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Natural enemies are an additional component that may interact directly with the plant–virus–vector association, affecting viral dispersion. In our study, we conducted olfactometry assays to explore how single and mixed infections with CMV or/and CABYV modify the attractiveness of A. colemani to aphid-free and aphid-infested melon plants using two melon genotypes. Subsequently, we investigated the influence of CABYV-infected plants infested by A. gossypii on the parasitism rate and emergence of A. colemani in a dual-choice assay under greenhouse conditions. Our study demonstrates that males showed no preference for either infected or non-infected plants. Female parasitoids exhibit a preference for volatiles emitted by CMV and mixed-infected melon plants over clean air but not over mock-inoculated plants, suggesting a response influenced by plant genotype. Female parasitoid responses to CABYV and its interactions with aphids revealed a preference for mock-inoculated plants over CABYV-infected plants and a parasitism rate slightly higher (7.12%) on non-infected plants. Our study revealed that (1) parasitoids may reject olfactory cues from CABYV-infected plants, potentially interfering with the plant’s “cry for help” response; (2) in the case of CMV, whether in single or mixed infections, non-infected plants are as attractive as infected ones to parasitoids. Our findings suggest that persistent viruses manipulate aphid parasitoid behavior to their advantage, promoting virus disease in melon crops. more...

The United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) works to promote Education for Sustainable Development (ESD), being a fundamental purpose to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). that make up the 2030 Agenda approved by the General Assembly of the United Nations (UN) on September 25, 2015. One of the recent initiatives of the UNESCO International Institute for Higher Education in Latin America and the Caribbean, IESALC (UNESCO-IESALC) and the Association for Learning Design and Education for Sustainable Development (ALDESD) has been the organization in 2022 of the Bootcamp on Pedagogical Design and ESD, the context in which this work is framed. This project is designed for a specific training module lasting 20 hours distributed over 5 weeks and integrated as a training complement of 1 ECTS within the Degree studies in Early Childhood and Primary Education. In this module the students will be able to develop the key competences for sustainability in an equitable way. The main SDG worked on is the SDG 4 "Quality Education", in addition to SDG 10 "Reduction inequalities", SDG 16 "Peace, justice and strong institutions", and cross-cutting SDG 17 "Partnerships for the goals". The main strength of this project is its replicative effect on society, contributing to the achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) outlined in the Agenda 2030. Therefore, this module aims to pave the way for the development of sustainable projects with a significant impact, thereby sowing the seed of change in students and also in their future classrooms, which will be shaped by the society of today and tomorrow., Desde la Organización de las Naciones Unidas para la Educación, la Ciencia y la Cultura (UNESCO) se trabaja en el fomento de una Educación para el Desarrollo Sostenible (EDS), siendo esta un propósito fundamental para alcanzar los Objetivos de Desarrollo Sostenible (ODS) que integran la Agenda 2030 aprobada por la Asamblea General de la Organización de Naciones Unidas (ONU) el 25 de septiembre de 2015. Una de las iniciativas recientes del Instituto Internacional de la UNESCO para la Educación Superior en América Latina y el Caribe, IESALC (UNESCO-IESALC) y de la Asociación para el Diseño Pedagógico y Educación para el Desarrollo Sostenible (ALDESD) ha sido la organización en 2022 del Bootcamp de Diseño Pedagógico y EDS, contexto en el que se enmarca el presente trabajo. Se presenta el proyecto de diseño de un módulo específico de formación de 20 horas de duración distribuidas a lo largo de 5 semanas, e integrado como complemento formativo de 1 ECTS dentro de los estudios de Grado en Educación Infantil y Primaria, donde el alumnado va a poder desarrollar las competencias clave para la sostenibilidad de manera equitativa. El principal ODS trabajado es el ODS 4 “Educación de Calidad”, además del ODS 10 “Reducción de desigualdades”, el ODS 16 “Paz, justicia e instituciones sólidas”, y de manera transversal el ODS 17 “Alianzas para lograr los objetivos”. La principal fortaleza de este proyecto es el efecto replicador que tendrá en la sociedad, ayudando al cumplimiento de los ODS señalados en la Agenda 2030. Por tanto, este módulo pretende mostrar el camino para desarrollar proyectos sostenibles de impacto sembrando así la semilla del cambio en los estudiantes, pero también en sus futuras aulas formadas por la sociedad del hoy y del mañana. more...

