Bee diversity in fragmented areas of Volcano Etna (Sicily, Italy) at different degrees of anthropic disturbance (Hymenoptera: Apoidea, Anthophila)

The present three-year study traces the diversity of four bee communities in fragmented pedemontane areas of Volcano Etna (Catania province, Sicily) near the Metropolitan City of Catania, under different land management regimes. The selected areas comprise two different urban parks within Catania (Parco Gioeni and Parco degli Ulivi), a Nature Reserve (Complesso Immacolatelle e Micio Conti, San Gregorio di Catania), and an agroecosystem (a citrus orchard, Aci Catena). Previous data obtained from a well-investigated area (Leucatia, north of Catania) have been used as a control for bee diversity for this study. The results include an outline of bee species richness, data on the composition of bee communities, and seasonal patterns, using several diversity indexes. The study of bee diversity shows a total of 163 species, arranged in five families. The four investigated locations include 104 species arranged in four families: Andrenidae (20 species), Halictidae (15 species), Megachilidae (31 species), and Apidae (38 species); with a similar number of species (102) recorded in the control site (Leucatia). The study highlights strong seasonal variations of bee communities in all investigated sites, with differentiated seasonal patterns, whose compositions are affected mainly by forage sources, suitable nesting sites, as well as human activities. The data obtained provide a rough but basilar framework to assess management strategies to maintain adequate levels of bee diversity, especially for those areas with moderate to high environmental fragmentation. Our findings highlight the importance of season-long sampling of bee population factors if used as indicators in ecological studies.

Evaluation of secondary killing effect of Imidacloprid Gel Baits to control Blattella germanica (Linné 1767) (Blattaria: Blattellidae)

Blattella germanica (L.) (Blattodea: Blattellidae) is one of the major household pests worldwide, commonly named German cockroach. Application of gel baits is one of the most efficient management methods. This study investigated the effect of 3 commercially available Imidacloprid gel baits on the palatability of dead cockroaches and, consequently, on the efficacy of secondary killing. German cockroaches killed by the gel baits and others killed by freezing were offered to conspecifics, the numbers of cannibalistic cockroaches and dead cockroaches, as well as weight loss were recorded. Despite the content of Imidacloprid is identical in all the baits, the palatability of the cockroach killed by the gel consumption and used as food was different between the 3 commercial products, with consequences on the secondary killing effect. These results suggest as the bait co-formulants play an important role not only on the palatability of the bait but also in the palatability of the dead cockroaches which are eaten by conspecifics, and therefore, in the result of a pest control application.

Lepidoptera Tortricidae from Sicily with new taxa for Italian and European fauna and description of Thiodia major (Rebel) and Pammene castanicola Trematerra females

A list of 155 species of Lepidoptera Tortricidae collected in Sicily (Italy) is reported. The two most numerous tortricid subfamilies recorded are the Olethreutinae and Tortricinae, which have 84 species and 70 species, respectively; the subfamily Chlidanotinae is represented by 1 species. Species belonging to almost all the tribes cited in the Italian fauna have been found in Sicily (Tortricini with 10 species, Cochylini 26, Cnephasiini 18, Archipini 16, Polyorthini 1, Bactrini 5, Olethreutini 12, Enarmoniini 1, Eucosmini 33, and Grapholitini 33), with the exception of the members of the tribes Sparganothini and Eulini. Phtheochroa ochralana and Cydia magnesiae are new to Italian fauna; Fulvoclysia forsteri and Tortricodes selma are recorded for first time in Europe. The females of Thiodia major and Pammene castanicola are descripted. Acleris hastiana, A. notana, Cochylidia rupicola, C. moguntiana, Cochylis sannitica, Eana joannisi, E. italica, Cnephasia fulturata, Archips betulanus, A. crataeganus, Pandemis cerasana, Olindia schumacherana, Epinotia dalmatana, Eucosma obumbratana, Epiblema cirsianum, E. graphanum, Cydia medicaginis, C. cythisantana, C. ulicetana, C. derrai, C. leguminana, Lathronimpha balearici, Grapholita pallifrontana, Pammene querceti, P. obscurana, and Strophedra weirana are cited for first time in Sicily.

