First record of the red gum lerp psyllid Glycaspis brimblecombei Moore (Hemiptera: Psyllidae) in Tuscany (Italy)

The invasive Australian pest Glycaspis brimblecombei Moore, the red gum lerp psyllid, is recorded for the first time in Tuscany (Italy). Its occurrence in this new region, just 2 years after its first record in Italy, shows how rapidly its population has found suitable environmental conditions in Italian territories.     

Biology of Thaumastocoris peregrinus in different eucalyptus species and hybrids

The bronze bug Thaumastocoris peregrinus Carpintero & Dellapé (Hemiptera: Thaumastocoridae), originating in Australia, has been rapidly spreading in eucalyptus plantations in the Southern Hemisphere, including South Africa, Zimbabwe, Argentina, Uruguay, Paraguay and Chile. In Brazil, it was detected in 2008 in the states of Sao Paulo and Rio Grande do Sul. Due to incomplete knowledge about the biology of this pest, the present study evaluated the bioecology of T. peregrinus in different eucalyptus species and hybrids. The genetic materials utilized were: Eucalyptus camaldulensis, E. urophylla, E. grandis, ??1277?? (Hybrid E. grandis x camaldulensis??HGC), ??VM-1?? (Hybrid E. urophylla x camaldulensis??HUC) and ??H-13?? (Hybrid E. urophylla x grandis??HUG). The experiment was conducted in a climate-controlled chamber at a temperature of 26?±?1°C, r.h. = 70%?±?10% and 12?h photophase. The biology of different genotypes indicated that the species E. urophylla and E. grandis are the most suitable for the development and reproduction of T. peregrinus, although all treatments enabled the bronze bug to develop and produce descendants. T. peregrinus developed and reproduced in the principal vegetal materials planted in the southern, central-west and northeastern regions of Brazil, constituting a potentially damaging insect pest to eucalyptus plantations.     

First record of the red gum lerp psyllid,Glycaspis brimblecombei Moore (Hemiptera Psyllidae), in Tunisia

During a survey carried out in August 2013 along all coastal areas of north-eastern Tunisia (governorships of Bizerte, Ariana, Tunis, Ben Arous, Nabeul, Sousse), eucalyptus trees were found to be highly infested by the invasive pest Glycaspis brimblecombei Moore, 1964, also known as red gum lerp psyllid. This insect, native to the Australian region and secondarily dispersed also in the Americas, Mauritius, Madagascar and South Africa, very recently started to invade the Mediterranean region and in almost 5 years has spread to the Iberian Peninsula, Italy, Greece and Morocco. Its presence in Tunisia (which is recorded here for the first time) most probably dates back to summer 2012, since typical necrotic spots caused by the lerp of the psyllid had already been noted on leaves during spring 2013. No presence of its main parasitoid – Psyllaephagus bliteus Riek – nor of any other natural enemy, was noted up to now during our survey in Tunisia.     

Die biologische Bekämpfung des Eukalyptusblattsaugers Ctenarytaina eucalypti (Maskell) (Hemiptera, Psyllidae) durch die Erzwespe Psyllaephagus pilosus Noyes (Hymenoptera, Encyrtidae) – eine Erfolgsgeschichte in Kalifornien und Westeuropa, aber auch in Sachsen

