Review
Plant Sciences
Midori Yoshida
Summary: In winter, plants use fructan as an energy source, storing and degrading it in different ways to ensure survival during winter and regeneration in spring. Fructan synthase genes and FEH genes have been isolated in recent years, and FEHs control various fructan metabolism through different physiological responses.
Review
Plant Sciences
Sehrish Mushtaq, Muhammad Shafiq, Muhammad Rizwan Tariq, Adnan Sami, Muhammad Shah Nawaz-ul-Rehman, Muhammad Hamza Tariq Bhatti, Muhammad Saleem Haider, Saleha Sadiq, Muhammad Taqqi Abbas, Mujahid Hussain, Muhammad Adnan Shahid
Summary: Endophytic bacteria are found in plant roots and improve plant health. They are increasingly being used as bio-fertilizers, but there are challenges in managing these bacteria. The interaction between bacterial endophytes and plants needs further study.
FRONTIERS IN PLANT SCIENCE
(2023)
Article
Plant Sciences
Hazel McLellan, Petra C. Boevink, Paul R. J. Birch
Summary: Recent research has shown that disrupting the interaction between pathogen effectors and their host target proteins can decrease infection. With the identification of more effector-target pairs and the exposure of their structures and interaction surfaces, it may soon be possible to genetically modify plants to become nonhosts.
TRENDS IN PLANT SCIENCE
(2023)
Article
Plant Sciences
Irene Salotti, Yu-Jie Liang, Tao Ji, Vittorio Rossi
Summary: Through a systematic literature review, a mechanistic model incorporating the main stages of the pathogen's life cycle and the effect of weather was developed to predict anthracnose progress. The model was parameterized for different Colletotrichum clades and evaluated using data from 17 epidemics on six hosts in different countries. The model showed a high correlation and accuracy in predicting anthracnose diseases, suggesting its potential for supporting crop protection decision-making.
FRONTIERS IN PLANT SCIENCE
(2023)
Article
Agriculture, Multidisciplinary
Jennifer Zavalnitskaya, Elias H. Bloom, Zsofia Szendrei
Summary: This study investigates the influence of non-crop habitats on the overwintering success of pest populations, using the asparagus beetle as a case study. The researchers found that the abundance of overwintering asparagus beetles was highest in areas with deciduous leaves and decomposing asparagus stalks. Additionally, the abundance of dead trees in adjacent woodlots was negatively correlated with adult beetle abundance. Landscape analysis revealed that deciduous forest within 1250 m of sites increased beetle abundance in focal asparagus fields, while asparagus production at spatial scales greater than 1500 m suppressed their populations.
AGRICULTURE ECOSYSTEMS & ENVIRONMENT
(2022)
Article
Plant Sciences
Chase R. Crowell, Dustin G. Wilkerson, Lawrence B. Smart, Christine D. Smart
Summary: This study provides the first substantial exploration into the population biology, stem infection, and host resistance of Melampsora paradoxa in Salix. The research revealed that the isolates collected from different years in a specific region of New York State were clonally derived, indicating a high degree of population uniformity. It was also found that M. paradoxa may overwinter and reproduce asexually through stem infection, which is a novel finding for this rust species. Additionally, QTL for resistance were discovered on chromosomes 1 and 19 in a S. purpurea x S. suchowensis F-1 breeding population with high disease severity. Furthermore, the association of Colletotrichum salicis with stem rust suggests its potential role in M. paradoxa stem infection.
Article
Ecology
Eric R. D. Moise, Joseph J. Bowden, Michael Stastny
Summary: Winter is a stressful period for organisms, especially terrestrial insects. However, the effects of thermal stress on insect survival and performance can be influenced by external factors. In forest systems, overwintering microsites, stand structure, and regional climate conditions all play a role in insect survival and performance. Our study found that environmental factors at multiple spatial scales influence insect overwintering.
BASIC AND APPLIED ECOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Agronomy
Leonard Schneider, Valentin Comte, Martine Rebetez
Summary: The study examines the impact of increasing temperatures on the voltinism of pest species in Switzerland. It predicts that with global warming, there could be an increase in the number of generations of pests and more damage to forests, vineyards, and crops. The findings suggest that future temperature conditions will favor additional generations of pests at lower elevations and enable a full single cycle per year at higher elevations.
