Breeding species for resistance to disease in the Iberian Peninsula.

Alders are widely distributed riparian trees in Europe, North Africa and Western Asia. Recently, a strong reduction of alder stands has been detected in Europe due to infection by species (Stramenopila kingdom). This infection causes a disease known as alder dieback, characterized by leaf yellowing, dieback of branches, increased fruit production, and bark necrosis in the collar and basal part of the stem.

Evaluation of Natural and Factitious Food Sources for on Tomato Plants.

(McGregor) is a small iolinid mite that is capable of establishing on tomato plants. Once established, this mite has been shown to control both tomato russet mite, (Tryon) (Acari: Eriophyidae), and tomato powdery mildew ( L. Kiss).

Dual protection: A tydeoid mite effectively controls both a problem pest and a key pathogen in tomato.

Background: The tomato russet mite (TRM), Aculops lycopersici, and powdery mildew (PM), Oidium neolycopersici, are two major problems in tomato cultivation for which no effective biocontrol solutions exist to date. In a greenhouse compartment, we investigated the potential of preventatively establishing the iolinid omnivorous mite Pronematus ubiquitus on potted tomato plants to control both pest and pathogen simultaneously.

Results: Using Typha pollen, P.

Impact of a tarsonemid prey mite and its fungal diet on the reproductive performance of a predatory mite.

Phytoseiid predatory mites are the most important group of biocontrol agents currently used in protected cultivations worldwide. The possibility to produce these predators at high densities on factitious prey mites is a crucial factor for their success. Commonly used factitious prey mites comprise mainly species belonging to the cohort of Astigmatina.

Surviving in the absence of flowers: do nectar yeasts rely on overwintering bumblebee queens to complete their annual life cycle?

Floral nectar represents an ephemeral habitat that is restricted in time and space to zoophilous flowering vegetation. To survive in these habitats, nectar-inhabiting microorganisms rely on animal vectors to disperse from one flower to the next. However, it remains unclear how nectar yeasts persist when flowers and nectar cease to be present.