'Candidatus Liberibacter solanacearum' distribution and diversity in Scotland and the characterisation of novel haplotypes from Craspedolepta spp. (Psyllidae: Aphalaridae).

The phloem limited bacterium 'Candidatus Liberibacter solanacearum' (Lso) is associated with disease in Solanaceous and Apiaceous crops. This bacterium has previously been found in the UK in Trioza anthrisci, but its impact on UK crops is unknown. Psyllid and Lso diversity and distribution among fields across the major carrot growing areas of Scotland were assessed using real-time PCR and DNA barcoding techniques. Four Lso haplotypes were found: C, U, and two novel haplotypes. Lso haplotype C was also found in a small percentage of asymptomatic carrot plants (9.34%, n = 139) from a field in Milnathort where known vectors of this haplotype were not found. This is the first report of Lso in cultivated carrot growing in the UK and raises concern for the carrot and potato growing industry regarding the potential spread of new and existing Lso haplotypes into crops. Trioza anthrisci was found present only in sites in Elgin, Moray with 100% of individuals harbouring Lso haplotype C. Lso haplotype U was found at all sites infecting Trioza urticae and at some sites infecting Urtica dioica with 77.55% and 24.37% average infection, respectively. The two novel haplotypes were found in Craspedolepta nebulosa and Craspedolepta subpunctata and named Cras1 and Cras2. This is the first report of Lso in psyllids from the Aphalaridae. These new haplotypes were most closely related to Lso haplotype H recently found in carrot and parsnip. Lso was also detected in several weed plants surrounding carrot and parsnip fields. These included two Apiaceous species Aegropodium podagraria (hap undetermined) and Anthriscus sylvestris (hap C); one Gallium sp. (Rubiaceae) (hap undetermined); and Chenopodium album (Amaranthaceae) (hap undetermined).

Chemosensory basis of larval performance of Papilio hospiton on different host plants.

Papilio hospiton Géné is an oligophagous species, endemic of the islands of Corsica and Sardinia, using various Apiaceae and Rutaceae as host plants, such as Ferula communis, Ferula arrigonii, Peucedanum paniculatum, Ruta lamarmorae and Pastinaca latifolia. We previously found that the lateral maxillary styloconic sensillum in the larva has two deterrent neurons, one phagostimulant and one salt specific, while the medial sensillum has two phagostimulant neurons, one deterrent and one salt specific. In this work we studied the sensitivity of gustatory receptor neurons (GRNs) to saps of F. communis, F. arrigonii, P. paniculatum, P. latifolia and R. lamarmorae and evaluated the relationship between taste sensitivity to different host-plants and larval growth rate on each of them. The spike activity was recorded from medial and lateral taste sensilla stimulated with plant saps, and GRN response patterns were cross compared in the light of a different feeding acceptance. The phagodeterrent GRNs show a higher activity in response to F. arrigonii and R. lamarmorae than to F. communis, P. paniculatum and P. latifolia. Behavioral trials showed that the time to pupation is significantly longer when larvae are reared on F. arrigonii and R. lamarmorae than on the other host-plants. These results suggest that the different activity of the phagodeterrent GRNs may inhibit food acceptance and extend the duration of the larval stage.

Aphis species (Hemiptera, Aphididae) living on Mulinum (Apiaceae) in South America, with a description of a new species.

Aphis species living on the South American native genus Mulinum are studied. Aphis vurilocensis Nieto Nafría, Brown and López Ciruelos, sp. n. is described from apterous viviparous females. Alate viviparous females, oviparous females and winged males of Aphis roberti are described. Knowledge of intraspecific variability of apterous viviparous females of A. martinezi, A. paravanoi and A. roberti is developed. An identification key of apterous viviparous females of Aphis species living on Mulinum is presented.

Semiaphis dauci (Fabricius) (Insecta, Hemiptera, Aphididae) ­ formal record of occurrence on arracacha (Arracacia xanthorrhiza Bancr) (Apiaceae) in Brazil, morphological characterization, description of damages and arthropods associated to the culture / Semiaphis dauci (Fabricius) (Insecta, Hemiptera, Aphididae) ­ registro formal de ocorrência em mandioquinha­salsa (Arracacia xanthorrhiza Bancr) (Apiaceae) no Brasil, caracterização morfológica, descrição dos danos e artrópodes relacionados à cultura

