Gene Family Drives Dormancy Release in Onion Bulbs.

Onion ( L.) is an important bulb crop grown worldwide. Dormancy in bulbous plants is an important physiological state mainly regulated by a complex gene network that determines a stop of vegetative growth during unfavorable seasons.

Development and Validation of a One-Step Reverse Transcription Real-Time PCR Assay for Simultaneous Detection and Identification of Tomato Mottle Mosaic Virus and Tomato Brown Rugose Fruit Virus.

species represent a threat to solanaceous crops worldwide, due to their extreme stability and because they are seed borne. In particular, recent outbreaks of tomato brown rugose fruit virus in tomato and pepper crops led to the establishment of prompt control measures, and the need for reliable diagnosis was urged. Another member of the genus, tomato mottle mosaic virus, has recently gained attention due to reports in different continents and its common features with tomato brown rugose fruit virus.

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.

Is Involved in a Twig and Branch Dieback of Olive Trees Observed in Salento (Apulia, Italy).

Olive trees are infected and damaged by Botryosphaeriaceae fungi in various countries. The botryosphaeriaceous fungus is highly aggressive and is a major concern for olive groves in Spain and California (USA), where it causes 'branch and twig dieback' characterized by wood discoloration, bark canker, and canopy blight. During surveys of olive groves in Apulia (southern Italy), we noticed that-in some areas-trees were heavily affected by severe branch and twig dieback.

Bioactivity of Essential Oil and Its Main Component towards the Olive Fruit Fly, : Ingestion Toxicity, Electrophysiological and Behavioral Insights.

Among botanical insecticides based on essential oils (EOs) or their main components, EO and the aromatic polyacetylene carlina oxide, constituting more than 90% of its EO, were recently proven to be effective against the larvae and adults of some insect vectors and pests. In this study, the toxicity of EO and carlina oxide were tested on adults using a protein bait formulation. The LC values of the EO and carlina oxide were 706 ppm and 1052 ppm, respectively.

Toxics or Lures? Biological and Behavioral Effects of Plant Essential Oils on Tephritidae Fruit Flies.

The family Tephritidae (Diptera) includes species that are highly invasive and harmful to crops. Due to globalization, international trade, and human displacement, their spread is continuously increasing. Unfortunately, the control of tephritid flies is still closely linked to the use of synthetic insecticides, which are responsible for detrimental effects on the environment and human health.

Lethal and behavioural effects of a green insecticide against an invasive polyphagous fruit fly pest and its safety to mammals.

Plant essential oil-based insecticides, with special reference to those that may be obtained from largely available biomasses, represent a valuable tool for Integrated Pest Management. However, the sublethal effects and the potential effects on aggressive insect traits of these green insecticides are understudied. Herein, the lethal and sub-lethal effects of the carlina oxide, constituting more than 97% of the whole Carlina acaulis (Asteraceae) root essential oil (EO), were determined against an invasive polyphagous tephritid pest, Ceratitis capitata (medfly).

The Rapid Identification of Anoplophora chinensis (Coleoptera: Cerambycidae) From Adult, Larval, and Frass Samples Using TaqMan Probe Assay.

A molecular diagnostic method using TaqMan probe qPCR is presented for the identification of Anoplophora chinensis (Förster) (Coleoptera: Cerambycidae) from whole body insects (adults and larvae) and frass samples stored under different conditions. The results showed a perfect amplification of DNA from all samples; the repeatability and reproducibility of the protocol were very good, with standard deviations of inter-run and intra-run variability less than or equal to 0.5.

Eriophyid Mites in Classical Biological Control of Weeds: Progress and Challenges.

A classical biological control agent is an exotic host-specific natural enemy, which is intentionally introduced to obtain long-term control of an alien invasive species. Among the arthropods considered for this role, eriophyid mites are likely to possess the main attributes required: host specificity, efficacy, and long-lasting effects. However, so far, only a few species have been approved for release.

Distribution and Genetic Variability of Cryptic Species (Hemiptera: Aleyrodidae) in Italy.

is a key pest of horticultural, fibre and ornamental crops worldwide, primarily as a vector of plant viruses. In Italy, has established since the 1980s-1990s in southern regions as well as in Sicily and Sardinia. Recent reports of infestations in some areas of central Italy prompted a new survey to assess the whitefly distribution in the country as well as to update the species and haplotype composition of the populations present in southern Italy and in the main islands.

Development of Three Molecular Diagnostic Tools for the Identification of the False Codling Moth (Lepidoptera: Tortricidae).

Three molecular protocols using qPCR TaqMan probe, SYBR Green, and loop-mediated isothermal amplification (LAMP) methods were set up for the identification of larvae and adults of an African invasive moth, Thaumatotibia leucotreta (Meyrick, 1913) (Lepidoptera: Tortricidae). The DNA extracts from larval and adult samples of T. leucotreta were perfectly amplified with an average Ct value of 19.

TaqMan probe assays on different biological samples for the identification of three ambrosia beetle species, (Eichoff) (Motschulsky) and (Blandford) (Coleoptera Curculionidae Scolytinae).

Molecular assays based on qPCR TaqMan Probes were developed to identify three species of the genus , and (Coleoptera Curculionidae Scolytinae). These ambrosia beetles are xylophagous species alien to Europe, causing damages to many ornamental and fruiting trees as well as shrubs. DNA extraction was carried out from adults, larvae and biological samples derived from insect damages on infested plants.

