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Heterospilus sicanus (Marshall, 1888) is redescribed and illustrated based on the holotype of Dendrosoter sicanus Marshall, 1888 and on recently collected material from its type locality (Sicily, Italy). Previous host records for this species are unreliable. Here, the host of H. sicanus, the rare ptinid beetle Gastrallus pubens Fairmaire, 1875, is recorded for the first time, having been reared in a historic library in Palermo, Italy. Heterospilus sicanus is compared with the similar species Telebolus (= Heterospilus) corsicus Marshall, 1888, which was described in the same monograph from Corsica (France), and it is also redescribed and illustrated. Atoreuteus ceballosi Docavo Alberti, 1960, syn. nov. is synonymised under Heterospilus sicanus (Marshall, 1888), and Hormiopterus (= Rhaconotus) ollivieri Giraud var. flava Fahringer, 1931, syn. nov. is a junior synonym of Heterospilus cephi Rohwer, 1925. A key for determination of the Western Palaearctic Heterospilus species with a striate vertex is provided and the distributions of H. sicanus and H. corsicus are discussed.

Volatile organic compounds (VOCs) are secondary metabolites through which plants interact with the environment. Upon interaction with a stressor, a blend of plant VOC changes for an increasing amount of constitutive phytochemicals and/or for phytochemicals synthesized de novo. These latter compounds are referred as induced-VOCs. We previously showed that, on Arabidopsis thaliana Col-0 plants, VOCs blend induced via jasmonic acid-related pathway by pre-inoculation with the necrotrophic fungal pathogen Botrytis cinerea significantly reduced both plant choice and feeding damage related to the piercing sucking insect Eurydema oleracea infestation. Continuing to study the same tripartite combination, we here demonstrated that VOCs released by Arabidopsis immediately after E. oleracea infestation directly inhibited the in vitro growth of B. cinerea and indirectly reduced leaf damage caused by the pathogen, triggering the jasmonic acid-mediated pathway. Insect priming of defence against B. cinerea was short-term. Together with our previous findings, this study contributes to the knowledge on the tripartite plant-microbe-insect interaction and on the role of VOCs in the communication between plants and the other organisms of a natural community.

Background: The aim of this study is to define and determine the rate of acute non-A–non-B aortic dissections, and to evaluate CT angiography findings and possible complications, as well as to discuss management strategies and currently available therapy. Non-A non-B type of aortic dissection is still a grey area in the radiologist’s mind, such that it is not entirely clear what should be reported and completed in terms of this disease. Methods: A retrospective single-center study including 36 pre-treatment CT angiograms of consecutive patients (mean age: 61 years) between January 2012 and December 2022 with aortic dissection involving the aortic arch with/without the thoracic descending/abdominal aorta (type non-A non-B). Results: According to the dissection anatomy, we identified three modalities of spontaneous acute non-A–non-B anatomical configurations. Configuration 1 (n = 25) with descending-entry tear and retrograde arch extension (DTA entry). Configuration 2 (n = 4) with Arch entry tear and isolated arch involvement (Arch alone). Configuration 3 (n = 7) with Arch entry and anterograde descending (±abdominal) aorta involvement (Arch entry). CT angiogram findings, management, and treatment options are described. Conclusions: Acute non-A non-B dissection represents an infrequent occurrence of aortic arch dissection (with or without involvement of the descending aorta) that does not extend to the ascending aorta. The complete understanding of its natural progression, distinct CT angiography subtypes, optimal management, and treatment strategies remains incomplete. Within our series, patients frequently exhibit a complex clinical course, often necessitating a more assertive approach to treatment compared to type B dissections.

The khapra beetle, Trogoderma granarium, poses a significant threat as a post-harvest pest in stored products and stands out as a crucial quarantine concern globally. Unlike many other stored product pests, this species proved challenging to manage using conventional insecticides and alternative non-chemical methods. The exploration of plant-based natural products, particularly essential oils, as alternatives arises in response to challenges associated with the prolonged use of synthetic insecticides. While essential oils show promising activity, their use encounters challenges associated with standardization. This study investigates the feasibility of employing some single chemical compounds widespread in several essential oils with insecticidal activity as candidate insecticides, specifically limonene and methyl salicylate in contact/fumigation bioassays toward T. granarium adults. The results showed that methyl salicylate caused a lethal time of 50% (LT50) at the dose of 1 mg after 7.40 hours of exposure. The LT50 calculated for limonene was 86.83 hours while positive control using deltamethrin, used at the recommended dose of the manufacturer, was 5.20 hours after exposure. These data suggest that methyl salicylate can be exploited as a candidate for further tests in field conditions toward T. granarium also in consideration of its relative low toxicity for humans.

