Search results for "PEST analysis"
showing 10 items of 116 documents
Resistant management of Bt corn and sustainability in Italy
2006
The Resistant Management (RM) of Bt corn in US requires 20% refuge area planted with non transgenic maize to preserve susceptible individuals of the pest. In Europe, especially in Italy, different considerations are necessary when RM plans are to be applied. In fact, when determining the size of the refuge areas other aspects around the transgenic corn, such as the surface of co-existing plans and other crops, must be considered. ECB is a polyphagous insect and its biology must be taken into account in the RM, especially in Italy where several crops and natural areas exist close to each other, and where field surfaces are clearly smaller than in the US. An important aspect of RM is the dete…
Glyphosate-based herbicide has soil-mediated effects on potato glycoalkaloids and oxidative status of a potato pest
2020
Glyphosate is the most used herbicide worldwide, targeting physiological pathways in plants. Recent studies have shown that glyphosate can also cause toxic effects in animals. We investigated the glyphosate-based herbicide (GBH)-induced changes in potato (Solanum tuberosum) plant chemistry and the effects of a GBH on the survival rate and oxidative status of the Colorado potato beetle (Leptinotarsa decemlineata). The beetles were reared on potato plants grown in pots containing soil treated with a GBH (Roundup Gold, 450 g/l) or untreated soil (water control). The 2nd instar larvae were introduced to the potato plants and then collected in 2 phases: as 4th instar larvae and as adults. The ma…
Hemocytes of Rhynchophorus ferrugineus (Olivier)(Coleoptera: Curculionidae) and their response to Saccharomyces cerevisiae and Bacillus thuringiensis
2011
Originally from tropical Asia, the Red Palm Weevil (RPW Rhynchophorus ferrugineus (Olivier) is the most dangerous and deadly pest of many palm trees, and there have been reports of its recent detection in France, Greece and Italy. At present, emphasis is on the development of integrated pest management based on biological control rather than on chemical insecticides, however the success of both systems is often insufficient. In this regard, RPW appears to be one pest that is very difficult to control. Thus inves- tigations into the natural defences of this curculionid are advisable. RPW hemocytes, the main immuno- competent cells in the insect, are described for the first time. We identifie…
Hyperparasitism and seasonal patterns of parasitism as potential causes of low top-down control in Euproctis chrysorrhoea (Lymantriidae)
2012
Pest suppression is an important ecosystem service provided by biodiversity, though antagonistic interactions may jeopardize its impact on pest suppression. Hyperparasitoids may release herbivore populations from natural enemy pressure and lead to outbreaks directly due to parasitism as well as indirect through behavioural interference. In a previous study we reported that in native populations of Euproctis chrysorrhoea L. (Lymantriidae) primary parasitism was very low and outbreaks were more likely in coastal habitats than inland. Here we hypothesise that hyperparasitoids are the underlying cause of such patterns by reporting data on direct hyperparasitism rates as well as seasonal pattern…
An integrative approach to unravel the Ceratitis FAR (Diptera, Tephritidae) cryptic species complex: a review
2015
Abstract This paper reviews all information gathered from different disciplines and studies to resolve the species status within the Ceratitis FAR (Ceratitis fasciventris, Ceratitis anonae, Ceratitis rosa) complex, a group of polyphagous fruit fly pest species (Diptera, Tephritidae) from Africa. It includes information on larval and adult morphology, wing morphometrics, cuticular hydrocarbons, pheromones, microsatellites, developmental physiology and geographic distribution. The general consensus is that the FAR complex comprises Ceratitis anonae, two species within Ceratitis rosa (so-called R1 and R2) and two putatitve species under Ceratitis fasciventris. The information regarding the lat…
Rodent plagues, immunocontraception and the mousepox virus
2001
Abstract Rodent plagues cause a major problem for agriculture in many temperate regions, and immunocontraception offers a new method to control fertility in these and other pest vertebrates. However, it is difficult to find an effective carrier for contraceptives for large numbers of pest animals in the field. In a new study, Jackson et al. manipulated the mousepox virus to boost the immune response in infected mice Mus musculus when testing the basis for controlling their fecundity rates. However, all infected mice (and half of recently immunized mice) died. Despite these unexpected and dramatic results of the engineering of mousepox virus, immunocontraception remains the most promising me…
Binding of individual Bacillus thuringiensis Cry proteins to the olive moth Prays oleae (Lepidoptera: Yponomeutidae)
2009
The microlepidopteran Prays oleae is one of the main insect pests causing significant crop losses in the Mediterranean olive groves. Bacillus thuringiensis based insecticides are being successfully used to minimize the impact of the second and third generations of this pest. However, because of its very small size and difficulty of rearing, very few studies have been carried out to determine the potency and mode of action of B. thuringiensis Cry proteins in this insect. In this study, Cry1Ac, Cry1Ca, and Cry1Fa proteins were shown to be toxic to third instar larvae of P. oleae. Furthermore, binding assays with (125)I-Cry1Ac and brush border membrane vesicles from midguts of last-instar larv…
Relationship between esterase activity and acrinathrin and methiocarb resistance in field populations of western flower thrips, Frankliniella occiden…
2006
The western flower thrips, Frankliniella occidentalis (Pergande), is a serious pest in the south-east of Spain owing to its direct feeding on crops, transmission of the tomato spotted wilt virus and its very high level of resistance to insecticides. Mechanisms of resistance were examined using field populations of F. occidentalis with different susceptibilities to acrinathrin, methiocarb (selective insecticides), endosulfan, metamidophos and deltamethrin (broad-spectrum insecticides). Esterase activity towards alpha-naphthyl acetate and p-nitrophenyl acetate in resistant strains was significantly higher than in the reference strain (MLFOM) for both model substrates. This higher activity was…
Evolutionary Considerations in Potato Pest Management
2013
Incorporating our knowledge of fundamental evolutionary processes into pest control practices is essential for maximizing their efficiency. The insect pest complex of potato is characterized by a high degree of plasticity and adaptability. In particular, the Colorado potato beetle quickly expanded its host range to include cultivated potato, and has shown a remarkable ability to evolve resistance to a wide variety of chemicals. Another major pest of potatoes, the green peach aphid, is also very adaptable to insecticides. Both of these insects can also develop resistance to non-chemical methods of their suppression, such as biological control and crop rotation. In addition, understanding ins…
Insect pests of the Herbarium of the Palermo botanical garden and evaluation of semiochemicals for the control of the key pest Lasioderma serricorne …
2020
Abstract The herbaria are scientific tools of great importance that preserve extinct, rare, endemic, and common plant species and also have importance as Cultural Heritage for their historical and esthetical value. Herbaria can be infested by several insect pests feeding on dried plants, and their management is often complicated and difficult as the use of chemical insecticides can have negative drawbacks. This suggests a strong need for alternative control tools such as the use of semiochemicals to develop Integrated Pest Management (IPM) programs. In order to identify the main insect pests that determine the damages on the exsiccata stored in the Palermo Botanical Garden's Herbarium, one …