AGRICULTURAL AND FOREST METEOROLOGY
(2023)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Rebecca C. Scholten, Randi Jandt, Eric A. Miller, Brendan M. Rogers, Sander Veraverbeke
Summary: Some forest fires exhibit "overwintering" behavior, smoldering through the non-fire season and flaring up in the subsequent spring, particularly in boreal forests with deep organic soils. Overwintering fires in boreal forests are associated with hot summers generating large fire years and deep burning into organic soils. The spatiotemporal predictability of overwintering fires can help fire management agencies facilitate early detection and reduce carbon emissions and firefighting costs.
Article
Entomology
Lixue Meng, Xiaoqin Cheng, Changxiu Xia, Hongyu Zhang
Summary: This study evaluated the effects of five host plant species on the life-table parameters and host preferences of the citrus psyllid under laboratory conditions. The citrus psyllid showed a higher preference for navel orange, followed by Shatangju and orange jasmine. The results indicated that Shatangju was the most suitable host for the psyllid.
ENTOMOLOGIA EXPERIMENTALIS ET APPLICATA
(2022)
Article
Entomology
Scott Nacko, Mark A. Hall, Gregg Henderson
Summary: This study provides a new perspective on the nesting biology of paper wasps by comparing the phenology of species in different genera. It highlights the differences in nesting strategies and colony duration between Polistes and Mischocyttarus in a subtropical locale, shedding light on the evolution of social wasps. The results suggest a bivoltine colony cycle in Polistes and provide insights into the ancestral origins of paper wasps in North America.
Article
Entomology
Nikoleta Eleftheriadou, Umar Lubanga, Greg Lefoe, M. Lukas Seehausen, Marc Kenis, Nickolas G. Kavallieratos, Dimitrios N. Avtzis
Summary: The silver fly Neoleucopis kartliana Tanasijtshuk is a major predator of the giant pine scale (GPS) in Greece and Turkey, and has been found to be effective in controlling GPS populations. As GPS has recently been detected in Australia and causes damage to pine trees, it is important to study the potential use of the silver fly as a biological control agent. Our research on the silver fly's life history and feeding preferences reveals that it has three generations per year and feeds on all life stages of GPS. Additionally, the fly readily accepts artificial food sources and its egg production increases with age.
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Satoshi Ogawa, Songkui Cui, Alexandra R. F. White, David C. Nelson, Satoko Yoshida, Ken Shirasu
Summary: Parasitic plants use strigolactones as chemoattractants to locate and grow towards their hosts. The chemotropism to strigolactones is influenced by ammonium ion-rich conditions, resulting in reduced chemotropic ability. There are noticeable differences in the chemotropism to strigolactones between parasitic and non-parasitic plants in the Orobanchaceae family.
NATURE COMMUNICATIONS
(2022)
Article
Agronomy
Vytoria Piscitelli Cavalcanti, Willian Cesar Terra, Julio Carlos Pereira da Silva, Altino Junior Mendes Oliveira, Kamilly Maria Fernandes Fonseca, Brenda Miriam Silva, Vicente Paulo Campos, Filipe Almendagna Rodrigues, Flavio Henrique Vasconcelos de Medeiros, Joyce Doria
Summary: This study evaluated the feasibility of intercropping garlic, Madagascar periwinkle, and yarrow to control root-knot nematodes. The roots of Madagascar periwinkle showed high attraction for the nematodes, while tomato roots had higher penetration by the nematodes. The most attractive root exudates were secreted by tomato and marigold, and most nematodes in Madagascar periwinkle and marigold roots did not develop to adults. Intercropping tomato or lettuce with any of the tested non-hosts reduced the number of nematode eggs and improved the growth of both crops.
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Man P. Huynh, Ryan W. Geisert, Dalton C. Ludwick, Adrian J. Pekarcik, Bruce E. Hibbard
Summary: This study evaluated the host search behavior of four different corn rootworm species on six plant species using a video tracking system. The results showed that each species exhibited distinct search behavior patterns, which were closely associated with their host preferences.
SCIENTIFIC REPORTS
(2023)
Article
Biology
Vlad Dinca, Leonardo Dapporto, Panu Somervuo, Raluca Voda, Sylvain Cuvelier, Martin Gascoigne-Pees, Peter Huemer, Marko Mutanen, Paul D. N. Hebert, Roger Vila
Summary: Access to comprehensive DNA barcode libraries at continental scale is crucial for the study of global biodiversity. The assembly of a high-resolution reference library for European butterflies provides valuable insights into haplotype diversity and the need for further taxonomic research. This dataset opens up new opportunities for conservation, evolutionary studies, and understanding biogeographic patterns in European butterflies.
