Larssoniella duplicati n.sp. (Microsporidia, Unikaryonidae), a newly described pathogen infecting the double-spined spruce bark beetle, Ips duplicatus (Coleoptera, Scolytidae) in the Czech Republic

Larssoniella duplicati n.sp. infects the midgut muscularis, the Malpighian tubules, and the ovaries of adult Ips duplicatus (Sahlb.) in the Czech Republic. The microsporidian attacks up to 50% of the population. Oval spores of two sizes, 3–3.5×1.5–2 and 2–2.5×1.5 μm have the polar filament coiled in 6/7 coils, representing primary and environmental spores, respectively. In early sporogony the young spores produce long electron dense threads and tubules of secretions, which remain fixed around the spore and avoid their free release during dissection of infected hosts. The microsporidian was not found in associated bark beetles such as Ips typographus (L.), or I. amitinus (Eichh.) and others.     

Predictive value of a model of the flight activity of Adoxophyes orana (Lep.: Tortricidae)

In 1992–2002, the flight activity of Adoxophyes orana (AO) was investigated using pheromone traps placed in apple orchards in five localities in Central and Eastern Bohemia. The cumulative catches of AO were plotted against time expressed as the sum of day-degrees (D°) above 8°C and approximated by a Richards’ function. This model was constructed using the numbers of AO males caught by pheromone traps from 1992–1998 at all the localities. The flight of the overwintering generation of AO began when 200 D° had accumulated, culminated at 300 D° and ceased at 430 D°, irrespective of locality. The high predictive ability of the model was validated using data from one locality for 2001–2003. It was impossible to construct a similar model to predict the flight activity of the summer generation because its dependence on D° varied greatly between localities and years.     

Relation between combustion heat and chemical wood composition during white and brown rot

Summary The results of respective investigations indicate that during white rot the combustion heat of wood (Q_exp (J/g)) remained virtually unchanged and at the greatest extent of decomposition it was in the range also found in non-rotten wood. During brown rot the combustion heat of wood samples increased, beginning at a weight loss of 20–30%. The difference between Q_exp and the weighted mean of combustion heat values of isolated chemical wood components (Q_cal) were neglectable. If Q_exp values measured for each sample were taken as 100%, then Q_cal averaged from 101.1–105.6% and from 97.4–108.2% during white and brown rot, respectively. The Q_cal calculation error is expressed as coefficient k; it varies depending on the accuracy and selectivity of the separation methods used.     

Combinations of several insecticides used for integrated control of Colorado potato beetle (Leptinotarsa decemlineata, Say., Coleoptera: Chrysomelidae)

The Colorado potato beetle (Leptinotarsa decemlineata Say.) (CPB) is the main potato pest in Croatia. The main problems in CPB control are related to a number of treatments and resistance development. In order to investigate the efficacy of combinations a reduced dose of spinosad (33% of the full doses) with the reduced doses (33% of full doses) of B.t.t., neem and pyrethrin against CPB larvae, 3-year field trials and one laboratory trial were conducted. Joint actions of the insecticides in combinations were analyzed. The CPB attack on experimental fields in all 3 years of investigation was high to moderate. In 2001 the maximum number of larvae on untreated plots was 11.7 larvae per plant, while in 2002 and 2003 it was lower, 5.5 and 6.1 larvae/plant, respectively. The efficacy obtained with a full dose of B.t.t. reached 75% in the field, and 78% in the laboratory trial. The residual efficacy of a full dose of B.t.t. lasted 7–10 days. The application of both, full and reduced doses of B.t.t., did not result in a significant yield increase. The results indicate that only one treatment with B.t.t. insecticide alone is not enough for efficient protection of potato against the attack of CPB larvae. The application of neem resulted in an efficacy of between 54 and 87.9%. The residual activity of neem was too short to ensure significant yield increase in 2 out of 3 years of the investigation. The application of a full dose of pyrethrin ensured an efficacy of between 86 and 89% with residual activity of 7–10 days. Only in the trial in 2003 significant yield increase (40% higher than untreated control) after the application of a full dose of pyrethin was recorded. The application of both, full and reduced doses of spinosad resulted in very high efficacy (over 90%), with residual activity between 10 and 20 days. The application of spinosad resulted in a significant yield increase in 2003, both in full and reduced doses, and in 2001 in the full dose (the reduced dose was not tested alone in 2001). High efficacy of the reduced dose of spinosad indicated its high biological activity and possibility for the reduction of the recommended dose. However, applications of combinations of insecticides in reduced doses (spinosad with B.t.t., neem and pyrethrin) resulted in efficacies of over 97% with residual activity of up to 21 days. Significant yield increase was noted after the application of the combinations of spinosad with B.t.t. and pyrethrin. The results of the laboratory trial confirmed the results of field trials. The joint action of insecticides was mainly described as independent synergism. It can be concluded that applied combinations are suitable in IPM in potato.     

