scholarly journals Biology and Prevalence in Northern Italy of Verrallia aucta (Diptera, Pipunculidae), a Parasitoid of Philaenus spumarius (Hemiptera, Aphrophoridae), the Main Vector of Xylella fastidiosa in Europe

Insects ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 11 (9) ◽  
pp. 607
Author(s):  
Giulia Molinatto ◽  
Stefano Demichelis ◽  
Nicola Bodino ◽  
Massimo Giorgini ◽  
Nicola Mori ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Xylella Fastidiosa ◽  
Northern Italy ◽  
Small Scale ◽  
Parasitization Rate ◽  
Philaenus Spumarius ◽  
Larval Stages ◽  
Significant Difference ◽  
Long Time ◽  
Set Up ◽  
Species Specific

The meadow spittlebug, Philaenus spumarius (L.) (Hemiptera Aphrophoridae), the main vector of Xylella fastidiosa Wells et al. in Europe, has few known natural enemies. The endoparasitoid Verrallia aucta (Fallén) (Diptera, Pipunculidae) was first noticed a long time ago but very little is known about its biology and prevalence. In this study, the presence and prevalence of V. aucta were investigated in different regions of northern Italy, both in plain–foothill and montane zones. Parasitic larvae were identified by the dissection of spittlebug adults, P. spumarius and Neophilaenus campestris (Fallén), and by a new species-specific molecular tool targeting the ITS2 and COI genomic regions, developed in this work. A small-scale rearing was set up to gain information on the life cycle of V. aucta on its main host P. spumarius. During the four-year investigation (2016–2019) the pipunculid parasitoid displayed low prevalence, reaching a maximum parasitization rate of 17.5% (calculated over the adult spittlebug season) in vineyards of the Piemonte region. Over the whole period, no significant difference in the prevalence was found between male and female spittlebugs. Collected data and rearing observations suggest that V. aucta is monovoltine and synchronous with P. spumarius, laying eggs in newly emerged adults, developing as an endoparasitoid through two larval stages during the whole summer, and overwintering as a pupa in the soil.

Seasonal Abundance and Infectivity of Philaenus spumarius (Hemiptera: Aphrophoridae), a Vector of Xylella fastidiosa in California Vineyards

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Dylan J Beal ◽  
Monica Cooper ◽  
Matthew P Daugherty ◽  
Alexander H Purcell ◽  
Rodrigo P P Almeida
Keyword(s):  
Xylella Fastidiosa ◽  
Seasonal Abundance ◽  
North Coast ◽  
Philaenus Spumarius ◽  
Transmission Rates ◽  
The North ◽  
Significant Difference ◽  
Alternative Hypotheses ◽  
Sweep Net ◽  
Meadow Spittlebug

Abstract The meadow spittlebug, Philaenus spumarius (Linnaeus) (Hemiptera: Aphrophoridae), is a vector of the plant pathogen Xylella fastidiosa; however, its role in recent outbreaks of Pierce’s disease of grapevine (PD) in California is unclear. While the phenology and ecology of P. spumarius can help determine its contributions to PD epidemics, both remain poorly described in the North Coast vineyards of California. We assessed the phenology of P. spumarius in the region. Spittlemasses were first observed in February or March, while the emergence of adult spittlebugs did not occur until April or May depending on the year. Analysis of sweep and trap data from 2016 to 2018 revealed significant effects of survey month, vineyard site, and year on adult abundance in sweep and trap surveys. Spittlebug adults were present in the vineyards from April until December, with the greatest number of adults by sweep net in May or June, whereas adults on traps peaked between July and November. Analysis of natural infectivity in groups of field-collected spittlebug adults showed significant difference in transmission rates among months. Spittlebugs successfully transmitted Xylella fastidiosa (Wells) (Xanthomonadales: Xanthomonadaceae) to potted grapevines between July and December. The greatest risk of X. fastidiosa transmission by P. spumarius was in December (60%) followed by October (30%). However, the infectivity patterns of the meadow spittlebug did not align with the historical paradigm of California North Coast PD. We discuss alternative hypotheses in which P. spumarius could play a role in the epidemiology of this disease.

scholarly journals Flight performance and the factors affecting the flight behaviour of Philaenus spumarius the main vector of Xylella fastidiosa in Europe

2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Clara Lago ◽  
Elisa Garzo ◽  
Aránzazu Moreno ◽  
Laura Barrios ◽  
Antonio Martí-Campoy ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Xylella Fastidiosa ◽  
Control Measures ◽  
Effective Control ◽  
Buffer Zones ◽  
Flight Behaviour ◽  
Factors Affecting ◽  
Philaenus Spumarius ◽  
Management Actions ◽  
Recent Emergence ◽  
Set Up

