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Castanea sativa plays a key role in different production chains (timber, flour, honey, and tannins). Moreover, considering the great importance of chestnuts and chestnut flour for the food industry and for the subsistence of piedmont communities, a relaunch of this production chain is definitely essential, thus motivating this review. The first aim of this literature overview is to summarize current knowledge regarding the main criticalities in chestnut tree cultivation, chestnut processing, and in chestnut flour production. The second aim is to suggest specific improvement strategies to contrast the main pests and diseases affecting chestnut trees, improve chestnut processing and flour production, and, finally, valorize all by-products generated by this production chain. With respect to chestnut trees, it is essential to develop specific integrated strategies based on early detection and management to contrast known and emerging issues. With regard to chestnut drying and flour production, particular attention needs to be paid to molds and mycotoxins which definitely represent the main criticalities. In addition, further investigations are needed to improve the dying process in both traditional and modern dry kilns, and to develop innovative drying processes. Finally, to face the monumental challenge of environmental sustainability, the valorization of the whole chestnut by-products is crucial. This review clearly highlighted that the recovery of polyphenols from chestnut by-products is the most interesting, sustainable, and profitable strategy. However, the fungal fermentation or the incorporation of little amounts of these by-products into foods seems a very interesting alternative.

In Europe, 5 Lipoptena species have been recorded, including Lipoptena fortisetosa. This species, native to Asian countries, was described as a parasite of sika deer and its appearance in Europe dates back to more than 50 years ago. Lipoptena fortisetosa has been recently reported in Italy, sharing its hosts with Lipoptena cervi. A morpho-molecular approach was developed to determine the phylogenetic interrelationship of Italian and Asian CO1 haplotypes sequenced from Lipoptena fly individuals collected in Italy, and their DNA sequences were compared with conspecifics available in GenBank; morphological key-characters (terminalia) of L. fortisetosa were compared with the original description. Two haplotypes were recorded from Italy and assigned to L. cervi and L. fortisetosa, respectively. The latter was part of the monophyletic clade L. fortisetosa, along with 2 Central European and 2 Korean haplotypes (100% identical with one of the Korean haplotypes); moreover, Italian L. fortisetosa female terminalia were consistent with the original description of Asian individuals. Pending more in-depth investigations, this study provides a first answer to the hypothesis of the recent colonization of Italy by L. fortisetosa from Asia as we did not detect any obvious and stable morphological and molecular differences in specimens from the 2 geographical areas. The presence of the sika deer in Europe was retraced and the possible route traveled by the parasite from Asia and the eco-biological factors that may have enhanced its settlement are discussed.

Lipoptena cervi (Linnaeus, 1758), Lipoptena fortisetosa Maa, 1965, Hippobosca equina Linnaeus, 1758, and Pseudolynchia canariensis (Macquart, 1840) (Diptera: Hippoboscidae) are haematophagous ectoparasites that infest different mammal and bird species and occasionally attack humans. They are known for the health implications they have as vectors of pathogens to humans and animals, and for the injuries they inflict on their host's skin. This study focused on the morphological structures evolved by parasites in terms of their biology and the different environment types that they inhabit. To this aim, we examined four hippoboscid species, as well as their hosts' fur (ungulate and horse), and feather (pigeon) through light and Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM) observations in order to highlight the main morphological features that evolved differently in these flies and to explain the effect of hosts' fur/feather microhabitats on the morphological specializations observed in the investigated ectoparasites. The studied species showed main convergent characters in mouthparts while remarkable differences have been detected on the antennal sensillar pattern as well as on the leg acropod that displayed divergent characters evolved in relation to the host.

Hippoboscidae flies parasitize various animal species. Knowledge about these insects remains sparse, although they are known to cause stress and damage to their hosts, and can also accidentally infest humans, causing different sanitary risks. Research conducted in Tuscany assessing the biology and distribution of Lipoptena cervi (Linnaeus, 1758) (Diptera: Hippoboscidae), the most common ectoparasite of ungulates in Italy, revealed the presence of Lipoptena fortisetosa Maa, 1965 in Italy for the first time. This study includes a morphological comparative description of L. cervi and L. fortisetosa, emphasizing the peculiar differences between the two species to facilitate their accurate identification. The most pertinent morphological differences between the two species are highlighted, such as the external features of the antennae, distribution of bristles, and different features in the external genitalia. In both species, scanning electron microscopy of mouthparts revealed strong adaptive convergence in the feeding apparatus. Modified palps and a very thin proboscis are described in relation to feeding behaviour.