Susceptibility of Mangifera indica (Sapindales: Anacardiaceae) cultivars to fruit flies (Diptera: Tephritidae) in 2 agroecological zones of Cameroon.

The Sudano-Sahelian and the high Guinea savannahs agroecological zones of Cameroon are suitable for the full development of tree crops, including mango. Unfortunately, fresh fruits exported to local and international markets are frequently rejected due to the presence of fruit fly larvae (Diptera: Tephritidae), resulting in drastic income losses and overuse of chemical control products. To promote sustainable management strategies, a 2-yr study (2020-2021) was conducted in 4 and 3 mixed orchards, respectively. Attacked mangoes showing signs of fruit fly damage were collected and taken to the laboratory to rear and identify fruit flies. Repeated grafting and agroclimatic differences were responsible for dissimilarities between the 2 zones, with 18 and 16 cultivars, respectively. From 2,857 attacked mangoes, 26,707 fruit flies belonging to 4 species were identified: Bactrocera dorsalis, Ceratitis cosyra, Ceratitis fasciventris, and Ceratitis anonae. Climate change was the factor determining the distribution of the 2 most important mango fruit flies: B. dorsalis was a wetland species (dominance/occurrence > 70%), while C. cosyra was a dry-land species (dominance/occurrence > 75%). Both species were responsible for high levels of infestations. Bactrocera dorsalis preferred 3 mango cultivars, namely Palmer and Smith in Zone 1, and Ifack 1 in Zone 2 (infestation > 20 individuals/100 g of mango). The host-plant spectrum of C. cosyra was modified by alternative host plants. Both C. fasciventris and C. anonae were rare. Findings from this study could guide researchers in the development of monitoring tools for fruit fly populations and, subsequently, in reducing the damage they cause to mangoes.

Improved statistical methods for estimating infestation rates in quarantine research when hosts are naturally infested.

Trading partners often require phytosanitary or quarantine treatments for fresh horticultural produce to ensure no economically important pest species are moved with the imported product. When developing such treatments, it is essential that the level of treatment efficacy can be determined. This is often based on the mortality of the total number of target pests exposed to treatment, but in naturally infested products this number is not always known. In such cases, the infestation rate and subsequently an estimate of the number of pests are obtained directly from a set of untreated control samples of the host product. The International Plant Protection Convention (IPPC) Secretariat has provided 2 formulas for these situations that place an interval around the point estimate obtained from the control samples to obtain an estimate of the infestation rate. However, these formulas do not allow a confidence level to be assigned to the estimate, and there are concerns with the assumptions regarding the distribution and the measure of variability used in the formulas. In this article, we propose 2 alternative formulas. We propose that the lower one-sided confidence limit should be applied to all infestation datasets that are approximately normally distributed. As infestation data are sometimes skewed, it is proposed the lower one-sided modified Cox confidence limit is applied to data approximately log-normal distributed. These well-recognized formulas are compared to the formulas recommended by the IPPC and applied to 3 datasets involving natural infestation.

Host-Parasitoid Relationship between Apis mellifera (Linnaeus, 1758) and Senotainia tricuspis (Meigen, 1838) (Diptera, Sarcophagidae): Fly Aggression Behavior and Infestation Rates of Senotainiosis.

Senotainia tricuspis (Meigen, 1838) is a Sarcophagid dipteran endoparasitoid of Apis mellifera L., and myiasis, caused by this fly, is reported in several European, North African and Middle Eastern countries. Nevertheless, very little knowledge concerning the aggression and parasitisation behavior of S. tricuspis toward A. mellifera is available in the scientific literature, and the temporal pattern of aggression remains unclear. The aim of this investigation was to describe the aggressive behavior of S. tricuspis and to provide data on pupation and adult emergence in order to identify further tools for the control of senotainiosis in beekeeping. Data were collected in an apiary in Pisa province (Tuscany, Italy), where observations of aggressive behavior were conducted indirectly by using a VHS camera and also directly by an observer. Four behavioral categories of the attack were described. A total of 55 aggressions, 21 beecatchers, 104 chases and 6 parasitization events were recorded with the camera. Slow-motion recording analyses of the parasitization episodes resulted in contact of at least 1/6 s between the parasitoid and the host. Through four days of direct observations, a total of 1633 aggression events were recorded. The daily temporal pattern of the number of aggressions showed two main peaks: one during the morning hours (i.e., from 10:00 to 11:00) and one in the afternoon (i.e., from 15:00 to 17:00). The morphometric data on the first-instars of S. tricuspis allowed us to hypothesize a penetration in the bee through its prothoracic spiracle as a modality of entrance in the host body. Third-instars successfully pupate when sinking in topsoil or clay soil, and adults emerge when left to a 4 °C overwintering period of six months. Furthermore, the high mortality rate of those larvae that did not sink and did not pupate successfully suggests that reaching a certain depth in the soil is a determining factor for larvae survival and that mulch and/or minimum soil tillage could prevent severe senotainiosis in apiaries.

