Derelomus piriformis Hoffmann (Curculionoidea: Curculionidae: Curculioninae: Derelomini), a new invasive species in Israel

Derelomus piriformis (Hoffmann), a weevil species developing onPhoenix canariensis, is recorded from Israel for the first time. The species belongs to the group of weevils that are pollinators of palms.D. piriformis is a pollinator ofP. canariensis, but at the same time is injurious to male flowers and occasionally also to female flowers. This group of weevils has not been previously recorded from Israel and adjacent countries. http://www.phytoparasitica.org posting July 19, 2006     

Note: The malvastrum mealybugFerrisia malvastra (Hemiptera: Coccoidea: Pseudococcidae): Distribution, host plants and pest status in Israel

The malvastrum mealybugFerrisia malvastra (McDaniel) (Hemiptera: Coccoidea: Pseudococcidae) is widely distributed in Israel, recorded so far from 30 species of host plants belonging to 18 families. Its occurrence on herbal plants and on avocado should be considered by farmers in Israel.     

The Aphidiinae (Hymenoptera: Ichneumonoidea: Braconidae) of Greece

Keys for the identification of genera and species of the subfamily Aphidiinae which occur in Greece as well as the observed parasitoid — aphid relations on various host plants are presented.     

STAR:

Le Service français de la Protection des Végétaux est chargé de missions à caractère réglementaire et de missions d'appui technique à la profession agricole telles que: les contrôles sanitaires des végétaux et produits végétaux à l'importation et à l'exportation; la surveillance phytosanitaire du territoire national; l'expérimentation et l'homologation des produits phytosanitaires; l'élaboration et la diffusion des Avertissements Agricoles. Depuis 1983, l'exécution de la plupart de ces missions est considérablement améliorée grâce à l'utilisation de l'informatique. Celle-ci pemet notamment la saisie et le stockage en temps réel de toutes les données présentant un caractère d'urgence (résultats des contrôles en frontière, d'analyses de laboratoires, données météorologiques, biologiques…). Le traitement immédiat de ces données devient possible (analyses statistiques, modélisation, sorties graphiques, tris complexes…), ainsi que leur consultation permanente et décentralisée. Les informations sont diffusées rapidement (messagerie électronique, télécopie). La gestion administrative est accélérée (facturations, abonnements aux Avertissements Agricoles, fichiers d'importateurs, d'exportateurs…).     

Endogenous development of Hemolivia mauritanica (Apicomplexa: Adeleina: Haemogregarinidae) in the marginated tortoise Testudo marginata (Reptilia: Testudinidae): evidence from experimental infection

Six young tortoises Testudo marginata Schoepff, 1792 were experimentally infected with Hemolivia mauritanica (Sergent et Sergent, 1904). The prepatent period ranged from 6 to 8 weeks. Young, smaller, club-like forms (6-9 x 3-6 Am) of gametocytes appeared in the peripheral blood first, whereas mature, elongated, cylindrical forms (9-12 x 5-7 Am) were detected after 1-2 weeks and predominated during later patency. Three of the infected tortoises were euthanized and dissected to study the endogenous stages. Meronts occurred in the cells of the reticulo-endothelial system and in the erythrocytes; these were observed mostly in parenchymatous organs. Mature forms measured 14.2 x 9.3 microm and contained 7-12 merozoites. Cysts with two (exceptionally one) cystozoites were also found predominantly in parenchymatous organs and measured 14.8 x 7.9 microm. Pathological changes attributable to Hemolivia were mild and limited to liver and kidneys. The role of individual developmental stages of haemogregarines is discussed with respect to evolution of heteroxenous life cycle and long-term persistence of parasites in their intermediate hosts.     

