Response of European starlings to menthone derivatives: evidence for stereochemical differences in repellency

The present experiments were designed to identify inexpensive substitutes for -pulegone, an effective vertebrate repellent. In experiment 1, European starlings (Sturnus vulgaris) were presented with -pulegone and 12 additional menthone derivatives in one-cup tests. No derivative was as effective as -pulegone. In experiment 2, starlings were presented with -pulegone, -pulegone and -pulegone in onecup tests. -pulegone was as aversive as -pulegone, and both -pulegone and -pulegone were more aversive than -pulegone. More extensive evaluation of -pulegone as a vertebrate repellent appears warranted.     

Harmonizing the regulation of invertebrate biological control agents in the EPPO region: using the NAPPO region as a model

Harmonized regulation of invertebrate biological control agents (IBCAs) is a major challenge for the 51 countries of the European and Mediterranean Plant Protection Organization (EPPO). Although some of these member countries in the EPPO region have well‐defined regulations and follow a common approach, others do not. The North American Plant Protection Organization (NAPPO) has achieved a common approach in North America through the development of Regional Standards for Phytosanitary Measures specific to IBCAs that outline the information required for submission of a request to release an agent. NAPPO has also developed a process to ensure that submissions are reviewed by experts and regulatory officials in all three member countries. It is proposed that EPPO takes advantage of the experience of NAPPO in developing a harmonized approach for regulating IBCAs.     

Fatal mycotic dermatitis in captive brown tree snakes (Boiga irregularis).

Cutaneous fungal infections occurred in four captive brown tree snakes (Boiga irregularis). The ventral scales were most commonly affected, and lesions began as areas of erythema and edema with vesicle formation, followed by development of caseous brown plaques. Lesions usually started where ventral scales overlapped and spread rapidly. All snakes died within 14 days after clinical signs were first noted. The deaths of three of the snakes were directly attributable to the cutaneous disease; the other snake died from renal failure and visceral gout, most likely induced by gentamicin therapy. Histologically, lesions consisted of epidermal hyperplasia and hyperkeratosis, with foci of epidermal necrosis, intraepidermal vesicle formation, and subacute inflammation of the underlying dermis. These lesions were associated with bacteria and numerous septate, branched fungal hyphae within the epidermis and overlying serocelluar crusts. Hyphae that penetrated through the superficial surface of the epidermis often formed terminal arthroconidia. The same species of fungus was isolated in pure culture from the skin of three snakes, but fungal cultures were not performed on samples from the fourth snake. The fungus has been identified as the Chrysosporium anamorph of Nannizziopsis vriesii based on its formation of solitary dermatophytelike aleurioconidia and alternate and fission arthroconidia. The source of the fungus in this outbreak was not determined; however, the warm, moist conditions under which the snakes were housed likely predisposed them to opportunistic cutaneous fungal infections.