Background Anteon is a speciose genus widespread in all zoogeographical regions, except Antarctic... more Background Anteon is a speciose genus widespread in all zoogeographical regions, except Antarctica. New information A new species, Anteon hubeni sp. n., is described below from Ecuador, Pichincha Province. The new species is similar to Anteon oliveirai Olmi, known from Brazil, Minas Gerais. The main difference between these two species concerns the sculpture of the frons: in A. oliveirai, the frons shows two lateral keels around the orbits directed towards the antennal toruli, whereas in A. hubeni, these keels are not present. The key to the Neotropical species of Anteon is modified to include the new species.
Potential impact of Entomophaga maimaiga Humber, Shimazu, and Soper (Entomophthorales Entomophtho... more Potential impact of Entomophaga maimaiga Humber, Shimazu, and Soper (Entomophthorales Entomophthoraceae) on the lepidopteran fauna inhabiting cork forests in Sardinia (Italy). Periodic outbreaks of forest defoliators like the gypsy moth cause severe impact to the forest ecosystem, which is normally counterbalanced by the action of their natural enemies, including predators, parasitoids, and entomopathogens. Among the latter, the host-specific fungus Entomophaga maimaiga can be very effective under favourable conditions. Whilst its close evolutionary relationship with gypsy moth, this entomopathogen has never been detected in certain forest areas where L. dispar is a common pest. The results of three years laboratory assays with two different strains of E. maimaiga from Bulgaria and Croatia against Lepidopteran species inhabiting cork oak forests in Sardinia are reported. Significant toxicity and virulence against gypsy moth larvae exposed to soil contaminated with resting spores of the fungus was detected for both strains, even if the strain from Bulgaria was significantly more effective. Significant lethal effects were observed also on M. neustria larvae, but a successful development and reproduction of the fungus within insect cadavers was detected only in the gypsy moth. No significant effects were observed on other Lepidopteran species. Given a proper choice of candidate strains, the introduction of E. maimaiga in Sardinia, to manage the disruptive action of the gypsy moth would be desirable.
Embolemus villemantae sp. nov. (Hymenoptera: Embolemidae) is described from New Caledonia. The ke... more Embolemus villemantae sp. nov. (Hymenoptera: Embolemidae) is described from New Caledonia. The key to the males of the Australasian species of Embolemus is modified to include the new species.
BackgroundToumeyella parvicornis is an invasive soft scale insect native to North America that is... more BackgroundToumeyella parvicornis is an invasive soft scale insect native to North America that is rapidly spreading in Italy and France, provoking severe infestations on Pinus pinea L. To date, the control of this pest is entrusted to three endotherapic techniques whose short‐term efficacy is partially known. No information on long‐term efficacy is currently available, although fundamental. This work aims to report on the long‐term effect that abamectin‐based insecticides, injected with the three different techniques, have on adult female populations.ResultsThe study was carried out in an infested P. pinea forest in the area of Rome, Italy. Results showed that the tested methods had a similar long‐term effect, and only in one case there were differences with the untreated control. Multiresidue analysis reported a zero level of abamectin in plant tissues 14 months apart from injection, except for one treatment where pesticide concentration was just above the limit of quantification.C...
Toumeyella parvicornis (Cockerell) (Hemiptera, Coccidae) is becoming a potential main pest of sto... more Toumeyella parvicornis (Cockerell) (Hemiptera, Coccidae) is becoming a potential main pest of stone pine plants (Pinus pinea L.), both in urban parks and pinewood forests in Europe. Its recent distribution is a source of concern in several regions of Italy and in France. The early detection of this pest plays a fundamental role to contain its geographical expansion, but its taxonomic identification is still based on laborious observations of the morphological traits. The identification is also complicated by the small size of the pest, which makes the observations possible only through a stereomicroscope. Molecular identification is beneficial for detection, but currently, there is only a single gene sequence available for this pest. This study fills this gap in knowledge by providing the sequences of five different genes (COI, 28S, elongation factor (EF-1α), wingless (wg), and histone H3 (HexA)), together with a phylogenetic analysis carried out among species belonging to Coccidae,...
