Article
Entomology
Giovanni Benelli, Andrea Lucchi, Gianfranco Anfora, Bruno Bagnoli, Marcos Botton, Raquel Campos-Herrera, Cristina Carlos, Matthew P. Daugherty, Cesar Gemeno, Ally R. Harari, Christoph Hoffmann, Claudio Ioriatti, Rodrigo J. Lopez Plantey, Annette Reineke, Renato Ricciardi, Emmanouil Roditakis, Gregory S. Simmons, Wee Tek Tay, Luis M. Torres-Vila, John Vontas, Denis Thiery
Summary: This article provides an updated review of monitoring, modeling, and management tools for the European grapevine moth (EGVM), a primary pest of vineyards. It analyzes various management strategies, including insecticide-based control, insecticide resistance, side-effects of pesticides, cultural control, sterile insect technique, pheromone-mediated control strategies, biological control, and area-wide control programs. The article also outlines significant challenges for future research on EGVM and sustainable control implementation.
ENTOMOLOGIA GENERALIS
(2023)
Article
Ecology
S. Pasquali, C. Soresina, E. Marchesini
Summary: Estimating the mortality rate function of a species from field data is essential for simulating the population dynamics of a stage-structured population. This method allows for a more flexible shape for the mortality rate functions compared to previous methods.
ECOLOGICAL MODELLING
(2022)
Article
Entomology
Renato Ricciardi, Giovanni Benelli, Pompeo Suma, Francesca Cosci, Filippo Di Giovanni, Valeria Zeni, Giuseppe Conte, Enrico Marchesini, Francesco Savino, Edith Ladurner, Andrea Iodice, Angelo Canale, Andrea Lucchi
Summary: This study evaluated the effectiveness of a plastic reservoir dispenser releasing synthetic pheromones in controlling the European grapevine moth and the vine mealybug. The results showed that the dispenser had comparable or higher efficacy compared to the grower's standard, effectively reducing the populations of both pests.
ENTOMOLOGIA GENERALIS
(2022)
Article
Biodiversity Conservation
Alice Monnier-Corbel, Alexandre Robert, Yves Hingrat, Blas M. Benito, Anne-Christine Monnet
Summary: Habitat Suitability Index (HSI) derived from Species Distribution Model (SDM) has been used to infer or predict local demographic properties such as abundance for many species. However, the relationship between HSI and abundance has been a topic of debate, with some studies showing a lack of correlation. To better understand this relationship, we studied the temporal variation of HSI and abundance using data from a 10-year monitoring of a Houbara bustard population in Morocco. Our results showed a triangular relationship between local abundance and HSI, with the upper limit of abundance increasing with HSI. Additionally, sites with the highest HSI had the least variation in abundance. These findings provide empirical evidence supporting the importance of investigating the relationship between HSI and abundance using temporal variation.
GLOBAL ECOLOGY AND CONSERVATION
(2023)
Article
Biodiversity Conservation
Catherine S. Jarnevich, Helen R. Sofaer, Peder Engelstad
Summary: Comparing models estimating suitability for presence versus abundance of invasive plants showed good agreement in assessing relative risk across management units and among species. Patterns of presence and abundance in environmental space can guide modeling decisions and interpretations, with abundance suitability improving risk assessment in certain scenarios. Suitability for presence may better reflect risk of population increase and spread in species at risk of becoming abundant across a wide area.
DIVERSITY AND DISTRIBUTIONS
(2021)
Article
Ecology
Alberto Jimenez-Valverde, Pedro Aragon, Jorge M. Lobo
Summary: Estimating local suitability with species distribution models (SDMs) can indicate the maximum abundance attainable by species, but the abundance-suitability relationship is typically wedge-shaped. The shape of this relationship is directly related to maximum abundance and is influenced by SDM quality and species prevalence.
GLOBAL ECOLOGY AND BIOGEOGRAPHY
(2021)
Review
Biodiversity Conservation
Conor Waldock, Rick D. Stuart-Smith, Camille Albouy, William W. L. Cheung, Graham J. Edgar, David Mouillot, Jerry Tjiputra, Loic Pellissier
Summary: The contributions of species to ecosystem functions or services depend on their presence and local abundance, but current predictive spatial models focus more on species occurrence rather than abundance. The study found significant variation in the performance of abundance-based models, with random forests providing the best predictions in certain scenarios.
Article
Biodiversity Conservation
Jing Chen, Fangzhou Ma, Yanjing Zhang, Chenbin Wang, Haigen Xu
Summary: The study comprehensively evaluated invasion risk levels of Chinese provinces using multiple invasion indices and taxonomic groups, predicting distribution patterns based on environmental and anthropogenic factors. Results identified 17 provinces as high invasion risk regions, with environmental and anthropogenic factors showing similar prediction abilities on invasive species richness.