COMMUNICATIONS BIOLOGY
(2021)
Article
Biodiversity Conservation
Alessandro Cini, Fulvia Benetello, Leonardo Platania, Adele Bordoni, Sara Boschi, Emiliano Franci, Gea Ghisolfi, Lorenzo Pasquali, Riccardo Negroni, Leonardo Dapporto
Summary: The abandonment of agricultural land and afforestation of grassland pose major threats to butterflies in European and Mediterranean regions. To conserve the Italian endemic butterfly Zerynthia cassandra, a habitat management strategy was developed, focusing on environmental factors influencing oviposition and implementing data-driven interventions to increase habitat suitability. By conducting experimental studies and monitoring, effective vegetation cuts were identified to increase oviposition, demonstrating the importance of fine-tuning interventions based on local micro-habitat features. This data-driven and sustainable strategy can serve as a model for managing other species with similar ecological requirements and facing similar threats.
INSECT CONSERVATION AND DIVERSITY
(2021)
Article
Biodiversity Conservation
Ginevra Sistri, Mattia Menchetti, Luca Santini, Lorenzo Pasquali, Sofia Sapienti, Alessandro Cini, Leonardo Platania, Emilio Balletto, Francesca Barbero, Simona Bonelli, Luca Pietro Casacci, Vlad Dinca, Roger Vila, Cristina Mantoni, Simone Fattorini, Leonardo Dapporto
Summary: Climate change is leading to shifts in species distribution, with mountain populations particularly vulnerable. A study on Erebia pandrose butterflies in the Apennines found a decline in population size and an uphill migration trend.
INSECT CONSERVATION AND DIVERSITY
(2022)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Joan C. Hinojosa, Leonardo Dapporto, Camille Pitteloud, Darina Koubinova, Juan Hernandez-Roldan, Juan Carlos Vicente, Nadir Alvarez, Roger Vila
Summary: The importance of hybridization and introgression in plant evolution has been well documented, but its role in insects is not fully understood. This study used Spialia butterflies as an insect model and genomic evidence to show that hybridization promotes novel diversity. The researchers found evidence of interspecific gene flow between Spialia orbifer, S. rosae, and S. sertorius, suggesting that hybridization plays a significant role in the evolution of insects.
Article
Ecology
Leonardo Dapporto, Mattia Menchetti, Raluca Voda, Cecilia Corbella, Sylvain Cuvelier, Imed Djemadi, Martin Gascoigne-Pees, Joan C. Hinojosa, Nok Ting Lam, Maria Serracanta, Gerard Talavera, Vlad Dinca, Roger Vila
Summary: This article introduces four new resources for Western Palaearctic butterflies, including an updated species checklist, mitochondrial COI sequences, intraspecific genetic variation indexes, and species-level distribution maps. These resources will facilitate comparative studies, integrative taxonomy, and conservation strategies.
GLOBAL ECOLOGY AND BIOGEOGRAPHY
(2022)
Article
Evolutionary Biology
Mukta Joshi, Marianne Espeland, Vlad Dinca, Roger Vila, Mohadeseh S. Tahami, Lars Dietz, Christoph Mayer, Sebastian Martin, Leonardo Dapporto, Marko Mutanen
Summary: By comparing data obtained from different genomic methods, we identified a genetically distinct Balkan lineage in the parapatric species Melitaea butterflies and recommended consistently classifying parapatric taxa as subspecies or complete species to maintain taxonomic stability.
SYSTEMATIC ENTOMOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Zoology
Eric Toro-Delgado, Juan Hernandez-Roldan, Vlad Dinca, Juan Carlos Vicente, Mark R. Shaw, Donald L. J. Quicke, Raluca Voda, Martin Albrecht, Jose Fernandez-Triana, Blai Vidiella, Sergi Valverde, Leonardo Dapporto, Paul D. N. Hebert, Gerard Talavera, Roger Vila
Summary: This study used DNA barcoding to establish the ecological interactions between plants, phytophagous insects, and their natural enemies. A complete reference library for Hesperiidae was created, and a total of 233 hostplant and parasitoid interactions were presented. The study also discussed potential cases of cryptic diversity.
ZOOLOGICAL JOURNAL OF THE LINNEAN SOCIETY
(2022)
Article
Entomology
Jacopo D'ercole, Leonardo Dapporto, Christian Schmidt, Vlad Dinca, Gerard Talavera, Roger Vila, Paul D. N. Hebert
Summary: One of the main consequences of globalization is the intensification of biological introductions. This study examines the genetic diversity and patterns of introduced butterfly species in the Nearctic region. The results show low genetic diversity but rapid expansion and dominance of some species in the new habitat.
