BIOLOGICAL INTERACTIONS WITHIN TOBACCO BIOCENOSIS

Predatory hoverflies are useful pollinators in their adult stage and present a natural enemy of plant pests, especially of aphids in their larval stage.The observations were made with the application of the following methods of catching: check of all leaves of 20 tobacco stalks; and check of 100 tobacco leaves in 10-day intervals during the entire period of vegetation of the tobacco. The collected material was further nourished and analysed under laboratory conditions. The tobacco crop was attacked only by Myzus persicae Sulzer and larvae were reared on tobacco leaves infested with M. persicae in Petri dishes.During a period of three years Sphaerophoria scripta Linnaeus, Sphaerophoria rueppelli Wiedemann and Scaeva pyrastri Linnaeus are represented in great numbers. Under laboratory conditions the larvae from the species S. scripta consumed from 300 up to 365 aphids from the species M. persicae; the larvae from the species S. rueppelli, 280-321 aphids; and those of the species S. pyrastri, 280-563 aphids. These data show their great capacity for eating aphids. With their great voracity, and to preserve their own kind, they control the population of aphids on tobacco, and so have a great impact on the tobacco biocenoses. The aphidophagous Syrphidae are the main predators and they are ranged on the third trophic level of the food chain: tobacco leaf - aphids - aphidophagous hoverflies. In the complex food chain the aphidophagous Syrphidae are being parasitized by many species of parasites and because of that their ecological and economic use is lesser.During the laboratory analyses from 2003-2005 we detected ten parasitic species of the order Hymenoptera, ecloded in the pupae of the aphidophagous Syrphidae: Pachyneuron grande Thomson, Pachyneuron cf. grande Thomson, Syrphophagus aeruginosus Dalman, Diplazon laetatorius Fabricius, Diplazon sp. 2, Diplazon sp. 3, Homotropus sp. 1, Homotropus sp. 2, Sussaba sp. 1, Promethes sp. 1.The parasitism has a negative impact on reducing the population of the future generation of the species Syrphidae. The species S. scripta, S. rueppelli and S. pyrastri can be used as integral protectors of the tobacco leaf aphids, because of their great numbers and their great voracity

BIOLOGICAL CONTROL POTENTIAL OF AN APHIDOPHAGOUS PREDATORS, CANNIBALISM AND INTERSPECIFIC COMPETITION

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THE ASSOCIATION OF POOR ECONOMIC CONDITION AND FAMILY RELATIONS IN CHILDHOOD WITH LATE-LIFE DEPRESSION

Background: Late-life depression encompasses both patients with late-life onset of depression (>60 years) and older adults with a prior and current history of depression. The aim of the study was to analyze the impact of the economic condition and family relations in childhood as risk factors for late-life depression. Subjects and methods: This was an analytical cross-sectional study comprising 120 subjects, 60 patients with unipolar depression and 60 subjects without depressive disorders, diagnosed in accordance with the 10-th International Classification of Mental and Behavioural Disorders. All participants in the study were above the age of 60 and there was no significant statistical difference in the sex proportion in both groups (p>0.05). Data for the examination were taken from a self-reported questionnaire designed for our aim. The Geriatric Depression Scale was used to measure depressive symptoms. Results: Our results have shown that severe financial difficulties are important events in childhood and are risk factors for depression in the elderly (Chi-square=12.68, df=2, p=0.0018). Our investigation has found the association of family relations with late-life depression. In fact, conflictual relations in the family were more common in the experimental group than in the control group (Chi-square=14.32, df=3, p=0.0025). Furthermore, father’s addiction to alcohol in childhood was associated with depression in later life (p=0.013). The difference in childhood emotional neglect and unequal treatment between siblings in both groups was insufficient to be confirmed statistically, but the examinees with this trauma had a threefold higher chance of having depression later in life (Odds ratio=3.04, 95% CL0.92 < OR<10.65; Yates chi-square=3.2, df=1, p=0.07). Subjects who have estimated their mother (p=0.019) or father (p=0.046) having negative personal character traits had a significantly greater risk for development of late-life depression. Conclusions: Negative socio-economic circumstances as well as family conflicts during childhood are associated with late-life depression. Father\u27s addiction to alcohol and parents’ negative personal character traits are associated with depression in the elderly