A large proportion of the insects which have invaded new regions and countries are emerging speci... more A large proportion of the insects which have invaded new regions and countries are emerging species, being found for the first time outside their native range. Being able to detect such species upon arrival at ports of entry before they establish in non-native countries is an urgent challenge. The deployment of traps baited with broad-spectrum semiochemical lures at ports-of-entry and other high-risk sites could be one such early detection tool. Rapid progress in the identification of semiochemicals for cerambycid beetles during the last 15 years has revealed that aggregation-sex pheromones and sex pheromones are often conserved at global levels for genera, tribes or subfamilies of the Cerambycidae. This possibly allows the development of generic attractants which attract multiple species simultaneously, especially when such pheromones are combined into blends. Here, we present the results of a worldwide field trial programme conducted during 2018–2021, using traps baited with a sta...
This article is an open access article distributed under the terms and conditions of the Creative... more This article is an open access article distributed under the terms and conditions of the Creative Commons Attribution (CC BY
The olive fruit fly Bactrocera oleae is one of the key insect pests infesting olive orchards in M... more The olive fruit fly Bactrocera oleae is one of the key insect pests infesting olive orchards in Mediterranean areas. Its coevolution with the olive tree, Olea europaea, made this pest highly specialized for this crop, being responsible for several yield reductions in terms of olive fruits and olive oil organoleptic properties. Monitoring is, to date, the main tool to assess the entity of infestations, but the increasing availability of biological information is making possible a quantitative interpretation of B. oleae’s biological traits in mathematical language. In this study, we aim to synthesize this plethora of information by applying a general physiologically based model theory of recent introduction. As a result, we obtained a parameterized model capable of describing B. oleae populations and with a high potential for implementation in Decision Support System programs. Besides the parameterization, model validation has been carried out in a three-year survey conducted in two r...
Mite pests are a serious threat for hazelnut cultivations, causing economic losses every year. At... more Mite pests are a serious threat for hazelnut cultivations, causing economic losses every year. At least two species of big bud mites, Phytoptus avellanae (Acari: Phytoptidae) and Cecidophyopsis vermiformis (Acari: Eriophyidae), are involved in severe hazelnut bud infestations, even though few studies report P. avellanae as the most present and harmful. Great steps forward have been made in monitoring and management strategies of these mite pests, but a plethora of questions remains unanswered about their ecology and behaviour and how agronomical practices impact populations. Given this precondition, we conducted a four-year monitoring in an experimental hazelnut orchard located in the Viterbo hazelnut district, Central Italy, to: (i) explore the potential effect that irrigation has on mite infestations, (ii) assess if mites locate in a particular band height of hazelnut plants; and (iii) assess the overall field infestation over the years. This study showed that not-irrigated plants...
Biochar is a rich carbon product obtained by pyrolysis of biomass under a limited supply of oxyge... more Biochar is a rich carbon product obtained by pyrolysis of biomass under a limited supply of oxygen. It is composed mainly of aromatic molecules, but its agronomic value is hard to evaluate and difficult to predict due to its great variable characteristics depending on the type of starting biomass and the conditions of pyrolysis. Anyway, it could be used as soil amendment because it increases the soil fertility of acidic soils, increases the agricultural productivity, and seems to provide protection against some foliar and soilborne diseases. In this study, the effects of biochar, obtained from olive pruning, have been evaluated on tomato seedlings growth and on their response to systemic agents' infection alone or added with beneficial microorganisms (Bacillus spp. and Trichoderma spp.). First, experimental data showed that biochar seems to promote the development of the tomato seedlings, especially at concentrations ranging from 1 to 20% (w/w with peat) without showing any anti...
