Article
Entomology
Michael J. Pitcairn, Dale M. Woods, Donald B. Joley, Charles E. Turner
Summary: The seed weevil Eustenopus villosus was released as biological control for the exotic thistle Centaurea solstitialis in western USA. The weevil was successful in reducing seed production, but further survey is recommended to determine if its population has increased.
Article
Entomology
Lincoln Smith, Ikju Park
Summary: This study investigates the effects of different environmental conditions on the diapause period of Ceratapion basicorne. The results show that the duration of cold temperature is an important stimulus for terminating diapause, while exposure to ambient light has no effect. Additionally, a cold period can accelerate diapause development, but it is not necessary for its completion.
ENVIRONMENTAL ENTOMOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Biodiversity Conservation
Virginija Podeniene, Sigitas Podenas, Sun-Jae Park, Chang-Hwan Bae, Min-Jeong Baek, Jekaterina Havelka
Summary: This study used molecular methods to associate Hexatoma larvae with their putative adult species and confirmed the relationships using DNA barcoding. The morphological characteristics and identification keys for Hexatoma larvae on the Korean Peninsula were also presented. In addition, the presence of H (E.) sachalinensis in the Korean Peninsula was recorded for the first time.
Article
Biotechnology & Applied Microbiology
J. M. Cullen, A. W. Sheppard, S. Raghu
Summary: The historical record of releases of 288 species of weed biological control agents in Australia was analyzed to examine the effectiveness of different feeding guilds and weed functional groups in controlling target weeds. Biotrophic pathogens, sap feeders, and root/crown feeders were found to be more effective in producing control. Herbaceous biennials/perennials tended to be more effectively controlled compared to other functional groups.
BIOLOGICAL CONTROL
(2022)
Article
Agronomy
Joseph C. Neal
Summary: Turfgrass systems provide opportunities for weed biocontrol, but current microbial biocontrol agents have not met market expectations. The expenditures for herbicide treatments in turfgrass are higher than those for corn and soybean growers. Regulatory actions and consumer preferences are driving the demand for alternatives to synthetic herbicides in both commercial and consumer markets, but the market size and willingness-to-pay are poorly documented. Successful development of weed biocontrol in turfgrass systems requires effective agents for different weed species and understanding of market segments and their weed management expectations.
PEST MANAGEMENT SCIENCE
(2023)
Article
Ecology
Tao Jia, Yuhan Qi, Haoxiang Zhao, Xiaoqing Xian, Jianyu Li, Hongkun Huang, Wentao Yu, Wan-xue Liu
Summary: In this study, an ensemble model was constructed using 5,969 valid occurrence records of C. solstitialis and 33 environmental variables to predict suitable habitats for this invasive alien plant. The results showed that the ensemble model yielded more precise predictions than the single model, with high true skill statistic values and area under the receiver operating characteristic curve. Temperature seasonality, minimum temperature of the coldest month, precipitation of the driest month, and human influence index significantly disrupted the potential geographic distributions of C. solstitialis in China. The total and high suitability habitat areas of C. solstitialis in China were also determined.
FRONTIERS IN ECOLOGY AND EVOLUTION
(2023)
Article
Biotechnology & Applied Microbiology
N. Kumaran, T. J. Vance, D. Comben, Q. Dell, Marina I. Oleiro, Carolina Mengoni Gonalons, G. Cabrera Walsh, S. Raghu
Summary: Hydrotimetes natans has been identified as a potential biological control agent for the invasive weed Cabomba caroliniana A. Gray in Australia, with studies showing it to be highly host-specific and having negligible impacts on non-target plant species. Key insights into the biology and reproductive behavior of H. natans were crucial in successfully establishing a laboratory colony for further research and potential release in the field. Understanding the physiological host range of H. natans played a vital role in assessing its risks and evaluating its effectiveness in controlling the target weed species.
BIOLOGICAL CONTROL
(2022)
Article
Biotechnology & Applied Microbiology
T. R. Seastedt, D. G. Knochel
Summary: Results from monitoring C. stoebe densities in Colorado showed a decline in stem densities over a period of 14 years in one site with ample native perennial and introduced grasses, and a decline over 13 years in a second site disturbed by flood scour. The presence of root weevils had an impact on stem densities, with sites lacking C. achates showing higher densities than sites where it was present.
BIOLOGICAL CONTROL
(2021)
Article
Biotechnology & Applied Microbiology
Mohsen M. Ramadan, Leyla Kaufman, Mark G. Wright
Summary: Hawaii has a long history of successful classical biological control, suppressing invasive species through the introduction of natural enemies. This review paper discusses recent introductions and highlights successful cases of invasive species control. The current state of biological control in Hawaii is analyzed, and urgent research needs are identified.
