First record of a new microsporidium pathogenic to Gonipterus platensis in Brazil.

Microsporidia are naturally occurring fungal-related parasites that can infect nearly all animal hosts, but their biocontrol potential of insect pests is routinely overlooked in agriculture and forestry. This research brings the first report describing the natural occurrence of a microsporidium causing disease in field-collected populations of the invasive eucalyptus snout beetle, Gonipterus platensis (Coleoptera: Curculionidae), a major destructive pest of eucalyptus plantations in Brazil. Adult beetles were collected during field surveys in commercial eucalyptus plantations in southern Brazil to be examined and dissected with typical symptoms to verify presence of microsporidian spores in haemolymph.

Entomopathogenic fungi as the microbial frontline against the alien Eucalyptus pest Gonipterus platensis in Brazil.

The eucalyptus snout beetle (ESB), Gonipterus platensis, is endemic to Australia but has become a major invasive, destructive pest of Brazilian eucalyptus plantations. Efforts to develop insecticides based on entomopathogenic fungi against ESB are limited by the lack of known virulent strains. We therefore explored the virulence of indigenous Brazilian strains of major entomopathogenic fungi-Beauveria spp.

Identification and genome sequencing of RNA viruses in the eucalyptus snout beetle Gonipterus spp. (Coleoptera: Curculionidae).

The genomes of two putative new RNA viruses (macula-like virus and bunya-like virus) were identified in total RNA extracted from dead eucalyptus snout beetles (Gonipterus spp.) from a laboratory colony. However, only bunya-like virus was detected in field-collected insects.

Retention strategies and predictors of attrition in an urban pediatric asthma study.

Background: The Urban Environment and Childhood Asthma (URECA) study is a multicenter prospective birth cohort study designed to examine factors related to the development of childhood asthma and allergies in an inner-city population. The retention of these participants has been challenging due to high mobility, inconsistent phone service, custody issues, and stressful life situations.

Purpose: In this article, we describe the specific retention challenges we encountered during the first 2 years of follow-up in URECA and the strategies we utilized to address them.