Immune-checkpoint inhibitors have profoundly changed cancer treatment, improving the prognosis of many oncologic patients. However, despite the good efficacy of these drugs, their mechanism of action, which involves the activation of the immune system, can lead to immune-related adverse events, which may affect almost all organs. Pulmonary adverse events are relatively common, and potentially life-threatening complications may occur. The diagnosis is challenging due to the wide and non-specific spectrum of clinical and radiological manifestations. The role of the radiologist is to recognize and diagnose pulmonary immune-related adverse events, possibly even in the early stages, to estimate their extent and guide patients’ management.

Acinetobacter baumannii (Ab) is an opportunistic Gram-negative pathogen intrinsically resistant to many antimicrobials. The aim of this retrospective study was to describe the imaging features on chest X-ray (CXR) and computed tomography (CT) scans in hospitalized patients with multidrug-resistant (MDR) Ab pneumonia. CXR and CT findings were graded on a three-point scale: 1 represents normal attenuation, 2 represents ground-glass attenuation, and 3 represents consolidation. For each lung zone, with a total of six lung zones in each patient, the extent of disease was graded using a five-point scale: 0, no involvement; 1, involving 25% of the zone; 2, 25–50%; 3, 50–75%; and 4, involving >75% of the zone. Points from all zones were added for a final total cumulative score ranging from 0 to 72. Among 94 patients who tested positive for MDR Ab and underwent CXR (males 52.9%, females 47.1%; mean age 64.2 years; range 1–90 years), 68 patients underwent both CXR and chest CT examinations. The percentage of patients with a positive CT score was significantly higher than that obtained on CXR (67.65% > 35.94%, p-value = 0.00258). CT score (21.88 ± 15.77) was significantly (p-value = 0.0014) higher than CXR score (15.06 ± 18.29). CXR and CT revealed prevalent bilateral abnormal findings mainly located in the inferior and middle zones of the lungs. They primarily consisted of peripheral ground-glass opacities and consolidations which predominated on CXR and CT, respectively.

A severe mismatch between the supply and demand of oxygen is the common sequela of all types of shock, which present a mortality of up to 80%. Various organs play a protective role in shock and contribute to whole-body homeostasis. The ever-increasing number of multidetector CT examinations in severely ill and sometimes unstable patients leads to more frequently encountered findings leading to imminent death, together called “hypovolemic shock complex”. Features on CT include dense opacification of the right heart and major systemic veins, venous layering of contrast material and blood, densely opacified parenchyma in the right hepatic lobe, decreased enhancement of the abdominal organ, a dense pulmonary artery, contrast pooling in dependent lungs, and contrast stasis in pulmonary veins. These findings are biomarkers and prognostic indicators of paramount importance which stratify risk and improve patient outcomes. In this review, we illustrate the various CT patterns in shock and review the spectrum and prognostic significance of thoraco-abdominal vascular and visceral alarming signs of impending death with the intention of increasing awareness among radiologists and radiographers to prepare for immediate resuscitation when required.

Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) is the gold-standard technique for evaluating muscle fatty infiltration and muscle atrophy due to its high contrast resolution. It can differentiate muscular from adipose tissue accurately. MRI can also quantify the adipose content within muscle bellies with several sequences such as T1-mapping, T2-mapping, spectroscopy, Dixon, intra-voxel incoherent motion, and diffusion tensor imaging. The main fields of interest in musculoskeletal radiology for a quantitative MRI evaluation of muscular fatty infiltration include neuro-muscular disorders such as myopathies, and dystrophies. Sarcopenia is another important field in which the evaluation of the degree of muscular fat infiltration or muscular hypotrophy is required for a correct diagnosis. This review highlights several MRI techniques and sequences focusing on quantitative methods of assessing adipose tissue and muscle atrophy.

As part of the studies on the morphological color variation of insects, a case study on the seasonal body color variation of Cirrospilus pictus (Nees) (Hymenoptera: Eulophidae: Eulophinae) parasitoid of leafminers is reported. Observations were made from January 2000 to December 2003 in north-western Sicily (Italy), in relation to sex, body regions of adults and seasonal periods. Wasps parasitizing Phyllocnistis citrella Stainton (Lepidoptera: Gracillariidae) were collected from organic citrus orchards (Citrus limon L., var. “Femminello zagara bianca” and “Femminello comune”). Adults were grouped in classes: yellow males, black males, yellow females, yellow–black females and black females. The results highlighted a phenotypic pigmentation variation in the head, thorax, gaster and legs of individuals influenced by the season of sampling. Adults were yellow–green in summer months, whereas individuals with dark pigmentation were found in autumn and winter months. A correlation between color patterns and seasonal temperatures was found for both females and males. This work provides a contribution to the description of the intraspecific variability of this species, improving its identification.

