Invasive alien plants along roadsides in Europe

This study presents a list of invasive alien plants that are found along roadsides in seven selected European countries – Austria, Germany, the Netherlands, Ireland, Norway, Slovenia and Sweden – and an overview on the role of roadsides as a habitat for invasive alien plants. This compilation is based on national lists of invasive alien plants, a literature search and expert consultation. Comprising 89 species from 31 plant families, species introduced for horticulture dominate the list (65%). Thirteen species (14%) are widespread (occur in four or more countries) and include well‐known invasive plants such as Fallopia japonica, Heracleum mantegazzianum, Solidago canadensis and Solidago gigantea. Seventeen species are listed either on the EPPO List of Invasive Alien Plants or on the EPPO A2 List of pests recommended for regulation as quarantine pests. Five species are on the List of Invasive Alien Species of Union Concern (EU Regulation 1143/2014). The compiled list provides a snap‐shot of invasive alien plants currently found along roadsides in the selected countries. It allows for a more targeted approach to monitoring, containment and control of the most problematic invasive alien plants identified in each country. Moreover, the list may also be used to identify emerging (potentially) invasive alien plants along roadsides in other European countries that warrant monitoring and/or management.     

Report of a pest risk analysis for Platypus parallelus (Fabricus, 1801) for Turkey

Invasive bark and ambrosia beetles (Curculionidae: Scolytinae and Platypodinae) are increasingly responsible for damage to forests, plantations and orchards worldwide. They are usually closely associated with fungi, which may be pathogenic causing tree mortality. Stressed or weakened trees are particularly subject to attack, as is recently felled, non‐treated wood. This PRA report concerns the ambrosia beetle Platypus parallelus (Euplatypus parallelus, Fabricus, 1801) (Coleoptera: Scolytidae), which was detected in official controls. The PRA area is Turkey. P. parallelus is not on the A1 or A2 list for Turkey but the Regulation on Plant Quarantine (3 December 2011‐OJ no: 28131) Article 13 (5) indicates that pests which are assessed to pose a risk for Turkey following PRA that are not present in the above lists and plants, wood, plant products and other materials contaminated by these organisms are banned from entry into Turkey. This risk assessment follows the EPPO Standard PM 5/3(5) Decision‐support scheme for quarantine pests and uses the terminology defined in ISPM 5 Glossary of Phytosanitary Terms. This paper addresses the possible risk factors caused by Platypus parallelus (Euplatypus parallelus, Fabricus, 1801) in Turkey.     

The potential use of allicin as a biopesticide for the control of the house fly,Musca domestica L.

The house fly, Musca domestica L., is a widespread pest of intensively reared livestock, where its presence negatively affects growth and productivity through the irritation their activity causes. Furthermore, adult flies mechanically vector a wide range of animal and human pathogens and, as such, pose a health risk to both livestock and people. The development of resistance in M. domestica populations to most of the insecticides used against them, coupled with diminishing product availability in many regions, means that new fly control methods and materials are constantly required. In the present study, a formulation of allicin, a compound derived from garlic cloves, was evaluated against the eggs, larvae and adults of Musca domestica L.. An in-diet LD₅₀ of 134 ppm against larvae was achieved, whilst marked ovicidal activity was also recorded. Adults were similarly affected when exposed directly and indirectly to surface residues of the compound. The results indicate that allicin exhibits potential to be used against filth flies through incorporation into their developmental substrates and, potentially, for the control of other economically important dipteran pests.     

Future management of internal quarantine pests of potato in Ukraine1

A strictly regulatory approach has been taken in the past with respect to quarantine pests present with limited distribution in Ukraine. Leptinotarsa decemlineata had at one time this status, but the regulatory strategy against it was not successful, the pest became widespread and was deleted from the quarantine list. It is suggested that an approach based on pest risk analysis, relating the management strategy more closely to the risk specifically arising from each pest, could be more successful in future against the principal internal quarantine pests of potato in Ukraine: Phthorimaea operculella, Globodera rostochiensis and Synchytrium endobioticum.     