Groundwater and Light Conditions as Factors in the Survival of Pedunculate Oak (Quercus Robur L.) Seedlings

A noticeable decline and physiological weakening of pedunculate oak (Quercus robur L.) has been recorded in the past decade in lowland parts of Slovenia. The triggers were dry climate, unfavourable precipitation patterns and human influence that brought about changes in watercourses and water tables. Regeneration and future management of this tree species is therefore questionable. To define a critical groundwater table which would permit successful regeneration, planted and naturally grown seedlings were compared in two forests differing in the degree of decline and physiological weakness of adult pedunculate oak trees. Comparison of stomatal conductance and pre-dawn water potential (PWP) showed differences of seedlings between and within forest complexes. Stomatal conductance dropped below 100 mmol m⁻² s⁻¹ at PWP values below −1.0 MPa, while closure of stomata was caused by a PWP between −1.6 and −1.9 MPa. Increased water stress equalized photosynthetic yield in both natural and planted oaks below −1.4 MPa.     

A 2D quantum walk simulation of two-particle dynamics

Multidimensional quantum walks can exhibit highly nontrivial topological structure, providing a powerful tool for simulating quantum information and transport systems. We present a flexible implementation of a two-dimensional (2D) optical quantum walk on a lattice, demonstrating a scalable quantum walk on a nontrivial graph structure. We realized a coherent quantum walk over 12 steps and 169 positions by using an optical fiber network. With our broad spectrum of quantum coins, we were able to simulate the creation of entanglement in bipartite systems with conditioned interactions. Introducing dynamic control allowed for the investigation of effects such as strong nonlinearities or two-particle scattering. Our results illustrate the potential of quantum walks as a route for simulating and understanding complex quantum systems.     

Chemical analysis of three herbal extracts and observation of their activity against adults of Acanthoscelides obtectus and Leptinotarsa decemlineata using a video tracking system

Journal of Plant Diseases and Protection - Ethanol extracts of Rosmarinus officinalis, Lavandula angus-tifolia and Ruta graveolens were tested against adults of Acanthoscelides obtectus and...     

Effect of infection of turkeys with haemorrhagic enteritis adenovirus isolate on the selected parameters of cellular immunity and the course of colibacillosis

The aim of the study was to determine the effect of a Polish low-virulence isolate of haemorrhagic enteritis adenovirus (HEV) on the immune system in turkeys and on the course of colibacillosis in birds infected under laboratory conditions. Turkeys were infected per os with HEV at the dose of 10(4.3)EID50/mL and with E. coli (APEC) (serotypes 078:K80:H9) at the dose of 4x10(9)CFU/mL by injection to the thoracic air sac. The birds infected with the HEV were infected with the APEC either simultaneously or after 5 days. Five days after HEV infection, the percentages of subpopulations of the CD3+CD4+ and CD3+CD8alpha+ T cells and the IgM+ B cells were determined in blood and spleens of the HEV-infected turkeys and in the control (uninfected) birds. The course of colibacillosis was more severe in turkeys infected with the APEC 5 days after infection with the HEV than in those infected with the HEV and APEC simultaneously and than in those infected only with APEC. Five turkeys out of the 18 infected with the APEC 5 days after infection with HEV, died. Their body weights were statistically significantly lower with higher FCR values 41 days after the infection in comparison to turkeys in the other groups. A considerable decrease in the percentage of the T and B cells subpopulations in the blood were found in turkeys infected with the HEV and while the percentage of CD3+CD4+ T cells subpopulation in the spleen increased significantly, the contribution of the CD3+CD8alpha+ T cells and IgM+ B cells subpopulations were decreased. These changes in the immune system of turkeys, occurring 5 days after infection with the HEV, made them more susceptible to infection with the APEC.     

Efficacies of liposome-encapsulated enrofloxacin against Staphylococcus aureus infection in Anatolian shepherd dog monocytes in vitro

The aim of this study was to evaluate the intracellular activity of two types of liposome-encapsulated enrofloxacin (LE) compared with free enrofloxacin and non-treated control against Staphylococcus aureus, phagocytosed by monocytes in healthy Anatolian Shepherd dogs. Enrofloxacin was encapsulated with two different types of liposome in multilamellar large vesicles (MLV). Type A MLV were composed of 15 mg phosphatidylcholine and 35 mg cholesterol, Type B MLV were composed of phosphatidylcholine, cholesterol and enrofloxacin in a molar ratio of 1:1:1. Intracellular activity was estimated by comparing the numbers of bacteria surviving intracellularly in monocytes exposed to free enrofloxacin and LE for 4 h at the doses of 0.25, 0.5 and 1 microg/ml, with those surviving intracellularly in untreated control monocytes. All three forms of enrofloxacin (free, Type A and B liposomes) increased the intracellular killing of S. aureus in a concentration dependent manner. Comparison of 1 microg/ml Type B LE revealed that killing activity was significantly higher than those of other concentrations. The results showed that LE was superior in reducing the number of intracellularly located bacteria compared to the free drug and control. The beneficial effect of liposomal encapsulation is presumably due to the fact that both liposomes and bacteria are localized at the same spot in phagocytic cells.     

Results of the detection survey for fireblight in Slovakia1

Erwinia amylovora did not occur in Slovakia until 2003, as confirmed by the results of detection surveys and numerous tests. On this basis, Slovakia was recognized as a pest‐free area for E. amylovora by the EU. In the first half of 2003, the Slovak NPPO confirmed the first occurrence of this bacterial disease, in the south‐eastern part of the country. This article describes the detection survey which was then undertaken and the measures that were taken with the aim of eradicating the disease.