Тhe Species of Superfamily Chalcidoidea – Parasites of Aphidophagous Hoverflies

The species of the family Syrphidae are one of the most important predators of the peach leaf aphids on tobacco. In the complex food chain, aphidophagous hoverflies are attacked by a wide range of parasites. During tobacco vegetation, in the Prilep area, we applied the following methods: survey of 20 tobacco stalks and survey of 100 tobacco leaves, in 10 days interval, 2003-2005. The prime material collected from the nature, further is cultivated and analysed under laboratory conditions. Parasited larva of Syrphidae, feeds with aphids and perform its bioregulatory role. Parasite species are activated after the larva of hoverflies is transformed into a puppet stage. They are feeding on tissues and organs of the hoverflies and destroy them. Were identified three parasite species from superfamily Chalcidoidea, eclosed from pupae of hoverflies: Pachyneuron grande (Pteromalidae), Pachyneuron cf. grande (Pteromalidae) and Syrphophagus aeruginosus (Encyrtidae). The most numerous is the parasitic specie P. grande. It was registered as a parasite on: Sphaerophoria scripta, Sphaerophoria rueppelli, Episyrphus balteatus, Scaeva pyrastri and Eupeodes corollae. P. cf. grande is a parasite on: S. scripta and S. rueppelli. S. aeruginosus is a parasite on: S. scripta, S. rueppelli, S. pyrastri and E. balteatus. The emergence of parasitic species depends on the occurrence of host-hoverflies, while the emergence and development of aphidophagous hoverflies depends on the occurrence of the peach leaf aphids on tobacco and climate conditions of the area. This study may contribute in strategies of biological control of plant pests and IPM implementation

Meat Quality Parameters at Domestic Turkeys Fed Various Dietary Rations

In relation to other poultry species, turkeys belong to the largest poultry and the best producers of high-quality poultry meat, because it contains a high percentage of protein, especially essential amino acids and low fat content. Turkeys used for this study were originated from the domestic breed of turkey (white and black). A total of 30 turkeys were grown under the so-called indoor keeping system in Pelagonia region, North Macedonia. The aim of the research was to determine the differences in the body weight in the period of 10 - 90 days and the slaughtering characteristics of turkeys fed with two different rations in relation to the origin of feed proteins (group R - fed with fish flour and group S - fed with whey powder). An analysis of the chemical composition of the large breast muscle (Musculus pectoralis superficialis -MPS) was also performed on samples of the two groups of turkeys. Statistics (ANOVA) on turkey growth (10-90 days) show significant differences in body mass between the two groups of S and R for different feeding intervals. The results of the examinations of the chemical composition of the MPS showed higher values for protein and fat in the meat of turkeys fed with whey powder and were (protein 25% and fat 8.67%) compared to the values of turkeys fed with fish flour and were 23.27 and 6.5% respectively. At the same time, protein and fat values were significantly different among the groups. &nbsp

A CONTRIBUTION TO QUANTITATIVE REPRESENTATION AND DISTRIBUTION OF EPITRIX HIRTIPENNIS (MELSHEIMER, 1847) (COLEOPTERA: CHRYSOMELIDAE, ALTICINI) ON TOBACCO

Epitrix hirtipennis (Melsheimer, 1847) causes damage to tobacco plants throughout the growing season. The most severe damages were observed in the first three weeks after tobacco transplanting. It is very difficult for damaged plants to adapt after transplanting, often resulting in their death. The study was conducted in 2013-2014 in several villages in the southeast and Pelagonia region of the Republic of Macedonia, where tobacco is an abundant crop. During 2013, the major attack was registered in June on sand leaves (3212), bottom leaves (2584), and first middle leaves (1905), with the pest population gradually decreasing on second middle leaves (1218), third middle leaves (894), lower top leaves (649) and top leaves (411). The major attacks in 2013 were determined in Budakovo and Desovo. In 2014, the most intense attack of E. hirtipennis was in Konce on sand leaves with an average of 40.86%, and the average in all regions was 35.71%. The percentage of attacked bottom leaves and first middle leaves was on average 10.55%