<i>Metanteon poirieri</i> sp. nov. (Figures 1–4) <b>Type material</b>. Ho... more <i>Metanteon poirieri</i> sp. nov. (Figures 1–4) <b>Type material</b>. Holotype: &amp;female;: NEW CALEDONIA: Bopope, Katalupaik, KAT8-MAL-2A, 20.83429S 165.00702E, 783 m, 14–29.X.2017, E. Poirier leg., N° 60912– 2001–2017 /JJC, Expédition La Planète Revisitée, MNHN-PNI, NC-TR2 2037 (MNHN). <b>Diagnosis</b>. Fully winged female (Figs 1, 2); palpal formula 6/3; 2r-rs&amp;Rs vein of forewing with distal part much longer than proximal part (Figs 1, 2); protarsus chelate (Fig. 2); chela without rudimentary claw (Fig. 4); enlarged claw without subapical tooth, with inner side provided with one row of six small lamellae (Fig. 4); tibial spurs 1/1/2. <b>Description of female holotype</b>. Fully winged (Figs 1, 2); length 3.9 mm. Head black, except mandible brown; antenna brown, except ventral side of scape whitish; mesosoma black; metasoma brown; legs testaceous, except part of coxae and clubs of femora brown. Antenna slightly clavate, without ADOs; antennomeres in following proportions: 12:4:16:12:10:10:9:9:8:13. Head (Fig. 3) shiny, slightly swollen, punctate, unsculptured among punctures, more strongly punctate on frons; frontal line complete, more protruding in anterior third of frons; occipital carina complete, laterally not reaching eyes; POL = 1.6; OL = 1.1; OOL = 3.2; OPL = 3.5; TL = 1.7. Palpal formula 6/3. Pronotum shiny, with disc punctate, unsculptured among punctures; anterior collar rugose; pronotal tubercle reaching tegula. Mesoscutum shiny, punctate, unsculptured among punctures. Notauli incomplete, reaching about 0.8 × length of mesoscutum (Fig. 1). Mesoscutellum shiny, slightly punctate, unsculptured among punctures. Metanotum shiny, unsculptured. Metapectal-propodeal complex dull, reticulate rugose, without transverse or longitudinal keels. Mesopleuron dull, partly rugose and partly punctate. Metapleuron dull, reticulate rugose. Forewing hyaline, without dark transverse bands (Figs 1, 2); 2R1 cell open; 2r-rs&amp;Rs vein with distal part much longer than proximal part (25:12). Protarsomeres in followi [...]
FIGURE 8. World map showing the collection sites of Metanteon species (red circles: M. aerias in ... more FIGURE 8. World map showing the collection sites of Metanteon species (red circles: M. aerias in the extreme tip of South America; M. poirieri in New Caledonia (Australasia)).
FIGURES 5–7. Metanteon aerias, 5, 6, female from Chile, 37°40'10''S 73°01'27'... more FIGURES 5–7. Metanteon aerias, 5, 6, female from Chile, 37°40'10''S 73°01'27''W. 5, habitus in dorsal view; 6, head in dorsal view; 7, female from Chile, El Coigo, habitus in lateral view (from Olmi & Virla 2014). Scale bar 2.5 mm (5), 0.4 mm (6), 1.2 mm (7).
Background Anteon is a speciose genus widespread in all zoogeographical regions, except Antarctic... more Background Anteon is a speciose genus widespread in all zoogeographical regions, except Antarctica. New information A new species, Anteon hubeni sp. n., is described below from Ecuador, Pichincha Province. The new species is similar to Anteon oliveirai Olmi, known from Brazil, Minas Gerais. The main difference between these two species concerns the sculpture of the frons: in A. oliveirai, the frons shows two lateral keels around the orbits directed towards the antennal toruli, whereas in A. hubeni, these keels are not present. The key to the Neotropical species of Anteon is modified to include the new species.
