Hausrattennachweise (Rattus rattus L.) in bewohnten Wohnh?usern in Magdeburg

Storehouses and mills in the Magdeburg region are known to be infested with black (ore house) rats. In residential buildings, however, house rats (Rattus rattus L.) have not been detected for at least 20 years. Therefore, it was of much interest for the expert to note that this rat species had been seen in two occupied residential buildings (a refurbished old building and a terraced house). It has been suspected for a longer time that black rats can be found in certain residential buildings in towns or even cities.     

Hausrattennachweise (Rattus rattus L.) in bewohnten Wohnh?usern in Magdeburg

Storehouses and mills in the Magdeburg region are known to be infested with black (ore house) rats. In residential buildings, however, house rats (Rattus rattus L.) have not been detected for at least 20 years. Therefore, it was of much interest for the expert to note that this rat species had been seen in two occupied residential buildings (a refurbished old building and a terraced house). It has been suspected for a longer time that black rats can be found in certain residential buildings in towns or even cities.     

Distribution and frequency of VKORC1 sequence variants conferring resistance to anticoagulants in Mus musculus

BACKGROUND: Emerging resistance to anticoagulant rodenticides may significantly impair house mouse (Mus musculus L.) control. As in humans and rats, sequence variants in the gene vitamin K epoxide reductase complex subunit 1 (VKORC1) of house mice are strongly implicated in the responses of mice to anticoagulants. This study gives a first overview of the distribution and frequency of such potentially resistance‐conferring sequence variants in house mice, based on tissue samples from 30 populations in Germany, Switzerland and the Azores. RESULTS: Except for one population from south Germany, sequence variants were found in individuals from all locations sampled (29 out of 30 sites surveyed), with less than 10% of the individuals matching the wild‐type genotype. The most frequent and widespread amino acid substitutions were Leu128Ser, Tyr139Cys and a group of linked sequence changes (Arg12Trp/Ala26Ser/Ala48Thr/Arg61Leu). Where these substitutions occurred as the sole variant, the proportion of homozygous individuals was 72–83%. CONCLUSIONS: An evaluation of published data revealed that the three most frequently found sequence variants are associated with a substantial loss of rodenticide efficacy of first‐generation anticoagulants (e.g. warfarin, coumatetralyl), as well as the second‐generation compound bromadiolone and most probably also difenacoum. Knowledge of the distribution and frequency of resistance‐conferring sequence variants will stimulate their further functional characterisation and facilitate the choice of effective active substances for house mouse control. Copyright © 2011 Society of Chemical Industry     

A review of biochemical mechanisms of warfarin resistance in the house mouse

The biochemical mechanisms of warfarin resistance in the house mouse (Mus musculus L.) have not been fully investigated. In some populations of warfarin-resistant mice there is a reduction in sensitivity of hepatic vitamin K-epoxide reductase to inhibition by warfarin. This is similar to a proposed mechanism of anticoagulant resistance in the Norway rat (Rattus norvegicus Berk.). The same enzyme in other warfarin-resistant populations is, however, sensitive to warfarin inhibition. Other studies have indicated that detoxification may play a role in conferring warfarin resistance in house mice.     

Stop me if you can: quantification of the effect of interfaces between plots on the dispersal of Cosmopolites sordidus

BACKGROUND

Cosmopolites sordidus is one of the most damaging pests of banana worldwide. To date, most studies have addressed the control of this pest at the plot level, without considering the landscape scale, whereas between plots dispersion could be important. The aim of this study was to investigate the ability of C. sordidus to cross contrasted field interfaces. The 10 following interfaces were investigated: forests, hedgerows, field tracks, grassy areas, finely and coarsely tilled soil zones, ditches with and without water, vegetable gardening zones, and pheromone trap lines. Individually marked weevils were released on one side of the interface and recovered daily on the other side, allowing the estimation of the velocity and the crossing success of C. sordidus for each interface.

