The Black Parlatoria Scale, Parlatoria ziziphi (Lucas, 1853) (Hemiptera: Coccomorpha: Diaspididae): a guide to field identification

Pest control is easier and more effective when pests are correctly identified. The Black Parlatoria Scale, Parlatoria ziziphi (Lucas, 1853) (Hemiptera: Coccomorpha: Diaspididae) is an important invasive pest in citrus-growing countries. This diaspidid has historically been difficult to control, because its immature stages are difficult to identify due to confusion with similar Parlatoria species. No field descriptions of female or male developmental stages are available for P. ziziphi. We provide the first description of field characteristics of the developmental stages of P. ziziphi. Colonies were reared in the laboratory on sour orange plants and lemon fruits to illustrate the distinctive features of each instar. An illustrated field guide of all life-cycle stages of male and female P. ziziphi is provided for correct species identification and better pest management. This tool is designed to help recognize P. ziziphi in field-scouting programmes or quarantine inspections, without the need for taxonomic expertise in identifying the Parlatoria group.

2167. Evaluation of Attenuated Total Reflectance Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy for Rapid and Reagent-Free Identification of Burkholderia spp.

Background Burkholderia cepacia complex including B. gladioli are opportunistic pathogenic bacteria affecting the immunocompromised population. For prognosis and appropriate treatment, rapid and accurate species identification is particularly important for those diagnosed with cystic fibrosis (CF). Conventional biochemical identification techniques are insensitive and problematic for identifying Burkholderia spp., leading to common misidentification or inconclusive results. Recent studies have successfully employed attenuated total reflectance-Fourier transform infrared (ATR-FTIR) spectroscopy for rapid, reagent-free and cost-effective microbial identification. In the present study, identification of Burkholderia spp. by this technique is investigated. Methods A total of 59 isolates belonging to 7 species of Burkholderia were included in this study; all these isolates had been well-characterized by VITEK 2, 16S rRNA sequencing, random amplification of polymorphic DNA (recA typing) and/or matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization time of flight mass spectrometry. ATR-FTIR spectra were acquired directly from colonies on 5% blood agar plates. Results A spectral database containing ATR-FTIR spectra of over 4300 bacterial isolates, encompassing over 70 genera and 190 species, was updated to include spectra of 39 isolates collected in this study and employed in the identification of the other isolates (n = 20). All isolates were correctly identified as Burkholderia by a multitier search approach. For Burkholderia species identification, spectra belonging to 39 isolates representative of all 7 species were used to construct a spectral database employed to identify the other 20 isolates [B. anthina (n = 2), B. gladioli (n = 8), B. multivorans (n = 7), and B. vietnamiensis (n = 3)]. Compared with VITEK 2 (30% correct species identification), ATR-FTIR spectroscopy correctly identified all but one isolate, resulting in overall correct species identification of 95%. Prospectively (10 months), 5 of 1100 isolates collected were identified as Burkholderia spp. by ATR-FTIR spectroscopy in concordance with VITEK 2. Conclusion ATR-FTIR spectroscopy can provide the means of rapid Burkholderia spp. identification for appropriate treatment of those diagnosed with CF. Disclosures All authors: No reported disclosures.

Status and monitoring of the buff-tailed bumblebee Bombus terrestris Linnaeus (Hymenoptera: Apidae) in Southern Finland

Bombus terrestris can cause pollination disturbance in native plants and compete with native bumblebees and other pollinators. The accompanying non-native parasites may also threaten native bees. We report new observations of the commercially used Bombus terrestris (Linnaeus, 1758) using trapping data and sporadic samples identified with a PCR–RFLP-method for degraded DNA. A total of 863 individuals (355 queens, 442 workers, 66 drones) of Bombus sensu stricto were collected during the years 2008–9, of which, 642 were B. lucorum, ten B. cryptarum, four B. terrestris and none were B. magnus. Three trap types were compared in two modified transects near areas that use the commercial B. terrestris for pollination in Southern Finland: the tree trap that was hung at approximately 3 metres height was the most effective. Regular monitoring is important in the risk assessment of B. terrestris, and for correct species identification, molecular methods are recommended.

Evaluating VITEK MS for the identification of clinically relevant Aspergillus species

Aspergillus spp. identification has become more relevant in clinical practice since azole-resistant cryptic species have been related to invasive fungal infections. Conventional morphologic identification is not able to discriminate Aspergillus species, and DNA sequencing is not feasible for clinical laboratories. MALDI-TOF mass spectrometry is an emergent technology that has been explored to provide fast and accurate identification of microorganisms, including clinically relevant moulds. However, only a few studies have explored the platform VITEK MS for the identification of Aspergillus species. Hence, we provided additional data regarding the performance of the VITEK MS system for the identification of Aspergillus species, including azole-resistant ones. We also improved the RUO system by adding additional spectral profiles from well-identified Aspergillus strains belonging to different noncryptic and cryptic species. The IVD library correctly identified 91.6% of the organisms at genus and section level, and 84.7% at species level, including the azole-resistant Aspergillus lentulus and Aspergillus calidoustus. The organisms belonging to Aspergillus cryptic species had only 31.2% of correct species identification. The RUO library plus our in-house SuperSpectra correctly identified 100% of the organisms at genus and section level and 91.6% at species level. Among organisms belonging to Aspergillus cryptic species, 68.7% had correct species identification. Some closely related Aspergillus cryptic species showed similar spectral profiles and were difficult to be differentiated.