The citrus tristeza virus (CTV) is an agent of devastating epidemics of the citrus plant grafted on Citrus aurantium, one of the main rootstocks still used in the Mediterranean area. Consequently, CTV-tolerant alternative citrus rootstocks are considered necessary to manage this disease and/or its vector; that in Mediterranean countries is the aphid Aphis gossypii. In this study, we analyzed the VOCs emitted from Citrus sinensis plants grafted on the CTV-susceptible C. aurantium and on the CTV-tolerant Volkamer lemon, Forner-Alcaide no. 5, and Carrizo citrange. Furthermore, the aphid preference/avoidance response toward these combinations was evaluated in a semi-field experiment. The VOC profiles recorded on the leaves of C. sinensis grafted on the four rootstocks listed above showed significant differences in the abundances and ratios of the compounds emitted. The behavioral experiments indicated that A. gossypii prefers to orient and establish on the C. sinensis plants grafted on C. aurantium rather than on that grafted on the three CTV-tolerant varieties. The possibility that this avoidance mechanism is triggered by the different profile of the VOC emitted by the different combinations and the consequent susceptibility/tolerance shown toward CTV is discussed.

Objective: The aim of our study was to assess the effect of a short-term treatment with low-moderate corticosteroid (CS) doses by both a quantitative and qualitative assessment of chest HRCT of COVID-19 pneumonia. Methods: CORTICOVID is a single-center, cross-sectional, retrospective study involving severe/critical COVID-19 patients with mild/moderate ARDS. Lung total severity score was obtained according to Chung and colleagues. Moreover, the relative percentages of lung total severity score by ground glass opacities, consolidations, crazy paving, and linear bands were computed. Chest HRCT scores, P/F ratio, and laboratory parameters were evaluated before (pre-CS) and 7–10 days after (post-CS) methylprednisolone of 0.5–0.8 mg/kg/day. Findings: A total of 34 severe/critical COVID-19 patients were included in the study, of which 17 received Standard of Care (SoC) and 17 CS therapy in add-on. CS treatment disclosed a significant decrease in HRCT total severity score [median = 6 (IQR: 5–7.5) versus 10 (IQR: 9–13) in SoC, p

In this study, the chemical composition of the essential oils (EOs) obtained from different aerial parts (flowers, leaves, and stems) of Seseli bocconei Guss., a wild species endemic of Sicily, was investigated. Furthermore, the EOs’ biocidal effects towards two pests of stored products, Sitophilus oryzae and Callosobruchus maculates, were evaluated. This activity was evaluated in Petri dish bioassays to establish the survival rate of adults treated with the EOs comparing them with solvent and a commonly used insecticide (pyrethrum). The data obtained from the toxicity bioassay evidenced that stems’ EOs and leaves’ EOs have a contact/fumigation effect towards the two insect species tested, while the EOs from the flowers did not exhibit a different mortality than the solvent. The EOs from the stem and leaves of S. bocconei, tested at 10 mg/petri dish, determined a LT50 of 53.38 and 42.97 h, respectively, on S. oryzae adults, and of 45.23 and 42.97 h, respectively, on C. maculatus adults. The promising bioactivity of S. bocconei leaves’ EOs and stems’ EOs toward S. oryzae and C. maculatus is encouraging in the perspective to test these oils and their main constituents for further experiments in the laboratory and field.

The vaccination campaign and the new SARS-CoV-2 variants may have changed the clinical profile and outcomes of patients admitted to sub-intensive unit care. We conducted a retrospective study aimed to compare the clinical and radiological features of unvaccinated critical COVID-19 patients hospitalized during the last pandemic wave (December 2021–February 2022, No-Vax group) and before starting the vaccination campaign (March–December 2020, Pre-Vax group). The No-Vax group was also compared with vaccinated patients of the same pandemic wave (Vax group). With respect to the Pre-Vax group, the No-Vax group contained a higher percentage of smokers (p = 0.0007) and a lower prevalence of males (p = 0.0003). At admission, the No-Vax patients showed both a higher CT score of pneumonia and a worse severe respiratory failure (p < 0.0001). In the No-Vax group, a higher percentage of deaths occurred, though this was not significant. In comparison with the No-Vax group, the Vax patients were older (p = 0.0097), with a higher Charlson comorbidity index (p < 0.0001) and a significantly lower HRCT score (p = 0.0015). The percentage of deaths was not different between the two groups. The No-Vax patients showed a more severe disease in comparison with the Pre-Vax patients, and were younger and had fewer comorbidities than the Vax patients.