AbstractThe recent emergence of Xylella fastidiosa in Europe is a major threat to agriculture, including olive, almond and grape. Philaenus spumarius is the predominant vector of X. fastidiosa in Europe. Understanding vector movement is critical for developing effective control measures against bacterial spread. In this study, our goal was to set up a flight-mill protocol to assess P. spumarius flight potential and to analyse how different variables may affect its flight behaviour. We found that P. spumarius was able to fly ≈ 500 m in 30 min with a maximum single flight of 5.5 km in 5.4 h. Based on the observations, the flight potential of the females was higher in spring and autumn than in summer, and that of the males was highest in autumn. Moreover, we found that P. spumarius had a higher flight potential during the morning and the night than during the afternoon. Our results revealed that P. spumarius is likely to disperse much further than the established sizes of the infected and buffer zones designated by the EU. This knowledge on the flight potential of P. spumarius will be critical for improving management actions against P. spumarius and the spread of X. fastidiosa in Europe.

scholarly journals FROM LINEAR TO CIRCULAR ECONOMY: THE ROLE OF REGIONAL AWARENESS AND INITIATIVES

2021 ◽  
Vol 9 (9) ◽  
pp. 101-116
Author(s):  
Louis Delcart
Keyword(s):  
Circular Economy ◽  
Small Scale ◽  
Profit Model ◽  
Large Cities ◽  
The Press ◽  
Important Player ◽  
Long Time ◽  
Conducting Research ◽  
Set Up ◽  
New Applications

Although many OECD countries are working on it, the economy is only slowly developing from linear to circular. However, many economists are convinced that this is the only viable path if we want to prevent a climate catastrophe by 2050 and thereby leave a habitable and developable world for the next generations. Numerous articles in the press point out that many companies are only at the beginning of a gigantic effort to make their production CO2 neutral but also sustainable and that a lot of innovation will be needed before that happens. So, what are the reasons why the transition towards a circular economy is so difficult to make? The European Academy of the Regions, that advocates the regionalisation of a number of economic and socio-cultural sectors, closely follows the development of the circular economy. Since the beginning of May 2021, it has therefore set-up a blog in which newspaper articles are translated from various countries to English with examples of successful circular economy initiatives or of critical studies: earaercircular.tumblr.com. To date, the organisation made a statistical study on the 100 selected articles[1] published between 3/5/2021 and 3/9/2021 that will give the reader an idea of the themes that are most frequently discussed and of the remedies that are created. The articles come from newspapers and magazines from Belgium (Dutch and French), the Netherlands, Germany, Spain and the US and to a lesser extent from Switzerland, Canada and France. The results of this research are an overview of the topics covered, of indications of how initiatives are created, who is the influencer as well as an overview of the articles that have received more than 100 clicks on social media. It has been striking that many of the initiatives described by the press have arisen from companies whose top management is aware of the bend that urgently needs to be made and who also see commercial opportunities to start early. There are also a number of cooperative initiatives, that still succeed in creating successful initiatives from a small-scale approach. A second important player in this conversion is the academic world, especially faculties or even entire universities that have been conducting research into new materials or new applications for a long time. The traditional third player are the authorities, but very often regional governments or large cities. The conclusion remarks show that circular economy can only be successful if companies see a profit model in it, or are forced to change their course by public opinion because of negative perception and that we are not yet there.

scholarly journals Fish Passage and Injury Risk at a Surface Bypass of a Small-Scale Hydropower Plant

2019 ◽  
Vol 11 (21) ◽  
pp. 6037 ◽  
Author(s):  
Knott ◽  
Mueller ◽  
Pander ◽  
Geist
Keyword(s):  
Injury Risk ◽  
Fish Passage ◽  
The Body ◽  
Hydropower Plant ◽  
Small Scale ◽  
Severe Injuries ◽  
Significant Difference ◽  
Species Specific ◽  
Dermal Lesions ◽  
Injury Potential

In contrast to the efforts made to develop functioning fishways for upstream migrants, the need for effective downstream migration facilities has long been underestimated. The challenge of developing well-performing bypasses for downstream migrants involves attracting the fish to the entrance and transporting them quickly and unharmed into the tailrace. In this study, the acceptance of different opening sizes of a surface bypass as well as the injuries which fish experience during the passage were examined. Overall bypass acceptance was low compared to the turbine passage. There was no significant difference in the number of downstream moving fish between the small and the large bypass openings. Across all fish species, no immediate mortality was detected. Severe injuries such as amputations or bruises were only rarely detected and at low intensity. Scale losses, tears and hemorrhages in the fins and dermal lesions at the body were the most common injuries, and significant species-specific differences were detected. To increase bypass efficiency, it would likely be useful to offer an alternative bottom bypass in addition to the existing surface bypass. The bypass injury potential could be further reduced by structural improvements at the bypass, such as covering protruding components.

