In the eastern United States, populations of the invasive spotted lanternfly, , are abundant and spreading. Four species of naturally occurring entomopathogenic fungi have previously been reported as infecting these planthoppers, with two of these causing epizootics. Nymphal- and adult-stage lanternflies in Pennsylvania and New York were surveyed for entomopathogenic fungal infections from October 2021 to November 2023, and assays were conducted to confirm the pathogenicity of species that were potentially pathogenic. was the most abundant pathogen, but we report an additional 15 previously unreported species of entomopathogenic fungi infecting spotted lanternflies, all in the order Hypocreales (Ascomycota). The next most common pathogens were and . While infection prevalence by species was often low, probably impacted to some extent by the summer drought in 2022, together these pathogens caused a total of 6.7% mortality. A significant trend was evident over time within a season, with low levels of infection among nymphs and higher infection levels in mid- and late-stage adults, the stages when mating and oviposition occur.
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http://dx.doi.org/10.3390/insects14120912 | DOI Listing |
Conserv Physiol
January 2025
College of Science and Engineering, School of Natural Sciences, University of Tasmania, Private Bag 55, Hobart, TAS 7001, Australia.
Human landscape modification is amongst the greatest drivers of biodiversity loss. Measuring faecal glucocorticoid metabolites (FGM) in wildlife is of great value to measure the impact of human activities on local biodiversity because FGM offer a non-invasive way of measuring an animal's response to changes in its environment in the form of adrenocortical activity. Here, we measure the concentration of FGM in three native Australian mammal species belonging to different trophic levels: the Tasmanian devil () and the spotted-tailed quoll (), both carnivores, and an omnivore that is primarily an arboreal folivore, the brushtail possum (), and compare the FGM concentrations across three major land uses: agricultural, plantation and National Parks.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFAnn Entomol Soc Am
January 2025
Department of Entomology, Michigan State University, East Lansing, MI, USA.
(Matsumura) (Diptera: Drosophilidae) is a global invasive pest attacking soft-skinned fruit. The specialist larval parasitoid wasp, (Ihering), was recently approved in Europe and the United States for classical biological control releases against . Rearing methods are essential for supporting innundative releases but current methods using fresh fruit are costly and susceptible to variation in host quality.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFProc Natl Acad Sci U S A
January 2025
Zhejiang Key Laboratory of Biology and Ecological Regulation of Crop Pathogens and Insects, Institute of Insect Sciences, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, Zhejiang 310058, China.
The harlequin ladybird, , is a predatory beetle used globally to control pests such as aphids and scale insects. Originating from East Asia, this species has become highly invasive since its introduction in the late 19th century to Europe and North America, posing a threat to local biodiversity. Intraguild predation is hypothesized to drive the success of this invasive species, but the underlying mechanisms remain unknown.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFMethodsX
December 2024
Mammal Research Institute, Department of Zoology and Entomology, University of Pretoria, 0028 Hatfield, South Africa.
Monitoring stress-related faecal glucocorticoid metabolite (fGCM) concentrations is a reliable, popular and established approach for understanding wildlife responses to perceived stressors. To maintain fGCM integrity post-defaecation, faecal material must be promptly stored frozen, or dried to prevent continued suspected bacterial enzyme activity. We compare the effectiveness of freeze-drying with other field-friendly drying techniques (food dehydrator and homemade solar oven).
View Article and Find Full Text PDFJ Econ Entomol
December 2024
Department of Agriculture, Food and Environment, University of Catania, Catania, Italy.
Programs to mass rear and release Ganaspis kimorum Buffington (Hymenoptera: Figitidae) are ongoing in many countries to manage its host Drosophila suzukii (Matsumura) (Diptera: Drosophilidae). To optimize parasitoid production and synchronize field releases with pest outbreaks, we investigated a cold storage protocol by exposing different immature G. kimorum stages to 2 storage temperatures (10 or 15°C) for 2, 4, 6, or 8 wk.
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