gen. nov., sp. nov., a novel acetic acid bacterium isolated from the leafhopper (: ).

Acetic acid bacteria - belonging to the family - are found in the gut of many sugar-feeding insects. In this study, six strains have been isolated from the hemipteran leafhopper . While they exhibit high 16S rRNA gene sequence similarities to uncultured members of the family, they could not be unequivocally assigned to any particular type species.

- Italian outbreak management.

, a priority pest for the EU, was first detected in Northern Italy in 2014. Since its discovery, the outbreak extended over an area of more than 16,000 square kilometers in Northern Italy and Southern Switzerland. In this review, we summarize the state-of-the-art of research conducted in Italy on both the spreading capacity and control measures of Chemical, physical, and biological control measures deployed since its detection are presented, by highlighting their strengths and weaknesses.

Morphological characterization of the antenna of Torymus sinensis (Hymenoptera: Torymidae) and a comparison within the superfamily Chalcidoidea.

The parasitoid Torymus sinensis (Hymenoptera: Torymidae) has been successfully used in Italy since 2005 for biological control of the invasive cynipid Dryocosmus kuriphilus (Hymenoptera: Cynipidae), highly destructive for the economically relevant Castanea sativa (Fagales: Fagaceae). In order to investigate the morphological aspects related to sensorial behavior, a fine morphology study of the antennae and their sensilla was conducted by scanning electron microscopy on both sexes of T. sinensis.

Description of Calling, Courtship and Mating Behaviour of Six Species of the Genus (Auchenorrhyncha: Cicadellidae).

The vibrational communication and mating behaviour of the graminicolous leafhoppers , , , , , and were investigated to explain why the first five species hybridize. was used as a control species. All species behaved in the same way and no significant statistical differences were detected with regard to male calls, while female calls and the male courtship song differed in , thus showing that a specific pre-mating isolation mechanism was used by the latter species and the first five ones lacked such a mechanism.

First record of the non-native (Provancher, 1889) (Hemiptera, Cicadellidae, Deltocephalinae) in Italy.

Background: Globalisation and international trade, in particular, are the major drivers of introduction and the spread of non-native species. To date, more than 30 species of non-native Hemiptera Auchenorrhyncha have been accidentally introduced into Europe. Some species are invasive with important repercussions primarily for agricultural activities, while almost no information exists on their impacts within natural ecosystems.

Assessment of Chestnut Gall Toughness: Implications for a Biocontrol Agent.

(1) , the biocontrol agent of the Asian chestnut gall wasp , is univoltine, but in NW Italy a small percentage of individuals exhibits a prolonged diapause, mainly as late instar larva. (2) In 2020, the diapause was investigated to evaluate its trend over the years. Due to the low survival rate of diapausing adults, the seasonal variation in the galls' toughness was evaluated, thus assuming that dry galls over time can negatively affect emergence.

Pheromone-Mediated Mating Disruption as Management Option for spp. in Chestnut Orchard.

(1) Background: Pheromone-based devices are successfully used to control insect pests in agriculture. (2) Methods: Investigations were conducted to evaluate the effectiveness of mating disruption (MD) to control the chestnut tortrix moths, and . Surveys were performed in northern Italy in 2019-2020.

Compartmentalization of bacterial and fungal microbiomes in the gut of adult honeybees.

The core gut microbiome of adult honeybee comprises a set of recurring bacterial phylotypes, accompanied by lineage-specific, variable, and less abundant environmental bacterial phylotypes. Several mutual interactions and functional services to the host, including the support provided for growth, hormonal signaling, and behavior, are attributed to the core and lineage-specific taxa. By contrast, the diversity and distribution of the minor environmental phylotypes and fungal members in the gut remain overlooked.

Models Applied to Grapevine Pests: A Review.

This paper reviews the existing predictive models concerning insects and mites harmful to grapevine. A brief conceptual description is given on the definition of a model and about different types of models: deterministic vs. stochastics, continuous vs.

An integrated transcriptomic and proteomic approach to identify the main Torymus sinensis venom components.