RESULTS

Highest permeabilities (with a crossing success above 70%) were obtained for vegetable gardening zones, finely tilled soil zones, forests, and coarsely tilled soil zones. Intermediate permeabilities were measured for hedgerows, field tracks, grassy areas, and ditches without water. Only the line of pheromone traps and submerged ditches had a strong barrier effect on C. sordidus, with a crossing success below 12%. Wind strength, percentage of sky, and vegetation height were negatively correlated to the C. sordidus crossing success.

CONCLUSION

Overall, our results showed that only ditches with water and lines of pheromone traps were efficient in stopping the dispersal of C. sordidus. The next step will be to conduct research to incorporate the use of these two interfaces at farm and landscape scale into integrated pest management strategies. © 2023 The Authors. Pest Management Science published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd on behalf of Society of Chemical Industry.     

Zur aktuellen Situation des Hausrattenbefalls (Rattus rattus [L.]) in der Stadt Magdeburg

Zusammenfassung  Die aktuelle Befallsituation (1998/1999) bei den Hausratten-best?nden (Rattus rattus [L.]) in der Stadt Magdeburg wurde in Zusammenarbeit mit Sch?dlingsbek?mpfern und Objektbesitzern ermittelt. Dabei wurden 10 Objekte bekannt, in denen der Nager nachgewiesen werden konnte. Es handelte sich um Kornmühlen, Silos und Lebensmittelgro?betriebe. In mehreren dieser Geb?ude siedelte die Dachratte seit Jahrzehnten. Bek?mpfungsaktionen verliefen schon immer erfolglos. Zur Zeit wird aus Kostengründen kein Vorkommen mit Konsequenz bek?mpft.

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On the current situation of infestation of the City of Magdeburg with the house rat (Rattus rattus [L.]). In the City of Magdeburg, the current incidence (1998/99) of the house rat (Rattus rattus [L.]) was studied by way of cooperation with those concerned (millers, storekeepers, warehous keepers) as well as business and persons involved in pest control. The ‘blue attic rat’ was detected on ten premises or properties (grain mills, silos, big food companies). Many of the buildings have been infested with the house rat for years. Frequently, control action has failed to turn out successful and hence, not taken at all because of the high cost of eradication involved. Referring to the house rat re-appearing or detected after control action, it was difficult to decide whether it was a re-infestation or just remainders of the previous population of the buildings.

     

The efficacy of two permanent poison-baiting measures against Mus domesticus living in farm buildings in the UK1

The effectiveness of two poison bait formulations was examined in trials against infestations of Mus domesticus in farm buildings. Treatment was extensive on each of four farms, covering all buildings and lasting 1 year. In the four trials, bait containing calciferol and warfarin in combination, or difenacoum was used. Mouse infestation level was monitored, using the mark-recapture trapping technique, before poison-baiting was begun and every 6 weeks thereafter. Poison bait consumption was high initially and mouse numbers were substantially reduced on all four farms within 6 weeks. Subsequently, the difenacoum treatments were the most effective in keeping infestation levels extremely low. Mice still resident when the treatments were terminated were removed by live and kill traps. Laboratory feeding tests were conducted on the live-caught survivors; all animals died after consuming poison bait of the kind used in the trials. Additional live-trapping, 6 months and 1 year later, produced evidence of recolonization and of renewed population growth. It is concluded that sustained control effort is needed to prevent the build-up of M. domesticus numbers in farm buildings.     

Diversity and frequencies of genetic mutations involved in insecticide resistance in field populations of the house fly (Musca domestica L.) from China

Insecticides have been extensively used for house fly control in China, with dichlorvos and deltamethrin being widely used. Knowledge about the current status of insecticide resistance and the underlying genetic changes is crucial for developing effective fly control strategies. The susceptibility to dichlorvos and deltamethrin, and the frequencies of genetic mutations involved in insecticide resistance were studied in five field populations of the house fly collected across China. Bioassay results show that flies exhibit 14- to 28-fold resistance to dichlorvos and 41- to 94-fold resistance to deltamethrin, indicating that dichlorvos and deltamethrin resistance are common in house fly populations in China. Molecular analysis reveals that flies from the five various locations carry resistance alleles at multiple loci and have diverse allelic types, different relative frequencies and combinations of each allele. Four non-synonymous single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) (i.e. V260L, G342A/V, F407Y) in acetylcholinesterase (Ace) and two mutations (W251L/S) in a carboxylesterase (MdαE7) were commonly present in the field house flies. The L1014H rather than L1014F mutation in the voltage sensitive sodium channel gene (Vssc) was widely distributed in Chinese house flies. CYP6D1v1, which confers pyrethroid resistance, was found in all the five tested populations in China, although its frequency in house fly from Shandong province was very low. Our results suggest that resistance monitoring and management of house flies should be customized for a given location.     

