Decoding attraction: Improving vine weevil monitoring by exploiting key sensory cues

BACKGROUND

Monitoring is an integral component of integrated pest management (IPM) programmes used to inform crop management decisions. Vine weevil, Otiorhynchus sulcatus F. (Coleoptera: Curculionidae), continues to cause economically significant losses in horticultural crops due to an inability to reliably detect the presence of this species before crop damage occurs. To improve vine weevil monitoring we investigated the behavioural responses of adult vine weevils to visual (monitoring tool shade/colour, height and diameter as well as the effect of monitoring tool and plant density) and olfactory (host plant and conspecifics) cues under glasshouse conditions.

RESULTS

Monitoring tool shade, height and diameter all influenced monitoring tool efficacy, with individuals exhibiting a preference for black, tall and wide monitoring tools. The total number of individuals recorded in monitoring tools increased with monitoring tool density. By contrast, plant density did not influence the number of individuals recorded in monitoring tools. Yew-baited monitoring tools retained a larger number of individuals compared to unbaited ones. Similarly, more vine weevils were recorded in monitoring tools baited with yew and conspecifics than in unbaited monitoring tools or those baited with only yew. Baiting monitoring tools with conspecifics alone did not enhance the number of vine weevils recorded in monitoring tools.

CONCLUSIONS

Our study confirms that visual and olfactory cues influence vine weevil behaviour. This provides information on key factors that influence vine weevil monitoring tool efficacy and can be used to inform the development of a new monitoring tool for this pest. © 2023 The Authors. Pest Management Science published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd on behalf of Society of Chemical Industry.     

Assessment of microbial biocontrol agent (BCA) viability to mechanical and thermal stress by simulating spray application conditions

Background

In order to improve the biological control agent (BCA) efficacy, stress factors threatening the viability of microorganisms during spray application need to be determined. The effect of spray mixture temperature and exposure time on Trichoderma harzianum T 22 and Bacillus amyloliquefaciens QST713 viability were tested. Concurrently the combined effect of mechanical and thermal stress effect on BCA viability were tested at two initial spray mixture temperatures (14 and 25 °C) by simulating a spray application using airblast sprayers featured by different tank capacity and a spray liquid circuit (without and with hydraulic agitation system). To assess the BCA microorganism viability, spray mixture samples were collected at time intervals along trials and plated to count the colony forming units (CFU).

Results

The critical temperature threshold that inhibited BCA viability was 35 °C with 30 min of exposure. The sprayer type, the initial temperature of the spray mixture and the temperature increment during the trials significantly decreased the number of CFU recovered. When simulating a spray application, the spray mixture temperature increase rate was determined mainly by the residual amount of spray mixture in the tank. Even if the tank capacity does not substantially affect the final temperature reached by the spray mixture, the higher residual spray mixture in bigger tanks can expose the BCAs for a longer time to critical temperatures.

Conclusions

Experimental trials allowed us to identify the effect of factors affecting the viability of tested BCAs, providing information about the actual chance to guarantee the biological efficacy of BCA treatments. © 2023 The Authors. Pest Management Science published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd on behalf of Society of Chemical Industry.     

广州近代城市公园的中西合璧特征探析

广州近代城市公园设计精巧,风格独特,在岭南造园史上具有重要地位。结合历史图文资料,运用风景园林史学和风景园林美学相结合的研究方法,归纳分析其造园特征。广州近代城市公园的中西合璧特征主要体现在3个方面:因地制宜的空间布局、中西融合的建筑小品、多姿多彩的植物景观。探析其中西合璧特征,有利于丰富岭南近代园林历史与理论研究,推进对广州近代城市公园的保护与造园智慧的传承。     

Association between porpoise presence and fish choruses: implications for feeding strategies and ecosystem-based conservation of the East Asian finless porpoise