Myzus persicae and Aphis gossypii (Hemiptera: Aphididae) are two of the most significant aphid species acting as vectors for plant viruses in vegetable crops worldwide. This work provides new knowledge relating the persistence (including population growth and survival) and impact on aphid probing and feeding behaviour of plant essential oil-derived products. Modifications in M. persicae behaviour (EPG results) were noted in plants treated with 0.2% nanoemulsions of distilled lemon oil: (1) the non-probing activity lasted longer, (2) both non-phloematic probing and phloem ingestion activities of aphids were shorter, and (3) xylem ingestion activity and the time taken to achieve sustained phloem ingestion appear to be longer. Finally, a slight increase was also observed in the mean duration of the non-probing activity of M. persicae on plants treated with 0.2% nanoemulsions of farnesol. When pepper plants were sprayed with a 0.2% nanoemulsion of farnesol with Tween 80® (1:2), the population growth of M. persicae colonies on treated plants was slower (40 aphids/plant) than on controls (60 aphids/plant) up to the day seven. The slope of the aphid population growth line corresponding to the formulated mixture of bioactive volatiles was lower (2.26 b) and statistically significant in comparison with the control (7.09 a), probably due to a controlled-release effect up to day 14. No systemic effects were obtained for the bioactive volatiles tested. more...

To avoid the activation of plant defenses and ensure sustained feeding, aphids are assumed to use their mouthparts to deliver effectors into plant cells. A recent study has shown that effectors detected near feeding sites are differentially distributed in plant tissues. However, the precise process of effector delivery into specific plant compartments is unknown. The acrostyle, a cuticular organ located at the tip of maxillary stylets that transiently binds plant viruses via its stylin proteins, may participate in this specific delivery process. Here, we demonstrate that Mp10, a saliva effector released into the plant cytoplasm during aphid probing, binds to the acrostyles of Acyrthosiphon pisum and Myzus persicae. The effector probably interacts with Stylin-03 as a lowered Mp10-binding to the acrostyle was observed upon RNAi-mediated reduction in Stylin-03 production. In addition, Stylin-03 and Stylin-01 RNAi aphids exhibited changes in their feeding behavior as evidenced by electrical penetration graph experiments showing longer aphid probing behaviors associated with watery saliva release into the cytoplasm of plant cells. Taken together, these data demonstrate that the acrostyle also has effector binding capacity and supports its role in the delivery of aphid effectors into plant cells. more...

The bacterium Xylella fastidiosa (Xf) is an invasive insect-borne pathogen, which causes lethal diseases to important crops including olives, citrus, almonds and grapes as well as numerous forest, ornamental, and uncultivated plants. Outbreaks of Xf-related plant diseases are currently occurring in the Mediterranean region, causing substantial losses to various agricultural sectors. Several models have recently been published to identify which regions are at highest risk in Europe; however, such models did not consider the insect vectors, which constitute the key driver of short-range Xf spread. We fitted bioclimatic species distribution models to depict the macroclimatic preferences of the meadow spittlebug Philaenus spumarius L. (1978) (Hemiptera: Aphrophoridae), the major epidemiologically relevant vector currently responsible for Xf spread in the Europe. Many regions of Western Europe and Mediterranean basin are predicted by models as highly climatically suitable for this vector, including all regions where severe Xf have occurred so far. Conversely, the driest and warmest areas of the Mediterranean basin are predicted as little suitable for P. spumarius. Models forecast that agricultural-important parts of the southern Mediterranean area might experience a substantial decrease in climatic suitability for P. spumarius by the period 2040–2060. Areas predicted as highly suitable just for the bacterium but not optimal for this vector are apparently still free of severe Xf outbreaks, suggesting that climate tolerances of P. spumarius might partly explain the current spatial pattern of Xf outbreaks in Europe and should always be considered in further risk assessments. more...