Bromadiolone susceptibility in wild and laboratory Mus musculus L.(house mice) in Buenos Aires,Argentina

BACKGROUND: Rodents are major pests in many agricultural systems, where they can cause significant economic losses and involve a sanitary risk. The application of anticoagulant rodenticides for rodent control has showed a decrease in effectiveness through time because of the development of resistant populations and the development of aversion behaviour. The goal of the present study was to test the susceptibility to bromadiolone and the existence of anticoagulant resistance in Mus musculus L. (house mouse) in Argentina. We conducted a feeding test with wild animals captured in poultry farms and a laboratory strain that were fed with bromadiolone bait. RESULTS: Three animals of the field experimental group survived the 21 days study period, while for laboratory animals mortality was 100%. Control field animals which were fed without anticoagulant showed 100% survival. CONCLUSION: We found evidence of the presence of anticoagulant resistant M. musculus L. in the study area. Feeding behaviour may have contributed to increasing the time of survival, and may be a mechanism that allows metabolic clearance of the bromadiolone. Under field conditions control with anticoagulants would be less effective because animals have alternative food. Copyright © 2009 Society of Chemical Industry     

Effects of harvesting and stubble management on abundance of pest rodents (Mus musculus) in a conservation agriculture system

BACKGROUND

The shift to more environmentally sensitive agricultural practices over the last several decades has changed farmland landscapes worldwide. Changes including no-till and retaining high biomass mulch has been coincident with an increase in rodent pests in South Africa, India, South America and Europe, indicating a possible conflict between conservation agriculture (CA) and rodent pest management. Research on effects of various crop management practices associated with CA on pest rodent population dynamics is needed to anticipate and develop CA-relevant management strategies.

RESULTS

During the Australian 2020–2021 mouse plague, farmers used postharvest stubble management practices, including flattening and/or cutting, to reduce stubble cover in paddocks to lessen habitat suitability for pest house mice. We used this opportunity to assess the effects of both harvest and stubble management on the movement and abundance of mice in paddocks using mouse trapping and radio tracking. We found that most tracked mice remained resident in paddocks throughout harvest, and that mouse population abundance was generally unaffected by stubble management.

CONCLUSION

Recent conversions to CA practices have changed how pest house mice use cropped land. Management practices that reduce postharvest habitat complexity do not appear to reduce the attractiveness of paddocks to mice, and further research into new management strategies in addition to toxic bait use is required as part of an integrated pest management approach. © 2023 The Authors. Pest Management Science published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd on behalf of Society of Chemical Industry.     

Monitoring of resistance of insecticides in house fly (Musca domestica) populations in hungary

Samples of 24 house fly (Musca domestica L.) populations were collected from animal farms in Hungary in 1990 and kept in the laboratory to determine their susceptibility to different types of insecticide: organochlorines, organophosphates, carbamates, pyrethroids, macrocyclic lactone and insect growth regulators. The adulticides were tested with topical bioassay in all 24 populations, the larvicides were studied with treated larval medium in 16 populations. The data were expressed as LD₅₀ and LC₅₀ values (ng fly ?1 and mg kg ?1 larval medium respectively). The percentages of populations which had resistance ratios > 10 at LD₅₀ or LC₅₀ were: 63% to DDT, 50% to methoxychlor, 13% to lindane, 83% to malathion, 63% to trichlorfon, 4% to propetamphos, 96% to dioxacarb, 46% to propoxur, 4% to methomyl, 13% to pyrethrum, 96% to bioresmethrin, 63% to permethrin, 58% to cypermethrin, 79% to SK-80, 79% to deltamethrin, 38% to invermectin, 0% to diflubenzuron, 0% to cyromazine. Correlation analysis showed a high degree of positive correlation among the adulticides except for ivermectin, bioresmethrin and SK-80. No cross-resistance was found between the larvicides and the conventional adulticides. Differences of insecticide resistance levels among the populations surveyed were studied by principal component and factor analysis. A fairly good relationship between resistance status and control practices used on farms was revealed. The populations originating from those farms where the application of adulticides had been frequent or regular and where high resistance was shown to most chemicals could be separated from the others.     