A Comparison of DDT w.p. and Dieldrin e.c. for Tesetse Fly Control in Botswana

Abstract

During the present century increasing world demand for forest products has brought about a rapid expansion of even-aged forest plantation estates, requiring the forester to adopt the outlook and techniques of the farmer to an increasing extent, both to maintain yield and protect crops from damage.

Aircraft have already proved their worth in the protection of natural and artificial forests from fire and are frequently used for seeding, fertiliser application, survey and the control of insect pests. They are also potentially useful for the control of forest diseases, although their role in this respect has so far been limited. The development of aerial spraying to control dothistroma blight of Pinus radiata is reviewed in this paper.     

Higher-tier assessment of the potential for groundwater issues due to the use of 1,3-D soil fumigant; evaluation of the active ingredient, metabolites and potentially related chlorinated compounds

BACKGROUND: 1,3‐Dichloropropene (1,3‐D, CAS No. 542‐75‐6) is a broad‐spectrum soil fumigant used to control numerous species of soilborne plant‐parasitic nematodes. 1,3‐D consists of two isomers, (Z)‐ and (E)‐1,3‐D. There are a number of low‐level chlorinated compounds that could potentially be produced as a part of the 1,3‐D manufacturing process. 1,3‐D and its metabolites, as well as potentially related chlorinated compounds, represent potential groundwater contaminants. RESULTS: This study has investigated the hydrolytic stability, under biotic and abiotic conditions in the laboratory, of an extensive representative list of 1,3‐D and potentially related chlorinated compounds in order to predict their environmental fate. All of these compounds showed intrinsic hydrolytic instability under both abiotic and biotic test conditions. Furthermore, a monitoring programme was carried out. Twenty‐five wells were monitored in five Italian regions characterised by historical and existing use of 1,3‐D. The parent compound, its two major metabolites and potentially related chlorinated compounds were not detected in the well water at > 0.1 µg L^?1 at any sampling location. CONCLUSION: The soil fumigant (E,Z)‐1,3‐D, its metabolites and potentially related chlorinated compounds constitute a low risk to groundwater. Copyright © 2011 Society of Chemical Industry     

EPPO Study on pest risks associated with the import of tomato fruit

Tomato fruit are currently imported from different parts of the world to the EPPO region, and tomato is an important crop throughout the EPPO region both as an outdoor and indoor crop. The risk that tomato fruit may act as a pathway of introduction of new pests was identified after the introduction of Tuta absoluta in the EPPO region in 2006. A study was launched in 2013, to produce a list of pests associated with the pathway of fruit of Solanum lycopersicum (tomato). The objectives, process and first outcomes of the study are presented here. One main outcome of the study is the recommendation of a general phytosanitary import requirement for a phytosanitary certificate for tomato fruit, thereby ensuring that tomato fruit are inspected at export.     

Opogona sacchari,a Pest Risk from Imports of Ornamental Plants of Tropical Origin1

The banana moth, Opogona sacchari, can be considered as a serious pest for a wide range of ornamental plants of tropical and subtropical origin grown in glasshouses in Europe. The insect is difficult to intercept at import inspection. Additional post-entry inspection is recommended. The best way to control the insect is a 3-month programme for the eradication of the adult stages. O. sacchari is a potential candidate for the list of quarantine pests mentioned in phytosanitary import requirements.     