Investigations into carbamate insecticide selectivity: I: Evaluation of potential selectophores

In an effort to improve the generally unfavorable mouse/housefly toxicity ratio of most carbamate insecticides, potential selectophores (nitrile, carbamoyl oxime, carboxylic ester, or amide) were incorporated into a series of phenyl N-methylcarbamates. In addition to the insect and mouse toxicity determinations, the anticholinesterase activity of these compounds was determined for purified housefly head acetylcholinesterase and bovine erythrocyte acetylcholinesterase. The presence of these functional groups, in general, did not give enhanced selectivity ratios and, in one case, (o-N-methylcarbamoyloxyiminomethylphenyl N-methylcarbamate), a very unfavorable selectivity ratio of <0.03 was obtained. A mechanism implicating a Beckmann rearrangement is advanced to rationalize the high rodenticidal activity of this molecule. In general, the carbamates showed poor insecticidal activity when applied alone to the housefly, but, when the flies were pretreated with piperonyl butoxide, the compounds were quite toxic. Finally, an explanation is derived which seeks to justify the inability of these potential selectophores to improve the mouse/housefly toxidity ratio.     

Intraerythrocytic merogony in Haemogregarina koppiensis (Apicomplexa: Adeleorina: Haemogregarinidae)

During October 2003, a specimen of Amblyrhynchotes honckenii (Bloch, 1795) was captured at low tide, with a hand net, in a rock pool at Koppie Alleen, De Hoop Nature Reserve, South Africa. This fish was heavily parasitized by unidentified gnathiid praniza larvae, caligid copepods identified as Caligus tetrodontis Barnard, 1948, cymothoid isopods identified as Cinusa tetrodontis (Schioedte et Meinert, 1884), and the blood protozoan Haemogregarina koppiensis Smit et Davies, 2001. Giemsa-stained blood smears from this fish revealed new and unusual stages of merogony for H. koppiensis that included small, rounded, likely intraerythrocytic merozoites arranged in circles of eight around the host nucleus. Host cells appeared ghost-like and enlarged compared with normal erythrocytes. Identical merozoites, usually in clusters of up to 16, were also observed free of host cells. The pattern of merogony seen in H. koppiensis is unusual for a fish haemogregarine.     

PP 3/10 (3): Chapter 10: honeybees

Specific scope 1

This standard provides an assessment of the risks presented by plant protection products to honeybees. It was revised to include the risk presented by systemic plant protection products.

Specific approval and amendment

First approved in 1992‐09.
Edited as an EPPO Standard in 1998.
Revised in 2002‐09 and 2010‐09 (updated with ICPBR recommendations).     

A new genus of syringophilid mites (Acari: Cheyletoidea: Syringophilidae) from cuculiform birds (Aves: Cuculiformes)

Cuculisyringophilus crotophaginus gen. n. et sp. n. is described from the guira cuckoo Guira guira (Gmelin) from Paraguay and also was collected from the groove-billed ani Crotophaga sulcirostris Swainson from Colombia and Mexico. This new genus is closely related to Neoaulobia Fain, Bochkov et Mironov, 2000 but is distinguished by the following characters: propodosomal setae sce are situated distinctly anterior to level of setae d1, leg setae vs'II are absent, apodemes I are divergent.     

节瓜蓟马的新天敌——中华微刺盲蝽

首次发现中华微刺盲蝽Campylomma chinensis Schwh捕食节瓜蓟马Thrips palmi Karny且对田间节瓜蓟马种群数量的减少起重要作用。本文研究了该虫的形态特征、捕食过程和取食范围。结果表明中华微刺盲蝽为多食性昆虫，能取食多种小型昆虫及多种昆虫的卵：在田间，中华微刺盲蝽与节瓜蓟马数量的跟随现象明显；通过释入盲蝽，能使节瓜蓟马种群数量减少。     

Rhabdias kongmongthaensis sp. n. (Nematoda: Rhabdiasidae) from Polypedates leucomystax (Amphibia: Anura: Rhacophoridae) in Thailand

Rhabdias kongmongthaensis sp. n. is described based on specimens found in the lungs of the tree frog Polypedates leucomystax (Gravenhorst) (Amphibia: Rhacophoridae) from Kanchanaburi Province, western Thailand. The new species is similar to two North-American species, Rhabdias ranae and R. americanus, by presence of two lateral pseudolabia, each with two inner submedian protuberances. R. kongmongthaensis differs from both species by relative length and shape of the tail, and by its distribution and host specificity. Presence of lateral pseudolabia distinguishes the new species from the geographically closest Rhabdias species as well as from those parasitizing other rhacophorid frogs.     