The Australian psyllid Ctenarytaina eucalypti has been accidentally introduced into many parts of the world. In America as well as in Europe it caused severe damage on Eucalyptus cut-foliage plantations. Insecticide treatments have proven to be expensive and not-sustainable. Therefore a biocontrol project was carried out in the Center for Biological Control at Berkely, California. The search for a monophagous parasitoid of the blue gum psyllid in the natural habitat in Australia and New Zealand was successful. After quarantine for elimination of hyperparasitoids the natural enemy Psyllaephagus pilosus has been released in Californian Eucalyptus plantations since 1993. It established itself rapidly, resulting in a decrease of the pest below the economic threshold. Following this impressive effect the parasitoid has also been released in some West European countries. The rapid spread over great territories was similar. The parasitization rates reached 100 percent, providing a sustainable control of the psyllid. In the last years several accidental introductions of C. eucalypti into Germany occurred. The first record in Saxony was in 2000 in the botanical garden of the Dresden University of Technology on Eucalyptus globulus. However, the spontaneous attack of the blue gum psyllid by P. pilosus during the next two years eradicated the infestation. To avoid a possible threat to natural ecosystems, the well-directed future use of exotic biological control agents against unintentionally introduced pests is in urgent need of a legal regulation at the EU or national level in Germany. The FAO and EPPO standards on this topic should be considered as a basis for this.     

Occurrence of <Emphasis Type="Italic">Atopozelus opsimus</Emphasis> preying on nymphs and adults of <Emphasis Type="Italic">Glycaspis brimblecombei</Emphasis>

The stink bugs genus Atopozelus (Hemiptera: Reduviidae) is native in the Americas, with five described species of which only three have been recorded in Brazil. In August 2007, Eucalyptus camaldulensis leaves infested by lerp psyllid were collected and taken to the Forest Pest Biological Control Laboratory situated at São Paulo State University. A small green stink bug, identified as Atopozelus opsimus Elkins (Hemiptera: Reduviidae) that fed on nymphs and adult psyllids, was found on the leaves. These stink bugs presented phytophagy, omnivory and ability in opening the lerp (shell) that protect the psyllid. A. opsimus has demonstrated unusual particularities, different from many biological control agents found in nature; this predator thus deserves more attention for its potential to be evaluated.     

Feeding preference of Thaumastocoris peregrinus on several Eucalyptus species and the relationship with the profile of terpenes in their essential oils

The feeding preference by Thaumastocoris peregrinus, Carpintero and Dellapé (Heteroptera: Thaumastocoridae) on different Eucalyptus species was evaluated through choice tests in a paired comparisons design. Twenty individuals per combination were tested over a 48 h period, and each one was offered leaves of two species at a time, in all possible combinations. Preference was determined by counting the number of insect excrements on each plant as a proxy for effective feeding, and then ranked through a paired comparison matrix. A linearity index was calculated to test for hierarchy preferences and, after that, a cardinal index (David’s score) was calculated to assign a preference value for each species. The essential oils were extracted from leaves of each Eucalyptus species, and their chemical composition determined through GC-MS. The results show a significant and strictly linear feeding preference ranking between the species tested. The order of preference between species was E. viminalis > E. grandis > E. tereticornis > E. dunnii > E. maidenii > E. globulus. The qualitative and quantitative chemical compositions of the essential oils of these Eucalyptus species differed. A significant correlation was found between the feeding preferences and the concentrations of 1,8-cineole as a repellent and p-cymene as a feeding stimulant. These results underline the importance of selecting the right Eucalyptus species in areas infested by T. peregrinus.     

Impact of Eucalyptus gall wasp,Leptocybe invasa infestation on growth and biomass production of Eucalyptus grandis and E. saligna seedlings in Tanzania

A study was carried out to determine the impact of Leptocybe invasa infestation on growth and biomass production of Eucalyptus grandis W. Hill ex Maiden and E. saligna Smith seedlings in Tanzania. Three- month old seedlings were infested with L. invasa. Twenty two weeks post infestation, heights of infested E. grandis seedlings were reduced by 39.6%, while diameters were reduced by 11.3% compared to uninfested seedlings. On the other hand, the heights of infested E. saligna seedlings were reduced by 38.2% and diameters were reduced 7.7% compared to uninfested seedlings. Dry weight biomass reduction of infested seedlings was significantly higher on stem and leaves than roots and branches of both E. grandis and E. saligna. The impact of L. invasa infestation on growth and biomass production was higher in E. grandis than E. saligna. Prevention and control of L. invasa infestation should be given priority. Similar future trials should examine other commercially grown Eucalyptus species in Tanzania.     

