Screening of field performance of entomopathogenic fungi and nematodes against cabbage root flies (Delia radicum l. and d. floralis (fall.); Diptera,Anthomyiidae)

Finnish isolates of Beauveria bassiana (8 isolates), Metarhizium anisopliae (7), Tolypocladium sp. (2), Paecilomyces farinosus (2), P. fumosoroseus (1), Steinernema feltiae (3) and Bacillus thuringiensis ('Muscabac') were tested for efficacy against mixed populations of Delia radicum and D. floralis under field conditions in 1986–90. All pathogens were applied preventatively, the fungi as aqueous conidial or mycelial suspensions, dry conidia or dry mycelial powder. In only two of the nine experiments did B. bassiana or M. anisopliae give some control. In 1986, B. bassiana SF85–2 and Tolypocladium sp. SF85–4 (both at rate 1.2 x 10⁹ conidia plant‐ 1), and ‘Muscabac’ (25 g 1^?1, 1 dl plant^?1) reduced the number of pupae by 80%, 60% and 50%, respectively, as compared with untreated and chemical (isophenphos) controls. In 1990, M. anisopliae SF86–39 at rate 1.6 x 10⁹conidia plant^?1 and 1.5 x 10⁸ CFU plant^?1 and S. feltiae SFS‐22 (35000 plant^?1), increased the yield of cauliflower 2.2, 1.8, and 2.3‐fold, respectively, as compared with the untreated control, but these yields were only 19%, 15% and 19% of those of the chemical (diazinon) control. Paecilomyces isolates were ineffective in the 1986 experiment in which they were included. Our results suggest that it is difficult to find efficient control agents among the fungal and nematode species tested for use as biopesticides against cabbage root flies, but that the potential of M. anisopliae against these pests deserves further study.     

The role of competitors for <Emphasis Type="Italic">Chrysomela lapponica</Emphasis>, a north Eurasian willow pest,in pioneering a new host plant

The Palaearctic leaf beetle Chrysomela lapponica usually feeds upon willows in the northern region of its occurrence. However, in Central Europe, some populations are known that have specialised on birch. In this study, we investigated the significance of other herbivores occurring together on the same host plants as possible exploitative competitors of C. lapponica. Two populations were studied: a population from Finland specialised on the willow Salix borealis, and a population from the Czech Republic, specialised on the birch Betula pubescens. Abundances of folivorous and suctivorous insects on both host plants were recorded at both population sites. The willow leaf beetle Phratora vitellinae was the most abundant herbivorous insect at both study sites on willow. A field study was conducted to examine the effects of P. vitellinae on the performance of C. lapponica. The presence of P. vitellinae larvae on the same twig upon which C. lapponica larvae were feeding did not affect increase of body weight in C. lapponica larvae. Thus, the high resource availability of both willows and birches suggest that interspecific competition is unlikely to be a selection factor driving the evolution of host shift in C. lapponica.     

The cultural model of “the good farmer” and the environmental question in Finland

Farmers' relationship with nature isdetermined by the significance of agriculturefor human beings. When agriculture is definedas human activity that uses renewable naturalresources and aims to produce usable food andfiber products, agriculture is explicitlydefined as production. Farmers' relationshipwith nature is based on the principle ofproduction. This article discusses thecontradiction between the peasant values ofprotection of nature that many farmers inFinland still have and the environmental harmtheir production-oriented farming style causes.When farmers interpret their farming practicesas harmonious co-operation with nature, it isdifficult for them to see the polluting effectsof their work. Paul B. Thompson's suggestionthat three religious–philosophical doctrines(hard work, the doctrine of grace, and the mythof garden) have made it easy for farmers toadopt productionist farming strategy is used asa framework to interpret farmers' narrativesconcerning their relationship with nature. Theresearch is qualitative and biographical. Thedata include life stories and biographicaltexts farmers wrote for a competition in1997.     

芬兰养狐业对我国养狐业的启迪

从饲养规模、劳动效率、饲料加工、日粮营养、环境卫生和疾病预防、产品品质等方面论述了芬兰养狐业的特点与我国养狐业存在的问题 ;从科学饲养管理、良种培育、毛皮加工技术与毛皮拍卖市场四个方面分析了芬兰养狐业成功的原因及给我们的启示     

Differences in the forest landscape structure along the Finnish–Russian border in southern Karelia

Abstract

This study describes forest landscape fragmentation and connectivity along the Finnish–Russian border near the Karelian Isthmus. The landscape pattern was analysed using classification data based on Landsat ETM+ and Landsat TM images in combination with systematic surveys in Finland (Finnish National Forest Inventory) (n=546) and the authors’ own fieldwork data in Russia (n=101). On the Finnish side the forest patches are significantly smaller than on the Russian side. In addition, the Finnish forests landscape is more scattered and distances between patches of the same forest type are longer. The Russian side is more dominated by broadleaved and mixed forest stands. The disparities are due to differences in forestry policy and traditions of forest practices. The growing conditions of the areas are similar. The habitat fragmentation and habitat connectivity are important issues because the Karelian Isthmus is one of three main corridors and migrating routes connecting large Russian boreal taiga forests and their fauna and flora with Finnish isolated boreal forests.     