Evidence for adaptation of Rhagoletis pomonella (Diptera: Tephritidae) on large-thorn hawthorn, Crataegus macracantha, in Okanogan County, Washington State, USA.

The apple maggot fly, Rhagoletis pomonella (Walsh) (Diptera: Tephritidae), was introduced from eastern North America into western North America via infested apples (Malus domestica Borkhausen) about 44 yr ago, where it subsequently adapted to 2 hawthorn species, Crataegus douglasii Lindley and C. monogyna Jacquin. Here, we test whether R. pomonella has also adapted to large-thorn hawthorn, Crataegus macracantha Loddiges ex Loudon, in Okanogan County, Washington State, USA. In 2020, 2021, and 2022, fruit of C. macracantha were shown to ripen in late September and were infested at rates from 0.7% to 3.0%. In laboratory rearing studies, large-thorn hawthorn flies from C. macracantha eclosed on average 9-19 days later than apple flies from earlier ripening apple (August-early September), consistent with large-thorn hawthorn flies having adapted to the later fruiting phenology of its host. In a laboratory no-choice test, significantly fewer (64.8%) large-thorn hawthorn than apple flies visited apples. In choice tests, greater percentages of large-thorn hawthorn than apple flies resided on and oviposited into C. macracantha versus apple fruit. Large-thorn hawthorn flies were also smaller in size than apple flies. Our results provide further support for the recursive adaptation hypothesis that R. pomonella has rapidly and independently specialized phenologically and behaviorally to different novel hawthorn hosts since its introduction into the Pacific Northwest of the USA, potentially leading to host race formation.

Molecular Identification of Newly Recorded Louse Columbicola tschulyschman Eichler (Phthiraptera: Philopteridae) From Saudi Arabia With a Note on Genus Columbicola spp. Phylogeny.

Chewing lice comprise a large group of ectoparasites that colonize and adversely affect several domestic and wild birds including pigeons. In Saudi Arabia, there is a lack of studies describing such ectoparasites and their infestation rates. Through this work, a new record, Columbicola, tschulyschman Eichler (C. tschulyschman Eichler) was collected from domestic pigeons (Columba livia domestica, Linnaeus). The collected C. tschulyschman Eichler was morphologically identified based on specific taxonomic keys. Mitochondrial (COI) and nuclear (EF-1α) gene fragments were used for molecular identification and phylogenetic reconstruction. In this study, the C. tschulyschman Eichler accounted for around 69.40%. To our knowledge, this is the first report of C. tschulyschman Eichler in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. To improve the tree topology and differentiate between genera, further studies should utilize the 16s rRNA.

Hyalomma aegyptium the dominant hard tick in tortoises Tesdudo hermanni boettgeri found in different regions of Albania.

The purpose of this study was to estimate the level of hard tick infestation in the tortoise subspecies Testudo hermanni boettgeri living within the free-range hills and mountains of four regions of central and south Albania. In addition, this study showed the morphological differences of infested and non-infested tortoises in several geographic locations where tortoises are known to be infested with Hyalomma aegyptium, a natural carrier of different zoonotic pathogens. Thirty-six of 145 (24.8%) examined Hermann's tortoises were found to be infested with hard ticks. After the tortoises were carefully captured and controlled, a total of 67 H. aegyptium were collected: 47 in Berati, 11 in Ballshi and 9 in Saranda. None of the 40 tortoises in the Tirana region were found to be infested with ticks. All ticks were identified as H. aegyptium adults. The highest prevalence of tick infestation was in the Berati region at 49.1%, followed by the Ballshi and Saranda region by 24% and 12%, respectively. The mean infestation intensity was 1.86 H. aegyptium per Hermann's tortoise, and it was found that H. aegyptium are less common in large Hermann's tortoises. The number of H. aegyptium male ticks was negatively correlated with the body dimensions of Hermann's tortoises. Hyalomma aegyptium is the most prevalent tick in Hermann's tortoises in three regions of south Albania, and with a typical three-host life cycle in different wild and domestic animals, they may be a vector of zoonotic pathogens. Furthermore, other studies should be conducted to detect the presence of zoonotic pathogens in ticks from these regions and to estimate the risk of transmission in animals and humans.

