Search

The effects of entomopathogenic nematodes EPN (Steinernematidae and Heterorhabditidae) and fungi EPF (Beauveria bassiana) strains were evaluated in laboratory assays against larvae of four xylophag...

The global and continuous increasing decline of honey bees over the last decade has driven several research programs to tackle biotic and abiotic causes threatening this important insect species. Among the biotic factors, several positive-sense RNA viruses have been recently associated with colony decline, and a widespread occurrence of the DNA virus "Apis mellifera filamentous virus (AmFV)" has also been reported. However, the pathogenicity of this virus on the infected colonies is still questioned, being rarely associated to acute infections or colony losses. In this work we investigated the occurrence of AmFV in the apiaries in the Apulia region (southern Italy) using conventional PCR and high-throughput sequencing (HTS). More than 35 apiaries were visited between 2017 and 2018, and about 380 honey bee specimens consisting of adults, pupae, larvae of the worker bees and in some cases queen pupae were collected and tested by PCR as groups using two diagnostic primers that amplify two partial region of the Thymidylate synthase gene and the BRO-N gene, respectively. From two apiaries where trembling and weak bees were found, specimens were collected and extracted total RNA subjected to HTS. PCR results showed the occurrence of AmFV in all sampled colonies with only two negative samples: (i) one sample consisting of 20 adult bees collected in Copertino (LE) and (ii) one sample consisting of two died pupae collected from queen cell in an apiary located in Lecce. The overall AmFV-infection rate in the Apulian colonies was approximately 91%. The nucleotide sequence determined for a selected representative AmFV positive sample, showed that based on the phylogenetic analysis of the thymidylate synthase gene and Bro gene sequences, the Apulian isolate shared more than 98% of nucleotide identity with isolates previously characterized in Belgium, Switzerland and China. The presence of this virus in the diseased-colonies was also confirmed by HTS: two large contigs (3604bp and 2112bp) were assembled from the sequence dataset and shared up to 99% similarity- at nucleotide level- with sequences of AmFV previously reported from Switzerland. This is the first detection of AmFV infections on A. mellifera populations in Italy by HTS and PCR. HTS technology proved to be a rapid tool for identifying viruses in honeybees. Analyses are still ongoing on the recovered sequence dataset to identify other putative viral agents. Although limited information is available on the potential impact of AmFV, the wide distribution of this virus in the Apulian colonies should be of concern for the healthy status of honey bee in the region.

In this study, we documented the complete coding genome sequence of a Black queen cell virus (BQCV) isolate from honey bees in Italy. This genome sequence illustrates a high similarity with other BQCV isolates reported worldwide and could provide insights into BQCV genome phylogeny and divergence.

In this study, we documented the complete coding genome sequence of a Black queen cell virus (BQCV) isolate from honey bees in Italy. This genome sequence illustrates a high similarity with other BQCV isolates reported worldwide and could provide insights into BQCV genome phylogeny and divergence.

Fructophilic lactic acid bacteria (FLAB) are strongly associated with the gastrointestinal tracts (GITs) of Apis mellifera L. worker bees due to the consumption of fructose as a major carbohydrate. Seventy-seven presumptive lactic acid bacteria (LAB) were isolated from GITs of healthy A. mellifera L. adults, which were collected from 5 different geographical locations of the Apulia region of Italy. Almost all of the isolates showed fructophilic tendencies: these isolates were identified as Lactobacillus kunkeei (69%) or Fructobacillus fructosus (31%). A high-throughput phenotypic microarray targeting 190 carbon sources was used to determine that 83 compounds were differentially consumed. Phenotyping grouped the strains into two clusters, reflecting growth performance. The utilization of phenolic acids, such as p -coumaric, caffeic, syringic, or gallic acids, as electron acceptors was investigated in fructose-based medium. Almost all FLAB strains showed tolerance to high phenolic acid concentrations. p -Coumaric acid and caffeic acid were consumed by all FLAB strains through reductases or decarboxylases. Syringic and gallic acids were partially metabolized. The data collected suggest that FLAB require external electron acceptors to regenerate NADH. The use of phenolic acids as external electron acceptors by the 4 FLAB showing the highest phenolic acid reductase activity was investigated in glucose-based medium supplemented with p -coumaric acid. Metabolic responses observed through a phenotypic microarray suggested that FLAB may use p -coumaric acid as an external electron acceptor, enhancing glucose dissimilation but less efficiently than other external acceptors such as fructose or pyruvic acid. IMPORTANCE Fructophilic lactic acid bacteria (FLAB) remain to be fully explored. This study intends to link unique biochemical features of FLAB with their habitat. The quite unique FLAB phenome within the group lactic acid bacteria (LAB) may have practical relevance in food fermentations. The FLAB phenome may have implications for the levels of hexose metabolism products in fermented foods, as well as food probiotication. Due to the harsh conditions of honeybees' GITs, these bacteria had to develop specific physiological and biochemical characteristics, such as tolerance to phenolic acids. The screening of FLAB strains based on metabolic pathways involving phenolic acids may allow the selection of starter cultures with both technological and functional beneficial attributes. Bioconversion of phenolic compounds may contribute to the aroma attributes and biofunctionality of fermented foods. Thus, the selection of FLAB strains as starter cultures with specific enzymatic activities involving phenolic acids may have a promising role in food fermentations.