[BACKGROUND] Insecticides are essential, though controversial tools in modern pest management. Insecticides can slow the spread of key vector-borne plant pathogens, but often lead to inconsistent results given that insecticide use is generally focused on acute toxicity under no-choice conditions. Here, we analysed the lethal (survival) and sublethal (feeding behaviour) effects of six commercial products (acetamiprid, deltamethrin, spinosad, sulfoxaflor, pyrethrin and kaolin) on Philaenus spumarius, vector of the bacterium Xylella fastidiosa. Furthermore, we assessed the impact of insecticides displaying different degrees of acute toxicity against spittlebugs (highest to lowest: acetamiprid, pyrethrin and kaolin) on the transmission of X. fastidiosa by P. spumarius under both free-choice and no-choice conditions., [RESULTS] Deltamethrin, acetamiprid and to a limited extent pyrethrin significantly altered the feeding behaviour of P. spumarius. Deltamethrin and acetamiprid were highly toxic against P. spumarius, but the mortality induced by exposure to pyrethrin was limited overall. By contrast, spinosad, sulfoxaflor and kaolin did not significantly impact P. spumarius feeding behaviour or survival. Under no-choice conditions, both pyrethrin and acetamiprid reduced the X. fastidiosa inoculation rate compared with kaolin and the control. On the other hand, pyrethrin reduced transmission, but acetamiprid failed to significantly affect bacterial inoculation under free-choice conditions., [CONCLUSION] Pyrethrin was the only compound able to reduce X. fastidiosa transmission under both free-choice and no-choice conditions. Xylella fastidiosa management strategy based exclusively on the evaluation of insecticide acute toxicity under no-choice conditions would most likely fail to prevent, or slow, bacterial spread. more...

Philaenus spumarius is a vector of Xylella fastidiosa, one of the most dangerous plants pathogenic bacteria worldwide. There is currently no control measure against this pathogen. Thus, the development of vector control strategies, like generalist predators, such as spiders, could be essential to limit the spread of this vector-borne pathogen. In this study, a polymerase chain reaction (PCR)-based approach was developed to principally detect DNA of P. spumarius in the spider’s gut. Accordingly, 20 primer pairs, targeting the mitochondrial cytochrome oxidase I (COI) and cytochrome b (cytB) genes, were tested for specificity, sensitivity, and efficiency in detecting P. spumarius DNA. Overall, two primer sets, targeting COI gene (COI_Ph71F/COI_Ph941R) and the cytB gene (cytB_Ph85F/cytB_Ph635R), showed the highest specificity and sensitivity, being able to amplify 870 pb and 550 bp fragments, respectively, with P. spumarius DNA concentrations 100-fold lower than that of the DNA of non-target species. Among these two primer sets, the cytB_Ph85F/cytB_Ph635R was able to detect P. spumarius in the spider Xysticus acerbus, reaching 50% detection success 82 h after feeding. The feasibility of this primer set to detect predation of P. spumarius by spiders was confirmed in the field, where 20% of the collected spiders presented positive amplifications. more...

