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.

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.

A Qualitative Analysis of Beekeepers' Perceptions and Farm Management Adaptations to the Impact of Climate Change on Honey Bees.

(1) Background: Bees are the primary animal pollinators in most ecosystems, and honey bees ( L.) are important providers of pollination ecosystem services and products. Climate change is one of the major threats for honey bees.

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.

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.

Adaptation of indigenous larval parasitoids to Tuta absoluta (Lepidoptera: Gelechiidae) in Italy.

Tuta absoluta (Meyrick) (Lepidoptera: Gelechiidae) is a serious threat to tomato (Solanum lycopersicum L.) crops in South America. In Europe, after its first detection in Spain in 2006, it rapidly spread through the Mediterranean basin, reaching Italy 2 yr later.

Aesculus pavia foliar saponins: defensive role against the leafminer Cameraria ohridella.

Background: Recently, the leafminer Cameraria ohridella Deschka & Dimic has caused heavy damage to the white-flowering horse chestnut in Europe. Among the Aesculus genus, A. pavia L.

Evaluation of the community of native eulophid parasitoids on Cameraria ohridella Deschka and Dimic in urban areas.

The parasitoid complex associated with the exotic leafminer Cameraria ohridella Deschka and Dimic (Lepidoptera: Gracillariidae), which attacks horse chestnut (Aesculus hippocastanum L.), was studied in the urban environment of Turin (northern Italy). The studies were carried out over 5 yr after the first detection of the pest in our region in 1999.

Sequential sampling plan for Cameraria ohridella (Lepidoptera: Gracillariidae) on horse chestnut tree.

A fixed precision sequential sampling plan for estimating the density of the horse chestnut, Aesculus hippocastanum L., leafminer Cameraria ohridella Deschka & Dimic (Lepidoptera: Gracillariidae) was developed. Data were collected from 2002 to 2004 in Turin, northwestern Italy, with the aim of developing a sampling strategy for estimating populations of C.