Description and molecular phylogeny of <Emphasis Type="Italic">Ditylenchus gilanicus</Emphasis> n. sp. (Nematoda: Anguinidae) from northern forests of Iran

Commercial areas containing Eucalyptus plantations have expanded in recent years due to increased demands for pulp, paper and bioenergy. One of the threats that can reduce Eucalyptus production is the eucalyptus rust disease caused by Austropuccinia psidii, a biotrophic fungus that affects a broad range of Myrtaceae. An accurate diagnosis tool for the early detection of rust disease could be useful in breeding programs for selection of resistant plants against rust, in phytosanitary purposes or in rust epidemics studies. The aim of the present work was to develop a SYBR Green-based quantitative real-time PCR (qPCR) assay for the early detection and quantification of A. psidii in Eucalyptus grandis leaves. Three sets of primers based on the A. psidii ribosomal DNA intergenic space region (IGS), beta-tubulin and elongation factor genes were designed and evaluated. The assays using the IGS primer set resulted in the highest detection efficiency, detecting a lower limit of 0.5 pg of A. psidii DNA. Under artificial inoculation in plants, A. psidii was detected immediately after pathogen inoculation until 240 h post-inoculation using qPCR. In field validation of the method, A. psidii was detected using qPCR in naturally infected leaves with or without rust symptoms. This easy and fast method can be used for an efficient detection of A. psidii in E. grandis leaves. The implications of this tool for rust studies are discussed below.     

Characterization of Rhizoctonia Species Associated with Foliar Necrosis and Leaf Scorch of Clonally-propagated Eucalyptus in Brazil

The objective was to identify and characterize the causal agent of foliar necrosis and leaf scorch of Eucalyptus spp. in Brazil. Nineteen putative isolates of Rhizoctonia obtained from Eucalyptus plants during clonal propagation were compared with isolates from other hosts and with tester strains of anastomosis groups of Rhizoctonia solani. Features compared were morphological characteristics of anamorphs and teleomorphs, numbers of nuclei per cell in the vegetative hyphae, anastomosis of hyphae, and ability to produce necrotic lesions on cuttings and damping-off of E. grandis×E. urophylla hybrid seedlings. Rhizoctonia solani AG1 (AG1-IB like) was the most frequent causal agent isolated from Eucalyptus plants and cuttings with symptoms of leaf scorch and foliar necrosis respectively. These isolates were highly virulent on Eucalyptus cuttings and presented naturally epiphytic growth on Eucalyptus shoots. Binucleate isolates and isolates of R. solani AG4 were also virulent on cuttings and were most virulent on Eucalyptus seedlings causing pre- and post-emergence damping-off. Virulence on Eucalyptus cuttings and seedlings was not restricted to a single species or anastomosis group of Rhizoctonia.     

Neem (Azadirachta indica) seed kernel extracts and azadirachtin as oviposition deterrents against the melon fly (Bactrocera cucurbitae) and the oriental fruit fly (Bactrocera dorsalis)

Neem(Azadirachta indica A. Juss.) seed kernel (NSK) extracts,viz., NSK aqueous suspension (NSKS), ethanolic extract of NSK (EtOH. NSK), hexane extract of NSK (neem oil), ethanolic extract of the hexane extract (EtOH. oil) and acetone extract of deoiled NSK powder (Acet. DNSKP) at 1.25-20% concentrations, and pure azadirachtin at 1.25-10 ppm, were evaluated as oviposition deterrents toBactrocera cucurbitae (Coq.) andB. dorsalis Hendel. NSKS at ≥5% under choice test conditions, and at all concentrations (≥1.25%) in no-choice tests significantly deterred oviposition in both species. Similarly, EtOH. NSK was significantly active at all the concentrations tested for both species in choice and no-choice tests. However, with neem oil and EtOH. oil sensitivities of the two species differed considerably. Both extracts deterred oviposition byB. cucurbitae at all the concentrations tested under both choice and no-choice test conditions. On the other hand, withB. dorsalis, neem oil was significantly deterrent only at 20% in both test regimes and at 5% and 20% for EtOH. oil under choice and no-choice test conditions, respectively. Acet. DNSKP significantly deterred oviposition by both species at all concentrations tested. Azadirachtin failed to deter oviposition in either species.     

