Photo-Selective Nets and Pest Control: Searching Behavior of the Codling Moth Parasitoid Mastrus ridens (Hymenoptera: Ichneumonidae) under Varying Light Quantity and Quality Conditions.

Photo-selective nets (PSN) are used to manipulate the physiology of fruit crops. Besides their advantages to the crop, PSN potentially affect insect pests and their natural enemies. We aimed to assess the effects of these production systems on the searching behavior of the codling moth parasitoid, Mastrus ridens. We hypothesized that PSN and black standard nets (SN) affect the behavior of the parasitoid by delaying host localization and reducing parasitism. Laboratory experiments were carried out in closed cages under four treatment conditions: black SN, pearl PSN, red PSN, and no PSN as control (uncovered cages). Our results showed that the host localization of M. ridens was delayed under black SN and enhanced by pearl and red PSN. The PSN and the black SN did not affect the parasitism levels. In addition, the initial behavior of the parasitoid during the first 30 min of the bioassays was not affected by treatments. However, females spent most of the time walking around the arena, grooming, or resting, regardless of the color of the net. Parasitism was not affected under the PSN or the black SN; however, this must be verified in field conditions.

Virulence assessment of enterohepatic Helicobacter species carried by dogs using the wax moth larvae Galleria mellonella as infection model.

BACKGROUND: Enterohepatic species of the genus Helicobacter (EHH) are emerging pathogens that have been associated with gastrointestinal and hepatobiliary diseases in humans. However, studies on their pathogenicity are scarce. Galleria mellonella is a recently proposed model for the study of virulence in different pathogens, such as Campylobacter spp. and Helicobacter pylori. Despite this, its usefulness in EHH has not yet been evaluated. Therefore, we determined the pathogenic potential of different EHH species isolated from dogs in this infection model. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Four species of EHH (H. bilis, H. canicola, H. canis, and 'H. winghamensis') isolated from fecal samples from domestic dogs were evaluated. Three strains of each species were inoculated in cohorts of G. mellonella at a concentration of 1 × 107  CFU/mL. Survival curves were determined by the Kaplan-Meier method. In addition, the quantification of melanin, bacterial load in hemolymph, and histopathology were evaluated daily post-infection (pi). RESULTS: G. mellonella larvae are susceptible to EHH infection, exhibiting intra- and inter-species variability. Melanin production became evident from 4 h pi and increased throughout the assay. All species were recovered from the hemolymph after 20 min pi; however, only H. canis could be recovered up to 48 h pi. Histopathology revealed cellular and humoral immune response, evidencing accumulation of hemocytes, nodulation, and melanin deposition in different tissues. CONCLUSION: EHH species carried by dogs have considerable pathogenic potential, being H. canicola the species with the highest degree of virulence. Thus, G. mellonella is a useful model to assess virulence in these emerging pathogens.

Population Genetic Structure of Codling Moth, Cydia pomonella (L.) (Lepidoptera: Tortricidae), in Different Localities and Host Plants in Chile.

The codling moth, Cydia pomonella (L.) (Lepidoptera: Tortricidae), is a major pest introduced to almost all main pome fruit production regions worldwide. This species was detected in Chile during the last decade of the 19th century, and now has a widespread distribution in all major apple-growing regions. We performed an analysis of the genetic variability and structure of codling moth populations in Chile using five microsatellite markers. We sampled the codling moth along the main distribution area in Chile on all its main host-plant species. Low genetic differentiation among the population samples (FST = 0.03) was found, with only slight isolation by distance. According to a Bayesian assignment test (TESS), a group of localities in the coastal mountain range from the Bío-Bío Region formed a distinct genetic cluster. Our results also suggest that the codling moth that invaded the southernmost locality (Aysén Region) had two origins from central Chile and another unknown source. We did not find significant genetic differentiation between codling moth samples from different host-plant species. Our results indicate high genetic exchange among codling moth populations between the different Chilean regions and host plants.

Phylogeny and systematics of the anamorphic, entomopathogenic genus Beauveria.

Beauveria is a cosmopolitan anamorphic genus of arthropod pathogens that includes the agronomically important species, B. bassiana and B. brongniartii, which are used as mycoinsecticides for the biological control of pest insects. Recent phylogenetic evidence demonstrates that Beauveria is monophyletic within the Cordycipitaceae (Hypocreales), and both B. bassiana and B. brongniartii have been linked developmentally and phylogenetically to Cordyceps species. Despite recent interest in the genetic diversity and molecular ecology of Beauveria, particularly as it relates to their role as pathogens of insects in natural and agricultural environments, the genus has not received critical taxonomic review for several decades. A multilocus phylogeny of Beauveria based on partial sequences of RPB1, RPB2, TEF and the nuclear intergenic region, Bloc, is presented and used to assess diversity within the genus and to evaluate species concepts and their taxonomic status. B. bassiana and B. brongniartii, both which represent species complexes and which heretofore have lacked type specimens, are redescribed and types are proposed. In addition six new species are described including B. varroae and B. kipukae, which form a biphyletic, morphologically cryptic sister lineage to B. bassiana, B. pseudobassiana, which also is morphologically similar to but phylogenetically distant from B. bassiana, B. asiatica and B. australis, which are sister lineages to B. brongniartii, and B. sungii, an Asian species that is linked to an undetermined species of Cordyceps. The combination B. amorpha is validly published and an epitype is designated.