Meat quality parameters at domestic turkeys fed various dietary rations

In relation to other poultry species, turkeys belong to the largest poultry and the best producers of high-quality poultry meat, because it contains a high percentage of protein, especially essential amino acids and low fat content. Turkeys used for this study were originated from the domestic breed of turkey (white and black). A total of 30 turkeys were grown under the so-called indoor keeping system in Pelagonia region, North Macedonia. The aim of the research was to determine the differences in the body weight in the period of 10 - 90 days and the slaughtering characteristics of turkeys fed with two different rations in relation to the origin of feed proteins (group R - fed with fish flour and group S - fed with whey powder). An analysis of the chemical composition of the large breast muscle (Musculus pectoralis superficialis -MPS) was also performed on samples of the two groups of turkeys. Statistics (ANOVA) on turkey growth (10-90 days) show significant differences in body mass between the two groups of S and R for different feeding intervals. The results of the examinations of the chemical composition of the MPS showed higher values for protein and fat in the meat of turkeys fed with whey powder and were (protein 25% and fat 8.67%) compared to the values of turkeys fed with fish flour and were 23.27 and 6.5% respectively. At the same time, protein and fat values were significantly different among the groups

HALYOMORPHA HALYS STÅL, 1855 (PENTATOMIDAE: HEMIPTERA) IN NORTH MACEDONIA

The invasive species Brown Marmorated Stink Bug (BMSB) H. halys is native for East Asia, and has been present in Europe since 2004. The first finding of the pest in North Macedonia was in 2018 (unpublished data), while the monitoring programme for this pest, supported by the company Socoterra, Bitola, started at 2020 and was carried out on 9 localities with pheromones for aggregation Pherocon – BMSB, Trécé.&nbsp; According to the monitoring results based on caught adults, H. halys was well established in the urban area of Skopje and accidentally appeared in the urban part of Prilep in 2020 and Resen in 2022(western part of the NMK).&nbsp; H. halys was also registered in the rural area nearby Skopje (v. Stajkovci) in 2020 and 2021, and close to Bitola (v. Alinci) in 2020. In 2022 the bug H. halys has shown higher level of spreading and was registered in v. Golemo Konjari near Prilep (western part) and v. Otosnica near Kriva Palanka (eastern part). The pest overwintered as an adult. Overwintered adults appeared at the end of April when they fed on different plants, copulated and laid eggs in May. The first larvae instar appears in the first decade of June. Larvae in different development stages were present until mid-September.&nbsp; The adults of the new generation emerged at the beginning of August and stayed active until mid-October. In the researching period 2020-2022 there were registered damages on the persimmon and apple fruits, gathered from the orchard with mixed fruits in the locality Skopje-FASF

Unilateralna ureteralna opstrukcija u tvora - prikaz slučaja.

A four-year old castrated male ferret (Mustela putorius furo) was presented with a 1-week history of gastrointestinal signs. The ultrasonographic findings showed mild right pelvic dilatation and hydroureter with obstruction at the ureterovesical junction. Conservative treatment resulted in clinical but no ultrasonography improvement. Three months later the ferret was presented with signs of gastrointestinal disease. Ultrasonography revealed progression of the process to mild hydronephrosis and further dilatation of the right ureter. Excretory urography confirmed the finding. Laboratory findings indicated renal failure with proteinuria. Ureteroneocystotomy was performed. A small amount of sludgy material was found at the ureteropelvic junction. The ferret died 4 months later due to pneumonia. Necropsy revealed multifocal tubulointerstitial lymphoplasmacytic nephritis.Četverogodišnji kastrirani muški tvor (Mustela putorius furo) doveden je na kliniku zbog gastrointestinalnih simptoma. Ultrazvučni nalaz pokazao je blagu dilataciju desne bubrežne zdjelice i hidroureter s opstrukcijom na razini ureterovezikalnog spoja. Provedeno je konzervativno liječenje koje je dovelo do kliničkog poboljšanja, ali ne i do poboljšanja nalaza dobiveno ultrazvukom. Nakon tri mjeseca tvor je ponovno doveden na kliniku zbog općih znakova bolesti. Pri ponovljenoj ultrazvučnoj pretrazi utvrđena je progresija procesa u blagu hidronefrozu i izraženiju dilataciju desnog uretera. Dijagnoza je potvrđena i ekskrecijskom urografijom. Laboratorijski su nalazi jednoznačno upućivali na zatajenje bubrega s proteinurijom. Da bi se spriječila daljnja oštećenja desnoga bubrega učinjena je ureteroneocistotomija. Na mjestu opstrukcije pronađena je mala količina gustoga muljavog materijala. Tvor je otpušten na kućnu njegu, a četiri mjeseca poslije uginuo je od upale pluća. Patohistološki je nalaz utvrdio multifokani tubulointersticijski limfoplazmacitni nefritis