Control of Bactrocera oleae by low environmental impact methods: NPC methodology to evaluate the efficacy of lure-and-kill method and copper hydroxide treatments

The NonParametric Combination (NPC) methodology is proposed to verify the influence of the lure-and-kill method, using Ecotraps (Vioryl SA), on the distribution of Bactrocera oleae (Rossi) (Diptera Tephritidae) infestation in olive groves, and the integration of this method with copper hydroxide sprayings. This approach does not require the verification of any rigid assumption as many parametric methods do. Results of field trials indicate a strict relationship among the efficiency of the lure-and-kill method on time, dimension of the field, and population density of the olive fly. Moreover, the lure-and-kill method alone seems insufficient to provide an efficient control of the olive fly population in small olive groves. However, when this method is integrated with two copper hydroxide sprayings, the infestation of drupes is maintained below the damage threshold

Valutazione dell’infestazione di Lobesia botrana (dennis et Schiffermüller) in funzione alle differenze territoriali e alla suscettibilità varietale

A three years study (2008-2010) was carried out in two organic managed vineyards in western Sicily in order to verify both the influence of different cultivars and microclimatic conditions on grape moth infestation and on mould infections of grapes. Observations were done on two autochtonous (Inzolia and Catarratto) and four international (Chardonnay, Cabernet Sauvignon, Syrah and Merlot) cultivars. Results showed a different degree of infested grapes among the different cultivars in both farms but also a different level of infestation between the two farms for a same cultivar. Chardonnay was the most infested cultivar by the grape moth larvae, while Merlot was the less infested. Botrytis cinerea was almost absent on the majority of the cultivars, while the sour bunch rot was always present. This disease sometimes was present on all infested grapes. On the other hand Aspergillus was present in very low levels on the majority of the cultivars

Evaluation of infestation by Lobesia botrana (Dennis et Schiffermüller) (Lepidoptera, Tortricidae) and its relation to territorial differences and cultivar susceptibility

A three year study (2008-2010) was carried out in two organically managed vineyards in western Sicily to verify both the influence of different cultivars and microclimatic conditions on grape moth infestation and on mould infections of grapes. Observations were done on two autochthonous cultivars (Inzolia and Catarratto) and four international ones (Chardonnay, Cabernet Sauvignon, Syrah and Merlot). Results showed a different degree of infested grapes among the different cultivars in both farms but also a different level of infestation between the two farms for the same cultivar. Chardonnay was the most infested cultivar by the grape moth larvae, while Merlot was the less infested one. Botrytis cinerea was almost absent on the majority of the cultivars, while the sour bunch rot was always present. This disease was sometimes present on all infested grapes. On the other hand, Aspergillus was present at very low levels on the majority of the cultivars

La Vespa orientalis, un nuovo problema per l'apicoltura in Sicilia

In Italia il genere Vespa è rappresentato da Vespa crabro Linnaeus, 1758, Vespa orientalis Linnaeus, 1771 e Vespa velutina Lepeletier, 1856; le prime due sono specie autoctone, la terza è di recente introduzione nel nostro paese e per questa ragione ha un areale ancora ridotto. In Sicilia sono presenti soltanto le prime due. Sono specie predatrici generaliste con una spiccata preferenza per larve e adulti di Apis mellifera Linnaeus, 1758; soprattutto V. orientalis e V. velutina con i loro assedi, spesso di lunga durata, portano singole famiglie o interi apiari ad una completa distruzione. Ad oggi Le strategie di controllo e di difesa finora adottate sono frammentarie e non risolutive; ne consegue una diminuzione di tutti i prodotti dell’alveare con grave disagio per il settore apistico sensu lato. Per questo motivo, nonostante la convivenza con la popolazione sia piuttosto tranquilla, si è scatenata una vera e propria “caccia alle vespe” nella quale vengono coinvolti molti insetti, anche appartenenti a ordini diversi, i quali, spesso semplicemente per morfologia e dimensioni sono perseguitati e uccisi in modo ingiustificato

Effect of pollens and preys on various biological parameters of the generalist mite Cydnodromus californicus