This paper reports formally the occurrence and describes the damages by Semiaphis dauci (Fabricius, 1775) (Insecta, Hemiptera, Aphididae, Aphidinae, Macrosiphini) on arracacha (Arracaciaxanthorrhiza Bancr.) (Apiaceae) in Brazil. The infestation was initially noted on April/2002 at Núcleo de Produção de Mudas, Departamento de Sementes Mudas e Matrizes, Coordenadoria de Assistência Técnica Integral, Secretaria de Agricultura e Abastecimento, São Bento do Sapucaí, State of São Paulo. Posteriorly the occurrence was detected in other parts of the municipality of São Bento do Sapucaí such as Serrano, Paiol Grande and Cantagalo, being the incidence higher in localities at lower altitudes. The colonies, with large number of individuals, were settled on both sides of the leaves and also hidden under petiole, but with lower number of specimens. The adult plants were underdeveloped and the growing of aphid colonies induced the blossoming. In the seedlings the symptoms were severer with reduction in the development and death of plants. When the colonies were placed in the dorsal side of the leaves, there was a tendency to wrinkling and rolling to upper side that was used as shelter by the aphids. Morphological characterization, illustrations and notes on biology of S. dauci and a survey of the Arthropoda related with A. xanthorrhiza are also presented.

Este trabalho efetua o registro formal de ocorrência e descreve os danos de Semiaphis dauci (Fabricius, 1775) (Insecta, Hemiptera, Aphididae, Aphidinae, Macrosiphini) em cultura de mandioquinha-salsa (Arracacia xanthorrhiza Bancr.) (Apiaceae) no Brasil. A infestação foi observada, inicialmente, em abril/2002, no Núcleo de Produção de Mudas, Departamento de Sementes Mudas e Matrizes, Coordenadoria de Assistência Técnica Integral, Secretaria de Agricultura e Abastecimento, São Bento do Sapucaí, SP. Posteriormente, a ocorrência foi detectada em outras localidades do município como Serrano, Paiol Grande e Cantagalo sendo que a incidência foi maior nas áreas de menor altitude. As colônias estavam localizadas em ambas as faces das folhas, e em menor número no pecíolo escondidas na bainha da folha. As plantas adultas apresentavam subdesenvolvimento e o aumento das colônias induzia o florescimento. Nas mudas os sintomas foram mais severos com redução no desenvolvimento e posterior morte das plantas. Quando havia formação de colônias na superfície superior das folhas, havia tendência de encarquilhamento e enrolamento para cima, servindo de abrigo para os pulgões. Caracterização morfológica, ilustrações, notas sobre a biologia de S. dauci e levantamento dos Arthropoda relacionados com A. xanthorrhiza também são apresentados.

Insect folivory in Didymopanax vinosum (Apiaceae) in a vegetation mosaic of Brazilian cerrado.

Susceptibility of Didymopanax vinosum (Apiaceae) to insect herbivores was investigated in three sites of a cerrado mosaic--composed of campo cerrado (a grassland with scattered trees and shrubs), cerradão (a tall woodland) and cerrado sensu stricto (intermediate between the two)--situated in Cerrado Pé-de-Gigante, Santa Rita do Passa Quatro, SP, Brazil. We also examined the relationship of folivory with the composition and abundance of the insect herbivore fauna, and with several nutritional and defensive plant characteristics (water, nitrogen, cellulose, lignin, tannin leaf contents, and leaf toughness). We collected insects associated with D. vinosum every month, and we measured leaf damage every three months. In general, the annual folivory differed among sites. It reached the highest rates in site 1 and site 3: 7.33 and 8.5 percent, respectively. Only 1.32 percent of annual folivory was observed in site 2. These levels resulted from the higher abundance, in sites 1 and 3, of the thrips Liothrips didymopanacis (Phlaeothripidae), the most abundant herbivore sampled, responsible for more than 90 percent of the observed damage. However, no significant relationship was found between insect activity and the chemical and physical composition of the leaves. Our findings suggest that, at least in this species, other chemical compounds or variables related to plant apparency and resource availability to herbivores (e.g. plant architecture) might play a more decisive role in the spatial variation of folivory than the nutritional and defensive traits that were analyzed.