GLOBAL ECOLOGY AND CONSERVATION
(2021)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Kai Zhao, Xuetong Li, Jingru Yang, Zebin Huang, Chunlian Li, Lewen Yao, Zekai Tan, Xianyi Wu, Shiyuan Huang, Yanghe Yuan, Zhengyi Hong, Qiuyang Cai, Zhuoyu Chen, Lanyue Zhang
Summary: Climate change plays a crucial role in the geographic distribution of plants. The genus Millettia, an important plant resource in China, has been widely used in medicine and ornamental industries. Therefore, it is essential to investigate the geographic distribution and potential changes of Millettia plants under climate change. Through the analysis of plant specimens and the use of modeling techniques, it was found that the genus Millettia is distributed in various provinces in China, with Yunnan and Guangdong provinces having the highest distribution. The study also predicts that future climate changes will have different impacts on the suitability of habitats for different Millettia species.
ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE AND POLLUTION RESEARCH
(2023)
Article
Marine & Freshwater Biology
Luigi Marfella, Francesco Rufino, Helen C. Glanville, Micol Mastrocicco, Sandro Strumia
Summary: This study aims to define the distribution of an invasive alien species, Cotula coronopifolia L., in a protected wetland in southern Italy and evaluate the potential role of water geochemical features in interpreting distribution patterns. Field assessments and chemical analyses of water samples revealed that C. coronopifolia preferentially colonizes areas with high salinity in the wetland. The resulting distribution map can be used for future management interventions. This multidisciplinary approach provides new evidence on the ecology of this invasive alien plant in wetlands worldwide and offers a replicable method for assessing the invasion level and predicting its evolution based on environmental parameters.
Article
Plant Sciences
Annamaria Fenesi, Zoltan Botta-Dukat, Zsombor Miholcsa, Viktor Szigeti, Csaba Molnar, Dorottya Sandor, Anna Szabo, Thomas Kuhn, Aniko Kovacs-Hostyanszki
Summary: Despite their importance, little is known about the general shape, direction, and strength of abundance-impact relationships for different impact metrics of invasive species. The influence of functional traits on these relationships is also unclear. This study investigated the ecological impacts of 11 herbaceous invasive species in East-Central Europe and found that the relationships between cover and impact varied among species and impact metrics. The study highlights the need for further research on trait-specific effects and the importance of considering invasive species abundance in impact assessments. Evaluation: 7/10.
JOURNAL OF ECOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Environmental Sciences
A. Blanco, A. R. Larrinaga, J. M. Neto, J. Troncoso, G. Mendez, P. Dominguez-Lapido, A. Ovejero, L. Pereira, T. M. Mouga, R. Gaspar, B. Martinez, M. F. L. Lemos, C. Olabarria
Summary: Invasive macroalgae pose a significant threat to marine biodiversity and ecosystem functioning. A study mapping the probability of presence of six invasive macroalgae in the north-western Iberian Peninsula found that physico-chemical variables were crucial in predicting their distribution, while anthropogenic factors greatly improved the estimates of occurrence probability for these species. Management efforts should focus on strengthening control and surveillance at ports, particularly in southern Galician rias, to effectively manage these invasive macroalgae.
JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT
(2021)
Article
Environmental Studies
Ernesto Azzurro, Jacopo Cerri
Summary: The study developed a new participatory method for mapping the distribution of three invasive species in the coastal lagoon of Lesina, Italy. The resulting information provides insights for spatially informed management in aquatic realms influenced by biological invaders.
Article
Immunology
Emily E. Ricotta, Yi Ling Lai, Ahmed Babiker, Jeffrey R. Strich, Sameer S. Kadri, Michail S. Lionakis, D. Rebecca Prevots, Jennifer Adjemian
Summary: The study found that the incidence of invasive candidiasis (IC) in the United States is relatively stable, primarily caused by Candida albicans, while nonbloodstream IC is on the rise.
JOURNAL OF INFECTIOUS DISEASES
(2021)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Stefan Koco, Anna Dubravska, Jozef Vilcek, Daniela Grulova
Summary: Global climate change influences plant invasion, with invasive plants of the genus Solidago spreading throughout Europe. Geospatial technologies, specifically multispectral imaging, were used to map the spatial spread of these invasive plants. Results showed an increase in the number of Solidago spp. individuals in MalATIN and a decrease in Chminianska Nova Ves. However, classification of Solidago spp. using four spectral bands was insufficient, highlighting the need for higher spectral resolution hyperspectral imaging for more accurate classification and feature extraction.
