Evaluation of the effect of agroclimatic variables on the probability and timing of olive fruit fly attack.

Agroclimatic variables may affect insect and plant phenology, with unpredictable effects on pest populations and crop losses. Rossi (Diptera: Tephritidae) is a specific pest of plants that can cause annual economic losses of more than one billion US dollars in the Mediterranean region. In this study, we aimed at understanding the effect of olive tree phenology and other agroclimatic variables on infestation dynamics in the Umbria region (Central Italy).

Characterization of Olive Fruit Damage Induced by Invasive .

The brown marmorated stink bug, (Stål), is an invasive species causing economic crop losses. This species was recently detected attacking olive fruits. The aim of this study was to characterize feeding damage.

Morpho-functional Analysis of the Head Glands in Three Auchenorrhyncha Species and Their Possible Biological Significance.

The Cicadomorpha and are known transmitters of the bacterium . Here, we studied the ultrastructural organization of their cephalic glands. Our investigations with scanning, transmission, focused ion beam-scanning electron microscopes and light microscope revealed for the first time in Auchenorrhyncha the presence of two types of cephalic glands.

Improved Captures of the Invasive Brown Marmorated Stink Bug, , Using a Novel Multimodal Trap.

Capture strategies for the brown marmorated stink bug, (Hemiptera: Pentatomidae), are challenging. Here we developed and evaluated a multimodal trap which combines visual and olfactory stimuli. Visual stimuli consisted of LEDs emitting UV-A and visible light.

Behavioural and electrophysiological responses of Philaenus spumarius to odours from conspecifics.

The meadow spittlebug, Philaenus spumarius L. (Hemiptera: Auchenorrhyncha: Aphrophoridae), is the main vector of Xylella fastidiosa subsp. pauca strain ST53, the causal agent of the Olive Quick Decline Syndrome.

Field and Laboratory Efficacy of Low-Impact Commercial Products in Preventing Olive Fruit Fly, , Infestation.

The olive fruit fly, , is the key pest of olive trees in several areas of the world. Given the need for the development of sustainable control methods, preventive tools, based on the manipulation of pest behaviour, must be considered. Here, under field and laboratory conditions, we tested the efficacy of different products in preventing infestation.

Olfactory responses of Trissolcus mitsukurii to plants attacked by target and non-target stink bugs suggest low risk for biological control.

In crop systems, successful management of invasive insect herbivores can be achieved through the introduction of exotic biocontrol agents, parasitoids or predators, having a coevolutionary history with the pest. To avert threats to local biodiversity, recent legislations require a risk assessment for the organism to be released. Evaluation of its ability to exploit, for host location, odours associated with target and non-target species is crucial for a better definition of its ecological host range.

Stage-specific expression of an odorant receptor underlies olfactory behavioral plasticity in Spodoptera littoralis larvae.

Background: The detection of environmental cues and signals via the sensory system directs behavioral choices in diverse organisms. Insect larvae rely on input from the chemosensory system, mainly olfaction, for locating food sources. In several lepidopteran species, foraging behavior and food preferences change across larval instars; however, the molecular mechanisms underlying such behavioral plasticity during larval development are not fully understood.

Effect of microplastics and watering regimes on a plant-soil system: Data on behavioural responses of an insect herbivore.

The data presented here are related to the article titled "Microplastics alter behavioural responses of an insect herbivore to a plant-soil system" by Rondoni, G., Chierici, E., Agnelli, A.

Antennal Transcriptome Analysis and Identification of Candidate Chemosensory Genes of the Harlequin Ladybird Beetle, (Pallas) (Coleoptera: Coccinellidae).

In predatory ladybirds (Coleoptera: Coccinellidae), antennae are important for chemosensory reception used during food and mate location, and for finding a suitable oviposition habitat. Based on NextSeq 550 Illumina sequencing, we assembled the antennal transcriptome of mated (Pallas) (Coleoptera: Coccinellidae) males and females and described the first chemosensory gene repertoire expressed in this species. We annotated candidate chemosensory sequences encoding 26 odorant receptors (including the coreceptor, Orco), 17 gustatory receptors, 27 ionotropic receptors, 31 odorant-binding proteins, 12 chemosensory proteins, and 4 sensory neuron membrane proteins.

Learning can be detrimental for a parasitic wasp.

Animals have evolved the capacity to learn, and the conventional view is that learning allows individuals to improve foraging decisions. The parasitoid Telenomus podisi has been shown to parasitize eggs of the exotic stink bug Halyomorpha halys at the same rate as eggs of its coevolved host, Podisus maculiventris, but the parasitoid cannot complete its development in the exotic species. We hypothesized that T.

Data on soil physicochemical properties and biodiversity from conventional, organic and organic mulch-based cropping systems.

The data presented here are related to the article entitled "Soil functions are affected by transition from conventional to organic mulch-based cropping system"[1]. Data were collected in 2016 in a processing tomato field located near Perugia, Italy. In details, data were collected in three differently managed processing tomato cropping systems: conventional integrated (INT); traditional organic with cover crops and conventional tillage (ORG); and organic coupled with conservation agriculture, with mulch-based cover crop and no-tillage (ORG+).

An Egg Parasitoid Efficiently Exploits Cues From a Coevolved Host But Not Those From a Novel Host.

Egg parasitoids have evolved adaptations to exploit host-associated cues, especially oviposition-induced plant volatiles and odors of gravid females, when foraging for hosts. The entire host selection process is critical for successful parasitism and relevant in defining host specificity of parasitoids. We hypothesized that naïve egg parasitoid females reared on their coevolved host are able to exploit cues related to the coevolved host but not those from a novel host.