The Effect of Migratory Beekeeping on the Infestation Rate of Parasites in Honey Bee (Apis mellifera) Colonies and on Their Genetic Variability.

Migratory beekeeping is a widely extended practice aimed at increasing the yield of products and pollination services of honey bee colonies. However, it represents a stress factor, as it facilitates the dissemination of diseases and may compromise the genetic identity of the colonies involved. To analyze the extent of these effects, pathogens infestation rate and genetic composition were monitored in a field experiment comparing stationary and migratory colonies sharing the same environmental conditions but differing in management (stationary vs. migratory) and genetic background. We studied the pathogens infestation rate (Varroa destructor, Nosema spp., and Deformed Wing Virus (DWV)) at four different times: before migratory operation, two weeks later, at the end of the migratory period, and two weeks after the return of the migratory hives. An increased incidence of V. destructor and Nosema ceranae and a lower DWV viral load were found in migratory colonies. Temporary changes in genetic diversity were detected regardless of colony type, suggesting that stressors other than management affect the genetic diversity of the colonies. Our study demonstrates that migratory practices have variable effects on the health and genetic diversity of honey bee colonies, which should be taken into account for the development of sustainable beekeeping.

Prevalence of Demodex spp. in eyelashes of a university's population in Santiago, Chile. / Prevalencia de Demodex spp. en pestañas de una población universitaria en Santiago, Chile.

OBJECTIVE: To determine the presence of Demodex spp. in the eyelashes' pilosebaceous unit in volunteers of one campus of a private university. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The volunteers underwent anamnesis, biomicroscopic study and samples were taken of 8 eyelashes, 2 of each eyelid of both eyes. The eyelashes were mounted on a slide and observed under a light microscope to determine the presence and quantity of mites. RESULTS: 200 volunteers were recruited, determining the prevalence of Demodex spp. in 54 (27%) of them. Of the positive cases, 40 (74.1%) presented signs and/or symptoms of blepharitis, 43 (79.7%) presented the mite in one eye and an average infestation rate of 0.65 Demodex spp. per eyelash was obtained. CONCLUSIONS: Approximately one in four of the volunteers studied without a diagnosis of blepharitis was a carrier of the parasite, of which a significant percentage presented some type of sign and/or symptom of this pathology which was related to a higher rate of infestation (p<0.05).

Factors affecting tick infestations in small ruminants under extensive system in Dja et Lobo in the South Region of Cameroon (Central Africa).

Ticks are the cause of economic loss in animal husbandry and a cause of concern in public health. Therefore this study was carried out to identify the tick species occurring in indigenous small ruminants and investigate factors influencing their occurrence in Dja et Lobo in the South Region of Cameroon. Ticks were collected from 397 animals (sheep and goats) from 90 farms and identified morphologically. Data on potential risk factors were also collected. 6.5% (26 out of 397) of animals were infested with three adult, ixodid tick species: Amblyomma variegatum (6.5%), Rhipicephalus evertsi (3.5%) and R. sanguineus (1.5%). The infestation rate was significantly higher (p < .05) in A variegatum than in R. evertsi and R. sanguineus infestations. The relative abundance for A. variegatum, R. evertsi and R. sanguineus was 72.22%, 19.44% and 8.33% respectively. The mean tick load was low (0.36 ±â€¯1.45). The mean load of A. variegatum was 3.71 and 8.66 times significantly higher (p < .05) than that of R. evertsi and R. sanguineus respectively. The frequency of acaricide use significantly affected the tick load of animals; animals irregularly treated for tick infestation had higher tick load than untreated animals. All other factors (animal species, gender and age, location of farms and farmer's knowledge of tick) were not significant. Such a practice (irregular treatment) needs to be corrected for better productivity of small ruminants in the Region. Because of the presence of A. variegatum in the area, introduction of new genetic materials (exotic breeds) should be well thought of and handled with care.