Characterisation of the fungal population in citrus packing houses

The aim of this work was the characterisation of the environmental and superficial mycoflora of equipment and facilities of two citrus packing houses in Sao Paulo State, Brazil, in 2004 and 2005. One of the packing houses packed fruit for the export market (municipality of Matao), the other for the domestic market (municipality of Engenheiro Coelho). The study also identified the presence of isolates of Penicillium spp. resistant to thiabendazole and imazalil fungicides in packing houses. The environmental mycoflora was sampled according to the gravimetric method, using Petri dishes containing potato dextrose agar medium opened for 2 min. The superficial mycoflora on equipment and facilities was sampled with Rodac plates. The mycoflora in the environment and on surfaces of the packing houses in Matao were 12.3 and 52.3 cfu/plate, respectively, while these populations for the Engenheiro Coelho packing house were 46.3 and 68.2 cfu/plate, respectively. Cladosporium and Penicillium were the most prevalent genera of fungi. The contamination levels of clean zones in the packing houses (washing of fruits, packing table, boxes and containers) was not substantially lower than the contamination in dirty zones (reception of fruits and first selection). The percentage of P. digitatum isolates in Matao that was resistant to thiabendazole and imazalil was 25.9 and 1.5 in the environment and 30.1 and 16.0 on packing house surfaces, respectively. In Engenheiro Coelho, percentage of resistance to these fungicides was 51.9 and 0.1 in the environment and 39.2 and 0.9 on packing house surfaces, respectively.     

Genotypic Diversity of the Wheat Leaf Blotch Pathogen Mycosphaerella Graminicola (anamorph) Septoria Tritici in Germany

The population structure and genotypic diversity of Mycosphaerella graminicola from six natural field populations in Germany were studied with molecular markers. To reveal the potential effects of plant host resistance on the pathogen population, hierarchical samples were taken from susceptible and resistant cultivars. A total of 203 single spore isolates was subjected to molecular marker analysis using the amplified fragment length polymorphism technique (AFLP). Among the 203 isolates analyzed, 142 different multilocus haplotypes (MLH) were identified revealing a high degree of genotypic diversity of the M. graminicola population. On average, a F _ST value of 0.04 was found, indicating a low genetic differentiation with only 4% of the genetic variation between the local populations but leaving 96% of the genetic variation within the populations. According to the low F _ST value, a high migration rate of Nm 12 was found. The observed high within-population diversity, and the significant migration between populations, prevented genetic isolation and differentiation of putative geographically separated populations. Furthermore, plant host resistance had no obvious effect on the population structure and diversity of M. graminicola. Genotypic variability can be attributed to sexual recombination which appears to have a considerably larger influence on the population structure. Gene flow on this scale could have significant implications for plant breeding and fungicide spraying programmes.     