Seeing the forest for the trees: Use of phages to treat bacterial tree diseases

Trees and woody plants can be attacked by many pests and pathogens either individually or as polymicrobial infections. In particular, infections caused by tree-specific bacterial pathogens have become more common during the last decade, causing serious concern for important tree and woody plant species in horticulture, urban environments, and forests. For example, Xylella and Pseudomonas bacteria are causing significant economic and ecological devastation throughout Europe in olive, cherry, and other stone fruits, mainly because of lack of efficient control methods and the emergence of bacterial resistance to traditional antimicrobial compounds such as copper and antibiotics. Hence, there is an urgent need for innovative approaches to tackle bacterial plant diseases. One way to achieve this could be through the application of biological control, which offers a more environmentally friendly and targeted approach for pathogen management. This review will explore recent advances in use of pathogen-specific viruses, bacteriophages (or phages), for the biocontrol of bacterial tree diseases. Phages are an important component of plant microbiomes and are increasingly studied in plant pathogen control due to their highly specific host ranges and ability to selectively kill only the target pathogenic bacteria. However, their use still poses several challenges and limitations, especially in terms of managing the bacterial diseases of long-lived trees. A particular insight will be given into phage research focusing on controlling Pseudomonas syringae pathovars, Erwinia amylovora, Xanthomonas species, Ralstonia solanacearum, and Agrobacterium tumefaciens. Recent milestones, current challenges, and future avenues for phage therapy in the management of tree diseases are discussed.     

Assessing the potential distribution of insect pests: case studies on large pine weevil (Hylobius abietis L) and horse‐chestnut leaf miner (Cameraria ohridella) under present and future climate conditions in European forests

Forest insect pests represent a serious threat to European forests and their negative effects could be exacerbated by climate change. This paper illustrates how species distribution modelling integrated with host tree species distribution data can be used to assess forest vulnerability to this threat. Two case studies are used: large pine weevil (Hylobius abietis L) and horse‐chestnut leaf miner (Cameraria ohridella Deschka & Dimi?) both at pan‐European level. The proposed approach integrates information from different sources. Occurrence data of insect pests were collected from the Global Biodiversity Information Facility (GBIF), climatic variables for present climate and future scenarios were sourced, respectively, from WorldClim and from the Research Program on Climate Change, Agriculture and Food Security (CCAFS), and distributional data of host tree species were obtained from the European Forest Data Centre (EFDAC), within the Forest Information System for Europe (FISE). The potential habitat of the target pests was calculated using the machine learning algorithm of Maxent model. On the one hand, the results highlight the potential of species distribution modelling as a valuable tool for decision makers. On the other hand, they stress how this approach can be limited by poor pest data availability, emphasizing the need to establish a harmonised open European database of geo‐referenced insect pest distribution data.     

Characterisation and toxicity of Bacillus thuringiensis strains from hazelnut pests and fields

BACKGROUND: In order to find and identify more toxic insecticidal Bacillus thuringiensis Berliner (Bt) strains, a survey was carried out of B. thuringiensis isolate pests belonging to Coleoptera, Lepidoptera and Diptera and from soils in hazelnut fields. Of 16 isolates having Bacillus cereus‐B. thuringiensis morphology, eight were classified as B. thuringiensis because of the production of parasporal δ‐endotoxin crystals. RESULTS: In this study, eight isolates of B. thuringiensis from hazelnut pests (isolates Bn1, Mm2, Mnd and Xd3) and from hazelnut soils (isolates 6, 27, 40 and 46) have been characterised in detail. These isolates were compared with reference strains by electron microscopy, SDS‐PAGE analysis, cry gene content, serological test and insecticidal activity. CONCLUSION: Results indicate that Bn1 and MnD are B. thuringiensis subsp. kurstaki, and Mm2 and Xd3 are B. thuringiensis subsp. tenebrionis. In addition, isolate 6 is B. thuringiensis subsp. israelensis, isolates 27 and 46 are B. thuringiensis subsp. kumamotoensis and isolate 40 is B. thuringiensis subsp. indiana. The four B. thuringiensis isolates from hazelnut pests may be valuable as biological control agents against coleopteran and lepidopteran insects. Copyright © 2009 Society of Chemical Industry     

Potential susceptibility of Australian native plant species to branch dieback and bole canker diseases caused by Phytophthora ramorum

