A combined analysis based on microbial communities and volatile organic compounds as a tool to study soil quality in an urban environment

<正>Dear Editor,Soil quality is defined as“the capacity of a soil to function,within ecosystem and land use boundaries,to sustain productivity,maintain environmental quality,and promote plant and animal health”(Doran and Parkin 1994).In this context,soil functionality is fundamental to the biosphere and is highly dependent on the associated microbiota.Soil microorganisms are relevant for terrestrial ecosystem functioning,and understanding the functional changes of the biological community i...     

Modelling diapause termination and phenology of the Japanese beetle,Popillia japonica

We deve?loped a mechanistic, stage-structured model simulating the phenology of Popillia japonica. The model simulates the influence of soil temperature on the larval diapause termination and on the development rate function of post-overwintering larvae and pupae. Model parameters are estimated based on literature evidence for pupae development and on a parameterisation process that allows estimating parameters for larval diapause termination and for the development rate function (and the related uncertainty) of post-overwintering larvae. Data used for model parameterisation and validation refer to time-series adult trap catches collected during the P. japonica monitoring programme performed by the Phytosanitary Service of Lombardy Region within the infested area in Lombardy (Italy) from 2015 to 2019. A total of 12 randomly selected locations are used to estimate biologically realistic model parameters (parameterisation dataset). We applied a Jackknife nonparametric resampling procedure on the parameterisation dataset to quantify uncertainty associated with parameters’ estimates. Parameterised model is then validated on time-series adult trap catches data referring to a different set of 12 randomly selected locations (validation dataset) surveyed in Lombardy. The model successfully predicted the beginning of adult emergence and the overall curve of adult emergence in the validation dataset. The model presented can support the definition of the best timing for the implementation of monitoring and control activities for the local and the area-wide management of P. japonica.

     

Control methods against invasive Aedes mosquitoes in Europe: a review

Five species of invasive Aedes mosquitoes have recently become established in Europe: Ae. albopictus, Ae. aegypti, Ae. japonicus japonicus, Ae. koreicus and Ae. atropalpus. These mosquitoes are a serious nuisance for people and are also competent vectors for several exotic pathogens such as dengue and chikungunya viruses. As they are a growing public health concern, methods to control these mosquitoes need to be implemented to reduce their biting and their potential for disease transmission. There is a crucial need to evaluate methods as part of an integrated invasive mosquito species control strategy in different European countries, taking into account local Aedes infestations and European regulations. This review presents the control methods available or in development against invasive Aedes mosquitoes, with a particular focus on those that can be implemented in Europe. These control methods are divided into five categories: environmental (source reduction), mechanical (trapping), biological (e.g. copepods, Bacillus thuringiensis var. israelensis, Wolbachia), chemical (insect growth regulators, pyrethroids) and genetic (sterile insect technique and genetically modified mosquitoes). We discuss the effectiveness, ecological impact, sustainability and stage of development of each control method. © 2015 Society of Chemical Industry     

Occurrence of Cryptaphelenchus minutus and other nematode species associated with the bark of unidentified coniferous tree in Italy

European Journal of Plant Pathology - During the inspection of vegetable material for EXPO 2015 in Milan (Italy), samples of bark from an unidentified coniferous tree were analysed and screened for...     

Soil acidification under the crown of oak trees I. Spatial distribution

Thirty oak trees (Quercus robur L. sensu lato) growing on the same site were selected on the basis of their stem diameter (D_bh ≥ 0.625 m) and their effect on soil properties was assessed. Litterfall, old litter accumulation, acidity and buffering capacity of the A₁ horizon were measured at three distances from the trunk (0.4, 1.4 and 2.4 m) and in four directions (N, E, S, W). Results led to the conclusion that on average more acidification and litter accumulation occurred near the trunk base and in the north direction, but this general trend was far from being followed by every tree. The clay content of the soil was inversely related to acidification and litter accumulation. Interrelationships between soil organisms, crown leaching, bark substances and the parent rock are proposed as working hypotheses for the future of this study.     

A bacterium against the tiger: further evidence of the potential of noninundative releases of males with manipulated Wolbachia infection in reducing fertility of Aedes albopictus field populations in Italy

BACKGROUND

Incompatible insect technique (IIT) is a population suppression approach based on the release of males with manipulated Wolbachia infection inducing egg inviability in wild females. We here present results of multiple field releases of incompatible ARwP males carried out in 2019 in a 2.7-ha green area within urban Rome (Italy) to assess the effect on Aedes albopictus egg viability. Data are compared with results obtained in 2018, when the approach was tested for the first time in Europe.

RESULTS

An average of 4674 ARwP males were released weekly for 7 weeks, resulting in a mean ARwP:wild male ratio of 1.1:1 (versus 0.7:1 in 2018). Egg-viability dynamics in ovitraps significantly varied between treated and control sites, with an estimated overall reduction of 35% (versus 15% in 2018). The estimated proportion of females classified as mated with ARwP males was 41.8% and the viability rate of eggs laid by these females (9.5%) was on average significantly lower than that of females only mated with wild males (87.8%); however, high variability in fertility was observed. Values of ARwP male competitiveness were 0.36 and 0.73 based on the overall viability rate of eggs in ovitraps and on female fertility, respectively; thus, well above the conventional 0.2 threshold for an effective suppressive impact in the field.

CONCLUSIONS

Results further support the potential of IIT as a tool to contribute to Ae. albopictus control in the urban context, stressing the need for larger field trials to evaluate the cost-efficacy of the approach in temperate regions. © 2023 The Authors. Pest Management Science published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd on behalf of Society of Chemical Industry.