FEATURES OF FLIES OF THE LIVESTOCK COMPLEX OF YUKHNOVSKY DISTRICT, KALUGA REGION

Flies are also the main negative indicator of the low-level sanitary condition of the production. At livestock farms and complexes of the Yukhnovsky District of the Kaluga Region, a significant part of livestock products is lost due to the parasitism of harmful insects, namely flies. The article describes some features of the fauna and ecology of zoophillic flies spread on the territory of the Collective Agricultural Enterprise UGRA in Yukhnov. The dominant species is Musca domestica domestica (CI 81.62%), the subdominant species are Protophormia terrae-novae (CI 13.97%), Muscina stabulans (CI 0.94%), Calliphora uralensis (CI 0.86%) and Fannia canicularis (CI 0.86%). Few in number are Calliphora vicina (CI 0.68%), Lucilia sericata (CI 0.45%), Сеrохуs urticae (CI 0.34%), Themira putris (CI 0.18%) and Ravinia striata (CI 0.15%). Diptera of the family Muscidae (CI 71.8%) dominate on pastures, and Caliphoridae (16.9%) and Sarcofagidae (6.2%) are subdominant. In the first family, the housefly is the most widespread (CI 21.6%) followed by Musca osiris (pasture fly 8.4%). The total duration of flying of the main species of zoophillic flies in their habitats ranges from 100 to 150 days.

A rapid method to quantify small-scale vegetation patch structure to complement conventional quadrat surveys

Aims Vegetation sampling typically involves the use of quadrats, often 1m2, to estimate species cover-abundance. Such surveys do not generally record small-scale vegetation patch structure at sub-quadrat scales, for example 10 cm2. Here we test a simple method to quantify patch structure that complements conventional techniques. We compare the two methods, and analyse metrics derived from small-scale patch surveys with environment / management data. Location Northumberland, United Kingdom Methods We recorded cover-abundance of all species in an upland moor with 1m2 quadrats. These were divided into 100 'sub-quadrats', 10 x 10 cm, and the dominant and subdominant species identified. Patch metrics (number, area and shape) for individual species recorded as dominant or subdominant in the sub-quadrat survey were analysed using multivariate generalised linear models with environmental and management data. Sub-quadrat data were also aggregated for each quadrat, to create species composition data. The two sets of compositional data, from whole-quadrat and sub-quadrat aggregations, were compared via Procrustes rotation of ordination scores. Results Patch number, area and shape for dominant and subdominant species were all significantly affected by soil pH, soil water content, slope and elevation. Effects of proximity to sheep tracks and drainage ditches were less consistent amongst species. Ordinations of vegetation data from conventional and sub-quadrats were similar, with significant Procrustes R-squared of 67% and 70% for dominant and subdominant species respectively. Conclusions Sub-quadrat surveys can easily be used to complement existing whole-quadrat surveys at little cost in time or resources. Their patch metrics can provide additional insights into the environmental and management drivers that may affect the growth of individual plants or clumps, potentially in relation to plant traits, and thus alter the overall community composition. The methods we describe can readily be adapted to other sizes of quadrats and sub-quadrats in a wide range of vegetation communities.

Orthoptera assemblages of the relict meadows of the Szernye marsh area (West Ukraine: Transcarpathia)

Orthoptera assemblages were sampled between 2012 and 2014 on six grasslands in marginal part of the former Szernye Marsh (Bereg Lowland, Transcarpathia, West Ukraine). 24 species in 1306 individuals were observed which is about the half of the Orthoptera species known from the Bereg Lowland. The bulk of the assemblages is formed by generalist chortobiont species (62.5%), while thamnobionts, connected with tall forb and/or shrubby vegetation, also reach a relatively high frequency (29.1%). According to the biogeographical composition, the Euro-Siberian species were predominating (58.3%), combined with only scarce presence of West Palearctic and Mediterranean species. The multivariate analysis did not show any clear subdivision according to the a priori vegetation types with the exception of the xeric habitats. This assemblage type were characterised by a low species number (7–12) and very high frequency of one or at least two dominant species which were common in all types of studied habitats. Although their subdominant species differed from the other two assemlage types but they could not be referred as true character species. Thus the studied xeric habitats are not such true xeric grasslands as the sandy and saline grasslands of the Pannonian lowland. The main natural value of the area is preseved by semi-natural humide and transitional habitat types, which can be conserved by yearly alternating mowing and preserving the mosaic structure with some corridors among them.

