sanguis OMZ 9 did not attach in great numbers to such cultured cells, and these cells were shown to not express membrane glycoprotien bearing α2,3-sialylated O-linked carbohydrate chain

Further evidence that not all executive functions are equal

The current study presents a comparison of 2 structural equation models describing the relationship between the executive functions of updating and inhibiting. Although it has been argued that working memory capacity is defined by one’s ability to control the focus of attention, the findings of the current study support a view of the executive control of attention that reflects updating and inhibiting as not entirely dependent on the same resources

Characterization and manipulation of fruit susceptibility to \u3ci\u3eDrosophila suzukii\u3c/i\u3e

Drosophila suzukii (Matsumura) is an economic pest of small fruits and cherries that attacks intact ripening fruits. Host susceptibility may be influenced by characteristics such as flesh firmness, penetration force of the skin, total soluble solids (TSS, also known as Brix), and pH. Improved knowledge of factors affecting fruit susceptibility is needed for developing thresholds and risk prediction models for IPM. A combination of laboratory and field studies was conducted to develop prediction and potential management tools. First, a direct bioassay was used to calculate the probability of oviposition in a given fruit based on various characteristics as determined across laboratory and field trials in Oregon and North Carolina, US. When multiple characteristics were evaluated simultaneously, oviposition probability consistently increased as penetration force decreased and pH increased. Oviposition probability sometimes increased as TSS increased. Second, raspberries and blueberries in unsprayed fields had substantially lower infestation in ripening fruit compared to ripe fruit. There was no or minimal infestation in green fruit. Third, given that skin penetration force influences oviposition, practices used to improve fruit quality were examined in laboratory no-choice cages for potential reduction of oviposition. Blueberry fruit sprayed with calcium silicate in the field had greater penetration force and firmness and reduced number of eggs laid by D. suzukii compared to untreated fruit. Other calcium-based treatments increased Ca content and firmness of fruit relative to untreated fruit. Timing of insecticide spray for D. suzukii might be delayed until fruit become susceptible

Humidity affects populations of Drosophila suzukii (Diptera: Drosophilidae) in blueberry

Temperature and humidity affect insect physiology, survival, fecundity, reproductive status and behaviour. Complementing previous work investigating the effects of temperature on adult survival and fecundity of the invasive frugivorous pest, Drosophila suzukii (Matsumura), this study was conducted to determine the effect of humidity on D. suzukii larval development, adult survival, fecundity and reproductive status using blueberry as a host substrate. The five constant humidity levels in laboratory bioassays were 20, 33, 71, 82 and 94% RH at 20.6 ± 0.2°C. As RH increased, fecundity and longevity increased. At the higher humidity levels, RH had limited impact on mean generation times (T), larval development and eclosion times. The highest net reproductive rate (R[subcript]o = 68) and highest intrinsic rate of population increase (r[subscript]m = 0.17) were both recorded at 94% RH. The reproductive status of females, as indicated by the number of mature oocytes per female, was significantly greater at 82 and 94% RH, compared to 71% RH. In addition to the laboratory procedures, we correlated field trap captures over an 81-day summer period to relative humidity (RH) levels in close proximity to those traps. In the field, low ambient humidity levels resulted in decreased trap captures. A humidity-dependent population model predicted lower densities of D. suzukii relative to populations at higher humidity. This study supports the hypothesis that cultural practices that minimize lower humidity levels in crops can contribute to the management of D. suzukii. Such methods may include open pruning, drip irrigation and field floor management.This is the publisher’s final pdf. The article is copyrighted by Blackwell Verlag and published by John Wiley & Sons, Inc. It can be found at: http://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/journal/10.1111/%28ISSN%291439-0418Keywords: ovarian maturation, longevity, relative humidity, fecundity, spotted wing drosophilaKeywords: ovarian maturation, longevity, relative humidity, fecundity, spotted wing drosophil

Assessing road effects on bats: the role of landscape, road features, and bat activity on road-kills

Recent studies suggest that roads can significantly impact bat populations. Though bats are one of the most threatened groups of European vertebrates, studies aiming to quantify bat mortality and determine the main factors driving it remain scarce. Between March 16 and October 31 of 2009, we surveyed road-killed bats daily along a 51-km-long transect that incorporates different types of roads in southern Portugal. We found 154 road-killed bats of 11 species. The two most common species in the study area, Pipistrellus kuhlii and P. pygmaeus, were also the most commonly identified road-kill, representing 72 % of the total specimens collected. About two-thirds of the total mortality occurred between mid July and late September, peaking in the second half of August. We also recorded casualties of threatened and rare species, including Miniopterus schreibersii, Rhinolophus ferrumequinum, R. hipposideros, Barbastella barbastellus, and Nyctalus leisleri. These species were found mostly in early autumn, corresponding to the mating and swarming periods. Landscape features were the most important variable subset for explaining bat casualties. Road stretches crossing or in the vicinity of high-quality habitats for bats—including dense Mediterranean woodland (‘‘montado’’) areas, water courses with riparian gallery, and water reservoirs—yielded a significantly higher number of casualties. Additionally, more roadkilled bats were recorded on high-traffic road stretches with viaducts, in areas of higher bat activity and near known roosts