Fumigant and contact toxicity of Myrtaceae plant essential oils and blends of their constituents against adults of German cockroach (Blattella germanica) and their acetylcholinesterase inhibitory activity

Fumigant and contact toxicities of 11 Myrtaceae plant essential oils and their constituents against adult male and female Blattella germanica were evaluated. Of 11 Myrtaceae plant essential oils, Eucalyptus polybractea, Eucalyptussmithii, Eucalyptusradiata, Eucalyptusdives, Eucalyptusglobulus, and Melaleuca uncinata, showed 100% fumigant toxicity against adult male German cockroaches at a concentration of 7.5 mg/liter air concentration. In contact toxicity tests, E. polybractea, E. smithii, E. radiata, E. dives, E. globulus, Melaleucadissitiflora, and M. uncinata produced strong insecticidal activity against adult male and female German cockroaches. Of the essential oil constituents, terpinolene, α-terpinene, and terpinen-4-ol demonstrated strong fumigant toxicity against adult male and female B. germanica. Eugenol, isoeugenol, methyl eugenol, and terpinen-4-ol showed strong contact toxicity against adult male B. germanica. The toxicity of the constituent blends identified from M. dissitiflora essential oils indicated that terpinen-4-ol were major contributor to the fumigant activity or contact toxicity of the artificial blend. Only isoeugenol exhibited inhibition activity against male acetylcholinesterase. IC₅₀ values of isoeugenol were 0.22 mg/mL against male acetylcholinesterase.     

Genetic diversity and aggressiveness of Erwinia psidii on Eucalyptus spp. in Brazil

The genetic variability and aggressiveness of Brazilian Erwinia psidii isolates from Eucalyptus spp. was studied and compared with reference isolates from guava (Psidium guajava). Repetitive element sequence (rep)-based PCR markers of 101 isolates from Eucalyptus spp. and five from guava showed that the populations of E. psidii displayed a relatively low genetic variability. No correlation of genetic clustering based on rep-PCR analysis with geographic origin or host of origin was observed, indicating that genome rearrangements associated with adaptation to a particular host were not detected by these molecular markers. A higher genotypic richness was detected in the Mato Grosso do Sul population, probably reflecting a pathogen dissemination associated with the recent expansion in eucalypt plantations. Wilcoxon and ANOVA tests of disease severity data indicated differences in aggressiveness among isolates and an isolate × clone interaction. The area under the disease progress curve (AUDPC) and disease severity for some isolates were significantly different between two susceptible clones tested. Notably, isolate LPF681 from guava was not able to cause disease on a susceptible Eucalyptus urophylla clone, suggesting that some co-evolution between pathogen and host has taken place. The variability in aggressiveness and virulence among isolates of E. psidii observed in this study will be important for the establishment of appropriate screening approaches to select for disease resistance.     

Adult attractiveness and oviposition preference of <Emphasis Type="Italic">Zabrotes subfasciatus</Emphasis> toward genotypes of common bean <Emphasis Type="Italic">Phaseolus vulgaris</Emphasis>

The Mexican bean weevil Zabrotes subfasciatus (Coleoptera: Chrysomelidae: Bruchinae) is among the key pests of common bean Phaseolus vulgaris L. around the world. Identifying resistance sources and the resistance types involved is important for development of pest-resistant bean varieties. This study assessed the adult attractiveness and oviposition preference of Z. subfasciatus toward eight genotypes of common bean, including seven pre-selected resistant genotypes and one standard for susceptibility. Attraction to the genotypes was assessed at one and four days after infestation. Oviposition preference was tested under free- and no-choice (confinement) conditions. We observed that IAC 853 was the least oviposited genotype in the free-choice test. However, this finding was not confirmed by the no-choice test. Therefore, IAC 853 could not be characterized as resistant to Z. subfasciatus. Presence of the toxic protein arcelin does not appear to influence host selection by Z. subfasciatus.     