Localized origins of herbicide resistance in Alopecurus myosuroides

The process of evolution of resistance to acetyl-coenzyme A carboxylase (ACCase)-inhibiting herbicides was investigated in four distinct patches of Alopecurus myosuroides Huds. (black-grass) that occur within adjacent fields on a cereal farm in Nottinghamshire, UK. In one field, there was a `main' patch containing 96% resistant plants and two `satellite' patches containing ≈2.9% and 4.4% resistant plants, and in an adjacent field another patch contained 25% resistant plants. Genome fingerprinting by simple sequence repeat (SSR)-anchored polymerase chain reaction (PCR) was used to analyse variation at 30 genetic loci in at least 20 resistant and 20 sensitive individual plants from each patch, from additional resistant populations from Essex and Lincolnshire, and from a sensitive reference population. Banding patterns were found to be highly repeatable. Each patch contained a high level of genetic diversity, regardless of its resistance status, and there was evidence for genetic differences between the patches (Gst = 0.14, Nei's distances up to 0.26). There was no evidence that resistance had spread from the `main' patch to the others, as resistant and sensitive plants in the same patch were more closely related on average than were resistant plants from neighbouring patches. The most likely explanations of this distribution, and their implications, are discussed.     

Variation in pathotypes and virulence of Plasmodiophora brassicae populations in Germany

Between 2012 and 2015, 49 new clubroot‐infested fields were identified in 12 German federal states. Clubroot disease incidence varied within these fields from 22% to 92%. Field information revealed that in 85% of fields, oilseed rape was grown in rotation once every 2 or 3 years. Frequency of OSR in the rotation was significantly correlated with the incidence and prevalence of clubroot disease. The disease was detected in fields with soil pH ranging from 5.1 to 8.3, and a significant negative correlation was found between soil pH and the disease incidence of infested fields. Furthermore, more cases of disease and severe incidences were observed in sandy loam and loamy sand as compared with other soil types. Pathotype classification of the 49 Plasmodiophora brassicae populations was conducted on two differential sets, the European Clubroot Differential set and the set of Somé (1996). Additionally, the degree of virulence of the collected isolates was analysed on the clubroot‐resistant oilseed rape cv. Mendel. The results showed variation in pathotype distribution in different regions in Germany. The majority of isolates according to Somé were pathotypes 1 and 3, respectively, with pathotypes 2 and 5 in the minority. Detailed classification according to Buczacki showed the dominance of 16/31/31, 16/14/30 and 16/14/31 populations among 20 distinct virulence patterns of collected isolates. From all populations tested for virulence on cv. Mendel, 15 isolates were found to be moderately or highly virulent. These virulent populations were not restricted to a small geographical area in the country.     

Validating census methods to measure changes in house mouse populations

BACKGROUND: Tracking and census baiting are two techniques that are commonly advocated for monitoring the size of mouse populations. However, currently these techniques are only able to provide an index of population size, rather than an assessment of absolute numbers. In this study the authors tested the reliability of both tracking (footprints left on tiles of fixed size) and census baiting as indices of population size, and sought to calibrate levels of activity and bait consumption under both semi‐natural and field conditions (inside farm buildings). RESULTS: Under semi‐natural conditions, census baiting produced more satisfactory population estimates than those derived from tracking activity. An initial field trial established that the optimum bait point density for this technique was 1 point per 2 m. Subsequent field trials demonstrated that the bait census technique offers a way to estimate the approximate size of stable populations of mice (population size = (mean daily bait consumption ‐ 36.3)/2.46). CONCLUSION: The results to date are sufficiently encouraging to support the use of this cost‐effective approach to monitoring mouse numbers in the type of habitats investigated in this study. © Crown copyright 2008. Reproduced with the permission of Her Majesty's Stationery Office. Published by John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Diversity in genetic structure and chemotype composition of <Emphasis Type="Italic">Fusarium graminearum</Emphasis> sensu stricto populations causing wheat head blight in individual fields in Germany

Fusarium head blight (FHB) is one of the most destructive diseases of wheat. Twelve small commercial wheat fields (size 1–3 hectares) were sampled in Germany for Fusarium populations at three spots per field with 10 heads each. PCR assays using generic primers confirmed 338 isolates as F.graminearum sensu stricto (s.s.) (64.9%) out of 521 Fusarium spp. that were further analyzed. Populations of F. graminearum s.s. in Germany contain three types of trichothecenes with a dominancy of 15-acetyldeoxynivalenol chemotype (92%) followed by 3-acetyldeoxynivalenol chemotype (6.8%) and a few isolates of nivalenol chemotype (1.2%). All these isolates were genotyped using 19 microsatellite loci. The 12 populations showed a high genetic diversity within the small scale sampling areas resulting in 300 different haplotypes. Genetic diversity within populations (71.2%) was considerably higher than among populations (28.8%) as shown by analysis of molecular variance. Gene flow (Nm) between populations ranged from 0.76–3.16. Composition of haplotypes of one population followed over 2 years changed considerably. No correlation between genetic and geographical distance was found. In conclusion, populations of F. graminearum s.s. in Germany display a tremendous genetic variation on a local scale with a restricted diversity among populations.     