Análise do controle vetorial da dengue no sertão piauiense entre 2007 e 2011 / Analysis of dengue vector control in the semiarid region of Piauí between 2007 and 2011

Resumo Dois terços da população mundial vivem em áreas infestadas com mosquitos vetores da dengue, especialmente o Aedes aegypti. Este estudo realizou um levantamento de dados sobre casos de dengue no município de Picos, no Estado do Piauí, Brasil, entre os anos de 2007 e 2011, enfatizando alguns fatores envolvidos em sua transmissão. Os dados foram coletados no Centro de Zoonoses de Picos da Secretaria Municipal de Saúde e no Sistema de Informação da Febre Amarela e Dengue (SISFAD) do Programa Nacional do Controle da Dengue (PNCD). Durante os anos de 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010 e 2011, foram visitados, respectivamente, 116.301, 182.024, 181.892, 187.619 e 195.377 imóveis pelos agentes de controle de endemias (ACE). As residências foram os estabelecimentos com maior positividade para focos de larvas de Aedes aegypti (p<0,05). Dentre os depósitos inspecionados, as larvas predominaram em armazenadores de água rebaixados (tambores) e elevados (caixas-d’água). Testes sorológicos confirmaram um total de 85 casos em 2007, 117 em 2008, 221 em 2009, 296 em 2010 e 217 em 2011. A média de casos foi mais expressiva em pacientes com idade entre 20-34 anos (p<0,05). No ano de 2011, foram identificados, pela primeira vez, focos de Aedes albopictus, encontrados principalmente em tambores de água. Portanto, o número de casos vem aumentando, o que sugere que o controle vetorial da transmissão pode sofrer forte impacto a partir da ação de vigilância epidemiológica em âmbito coletivo, uma vez que depósitos de água peri ou intradomiciliares representaram os locais predominantes para a procriação de vetores.

Abstract Two-thirds of the world population live in areas infested with dengue vector mosquitoes, especially Aedes aegypti. This study conducted a survey about dengue cases in Picos (Piauí, Brazil) between 2007 and 2011, emphasizing some transmission factors. Data were collected in the Health Secretary and Municipal Zoonoses Center and in SISFAD Programme (Information System of the National Dengue Control Program). During 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010 and 2011, a total of 116,301; 181,892; 187,619 and 195,377 properties, respectively, were visited by endemic control agents, and presented higher rates of outbreaks for A. aegypti larvae (p<0.05). Among the inspected places, larvae were predominant in lowered (storage tanks) and raised (water tanks) water reservoirs. Serological tests confirmed a total of 85, 117, 221, 296 and 217 cases in 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010 and 2011 and the average number of cases was higher in patients between 20-34 years-old) (p<0.05). In 2011 it was identified, for the first time, Aedes albopictus spots, mainly in storage tanks. Therefore, the number of cases is increasing, suggesting that the transmission vector control may suffer a strong impact by surveillance action based on community contribution, since peri- or household water tanks represented the predominant sites for vectors reproduction.

Quantitative parameters and ecological implications of a specialized tritrophic interaction involving a seed-feeding tortricid, Pseudargyrotoza conwagana, a braconid parasitoid, Bracon otiosus, and the wild privet, Ligustrum vulgare.

Little is known about tritrophic interactions involving seed-feeding insects, parasitoid wasps, and wild fleshy fruits. Here, we examine relationships between Pseudargyrotoza conwagana (F.) (Lepidoptera: Tortricidae), Bracon otiosus Marshall (Hymenoptera: Braconidae), and the wild privet, Ligustrum vulgare L. (Lamiales: Oleaceae), after collecting fruits in a hedgerow habitat in northwest Spain and rearing insects indoors. No other insect species was detected in this trophic system. Each fruit contained one to four seeds, each infested fruit contained only one seed-feeding tortricid caterpillar, and each parasitized caterpillar was affected by a single braconid individual, i.e., B. otiosus was a solitary parasitoid. Almost half of the wild privet shrubs were infested by P. conwagana, and infestation ranged from 2 to 32% of fruits per infested shrub. The general effect of P.conwagana on wild privet dispersal can be considered low, as the overall rate of seed infestation was low (6% of seeds). The infestation rate was higher in wild privet shrubs with a larger number of seeds per fruit, and tortricid caterpillars that left the fruits successfully ate >80% of seeds. In total, the parasitism rate was moderate (25% of caterpillars), but varied considerably (0‒75%) among shrubs where P. conwagana infestation was detected. Parasitism only occurred in shrubs showing high infestation rates (19‒32% infested fruits), i.e., with high host densities; however, the parasitism rate was density-independent in these shrubs. The wild privets benefited from the action of B. otiosus in two ways: the tortricid caterpillar population was partly eliminated, and the caterpillars were prevented from eating more than one seed per fruit. The B. otiosus sex ratio was very balanced (1 male to 1.18 females). Winter diapause and protandry were prevalent in B. otiosus.