Significant host jump of Xanthomonas vasicola from sugarcane to a Eucalyptus grandis clone in South Africa

A number of bacterial pathogens have previously been shown to cause blight and die‐back of Eucalyptus species. These include Pantoea ananatis, Pseudomonas cichorii, Xanthomonas axonopodis and Xanthomonas dyei pv. eucalypti. In 2003 a newly established compartment of a Eucalyptus grandis clone in the Mtunzini area of South Africa showed extensive leaf blight and die‐back. The plantation was located in an area where sugarcane is extensively cultivated. Bacteria were commonly found exuding from leaves and petioles. Numerous insects in the family Miridae were observed in the plantation and collected. Isolations from diseased material and mirid insects yielded two distinct bacterial species. The objectives of this study were to identify these bacterial species and determine their aetiology. Phenotypic methods as well as 16S rRNA and gyrB sequencing were performed on all isolates, confirming the presence of P. ananatis and Xanthomonas vasicola, of which the pathovar vasculorum (Xvv) is known to infect sugarcane and maize. Xanthomonas vasicola isolates from E. grandis and a strain of Xvv, previously isolated from sugarcane, were inoculated into the susceptible Eucalyptus clone and three sugarcane cultivars. All isolates were found to be pathogenic. This study thus suggests that X. vasicola has made a significant host jump from sugarcane to eucalypts in South Africa.     

Characterization of Botryosphaeriaceae from plantation‐grown Eucalyptus species in South China

The Botryosphaeriaceae is a species‐rich family that includes pathogens of a wide variety of trees, including Eucalyptus species. Symptoms typical of infection by the Botryosphaeriaceae have recently been observed in Eucalyptus plantations in South China. The aim of this study was to identify the Botryosphaeriaceae associated with these symptoms. Isolates were collected from branch cankers and senescent twigs of different Eucalyptus spp. All isolates resembling Botryosphaeriaceae were separated into groups based on conidial morphology. Initial identifications were made using PCR‐RFLP fingerprinting, by digesting the ITS region of the rDNA operon with the restriction enzymes CfoI and KspI. Furthermore, to distinguish isolates in the Neofusicoccum parvum/N. ribis complex, a locus (BotF15) previously shown to define these species, was amplified and restricted with CfoI. Selected isolates were then identified using comparisons of DNA sequence data for the ITS rDNA and translation elongation factor 1‐alpha (TEF‐1α) gene regions. Based on anamorph morphology and DNA sequence comparisons, five species were identified: Lasiodiplodia pseudotheobromae, L. theobromae, Neofusicoccum parvum, N. ribis sensu lato and one undescribed taxon, for which the name Fusicoccum fabicercianum sp. nov. is provided. Isolates of all species gave rise to lesions on the stems of an E. grandis clone in a glasshouse inoculation trial and on the stems of five Eucalyptus genotypes inoculated in the field, where L. pseudotheobromae and L. theobromae were most pathogenic. The five Eucalyptus genotypes differed in their susceptibility to the Botryosphaeriaceae species suggesting that breeding and selection offers opportunity for disease avoidance in the future.     