Symptoms and pathogens diversity of Corn Fusarium sheath rot in Sichuan Province, China

To elucidate the symptoms and pathogens diversity of corn Fusarium sheath rot (CFSR), diseased samples were collected from 21 county-level regions in 12 prefecture-level districts of Sichuan Province from 2015 to 2018 in the present study. In the field, two symptom types appeared including small black spots with a linear distribution and wet blotches with a tawny or brown color. One hundred thirty-seven Fusarium isolates were identified based on morphological characteristics and phylogenetic analysis (EF1-α), and Koch’s postulates were also assessed. The results identified the isolates as 8 species in the Fusarium genus, including F. verticillioides, F. proliferatum, F. fujikuroi, F. asiaticum, F. equiseti, F. meridionale, F. graminearum and F. oxysporum, with isolation frequencies of 30.00, 22.67, 15.33, 7.33, 6.00, 5.33, 3.33 and 1.33%, respectively. Fusariumverticillioides and F. proliferatum were the dominant and subdominant species, respectively. Two or more Fusarium species such as F. verticillioides and F. proliferatum were simultaneously identified at a mixed infection rate of 14.67% in the present study. The pathogenicity test results showed that F. proliferatum and F. fujikuroi exhibited the highest virulence, with average disease indices of 30.28 ± 2.87 and 28.06 ± 1.96, followed by F. equiseti and F. verticillioides, with disease indices of 21.48 ± 2.14 and 16.21 ± 1.84, respectively. Fusarium asiaticum, F. graminearum and F. meridonale showed lower virulence, with disease indices of 13.80 ± 2.07, 11.57 ± 2.40 and 13.89 ± 2.49, respectively. Finally, F. orysporum presented the lowest virulence in CFSR, with a disease index of 10.14 ± 1.20. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first report of F. fujikuroi, F. meridionale and F. asiaticum as CFSR pathogens in China.

Harmful husbands of Yukhnovsky district, Kaluga region

Flies are the main negative indicator of poor production hygiene. At livestock farms and complexes of the Yukhnovsky district of the Kaluga region, a significant part of livestock products is lost due to the parasitism of harmful insects, namely flies. The article describes some of the features of the fauna and ecology of flies distributed on the territory of the UGRA KSP in the city of Yukhnov. The dominant species is Musca domestica domestica (ID 81,62%), the subdominant species are Protophormia terrae-novae (ID 13,97%), Muscina stabulans (ID 0,94%), Calliphora uralensis (ID 0,86%), Fannia canicularis (ID 0,86%); small numbers – Calliphora vicina (ID – 0,68%), Lucilla sericata (ID – 0,45%), Sehokhus urticae (ID – 0.34%), Themira putris (ID – 0,18%) and Ravinia striata (ID – 0,15%). Diptera of the family Muscidae (ID 71,8%) dominate on pastures, while Caliphoridae (16,9%) and Sarcofagidae (6,2%) are subdominant. In the first family, the housefly is most widespread (ID – 21,6%), followed by Musca osiris (pasture – 8,4%). The total duration of the summer of the main species of zoophilic flies in their habitats ranges from 100 to 150 days.