Definition and distribution of aggressive pathotypes of Synchytrium endobioticum in Ukraine1

Aggressive pathotypes of Synchytrium endobioticum have been detected in Ukraine since 1963, mainly in the mountainous western part of the country. Potato crops are regularly surveyed to detect possible outbreaks. It has been observed that the aggressive forms attack the above-ground parts of the potato plant, as well as the underground parts, and this can assist detection. Possible foci are investigated by planting a standard replicated test with a susceptible cultivar and a cultivar resistant to the common pathotype. The distribution of S. endobioticum in Ukraine is summarized. Outbreaks are particularly found in potato plots adjoining farm buildings.     

Chestnut blight fungus in Croatia: diversity of vegetative compatibility types,mating types and genetic variability of associated Cryphonectria hypovirus 1

In order to improve understanding of its diversity, 338 isolates of Cryphonectria parasitica, the causal agent of chestnut blight, were sampled from 10 chestnut populations throughout chestnut‐growing coastal and continental areas of Croatia. Eighteen vegetative compatibility (VC) types were identified. The VC type EU‐1 was the most widespread, comprising 42·9% of the isolates, followed by EU‐2 (21%) and EU‐12 (14·2%). In respect to the occurrence of the main VC types, the C. parasitica populations in Croatia combined features of both northwestern and southeastern European populations. Perithecia and mating‐type ratios of approximately 1 : 1 were found in all populations, suggesting that sexual reproduction of the fungus is common in Croatia. Natural hypovirulence was also evident in all populations, with incidence of hypovirus‐infected isolates ranging from 12·7% in Istria‐Buje to 66·6% in the continental part of the country. A total of 36 hypovirus‐infected isolates sampled throughout Croatia were analysed in ORF‐A and ORF‐B by RT‐PCR/RFLP analysis. All viral isolates belonged to the Italian subtype of Cryphonectria hypovirus 1 (CHV‐1) and were closely related to the isolates found in other European countries. The RFLP patterns found were also identical or similar to the patterns of three isolates collected in Croatia 22 years ago, suggesting a slow evolution of the hypovirus.     

Genetic population structure and trichothecene genotypes of Fusarium graminearum isolated from wheat in southern Brazil

A sample of 140 Fusarium graminearum isolates from Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil, representing three populations at least 150 km from one another, were examined for trichothecene genotype based on PCR amplification of portions of the Tri3 and Tri12 genes and a species‐specific (Fg16F/R) primer pair. Genetic diversity was assessed in a sample of 103 F. graminearum lineage 7 (F. graminearum sensu stricto) isolates using amplified fragment length polymorphism (AFLP) markers. The 15‐ADON genotype was dominant, followed by the NIV genotype (2–18% prevalence), across all three populations. All NIV‐type isolates were in lineage 2 (F. meridionale) and all 15‐ADON‐type isolates were in lineage 7. Isolates with the same haplotype were rare and genotypic diversity was uniformly high (≥98% of the count), suggesting that recombination has played a significant role. The number of migrants (N_m) was estimated between 5 and 6 across all loci and all populations, but the high frequency of private alleles (up to 30%) suggests a historical, rather than contemporary, gene flow. Regarding linkage disequilibrium, 0·8, 1·5 and 2·2% of the locus pairs from the three populations were in disequilibrium, which is lower than values reported in other locations. Thus, Brazilian populations differ from those found in Europe, North America and most of Asia in the presence of a significant frequency (7·8%) of isolates of the NIV genotype in lineage 2.