[Background] The unexpected Xylella fastidiosa (Xf) outbreak in Europe has led to aggressive management of the disease in recent years. As there is no cure for infected plants, management of vector populations is mandatory to contain the spread of Xf in infected areas. We aimed to assess the suitability of plant species commonly used as cover crops for the population growth of Philaenus spumarius L. (Aphrophoridae). Thus, we conducted a series of no-choice and multiple-choice assays to assess the oviposition preference of P. spumarius adults as well as the development and mortality rate of nymphs on 10 candidate plant species under laboratory and semi-field conditions. Our results will help to design ecological infrastructures, including a pull-push strategy for effective management of Xf vectors in olive groves., [Results] Results showed that Anthriscus cerefolium is a suitable plant to enhance oviposition but has a lethal effect on the first nymphal instars of P. spumarius. Moreover, Diplotaxis tenuifolia is not suitable for oviposition or nymphal development. Sinapis alba does not enhance oviposition but is suitable for nymphal development with a medium-high cumulative mortality of the nymphs. Conversely, adults and nymphs had a high preference and low mortality on Taraxacum officinale, and nymphs showed a medium-high preference on Lavandula angustifolia, suggesting that these two species should be avoided as ground cover plants on Xf-susceptible crops., [Conclusion] The results obtained in our study open new ways to manage the vectors of Xf by using specific plant species as ground cover, which in turn will reduce the spread and prevalence of Xf. © 2022 Society of Chemical Industry. more...

Inter-virus relationships in mixed infections and virus-drought relationships are important in agriculture and natural vegetation. In this quantitative review, we sampled published factorial experiments to probe for relationships against the null hypothesis of additivity. Our sample captured antagonistic, additive, and synergistic inter-virus relationships in double infections. Virus-drought relationships in our sample were additive or antagonistic, reinforcing the notion that viruses have neutral or positive effects on droughted plants, or that drought enhances plant tolerance to viruses. Both inter-virus and virus-drought relationships vary with virus species, host plant to the level of cultivar or accession, timing of infection, plant age and trait, and growing conditions. The trait-dependence of these relationships has implications for resource allocation in plants. Owing to lagging theories, more experimental research in these fields is bound to return phenomenological outcomes. Theoretical work can advance in two complementary directions. First, effective theory that models the behaviour of the system without specifying all the underlying causes that lead to system state change. Second, mechanistic theory based on a nuanced view of the plant phenotype that explicitly considers downward causation; the influence of the plant phenotype on inter-virus relations and vice versa; the impact of timing, intensity and duration of drought interacting with viruses to modulate the plant phenotype; and both the soil (moisture) and atmospheric vapour pressure deficit) aspects of drought. Theories should scale in time, from short term to full growing season, and in levels of organisation up to the relevant traits: crop yield in agriculture and fitness in nature. more...

The most effective way to contain spread of the plant pathogen Xylella fastidiosa in Europe is to manage populations of its main insect vector, Philaenus spumarius L. (Hemiptera: Aphrophoridae). The action of some entomopathogenic endophytic fungi (EEF) on insect pests, directly through contact or indirectly by internal colonization of host plant tissues, may offer an excellent control option within integrated pest management (IPM) programmes. This study evaluated the impact of two EEF strains as control agents of P. spumarius (Metarhizium brunneum strain EAMa 01/58-Su and Beauveria bassiana strain EABb 01/33-Su [Hypocreales: Clavicipitaceae and Cordycipitaceae, respectively]); both strains were known to be excellent control agents of many other serious chewing and sap-sucking agricultural pests. First, the pathogenicity of strains applied directly to P. spumarius adults was evaluated, resulting in 50.0% and 32.0% mortality and a mean survival time of 4.7 and 6.2 days for M. brunneum and B. bassiana, respectively. Furthermore, colonization of Sonchus oleraceus by EEFs was observed after both soil and foliar applications. Greatest colonization (91.0%) was observed in plants treated with foliar applications of M. brunneum. Based on these results, we evaluated the feeding behaviour of P. spumarius on S. oleraceus plants previously colonized by M. brunneum using the ‘Electrical Penetration Graph’ technique. P. spumarius fed in a similar way on EEF-colonized and non-colonized S. oleraceus plants, with the exception that insects feeding on colonized plants reached xylem vessels faster than insects feeding on non-colonized plants. In addition, significantly higher mortality of P. spumarius was observed when feeding on plants treated by M. brunneum compared with the control. The duration of xylem ingestion events indicates that P. spumarius preferred to feed on basal leaves of the plant compared with apical leaves. Our results indicate strong potential for strain EAMa 01/58 more...

