A loop-mediated isothermal amplification (LAMP) assay for rapid identification of and related species.

True fruit flies (Tephritidae) are among the most destructive agricultural pests in the world, attacking a wide range of fruits and vegetables. The Mediterranean fruit fly is a highly polyphagous species but, being widely established in the Mediterranean region, is not considered as a EU quarantine pest. Hence, it is important to discriminate from non-EU tephritid species, present in imported fruit and vegetables, as non-EU species have a quarantine status.

Effect of starvation on the cold tolerance of adult (Diptera: Drosophilidae).

The spotted wing drosophila, , is an invasive pest in Europe and North America. Access to resources may be challenging in late fall, winter and early spring and flies may suffer from food deprivation along with cold stress in these periods. Whereas a plethora of studies have been performed on the overwintering capacity of , the effects of starvation on the fly's cold tolerance have not been addressed.

Engineered Flock House Virus for Targeted Gene Suppression Through RNAi in Fruit Flies () and .

RNA interference (RNAi) is a powerful tool to study functional genomics in insects and the potential of using RNAi to suppress crop pests has made outstanding progress. However, the delivery of dsRNA is a challenging step in the development of RNAi bioassays. In this study, we investigated the ability of engineered Flock House virus (FHV) to induce targeted gene suppression through RNAi under and condition.

Efficacy of entomopathogenic nematodes against larvae of Tuta absoluta in the laboratory.

Background: Previous studies have indicated the control potential of entomopathogenic nematodes (EPNs) against Tuta absoluta. Here, the potential of Steinernema feltiae, S. carpocapsae and Heterorhabditis bacteriophora is studied when applied against larvae of T.

High population densities of Macrolophus pygmaeus on tomato plants can cause economic fruit damage: interaction with Pepino mosaic virus?

Background: The zoophytophagous predator Macrolophus pygmaeus Rambur (Hemiptera: Miridae) is a successful biocontrol agent against several pest species in protected tomato crops. This predator is considered to be harmless for the crop. However, in recent years, Heteroptera feeding punctures on tomato fruit in Belgian and Dutch greenhouses have been misinterpreted as Pepino mosaic virus (PepMV) symptoms.

Validation of the Berlese-funnel technique for thrips extraction.

In order to get the accreditation EN ISO/IEC 17025 for Thrips palmi the Berlese-funnel technique, which is used for the isolation of quarantine insects out of plant material, was validated. Following parameters were investigated: cleaning of the funnel, temperature during isolation, detection limit and duration of the isolation period. Thrips fuscipennis was collected from heavily infected rosehip and used as target organism.

Inventarisation of natural enemies in witloof chicory fields: preliminary results.

Due to residues on the witloof chicory heads the use of insecticides is forbidden during forcing. At this moment a suitable chemical control of the leafminer Napomyza cichorii is carried out in the field, based on the phenology and the population density and taking into account the economic threshold level. No chemical treatment is recognized against the root aphid Pemphigus bursarius.

Acarological diagnostic research at the Diagnostic Centre for Plants during the period 2004-2006.

During the period 2004-2006, 1691 samples of different origin were examined at the Diagnostic Centre for Plants. We received 1046 samples of imported plant material for detection and identification of quarantine organisms. More than 200 samples were checked on mites and insects to get a phytosanitary certificate for export and 391 samples were investigated for diagnostic reason.

First report of Eotetranychus fagi in Belgium.

Eotetranychus fagi (Acari: Tetranychidae) was first recorded in Belgium on Fagus sylvatica in Kortrijk in October 2002. In the autumn of 2003 E. fagi was noticed again at several locations in Flanders.