Effects of kaolin-based particle film on spruce budworm (Choristoneura fumiferana (Lepidoptera: Tortricidae)) oviposition in the laboratory

A laboratory study conducted in 2003 determined the influence of a kaolin-based particle film (Surround WP Crop Protectant) on spruce budworm (Choristoneura fumiferana (Clem)) oviposition. Three concentrations (15, 30 and 60 g litre(-1) spray carrier) were applied to white spruce (Picea glauca (Moench) Voss). When presented with different paired choices of oviposition surfaces, spruce budworms laid very few egg masses overall and showed no significant (P < 0.05) preference between kaolin-coated and untreated foliage. During no-choice tests, spruce budworms were significantly (P < 0.05) less inclined to oviposit on the 60 g kaolin litre(-1) treated foliage than on the controls, but no kaolin treatment completely inhibited spruce budworm oviposition. Egg mass size and percentage hatch were unaffected by the kaolin treatments, and overall the percentage of egg masses laid on foliage was inversely proportional to treatment concentration. It is unlikely that kaolin-based particle film would be practical for wide use in natural forests without significant adaptations to current pesticide application equipment and methods. However, the technique might be feasible in selected urban settings.     

New record and characteristics of damage caused by <Emphasis Type="Italic">Oligonychus yothersi</Emphasis> on <Emphasis Type="Italic">Eucalyptus urophylla</Emphasis>

Oligonychus yothersi (Acari: Tetranychidae) causes damage to a wide range of plants. The aim of this work was to record the occurrence of this mite species feeding on one-year-old plants of Eucalyptus urophylla in the field and describe the damages that this mite causes to plant species. This mite species was commonly found attacking E. urophylla plants in Viçosa (MG), Brazil. The observed damage was similar to that caused by herbivorous mites that feed directly on the leaf surface and cause premature falling of the attacked leaves. This fact indicates that this mite species may be a potential pest for eucalyptus plants and crops, which makes it essential to carry out further studies on this subject, especially during periods with low intensity of rainfall and humidity.     

Evaluation of the resistance of Coffea canephora to Oligonychus ilicis (Acari: Tetranychidae) and the preimaginal conditioning effect on resistance using a biological life table

Oligonychus ilicis (McGregor) (Acari: Tetranychidae), is one of the most important mite pests found in coffee plants. One way to reduce intensive pest attacks is management via resistant plants. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the resistance of 14 C. canephora genotypes to O. ilicis by antixenosis and antibiosis mechanisms and to determine the preimaginal conditioning effect on resistant genotypes using O. ilicis reared on C. canephora. Resistance by antixenosis was not found; however, nine genotypes showed resistance to O. ilicis via an antibiosis mechanism. Two of these resistant genotypes showed a more persistent resistance than the O. ilicis reared on C. canephora, which indicated that a previous host can affect the selection of a genotype by O. ilicis. The study may provide a model to evaluate the preimaginal conditioning effect on plant resistance, which can be useful for plant breeders.     

Ovicidal and oviposition deterrent activities of the flavonoid pectolinaringenin from Clerodendrum phlomidis against Earias vittella

Fractions derived from Clerodendrum phlomidis Linn. F. and isolated compounds from chloroform extract were evaluated against Earias vittella Fab. for their ovicidal and oviposition deterrent activities. There were 12 fractions obtained with silica gel column chromatographic techniques using different solvent systems. Among the fractions, fraction 5 recorded maximum ovicidal activity of 68.49% and oviposition deterrent activity of 100% at 1000 ppm concentration followed by 500 ppm concentration. The active fraction was further purified using HPLC. The purified fraction was subjected to UV, ¹HNMR, ¹³CNMR, IR and EI-Mass spectroscopy and their spectral data confirmed the compound pectolinaringenin which belongs to the flavonoids. The compound pectolinaringenin was screened for its ovicidal and oviposition deterrent activities. It showed maximum ovicidal activity of 64.29% and oviposition deterrent activity of 100% at 100 ppm concentration against E. vittella. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first report of fractions and isolated compounds from C. phlomidis evaluated against E. vittella for their ovicidal and oviposition deterrent activities. The results from the present investigation clearly suggest that the active fraction or the isolated compound could be used to develop a novel pesticidal formulation to control economically important agricultural pests.