Potential impact of Entomophaga maimaiga Humber, Shimazu, and Soper (Entomophthorales Entomophtho... more Potential impact of Entomophaga maimaiga Humber, Shimazu, and Soper (Entomophthorales Entomophthoraceae) on the lepidopteran fauna inhabiting cork forests in Sardinia (Italy). Periodic outbreaks of forest defoliators like the gypsy moth cause severe impact to the forest ecosystem, which is normally counterbalanced by the action of their natural enemies, including predators, parasitoids, and entomopathogens. Among the latter, the host-specific fungus Entomophaga maimaiga can be very effective under favourable conditions. Whilst its close evolutionary relationship with gypsy moth, this entomopathogen has never been detected in certain forest areas where L. dispar is a common pest. The results of three years laboratory assays with two different strains of E. maimaiga from Bulgaria and Croatia against Lepidopteran species inhabiting cork oak forests in Sardinia are reported. Significant toxicity and virulence against gypsy moth larvae exposed to soil contaminated with resting spores of the fungus was detected for both strains, even if the strain from Bulgaria was significantly more effective. Significant lethal effects were observed also on M. neustria larvae, but a successful development and reproduction of the fungus within insect cadavers was detected only in the gypsy moth. No significant effects were observed on other Lepidopteran species. Given a proper choice of candidate strains, the introduction of E. maimaiga in Sardinia, to manage the disruptive action of the gypsy moth would be desirable.
Embolemus villemantae sp. nov. (Hymenoptera: Embolemidae) is described from New Caledonia. The ke... more Embolemus villemantae sp. nov. (Hymenoptera: Embolemidae) is described from New Caledonia. The key to the males of the Australasian species of Embolemus is modified to include the new species.
BackgroundToumeyella parvicornis is an invasive soft scale insect native to North America that is... more BackgroundToumeyella parvicornis is an invasive soft scale insect native to North America that is rapidly spreading in Italy and France, provoking severe infestations on Pinus pinea L. To date, the control of this pest is entrusted to three endotherapic techniques whose short‐term efficacy is partially known. No information on long‐term efficacy is currently available, although fundamental. This work aims to report on the long‐term effect that abamectin‐based insecticides, injected with the three different techniques, have on adult female populations.ResultsThe study was carried out in an infested P. pinea forest in the area of Rome, Italy. Results showed that the tested methods had a similar long‐term effect, and only in one case there were differences with the untreated control. Multiresidue analysis reported a zero level of abamectin in plant tissues 14 months apart from injection, except for one treatment where pesticide concentration was just above the limit of quantification.C...
Toumeyella parvicornis (Cockerell) (Hemiptera, Coccidae) is becoming a potential main pest of sto... more Toumeyella parvicornis (Cockerell) (Hemiptera, Coccidae) is becoming a potential main pest of stone pine plants (Pinus pinea L.), both in urban parks and pinewood forests in Europe. Its recent distribution is a source of concern in several regions of Italy and in France. The early detection of this pest plays a fundamental role to contain its geographical expansion, but its taxonomic identification is still based on laborious observations of the morphological traits. The identification is also complicated by the small size of the pest, which makes the observations possible only through a stereomicroscope. Molecular identification is beneficial for detection, but currently, there is only a single gene sequence available for this pest. This study fills this gap in knowledge by providing the sequences of five different genes (COI, 28S, elongation factor (EF-1α), wingless (wg), and histone H3 (HexA)), together with a phylogenetic analysis carried out among species belonging to Coccidae,...
A large proportion of the insects which have invaded new regions and countries are emerging speci... more A large proportion of the insects which have invaded new regions and countries are emerging species, being found for the first time outside their native range. Being able to detect such species upon arrival at ports of entry before they establish in non-native countries is an urgent challenge. The deployment of traps baited with broad-spectrum semiochemical lures at ports-of-entry and other high-risk sites could be one such early detection tool. Rapid progress in the identification of semiochemicals for cerambycid beetles during the last 15 years has revealed that aggregation-sex pheromones and sex pheromones are often conserved at global levels for genera, tribes or subfamilies of the Cerambycidae. This possibly allows the development of generic attractants which attract multiple species simultaneously, especially when such pheromones are combined into blends. Here, we present the results of a worldwide field trial programme conducted during 2018–2021, using traps baited with a sta...
