The nigra scale, Parasaissetia nigra (Hemiptera, Coccidae), has occurred for a long time on many ornamental plants in continental Italy. Records of the presence of this polyphagous scale in the island of Sicily have remained unconfirmed. This study confirms the establishment of this damaging insect in Sicily, where the scale has been found on a new host, Syzygium myrtifolium. 相似文献
Control of the invasive vine mealybug Planococcus ficus (Signoret) can be achieved through integration of different management strategies such as the application of chemical treatments and biological control. However, compatibility between these control methods is considered crucial when adopting integrated pest management (IPM) programs against this insect pest. The recently used insecticides Prev-Am®, a contact biopesticide, and spirotetramat, a systemic tetramic acid insecticide, were assessed in laboratory conditions for their side effects on the vine mealybug parasitoid Anagyrus sp. near pseudococci with reference to chlorpyriphos-methyl, an organophosphate insecticide conventionally used for mealybug control in vineyards. Regarding contact toxicity, chlorpyriphos-methyl caused 100% parasitoid mortality 24 h after treatment, but parasitoid mortality from Prev-Am® or spirotetramat was almost absent. Neither the total parasitoid offspring/female nor the sex ratio of the progeny was negatively affected by Prev-Am® or spirotetramat relative to the untreated control. According to the IOBC classification for laboratory trials, both Prev-Am® and spirotetramat were rated harmless (IOBC category 1), whereas chlorpyriphos-methyl was categorized as harmful (IOBC category 4) to A. sp. near pseudococci. None of the insecticides adversely affected the development of the parasitoid pupal stage inside mealybug mummies or the survival of the emerged parasitoids. The practical implications of the results for implementing mealybug IPM programs in vineyards are emphasized and discussed. 相似文献
The aim of this work is to analyse the temporal change of genetic diversity in Italian durum wheat germplasm. The germplasm
deployed in this study (158 accessions), belonging to 5 different historical classes, was characterised for its microsatellite
and gliadin markers. The level of genetic diversity (He), based on gliadin and SSR markers results – on average – greater in indigenous landraces present in Italy before 1915, with
the exception of pure line material which had been selected from landraces (showing highest level of heterozigosity for gliadin
markers). Genotypes obtained from crosses or mutagenesis (referring to the 1950–1960 period) along with those resulting from
crosses between CIMMYT lines and old materials (1970s and beyond) were also genetically more diverse. Forty-nine percent of
indigenous landraces were genetically heterogeneous. Nine out of 53 landrace accessions were able to capture 4 different SSR
private alleles. It is speculated that the reduction of allele richness is an indicator of the genetic erosion of the pre-breeding
germplasm and it is pointed out that the implementation of appropriate methods of genetic conservation of this germplasm is
a priority for breeding and food safety. 相似文献
An immunochemical approach has been developed to detect the use of formaldehyde as a bacteriostatic agent in dairy products. A synthetic peptide, reproducing the first five amino acid residues of the gamma(2)-casein sequence, was formylated to generate the novel haptenic structure, already well-recognized in formaldehyde-treated milk and arising out of molecular rearrangement after the addition of formaldehyde to the alpha-amino group of the histidine residue at the N terminus of gamma(2)-casein. A polyclonal antibodies preparation produced against the formylated peptide adduct proved to be a highly specific analytical tool for detecting the formylated adduct of gamma(2)-casein in formaldehyde-treated milk. Polyclonal antibodies obtained against the unmodified peptide were able to detect selectively residual native gamma(2)-casein in ripened cheese. 相似文献
Specific antibodies to plasmid-encoded protein pgp3 are known to be encountered in human Chlamydia (C.) trachomatis infections. In order to verify whether antibodies to this protein could be developed in animals infected with plasmid-carrying chlamydial strains, 454 animal sera were examined using a home-made pgp3 protein ELISA and Western blots (WB) of recombinant pgp3 protein from Chlamydophila (Cp.) psittaci. Likewise, 50 human sera were tested by ELISA and WB of recombinant pgp3 from C. trachomatis. The reactivity against pgp3 protein was compared to the reactivity against chlamydial elementary bodies (EBs) detected by microimmunofluorescence (MIF) test. The presence of pgp3-specific antibodies was demonstrated in most ducks and pigeons with Cp. psittaci infection detected by MIF, as well as in the majority of symptomatic cats and pigs infected with Cp. felis and C. suis, respectively, which reacted at high titres to Cp. felis and C. suis EBs by MIF. Moreover, most of the sera collected from patients with C. trachomatis culture-confirmed infection and seropositive to C. trachomatis by MIF, presented antibodies specific to C. trachomatis pgp3 recombinant protein. Therefore, pgp3 protein could be a useful marker of chlamydial infections in animals, as well as in humans. 相似文献
The presence of the South African Obscure Scale, Melanaspis corticosa (Brain) (Hemiptera, Diaspididae), was detected infesting olive trees, in Portugal. The identity of the scale insect was confirmed based on both morphological and molecular studies. Until now, this species was only known in a few African countries, including Guinea, Mozambique, South Africa and Zimbabwe. This is the first record of this species in Europe and in the Palearctic region. The scale was observed in 15 different locations, in the Algarve, since its first detection at the end of 2016. Samples were collected between 21 December 2016 and 10 March 2022, covering all seasonal periods. Most of the sampling sites resulted from private requests from farmers and proprietaries received by the Plant Protection Division of the Regional Directorate of Agriculture. Although it is considered a polyphagous species, it was not observed in other plant species, besides olive trees. The actual dispersion in the region suggests that M. corticosa became established and has been expanded its distribution since its arrival. This scale insect is a potential injurious pest of olive trees and needs to be studied to clarify its pest status and develop effective pest management strategies.