BIOLOGICAL CONTROL
(2023)
Article
Plant Sciences
Natalia Sharonova, Evgeny Nikitin, Dmitriy Terenzhev, Anna Lyubina, Syumbelya Amerhanova, Kseniya Bushmeleva, Adelya Rakhmaeva, Igor Fitsev, Kirill Sinyashin
Summary: The study investigated the phytochemical composition and biological activity of different Centaurea species, finding that Centaurea scabiosa had the highest antimicrobial activity and Centaurea jacea had a growth-inhibiting effect on plants.
Article
Agronomy
Pieter-Willem Hendriks, Saliya Gurusinghe, Peter R. Ryan, Gregory J. Rebetzke, Leslie A. Weston
Summary: This study evaluated the impact of increased early shoot vigour on the weed competitiveness of Australian wheats and found that enhancing wheat competitiveness through early vigour can significantly suppress weed growth.
Review
Biotechnology & Applied Microbiology
Aaron S. David, Ellen C. Lake
Summary: This article reviews the efforts, establishment of agents, and impacts of biological control of vines, and provides recommendations for future research. Researchers have targeted 31 species of invasive vines for biological control, with 17 species having established control agents. However, there is a lack of studies showing population decline of invasive vines due to biological control.
BIOLOGICAL CONTROL
(2023)
Article
Biodiversity Conservation
B. Carbonne, L. Muneret, E. Laurent, E. Felten, C. Ducourtieux, N. Henon, A. Matejicek, B. Chauvel, S. Petit
Summary: This study analyzed how multitrophic interactions drive weed seed control under different farming systems. The findings showed that conservation agriculture can promote weed seed predation by increasing the number of seed predators. However, the presence of alternative prey and higher-order predators can negatively affect the efficacy of seed predators and indirectly reduce seed predation.
JOURNAL OF APPLIED ECOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Agronomy
Montserrat Jurado-Exposito, Francisca Lopez-Granados, Francisco Manuel Jimenez-Brenes, Jorge Torres-Sanchez
Summary: The study utilized UAV imagery and multivariate geostatistical methods to investigate the spatial variability of C. diluta density in two wheat fields and delineate potential control zones based on occurrence probability maps.
Article
Biotechnology & Applied Microbiology
Cecilia M. Falla, Gonzalo A. Avila, Samuel T. McColl, Maria Minor, Adriana J. Najar-Rodriguez
Summary: This study used climatic modeling software to assess the geographic distribution of the lace bug Gargaphia decoris in different countries and globally, predicting its expansion into tropical, subtropical, and temperate regions. In a future climate change scenario, a reduced distribution globally is expected.
BIOLOGICAL CONTROL
(2021)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Marco Masi, Fabrizio Freda, Felicia Sangermano, Viola Calabro, Alessio Cimmino, Massimo Cristofaro, Susan Meyer, Antonio Evidente
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Giulia Marsico, Maria Sabrina Ciccone, Marco Masi, Fabrizio Freda, Massimo Cristofaro, Antonio Evidente, Stefano Superchi, Patrizia Scafato
Article
Chemistry, Applied
Alessio Cimmino, Fabrizio Freda, Ernesto Santoro, Stefano Superchi, Antonio Evidente, Massimo Cristofaro, Marco Masi
Summary: The organic extract of Dittrichia viscosa showed significant acaricidal activity against Varroa destructor, with alpha-costic acid being identified as a toxic compound for the parasite mite. This suggests a potential use of alpha-costic acid to control Varroa mites without any harmful effects on honey bees. Additionally, the absolute configuration of alpha-costic acid could be reliably determined through DFT computational analysis of chiroptical spectra.
NATURAL PRODUCT RESEARCH
(2021)
Article
Biotechnology & Applied Microbiology
Philip Weyl, Gorban Ali Asadi, Massimo Cristofaro, Biljana Vidovic, Radmila Petanovic, Francesca Marini, Urs Schaffner
BIOCONTROL SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY
(2020)
Article
Biotechnology & Applied Microbiology
M. Cristofaro, G. Roselli, F. Marini, E. de Lillo, R. U. Petanovic, B. Vidovic, M. Auge, B. G. Rector
BIOCONTROL SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY
(2020)
Article
Entomology
Fabrizio Freda, Marco Masi, Javid Kashefi, Massimo Cristofaro, Sergio Musmeci, Antonio Evidente
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ACAROLOGY
(2020)
Review
Entomology
Francesca Marini, Philip Weyl, Biljana Vidovic, Radmila Petanovic, Jeffrey Littlefield, Sauro Simoni, Enrico de Lillo, Massimo Cristofaro, Lincoln Smith
Summary: Eriophyid mites are tiny creatures that feed on plants and reproduce quickly, potentially serving as effective biological control agents for invasive plants due to their host specificity. However, working with these mites is challenging due to their small size and lack of knowledge about their biology, behavior, and dispersal methods, which may hinder the evaluation of their effectiveness in control programs.