First comprehensive contribution to the knowledge of the lepidopteran fauna of Gioia Tauro Plain, South Italy (Lepidoptera)

In this paper, we investigated for the first time on the composition of nocturnal Lepidoptera of the Gioia Tauro Plain, Calabria region (South Italy). The main goal was to acquire information on the biodiversity of this insect order in an area little investigated and subject to strong anthropic pressures. The study was carried out for one year in 4 sites characterized by different habitats. Sampling was carried out about twice a month through the use of UV-LED light traps. In total, 791 specimens belonging to 97 species were collected. The species richness of the study area was rather low compared to a more natural habitat sampled near to the study area in previous years. However, we found species very interesting from a faunistic point of view. In detail, Morophaga morella (Duponchel, 1838) is a new record for the continental Italy. 15 species are new for the fauna of the Calabria region: Ornativalva tamaricella (Zeller, 1850), Cnephasia (Cnephasia) genitalana Pierce & Metcalfe, 1915, Euzophera lunulella (O. Costa, 1836), Hellula undalis (Fabricius, 1794), Raphimetopus ablutella (Zeller, 1839) Achyra nudalis (Hübner, 1796), Dioryctria mendacella (Staudinger, 1859), Ematheudes punctella (Treitschke, 1833), Endotricha flammealis (Denis & Schiffermüller, 1775), Oxybia transversella (Duponchel, 1836), Lamoria anella (Denis & Schiffermüller, 1775), Anania crocealis (Hübner, 1796), Evergestis isatidalis (Duponchel, 1833), Udea ferrugalis (Hübner, 1796), and Uresiphita gilvata (Fabricius, 1794).

A new species of Aprostocetus (Hymenoptera: Eulophidae) gall inducer on Astragalus alpinus from Norway

A new species of Aprostocetus (Hymenoptera: Eulophidae), gall inducer on Astragalus alpinus (Fabaceae), is described from Norway. The eulophid causes an irregular round or spindle-shaped gall on stem, which shows a single internal cavity for the gregarious larvae. One generation is developed from spring to spring. The parasitoids Macroneura vesicularis (Retzius) and Eurytoma sp. emerged from the gall.

First report of Symphoromyia immaculata (Diptera: Rhagionidae) from Italy, with the description of its attack and blood-feeding behaviour on human hosts

Specimens from a swarm of Symphoromyia immaculata (Meigen, 1820) were collected in the act of biting people in a farmhouse in Central Italy. The species is distributed in West and Central Europe and eastwards in Northwest Russia. This is the first record of S. immaculata in Italy, with a documented case of humans suffering from bites of this species.

A faunal study on medically important mosquitoes (Diptera: Culicidae) in Qir and Karzin from Fars province, southern Iran, during 2017-18

Mosquitoes have always played an important role in transmitting a wide range of viral and parasitic diseases to humans and animals. Given that so far there has been no study on the fauna, distribution and characteristics of mosquito habitats in Qir and Karzin County, we decided to investigate these unknown data in this important tropical area in south of Iran for the first time. Adult mosquitoes were collected by hand-catch and total catch methods from indoor and outdoor places in Qir and Karzin Counties from four different geographical regions during the activity seasons of mosquitoes in 2017-18. Also, larvae were collected from aquatic habitats using WHO recommended standard dipper. Collected mosquitoes were identified using valid taxonomic keys. A total of 1884 specimens of Culicidae mosquitoes (1103 adults and 781 larvae) were collected from twenty-one sampling areas during the mosquito activity seasons in Qir and Karzin County. Totally 11 species in 3 genera (7 Culex, 3 Anopheles and 1 Culiseta species) were identified. The dominant larva was Cx. laticinctus with a total number of 227 (29%), and Cx. sinaiticus with 407 specimens (36.9%) which was the most frequent adult mosquito. Most larval habitats in this area were sunny and almost without vegetation breeding sites with temporary, turbid and stagnant water. In this region, compared to the area of the County, there was considerable species diversity for mosquitoes. This phenomenon is very important from an ecological and health point of view. Due to the existence of some important vectors of arthropod-borne diseases in this region, the health system should be alert and continuous and accurate monitoring of these vectors should be included in the routine vector-borne diseases control program.

