QTL analysis on a lemon population provides novel insights on the genetic regulation of the tolerance to the two-spotted spider mite attack.

BACKGROUND: Among the Citrus species, lemon (Citrus limon Burm f.) is one of the most affected by the two-spotted spider mite (Tetranychus urticae Koch). Moreover, chemical control is hampered by the mite's ability to develop genetic resistance against acaricides. In this context, the identification of the genetic basis of the host resistance could represent a sustainable strategy for spider mite control. In the present study, a marker-trait association analysis was performed on a lemon population employing an association mapping approach. An inter-specific full-sib population composed of 109 accessions was phenotyped through a detached-leaf assays performed in modified Huffaker cells. Those individuals, complemented with two inter-specific segregating populations, were genotyped using a target-sequencing approach called SPET (Single Primer Enrichment Technology), the resulting SNPs were employed for the generation of an integrated genetic map. RESULTS: The percentage of damaged area in the full-sib population showed a quantitative distribution with values ranging from 0.36 to 9.67%. A total of 47,298 SNPs were selected for an association mapping study and a significant marker linked with resistance to spider mite was detected on linkage group 5. In silico gene annotation of the QTL interval enabled the detection of 13 genes involved in immune response to biotic and abiotic stress. Gene expression analysis showed an over expression of the gene encoding for the ethylene-responsive transcription factor ERF098-like, already characterized in Arabidopsis and in rice for its involvement in defense response. CONCLUSION: The identification of a molecular marker linked to the resistance to spider mite attack can pave the way for the development of marker-assisted breeding plan for the development of novel selection coupling favorable agronomical traits (e.g. fruit quality, yield) with a higher resistance toward the mite.

Volatiles of fungal cultivars act as cues for host-selection in the fungus-farming ambrosia beetle Xylosandrus germanus.

Many wood-boring insects use aggregation pheromones during mass colonization of host trees. Bark beetles (Curculionidae: Scolytinae) are a model system, but much less is known about the role of semiochemicals during host selection by ambrosia beetles. As an ecological clade within the bark beetles, ambrosia beetles are obligately dependent on fungal mutualists for their sole source of nutrition. Mass colonization of trees growing in horticultural settings by exotic ambrosia beetles can occur, but aggregation cues have remained enigmatic. To elucidate this mechanism, we first characterized the fungal associates of the exotic, mass-aggregating ambrosia beetle Xylosandrus germanus in Southern Germany. Still-air olfactometer bioassays documented the attraction of X. germanus to its primary nutritional mutualist Ambrosiella grosmanniae and to a lesser extent another common fungal isolate (Acremonium sp.). During two-choice bioassays, X. germanus was preferentially attracted to branch sections (i.e., bolts) that were either pre-colonized by conspecifics or pre-inoculated with A. grosmanniae. Subsequent analyses identified microbial volatile organic compounds (MVOCs) that could potentially function as aggregation pheromones for X. germanus. To our knowledge, this is the first evidence for fungal volatiles as attractive cues during host selection by X. germanus. Adaptive benefits of responding to fungal cues associated with an infestation of conspecifics could be a function of locating a suitable substrate for cultivating fungal symbionts and/or increasing the likelihood of mating opportunities with the flightless males. However, this requires solutions for evolutionary conflict arising due to potential mixing of vertically transmitted and horizontally acquired symbiont strains, which are discussed.

Lethal and sublethal effects of synthetic and bioinsecticides toward the invasive ambrosia beetle Xylosandrus compactus.

BACKGROUND: Exotic ambrosia beetles are emerging widespread pests of several wild and managed trees and shrubs. Xylosandrus compactus (Eichhoff) is one of the most invasive species causing damage to a broad range of host plants. Little information is available on its control, including the impact of insecticides. Bioassays were conducted to evaluate the potential of four bioinsecticides and seven synthetic insecticides in controlling X. compactus. Beetle mortality and sublethal effects on tunneling, cultivation of the mutualist fungus and reproduction were assessed. RESULTS: Concentration-mortality curves were determined for all tested insecticides. Lambda-cyhalothrin was the most toxic insecticide, showing the lowest estimated 90% and 50% lethal concentrations (LC90 and LC50 ), followed by deltamethrin and thiamethoxam. Acetamiprid caused the highest levels of mortality and brood size reduction under extended laboratory conditions. Moreover, acetamiprid, thiamethoxam and lambda-cyhalothrin caused the greatest mortality and, together with deltamethrin, strongly affected progeny occurrence inside infested galleries and beetle brood size. Among the bioinsecticides, pyrethrins significantly affected beetle survival under laboratory conditions, but not brood size in extended laboratory bioassays. Some of the tested insecticides had significant lethal and sublethal effects only when beetles were exposed to fresher residues, highlighting differences in toxicity persistence. CONCLUSION: This study provides first baseline toxicity data for synthetic insecticides and bioinsecticides with different modes of action and origin toward X. compactus, and the first evidence that several insecticides can cause multiple sublethal effects on this pest. These findings can help in building suitable integrated pest management packages against this pest. © 2023 The Authors. Pest Management Science published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd on behalf of Society of Chemical Industry.

