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.

Wear Properties of Conventional and High-Translucent Zirconia-Based Materials.

This study investigated the two-body wear resistance of a first generation 3 mol% yttria-stabilized tetragonal zirconia polycrystal (3Y-TZP), a second generation 3Y-TZP, a third generation 4 mol% yttria partially stabilized zirconia (4Y-PSZ), a 5 mol% yttria partially stabilized zirconia (5Y-PSZ), and a type III gold alloy (Aurocast 8), performed using opposing antagonistic cusps made out of the same material. Eight cylindrical specimens were prepared for each material (n = 8) for a total of forty specimens (N = 40). Conical cusps were fabricated for each material.

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.