Susceptibility to branch dieback caused by Phytophthora ramorum was tested using a detached branch assay for 66 Australian native plant species sourced from established gardens and arboreta in California. Six of these species were further tested for their susceptibility to bole cankers caused by P. ramorum using a sealed log assay. Isopogon formosus and Eucalyptus denticulata were identified as potentially highly susceptible Australian branch dieback hosts. Thirteen potentially tolerant Australian host species included Banksia attenuata, B. marginata, E. haemastoma, E. regnans, Pittosporum undulatum and Billardiera heterophylla. Eucalyptus regnans was identified as a potentially highly susceptible bole canker host, while E. diversicolor and E. viminalis were considered potentially tolerant species to bole cankers caused by P. ramorum. Phytophthora ramorum was able to infect all 66 species, as confirmed by reisolation. These results extend the known potential host range for P. ramorum, confirm it as a possible threat to Australian plant industries and ecosystems and highlight additional associated hosts that are important in the global horticultural trade, native forests and plantation forestry.     

First report of alien Drosera rotundifolia in a high conservation value Patagonian peat bog

Drosera L. (Droseraceae) is a genus of insectivorous plants distributed worldwide with 240 species, 40 of which are found in South America. In the temperate forests of Chile and Argentina the only species present is D. uniflora. In a peat bog in Nahuel Huapi National Park, Argentina, a new species of Drosera was found in February 2018. To identify the species, we used morphological characters, and in addition, we sequenced two individuals for the nuclear region ITS and the chloroplast gene rbcL. Other Drosera sequences for these molecular regions were downloaded from GenBank, and a phylogenetic analysis was done to confirm the morphological identification of the Patagonian individuals. Morphologically and genetically, the species found in Nahuel Huapi is D. rotundifolia, a mostly Northern Hemisphere species. This is an alien species to the region and is thought to have been transported to the bog by tourists that visit the area. The presence of an exotic species represents a threat to this particular ecosystem with high conservation value. Currently, the National Park is taking control actions order to remove all individuals of the recently detected species. This study represents the first report of an alien species of Drosera in southern South America growing in the wild. This potentially invasive species may not only have negative impacts on the natural peat bog habitats in southern Argentina and Chile, but may also reach bogs in other temperate parts of the world.     

Biological control in Hungary: present situation and possibilities1

Biological control has already achieved certain results in Hungary, especially against soil-borne fungi and glasshouse pests. Nevertheless, experience has shown that locally found biological agents, however effective, could not be developed into registered, ready-for-sale plant protection products because of the lack of companies willing to invest. Biological control in Hungary is therefore limited to the conservation of natural antagonistic flora and fauna and to the application of imported biopesticides and bioagents, which are subject in Hungary to a registration procedure similar to that for chemical plant protection products. Current work includes the development of an anti-nematode product from a local strain of Arthrobotrys oligospora, application techniques for a local mirid Dicyphus hyalinipennis against insect pests, studies with native and imported strains of the nematodes Steinernema and Heterorhabditis against soil-borne insect pests, and introduction techniques for the chrysomelid Zygogramma sutularis against the weed Ambrosia elatior.     

Possibilities of Biological Control of Liver Flukes

A survey was conducted to gain insight into the perceptions of Lesotho's farmers with regard to insect pests of maize and sorghum, to identify management practices that could impact on stalk-borer numbers and to shed light on other farming practices such as variety selection and crop residue management. Field studies were conducted to determine the incidence and distribution of Busseola fusca (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae) and Chilo partellus (Lepidoptera: Pyralidae) larvae in sorghum and maize residues and to determine the effect of certain crop residue management practices on stalk-borer survival. Results indicated that farmers regard stalk-borers as important pests that sometimes need to be controlled. However, most farmers never apply control measures, mainly due to lack of resources. Residues of maize and sorghum plants are largely used as animal fodder with maize being cut and fed to animals after harvest. Sorghum crop residues are largely left on fields after harvest to be used by free-grazing animals. While stacks of maize stalks were not important in the winter survival of B. fusca larvae, stacking of sorghum ensures winter survival of C. partellus larvae. Detasselling of maize plants is commonly done at plant senescence and the upper halves of plants are fed to animals. Detasselling of maize plants had no effect on the number of borer larvae in plants at harvest.     