Egg parasitoids foraging for suitable hosts scattered in the environment rely mainly on chemical cues. Elucidating the chemical ecology of natural enemies is important in the development of effective and successful strategies for conservation biological control. In this context, the host cuticular hydrocarbons, which are exploited by several species of egg parasitoids as contact kairomones, could be used to retain them by providing information about the presence and the sex of adults of the target species: sex is important because only females of the host species lay the eggs that can be subsequently utilized for parasitoid reproduction. However, the chemical basis of host sex discrimination in egg parasitoids is not well understood. We carried out behavioral and chemical bioassays to investigate the role played by contact chemical cues left by adults of the brown marmorated stink bug, Halyomorpha halys Stål, in host egg searching behavior and adult host sex discrimination by the egg parasitoid Trissolcus japonicus (Ashmead). A first set of bioassays showed that parasitoids spent more time exploring patches contaminated with chemicals associated with adult H. halys females compared with adult males. Similar responses were displayed by T. japonicus when hexane extracts of H. halys were tested suggesting that non-polar chemical compounds are involved in host sex discrimination. GC-MS analysis of hexane extracts revealed quantitative differences in the cuticular compounds of the two sexes, with 1-hexadecene (more abundant in males) being the most important component in determining these differences. Hexane extracts of H. halys females blended with synthetic 1-hexadecene significantly reduced the wasps’ arrestment responses compared to crude extracts.

Most recent studies have stressed a high risk of thromboembolism in patients with SARS-CoV-2 infection, particularly in those with severe COVID-19 pneumonia. Counterbalance between angiotensin-converting-enzyme (ACE) and ACE2 activities in COVID-19 disease may be crucially involved in the thrombo-inflammatory process. Currently, no study has investigated ACE I/D polymorphism involvement in COVID-19 disease complicated by pulmonary embolism, hence the aim of the present pilot study. This is a retrospective, single-center observational case-control study, conducted at the Sub-Intensive Care Unit of A.O.R.N. Ospedali dei Colli, Cotugno Hospital, Naples (Italy). We included 68 subjects with severe/critical COVID-19 pneumonia. COVID-19 patients were divided according to occurrence of PE (PE+, n = 25) or absence of thromboembolic complications (PE−, n = 43). Assessment of ACE I/D polymorphisms showed a statistically significant difference between PE+ and PE− patients (p = 0.029). Particularly, prevalence of D/D homozygous polymorphism was significantly higher in PE+ COVID-19 patients than in PE− (72 vs. 46.5%; p = 0.048), while heterozygote I/D polymorphism was significantly lower expressed in PE+ patients than in PE− (16 vs. 48.8%; p = 0.009). Computed tomographic pulmonary angiography showed predominantly mono/bilateral sub-segmental embolisms. In conclusion, our findings let us hypothesize a genetic susceptibility to thromboembolism in COVID-19 disease. ACE D/D polymorphism might represent a genetic risk factor, although studies on larger populations are needed.

Chemotherapy-induced liver injury has been found to be quite common in cancer patients undergoing chemotherapy. Being aware of chemotherapy-induced hepatotoxicity is important for avoiding errors in detecting liver metastases and for defining the most appropriate clinical management strategy. MRI imaging has proven to be a useful troubleshooting tool that helps overcome false negatives in tumor response imaging after chemotherapy due to liver parenchyma changes. The purpose of this review is, therefore, to describe the characteristics of magnetic resonance imaging of the broad spectrum of liver damage induced by systemic chemotherapeutic agents in order to avoid misdiagnoses of liver metastases and disease progression and to define the most appropriate clinical management strategy.

Viral infections are frequent among patients with thoracic malignancies prompted by dysregulation of innate and adaptative immune response. Clinical symptoms and radiological findings of both viral pneumonia and lung adenocarcinoma may overlap resulting in diagnostic and clinical challenges.We present the case of a women admitted to our department presenting with an acute manifestation of coronavirus OC43 pneumonia with underlying undiagnosed lung adenocarcinoma.