Insect folivory in Didymopanax vinosum (Apiaceae) in a vegetation mosaic of Brazilian cerrado

A susceptibilidade de Didymopanax vinosum (Apiaceae) a insetos herbívoros foi investigada em três localidades de um mosaico de cerrado – composto de campo cerrado, cerrado sensu stricto e cerradão – localizado no Cerrado Pé-de-Gigante, Santa Rita do Passa Quatro, SP, Brasil. Nosso objetivo foi também relacionar a folivoria com a composição e abundância da fauna de insetos herbívoros, e com várias características nutritivas e defensivas da planta (conteúdo foliar de água, nitrogênio, celulose, lignina, taninos e dureza foliar). Para tanto, coletamos mensalmente os insetos associados a D. vinosum e a cada três meses medimos as injúrias foliares. De modo geral, a herbivoria anual variou entre as localidades. Os maiores valores foram encontrados em plantas da localidade 1 e localidade 3: 7,33 e 8,5 por cento, aproximadamente, contra apenas 1,32 por cento na localidade 2. Esses níveis são resultado da maior abundância, nas localidades 1 e 3, do trips Liothrips didymopanacis (Phlaeothripidae), o principal herbívoro amostrado, responsável por mais de 90% das injúrias observadas. Entretanto, não se encontrou relação entre a atividade desses insetos e a composição química e física das folhas. Nossos resultados indicam que, ao menos para esta espécie, outros compostos químicos ou variáveis relacionadas à aparência e à disponibilidade de recursos aos herbívoros (por exemplo a arquitetura da planta), podem desempenhar um papel mais importante na variação espacial da folivoria que as características nutritivas e as defesas vegetais que foram analisadas.

Ocorrência de Binodoxys brevicornis (Haliday, 1833) (Hymenoptera, Braconidae, Aphidiinae) no Brasil / Occurrence of Binodoxys brevicornis (Haliday, 1833) (Hymenoptera, Braconidae, Aphidiinae) in Brazil

Specimens of the aphid parasitoid, Binodoxys brevicornis (Haliday, 1833), were reared from the mummies of Cavariella aegopodii (Scopoli, 1763) collected on Foeniculum vulgare (Apiaceae) at the Campus of the Universidade Federal de Lavras, in the city of Lavras, Minas Gerais State on September/2002. This is the first record of B. brevicornis in Brazil.

Receptor-mediated increase in cytoplasmic free calcium required for activation of pathogen defense in parsley.

Transient influx of Ca(2+) constitutes an early element of signaling cascades triggering pathogen defense responses in plant cells. Treatment with the Phytophthora sojae-derived oligopeptide elicitor, Pep-13, of parsley cells stably expressing apoaequorin revealed a rapid increase in cytoplasmic free calcium ([Ca(2+)](cyt)), which peaked at approximately 1 microM and subsequently declined to sustained values of 300 nM. Activation of this biphasic [Ca(2+)](cyt) signature was achieved by elicitor concentrations sufficient to stimulate Ca(2+) influx across the plasma membrane, oxidative burst, and phytoalexin production. Sustained concentrations of [Ca(2+)](cyt) but not the rapidly induced [Ca(2+)](cyt) transient peak are required for activation of defense-associated responses. Modulation by pharmacological effectors of Ca(2+) influx across the plasma membrane or of Ca(2+) release from internal stores suggests that the elicitor-induced sustained increase of [Ca(2+)](cyt) predominantly results from the influx of extracellular Ca(2+). Identical structural features of Pep-13 were found to be essential for receptor binding, increases in [Ca(2+)](cyt), and activation of defense-associated responses. Thus, a receptor-mediated increase in [Ca(2+)](cyt) is causally involved in signaling the activation of pathogen defense in parsley.

The effect of waste water reuse in irrigation on the contamination level of food crops by Giardia cysts and Ascaris eggs.

In Marrakech, raw sewage has been used for farming purposes for several decades for many types of crops. This study aimed to determine the contamination level of Giardia cysts and Ascaris eggs for crops designated for human consumption. Collected crops in irrigated fields were turnip, marrow, squash, potatoes, pepper and eggplant. Field trials were also carried out on four crops, coriander, carrots, mint and radish, using three water types for irrigation, i.e. raw waste water, treated waste water (sedimentation and 16 days retention) and fresh water. Giardia cysts were detected at a level of 5.1 cysts/kg in potatoes, while Ascaris eggs were observed in numbers varying between 0.18 eggs/kg in potatoes and 0.27 eggs/kg in turnip. Field trials confirmed that irrigation of crops by raw waste water leads to contamination. Giardia and Ascaris were isolated in coriander at concentrations of 254 cysts/kg and 2.7 eggs/kg, respectively; mint was also highly contaminated with numbers reaching 96 cysts/kg and 4.63 eggs/kg. Carrots and radish were contaminated and respective numbers observed for Giardia were 155 and 59.1 cysts/kg; Ascaris was discovered in numbers of 0.7 and 1.64 eggs/kg, respectively. However, cultures irrigated with treated waste water and fresh water were free from contamination. Cysts and eggs on coriander persisted for a maximum of 8 days.