During oviposition, ectoparasitoid wasps not only inject their eggs but also a complex mixture of proteins and peptides (venom) in order to regulate the host physiology to benefit their progeny. Although several endoparasitoid venom proteins have been identified, little is known about the components of ectoparasitoid venom. To characterize the protein composition of Torymus sinensis Kamijo (Hymenoptera: Torymidae) venom, we used an integrated transcriptomic and proteomic approach and identified 143 venom proteins.

Disruption of Host-Symbiont Associations for the Symbiotic Control and Management of Pentatomid Agricultural Pests-A Review.

The family Pentatomidae (Hemiptera: Heteroptera) includes several invasive stink bug species capable to attack a large number of wild and cultivated plants, causing several damages to different crops. Pentatomids rely on obligate symbiotic associations with bacteria of the family , mainly of the genus . A distinctive trait of these associations is the transmission route: during oviposition, females smear egg masses with symbiont-containing secretions, which are ingested by newly hatched nymphs, allowing the symbiont to pass through their digestive tract and establish in the crypts of the posterior midgut.

Performance of Pheromone-Baited Traps to Monitor the Seasonal Abundance of Tortrix Moths in Chestnut Groves.

(1) : (L.), (Zeller), and (Hübner) (Lepidoptera: Tortricidae) are considered key moth pests of chestnut in Europe. (2) : Investigations were performed in 2018-2019 in northern Italy.

Update and New Epidemiological Aspects about Grapevine Yellows in Chile.

To date, phytoplasmas belonging to six ribosomal subgroups have been detected to infect grapevines in Chile in 36 percent of the sampled plants. A new survey on the presence of grapevine yellows was carried out from 2016 to 2020, and 330 grapevine plants from the most important wine regions of the country were sampled and analyzed by nested PCR/RFLP analyses. Phytoplasmas enclosed in subgroups 16SrIII-J and 16SrVII-A were identified with infection rates of 17% and 2%, respectively.

Palaearctic Egg Parasitoids Interaction to Three Grapevine Exotic Pests in Northwestern Italy: A New Association Involving .

The most important exotic leafhopper pests currently affecting the Italian vineyards are the leafhoppers , and the planthopper . Their highest population density is detected in the uncultivated areas with wild grapevines. Should these habitats be considered only a problem or a potential resource for Palearctic entomophagy of these three exotic pests? The aim of this work was to study the biotopes and biocoenosis present in the Piedmontese vineyard agroecosystem, evaluating the parasitization rate and other crucial aspects for a possible application in biological control.

Ability of to Transmit Flavescence Dorée Phytoplasma with a Short Latency Period.

Phytoplasma transmission takes place by insect vectors through an Acquisition Access Period (AAP), Latency Period (LP) and Inoculation Access Period (IAP). Generally, phytoplasmas are believed to be transmitted more efficiently by nymphs because they need a long LP to reach the salivary glands before becoming infective. The transmission can start from adults as well, but in this case a long LP may exceed the insect's lifespan.

Development of High-Density Genetic Linkage Maps and Identification of Loci for Chestnut Gall Wasp Resistance in spp.

is an important multipurpose species in Europe for nut and timber production as well as for its role in the landscape and in the forest ecosystem. This species has low tolerance to chestnut gall wasp ( Yasumatsu), which is a pest that was accidentally introduced into Europe in early 2000 and devastated forest and orchard trees. Resistance to the gall wasp was found in the hybrid cultivar 'Bouche de Bétizac' ( × ) and studied by developing genetic linkage maps using a population derived from a cross between 'Bouche de Bétizac' and the susceptible cultivar 'Madonna' ().

Developmental stages and gut microenvironments influence gut microbiota dynamics in the invasive beetle Popillia japonica Newman (Coleoptera: Scarabaeidae).

Popillia japonica Newman (Coleoptera: Scarabaeidae) is a highly polyphagous invasive beetle originating from Japan. This insect is highly resilient and able to rapidly adapt to new vegetation. Insect-associated microorganisms can play important roles in insect physiology, helping their hosts to adapt to changing conditions and potentially contributing to an insect's invasive potential.

