Study of Glycosidically Bound Volatile Precursors as Variety Markers to Reveal Not-Allowed Practices in White Wines Winemaking.

Liquid chromatography/high-resolution mass spectrometry (LC/HRMS) can provide identification of grape metabolites which are variety markers. White grapes are poorer in polyphenolics, and the main secondary metabolites which contribute the sensorial characteristics of wines are the glycosidically bound volatile precursors and their aglycones. The profiles of three white grape juices (Pinot grigio, Garganega, and Trebbiano) were characterized by LC/HRMS, and 70 signals of putative glycosidic terpenols, norisoprenoids, and benzenoids were identified. Four signals found only in Pinot grigio corresponded to a norisoprenoid hexose-hexose, 3-oxo-α-ionol (or 3-hydroxy-ß-damascone) rhamnosyl-hexoside, monoterpene-diol hexosyl-pentosyl-hexoside, and hexose-norisoprenoid; three signals were found only in Garganega (putative isopropyl alcohol pentosyl-hexoside, phenylethanol rhamnosyl-hexoside, and norisoprenoid hexose-hexose isomers), and a monoterpenol pentosyl-hexoside isomer only in Trebbiano. These variety markers were then investigated in juice blends of the three varieties. This approach can be used to develop control methods to reveal not-allowed grape varieties and practices in white wines winemaking.

Antennal sensilla in an anophthalmic wood-dwelling species, Clinidium canaliculatum, Costa 1839 (Coleoptera, Rhysodidae).

The habit of feeding on slime moulds (Myxomycetes) commonly present in litter or dead wood requires specific morphological adaptations of the mouthparts and sensory structures involved in the search for habitat and food. In this study, the external morphology of antenna and its sensilla were studied using scanning electron microscopy in the saproxylic beetle, Clinidium canaliculatum, Costa 1839 (Coleoptera, Rhysodidae). Their moniliform antennae consist of a scape, pedicel, and nine flagellomeres. We identified seven different types of sensilla, according to their morphological characteristics: two types of sensilla chaetica (sc1 and 2), two types of sensilla basiconica (sb1 and 2), one type of sensilla campaniformia, one type of sensilla coeloconica, and Böhm sensilla. No sexual dimorphism was found regarding antennal morphology and sensilla type and distribution, except for the sensilla coeloconica. The functional role of these sensilla was discussed in relation to their external structure and distribution, and compared with the current knowledge on coleopteran sense organs. Results are basic information for further physiological and behavioral studies to identify their role in the selection of habitat, food, mates and oviposition sites.

Ground beetles in Mediterranean olive agroecosystems: Their significance and functional role as bioindicators (Coleoptera, Carabidae).

The impact of agricultural practices and soil management on the communities of arthropods living in the agricultural landscape is acknowledged as a critical issue by the literature, and it needs to be better investigated to improve the ecological sustainability of agriculture. In the present study, we aimed to study how soil management affect carabid species distribution in one of the most typical agroecosystem of the Mediterranean region, i.e. the olive grove. In South Italy olive plantations feature different types of soil management, from tillage to half- or full-cover cropping. Species distribution has been examined for a total of 10,189 individuals and 62 species collected from 17 sites. Notably from our analysis we have observed that three factors (climax vegetation, soil features and soil management) explained half of the data variability. The composition of species groupings mirrors both bioclimatic conditions (climax vegetation) and soil features, especially watering, while soil management affects the species distribution, with different intensity from site to site. Eleven species have been recognized as the most abundant in the different facets of the studied olive groves and consequently designated as characteristics of the olive agroecosystem. The species traits of the sampled species have been weighted for a compelling evaluation of the effects of agricultural management on biodiversity, showing uniform traits distribution when coping with the ecological factors that characterize the different plantation facets. We have found that carabid beetles can be used as model organisms for studying the effects of agricultural practices. Our study suggests that the interaction of man-induced trasformation with the natural background of the olive agroecosystem may be difficult to disentangle, so that such complexity must be taken into account when carabid beetles are expected to provide an ecosystem service for good agricultural practices.

Impact of agrochemicals on non-target species: Calathus fuscipes Goeze 1777 (Coleoptera: Carabidae) as model.

Carabid beetles are important in the biological control of arable crop pests. Agricultural practices can produce over time a delayed toxic effect at the organismal and population levels and can compromise the survival on these species. In this research, we quantified the cumulative sublethal effect on body size, Malpighian tubules and immune responses in Calathus fuscipes adults living in the potato field and exposed to lambda-cyhalothrin and cymoxanil-based commercial formulates. Reductions of morphological parameters such as body, pronotum and elytron in both males and females from the potato field indicated that the pre-imaginal stages (larvae and pupae) suffer the sublethal effects of exposure to the larvicide control action of lambda-cyhalothrin. Ultrastructural alterations recorded in Malpighian tubules at the level of plasma membrane, mitochondria and nucleus indicated the reduction of the detoxification capability. The basal phenoloxidase and lysozyme-like enzyme activities have measured as markers of immune competence. Spectrophometric analyses showed that the chronic exposure in field causes an increase of basal phenoloxidase enzyme activity, while the lytic activity of haemolymph was not affected. As a result, the use of larvicides and fungicides have a harmful effect on beneficial species such C. fuscipes living in the soil of potato fields. These morphological and physiological results recorded at the organismal level can provide useful information of effects at the population and community levels to preserve the biodiversity of agroecosystem.

Cucujus tulliae sp. n. - an endemic Mediterranean saproxylic beetle from genus Cucujus Fabricius, 1775 (Coleoptera, Cucujidae), and keys for identification of adults and larvae native to Europe.

Cucujus tulliaesp. n. is described as a new member of genus Cucujus Fabricius, 1775 (Coleoptera, Cucujidae), which enumerates at present eleven species distributed in Eurasia and northern America. This saproxylic beetle is the first Cucujus species known only from Mediterranean and it is probably endemic to Calabria (Italy). The species was found especially in old-growth mountain forests of high conservation value (i.e. national parks) dominated by Calabrian pine (Pinus laricio calabrica). We hypothesize that Cucujus tulliae sp. n. probably evolved from isolated populations of Cucujus haematodes Erichson, 1845. The species is thus relictual and of high conservation value, corresponding at least to endangered (EN) category with respect to recent IUCN criterion. Cucujus tulliae sp. n. is here compared with two species native to Europe - Cucujus haematodes and Cucujus cinnaberinus (Scopoli, 1763) and with the Caucasian Cucujus haematodes caucasicus Motschulsky, 1845, which is confirmed as a valid subspecies. The male genitalia of this Caucasian form have been examined and illustrated for the first time. A comprehensive key to adults and larvae of European species is provided.