Philaenus spumarius L., the main vector of Xylella fastidiosa (Wells) in Europe, is a univoltine species that overwinters in the egg stage, and its nymphs emerge in late winter or spring. Predicting the time of egg hatching is essential for determining the precise times for deploying control strategies against insect pests. Here, we monitored P. spumarius eggs from oviposition to egg hatching together with the daily temperatures and relative humidities at four field locations that were located at different altitudes in central Spain. The collected data were used to build a growing degree day (GDD) model to forecast egg hatching in the Iberian Peninsula. Furthermore, the model was validated with field observations that were conducted in Spain. The model was then used as a decision-support tool to calculate the optimum timing for applying control actions against P. spumarius. Our results suggest that controlling nymphs at two different dates would target the highest percentages of nymphal populations present in the field. Our model represents a first step for predicting the emergence of nymphs and adopting timely control actions against P. spumarius. These actions could limit disease spread in areas where X. fastidiosa is present. more...

Ultraviolet (UV) radiation that reaches the earth surface has increased substantially in the past decades, altering insect–plant interactions by directly affecting herbivores behavior or indirectly by modifying plant chemistry and morphogenesis. We evaluated the indirect effect of supplementary UV radiation under glasshouse conditions on Bemisia tabaci settlement, eggplant (Solanum melongena L.) production and its effects on the flight activity of Nesidiocoris tenuis and Sphaerophoria rueppellii. Eggplants were daily radiated with different supplemental UV treatments, A +/B +, A −/B + or A −/B −, during 30, 60 or 90 min for 21 days. The whitefly settlement was assessed immediately after the UV treatments or after 18 extra days on plants kept under regular glasshouse conditions with no further supplemental UV radiation. The number of whitefly settled on plants was counted after 2, 6, 24 and 48 h. Supplementary UV radiation reduced whitefly settlement for all exposure times with alterations on the morphology and increased nitrogen and amino acid content of eggplants, mainly after 90 min of UV radiation exposition. When plants were allowed to recover under regular light conditions, growth traits were similar, and whiteflies showed no preference. Fruit parameters were not negatively altered by supplementary UV radiation. Natural enemy captures per sticky trap were more abundant under A −/B + and A +/B + conditions; however, indirect host preference tests indicated no differences among treatments. In conclusion, supplementary UV radiation could be used to reduce whitefly infestation in glasshouses at the early stages of plant development without detrimental effects on crop yield or beneficial orientation. more...

[EN] The recent emergence of Xylella fastidiosa in Europe is a major threat to agriculture, including olive, almond and grape. Philaenus spumarius is the predominant vector of X. fastidiosa in Europe. Understanding vector movement is critical for developing effective control measures against bacterial spread. In this study, our goal was to set up a flight-mill protocol to assess P. spumarius flight potential and to analyse how different variables may affect its flight behaviour. We found that P. spumarius was able to fly approximate to 500 m in 30 min with a maximum single flight of 5.5 km in 5.4 h. Based on the observations, the flight potential of the females was higher in spring and autumn than in summer, and that of the males was highest in autumn. Moreover, we found that P. spumarius had a higher flight potential during the morning and the night than during the afternoon. Our results revealed that P. spumarius is likely to disperse much further than the established sizes of the infected and buffer zones designated by the EU. This knowledge on the flight potential of P. spumarius will be critical for improving management actions against P. spumarius and the spread of X. fastidiosa in Europe. more...