Activation of Immune Genes in Leafhoppers by Phytoplasmas and Symbiotic Bacteria.

Insect immunity is a crucial process in interactions between host and microorganisms and the presence of pathogenic, commensal, or beneficial bacteria may result in different immune responses. In Hemiptera vectors of phytoplasmas, infected insects are amenable to carrying high loads of phytopathogens, besides hosting other bacterial affiliates, which have evolved different strategies to be retained; adaptation to host response and immunomodulation are key aspects of insect-symbiont interactions. Most of the analyses published to date has investigated insect immune response to pathogens, whereas few studies have focused on the role of host immunity in microbiota homeostasis and vectorial capacity.

Development, Spatial Distribution, and Presence on Grapevine of Nymphs of Orientus ishidae (Hemiptera: Cicadellidae), a New Vector of Flavescence Dorée Phytoplasmas.

Orientus ishidae (Matsumura) (subfamily Deltocephalinae) is an Asian species now widespread in Europe, and a vector of 16SrV phytoplasmas agents of grapevine Flavescence dorée (FDP). Embryonic and post-embryonic development, spatial distribution, and relationships with grapevine of nymphs were studied under field and laboratory conditions. Egg-hatching dynamics and post-embryonic development of nymphs were studied by collecting grapevine wood from managed and unmanaged vineyards (including bot European Vitis vinifera L.

Bacterial diversity shift determined by different diets in the gut of the spotted wing fly Drosophila suzukii is primarily reflected on acetic acid bacteria.

The pivotal role of diet in shaping gut microbiota has been evaluated in different animal models, including insects. Drosophila flies harbour an inconstant microbiota among which acetic acid bacteria (AAB) are important components. Here, we investigated the bacterial and AAB components of the invasive pest Drosophila suzukii microbiota, by studying the same insect population separately grown on fruit-based or non-fruit artificial diet.

The genus Cixius Latreille, 1804 (Hemiptera, Fulgoromorpha, Cixiidae) in Lebanon with the description of two new species.

A first list of Cixius fauna of Lebanon is here provided with the description of two new species: one within the subgenus Acanthocixius, Cixius bifidispinus sp. nov. and one within the subgenus Ceratocixius Cixius superremotus sp.

Plant-mediated interspecific horizontal transmission of an intracellular symbiont in insects.

Intracellular reproductive manipulators, such as Candidatus Cardinium and Wolbachia are vertically transmitted to progeny but rarely show co-speciation with the host. In sap-feeding insects, plant tissues have been proposed as alternative horizontal routes of interspecific transmission, but experimental evidence is limited. Here we report results from experiments that show that Cardinium is horizontally transmitted between different phloem sap-feeding insect species through plants.

'Candidatus Phytoplasma phoenicium' associated with almond witches'-broom disease: from draft genome to genetic diversity among strain populations.

Background: Almond witches'-broom (AlmWB), a devastating disease of almond, peach and nectarine in Lebanon, is associated with 'Candidatus Phytoplasma phoenicium'. In the present study, we generated a draft genome sequence of 'Ca. P.

Effects of the diet on the microbiota of the red palm weevil (Coleoptera: Dryophthoridae).

Rhynchophorus ferrugineus, also known as the red palm weevil, is regarded as the major pest of palm trees. Although studies of the microbiota associated with this species have been performed in recent years, little attention has been dedicated to the influence of the diet in shaping the host bacterial community. Here, we investigated the influence of food sources (i.

Acetic acid bacteria genomes reveal functional traits for adaptation to life in insect guts.

Acetic acid bacteria (AAB) live in sugar rich environments, including food matrices, plant tissues, and the gut of sugar-feeding insects. By comparing the newly sequenced genomes of Asaia platycodi and Saccharibacter sp., symbionts of Anopheles stephensi and Apis mellifera, respectively, with those of 14 other AAB, we provide a genomic view of the evolutionary pattern of this bacterial group and clues on traits that explain the success of AAB as insect symbionts.