During the spring of 2006, the main Syrian citrus-growing areas of Lattakia (Jableh, Aledyye, Eseelya, Siano, and Hresoon provinces) and Tartous (Almintar, Aljammase, Karto, Majdaloonelbahr, Yahmour, Amreet, Althawra, and Safita provinces) were surveyed to assess the presence of Citrus tristeza virus (CTV). Eight nurseries (approximately 130 plants per nursery), two budwood source fields (approximately 230 trees per field), and 19 groves (approximately 60 trees per grove) containing the main citrus varieties were visually inspected and sampled for serological assays. The hierarchical sampling method was carried out in each selected grove (2). Infected samples were collected from two nurseries, two budwood source fields, and six groves. Stems and leaf petioles from nursery trees and flower explants from the groves were collected and analyzed for CTV by direct tissue blot immunoassay (DTBIA) with the commercial kit from Plantprint (Valencia, Spain). Of 2,653 samples tested, 89 (4%) CTV-infected plants were detected. Five citrus varieties were found to be infected and Meyer lemon (Citrus limon ‘Meyer’) had the highest incidence at 16%. Numerous sweet orange varieties (Citrus sinensis L.) were found to be highly infected in the field, but only the Washington navel sweet orange was found to be infected in the nurseries. No clear CTV symptoms were observed during the survey. Samples that were positive for CTV by DTBIA were also positive by biological indexing on Mexican lime (C. aurantifolia) and immunocapture-reverse transcription-PCR as described by Nolasco et al. (3). Coat protein gene sequences obtained from five selected clones of a Syrian CTV isolate (GenBank Accession No. EU626555) showed more than 99 and 98% nucleotide sequence identity to a Jordanian CTV isolate (GenBank Accession No. AY550252) and the VT isolate (GenBank Accession No. U56902), respectively. Almost all infected samples induced moderate vein clearing symptoms when grafted to Mexican lime. Symptoms of vein clearing, leaf cupping, stunting, and stem pitting on Mexican lime were induced by graft transmission of CTV from one Valencia sample from the Tartous area. The viral inoculum is widely and randomly distributed in commercial groves, especially in the southern Tartous area and in some nurseries. To our knowledge, this is the first report of CTV in Syria. However, CTV was reported from the neighboring citrus-growing countries of Lebanon, Turkey, and Jordan (1), and the severe seedling yellows strain is present in this area, which poses a potential threat to Syrian citriculture. References: (1) G. H. Anfoka et al. Phytopathol. Mediterr. 44:17, 2005. (2) G. Hughes and T. R. Gottwald, Phytopathology 88:715, 1998. (3) G. Nolasco et al. Eur. J. Plant Pathol. 108:293, 2002.

The following new Zodarion species are described from Italy: Zodarion pantaleonii Bosmans & Pantini spec. nov. and Z. pseudonigriceps Bosmans & Pantini spec. nov., both from Sardinia, Z. montesacrense Bosmans spec. nov. and Z. valentii Bosmans, Loverre & Addante spec. nov., both from Puglia, Z. valentii also occurs in Sicily. Zodarion sp., described from Greece in 2009, is the unknown female of Zodarion zorbaBosmans, 2009. Zodarion gracilitibiale Denis, 1934 is new for Italy. New records for 43 other European Zodarion species are presented.

Introduction: The tomato leaf miner Tuta absoluta (Meyrick, 1917) is a key pest for solanaceous crops, mostly tomato and potato, in many areas of the World. Aims: In this study we present evidences that T. absoluta adults, both males and females, feed on tomato leaves by proboscis. Materials and Methods: Observation were given by a digital camera-equipped stereoscope and confirmed by a Cryo-SEM. Results: We describe and illustrate the adult feeding behaviour and the consequent wounds and scars on the leaves. Discussion and conclusions: A discussion about the role of this unusual behaviour in tomato leafminer biology is given.

Hereditary gingival fibromatosis (HGF) is a rare, genetically transmitted disorder that only affects approximately 1 in 750,000 people. HGF is principally transmitted as an autosomal dominant trait. Autosomal recessive transmission has been reported infrequently in the literature. HGF primarily has its onset with the eruption of the permanent dentition, but it can also occur with the eruption of the primary dentition and can on rare occasions be present at birth. The gingival enlargement can be generalized or localized, and can vary in severity. HGF can be on isolated entity or be part of a syndrome. The purpose of this case report was to describe the early onset of nonsyndromic hereditary gingival fibromatosis in a 28-month-old who had severe generalized gingival hyperplasia. Treatment consisted of surgically uncovering 16 primary teeth. Future surgical intervention will likely be required.

In 1992 observations on western flower thrips (WFT) were made in curtain reared vineyards of Apulia (Southern Italy). During winter WFT was not found in soil or under the stump bark, but overwintered on wild and cultivated blooming plants. In May, populations increased on blooming citrus, olive plants and greenhouse crops, then migrated into neighboring vineyards. On grape-vine, WFT appeared soon after sprouting and were almost simultaneously caught on the colored sticky traps. Females reached a peak during fruit-setting, while larval stages peaked 3 wk later. In mid-June females migrated from the vines to other blooming plants. Adults and larvae disappeared as the grapes ripened. A light infestation was seen from the end of July to mid-September. The highest number of thrips on the traps was recorded shortly after the adult peak on the vine. Blue traps caught 3 times more thrips than yellow ones. The sex ratio favored females until fruit setting, then males predominated in the first half of August and at harvest.