Mental health interventions via videoconferencing have become increasingly relevant. However, the scientific corpus still seems to be underdeveloped. Therefore, the aim of the present review is to gather the available evidence on the use of videoconferencing in psychological and psychiatric care in the Spanishspeaking context. Through a careful search process, scientific studies focused on videoconferencing intervention were examined. Of the 1.569 studies analyzed, 30 met the criteria for typology analysis and 7 of them are included in the review. The findings of the studies found were analyzed using six basic criteria: Amount of information, adherence to treatment, therapeutic alliance, geographical barriers, patient satisfaction and response to treatment. The results of the studies showed positive data on videoconferencing in the six criteria evaluated. It is concluded that the studies point to the usefulness of videoconferencing in mental health care. However, due to the small number of studies conducted in a Spanish-speaking context and the disparity in the criteria and methodologies used among them, the conclusions should be considered preliminary. Some recommendations for future research are made., Las intervenciones en salud mental mediante videoconferencia han adquirido cada vez más relevancia. Sin embargo, el corpus científico parece aún poco desarrollado. Así, el objetivo de la presente revisión es recoger la evidencia disponible acerca de la utilización de la videoconferencia en la atención psicológica y psiquiátrica en el contexto hispanohablante. Mediante un cuidadoso proceso de búsqueda, se examinaron los estudios científicos centrados en la intervención por videoconferencia. De los 1.569 estudios analizados 30 cumplieron los criterios para el análisis de tipología y de ellos 7 se incluyen en la revisión. Se analizaron los hallazgos de los estudios encontrados utilizando seis criterios básicos: Cantidad de información, adherencia al tratamiento, alianza terapéutica, barreras geográficas, satisfacción de los pacientes y respuesta al tratamiento. Los resultados arrojados por los estudios reflejaron datos positivos de la videoconferencia en los seis criterios evaluados. Así, se concluye que los estudios apuntan a la conveniencia del uso de la videoconferencia en la atención en salud mental. Sin embargo, debido al reducido número de estudios desarrollados en contexto hispanohablante y la disparidad en cuanto a criterios y metodologías empleadas entre éstos, las conclusiones deben considerarse preliminares. Se arrojan algunas recomendaciones para futuras investigaciones. more...

The green peach aphid Myzus persicae Sulzer is the main vector of the semipersistently transmitted and phloem-limited Beet yellows virus (BYV, Closterovirus). Studies monitoring the M. persicae probing behavior by using the Electrical penetration graphs (EPG) technique revealed that inoculation of BYV occurs during unique brief intracellular punctures (phloem-pds) produced in companion and/or sieve element cells. Intracellular stylet punctures (or pds) are subdivided in three subphases (II-1, II-2 and II-3), which have been related to the delivery or uptake of non-phloem limited viruses transmitted in a non-persistent or semipersistent manner. As opposed to non-phloem limited viruses, the specific pd subphase(s) involved in the successful delivery of phloem limited viruses by aphids remain unknown. Therefore, we monitored the feeding process of BYV-carrying M. persicae individuals in sugar beet plants by the EPG technique and the feeding process was artificially terminated at each phloem-pd subphase. Results revealed that aphids that only performed the subphase II-1 of the phloem-pd transmitted BYV at similar efficiency than those allowed to perform subphase II-2 or the complete phloem-pd. This result suggests that BYV inoculation occurs during the first subphase of the phloem-pd. The specific transmission mechanisms involved in BYV delivery in phloem cells are discussed. more...

[EN] Results provided by a panel of experts reveal that some of the vital challenges facing Agroecology in the near future involve its contribution to Climate Action, to increasing biodiversity or to the co-creation of knowledge by researchers and farmers, as well as the application of criteria of Circular Bioeconomy to agro-food production and distribution. Other noteworthy challenges refer to the design of agroecosystems at landscape scale or the creation of agroecological local food systems enabling an upscaling of production and consumption, [ES] Los resultados de un panel de expertos reflejan que algunos importantes desafíos que tiene la Agroecología cara al futuro próximo son su contribución a la Acción por el Clima, a la mejora de la biodiversidad o a la co-creación de conocimiento entre investigadores y campesinos, así como la aplicación de criterios de Bioeconomía Circular en la producción y distribución agroalimentarias. El diseño de agroecosistemas a escala de paisaje o la creación de sistemas alimentarios locales agroecológicos que posibiliten un salto de escala de la producción y el consumo constituyen también otros retos destacables. more...