Article
Entomology
Mateus Ribeiro de Campos, Philippe Bearez, Edwige Amiens-Desneux, Luigi Ponti, Andrew Paul Gutierrez, Antonio Biondi, Abhijin Adiga, Nicolas Desneux
Summary: The South American tomato pinworm has lower and upper thermal thresholds compared to prior studies, and the discovery of facultative diapause in pupae exposed to low temperatures and short-day length increases its invasive potential in temperate areas. Understanding its thermal biology is crucial for predicting its geographic spread and developing effective management strategies.
JOURNAL OF PEST SCIENCE
(2021)
Correction
Entomology
Mateus Ribeiro de Campos, Philippe Bearez, Edwige Amiens-Desneux, Luigi Ponti, Andrew Paul Gutierrez, Antonio Biondi, Abhijin Adiga, Nicolas Desneux
Summary: The original publication of the article contained errors in the formulas, Equation 2, and Table 3. The correct version of the article is provided below.
JOURNAL OF PEST SCIENCE
(2021)
Article
Agronomy
Valeria Malagnini, Alberto Pozzebon, Paolo Facchin, Arturo Paganelli, Carlo Duso
Summary: The importance of pollen as alternative food for generalist phytoseiid mites in vineyards was investigated. The study found that pollen availability positively affects the biology of predatory mites, promoting stable populations in vineyards. Pollen applications or reduced mowing frequency can increase predatory mite abundance. The presence of flowering plants surrounding vineyards is crucial for enhancing the success of biocontrol tactics against phytophagous mites.
PEST MANAGEMENT SCIENCE
(2022)
Article
Agronomy
Carlo Duso, Alberto Pozzebon, Mauro Lorenzon, Diego Fornasiero, Paola Tirello, Sauro Simoni, Bruno Bagnoli
Summary: According to the European Directive, traditional pesticides should be replaced by non-chemical tools and measures. The PURE project investigated the effectiveness of natural insecticides against grape berry moths. The results showed that spinosad and B. thuringiensis were effective in controlling the pests, while azadirachtin and pyrethrins were less effective. However, these insecticides also had negative effects on secondary pests and predatory mites. The use of these insecticides in organic viticulture and Integrated Pest Management was discussed.
Article
Agronomy
Gaetano Giudice, Loredana Moffa, Marina Niero, Carlo Duso, Marco Sandrini, Loris Francesco Vazzoler, Massimiliano Luison, Enrico Pasini, Walter Chitarra, Luca Nerva
Summary: In this study, alternative protocols for the control of downy mildew infection in grapevine were compared to the standard protocol. The results showed that the alternative protocols significantly reduced the incidence and severity of downy mildew, and positively impacted plant stress response and yields. Additionally, the analysis on arthropods populations revealed the potential of naturally occurring predators of spider mites for downy mildew control.
PEST MANAGEMENT SCIENCE
(2022)
Article
Entomology
Stefan Cristian Prazaru, Lisa D'Ambrogio, Martina Dal Cero, Mirko Rasera, Giovanni Cenedese, Enea Guerrieri, Marika Pavasini, Nicola Mori, Francesco Pavan, Carlo Duso
Summary: This study evaluated the efficacy of conventional and organic insecticides on nymphs and adults of Scaphoideus titanus, the main vector of phytoplasmas associated with grapevine yellow Flavescence doree. Etofenprox and deltamethrin were the most effective conventional insecticides, while pyrethrins were the most impactful organic insecticides. Residual effects of insecticides were evaluated in semi-field and field conditions. Acrinathrin showed the most significant residual effects, but organic insecticides had poor residual efficacy. Higher temperatures led to a loss of residual activity.
Article
Agronomy
Arianna Di Paola, Edmondo Di Giuseppe, Andrew Paul Gutierrez, Luigi Ponti, Massimiliano Pasqui
Summary: Although Italy's Mediterranean climate is well-suited for olive cultivation, farmers face varying annual yields and associated costs. By analyzing data from the Italian National Statistics Institute and climate variables from the European Centre for Medium-Range Weather Forecasts, this study aimed to understand the factors influencing olive yield variability and develop a risk assessment framework. The analysis revealed that exceptionally low yields have been increasing erratically since 2014, with temperature-related variables playing a significant role. The findings suggest the need for an integrated meteorological forecasting system for timely insights on within-season olive yield development.
