Hypera postica is currently the main pest of alfalfa over the world. In Spain, damages are produced during alfalfa first cutting, its control is not resolved and little is known about biological control. Parasitoids of the genus Bathyplectes sp. occurs along the weevil larval development. The rates of parasitism by Bathyplectes anura and Bathyplectes curculionis were recorded during eleven years. They varied between fields and years but B. anura was the prevalent species. Yearly total parasitism rates ranged from 1% to 31%, averaging from 13.8% to 6.2% at the beginning and the end of April, respectively.

We evaluate the occurrence of Anastrepha in three areas with different anthropization levels: guava monoculture, polyculture, and native forest in the municipality of Barreiras, Bahia, Brazil. We collected the occurrence data using thirty McPhail traps, which were evenly distributed in the areas. Fifteen collections were carried out weekly between January and May 2021. We observed a significant difference in means of Anastrepha occurrence between the polyculture area (4.133 ± 1.586) and the other areas. Regarding the area of monoculture of guava (1.286 ± 0.663) and the native forest (0.740 ± 0.283), we observed no significant differences.

The horse-chestnut leaf miner Cameraria ohridella is a micromoth that in the last few decades invaded most of the European continent becoming a notorious ornamental pest. This species was also recorded in the European part of Russia, including the southern regions, where it causes impressive damage affecting health of its host plant, horse chestnut Aesculus hippocastanum. Our preliminary molecular genetic study based on the analysis of the gene COI mtDNA in a few individuals sampled in Moscow and the southern Russian (in the Republics of Crimea and Adygea) indicates the presence of one haplotype, widely distributed across Europe.

Heavy metals are one of the most persistent pollutants that are introduced into the environment through human activity and ever so growing industrialization, exploitation and utilization of natural heavy metal deposits. Due to their toxicity, heavy metals have severely negative effects on organisms, mainly through oxidative stress. The objective of this research was to investigate the influence of heavy metals on the expression of six metallothionein genes (Mtn A, B, C, D, E, F), with the intention to show to which extent the concentration of metals and the duration of the exposure influence Mtn gene expression, as well as the potential correlation of certain metallothioneins to a specific metal or combination of them. Larvae of the fruit fly Drosophila subobscura were subjected to the treatments with four heavy metals: zinc, copper, cadmium or lead. A combination of cadmium and lead was also included, to detect the combinatory effect of these metals. Treatment with each of the heavy metals was conducted in two concentrations, in short-term (24 hours) and long-term (10 days) time frame. Gene expression was analyzed with qPCR. The pattern of gene expression in response to various treatments indicates that some genes show specificity to certain metals, while others demonstrate a broader response or no response at all.

Stored product insect pests, mainly sap beetles and moths, attack dates during the storage period. Currently, after methyl bromide phases-out, phosphine fumigation, heat treatment, and modified atmosphere are used for date disinfestation. Each of these methods has advantages but also serious limitations. To improve phosphine fumigation for date disinfestation, FumBox® - a mobile fumigation container - was designed and tested in commercial conditions. The FumBox®, modified dry 40 ft. HC standard container (76.4 m³), was equipped with a newly developed platform generating and constantly monitoring phosphine gas concentrations, air temperature and relative air humidity of the fumigated goods. Magtoxin® Plates 56 % and Phostoxin® Tablets 56 % (Detia Freyberg GmbH, Germany) were used. Dates of Medjool variety were treated. The phosphine was used at a dosage range of 1-3 g/m³ and the exposure time between 24–72 hrs. Total date disinfestation was achieved in all fumigation treatments. The use of Magtoxin Plates with the D.G. provided more effective, quicker, and safer date disinfestation compared to Phostoxin tablets. The fumigated dates were phosphine residue-free. No changes in organoleptic properties were noted.

The potential of RNA interference (RNAi) technology to control the Asian Citrus psyllid (ACP), vector of Huanglongbing (HLB), has been demonstrated in different publications. RNAi is a natural biological process that specifically down regulates the expression of a specific gene, being more environmentally friendly approach to control insects. We´re interested to understand if the treatment of a plant with dsRNA could induce an ACP response. To evaluate if ACP sense the presence of a dsRNA (ACP-specific and non-specific) in plants, we set up free of choice experiments to examined psyllid response to dsRNA treated plants versus non-treated plants, to dsRNA-specific versus dsRNA non-specific and plants treated with two dsRNA-specific. Four groups of 4 plant flush each (2 of each treatment) were placed in each corner of a cage, and 50 ACP were release at the center. They were observed for 15 d, and the number of ACP on each flush recorded daily. Each experiment was repeated at least four times. No significant differences, using F-test analyses, was observed in ACP feeding preferences regarding the presence of dsRNA (p< 0,05). These preliminary results suggest that psyllids appear not to be sensitive to dsRNA ingestion, as they may be for traditional chemical insecticides, thus were not repelled.