Mating Status of an Herbivorous Stink Bug Female Affects the Emission of Oviposition-Induced Plant Volatiles Exploited by an Egg Parasitoid.

Insect parasitoids are under selection pressure to optimize their host location strategy in order to maximize fitness. In parasitoid species that develop on host eggs, one of these strategies consists in the exploitation of oviposition-induced plant volatiles (OIPVs), specific blends of volatile organic compounds released by plants in response to egg deposition by herbivorous insects. Plants can recognize insect oviposition via elicitors that trigger OIPVs, but very few elicitors have been characterized so far.

Molecular detection of field predation among larvae of two ladybird beetles is partially predicted from laboratory experiments.

Despite the fact that natural enemies can synergistically contribute to herbivore pest suppression, sometimes predators engage in intraguild predation (IGP) that might dampen trophic cascades. DNA-based gut-content analysis has become common in assessing trophic connections and biocontrol potential by predators in field systems. Here, we developed a molecular technique that can be used to unravel predation among two ladybirds, Coccinella septempunctata and Hippodamia variegata, and their shared prey, Aphis gossypii.

An invasive insect herbivore disrupts plant volatile-mediated tritrophic signalling.

Plants respond to insect attack by emission of volatile organic compounds, which recruit natural enemies of the attacking herbivore, constituting an indirect plant defence strategy. In this context, the egg parasitoid is attracted by oviposition-induced plant volatiles emitted by plants as a consequence of feeding and oviposition by the pentatomid host However, this local tritrophic web could be affected by the recent invasion by the alien pentatomid bug , an herbivore that shares the same environments as native pentatomid pests. Therefore, we investigated in laboratory conditions the possible impact of on the plant volatile-mediated signalling in the local tritrophic web --.

Behavioural and physiological responses to prey-related cues reflect higher competitiveness of invasive vs. native ladybirds.

Understanding the traits that might be linked with biological invasions represents a great challenge for preventing non-target effects on local biodiversity. In predatory insects, the ability to exploit habitats for oviposition and the physiological response to prey availability differs between species. Those species that respond more readily to environmental changes may confer to their offspring a competitive advantage over other species.

Foraging behaviour of an egg parasitoid exploiting plant volatiles induced by pentatomids: the role of adaxial and abaxial leaf surfaces.

Several phases of herbivorous insect attack including feeding and oviposition are known to induce plant defenses. Plants emit volatiles induced by herbivores to recruit insect parasitoids as an indirect defense strategy. So far, volatiles induced by herbivore walking and their putative role in the foraging behavior of egg parasitoids have not been investigated.

The role of contact chemoreception in the host location process of an egg parasitoid.

Taste allows insects to detect palatable or toxic foods, identify a mate, and select appropriate oviposition sites. The gustatory system strongly contributes to the survival and reproductive success of many species, yet it is rarely studied in insect parasitoids. In order to locate and assess a host in which they will lay their eggs, female wasps actively search for chemical cues using their sensory organs present mainly on the antennae.

The response of an egg parasitoid to substrate-borne semiochemicals is affected by previous experience.

Animals can adjust their behaviour according to previous experience gained during foraging. In parasitoids, experience plays a key role in host location, a hierarchical process in which air-borne and substrate-borne semiochemicals are used to find hosts. In nature, chemical traces deposited by herbivore hosts when walking on the plant are adsorbed by leaf surfaces and perceived as substrate-borne semiochemicals by parasitoids.

Scent of a Dragonfly: Sex Recognition in a Polymorphic Coenagrionid.

In polymorphic damselflies discrimination of females from males is complex owing to the presence of androchrome and gynochrome females. To date there is no evidence that damselflies use sensory modalities other than vision (and tactile stimuli) in mate searching and sex recognition. The results of the present behavioural and electrophysiological investigations on Ischnura elegans, a polymorphic damselfly, support our hypothesis that chemical cues could be involved in Odonata sex recognition.

Antennal gustatory perception and behavioural responses in Trissolcus brochymenae females.

Trissolcus brochymenae (Hymenoptera: Platygastridae) is an egg parasitoid that could be used to control stink bugs like Murgantia histrionica (Heteroptera: Pentatomidae), a pest of brassicaceous crops. Before laying their eggs, parasitoid females spend considerable time examining the substrate with their antennae, which are also used during feeding and mating behaviours. This suggests that contact chemoreception plays a prominent role in many aspects of parasitoid ecology.

Egg parasitoid attraction toward induced plant volatiles is disrupted by a non-host herbivore attacking above or belowground plant organs.

Plants respond to insect oviposition by emission of oviposition-induced plant volatiles (OIPVs) which can recruit egg parasitoids of the attacking herbivore. To date, studies demonstrating egg parasitoid attraction to OIPVs have been carried out in tritrophic systems consisting of one species each of plant, herbivore host, and the associated egg parasitoid. Less attention has been given to plants experiencing multiple attacks by host and non-host herbivores that potentially could interfere with the recruitment of egg parasitoids as a result of modifications to the OIPV blend.

The sense of smell in Odonata: an electrophysiological screening.

Volatile chemicals mediate a great range of intra- and interspecific signalling and information in insects. Olfaction has been widely investigated mostly in Neoptera while the knowledge of this sense in most basal insects such as Paleoptera (Odonata and Ephemeroptera) is still poor. In the present study we show the results of an electrophysiological screening on two model species, Libellula depressa (Libellulidae) and Ischnura elegans (Coenagrionidae), representatives of the two Odonata suborders Anisoptera and Zygoptera, with the aim to deep the knowledge on the sense of smell of this insect order.