Reproductive and Developmental Biology of , a Hyperparasitoid of Scelionid Parasitoids.

(Hymenoptera: Pteromalidae) was described in 1988 from China, but recent findings in Europe and North America within the framework of (Hemiptera: Pentatomidae) biological control indicate a Holarctic distribution. The few records and fragmented information on are derived from generic observations of other species belonging to the same genus, and its biological and ethological traits are still completely unexplored. It was suspected to be a facultative or obligate hyperparasitoid of many egg parasitoid species (e.

Spatiotemporal Overlap between the European Brown Hare and Its Potential Predators and Competitors.

Analysis of spatiotemporal partitioning is pivotal to shed light on interspecific coexistence. Most research effort has involved large-sized carnivores and their prey, whereas little attention has been devoted to lagomorphs. We assessed spatiotemporal overlap among the European brown hare and its potential competitors and predators through camera-trapping in an area in Central Italy.

Biological Notes and Distribution in Southern Europe of Kȏno, 1933 (Coleoptera: Curculionidae): A New Pest of the Fig Tree.

L. is one of the earliest cultivated fruit trees, and figs are a typical fruit of the Mediterranean diet and traditional medicine as well. In recent years, a new pest, the black weevil Kȏno, 1933 (Coleoptera: Curculionidae) native to Asia, has been recorded in France and Italy.

Evaluation of Indigenous Entomopathogenic Nematodes as Potential Biocontrol Agents against (Coleoptera: Scarabaeidae) in Northern Italy.

The natural presence of entomopathogenic nematodes (EPNs) has been investigated in the Piedmont region (Northern Italy) in areas infested by the Japanese beetle . Thirty-nine out of 155 soil samples (25.2%) were positive for EPNs.

Molecular Identification of Anoplophora glabripennis (Coleoptera: Cerambycidae) From Frass by Loop-Mediated Isothermal Amplification.

Anoplophora glabripennis (Motschulsky, 1853), native to eastern Asia, is a destructive woodborer of many ornamental species, leading to the decline and the death of the attacked trees. In outbreak areas as Europe or North America, this pest is usually identified using morphological or molecular analyses of adult or larval specimens. However, the procedures for collecting A.

Can Mating Disruption Be a Possible Route to Control Plum Fruit Moth in Mediterranean Environments?

Control of the plum fruit moth, Treitschke (Lepidoptera: Tortricidae), has been mainly based on the use of chemical insecticides, which can cause undesirable side effects, leading to a growing interest towards alternative sustainable strategies. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of the mating disruption technique on infestation in plum orchards, by comparing the number of male captures in pheromone-baited traps, and evaluating the damage to fruits in plots treated with the pheromone dispersers and in control plots. The study was carried out in 2012 and 2014 in three organic plum orchards, on the cultivars Angeleno, Friar, President and Stanley.

An African bat in Europe, : Biogeographic and ecological insights from molecular taxonomy and Species Distribution Models.

Because of the high risk of going unnoticed, cryptic species represent a major challenge to biodiversity assessments, and this is particularly true for taxa that include many such species, for example, bats. Long-eared bats from the genus comprise numerous cryptic species occurring in the Mediterranean Region and present complex phylogenetic relationships and often unclear distributions, particularly at the edge of their known ranges and on islands. Here, we combine Species Distribution Models (SDMs), field surveys and molecular analyses to shed light on the presence of a cryptic long-eared bat species from North Africa, , on the islands of the Sicily Channel, providing strong evidence that this species also occurs in Europe, at least on the islands of the Western Mediterranean Sea that act as a crossroad between the Old Continent and Africa.

Sperm ultrastructure and spermatogenesis in the Japanese beetle Popillia japonica (Coleoptera, Scarabaeidae).

Popillia japonica is an invasive scarab beetle native to Japan that in 1916 invaded New Jersey in USA. From that moment onwards, the insect has spread invading several US states, Canada, the Azores, Italy and, recently, Switzerland. It is a severe agricultural pest included in the EU priority pest list being able to feed on more than 300 plant species and having an important biotic potential.

Genetic variability of watermelon mosaic virus isolates infecting cucurbit crops in Italy.

Watermelon mosaic virus (WMV; genus Potyvirus, family Potyviridae) is responsible for serious cucurbit yield losses worldwide. Different WMV genetic groups have been characterized so far. Among these, the "classical" (CL) group has been present in the Mediterranean basin for 40 years, whereas the "emergent" (EM) group includes isolates that are associated with more-severe symptoms observed since 2000.

Water Deficit Affects the Growth and Leaf Metabolite Composition of Young Loquat Plants.

Water scarcity in the Mediterranean area is very common and understanding responses to drought is important for loquat management and production. The objective of this study was to evaluate the effect of drought on the growth and metabolism of loquat. Ninety two-year-old plants of 'Marchetto' loquat grafted on quince were grown in the greenhouse in 12-liter pots and three irrigation regimes were imposed starting on 11 May and lasting until 27 July, 2013.

Do Infestation Rely on Specific Plum Fruit Features?

The effective control of the plum fruit moth, (Lepidoptera: Tortricidae) still represents a difficult challenge for organic plum farming. Little information is available on the susceptibility of plum cultivars to this moth pest. We investigated the roles of several fruit parameters (i.