Life history traits determine the survival of species and their reproduction and as such, they represent the main components of fitness. There are numerous factors that can affect life history traits, both external and internal. We investigated the influence of the composition of microbiota on two life history traits, egg to adult viability and developmental time, in two species, Drosophila melanogaster and Drosophila subobscura, grown in laboratory on standard (over 50 generations) and lead (II) acetate (Pb(CH₃COO)₂) saturated substrates (over 30 generations). The composition of microbiota in larvae and adults was determined by sequencing (NGS) of the V3-V4 variable regions of the 16S rRNA gene. The relationship between changes in the composition of microbiota and studied traits was analysed. The substrate × species interaction shows a significant effect on both fitness components. In D. subobscura, developmental time shows a higher tendency of slowing down on lead saturated substrate compared to D. melanogaster. Reduced viability in D. melanogaster could be a cost of faster development and presence of endosymbiotic bacteria (Wolbachia). Microbiota diversity indicates that the high prevalence of genus Komagataeibacter could be a key to better tolerance of lead pollution in D. subobscura. The study of additional factors that may affect the composition of the microbiota, and consequently the potential trade-offs among different life history traits is of great importance in evolutionary research.

Biological invasions have become one of the most intimidating environmental and economic threats of our time, as a result of the globalisation and the rise of international commerce. Alien species of insects represent one of the most abundant groups of introduced organisms in Europe, while a large number of them are associated with substantial economic burden, biodiversity loss and disturbance to ecosystem functioning. Over the last decade, citizen-science has emerged as a valuable tool for the early detection and monitoring of alien species worldwide. Alientoma – derived from “alien” and the greek word “entoma" meaning insects – aims to create a dynamic checklist and database of these organisms in Greece, where a large number of non-native insect species is currently present. The species catalogue is based on a recent scientific review of alien insect species in Greece, which was compiled after an extensive literature search, while also taking into consideration specimens from museum collections and online databases. Alientoma provides information on alien species (i.e. status, distribution, taxonomy, common names, impacts) to the public as well as the scientific community in order to inform and assist the mitigation of their adverse impacts, respectively. This project intends to promote public participation in scientific research regarding alien species, encouraging the involvement of citizen-scientists through the collection of occurrence records.

Maize (Zea mays L.) is one of the most economically important cereal species. However, climate change and anthropogenic factors may contribute to increased susceptibility to a wide variety of pests, resulting in significant yield losses. At present, maize breeding is directed towards the search for hybrid varieties exhibiting increased resistance to unfavorable environmental factors. The aim of this study was to assess the susceptibility of seedlings of four selected maize cultivars to infestation by wingless females of the bird cherry-oat aphid (Rhopalosiphum padi L.). The biotests were carried out on 14-day-old maize seedlings (Nimba, Kanonier, Podium and Prezent cultivars) under controlled conditions in the environmental chamber. Population size and its structure as well as feeding site preferences of wingless females of R. padi on the tested maize seedlings were determined. Two levels of aphid colonization of the host plants (initially 5 and 50 aphids per seedling) and two periods of insect feeding (5 and 10 days) were tested. So far, there are no available reports on the interaction between the examined maize varieties and the bird cherry-oat aphid. The results of the experiments allowed to classify the Nimba cv. as susceptible, Kanonier and Podium cvs appeared to be moderately resistant, while Prezent cv. was highly resistant to the examined insects. The aphid populations reached higher numbers on susceptible Nimba seedlings in comparison to more resistant cultivars, and this effect was dependent on the initial level of aphid colonization. In addition, the larvae were predominant in the population structure of R. padi on seedlings of all the tested maize cultivars. On the other hand, higher number of adult females were found on Nimba plants, compared to the resistant varieties. Furthermore, it has been revealed plasticity of feeding site preferences of R. padi aphids when feeding on the seedlings of the investigated maize cultivars.

Native to Asia, box tree moth (Cydalima perspectalis) (Walker) is an invasive pest first detected in Toronto Ontario in November 2018. Present in 36 countries worldwide, the pest is a serious concern to nursery growers and homeowners because it can cause significant defoliation to boxwood (Buxus sp.), its primary host species. Boxwood is an important nursery crop for Ontario and a popular ornamental landscape plant found in residential and public gardens across the province. In 2019 and 2020, monitoring with pheromone traps and ground surveys of boxwoods has helped determine the spread of this pest from its original detection sites in the Toronto area. Two generations of the pest, occurring from May to September have been verified in Ontario compared to 3-5 generations observed in Europe. The larval stage (foliar feeding life stage) was found to be active between mid-May through mid-June and again from mid-July to late August. Beginning in September as day length decreased, larva entered a state of diapause within a protected webbed structure (hibernaria), a critical aspect of their overwintering success. This valuable information is being used to develop a sustainable pest management program that helps to inform the nursery and landscape industry about proper treatment periods to effectively control this invasive pest.