Influence of Insecticides on Useful Entomofauna in Corn Crops

Goal. of research is to specify species composition of coccinellids of corn agrocenosis, to define insecticides influence on useful entomofauna, to estimate the profitability level of used preparation. Methods. Are the following: field accounting of insects in corn crops in accordance with the generally accepted methodology; experiment on the influence of insecticides on useful entomofauna in corn. Laboratory method that means identification of species composition of ladybirds. Results. Specified species composition of coccinellids in present conditions on corn crops. Educed six species of ladybirds, among them Coccinella septempunctata Linnaeus, 1758 was marked as dominant species, while Propylea quatuordecimpunctata Linnaeus, 1758 as subdominant species. Presented mean quantity of coccinellids, green lacewings, syrphids on the 3rd, 7th, 14th and 21st days after spraying of insecticides on corn. Specified correlation of coccinellids species before and after insecticide application. Presented correlation of entomophages (ladybirds, green lacewings, syrphids) on corn crops. Determined technical and economic efficiency after spraying of corn with insecticides Ampligo 150 ZC (Chlorantraniliprole, 100g/l+Lambda-Cyhalothrin, 50g/l), Belt 480 SC (Flubendiamide, 480 g/l), Coragen 20 SC (Chlorantraniliprole, 200 g/l). Conclusions. After insecticides application the highest mean quantity of coccinellids was observed in case of Coragen 20 SC — 2,4 exemplars/m2, after Ampligo 150 ZC it was 0,4 exemplars/m2, after Belt 480 SC — 0,7 exemplars/m2. The mean quantity of green lacewings and syrphids was low for all variants. The least toxic effect on quantity of entomophages had an insecticide Coragen 20 SC. The percentage of dead insects after its usage was the following: for imago of coccinellids — 43.4%, larvae — 79.5%, pupas — 54.2%; green lacewings — 68.2%, syrphids — 75.0%. Spraying of preparation Coragen 20 SC provided the level of profitability 440.16%, whereas profitability after Ampligo 150 ZC was 289.33%, after Belt 480 SC — 126.81%.

Phytocenoses Involved With Juniperus foetidissima Willd. on the Territory of Paradash in the Nakhchivan Autonomous Republic

The article presents the role and phytocenological features of the Foetid Juniper (Juniperus foetidissima Willd.) species in the sparse juniper forest of Paradash Massif in the Julfa District. According to the used literature and our researches, plants with bare seeds in the Nakhchivan Autonomous Republic are represented by 2 Divisions, 2 Classes, 3 Orders, 3 Families, 7 Genera and 13 Species, 7 of which are related to the cultural flora. According to research in sparse juniper forests in the Paradash Massif, there were not found Species belongin to Pinaceae Adans. Family, but 2 Species of Juniperus L. Genera of Cupressaceae S. F. Gray Family, and only one species named Ephedra procera Fisch. et C. A. Mey. Belonging to the Ephedraceae Dumort family was determined. The dominant Species of the tree tier is Juniperus foetidissima Willd., and the subdominant Species is Pyrus salicifolia Pall. — whenever Juniperus polycarpos C. Koch, together with the willow-leafed pear are multi-fruited Species of Juniper. Counting of the height indicators according to the steps and determination of the trunk diameter of the Juniper tree on the territory of Paradash were given in the counting tables. All formations and associations of phytocenoses in a rocky biotope were discovered and presented.

Biostimulating Gut Microbiome with Bilberry Anthocyanin Combo to Enhance Anti-PD-L1 Efficiency against Murine Colon Cancer

Recent advances have revealed the essential role of gut microbiomes in the therapeutic efficiency of immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs). Inspired by biostimulation, a method using nutrients to accelerate the growth of soil microorganisms and the recovery of soil microbial consortia, here we propose a bilberry anthocyanin combo containing chitosan and low molecular citrus pectin (LCP), in which LCP–chitosan is used to encapsulate anthocyanins so to enhance its digestive stability and, moreover, modulate the microbiome more favorable for the PD-L1 blockade treatment. Using murine MC38 colon cancer as a model system, we examined the effects of the combo on modulating the gut microbiome and therapeutic efficiency of PD-L1 blockade treatment. It was shown that bilberry anthocyanins enriched the subdominant species, increased both the concentration and the proportion of butyrate in feces and enhanced intratumoral CD8+ T cell infiltrations. The application of the bilberry anthocyanin combo restored the species diversity of gut microbiome decreased by LCP–chitosan and achieved the best control of tumor growth. These preliminary results indicated unprecedented opportunities of probiotics combo in improving the therapeutic efficiency of immune checkpoint inhibitor through manipulating gut microbiome.