The problems of the environment and human health related to the use of synthetic and broad-spectrum insecticides have increasingly motivated scientific research on different alternatives and among these, the use of green systems, such as essential oils, have been explored. Several species of the Apiaceae and Asteraceae families, aromatic herbs rich in secondary bioactive metabolites, are used in the industrial field for pharmaceutical, cosmetic, and food purposes. Different essential oils extracted from some species of these families have shown acute toxicity and attractive and/or repellent effects towards different insects. In our work, we investigated the toxic potential of Calendula incana subsp. maritima and Laserpitium siler subsp. siculum essential oils against four insect species, Sitophilus oryzae, Lasioderma serricorne, Necrobia rufipes, and Rhyzoperta dominica, which are common pests of stored products. The composition of both oils, extracted by hydrodistillation from the aerial parts of the two plants, was evaluated by GC×GC-MS. Calendula incana subsp. maritima essential oil was rich in oxygenated sesquiterpenoids, such as cubebol (35.39%), 4-epi-cubebol (22.99%), and cubenol (12.77%), while the Laserpitium siler subsp. siculum essential oil was composed mainly of monoterpene hydrocarbons, such as β-phellandrene (42.16%), limonene (23.87%), and β-terpinene (11.80%). The toxicity Petri dish bioassays indicated that C. maritima oil killed a mean of 65.50% of S. oryzae and 44.00% of R. dominica adults, indicating a higher biocidal activity in comparison with L. siculum oil, while toward the other species, no significant differences in mortality were recorded. Calendula maritima oil could be, then, considered a promising candidate for further tests as an alternative biocide toward S. oryzae and R. dominica. The possibility that the relatively high content of oxygenated sesquiterpenoids in C. maritima essential oil determines its higher biocidal activity is discussed.

The Red Palm Weevil (RPW), after its accidental introduction in Italy in 2005, determined a progressive disruption of Canary palms mostly in the central and southern regions. As it is difficult to undertake the management of this pest, the possibility of substituting the killed/symptomatic palms with other ornamental trees has been recently discussed. In this context, understanding the citizens' needs about green areas can improve the management of public parks and urban greening. Involving citizens on the natural resource management using public participation processes is crucial. The case study of a small town of Sicily (Italy) was treated and the spread of this pest was monitored. Moreover, the possibility of substituting the killed palms with other ornamentals was discussed by involving a sample of the population through a direct survey aimed at detecting the preferences in respect to certain tree species (as potential substitutes of the killed palms) listed in a questionnaire administered face-to-face. The citizen's samples showed great interest in the green areas (97%) and indicated a traditional Mediterranean plant as Nerium oleander as the preferred palm substitute candidate.

Plants produce considerable amounts of volatile organic compounds (VOCs) with several biological functions, including protection against biotic agents such as viruses and their vectors. In citrus species, these metabolites can be related with their different susceptibility/tolerance toward the Tristeza virus (CTV), one of the main biotic constraints for the citrus industry. The objective of this study was to compare the VOCs pattern from the leaves of a CTV-susceptible citrus variety such as Citrus aurantium and from three CTV-tolerant varieties: Citrus volkameriana, Carrizo citrange, and Forner-Alcaide no. 5. The VOCs emitted were analyzed via the headspace SPME method, while plant metabolites sequestered in the leaves were analyzed by heptane extraction followed by GC-MS. The results indicated that the majority of the VOCs emitted and sequestered in the leaves of the varieties tolerant and susceptible to CTV are constituted mainly by volatile terpenes (VTs) that exhibit strong qualitative/quantitative differences among the profiles of the four citrus species. In detail, the VOC emission indicated different patterns between C. aurantium and C. volkameriana and from both of them in comparison with Forner-Alcaide no. 5 and Carrizo citrange that exhibited more similarities, with the last two characterized by a higher presence of sesquiterpenes. The data obtained from the analysis of the VOCs sequestered in leaf tissues of the CTV-tolerant varieties indicated a higher presence of monoterpenes such as limonene, α-pinene, and p-cymene, known to be the main components of several plant extracts showing deterrent properties toward viruses and insect vectors. As VOC evaluation is a fast and noninvasive measure of phenotypic dynamics, allowing the association of plant phenotypes in accordance to plant disease resistance and/or stress tolerance, the possible implications of such differences in terms of tolerance grade to CTV and/or its related vectors are discussed.