EPPO database on diagnostic expertise: http://dc.eppo.org

In 2004, the EPPO Council expressed profound concerns about the decreasing expertise in plant protection and declared a state of emergency for Plant Health (‘Madeira declaration’). As diagnostics is one of the scientific fields which are vital for sustaining sound plant health policies, a questionnaire was launched and all EPPO member countries were asked to provide information about their diagnostic expertise, focusing on regulated pests or pests which may present a risk to the EPPO region. In 2006, results of the questionnaire were analysed and compiled by the EPPO Secretariat into a new database. This database now contains detailed information (contact addresses, quality programmes, and accreditations) for 80 diagnostic laboratories from 28 EPPO member countries. More than 500 experts are now registered with details about their diagnostic expertise (pests diagnosed and methods used). The EPPO database on diagnostic expertise can be freely accessed on the Internet: http://dc.eppo.org .     

Herbicide safeners: a review

Herbicide safeners selectively protect crop plants from herbicide damage without reducing activity in target weed species. This paper provides an outline of the discovery and uses of these compounds, before reviewing literature devoted to defining the biochemical and physiological mechanisms involved in safener activity. Emphasis is placed on the effects of safeners on herbicide metabolism and their interactions with enzyme systems, such as cytochrome P₄₅₀ mono-oxygenases and glutathione-S-transferases. Attention is drawn to the potential wide-ranging applications of safeners and, in particular, their use as powerful research tools with which to identify and manipulate those mechanisms which contribute to herbicide selectivity and resistance. © 1999 Society of Chemical Industry     

A new species of Litomosoides (Nematoda: Onchocercidae), parasite of Nectomys palmipes (Rodentia: Cricetidae: Sigmodontinae) from Venezuela: description, molecular evidence, Wolbachia pipientis screening

Abstract: The onchocercid filaria Litomosoides taylori sp. n. is described from the sigmodontine cricetid Nectomys palmipes Allen et Chapman in northeast Venezuela. A voucher specimen of the new species was used for molecular analysis of the coxI and 12S rDNA genes, and screened for the presence of the endobacterium Wolbachia pipientis. Litomosoides taylori belongs to the "sigmodontis group" of Litomosoides and a combination of characters can be used to distinguish it from the remaining 18 species forming this group. Among the five Nectomys species, all living near running water, N. squamipes also harbours Litomosoides species, L. khonae in Brazil and L. navonae in Argentina. These three Litomosoides species of the "sigmodontis group" do not share any particular characters. Gene sequences of L. taylori differ from those of the five Litomosoides species available, the three of the "carinii group" being the most distant. The new species harbours W pipientis, which is concurrent with the great majority of Litomosoides species screened to date.     

Lantana invasion: An overview

We review the key features of Lantana ( Lantana camara L.), an invasive plant species considered to be among the world's 10 worst weeds. Lantana occurs in diverse habitats and on a variety of soil types, and its spread is encouraged by animal activities and by human disturbances, such as cultivation, road construction, and changes in fire regimes. Lantana is morphologically distinct in the different regions of its invasive range compared to those regions in its native range. The biological attributes contributing to the success of Lantana as an invader species include: fitness homeostasis, phenotypic plasticity, dispersal benefits from destructive foraging activities, widespread geographic range, vegetative reproduction, fire tolerance, better competitive ability compared to native flora, and allelopathy. Mechanical, chemical and biological options for the eradication and control of Lantana are available. It is emphasized that ecosystem-level consequences of Lantana invasion, particularly on the biodiversity of native flora, are little understood and studies are needed to fulfill this knowledge gap.