This article is an open access article distributed under the terms and conditions of the Creative... more This article is an open access article distributed under the terms and conditions of the Creative Commons Attribution (CC BY
The olive fruit fly Bactrocera oleae is one of the key insect pests infesting olive orchards in M... more The olive fruit fly Bactrocera oleae is one of the key insect pests infesting olive orchards in Mediterranean areas. Its coevolution with the olive tree, Olea europaea, made this pest highly specialized for this crop, being responsible for several yield reductions in terms of olive fruits and olive oil organoleptic properties. Monitoring is, to date, the main tool to assess the entity of infestations, but the increasing availability of biological information is making possible a quantitative interpretation of B. oleae’s biological traits in mathematical language. In this study, we aim to synthesize this plethora of information by applying a general physiologically based model theory of recent introduction. As a result, we obtained a parameterized model capable of describing B. oleae populations and with a high potential for implementation in Decision Support System programs. Besides the parameterization, model validation has been carried out in a three-year survey conducted in two r...
Mite pests are a serious threat for hazelnut cultivations, causing economic losses every year. At... more Mite pests are a serious threat for hazelnut cultivations, causing economic losses every year. At least two species of big bud mites, Phytoptus avellanae (Acari: Phytoptidae) and Cecidophyopsis vermiformis (Acari: Eriophyidae), are involved in severe hazelnut bud infestations, even though few studies report P. avellanae as the most present and harmful. Great steps forward have been made in monitoring and management strategies of these mite pests, but a plethora of questions remains unanswered about their ecology and behaviour and how agronomical practices impact populations. Given this precondition, we conducted a four-year monitoring in an experimental hazelnut orchard located in the Viterbo hazelnut district, Central Italy, to: (i) explore the potential effect that irrigation has on mite infestations, (ii) assess if mites locate in a particular band height of hazelnut plants; and (iii) assess the overall field infestation over the years. This study showed that not-irrigated plants...
Biochar is a rich carbon product obtained by pyrolysis of biomass under a limited supply of oxyge... more Biochar is a rich carbon product obtained by pyrolysis of biomass under a limited supply of oxygen. It is composed mainly of aromatic molecules, but its agronomic value is hard to evaluate and difficult to predict due to its great variable characteristics depending on the type of starting biomass and the conditions of pyrolysis. Anyway, it could be used as soil amendment because it increases the soil fertility of acidic soils, increases the agricultural productivity, and seems to provide protection against some foliar and soilborne diseases. In this study, the effects of biochar, obtained from olive pruning, have been evaluated on tomato seedlings growth and on their response to systemic agents' infection alone or added with beneficial microorganisms (Bacillus spp. and Trichoderma spp.). First, experimental data showed that biochar seems to promote the development of the tomato seedlings, especially at concentrations ranging from 1 to 20% (w/w with peat) without showing any anti...