Native and exotic coniferous species in Europe – possible host plants for the potentially invasive Siberian moth,Dendrolimus sibiricus1 Tschtv. (Lepidoptera,Lasiocampidae)

The performance of young larvae of the potentially invasive Siberian moth Dendrolimus sibiricus Tschtv. has been studied for the first time on the native and exotic coniferous species which are widely distributed and of considerable commercial value in Europe. Picea, Abies, the introduced Pinus species (five‐needle pine only), and species from the exotic genera Pseudotsuga and Cedrus (all Pinaceae) are found to be suitable hosts for pest development. Two‐needle pines and species from non‐native Tsuga (also Pinaceae) are poor hosts in terms of larval performance though they may support growth of neonates (most sensitive to food quality). Coniferous species from other families: Taxaceae and Cupressaceae are inedible for the pest. The fact that the Siberian moth is able to survive and develop on all the tested genera of Pinaceae and that some of them constitute two thirds of the European forests underline how harmful this defoliator could be in the case of its introduction into European countries.     

Composition of the stubble weed flora and its role for Heterodera schachtii in the year preceding sugar beet production

In Germany, sugar beet is often rotated with 2 years of cereal. Extensive fallow periods between cereal harvest and autumn primary tillage allow for a weed flora to develop. Broad‐leaved weeds could potentially be alternate hosts for the common nematode Heterodera schachtii, one of the most important pests of sugar beet. Between 2009 and 2012, annual weeds developing in cereal stubble fields during July to mid‐October in the season prior to sugar beet were surveyed, including known hosts of H. schachtii. Yearly weather patterns and agronomic practices possibly impacted weed species composition and weed population densities. During September, Chenopodium album, Cirsium arvense, Convolvulus arvensis, Mercurialis annua, Polygonum spp., Solanum nigrum and Sonchus spp. occurred at the highest frequencies. Weed hosts of H. schachtii were present, but densities, frequencies and uniformity were limited. In 2010 and 2011, staining for nematodes in roots revealed juvenile penetration of some weeds but few adult stages. No indication of nematode reproduction of H. schachtii was found on these weed hosts. A fairly stable weed flora was detected on stubble fields that could provide some carry over for weed species. An elevated risk for nematode population density build‐up on these weeds was not found and management of these weeds at the observed densities during the stubble period for nematological reasons appeared unnecessary.     

EPIPRE: a Disease and Pest Management System for Winter Wheat,taking Account of Micrometeorological Factors1

EPIPRE (EPIdemic PREvention) is a cooperative project for supervised control of diseases and pests in wheat. It operates on a field by field basis. From every wheat field, basic data and field observations are stored in a data bank. Farmers send their field observations to the central team, which enters them in the data bank. Field data are updated daily by means of simplified simulation models. Expected damage and loss are calculated and used in a decision system, that leads to one of three major decisions: «treat», «don't treat», or «make another field observation». Exchange of information between farmers and central team is by mail. In 1978 EPIPRE started with Puccinia striiformis. Since then the number of pests and diseases which are considered have increased, so that in 1981 advice was given for P. striiformis, P. recondita, Erysiphe graminis, Septoria spp. and the cereal aphids, Sitobion avenae, Metopolophium dirhodum and Rhopalosiphum padi. For each of these pests and diseases predictive methods have been developed using explanatory simulation models as a tool. These explanatory models are based on knowledge of many input relations and some external factors (e.g. temperature) which govern most of the processes of the pest and disease population dynamics. On the basis of a sensitivity analysis with these models simplified decision rulés have been developed which are used in the advice system in which updating of the forcing variables is no longer needed.     

