Identification of colletotrichum species responsible for anthracnose and root necrosis of strawberry in Israel

ABSTRACT Strawberry anthracnose was observed for the first time in Israel in 1995. The disease reached epidemic proportions in Israeli nurseries and production fields in 1995 and 1996. Using morphological and cultural characteristics, the species responsible for anthracnose was identified as Colletotrichum acutatum. A reliable semi-selective medium, amended with iprodione and lactic acid, was used to isolate the fungus from infected tissues. In addition, C. acutatum was subsequently isolated from necrotic roots of stunted, chlorotic plants that exhibited no symptoms of anthracnose. High levels of the pathogen from naturally infested field soil and perlite growth substrate were quantified from the rhizosphere of diseased plants on the iprodione-amended medium. Both foliar- and rootinfecting isolates were equally pathogenic to strawberry, causing 95 to 100% plant mortality, when inoculated on roots and foliage. In complementation (heterokaryon) tests using nitrate nonutilizing mutants, 113 out of 115 isolates from different plant parts and locations belonged to a single vegetative compatibility group. Arbitrarily primed polymerase chain reaction of genomic DNA using four repetitive-motif primers produced nearly uniform amplified DNA banding patterns for 141 of the Israeli strawberry isolates from different sites, plots, plant tissues, and cultivars. When compared to reference isolates from the US, these band patterns suggested that a single introduction of C. acutatum was responsible for strawberry anthracnose on foliage and necrosis of roots in Israel.     

Aphid and host plant species in the Arava Valley of Israel: Epidemiological aspects

A survey of aphid species which colonize or reproduce on wild and cultivated plants in the Arava Valley of Israel was carried out at the end of winter 1986. Thirty-three aphid species were collected on wild plants and 23 in green tile or yellow traps exposed in cultivated plots. Aphids were recorded from 77 plant species in 22 botanical families.Myzus persicae, Aphis craccivora, Brachyunguis harmalae, Acyrthosiphon gossypii andAphis gossypii were present on plants in 19 botanical families. M. persicae was the most frequently trapped aphid species in both green tile and yellow traps. The possible origin of the aphid species found in the desert was considered in view of the ecology and geography of the region. The role of aphid species trapped in the Arava Valley, in the epidemiology of potato virus Y (PVY) and zucchini yellow mosaic virus (ZYMV), is discussed. Publication of the Agricultural Research Organization. No. 2305-E, 1988 series.     

Four new species of phytoseiid mites (Acarina: Mesostigmata) from Israel

The following new species of phytoseiid mites were collected on various plants in Israel and described:Anthoseius jordanis spec. nov.;Typhloctonus carmeli spec. nov.;T. montforti spec. nov.; andAmblyseius sharonensis spec. nov.     

Note: five new invasive species of longhorn beetles (Coleoptera: Cerambycidae) in Israel

Five invasive species of longhorn beetles, all known as pests and originating from different geographical areas, are recorded from Israel for the first time:Phoracantha recurva (Newman) andXystrocera globosa (Olivier) were collected in nature;Chlorophorus annularis (Fabricius),Neoplocaederus basalis (Gahan) andRhagium inquisitor (Linnaeus) were reared from imported timber. http://www.phytoparasitica.org posting May 29, 2008.     

Occurrence of two localMegastigmus species parasitic on the eucalyptus gall waspLeptocybe invasa in Israel and Turkey

Two localMegastigmus species were found to be parasitoids on the invasive Eucalyptus gall waspLeptocybe invasa Fisher & La Salle in Turkey and Israel.Megastigmus sp, from Israel is a larval and pupal parasitoid ofL. Invasa. Both species are biparental. Features showing morphological differences between them are presented. The biology, distribution and potential efficiency as biological control agents are discussed.     

Epiblema strenuana (Walker, 1863) (Lepidoptera: Tortricidae), a new species in Israel

Epiblema strenuana (Walker) (Lepidoptera: Tortricidae), an important biological control agent for invasive plants, was found to be present in Israel from 2008 on Ambrosia spp. The entrance pathway is not known, but is probably via the import of plant material (grains) from the USA.     

以色列的现代化农业

以色列位于中东地区，北部与黎巴嫩接壤，东北部与叙利亚、东部与约旦、西南部与埃及为邻，西濒地中海。国土面积约27 800 km2，呈狭长形，长约470 km，而东西最宽处约135 km。山脉和平原，沃土和沙漠经常只相隔几分钟的路程。以色列境内，既有温带气候，也有热带气候，阳光充足，只有两个差别显著的季节，即从11月至来年3月的多雨冬季和延续7个月的干旱夏季，荒漠几乎占全国土地面积的一半。以色列的农业是一部长期同不利条件进行艰苦斗争和最大限度地利用珍贵水资源和可耕地的成功史，也是充分利用先进科学技术进行农业生产的发展史。节水灌溉，沙漠农业，高科技农业等方面的成果使以色列的农业生产位居世界前列，现代化农业也为以色列创造了巨大的社会和经济效益。     

The occurrence of a member of theCirculifer tenellus species complex (Homoptera: Cicadellidae: Euscelini) in Israel

Among leafhoppers of the genusCirculifer, there are several important pests of several crops and vector agents of plant diseases. In this report, we describe the occurrence of a leafhopper species closely related to theCirculifer tenellus group, with characteristics that may classify it asC. dubiosus. This insect was found in nature breeding onAtriplex halimus L., a weed belonging to the Chenopodiaceae, mainly in the Jordan Valley. In captivity it produced one generationon A. halimus over a period of almost 45 days at 25°C. The variations of observed structural differences among members of this taxon and their biological significance are discussed.     

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     

A new genus and species of soft scales (hemiptera: Coccoidea: Coccidae) from oaks in Israel

A new genus of soft scales,Kenima, is described forKenima galilit, a new species off oaks in Israel.     

Insect pests of macadamia in Israel

A survey of macadamia pests was made in Israel in 1975. A number of pests were found, but none was of economic importance.     

以色列农作物病虫害综合防治现状

以色列虽然是一个土地贫瘠、气候干旱的国家,但农业生产较为发达。尽管病虫害发生种类多,但综合防治措施应用普遍,农产品品质好、产量高,大量有机瓜、果和蔬菜出口欧、亚地区。这既得益于其节水灌溉技术、设施栽培技术,更得益于病虫害综合防治技术(IPM)。其病虫害综合防治技术是基于生态友好、可持续发展的、高度重视农业、生物等非化学措施、最低限度地使用化学措施的综合防治策略。农业栽培预防、物理机械防治、生物防治与化学防治措施在病虫害防治中的应用比例呈金字塔形递减。在当前全社会对农产品安全不断重视的形势下,病虫害防治中…     

Pestalotiopsis canker of cypress in Israel

The occurrence of a new type of canker on stems and branches of cypress trees(Cupressus sempervirens L.) in Israel is reported.Pestalotiopsis funerea (Desm.) Steyaert was isolated from the cankers. Its pathogenicity was confirmed by formation of typical disease symptoms in inoculated plants and reisolation of that fungus from the cankers. Canker development was significantly enhanced when extreme water stress (water potential of -4.7 MPa) was imposed prior to inoculation.