<i>Metanteon poirieri</i> sp. nov. (Figures 1–4) <b>Type material</b>. Ho... more <i>Metanteon poirieri</i> sp. nov. (Figures 1–4) <b>Type material</b>. Holotype: &amp;female;: NEW CALEDONIA: Bopope, Katalupaik, KAT8-MAL-2A, 20.83429S 165.00702E, 783 m, 14–29.X.2017, E. Poirier leg., N° 60912– 2001–2017 /JJC, Expédition La Planète Revisitée, MNHN-PNI, NC-TR2 2037 (MNHN). <b>Diagnosis</b>. Fully winged female (Figs 1, 2); palpal formula 6/3; 2r-rs&amp;Rs vein of forewing with distal part much longer than proximal part (Figs 1, 2); protarsus chelate (Fig. 2); chela without rudimentary claw (Fig. 4); enlarged claw without subapical tooth, with inner side provided with one row of six small lamellae (Fig. 4); tibial spurs 1/1/2. <b>Description of female holotype</b>. Fully winged (Figs 1, 2); length 3.9 mm. Head black, except mandible brown; antenna brown, except ventral side of scape whitish; mesosoma black; metasoma brown; legs testaceous, except part of coxae and clubs of femora brown. Antenna slightly clavate, without ADOs; antennomeres in following proportions: 12:4:16:12:10:10:9:9:8:13. Head (Fig. 3) shiny, slightly swollen, punctate, unsculptured among punctures, more strongly punctate on frons; frontal line complete, more protruding in anterior third of frons; occipital carina complete, laterally not reaching eyes; POL = 1.6; OL = 1.1; OOL = 3.2; OPL = 3.5; TL = 1.7. Palpal formula 6/3. Pronotum shiny, with disc punctate, unsculptured among punctures; anterior collar rugose; pronotal tubercle reaching tegula. Mesoscutum shiny, punctate, unsculptured among punctures. Notauli incomplete, reaching about 0.8 × length of mesoscutum (Fig. 1). Mesoscutellum shiny, slightly punctate, unsculptured among punctures. Metanotum shiny, unsculptured. Metapectal-propodeal complex dull, reticulate rugose, without transverse or longitudinal keels. Mesopleuron dull, partly rugose and partly punctate. Metapleuron dull, reticulate rugose. Forewing hyaline, without dark transverse bands (Figs 1, 2); 2R1 cell open; 2r-rs&amp;Rs vein with distal part much longer than proximal part (25:12). Protarsomeres in followi [...]
FIGURE 8. World map showing the collection sites of Metanteon species (red circles: M. aerias in ... more FIGURE 8. World map showing the collection sites of Metanteon species (red circles: M. aerias in the extreme tip of South America; M. poirieri in New Caledonia (Australasia)).
FIGURES 5–7. Metanteon aerias, 5, 6, female from Chile, 37°40'10''S 73°01'27'... more FIGURES 5–7. Metanteon aerias, 5, 6, female from Chile, 37°40'10''S 73°01'27''W. 5, habitus in dorsal view; 6, head in dorsal view; 7, female from Chile, El Coigo, habitus in lateral view (from Olmi & Virla 2014). Scale bar 2.5 mm (5), 0.4 mm (6), 1.2 mm (7).
BACKGROUND: The pine tortoise scale, Toumeyella parvicornis (Cockerell, 1897), is a damaging inse... more BACKGROUND: The pine tortoise scale, Toumeyella parvicornis (Cockerell, 1897), is a damaging insect pest native to North America. Its accidental introduction into Europe, where it was first reported in central-southern Italy, is leading to severe infestations among stone pine trees, Pinus pinea L. causing severe infestations and generating a major risk to the health and safety of the citizens as well. This preliminary study aimed at finding an effective low-impact control strategy against Toumeyella parvicornis. We evaluated the effect of endotherapic abamectin injected into infested stone pines in the Parco Archeologico di Ostia Antica (Rome). RESULTS: Results showed that endotherapic abamectin significantly reduced the pine tortoise adult female populations and had a persistence into plants of approximately 60 days. The first trace of abamectin on the plant's crown was detected 1 month after the treatment. Moreover, the survey highlighted a higher presence of the pest on the twigs of the plants than on needles. CONCLUSIONS: These findings offer an important tool in fighting the damaging activity of this phytophagous, especially in an urban context where interventions with treatments are strictly regulated by national laws. Endotherapy, in fact, would reduce the dispersion of active ingredients by drift, an aspect that could represent a valid alternative to manage plants in public areas. Given the actual lack of scientific information about other control solutions, abamectin endotherapic treatments would be the more effective strategy currently applicable.
Uploads
Papers by mario contarini