The cigarette beetle, Lasioderma serricorne F. (Coleoptera: Anobiidae) is an important food storage pest affecting the tobacco industry and is increasingly impacting museums and herbaria. Monitoring methods make use of pheromone traps which can be implemented using chili fruit powder. The objective of this study was to assess the response of L. serricorne to the volatile organic compounds (VOCs) from different chili powders in order to identify the main semiochemicals involved in this attraction. Volatiles emitted by Capsicum annuum, C. frutescens, and C. chinense dried fruit powders were tested in an olfactometer and collected and analyzed using SPME and GC-MS. Results indicated that C. annuum and C. frutescens VOCs elicit attraction toward L. serricorne adults in olfactometer, while C. chinense VOCs elicit no attraction. Chemicals analysis showed a higher presence of polar compounds in the VOCs of C. annuum and C. frutescens compared to C. chinense, with α-ionone and β-ionone being more abundant in the attractive species. Further olfactometer bioassays indicated that both α-ionone and β-ionone elicit attraction, suggesting that these compounds are candidates as synergistic attractants in pheromone monitoring traps for L. serricorne.

Necrobia rufipes (De Geer) (Coleoptera: Cleridae), also known as the red-legged ham beetle, is a newly emerging pest of pet food stores, causing apprehension among producers worldwide. Concerns about this pest are exacerbated by the lack of information about infestation modalities in pet food, while specific monitoring tools are missing. Considering that adequate pet food packaging could limit N. rufipes infestations, information about the penetration modalities in commonly used pet food packaging is needed. Moreover, the development of appropriate monitoring instruments is urgent to detect pest presence early and to reduce chemical treatments for its control. In this paper, the adults’ and larvae’s ability to enter into pet food packaging was evaluated. Furthermore, to develop monitoring traps, behavioral bioassays were done: (1) testing two different commercial adhesive surfaces, one generally used in mouse glue traps (MG), and the other used in cockroach glue traps (CG), to evaluate their different abilities in avoiding insects’ escape; (2) screening different molecules, typical of the substrates attacked by N. rufipes, as candidate food attractants for this pest: methyl cyclopentenolone (MCP), squalene (SQ), and stearic acid (SA). The results show that N. rufipes adults and larvae enter into packaging through the air vent valves on the bottom, suggesting that a way to improve the packaging to prevent insect infestation would be to modify these points of weakness. Laboratory tests show that the different bioassayed glues have strong differences in the ability to retain the caught insects, with MG being more effective than CG. The behavioral bioassay indicated that MCP and SQ attract N. rufipes adults in olfactometer. Finally, the results of dual-choice arena bioassays show that among the candidate attractant tested, a mixture of pet food (PF) and MCP elicited the strongest attraction in N. rufipes adults. These results encourage further experiments with the use of an MG adhesive trap loaded with a mixture of PF+MCP to test the effectiveness of such a tool for monitoring N.rufipes in pet food industries and warehouses.

Control of the plum fruit moth, Grapholita funebrana Treitschke (Lepidoptera: Tortricidae), has been mainly based on the use of chemical insecticides, which can cause undesirable side effects, leading to a growing interest towards alternative sustainable strategies. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of the mating disruption technique on G. funebrana infestation in plum orchards, by comparing the number of male captures in pheromone-baited traps, and evaluating the damage to fruits in plots treated with the pheromone dispersers and in control plots. The study was carried out in 2012 and 2014 in three organic plum orchards, on the cultivars Angeleno, Friar, President and Stanley. To evaluate the pheromone emission curve of the dispensers from the openings to the end of the trials, a chemical analysis was carried out by solid phase micro-extraction followed by gas chromatography, followed by mass spectrometry. In all years and orchards the mean number of males caught in traps placed in the treatment plots was always significantly lower than untreated plots. Pheromone emission from the dispensers was highest at the opening, and was still considerable at 54 days of field exposure, while it significantly decreased after 72 days of field exposure. Cultivar was confirmed to be an essential factor in determining the fruit infestation level. Pheromone treatment significantly reduced fruit infestation, but not economic damage.

The pentatomid bug Bagrada hilaris is a key pest of brassicaceous crops in several areas of the world. Previous studies suggest that mate location of this species is mediated by volatile chemicals produced by males, among which the main compound is (E)-2-octenyl acetate. However, the possible attraction of males, females, and nymphs to this compound has not yet been specifically tested. In this study, we tested the response of B. hilaris females, males, and nymphs to (E)-2-octenyl acetate using an electroantennogram (EAG) and olfactometer in the presence or absence of a host plant. Moreover, (E)-2-octenyl acetate as an attractant lure in field trap bioassays was evaluated. EAG recordings showed that this compound evokes antennal responses in B. hilaris females. Olfactometer behavioral responses showed that females and nymphs were attracted to (E)-2-octenyl acetate, while males showed no attraction. In the field trap bioassays, captures were obtained in traps baited with 5 and 10 mg of (E)-2-octenyl acetate, while in traps loaded with 2 mg and control traps, there were no recorded catches. These results suggest the involvement of (E)-2-octenyl acetate in intraspecific interactions of this species.