Article
Plant Sciences
John F. Gaskin, John A. Goolsby, Marie-Claude Bon, Massimo Cristofaro, Paul-Andre Calatayud
Summary: This study used molecular analysis to determine the genetic origins of invasive Megathyrsus maximus in the neotropics. The invasive short form showed the highest genetic similarity to plants from South Africa, while the desirable tall form had highest matches from Kenya, Uganda, Ivory Coast, and Zambia. Current biological control measures from Kenya are not effective against the invasive short form, highlighting the need for further exploration and evaluation of potential control agents from the genetic match populations in South Africa.
INVASIVE PLANT SCIENCE AND MANAGEMENT
(2022)
Article
Entomology
Kim A. Hoelmer, Rene F. H. Sforza, Massimo Cristofaro
Summary: The USA has been actively involved in classical biological control projects against invasive insect pests and weeds since 1888. The Nagoya Protocol (NP) of the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD), which entered into force in 2014, has affected US biological control programs, as it requires countries to develop processes governing access to their genetic resources. Challenges have arisen as different countries enact new regulations governing access to genetic resources.
Article
Entomology
Gerardo Roselli, Gianfranco Anfora, David Maxwell Suckling, Valerio Mazzoni, Valentina Vanoni, Loris Menegotti, Lorenzo Fellin, Marco Valerio Rossi Stacconi, Claudio Ioriatti, Massimo Cristofaro
Summary: This study investigated the use of X-ray irradiation to sterilize overwintering males of the brown marmorated stink bug for use in a sterile insect technique (SIT) program. The results showed that the irradiation did not significantly affect the longevity or fecundity of the treated adults, and the hatching rate of eggs from females that had mated with irradiated males was less than 5%. Behavioral bioassays also indicated that the irradiation did not have a significant impact on the quality of the sterile males.
Article
Entomology
Silvia Belvedere, Silvia Arnone, Massimo Cristofaro, Alessandra La Marca, Alessio De Biase
Summary: The red palm weevil is an invasive pest that can cause significant economic damage to palm trees. In order to find effective eradication strategies, researchers developed a paternity assignment strategy using microsatellite markers to study the mating system of this insect. They evaluated the reliability of their genetic tool through simulation approaches and found that it was successful in laboratory experiments but not in natural populations.
Article
Entomology
Flavia Cerasti, Valentina Mastrantonio, Romano Dallai, Massimo Cristofaro, Daniele Porretta
Summary: Satyrization, a form of sexual interaction between males of one species with females of another species, has attracted interest in pest management strategies. This study explores the use of satyrization as a tool to control the invasive pest Drosophila suzukii by using D. melanogaster males. The results show that D. melanogaster males can successfully court, mate, and reduce the offspring of D. suzukii females, suggesting that this approach may be effective in controlling D. suzukii populations.
Article
Biodiversity Conservation
Marie-Claude Bon, John A. Goolsby, Guy Mercadier, Fatiha Guermache, Javid Kashefi, Massimo Cristofaro, Ann T. Vacek, Alan Kirk
Summary: The larvae of Lasioptera donacis feed on fungal communities in leaf sheaths of Arundo donax. The specific fungal composition of these communities is uncertain, but it is suggested that L. donacis may have a symbiotic relationship with one fungus. This study characterizes and compares the fungal communities associated with L. donacis in Eurasia and A. donax endophytes in Texas. The study finds a diverse assemblage of non-systemic endophytes in the communities, rather than an exclusive fungal symbiont.
Article
Entomology
Gerardo Roselli, Gianfranco Anfora, Raffaele Sasso, Livia Zapponi, Sergio Musmeci, Alessia Cemmi, David Maxwell Suckling, Kim Alan Hoelmer, Claudio Ioriatti, Massimo Cristofaro
Summary: The brown marmorated stink bug is a invasive pest species that is widely distributed and highly aggressive. Chemical insecticides are not effective in managing this pest due to its high mobility and ability to develop resistance. Classical biological control, specifically egg parasitoids, is being considered as an alternative approach. The study evaluated the performance of three types of sterile sentinel eggs as a suitable substrate for the oviposition and larval development of the egg parasitoid Trissolcus japonicus.
Article
Entomology
Massimo Cristofaro, Chiara Fornari, Flaminia Mariani, Alessia Cemmi, Michele Guedj, Mohamed Lahbib Ben Jamaa, Meriem Msaad Guerfali, Elisabeth Tabone, Robert Castellana, Raffaele Sasso, Sergio Musmeci
Summary: Red palm weevil is an invasive species that originated from Southeast Asia and Melanesia and has caused extensive damage to palm species in the Middle East and the Mediterranean. The use of the Sterile Insect Technique is being investigated as a viable management strategy.