The associations between feeding activities and environmental variables inform animal feeding tactics that maximize energetic gains by minimizing energy costs while maximizing feeding success. Relevant studies in aquatic animals, particularly marine mammals, are scarce due to difficulties in the observation of feeding behaviors in aquatic environments. This data scarcity concurrently hinders ecosystem-based fishery management in the context of small toothed-cetacean conservation. In the present study, a passive acoustic monitoring station was deployed in an East Asian finless porpoise habitat in Laizhou Bay to investigate potential relationships between East Asian finless porpoises and their prey. The data revealed that porpoises were acoustically present nearly every day during the survey period. Porpoise detection rates differed between spring and autumn in concert with activities of fish choruses. During spring, fish choruses were present throughout the afternoon, and this was the time when porpoise vocalizations were the most frequently detected. During autumn, when fish choruses were absent, porpoise detection rates decreased, and diurnal patterns were not detected. The close association between fish choruses and finless porpoise activities implies an “eavesdropping” feeding strategy to maximize energetic gains, similar to other toothed cetaceans that are known to engage similar feeding strategies. Underwater noise pollution, particularly those masking fish choruses, could interrupt finless porpoises’ feeding success. Fisheries competing soniferous fishes with finless porpoise could impact finless porpoise viability through ecosystem disruption, in addition to fishing gear entanglement.     

The BPR Facing the Dynamic Union

With the rapid development of the manufacture, the technology of information and net, the traditional management of enterprise cannot meet the demands of the market, to get a better development and benefit, enterprises have to keep a competitive and cooperative relation with each other. Thus is the beginning of the dynamic union. Combining the theory of dynamic union with BPR, this thesis proposes the BPR facing the dynamic union and expounds the principle of it, the re-engineering of the full life cycle and the evaluation method of re-engineering on the base of analyzing the characteristic of dynamic and demands of process.     

Model of Information Integrating in CIMS Based on the Object-oriented Method

Information integrating is the most important key to CIMS,which is the base of the function integrating and all others.Because of so many kinds,so complicated structure,so many different sources and uses that the information in CIMS has,it is necessary to build a popular Information Integrating Model. The model of information integrating in the thesis bases on the enterprise model,which is presented by ISO(International Organization for Standardization).According to the object-oriented method,the process of modeling begins with classifying the information,and then describes the definition of the attributes and the structural relation of those objects. By means of the idea of Encapsulation and Inheritance,the destination of information integrating can be arrive and the model of information integrating can be set up. The model which is based on the share information is helpful to finish the function integrating and the whole CIMS' construction. Moreover,the system which is developed following such program can be reused for many times and the developing circle of CIMS can be apparently shortened,too.     

Optimum Planting System for Energy Saving and Healthy Demanded

It is proved that planting is effective to improve environment both indoor and outdoor resulted from the functions of plants to clean air and save energy. So the contradiction between saving energy and comfort,healthy demanded by people can be solved by planting. The planting have being emphasized and expanded during recent years,but in the planting plan,just the function of beautifying the environment is concerned and the function of ecological and saving energy are neglected. The analysis on the ooptimum system of planting is to make the planting system as an organic composition in the effectiveness structure and space layout of the city. Based on the study on equivalent relation of different effects on environment, the optimum system of planting structure will be determined in order to achieve the integrated effects of planting on environment.     

A Research of Life Cycle Integrated Management Pattern of Construction Project

Development Management (DM) in decision phase, Project Management on behalf of the owner (OPM) in implementation phase and Facility Management (FM) in operation phase are three isolated management tools during traditional life cycle management of construction project. As a result, a lot of potential disadvantages are aroused. In recent years, many research organizations try to reform the traditional method using different integration means. This paper tries to explore into integration of DM, OPM and FM to overcome the malpractice of traditional life cycle management of construction project. The research focuses on three aspects: 1.putting forward the concept of Life Cycle Integrated Management (LCIM), based on management integration theory; 2. Raising a new idea to owner's (operator's) management organization design, which emphasizes on the balance of life cycle objectives; 3. Analyzing an information module, level and method of system integration of Life Cycle Integrated Management Information System.