JOURNAL OF AGRONOMY AND CROP SCIENCE
(2023)
Correction
Entomology
Andrew Paul Gutierrez, Giuseppino Sabbatini Peverieri, Luigi Ponti, Lucrezia Giovannini, Pio Federico Roversi, Alberto Mele, Alberto Pozzebon, Davide Scaccini, Kim A. Hoelmer
JOURNAL OF PEST SCIENCE
(2023)
Article
Entomology
Andrew Paul Gutierrez, Giuseppino Sabbatini Peverieri, Luigi Ponti, Lucrezia Giovannini, Pio Federico Roversi, Alberto Mele, Alberto Pozzebon, Davide Scaccini, Kim A. Hoelmer
Summary: The Asian brown marmorated stink bug has invaded Europe, Caucasus region, and North and South America. Efforts to control it are ongoing by introducing and redistributing two Asian egg parasitoids and one hyperparasitoid. A demographic model shows that certain parasitoids could suppress the stink bug population regionally, but not at the required levels for economic control.
JOURNAL OF PEST SCIENCE
(2023)
Article
Entomology
Valeria Malagnini, Mario Baldessari, Carlo Duso, Alberto Pozzebon, Gino Angeli
Summary: The effects of neonicotinoids and pyrethroids on the predatory mite Amblyseius andersoni were evaluated through field and laboratory experiments. Neonicotinoids reduced the density and fecundity of the predatory mite, while pyrethroids had a severe impact on survival and fecundity. These results highlight the importance of considering the effects of pesticides on beneficial organisms in fruit orchard integrated pest management strategies.
Article
Entomology
Valeria Malagnini, Mario Baldessari, Federico Pedrazzoli, Alessia Tatti, Carlo Duso, Enrico de Lillo, Gino Angeli, Mariusz Lewandowski
Summary: Blistering symptoms have been observed on apple plants in commercial orchards in recent years, affecting both leaves and small fruits. The etiological agent responsible for this symptom is identified as apple blister mites belonging to the genus Eriophyes. Through molecular and morphological analyses, it was confirmed that the eriophyoid mites collected from symptomatic apple and pear plants are genetically different. This study highlights the need for further research on the complex scenario within the genus Eriophyes.
Article
Entomology
Stefan Cristian Prazaru, Giovanni dal Mas, Matteo Padoin, Denis Rizzardo, Franco Meggio, Andrea Pitacco, Alberto Pozzebon, Carlo Duso
Summary: This study investigated the effects of mechanical leaf removal, insecticide application, and their interaction on grapevine arthropods in two vineyards. The results showed that insecticide application reduced the population densities of leafhoppers, but also had negative impacts on predatory mites. Mechanical leaf removal had a greater impact on predatory mite populations compared to leafhoppers.
Article
Green & Sustainable Science & Technology
Luigi Ponti, Andrew Paul Gutierrez
Summary: The increased incidence of invasive species introductions is a result of global change, but their environmental and economic impacts are often underestimated. Current approaches for assessing and managing invasive species lack mechanistic underpinnings, limiting their ability to predict distribution and abundance. Physiologically based demographic models (PBDMs) provide a more holistic approach to assessing invasiveness by incorporating biological complexity.
ENVIRONMENT DEVELOPMENT AND SUSTAINABILITY
(2023)
Article
Food Science & Technology
Claude EFSA Panel on Plant Hlth PLH, Claude Bragard, Paula Baptista, Elisavet Chatzivassiliou, Francesco Di Serio, Paolo Gonthier, Josep Anton Miret, Annemarie Fejer Justesen, Alan Macleod, Christer Sven Magnusson, Juan A. Navas-Cortes, Stephen Parnell, Roel Potting, Philippe Lucien Reignault, Emilio Stefani, Hans-Hermann Thulke, Antonio Vicent Civera, Wopke van der Werf, Jonathan Yuen, Lucia Zappala, Andrew Paul Gutierrez, Antoon Loomans, Luigi Ponti, Matteo Crotta, Andrea Maiorano, Olaf Mosbach-Schulz, Eugenio Rossi, Giuseppe Stancanelli, Panagiotis Milonas
Summary: This study conducted a quantitative pest risk assessment to evaluate the potential pathway for the introduction of Thaumatotibia leucotreta into the EU through the import of cut roses. The assessment considered the survival and emergence of the pest from wastes in climatically suitable regions. The findings suggest that cut roses serve as a pathway for the introduction of T. leucotreta, and identified the suitable coastal areas for its establishment in the EU.
Article
Environmental Sciences
Andrew Paul Gutierrez, Peter E. Kenmore, Luigi Ponti
Summary: This paper reviews the ongoing failure of hybrid transgenic Bt cotton in India. The high cost of hybrid seed, low plant density system, and development of resistance to Bt toxins in pests are identified as the underlying causes for this failure. The paper suggests that the lessons learned from India's experience are important for the introduction of hybrid Bt cotton in Africa. Additionally, alternative cotton production methods, such as high-density short-season non-hybrid cotton, are proposed as viable alternatives for India.
ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCES EUROPE
(2023)