河西走廊棉田主要害虫发生动态及植物源杀虫剂防治技术

为了解甘肃省河西走廊棉区5种常见害虫的田间种群消长动态,明确防治适期并提出以植物源药剂为主的棉花害虫绿色防控技术,于甘肃省敦煌市和瓜州县棉田连续3年采用人工调查和性诱剂诱捕器监测棉蚜Aphis gossypii、棉叶螨、棉蓟马Thrips tabaci、烟粉虱Bemisia tabaci及棉铃虫Helicoverpa armigera的发生动态,同时开展以植物源农药为主的不同类型杀虫剂的田间药效筛选试验,建立科学防控用药技术流程。结果表明,棉蚜全年有6月中旬和7月中下旬2个发生高峰期,建议防治适期为7月上中旬;棉叶螨全年有7月上旬和7月下旬（2017年除外）2个发生高峰期,建议防治适期为6月下旬和7月中旬;烟粉虱全年只有8月中旬至9月中下旬1个高峰期,建议防治适期为8月上中旬;棉蓟马全年只有7月上旬至8月上旬1个高峰期,建议防治适期为7月上旬;棉铃虫1年发生3代,幼虫在7月下旬、9月上旬和9月中旬各有1个发生高峰期,成虫在7月上中旬、8月中下旬和9月中旬各有1个高峰期,建议防治适期应为7月上旬。软皂水剂、藜芦碱、苦参碱、啶虫脒和吡虫啉可用于防控棉蚜,药后14 d防效达76.93%~91.25%;藜芦碱、苦参碱、矿物油、软皂水剂、松油、阿维菌素、阿维·哒螨灵、螺螨酯和硅藻土+有机硅助剂可用于防控棉叶螨,药后10 d防效达72.39%~92.81%;软皂水剂、藜芦碱、印楝素、硅藻土+有机硅助剂、阿维菌素和噻虫嗪可用于防控烟粉虱,药后7 d防效达65.84%~84.29%;除虫菊素、苦参碱、多杀霉素、噻虫嗪和吡虫啉可用于防控棉蓟马,药后14 d防效达72.92%~90.93%。表明在该地区棉田主要害虫防治适期,建立以植物源农药替代传统化学药剂的防控技术,可用于我国河西走廊棉区棉花害虫的绿色防控。     

21种化学药剂对新疆棉田主要害虫毒力及对多异瓢虫的安全性

为明确现阶段棉田常用化学杀虫剂对新疆维吾尔自治区（简称新疆）棉花主要害虫的毒力以及对新疆本地优势天敌多异瓢虫Hippodamia variegata的安全性,于室内分别测定当前21种棉田常用化学药剂对新疆棉田3种主要害虫棉蚜Aphis gossypii、截形叶螨Etranychus truncatus和棉铃虫Helicoverpa armigera以及优势天敌多异瓢虫的毒力,比较不同药剂对各种害虫和天敌的相对毒力指数以及益害毒性比。结果表明,药剂处理24 h后,10种蚜虫防治药剂对棉蚜成蚜的半致死浓度LC₅₀由高到低依次为氟啶虫胺腈、啶虫脒、吡虫啉、环氧虫啶、噻虫嗪、丁硫克百威、烯啶虫胺、呋虫胺、螺虫乙酯和吡蚜酮,其中益害毒性比较高的药剂主要有氟啶虫胺腈和螺虫乙酯;5种叶螨防治药剂对截形叶螨成螨的LC₅₀从高到低依次为阿维菌素、哒螨灵、四螨嗪、噻螨酮和炔螨特,其中益害毒性比较高的药剂主要有四螨嗪、噻螨酮和阿维菌素;6种鳞翅目害虫幼虫防治药剂对棉铃虫3龄幼虫的LC₅₀由高到低顺次为甲氨基阿维菌素苯甲酸盐（简称甲维盐）、氯虫苯甲酰胺、茚虫威、灭多威、毒死蜱和高效氯氰菊酯,其中益害毒性比较高的药剂主要有甲维盐和氯虫苯甲酰胺。综合上述2个方面结果,氟啶虫胺腈、阿维菌素、甲维盐和氯虫苯甲酰胺不仅对棉花害虫毒力效果强,而且对有益天敌安全性高。