The generalist phytoseiid mite Cydnodromus californicus (McGregor) (Mesostigmata Phytoseiidae) is considered a very important biocontrol agent of the spider mite Tetranychus urticae Koch both in greenhouses and field. Its capacity to feed alternative foods allows the increase of the population in field, even when the primary prey is not available. To investigate the effect of various alternative food substances present in the Mediterranean agroecosystems on the biological parameters of C. californicus, laboratory trials were carried out using 17 pollens and 3 preys. As it was expected, T. urticae was the best food for both the postembryonic development and the oviposition rate (100% of attained adulthoods and 2.65 eggs/female/day were laid). Good results were obtained also with pollens of Carpobrotus edulis (L.) and Scrophularia peregrina L.: on both pollens, 84% of eggs reached the adulthood and the oviposition rate was 2.00 and 1.81 eggs/female/day for the two pollens respectively. Interesting results were obtained with the alternative prey Petrobia hartii (Ewing), very common on Oxalis spp., a weed widespread in Mediterranean orchards (72% of attained adulthoods and 0.57 eggs/female/day). On the other hand, the effect of Mentha piperita L. was not positive on the juvenile development (only 28% of eggs reached the adulthood), while it was positive on the oviposition rate (1.12 eggs/female/day)

On the perception of leaf morphology and visible light by Tetranychus urticae Koch (Acariformes, Tetranychidae)

The two-spotted spider mite Tetranychus urticae is one of the most polyphagous and most damaging pests worldwide. The behaviour of the mite differs on its various host plants and this could influence crop defence strategies. We investigated the perception of leaf morphology by T. urticae in relation to the effects of visible light on the selection of sites on which females prefer to live and feed. Mite females chose the shaded surface when smooth and glabrous lemon leaves were offered as a surface for living and feeding, showing a photophobic behaviour. However, they clearly preferred the abaxial surface of bean leaves regardless of the presence or absence of visible light. As no differences were found regarding the food quality between the adaxial and abaxial leaf surfaces, mite behaviour seems to be related firstly to the perception of leaf morphology and secondly to visible light. As regards the first factor, T. urticae prefers the abaxial surface of leaves with a complicated architecture, i.e. veins in relief, on which they can easily build their dense web, and this factor has priority in comparison to the negative effect of the visible radiations. The second factor is important on smooth and glabrous leaves, these being unsuitable for building the complicated characteristic webs of T. urticae

Detection of honey bee viruses in larvae of Vespa orientalis

: The Oriental hornet (Vespa orientalis) is one of the major predators of honey bees. It has been demonstrated that adults of V. orientalis can harbor honey bee viruses, however the transmission route of infection is still not clear. The aim of this study was to study the possible presence of honey bee viruses in V. orientalis larvae and honey bees collected from the same apiary. Therefore, 29 samples of V. orientalis larvae and 2 pools of honey bee (Apis mellifera). samples were analyzed by multiplex PCR to detect the presence of six honeybee viruses: Acute Bee Paralysis Virus (ABPV), Black Queen Cell Virus (BQCV), Chronic Bee Paralysis Virus (CBPV), Deformed Wing Virus (DWV), Kashmir Bee Virus (KBV) and Sac Brood Virus (SBV). Biomolecular analysis of V. orientalis larvae revealed that DWV was present in 24/29 samples, SBV in 10/29, BQCV in 7/29 samples and ABPV in 5/29 samples, while no sample was found positive for CBPV or KBV. From biomolecular analysis of honey bee samples DWV was the most detected virus, followed by SBV, BQCV, ABPV. No honey bee sample was found positive for CBPV or KBV. Considering the overlapping of positivities between V.orientalis larvae and honey bee samples, and that V.orientalis larvae are fed insect proteins, preferably honey bees, we can suggest the acquisition of viral particles through the ingestion of infected bees. However, future studies are needed to confirm this hypothesis and rule out any other source of infection

Occurrence of Centrouropoda almerodai and Uroobovella marginata (Acari : Uropodina) phoretic on the Red Palm Weevil in Malta

The unwanted introduction of the Red Palm Weevil (RPW) coincides with the spread in Malta of two species of Uropodid mites associated with this weevil. Usually, adult RPW carry phoretic forms of C. almerodai which are attached to the underside of elytrae, and U. marginata that prefers exposed surfaces of sternum, pygidium, head and legs. These mites use adult RPW to abandon dead palms and to colonize newly infested host-plants. Their role as plant pests is however negligible. Even the plant pathogen conidia, Curvularia which are carried by the mites, seem unable to germinate in palms under laboratory conditions. Both Centrouropoda almerodai and Uroobovella marginata are established in the Maltese Islands.peer-reviewe