Seeing rare birds where there are none: self-rated expertise predicts correct species identification, but also more false rarities

The use of crowdsourced data is growing rapidly, particularly in ornithology. Citizen science greatly contributes to our knowledge, however, little is known about the reliability of data collected in that way. We found, using an online picture quiz, that self-proclaimed expert birders were more likely to misidentify common British bird species as exotic or rare species, compared to people who rated their own expertise more modestly. This finding suggests that records of rare species should always be considered with caution even if the reporters consider themselves to be experts. In general, however, we show that self-rated expertise in bird identification skills is a reliable predictor of correct species identification. Implementing the collection of data on self-rated expertise is easy and low-cost. We therefore suggest it as a useful tool to statistically account for variability in bird identification skills of citizen science participants and to improve the accuracy of identification data collected by citizen science projects. Edited: broken link fixed (12/3/2019)

REP-PCR analisis of single agent of cucumber bacterial diseases

Aim. For the purpose of correct species identification and estimation of population’s heterogeneity, the fingerprinting of the genome of isolated by us Pectobacterium sp., collection «Erwinia toxica» strains and typical representatives of certain species of Pectobacterium and Diskeya genera has been carried out. Methods. In the course of research, microbiological, molecular genetic (REP-PCR), mathematical-statistical methods of research were used. Results. On the basic of BOX, REP and ERIC profiles the significant affinity between isolated Pectobacterium sp. and collections «Erwinia toxica» strains with the typical P. carotovorum susp. carotovorum UCM B1075T has been established. Genetic heterogeneity of isolated Pectobacterium sp. and collections «Erwinia toxica» strains has been estimated. Conclusions. It has been found the significant relationship between isolates Pectobacterium sp. and the collection «Erwinia toxica» strains with the typical strain P. carotovorum susp carotovorum UCM B1075T on the basic of their BOX, REP and ERIC profiles. Most likely, this indicates that they belong to this species. The genetic homogeneity of isolated Pectobacterium sp. strains of and the genetic heterogeneity of the collection «Erwinia toxica» strains is probably due to the plant’s selection from similar or different region.Keywords: identification, genetic heterogeneity, REPPCR, «Erwinia toxica», Pectobacterium sp.

Psychrobacter immobilis isolated from foods: characteristics and identification

A total of 15 strains of Psychrobacter immobilis isolated from animal sources, e.g. cheese, fish and poultry, were tested. A commercial diagnostic kit NEFERMtest 24, conventional tests and determination of fatty acids were used for identification. By using the results of NEFERMtest 24 and numerical identification system TNW version 6.0 the identification was successful on the species level (46.7%) while the correct species identification by using conventional tests increased up to 86.7%. All 9 saccharolytic strains including 7 Czech isolates were identified in most cases on an excellent or very good level by both methods based on biochemical reactions. On the other hand, the identification of 6 asaccharolytic strains was unsuccessful especially by NEFERMtest 24. While 4 asaccharolytic strains were identified correctly on the basis of conventional tests on species or genus level, incorrect identification on species level, for example Ralstonia paucula, Comamonas terrigena, Oligella ureolytica, Moraxella lincolnii andPsychrobacter phenylpyruvicus, was found by using NEFERMtest 24. Determination of fatty acid composition by MIDI System confirmed the species identification of 9 out of the 10 tested strains of P. immobilis and 1 tested strain of Psychrobacter sp.

Epilithic algae from caves of the Krakowsko-Częstochowska Upland (Southern Poland)

This paper describes the first study of algae assemblages in 20 caves in the Krakowsko-Częstochowska Upland (Southern Poland), in the period between 2005-2006. The investigations showed mostly on epilithic algae and their subaeric habitats (rock faces within caves and walls at cave entrances). The morphological and cytological variability of algae were studied in fresh samples, in cultures grown on agar plates and in SPURR preparations. A total of 43 algae species was identified, mostly epilithic species and tolerant of low light intensities. The largest group was formed by representatives of the division <em>Chlorophyta</em> (24 species), and then the division <em>Chrysophyta</em> (<em>Heterokontophyta</em>) - 17 species, with 9 species belonging to the class <em>Bacillariophyceae</em>, 7 species - Xanthophyceae and 1 species representing the class <em>Eustigmatophyceae</em>. <em>Dinophyta</em> (2 species) constituted the last and the smallest group. Among the collected algae, the following species deserve special attention: <em>Thelesphaera alpina</em>, <em>Bracteacoccus minor</em>, <em>Trachychloron simplex</em>, <em>Tetracystis intermedia</em> and <em>T. cf. isobilateralis</em>. The last species was not earlier found in Europe. Identification of species was greatly aided by examination of cell ultrastructure, which provided an array of further features, increasing chances of correct species identification. Furthermore, the studies focused that algae, although usually remaining under dominance of cyanobacteria, excellently differentiate this special area and even enrich it.

Utility of a Luminex-based assay for multiplexed, rapid species identification of Candida isolates from an ongoing candidemia surveillance

A Candida -specific Luminex-based assay with 11 probes was employed for multiplexed, rapid identification of 1182 Candida sp. isolates that were received as part of an ongoing population-based surveillance. All the Candida isolates were previously identified by a combination of methods, including phenotype and sequence analysis. Results showed that the Luminex assay was an attractive alternative to reference methods, as it is rapid, yields correct species identification, and is user friendly.