Blowflies are known vectors of many foodborne pathogens and unintentional human ingestion of maggots by meat consumption may lead to intestinal myiasis. In fact, the control of insect pests is an important aspect of industrial and home-made food processing and blowflies (Diptera: Calliphoridae), which are among the most important pests involved in the damage of meat products. Most spices, largely used in food preparations and industry, contain essential oils that are toxic and repellent against insects and exert antimicrobial activity. In this study, we assessed the electro-antennographic responses, the oviposition deterrence, the toxicity, and the repellence of the essential oils (EOs) of Allium sativum L., Salvia officinalis L., and Rosmarinus officinalis L. against the blowfly Calliphora vomitoria L. We tested the EOs antibacterial and antifungal properties and the efficacy of an A. sativum EO-charged mist sprayed in the tunnel entryway of a meat processing room to form an olfactive barrier against the entrance of flies. The results showed that the EOs are perceived by female blowfly’ antennae and exert an evident repellent activity against them completely deterring the oviposition for up to 24 h starting from the concentration of 2.5 μL cm−2 EO. The EOs also exhibited toxic activity by both topical application (LD50 from 0.44 to 1.97 μL insect−1) and fumigation (LC50 from 1.76 to 31.52 μL L−1) against adults of C. vomitoria and were able to exert a clear antimicrobial activity toward pathogens. Lastly, the EO-charged mist was able to reduce by about 40% the presence of Calliphoridae in the meat processing room of a dry-ham factory.

Bagrada hilaris Burmeister, is a stink bug native to Asia and Africa and invasive in the United States, Mexico, and more recently, South America. This species can cause serious damage to various vegetable crops in the genus Brassica, with seedlings being particularly susceptible to B. hilaris feeding activity. In this study, the role of volatile organic compounds (VOCs) emitted by seedlings of three Brassica species on the host preference of B. hilaris was evaluated. In dual choice arena and olfactometer bioassays, adult painted bugs preferred B. oleracea var. botrytis and B. napus over B. carinata. Volatiles from B. oleracea seedlings were collected and bioassayed with B. hilaris adults and late stage nymphs, using electroantennographic (EAG) and behavioral (olfactometer) techniques. When crude extracts of the VOCs from B. oleracea var. botrytis seedlings and liquid chromatography fractions thereof were bioassayed, B. hilaris adults and nymphs were attracted to the crude extract, and to a non-polar fraction containing hydrocarbons, whereas there were no responses to the more polar fractions. GC-MS analysis indicated that the main constituents of the non-polar fraction was an as yet unidentified diterpene hydrocarbon, with trace amounts of several other diterpene hydrocarbons. The major diterpene occurred in VOCs from both of the preferred host plants B. oleracea and B. napus, but not in VOCs of B. carinata. Our results suggest that this diterpene, alone or in combination with one or more of the minor compounds, is a key mediator in this insect-plant interaction, and could be a good candidate for use in lures for monitoring B. hilaris in the field.

Several phases of herbivorous insect attack including feeding and oviposition are known to induce plant defenses. Plants emit volatiles induced by herbivores to recruit insect parasitoids as an indirect defense strategy. So far, volatiles induced by herbivore walking and their putative role in the foraging behavior of egg parasitoids have not been investigated. In this paper we studied the response of the egg parasitoid Trissolcus basalis toward volatiles emitted by Vicia faba plants as consequence of the walking activity of the host Nezara viridula. Olfactometer bioassays were carried out to evaluate wasp responses to plants in which the abaxial or the adaxial surfaces were subjected to walking or/and oviposition. Results showed that host female walking on the abaxial but not on the adaxial surface caused a repellence effect in T. basalis 24 h after plant treatment. The emission of active volatiles also occurred when the leaf was turned upside-down, indicating a specificity of stress localization. This specificity was supported by the results, which showed that oviposition combined with feeding elicit the induction of plant volatiles, attracting the parasitoid, when the attack occurred on the abaxial surface. Analyses of plant volatile blends showed significant differences between the treatments.