Taxonomic Revision of Kaunia (Eupatorieae, Asteraceae), an Andean Genus with Presence in Eastern South America

Kaunia R. M. King & H. Rob. is a small genus of 11 species that play an important role in Andean ecosystems, either by dominating specific vegetation units or as subdominant species at boundaries of alder communities and pino del cerro forests. The species of Kaunia are shrubs or small trees with commonly pinkish or white, usually tubular-funnelform corollas of internally smooth lobes lacking papillae, uniformly wide styles, and 20 to 26 chromosomes. A complete and exhaustive treatment of Kaunia is lacking, and so its taxonomy is herein revised. As a result of this work, together with those of previous statistical studies, 10 species of Kaunia are recognized. Kaunia ignorata (Hieron.) R. M. King & H. Rob. is placed under synonymy of K. camataquiensis (Hieron.) R. M. King & H. Rob., and a lectotype for Eupatorium hosanense B. L. Rob. is designated. Our study provides the first morphological and anatomical study of Kaunia. A key to the species, detailed descriptions, illustrations, and distribution maps for each species are also provided.

Spatial-typological structure of blackflies communities (Diptera: Simuliidae) of the River Tisa basin within of the Ukrainian Carpathians

A total of 46 species of blackflies from 2 genera were recorded in the watercourses of the Tisa River basin within Ukrainian Carpathians. In qualitative terms, the genus Simulium Latreille, 1802 predominates, with 42 species in 5 subgenera: Nevermannia Enderlein, 1921 (9 species), Eusimulium Roubaud, 1906 (2 species), Wilhelmia Enderlein, 1921 (4 species), Obuchovia Rubtsov, 1947 (2 species) and Simulium Latreille, 1802 (25 species). The genus Prosimulium Roubaud, 1906 is represented with only 4 species. Moreover, 33 species develop in streams (the index of the species diversity of Simpson (Is) is 0,094), and 32 species (Is – 0,087) of Simuliidae develop in rivers. There are 19 common species for both types of watercourses (the index of similarity of Chekanovsky-Sorensen (I) is 0.37). Only 14 species of blackflies develop in streams, and only 13 species develop in rivers. Two dominant species (S. (s.str.) intermedium, S. (s.str.) trifasciatum) and 4 subdominant species (S. (s.str.) argyreatum, S. (s.str.) ornatum, S. (s.str.) reptans, S. (s.str.) variegatum) form the nucleus of the fauna Simuliidae of the Tisa River basin. The species diversity of blackflies reaches 33 species (Is – 0,075) at watercourses of the low mountain level (at altitudes up to 499 m), is has 38 species (Is – 0,067) at the middle mountain level (500–999 m) and only 24 species (Is – 0,021) at high mountain level (above 1000 m). Only 6 species (S. (Eusimulium) velutinum, S.(Obuchovia) brevifile, S. (s.str.) noelleri, S. (s.str.) rostratum, S. (s.str.) tuberosum and S. (s.str.) voilense) develop in the watercourses of the low mountain level, 5 blackfly species (S. (Nevermannia) codreanui, S. (Wilhelmia) pseudoequinum, S. (s.str.) argenteostriatum, S. (s.str.) paramorsitans and S. (s.str.) vulgare) develop in the watercourses of the middle mountain level and 2 species blackflies (S. (Nevermannia) crenobium and S. (Nevermannia) oligotuberculatum) develop in the watercourses of the high mountain level. There are 16 species of Simuliidae common for this high altitude belts, among them S. (Nevermannia) vernum, S. (s.str.) fontanum, S.(s.str.) intermedium, S.(s.str.) ornatum and S. (s.str.) trifasciatum did not reveal the definite patterns of belonging to the specific altitudes, since their quantity was approximately the same at different heights.