The maturation of Pinus sylvestris seeds in relation to temperature climate in Northern Finland

The probability of achieving an anatomically mature seed crop of Scots pine (Pinus sylvestris L.) in Northern Finland has been studied on the basis of earlier data and meteorological observations. The meteorological data over the period of 1951–1980 was used to calculate the probability of having a mature seed crop in various parts of Northern Finland. The climatic variables used were: (a) June‐August mean temperature (b) June—September mean temperature, and (c) annual temperature sum (+5°C base temperature). A non‐linear relationship between the percentage of mature seeds in a seed crop and the annual temperature sum was detected, indicating that 50% mature seed crop was achieved at appr. 890 degree days. The results suggest that the probability of having 50% mature seed crop is approximately 0.02–0.03 near the polar timber line. The probability of the occurrence of such years is, however, considerably higher in lowlands and lake districts even near the timber line.     

The first detection of influenza in the Finnish pig population: a retrospective study

Background

Swine influenza is an infectious acute respiratory disease of pigs caused by influenza A virus. We investigated the time of entry of swine influenza into the Finnish pig population. We also describe the molecular detection of two types of influenza A (H1N1) viruses in porcine samples submitted in 2009 and 2010.This retrospective study was based on three categories of samples: blood samples collected for disease monitoring from pigs at major slaughterhouses from 2007 to 2009; blood samples from pigs in farms with a special health status taken in 2008 and 2009; and diagnostic blood samples from pigs in farms with clinical signs of respiratory disease in 2008 and 2009. The blood samples were tested for influenza A antibodies with an antibody ELISA. Positive samples were further analyzed for H1N1, H3N2, and H1N2 antibodies with a hemagglutination inhibition test. Diagnostic samples for virus detection were subjected to influenza A M-gene-specific real-time RT-PCR and to pandemic influenza A H1N1-specific real-time RT-PCR. Positive samples were further analyzed with RT-PCRs designed for this purpose, and the PCR products were sequenced and sequences analyzed phylogenetically.

Results

In the blood samples from pigs in special health class farms producing replacement animals and in diagnostic blood samples, the first serologically positive samples originated from the period July–August 2008. In samples collected for disease monitoring, < 0.1%, 0% and 16% were positive for antibodies against influenza A H1N1 in the HI test in 2007, 2008, and 2009, respectively. Swine influenza A virus of avian-like H1N1 was first detected in diagnostic samples in February 2009. In 2009 and 2010, the avian-like H1N1 virus was detected on 12 and two farms, respectively. The pandemic H1N1 virus (A(H1N1)pdm09) was detected on one pig farm in 2009 and on two farms in 2010.

Conclusions

Based on our study, swine influenza of avian-like H1N1 virus was introduced into the Finnish pig population in 2008 and A(H1N1)pdm09 virus in 2009. The source of avian-like H1N1 infection could not be determined. Cases of pandemic H1N1 in pigs coincided with the period when the A(H1N1)pdm09 virus was spread in humans in Finland.     

Revealing trends in densities of juvenile Atlantic salmon, Salmo salar L., in the subarctic River Teno using cluster analysis on long-term sampling data

The density of juvenile Atlantic salmon, Salmo salar L., was monitored at 57 sites representing different habitats in the River Teno and two of its major tributaries from 1979 to 1995. Cluster analyses were used to combine sites with similar densities and to study trends in densities within clusters. It was found that management measures have played an important role in maintaining salmon stocks and there was some evidence of increasing juvenile salmon densities. Parr densities decreased significantly in one cluster containing 45% of the sites studied in the River Utsjoki, whereas densities increased significantly in one cluster in the River Teno and in one cluster in the River Inarijoki containing 38% of the sites in these rivers. Fry densities increased significantly in two clusters containing 16% of all the sites studied in the three rivers. In general, the mean densities in successive years in the clusters were independent. The results demonstrate the value of long-term monitoring in ecological investigations.     

Attitudes and opinions of commercial fishermen on whitefish management in the Gulf of Bothnia, Finland

Abstract Catches of anadromous whitefish in the Gulf of Bothnia have declined since theearly 1990s. It is generally assumed that the cause is overfishing. The professional fishermeninterviewed in the present study were united in the opinion that it is necessary to set limits onthe fishing of whitefish, but had differing views about the means of achieving this. Thesedifferent arguments involved separate whitefish stocks, various types of gear and differentmotives for fishing. Most of the professional fishermen accepted a minimum mesh size for gillnets. Other means proposed included setting limits on non-professional fishing and sales ofcatches. There were conflicting attitudes about seasonal restrictions because their experienceswith fishing restrictions for salmon had been negative. On the whole, decision-making requiresmore regional information on whitefish stocks and fishing, but also on the social and economicflexibility of fishermen.