Aerosol generation through pars plana vitrectomy

2020 ◽  
pp. bjophthalmol-2020-317214
Author(s):  
Hasan Naveed ◽  
Fong May Chew ◽  
Hanbin Lee ◽  
Edward Hughes ◽  
Mayank A Nanavaty
Keyword(s):  
Pars Plana Vitrectomy ◽  
Ex Vivo ◽  
Dynamic Changes ◽  
Aerosol Generation ◽  
Significant Difference ◽  
Optical Particle Counter ◽  
Pars Plana ◽  
23 Gauge ◽  
Set Up ◽  
Ex Vivo Study

PurposeTo assess whether pars plana vitrectomy (PPV) is an aerosol-generating procedure (AGP) in an ex vivo experimental model.MethodsIn this ex vivo study on 10 porcine eyes, optical particle counter was used to measure particles ≤10 μm using cumulative mode in the six in-built channels: 0.3 μm, 0.5 μm, 1 μm, 2.5 μm, 5 μm and 10 μm aerosols during PPV. Two parts of the study were as follows: (1) to assess the pre-experimental baseline aerosol count in the theatre environment where there are dynamic changes in temperature and humidity and (2) to measure aerosol generation with 23-gauge and 25-gauge set-up. For each porcine eye, five measurements were taken for each consecutive step in the experiment including pre-PPV, during PPV, fluid–air exchange (FAX) and venting using a flute with 23-gauge set-up and a chimney with 25-gauge set-up. Therefore, a total of 200 measurements were recorded.ResultsWith 23-gauge and 25-gauge PPV, there was no significant difference in aerosol generation in all six channels comparing pre-PPV versus PPV or pre-PPV versus FAX. Venting using flute with 23-gauge PPV showed significant reduction of aerosol ≤1 μm. Air venting using chimney with 25-gauge set-up showed no significant difference in aerosol of ≤1 μm. For cumulative aerosol counts of all particles measuring ≤5 μm, compared with pre-PPV, PPV or FAX, flute venting in 23-gauge set-up showed significant reduction unlike the same comparison for chimney venting in 25-gauge set-up.ConclusionPPV and its associate steps do not generate aerosols ≤10 μm with 23-gauge and 25-gauge set-ups.

scholarly journals Responses of Bat Communities (Mammalia: Chiroptera) to Forest Loss and Habitat Conversion in Southern Cameroon

2021 ◽  
Vol 14 ◽  
pp. 194008292110103
Author(s):  
Patrick Jules Atagana ◽  
Eric Moïse Bakwo Fils ◽  
Sevilor Kekeunou
Keyword(s):  
Secondary Forest ◽  
Biosphere Reserve ◽  
Abundant Species ◽  
Primary Forest ◽  
Habitat Types ◽  
Habitat Transformation ◽  
Significant Difference ◽  
Southern Cameroon ◽  
Habitat Conversion ◽  
Species Specific

We aimed to assess how bats are affected by habitat transformation by comparing bat assemblages in four habitat types: primary forest, secondary forest, cocoa plantations and human habitations in the Dja Biosphere Reserve of southern Cameroon. Bats were sampled in the four habitat types using mist nets. During 126 nights, a total of 413 bats were captured, belonging to four families, 16 genera and 24 species. Ninety three individuals (17 species) were captured in the primary forest, followed by plantations (105 individuals, 14 species), human habitations (159 individuals, 10 species), and secondary forest (55 individuals, eight species). Megaloglossus woermanni was recorded in all the four habitats, and was the most abundant species (105 individuals). The analysis of bat assemblage between habitat types showed a statistically significant difference in species composition. The distribution of the six most abundant species ( Epomops franqueti, Megaloglossus woermanni, Rousettus aegyptiacus, Dohyrina cyclops, Hipposideros cf. caffer and Hipposideros cf. ruber) was influenced by habitat types. Our results suggest that the decrease in species richness observed in disturbed habitats may be due to habitat perturbations of primary forest habitats. Therefore, it is important to examine the effects of habitat conversion at species level, as responses are often species-specific.

scholarly journals Improved Antioxidant Capacity of Black Tea Waste Utilizing PlantCrystals

Molecules ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 26 (3) ◽  
pp. 592 ◽  
Author(s):  
Abraham M. Abraham ◽  
Reem M. Alnemari ◽  
Jana Brüßler ◽  
Cornelia M. Keck
Keyword(s):  
Antioxidant Capacity ◽  
Aqueous Media ◽  
Natural Antioxidants ◽  
Black Tea ◽  
Pharmaceutical Products ◽  
Small Scale ◽  
Alternative Source ◽  
Significant Difference ◽  
Plant Waste