Seasonal changes in population structure of the ambrosia beetle Xylosandrus compactus and its associated fungi in a southern Mediterranean environment.

Exotic ambrosia beetles are increasing in Europe due to global trade and global warming. Among these xylomycetophagous insects, Xylosandrus compactus (Eichhoff) (Coleoptera: Curculionidae) is a serious threat for several Mediterranean host plants. Carob trees growing in Sicily (Italy) have been extensively attacked by beetles leading to rapid tree decline. Although X. compactus has been found in Europe for several years, most aspects of its ecology are still unknown. We thus studied the population structure and dynamics of X. compactus, together with its twig size preference during a sampling of infested carob trees in south east Sicily. In addition, fungi associated with insects or galleries were isolated and characterized. The results showed that, in this newly-colonized environment and host plant, adult X. compactus overwinters inside twigs and starts to fly and reproduce in mid spring, completing five generations before overwintering in late fall. The mean diameter of carob twigs infested by the beetle varied significantly over the seasons, with the insect tending to infest larger twigs as season progresses. The mean number of adults/gallery was 19.21, ranging from 6 to 28. The minimum temperature significantly affected the overwintering adult mortality. Ambrosiella xylebori and Fusarium solani were the main symbionts associated with the pest in this study. Acremonium sp. was instead recorded for the first time in Europe inside X. compactus galleries. Several other fungi species were also found for the first time in association with X. compactus. Our findings provide useful insights into the sustainable management of this noxious pest.

Unusual Behavior of Xylosandrus compactus (Coleoptera: Scolytinae) on Carob Trees in a Mediterranean Environment.

Xylosandrus compactus (Eichhoff), commonly known as the black twig borer, was reported in Sicily (Italy) at the end of 2016, infesting Carob tree (Ceratonia siliqua L.) twigs, large branches, and trunks. Previous research indicated that X. compactus attacks only small twigs and branches, not large branches and tree trunks. This unusual behavior was monitored through the two following years in five sites in Ragusa province (Sicily, Italy). For each of the monitored sites, the diameter of the infested trunks and branches was recorded. Samples of branches and trunks presenting galleries were removed from the trees and analyzed in the laboratory. Xylosandrus compactus occurred on branches of all monitored trees, while the percentage of infested trunks of carob trees ranged from 60% to 80%. Inside the infested galleries, all biological stages of X. compactus were found. Infestations were also recorded on trunks and branches with diameters greater than 80 cm and 30 cm, respectively. The mean number of X. compactus specimens inside the galleries was recorded and gallery shape was described. Unordinary behaviors, like the one described here for the first time, can affect the current efficiency of management recommendations.

Insights into food webs associated with the South American tomato pinworm.

BACKGROUND: The complexity of both natural and managed ecosystems involves various forms of interaction among organisms. Two or more species that exploit the same resource can engage in competitive behaviours, usually referred to as intraguild interactions. These can be direct, i.e. one species feeds directly upon the competitor (intraguild predation) or indirect, e.g. when the dominant organism competes for a food source that another organism is feeding upon (kleptoparasitism). We investigated the potential for such interactions in a biological model composed by the South American tomato pinworm, Tuta absoluta, and three of its newly associated natural enemies: the zoophytophagous predator Nesidiocoris tenuis and the two idiobiont ectoparasitoids Bracon nigricans and Necremnus tutae. RESULTS: N. tenuis was shown (i) to scavenge on parasitised T. absoluta larvae and (ii) directly to attack and feed upon larvae of both parasitoid species, although at a higher percentage in the case of N. tutae. In the presence of the host plant, the predator reduced the emergence of both B. nigricans and N. tutae adults significantly. CONCLUSION: This study stresses the ecological success of a generalist predator over indigenous parasitoids attacking an invasive pest. Moreover, these findings provide potential elements for better design of biological control programmes against T. absoluta. © 2017 Society of Chemical Industry.