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The recent introduction of new pest species in Morocco and other Mediterranean countries has caused serious problems for many crops. Among the newly introduced pests in Morocco, we have found the scale insects Dactylopius opuntiae (Cockerell) (Hemiptera: Dactylopiidae), Phenacoccus solenopsis (Tinsley), and Phenacoccus peruvianus (Granara de Willink & Szumik) (Hemiptera: Pseudococcidae). To control these scale pests, the parasitism potential of four parasitoid species: Aprostocetus mymaridis (Eulophidae: Hymenoptera), Anagyrus aligarhensis, Anagyrus sp., and Leptomastix epona (Encyrtidae: Hymenoptera) were investigated under laboratory (at 26 ± 2 °C, 60 ± 10% RH) and field conditions. Under laboratory conditions, the experiments were conducted in no choice feeding tests (only third nymphal instars or pre-ovipositing adult females of each scale pest were offered at a time) and choice feeding tests (third nymphal instars and pre-ovipositing adult females were offered simultaneously). We observed that none of the parasitoids tested parasitized D. opuntiae. In both laboratory experimental tests (no choice and free choice tests), A. mymaridis parasitized the highest mean number of third instar nymph and adult female of P. solenopsis (16.90–25.10, and 27.70–29.60, respectively), and L. epona found parasitized the highest mean number of P. peruvianus third instar nymph and adult female (17.70–19.90, and 20.10–24.10, respectively). Aprostocetus mymaridis was found practically suitable for the biological control program of P. solenopsis as they showed a higher level of parasitization under laboratory under field conditions (63.34%). Leptomastix epona seems to be the most successful parasitoid against P. peruvianus under field conditions (67.00%) compared to the other parasitoids tested. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Waste disposal is an activity that pollutes the environment. The European Union has developed different legislative measures which are based on the circular economy (CE) to avoid this negative externality. The management of agricultural packaging (fertilizers and phytosanitary products) is carried out through Collective Deposit, Return, and Refund Systems (CDRRS). New regulations on waste tax the consumption of non-recyclable plastic in packaging, but also reward the use of plastic by-products from packaging. The administrations recommend using biodegradable plastic in the means of production, as well as establishing a traceability system (TS) to control the proper management of all the generated waste. The proposed measures can affect producer cost accounts. This work aimed to identify and evaluate the existing agricultural packaging management system in Spain. It also studied the influence of the price of a barrel of oil, crop surface, irrigation regime, and the type of subsectors on CDRRS, and quantified the impact of the latest fiscal measures and initiatives proposed by Spanish administrations. Results: The generation of agricultural packaging is influenced by variables including the cultivated area, irrigation regime, and agricultural subsector. The price of a barrel of oil directly influences the current by-product utilization system. Using biodegradable plastic or implementing a TS can increase production costs by up to 9.80%. The current system of subsidies to producers can soften the economic impact caused by the additional cost of biodegradable plastic (4.03%), but no subsidies have been foreseen to encourage the use of environmentally friendly alternatives. Conclusions: Findings indicate that public administrations should be guided by the specific characteristics of the different agricultural systems when defining regulations on agricultural waste management. The fixed rate in the current system of subsidies for using plastic by-products obtained from packaging should be substituted for a variable rate. Transferring powers to autonomous communities to define by-products may lead to heterogeneity in the Spanish territory. New measures derived from the recent environmental agreements to comply with the 2030 Agenda will increase production costs even after considering the current aid scheme. The subsidy coefficient should be increased to 80% of the purchase invoice. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The developmental time, adult longevity, survival, and fecundity of Ascogaster quadridentata reared on Cydia pomonella were studied at 25 ± 2 ºC and natural lighting. Longevity was measured in different conditions: water; water and honey; and water, honey and host. Developmental time from egg to adult was 43.67 ± 0.75 days. Honey had a significant effect on the longevity of female adults. The longevity of females with water was 3 days, whereas females fed with honey had longevity values greater than 6 days. The survival curves of adults fed with honey and adults starved were different. All males with water died before 5 days; while in honey-fed males, the last adult died on days 16 and 22, with and without a host, respectively. The female began ovipositing eggs during the first days following emergence. A female produced on average, 22.3 ± 4.7 eggs/day, and more than 10% of host eggs were superparasitized. The parasitism rate was on average 17.53 ± 2.88 hosts/day, whereas the total mean parasitism was 202.75 ± 59.24 hosts/female. This study addressed new basic biological information about A. quadridentata and contribute to a better understanding of its potential as a biological control agent of codling moth. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In the face of the global decline in pollinator populations, studies that serve as a basis for the conservation and management of crop pollinators are crucial. The eggplant (Solanum melongena) is a widely cultivated autogamous crop, whose production is favoured by pollination by vibrating (buzz pollinating bees). To our knowledge, thus far, no studies have tested for the pollination efficiency of non-vibrating bees, nor have any been conducted in semi-arid regions, or evaluated the influence of pollination on the chemical characteristics of the fruits. Here, we evaluated the influence of pollination by vibrating and non-vibrating pollinators on eggplant fruit set and fruit traits in two plantations within the semi-arid region of NE Brazil. We conducted 120 h of focal observations and compared the fruit set and size (weight, length, and basal and apical diameters) under different pollination treatments (open pollination, spontaneous self-pollination, hand-cross pollination and single visits by different species of pollinating bees). Nine visiting bee species were recorded, which differed in visiting frequency and behaviour, as well as in pollination efficiency. Although being autogamous, plants visited by the vibrating bee Xylocopa sp. set more fruits than open, spontaneous self- and cross-pollination. However, the fruits produced by Xylocopa sp. were lighter and smaller than those obtained through open pollination, highlighting the importance of multiple pollinator visits or pollinator diversity. Non-vibrating pollinators contributed to fruit production quantity and quality. Fruits resulting from open, hand cross-pollination and both vibrating (Euglossa sp. 1) and non-vibrating bees (Paratrigona sp.) were larger than those resulting from spontaneous self-pollination. Pollination treatments had no influence on fruit chemical properties. Our results highlight the importance of pollination to eggplant production and the benefits of both vibrating and non-vibrating pollinators. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]