Ecological assessment of the lowland relit forest “Bosco delle Sorti della Partecipanza” in Trino (North-Western Italy), applying Diptera Syrphidae as bioindicators

The survey has been realized in the lowland relict forest Bosco delle Sorti della Partecipanza, a site situated in Trino (Piedmont, North-Western Italy), to assess the ecological conservation level of forest habitats using the Syrph the Net methodology. 67 species were recorded, using three Malaise traps, seven Emergence traps and several Net transect in the year 2020. Among these species, 6 are reported for the first time in Piedmont region, 19 are considered decreasing at European level and 2 are threatened in Europe. Forest habitats under scrutiny in the study area are oak-hornbeam mesophilic woodland and alluvial alder lowland. The data analysis allowed to compare observed with expected syrphids for each habitat. At the ecosystem level, the ecological integrity of the forest is moderately negative but the alluvial alder forest macrohabitat can be considered good and overall saproxylic and saprophagous species are particularly well-preserved. The presence of a high number of rare or decreasing species makes Trino wood an important source of biodiversity in Po Plain.

Bio efficacy of Cinnamaldehyde from Cinnamomum verum essential oil against Culex quinquefasciatus (Diptera: Culicidae)

This research aims to study the efficacy of Cinnamomum verum (Cv) extracts for ovicidal, larvicidal, and repellent activities against Culex quinquefasciatus mosquito vectors. The active components of C. verum or cinnamon oil by Gas Chromatography (GC) analysis showed the highest cinnamaldehyde at 83.53%. For ovicidal assay, C. verum essential oil at concentrations 12.5, 25 and 50 ppm at 72 h had 100% egg hatch inhibition and had a significant difference when compared to the control group (p<0.05). Larvicidal activity showed that concentrations of 25 and 50 ppm were highly effective in killing 100% mosquito larvae. Morphological changes in egg raft showed a faded color and eggs that seemed to have split from their raft while the larvae changed to a pale white wrinkled body with a destroyed inner tube of the body and were motionless. A Scanning electron microscope study showed that the eggshell and micropyle were wrinkled with the chitin peeled out. After treatment with cinnamon oil, larvae appeared to have a wrinkled body, the thorax and abdominal cuticle were also destroyed with high density of oil particles observed on mouth brushes and obstructing the spiracle. The repellent assay showed that cinnamon oil could repel both male and female mosquitos for up to 180 min. From the results, it was concluded that cinnamon oil had highly effective repellency against Culex quinquefasciatus adults and insecticidal activity on eggs and larvae stages evidenced by LC50 at 6.59±0.54, 9.07±0.67 and 36.91±7.56 ppm and its morphological changes indicated how the mosquito could not survive after cinnamon oil treatment hence this may be a useful alternative method that is green friendly for controlling mosquitoes in endemic areas.

Evaluation of a first-event sampling model for monitoring cabbage pests

First-event sampling models for monitoring diamondback moth Plutella xylostella (Lepidoptera: Plutellidae) and small white butterfly, Pieris rapae (Pieridae) are used in integrated production systems of cabbage. Decision-making accuracy and reduced labour needs of those models were unknown compared to fixed-sample monitoring. This we addressed through computer simulations of the currently most used first-event sampling plan for cabbage in DPR Korea. Indeed, this sampling plan in five subplots of a cabbage field at a sampling limit of a maximum 10 plants each, appeared less labour intense than many fixed-sample monitoring plans. However, only a medium accuracy of infestation estimates and correct decision-making for or against pest control was achieved, particularly at high pest densities. If accepting such medium accuracy, the current sampling plan could be reduced from five to three subplots at a sampling limit of 10 plants each, or to a maximum of five assessed plants per each of five subplots, this is, without further loosing accuracy whilst saving labour. Such sampling requires little investment in time and might be therefore applied and validated across more cabbage productions systems of East Asia. Ultimately, first-event sampling, as other sampling plans will remain a compromise between accuracy and practicability.