Diurnal and seasonal occurrence,feeding habits and mating behavior ofMaladera matrida adults in Israel

Adult populations ofMaladera matrida Argaman (Coleoptera: Scarabaeidae), a beetle highly injurious to agricultural crops, were studied in the coastal plain of Israel from 1985 to 1988. There were two generations annually. Adults emerged in March, April or May and disappeared in October or November. The beetles are on the wing, mate, and feed at twilight and in the dark. Feeding and mating behavior, sex ratio, and preferred food plants were studied.     

The bionomics ofLiriomyza Trifolii on Gypsophila and Bean Leaves

A study was carried out to determine the distribution of feeding and oviposition punctures made byLiriomyza trifolii Burgess on gypsophila(Gypsophila paniculata ) and bean(Phaseolus vulgaris) leaves, and the development times of the immature stages on these plants. The absolute number of punctures per leaf area was much greater on bean leaves than on gypsophila leaves. The number of mines per leaf was also higher on beans than on gypsophila, but the ratio of mines/punctures was higher on gypsophila. Gypsophila leaves were punctured on both sides, but most of the punctures were on the distal third of the upper leaf side. On beans the punctures were dispersed uniformly on the upper side of the leaf. The larval period (±SE) at temperatures of 20, 25 and 30°C was 9.9±0.2, 4.4±0.1 and 3.7±0.1, and 5.5±O. l, 3.7±0.1 and 2.4±0.1 days, on gypsophila and bean, respectively. The pupal period at 17, 20, 25 and 30°C lasted 19.9±0.2, 14.7±0.1, 10.4±0.1 and 7.8±0.1 days, respectively.     

Effects of gamma radiation on the immature stages ofLiriomyza Trifolii

The effects of γ-radiation on the immature stages ofLiriomyza trifolii Burgess were studied with doses of 2000-25 Gy. The high doses were lethal to all stages. At doses of 750 Gy or less, larvae survived to pupate, but their number was reduced and the majority were either dead or deformed and did not give rise to adults. Eggs and prepupae were more susceptible to radiation than other stages. Larval radiosensitivity decreased with progressing instar, and pupal sensitivity decreased with increasing age. Contribution from the Agricultural Research Organization. No. 2922-E, 1990 series.     

Correction of ADA-SCID by stem cell gene therapy combined with nonmyeloablative conditioning

Hematopoietic stem cell (HSC) gene therapy for adenosine deaminase (ADA)-deficient severe combined immunodeficiency (SCID) has shown limited clinical efficacy because of the small proportion of engrafted genetically corrected HSCs. We describe an improved protocol for gene transfer into HSCs associated with nonmyeloablative conditioning. This protocol was used in two patients for whom enzyme replacement therapy was not available, which allowed the effect of gene therapy alone to be evaluated. Sustained engraftment of engineered HSCs with differentiation into multiple lineages resulted in increased lymphocyte counts, improved immune functions (including antigen-specific responses), and lower toxic metabolites. Both patients are currently at home and clinically well, with normal growth and development. These results indicate the safety and efficacy of HSC gene therapy combined with nonmyeloablative conditioning for the treatment of SCID.     

Mortality in calves, lambs and kids caused by severe infestation with the cat flea Ctenocephalides felis felis (Bouché, 1835) in Israel

Heavy infestation of calves, lambs and kids with the cat flea Ctenocephalides felis felis (Bouché, 1835), accompanied by severe anaemia and mortality, is described. Lambs and kids were affected more severely than calves. Flea infestation was more widespread in summer and autumn than in winter and spring. The clinical findings are discussed in the light of the pertinent literature.     

Mortality in calves, lambs and kids caused by severe infestation with the cat flea Ctenocephalides felis felis (Bouché, 1835) in Israel

Heavy infestation of calves, lambs and kids with the cat flea Ctenocephalides felis felis (Bouché, 1835), accompanied by severe anaemia and mortality, is described. Lambs and kids were affected more severely than calves. Flea infestation was more widespread in summer and autumn than in winter and spring. The clinical findings are discussed in the light of the pertinent literature.     

A demonstration of bulb mite control by solar heating of the soil

The bulb miteRhizoglyphus robini Claparède is a soil pest of onion and garlic in Israel. We assayed its control by solar heating of the soil, by means of mulching with transparent polyethylene. Laboratory-infested peanut seeds were buried to various depths either in non-mulched or in mulched soil. At depths of 10 and 20 cm all mites died within 10 days; at 30 cm most mites died after 20 days and complete mortality occurred after 30 days.     

Post harvest treatments to control eggplant deterioration during storage

Eggplant (Solatium melongena L.) fruits deteriorate rapidly during prolonged storage, mainly due to accelerated senescence of the calyx. Dipping the calyx in a solution containing 200 ppm NAA and 900 ppm prochloraz (active ingredient) retarded calyx senescence and controlled decay. At the end of the growing season in Israel (March-May), dipping the whole fruit in the above solution gave better results than dipping the calyx only. After 14 d of storage at 12°C and 3 d at 20°C, the calyx appeared fresh and green and the fruit was firm. Decay incidence did not exceed 5%. The residual level of prochloraz in fruits that were wholly dipped was less than 0.34 mg 1“'.