Tomato transcriptomic response to Tuta absoluta infestation.

Background: The South America pinworm, Tuta absoluta, is a destructive pest of tomato that causes important losses worldwide. Breeding of resistant/tolerant tomato cultivars could be an effective strategy for T. absoluta management but, despite the economic importance of tomato, very limited information is available about its response to this treat.

TaqMan probe assays on different biological samples for the identification of three ambrosia beetle species, (Eichoff) (Motschulsky) and (Blandford) (Coleoptera Curculionidae Scolytinae).

Molecular assays based on qPCR TaqMan Probes were developed to identify three species of the genus , and (Coleoptera Curculionidae Scolytinae). These ambrosia beetles are xylophagous species alien to Europe, causing damages to many ornamental and fruiting trees as well as shrubs. DNA extraction was carried out from adults, larvae and biological samples derived from insect damages on infested plants.

Development of a loop-mediated isothermal amplification (LAMP) assay for the identification of the invasive wood borer (Coleoptera: Cerambycidae) from frass.

The red-necked longhorn beetle (Faldermann, 1835) (Coleoptera: Cerambycidae) is native to east Asia, where it is a major pest of cultivated and ornamental species of the genus . Morphological or molecular discrimination of adults or larval specimens is required to identify this invasive wood borer. However, recovering larval stages of the pest from trunks and branches causes extensive damage to plants and is timewasting.

Symbiosis disruption in the olive fruit fly, Bactrocera oleae (Rossi), as a potential tool for sustainable control.

Background: The olive fruit fly Bactrocera oleae (Rossi) (OLF) is a major agricultural pest, whose control primarily relies on the use of chemical insecticides. Therefore, development of sustainable control strategies is highly desirable. The primary endosymbiotic bacterium of OLF, 'Candidatus Erwinia dacicola', is essential for successful larval development in unripe olive fruits.

Biological and molecular characterization of Aromia bungii (Faldermann, 1835) (Coleoptera: Cerambycidae), an emerging pest of stone fruits in Europe.

The red-necked longhorn beetle (RLB) Aromia bungii (Fald.) is an emerging pest of stone fruit trees, native to East Asia, accidentally introduced in Europe (Germany and Italy) and Japan. Threatening seriously the stone fruit crops in Europe, RLB was added to both the EPPO A1 and priority pest lists of quarantine species.

Electroantennographic Responses of (Faldermann, 1835) (Coleoptera, Cerambycidae) to a Range of Volatile Compounds.

Background: The red-necked longhorn beetle, , is one of the most damaging pests of stone fruit trees. Native to the south-eastern Palearctic and Oriental regions, it invaded and is established to some extent in the Campania Region (Southern Italy). In several cerambycid species, volatile organic compounds (VOCs) have been shown to play a role in mate and host plant location.

Metabolomics approach based on NMR spectroscopy and multivariate data analysis to explore the interaction between the leafminer Tuta absoluta and tomato (Solanum lycopersicum).

Introduction: Tuta absoluta (Meyrick) (Lepidoptera: Gelechiidae) is one of the most devastating and harmful pests of tomato (Solanum lycopersicum) crops causing up to 80-100% yield losses. A large arsenal of plant metabolites is induced by the leafminer feeding including defence compounds that could differ among varieties.

Objective: To compare the metabolomic changes of different genotypes of tomato (tolerant "T", susceptible "S" and "F1" hybrid obtained between T and S) after exposition to T.

Scanning Electron Microscopy of the Antennal Sensilla and Their Secretion Analysis in Adults of (Faldermann, 1835) (Coleoptera, Cerambycidae).

Background: It has been proved that chemical signals play an important role in mating location and reproductive behavior in cerambycids; moreover, they rely on contact chemoreception for mate recognition.

Methods: Adult antennae of were observed using scanning electron microscopy and adult antennal secretions were collected and analyzed with gas chromatography-mass spectrometry.

Results: Twelve different types of sensilla were morphologically described on the antennae of .

Genes Silencing Alters Constitutive Indirect and Direct Defense in Tomato.

Following herbivore attacks, plants modify a blend of volatiles organic compounds (VOCs) released, resulting in the attraction of their antagonists. However, volatiles released constitutively may affect herbivores and natural enemies' fitness too. In tomato there is still a lack of information on the genetic bases responsible for the constitutive release of VOC involved in direct and indirect defenses.

To divide or not to divide: An alternative behavior for teratocytes in Encarsia pergandiella (Hymenoptera: Aphelinidae).

Encarsia pergandiella (Hymenoptera: Aphelinidae) is an endoparasitoid with an unusual embryonic development compared to most of congeneric species and all other members of the superfamily Chalcidoidea. The developmental background of this wasp is based on an alecithal hydropic egg, with the embryo developing inside an extra-embryonic membrane which dissociates at hatching into special larva-assisting cells, the teratocytes. In E.

A new embryonic pattern in parasitic wasps: divergence in early development may not be associated with lifestyle.

Comparative embryogenesis of Encarsia formosa and Encarsia pergandiella (Hymenoptera Aphelinidae), two endoparasitoids of whiteflies (Hemiptera Aleyrodidae), revealed two strongly diverging developmental patterns. Indeed, the centrolecithal anhydropic egg of E. formosa developed through a superficial cleavage, as it occurs in Nasonia vitripennis, Apis mellifera, and Drosophila melanogaster.