Volatile compounds produced by adults of Anchomenus dorsalis under undisturbed and disturbed conditions were investigated with an all-glass aeration apparatus. GC-MS analysis of the crude extracts from undisturbed and disturbed adults highlighted four major volatile compounds, undecane, heneicosane, Z-9 tricosene and tricosane, of which significantly more undecane was released by disturbed adults compared to undisturbed beetles. The pygidial glands of adults of A. dorsalis were investigated using light and Transmission Electron Microscopy (TEM). Each gland showed dense aggregates of secretory cells organized into visually distinct lobes; a long collecting canal that drains the secretion towards the reservoir, a bean-shaped double lobed muscular reservoir in which secretion is stored and a short duct (efferent duct) through which the secretion is discharged. The function of the pygidial glands and the possible role played by undecane as a defensive allomone and/or chemical signalling molecule are discussed.

Volatiles and contact pheromones involved in the mating behaviour of the Painted bug, Bagrada hilaris Burmeister (Heteroptera: Pentatomidae), were investigated in behavioural and chemical experiments. Vertical open Y-shaped olfactometer bioassays showed that odour from males attract females but not males, while that from females did not attract either gender. Adult females were also attracted by hexane extracts of volatile compounds collected from males. In open arena bioassays, males displayed the characteristic steps of courtship behaviour in the presence of virgin females. Such courtship behaviour was displayed in the presence of females killed by freezing, but not in the presence of freeze-killed females washed with hexane. Gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS) analysis of volatile compounds produced by cohorts of 20 B. hilaris adults and collected over 48 h showed that both males and females produce the compounds nonanal, decanal and (E)-2-octenyl acetate. Of these compounds males produce significantly more (E)-2-o-octenyl acetate, i.e. 186.74 ng and 67.53 ng for males and females respectively. These findings indicate this compound is possibly a long range volatile pheromone, and a complex lipophilic fraction of the adult cuticle possible contact pheromone involved in short range courtship behaviour.

ObjectivesThe aim of this systematic review and meta-analysis is to compare robotic colectomy (RC) with laparoscopic colectomy (LC) in terms of intraoperative and postoperative outcomes.Materials and methodsA systematic literature search was performed to retrieve comparative studies of robotic and laparoscopic colectomy. The databases searched were PubMed, Embase and the Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials from January 2000 to October 2014. The Odds ratio, Risk difference and Mean difference were used as the summary statistics.ResultsA total of 12 studies, which included a total of 4,148 patients who had undergone robotic or laparoscopic colectomy, were included and analyzed. RC demonstrated a longer operative time (MD 41.52, PConclusionsThe present meta-analysis, mainly based on observational studies, suggests that RC is more time-consuming and expensive than laparoscopy but that it results in faster recovery of bowel function, a shorter hospital stay, less blood loss and lower rates of both overall postoperative complications and wound infections.

Paysandisia archon (Lepidoptera: Castniidae) is a serious pest of palm trees. A comprehensive knowledge of the insect olfactory system is essential for the development of efficient semiochemical-based control methods. The olfactory sensilla are located particularly on the antennae, and these can detect plant volatiles that provide important cues for the insects in the search for their host plants. To date, the fine structure of P. archon antennal sensilla studies and their role in host-plant perception have not been investigated in great detail. Using light microscopy and scanning and transmission electron microscopy, the antennae of both sexes of P. archon are described here in detail, according to the different types, quantities and distributions of the sensilla. Six types of sensilla were identified. The most widespread are sensilla trichoidea, sensilla basiconica and sensilla auricilica, which are associated with olfactory function. These have cuticular shafts characterised by numerous pores, and they are innervated by two or three sensory neurons. Sensilla coeloconica, sensilla chaetica and sensilla ampullacea are associated with olfactory or olfactory-thermoreception, mechano-gustatory, and thermo-hygroreception functions, respectively. Moreover, the role of P. archon antennae in locating of the host palms was evaluated using electroantennograms, to monitor responses to ester and terpene compounds previously identified as volatiles of damaged/fermenting palm tissues. P. archon showed responses to all of the synthetic chemicals tested, with greater responses in the females, providing a significant sex*dose effect. Among the compounds tested, ethyl isobutyrate elicited the strongest antenna responses. The fine structure of the cuticular and cellular components of the P. archon antenna sensory equipment is described for the first time. The results of this study form an important starting point and complement physiological and behavioural studies, to provide valuable information of practical importance for the development of efficient semiochemical-based control methods.