EUROPEAN JOURNAL OF ENTOMOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Biodiversity Conservation
Emiliano Mori, Pamela Rustici, Leonardo Dapporto, Lorenzo Pasquali, Filippo Petrucci, Giuseppe Mazza
Summary: The palm borer Paysandisia archon, originally from South America, has been introduced to Europe and Asia and causes severe damage to palm trees. Its distribution in Italy and its potential spread in the future due to climate change have been studied. The study identified potential host species and found that potted palms are more vulnerable to attack. The damage caused by P. archon may result in economic costs and threaten endemic palm species.
BIOLOGICAL INVASIONS
(2023)
Article
Biodiversity Conservation
Marco Bonifacino, Lorenzo Pasquali, Ginevra Sistri, Mattia Menchetti, Luca Santini, Cecilia Corbella, Simona Bonelli, Emilio Balletto, Roger Vila, Vlad Dinca, Leonardo Dapporto
Summary: This study investigated the geographic distribution and genetic diversity of the narrow-ranged mountain species, Lasiommata petropolitana, and its susceptibility to climate change. The research found that the species has shifted uphill at an average rate of 6.3 meters per year in the past few decades and predicted a possible extinction in the Apennines region by 2060. The study highlights the importance of insect conservation as the loss of this species may lead to homogenization and loss of functional diversity in high-altitude biotas. Maintaining habitat heterogeneity through ecological management is crucial for population persistence.
JOURNAL OF INSECT CONSERVATION
(2022)
Article
Evolutionary Biology
Claudia Bruschini, Eric D. Edwards, Gerard Talavera, Varea D. Vaurasi, Galumalemana F. Latu, Leonardo Dapporto
Summary: This study investigated the butterfly fauna in the Samoan Archipelago and identified evolutionary significant units (ESUs) using COI barcode sequences. The ESUs in Samoan islands showed high levels of endemism and congruence with established taxonomy. The mechanisms of genetic differentiation in temperate butterflies differed between ancient continental lands and geologically young islands like Samoa.
Article
Biodiversity Conservation
Elia van Tongeren, Ginevra Sistri, Marco Bonifacino, Mattia Menchetti, Lorenzo Pasquali, Vania Salvati, Emilio Balletto, Simona Bonelli, Alessandro Cini, Mariagrazia Portera, Leonardo Dapporto
Summary: The study showed that citizen science records helped fill gaps in time series, reducing the perception of potential local extinctions. More engaged users recorded a higher fraction of local biodiversity, decreasing the likelihood of local extinctions. User effort interacted with species features, affecting the frequency of records for individual species.
BIODIVERSITY AND CONSERVATION
(2023)
Article
Ecology
Jacopo D'Ercole, Roger Vila, Leonardo Dapporto, Mikko Pentinsaari, Gerard Talavera, Vlad Dinca, Paul D. N. Hebert
Summary: This study examined mitochondrial DNA sequence variation in introduced insect species and found that genetic variation is significantly lower in introduced populations compared to native populations. The study suggests that these genetic patterns are likely a result of general processes. Understanding the molecular evolution of introduced species is crucial for managing their impact on ecosystems.
FRONTIERS IN ECOLOGY AND EVOLUTION
(2023)
Article
Ecology
Paolo Volponi, Leonardo Dapporto, Marta Skowron Volponi
Summary: The article introduces a system for recording the sounds of flying insects and provides assembly and usage guides, a video tutorial for file processing, and an R script for audio recordings assignment. Recordings obtained using the system in various habitats demonstrate its feasibility for field studies. This tool can aid researchers in studying acoustical signaling in various interactions, such as predator-prey, pollinator-plant, and mimic-model complexes.
METHODS IN ECOLOGY AND EVOLUTION
(2023)
Article
Entomology
Alessandro Cini, Fulvia Benetello, Marco Bonifacino, Vania Salvati, Elisa Monterastelli, Lorenzo Pasquali, Ginevra Sistri, Francesca Romana Dani, Leonardo Dapporto
Summary: This article reports on the application of an Italian monitoring scheme for pollinators on the small island of Giannutri, and presents preliminary findings on the relationship between honey bees and other pollinator populations.
BULLETIN OF INSECTOLOGY
(2022)