Antioxidants are recommended to prevent and treat oxidative stress diseases. Plants are a balanced source of natural antioxidants, but the poor solubility of plant active molecules in aqueous media can be a problem for the formulation of pharmaceutical products. The potential of PlantCrystal technology is known to improve the extraction efficacy and antioxidant capacity (AOC) of different plants. However, it is not yet proved for plant waste. Black tea (BT) infusion is consumed worldwide and thus a huge amount of waste occurs as a result. Therefore, BT waste was recycled into PlantCrystals using small-scale bead milling. Their characteristics were compared with the bulk-materials and tea infusion, including particle size and antioxidant capacity (AOC) in-vitro. Waste PlantCrystals possessed a size of about 280 nm. Their AOC increased with decreasing size according to the DPPH (1,1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl) and ORAC (oxygen radical absorbance capacity) assays. The AOC of the waste increased about nine-fold upon nanonization, leading to a significantly higher AOC than the bulk-waste and showed no significant difference to the infusion and the used standard according to DPPH assay. Based on the results, it is confirmed that the PlantCrystal technology represents a natural, cost-effective plant-waste recycling method and presents an alternative source of antioxidant phenolic compounds.

scholarly journals The Benefits of Combining Global and Local Data—A Showcase for Valuation and Mapping of Mangrove Climate Regulation and Food Provisioning Services within a Protected Area in Pará, North Brazil

Land ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 10 (4) ◽  
pp. 432
Author(s):  
Robin Gutting ◽  
Ralf-Uwe Syrbe ◽  
Karsten Grunewald ◽  
Ulf Mehlig ◽  
Véronique Helfer ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Global Climate ◽  
Structural Parameters ◽  
Management Strategies ◽  
Small Scale ◽  
Mangrove Forests ◽  
Food Provisioning ◽  
Local Data ◽  
Climate Regulation ◽  
North Brazil ◽  
Species Specific

Mangrove forests provide a large variety of ecosystem services (ES) to coastal societies. Using a case study focusing on the Ajuruteua peninsula in Northern Brazil and two ES, food provisioning (ES1) and global climate regulation (ES2), this paper proposes a new framework for quantifying and valuing mangrove ES and allow for their small-scale mapping. We modelled and spatialised the two ES from different perspectives, the demand (ES1) and the supply (ES2) side respectively. This was performed by combining worldwide databases related to the global human population (ES1) or mangrove distribution and canopy height (ES2) with locally derived parameters, such as crab catches (ES1) or species-specific allometric equations based on local estimates of tree structural parameters (ES2). Based on this approach, we could estimate that the area delivers the basic nutrition of about 1400 households, which equals 2.7 million USD, and that the mangrove biomass in the area contains 2.1 million Mg C, amounting to 50.9 million USD, if it were paid as certificates. In addition to those figures, we provide high-resolution maps showing which areas are more valuable for the two respective ES, information that could help inform management strategies in the future.

scholarly journals Implementation of a deep learning model for automated classification of Aedes aegypti (Linnaeus) and Aedes albopictus (Skuse) in real time

2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Song-Quan Ong ◽  
Hamdan Ahmad ◽  
Gomesh Nair ◽  
Pradeep Isawasan ◽  
Abdul Hafiz Ab Majid
Keyword(s):  
Deep Learning ◽  
Aedes Aegypti ◽  
Real Time ◽  
Aedes Albopictus ◽  
Automated Classification ◽  
Expert Performance ◽  
Deep Convolutional Neural Networks ◽  
Significant Difference ◽  
Set Up

AbstractClassification of Aedes aegypti (Linnaeus) and Aedes albopictus (Skuse) by humans remains challenging. We proposed a highly accessible method to develop a deep learning (DL) model and implement the model for mosquito image classification by using hardware that could regulate the development process. In particular, we constructed a dataset with 4120 images of Aedes mosquitoes that were older than 12 days old and had common morphological features that disappeared, and we illustrated how to set up supervised deep convolutional neural networks (DCNNs) with hyperparameter adjustment. The model application was first conducted by deploying the model externally in real time on three different generations of mosquitoes, and the accuracy was compared with human expert performance. Our results showed that both the learning rate and epochs significantly affected the accuracy, and the best-performing hyperparameters achieved an accuracy of more than 98% at classifying mosquitoes, which showed no significant difference from human-level performance. We demonstrated the feasibility of the method to construct a model with the DCNN when deployed externally on mosquitoes in real time.

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