Acarine ectoparasites of Panti Forest Reserve in Johore, Malaysia.

OBJECTIVE: To identify the presence of acarine ectoparasites and determine whether there is any potential public health risk in Panti Forest Reserve, Johore, Malaysia. METHODS: Trapping of animals and avifauna was conducted simultaneously along 5 expedition trails using 150 wire traps, 10 harp traps and 30 mist nets for 6 consecutive nights. A total of 140 animals consisting of 7 species of birds, 19 species of bats, 6 species of rodents and 1 species of tree-shrew as well as 8 myriapods were examined. RESULTS: Infestation rates of ticks, mesostigmatid mites and chiggers on animals examined were 24.3%, 28.6% and 27.9%, respectively. Infestation on bats was low (1.5%) and none occurred on birds. Majority of ticks extracted were at immature stages (78.9%). Genera of ticks on animals were Amblyomma, Dermacentor, Haemaphysalis and Ixodes. Ixodes granulatus was the only species of ticks identified from the animals. Examination of ticks under vegetation revealed 54% adults leading to identification of 3 species of ticks. A total of 7 species of mesostigmatid mites were found. 6 species were on rodent, Maxomys surifer and another one species, Laelaps nuttalli was found only on Leopoldamys sabanus. Laelaps sanguisugus was the only mesostigmatid found infesting tree-shrews. Seven genera of chiggers were identified. From this, 5 genera were on rodents, 4 genera on tree-shrews and 1 genus on a bat. CONCLUSIONS: A total of 16 genera, 2 sub-genus and 14 species of acarine ectoparasites were found in this area. Findings of the survey demonstrate the presence of three spesies of acarine ectoparasites which have potential health risk i.e. Ixodes granulatus, Laelaps nuttalli and Leptotrombidium deliense.

Infestación de Smittium culisetae (trichomycetes) en larvas de mosquitos (diptera: culicidae) en el Valle Central de Costa Rica / Infestacion of Smittium culisetae (trichomycetes) in larvae of mosquitos (diptera: culicidae) in the Central Valley of Costa Rica

Los trichomycetes incluyen un interesante grupo de hongos filamentosos de distribución cosmopólita que se han adaptado a vivir como comensales obligados en el intestino de diversos grupos de artrópodos. Al menos una especie de Smittium es patogénica para los mosquitos que infecta. Esta investigación se realizó con el propósito de establecer que tan amplia es la infestación de Smittium culisetae en larvas de mosquito colectados en el Valle Central de costa Rica entre 1998 y el 2001. Se empleó técnicas entomológicas usuales para la colecta de los insectos, su cría con fines de identificación taxonómica y larvas de 3er. y 4o estadío se disecaron para exponer y estudiar el contenido del tracto digestivo. Se encontró un porcentaje de infestación de 25.8 por ciento, un valor semejante a lo informado por otros autores en otras regiones. No se encontró parásitos de otro tipo en los especímenes colectados.

Trichomycetes constitute a cosmopolitan group of filamentous fungi which are obligate symbionts in the digestive tracts of arthropods. Although this relationship in most species is apparently of a commensalistic nature, at least one species of Smittium has been reported as pathogenic. This study was conducted to determine the level of infestation of S. culisetae in mosquito larvae in the central region of Costa Rica, and to detect other parasites of this medically important group of insects during 1998-2001. Larvae were reared using standard entomological techniques to obtain adults for taxonomic identification; third and fourth stage larvae were dissected to reveal gut contents. A total of 27 mosquito species were collected. The infestation rate in 670 larvae examined was 25.8% which is similar to findings in other areas. Infested larvae did not show any pathological symptoms nor were other parasites of mosquitoes found.